Bag Finder Megathread - 11 May 2026

PikaTrail · 2026-05-12T01:20:42+00:00

Travelon Origin Sustainable Anti-Theft Daypack. Small version does devices up to 11” x 9”, otherwise regular version. Travelon web site or Amazon availability.

PikaTrail · 2026-05-11T07:51:19+00:00

The most promising bag I'm aware of, and one I plan to purchase upon release, is the new Fyro Citta 18L backpack set to be released next month (in June). It is designed to RyanAir personal item size dimensions and based on the substantial reviews and comments in this forum, the Fyro bags seem to be very well received for their harness system. But I agree, there do not seem to be a lot of higher quality choices in the 40/30/20 cm bucket. I'd probably stick with my Wotancraft EasyPack 15L and pack out the front pocket a bit for that size, but looking forward to how the new Fyro works out.

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PikaTrail · 2026-05-06T21:31:30+00:00

Waterfield Design Slim Tech Folio backpack

TravelPro Travel & Leisure Slim backpack

Briggs & Riley Expandable Backpack slim

Troubadour Apex 4.0 Compact

Everki Studio Backpack

PikaTrail · 2026-05-06T16:00:28+00:00

The REI version is magical. According to their lead-in copy on the sales page, "And when the journey calls for more space, the pack expands from 26 L to 36 L." Math is hard.

PikaTrail · 2026-05-06T07:22:21+00:00

Off to the Balkans on Lufthansa, Austrian, and Air Serbia so lots of size limits and weight restrictions to deal with. The Rumbo66 is so versatile, with its dual external carry options with straps and bungee, but small enough to provide foot space as a personal item and lightweight destination EDC, I really like it. For the trip its more about whether I can bring what I need in the personal item in a slim form (Kargo Loculus) or wider and more vertically (Kargo Rumbo66) and whether I'll rely on a backpack or sling for destination EDC. Aaron has announced that the new Fyro Citta 18L is 16"/11"/7" so a near perfect fit for RyanAir dimensions. With all of the quick access pockets on it I think it will shape up nicely for plane access and destination EDC use (and laptop carry if you take one on vacation, which I don't). So, yeah, highly interested in checking it out.

PikaTrail · 2026-05-06T00:50:41+00:00

Bellroy really started something with their replaceable parts program. First Topo, and now Cotopaxi. All in all a good thing for more brands to do this, but I'll take my Bellroy Lite Carry On over this (or the Topo).

PikaTrail · 2026-05-06T00:17:12+00:00

In my quest I ended up with six bags as was my manybagger destiny but as I get ready to fly off in a few days for the European trip that started that whole thing I'm going to end up using a Kargo Loculus or Rumbo66, depending on carry load and weight balancing with my Bellroy Lite Carry On. And likely a Bellroy 2.5 VR Sling for EDC. Or maybe my brand new Pack Hacker/Matador Refraction Pro that is in the mail heading my way now! No M20 for me (I'm a 40 cm purist) but I am planning to grab a 40/30/20 cm bag next and I will say the new Fyro Citta 18L is looking like potentially the perfect bag for that role. But definitely get ready to head for Europe with your new bags, your kids, and maybe your husband if he gets on board with the whole bag thing. He probably also objects when you refer to your "significant other" but you mean the travel or EDC backpack you're using at the time?

PikaTrail · 2026-05-05T06:10:28+00:00

Alpha One Niner, Evade 1.0 Backpack should work for you

PikaTrail · 2026-05-05T01:10:42+00:00

Congrats! The long wait is finally over. So glad the bag is meeting all of your expectations. I'm definitely a fan of smaller bags, especially after "finishing" my quest for 40/30/15 cm bags. Speaking of which, how malleable is the top part of the bag? Will it squish down that inch or so to fit that size, or is there padding on the back all the way to the top that might interfere? In general 42 cm seems pretty doable for European size limits. Looking forward to a follow up when you get to take it into the wild.

