topo designs travel bag roller review

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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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

Pros get up to 15% off

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 Review

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you click on a link, we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you. Please read our full policy below , thank you for your support!

Cost: $229 Capacity: 40L (Also available in 30L) Dimensions 35: 22.5” x 14” x 7.5” (57 x 36 x 19cm) Style: Vintage style layflat opening Weight: 3.6 lbs (1.6 kg) Laptop: 15” (Sort of) Materials: 1000D nylon, 400D pack cloth, 210 nylon liner Origin: Manufactured in Vietnam

Check Price @ Topo Designs

Overall Impression, Aesthetic

The Topo Designs Travel Bag is made using some great hardware and materials. It comes with a lifetime warranty and the quality reflects that. The exterior looks a lot simpler than the interior, which has a ton of organization, with 15 Pockets and compartments in all. But, despite the great craftsmanship and organization, the design on the Travel Bag has some flaws. With a small laptop compartment, and a subpar carry system.

Materials, Colors, and Size

If I ever design a travel backpack, it would have high denier nylon fabric, and huge YKK zippers. Exactly the materials used in this bag. The exterior is made from a combination of sturdy 1000D nylon on the sides, 400D on the front, and a 1680 ballistic nylon on the back.

It’s a totally bombproof construction, and I would expect this bag to last a lifetime. The interior lining is a thinner, Bright yellow nylon fabric. This makes it very obvious to see when your bag isn’t shut properly, and allows you to easily see your gear inside the bag.

Zippers and Hardware

The exterior zippers are all the BIGGEST #10 YKK zippers, and Smaller #5 YKK on all the interior compartments. Which is really great, I love giant zippers.

For security, instead of locks, they use Fabric Loops to secure the zippers. You tuck the zippers behind the flaps, making it difficult to unzip them quickly.

They remind me of tamper proof child locks. It works great to keep you out, but it’s also a huge hastle to open them. The fabric loop is quite close to the end of the zipper, making it hard to get the zipper out from behind the loop. Thieves (and you) won’t have an easy time of getting into your bag.

Size, Dimensions

The 40 L backpack I have here is carry-on size for most airlines. The length on the website is slightly large at 22.5” when most airlines max out at 22”. However, this bag is soft-side with no stiff frame-sheet, so It’s easy to compress. You won’t have a problem using this bag as a carry on if your airline allows the max size of 22”x14”x9”. If you’re not sure, check my handy airline carry on size table .

External Components

Thee outside of the Topo Designs Travel Bag has a large organizational pocket, a side facing slash pocket, as well as a side-facing laptop compartment, a few daisy chain straps, two hooks for attaching a daypack, and D-rings to attach the shoulder strap.

Front Panel Organization

I like that the front slash pocket, faces to the side. This feels like a more natural way to orient the bag, because it stands up on it’s own when on it’s side. But the front Organizational compartment instead, opens from the top, meaning you have to turn the bag when accessing both pockets.

Zippers go down the entire length of the pocket, giving you complete access, and there’s a ton of room in this compartment. It expands out about 2” from the front of the bag, which gives you enough room to store a jacket in the main section, or books or magazines in the zippered pocket.

The one problem I have with the front compartment is it doesn’t face the same way as the other two pockets. The backpack doesn’t stand up on it’s own when it’s sitting on the bottom. And I don’t think it makes sense for one pocket to open from the top, and the other two from the side.

I think the design would be improved if they had all the exterior pockets facing the same orientation, so you don’t have to rotate the bag to get items out of different pockets.

Carry Options

There are 3 ways to carry the Topo Designs Travel Bag: as a backpack, with the cross-body shoulder strap, or briefcase style with the side carry handles.

Backpack straps

The back padding is also lacking on this backpack, it’s just a thin foam pad, sewn behind the nylon exterior fabric, that has very little in the way of air ventilation.

The hip belts help a lot to relieve the pressure on your shoulder. They have a good amount of padding, without being too thick and bulky. They make up a little for the shoulder straps and minimal back padding. But they don’t help enough to make this a very comfortable bag to carry for long distances.

Stowable Carry System

The best thing about the carry system is the ability to completely stow it away. You can unclip the backpack straps and tuck them into a zippered pocket. While the hip belts are sewn into the bag, you can also tuck them away inside their own pocket on the bottom of the backpack.

Shoulder Strap Carry

In addition to the backpack straps, this backpack also comes with an included shoulder strap. I like the idea of having this as a carry option. It makes sense with the squarish design and gives you easy access to the side-facing slash pocket. However, a 40L bag is a little on the large size for using a shoulder strap. It’s going to hurt your shoulder if you carry it this way for too long.

Interior Components and Design

Packing style.

The Travel Bag opens lengthways and lays completely flat. Giving you access to two compartments, and a bunch of further interior organizational pockets.

The main section located behind a zippered flap is a large compartment for storing most of your clothes. You don’t need to use packing cubes here, but I find they help organize your clothes, and keep them from shifting around. These two Eagle Creek Medium cubes I have fit perfectly in here.

The other side of the bag has a much smaller compartment, also behind a zippered flap. This pocket is much thinner, it’s a great place to store large bulky items like sweatshirts, or jackets.

The two separator flaps both have two zippered pockets each, hese are perfect for storing toiletries, or smaller clothes like socks and underwear.

You need to be careful not to pack all of these pockets too full. As the backpack is kind of thin, it’s only 7.5” deep, and doesn’t expand. And you can easily fill these pockets so much that you can’t even close the bag.

Laptop Compartment

The laptop compartment on the Topo Design Travel Bag is advertised as being large enough to fit most 15” laptops. I found this to be true except the access zipper is way too small to give you good access. This odd design forces you to insert your laptop sideways, then turn it as you put it inside the pocket.

This is inconvenient but works fine when the backpack straps are out. However, it doesn’t work great when you have the backpack straps and hip belt stowed away. The storage pocket for the backpack straps is BEHIND the laptop compartment, while the pocket for the hip straps is on the front side.

When you have these both tucked away, the straps press on the laptop compartment and makes it hard to get your laptop inside. It’s almost to the point where it feels like I’m damaging my laptop trying to cram it in here,

And then when you combine this with minimal back padding, and a lack of a false bottom. I don’t feel like my laptop has adequate protection in this compartment.

In summary, the Topo Designs Travel Bag is a super sturdy travel backpack that will last you a lifetime. The high quality materials make this backpack a great choice, while the internal pockets helps keep your gear organized. Better design on the backpack straps, and laptop compartment would greatly improve the comfort and use ability of this pack.

• High quality materials, Topo designs guarantees their bags for life, and it shows in the quality. With thick 1000D nylon exterior and #10 YKK zippers, this bag is built to last.
• The origination is also great. If you’re someone who has a lot of small items, this bag has a ton of compartments and pockets to store your gear,
• Backpack straps aren’t very comfortable, the shoulder straps are too close together, which puts pressure on the inside of your shoulders, and the back padding isn’t very comfortable.
• Laptop compartment is poorly designed, the zipper opening is too small. This makes it difficult to fit a 15” laptop inside, especially when backpack straps and hip belt is stowed away. The minimal back padding and lack of false bottom don’t offer good protection against damage.

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Topo Designs Travel Bag 30L & 40L Review

The Topo Designs Travel Bag combines retro design with modern sustainability, using recycled materials to craft a bag that’s as tough as it is stylish.

Finding a  carry-on backpack  to suit your needs can be a difficult task. You need something lightweight but durable. The pack should fit all your gear, including a laptop, without being too bulky. It should be durable, and it should have extra security features.

And that’s where the Topo Designs Travel Bag comes in.

Topo Designs created this bag with city travel in mind—the slim profile is designed to rest nicely on your back as you navigate crowds on public transportation. Numerous compartments offer lots of space and enough organization to keep you on the road for weeks. And you’ll be sleeping easy at night while your backpack is safely locked up with its heavy-duty YKK zippers and security loops.

