Recommend a backpack instead of luggage?

[Anonymous]

I’m a 45 yr old mom and I use the Baboon to the Moon backpack that is the size for a US airline carryon. I need my hands to help my kids and it works well. It doesn’t have many pockets or features - it’s basically a rectangle you wear on your back. I use packing cubes to stay organized. We’ve done 3 week long vacations now where it’s all I brought.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you a super fit twenty something who is comfortable schlepping 40+ pounds?

I think a hiking backpack would be difficult for most folks.

Take a roller bag and a normal backpack. If you need to ever carry your roller at by hand, at least it will be manageable weight-wise (since you’ve split the weight into 2 bags).

FWIW most moms of kids under 5 are comfortable lifting 20-60 pounds regularly (bags, strollers, bikes, etc.) and carrying kids in that weight range. I am an overweight mom and my personal trainer has us doing farmer and suitcase carries with 30lb kettle bells and then carrying and lunging with a 50lb sand bag. Our group of moms laughed because normally he kicks our butts but those exercises are movements we train for daily!

[Anonymous]

I have the Cotopaxi 42 and love it! I am 45 and use it for work when going places where I’ll need to be on foot or on trains, etc.

https://www.rei.com/product/179923/cotopaxi-allpa-42-l-travel-pack

[Anonymous]

I came here to link the Mother Lode backpack from eBags which is all I have used for years and it is on CRAZY SALE right now- $60 instead of $199. My kids have the Jr version and that’s only $54! It’s roomy, holds a ton, has comfortable straps on the back and a small strap for your chest so you can walk with it comfortably. I do not carry luggage, I only use this. I can fit 2 weeks worth of clothes and shoes in it along with toiletries and it fits in the overhead . Great bag, I’ve recommended it to many. I think I originally read about it from Rick Steves?? lol

https://www.ebags.com/best-sellers/mother-lode-travel-backpack/117754XXXX.html?dwvar_117754XXXX_color=Heathered%20Graphite&cgid=best-sellers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I came here to link the Mother Lode backpack from eBags which is all I have used for years and it is on CRAZY SALE right now- $60 instead of $199. My kids have the Jr version and that’s only $54! It’s roomy, holds a ton, has comfortable straps on the back and a small strap for your chest so you can walk with it comfortably. I do not carry luggage, I only use this. I can fit 2 weeks worth of clothes and shoes in it along with toiletries and it fits in the overhead . Great bag, I’ve recommended it to many. I think I originally read about it from Rick Steves?? lol

https://www.ebags.com/best-sellers/mother-lode-travel-backpack/117754XXXX.html?dwvar_117754XXXX_color=Heathered%20Graphite&cgid=best-sellers

Just want to add. This is a 41” inch bag. Is considered a carry on for many airlines- had zero issue using it as a carry on with KLM and various other euro airlines.

[Anonymous]

I have that ebags backpack, and I agree with the PP that it is really good. Durable, lots of organizing pockets, comfy straps.

Have had mine for at least 12 years (it used to have a different name).

One other thing I really like about it: on smaller planes, they will sometimes make everyone with wheels on their bags gate check it, no matter how small, but not backpacks because they squish.

Have used mine successfully with Basic Economy tickets. It easily holds enough for a week (which is all I ever take, no matter how long the trip).

[Anonymous]

Why not a backpack that is also a roller? For example:
https://www.rei.com/product/207738/osprey-fairview-36-wheeled-travel-pack-womens?sku=2077380001&store=&CAWELAID=120217890014477136&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=123161004186&CATCI=pla-2000727050763&cm_mmc=PLA_Google%7C21700000001700551_2077380001%7C92700075898854694%7CNB%7C71700000066691907&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw3NyxBhBmEiwAyofDYXbmMvexdGyNq-ZPQQQgBYn7Qth6ReAyWLdRj9NA4HP5PcNwY12BzhoCbOAQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I came here to link the Mother Lode backpack from eBags which is all I have used for years and it is on CRAZY SALE right now- $60 instead of $199. My kids have the Jr version and that’s only $54! It’s roomy, holds a ton, has comfortable straps on the back and a small strap for your chest so you can walk with it comfortably. I do not carry luggage, I only use this. I can fit 2 weeks worth of clothes and shoes in it along with toiletries and it fits in the overhead . Great bag, I’ve recommended it to many. I think I originally read about it from Rick Steves?? lol

https://www.ebags.com/best-sellers/mother-lode-travel-backpack/117754XXXX.html?dwvar_117754XXXX_color=Heathered%20Graphite&cgid=best-sellers

Great bag for the price. Had it for years. Wouldn't recommend it except for someone young. The lack of a hip belt makes it a no for now- too much strain on the shoulders. That's a requirement I think for anyone over probably 35.

[Anonymous]

I was perusing the link above (looks like everything is on sale) and the rolling one is also 70% off. https://www.ebags.com/backpacks/mother-lode-rolling-travel-backpack/117866XXXX.html?dwvar_117866XXXX_color=Brushed%20Indigo&cgid=backpacks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you a super fit twenty something who is comfortable schlepping 40+ pounds?

I think a hiking backpack would be difficult for most folks.

Take a roller bag and a normal backpack. If you need to ever carry your roller at by hand, at least it will be manageable weight-wise (since you’ve split the weight into 2 bags).

It's unlikely a carry -on sized backpack would get up to 40 pounds. Mine weighs about 4 pounds, and when fully packed (including computer) it's around 25 pounds, probably 22-23 if I don't bring my computer. Yes it is pretty heavy and I wouldn't walk 2 miles with it, but it's manageable for most, I would think, over the say half mile distances you would normally be taking it. You can pack a fold up backpack inside it to use when out and about (not in transit) at your destination.

