global travel bag roller review

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Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 40L Review

The Topo Designs Travel Bag offers some great organization in a classic heritage style, although we think the harness system is less than optimal.

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Our verdict.

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• Thoughtful organization
• Quality materials and construction
• Fluorescent liner makes it easy to spot your gear
• Subpar harness system
• Laptop compartment is too small
• Sternum strap doesn’t permanently attach

Technical Details

Carry-on compliance.

View 56/145 Airlines

Disclaimer: We take the measurements of the bag provided by the manufacturer and compare them to the allowance listed on airline websites. This should be used as a guideline rather than a rule. Bags can change size as you pack them out, and every airline's interpretation of compliance is different. Just because a bag is listed as carry-on compliant here doesn't mean that the airline will interpret it that way.

Like the Look

Polled on Instagram

Weight (oz)

58.4 oz (1655.6 g)

22 in x 14 in x 7.5 in (55.9 x 35.6 x 19.1 cm)

Notable Materials

Nylon, Packcloth, Ballistic Nylon, YKK Zippers, Woojin Hardware, Duraflex Hardware

Manufacturing Country

Laptop Compartment Size

Warranty Information

Topo Designs Warranty & Repairs

Buying Options

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Full Review

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In this review, we’re taking a look at the Topo Designs travel bag. This is a 30 or 40-liter backpack—depending on which size you choose, we’ve got the 40-liter variant—and it’s got a lot of unique stuff going on. As a brand, Topo Designs has a pretty solid track record of creating backpacks and other gear that has a vintage, heritage-style look. The kicker is that, although their stuff has an old school look and feel, it’s all generally decked out with top-notch materials and awesome features.

We’re happy to say that the Topo Designs travel bag has all of this and more. So let’s check it out!

Material & Aesthetic

Much like their other gear, Topo has gone for a really strong heritage vibe with this pack. It kind of reminds you of bags that were made in the ‘70s, with all the bright colors and the boxy shape. It’s a bit different from the type of aesthetic we normally go for, but we’re certainly digging it.

At the time of this review, the travel bag comes in three different colors: Ballistic Black, Olive, and Navy. We’ve been rocking the navy, and although we typically opt to travel with a black bag, we really like the colors that are going on here. It just works, and it feels very “signature Topo.” You know what they say: “When in Rome, don’t wear a black backpack like you always do and, instead, wear a heritage-style navy backpack from Topo Designs.” (That’s what we do in Rome, at least…)

From a branding perspective, there’s a white logo on the front of the pack, which is pretty classic Topo Designs—they have this on virtually all of their products. There is also a small Topo tag on the interior and a logo on the messenger strap as well (more on that later).

From a materials perspective, the exterior fabric is 1000D nylon. It’s important to note that the 1000D nylon here is not CORDURA®—which you will see on a lot of their other bags—but just normal, no-frills nylon. Towards the bottom of the bag, there is a kind of ballistic weave that will add a bit of durability—this is a pretty common area to add some reinforcement, as it will constantly be hitting the ground and rubbing up against things. There is also 400D nylon pack cloth on some of the exterior as well.

The interior liner is a 210D pack cloth with a brilliant fluorescent color, which allows you to really see your gear and what’s going on inside the bag.

Side note: Some of the colorways offer 1680D ballistic nylon, which gives a slightly different look and feel—as well as some more substantial durability—than this ordinary 1000D nylon. Make sure to keep an eye out when you’re selecting your color!

All the zippers on the bag are YKK, and the main compartment offers a super beefy #10 zipper. You really can’t get much better in terms of durability and quality, as far as we’re concerned. If you manage to break that bad boy, drop us a line because we want to hear what in the world you were up to. There is also Woojin and Duraflex hardware used for the plastic bits across the bag—specifically, at the strap adjusters where the harness system attaches and where the sternum strap attaches.

Finally, we should note that while Topo produces a lot of their bags in the USA, this travel bag is produced in Vietnam. So, take from that what you will—we’ve seen plenty of high-quality bags made in Vietnam and plenty of low-quality bags made in the U.S., so we don’t think this is a huge factor.

External Components

In classic Pack Hacker fashion, we’ll kick off the external components with the harness system. To be honest, we think this harness system is kind of…so-so. We have a couple of nitpicks with it, and we’ll start with one of the biggest—the straps. These are decently comfortable—there’s some thick padding, for sure—but we have certainly seen better straps on the market. A lot of backpacks will use a higher-density foam that adds a bit more comfort and will also stay nicer for longer. These straps aren’t 100% ideal, although they’re not terrible.

