10 Backpack Features You NEED TO AVOID While Traveling!

0:00 - Intro
0:13 - Small Hip Belt Pockets
1:08 - Missing Bottle Pockets
2:00 - Heavy Bags
3:09 - Unbranded Zippers
5:08 - Loud Zippers
6:16 - Dangling Straps
7:30 - Excessive Compartmentalization
8:42 - Bad Pocket Design
9:36 - Useless Organization

Have you ever tried on a backpack for the first time and fallen in love, only to get the ick over a particular feature, leading you to leave it at the store instead of taking it on your next trip? From flat pockets that don’t serve a purpose to zipper pulls that jingle more than Santa’s sleigh, Tom and Lauren take a look at what features you hate most about modern travel backpacks.

#TravelGear #DigitalNomad #PetPeeves

RELATED CONTENT
Is Dollar Store Travel Gear Any Good?: • We Tested $1 Travel Gear
Best Anti-Theft Backpacks 2024: • Best Anti-Theft Backpacks 2024
20 Scams You Should Avoid While Traveling: • 20 Scams You Should Avoid While Trave...
Expensive vs Cheap Gear: Which Performs Better?: • Expensive vs Cheap Gear: Which Perfor...

CONNECT WITH US

TERMS

[nbwhite]

Soft-lined zippered compartment for your glasses/sunglasses. Perfect for those who don’t want their lenses scratched but don’t mind if the glasses get crushed. These compartments need to be big enough to accommodate a pair of glasses in a hard case.

[banana_necessary]

I hate Velcro on bags. It picks up dirt and other fibres and is fast to damage. I also don't like a ton of pockets/organisation as its a waste of space and adds unneeded weight.

[jentaro]

Backpacks and crossbody bags are an unescapable addiction, right next to watches, yet I still feed them. I feel most of these comments and sadly, the only answer I have is get a different backpack for each occasion. Lighter backpacks for short trips, closer to home and outright gym bags with backpack straps for longer, multiple day/out of the country trips. The perfect backpack for all travels is a myth for me.

[AHinton-fi]

You can also use a hair elastic for a strap keeper.

[nrylanb]

I am digging these videos where two of you are on camera

[ladyofthelake]

Love this format of video - the chatty nature and live demo is so refreshing - your usual videos are so professional and well presented that they are almost over rehearsed (not meaning any offence!!) and I love this more natural style 😊
I'm gonna second the comment on the weight. I've got a trip coming up where I can have a single piece weighing no more than 7 kg. No way can I do 6 weeks winter in Europe packing in 7 kg, especially not when the bag is 1.5 kg of the total weight 😞 gonna have to check a bag 😬 which won't cost me any more, but I don't want it to get lost!!!

[nadine]

I know I am in the minority, but I wish some bags came WITHOUT a laptop sleeve. I don't travel with a laptop, and I use a backpack as my personal item when I fly and I could use the extra space. This type is difficult to find.

[intravenousradio]

i wish bag makers would offer colors other than black. the color itself is the feature i hate the most - i am so tired of black bags. its so boring.

[bobbadk]

Fjällräven Kånken Was designed as a school bag. The sidepockets ISN'T waterbotle pockets. In 1978 no one thourght waterbotle pockets was a thing in school bags.

[ryansubong]

Backpacks that have a main compartment with only one zipper instead of two.

[houserhythm]

I pretty much agree with all of them to some degree, except the vertical zippers (never had something fall out) and the hip strap pockets (cause I never use hip straps).
But strap missing strap keepers are not just an annoyance, but also a pet peeve of mine. If I would buy €50 bags, I'd get it, but not adding something that would cost a few cents during production on a €400 bag is really shltty. Especially since design choices, materials and other stuff could be justified by saying some people prefer that over this, I've never heard anyone say they don't like strap keepers; people either love them, or don't care, but nobody wants to not have them.

[kellimshaver]

I don't think it's super common now, but it used to be pretty normal to find backpacks with mesh pockets on the outside. That's crazy - the mesh isn't durable enough for an outer pocket. You get it snagged on something and it just rips that the pocket and look/finish of the bag is ruined.

[CaliforniaSunshineGirl]

Simple solution for dangling straps: cut them off and seal the ends in a candle flame. The excess length is there for the big guys, not for us petite ladies. So customize your backback to your own needs. No need for strap keepers.

[k-dot]

I like the look of every bag I see in the background. Part of the reason I subscribed. None of them are tactical looking which is the problem I am having. I find affordable sling bags and backpacks when I’m out shopping every once in a while but I find myself having to find a innocent pack to stock on it to keep it from screaming gun or something so much. What sling bag would you recommend for starters? I hope to get a response from you 2 so I will tell you what I carry:

-Freezer ziplock with custom stop the bleed
- boo boo kit in small zip lock
- chargers batteries and ear phones
- flashlight
- knife
- multi tool
- notepad
- pen, sharpie
- chapstick
- hair tie rubber band
- small deodorant spray

[PacNW]

My Osprey Ozone Day backpack has lots of long straps - so I rolled each one up to near their buckle and used a thin (black) hair elastic to secure them. That worked perfectly!

[nhr]

Clam shell backpack that don't have a mesh divider or straps. Yes, most of the time there is no need to use them, but not to have the possibility to secure everything is important. This was a criteria when I bought my bag several years ago. For daily use the divider is rolled up but always use it when I travel. I have seen enough "spill the content" accidents in airports for both in back-packs and suitcases. Equally so, seen half-closed backpacks in airports.
This feature is usually available in large bags, but not so in the 25l range that is the sweet spot.

Because much of my work has been a trouble shouter and fixer and "savior, " not to secure something is no longer in my mind. Same goes for "every item has its place, traveling where forgot or lost an item meant "now you are in trouble." I am sure that the day a review who uses pouches has a little accident, if not even loosing something, this will become a criteria.

[jaffe]

Lay flat laptop compartment (TSA Approved - hahaha) at least in the US - I have never been through General TSA where you can keep your laptop in the bag - it always has to be taken out and put into an empty bin.

[dave.in.oregon]

I agree with the admin panel 100%. With the use of sling bags and organizer kits I already have a place for my admin essentials and I'll NEVER put my credit cards or passport in a dedicated slot in the backpack. I want them on my person. I've always been a big fan of bags with a "quick grab" pocket as well for storage of travel essentials especially if they have a soft lining for putting my phone/shades/glasses in while going through TSA.

[MrPhilbautista]

I think more companies should make detachable water bottle pockets, so customers can get the size they need or do away with them if they don't use them.

[daphnedeitchman]

I love this video format! You guys covered so much so quickly and it was awesome to see all the bags that had these different features firsthand