This pack comes in two sizes—30L and 40L. Both travel bags have the same features, so the only real difference between them is the size.

It also comes in an array of colors so that anyone can find something they love. From the minimalism of the ballistic black to the subdued olive, to the classic navy with pops for bright yellow and red, the Topo Designs Travel Bag offers a color scheme for everyone.

This  travel backpack  has garnered a lot of attention lately in travel reviews, so I decided to share my thoughts in more detail.

So, does this bag deserve all the love? Let’s dive in.

Type: Carry-On Backpack

Use: Travel

This lightweight travel bag is practically bulletproof! Thanks to its many pockets and organizational features, it’s also perfect for digital nomads and city travelers.

9.4 and Above: Best in Class  – It is very hard to earn this score. These packs perform well across every category, and we recommend them universally. These are the best of the best.

8.9–9.3: Highly Recommended  – These are excellent and high-performing packs. Depending on your specific needs, one of these may be a better fit than our best overall picks.

8.3–8.8: Great for the Right Use  – We typically recommend these packs for more specific use cases, because their outstanding performance in one area may have other tradeoffs.

7.5–8.2: Good with Some Compromises  – These are still good packs that we generally recommend. There are some compromises to be aware of depending on your use case.

7.4 and Under: Not Recommended  – We generally don’t review or recommend packs that score this low, except possibly as a budget pick. They typically have significant issues with quality or function.

9.5 Build Quality

Accounting for 25% of the Overall Score, we believe that Build Quality/durability is the single most important factor when it comes to rating and scoring a bag. It’s not the end-all-be-all, but we believe it should earn the highest weighting in our calculations.

We rate backpack build quality on six objective and subjective attributes. A backpack gets a 0-10 score for each attribute based on a standardized scale. Then we use a weighted average to calculate an overall Build Quality score. The six attributes we use to calculate the score are:

• Main Fabric
• Zipper Type
• Reinforcements
• Stitch Quality
• Manufacturing Origin

7.5 Comfort

Accounting for 20% of the Overall Score, we believe Comfort is the second most important factor when it comes to assessing, rating and scoring a backpack. Because comfort is a subjective experience, we believe it would be unfair to score it subjectively based on such a small sample size.

Therefore, we rate backpack comfort on eight very specific and objective attributes. A backpack gets a 0-10 score for each attribute based on a standardized scale, and then we use a weighted average to calculate an overall score for comfort.

When scoring a backpack for comfort, we look at the following eight attributes:

• Shoulder Strap Padding

Shoulder Strap Shape

• Hip Belt Type + Padding

Sternum Strap

Load Lifters

• Breathability & Ventilation

8.3 Ease of Use

Accounting for 15% of the Overall Score, Ease of Use is our third most important score.

Unlike most rating categories, our ease of use scoring metrics are different depending on whether the backpack in question is a travel backpack, hiking backpack, or everyday backpack.

Because there are different metrics for each backpack type, the percentage breakdown is also different for each backpack type.

Ease of Use refers to whether or not the bag is easy to use. Depending on the bag type, this ultimately comes down to varying combinations of the following attributes:

• Subjective Testing Score

Main Opening Style

Water Bottle Pockets

Number of Grab Handles

• Laptop Accessibility

Luggage Handle Pass-Through

• On-Body Access
• Stow-Away Harness

Front Pocket

8.7 Functionality

Accounting for 10% of the Overall Score, our backpack Functionality rating is based on a combination of subjective testing and specific objective metrics.

A Functionality score answers the question of “how well does this bag do what it’s supposed to do?” This is primarily a subjective score. It’s based on:

• Subjective Functionality Testing
• Weight-to-Volume Ratio
• Laptop Protection (When Applicable)

6.1 Water Resistance

Water Resistance accounts for 5% of the Overall Score. It’s an objective metric based on the following three attributes:

Water-Resistant Fabric

• Water-Resistant Zippers

7.9 Brand Impact

It is important to us to recommend brands that we believe are doing good in the world. Because of that, we rate every brand we review based on their global impact. This rating incorporates elements like sustainable design, carbon reduction, ethical manufacturing, and fair working conditions for employees.

The Brand Impact score is an objective metric which accounts for 5% of the overall score and takes into account:

• Funding Source
• Usage of Sustainable Materials
• Participation in Emissions Reduction Programs
• Certified Carbon Neutral
• Certified B-Corp
• Regular Impact Reporting
• Fair Trade Certified

6.9 Buying Experience

We value companies that implement specific policies to reduce the stress and risk of buying a product. We give higher ratings to companies with free shipping and no-nonsense satisfaction policies.

Accounting for 5% of the Overall Score, the Buying Experience score is an objective metric based on the following attributes:

• Shipping Cost

Return Cost

Return Window

• End-of-Life Trade-In Policy

7.0 Warranty

It’s always a good idea to buy from companies that stand behind their products with solid lifetime warranties.

The Warranty score is an objective metric based on the brand’s warranty policy which accounts for 5% of the Overall Score.

10.0 Price-to-Performance

We rate products based on the bang for your buck they provide. We measure that using a Cost-to-Performance ratio, which enables us to evaluate whether a higher-end product is really worth the extra cost or whether it’s better to save some cash.

We calculate the Cost-to-Performance ratio by comparing the MSRP to the testing and scoring of all the previous categories. A product that performs well at a lower cost has a higher Cost-to-Performance ratio.

This is an important data piece to look at if you are on a budget but still want the best quality and design possible.

• Ideal size for carry-on travel
• Slim profile makes it easy to slip in and out of crowded spaces without having to take it off
• Incredibly lightweight but still durable
• "Three ways to carry" design offers a lot of flexibility
• If packed to full capacity, the 40L dimensions don't align with many airline carry-on size restrictions
• The number of pockets can be overwhelming (for something simpler, try the Osprey Talon or the Osprey Farpoint)
• There are no water bottle pockets (but you can find a clip-on or packable water bottle in my list of best water bottles)

20.0" x 12.5" x 7.0"

800D+ Cordura or ballistic nylon

• Expand to view all specs

YKK #10 coil zipper

padded, built-in

Breathability

panel loader

Laptop Protection

suspended and padded sleeve

thinner internal PU coating

Water-Resitant Zippers

uncoated zippers

pay for shipping

limited lifetime warranty

• Collapse specs

Topo Designs Travel Bag: Quick Answers

• This bag comes in two sizes: 30L and 40L. Both are generally suitable as carry-on travel bags, but the dimensions of the 40L travel backpack may exceed some airlines’ sizing.
• This bag is incredibly lightweight for its size; the 40L version checks in at only 3.65 pounds.
• Numerous zippered pockets make organization a breeze, but minimalists may find the design overcomplicated.
• Military-grade ballistic nylon helps repel water, but this pack isn’t waterproof.
• Travel in style with four color options: black, olive, navy, or charcoal.
• The “three ways to carry” design adds versatility, but most travelers won’t stray beyond the backpack function.
• All packs from Topo Designs come with a lifetime warranty and an extensive repair policy so you’re guaranteed to have the best experience as you travel with your well-loved bag.

Who Is the Topo Designs Travel Bag For?

• City-hopping travelers who want a simple, stylish yet functional design
• Digital nomads who want to carry their laptop everywhere
• Efficient travelers who want to skip baggage claim and carry their gear on their back
• Versatile travelers who alternate between work trips and personal travel excursions
• Ounce-counting travelers who want to minimize weight without sacrificing functionality
• The organized traveler who loves countless pocket options and add-on features

Who Isn’t the Topo Designs Travel Bag For?

• Hikers and backpackers will want to travel with something more specialized, as this harness system is not adequate for carrying heavy weight for miles or weeks at a time—try the Osprey Atmos 65
• Heavy packers would benefit from an alternative travel backpack with an internal frame to better carry and distribute weight
• People who like to travel with a lot of stuff; this backpack is meant as a carry-on
• Travelers looking for traditional luggage—although there are multiple ways to transport this backpack, it doesn’t have a roll option like other carry-on luggage options
• Travelers headed to sweaty environments; the lack of mesh on the back panel decreases breathability
• Anyone looking to travel with a laptop bigger than 15″

Who is Topo Designs?

