Ben Waldman – Winnipeg Free Press

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The Best Carry-On Backpacks To Fit Into An Airplane's Overhead Bin

Carry-on backpacks are the unsung heroes of the travel world: They're convenient, functional, and—nowadays—stylish. If you're all about packing light, staying nimble, and avoiding the chaos of baggage claim, you can travel with ease with a carry-on backpack, whether you attach it onto your carry-on luggage or carry it on your back. The best carry-on backpacks are designed to fit snugly into your plane's overhead bin while keeping you organized and helping you move through the airport with ease.

The best carry-on backpacks are designed to keep you organized on even the most hectic of travel ... [+] days.

Illustration: Forbes / Images: Retailer

Carry-on backpacks are designed to meet the carry-on size limits imposed by major airlines, but there are many bags—from small daypacks to large carry-ons—that can also fit enough gear for a multi-week international adventure. Our favorite is the Monos Metro Backpack, which is versatile enough to use as a daily commuter bag. Below, we've put together a list of the best carry-on backpacks you can find, whether you're gearing up for a weekend getaway or a more extended journey.

Dimensions: 11.5 x 16.5 x 6 inches (without the metro kit add-on)Weight: 2.4 poundsVolume: 18 litersMaterial: Nylon or vegan leather optionsLaptop compartment: 15 inches

Monos' Metro Backpack is one of our favorite carry-ons for every type of travel; in fact, Forbes contributor Hannah Singleton has used it on every trip she's taken since she started testing it three months ago—and as a daily commuter bag, too. It's big enough to store an outfit and everyday essentials and has a separate shoe compartment so you can stay organized and clean. And for travelers who like to breeze through security, the exterior laptop compartment is easy to access—not even overpacking can make it a hassle.

Singleton uses it as a personal item because, thanks to the modular design, you can unsnap the front compartment and stow it in the seatback pocket with items you need handy, like a phone charger. (This is crucial on small airplanes when the underseat space is limited.) After months of testing, the vegan leather exterior still looks brand new. It comes in nine colorways that range from neutrals, earth tones, and light pastels.

Dimensions: 17.5 x 12 x 8 inchesWeight: 2.7 poundsVolume: 40 litersMaterial: PolyesterLaptop Compartment: 17.3 inches

It's difficult to find a travel bag for under $100 (much less $50), but Sinaliy managed to create a backpack that is both incredibly functional and well-loved by travelers at an affordable price. This bag has all of the essentials: a luggage pass-through, side water bottle pocket and an anti-theft pocket—and it easily fits clothes and shoes for a long weekend with a bit of extra space to spare. Plus, it has the biggest laptop compartment out of all the carry-on backpacks on this list, so if you need 17 inches of space, this should be at the top of your list. It comes in over nine colors, including neutrals like beige and black, and more eye-catching colors like peacock blue and light pink, so you're sure to find something that fits your style.

Dimensions: 22 x 13 x 9.5 inchesWeight: 4.5 poundsVolume: 45 litersMaterial: Nylon and polyesterLaptop Compartment: 16 inches

Peak Design is well-known for their sleek, stylish, and tech-savvy bags, and their Travel Pack is one of the most popular. While this backpack is capable in all situations, it really stands out for travelers who jetset with a lot of tech, like heavy cameras and numerous lenses. (If you need extra protection and organization, you can use the brand's camera cubes.)

This bag is equipped with 360-degree handles (there are four in total on the top, back, and sides), making it easy to grab from any position, whether it's in the trunk of a car or the overhead bin. And with multiple zippers, you can access any point of the pack without completely unloading your gear. These thoughtful details help this pack stand out from the bunch so you can focus more on your adventures and less on travel logistics. If the 45-liter pack is too big for your needs, it also comes in a 30-liter version which is good for a short weekend getaway.

Dimensions: 22 x 12.8 x 11 inchesVolume: 45 litersWeight: 4.5 poundsMaterial: Ripstop nylon with PU waterproofingLaptop Compartment: 16 inches

We've already sung the praises of this incredible bag time and time again (including an in-depth review), so it only makes sense that we consider it the best large carry-on backpack. Whenever Forbes contributor Hannah Singleton wants to travel with only one bag, she reaches for this one. It is one of the most comfortable packs to carry because of the robust harness system and squishy back panel that rival a backpacking pack—it even has load lifters which are secondary straps on the shoulders to balance and secure the weight.

This backpack isn't only built for the outdoors; it also offers the supreme organization of traditional luggage. When you open it like a clamshell, you'll find one large compartment for gear like hiking boots and a smaller mesh zipper pocket for small goods like toiletries or socks. On the other side, a fully open compartment has a shock cord system to keep your clothes or packing cubes in place. But perhaps our favorite feature is the ultra-durable material: The ripstop nylon outer fabric looks fresh even after months of use, and the PU waterproof coating keeps everything dry even in a rain storm.

Dimensions: 10.6 x 11.4 x 4.3 inchesWeight: 1.5 poundsVolume: 8.6 litersMaterial: Vegan Leather and polyurethaneLaptop Compartment: No

If you're looking for a convertible bag that you can carry as a backpack at the airport but wear as a purse or crossbody bag for a fancy night out, Lambert's Sadie Backpack is a great option. The quilted material adds a bit of on-trend style and comes in two color options—black vegan leather or faux denim—both with chain detailing. With around eight liters of capacity, the interior is surprisingly roomy with organizational pockets to throw all your essentials for the day, like a light jacket, your headphones, cell phone, and wallet. While many travel backpacks make you stand out as a tourist, this elegant bag lets you travel in style without sacrificing utility.

