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travel pack 15l

Navigator Lite Pack 15L

The Navigator Lite Pack 15L is built for the minimalist that still needs a functional and feature rich bag. This bag is 20% lighter than the rugged Navigator 15L Pack. If you need more space while on the move, you can expand this bag an additional 6L, taking it from 15 liters to 21 liters. In the main compartment of the bag, we added a 3/4 zipper, giving you wide access and full visibility inside. On the inside of the main compartment, there are 2 mesh pockets, 2 stretch-liner pockets, a zipper pocket, and 2 pen pockets. It also has a dedicated laptop and tablet pocket, with a dividing wall and false bottom to protect your devices. On the side of the bag, there is a hidden water bottle pocket on the side.

On the front of the bag is a quick access fleece lined pocket for smaller items like keys, wallet, glasses and other items. The back of the bag has a EVA formed foam panel for comfort and breathability. There is also a luggage handle pass-through sleeve on the back. The Navigator Lite 15L comes with an adjustable sternum strap on the backpack handles to help with even weight distribution. This backpack is comfortable, functional, simple and ready to be your daily sidekick.

All products in the Navigator Lite Series are built with a water resistant and durable 400D Nylon by 330 Poly materials.

Outer Dimensions: 19" x 12" x 5.5" Volume: 915 cu. in. / 15 L Laptop Dimensions: 15" x 10.25" x 1" (Can fit most 16" laptops) Bottle pocket Capacity: up to 3.25" diameter Weight: 2.5 lb / 1.13 kg Main materials: Water Resistant & Durable 400D Nylon by 330 Poly Melange.

Navigator Lite Backpack 15L

NAVIGATOR LITE PACK 15L

The Navigator Lite Pack 15L is built for the minimalist that still needs a functional and feature rich bag. This bag is 20% lighter than the rugged Navigator Pack 15L. If you need more space while on the move, you can expand this bag an additional 6L, taking it from 15 liters to 21 liters.

travel pack 15l

HIDDEN FRONT POCKET

travel pack 15l

EVERYDAY ALL DAY

travel pack 15l

EVERYDAY TECH ORGANIZATION

travel pack 15l

HIDDEN WATER BOTTLE POCKET

The Navigator Lite Backpack 15L

Walkthrough

Learn about all the features on the The Navigator Lite Backpack 15L

Navigator Lite Pack 15L FAQs

The Navigator Lite Backpack 15L is made of 80% Nylon and 20% Poly. The zippers are industry-standard YKK zippers. The bag is also vegan and made of 100% synthetic materials.

You can view a full comparison of the 15L and the 15L Lite HERE

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Navigator Lite Pack 15L - NOMATIC Travel Bags and Packs

What's the difference between the Navigator Pack 15L and Navigator Lite Pack 15L Backpacks?

travel pack 15l

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15L Backpack Alpha Black White Accents

15L Commuter Backpack With Trolley Sleeve

  • Fits Carry On Regulations Overhead Compartment & Under Seat
  • Has Waterproof Surface Oxford 1000D 
  • Has Been Load Tested up to 35lbs per Strap

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The Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks

A person standing outside in a light blue short sleeve shirt wears the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L backpack, in black with a gray llama-head logo and aqua accents.

By Kit Dillon

Kit Dillon is a writer focused on bags and travel gear. He has worked for Wirecutter for a decade and lost count of the number of bags he has tested.

When you open up your favorite carry-on travel backpack, it should feel like you’re opening the door to a well-organized closet or sitting down at a clean desk, with everything in the right place and easy to reach.

This is your moment to center yourself, no matter how chaotic the journey.

What we considered

A 45-liter bag maximizes overhead space but can get heavy when fully packed; 35-liter bags tend to be more manageable.

A bag with a clamshell design opens like a book and is the easiest to pack, but a bag that opens traditionally tends to have more structure.

Ideally, a travel backpack has handles on all sides—especially the bottom—so you can pull it out of overhead bins or from under seats.

Some internal pockets are useful, but major organizing is better managed with packing cubes.

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack and the larger Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L offer the best combination of features, quality, and durability. Both bags are exemplary carry-on travel backpacks that are designed for comfort, durability, and organization. Though these backpacks are great as companion bags for any trip, they’re designed to ultimately replace all of your other luggage and become your exclusive bag as you travel.

This style of packing is not for everyone, but once some people try it, they’re forever hooked. Finding the right bag is a personal choice, though, and no single bag will appeal to everyone. That’s why we also have picks that are great for people who travel for work , others that are designed to be carried over long distances , and a bag that’s basically luggage on your back .

The research

Why you should trust us, who this is for, best small carry-on bag for most situations: cotopaxi allpa 35l travel pack, best large bag for most situations: peak design travel backpack 45l, best mobile office: patagonia black hole mlc 45l, 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 travel backpack pro 40l, other good carry-on travel backpacks, how we picked and tested, the competition.

I’ve been covering aspects of luggage and travel bag design for Wirecutter for nearly a decade, and I have personally researched, tested, and compared hundreds of bags in that time. I personally try to do most of my travel with a single backpack, whenever possible. I spent nine months roaming around Hawaii with not much more than that, and I spent another six months nomadically couch-surfing in New York City.

I reached out to writers who specialize in traveling the world carrying everything they need in a single bag: Eytan Levy, the owner and operator of the Snarky Nomad travel website; James Feess, founder of The Savvy Backpacker ; and Sharon Gourlay, of the Where’s Sharon? travel website. I also spoke with moderators of Reddit’s r/onebag and r/heronebag forums, as well as with Chase Reeves, bag fanatic, reviewer, and owner of Matterful .

We researched and tested bags designed for those who want to travel light and stay flexible while flying, without the burden of checking luggage. For some people, the challenge of cutting down a packing list is intimidating. But if you can get past that initial hurdle, traveling with a single bag is a revelation. With fewer items, you have more time to concentrate on and appreciate the journey.

  • When you’re not loaded down by heavy luggage, it’s easy to remain more mobile. And it’s easier to adjust your plans mid-trip. If you’re willing to do laundry on the road, then one bag is all you need to travel indefinitely. At its heart, one-bag travel allows you to discover more—not just about the places you’re going but also about yourself and what you really need day to day.
  • Size and weight still matter. If you desire more creature comforts or more gear, or if you plan to be away for a long time across multiple climates, you’ll want a bigger travel backpack . These larger bags tend not to be carry-on-friendly, however, especially in Europe, so be prepared to check them.
  • No single backpack is perfect for everyone. Before you make any purchase, consider some basic points. How much can you carry? And where do you usually visit: the city or outback? Travel gear should feel like a welcome companion—there to support you when you need it but unobtrusive when you don’t.

45-liter bag vs. 35-liter bag

A graphic comparing the difference in capacity between a 45-liter and a 35-liter backpack.

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L

A versatile small pack for a week or a weekend.

This durable bag’s clamshell design makes it easy to organize your stuff. And due to its strap design, this bag can be worn on your back or carried in your hand while you’re on the move.

Buying Options

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack is an easy-to-organize, comfortable-to-carry bag for getaways lasting just a few days or a whole week.