In 2008, Jedd Rose and Mark Hansen started Topo Designs out of their basement in Fort Collins, Colorado. Armed with a sewing machine and a clear vision—to create functional, durable, beautiful products that resembled classic outdoor gear.

Jedd began designing and crafting a backpack. Mark began to work on the logistics. Together, they collected resources and built a company in accordance with their values.

Topo Designs strives to blend the outdoor experience with world travel culture. They pay homage to the classic styling of the outdoors gear they used growing up while incorporating modern additions.

And they want their products to be multifunctional and utilitarian: durable enough to outlast treks in rugged mountains, but simple and stylish enough to be used around town.

Topo Designs stands by their products, offering a “MAP Guarantee”—they ensure that your pack is durable and capable of joining you anywhere you go on the map. But they also stand by the environment: their motto is “repair, don’t replace.” They understand that gear is an extension of its owner.

Anyone who has backpacked can attest that, by the end of a trip, your backpack feels like a part of you. So, Topo Designs aims to reduce the number of products thrown away. Instead, they work to repair broken gear and return it promptly to its owner.

Topo Designs Travel Bag Features

Topo Designs works hard to ensure their travel bags are both functional and appealing. And while they maintain their classic outdoor-style aesthetic with the Travel Bag, this backpack is geared more towards airline travel than trekking.

Its square shape allows ample packing space, but the lack of a frame means the harness system isn’t strong enough to support heavy weight for long durations.

Organization pockets and security features also make this a great choice as a carry-on for some city backpacking travel or a weekend work trip.

Let’s review their demo:

Dimensions & Specifications

The dimensions for these travel bags are indicative of the pack sizes when stuffed to maximum capacity. Overall, both packs’ dimensions are smaller when unpacked, and both are carry-on compatible for most airlines.

Carry-On Compatibility

The 30L Travel Bag is a perfect weekend travel carry-on. It fills the dimension requirements of airlines, contains a designated laptop pocket, and has extra space to spare. However, if you travel more extensively, you may find it too snug and choose to opt for the roomier 40L version.

The 40L Travel Bag fits most airline size requirements, but it’s not a guarantee. However, the additional space could be essential for longer travel. Most people traveling with this pack do not experience any problems using it as a carry-on travel pack but review your airline’s rules before you go.

Backpack Straps with Load-Lifters

Although these cushioned straps will suffice for long layovers and extensive travel days, they are less comfortable than those of a designated hiking backpack. So if you have long walking days in your future, or plan to do much hiking with this bag, you’ll want to go light or seek out other options.

Enhance your experience and use the load-lifter straps, especially when you carry the 40L pack. These straps help to keep the pack close to your upper back while shifting most of the weight onto your hips. Keep in mind, these load-lifter straps are virtually useless without the optional waist-belt.

Carry Handles and Shoulder Strap

In addition to the backpack straps, this bag contains a removable shoulder strap so you can carry it as a messenger bag or duffel. D-rings on the side of the pack to attach this shoulder strap make the transition easy.

This may be especially useful for professional travelers who want luggage that they can carry to work meetings in a messenger bag style, with the option of switching to a backpack later.

(If that’s the case, I recommend this bag in black for a sleek, professional look.)

Keep in mind that the shoulder strap may be better suited for the 30L version, as the 40L is a bit big for the duffel-style to be practical.

Additionally, the hefty side and top grab handles allow you to carry it briefcase-style. This isn’t the most practical method, but it can be useful to grab and go. These handles are incredibly durable and they also sit close to the bag, so you can forget about them when you’re not using them.

Removable Sternum Strap and Optional Waist Belt

Both the removable sternum strap and optional waist belt increase the load capacity of this bag. The sternum strap helps with balance while keeping the pack stable on your shoulders. When you’re not using it, simply remove the sternum strap from its attachment clips and tuck it away in your bag.

The cushion on the waist belt is fairly thin, but this feature is helpful nonetheless. The waist belt can be tucked away into the back panel when it’s not in use. It doesn’t feel bulky when it’s tucked away, so that’s a sacrifice I’m willing to live with.

Stow-Away Harness System

This innovative stow-away system allows you to hide the backpack straps in a zipper compartment. This is helpful if you intend to carry it as a duffel bag for extended periods of time.

Additionally, stowing the backpack straps is crucial if you ever decide to check this bag through an airline. It will keep the straps safe and secure even while your bag gets tossed around.

The Travel Bag’s stow-away harness system succeeds in securing dangling straps without being bulky. It’s hard to even tell they’re there.

Organization Pockets

This travel backpack has so many pockets. It’s amazing to me that they could incorporate so many features and still keep the bag lightweight. And for the organization-enthusiast, there are a lot of packing options. Let’s review.

First, on the front panel, you have a side-zipping security pocket for small items. Inside this pocket, there are two smaller zippered pockets. It’s nice to know that the gear in the front of your bag is safely stowed away in a maze of zippers as you navigate busy city streets.

The front panel also houses another interior compartment. There are dual slip pockets, and yet another zippered pocket. These are significantly larger and can be used to stow maps, notebooks, or other gear which requires easy access.

Then comes the main compartment. This is where the organization options really shine. When you unzip the bag, you’ll see four zipped pockets: two mesh and two nylon. Behind the mesh pockets, you can reveal yet another zippered compartment. (At this point, I’m wondering who even needs this many features.)

And you’re not even fully into the main compartment yet. Finally, you unzip the last section to reveal the roomy main compartment. This is where you’ll want to keep the bulk of your gear. Topo Designs has pack bags (their version of packing cubes) which rest nicely in this space.

The last pocket is a padded laptop compartment (which I’ll review next).

Some will love the plethora of pockets, while others will find the number of zippers overwhelming and unnecessary. It all depends on what kind of packer you are.

I can say without a doubt that if you value packing and organization above all else, you’ll be a fan of this pack. Alternatively, you might want to consider a NOMATIC Backpack, which has many of the same organization features.

Laptop Storage

The laptop storage pocket is well-protected and easy to access. Anyone who has traveled by plane with a laptop knows how crucial it is to be able to unload your laptop without making a mess out of your carefully packed backpack.

However, the zippered compartment seems small when it actually comes time to fit your laptop in. Topo Designs attests that this pocket fits most laptops up to 15″, but it’s better if your laptop is smaller than that. The compartment is roomy, but the zipper isn’t quite long enough.

This makes it difficult to fit an older-model 15″ laptop in the 30L pack, which increasingly becomes a problem if you tightly pack your travel bag. However, if you’re traveling light and have room to spare, your laptop should fit with no problem.

Clamshell Opening Front and Main Compartment

In addition to the main compartment, there is another large compartment on the front panel that allows U-shaped entry. The pack cloth liner on the interior is yellow on most of the color options, so your stuff easily stands out. However, the ballistic black color option includes a black pack cloth liner to keep the design simple and more professional looking.

Attachment Options

Daisy chain webbing on the front panel provides easy attachment points. This is a great place to add smaller accessories and other items, such as water bottles—a nice touch, since this travel backpack doesn’t carry a water bottle holder.

For us, this attachment feature seems excessive. It turns you into a human wrecking-ball and increases the load past the point where it’s comfortable to carry.

Instead of stacking bag on bag, I would simply wear one backpack and use the messenger-bag carry option for the travel bag.

But hey, it might be useful for covering a short distance from the airport to your accommodation.

Pass-Through Sleeve

The 30L Travel Bag includes a pass-through sleeve so you can easily hook this pack on the handle of a rolling suitcase. Once you get through airport security, you can streamline your carry system and only wheel around one piece of luggage.

This feature is only available on the 30L pack. This makes sense because the 30L can serve as a “personal item” during air travel, while the 40L would be too big. The 30L travel bag stows under the seat of most airplanes. This way your laptop will be easily accessible during travel.

