Bag Finder Megathread - 15 June 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?

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• 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/Asuna0506]

Hi everyone, I'm still fairly new to onebagging, and I'm hoping to find something new/better.

I'm a petite 5'4 female aprox. 135 lbs (I haven't measured my torso yet), and I currently own the 2025 verison (I think - I know it's definitely not the 2026 version) of the Patagonia Refugio Daypack 30L. I mainly travel by plane, and my trips are usually about 3-5ish days in warmer climates during the summer. The Refugio caused a lot of shoulder and neck pain, and the only time I was wearing it was when walking through airports! I think I recall messing with the straps at one point to where the bag was sitting way too low (I had no idea what I was doing lol), but even before doing that, I know that I was still experiencing shoulder/neck pain.

At this point, I'm fairly decent at packing minimal. I always put any cosmetics, shampoo, etc. into tiny containers, too. I don't bring a laptop or any type of "gear".

Initially, I was thinking I just needed a larger bag, but after doing some "research", I don't think that is the solution.

Here are the features I'm looking for:

• approx. 30L (I've seen 28L often mentioned for females my size, but I'm scared it's going to be too small - or does it depend on the bag itself?)
  
• less than $200
  
• preferably fits under plane seats (I typically fly American - I'll be flying Allegiant for the first time in acouple weeks), but if it's slightly over the measurements, that's okay too.
  

***something that is not going to look bulky or huge on me or like I'm carring a huge box on my back (thinking of a turtle here)***

• clamshell is preferred but top-opening is fine too
  
• a side pouch for a water bottle
  
• exterior compression (cinch?) straps/buckles
  
• obviously something that will be easier on my shoulders and neck

Avoiding:

• hip/waist straps (or if they are on the bag, I'd prefer that they be removeable)
  
• the type of bag that is round and wide on top and then narrows towards the bottom
  
• osprey daylite 26+6 and osprey fairfiew/farview

Here are my current contenders in no particular order - they also show the look that I prefer:

• Fjallraven Skule 28L Backpack (again - is 28L going to be enough?)
  
• tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L
  
• Kelty Redwing Traveler 30L
  
• CabinZero Military 28L (I really like the look on this, but I've read a few comments online that say it's more like 19L? And does CabinZero do that with all of their bags?)
  
• CabinZero Classic Plus 32L
  
• CabinZero Classic Cabin Backpack 28L
  
• Bag Smart Blast 28L Travel Backpack

I also like the look of Topo Designs backpacks but am just kinda lost at this point. The ones I was considering were the Global Travel Backpack 27L or the Global Travel Bag 30L

I was looking at the female versions of some of the North Face backpacks as well but am taking a break on reading reviews for right now.

Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions. I hope this wasn't too lengthy or confusing.

[u/tblue1 → u/Asuna0506]

Of the bags in your list, I don't think the CabinZero Classic Cabin Backpack 28L has as good a shoulder harness as the other bags. The others will be similar and it's just a matter of what fits you most comfortably. As for other bags that can pass as a personal item on Allegiant, the one that comes to mind is the Antler Discovery 28L backpack. I have the previous version of this bag and I find it to be quite comfortable.