REI Co-op  Trail 40 Pack - Men's

To begin with, I'll say that this should match almost any budget airline's standards for carry-on in terms of dimensions - I took this on multiple flights on budget (and I mean like bottom dollar flights) between multiple countries, and within Japan domestically (not that Japanese airlines tend to care about your carry on). It's been weighed, sized, and rooted through like a champ. Size/Capacity: I took this bag through a month in Asia (Vietnam, Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan, Japan), and it was perfect for my needs then. I fit enough clothes for ~ 5 days using some cheap packing cubes I bought, along with a rain jacket, hiking shoes, flip-flops, two long pants, and basic toiletries/electronics. Note that the bag weighed around 17 pounds with all of these additions - I managed to skirt by despite being over my carrier's limits, but you'll want to consider weighing your bag if you bring as much as I did (which shouldn't be usual, since I had to prepare for multiple climates/weather). You can also tighten/loosen the bag as needed to fit what you need - the bag can really stretch beyond its normal dimensions if you so choose - this may make it hard to get into an overhead compartment though. For just general urban usage, it's especially excellent. I've put in my ancient 13 inch laptop into the laptop sleeve and hoofed around 15-20 pounds of gear/clothing without want of extra room/comfort. My only gripe would be that there aren't really any compartments - you'll want to get packing cubes - but this is the price you pay for -> Convenience: This bag zippers all the way open (easy to pack/take things out), and because of its rectangular dimensions, will make it a cinch to bring through airports/security (when it's not brimming full, it fits into those x-ray trays). It is a tiny bit long, but I had no problem making it fit into above compartments on airplanes, especially because of the way the bag can stretch or loosen with its straps. Durability: The shell and exterior have been excellent - it's taken a beating in rain and been roughed around by airport security without any issues. The rain cover is a nice extra, but I found I didn't need it for urban travels - the material is relatively water resistant on its own. It'd be a different story for wilderness excursions, or extended periods in rain (obviously). My only gripe is that the interior mesh pockets are pretty flimsy - one already has a tear despite taking care to not pack anything sharp/heavy in it. Comfort: This is where you might run into trouble. This is NOT purpose built for extended backpacking, especially in hotter climates. I'd say the design was meant to allow it to stay within carry-on limits and be used as a hybrid for traveling/wilderness backpacking in moderate/cold climates. I was carrying ~20 pounds at certain points with water, and it was relatively comfortable enough on my 1 month excursion in urban environments in milder weather, but this is definitely not something I'd want to take with heavier loads into hotter climates. The middle strip especially doesn't help to distribute load, though you have plenty of adjustability through the waist/vertical(?) straps - in general, that middle strap feels very flimsy/thin, and actually hurts to clasp with heavier loads. In the hottest of climates (Vietnam/Hong Kong in peak humidity/temperatures), this backpack fails in comfort. The back WILL trap heat/moisture in, and begins to abrade your skin for heavier loads/extended excursions. I figure most people will understand that, especially given price/hybrid nature of this bag, but I wanted any prospective buyers to understand that this isn't some magical bag that will do everything. Conclusions: All said, I'm not a person that tolerates heat well, but I can tolerate/weight/pain, and I found the pack more than usable/bearable, even in adverse conditions. For 1 pack travel, it's perfect, especially if you hate carting around a suitcase like me, and prefer putting your weight on your back. I wouldn't recommend this as a first in terms of wilderness backpacking (Osprey and REI itself has better load-bearing options, and 40L isn't as roomy as I'd personally want), but I would 100% recommend it if you're looking for something you could use on weekend backpacking trips along with a split of international/domestic air travel with 1 carry-on.

Had it for a solid 13 months and then the buckle for the chest started to rip from the arm strap on the right side. Wonderful pack but it’s the last time I trust REI brand for durability and warranty. I’ve had an osprey for 8+ years with the same use and abuse and should’ve just stuck with them. I’m not mad, just disappointed.