It’s one bag that can do it all. This is a great all-around bag for any traveler who’s dedicated to packing light, or for a smaller person who wants less to carry. There are handles on all four sides of this bag, so it’s easy to grab no matter where you’ve stowed it. It’s also protected by a full lifetime warranty, and it has the build quality to back that up. After more than four years of testing, this single backpack (plus a personal item ) has replaced nearly every travel bag or piece of luggage I use.

It comes in various sizes, but we think the middle-of-the-road version is the best. Cotopaxi also makes the Allpa in 28-liter and 42-liter sizes. But for us, the 35-liter bag is the best option. At 42 liters, this bag becomes heavy for most people to carry when it is fully packed, and we’d prefer that it had a more-robust hip belt. At 28 liters, the bag becomes a touch small for most people, and its internal organization feels fussy for shorter trips, such as an overnight. Cotopaxi also makes a hip pack , which is designed to fit snugly into the Allpa bag’s front top compartment. It’s a neat little addition to the bag, and it is worth getting if you like wearing fanny packs while you travel.

It’s organized, easy to pack, and easy to carry. The Allpa bag has a clamshell design, so it opens like a hard-sided suitcase—a large YKK zipper runs around three sides of the bag, allowing it to fall open into two halves when unzipped. On the right side is a deep compartment, spacious enough for two large packing cubes or half a suitcase’s worth of clothing (which you access through a mesh zippered flap). On the left, there’s space for one more medium-size packing cube behind a zippered flap. Above that there are two smaller pockets with high-visibility backing—useful when you’re looking for hard-to-differentiate personal items.

The packed Cotopaxi Allpa Travel Pack, shown fully open so that the contents are accessible.

It’s secure but still accessible. The Allpa pack has two side-access zippers—great for on-the-go access, especially when the bag is hanging from your shoulder. One of these reveals a flat computer pocket with a padded false bottom; so if you drop the bag, it won’t land on the corner of your computer. The other reveals a “secret” pocket with a hidden zipper and access to the main compartment. All of the main compartment zippers are protected by security loops, which you thread the zipper through at the end of its run. This prevents anyone from subtly or quickly grabbing a zipper and opening your bag when you aren’t paying attention.

It’s comfortable to carry. The Allpa bag’s hip belt—which can be removed while the bag is on your back—is substantial enough that it’s comfortable to wear when you need it. With or without the hip belt, the Allpa bag is comfortable to carry over long distances. However, folks who have longer torsos (over 19 inches) may find that the waist belt sits a little high off the hips, unless you fully extend the shoulder straps. Speaking of shoulder straps, unlike the ones on our other picks, the Allpa bag’s straps are contoured to fit people who have large or small chests. It’s not a specifically gendered design, but our female tester noticed the improvement right away.

The Allpa pack is made with 1680-denier ballistic nylon, similar to the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 . (Denier is a measure of a fabric’s fiber thickness.) It feels similar to a strong canvas, but it has a more prominent weave. This is the type of bag that’s as easy to toss into an overhead compartment as it is into the back of a rusty pickup truck. And it also includes a rainfly, which is unique in this category.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

  • Though this pack is well organized for packing, it’s less ideal as a mobile office. The Allpa pack has a minimal amount of administrative organization—places to keep pens and papers, spaces to hold tickets, and so forth. This is where a good personal item comes in handy. However, if you want to travel with just this one bag, there are a few nooks you can hide things in. The front organizer is deep enough that you can also fit several small organizing pouches, if you want, or the aforementioned fanny pack.
  • We prefer the model without the TPU front. Cotopaxi does enjoy playing around with fabrics and colors. Sometimes the company has released the Allpa pack without the TPU-lined front panel. The TPU panel improves water resistance, but after many years of traveling with our bag, we’ve found that the TPU layering can begin to flake in spots.

Capacity: 35 liters Weight: 3 pounds 5 ounces Main compartment access: clamshell opening Style: adventurous Colors: assorted

A person stands by a wooden fence outdoors while wearing the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L, our larger pick for the best carry-on travel backpack.

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

An easily customizable large bag for long trips and expensive gear.

This bag was built with photographers in mind. Yet most travelers will appreciate its easy accessibility, clever tuck-away straps, and the elegant way the bag expands and contracts. The accessory cubes cost extra, though.

The Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is a good choice for those carrying more expensive gear—especially camera gear. It’s also great for those who prefer a large, backpack-based packing system.

One bag provides many configurations. Some bags in this category are built to do one thing extremely well—be carried on your back. But the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is built to adapt. It’s the Swiss Army knife of backpacks: adjustable, customizable, and (if you spring for the extra cubes and organizers) an almost perfect system for a photographer or gearhead on the move. Most bags’ expanding mechanisms aren’t worth the extra zipper they’re built on, and they look about as attractive as a boiled ham splitting out of its plastic packaging. That’s not the case with the Peak Design: This bag looks just as good fully packed at 45 liters as it does compressed to a 30-liter daypack.

It’s expandable, with clever folds and zippers. You can access the bag through a back panel (which doubles as a computer and tablet pouch) as well as a front one (if you unzip the pass-through divider). You can also get into the main compartment via two wing-like trapezoidal flaps, which run along each side of the pack. In its natural shape, the Travel Backpack holds 35 liters, but an expansion zipper lets the bag swell to 45 liters. If you want to use the bag as a daypack, you fold in the top corners and snap them down, reducing the bag’s volume to a slim 30 liters. In this configuration, it will still feel larger than a normal daypack, but we think that’s a small compromise for being able to use one backpack as both your travel bag and your daily explorer. The bag itself consists of 400-denier nylon and polyester fabrics. It feels tough but not as tough as some other bags we’ve tested, such as the Cotopaxi Allpa.

It has fold-away straps, for easier storage. The Peak Design lets you tuck its shoulder and hip straps away when you’re not using them. But unlike any other bag we’ve ever tested, this pack has magnetic flaps on the back panel that open and close with an almost magical snap. Once you’ve played with them, you’ll wonder why every backpack doesn’t have something similar. A small, childish part of me still gets excited about tucking away the straps when I put the Peak Design into an overhead bin. Although the straps are thin, they’re still comfortable. The hip belt isn’t quite as plush as the one on the Tortuga pack; still, even when the Peak Design is fully loaded, the belt doesn’t pinch or dig into the body.

It’s great for carrying expensive gear. If you travel with a camera, you don’t have to use Peak Design’s camera cubes , but they do make carrying that gear a whole lot easier. The cubes come in five sizes. And if they’re situated properly in the bag with the provided clips, they line up with the Travel Backpack’s side-access flaps for quick access. Caleigh Waldman (a photographer for this piece and, full disclosure, my spouse) took this bag across the country for a wedding shoot. “I want this backpack,” she said after three weeks of travel. “I want to travel with it everywhere. With my cameras. Without my cameras. It doesn’t matter. I want to travel with it.”

  • It’s expensive—especially if you commit to the entire system of packing and camera cubes.
  • More complexity means more things that can break. The adjustable design and multiple zippers do add complexity, and complexity adds potential weaknesses. Peak Design covers all of its bags with a lifetime warranty , which should alleviate most people’s concerns. But if you’re particularly hard on your gear and still need to carry as much as possible, you might consider the Tortuga bag instead.

