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Posted

Just decided to order a 40L "global traveler" bag from Topo Designs after seeing it in their store in Fort Collins the other day. The big, chunky ykk zippers are what put it over the top for me.

F21-Global-Travel-Bag-40L-product-2_1080

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Posted

Just ordered the Osprey Porter 46. I liked their 40L travel pack but hard to pass on the extra storage.

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Posted
2 hours ago, Txzen said:

That Peak Design bag is the shit though - I use it all the time. Great for active trips where I'm lugging a camera and electronics but also want to maybe pack my helmet, cycling shoes, etc.

Just enough pockets, love that it has a full zip access from the part that has the back straps - that way when you lay it down you can access your stuff and not get the part that touches you dirty from the dreck of a 3rd-world airport or the great outdoors. Deep secure side pockets, fits over the handle of a rolling bag, hidden waist band, laptop sleeve, side and top quick carry straps... It's super technical but doesn't shout that I'm backpacker. Darn near everything Peak Design makes is great (tech pouches, capture clip, etc.). It's the largest you can carry on for international regulations, and even though it's basically one big space it can fill up quickly. 

Ode to my PD 45L. I've taken it all around the world at this point. Great bag. 

https://www.peakdesign.com/products/travel-backpack/?variant=11530908172332

 

 

that's a nice bag

Posted
On 5/13/2022 at 4:41 PM, Txzen said:

That Peak Design bag is the shit though - I use it all the time. Great for active trips where I'm lugging a camera and electronics but also want to maybe pack my helmet, cycling shoes, etc

It's definitely well built but like the Osprey is had too much structure and just doesn't have the volume that my current bag has.   I could never use this as a single bag for a 1-2 wk trip without a secondary bag.  

  • 3 years later...
Posted

This seems like as good a thread as any to drop this. I'm finally ready to ditch my Orvis messenger bag for a backpack. A few days per week, I have to lug my work laptop back-and-forth to the office. The messenger bag has a shoulder strap that just no longer works for me. It's just not overly comfortable when loaded up with laptop, charger, iPad, work folio and various other things.

It would be nice to also settle on something I can use as a carry-on bag for trips -- we don't do air travel that much (3-4 times per year). I've had a smallish North Face backpack that I've had for years but I don't mind stepping up my game a little and getting something that will function for work commuting and also take over when we travel. It can accommodate a small laptop, iPad and most of what I need but it's not laid-out well and gets a little tight with all the things.

I don't need anything that will look absurdly huge and out-of-place when I hop into a business meeting at a local coffee shop but the added functionality that I can convert it to a useful travel bag would be nice as well. Basically, I want something that doesn't look out of place in an office environment or walking through the Denver airport.

Posted (edited)
15 minutes ago, mycox said:

Something like this. It's a perfect weekend bag that can be carried like a briefcase or backpack.
https://topodesigns.com/products/global-briefcase

 

90% of the backpacks I see suggested on here are garbage but this has absolutely peaked my interest.  I do a lot of 1 night biz trips to DFW now so this hits home

Edited by midtown
Posted

I finally understand a benefit to packing cubes. When you are staying at many different places on a trip, requiring many packings and un-packings, the cubes make it faster and easier to stay organized. It also helps for keeping dirty clothes separate. Does it save space? No. 

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Posted
14 minutes ago, Dbeasy said:

I finally understand a benefit to packing cubes. When you are staying at many different places on a trip, requiring many packings and un-packings, the cubes make it faster and easier to stay organized. It also helps for keeping dirty clothes separate. Does it save space? No. 

I'm a big time convert. Separate cubes for shirts, boxers, socks, etc...just makes that part of traveling so much more convenient. 

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Posted
4 hours ago, midtown said:

90% of the backpacks I see suggested on here are garbage but this has absolutely peaked my interest.  I do a lot of 1 night biz trips to DFW now so this hits home

The best thing about it is it fits under the seat. So no big deal if you can't find overhead bin space.

Posted (edited)
17 hours ago, harold said:

I have the cotapaxi alpa 42L and it is great.

I have a 37L Cotapaxi.  Great bag.  You'll only ever seen me with a Eagle Creek or Cotapaxi ever again.  These two bag manufacturers are so much better than anything else on the market including Osprey

Edited by midtown
Posted
On 8/21/2025 at 10:38 AM, midtown said:

90% of the backpacks I see suggested on here are garbage but this has absolutely peaked my interest.  I do a lot of 1 night biz trips to DFW now so this hits home

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Posted
On 8/22/2025 at 6:26 AM, midtown said:

I have a 37L Cotapaxi.  Great bag.  You'll only ever seen me with a Eagle Creek or Cotapaxi ever again.  These two bag manufacturers are so much better than anything else on the market including Osprey

I have the 45L Osprey that always gets good reviews on these types of list. But I find the straps dig into my shoulders and affect circulation. May just be a me thing. I'll be trying out a Cotapaxi soon. 

Posted

i bought a north face backpack at whole earth 20 years ago that i've taken all around the world.  i'm not sure it'll ever wear out.  i also have a patagonia black hole that is great for slightly longer trips and can fit under the plane seat if it needs to.  i'm not checking a bag.

Posted

Team Peak Design. I've got the 30L travel pack for shorter trips and the 65L dufflepack for when I need to bring the kitchen sink.

Posted

Popped into Whole Earth Provision by SMU today to look at the different Osprey styles of work/travel hybrid bags. Saw a Bellroy bag that looked pretty nice. Osprey has everything on sale until 9/1 but I liked the styling on the Bellroy. I don't mind spending more (within reason, of course) for something that will last and that I will like for a long time.

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Posted
On 8/21/2025 at 10:23 AM, mycox said:

Something like this. It's a perfect weekend bag that can be carried like a briefcase or backpack.
https://topodesigns.com/products/global-briefcase

 

I've been using a North Face Recon for some time.  Great for just about everything.  Use it for work, travel, etc., but it has constraints.  First, or international travel, I feel like I am jamming everything I can in there and it seems less effective or efficient than it could be - and it can take a few minutes to find something.  Second, it does not have that simple "slide over the handle of my roller bag" feature.  I understand - it's not a travel bag.  The "global briefcase" looks interesting.

On 8/21/2025 at 10:42 AM, Dbeasy said:

I finally understand a benefit to packing cubes. When you are staying at many different places on a trip, requiring many packings and un-packings, the cubes make it faster and easier to stay organized. It also helps for keeping dirty clothes separate. Does it save space? No. 

Packing cubes are the truth.  It encourages (forces?) a certain level of disciplined packing which ultimately results in better organization (as you note).  It saves space because you become disciplined and organized :). Using rolled folding of clothes is encouraged by these cubes.

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