I Fly Almost Every Week. The Backpack I Take On Every Flight Is $36 Right Now
Looking for a great travel backpack for less than the cost of an extra piece of luggage? As a food and travel writer who flies over 50 times a year, I say this with as much conviction as possible: $36 Dinictis Backpack The best travel accessory I have ever owned.
Partially carried with you Bag There may be more style, and some are available in more colors, but I don’t think any are more sturdy, efficient, and/or better priced than this travel bag under $40. If you have travel plans for 20205, this is why I love this backpack and recommend it, full stop.
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When a backpack is needed
It is available in four colors: grey, dark grey, blue and black.
To be clear, my Backpacking days It was over before they started. Before the age of 25, I did not have the ability to travel seriously. It was not until I developed the sensitivity to trolley bags that my life as a traveler really began. When I was (age redacted) three years old, I was planning a bus trip of my own along the Peruvian coast, with overnight stays in shabby accommodation, when suddenly a trolley bag felt a little… well, restrictive. A trolley bag is obviously inconvenient when it comes to unpaved or untiled surfaces, and it just doesn’t look good when the vibe is more understated than luxurious. This is not a backpacking trip by any means, but a backpack is definitely required. It can hold a week’s worth of clothes, amenities and a laptop, but still fits in storage.
The Dinictis 40L Travel Backpack came into my life on this particular trip and it exceeded my expectations. Since then, I’ve taken it with me on every trip, backpacking or otherwise.
Pack like a suitcase
This is a backpack that packs like a suitcase.
Many travel backpacks are roomy and have compartments, but the Dinictis 40L Travel Backpack is designed to be used like a suitcase. It opens on three sides, so you can open it like a suitcase and pack accordingly, with straps to hold clothes in place. This makes finding what you need much easier than pushing your items from top to bottom like a typical backpack. The side handles even let you carry it like a suitcase.
When full, it can easily hold 10 kilograms or 22 pounds, which is the weight limit for carry-on luggage on many discount airlines. Because it is a backpack, no one is required to weigh it to ensure compliance. It always looks lighter than it actually is.
Store your laptop with confidence
As a writer, I travel with my laptop all the time, so I’m not only concerned about its portability, but also its security. That said, I hate having it pressed against my back because my back gets stiff and, depending on where you’re going, sweaty. This model’s laptop sleeve is located on the front (sweat-free) side of the pack, but it’s not the most outward-facing compartment. Honestly, the laptop is protected by a foam divider that feels discreet even when fully loaded.
Outside pockets are a must
Side handles are key to riding public transportation.
Even when it comes to roller bags, I’m team software for two reasons. Firstly, it’s much easier to stuff last-minute items into a suitcase that’s already zipped up, without the flip-flop of a hard case, and secondly: outside pockets. Who can travel without these? (No, I really want to know…) This backpack has two exterior pocket compartments for storing miscellaneous items, or three if you factor in the extra space in the front of the laptop sleeve, if you include the handy water bottle holder , then it can be four. There are even cubicles within cubicles. In my opinion, it’s these little details that separate efficient travelers from those who procrastinate.
Read more: Essential items to bring and avoid in your carry-on bag to easily get through TSA lanes
Personal items that can be disguised as checked baggage
Secure laptop storage is crucial for travel writers, and this bag has a dedicated interior sleeve.
Many travel backpacks have an infrastructure that allows them to maintain a certain shape even when empty. The Dinictis model has enough structure to keep its sides afloat while you’re packing, but it’s still essentially a lightweight fabric backpack. If you’ve ever been asked to prove that your carry-on bag actually qualifies as carry-on baggage, you’ll know that “smearability” is an important factor. I packed this backpack over the weekend and took it on the plane as personal items. (I would fly with Spirit Airlines, but I would only do so if I was paying them as little money as possible.) It can fit completely under the seat in front of you in a pinch.
The beauty of this travel backpack is that it’s also suitable as checked luggage and is made from heavy-duty fabric that can withstand the rigors of travel. The shoulder straps can be loosened and stowed, and the body can be tightened with additional clips, resulting in a neat package that won’t scare you when you see it being whisked away on the luggage carousel.
I’ve had many trips where it was carried as a carry-on and returned as checked luggage. Even in its light gray color, its durable materials show no trace of its time having seen a luggage carousel. I didn’t even know I needed this feature, but now I never travel without it.
Read more: The Best Laptop Backpacks of 2024
Average Amazon rating 4.7
You don’t even need to take it from me. As someone who reviews a variety of products, I know these kind of ratings are rare: With over 1,000 five-star ratings on Amazon and only $36, the Dinictis 40L Travel Backpack is one of your safest bets this season.
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