You’re gearing up for your big trip abroad and need to buy a backpack. Like so many other travelers before you, you buy the stereotypical backpack – tall, cylindrical – from NorthFace, Osprey, or the like. Everyone else uses them, so it must be the right move. You just committed the biggest mistake most backpackers make. While your new bag may look the part, it’s from from ideal. The reason is that these backpacks are made for hikers and outdoorsmen, not travelers. Don’t be ashamed, I made the same mistake on my first backpacking trip in 2009 with a GoLite bag. Hiking bags are top-loading, not secure, and too large to carry on to a plane, making them wrong for travelers. Let’s take a closer look at these shortcomings and what you should be looking for in a travel backpack. Most hiking bags only open from the top, like a garbage bag, not from the front, like a suitcase. The problem with a top-loading bag becomes obvious when you need to get something out of it.

Need the pair of jeans at the bottom of the bag? You’ll have to dump out everything else to get to them. Every time you need something that isn’t at the top of your bag, you’ll have to unpack, then re-pack, everything you brought. Contrast this with a suitcase where the entire front opens, allowing you easy access to any item in your bag, without disturbing the rest. By opening the side with the largest surface area, you have the largest possible space from which to access your gear. Unfortunately, suitcases have their own drawbacks. Instead, opt for a front-loading (also called panel-loading) backpack for the best of both worlds. The top opening described above on most backpacks is closed by tightening a drawstring and/or buckling a flap down over the opening. This type of closure leaves your valuables a snap away from the hands of a thief. Are a drawstring and buckle enough to secure your camera and passport when your bag is sitting out in the open of a hostel dorm room, next to you (fast asleep) in a train station in Zagreb, or piled with dozens of other bags atop a bus in Mumbai?

Your backpack needs zippered openings that can be locked with a TSA-approved lock or a standard padlock. This is the minimum acceptable level of security. Add-ons like PacSafe bag protectors can provide an extra layar of security. You will never be completely impervious to theft, but every security measure you take gives criminals another reason to skip your bag and move on to an easier target.But I neeeeeed all my stuff!” Sure, it all feels necessary, but you really don’t need a bag larger than 30-50L, even for an around the world trip. Hiking bags can exceed 80L, but the extra space is used for sleeping bags, lanterns, food, and other items to keep a hiker alive in the wilderness. Your survival does not depend on packing another striped button-down shirt. As the saying goes, “Bring half as much stuff and twice as much money.” Giant hiking bags encourage you to bring extra stuff that you don’t need and are too big to be carried on to planes.

Checking luggage will cost you roughly $50 roundtrip and could result in your bag and its contents being lost, misrouted, or damaged. You don’t need any extra worries, so stick to a bag that will fit in the overhead compartment. The max dimensions for carry ons are 22″ x 14″ x 9″ for most US airlines. Rather than struggle to use a product designed for someone else, choose a backpack made specifically for travelers.mec backpack carrier I recommend our flagship product, the Tortuga Travel Backpack, which is made by and for travelers. best backpack for fuji x-t1If you opt for another bag, just make sure it’s front-loading, secure, and carry on-sized. luggage repair shops pittsburgh pa

Click the green button below for pictures and videos of the Tortuga. Have any other advice on travel backpacks? Please share it in the comments. (Photo: AlphaTangoBravo / Adam Baker)You are using a web browser we don't support. Please use the latest version of one of these browsers. REI offers 1 GoLite product We stand behind everything we sell. sprayground backpack pricesIf you are not satisfied with your REI purchase, you can return it for a replacement or refund within one year of purchase. dell xps backpack priceREI's guarantee doesn't cover ordinary wear and tear or damage caused by improper use or accidents. backpack yard sprayerIf your item has a manufacturing defect in its materials or workmanship, you can return it at any time.

See our limited warranty. At REI, we live and breathe the outdoors, and we're passionate about sharing our expertise with people of all skill levels. Whether you're new to the outdoors or a seasoned explorer, we'll take the time to understand your needs and help you find the right gear for you. Anyone can shop at REI, but for a one-time $20 fee you can become an REI member and enjoy a lifetime of benefits. These include an annual member refund, typically 10% back on eligible purchases.* *10% is typical but not guaranteed. Your refund is based on eligible purchases, which exclude REI gift cards, services, fees, REI Adventures trips, REI Garage, and discounted items. Mountainsmith Backpack Rain Cover The ideal aftermarket raincover, this seam sealed and taped accessory comes in a variety of sizes and offers protection for packs both large and small. Mountainsmith was founded in 1979 by legendary outdoorsman Patrick Smith and was born of a need for seriously durable gear that could withstand the rigors of backcountry pursuits in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

His initial product innovation was one of the world’s first fully rigid backcountry ski sled to haul massive loads of gear effectively and efficiently through the harsh Colorado winter wilderness. Soon after, Patrick Smith came up with the iconic lumbar waist pack to effectively carry gear while backcountry skiing and secured the first patent for a lumbar pack, US PAT #5529230, using our Delta Load Compression system which carries on into the present day within a variety of our packs and classic lumbars. As a company, Mountainsmith continues it’s commitment to building the best made, most durable and functional packs on the market; unmatched by anyone for their comfort, stability, value and performance in the backcountry. This tradition of legendary quality continues with a full line of outdoor products for today’s active lifestyle consumer. The quality and comfort of all Mountainsmith products – technical backpacks, trekking poles, tents and sleeping bags, travel storage systems, luggage, pet products, camera bags, as well as our iconic lumbar packs - set a standard of excellence in the outdoor marketplace.

Mountainsmith manufactures, markets, and distributes a wide array of products designed to meet the demands of rigorous travel on and off the trail, through mountain valleys, summit ascents, campus quads, red rock canyons, and far off airports. anywhere your next adventure takes you. Your pack will stay dry, even while you're getting soaked Your pack will stay dry even while you're getting soaked with this Mountainsmith rain cover. Made of 190t taffeta nylon body fabric, the rain cover includes such features as a full circumference draw cord, a hook-and-loop closure, an angled cord attachment point, and an integrated stuff sack. Large cover: Dimensions: 19.5 by 31.5 by 11 inches (W x H x D) Weight: 4.32 ounces Fit range: 4,500 to 6,000 cubic inches Medium cover: Dimensions: 19 by 28 by 10 inches (W x H x D) Weight: 4.16 ounces Fit range: 3,500 to 4,500 cubic inches Small cover: Dimensions: 16 by 27 by 8.5 inches (W x H x D) Weight: 4 ounces Fit range: 2,500 to 3,500 cubic inches X-small cover: Dimensions: 14 by 20 by 7.5 inches (W x H x D) Weight: 3.84 ounces Fit range: 1,500 to 2,500 cubic inches

8.5 x 16 x 27 inches ; Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Item model number: Mountainsmith 5 star62%4 star22%3 star8%2 star6%1 star2%See all verified purchase reviewsTop Customer ReviewsIncorrect sizing chart on Amazon!First let me start by saying that this is a fine rain cover|Middling protection and not very convenient|Excellent coverage for light to moderate rain|Until It Fell Off|I commute to school via bike, so I bought this in order to keep my backpack dry on rainy days. It folds up in a nice little pouch that's attached to the cover, which allows it to be neatly stored inside my backpack on nice days. The extra small was around the correct size (maybe a little big) for my backpack... which is just a typical backpack.However, even though the size is about right, it's not well designed for a normal backpack. It was clearly designed for camping-style bags where the shoulder straps don't start at the very top of the bag. On a normal backpack (where the shoulder straps start at the top of the bag), the cover slides down a bit once you put the backpack on... exposing the top of the bag a bit.