Tried and Tested Backpacks
Here are some small travel bag recommendations for minimalist backpackers that I have personally used. These recommendations will all fit my full 4 season setup but there’s a range of styles of bags here to choose from. You may find cheaper or unbranded ones that fit the bill, but pay particular attention to weight, durability and carry comfort to make sure the one you pick is right for you.
With small bags, you want to be particularly conscious of weight as the bag becomes a significant proportion of the total weight. The ‘all singing all dancing’ one may also be the heaviest. There are trade offs. It’s for you to decide whether your priority is weight, carry comfort, organisation, durability or something else!
Backpack or Wheels?
It’s possible to get very small trolley sized bags with wheels, but I would not personally choose to use them, so no specific recommendations here. The world is full of stairways, uneven paths and ‘hard to reach’ luggage storage and wheels on bags may not be robust and last the distance. Whatever you bring, you need to be able to lift and carry it easily, if you are to have any degree of independence.
For me, I’d rather do the ‘hard graft’ narrowing down what I want to bring before the trip, rather than lifting weights when I get there! As I get older, my bag definitely gets lighter. I want to keep travelling the way I do, for many years to come!
Cabin Zero Military 28L Backpack
A brilliant ‘all rounder’ with a lifetime warranty. Made from military grade fabric, but stripped back to just the essentials, making this a robust bag you can rely on, but still impressively lightweight. Very useful feature, but unusual in this category – the bag stands up on its own. I’ve used this bag for several years and it still looks as good as new, although possibly the navy colour has faded a little. Just a reliable uncomplicated bag.
Type of Opening – Clamshell opening for easy packing Zips stop a few cms short of the base of the bag, making it a rare breed of bag which works both as a top loader daypack (unzipping from the top with the side compression straps closed (bottom) so nothing falls out) AND as a clamshell opening bag for easy packing ‘suitcase’ style.
Aesthetic – I’ve used this as a work laptop bag, a business travel bag, a hiking bag and general purpose travel bag. An understated bag with a premium feel, mainly due to the quality fabric and hardware, especially the zips and ‘quiet’ embroidered logo. I was initially put off by the description ‘military’, I’d call it ‘business casual’! You can buy molle accessories and hang them off the molle webbing, to expand capacity or add Carabiners if you want to. Failing that, the molle webbing provides a nice subtle striped design feature, to an otherwise quite plain and boxy travel bag.
Size – advertised as 28L. Given the actual dimensions, I’d say this was a little optimistic, The 28L military is slightly smaller than the standard Cabin Zero 28L classic (available in every colour of the rainbow and in a striped rainbow colourway too)
Carry Comfort – Particularly thick padding on the straps and back system. Sternum strap and load lifters. The latter help lift the bag higher and stop it dragging on your shoulders, which is one of the main downsides of these completely rectangular travel bags. Useful if you have a short back. If you tighten the ‘beefy’ compression straps, this will keep the weight closer to your bag and improve carry comfort further.
Waterproof or Water resistant? Advertised as water resistant. I’ve been impressed with the performance in rain and have never felt the need to add a rain cover. The zips are completely covered, so significant water ingress that way would be unlikely.
Organisation – Large external pocket covering the full front of the bag, with its own inbuilt capacity, so you could fit a packable jacket or even a packable pair of shoes in there. Internal laptop sleeve, two large internal pockets.
Security – good zips, designed to lock together with zip pulls which would take a padlock to secure the main section. Zips are well covered with fabric, so you can tuck them in securely, well away from wandering hands!
Weight: 825g / Price £75 – check for offers on the Cabin Zero website
Fjallraven High Coast Foldsack
A 24L lightweight and highly water resistant bag. Main feature is a flap which folds over so you adjust the size which helps transform it from a general purpose daypack to a small travel pack. This is the bag I have been using lately. It’s definitely smaller and lighter than the cabin zero.
I like the adjustable size with a top that folds over. I’ve decided clamshell opening is less important to me than I originally thought. Happy to pack clothes, tech, toiletries and everything else in their own organised ‘containers’, then throw them in the bag. If you pack this way, then access to everything is just as easy however the bag opens.
Type of Opening – Top loading with folding top and secure zip.
Aesthetic – A stylish daypack, with fabric which will keep your belongings dry in the main compartment. Works well both as an urban daypack and for hiking in nature.
Size – Advertised as 24L, doubtful it will hold much more than that, even with the adjustable opening. Side compression straps to synch things down further. Big enough to carry my full 4 season setup
Carry Comfort – nicely shaped and lightly padded straps and back system. A detachable waist strap and sternum strap. Really lightweight bag which fits close to your body and comfortable to wear.
Waterproof or Water resistance – Waterproof fabric, although I wouldn’t put anything which must not get wet in the external zippered pockets.
Organisation – External pocket and internal laptop sleeve and zippered pocket with key clip.
