10 Personal Item Backpacks | Best Carry-On Bags for Travel

Have you ever traveled with just a personal item, and what’s your go-to bag for minimalist travel? 🎒✈😎🌴🗽

Thanks. I was hoping to take use my PD Everyday Zip 20L as a personal item, but while Delta may let it slide, Air France and KLM now have a 40 x 30 x 15 cm (16 x 12 x 6") limit for a personal item, plus a combined weight limit of only 12 kg (26.4 lb) for carry-on+personal item (only 18 kg for over-priced business class). That's not a lot. There goes the idea of avoiding checked bags by carrying on my PD 45L for a week in Italy, even if I leave much of my camera gear behind.

I also support PD, as I have a lot of their camera gear plus those bags. Not cheap, but well-designed and -built. The problem is, the 20L Zip (which I got as a camera bag--very good in that regard) is a bit too large at 47 x 29 x 21 cm. Do any of the packs you reviewed meet that standard?

Of all the bags which ones have a trolley pass thru to put on a roler board?

I like it

I used to think that this was a great channel until I started to actually travel full-time. Man, they never say anything about measurements and weight, which is arguably the two most important informations when considering backpacks, because if it is too heavy or too big for your requirements, it cannot even be considered.
Please, do more videos for people who actually travel. If I have to do all the research the video doesn't have any purpose.

I quit taking backpacks on vacations. First off normally all I need is my sling to carry most things I need and if I need something to hold my shopping I’ve got a compressible tote in the sling. Secondly Most back packs are a pain to grab anything out of while it’s under the seat. So I swapped to a 30L duffle with minimum pockets. It’s a lot lighter and easier to access when on a plane if you know who to compartment the bag.

large bags with dark interiors are a nonstarter for trying to get to anything on a plane. straight to jail with these designers.

The lululemon backpack is the most uncomfortable backpack I have ever traveled with. The straps are so cheap and uncomfortable. There is 0 padding anywhere!

I think the Peak Design you are reviewing is the Everyday Zip, not the Everyday V2, isn‘t it?

Would be really helpful if you could say what dimensions (in metric) are. Thank you for a great review

I wish you would state the liter volume of the pack and size each time. The 30 Liter, 18x14x8 WANDF is my favorite and you didn't review it.

Work issued me a 16 inch laptop p16s tough to figure out a personal item backpack now :(.

Could you please review omnpak Ryanair backpack? Thanks

I love the fun little comments about each bag! New videos need more of those haha.

Do any of these have a small waist strap attached? l only use backpacks with waist straps. Thank you

Love the humor in this video!

☺Amazing! Thank you for sharing your review!

Thank You Wonderful Demo...❤

Hi, I don’t have included in my ticket a carry one. Does any of the backpacks in they video will work for me?

if bag doesn't have compression straps just buy a couple of individual ones (sleeping bag straps) and put them on.

What do u suggest for everyday office bags for women and pls suggest brands that ship world wide . A bag in which bottles and tiffin could fit in with other essentials

Are all these backpacks 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm)? That's the standard personal item requirement on many airlines.

Is there an easy way to search for bags based only on size? I want a 17" x 13" x 8" bag.

overpriced vietnamese craps

I travel in European cities during winter. When reviewing daypacks, please look into some important issues: (1) comfortable padding on the straps? (2) contoured shoulder straps? (3) waterproof outer fabric? (4) outside "secured" mesh pockets for a water bottle and an umbrella.

Great video — loved the content, loved the personality that came through with charm in spades.

Great video. Thanks. Which of these have that sleeve that allows you to attach it to your roller carry on by slipping it over the extendable pull handle? What's that called?

I like the pack safe Anti theft backpacks

FYI, I have used the Able Carry Max Travel - 30L for under my seat. It's not a lot bigger than that Able Carry Daily Plus, I don't think, and maybe it's a little iffy on some airlines. I was on Delta - perfect fit.

I use the Cotopaxi 28L and its perfect personal item bag for every US airline. I’ve never gotten stopped

This video was made before my personal item backpack was introduced. GoRuck came out with the Bullet Double Compartment in 16L and 18L around Thanksgiving of 2023. In actuality, these bags hold closer to 20L and 24L. These are GR2 style bags in lightweight ripstop nylon with a quick access pocket and no exterior molle. I chose the 16L over the 18L because: 1) it holds all my essentials and everything I need during flight (everything except clothes and shoes) and 2) the bag goes under the seat in front of me in a 2-bag system and I prize my leg room. Packhacker rates the GR2 40L as one of the best travel backpacks available. I would say the same would apply to the Bullet DC bags in terms of personal item backpacks.

Well-researched. I am looking for larger backpack that conforms with average 18x14x8 personal item size of most domestic airlines. Most of these packs seemed considerably smaller. Thank you.

Still loving our Patagonia Travel Tote 27L backpacks. Perhaps a bit flimsy bit very functional. Surorised it was not in this lost.

Nomatic Travel Backpack is still my favorite.

Thanks for the helpful comparisons. Do you know if a personal item backpack meets the dimensions requirements for width and depth but is 2.8 inches taller in height than the dimensions listed on Japan Airlines for personal item, would that be acceptable? In other words are they really strict about meeting ALL the required dimensions, otherwise, the personal item backpack has to be checked and cannot be carried on board?

No review channel will do a review of the Briggs and Riley Convertable Duffle. I was hoping you folks would be able to. It fits underseat. Briggs and Riley has not done one and they do one every junk bag.

I think I will go for Aer, but not the City Pack Pro shown here, but rather the Travel Pack 3 Small X-Pac since I’m looking a do-it-all backpack, so something that can handle my extended tech EDC (includes the Steam Deck in it’s bulky carry case) but also a bag that’s versatile enough to fit a packing cube or two for some light traveling.

Would have been great to mention the capacity of these bags

Fjallraven Skule + Thule packing cubes = Perfect combo

What is the yellow toiletry bag in the video please?

Random but i love the way this reviewer pronounces words. Especially the /s/ sound

おそらく世界共通で黒のバッグは使われていますが、もっとカラフルな色々な色が使われたら良いのになぁと思いますねぇ。

Thanks! yet another useful video!

Amazing presentation! Thanks for the video.

Thanks for this video. I have a Targus backpack but with different design with more compartments. One of my favorite bags using now.😂

Cabin zero military is my go-to bag :)

I need some recommendations As far as a personal item I know several airlines have different size for example I’m looking for a good personal item backpack to fly on United airlines and I know the dimensions are 17 x 10 x 9 which is a good backpack for United airlines

I think you forgot that you can't bring a water bottle with you on a plane.

Why are the 30L Topo bags and Patagonia mini MLC not here?

Can you guys do a video for petite and shorter people? I’ve watched every backpack video on the internet at this point, and no one has a comprehensive review of bags for those of us who have smaller frames. Most backpacks are catered to large and tall bodies and they all look ridiculous on me and are uncomfortable to carry. It’s been impossible to find a bag that fits my 15” work laptop and doesn’t completely overwhelm my frame! I’ve purchased 12 backpacks (<20L) and had to return all of them. Would love if y’all covered this! It would have saved me a ton of time and I’m still searching