Capacity: 45 liters Weight: 4½ pounds Main compartment access: back-panel loader Style: minimalist and unobtrusive Color: black, sage

The Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L, our also-great pick for the best carry-on travel backpack, is held in midair by a person wearing a plaid shirt.

Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L

Combines more organization with a simple interior.

This bag’s split interior makes organizing easy. Those who travel for work will appreciate this bag’s dedicated panels for organizing tech, books, papers, and assorted miscellaneous items.

If you travel often for business and prefer a bag that’s much easier to work out of than most of our other picks, you may like the Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L . This bag has a front panel and assorted pockets that make it feel like a small traveling office.

It’s built like luggage but organized like your office. Of all the bags we recommend, the MLC (short for Maximum Legal Carry) comes closest to being a suitcase on your back, due to its large size, simple interior, and minimal external features. The MLC is also one of the simplest bags we tested, divided into two leaves (imagine a book with only one page), with a main compartment for packing and a second compartment for document organization and tech storage. The MLC has a built-in laptop compartment that fits 17-inch laptops and is situated close to your back; this protects the computer and keeps its weight closer to your body.

Despite its size, it’s comfortable enough to carry. Most carry-on backpacks of this size, without frames, become somewhat unwieldy when fully packed. Thankfully, the Black Hole MLC bag, like the Cotopaxi Allpa, is a welcome exception to this rule. The MLC has two shoulder straps, a hip belt, and an optional shoulder strap, for easy carrying. When they're not in use, or when you’re checking your bag, all of the straps can be stowed away easily. When fully loaded, the bag was pleasant to carry—not as comfortable as the Peak Design or the Osprey, but decent enough. I wouldn’t want to carry it all day across a city, but I wouldn’t mind carrying it through an airport to a car and to a hotel.

It’s built from high-quality materials, with durability in mind. This pack is made from recycled polyester, and the fabric is woven in a cross-weave that’s very similar to what Patagonia uses in its long-lasting Black Hole series of duffle bags . This is a material I’ve come across a bunch with Patagonia gear, and I’ve tested it thoroughly; it’s very tough. The front of the bag is coated in a weather-resistant TPU, for extra protection from the elements. The bag has large YKK zippers (the industry leader) and smaller YKK zippers throughout. Unlike the Cotopaxi Allpa pack, the Black Hole MLC bag has no security loops.

It comes with one of the best repair programs and a lifetime warranty. Similar to our other picks, the MLC is backed by an excellent lifetime warranty , and we’ve always found that Patagonia’s repair program goes above and beyond other comparable companies.

  • We wish the Maximum Legal Carry (despite the name) came in a few more sizes. The 45-liter capacity may be intimidating for some people, and there is no alternative.

Capacity: 45 liters Weight: 3 pounds 10 ounces Main compartment access: clamshell Style: retro Colors: tan, black, olive, green

The Osprey Farpoint/ Fairview 40 Travel Pack, one of our also-great picks for the best carry-on travel backpack, shown in black.

Osprey Farpoint 40

For long distances on foot.

A great starter option for one-bag travel, this bag is easy to pack, adaptable to most situations, and sturdy enough to take with you as you travel the world.

travel pack 15l

Osprey Fairview 40

For long distances and smaller torsos.

A scaled-down version of the Farpoint, this bag has shoulder straps that are slightly lower, to keep the bag’s bulk more aligned with smaller torsos.

Updated in 2023, the Osprey Farpoint 40 and Fairview 40 packs are both built around a hiking backpack frame that’s easy to carry over long distances.

It’s built for travel but designed for hiking. The Farpoint 40 bag is well made, easy to pack, and comfortable to carry over most mid-length distances—such as walking across a city for an afternoon. (For simplicity’s sake, everything we say here about the Farpoint bag also applies to the Fairview bag.) Osprey makes excellent backpacks for hauling around, and its lifetime warranty is renowned within the industry . The Farpoint pack also has an optional messenger bag–style strap, which offers some flexibility when you’re maneuvering tight spaces like subways or crowded city centers.

View of the straps on the reverse of the Osprey travel backpack.

It’s simple to pack, but not as spacious as it seems. Opening the bag reveals a clamshell design; it’s deep enough to accommodate most large items, yet you won’t have to fumble awkwardly with zippers once it’s time to close up the bag. The feeling you get is not unlike when you’re packing a bit of sturdy luggage, and that’s something we love about bags like this one—especially when you use packing cubes . Osprey says this bag, when fully packed, can carry 40 liters. But after using the Farpoint bag for a few years, we’ve decided that its rounded shape seems to cut into that theoretical packable space more than other bags do. In practice, the Farpoint pack’s available space is closer to—but still less than—that of the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L .

It’s the easiest bag to carry among our picks. Like all Osprey bags, the Farpoint 40 has very comfortable shoulder straps. The years of design and consideration Osprey has put into its hiking backpacks are quite evident in the Farpoint 40. After more than seven years of long-term testing this bag, we’re still surprised by how great it feels to wear when fully packed. Crucially, the straps of the Farpoint 40 stow away neatly behind a zippered panel. However, when you’re using the shoulder straps, the design forces you to also use the hip straps. Though this isn’t a huge issue, if you prefer a sleeker look or would rather have the option of using shoulder straps without hip straps, the Cotopaxi Allpa pack is more flexible, and it lets you hide the waist straps while the bag is on your back.

The Fairview 40 has the same features, in a scaled-down size. The Farpoint 40 and the Fairview 40 packs basically have the same design, but the Fairview pack is made for someone with a more-diminutive torso. It’s also slightly lighter. However, it has the features and durability of the Farpoint bag. It also has the same hip belt and adjustability. On both, the chest-strap clip is also equipped with a small security whistle that’s surprisingly loud. It’s a handy feature for anyone traveling in unfamiliar environments.

  • For a smaller carry-on travel backpack, this one has little to not like. However, we do wish Osprey would trade some of the sleeker contours for a little more interior space.

Capacity: 35 liters Weight (Farpoint): 3 pounds 3 ounces Weight (Fairview): 3 pounds 2 ounces Main compartment access: front-panel loader Style: active Colors (Farpoint): green (Gopher), gray (Tunnel Vision), blue (Muted Space), black Colors (Fairview): blue (Winter Night), red (Zircon), blue (Night Jungle), black

The Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L, our also-great pick for the best carry-on travel backpack.

Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L

A suitcase to carry on your back.

For dedicated single-bag travelers, this water-resistant, durable bag is easy to pack and to travel with. And it’s comfortable to wear over endless miles—as long as you don’t mind the heavier weight.

The Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L maximizes packing space in a bag that’s durable, water-resistant, and customizable to fit most torso lengths (there’s also a 30L version ), with plenty of organizational features to suit any digital nomad.

It’s like a suitcase, with backpack straps. The Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L is built to occupy the maximum carry-on space available. It’s a nearly perfect blend of backpack and luggage. On the outside, its tear-resistant sailcloth and sealed zippers provide ample protection from sharp objects and the elements. Opening the main clamshell zipper reveals a cavernous interior and a few organizational features that make the bag a cinch to pack. The front panel is a particular standout, great for keeping track of electronics and chargers. Of all the bags we tested, the Tortuga strikes the closest balance between the carrying comfort of a hiking backpack and the space and organization of a piece of luggage.