Topo Designs Travel Bag Review

This travel bag is made from high-quality, durable materials. The nylon is so tough that you can carry-on or check this bag without worry.

The padded shoulder straps and waist strap are foam with overlying mesh. The back panel is padded ballistic nylon with a foam interior. There is no mesh along the back panel, so it isn’t breathable.

Heavy Duty Nylon

This bag is heavy-duty. The Travel Bag packs are made of high-quality 1000D nylon. This is standard, durable nylon that is capable of taking a beating. To give you a point of comparison, most nylon hiking backpacks are between 400D – 600D nylon—this means the Topo Designs Travel Bag is a fair bit thicker and more durable.

I haven’t quite figured out how Topo uses such thick, durable nylon and keeps the pack weight insanely light, but props to them.

Additionally, there is ballistic, heavy-duty nylon at the bottom of the pack to protect the extra-vulnerable regions (like your laptop if you drop the bag on the floor). Topo Design’s rugged mountain background really shines here: I can’t imagine much puncturing this insanely durable exterior.

Although none of this nylon is waterproof, it’s all water-repellent. Any moisture that does make it past the sturdy exterior will be stopped in its tracks by the 210D nylon pack cloth liner.

YKK Zippers

If you know anything about zippers, you know YKK are some of the best around. These zippers are equipped with a water-resistant backing. In addition, they are very chunky, easy to grab, and they slide easily. The paracord zipper pulls help these babies run smoothly. The security loop on the main compartment keeps the zipper in place and ensures that no one will be messing with your bag.

Style & Aesthetics

The boxy look isn’t for everyone, but the square design is important for maximizing useable space. The rounded corners of other travel backpacks sacrifice a lot of useable space.

This pack comes in multiple color profiles: ballistic black, navy, olive, and charcoal. The all-black design is modern and sleek, while the olive and navy colors are a bit more playful. The recent addition of the olive color gives a middle ground for travelers looking for a product with a bit of personality. The yellow daisy-chain webbing and red paracord and strap details add pops of color without being too bold.

I personally love both the navy and olive color schemes. The vintage appearance really steps up the style!

The inside of the olive or navy pack is a bright yellow rather than the basic black that many other companies use. While many might think this color is garish, it does serve a purpose. The yellow provides a great contrast, making it easy to find your gear. Avoid the black hole experience of a more traditional pack, and the stuff you carry will certainly stand out.

If you do like the entirely black product look, you won’t be disappointed. The black color option includes a black pack cloth liner instead of the fluorescent yellow.

This bag is very comfortable for shorter durations. The contours of the strap fit nicely to your shoulders, and they are well padded. The padded waist strap and removable sternum strap allow you to travel for longer and will share some of the weight with your hips.

And, if you get tired of wearing it, you can always carry it!

While this product is decently comfortable, it is best used as an alternative to traditional luggage. If you’re embarking on a backpacking-heavy travel adventure, you may want to check out other options.

Organization

Organization was obviously a huge factor for the design of the Travel Bag, so it’s a big part of this review. There are zippered pockets of all shapes and sizes so that you can organize your gear exactly how you want it.

Additionally, the main compartment is surprisingly roomy after you dig through layers of pockets to find it. The choice is yours with this bag: you can easily customize your travel experience.

The organization is greatly improved by the addition of the padded laptop pocket on the outside. It is useful for easy access at airport security and will save you from digging through your bag.

The attachment features enhance the organizational experience. The travel bag may lack any exterior pockets, but it includes daisy chain webbing so that you can carry gear on the outside of the pack as well. This also makes it easy to carry too much gear, though.

Overall, the number of pockets will streamline packing, but I think they overdid it just a little bit on the pocket front.

These travel backpacks definitely are definitely durable. The heavy-duty nylon is overkill compared to most bags on the market today, but this way you know it’s going to last.

Many companies create lightweight travel backpacks by using very thin material that’s prone to rip. But, Topo Designs has come up with a way to match thick, durable nylon with a lightweight design. Basically, this pack is the perfect blend of durable and lightweight.

Topo Designs Travel Bag Accessories

This Travel Bag review wouldn’t be complete without a look at the Travel Bag kits that Topo Designs offers in addition to the backpack. These kits come complete with everything you need to perfect your travel organization system. Add on the accessories to really up the functionality of this already organized pack.

Pack bags are Topo Design’s version of zippered travel packing cubes. They are simple and perfect for bag organization.

The Dopp Kit is a triangular toiletries bag. It’s nice and structured, and the shape makes it easy to fit this in amongst your other packing luggage. When you don’t have anything in it, it folds down flat.

This Dopp Kit is simple, functional, and comes with a hang loop.

Accessory Bags

While the pack bags are designed to hold your clothes and larger goods, the accessory bags come in a range of sizes. They are built to carry smaller items, from headphones to computer charges. They’re also useful for keeping your travel bag free from a nest of cords. However, with the number of zippered pockets already in the Travel Bag, it’s easy to go without these.

Price: How Much Does the Topo Designs Travel Bag Cost?

This wouldn’t be a travel bag review without addressing the issue of cost. And the Topo Designs Travel Bag isn’t cheap.

The 30L Travel Bag starts at $189 with free shipping and returns in the United States.

The 40L Travel Bag is $229 with free shipping and returns in the United States.

These prices may seem steep for a starter travel pack, but the bag’s high-quality, durable materials and design features add to the value. This product is built to last a lifetime of travel, and this durability is backed up by its lifetime warranty.

Warranty: What Kind of Warranty Does Topo Designs Offer?

Like many reputable companies these days, Topo Designs wants their customers to have the best travel experience possible. That’s why they offer a lifetime warranty on all their backpacks, bags, apparel, and gear. They call it the MAP Guarantee and it protects against any manufacturing defects or material flaws. This warranty does not cover damage from wear and tear, neglect, or accidents.

However, if you do manage to damage this durable pack, Topo Designs will help you out. They understand that our travel bags see a bit of tough love, so they have a comprehensive repair program to return your backpack to working order. Simply email the company a repair form, send in your product, and let them do the rest. Returns generally take between 4-6 weeks.

But Topo Designs takes it a level further in their returns program. They demonstrate their dedication to sustainable product development by offering a repair reimbursement program. Instead of sending them the product, you could keep your repair local. Find someone in your area, send in a claim to Topo Designs, and they’ll send you a gift card for the cost of the repair. It may not be the most ideal option for everyone (and it may work better for apparel than bags), but I still think it’s pretty darn cool.

Shipping: Does Topo Designs Ship Internationally?

If you order directly from the Topo Designs website, they offer free U.S. shipping, as well as free returns and exchanges. This free domestic shipping can take up to a week, depending on your distance from Colorado.

Topo Designs also ships internationally. This shipping will generally take a couple of weeks. However, additional duties and taxes must be paid at the time of delivery. Keep this in mind when ordering, because these fees are not included in Topo Designs’ shipping rates.

Contact your local postal service to find out what fees you’ll encounter. And of course, you can email the company if you have any questions about their international shipping. Just review the details!

Topo Designs Travel Bag Review Summary: Final Thoughts

The Topo Designs Travel Bag is a well-designed carry-on bag perfect for shorter trips. It’s durable, has numerous pockets for organization, and includes a padded laptop pocket. It’s perfect for the digital nomad, or anyone seeking a balance of classic style and function.

This is also a great pack for a traveler looking to take the leap from traditional luggage to backpack-style travel. With various attachment points and a “three ways to carry” system, the Travel Bag is highly versatile.

The vintage aesthetic is unique. The colorful design of the olive and navy versions is more eye-catching than many of the other sleek black backpacks on the market, like the Peak Design Travel Backpack or Tortuga Outbreaker .

However, as I think this review outlines, it’s not for everyone.

While it works well for a weekend travel excursion, the harness system may be too simple for longer travel. If you’re planning to travel for a couple of weeks, you may want to browse other options.

