Travel backpacks

I’m about your height. Look at bags about 18” - 19” long, 28 - 35 liter range. For minimalist - lean toward 28 liters. For heavier packing - lean toward 35 liters. Look at Osprey bags, Patagonia bags, etc.. Stay with a backpack rather than an over-the-shoulder bag. Once a 28 liter bag is packed, you don’t want to carry it over-the-shoulder. Examples: Patagonia.com has a 28 liter and a 32 liter black hole bag. This is a good place to start. Use packing cubes. Cabin Zero has a 28 liter “military” bag that is a good size.
Think about straps and padding as well. Get a bag with a trolley strap to secure the bag over the handle of a rolling suitcase. Zippered tote packs may work for you as well. Amazon has a packable GOX bag with a trolley strap.

I, personally, don't think the RS backpacks are the best or most comfortable.

Get on YouTube, look at a husband & wife travel team, called AWAY TOGETHER w/NIK and Allie -- they posted some great BEST OF backpack videos -
There are several recent ones to watch
--THE BEST PERSONAL ITEM BACKPACKS FOR 2025 (TESTED HEAD TO TOE) - this was 3 weeks ago
def see this one -

--IS THIS THE ULTIMATE ONE BAG TRAVEL BACKPACK (posted 3 wks ago)

--THIS NEW TRAVEL BACKPACK IS ABSURDLY GOOD (posted 2 wks ago)

--WHY DIDN'T ANYONE TELL ME ABOUT THIS TRAVEL BACKPACK (posted 6 days ago)

You'll get some great suggestions in these videos.

I would rate the convertible over the classic bag because of the hip belt. If you are not in a rush, the RS bags go on sale from time to time and you can save about 20%. The Cotopaxi are more stylish but more expensive. Ospreys are also more expensive, but are technically superior with their designs, internal frame and form fitting straps. I would buy a bag that could meet or even exceed the maximum carry-on capacities, approximately 40 l. A big soft bag can always be compressed down to a smaller size and weight. On the other hand if you buy a smaller bag, say 28 l, you are really limiting what you can carry, including shopping and souvenirs. Some bags can even expand so you can really stuff them and check in the bag on your return.

If you have a store like REI or similar near you, you could go there to check out some backpacks. They carry Cotopaxi and Osprey as well as other brands.

As for the Youtube reviews of backpacks--be aware that often they "love" the backpacks that pay the best commissions.

I, personally, don't think the RS backpacks are the best or most comfortable.

I agree. Have a convertible carryon that I’ve used for several trips but it’s not very comfortable to carry. I decided to retire it and find something I liked better and decided on the Osprey Fairview. I haven’t taken it on a trip yet but it seems more ergonomic and comfortable than the RS bag. It is female sized, which could be an asset. My second choice was the Cotopaxi Alpa. It was a tough call, but I liked the Osprey slightly better.
If you go with the RS bag, packing cubes are a must, IMO. There is no structure without them and everything will sink to the bottom.

You might want to look at this post:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/ny-mag-article-on-best-carry-on-backpacks

I really do love my Cotopaxi! I have the Allpa 35L. I am a very light packer - 13.5 pounds total on my back. That’s the amount whether it’s a 2-week or 4-week trip. I also bring a small tote - mainly to hold my purse on the plane and have anything handy I want during the flights or train rides.

I am 5’8”, so what feels great for me may not work for you. Try some on at a sports/outdoor store.

I've been happy with the RS Appenzell - which is pitched as a large day pack or a child-size backpack. I use it as my carry-on - I check my RS 22" original carry-on.. It is 18" long and 1,400 cubic inches/23 liters. I think it's too big for a day pack - I put my Civita daypack inside of it. But I like it for getting around the airport and on the plane.

The RS convertible carryon is a great bag but it's a little too big unless you need extra stuff like handouts or dressy outfits. Esp for short people, when walking with it, even cinched well, the bottom might be bumping/rubbing against your rear beltline. For me personally, a sternum strap is more handy than a waist belt.