The Tortuga Backpack Pro shown with the front clamshell lid in the open position.

It’s as easy to pack as luggage. When it comes to packing, the Tortuga pack has a soothingly minimal interior, as any good suitcase should. In addition to the bag’s cavernous main pocket, its interior lid has a large vented panel. The panel is too narrow to hold additional packing cubes, but it’s great for holding light jackets or doubling as a dirty-laundry bag (if you’re really committed to one-bag travel). The Tortuga is available as a 40-liter pack (the maximum space for a carry-on bag), which we tested; there is also a 30-liter version, which is compliant with some intra-European flights. The more-diminutive version is a decent choice for weekend travel or for minimalist travelers—but for those uses, we prefer the space-saving profile and extra internal organization of the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L bag.

It’s very customizable. The Tortuga pack is the most adjustable model we tested, thanks to its adjustable torso length, shoulder straps, and waist-belt system. The adjustable strap system lets you manipulate the location of the shoulder straps (video) to fit a wider variety of body sizes, in both the 30- and 40-liter versions. Of the packs we’ve tested, this one (with its included load-adjuster straps at the top, to prevent the bag’s weight from sagging toward your lumbar region) is the best at distributing its weight (4½ pounds when empty—roughly 1½ pounds more than most of our other picks, except the Peak Design ). The hip straps are removable if you need, but the shoulder straps are not stowable.

  • Its straps don’t stow away. Some people, especially those who are hard on their gear, may consider not being able to remove or stow the shoulder straps (as they can with our other picks, like the Cotopaxi Allpa ) a disqualifying factor. But after years of testing, traveling with, and occasionally checking our bag, we haven’t had an issue. However, if these mysteries beneath the airport also make you nervous, you might prefer our picks with easy-to-stow straps, such as the Peak Design.
  • It's heavy. We’ve fielded complaints from some testers who said that older models of this bag were too heavy for them to carry, even with the padded hip belt and adjustable straps. The additional padding does add weight. At 4½ pounds, this latest Tortuga bag is more than half a pound lighter than it used to be (the difference is noticeable), and it weighs the same as the equally large Peak Design pack. We are currently testing a new, lighter, and less-expensive version of this pack—aptly named the Travel Backpack Lite 40L —and will report back soon.  In the meantime, if you think you would struggle carrying the Tortuga, we strenuously encourage you to consider one of our more-manageable picks, like the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L.

Capacity: 40 liters Weight: 4½ pounds Main compartment access: clamshell opening Style: minimal, with a rigid construction Color: black

If you want to travel like a backpacker but also fit in at a board meeting (and you have the budget for it): Consider the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 . This bag’s reputation for durability, adaptability, and a low-key aesthetic make it a favorite among many dedicated one-bag travelers. And after testing it, we think it’s a great bag too. That said, for the bag to really stand out against other backpacks—and to take full advantage of its carrying adaptability—you need to buy the internal frame , the hip belt , and (if you’re traveling with a suit or jacket) the shoulder strap . On a bag that already costs $330, all of this adds up. Everything about the Tom Bihn bag (the fabric, the zippers, the quality of construction) feels like an upgrade from other bags, but it’s simply too pricey, and its design is too rarified and specific for most people. The biggest flaw, from our perspective—apart from the price—is that the Tom Bihn bag lacks a dedicated laptop pocket. In its place, the company sells laptop sleeves (a fine version if you don’t have one) that clip into the bag’s central compartment. Not everyone needs a dedicated laptop pocket, but we prefer the more secure feeling of bags that do.

If you want a budget pick (but only when it’s on sale): The eBags Mother Lode Travel Backpack (our former budget pick) is still your best budget option, if you can catch it on sale for at least half off the list price. It’s not comfortable enough for trekking long distances on foot, but there are plenty of external pockets for organization, a laptop sleeve (which holds the weight of your computer high up on your shoulders), and an easy-to-access main compartment. This pack also has the largest capacity of any bags we tested, expanding to 65 liters—well beyond any airline’s regulated 45-liter limit. However, the bag’s casual-to-basic looks might not be to everyone’s taste. In 2024, eBags raised the price of the Mother Lode to $200. We have seen it on sale for $100, and in our opinion it’s worth getting only at the sale price.

We’ve narrowed our specifications for a great bag to the following list of features, ordered from most relevant to least:

  • Front- or back-panel loader or clamshell opening, for the main compartment: As with any good piece of luggage, with this type of bag, you should be able to open it and see everything you’ve packed. When you have a bag with a panel-loading or clamshell design—rather than a traditional, top-opening design—you can pack and unpack it just as you would a suitcase.

A graphic illustrating a clamshell bag opening

  • Backpack strap comfort and design: You never know when you’ll be walking farther with your bag than you’d intended. The more comfortable and well designed the straps are, the easier traveling will be. “Ideally, you want a bag’s shoulder straps to adjust to the angle of your shoulders,” said Eytan Levy of Snarky Nomad. “Good shoulder straps are the difference between an easy trip and a hard trip.”
  • Hip-belt comfort and design: A hip belt transfers heavy loads from your back and shoulders onto your hips, letting your legs—not your back—bear the brunt of the weight. Just having a waist belt is a plus, but having a padded and sculpted one—especially on bags with over 40 liters of volume—makes a world of difference.
  • Material quality: Durability is critical for any type of luggage, but especially for a backpack that will be your only bag. Most bags worth considering are made of nylon, which resists abrasion more than polyester fabrics of similar density. Spending more, however, can get you exotic, light, and strong materials, such as Dyneema or sailcloth.
  • Weight: Once the bags arrived, we weighed each one ourselves. Most of the bags weighed within a few pounds of one another. 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.
  • Stowable straps: These are nice to have, but they aren’t absolutely necessary. “The more often you need to check a bag, the more often you need to hide away the straps,” Levy said. “But if the straps are tough enough, it doesn’t matter.”
  • Accessory pocket layout and design: Some people will love an accessory pocket that has a specific space for everything; others may find that feature constricting and unadaptable. We prioritized bags with simple designs that guided our packing without constraining us.
  • Style: This is purely subjective. We preferred bags that had a minimalist exterior style, but not all of our picks will please everyone. Most of the people we spoke with, however, preferred not to stick out like a tourist wearing a large, colorful backpack, if they could avoid it.

During testing, we flew across the country with these bags, took weekend trips to nearby cities, lived out of them on extended trips, and tried them locally in our daily routines. We also packed and unpacked each bag, using a standardized set of weeklong travel necessities and accessories, to see how well the internal organizational features (or lack thereof) aided or got in the way of efficient packing.

This is not a comprehensive list of all of the carry-on travel backpacks we have tested. We have removed any models that have been discontinued or that no longer meet our criteria.

The Away Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L is a rare miss from the Away team. This bag is resoundingly average for the price. Although it’s made from excellent materials, the bag is let down by its overall design, which lacks any kind of structure or attention to comfort. There are better options.

The cheap, no-frills Cabin Max Metz bag is intriguing for the price. Any bag at this price should almost be considered disposable. That said, if you need a simple bag that costs less than a seat upgrade, this might be the way to go—unless you can pick up the eBags Motherlode bag for under $100, which we think is a better deal at that price.

