Whether being hauled up the high-passes of the Himalaya, strapped to the roof of a speeding Serengeti jeep, or paraded along the promenades of Paris, selecting the right luggage receptacle can help take the weight off any travel experience.
In our latest gear reviews, we test a range of bags suited to an array of travel itineraries, from flexible flight bags to robust round-the-world backpacks, and everything in between.
For multi-day hikes: Vango Contour 50:60S Rucksack
Multi-day hikes with overnight camps require a back-breaking amount of kit. Tents, stoves, sleeping bags, and mounds of morale-boosting snacks all need to be squeezed into a trekking rucksack. Step forward the Contour from venerable manufacturer Vango. With well-padded (and infinitely adjustable) back, waist, and shoulder straps, we found carrying heavy loads impressively comfortable.
Styling is traditional, with a top-loading main compartment plus ‘snake-mouth’ zipped opening at the base. The standard capacity is 50L, with the main compartment expandable when you need an extra 10L. Other features include a generous top pocket, mesh pouches, and integrated side pockets.
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Plus points: the 50:60S (also called 50+10) is ideal for adults with a small body size
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Worth noting: for larger loads or larger bodies, the 60:70 option is also available
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Cost: US$87, €99, £75
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Rating: quality 8/10; practicality 9/10; value 9/10
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More info: vango.co.uk
For daytime sightseeing: Lifeventure Meya 25L Daysack
When you’re out exploring the sights and sounds of a new city, a small bag is perfect for keeping your valuables safe without weighing you down. The Meya 25L Daysack excels in this category, with a subtle appearance and several ingenious security features including anti-tamper zips, RFiD blocking (to prevent credit cards being illegally scanned), and a hidden pocket that’s impossible to reach when the bag is on your back.
If you’re travelling up-market, the large side-entry pocket is ideal for keeping clothes nicely pressed, although it’s designed for a laptop (and also has a separate tablet sleeve), meaning you can use the Meya for studying or commuting when you’re back from your holiday.
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Plus points: bright orange lining helps locate smaller items
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Worth noting: anti-tamper zips can be further secured with padlocks
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Cost: US$75, €55, £59
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Rating: quality 9/10; practicality 9/10; value 8/10
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More info: lifeventure.com
For day treks: Montane Oxygen 24L Backpack
For dedicated hikers who revel in long days on the high hills or deep in the backwoods, the Oxygen 24L backpack from Montane is well worth considering. It’s extremely light for its size, meaning you won’t waste energy carrying excess weight, and it has numerous features specifically catering to outdoor enthusiasts, from a water repellent coating to walking pole attachment loops.
This bag is specifically designed for the female body shape and our tester confirmed its comfort, even on all-day jaunts. Other features include a ventilated back, padded shoulder straps, four external pockets (including two elastic mesh), and two separately zipped interior compartments.
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Plus points: drinking pipe access and pouches on waist-belt for refuelling on the go
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Worth noting: the Oxygen is female specific; the male version is the Halogen 25
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Cost: US$110, €94.95, £80
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Rating: quality 9/10; practicality 9/10; value 10/10
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More info: montane.co.uk
For a suave weekend break: Fjallraven Duffel No.6 duffel bag
While your average trekking backpack may look perfectly placed among remote mountain peaks, if you plan on spending a weekend strutting through the boulevards of a cosmopolitan capital, you might prefer something a little more swish. From Swedish outdoor manufacturer Fjallraven, the Duffel No.6 brings a touch of Scandinavian style to your trusty travel bag, without compromising on practicality.
The bag’s standout feature is its concealed padded shoulder straps, which essentially turns the bag into a large, and comfortable backpack – perfect for when you’re carrying a heavier load. Accessible internal pockets also provide secure storage for things like passports and phones, and at 50L it’s the perfect size when packing for a weekend break.
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Plus points: stylish, versatile, durable
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Worth noting: the unisex bag is available in a range of colours and sizes (70 and 110L)
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Cost: US$200 €225 £185
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Rating: quality 9/10, practicality 9/10, value 7/10
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More info: fjallraven.co.uk
For extended trips: Eagle Creek’s Global Companion 65L backpack
Ideal for gap-year students and round-the-world backpackers, the Global Companion 65L is true to its name, making a very capable companion during longer trips. The padded waist-belt and fully adjustable straps mean it’s comfortable as you traipse from the train station to your hostel, where you can open it wide like a suitcase to easily reach spare shoes, sleeping bag or – more often than not – ear plugs.
For when you’re on the move, there are two external zipped rear pockets, plus a long side pocket perfect for an umbrella, water bottle, or bus-ride snacks. Other travel-friendly features include three grab handles, internal mesh dividers, a laptop sleeve, and a self-contained waterproof cover that helps protect the bag when loaded onto a bus roof-rack or caught in a tropical storm.
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Plus points: ingenious pockets and extra zips keep everything organised and accessible
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Worth noting: we tested the 65L W with a female fit; also available in male fit and 40L size
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Cost: US$229, €250, £230
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Rating: quality 9/10; practicality 9/10; value 8/10
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More info: eaglecreek.com
For long flights: Kipling Multiple bag
Perfect as an in-flight bag, and handy once you’ve reached your destination, the Multiple from bag specialist Kipling does exactly what it says: converts into multiple styles, from a shoulder bag to a cross-body bag to a waist bag. Its versatility and sturdy synthetic fabric makes it ideal for use on the go; comfortably fitting a passport, phone, wallet, and other essentials. Features include three main – and surprisingly roomy – zippered compartments, plus an internal zip pocket and external velcro pouch.
Available in 12 colours including Urban Grey, Water Camo, and Deep Emerald, but Galaxy Orange (pictured) is the brightest of the bunch. In testing, our gorilla keyring came loose due to vigorous use on the road, but was easily reattached.
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Plus points: zippers are virtually indestructible; waist strap doubles as a secret compartment.
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Worth noting: numerous alternative styles and sizes also available.
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Cost: €54-64, £54-64
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Rating: quality 8/10; practicality 9/10; value 7/10
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More info: kipling.com
For ‘hand-luggage only’: Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Bag
With its compact dimensions (falling within most airline cabin bag size limits), dual handles, and backpack straps, the Osprey Farpoint 40 is perfect for those who want to travel light without compromising on versatility. The bag’s dual handles give it the air of a traditional suitcase but its padded shoulder straps and waist belt (concealed behind a zipped panel) make it comfortable for hiking or long days of sightseeing. An additional shoulder strap adds a third way to wear the bag.
Other features include a main compartment which unzips fully, allowing the bag to hinge wide open so you can easily reach your stuff, another large pocket with an internal padded laptop sleeve, a small top pocket, and two external elastic mesh pockets on the back.
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Plus points: compact, comfortable, multi-functional
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Worth noting: Farpoint straps and waist belt designed for a male body shape; Fairview is the female version
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Cost: US$160, €130, £100
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Rating: quality 9/10; practicality 9/10; value 8/10
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More info: ospreypacks.com