I love that the Topo Designs Travel Bag comes in two sizes and is full of features. The 30L is great for weekend travel but may be too small for heavy packers for longer travel. However, the 40L version pushes the limits of many airline carry-on restrictions.

This is a high-quality, durable product that is well-suited for those who seek to travel with an extensive organization system. But for the minimalist travelers among us, the Travel Bag design may seem excessive.

At the end of the day, the choice is yours!

Topo Designs Travel Bag FAQs

Is the topo designs travel bag worth it.

The Topo Designs Travel Bag is worth it for anyone who wants a stylish and functional carry-on backpack.

What material is the Topo Designs Travel Bag Made Of?

The Topo Designs Travel Bag is made of recycled nylon in 100D, 400D, and 210D thicknesses.

Where is Topo Designs headquartered?

The Topo Designs headquarters is in Denver, Colorado.

What are alternatives to the Topo Designs Travel Bag?

The best alternatives to the Topo Designs Travel Bag are the Peak Design Travel Backpack and the Cotopaxi Allpa 35.

Is Topo Designs a good brand?

Yes, Topo Designs is a great brand that’s known for retro styling and durable construction

Jeremy Scott Foster

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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.

Product Reviews

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• Topo Designs 16L TopoLite Cinch Pack

• Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry
• Luggage & Travel Gear

Add to your order

• No Additional Cost: You pay nothing for repairs – parts, labor, and shipping included.
• Coverage: Plans starts on the date of purchase. Stains, rips or tears and seam separation covered from day one. Defects in materials or workmanship covered after the manufacturer warranty expires.
• Easy Claims Process: File a claim anytime online or by phone. Most claims approved within minutes. If we can’t repair it, we’ll send you an Amazon e-gift card for the purchase price of your covered product or replace it.
• Product Eligibility: Plan must be purchased with a product or within 30 days of the product purchase. Pre-existing conditions are not covered.
• Terms & Details: More information about this protection plan is available within the “Product guides and documents” section. Simply click “User Guide” for more info. Terms & Conditions will be available in Your Orders on Amazon. Asurion will also email your plan confirmation with Terms & Conditions to the address associated with your Amazon account within 24 hours of purchase.
• Buy a lot of stuff on Amazon? Tons of items eligible for coverage, from the latest tech like laptops, game consoles, and TVs, to major appliances, sporting goods, tools, toys, mattresses, personal care, furniture, and more.
• Accidents happen. That’s why for your portable products we cover accidental damage from handling such as drops, spills and cracked screens. We also cover electrical and mechanical malfunctions, power surges, and wear and tear.
• Past and future purchases covered. 30 days after you are enrolled, all eligible past purchases (up to 1 year prior to enrollment) and future eligible purchases made on Amazon will be covered by your plan as long as you are enrolled.
• Fast, easy claims. Frustration-free claims, with most filed in minutes. We will fix it, replace it, or reimburse you with an Amazon e-gift card for the purchase price of your product (excluding tax). File at Asurion.com/amazon.
• No hidden fees. For just $16.99 a month + tax you’re covered for up to $5,000 in claims per 12-month period. *THIS PROGRAM IS MONTH-TO-MONTH AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL CANCELED* Coverage for all products ends 30 days after the plan is canceled. Cancel any time.

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3 year luggage protection plan, 4 year luggage protection plan, asurion complete protect: one plan covers all eligible past and future purchases on amazon.

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Topo Designs 44 L Global Travel Bag Roller Desert Palm/Pond Blue One Size

Purchase options and add-ons.

• A travel bag in roller form, the Topo Designs 44 L Global Travel Bag Roller Carry On comes with ample space to pack your essentials.
• Nylon construction.
• Molded recycled plastic back panel with custom Topo Designs branding.
• Side grab handles or backpack straps for hauling the bag.
• Mesh and lined pockets for holding the small gear.

Additional Details

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

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Global Travel Bag Roller Black/Black

• BLACK/BLACK

Everything you loved about our Travel Bag, plus wheels. 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. Description Our bestselling Travel Bag in roller form. The recycled Global Travel Bag Roller is a carry-on compliant soft-shell suitcase with 3-way carry capabilities. Use the side grab handles or stowable backpack straps for hauling your bag through cities or navigating airplane aisles, or extend the telescoping 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 item. • Built with recycled nylons and PC plastic • 3-way carry (stowable backpack straps, side grab handles and telescoping handle) • Large internal zippered pockets • PackFast Attachment Clips Features & Specs

Recently viewed

The 11 Best Carry-on Backpacks of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Our simulations reveal which bags you can count on

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

TripSavvy / Chloe Jeong

A solid backpack is key to a successful trip. Think about it: You can use it as a carry-on, and if you pack light, it'll be the only piece of luggage you bring on a trip. It won't weigh you down as you rush to catch the inter-terminal train at the airport, and it'll look good on you as you stroll the streets of your destination. Find a good travel backpack, and it will serve you for years to come.

There’s a lot to consider when looking for a backpack to take you through all kinds of situations and environments. Waterproof, anti-theft, stylish, lightweight, wheels or no wheels—all things to keep in mind as you shop. To help you make the right choice, we tested 32 carry-on backpacks in our New York testing lab and in the real world. We tested for capacity, design, comfort, durability, and value.

Final Verdict

Product selection, how we tested, other carry-on backpacks we tested.

• What to Look For

Why Trust TripSavvy

Best overall, cotopaxi allpa 35l travel pack.

• Capacity 5 /5
• Design 5 /5
• Durability 5 /5
• Comfort 5 /5

Super durable material

Very comfortable with multiple carry methods

Lighter and more rugged than previous models

Nothing yet

Does the perfect travel backpack exist? We’re not sure, but we can’t think of one that comes closer than the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L. This second version of Cotopaxi’s best-selling backpack is rugged and comfy, has excellent organization capabilities, and is the perfect size to throw in an overhead bin, toss in a vehicle, and huff around from train to hostel.

The pack uses burly TPU-coated 1000-denier polyester and lightweight 840-denier ballistic nylon paneling. It has excellent weight distribution with comfy shoulder and sternum straps and hip belts, or stow the straps and carry the pack with side handles. The inside features multiple pockets of different sizes that we found perfect for separating clean and dirty clothes, electronics, and shoes. Bonus: It comes with a rainfly to protect it from the weather.

Capacity: 35 liters | Weight: 3 pounds, 8 ounces | Dimensions: 20 x 12 x 8 inches | Materials: TPU-coated 1000-denier polyester and 840-denier ballistic nylon

TripSavvy / Jhett Thompson

Best Overall, Runner-Up

Osprey fairview 40.

Quite spacious while remaining carry-on sized

Keeps belongings secure

Good padding and weight distribution

Osprey’s women-specific Fairview 40 pack impressed our tester with its size, space, and compartments. “This bag has a lot of compartments and a lot of straps to hold everything in place,” our tester reported. Despite the bag fitting a bit large, our tester said it was still very comfortable to wear. Osprey employs its proprietary Lightwire Frame Suspension, which helps spread the weight across the back panel and from the harness to the hip belt.

Despite being a 40-liter pack, it weighs just about 3 pounds, thanks to the lightweight nylon ripstop material and frame. “It did not hurt my back, and I like how most of the weight was shifted to my lower back,” our tester mentioned. Besides the fit, we also appreciated that all straps are stowable, making it easy in case you need to check the bag on a plane (which is possible on smaller planes with this larger-capacity pack). For the men’s version of the same pack, check out the Farpoint 40 .

Capacity: 38 liters (extra-small/small size) | Weight: 3 pounds, 1 ounce | Dimensions: 19.3 x 13.8 x 8 inches | Materials: 210-denier nylon mini hex diamond ripstop and 600-denier packcloth

Best Budget

Vancropak 40l travel backpack.

