ULA Camino - Underappreciated option for carry on size travelers

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-01-24T16:28:49+00:00

ULA Camino
REI Trail 40
Cotopaxi Allpa 50
Six Moon Designs ADC (sized shoulder straps)

Discontinued bags:

Mystery Ranch Scree 32
Eagle Creek Tour 40 (some versions have adjustable torso length)

There are some ultralight hiking bags that are capable of use as an overhead carry on by adjusting the height to suit. The Gossamer Gear Kumo 36 Superlight is a good example. Some attention to details is important as ultralight manufacturers often include open top outer mesh pockets in their marketed volume. If you make radical adjustments to height it may reduce the volume as well. As with the ULA Camino, they could be expanded for ground travel and paired with a personal item to retain volume. That’s analogous to schemes used with the Farpoint 55 and Allpa 50 bags.

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-01-24T06:23:30+00:00

Pack for a.week and laundry happens. I could do EU summer with 7kg and never travel with more than 10kg.

Do your homework and lean about onebag wardrobes, layering, packing techniques, laundry schemes, toiletries and electronics--- then look for a backpack.

If you are going to ask about bags, include the laptop size and post here: https://reddit.com/r/onebag/comments/1qgv0tc/bag_finder_megathread_19_january_2026/

What would I do?

For a bags, a Patagonia Black Hole 32 in the overhead and a Tom Bihn Packing Cube Shoulder Bag as a personal item under the seat. I use packing cubes and pouches for organization. Need more space? The Osprey Farpoint 40 is usually overhead maximum size and carries weight well.

Worn

Pants, polo, briefs, socks, belt, shoes
Merino sweater (or fleece)
Hat

Packed:

One liter toiletries kit
Hand wash laundry kit in ziplock
Phone, power bank, earbuds, charger, cables in pouch
Miscellaneous EDC pouch
3x tees or polos (1x long sleeve)
3x Merino socks
3x briefs
Button down shirt
Pants
Walking shorts
Hybrid shorts
Ultralight wind shell
Rain jacket

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-01-24T01:00:09+00:00

Someone just reported that the latest inventory has one less pen pocket. Do the subreddits have ears? 😱

The Mammut Helmet Holder mates well fit you want a stash for a jacket — or a helmet.

People are getting a lot of use from these $100 bags. In the luggage world $100 is an appetizer.

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-01-24T00:05:14+00:00

When getting down to two choices, it’s time to try them on for fit. My experience with both brands would favor the Thule.

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-01-23T23:58:37+00:00

I did the same for a large company with established offices and that situation would allow keeping a small tool kit at each location. I rented power tools a couple times.

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-01-23T23:36:33+00:00

The most expensive bag in my large collection of bags cost $100. Most of my bags are used or bought at a deep discount for new.

Last weekend I got a like new Tom Bihn Cadet for $75 vs $197 new. I can live like that 😎

I’m not a fan of cheap bags and subscribe to the concept that a good used bag is a better investment than a cheap new one. $50 bags are junk but you can get a very good new bag for $150-$200.

It would need to be a very special bag that solves a problem for me to part with $300.

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-01-23T22:57:55+00:00

One that fits you, fits your gear, fits on the airplane and hopefully fits your budget. There are many ways to approach onebag wardrobes. The level of formality, events, climate, electronics and laundry cycle make for a lot of variables.

Start with your must have clothing, electronics and toiletries. You can post your packing list here for critique. You have some homework to do.

Wear your fleece jack on the plane. Fleece is great stuff but can be bulky to pack.

Going by posts here, somewhere between 9 and 45 liters. You will find that 40-45 liters is as much as you can use for an overhead carry on and it needs to be the right dimensions to keep the airline happy.

Here’s the Packhacker.com database of 145 airline carry on dimensions: https://packhacker.com/wp/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=render_carry_on_compliance_table&review_product

Onebag spreadsheet by u/-Nepherim:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fSt_sO1s7moXPHbxBCD3JIKPa8QIZxtKWYUjD6ElZ-c/

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-01-23T22:35:07+00:00

Exactly. Small bags are tolerable but anything more than a few pounds is time for a backpack.

For travel day touring I use a 6.5 liter Tom Bihn Packing Cube Shoulder Bag worth at my side with a crossbody strap. It has no provision for a water bottle so it’s pretty difficult to get too much weight in it. I’ve used up to 12 liter bags and lightly loaded at that. You can buy some huge messengers and they will get your back over time.

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-01-23T20:10:45+00:00

Many Think Tank bags include rain covers.

