All About Packable Backpacks: 4 Packs Compared

🧳 Save luggage space and fees with this FREE Travel Gear and Packing List CHEAT SHEET!

👉🏻 Here are the Best Packable Backpacks for Travel that I showed in this video:

👉🏻 Go Deeper with these reviews:

00:00 - Introduction to Ultralight Packable Backpacks
00:32 - Why you need a packable backpack
02:43 - Critical considerations
06:35 - Comparing my Top 4 Packable Backpacks
08:57 - Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Day Pack (20L)
10:21 - Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack (18L)
11:27 - Osprey Ultralight Dry Stuff Pack (20L)
12:37 - Tortuga Packable Backpack (19L)
14:23 - Which one is best?

#travelgear #adventureessentials #ultralightbackpack #packablegear #travelaccessories

____________________
Greetings! I'm Nora Dunn, aka The Professional Hobo. I've been a digital nomad since 2006. I help people design their lifestyles and arrange their affairs so they can travel long term while working remotely. (I also have a ton of crazy travel tales to share from almost two decades of lifestyle travel).

And let's connect on my other social channels!

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Thank you for watching! Remember to subscribe for more travel tips and insights. Safe travels! 🌍✈️

[NoraDunn]

🧳 Save luggage space and fees with this FREE Travel Gear and Packing List CHEAT SHEET!

👉🏻 Here are the Best Packable Backpacks for Travel that I showed in this video:

👉🏻 Go Deeper with these reviews:

[LauraGailEagleton]

Just returned from a 3 week trip to the British Isles. Lots of walking! Watch out for the weight you put into these packable backpacks. No hip belt and lousy shoulder straps were problematic for me. I also had to carry my walking poles. This was my first trip like this in 30years and at 73 I felt the weight on my shoulders and lower back. Found that the travel and fashion backpacks aren’t that comfortable either. Next purchase will be a new backpack, probably an Osprey because I love their products and have used them for years.

[jaymyers]

I appreciate that you test thoroughly vs. An unpacking review that hasn't been put through wear and tear doesn't help when you are not trying to buy every piece of travel gear out. Thanks!

[sherryschumacher]

The Eddie Bauer "Stowaway" line of packable backpacks are my favorites. They have a 20 liter and a 30 liter version - I have both. For the price, they really can't be beat. Right now the 20 liter is on sale for $20 and the 30 liter for $27. Great video, Nora!

[adoptagoldfishdotcom]

I use my packable drybag (eddie bauer) to do my laundry, putting clothes, water, and soap in and shaking it around. I also use it for all the usual things but this extra use makes it a winner for me.

[mdubb]

The REI Flash 18 and Flash 22 are worth checking out. If you remove the very thin back padding from the water bladder slot, they both lay very flat in my luggage and they have very light weight even with the padding left in place. Oddly enough a current (8th-10th gen) iPad is too wide to fit in the water bladder slot for the Flash 18, but my 10" Fire HD will (the iPad is more square-ish the 10" Fire more rectangular wide screen). (The padding only provides a little protection if left in place, but having a slot to position my tablet is really more important to me.)

I've always thought that either of these would work out well for exploring at my destination, but actually they are too large (I use a 4L Fjallraven Uvo hip pack - slung instead of on waist - instead). Where some of these stuffable or compact folding solutions excel, is as a replacement for heavier "personal items".

Let's face it, 7kg limits are getting more serious, and now the 7kg is combined overhead AND personal item weight, which is really a kick in the carry-on teeth. Try making that limit with a 6lb rollaboard (6lbs empty!) and a 2 lbs personal item. We need to start thinking in terms of an overhead that's only 2 lbs empty, and a personal item that's around 8-12 ounces empty.

[uniquenameification]

I used the Sea to Summit on a trip to Thailand. The size was perfect - I could store it in my sling and use it as needed for groceries, etc. Unfortunately, it did not last long at all. I used it once as a personal item on a flight, and then it ripped out when i took it on a snorkeling trip. I simply stored it under the bench in the boat like everyone else, but when it was time to leave my bag was basically destroyed. Strangely the plastic shopping bag inside was fine (and got me back to the hotel). Nobody else had an issue, and obviously I didn't place it on anything that looked sharp. Anyway, the size is awesome, but I will try something else next time. For the price, I expected something much more durable.