There are some load lifters at the top which are great for pulling the load closer to your back, and we think they’re ideal on a pack of this size. Once you get to about 35 liters and up, we start to look for those load lifters—so this is a welcome addition in our eyes.

There are some D-rings at the bottom of the straps for additional attachment options, as well as two pieces of MOLLE-like material that can be used to attach additional accessories. So there’s a ton of room for modularity and customization on this pack, which we love. There is also an option to attach and remove a sternum strap here. We’re not 100% thrilled with this type of attachment because it’s easy to pull off. We typically prefer a more permanent attachment point, whether it be a buckle or something else, because we have lost a couple of sternum straps while testing bags other than this one. But being able to detach a sternum strap does have its merits, as you can keep the bag a bit “cleaner” and free of dangling straps if you don’t intend on using it.

This entire harness system can be hidden, which is convenient for air travel when you don’t want a ton of additional straps whacking around, and especially if you want to check the bag. The way you go about this is quite simple, all you need to do is unzip the top part of the back panel, detach the straps from the bottom of the bag, and stuff them in there. Boom.

On the lower part of the harness system there is a hip belt that isn’t detachable, although it can be hidden. We tend to think anything over 40 liters should at least have the option for a hip-belt, and we were pretty excited to see that Topo has included it here.

There are strap keepers on the hip belt to manage the excess dangling straps, however, you will not find strap keepers on the shoulder strap adjusters. Kind of a bummer, seems like it would have been an easy fix for Topo to add those in, but it’s not a huge deal.

One other gripe we have with this harness system is the frame sheet, or lack thereof. When you’re wearing a bag of this size you’re definitely going to want some structure, and a frame sheet can help with that. We really feel like this pack could have benefited from an internal frame sheet. It helps improve the carry and just gives the bag a lot more structure. Popping your laptop into the dedicated compartment can improve this a bit, but we still feel like it could have been handled better. It makes this pack feel more like “a bag that you can carry on your back,” as opposed to a true backpack.

But then again, that kind of comes with the territory when you have a bag that can be carried three different ways ! Yes, there are three different carry-options for this bag.

• Messenger/Duffel Mode. This uses the D-rings on the side of the pack and the removable shoulder strap. Just attach the strap to the D-rings and you’re good to go. Most of us at Pack Hacker are partial to backpacks, so we haven’t been using this option much, but it may be a viable solution for you. This could be especially nice if you’re carrying it with another backpack. But in general, we think this bag is a bit too large to work as a messenger/duffel.

Moving on, there are two strips of daisy-chains on the front of the pack that provide some additional attachment options as well as a nice pop of color. You can actually use these to attach other smaller Topo bags, which is pretty wild. The Topo Designs Daypack fits well here, but it does make the setup fairly large.

Although, we have to say that once you start bulking this thing up with a lot of added weight and accessories, the lack of frame sheet definitely starts to become even more of a problem. The carry isn’t quite ideal to start with, but it’s definitely worse if you have another fully packed additional bag on top of this thing. It also obstructs the opening of the travel bag, and you’ll quickly become a human wrecking ball when you turn around in a crowd of people.

Needless to say, we think attaching another entire backpack to this travel pack is a bit overkill. But we do like that Topo has given us the option, and we think smaller accessories could work well. Plus, if you don’t like it, don’t use it!

Inside the Pack

Topo Designs Travel Bag 40L Laptop Compartment

Let’s kick things off with the dedicated laptop compartment. First things first, this area is seriously small. You can technically fit most 15-inch laptops in here, but it’s going to be tight. We’ve tested it with a 15-inch MacBook Pro and you have to put it in diagonally and then kind of shimmy it the rest of the way in. It’s a bit of a process, and not very ideal. Once it does get in, there is ample space inside the compartment—it’s really just the zippered opening that’s a little bit too small.

Moving on to the front of the pack, there is a vertical quick-grab organization pocket. There’s some really great stuff going on in here—there are two zippered pockets that fill out the bottom half, a keyring, and then the rest of the pouch, which has a lot of room in it. This is a good area for tossing a compressible jacket or anything else you want quick access to.

