In the previous articles, I told you what all you should look for in a Travel Backpack and which ones are good to buy for your comfortable travel. Here I am going to tell you about a few brands that are affordable to buy and what are the features they offer. So basically I will be reviewing these travel backpacks for you to make it easier for you to make a choice.
First and foremost, you have to keep a few very important things in mind when you are out to buy a Travel Backpack for yourself.
- 40-50L is the ideal size of the Travel Backpack. A smaller size is better because it fits in the carry on when travelling by air.
- When packing, pack small and pack minimal. Try to keep it simple 🙂
- It is better if the Travel Backpack is front loaded. But it is also important that it has padded straps for your comfort and support.
- It should have a laptop holder and even if you are not carrying your laptop, the section can be used for books, magazines or snacks (you can do without a laptop but the food is life).
- It is always better to look for a waterproof fabric in your travel backpack. You can always carry your rain jacket or an umbrella but it is better if the fabric of the travel backpack itself takes care of the monsoon problems.
- Some additional features that you should look for are – waist straps, compression straps, lockable zippers and the most important – removable daypack.
Let’s now move on to the Travel Backpack product review.
REI Vagabond 40L
Pros:
The bag is very sleek which makes it easy to carry and looks smart as well. There are no outside straps because of which it looks very simple and low profile. It has the compression straps on the inside but mostly has an open space for packing. The bag also has a zipper on the flap that can be used to keep small stuff and you can use some extra space for keeping your essentials. There are zipper pockets on either side of the bag. You can zip up the shoulder straps and check in the bag very smoothly. Hip belt and chest belts are the add-on features in REI Vagabond 40L.
Cons:
There are few cons to this bag as well. The most important thing in a Travel Backpack is the padding which I found very less in this backpack. The laptop section should have an extra padding but it doesn’t. I would be personally scared of travelling with my laptop in this bag because of the lack of cushions. This bag is good for a two-three day trip but I don’t see this bag surviving a long getaway. And if you want to carry any electronic gadget with you on the trip, this bag might not be the correct choice for you.
Redwing 44
Pros:
This product is available in 44L and 50L capacity and also a 40L but that is designed specifically for females. The best part about this bag is that it has a super supportive back that makes this bag super comfortable. If you are travelling for a long destination you might want a very good back support or else you might end up hurting your back. This bag has a big fat cushion at the lower back to provide that comfort to you. Another plus point is that the bag is made up of a breathable material (polyester) so sweating is definitely not an issue. It has a laptop section that is properly padded and you can carry your laptop without any worries of getting damaged.
Cons:
The bag is super comfortable but the negative point about this bag is that the daypack is not detachable. So one might worry about keeping valuable stuff on the outside. Also, the bag does not have lockable zippers, which is a very important point for me. If lockable zippers are not your concern, then this might be what you are looking for. Another factor is that the bag does not have separate compartments but that can be solved used packing cubes.
Osprey Farpoint 55
Pros:
I previously have written about this product. I am explicating it a bit more here. This is probably the best product that you can buy for travelling. It is worth every penny that you spend on it. Osprey Farpoint is available in three different capacities that are 40L, 55L and 70L. The storage space inside the bag is huge. Organisational space inside the bag is great. It has zippers that you can use to keep your shoes or dirty clothes. The shoulder straps are padded and it also has some nice and comfortable hip straps. It allows you to zip up the shoulder and the hip straps and makes it easier for you to check-in. The best part is that the bag has a detachable daypack that has a capacity of 15L. The daypack also has space for small stuff like keys, mobile and change. It has a water bottle holder and inside it has a laptop holder which is also padded. The best part is that you can easily carry the daypack in the front and attach it with the straps that take the stress off from your shoulders. AND… it has lockable zippers Ö.
Cons:
If it is important to point out the cons of this bag, then I will say that the material is not breathable and the back is not as cushioned as the Redwing 44. If you can manage without these, go for it without blinking an eye.
Wildcraft Rhodas 65
Pros:
Wildcraft Rhodas 65 is a great bag for travellers who are planning a long trip. Its organisational storage is great. It is very spacious and deep. The loading is both from the front and from the top. I prefer front loading. That way its easy to pack and unpack. It has a rain cover attached at the lowermost part of the bag. The bag has side pockets made from spandex which means that they can stretch beyond imagination. Shoulder straps are perfectly padded and there’s an additional padding that is there to support the area surrounding the shoulder. There are pockets attached to the hip belt and they are deep enough to keep a good amount of your stuff. It is stylish and can be carried comfortably.
Cons:
There is just one con to the bag which is that it weighs a little more than expected and this is not good when the bag is taken to hiking.
So these were my reviews about Travel Backpacks. You deserve the best. Select one and head out for a trip.
Also, do let us know in the comments section which one of these did you buy and how was the experience.