While everyone else had heavy, hot backpacks on, I had this light and comfortable one! Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on Backpacks, Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like, {"modules":["unloadOptimization","bandwidthDetection"],"unloadOptimization":{"browsers":{"Firefox":true,"Chrome":true}},"bandwidthDetection":{"url":"https://ir.ebaystatic.com/cr/v/c1/thirtysevens.jpg","maxViews":4,"imgSize":37,"expiry":300000,"timeout":250}}. Afterward, I added another 6 pounds of weight to see how the bags fit and felt with heavier loadsyou wouldnt want to travel with much more than 17 pounds of weight in these bags unless you had to. It was a very quick delivery and transaction. Trending price is based on prices over last 90 days. Your email address will not be published. Simply loved it! Loved the mesh outside compartment for quick access and wet shoes, etc. All in all, I am very pleased with this purchase, I'm sure that I will find a lot more uses for it in the future (camping, music festivals, and more traveling)! For the latest in luxury brands & exclusive collabs. It squeezes into it's own pocket for easy travel and storage, and the padding on the straps is just enough.I could put my wet bathing suit/shoes in the front pocket to dry, and my bottle of water in the side pockets. I bought this backpack for a daytime hike. I even stuffed the kids hats and windbreakers in it at times. Then I took a hike with each bag. Why its great: The Freerain24 packs down so small (to about the size of a pocket camera) that it feels like a magic trick. Using these criteria, I narrowed down the dozens of possible options out there to just 18 of the top bags to test. Alone its 1 pounds, which is heavier than any of our picks. A timeless classic! I actually really love how everything falls to the bottom so the weight is all on your lower back and you don't get any heavy shoulder weight - way more comfortable for all day use. Black Diamond, Gregory, Mountain Hardwear. I like how compact it gets. Took this in my suitcase (it takes up no room) and used daily during my two weeks in Greece, enough room for all you need for sightseeing or the beach. Who this is for: Anyone who values aesthetics over portability. With that in mind, I packed each daypack with all the things one might typically carry for a day of travel: camera, phone, charger, wallet, keys, notebook, pens, energy bars, water bottle, sunglasses, sunscreen, and an extra layer. It is small and packable. Who this is for: Anyone who needs a spare lightweight bag that can stand up to the elements while taking up very little space. It's cheap, it's simple, and it looks great. I love how it folds up for easy travel. (Denier is a measure of the fiber thickness in a fabric.) shop the Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack on Amazon, Eagle Creek Travel Bug Mini Backpack RFID, The North Face Flyweight Packable Backpack, Kickstarter! I recommend this bag to anyone interested in a small bag that compresses into a pocket if need be. It's not made to handle a heavy load or comfortable when loaded down. When autocomplete results are available, use tab key or down arrow to enter the results. Instead, the Go Pack lies extremely flat (about the height of two folded T-shirts), which is excellent if you need a spare bag for travel that you can put in your suitcase, but less useful if you want an emergency daypack to keep in your jacket pocket. The compact size lets me wear more clothes, heavier gloves, head coverings, etc. Flaws but not dealbreakers: The compromises that are necessary to shrink a bag this small also become its flaws. EMS Packable Pack: Difficult design. We wanted this bag to be better than it was. Internal organization isn't very good and neither is the back padding. The North Face Flyweight Pack: Not comfortable to carry. Capable of packing down to about the size of a sandwich bag, this bag still offers enough organization, weatherproofing, and comfort to rival some traditional backpacks. For the price, we preferred the simplicity of our other picks. Design features like easy-to-use zippers, stretchable water bottle pockets, and the ability to pack into itself make it a go-to for spontaneous adventures. We bought these packs for running around Yosemite with our young boys and they worked great. The Freerain24 also has two side pockets for water bottles, with side buckles for securing the containers in place. This BP is light and cool (keeps the sweat away from my back!) Are they using Transporters like in Star Trek or something? I also loved the front pocket with the sliding closure - it was great for maps and sanitizer and other things I needed to access regularly. I like it a lot. To navigate this using the keyboard, please follow these instructions. I love the North Face Flyweight Pack. They are all water-resistant to some degree, all of them pack down small enough to fit easily into a carry-on bag or to qualify as an under-seat personal item, and all hold at least 20 liters comfortably. Neat bag for North Face to offer. I was very pleased with this pack, it allowed me to fit everything I needed to lay on the beach or go shopping in the markets. Expanded dimensions: 17 by 12 by 5 inches (LWH)Packed dimensions: 17 