I really do love my Cotopaxi! I have the Allpa 35L. I am a very light
packer - 13.5 pounds total on my back. That’s the amount whether it’s
a 2-week or 4-week trip. I also bring a small tote - mainly to hold my
purse on the plane and have anything handy I want during the flights
or train rides.

Thanks for the tote idea Jean! I'm taking a 6-day trip to Germany on LH (from Sweden, so no jet lag) & was thinking I'd wear my hiking boots & change into flip flops on plane, this should work well for storage on flight. And I had to stop and admire someone's Cotopaxi after security, just beautiful! Wish I could carry a backpack, better with a 2-wheeler.

Drainsrust (would love to know the origin of your username, ha.) If REI is convenient, great to go try on backpacks and walk around with them, I seem to recall can even load them up with stuff to try weighted. Good luck!

I found the convertible carry-on uncomfortable as well. It never made it on an international trip. I have an Osprey Fairview rolling backpack. It's fitted for women and much more comfortable. I've had good luck using it as my carry-on for three trips to England.

What about prices of the packs mentioned? Isn't that part of the equation as well? Some of the bags mentioned are in the $185-$215 range, absent sales. Visit an REI store, if one is nearby. Oh, and a quick check on the REI website lists the Patagonia Black Hole 32L bag, dulse mauve in color, at $118 (only a few left).

I'm a woman 5'4" and I want something to take along with my carry-on or checked suitcase or that could be used alone as a carry-on for short trips.

So it sounds like you are looking for something that will work more as a personal bag that is a bit smaller; maybe a 25 to 35L capacity? Obviously it would have to fit under your seat, since you would already have a carry-on suitcase that would go in the upper bin, and many of the bags mentioned would not.

I just bought this backpack, which I took on a 2 week trip to London/Paris, and really liked it. It opens up clamshell style, rather than from the top, and will fit under the seat. It has a laptop compartment, lots of smaller zippered pockets, is comfortable to carry, and can hold a LOT of stuff. This trip I just took was a test run for the bag, and I will definitely using it again. There is an expandable version (38L), which might work for you, since you want it both as a carry-on for short trips, but a personal bag for longer one. I had the non-expandable one (28L), since I just wanted a personal bag. https://bagsmart.com/products/blast-quick-access-carry-on-travel-backpack?variant=41156224516178

the YOUTUBE videos i recommended are NOT sponsored = it's why we love following them for years. They pay out of pocket for all the packs and luggage they review.

Here’s a few more bits to add to the RS forum bag obsession therapy gathering. Amazon has ecohub bags. If it is going underseat, rather than in overhead bin - go smaller - do not exceed 28 liters. Look at 17 - 18” bags with a depth of 6 - 8 inches. Some airlines are tight on Underseat dimensions. This is because of space. Check with your specific airline, if known, about underseat/personal bag allowance size.

Some airlines are tight on weight. Smaller bags usually means less weight unless carrying cans of Alaska salmon, gold bricks, or other heavy items. By reducing weight - airlines can reduce fuel consumption and save money and reduce pollution.

Make your own criteria. Are you carrying a computer? Weight of bag? Length/size of bag, pocket arrangement, water bottle/beer can holder, trolley sleeve, cost, country where it was manufactured, etc..

YouTube Videos as mentioned above can be helpful. OneBag Travels with the green circle logo is good. Keep in mind: some of these videos are just for marketing/profit. Also, some are for businessmen and not fun seeking ladies who are smaller and packing differently. That’s why I developed my own criteria.

Sandanciso brings up a critical point. Be sure you are trying on potential backpacks that have your expected content weight inside them. Which means you want to figure out ahead of time how much you are planning to bring. Backpacks can feel fine empty in a store, but loaded, some will quickly be eliminated. I found the waist/hip belt design essential.

The same backpack can be fine, or not, depending on the amount of contents. I love my Cotopaxi, but I would not even consider taking it if I was trying to carry it full at 17-20 pounds. I’ve been that crazy neighbor walking around with my filled backpack on a few walks, just to determine what is my comfortable carrying weight - LOL!

The smaller inter-Europe airlines set my tightest dimensions for my two items I can carry on - my backpack & my personal item tote since I won’t check my luggage.