We particularly love the fact that Topo chose to include zippered pockets here, as we’ve noticed that other brands will just do a standard pocket sans zips. The problem with that is that as soon as you start moving the pack around (ie; wearing it), that stuff is going to fly all over the place.

Behind that front pocket there is a big horseshoe compartment with some additional organization inside. We should also mention that the paracord zipper pulls on this pack can be weaved through a loop along the bottom of the zipper track to make it a little bit harder for someone to open your bag and access your stuff quickly. Love it.

Inside this compartment, there is a zippered pocket towards the top which is great for flatter items like documents or larger notebooks. There is also a 1/3 and 2/3 partition pocket for additional organization.

Now let’s get into the main compartment of this bag. This area fully opens up in the horseshoe style, and you’re greeted with a couple of mesh partitions on the front. We’ve found these to be great for socks, underwear, or any other flatter, smaller items that you want to compartmentalize. And there’s one sneaky thing on the back—there is a zipper under these pockets that opens up this entire area, offering a separate compartment that is super handy. You can use this for added organization, but if you don’t want to use it—no worries. You won’t be sacrificing any space by not using it.

Behind the top flap, there is an additional divider partition with two 210D pack cloth pockets. On the interior, you’ll notice they still have the red zipper pulls, however, they are thinner paracord than the stuff on the outside. This keeps everything a little more minimal and compact, which we like. It’s a nice, small touch that clearly shows the folks over at Topo Designs really put some thought into every inch of this bag.

Moving on, if you open up the divider within this area you can finally reveal the actual “main” compartment of this pack. It’s basically a giant bucket.

We like the zipper partition here, as it kind of acts as a standalone compression system which protects the space on the other areas of the bag. If you want to jam your clothes in there and compress it down that totally works, but we’d recommend using packing cubes . We’ve been using them during our time testing this bag and it makes the whole packing experience a lot more pleasant and efficient.

You should also know that the partition is totally optional! So, if you don’t wanna use it you can just roll it up and stow it towards the bottom of the bag. This is very similar to the way the Peak Design Travel Backpack handles their partition, and we like both of these methods. The only difference is that with the Peak Design pack, there is a dedicated pocket that you can stow the rolled-up partition in. Overall, it’s a really slick system, but it could be improved a bit with an added pocket so you don’t have a ton of excess fabric flapping around.

As for packing cubes, any will do, although Topo does offer a couple of different sized packing cubes that will fit nicely in here.

And lastly, we just want to touch on the boxy shape of this bag. If you like that look on the outside, great. If you don’t like it—which is understandable—you should at least know that with the boxy shape comes a lot of great functionality. The overall shape of this bag, and the corners especially, make it easier to optimize every little piece of space inside versus other packs that have more curved corners. So, although it might look a bit odd, the boxy shape does serve a purpose.

Durability & Usage

At the time of this review, we’ve been testing the Topo Designs travel bag for two weeks, mostly as a daily driver on the way to and from coworking spaces and coffee shops. And of course, it’s always loaded up with a ton of gear.

Overall we’ve really enjoyed the organizational features on this pack, even if the frame sheet and harness system is a bit lacking. There are no durability issues to report as of yet, except for a small fraying piece of fabric on the Topo logo. We’ve actually seen this exact same logo fraying crop up with a couple other of their products, which is a bit odd, but obviously not a huge issue.

Other than that, we don’t really have any concerns around how long this thing is going to hold up.

Usage Timeline

Condition: Excellent

Loving the look of this pack and all the internal organization. Psyched to test it out!

The lack of frame sheet is disappointing, but loving just about everything else on this pack.

Still enjoying this pack on the whole. Still not enjoying the harness system as much as we’d like.

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Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L Review: My Experience Using It

Written by Dan

Updated on May 13th, 2024

I’ve used the Topo Global Travel Bag in the 30L size for weekend trips, getaways and hiking. Check out what I like, and what I like less, in this honest review.

This article may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commissions when you purchase via those links — and it's free for you. It's only us (Becca & Dan) working on this website, so we value your support! Read our privacy policy and learn more about us .

Table of contents

• What I like best
• Things I don’t like (or won’t use)
• How did it go?
• Where to get yours
• More Topo items to check out

Topo Designs is a brand I came to trust early on, and when I tried the Global Travel Bag in 30L, I was pretty sold. I’ve used this backpack on weekend trips and as a hiking daypack. Within days of opening it from the mail, it was on my back going through a leafy state forest (where I got a ton of mosquito bites).