Security – pretty secure to the casual thief from the back with a metal fastener which works pretty well and zip closure. No obvious way to secure a lock or S-biner on the main compartment, although you could easily stitch a small D ring to the side of the bag at the top near the zip when fully closed. This would allow you to run a small padlock or small S-biner through, to deter thieves further.
Weight: 440g/ Price from £77
These bags I have also tried and used. I find I don’t reach for them quite so often as the first two, but they are definitely still great choices!
Passenger Stratos Duffel Backpack 20L
Familiar with the popular Cotopaxi Alpa range of travel bags? This is almost a diminutive ‘dupe’ at a more sensible price point. Full clamshell opening (the bag splits in half), no need for packing cubes or other pouches if you don’t want to. It has organisation built in. Stowable section for the backpack straps so you can tuck them away and carry ‘brief case’ style or add a crossbody strap (not supplied) to turn it into a messenger bag. If you are used to travelling with a suitcase and wary of switching to a backpack, this could be a great choice!
Type of Opening – Full Clamshell, side opening, so it splits in half like a standard suitcase, making it easy to pack.
Aesthetic – very much a travel pack style of bag. I don’t think you would take this bag hiking or to the office, although it does have a separate laptop compartment. The split clamshell style opening works well as a travel bag, possibly less so as a day bag. While the face of the back has a nice clean minimalist aesthetic, although there is some large Passenger branding on one side.
Size: This bag has the exact dimensions for Ryanair personal item bag: Height 40cm Depth: 20cm Width: 25cm. As with all bags, take care not to stuff it too full so you exceed those dimensions!
Carry Comfort: The back does have some padding as do the straps. There’s a sternum strap too. It’s not the most comfortable in this list, although that does depend on how heavy you make it. If you are simply looking for a bag which is easy to pack to take you from airport to hotel, it could work well, but not my first choice for travelling ‘point to point’ or hiking long distances with it.
Waterproof or Water resistant – Fairly thick fabric to withstand light showers. Zips are quite exposed. Rain cover sold separately.
Organisation – one side is a big compartment for clothes – I would pack it without packing cubes, putting shoes in first and rolling clothes and placing on top. On the other side there are multiple sections for everything else. On the outside there’s a water bottle holder (one side only).
Security: – Possible to pass a small S-biner or travel padlock through the zip pulls on the main section.
Weight: 700g / Price £54 on sale
Osprey Arcane Totepack
A totebag, backpack combo bag, It does both ‘jobs’ well and you can tuck away either the tote straps or backpack straps when not in use. A particular strong choice if you want a bag which will work as both a daypack and a small travel bag.
Type of Opening – Top loading rolltop with secure zip,
Aesthetic – With it’s metal fixings, matt fabric and heritage style logo, it’s a classy bag which wouldn’t be out of place on a hike or in the city.
Size – Advertised as 20L, but the rolltop means the volume is adjustable, making it big enough to carry my full 4 season setup, but a great choice as a daypack too.
Carry Comfort – Fits close to your back and avoids the ‘shoulder drag’ you can feel with deeper, more boxy bags. Good padding on the back and shoulder straps. No sternum strap or waist strap, but with this bag fits you may not need it.
Waterproof or Water resistance – Not advertised as waterproof, but I’ve felt pretty confident with it in the rain. Usually, I would take the recommended separate rain cover with Osprey bags, but with this one, I’ve felt my belongings have been pretty well protected.
Organisation – Externally there is a big stuff pocket which is deep, so it would keep things secure. Inside there is a laptop pocket and smaller zip pocket, with key clip. In the colourway I have (stargazer blue) the interior is black and dark. Other colourways may be different. No dedicated external water bottle pocket, but you could easily use the front stuff pocket for a water bottle.
Security – pretty secure to the casual thief from the back with a metal fastener which works pretty well and robust zip. No obvious way to secure a lock or S-biner on the main compartment, although you could easily stitch a small D ring to the side of the bag at the top near the zip when fully closed. This would allow you to run a small padlock or small S-biner through, to deter thieves further.
Weight: 800g / Price from £77
Decathlon 17L Ultralight Fastpack
The lightest pack at 400g. Primarily designed for fast hiking, it has a full waistbelt and a wrap around style harness system making a particularly stable and comfortable carry. I’ve used this for through hikes in the UK. Not a natural choice for a travel pack, but it is the pick of the bunch, for comfort and weight.
Type of Opening – Long U-shaped Zip giving easy access to the contents. A capacious front stuff pocket (designed to hold a helmet and other things fairly securely)
Aesthetic – Hiking pack with wide hip belt and pockets in the shoulder straps and hip belt, giving this a very distinctive ‘hiking pack’ feel.
Size – Advertised as 17L, but with the capacious front stuff pocket (designed to hold a helmet and other things fairly securely) and large side water bottle pockets. it can probably hold more, if you are happy for your things not to be not fully secure and outside the main compartment. Unlike many hiking packs this is not a tall (50cm+) backpack and it does not have a rigid back system. This makes it suitable for use as a personal item on budget airlines where it will squeeze in the smallest of sizers. The bag is big enough to carry my full 4 season setup.