[davidpeterzell]

Well this is great... Another great video. But for me, I should say that I want (and have) something different from my packable travel backpack. (I might have said this once before, and forgive me for bringing this up again since you've answered me previously). As a one-bag travel fanatic, I want the packable travel backpack to reside in my larger carry on backpack (which is currently a Tortuga 40L-lite), BUT... to be FULL in my larger backpack... Flat and full of important things. 

And so my little packable (and packed) backpack leaves the command module (big travel backpack) under three conditions. First, it leaves the big backpack when I fly or need to store my remaining baggage away from me (e.g. on a train). At these times, it contains my passport, money, wallet, credit cards, computer, cell phone/camera, toiletries, earplugs, medications, water and any other in-flight essentials or valuables. In this way, the small pack removed from the big pack is great for cruising through security and for having stuff I need when the big backpack goes into the overhead bin.  

Second, little backpack leaves the big backpack whenever I want a small backpack for day hikes, attending conferences, or want to walk around town.  Helps if the backpack has anti-theft/slash qualities.

Third, the little backpack leaves the big backpack if I buy stuff and need to expand to two bags. 

So that's a little different than loading up two pieces of luggage, and requires limiting contents including the packable pack to one 40L bag.

[Lexus]

I need to share the horror story with Ryanair recently on flight from Zagreb to Milan.
My carry-on bag was big bulky they refused to let me board until I add 75 Euros, it was a true nightmare.
By the way, great videos and keep doing good work!
👌

[qjbbclj]

Very informative. I use my travel backpack for my personal item on the plane. I put my padded nylon purse with my DSLR camera and lenses inside as well as my air plane travel necessities and a few days of clothing (in case of lost luggage). A pocket with a zipper is a must since that is where my keys, wallet passport, etc go. Then when I am at my destination I use my purse and leave the backpack in my luggage. I used to use a backpack while site seeing but having to stop and take it off as well as worrying about theft made me move to the purse that is easily accessible.

[janeshiota]

Thanks for this post. Perfect timing as I am packing for Europe!

[cindyk]

You always have such great and usable information, thank you!

[jennybutler]

thanks for all your info, slowly getting through them all. I last did an around-the-world backpack trip in 1989 and my, things have changed. you are easy to listen to, and have great information and options - really appreciate all I'm learning. planning a 6-week bus, Eurail, fly trip from Australia meeting up with a son who is in the UK at present. So travelling light. your info on carryon, stuff packs etc invaluable. THANK YOU so much. South Oz.

[JeremiahBlues]

Muji's "collapsible backpack" is great if available where you live. It doesn't advertise anything but delivers on everything. I spent several days walking around Bangkok with 3KG on my back all the time (~5 on final day) and it's more comfortable than the average 20-30L regular backpack. Got it in a pinch to replace an Eastpak in a pinch, it was such a pleasant surprise that it's become my everyday daypack and grocery bag.

[piedbald]

I like the orange backpack for its color!

[paraagshah]

Should check out the Wandrd Veer packable backpack. Comes with an inflatable back padding and an optional inflatable camera cube. Has decent organisation too and external water bottle pocket that is deep and usable.

[katherinezulick]

The Osprey ultralight stuffpack is great. Took it to Costa Rica for a week and it worked well for a daypack.

[MiaHessMusic]

Thank you Nora. Glad I checked my email to lead me to this video!
As always, excellent video.
Do you have videos of your travels??

[kovie]

I tend to only wear a backpack when going to a cafe or library and such to do some work on my laptop, on travel days, when flying or taking a train and such, and when hiking. Otherwise, I find them cumbersome, heavy and unnecessary because all that I usually need is my wallet, phone and keys, and maybe a water bottle if it's hot and I'll be walking a lot. So this is a great idea in case you pick something up during the day like a souvenir or something else that you bought and don't want to hold in your hands.

I honestly never understood people who walk around all day with big backpacks, especially tourists, other than of course parents with babies or young kids. What do they put in there that they really need? Is it more about feeling secure "just in case" they need this or that item that most people rarely actually need, the way that some people overpack on trips? Special medical equipment? Blankets for the park? Change of clothes or light jackets? Books? I prefer feeling light and carrying only what I know I'll need.

[redlock]

Keeping fluids outside of your pack is important. If your water (or wine :) ) bottle leaks or breaks it will soak everything inside your bag.