In this review, I’m going through the features I think are the most noteworthy, along with what could be improved. You can use my experience points below to see if it’s your next medium-sized travel backpack.

Key takeaways from this review

• I’m a fan of the design of this backpack, although some people might find it boxy.
• My favorite features are the zippers and the pockets, and I’ll go more into that below.
• There are a lot of backpacks in the $200 range, so competition among trusted brands is fierce, but see why I think this backpack is worthwhile.

What I like best

There’s a lot I like about the Global Travel Bag 30L , if I can be honest. I definitely like more about this backpack than what I don’t like. I’ve recommended it wholeheartedly to friends and family through the years.

Tons of pockets and sleeves

I’ve used mostly every pocket this backpack offers, especially when we’re on a one-bag type of trip. In the past, Becca and I have packed this backpack with a packing cube inside and clothes for both of us. We use the front panel with its interior organizer full of pockets and sleeves for smaller stuff, like toiletries and tech.

Given how much we both drink and always have a water bottle at hand, we’ve used the convenient water bottle pocket, as well as the mesh organizer pockets, and vertical exterior pocket for odds and ends.

It’s unisex

The photos here show me using the backpack, and it looks natural on my back. I’m a regular-sized guy, yet Becca is a petite woman who’s only 5’2”. Nevertheless, Becca likes to wear this backpack, and she often does, because it doesn’t feel overbearing on her narrow shoulders.

On the product page for this backpack on the Topo Designs website, they show both men and women modeling this backpack. It helps that it’s timeless and neither masculine nor feminine in its appearance.

Becca recommends the Global Travel Bag in the 30L size at her list of the best travel backpacks for women .

The quality of the zippers

My and Becca’s favorite thing to talk about when it comes to Topo Designs products are the big fat “heavy duty” zippers. Maybe it’s because we’ve dealt with bags in the past that have had disappointing zippers that snag and break.

Either way, the zippers on all Topo products are kind of the signature style, and they’re not different in the Global Travel Bag : they’re oversized, strong, sturdy and never snag on fabrics. There are also unique “loops” to keep the zippers from opening, so my stuff inside stays secure in transit.

It’s great to see these exact same zippers on more Topo products, like the Topo Mountain duffel we recommend in the best travel duffels to know about.

Clamshell opening

Topo calls the opening style a “U-shape,” but I call it clamshell. This is one of my preferred features of a travel backpack, so that I can see everything inside. With the U-shape zipper opening to the main cavity, I can put in a few packing cubes, or a shoe packing cube, and see how much space I have left.

Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L

The Global Travel Bag 30L is a quality and functional backpack with cool travel features.

Things I don’t like (or won’t use)

While I think this backpack is overall great quality and the features are useful, here are some things to know.

Back straps

The back straps work fine; they’re just not overly padded. They work well for the fact that they can be tucked into the backpack and dismantled, if you’d like to stow them away and turn the backpack into a duffel. They’re mesh, so they’re lightweight, just not the strongest if you’d like to be hiking uphill for a few hours with this backpack as your daypack.

Pass-through panels for luggage

In all honesty, I didn’t know about this feature when I got the bag, and I didn’t really plan to use it as such. This feature isn’t as obvious as the luggage trolley pass-through panels or handles I’ve seen on other backpacks.

Bag attachment clips

In all honesty, I probably will not be using these bag attachment clips, and I haven’t made use of them to date. The attachment clips are from Topo’s ecosystem of making their products interlock with each other, and what you can do is attach a smaller Topo bag onto your Global Travel Bag , all on the front of a suitcase.

This seems cumbersome to me, and I’d rather just carry my backpacks, if I’m in the airport, which seems to be the use case for this. Plus, the Global Travel Bag in the 30L size is already carry-on compliant.

How did it go?

Like I mentioned above, Becca and I have actually shared the Global Travel Bag (in 30L, not 40L ) as a weekender when traveling with just a change of clothes, laptops and a few toiletries for a one-night stay somewhere. We haven’t taken any extra shoes, which is what made this backpack work for us both. For all minimalist trips, it worked out just fine, and we put small items and essentials in all of the zippered pockets, slits and sleeves.

Of course, you could use the entire bag for yourself, and pack for one person. That way, you’ll have much more space.