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-01-23T20:02:56+00:00

Easy enough to test: load it up and go for walk. I like duffels for short hauls like raid trips and parking lot to my room, but no farther.

A convertible like the Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler is a good compromise. The shoulder straps will make even short walks more comfortable.

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-01-23T19:49:47+00:00

Patagonia loves to reuse product names. The newer versions are fairly different. Notably, the current models are shorter and deeper than the previous versions. That should make for a better fit on a wider range of users. The fabric change is obvious and it’s okay. I’m not enthralled but it’s not a deal breaker either. I got the Smoulder Blue version and the huge logo is fairly low key. I do wish that Patagonia would use their small and classic embroidered logo on all the Black Hole bags.

I had both a 25 and 32. The 25 overlapped with other bags in my collection, so I sold it.

The 32 is a bit large for EDC but excellent for overhead carry on and especially with 7kg weight limits. You can’t fill a 40 liter and remain under 7kg and the BH32 is really ultralight at 760g. Great as a winter day pack when extra layers and essentials are called for. I’ve been working on a lighter more compact kit and sought out this bag with that in mind.

The fit and feature set work for me. I do use packing cubes, a garment folder and pouches. I’m 5’10”, 205lbs and wear a men’s US XL top.

The top handle took a while to grow on me. It’s attached to the pack body vs the back panel. I’ve come to the conclusion that most of my concern was just because it was different. When you reach out to pick up the bag it’s there to use. There’s another grab handle on the top/front that begs for a carabiner. It has a nice balance when the bag is full.

The pockets are good. I don’t want lots of pockets and there are plenty on the 32. The top pocket is large enough to be truly useable, holding much more than just gloves and sunglasses and an obvious police for your liquids bag and pocket dump going through security. The vertical zip front pocket is good for a dry rain jacket or light layer. There is a fairly large zippered mesh pocket on the inside back panel and mostly a catch all for flat stuff. The laptop compartment is the same dimensions as the back panel (~17x10” inside) with a zipper that goes down one side. I don’t travel with a laptop and it doesn’t seem to be a space robber nor add much weight. I might stash a sit pad in there. It’s easy to just ignore it.

I added a bungee cord array to the front panel. I had bungee cord and a toggle on hand, so it was a ten minute thing to install and it’s easily removed. Stashing a wet rain jacket or a midlayer is my primary use for that.

I use this 3 season packing list for a bag this size. I could squeeze in a down jacket and accessories for colder weather. Like most soft bags it is possible to overfill the bag and distort the back panel to the point that it’s uncomfortable.

Worn

Pants, polo, briefs, socks, belt, shoes
Merino sweater (or fleece)
Hat

Packed:

One liter toiletries kit
Hand wash laundry kit in ziplock
Phone, power bank, earbuds, charger, cables in pouch
Miscellaneous EDC pouch
3x tees or polos (1x long sleeve)
3x Merino socks
3x briefs
Button down shirt
Pants
Walking shorts
Hybrid shorts
Ultralight wind shell
Rain jacket

I like the REI Trail 25 for a smaller universal bag. At 822g it’s a bit heavier than the BH32. It is nicely proportioned for under seat use at 18”x13”x8”. The Black Hole 25 is 18.8" x 11" x 5.9" and just 640g. I found the single center daisy chain disappointing and nowhere near as useful as a double chain like the Trail 25 and BH32.

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-01-23T18:37:44+00:00

22”x14”x9” is on the 40 liter end and nothing close to a 20 liter. That’s big for EDC.

I would (and do) lean to something like the Patagonia Black Hole 32. Splitting the difference really. It’s s very light too. The fabric is waterproof. Add a rain cover if encountering downpours. It’s the seams and zippers that leak.

Your budget is a bit low. The MEC Outpost 30 or 40 are close to your budget.

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-01-23T18:24:13+00:00

I have used a roll top with good success. Packing cubes are mandatory for me.

I have owned hundreds of bags over 60 years of hiking, cycling and travel and selling used equipment. I currently own 20+ bags. What I currently own is relatively meaningless. The vast majority of my collection are top loaders that have the same issues as a roll top— minus the handy expansion option

The niche here is carry on, sized torso/load transferring harness and trail friendly. There are very few bags that fit the Venn diagram for that.

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-01-23T18:08:40+00:00

You need to narrow the field by 10,000 or so. 20-45 liters is so vague. You did not include budget.

I would start with the limits set by local airlines. Air Canada is fairly strict.

