solo New York - Urban Convertible Laptop Briefcase Backpack for 15.6" Laptop - Gray. There was a time when the Farpoint 40 set the standard for travel bags of this size (good for shorter torsos or shorter jaunts, while still easy to carry). The drawback is that the shoulder straps are … With 20 liters of storage space, a side handle to carry like a briefcase and a thick, waterproof shell the Nomatic is a cycling backpack that’s going to quickly become your go-to carry on for business trips. It’s not an uncomfortable backpack, but compared with several of our other picks in this size, this bag’s slim straps and barely there hip belt are noticeably lacking. The Timbuk2 Spire, is a bag that offers versatility. Panel-loading or clamshell opening for the main compartment: As with any good piece of luggage, with these bags, you want to be able to open them and see everything you’ve packed. In practice, the available space in the Farpoint is closer to that of the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L than to that of our other larger picks, such as the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L or Tortuga Outbreaker 45L Backpack. If the Tom Bihn Aeronaut is not in your budget but you want a sturdy shoulder bag, the Voyageur may be worth a try. But after years of testing and further comparison against dedicated travel backpacks and improved hybrids (such as the Tom Bihn), the MLC is simply outclassed. Breathability - Riding a bike is a sweaty business so the best cycling backpack will have plenty of channels in the back through which air can circulate so moisture can be whisked away. Write a review. But unless you’re very strict with yourself, by the time you’re packed for a two-week journey, all bags are going to feel equally massive, even if one is just 2 pounds heavier than another when empty. For heavier loads you’ll want padded, adjustable shoulder and waist straps as well as a sternum strap to stabilize the load when you corner or have to stop quickly. Kit Dillon is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter. However, the bag’s more-casual looks might not be to everyone’s taste. 4.4 out of 5 stars. On the outside of the bag, there’s a ton of loops you can attach carabiners to to hold whatever you might need. Caleigh Waldman (the photographer for this piece and, full disclosure, my spouse) took this bag across the country for a wedding shoot. This bag is well organized, and the straps were some of the most comfortable we tested. All of the main compartment zippers are protected by security loops, which you thread the zipper through at the end of its run. That’s a fact. 30 liters is usually way more than any bicycle commuter will need. If you don’t believe us, check out the thousands of positive reviews from Amazon customers. The Allpa has a minimal amount of administrative organization—places to keep pens and papers, spaces to hold tickets, and so forth. The bag also includes a deep front-access panel to hold miscellaneous items; it’s deep enough to carry several paperback books and a one-liter water bottle. But after years of testing, traveling with, and occasionally checking our bag, we haven’t had an issue. So how much you spend will be up to you. The biggest flaw, from our perspective, is that the Tom Bihn lacks a dedicated laptop pocket. Also, the lack of a hip belt (once a mere inconvenience when compared with the competition) is now glaring. The Farpoint, practically an original in carry-on backpacks, hasn’t been updated in a fair while. It’s lightweight, plus rip and water-proof. The Topo is constructed with heavy YKK zippers and, similar to the Cotopaxi Allpa, has built-in zipper security loops (strong loops of fabric that secure your zippers when the bag is shut), if you want a touch more security. Inside, the lid of the bag also has two mesh dividers, for a small amount of organization. The design slots your computer on the inside of the secondary pocket, instead of directly against your back (as most backpack designs do). The clamshell opening of the Mother Lode is similar to the Tortuga’s or the Cotopaxi Allpa’s . © 2021 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company, minimalist designs that can fit in everywhere, Best small carry-on bag for most situations: Cotopaxi Allpa 35L, Best large bag for most situations: Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L, Best bag for document organization: Topo Designs Travel Bag 30L, Best bag for long journeys on foot: Osprey Farpoint 40 and Fairview 40, Best bag if you need a large suitcase on your back: Tortuga Outbreaker 45L Backpack, Best affordable large backpack: eBags TLS Mother Lode Weekender, The Savvy Backpacker’s Guide to Europe on a Budget, A versatile small pack for a week or a weekend, you can toss as easily into an overhead compartment, An easily customizable large bag for long trips and expensive gear, Combines more organization with a simple interior, lifetime warranty is renowned within the industry, 35-liter version that’s compliant with some intra-European flights, best product-comparison spreadsheets we’ve seen, The Best Underseat Personal Items to Pair With Your Carry-On Bag—and Most of Them Aren’t Backpacks, The Best Buy It for Life Backpack (Please Don’t Call It Tactical). At 35 liters it’s one of the largest cycling backpacks on the market. With air mesh padding in the back, numerous access points, custom designed pockets and some of the most comfortable shoulder straps you’ll ever find, the Spire is a Timbuk2 backpack after the Apple lover’s heart. The biggest flaw is that the main compartment is too shallow to be very useful. But it’s there if you do need it. If you feel like you would struggle carrying a full-size travel backpack like this model, we strenuously encourage you to consider one of our more-manageable picks, like the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L. Reflective Details - You have to assume that drivers aren’t looking out for you. But if you’re particularly hard on your gear and still need to carry as much as possible, you might consider the Tortuga instead. Velcro isn’t great: It wears out, is difficult to keep clean, and clings to dirt. Flaws but not dealbreakers Like all Timbuk2 bags it is very well made. 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