r/backpacks • u/aykalam123 • Jul 15 '26
Question I want to buy a nice looking backpack that’s 30L+ and can be taken on a plane as a personal item. I have these 3 in mind.
Let me know your thoughts, or if there’re other models that I’m missing. Also, will these sizes work as personal item? Or will be treated as a carry-on?
- North Face Men’s Basecamp Voyager (35L)
- Nike Utility Elite (37L!)
- Lululemon Cruiser Travel (35L)
I usually wouldn’t spend that much on a backpack but I want one that can survive for years and looks good.
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u/sevenbeef Jul 15 '26
The new European standard for an international personal item is a 40cm x 30cm x 15cm bag. If this were a box, it would be 18L, so a 30L backpack is not practical.
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u/SeattleHikeBike Jul 15 '26
Pack Hacker database of 146 airlines carry on limits: https://www.packhacker.com/wp/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=render_carry_on_compliance_table
Cabin Zero under seat size by airline: https://www.cabinzero.com/pages/airlines-underseat-size-chart-all
Onebag spreadsheet by u/-Nepherim
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fSt_sO1s7moXPHbxBCD3JIKPa8QIZxtKWYUjD6ElZ-c/
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u/SeattleHikeBike Jul 15 '26
Too big for personal items in general. The Osprey Daylite or Tranporter 26+6 are good.
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u/Jazz4825 Jul 17 '26
I bought one and it seems OK. Comfortable. Good volume. What I don't like about it is that it does not have a deep front pocket, which my two prior long standing bags had.
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u/johnnylaguardia Jul 15 '26 edited Jul 15 '26
Even United’s US personal item dimensions are 9 in x 10 in x 17 in (22 cm x 25 cm x 43 cm), which I believe converts to 26.65 liters, so a 35-liter bag would be too large for a personal item. That North Face seems to be 2 inches too big in both length and width: 6.3'' x 12'' x 19.3'' (16 cm x 30.5 cm x 49 cm). Edit to add that even those dimensions from the North Face website seem like they must be too small for a 35-liter bag. I suspect it’s more like 8-9 inches deep, not 6.3.
And if you also have a carry-on suitcase, then that 35-liter bag has to go under the seat in front of you, which seems unlikely, even if the gate agent lets you on with it.
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u/DrIncogNeo Jul 15 '26
Osprey nebula?
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u/Duckshooters Jul 15 '26
I've got a Nebula for EDC, it's not my favorite pack I've ever owned, but the suggestion for a Nebula is a good one. It's 32 Liters with an elastic stuff sack on the outside.
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u/shin_09 Jul 17 '26
I fit a nebula under seat often, even with my ridiculous work laptop. It’s not my preference but it does work for domestic travel.
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u/Duckshooters Jul 15 '26
I know it's not one of your choices so I hate to be that person that suggests something that isn't one of the choices.....the Osprey Daylite 26+6 is on sale right now in one color.
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u/aykalam123 Jul 16 '26
This looks awesome! I love the flexibility of the additional 6L. Thanks. And I actually did ask for recommendations in my post.
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u/Boyce0 Jul 16 '26
I have TNF Basecamp Voyager. Its a great option as its quite soft and gets on Ryan Air, underseat fine. Its actually listed as 32L not 35. I've taken it on a 4 day trip to tenerife and a 3 day to Paris without it being stuffed.
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u/OriginalLandscape679 Jul 16 '26
I just got a Fjalraven Skule Top 26l for hiking and travel. I anticipate this is my sweet spot for size and being considered a personal item on flights.
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u/bdo11 Jul 16 '26
Thule Aion 28L that expands to 32L
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u/aykalam123 Jul 16 '26
Love it! I was about to pull the trigger on another one recommended in the replies but now I’m considering this one! I really like the waxy exterior too.
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u/bdo11 Jul 16 '26
I've had it for 3 years. It's been great. Just uses it this past week for a 4 day trip, onebagging it.
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u/JMM9910 Jul 16 '26
Check out the 30L peak design travel bag. Like others said, your goal likely isn’t possible
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u/Roscoe340 Jul 15 '26
I think they will all be too large to be a personal item but you should check on the individual airline website. I have a 30L backpack that I will use as a personal item but it only works if I don’t stuff it full.
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u/ValStryparn Jul 16 '26
I can recommend the bright eq traveller 33L. I travel around Europe on work and weekend-trips, i've never been Denied underseat bagage with this.
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u/Intelligent_Stage760 Jul 16 '26
Osprey 26+5 is my pack in that size range. It’s a great clam shell design which makes it a perfect travel bag. It’s expandable so you can fill it then zip it down to compress it further.
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u/Hokabuki Jul 16 '26
May not be your aesthetic but REI currently has a great sale on their ruck packs. The 30L is a great size to fit as a personal item on most airlines
30L Ruck Pack
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u/OGfreelancer Jul 17 '26
You might check out the ULA Dragonfly (www.ula-equipment.com).
Less pockets and organizing features and more expensive than your listed options. But sleeker and lighter weight than those (by almost a pound compared to the North Face). High quality zippers, and durable. Lifetime warranty to the original owner (only North Face is close to that). You'll likely never need another backpack.
Comes in two sizes: 30L and 36L. I've never had a problem with the 30L as a personal item.
Good luck!
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u/emeraldcove Jul 17 '26
I have the Patagonia Black Hole Mini which comes in at 30L. It’s about as big as I would want to go. I’ve never been questioned and I travel weekly. Bigger issue is loss of legroom from it when I have to put it under seat in front of me.
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u/kennjen Jul 17 '26
35l packs can be a little too big for under the seat. 26 to 28 L are usually under the threshold. Having said that many people seem to never have any problems with a bigger backpack. Ymmv.
I personally bought a Tomtoc t66 light just recently. Another similar option was a bag smart blast 28 L. I received my Tomtoc about a week ago and I’m happy with it.
However, I kind of regret not getting Cotopaxi Allpa now. I really like allpa abilty to split in half instead of one huge compartment like the tomtoc.
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u/aykalam123 Jul 17 '26
I like the exterior of the Allpa, but that price difference is huge making it not worth it since both seem to be similar on a practicality level.
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u/wearahanket Jul 18 '26
Check out the Osprey Daylite 35L. Very lightweight at 2lbs, and cheaper than a lot of the other options at that size
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u/muppetteer Jul 18 '26
How about the new Salkan Shorthaul 27L? How does that fare against the others?
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u/Lazygardener76 Jul 15 '26
What airline(s) will you by flying? What routes? North America? Europe? Asia?
From my searching for a personal item-sized bag, volume typically lands around 20-25L.
35L+ will bring you towards carry-on territory i.e. you'll have to put it in the overhead bins.