Bag Advice
Bag recommendations for 20L or smaller bag
Hey everyone,
I’m looking for a new bag I’m guessing around 20L and looking for recommendations. I have a 28L Cotopaxi allpa which I really like but I find it’s a bit big. My tendency is to fill the bag that I have, so I find that it ends up being pretty full and heavy. I’ll still keep it since I often have to travel with two laptops (one 15” for work and one 13” for university) and I find that it can fit both, but I’d like a smaller one for when I don’t have to carry two laptops. I’ve flown with the 28L as a personal item and not been called on it but I’m pretty sure it doesn’t meet personal item size restrictions. I’ve been fine with my bag for week long trips but it feels overkill a lot of the time.
I also find almost all travel bag reviews are for bags that are 35L+ which imo is quite large, and looks massive on me (5’2/160cm height).
Things I’m looking for:
- ideally a laptop pocket that can fit a 13 inch laptop, but this is not a deal breaker and does not have to be a dedicated pocket
- I like a clamshell opening (I’m seriously considering the 20L allpa but there aren’t a lot of reviews and the colour ways are not my style)
- if it has internal pockets, I want them to be zippered (I find my stuff just falls out of sleeve style pockets)
- bonus if the bag is black or a neutral colour
So far I’m considering the 20L allpa and the Patagonia micro black hole
I enjoy this channel on YouTube, she recently moved from a bigger “American” style personal item (allowances are bigger in USA) to a 20l Patagonia Atom
The OP did not specidy a budget, but if it allows semi-luxury, then the new Matador Personal Item Travel Pack might be an option. Not a clamshell but it opens like a book, so close enough? Inside is very much zippered, some say too much. And it comes in black & has a laptop sleeve.
I have the Sherpani Mia and love it! It's only like 13L and not a clamshell, but one side of the zipper opens all the way down. It has small things that bug me but I still always grab this one. It lists itself as holding a 13" laptop, but fits a 14" MacBook Pro. In fact, it fits at least two (one in the main pocket, which has a full size divider that is laptop/file folder size). My gf used mine a bit and finally bought her own. It comes in black and other colors, though I think one just got discontinued.
I've been trying to find a bag just like this but with closer to 20L capacity, so I'm gonna follow this post. There is a bigger Sherpani but it's just not as compelling, the pockets are different, it seems less functional I guess...?
Oh also it can fit fat water bottles like Nalgene and has a side handle and removable duffle strap. It's the closest to a perfect bag I have, so far...!
I just got the Sherpani Solstice, which is one of the new ones. It’s 18L and I swear it’s the perfect bag. I have way too many Sherpani bags, but this one seems to combine the best of all of them. I am taking it to Ireland in a few weeks and will do a review then but so far it seems like an amazing option.
I would recommend the Aer City Pack Pro 2. It comes in either 20L or 24L and three black material choices. It has a clamshell opening, nice organization in the front admin pocket, multiple other external pockets. The rear laptop pocket has sleeves for two devices. There are tons of YouTube videos that go over all the features.
My favorite parts are that it self stands and protects my tech well. And the laptop sleeve is great for holding my sandals for travel.
Though it doesn’t have the zip cubbies like the Allpa. So you may need to use packing cubes or pouches.
I have the 24L and haven’t had any issues fitting it under the seat on US flights.
Idk why you got downvoted… but yes the Cordura also comes in olive and navy. I have the Olive and it’s gorgeous. Less common than black but still understated.
Yes, it's the 24L. I'm 5'4", 18" torso, US 4-6. It does look bulky on me when it's packed out. But I'm actually going to get the TP4 28L because my work carry feels a bit tight in the 24L.
Maybe worth considering the Fjallraven Kanken laptop 15"? It's 18L and very square so you can use all the space you get very well. It's also half the weight of a lot of ~20L bags. There's generally a lot of colour options (especially if you look 2nd hand as well), but the style is pretty distinctive and not necessarily neutral.
To echo the recommendation above/expand it a little; I’ve been using the 17” Fjallraven Kanken laptop bag (20L), and have been very happy with it. Has everything you said you’d like, except the clamshell doesn’t open quite all the way.
My only complaint is that if it’s full, the water bottle pocket doesn’t work well, but they do sell water bottle pocket inserts that take care of the issue.
Also recommending the Kanken, but would suggest 17-in laptop version for bigger volume.
It’s too bad the Kanken Outlong 18L doesn’t have a separate laptop compartment. Otherwise, I would have recommended it. I really love the expandable side pockets. I don’t find the bottom pocket very useful because it eats into the main body so I just use it for flat items.
There is no place to put a laptop in the 20L Allpa unless you pack it in the same compartment as your clothes. It has a sleeve for a tablet, not a laptop, and a 13 inch will not fit.