The GeniusPack Travel Backpack is the only model we came across that tried to fit a suit into a travel backpack. Though some people might need that, we think those who have to travel with a suit (or clothes that require pressing) would be better off with a piece of carry-on luggage . GeniusPack now offers a second version of this bag, but our conclusion hasn’t changed.

For certain people, the GoRuck GR3 is almost worth the cost. It’s strong and simple and covered by an iron-clad repair guarantee. The removable hip belt is comfortable to wear, and it’s good at displacing the weight of a 45-liter backpack. This is a decent bag. After testing it, however, we weren’t thrilled with the internal Velcro lining for compatible Velcro packing cubes. Velcro isn’t great: It wears out, it’s difficult to keep clean, and it clings to dirt. That might seem like a small thing, but for the price, this bag should feel perfect.

The Minaal Carry-On 2.0 was designed to be a backpack for business people. But if you’re carrying it for business, you’re probably wearing at least a blazer, so you wouldn’t use a backpack in any case. If you’re a business traveler who falls more on the casual end of the business-casual spectrum, and you’re not on a budget, this is a well-thought-out pack. But we think our picks are more versatile for world travel, and they come at a better price. Minaal has since introduced a 3.0 version of this bag ; our thoughts about it remain the same.

The Osprey Sojourn Porter 46L is a slightly larger sibling of the Farpoint pack. The Sojourn Porter bag is about 2 inches longer, and it pushes right up to most airline limits. If you don’t mind possibly having to check your bag at the last minute, this would be an excellent alternative to the Farpoint pack.

This article was edited by Ria Misra and Christine Ryan.

Chase Reeves, Matterful.co , phone interview , October 10, 2018

Addison Ryan, moderator, r/onebag , email interview , September 8, 2018

Lindsay Lorraine Calderón, moderator, r/heronebag , phone interview , September 28, 2018

Meet your guide

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Kit Dillon is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter. He was previously an app developer, oil derrick inspector, public-radio archivist, and sandwich shop owner. He has written for Popular Science, The Awl, and the New York Observer, among others. When called on, he can still make a mean sandwich.

Further reading

Four Osprey travel backpacks, two blue, two green, sitting next to each other.

The Best Travel Backpack

by Geoffrey Morrison

For trips ranging from a week to multiple months, the Osprey Farpoint 55 and Fairview 55 carried everything we needed comfortably.

Three of our favorite backpacks, totes and duffle bags on display

Wirecutter’s Favorite Bags, Totes, Backpacks and Carryalls

by Truth Headlam

Whether you’re going to school, work, the gym, the store, or on vacay, you need a bag. Here’s the Wirecutter-recommended carrying gear we love most.

A person in an outdoor environment wearing one of our picks for best buy it for life backpack with a minimalist look, the GoRuck GR1.

The Best Buy It for Life Backpack (Please Don’t Call It Tactical)

by Kit Dillon

A buy-it-for-a-lifetime backpack should last you for years of heavy use. But as with all investments, you need to decide if it makes sense for you.

Our picks for best laptop backpack pictured with school supplies.

The Best Laptop Backpacks

by Zoe Vanderweide

A great laptop backpack protects your tech, is comfortable to carry, and looks good, too. These five bags are our favorites for wrangling your workday gear.

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Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip 15L (V2) Review

The Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip 15L is sleek and quality—as we’ve come to expect from the brand—but the features aren’t as cohesive as we’d like.

Our Verdict

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  • Made of quality, durable, bluesign® approved materials
  • UltraZip is smooth to use—even around curves
  • Highly customizable
  • Accessing the main compartment may take some time to get used to
  • Laptop sleeve can be difficult to use when the pack is full
  • Water bottle pockets can be difficult to use when the pack is full

Technical Details

Carry-on compliance.

View 132/145 Airlines

Disclaimer: We take the measurements of the bag provided by the manufacturer and compare them to the allowance listed on airline websites. This should be used as a guideline rather than a rule. Bags can change size as you pack them out, and every airline's interpretation of compliance is different. Just because a bag is listed as carry-on compliant here doesn't mean that the airline will interpret it that way.

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Weight (lb)

2.51 lb (1.1 kg)

Without dividers

16.5 in x 10.2 in x 7.87 in (41.9 x 25.9 x 20 cm)

Notable Materials

Recycled Nylon, DWR Coating, Polyester, Polyethylene, Polyurethane, YKK Zippers, Aluminum, Leather, Zoom Zippers, Hypalon®

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Laptop Compartment Size

Warranty Information

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Full Review

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Although Peak Design advertises the Everyday Backpack Zip 15L as a simpler alternative to the Everyday Backpack (V2) , there is still a lot going on. If you’re the type of person who likes features on features on features then grab a beverage of your choice, settle in, and read on to uncover everything about the newest member of Peak Design’s Everyday line.

Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip 15L (V2) In Detroit

If you’re the type of person who could have the phrase Simple is Superior tattooed on your body, you probably want to check out a different pack . But feel free to read on anyway—we’ve got a lot to cover.

So without further ado, let’s jump on in.

Materials & Aesthetic

The Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip comes in both a 20L and 15L version. We’ve been testing the 15L version, although (obviously) both packs have a lot of similar things going on. The 20L one is just 5L bigger.

Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder, but overall we have (mostly) nice things to say about the simple, urban aesthetic of the Everyday Backpack Zip.

Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip 15L (V2) Zipper Pulls & Logo Accent

At the time of this review, the pack is available in four sleek colorways: Black, Ash, Midnight, and Bone. We’ve been testing arguably the most creepily named of the bunch, Bone. While we’re digging the modern, almost sci-fi vibe of this colorway, we’re not sure owning a white backpack is a very good idea. We’ll talk about this later in the review, but we’ve already noticed a handful of marks and scuffs after only a few weeks of testing. Suffice to say, we’re a little concerned about how it’ll look after a few years.

One other small nitpick we have is that, on the Bone colorway, the black zipper pulls don’t match the white fabric and subdued brown and gray accents. It looks a little…odd. That said, we’ve never had a problem finding the zippers, which we suppose could be considered a plus.

Alright, let’s move on to the materials. The exterior of the pack is made from 100% recycled 400D nylon canvas, which is then DWR impregnated and double PU-coated.

Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip 15L (V2) Material

For those of you who zoned out for the duration of that sentence, all you need to know is that the pack is made of durable, quality, weather-resistant materials. The fabric is also bluesign® approved (except for the black colorway), which aligns with Peak Design’s new environmental initiatives, and is something we always like to see.

Overall, the pack has a smooth, almost rubbery feel that’s pleasant to touch. We should note that there are leather accents on this pack (except on the black colorway), making it not suitable for vegans or others avoiding animal products.

Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip 15L (V2) UltraZips Locked

The folks at Peak Design have worked closely with Zoom Zippers to create the proprietary UltraZip. We’ve really been digging these zippers. They’re super smooth to use, gliding along the curves of the pack—which is not something we can say about every pack. In fact, it’s pretty rare, so our hats off to the people at Peak Design.

We’ve been putting the zippers to the test—stuffing this pack to capacity—and so far they’ve been holding up really well.