I also have taken this bag as a daypack (that Becca and I have shared… do you see a theme here?) on hikes. In these photos, I was in the Hudson Valley on a hot July day with my 30L Topo backpack. I was able to fit everything for a day out exploring the forest, plus essentials we wanted to have at our fingertips while visiting nearby small towns in Upstate New York.

With tons of high ratings, including mine here, this best-selling travel backpack from Topo Designs is worth your time to check out, even if you won’t be buying it.

Topo Designs is continually making awesome products, like the Topo packing cubes (” Pack Bags ”) that I listed in my roundup of the best travel packing cubes .

At its current price point, I feel like the cost of this travel- and adventure-savvy backpack is worthwhile, especially if you plan to make use of the three ways to wear it (backpack, duffel, shoulder bag with one strap).

Where to get yours

Getting the Global Travel Bag in 30L or 40L at its price will qualify your purchase for free shipping and exchanges on the Topo Designs website . You’ll also get the MAP Guarantee , which is a “reasonable lifetime warranty.” Take them up on it!

If you’re the Amazon Prime type of consumer, check out the Global Travel Bag (30L at Amazon , where it comes in a few colors. The only thing is, getting name-brand bags on Amazon might yield discontinued or outdated colors. This is what I’m currently seeing.

You can also easily buy it at REI.com . Note, though, that REI will usually stock just a few color choices, not all of the ones you’ll find on the Topo Designs site. If you are lucky, they may be the current ones.

More Topo items to check out

I already mentioned the affordable Topo Mountain Duffel as well as the helpful Pack Bags , so head onward to check out the nice-looking Topo Mountain Waist Pack and our best travel fanny packs and belt bags.

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Topo Designs Travel Bag Roller

If it’s looking like travel may be back on the menu for you over the next few weeks and months, chances are you’ll find yourself in the market for some new luggage for said adventures and, if you’re after something robust and versatile, this Travel Roller Bag from Topo Designs gets our vote here at Coolector HQ. This no-nonsense offering comes in an array of different colourways and offers the sort of versatile performance you’ll demand from any travel accessory.

Priced at a mighty competitive and entirely reasonable $289, the Topo Designs Travel Roller Bag Roller is the sort of travel bag that you take when you’re not sure where your adventures may lead and need a carry that is more than capable of keeping pace. This is basically everything you loved about Topo Designs’ traditional Travel Bag, plus wheels. Built to make one bag travel as easy as possible, this Travel Bag Roller packs plenty of internal organisation into its carry-on friendly size and the 3-way carry guarantees a smooth trip wherever your travels may take you in the rest of 2021 and beyond.

Travel in Style

Expertly crafted from top of the range materials, the Topo Designs Travel Bag Roller isn’t going to let you down when push comes to shove on your travelling adventures. It is a carry-on compliant soft-shell suitcase with 3-way carry and its versatility comes from the fact you can use the side grab handles or stowable backpack straps for hauling your bag over uneven streets or navigating the aeroplane aisle with ease. You can even extend the telescoping suitcase handle to breeze through the concourse. 

The Topo Designs Travel Roller Bag ($289) has two internal compartments which both boast mesh and lined pockets for holding all of your small gear and EDC essentials such as passports and travel documents whilst travelling. Topo Designs have deployed heavy-duty, crush-proof wheels for a smooth ride and added their highly functional PackFast™️ bag attachment clips so you can easily tote both your carry-on and personal item.

Topo Designs are one of the best in the business when it comes to adventure-ready accessories and would be a go-to of ours when it comes t finding the perfect travel bags. If you need something overflowing with functional features and a versatile design, this is going to tick all the right boxes and it’s certainly not hard to see why this is one of the brand’s most popular carries to date. The wide array of colourways and wallet-friendly price-tag are two sure-fire features to make it stand out from the crowd. Grab yours now for all your travel adventuring afoot.

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The Whole World in One Bag.

Global Travel Bag 30L

Your agile underseat companion for trips ranging 3-5 days. $199

Global Travel Bag 40L

Your versatile carry-on for trips lasting 6 days or more. $229

Global Travel Bag Roller

Your easy-rolling, multiple carry champion that does it all. $299

PACKED WITH COUNTLESS FEATURES. BUILT FOR ANYWHERE TRAVEL.

100% recycled nylon, built using durable, lightweight materials found in hardcore outdoor gear, ensuring flawless performance during the most rugged trips., water bottle pockets, the 30l and 40l bags now feature expandable side water bottle pockets. no more digging for your water bottle while rushing through tsa..

