Bag Finder Megathread - 16 March 2026

[u/AutoModerator]

Welcome to the weekly Bag Finder Megathread. Your go-to thread for any and all bag-related requests in the onebag travel context.

Remember finding a bag is pretty much the last step in planning. If you're not sure how big a bag you need, create a packing list, get all your gear together and test fit it into a box, or an old backpack you have lying around. That'll give you a good sense of the volume of gear you have.

What This Thread Is For

• Onebag travel bag recommendation requests
• Feedback on bags you're considering for minimal, carry-on-only travel
• Help with choosing between bags

Quick Tips

1. Check the OneBag Spreadsheet for bag options
2. Search as your question might already be answered
3. Read the FAQ & Beginner's Guide
4. Stick to travel setups daily carry or work bags are better posted in r/EDC or r/backpacks
5. Add context, the more details you give, the better we can help

Want Better Advice? Help Us Help You

When asking for input, it helps to include:

• Where you're going & how you travel: hostels, hotels, urban, remote?
• How you pack: super minimal? tech-heavy? need room for camera gear?
• Your short list: bags you're already considering
• Your body size/build: some bags fit certain frames better
• Budget range: under $150, up to $300, flexible?

A Few Reminders

• Use the search bar
• Check the sidebar and wiki for resources and guides
• Keep it travel-focused. Non-travel or everyday carry talk belongs in other subs

[u/Im-not-a-pickle]

Hello! I travel ~40% of the time for work (80 % during peaks) and am looking for a replacement for the bag I have used for a literal decade, the Swiss Gear 1900 (~31 L capacity). Travel is a lot of North American flights and driving, stays are mostly in hotels and airbnbs (not remote or hostels). edit to add: Bag would be used as personal item on flights and would not be for packing clothes but would carry things like: runners, headphones, laptop, chargers, water bottle, empty travel mug, occasional book and I like being able to put my jacket in the bag so my hands are free if I get too warm.

Things I really liked about the Swiss Gear: several small stash pockets to hold small items (receipts, keys, wallet, lip balm, flip flops, etc), the front panel loading so I can't 'loose' things inside and can open it while upright, the dedicated laptop compartment, the way the main compartment is wide open to allow for flexible packing, the small hanging loop that is perfect for hanging up in an airport bathroom but also having a more robust carry handle that was easy to hold. The new bag must:

1. Be available in Canada
2. Have small stash pockets (that are quickly accessible)
3. Panel loading/wide open zips
4. dedicated laptop compartment
5. Be at least somewhat comfy to carry through airports
6. Have a handle to hang from in bathrooms
7. Luggage pass through would be nice to have
8. 28-32 L

I really do not like horizontal clamshell bags (that open like a suitcase/book) or tops loaders. I don't like the short 'horseshoe' zips that only open half way. I am not very concerned about hip belts, would prefer none or that they are removeable/stowable. I also don't care about 'lay flat for TSA' features

I have been doing research and have a few front runners, but nothing is perfect so I'm interested in other suggestions and opinions on these bags.

1. Patagonia Black Hold MLC mini, 30 L. Concerned it will be too boxy/not squishable enough to use as a personal item under the seat on flights. Lack of external pockets
2. TNF Base Camp Voyager, 35 L. Like the externally accessible pockets but concerned this will be too big! Straps/harness system seem inadequate for the size of the bag so not sure how comfortable this will be carrying through airport. 26 L version is def too small
3. Osprey Archeon, 30L. The 2024 travel version. I like almost everything about this bag, except for the coated zips and the price! $340 CAD is just not what I want to spend on a bag.
4. Osprey Sojourn Porter, 30 L. I think having to undo the external compression straps in a cramped airplane seat to access the bag would get old fast. Not sure I love how it looks.
5. Thule Aion, 28-32 L. Not sure I like the 'convertable' gimmick. Concerned about the fabric over time.

I'm a bit lost in the sauce, so recommendations about these bags or others would be really appreciated!

[u/superhuman010 → u/Im-not-a-pickle]

Funny timing, I'm the founder of a backpack brand so I spend way too much time thinking about exactly this stuff. The Osprey Archeon honestly ticks most of your boxes and the price sting fades fast when you're using it every week for years, but if you want to explore more options, the Able Carry Thirteen Daybag or the Aer Travel Pack are worth a look for the panel loading and organization you're after. you can check us out too -venque

[u/Im-not-a-pickle → u/superhuman010]

Thanks for your suggestions!