Best Designed Luggage and Backpack

vdj_145

vdj_145

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Oct 26, 2024
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What is the best luggage and backpack for international travel?

Are there any stand-out products that are optimally designed and just work the way you need them to? Every product I've tried so far has fallen short - nothing that's given me an iPhone moment when I saw them.
 
I think ‘best luggage’ is very personal.

A good starting point would be something with a lifetime guarantee. For example Briggs and Riley, or dare I say it, Rimowa (yes yes I know the design isn’t what it used to be). Even Antler has lifetime warranty these days.

I travel with a Rimowa trunk. All the advantages of a hard shell, but split like a soft case, not clamshell like other hard shells. Much easier for packing and one side isn’t heavy.

A new innovation is 4-wheel cases where you can lock the wheels. Very handy on public transport or if you want to stop your case running away on a slight incline.
 
Take a look at this website for reviews of many types of backpacks, they cater more towards the "casual" traveller than say "Business Traveller", and primarily around the concept of "OneBag" travel - that is where you essentially take all you need in a single carry-on bag.

packhacker.com

Pack Hacker | Your Guide to Smarter Travel

Pack Hacker finds & tests gear for travel and everyday life. We believe the best reviews & guides are created through unbiased real-world testing & usage.
packhacker.com packhacker.com

I have an unnatural and unhealthy obsession with backpacks, and have far too many that I've collected from o/s (brands that are usually hard to get here in Australia), so if anything is of interest, I might be able to help!
 
vdj_145 said:
What is the best luggage and backpack for international travel?

Are there any stand-out products that are optimally designed and just work the way you need them to? Every product I've tried so far has fallen short - nothing that's given me an iPhone moment when I saw them.
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Million dollar question isn't it?

I've been searching for ages myself, and seem to fall in and out of love with different aspects of various bags. I loved the July Carry On Pro for a while, and am currently flirting with Samsonite Ecodiver 55cm.

I have used a f-Stop Tilopa BC and Loka in the past, but am currently using the Jack Stillman Nomad sling.
 
Pushka said:
Is it really bad if I was on the search for a quality backpack for me, found one on Amazon, bought it, and when it arrived it was exactly the same as the back pack I already had! Least I'm consistent I guess.
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Clearly your search criteria hasn't changed? (not a bad thing)
 
kookaburra75 said:
July - an Australian company with lifetime guarantees. July®️ Australia | Luggage Bags & Travel Suitcases Australia | July
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I love these - I'm a fan of zipperless luggage so these are great.

SeatBackForward said:
backpacks
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I'm a business traveller and have taken to packing for a single backpack for a couple of nights business travel. I don't even have to use the overhead baggage holders and fit the backpack in the seat ahead if I really have to.
 
Answer: It depends. Best backpack for me, being HLO and aiming for 8kg, is Kathmandu Litehaul 38L. Good quality, good size, light, enough pockets, good laptop protection, good straps.
 
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Flyerwin said:
I'm a business traveller and have taken to packing for a single backpack for a couple of nights business travel. I don't even have to use the overhead baggage holders and fit the backpack in the seat ahead if I really have to.
Click to expand...
I have picked up one of these bags as a very cheap and cheerful bag that does the job, and fits under the seat in front if required. Coowoz Essentials Review
 
SeatBackForward said:
Take a look at this website for reviews of many types of backpacks, they cater more towards the "casual" traveller than say "Business Traveller", and primarily around the concept of "OneBag" travel - that is where you essentially take all you need in a single carry-on bag.

packhacker.com

Pack Hacker | Your Guide to Smarter Travel

Pack Hacker finds & tests gear for travel and everyday life. We believe the best reviews & guides are created through unbiased real-world testing & usage.
packhacker.com packhacker.com

I have an unnatural and unhealthy obsession with backpacks, and have far too many that I've collected from o/s (brands that are usually hard to get here in Australia), so if anything is of interest, I might be able to help!
Click to expand...
The correct number of backpacks is n+1.

Currently I'm using the Osprey Fairview 40+15L; great packs, very well designed. But not entirely comfortable with very heavy loads.

Am using my REI Flass 55 (many years old) for actual hiking - will be gutted when it dies. Such a workhorse. Has done over 1000km with me easily. Looks like cough but so comfy and versatile ... I've even carried it on planes rarely though I think it's probably out of the dimension limit (but it squishes well and I very rarely fill it). Gate agents never seem to care about backpacks (I put it under the seat anyway because I like having my stuff to hand).

I want to get a 55 or 60L for bigger trips but finding it hard to justify ... will wait and see if any of my friends are giving one away lol.
 
Flyerwin said:
I'm a business traveller and have taken to packing for a single backpack for a couple of nights business travel. I don't even have to use the overhead baggage holders and fit the backpack in the seat ahead if I really have to.
Click to expand...
That's called Onebagging! Big fan of it myself :)
 
k_sheep said:
The correct number of backpacks is n+1.

Currently I'm using the Osprey Fairview 40+15L; great packs, very well designed. But not entirely comfortable with very heavy loads.

Am using my REI Flass 55 (many years old) for actual hiking - will be gutted when it dies. Such a workhorse. Has done over 1000km with me easily. Looks like cough but so comfy and versatile ... I've even carried it on planes rarely though I think it's probably out of the dimension limit (but it squishes well and I very rarely fill it). Gate agents never seem to care about backpacks (I put it under the seat anyway because I like having my stuff to hand).

I want to get a 55 or 60L for bigger trips but finding it hard to justify ... will wait and see if any of my friends are giving one away lol.
Click to expand...
Don't get me started...My latest was the Able Carry Max EDC, that was only a few weeks after getting the Western Rise Voyager™ Pro25 Backpack delayed a few months from a Kickstarter campaign. Now eyeing off a just released bag from Bellroy Transit Travel Pack Pro - but I think I'll wait for it to drop in price!! As I said - an unhealthy obsession.

I'm actually thinking of reducing my collection by putting some up for sale here on AFF.
 
Check Away Together on youtube for back pack reviews.
I purchased my last one from Bags to Go in West End Brisbane and was cheaper than what I was looking for online.
 

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