• Capacity 4 /5
• Design 3 /5
• Comfort 4 /5

Great for a short-to-medium-length trip

Could double as a business travel pack

Feature packed and user friendly

Lacks tech compartment

Cloth material could get dirty easily

This 40-liter pack checks all the boxes, including excellent value. Vancropak says it fits enough for trips between three and seven days, and we’d have to agree. “It fit everything even though I packed quickly and not thoughtfully or strategically,” our tester said. “It’s perfect for a weekend trip when you want to pack extra ‘just in case’ outfits or items. It even expands to provide more room. It has extra pockets, opens like a suitcase, has many different handles, and backpack straps that can be tucked and zipped away.” Compression straps also help shrink the bag back down after being packed.

And if you weren’t convinced yet of its value, it also includes packing cubes. “Its business-casual aesthetic makes it ideal for short business trips, too,” a tester added. One nitpick? There’s no laptop sleeve. But our testers thought the other features—and comfort—more than made up for that slight issue.

Capacity: 40 liters | Weight: 3.98 pounds | Dimensions: 20 x 13.7 x 6.2 inches | Materials: Water-resistant polyester

Asenlin 40L Travel Backpack

Functional straps

Multiple ways to carry

Not too weighty

Our tester didn’t love the style

If you didn’t dig the budget pack above, behold another excellent value travel pack. Like the Vancropak, the Asenlin Travel Backpack also includes three packing cubes. Our testers found they could easily fit everything needed for a weekend trip. They also liked the internal straps for organization and the external straps for compression. “It offers three different carrying methods, which is nice,” the testers reported. “It has a lot of different pockets and storage areas. The bottle holder on the side also unzips to expand, which is a thoughtful addition.”

Our testers liked how comfortable the bag was to wear and that it wasn’t overly heavy (the brand claims it weighs less than 3 pounds). We also believe this could double as a business travel bag.

Capacity: 40 liters | Weight: 2.7 pounds | Dimensions: 18.5 x 12.5 x 9.5 inches | Materials: Water-resistant polyester Oxford cloth

Best for Business Travel

Nomatic travel bag.

• Comfort 3 /5

Fits about a week’s worth of items

Loads of internal organization

Comes with an additional laundry bag

Uncomfortable to carry at times

Some scuff marks after tossing around

While we certainly love this bag's sleek and simplistic aesthetic, there’s a lot more to it than just looks. It’s durable and water-resistant and has multiple carry options (e.g., duffel and over the shoulders), a separate shoe compartment, lots of tech organization, and a TSA-ready laptop sleeve.

Our testers loved the capacity of this pack. “It easily fit everything on the list with plenty of room to spare,” one tester said. “I think everything you would need for up to a week away would fit easily.” The pronounced rectangular shape of the bag made it extra easy to pack and helped organize folded clothes. “The bag had two different shoe pockets, a laptop sleeve, and many other compartments for both smaller clothing items and even some work supplies,” a tester reported.

The one drawback of this pack was our testers didn’t find it the most comfortable. Specifically, the straps were stiff and dug into one tester’s neck. Overall, though, our testers were very pleased with the pack and thought it was worth the fit, especially for the design and ease of packing.

Capacity: 40 liters | Weight: 3.4 pounds | Dimensions: 19 x 21 x 14 inches | Materials: Not listed

Best Multi-use

Peak design travel backpack 45l.

• Value 4.5 /5

Excellent capacity

Easy to handle

Thoughtful storage solutions

This 45-liter travel pack from Peak Design debuted at the Outdoor Retailer Expo in 2018 and promptly won many awards. A few years later, it still holds up. Peak Design basically thought of everything when designing this pack. The outside features weatherproof recycled 400-denier nylon canvas and ultralight padded foam. It includes grab handles on each side, stowable hip belts, and a sternum strap. The inside has multiple pockets for organization and loads of room for trips of four days or longer.

Our testers loved the size and the zippers allowing access from four different sides of the bag. “It was super easy to pack, and there were just enough organization solutions to provide options for different packing strategies,” a tester said. “I also loved how many handles there were. A grab handle on all four main sides of the bag makes it super easy to maneuver, especially when putting it in the overhead compartment.”

Testers also liked the sheath built into the pack to stow the hip belt and the small pocket on the belt for stashing quick-grab items like lip balm, keys, or cards. They also enjoyed the water bottle pockets on both sides and the pack's comfort. Oh, and this pack is 100 percent carbon neutral. The only issue they saw was the price—it’s one of the most expensive on this list. But if you can look at this as an investment, the durability suggests it should last for many years. It's certainly carry-on luggage that any travel-savvy guy can appreciate.

Capacity: 45 liters | Weight: 4.5 pounds | Dimensions: 22 x 13 x 9.5 inches | Materials: Weatherproof 100 percent recycled 400-denier nylon canvas external shell and 900-denier waterproof bottom liner

TripSavvy / Conor Ralph

Most Comfortable

Topo designs global travel bag 40l.

Topo Designs

Excellent internal organization

Many different carrying options

Great for long travel days

Could be roomier

If your travel involves carrying your backpack for long periods, we recommend Topo Designs' Global Travel Bag. This super durable pack is also super comfortable with plush and padded shoulder straps and a hip belt. We also love that there are multiple ways to carry this pack with a comfy and padded sling. Its construction includes durable and recycled nylons with a canvas feel. And it meets Fair Wear certification standards, ensuring fair labor practices.

“There are a ton of compartments and pockets, so a lot of options for staying organized with small or loose items in the absence of packing cubes,” one tester said. “I could easily see places to stash cords, travel docs, electronics, water bottles, and more.”

While our testers liked a lot about this bag—including its durability—the comfort won them over. “All the features built into the bag suggest it's intended to create maximum comfort for someone who anticipates carrying the bag for a more extended period of time,” our tester concluded.

Capacity: 40 liters | Weight: 3 pounds, 10.4 ounces | Dimensions: 22.5 x 14 x 7.5 inches | Materials: 1000-denier recycled nylon, 400-denier recycled nylon, 210-denier recycled nylon, 1680-denier recycled ballistic nylon

Best Splurge

Bellroy transit backpack plus.

Flat opening made for easy packing

Comfortable to carry

Long lasting

Minimal internal organization

If you weren't convinced by our business travel pick above, consider this your alternative. This pack's sleek, durable, and comfortable design makes it ideal for business and formal travel. Our testers found it easy to fit enough items for up to three or four days away. Lighter packers could stretch this to five days. The inside is designed more like a typical carry-on pack with one large compartment.

“This bag felt super light on my back and was padded in all the right places,” a tester reported. “It has adjustable sternum and waist straps that you can tuck into the back of the pack when you don't want to use them, which is a genius feature.” Our testers were also impressed with the bag's durability, as it survived being tossed around our lab with zero marks or scuffs.

Capacity: 38 liters | Weight: 3.3 pounds | Dimensions: 21.7 x 15 x 9.4 inches | Materials: Recycled Dura nylon

Samsonite Silhouette 17 Backpack

• Design 4 /5
• Durability 4 /5

Suitcase-like opening allows easy access

Eco-friendly materials

Suitable for long travel days

Internal organization may be overcomplicated for some

Launched in 1958, Samsonite’s Silhouette collection is likely the oldest on our list. But those six decades of innovation have helped make this one of the best and most versatile bags out there—not to mention one with excellent style. You can also feel good about your purchase knowing that it features 100 percent post-consumer recycled PET bottles.

Our testers liked the size of the bag and the opening, similar to a suitcase, which made it easy to pack and access items. There were many—almost too many—pockets and compartments. And our testers loved how comfortable and supportive this bag was to carry, noting its excellent weight distribution. “I would recommend this bag to someone looking for a backpack they can use as a primary form of luggage,” a tester concluded. “It has enough room and compartments to fit all of the essentials and keep them organized. It's also comfortable, supportive, and easy to carry.”

Capacity: Not listed | Weight: 3.31 pounds | Dimensions: 20 x 12.5 x 7 inches | Materials: Polyester and Recyclex

Best for Techies

Thule subterra backpack 34l.

