Finding the Perfect Bag

During the planning stage of an adventure, finding the perfect backpack is arguably the most important part of your preparation. You know that while making your way through unfamiliar cities, and traversing foreign lands, this is what you will be living out of.

Before, during, and after your time on the road, your bag becomes your most prized possession. This is why it is so important to find something that is ultra-mobile, durable, versatile, protective of its contents, reasonably priced, and at least moderately stylish (while looking "cool" should not be a top priority, one of my personal rules of travel is that I make sure not to look so "touristy" wherever I visit).

While organizing my first backpacking trip to Europe, I spent an inordinate amount of time searching for my dream pack. I browsed dozens of articles online that claim to list the best travel bags for the modern backpacker. Even though I really didn't have much travel experience at the time, I knew that none of the bags I saw came close to what I wanted. I ended up abandoning the recommendations that each one of them gave me and I ended up purchasing a bag that a close friend couldn't stop raving about. It is still in use today and I consider it the best I have owned so far.

Now, I am considerably more experienced in the backpacking lifestyle, I find myself shaking my head in disagreement when scanning over the articles and lists I once looked to for advice. I decided that it was time to weigh in and help anyone who on the hunt for the perfect backpack for traveling, for you are are currently in the position of which I am all too familiar.

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What NOT to Buy

Before I begin listing my favorite bags, I want to quickly mention the kinds of backpacks that I suggest you avoid purchasing. On any backpacking trip, you will to need to get around cities easily and comfortably. You will constantly be unpacking and then repacking, squeezing onto crowded trains and buses, and dodging check-in fees at airports. The following types will only be a detriment to your mobility, comfort, and safety. Plus, the following bags make you stick out like a sore thumb.

The Top Loader

The contents of these top loaders can only be accessed through a zipper flap on the top. This means that you will often have to unpack everything in the bag to get something you need at the bottom. These behemoths scream, "I AM NOT FROM AROUND HERE AND I AM LIKELY CARRYING VALUABLES!". They are a incredibly difficult to keep organized, are bulky, come up over your head, and will almost always have to checked-in at airports. Any pack that has a volume of around 50 liters or lower can be carried on to planes and these usually range from 65 to 120 liters. Checked in baggage is always susceptible to damage, theft, or luggage loss (a nightmare for backpackers who are moving every few days!). These packs are better suited for hiking or camping and should generally be avoided by any sensible backpacker.

The Rolling Bag

For everyone who remembers how dorky it was for someone to have one of these rolly-polly-bags in high school, I've got news for you.... nothing has changed. These things are atrocities and should be avoided by anyone who doesn't want to be mistaken for an old woman coming home from the super market. Sure they may be carried onto planes, but how could anyone be satisfied with knowing that, for your entire trip, the comfortable transport of your belongings is entirely dependent on the proper function of 4 tiny plastic wheels. Many roads you are bound to find yourself on in Europe are cobble-stone, gravel, or even dirt... good luck pulling one of these handcarts through that! Even in cities where the roads and walkways are paved, you can hear the "BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ" of someone dragging one of things down the road from a mile (or should i say 1.6 kilometers) away. When a tourist pulls one of these wagon-bags down a road, it literally interrupts the conversations of all within earshot the same way motorcycles do when its rider revs his engine down the street.

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What to Buy

There are a few considerations to keep in mind before deciding on your backpack:

• It should be durable - You will be moving around a lot, packing, unpacking, opening it, closing it, shoving it under seats, and into the tight spaces above your seat on planes, trains and buses. The last thing you ever want to worry about are zippers jamming or compartments tearing open. Your pack needs to be built to last, and quality of the bag lies with the material it is made with.

• It should be versatile - Whether you are on a weekend getaway, a road trip across the United States, or a cross-continental trek, this bag will be your ride-or-die partner in crime. The bags I selected can be converted from traditional backpacks to shoulder bags, and/or suitcase style carriers, to serve any purpose.
  It should be comfortable - You have to actually enjoy wearing this thing. Padded shoulder straps, sternum straps, and hip straps make a world of difference when find out your hostel is 2 miles from the train station.

• It should meet the carry-on restrictions of every airline - Your backpack should never leave your side until it can be properly stored at your place of accommodation. To ensure this is the case, choose a bag between 40 and 50 liters (with 55 liter bags as the max) to meet the standards of all commercial airliners. Never having to check in your bag means it won't get lost, stolen, or broken in to.