by 12 by 1 inches (LWH)Weight: 16 ouncesWarranty: Practical lifetime repair or replace. This bag is nice for someone looking for a light-weight, light duty bag. In the late 1960s. This well-built daypack was designed for the elements, being both water-resistant and tough. Lightweight, but sturdy. We also considered our own experiences to determine what makes a great packable daypack. After testing 18 packable daypacks, we chose five lightweight, portable, well-constructed bags to fit a variety of situations, including traveling, hiking, and commuting. Receive product news and updates in your inbox. FREE DELIVERY ON ANY ORDER ABOVE 50 EUROS & EXTENDED 60 DAYS FREE RETURNS. Its also the only packable bag we recommend that doesnt stuff into a stuff sack or otherwise tuck away into itself. 100% nylon. If you need a light pack for snacks and a water bottle, this is the way to go. Learn more. The Freerain24 is not as structured as our other picksit feels more like a reusable shopping bag on your back. Of course! We check over 450 stores daily and we last saw this product for $64 at ASOS. I bought this bag for hiking and love it. 8.25'' x 7.75'' x 16'' (21 cm x 19.7 cm x 40.6 cm), 30D recycled nylon ripstop with non-PFC durable water-repellent (non-PFC DWR) finish, 300D coated polyester with non-PFC DWR finish, Lightweight fabric and a compressible design create a highly portable and packable daypack that can be stowed within itself, Large zippered main compartment with a laptop sleeve provides ample room for your belongings, Stretchy external pocket fits bulkier items, External stretchy pocket fits bulkier items, Custom-made stamped-aluminum trims offer both functionality and a unique design aesthetic, Has webbing loops around the pack where you can clip on items, Coated boot fabric provides durability on the bottom of the pack, Webbing loops around the pack where you can clip on items. We think its flimsier fabric and zipper will fail sooner than those of the Patagonia. Its made of a 100-denier Cordura nylon, which, though strong, was too heavy for us. Love North Face products, and this is no exception. After traveling with 22 backpacks, wed choose to carry the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L or the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45Lbut we offer other great options as well. This is a great pack-away backpack. The Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Travel Day Pack is perfect to keep in your pocket or in the glove compartment of your carmaking it handy for when, say, you need a spare bag at the market. When called on, he can still make a mean sandwich. For space-conscious travelers, we have a pick that fits in the palm of your hand. Best backpack ever. Love how light and packable it is. But for this packs price, we think its shoulder straps are too thin and not nearly comfortable enough. The Matador Freerain24 2.0 Packable Backpack is great in wet climates or anywhere where you might realistically expect to get caught in the rainthink trips to hike around Seattle or touring London in the fall. The Freerain24 is best as a just-in-case bag. This is so great to have as an auxiliary pack when travel. Adventure is everywhere. when I start my rides in the winter and take off layers and put them in the pack that I stored in my cycling jersey pocket or, based on the wind chill, fill the pack with some extra layers in case I didn't dress warm enough. Are the shoulder straps thin? It has reinforced stitching at stress points, allowing the Ultra-Sil to carry more weight than you would expect. I bought this for my trip to Mexico and it was perfect. It is not robust enough for your daily carry, public transportation, school, etc., but nice in the suitcase or full size pack when you want to travel light and fast and carry a small load. If you want a stiffer, more traditional backpack feel, consider some of our other picks. We also developed a lot of our earliest criteria for this piece after doing an interview with Sara Morrow, an archaeologist who spends summers working expeditions on a small island off the coast of Ireland; she uses a packable daypack to transport her tools, notebooks, and personal items between the base camp and dig sites, and considers it a necessity in the field. But thats not why you buy a bag like this. This combination of items weighed just shy of 11 pounds. Would it be nice if this bagwhich deploys from a small sack that fits in the palm of your handhad more back padding? Our structured pack pick from Aer is set to return in August. Exactly as expected. Triple Aught Azimuth: A great bag, when in stock. That said, since this pack is made of such thin, light material, carrying large or awkwardly shaped loads is somewhat uncomfortable, especially when compared with our more structured picks. Mystery Ranch In and Out: A mystery to fold up. Is it great? Although the Gonex has rave reviews online, we found the stitching was more fragile than we like to recommend. Additionally, the Go Pack includes a luggage handle pass-through, so it can sit securely on top of your carry-on suitcase if youre using it as a personal item while you travel. The main compartment of the Freerain24 opens and closes from the top with a roll top that buckles down