All of the hardware is made out of anodized aluminum and glass-reinforced nylon, which feels premium.

External Components

The exterior of the Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip looks deceptively simple—there’s actually quite a bit going on.

Let’s start with the harness system. We’re digging the shoulder straps, which are Peak Design’s signature rotating straps. If you’re not familiar, they’re essentially just normal straps, but connected by a metal rivet at the top, allowing you to easily swing the pack around your body and access the compartments. It’s a simple, yet innovative design that we find works really well in testing.

Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip 15L Harness System

The straps are made of a spongey, dense foam that’s comfortable even when the pack is fully weighed down. However, they take some time to break in. When we first started testing the Everyday Backpack Zip, the straps dug into the chest. Yeah, not good. But, we’re happy to report, they’ve softened up within two weeks.

Now, we did notice that the straps feel short on the 15L version of this bag. If you have broader shoulders or a larger frame, you may want to check out the Everyday Backpack Zip 20L .

Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip 15L Shoulder Strap Adjusters

The removable sternum strap works well for a pack of this size, though it’s not elasticated. You can feel its quality, especially in the metal hardware that easily hooks onto the pack. And it’s a secure fit. So secure that it can be tough to remove the strap (until you get the hang of it) if you’re looking to adjust its height.

We appreciate that there’s a luggage pass-through to make air travel even easier. We would’ve loved an option to stow the shoulder straps here—you can sort of tuck them in, but the keyword there is sort of. (And, yes, we know that’s actually two words, but the point stands.) The straps also don’t have that magnetic feature that you’ll see on other Peak Design bags.

In this luggage pass-through, there’s also a velcro attachment point for a hip belt. While we don’t think you’ll need a hip belt on a bag this small, it’s there if you want to use it and stays out of the way if you don’t.

Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip 15L Water Bottle Pocket

We like the two external water bottle pockets…as long as the bag isn’t fully packed. As soon as the pack is full, it becomes difficult to squeeze a water bottle inside of them. (We’ve been testing it with the 18oz Yeti Rambler , for reference.) This is something to be aware of—either pack less stuff or drink from smaller water bottles.

The Everyday Backpack Zip also comes with a key tether, which we’ve attached to the exterior of the pack and tucked into one of the water bottle pockets. It comes in handy for accessing your keys quickly.

Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip 15L Key Leash & Side Handle

Up next, there are three grab handles on this pack, which we love. You can feel the quality here, particularly on the top handle, which is thick and hardy. You can use the handle to carry the pack, or hang it up and keep it from touching grody floors (something particularly handy with a white pack). The other two are also padded, but better suited for handling this pack when throwing it into an overhead bin on a flight or just moving it around in your daily life.

Finally, there are a number of different attachment points where you can connect the two cord hooks that come with the pack. You can attach these cords in any number of ways—the possibilities are endless. Well, nearly endless. You can use these cords to externally carry a jacket, tripod, or other things of that sort.

Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip 15L Bottom Lash Points

Inside the Pack

When you fully unzip the pack, it looks like a baby changing mat. We’re not saying this is a bad thing—it’s just an observation. Anyway. We like that you can fully open the main compartment. Like, totally fillet this thing open. You likely won’t need to use this feature much, especially since a 15L pack only holds so much stuff, but it’s helpful when it comes to setting up the shelves.

Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip 15L Fully Open

Speaking of shelves. If you’re familiar with Peak Design, you probably know exactly what we’re talking about. If not, we’ll catch you up. Essentially, there are two big ole sheets of velcro on the interior of the main compartment as well as two FlexFold dividers. You can place the dividers on the velcro any which way to build shelves or cubbies for camera equipment or whatever else. You can also take the dividers out of the pack completely if you don’t want and/or need them.

We’ve loved these shelves as it allows us to pack snacks without worrying about said snacks getting crushed. (If you’ve ever eaten a sad, smushed-up granola bar that oozes chocolate all over your hands on a flight, you know how big of a deal that is.) Plus, it allows you to separate out your stuff for primo organization.

Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip 15L Side Panel Organization

Additionally, there are five interior pockets—two on each side flap and one on the front panel. The pocket layout on each side panel is the same. On the top, you’ll find the stretchy pockets, which are super easy to access from the top of the pack. We’ve tossed our ROAV sunglasses , as well as lip balm, a hair clip, and all the stuff we want to be able to grab at a moment’s notice in these pockets. These pockets close with a magnet, which is pretty nifty, although not 100% secure.

The bottom pockets are both zippered and are less easy to access. As they have further organization inside of them, they’re a great spot for SD cards or things of that nature. That said, the openings are quite small, so it can be tricky to grab any items that fall to the bottom of the pocket, especially if you have larger hands. So be careful. This is probably not the best spot for your collection of tiny figurines.

All four pockets stay out of your way when you don’t need them, which is exactly what we like to see with interior organization.

The fifth interior pocket is a quick-grab one on the top of the pack’s front panel that’s made of stretchy material. It’s roomy and easy to get in and out of, so a better spot for the aforementioned tiny figurine collection. Or, you know, your wallet .

Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip 15L Side Access

Okay, let’s talk about the way you access the main compartment. To be blunt, it takes some time to get used to. Basically, you’ll have three main access points: one on each side and one on the top. You can also fully unzip it. Now, these access points are created by strategically zipping or unzipping the four (yeah, four ) zippers that all rest on a single, 270-degree track.

Say you want to access the left side of the pack, you’ll position the farthest right most zipper all the way to the right, while having the other three zippers at the top. If you want to close the left side, simply slide the left zipper all the way to the left. If you want to open the top, unzip the two middle zippers partially toward the left and the right. (May we suggest watching our Quick Hit video if you need a visual.)

You can also partially zip or unzip the zippers for more or less access.

Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip 15L Top Unzipped

While, yes, it can be a little intimidating at first, it allows you to come up with a custom system that will work best for you and your use-case. There is no one size fits all. Plus, the zipper system makes it super easy to access your stuff when you sling the pack forward off of your back.

We should note that it’s easy to leave small gaps along the zipper track, so you need to ensure everything is fully zipped if you don’t want to risk your smaller items falling out.

Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip 15L (V2) Packed

Now, while we like the innovation here, we’re not sure that this style of access is really necessary for a 15L pack. You can’t carry that much stuff, so we hardly ever used the side access. Plus, the custom organization and various access points mean that you can’t throw your stuff in your bag and go. You have to carefully pack it and come up with your own system.

If you’re planning to use this pack as a camera bag, you may feel differently—actually, you’ll probably really dig it. So we suggest considering your use-case to decide if this is too much or just right.

Whew, that was a lot. For those of you who need a small break, maybe refill that beverage, stretch your legs, now would be a good time. Ready? Okay, back to the review.

Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip 15L Laptop Compartment

There is a second compartment on the Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip 15L—the laptop compartment, which holds up to a 13’’ laptop. If you have a 15″ laptop, the 20L version has got you covered. Like with the water bottle pockets, it’s difficult to fit a laptop inside the sleeve when the main compartment is fully packed and it’s a slow process to slide it in and out—not great for airport security or, to be frank, daily life.