• It should look good and not attract too much attention - Stay away from bright colors and overly large bags. Bags that scream "I'm a tourist!" are to be avoided. You want to be able to slide around European cities as if you live and work there.

Okay, I've gone on long enough. I know you're thinking, "get to the bags already!" Fine. The following (in no particular order) are my picks for the absolute best options for any prospective backpacker, whether this is your first, second, or twentieth, trip:

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Eagle Creek - Gear Hauler
Size: 51 Liters
Price: $169

The first backpack I ever purchased and my absolute favorite. Ultra comfortable and masterfully constructed, its shoulder straps can be tucked away to convert the bag into a easy to carry duffle. This bag introduced me to Eagle Creek, a company that is so confident in its products that they offer a "no matter what" lifetime warranty on their backpacks. They also offer free gifts when you buy from the site, so make sure you check them out. I can write a whole article about this bag alone but you can see all the details and features of the bag, and purchase one here

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Timbuk2 - Wander Pack
Size: 40 Liters
Price: $179

With its super sleek design, storage capacity, and great price, it isn’t hard to imagine why this is minimalist style pack made my Top Pick list. The air mesh ventilated back-panel on this bag keeps the sweat from building up on a hot day. It can also be converted to a duffel for easy carrying. The Wander Pack is made from water resistant material and contains a wet storage area for your dirty shoes or laundry. the external and internal compression straps allow this beautiful bag to fit in any tight stowaway.

You can purchase it here.

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Nomatic 40L Travel Bag
Size: 40 Liters
Price: $219 (with accessories)

This bag is the brain child of two avid travelers in search of the perfect travel bag. They began a Kickstarter campaign and quickly raised over a million dollars. After turning down several prototypes, the Nomatic Travel bag was born and it is world renown as one of the most functional backpacks on the market. It is TSA compliant, water resistant, convertible, and has a compartment for everything you are taking on your trip (it even comes with a laundry bag to keep your dirty clothes separated). You can find this bag here.

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Douchebags - Hugger 60L
Size: 60 Liters
Price: $179

I won't be able to tell you why any luggage company thought "Douchebag" would be a great brand name, but I can to you why I think the Hugger 60L belongs on my list. At such a great price, this is one of the best looking bags I've come across. In no way does its stylishness rob from its practicality, however. Its massive front-loading compartment creates a boxier frame which makes it especially perfect for anyone wishing to travel with electronics or photography equipment. At 60 liters, you are pushing the boundaries of the maximum carry-on limits, so be sure not to over-stuff it. You can find the bag here.

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REI - Co-op Ruckpack 40 Pack
Size: 40 Liters
Price: $139

REI is well known as one of the best travel equipment manufacturers in the nation, and this bag is a testament to their stellar reputation. Modeled after military ruck-packs, this bag is your go-to whether you are taking a weekend trip, hiking in the woods, or backpacking Italy for 2 months. Everything tucks away perfectly so you can keep a low profile. The mesh back panel keeps you cool, and the tuck-away, padded hip straps make this one of the most comfortable bags on my list. Pick it up here.

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Patagonia - Black Hole MLC
Size: 45 Liters
Price: $189 - $199

Every avid traveler knows that the brand name "Patagonia" is synonymous with quality and durability. The MLC (short for Maximum Legal Carry-on) is regarded by many to be the best travel bag on the market. It converts to a stylish duffel and its panel style compartment make this bag super easy to keep organized. This is one of my favorite convertible packs. Patagonia offers two versions of the popular MLC 45L: the MLC Black Hole (as pictured), and its less shiny, $10 cheaper, predecessor the MLC Headway.

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Tom Bihn - Aeronaut 45
Size: 45Liters
Price: $295

I first found out about this bag through Steve Maxwell, a world famous fitness coach who traverses the globe teaching seminars. He only carries what he can fit in this bag and lives out of it for most of the year. The Aeronaut 45 is what introduced me to the world of convertible backpack-to-duffel travel bags and so comfortable and classy that it is impossible not to blend in while wearing it. It is one of the more expensive bags on my list, but you won't be disappointed with your purchase from Tom Bihn. You can find it here.

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Honorable Mentions

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I hope you enjoyed the read. Now get out there!
Happy Travels!