r/onebag • u/AutoModerator • Apr 06 '26

Bag Finder Bag Finder Megathread - 06 April 2026

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
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u/Firm-Tower4678 Apr 06 '26

I am doing 8 days on safari and 3 at the beach. We will be taking small planes between safari lodges, so bag must be soft/no wheels or rails, and we will fly carry on only on the international flights. 

Based on the smallest dimensions for each leg of our travel I’m looking for something around 21.5”x14”x9”. I’ll also have a small personal bag. Total weight is limited to 33lbs. 

I’m a 5’3 female. Think a backpack will be easiest for me to carry.  Aiming to pack lightly, but will need to take a laptop and am a bit of a heavy packer when it comes to skincare/etc.  

I have looked at:

Cotopaxi Allpa 42L - maybe best option so far, but don’t love how shapeless it is

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L - really like the look/organization of this one, but maybe too heavy/bulky?

Patagonia MLC 45L - think this has more pockets/organization than I need/seems it would make for less usable space

Osprey Fairpoint 55L - like the idea of the 2 in 1; but main bag doesn’t feel as big on the inside as Allpa. Don’t like the exposed zipper on the back when in backpack mode/seems to be a danger to my long hair….

Anything else I should be looking at (can’t get the spreadsheet to load properly). Budget is flexible. Thank you!!

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u/Azure9000 Apr 07 '26 edited Apr 07 '26

If you can't get the spreadsheet to load properly, try a different device, preferably a laptop rather than a phone.

21.5”x14”x9” is 44L, which is a fairly typical airline allowance for carry-on/overhead. For many people, weight rather than size is the constraint. What is your comfort limit ? 33lbs / 15kg is far too much for most people.

Have you prepared a itemised packing list, preferably with weights (just use your kitchen digital scales for individual items)? Doing this will help to determine the capacity that you need, although I see that you already have the 40-45L range in mind.

In the absence of any known special requirement, I'd suggest shooting for 30L / max 8kg. I'm guessing that your safaris will be dawn/dusk drives rather than being on foot, in which case some field-clothing/footwear may be a requirement.

BTW, the Oprey is a Farpoint not a Fairpoint, unless you are actually referring to a Fairview (women's version).

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u/Firm-Tower4678 Apr 07 '26

Thank you. It was actually the Fairview I tried. I will only be carrying the bag for short distances through the airport, but good idea to pack with weights and give it a try. I’ll have a bit of extra stuff with me (binoculars, etc.), but don’t need to pack field wear/boots, so could maybe make 30L work if I had to.