PackFast™ Travel System

Designed to work across a number of our packs, bags, apparel, and accessories, packfast™ offers ultimate, efficient packing for any occasion., designed to work across a number of our packs, bags, apparel, and accessories, packfast offers ultimate, efficient packing for any occasion., carry-on compliant, no need to check: our global travel bag line meets most domestic carry-on requirements..

Briefcase Carry

Shoulder Carry (30L & 40L only)

Backpack Carry

Telescoping handle (Roller only)

Multiple Carry Options

Over the shoulder, grab handles, stowable backpack straps, or roller, choose how you want to cruise the concourse..

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The packfast™ packing system.

Take your travel to the next level. Our PackFast™ Travel Line is a unique combination of apparel, accessories and bags specifically designed to optimize your packing. Our travel-ready apparel features our signature PackFast™ Packing Band to keep your gear compact, while Pack Bags, Dopp Kits and Accessory Bags are specifically designed to nest in all Topo Designs Global Travel Bags. Convenient clips on the Global Travel Bag’s exterior allow you to attach compatible packs for extra space, giving you a hands-free, time-saving, modular packing experience.

PackFast™ Packing Band

Roll it up and position the band—save space and keep your gear compact and neatly stowed.

A modular combination of accessories designed to help you optimize the space in your Global Travel Bag.

PackFast™ Bag Attachment Clips & Loops

Use our custom Attachment Clips and Loops to attach your pack to the front of your Global Travel Bag for extra space (and empty hands).

PackFast™ Bag Attachment System

Designed to keep your gear packed away tightly and neatly, and not taking up space for other items., shop packfast™ apparel, global jackets, global shirts, tech knit tees.

We've designed everything to fit together in space-saving harmony.

Shop packfast™ travel system, easily attach and clip our packs to a global travel bag for additional carry capacity..

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Global briefcase, rover packs, shop packfast™ bag attachment system, shop packfast™ bag attachment system, map guarantee™.

We guarantee that everything we make will go out and come back in one piece, year after year. Our MAP Guarantee™ covers defects in materials and workmanship.

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• Topo Designs Global Travel Roller Bag

Our bestselling Travel Bag in roller form. Built to make one-bag-travel as easy as possible, our Global Travel Bag Roller (made with recycled materials) packs plenty of internal organization into its carry-on friendly size, and 3-way carry options ensure a smooth trip. Use the side grab handles or stowable backpack straps for hauling your bag through cities or navigating airplane aisles, or extend the suitcase handle to roll smoothly through the concourse. Two internal compartments feature both mesh and lined pockets for holding all of your small gear. We used heavy-duty, crush-proof wheels for a smooth ride and added our PackFast bag attachment clips so you can easily tote both your carry-on and personal items efficiently.

Small Features, Big Difference

• The stealthy top stash pocket is perfect for keys and other small important items. It's accessible from the outside but keeps things safe in the main compartment.
• Zipper loops keep all zippers secure so you don't have to worry about anything spilling out or getting lost.
• PackFast Attachment clips pair with Attachment Loops on many of your favorite Topo bags to secure them to your roller for easy travel.

Packfast Bag Attachment Clips: Fasten your pack to the front of the Travel Bag for a secure carry, and even more luggage space (all while keeping your hands free). Detach the pack for day trips and shorter excursions.

• Step 1: Attach the bottom loop of the backpack to the front bottom attachment point of the Global Travel Bag.
• Step 2: Attach the top loop of the backpack to the front top attachment point of the Global Travel Bag.
• Step 3: Cinch the top attachment point strap to snug the backpack to the front of the Global Travel Bag.
• Built with recycled nylons and PC plastic
• 3-way carry
• Telescoping handle with exposed extender for durability
• Top drop-in valuables pocket with key clip
• Front zippered slip pockets
• Large internal zippered pockets
• Removable padded spacer mesh backpack straps
• PackFast Attachment Clips
• Padded nylon webbing grab handles on 3 sides
• Fully unzips for access into main compartment
• Two internal compartments with dual mesh pockets and dual lined pockets
• Fully padded
• Heavy-duty YKK zippers with security loop
• External stabilizer bar
• Heavy-duty crush-proof wheels
• Signature high visibility recycled yellow pack cloth interior, recycled black pack cloth interior on black color only
• Materials: 1000D recycled nylon, 210D recycled nylon, 1680D recycled ballistic nylon, PC recycled plastic shell

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 13.5"w x 21"h x 9"d
• Volume: 2707 cu. in. / 44 L
• Weight: 6.6lbs
• Made in Vietnam

Sustainability

• Fair Wear certified production, meeting fair labor standards for the safety, health, and wellness of employees.
• 100% recycled nylon with high abrasion resistance, equating to a longer product lifespan.
• Fabrics from certified dye mills, ensuring the chemical composition of textile products consists of healthy and safe materials.
• YKK heavy-duty zippers for durability.
• MAP Guarantee Repairs Program.