And, while there’s also a spot for a tablet, it’s very difficult to fit both a computer and a tablet inside when the main compartment is full, even without cases on them. It’s definitely frustrating.

There’s also a great quick-access pocket in this laptop compartment. It’s made of stretchy material that’s basically folded over and attached to the laptop sleeve divider—so it expands when you pull the divider toward you. There are two small liner pockets and space for larger tech accessories like a laptop charger. But again, it’s tricky to actually use. You can’t get to it when the pack is stuffed full. We like the concept of this pocket—it’s well designed—we just wish it was better to use in practice.

Durability & Testing

We’ve been testing the Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip 15L (V2) for about three weeks around Detroit, Michigan. And, after using it nearly daily, we’ve decided that there’s just too much going on for a bag of this size. For a pack from Peak Design, we expected all the features would be more streamlined or cohesive. Which is a compliment as we expect a lot from the folks over there.

Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip 15L In Detroit

We found the fact that both the laptop compartment and the water bottle holders become difficult to use when the main compartment is fully packed out—which is most of the time as it’s a small pack—to be extremely frustrating. Especially as we almost never travel without a laptop these days. And the organization and multiple access points is just…a lot.

If you’re looking for a 15L pack that’s highly customizable or a smaller bag to keep your camera kit and tech accessories in a tight package, then these downsides may be worth it for you. Otherwise, you may consider going for the 20L pack or the Everyday Backpack (V2) .

We mentioned earlier that white—Bone—is a risky choice for a backpack. Unless you enjoy spending your days cleaning fabric and only travel to clean places, we don’t suggest it. We’ve already noticed numerous marks all over the pack, especially in highly used areas (like beneath the straps, by the water bottle pockets, next to the zipper, etc.). You can wipe off some of the smaller marks, but the bigger ones are there to stay. We only expect that it’ll continue to get worse.

That said, the quality of the pack is still impeccable. You can tell it’s made of quality, durable materials that should last a long time. The only durability issues we’ve seen are superficial.

Usage Timeline

Condition: Excellent

  • We like the smaller 15L option for a more compact package
  • Organization is very streamlined and descrete
  • Same great camera bag style interior as the Peak Design Everyday Backpack

Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip 15L Scuffs and Marks

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The 15 Best Wrinkle-free Pants, Shorts, and Skirts to Pack for Your Next Trip, According to a Travel Writer

They work for any trip,

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Travel + Leisure / Reese Herrington

No matter where you’re headed on your travels, there’s one thing that’s a surefire annoyance once you reach the destination: a suitcase full of wrinkled clothing. Seriously, no one wants to spend the precious moments of an itinerary breaking out the hotel ironing board to erase the creases in their shirts. That’s why, as an avid jet-setter and proud carry-on-only traveler , I’m incredibly particular and strategic about what pieces that I decide to pack — and that includes opting for wrinkle-free pants, skirts, and shorts (I mean, I already loathe ironing at home, so there’s no way I’m about to do it on a trip). 

Below, I’ve rounded up 15 of the best wrinkle-free travel bottoms that are great staples for any trip destination — including a classic Madewell denim piece , ultra-comfy Vuori pants (I'm a big fan of the brand ), and some of the best options at Amazon for sleek trousers , maxi skirts , and more. Each piece is not only functional, but also versatile so as to not waste precious luggage space. Trust me, if you pack any of these items, you’ll be sure to spend less time ironing and more time enjoying your vacay. 

Tronjori Women's High-waist Casual Wide-leg Palazzo Pants

There’s no denying that I’m a big fan of chic trousers for any occasion — but especially for travel. These wide-leg pants drape nicely, and work for a dressed up or dressed down scenario. They have over 12,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, with customers sharing that they’re lightweight, comfortable, and easy to wear. Plus, countless reviews confirm that they’re wrinkle-resistant and great for travel .

Modegal Women's Satin High-waist Midi Skirt

I love including a silk skirt in any warm weather capsule wardrobe; it adds an elegant touch to your favorite outfits while being extremely versatile — and they take up virtually no space in your luggage. However, in my experience, a lot of options out there look like a crumpled paper bag by the time that they come out of my suitcase. This skirt, however, seems to be the answer to my never-ending quest. 

As one Amazon reviewer wrote : “This is a great product to have if you travel a lot. You can dress it up or dress it down, and it does not wrinkle.” Other reviewers confirm that it doesn’t wrinkle when you roll it up in your luggage, and it makes for a great travel companion. With 27 gorgeous colors to choose from, it's bound to suit your travel style.

Libin Women's Cargo Joggers

These joggers have a whopping 10,000-plus five-star reviews on Amazon, and for good reason. “I love these pants. They are so comfortable and lightweight. They wash well, are great for travel, and they never wrinkle,” one customer wrote , calling them a “great buy.” In fact, hundreds of reviews say that these joggers are ideal for long-haul flights and outdoor adventures , alike. The lightweight, UPF 50+ fabric will keep you cool and safe from the sun, and ensure that the pants take up little to no space in your luggage. 

Amazon Essentials Women's Mid-rise Shorts

Finding a pair of staple travel shorts can be a true challenge. But with nearly 4,000 five-star reviews to back them up, this mid-rise option from Amazon Essentials should do the trick. They feature a classic straight fit and a tailored look. They’re made with a breathable cotton fabric — and before you raise an eyebrow at the wrinkle-potential, check out this rave review from a pleased traveler: “They washed well, I rolled them up into my bag and when I got to the hotel, I didn't need to smooth any wrinkles out.“ 

Eddie Bauer Women's Departure Ankle Pants

I’m all for outdoor-ready pants that also function as cute travel bottoms. These Eddie Bauer ankle pants are made with a moisture-wicking, UPF 50+ material, and they’re a favorite amongst shoppers. One Amazon customer said : “These are great pants for travel. [They’re] wrinkle-free, thin, and you can dress them up or wear super casual.” Plus, they come in seven different earthy colors — what more could you ask for?

Madewell Women's The Rilee Denim Midi Skirt

I love packing at least one skirt in my carry-on, just to have a bit of outfit variety. Reminiscent of the classic ‘90s style, this long denim Madewell skirt is an absolute dream since it pairs great with a simple T-shirt or tank for a breezy day of sightseeing. Alternatively, you could elevate the look with a white button-up and heeled sandals. One reviewer wrote that the denim “isn’t too heavy, which will make it very comfortable transitioning into the summer” — this also means that it will pack nicely into a suitcase without taking up too much space. And, of course, since it’s denim, you don’t need to stress about wrinkles. 

Madewell Women's Harlow Wide-Leg Pants

These wide-leg trousers from Madewell are a T+L favorite. In a recent review , one Travel + Leisure writer said that she wore these pants from a plane ride straight to dinner, and they were super comfortable for the entire journey. “I was pleasantly surprised that the pants were barely wrinkled,” she wrote. “I practically rolled off the flight and straight to the restaurant. If it weren’t for the luggage in tow, I’m almost certain no one would have guessed that I came straight from LaGuardia.” The popular pants are also available as shorts , which are perfect for spring and summer travel. 