on the sides like a dry bag. Flaws but not dealbreakers: Of course the Go Packs biggest flaw, from this reviews perspective, is that when its packed down, it cant fit into a pocket or a handbag. Gonex 20L Lightweight Packable Backpack: Not the best seams but an amazing price. Sure, there's no padding of any sort, but not everyone wants a padded backpack. Took it to China and it took up very little room or weight in my carry-on. Excellent on the go backpack, I love the weather protection. Pay in 4 interest-free payments of $16.25. For this guide, I built on previous years of experience and research by a writer and two editors who have, among them, worked remotely from every continent except Antarctica. External pockets. Next it is going to Turkey and Greece. For water-resistance tests, I packed the main and exterior zip pockets with towels and took the bags out into a Hawaiian downpour to see whether any water leaked through. Expanded dimensions: 11 by 8 by 19 inches (LWH)Packed dimensions: 3 by 1 by 2 inches (LWH)Weight: 2 ouncesWarranty: Lifetime repair or replace. L.L.Bean Stowaway Day Pack: A hikers bag. The ultra-packable Flyweight Daypack finds the sweet spot between rugged, recycled materials, modern styling, and easy operation. Its not as comfortable to carry as our other picks and feels less durable. Although I was eventually able to fold all of them rapidly and efficiently, some models required more forethought, tricks, or brute force. Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Nano Day Pack: Too thin. Love it. Bozer Black Water Repellent Backpack - Black, Backpack In Camouflage Synthetic Fibers - Green, Backpack In Beige Synthetic Fibers - Natural, Large Base Camp Travel Canister Black - Black, Rodey Logo Embroidered Zipped Backpack - Gray, Ultralight Black Hole Sling Fresh Teal - Blue, Ultralight Black Hole Tote Pack Fresh Teal - Multicolor, Get notified as soon as this item comes back into stock, Men's Gray Packable Backpack Flyweight In Black. Depending on whether you plan to scale cliffs or tour museums, different features become more or less important when youre choosing a daypack. Packed up, it is very discreet: nearly the size of a keychain accessory. He already has a happycamper backpack, but this one is lighter and little bit bigger which suits for his school bag. Please bring it back! Very lightweight and durable. Learn about the Lyst app for iPhone, iPad and Android. He has written for Popular Science, The Awl, and the New York Observer, among others. The In and Out is a decent bag. Theyre also great if you need an extra bag while running an unexpected errand during your daily commute. We put in another year and tens of thousands more miles of travel to test the best travel gearand we stand by last years choices alongside a few new picks. item 1 The North Face Flyweight Rolltop Pack 17L Ultralight Packable Daypack Backpack, item 2 The North Face Flyweight Pack 17L Backpack Compressible Stows in Pocket Travel, item 3 THE NORTH FACE Backpack FLYWEIGHT PACK 17L NF0A3KWR ASPHALT GREY-TNF BLACK MN8, item 4 The North Face Flyweight Pack 17L, TNF White, OS, item 5 The North Face Flyweight Pack black/blue, item 6 Supreme The North Face Snakeskin Flyweight Duffel Bag Black Grey Ss18 *IN HAND*, item 7 THE NORTH FACE Backpack FLYWEIGHT PACK 17L NF0A3KWR MONTEREY BLUE BH7, item 8 THE NORTH FACE FLY WEIGHT PACK 22 Backpack 22L NM81950 K Black 4549398447043, 5.0 out of 5 stars based on 5 product ratings, 4.0 out of 5 stars based on 4 product ratings, 5.0 out of 5 stars based on 2 product ratings, 4.8 out of 5 stars based on 9 product ratings. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. But it was still sleek enough to blend in at a coffee shop or the hotel lobby. Why its great: The Ultra-Sil is the smallest and lightest packable backpack we recommend. Durable fabric. We think that for the price, youll enjoy the better options weve included in our picks. Flaws but not dealbreakers: With a bag this small and light, any flaw is an aspect of its narrowly engineered use. It was perfect. I finally found the perfect one! The best way to determine the quality of a backpack is to pack it and carry it. Tortuga Setout Packable Daypack: Well built but underwhelming. We used this bag on our honeymoon vacation. Use the enter key to follow the link to the shopping cart page, or the space bar to open and enter the mini shopping cart, pressing escape will close the mini shopping cart, I acknowledge I have read and understood The North Face. If the pack is empty, I can easily store my phone and the pack in my cycling jersey pockets. We liked it enough to make it a pick, but its gone out of stock. Made from 30-denier Cordura nylon (an abrasion-resistant nylon), the Freerain24 kept our things dry even in a rainstorm, although a small amount of humidity and moisture did get in on occasion while we were hiking around Hawaii. Concealed zip fastening. Not to mention, it's durable. And though they are wide enough to resist pinching, theres only so much that a thin strip of fabric can do to protect your clavicles. Good for camera, umbrella, sweater, water bottle and things you buy while sightseeing. It was also uncomfortable to carry when fully loaded. One of the reasons I chose this over another