At Topo Designs, we're rooted in mountain culture and outdoor living, but love exploring cities and world travel. We look to proven classics for inspiration, yet take advantage of innovative technologies to ensure a timeless look with modern functionality. We are uncomplicated and utilitarian, but with a sense of design and style through simplicity. Our goal is to not have to choose a single path - we want to live on both sides of the fence, where life is always greener.

Growing up in the west, Jedd Rose and Mark Hansen had always been interested in not only spending time outside, but also in the gear needed to get out. They found themselves wishing there was a company offering a lineup a bit more like the gear they grew up using - classic styling, functionality, durability and a clear connection with the brand behind the product. So in 2008, Jedd bought a sewing machine and began concepting, designing, and sewing packs in his Fort Collins basement, while Mark set out around Denver and the front range looking for resources and partners needed to build those designs. They were lucky enough to find local Colorado folks that were just getting started like them and were willing to build companies together, and worked with them to produce Topo Designs� initial offering of products, continuing to work with them to this day.

Today, we�re still in the mode of making things we want to use as individuals and connecting with our customers as a brand. We want to produce the most durable, versatile, beautiful products that can be used around town, out on the trail and traveling the globe. We know nothing is more frustrating than being let down by your own gear, so that motivates us to make things that last. Simple, classic, well-designed products that are inspired by who we are and where we live.

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Topo Designs' travel backpack has replaced my roller suitcase as my go-to carry-on — here's why I recommend it

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• Carrying luggage is one of the least enjoyable parts of travel, so any way to lessen the load is a win. 
• The Topo Designs 30-Liter Travel Bag ($189) is a lighter, hands-free alternative to a roller-suitcase and easier to maneuver through airports and small spaces.
• The bag can be carried multiple ways and is roomy enough for a shorter trip while still being carry-on friendly and able to fit under an airplane seat.
• It also has plenty of pockets to keep all your travel essentials neatly organized inside.

Traveling is fun, but packing isn't quite as enjoyable. As a frequent traveler, I am often on the hunt for a good travel hack, and that often involves packing smarter and lighter. One thing I try to avoid at all costs is checking a bag before a flight because I don't want spend time waiting at the baggage claim (or worse, deal with lost luggage).  

While I love a good suitcase with spinner wheels for shorter trips, even the sleekest suitcase can be unwieldy and a pain to drag around during a long travel day. Plus, there's something to be said for being hands-free when you're trying to juggle your bag(s), phone, travel documents, and snacks for the plane all at once — or when you have to make a run for it to catch a tight connection. The solution: a carry-on-backpack, my new favorite travel companion.

The Topo Designs Travel Bag

The Topo Travel Bag comes in three colors (navy, black, and olive green) and two sizes ( 30 liters and 40 liters ). The material is a durable nylon with a water-repellent finish. At $189, it's more expensive than an entry-level suitcase, but more affordable than higher-end or trendy suitcase brands. Style-wise, it's an attractive backpack — sleek, compact, and colorful without being loud. In other words, it's an upgrade from the bulky backpack you used hostel-hopping through Europe after college.

Weight and style

But it's about more than form; the backpack has function too. One of the big advantages of a travel backpack is weight. The Topo 30L Travel Bag weighs about 42.4 ounces, or under 3 pounds. For comparison, my lightweight hardshell suitcase weighs around 6.5 pounds. On small planes or international flights, luggage weight is more important than size, so a few pounds can make a difference. And because the backpack doesn't have any additional hardware or frame built-in, there's no extra bulk to be carried around, and it's painless to maneuver in small spaces. The Topo 30L, even when full, easily fits under the plane seat in front of you, so if you find yourself stuck in the very last boarding group, there's no need to stress about fighting for overhead bin space. It's truly a carry-on.