Carry Comfort – This is an exceptionally comfortable pack. As it’s designed for ‘fast hiking’ specifically, it has no rigid back system like most hiking packs and has a ‘vest like’ harness system bringing everything close to your back with the weight distributed evenly and not dragging from your shoulders. Includes adjustable sternum strap and load lifters as well as a substantial waist belt. While there is padding on the back, it is a bag you would want to pack carefully, to ensure there are no sharp things poking in your back!
Waterproof or Water resistance – No it really isn’t! Fortunately the bag comes with a rain cover, which you will need for anything other than the lightest of showers!
Organisation – Externally you have a pocket on the hip belt and shoulder straps, a large central stuff pocket and two large side pockets. Internally you have a sleeve which can hold a small water bladder (also included) or a very small laptop or tablet. The back system is highly breathable, to the point where I would make sure your laptop has a cover, to ensure it stays dry and protected.
Security – No security features for the main compartment and the side pockets and stuff pockets are open. The hip belt pocket is small, but the pocket on the shoulder strap may fit your phone, which is useful!
Weight 400g / Price £44.99
Fjallraven 30L Ulvo (Ziptop)
This is a little larger than some of the other bags listed but I’m including it because it’s such a well designed, robust, waterproof bag which has been hammered and it’s still as good as new! Less ‘boxy’ than some, it looks like a daypack with the capacity of a small travel pack and it’s a great laptop bag too. Big tick for the light grey interior fabric, making it easier to find things in an otherwise deep bag. There’s also a smaller Ulvo 23L which is similar in style, just smaller.
Type of Opening – Top Loader with a lid style opening with zip.
Aesthetic – This is one of those rare bags with an urban aesthetic, but built with really tough waterproof material (Bergshell) so it’s also a good choice for bad weather and more rugged adventures in nature. I particularly like the minimalist look and clean lines.
Size – Even though it’s one of the larger bags here at 30L, it will fit in personal item sizers for the major European airlines, although you will have to underfill it and squish it to fit in the sizer. The back, which is taller than many of the sizers, is flexible, which helps, as do the side compression straps.
Carry Comfort – It’s a comfortable bag to carry with good padding on the straps and on the back, sternum strap and a removal waist strap.
Waterproof or Water resistance – Yes! The Bergshell fabric is waterproof, just take care the zip is properly covered with the external flap to ensure water doesn’t seep in.
Organisation – I really like the organisation in the lid. If you don’t want to put your tech and miscellaneous items in pouches, then this is a good choice, to make sure all those important things stay safe and fully accessible. It also has a great laptop sleeve.
Security The top zip is well hidden under a flap (to help keep things watertight) and it unzips on three sides with no zip opening visible from the back. This is a good choice for the security minded, as your bag can’t be tampered with and opened easily from behind you. The zip closure with two zips, means you could potentially add a small lock or S-biner to further deter thieves.
Weight: 900g / Price £110-£150
Fjallraven 30L Ulvo (Rolltop)
This is the ‘wild card’ and a ‘love it or loath it’ bag. It’s the most expensive on this list and also the heaviest. Very similar to the zip top version above, but more versatile. It’s the ultimate ‘shapeshifter’. A bag that can be a cute little 20L daypack or a capacious 35L+ storage sack. That’s if you can live with the rolling and unrolling, if you need to access things inside it frequently. Big tick for the light grey interior fabric, making it easier to find things in an otherwise deep bag.
Type of Opening – Top loading with a rolltop. Roll or unroll the change the capacity significantly. The clips on the rolltop can be connected to clips stored within the water bottle pockets, or clipped to each other, like a traditional dry bag.
Aesthetic – Like it’s brother with a traditional zip top openings, this has an urban aesthetic, but built with really tough waterproof material (Bergshell) it’s also a great choice for hiking. I love the minimalist look and clean lines.
Size: A truly adjustable bag!
– Want something narrower and fitting closer to your back? Do up the side compression straps.
– Want a tiny cute daypack? Roll it up to go as small as you want it (20L or less), it’ll also fit easily in a Ryanair personal item sizer if you make it small enough too.
– Want something capacious which holds 35L or maybe more? Just fill it up and make the minimum roll. It holds a lot, but take care because you can also make it extremely heavy!
Carry Comfort – It’s a comfortable bag to carry with good padding on the straps and on the back, moveable sternum straps and a removal waist belt.
Waterproof or Water resistance – This bag is truly waterproof and with no zips to worry about, it’s the one bag on this list, I think you could be sure your tech and laptop would be dry and undamaged if the bag took a full dunking!
Organisation – A very little pocket on the outside, two good stretch mesh water bottle pockets and a great laptop sleeve on the inside. Nothing else. This is a very simple bag with little in the way of internal organisation. The simplicity of it means it will hold more than you think if you pack it out efficiently.
Security – no external pockets and not the easiest to open from the back by thieves. As a rolltop, there is no option to add a lock or S-biner on the main section.
Weight: 1,040g / Price £140-£180