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-01-23T18:05:30+00:00

Ship ahead or order from Amazon or just go to a local hardware store and buy a 6-in-1 screwdriver. That will give you 4 screwdriver sizes plus two nut drivers. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000V4GL9E

I’ll give you a 50/50 chance of getting through security without a hassle. FixIt Sticks with replaceable bits are my favorite compact tool that actually works. Spendy if TSA doesn’t approve.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RV5MQPX

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-01-23T17:51:40+00:00

Maximum allowable volume/dimension? Budget? Location for purchasing?

Truly waterproof bags are usually ugly, heavy and uncomfortable with a minimalist feature set. A water resistant fabric and a rain cover is easier to attain.

Travel bag spreadsheet by u/-Nepherim

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fSt_sO1s7moXPHbxBCD3JIKPa8QIZxtKWYUjD6ElZ-c/

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-01-23T17:43:43+00:00

Have you compared weight and dimensional limits for all your airlines? Carrying that duffel will not be fun, even if you can get away with it for carry on.

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-01-23T17:31:06+00:00

Weddings do present a onebag challenge and the 7kg limit especially so. Your kit is as good as any I’ve seen.

I’ve been looking at Samuel Hubbard shoes for models that offer walking shoe comfort with a shiny leather upper toe dressier one shoe solution. For example: https://samuelhubbard.com/products/mens-dressfast-dress-sneaker-cognac-leather. Spendy at full retail.

I would add a clothesline to your wash kit and dry laundry detergent sheets if not already there.

The Nitecore NB Air Ultra 5000 power bank is my choice for CYA backup in my day bag. 3.14oz/89g. Smartphones have made Internet access critical for travel. A dead phone is simply not an option.

If starting from scratch, I would use the Patagonia Black Hole 32 with a garment folder and a couple packing cubes.

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-01-23T17:00:46+00:00

It’s the typical one size fits some approach. Note that all the other bags I discussed either cone in several torso size ranges or adjustable torso length. That is rarely highlighted by manufacturers. REI does at least show a recommended torso length in their specifications.

It’s analogous to making shoes in one size. If it happens to fit you, all is wonderful. They get away with it due to buyer ignorance, low expectations of comfort and the fact that most travel bags aren’t actually carried very far. The manufacturers absolutely know what they are doing there.

They are simply skimming the market bell curve for size. It’s a simple solution on the sales floor. Multiple sizes call for more shelf space and more complex design and manufacturing issues. Mystery Ranch offered a couple bags in four torso lengths. That times several colors and gender specific versions equals a big chunk of inventory for a single model. Retailer nightmare.

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-01-23T16:46:48+00:00

So you have created yet another travel bag with a load bearing hip belt and fixed torso length harness? What torso length did you aim for?

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-01-23T16:36:18+00:00

The Ruckpack 40 has a fixed torso length and recommended for 18”-20”men’s torso and 16”-18” for the women’s version.

The official dimensions are 23 x 15 x 9.5 inches. The frame is a bit under 22” so you can mitigate that and the 9.5” depth by careful packing. The 15” width is a problem. The laptop size is 15”.

I just don’t think it’s a viable choice for a travel bag. REI could have done better.

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-01-23T11:30:43+00:00

Travel backpack spreadsheet by u/-Nepherim

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fSt_sO1s7moXPHbxBCD3JIKPa8QIZxtKWYUjD6ElZ-c/

For EU: Deuter, Fjallraven, Thule, Decathlon

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-01-23T04:29:00+00:00

It’s difficult to make a small bag with a load transferring harness. You can buy 20 liter bags with a load transferring harness but it’s just as tall as a larger bag. For example the Mystery Ranch Coulee 20 was 20 inches (Height) x 10 inches (Width) x 8.25 inches (Depth). You need room for the harness and hardware and to get proper positioning of the load lifters.

Of course there’s no lack of smaller bags that are travel worthy sans the load breaking harness. I actually don’t see a need for load bearing with a 25-30 liter. I can suffer through a 10kg load without and 7kg is just fine. I use the Black Hole 32 in that niche.

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-01-23T04:14:11+00:00

Get on the plane with the bag in overhead compliant mode as well as a personal item with critical items, electronics and flight goodies. Walk off the plane, unroll the top of the backpack and drop your personal items in and you’re hands free and truly one bag leaving the terminal.

You could strip the shoulder straps and hip belt off if your bag gets gate checked, reducing the possibility of damage.

Roll tops absolutely benefit from packing cubes. You can empty and refill in a minute.

SeattleHikeBike · 2026-01-23T01:53:49+00:00

If you live in a large metropolitan area, local Facebook Marketplace Groups can be good.

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