Dimensions: 21.5 x 13 x 9 inchesWeight: 4.12 poundsVolume: 35 litersMaterial: Cordura ballistic nylonLaptop Compartment: 16 inches

When you pick up Aer's Travel Pack 3, it's hard to visualize how spacious it can be because it compresses so well. While it isn't expandable in the traditional sense, this carry-on backpack has compression straps that allow you to adjust the volume depending on your needs. When you only need to carry a few items, cinch down the straps and zipper up the expandable water bottle pocket for a minimal profile that will allow you to weave through crowds without something bulky on your back. But when you need to load it to the gills for a three-week trip to Thailand, loosen up the straps and pop open the main compartment.

The back panel and laptop compartment has thick foam padding and fleece interior, which feels like it offers plenty of protection. Inside, you'll find hidden pockets for valuables like keys or a passport, and an easy-access top pouch (also fleece lined) for items like your boarding pass and sunglasses. And the front panel features dozens of pockets for the organized packers among us. If you'll be carrying heavy gear in this pack, keep in mind that its hip belt is sold separately.

Amazon

Jack Wolfskin Traveltopia Weekender

Dimensions: 17.7 x 11.4 x 5.5 inchesWeight: 1.6 poundsVolume: 30 litersMaterial: Recycled polyesterLaptop Compartment: 14 inches

At 1.6 pounds, Jack Wolfskin's Traveltopia Weekender pack trims off nearly two pounds from its competitors. It doesn't have the abundance of organizational features or functionalities for a long trip as some of the other bags on this list, but for minimalist travelers looking for a lightweight backpack for long weekends, this bag is a solid choice. The wax coated exterior gives a natural look and is water- and abrasion-resistant, while the main compartment opens wide, similar to a duffel bag. Because this bag is so lightweight, it doesn't have a heavy-duty strap system or well-ventilated back panel, so it's best for light and fast trips and short carrying distances.

Dimensions: 16.9 x 11 x 5.5 inchesWeight: 2.53 poundsVolume: 17 litersMaterial: Full grain leather and 100% recycled plastic bottle fabricLaptop Compartment: 16 inches

Let's face it—most backpacks aren't exactly best suited for business meetings, which is why many people opt for totes, briefcases, or messenger bags. But Harber London's Commuter Backpack challenges this notion. Its beautiful design strikes the perfect balance between modern and timeless, and it is super practical for travel due to its comfortable shoulder straps and luggage pass-through sleeve.

With a padded laptop compartment, tablet compartment, and a secure inner water bottle sleeve, this pack allows you to carry everything you need while still looking buttoned up for the boardroom. The exterior feels like a luxurious canvas but is actually made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles and is durable and water-resistant, while the top is crafted from a full grain leather that looks better with each use. Choose between olive, black, and mocha.

Dimensions: 14 x 22.5 x 7.5 inchesWeight: 3.6 poundsVolume: 40 litersMaterial: Recycled nylonLaptop compartment: 15 inches

When you're shopping for a carry-on for international travel, you should look for something comfortable and big enough to carry a few weeks' worth of clothing. Another requirement? Great organizational capabilities. Topo Designs' Global Travel Bag checks all of these boxes and more. The U-shaped entry makes it easy to pack and access the interior as soon as you get to your hotel room or hostel. And although it's roomy enough to use with packing cubes, you may not even need them because of the abundance of clever pockets. This backpack is carry-on compliant for most airlines, but you'll still want to prepare for those uncontrollable situations when the gate agents ask you to check your bag because overhead space is full. In these instances, you can tuck the shoulder straps into the back panel so they don't rip or get snagged.

Equipping Rats With Backpacks To Find Victims Under Rubble

When it comes to demining or finding victims after a disaster, dogs are well-known to aid humans by sniffing out threats and trapped humans with ease. Less well-known, but no less impressive are rats, with the African giant pouched rat being the star of the show. Recently a student at the Dutch Technical University of Eindhoven (TU/e) has demonstrated how these rats can sniff out buried victims, aided by a high-tech backpack that gives them a communication link back to their human handler.

All of this is done in association with the Belgian-registered and Tanzania-based NGO APOPO, whose achievements include training gold medal winner Magawa the rat, who helped find 71 landmines and dozens more types of UXO over a 5-year career. These landmine-hunting rats are known as HeroRATs and have been helping demine nations since the 1990s. They may be joined by RescueRats in the near future.

Each RescueRat is equipped with a backpack that contains a camera and battery, as well as GPS and altimeter. Each backpack includes a button that the rat is trained to press when they have found a victim — essentially dropping a pin on their human rescuer's maps.

Figuring out the location of the victim inside the rubble pile is the real challenge. This is where a (LoRa) radio beacon in the backpack is triangulated using receivers placed around the area, allowing the rescuers to determine with reasonable accuracy where to focus their efforts.

(Thanks to [Roel] for the tip!)

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