Usually our trips are a bit off the beaten path and climbing stairs in budget accommodations, making our way down cobblestone streets or hopping off small boats directly onto the sand isn’t easy with a suitcase. So about 10 years ago, we turned to backpacks. And for months-long trips, our trusty 60L pack is still our go to. But, for shorter journeys (or when we want to avoid checked baggage fees), we recently discovered what we think is the best carry-on backpack you can get. And its’ just $50 on Amazon.
What you need to know about this carry-on backpack
- It’s 47cm tall, 31cm wide and 22cm deep
- It’s compliant with carry-on baggage sizes (We’ve taken it on Scoot, AirAsia, Jetstar, Qantas and the now-defunct MyAirline.)
- It has a separate compartment for shoes, a waterproof section and a few internal compartments that are perfect for little things
- There’s a hidden compartment that sits flush against your back where you can store valuables (if you’re concerned about pickpockets)
- There’s a water bottle holder on the side and a built-in pocket for a USB charger
- There’s a built-in padded laptop section (which had plenty of room for more than just a Macbook) (Tip: This section is also great for dirty laundry if you’re not bringing a computer)
- It comes in multiple colours (including beige, black, light blue, army green, grey, pink and a forest green which is the one we own)
- A few different designs are available with slight differences in zippered sections and internal compartments (you may need to look at various sellers to see them all)
What do we love about this carry-on backpack?
It fits so much. And we don’t understand how. For a 10+ day trips to both warm and cold destinations, it seem to magically fit everything in. (And we’re not ones to do laundry every few days when travelling)
It’s also easy to get everything in and out because it opens up completely, like a suitcase. There’s nothing we hate more than a top-filled backpack and it’s something we actively seek out when shopping for one.
We had no issues fitting in an entire trips worth of underwear, multiple pairs of socks, a bunch of shirts, a spare pair or two of shoes and toiletries. For our trip to New Zealand, we also had two jumpers, leggings and jeans, while for Bali we also had swimsuits, rash guards, swim pants and a snorkel set.
Since we make the most out of every holiday (which sometimes means squeezing in a morning swim before an afternoon flight) we really appreciate the waterproof section. It keeps all your dry stuff dry and doesn’t soak the bag itself. It’s also handy for keeping toiletries that you think may leak. The surface in this section is very easy to just wipe down.
What can it hold?
Here’s a picture of the bag holding:
- A spare pair of shoes in the shoe section
- 1x wool jumper
- 2x jeans
- 1x long skirt
- 2x short dresses
- 5x shirts
And there’s still room for more. There’s a separate pocket that’s perfect for underwear and we haven’t yet put anything in the waterproof or laptop sections.
Here’s what we don’t love so much about the bag
It’s not the most comfortable bag in the world. Compared to our 60L backpack that has padded hip straps, this bag’s weight does sit completely on your shoulders.
What trips have we taken it on?
Now, you may be thinking this bag seems a bit small if it’s carry-on only size. But, it’s a little bit magic as it just seems to fit everything in.
- An 11-day Singapore and Malaysia trip (including snorkel gear)
- A 12-day drive around the South Island of New Zealand (including warm jumpers because New Zealand)
- A 5-day Red Centre road trip (including hiking shoes)
- A 5-day getaway to Bali (including snorkel gear, again!)
- A 4-day jaunt to Byron Bay
- A 4-day trip to Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road (including a laptop for remote work)
- A 3-day long weekend to Narooma on the South Coast of New South Wales