To each their own, but I find it so freeing having both hands free and not dragging something over stairs and uneven pavement.

On a recent trip I had to weigh both my backpack (25L) and roller (25L). Both end up at 25 lbs. I do think if my backpack was a 45 L I could double the weight if I fully packed it. I wouldn't want to carry the extra weight - but I do think you could get it to 40 pounds. BUT I don't know that a 45L liter backpack would be considered a carry-on size for a lot of airplanes.

The Osprey 40L is 22x14x9, so exactly carry-on size.

The Peak Design 45L has basically 2 settings- standard (35L) and expanded (45L). The standard setting is carry -on compliant, and I have always used it in that size and have had no issues with usually 6 days worth of clothes. The expanded setting makes the height 11 inches, which isn't technically compliant, but on mainline US airlines I really doubt they would flag it for checking, and most overhead bins nowadays are actually sized to give a bit more flexibility. So if I needed the full 45 liters I would feel good about my odds of being able to carry it on for a domestic mainline flight (but again, I have never had to use it in the expanded setting, so haven't tested this). But yeah on a Euro airline like Ryanair, probably not, and I would check it anyways because you have to pay more for carryons.

And the Osprey 45L measures 26 x 14 x 9in - too big for a carry-on (21.5in x 10in x 13.5in) for KLM which is the airline I use a lot - KLM also has weight limits of 26 pounds if you are in economy.

Its nice to the have the expansion option that it sounds like the Peak Design has - even if you don't need or use it often -its nice to know you can.

Yes that's part of the reason I got the Peak Design. It's also really well made. At $300 I am not sure it's worth it- I got it a few years ago on a Black Friday sale for $200- jumped on it. I think I would go for the Osprey 40L right now based on price.

Have you ever seen a mainline airline weigh a carry-on? I have never seen it, including BA, Virgin and Air France.

European airlines, including KLM, do weigh carryons sometimes

New poster here
Yes, our carry on bags were weighed on Avianca (flying from Bogota to Medellin) too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I came here to link the Mother Lode backpack from eBags which is all I have used for years and it is on CRAZY SALE right now- $60 instead of $199. My kids have the Jr version and that’s only $54! It’s roomy, holds a ton, has comfortable straps on the back and a small strap for your chest so you can walk with it comfortably. I do not carry luggage, I only use this. I can fit 2 weeks worth of clothes and shoes in it along with toiletries and it fits in the overhead . Great bag, I’ve recommended it to many. I think I originally read about it from Rick Steves?? lol

https://www.ebags.com/best-sellers/mother-lode-travel-backpack/117754XXXX.html?dwvar_117754XXXX_color=Heathered%20Graphite&cgid=best-sellers

Great bag for the price. Had it for years. Wouldn't recommend it except for someone young. The lack of a hip belt makes it a no for now- too much strain on the shoulders. That's a requirement I think for anyone over probably 35.

^100% I never really understood that until I reached my 40th birthday. All of a sudden I wondered why I was having so much neck, shoulder and back issues after traveling with my backpack. Upgraded to a backpack with a honest-to-goodness waist belt and will never go back - even the bag I carry my laptop to and from work has to have a waist belt.

[Anonymous]

OP, I wanted to do this routines but only use a backpack instead of a suitcase very rarely. I was surprised that a backpack was not big enough. I pack light. Just stuff for a weekend and what's essential from my purse. I even rinse a lot of things out in the sink. The backpack wasn't big enough. I bought a big one and light. I'm 60+ and not particularly fit but it's the way it severely limits my packing that has surprised me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are a few companies which specialize in that type of backpack. One is Nomatic, which offers several sizes/capacities to suit different body sizes and strengths and needs, e.g. https://www.nomatic.com/collections/backpacks/products/nomatic-30l-travel-bag

We went to Italy for 12 days and Thailand for a week with Tortuga backpacks. Whatever kind you get, make sure you get packing cubes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you a super fit twenty something who is comfortable schlepping 40+ pounds?

I think a hiking backpack would be difficult for most folks.

Take a roller bag and a normal backpack. If you need to ever carry your roller at by hand, at least it will be manageable weight-wise (since you’ve split the weight into 2 bags).

It's unlikely a carry -on sized backpack would get up to 40 pounds. Mine weighs about 4 pounds, and when fully packed (including computer) it's around 25 pounds, probably 22-23 if I don't bring my computer. Yes it is pretty heavy and I wouldn't walk 2 miles with it, but it's manageable for most, I would think, over the say half mile distances you would normally be taking it. You can pack a fold up backpack inside it to use when out and about (not in transit) at your destination.

To each their own, but I find it so freeing having both hands free and not dragging something over stairs and uneven pavement.

Agree w all of this.

Absolutely. These backpacks aren't designed for everyday wear for sightseeing. You bring a small pack for that - these replace your luggage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I came here to link the Mother Lode backpack from eBags which is all I have used for years and it is on CRAZY SALE right now- $60 instead of $199. My kids have the Jr version and that’s only $54! It’s roomy, holds a ton, has comfortable straps on the back and a small strap for your chest so you can walk with it comfortably. I do not carry luggage, I only use this. I can fit 2 weeks worth of clothes and shoes in it along with toiletries and it fits in the overhead . Great bag, I’ve recommended it to many. I think I originally read about it from Rick Steves?? lol

https://www.ebags.com/best-sellers/mother-lode-travel-backpack/117754XXXX.html?dwvar_117754XXXX_color=Heathered%20Graphite&cgid=best-sellers

Great bag for the price. Had it for years. Wouldn't recommend it except for someone young. The lack of a hip belt makes it a no for now- too much strain on the shoulders. That's a requirement I think for anyone over probably 35.

Oh dang. I’m 38 so I guess I didn’t think of needing a hip belt yet. Good to keep in mind.