lightweight pack was the water bottle side pockets, and I'm glad I did because they were always in use. Unlike a traditional packable bag, this backpack folds down flat. Other than that, there isnt much organization. Below, we list the criteria that we consider to be important in a packable daypack. Dimensions: 8.25'' x 7.75'' x 16'' (21 cm x 19.7 cm x 40.6 cm), Body: 30D recycled nylon ripstop with non-PFC durable water-repellent (non-PFC DWR) finish, Boot: 300D coated polyester with non-PFC DWR finish. If you need a bag under $20, this is a good pick. I love this backpack! I bought this pack because of it's small size. If you need something to carry every day, though, we think youll prefer one of our more structured picks. Packable daypacks are a perfect option if you need a lightweight spare bag to stash inside your luggage when you travel. The Evergoods CPL24 and MPL30 backpacks, Minimalist travel ninja! Matador Beast 28L Packable Backpack: A heavy-duty bag for hiking. Pull it out of your suitcase and use it to walk around a city or the countryside. and can hold a ton of stuff despite its compact size. I can also just wear the light weight pack. We are also currently testing additional models to add to this guide. The biggest issue during our testing was how difficult this bag was to fold back into its pouch. It is what it is; light, small, and versatile. It was sturdy, while at the same time, very light weight. The pouch is actually an internal pocket once its unfolded; so there's no accessories to lose. Who this is for: Anyone who needs a light, spare bag that they can take with them anywhere, anytime. Explore a retail store or outlet near you. But if you need a medium sized bag and you have limited space, this is a great choice. The Setout is an elegant packable bag, but we didnt like the material (too shiny and slick-feeling) or the way the bag sat on our backs when it was full. To test whether and how our selections lived up to their packability claims, I unfolded and refolded each pack several times, noting the time and effort I had to put in to take a pack from its compressed form to its expanded form and back. Expanded dimensions: 19 by 11 by 9 inches (LWH)Packed dimensions: 5 by 3 inches (HD)Weight: 6.6 ouncesWarranty: 1 year repair or replace. Great little backpack. With the inclusion of a pass-through strap for putting over a luggage handle, the AER Go Pack is great as a last-minute under-seat personal item for travelers who like to stay light on their feet. The best part if it rains your things won't get wet. For it's price, this bag is a complete rip off. Light weight and padded straps. This packs mesh shoulder straps, though both very breathable and wide enough to distribute the weight, are like two pieces of hosiery: barely there. The material is very thin and the whole bag just feels flimsy. Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in Backpacks. Wirecutters picks help you travel comfortably and securelyand bring home great pictures too. It folds down to a small pouch and is ready for use when you need it. I received a lot of compliments on the pack as well. I use this bag for daily use to commute to work. Its the best possible design if youre serious about keeping out water. Zappos' shipping is rocket fast! I used it as a day pack on a backpacking trip instead of lugging my main pack around the cities all day. I will also wear the pack when I start my rides in the summer with my phone, energy bars, maps, extra water and some other accessories. Log in. It's a perfect item for cyclists who ride for fitness or who commute to work or school. Explore a retail store or outlet near you. Can hold a lot of stuff. The Flyweights material felt thin and unsettling in our hands, like a cheap windbreaker. The REI Stuff pack mimics the Patagonia bag in its designbut not in the quality of its materials. It weighs next-to-nothing and I can fit a ton of stuff into it. Much like Baggu shopping bags, this bag is good, and its reliable. This light, compressible 18-liter pack is made with a recycled nylon that has a water-repellent finish. The best carry-on backpacks, The Best Budget Carry-on Backpacks for One Bag Travel - Urban Carry, Filson Tote Bag with Zipper Review - Urban Carry. To test these bags, I distributed items among the extra compartments of each pack. Eddie Bauer Stowaway Packable 20L Daypack: Feels cheap. Personally, I try to pack lightly and almost always travel with at least one packable bag to use on small day journeys once Ive reached my destination; Ive incorporated much of that experience into my reporting here. It also includes more internal organization than most other packable bags. Great bag! Sign up now. Copyright 1995-2022 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. This article was edited by Ria Misra and Christine Ryan. Great backpack! Toss this lightweight, phone-sized packable bag into your luggage or coat pocket, and youll never get caught without a spare bag again. The women of Wirecutter drew on our experiencemany of us log thousands of miles a yearto create a packing list to help you truly enjoy flying solo. It has multiple inside compartments and a top outside zip compartment. That said, its still a decent choice if you like the look of it or feel drawn to the brand. That said, this bag is a steal at the price. Even in your inbox. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. Traveling solo is freeing but poses some unique challenges. This is a great small extra pack for shopping, peak bagging, side trips or hikes. Kit Dillon is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter. 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company, a lightweight bag that stays dry in stormy weather, a pick that fits in the palm of your hand, A lightweight bag to carry in the rain: Matador Freerain24 2.0 Packable Backpack, A pack that fits in your palm: Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Travel Day Pack, Eddie Bauer Stowaway Packable 20L Daypack. Backpack by the north face. The lid of the Packable doesnt work very well unless the bag is completely full. I had barely clicked confirm and the item was on my front porch! It has enough room for everything I need without being heavy or bulky. Why its great: The AER Go Pack is the most traditional-looking backpack on this list. Its so small that you can bring it with you everywhere, and when you need it, youll be glad you have it. The Stowaways zipper and material both felt flimsy enough that I was concerned they would fail with long-term use. No. We independently review everything we recommend. Highly recommend for an extra-lightweight yet durable bag. Some of our testers also found that the Freerain24s shoulder straps, though adjustable, were so long that they couldnt get the straps short enough to fit their shoulders and frame. Although every trip has its specific considerations, the bags we recommend share a few similar criteria. Ive covered aspects of travel luggage and bag design for Wirecutter for four years and have personally researched, tested, and compared hundreds of bags in that time. This thing was perfect. But we preferred the Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole for its better-padded straps and sleeker look. I'd recommend it. Great lightweight travel pack, takes up zero space and holds 2 water bottlesexcellent value! You wouldnt want to take it out in a downpour, but it will get through a light rain just fine. I don't understand people's beef with this backpack. In hindsight, I could have just folded my Jansport backpack in to an almost as small size as this bag, and shoved it in my main pack when not in use and been much happier. Straps are super comfortable. I purchased this pack for a cruise that I was going on. During testing we found that it worked pretty well even on hikes. However, we think the Patagonia Ultralight Black Holes stronger material is better suited to last on the trail. There are some advantages to this design, however. All of these tradeoffs also mean the bag wont keep your things dry in the rain like some of our other picks, such as the Matador Freerain24. Join XPLR Pass & get 10% off your first online order. Hiking in Hawaii can be hot and humid, especially those amazing ridge hikes to the Koolau's. This bag was previously our runner-up pick for hikers. It folds up nicely into about 4x6 pouch that can be easily packed into a day trip bag or a suite case. Use the escape key to close the results and clear search field. This bag will keep your things dry during adventures in wet climates or changeable weather. Well update this guide when it comes back. Grab handle. Similar to the Azimuth, the Go Pack also looks and feels like a backpack you would carry every day. If it didn't have The North Face's logo, it would be less money. In addition to using this pack for travel and hikes, we also liked to throw the Freerain24 into a jacket pocket, in case it rained during commutes around town. The Go Pack also feels more like a traditional backpack (especially in the shoulder straps), which makes it easier to carry over long distances. I also used each bag for several days instead of my usual backpack, to see how each pack fared over a few days of extended wear, unpacking, and repacking. I'll be taking this on my hiking trip to Peru in a few months. He was previously an app developer, oil derrick inspector, public-radio archivist, and sandwich shop owner. The Stowaway was organized and comfortable enough that we liked carrying it on the hiking trail. Our other picks are more intuitive to use. It is super light and could fit so many things in it! But that would also make it larger and heavier. Something went wrong. I bought it to use in San Francisco for two weeks, toting all of my purse essentials and items I needed for days out with my young kids. Baggu Packable Backpack: Pricey for what you get. Best backpack at this price that money can buy. The. It was perfect. Arcteryx Index 15: An okay bag let down by thin shoulder straps. We bought this backpack for our 6 years old son who needs to carry some books and his lunch box to school every day. Unfortunately, this bag has since been discontinued, but if you find one, its still a great choice. Yes. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. To help make sense of what to prioritize among the dozens of available options, we pored over articles across many outdoor publications, and consulted other comparative reviews and advice from sources such as REI and GearLab.