Functional and looks good

Bag included for dirty laundry

Portable charger

Not the most comfortable

We’ve been pleasantly surprised with Thule’s line of luggage. And that certainly includes the Subterra backpack. This rugged pack could also be a good commuter option as it has a magnetic rolling top closure, a padded laptop sleeve, and a PowerPocket for charging items on the go. We love that it has many access points and comes with a packing cube and garment bag for dirty clothes.

"I loved being able to put my normal packing cubes inside the big cube that comes with the bag, and I was able to use the bag as a day bag anytime I needed to carry extra, and it never felt super bulky,” a tester reported—however, they noted that the bag didn’t particularly help their already-sore back. Not surprisingly, considering its construction, the pack aced our durability tests.

Capacity: 34 liters | Weight: 2.75 pounds | Dimensions: 20.5 x 12.2 x 9.1 inches | Materials: 800-denier nylon

Best for Storage

Mystery ranch mission rover.

Mystery Ranch

Sturdy with grab handles around the pack

Well-designed internal storage

Different ways to carry

A bit heavy

If you’ve never heard of Mystery Ranch, let us introduce you to the Bozeman, Montana-based brand, which makes super rugged packs for backpacking, hunting, the military, and firefighters. This travel-focused pack is incredibly solid on the outside and has many excellent organization and design features inside.

Highlights include a stowable hip belt and shoulder straps, multiple carrying options, a dirty clothes compartment, three inner divided pockets, and lockable zippers.

Capacity: 30, 45, and 60 liters | Weight: 4.3 pounds | Dimensions: 21 x 13 x 12 inches | Materials: Plain spun nylon, 210-denier nylon

We recommend the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack thanks to its incredibly durable polyester and nylon materials, well-designed internal storage, and included rainfly. Another great pick is the Vancropak Travel Backpack , which rings up at a fraction of the cost of some other options on the market.

We selected products to test based on the expertise of TripSavvy editors and writers and on internet research. Not surprisingly, TripSavvy editors and writers travel a lot. And they have many carry-on backpacks they like and don’t like.

To ensure we weren’t missing anything, we also researched what other prominent sites have featured and looked at top-rated and reviewed backpacks on sites like Amazon and REI. Once an initial list of products was selected, we narrowed it down to the final 28 for testing based on style, function, and price.

We tested the backpacks for capacity, design, comfort, durability, and value. In our New York City-based testing lab, we asked testers to pack each backpack with three shirts, two pants, one jacket, one pair of shoes, and a toiletry bag to test for capacity. We asked the testers to consider all aspects of the backpack’s construction, organizational capabilities, and any design innovations.

Testers then carried each backpack around using the different carrying styles. We asked the testers to rate how comfortable the bag felt fully packed. After the comfort test, we asked testers to toss and throw the bag several feet multiple times. We looked for damage on the outside of the bag and any damage to products inside the bag. Lastly, we asked testers to rate the bag for overall value after a price reveal.

We have since sent the backpacks to testers to continue testing as they travel. We will update this document accordingly as their insights are submitted.

Aer Travel Pack 3 : This pack was comfortable to wear thanks to its supportively firm and cushioned back, while its rugged fabric stood up well to rough handling. Our tester subtracted some points for capacity, as it was a squeeze to get everything on the list to fit, and for the more function-forward style.

Everlane The ReNew Transit Backpack : This bag is very nice to look at and proved quite durable. However, it's on the small side and the features aren't particularly travel-oriented—namely, the inflexible bottle holder and the magnetic flip top that is easily displaced when the pack is full.

Minaal Carry-on 3.0 Bag : Our tester appreciated the comfort of the straps and the practical capacity of this bag, though the price was on the higher end and the packing experience was a bit of a learning curve.

Monos Metro Backpack : Another looker, the design of this bag got high praise. We liked the 270-degree opening, the easy-release front pouch, and the comfortable straps. At 18 liters, this back is more of a complement piece to other luggage and could use a better weight distribution system.

Timbuk2 Never Check Expandable : The expansion feature was a hit once we figured out how to use it and the durability of this pack was undeniable. It was difficult to look past a faulty zipper design that got caught frequently when trying to close.

What to Look For in a Carry-on Backpack

Prices for carry-on backpacks vary widely, so consider what your greatest needs are. You can find a spacious travel backpack for under $100—often under $50—but if you plan on facing harsh outdoor environments , consider investing a bit more money for something waterproof. Leather backpacks can cost hundreds of dollars; keep this in mind if that material is important to you. Anti-theft travel backpacks can be a bit more expensive but are often essential in highly trafficked destinations.

There are so many styles out there you could spend days filtering through the different backpacks on the market. Keep it simple: How will you be using this backpack? If you’re interfacing with clients or business partners, look for something minimal and sleek that doesn’t showcase a million pockets. If you plan on living out of your backpack for most of your trip, pockets are more of a priority. You'll want a bag that zips open flat like a suitcase for easy packing and unloading (this also makes going through security easier).

If you are using your travel backpack for hiking, find something with a removable hip harness to distribute the weight of your pack better when you’re on the move. If you plan on wearing your travel backpack casually—only in the airport or to work—seek out a style with adjustable straps and a padded back. This will help ward off any back pain, especially if you carry a lot of weight. When you’re trying on backpacks, test out the shoulder straps and imagine how they would feel if the pack was filled to capacity. Is there ample padding? Will the material cut into your shoulders? Does the back of the backpack feel like it would be breathable?

The size of backpacks is generally measured in volume (liters) or dimensions (inches or centimeters). While it is essential to refer to the specific requirements of the airline you'll be flying, a good starting point for a carry-on when flying domestically is 22 x 14 x 9 inches or 45 total linear inches (115 centimeters) including all handles and wheels. This size comes out to a 43-liter pack, so anything smaller should easily meet any U.S. airline size restrictions. However, this is only the beginning, and several factors may increase or decrease your allowance, such as the size of the plane and flight class you book.

This will vary based on your backpack's materials. For nylon and other water-resistant fabrics, get a damp cloth and spot-clean your pack. A damp cloth will also do the trick if your bag has plastic or metal elements. For leather backpacks, you’ll want to purchase a special leather conditioner and cleaner to maintain the integrity of your backpack.

This is an excellent feature if you plan on hiking or spending long periods carrying your backpack. It will help distribute the weight of your pack better across your body, ultimately providing more comfort. Most backpacks that are focused on outdoor adventures will have this feature.

Many backpacks are marketed as anti-theft, meaning it’s tougher for someone else to get inside your pack. Some backpacks have zippers that allow you to open the main interior compartment while wearing it—so you don’t have to take it off and risk having someone else pick it up. Others are designed with webbing over the zipper openings, making it very hard for someone to locate and unzip the bag while you have it on.

No, this is not the norm when it comes to backpacks. Compression cords make packing easier and function the same way a compression strap or cord would work in a regular suitcase. Some travel-focused carry-on backpacks do have this built-in. But if you want to squeeze in more items, consider investing in some packing cubes . These will help organize your backpack, too.

Nathan Allen is TripSavvy’s Outdoor Gear Editor. He has traveled to five continents, including plane, train, and bus travel. For most travel scenarios, he prefers backpacks over spinners or roller suitcases because of their ruggedness and different carrying methods. He currently uses Cotopaxi’s Allpa 35L, Thule’s Subterra, and Topo Design’s Global Travel Pack the most. Each product recommended in this review was thoroughly researched and tested.

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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.

Features & Specs

• 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

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.

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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.

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The 6 Best Packing Cubes for Organized Travel

These compressible organizers will save you space (and headaches).

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?

They keep their structure and compress smaller to help save a ton of space in your luggage—and they also save you from rummaging through a large duffel bag when looking for that specific rain jacket or pair of pants. Smaller packing cubes also double as a good toiletry bag , or a place to keep your dirty socks separate from tomorrow’s outfit.