Everlane Women's The Dream Maxi Skirt

The name of this skirt says it all: the versatile design, stretchy yet substantial fabric, and just-right length make this piece an absolute must-have for your travel wardrobe. One reviewer summed it up beautifully, writing, “The length is very easy when traveling as there’s no worry about wrinkles or constantly pulling the skirt down. I wear mine with a tee and sandals now but, this fall might bring more options. I plan to purchase the black skirt as well, as the tan has been great.” 

Everlane Women's The Easy Pants

The Easy Pants from Everlane are a fantastic packing staple. They're made with a lightweight, breathable cotton twill fabric that's perfect for warmer climates. Plus, the elastic waistband and pockets galore make it highly functional during any trip. One reviewer wrote: “We just spent 10 days traveling with just carry-ons and these were the perfect pants to bring. They're super versatile and packed well; I will probably buy it in another color.” Although they're made with cotton, these pants stay wrinkle-free. 

Aritzia Women's Effortless Pants

These pants have become one of my go-to travel wears. As the name suggests, they're truly effortless to wear (and you feel effortlessly chic whenever you slip them on). They are a breeze to dress up or dress down — I like to pair mine with a T-shirt and sneakers, or a nice blouse and heels — making them a fabulous travel staple. Best of all, the drapey crepe material of these pants never seems to wrinkle. I’ve packed these pants for over 10 trips at this point, and they always emerge from my suitcase looking flawless. I currently own them in black, but I plan to add one of the 15 other colors to my collection very soon.

Vuori Women's Volley Skirt

Speaking of skirts, you can’t go wrong with this sleek option from Vuori if you’re in the market for something a little sportier. Complete with built-in shorts and moisture-wicking material, this skirt is great for any outdoor sport — but it’s also much more versatile than that. “It’s great for wearing casually, for travel, and yes for tennis/other activities as the advertisements suggest,” said one reviewer. The fabric of the skirt is peachy-soft to the touch, and you’ll never need to worry about wrinkles.

Vuori Women's Daily Wide-leg Pants

I’ve raved about the Vuori Daily Leggings time and time again — and now the brand makes a wide-leg version. These pants feature the same buttery soft, breathable fabric, but with a flared silhouette for extra pizzazz. This cut is perfect for plane travel, walking around a new city, or even working out on your trip. Not to mention, there won’t be a wrinkle in sight when you pull them out of your carry-on.

Lululemon Men's ABC Classic-Fit 5 Pocket Pants Warpstreme

Lululemon may be primarily known for their women’s leggings — but don’t sleep on the brand's men’s activewear selection, particularly when it comes to pants. I think this may be one of its best categories, though it’s still a bit of a hidden gem. Take the ABC Classic Fit Pants, for instance. They feature the brand’s signature four-way stretch and wrinkle-resistant fabric, which holds its shape and feels comfortable for many hours of wear. Plus, there are so many ways to personalize them to suit any preference — including five choices for length, three additional fabric options, and 11 different colors. And it probably goes without saying, but they look super sharp, whether you’re hopping on a plane or headed to dinner. 

Vuori Men’s Pebble Shorts

Featuring a recycled material made from plastic bottles, these lightweight shorts are a true standout. They’re quick-drying, which makes them perfect for outdoor activities, warm-weather sightseeing, or sprinting through an airport terminal when needed. While these shorts are suitable for active adventures, they’re also tailored and look put together enough for a more elevated outing. With nearly unanimous five-star ratings, customers love wearing these wrinkle-resistant shorts for travel and everyday life. 

Vuori Men’s Cascade Tech Chino Pants

Whether you’re headed to a golf game or hopping on a plane, these chinos are ready to perform. They’re made with the brand's performance stretch fabric, which is also water-resistant (a.k.a. great for any surprise weather) and ultra breathable. One satisfied customer specifically called out the fabric, noting that it “drapes well when wearing it, does not wrinkle, dries quickly.” They also added, “You can come off a long flight and not look like it.”

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VPBAGE 15L Hiking Backpack, Foldable Packable Lightweight Backpack for Travel, Water Resistant Small Day Pack for Camping Outdoor(Sky Blue)

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VPBAGE 15L Hiking Backpack, Foldable Packable Lightweight Backpack for Travel, Water Resistant Small Day Pack for Camping Outdoor(Sky Blue)

About this item.

  • Item dimensions: 10.63 inches
  • Storage volume: 15.0 liters
  • Item depth width height: 6.69 inches
  • Material: Nylon
  • Subject character: sports
  • Water resistance level: waterproof

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  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.69 x 10.63 x 16.93 inches; 8 ounces
  • Department ‏ : ‎ unisex-adult
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CZP87LRT

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Trans-Siberian Railway Prices

  • Trans-Siberian Railway Tickets
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  • Trans-Siberian Railway Car Classes
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Home » Prices and Trans-Siberian Tickets » Trans-Siberian Railway Prices

Ticket prices for the Trans-Siberian Railway also depend on the current ruble exchange rate.

Is the Trans-Siberian Railway expensive?

Before starting on your Trans-Siberian Railway adventure you naturally want to know what the entire trip will cost. Although this sounds like a simple question, it is pretty difficult to answer. The Trans-Siberian Railway price of travel depends on the following factors:

  • Which travel class do I want to use? The price for a first class ticket is about three times the price of a 3rd class ticket
  • Am I willing to buy the tickets myself and assume responsibility for the organisation of the trip?
  • How many stopovers do I want to make? The more breaks, the higher the total price.
  • What sort of accommodation do I want? Will it be a luxury hotel or will a hostel dormitory be sufficient?
  • What tours and excursions would I like to go on?
  • What is the current exchange rate for rubles?

Basically, everything from a luxury to a budget holiday is available. If you buy yourself a 3rd Class nonstop ticket at the counter, a few hundred Euros will cover the price. All you will experience is a week on the Trans-Siberian train and will see nothing of the cities on the way. There is, however, any amount of room for upward expansion. Everyone makes different choices about which aspects they are willing to spend money on. I personally prefer to save money on accommodation and railcar class, visit as many cities and do as many trips as possible. To enable better classification of your travel expenses I have contrasted two typical traveler types. In the third column you can calculate the total cost of your own journey on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Please keep in mind that these are only rough estimations and not exact prices.

The all-in costs seem fairly high at first. However, they cover everything and it is quite a long journey taking four weeks. Many people forget to consider that when looking at the list. We should also deduct the running costs for food and leisure at home. I think most visitors to this page will classify themselves somewhere between the two categories, that is around the € 2,000 – € 2,500 range. When comparing these prices with other travel packages, you get the impression that it is hardly worthwhile travelling individually on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Please keep in mind that most packages last no more than 14 days and you are herded like cattle through the most beautiful locations.

If you spend less time on the Trans-Siberian Railway you will, of course, pay less. I chose this particular travel length because I prefer not to do things by halves. If you fulfill your dream of travelling on the Trans-Siberian Railway, enjoy it and don’t rush things. But it’s up to you, of course. Try playing around with the form a bit to find the appropriate price for your trip.

  • Trans-Siberian Railway Tickets »

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  20. Trans-Siberian Railway Prices Calculation

    When comparing these prices with other travel packages, you get the impression that it is hardly worthwhile travelling individually on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Please keep in mind that most packages last no more than 14 days and you are herded like cattle through the most beautiful locations.