Pockets for everything

Another pro of a travel backpack is pockets — for everything. Most suitcases have two big compartments with maybe a dividing pocket or two inside and one in front. The Topo Travel Bag has a main compartment, and two outside organizer pockets. As someone who likes to have a place for every little thing rather than throwing it all into one giant pocket, inevitably losing track of everything within seconds, the bag had more pockets than I knew what to do with.  

The Topo Travel Bag 30L is 14 inches wide by 20 inches high by 11 inches deep, and while it only looks slightly bigger than my everyday work backpack, it is surprisingly roomy. The main compartment has a u-shaped opening — it opens all the way flat, similar to a suitcase, making it easy to access and pack. Some backpacks require you to pack everything in from the top; the Topo Travel Backpack's design allows you to readily see everything. I had enough room to pack two pairs of shoes plus flip-flops, toiletries, electronics, and chargers, and about a week's worth of clothing. The main compartment also has two big zippered mesh pockets to hold additional items. There is enough structure in the main compartment that when packed full, the backpack doesn't become a lumpy mess and still holds a pretty firm rectangular shape.

The large front pocket also has a u-shaped opening plus a large zippered pocket that's big enough to fit books or magazines. Inside there are two additional smaller pockets that are deep enough to prevent any stored valuables from flying out when the backpack is thrown around. 

In addition, on the very front of the bag, there's a zippered organization pocket with a key ring and two zippered security pockets inside for things you want to access quickly, whether that be snacks, sunglasses, or other miscellaneous travel essentials. The heavy duty YKK zippers glide easily, and both the main compartment and large organizer pocket have zipper security loops to deter pickpockets.

In the back, there is a dedicated laptop sleeve that fits most 15-inch laptops. The backpack easily fits my 13-inch Macbook Pro with room to spare. 

Topo bags are all modular, and there are pack bags and dopp kits that easily fit inside. There are also bag attachment clips on the top and bottom of the Travel Bag 30L if you want to attach a smaller Topo backpack on top. The 30L also has a pass-through pocket in the back that can slide over suitcase handles if you are traveling with more luggage.

Versatile carrying options 

There are three ways to carry the Topo Travel Bag 30L : via the stowable shoulder strap, stowable backpack straps, or top and side handles. With a full bag, I personally think the weight with shoulder strap would get uncomfortable fairly quickly, but it's nice to have the option. I am, in general, a backpack person, so I use the those straps most frequently. I've carried it on foot (sometimes running) through towns, public transportation, and airports and ridden a bike with the bag on my back with zero problems. The padded back panel and shoulder straps make it very comfortable to carry, and it is designed well to sit on your shoulders and back without unnecessarily shifting around. There's also a sternum strap and removable waist belt if for a little extra support.

The one downside I found is that there is no external water bottle pocket, but I suppose since there are multiple ways to carry the bag, there is no set top and bottom, and it would be hard to have one pocket optimized for every carrying option.

The bottom line

The Topo Designs Travel Bag 30L is a great alternative to a traditional roller suitcase, especially for weekend or shorter trips or for travelers who like to be hands-free. Carrying a backpack makes it a breeze to get through airports quickly and eases the burden of having to schlep baggage across towns or hotels. 

The backpack is roomy enough to hold your travel essentials but still compact enough to fit under an airplane seat. Depending on your needs, there are multiple ways to carry the bag, and it has organization aplenty. Plus, it's just a attractive bag you won't mind having by your side.

Buy the Topo Designs Travel Bag 30L, $189, at REI and Topo

Buy the topo designs travel bag 40l, $229, at rei and topo.

Subscribe to our newsletter. You can purchase syndication rights to this story here. Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected] .

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Topo Designs Global Travel Bag Roller - Black/Black

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About this item.

• Molded recycled PC plastic back panel with custom Topo Designs branding
• Telescoping handle with exposed extender for durability
• Heavy-duty, crush-proof wheels
• External stabilizer bar
• Removable padded spacer mesh backpack straps

Additional Information

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1 year 24 countries - Why I LOVE this Topo Designs bag!

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Product details

• Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
• Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 21 x 9 x 13 inches; 1.13 Pounds
• Item model number ‏ : ‎ TOPO-GTBR
• Department ‏ : ‎ Unisex
• Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Topo Designs
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BJVS4XSG
• Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ Vietnam
• #737 in Suitcases

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