Packing cubes are generally inexpensive, practical, and take next to no space to store—just leave them in your empty suitcase between trips. There’s not much risk in buying a set, but the reward is a heck of a lot less stress when you’re on the road. Below are six of the best packing cubes we’ve found—both through hands-on experience and researching the market—plus some advice on what to look for when shopping for one.

Best Packing Cubes

• Best Overall: Away Insider Packing Cubes
• Best Budget: Amazon Basics Travel Packing Cubes Set
• Best Roll-Top: Patagonia Black Hole MLC Cube
• Best Expandable: Yeti Crossroads Packing Cube
• Most Durable: Topo Designs Pack Bag 10L

What to Consider

Compression.

There are two types of packing cubes: those that act as small organizers for your packed items, and cubes that compress, squeezing your clothing to create more space in your bag. All packing cubes have some degree of compression, but some have features like secondary zippers to shrink your packed gear as much as possible.

Consider the size of your suitcase in relation to which cubes you buy. A cube nearly as large as your suitcase likely won’t do much to organize your gear, but you don’t want only tiny cubes if you’re packing something like bulky winter jackets or multiple pairs of jeans. Packing cube sets generally come with small, medium, and large cubes, and you can always buy a single of whichever size you need most.

If you’re keen on cubes that create as much extra space in your bag as possible, you’ll likely want a very thin compression sack. However, thinner bags may be more prone to tearing, and the zippers may not be as durable as those on a thicker bag.

If you’re going for durability, look for a cube made with ripstop materials, or consider an option like the Topo Designs Pack Bag , which uses 400-denier ripstop nylon—great for travelers who are tough on their gear. The materials are a little too thick for significant compression, but with a handle and large zippers, it'a likely to last a long time even when regularly overstuffed.

How We Selected

We’ve used probably a dozen different packing cubes, both compression and not, and have narrowed down what features we believe travelers benefit from most. These includes cubes that open almost all the way to make packing easier, secondary zippers to add another layer of compression, and mesh panels so you can see what’s inside without having to unpack.

Suzie Dundas, the original author of this guide, used her extensive experience with travel (and overpacking) to find the best packing cubes. We also got our hands on several options to try out, looking for important factors like weatherproofing and abrasion-resistance. We recommend packing cubes that come in useful sizes, rather than only extra-large or extra-small, and highlight both sets and individual cubes. We noted special features and made sure to include different price-points so you can find the best packing cubes for your next trip.

Away The Insider Packing Cubes

These cubes will keep you organized on trips, and the set covers multiple sizes. The nylon fabric is water resistant and the mesh panel lets you see what you neatly packed without having to pull everything out.

The double zippers give you convenient access to your gear and compress the cubes for portability and easy storage. You may not need all six of these packing cubes for every destination, but you can throw the empties in for bringing back dirty clothes or souvenirs picked up on the way.

The water-resistant nylon is helpful, but the mesh panel won’t protect from any big spills that happen in your bag, so get a separate dopp kit or dry bag for spillable items. Still, the sturdy construction, large double zippers, and varying sizes included in this set make Away’s packing cubes ideal for travel.

Patagonia Black Hole MLC Packing Cube

Patagonia’s Black Hole series uses recycled materials to make bags and packs that are highly durable and weather-resistant. Couple that with the unique roll-top closure and you have the MLC packing cube. The roll-top closure compresses down to whatever it’s holding and the buckle closure serves as a handle for easy carrying.

The zip compartment at the bottom lets you stay organized on an even smaller scale and gives you easy access to necessities. It’s composed of 300-denier nylon polyester and therefore one of the most durable packing cubes on our list. There’s no mesh panel to see what you’ve packed, but it also means this cube is more water-resistant.

The roll stop buckle lets you pack this as full—or as empty—as you want. I rolled up three pairs of Baggies and two pairs of casual shorts on a trip and liked how the volume adjusted to what I packed, so I could roll it down as I used more of my clothing.

The fabric feels incredibly sturdy, bordering on stiff, but it easily rolls down. The separate zipper compartment is spacious enough to stash socks, underwear, or rolled up dirty clothes. The absence of a mesh panel may bother some since you have to completely open the bag to see what’s inside but this wasn’t a dealbreaker for me.

Yeti Crossroads Packing Cube

These packing cubes have a wrap-around expansion zipper like you’d see on a suitcase, so you can jam them full of stuff and then compress them down to better fit in your bag. An interior mesh pocket keeps things further organized and a top handle makes them easy to grab and go.

The small mesh panel at the bottom lets you see what’s inside. These are available in three sizes, but they’re sold separately. The smallest size I use for electronics. and the compression aspect keeps it tidy when trying to pack oddly-shaped chargers and wires.

The ripstop fabric is durable but has no water-resistant coating, so these are machine-washable. The expansion zipper and interior mesh pockets are the standout features of the Crossroads packing cubes. I like the added organization of the interior pocket and the expansion zipper really compresses contents down with ease.

Topo Designs Pack Bag 10L Packing Cube

This mid-size packing cube has a durable, ripstop nylon construction with a U-shaped opening for easy packing and unpacking. Topo Designs uses its signature paracord pull tabs on the double zippers, plus a nylon handle for toting it alone and making it easier to grab and go. It’s water resistant and there are no mesh panels, so it’ll handle any toiletry spills while in transit.

The generous capacity makes this great for button-ups and light outerwear. I didn’t realize how much the U-shaped opening would make a difference versus the C-shaped packing cubes I’ve tried before—it’s easier to take full advantage of the spaces in this cube.

I’ve had Topo Designs bags for years and they’ve held up great. The ripstop nylon is abrasion-resistant and the hefty zippers don’t snag, plus the paracord pull-tabs are a convenient touch.

Amazon Basics Travel Packing Cubes Set

This set of packing cubes has four different sizes, including a slim cube thats perfect for underwear, socks, and tees. The mesh tops let you see the contents, and the nylon web handles make them easy to pull out of your bags.

The double zippers with large pull tabs allow for convenient access even when your bag is stuffed, and customers are impressed by the durability of these cubes. Reviews say the zippers don’t snag and aren’t finicky—surprising given the price point.

These aren’t compressible but you can still fold them to save some space in your suitcase.

Patagonia Black Hole Packing Cube 6L

These packing cubes from Patagonia have a clamshell opening so you can see everything at a glance. The interior has a mesh zipper on each half that secures your contents, which is especially helpful if you like to roll your clothes and pack them as tight as possible. A top handle makes it easy to grab out of a duffel. An external daisy chain and side loop gives you the option of attaching it to a backpack or any other gear.

The divided main compartment is helpful in keeping your belongings organized instead of just one big bag. Like the roll-top pick above, this is from the Black Hole series, which uses recycled nylon ripstop that’s water-resistant and durable. I packed over a week’s worth of socks and underwear in the six-liter size and will sometimes use this as a toiletry bag.

Danny Perez is a Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics with a focus on men's style, gear, and home goods. Recently, he was coordinator of partnership content at another product journalism outlet. Prior to that, he was a buyer for an independent men's shop in Houston, Texas, where he learned all about what makes great products great. He enjoys thrifting for 90s Broadway tees and vintage pajama sets. His spare time is occupied by watching movies and running to impress strangers on Strava.

Originally from the East Coast, Suzie Dundas is a Lake Tahoe-based freelance writer and editor who now splits her time between enjoying the outdoors and writing about them—she's the senior outdoor editor at Matador Network and a regular adventure and travel contributor at TripSavvy.com . She has written feature stories for publications like Outside Magazine , SkyLife Magazine , Playboy , Frommers, INSIDER, and more, and contributes couples travel and honeymoon content for TheKnot.com . Suzie co-authored Lonely Planet Sustainable Travel Guide and is the author of 2021's "Hiking Lake Tahoe." She has undergraduate degrees from the University of Maryland and an M.A. in media and political communication from George Washington University. Follow her on Instagram at @HikeUpYourSkirt or find more of her work at suziedundas.com . 

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