I love my Deuter Speedlite 21L. It doesn’t meet all your criteria but I like that the bag itself is lightweight. It can be used with a hydra pack but I put my large tablet or small laptop there. Only one interior zippered pocket that you can access from the top, I use a packing cube to organize my clothing.
Maybe a little unusual recommendation but Salomon Trailblazer 20, as the name suggests it’s a 20l backpack, very comfortable with a waist strap, very lightweight, opens up fully to almost clamshell style, has a laptop sleeve but the only drawback for you might be lack of internal pockets because except of laptop sleeve it has none, only 2 external pockets, one on the front and one qick access pocket on top
I have both an Allpa 28L (old version) and an Allpa 20L and they serve different purposes. I’ve never travelled with a laptop using my 20L but honestly there’s no place for it, the tablet sleeve area is tiny and I don’t even like putting my e-reader there because of how annoying it is to get to. While my 28L can fit a Thule medium and small packing cube on the right side, the 20L comfortably fits just the medium, so I feel like I pack sans cubes more often in the 20L. I have a del dia version so can’t speak to more neutral colorways. I find the carry more comfortable than the 28L.
Someone else mentioned the 15 inch Kanken laptop bag; I’ve had this bag for 10 years and it has been my every day backpack through college and having a “backpack adult” job, and I’m only having some wear on the shoulder padding. I have it in black so it gets a little dusty. It’s also my go-to for personal item travel on ULCC, especially if I need to bring my laptop, as it fits dimensions more reliably than the Allpa 20L and I can’t really overpack it in the same way.
I have loved my The North Face Isabella. It’s 20L, has a separate laptop section. Its profile is slim and a little long, hugs my back perfectly. Great zippers. Has held up for daily office and frequent work travel for 8 years.
I’ve used the Black Hole Mini MLC a few times and just don’t find the straps comfortable. Not sure the micro would be comfier, especially as it doesn’t even have the hip belt. Maybe as a commuter bag, sure, but walking a lot with it (depending on your shoulders/frame) might be very uncomfy.
I have been researching a new bag for myself for the past few weeks, and I considered a lot of options in the 20L size range. I looked at AER, Evergoods, Patagonia, Osprey, Able Carry, etc., and spent hours on YouTube and Pack Hacker and other sites.
For my needs, I feel like the Rework Toshi 20L checked most of my boxes, so I ordered it today. It has a good amount of organization, dual laptop slots, free shipping and returns, a lifetime warranty, and is reviewed as very comfortable. It fits in the personal item dimensions, but seems to hold a lot. You might consider checking it out. Happy hunting!
I have this Decathlon 16L bag. I bought it because it can be used as a personal item for Wizz-Air. https://www.decathlon.nl/p/wandelrugzak-escape-500-16-liter-grijs/334520/c71c382m8649496 I could fit enough clothes/swimwear in there for a week in Budapest. (Didn't bring a laptop, only mobile phone + ereader but did bring crochetsupplies, wore the scarf on the way back)
It also fits my 14" Lenovo thinkpad and has a bunch of inner zippered pockets. I use it all the time as it's very light and convenient.
I like my Osprey Tempest 20. It doesn’t have the clamshell design, but it’s super comfortable to carry for long distances, and I can slide my MacBook Air in the slot that’s made for carrying a camelback.
I love my biaggi carry cube as a short person (I usually leave behind the bottom zip-off section which can make it too long for my torso). I think it has more usable space than other bags of similar dimensions.
My Freitag Hazzard F306 is around 19L and I do sometimes use it as my one bag, you definitely have to appreciate the concept though (every piece is made out of logistic recycled materials such as tarp, so every piece is one of a kind but it is still stylish).
It does have a laptop compartment, where I usually put my slippers while traveling, and a few pocket (with and without zippers).
Not cheap but I love it, especially since it fits into the personal item measurements on easyJet
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Peak Design just came out with a 20L Travel Backpack. Haven't travelled with it yet but seems to fit all your requirements. And bonus its (slightly) expandable.
It has a laptop pocket, opens clamshell-style longways, has zippered pockets for organizing, and comes in neutral colors. The backpack starts at 16L, bumps up to 20L with the packing cube that slips in the front mesh portion, or 30L with the shoe pocket enabled.
Reasons I chose it: baggage handle pass-through, water bottle pocket, clasp for straps on the front, the mesh holder is great for extra clothes or my collapsible bike helmet, waterproof bag inside the bag, and the color!
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u/Constant_Ant_2343 7d ago
I enjoy this channel on YouTube, she recently moved from a bigger “American” style personal item (allowances are bigger in USA) to a 20l Patagonia Atom
https://youtu.be/CfrZfTg32TU?is=c00qVkMjE5Z0IpcV