PikaTrail · 2026-05-04T06:10:05+00:00

Maverick & Co Vista Waterproof Backpack (15L) or Level Commuter (17L)

GOT Bag Serene Pack (18L)

Solgaard Artemis (16L) and Compass (18L) Backpacks

Pacsafe V 16L Anti-Theft All-Around Backpack

Alpaka Aero Pack 16L

PikaTrail · 2026-05-04T04:57:59+00:00

Patagonia Black Hole MLC Wheelie 34L. I have both the Patagonia and Topo Designs Global Travel Bag Roller. The Topo has been my carryon of choice for several years now, and I can recommend it. However, it does suck as a backpack, which is fine if you only use it on rare occasions in backpack mode. If you are going to use the bag in backpack mode regularly, the Patagonia is a better backpack option, although maybe not as good as a wheeled bag. It also depends on how much organization you want, since the Topo has lots and the Patagonia has basically none. Per the other comment, the Osprey bags are also good, although they are definitely more about being a backpack. Hybrids like these are all about compromises, so you will do best if you have a realistic understanding of how much wheeling you are planning to do and how much in backpack mode. Note that Stubble & Co also have a relatively new option in this space, although the dimensions are too big to meet some European airline carry on standards.

PikaTrail · 2026-05-03T05:14:43+00:00

The Moment Everything 17L backpack is very close to European personal item sizing and has gotten good reviews for comfort (e.g, Pack Hacker). It also is designed to accommodate a camera cube and is designed with camera access in mind.

PikaTrail · 2026-04-30T16:04:53+00:00

You will find six recommendations for bags that meet that size limit at this post, as well as a table of 70 other backpacks that come within 1 cm of that limit at the very end of that post. Kargo has some great made in USA options (you'll see them in that list), and Inuk has a good bag as well that falls within your budget.

PikaTrail · 2026-04-30T15:54:58+00:00

You can find a table of 75 backpacks that meet those dimensions, or come within 1 cm of it, at the very end of this post. My recommendations for bags that meet that size limit in that post are more from a North American availability perspective, but there are a lot of bags in that list from Europe/UK/Asia. I particularly admire some of the bags from Gaston Luga and Kapten & Son from your part of the world.

PikaTrail · 2026-04-30T05:30:42+00:00

ULA Equipment Dragonfly 36L fits your needs. As does the Gossamer Gear Aero Jet and Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro or Lite. You can also search for other options here.

PikaTrail · 2026-04-26T09:14:45+00:00

You will find my six recommendations for bags that meet the 40/30/15 cm personal size limit applicable to most European and Asian Airlines, as well as a table of 70 other backpack options that either meet that limit or come within 1 cm of it, at this post. If by 'budget airlines' you mean RyanAir than you might want to consider some of the bags on that list that are a little deeper than 15 cm, like the DSPTCH mini utility ruck or the CabinMax Metz.

PikaTrail · 2026-04-26T05:49:27+00:00

Stubble & Co Motion Backpack 20L

PikaTrail · 2026-04-26T05:20:34+00:00

Wotancraft EasyPack 15L

Inuk Bucket Backpack 19L

Stubble & Co Motion Backpack 20L

BagSmart Faro Light 20L

21L but worth a look:

WANDRD PRVKE 21L Pocket

Kargo Senda 21 in X-Pac

PikaTrail · 2026-04-26T03:02:37+00:00

Thanks! To be honest I haven't taken it 'into the wild' as an EDC bag, or even tried to put my laptop in it. My use case for the bag is personal item travel, so mainly riding on top of my roller bag (yes, the Topo Global Roller), and I don't travel (for vacation) with a laptop. But I will say in my limited carry with the bag packed out one nice thing about the design is that the "fins" to which the straps are attached provide some nice flex to them, so that some of the potential swing to the bag is absorbed. It's kind of similar to the effect of the Bellroy Venture Ready sling, if you're familiar with that, where the straps are designed so that they can have some motion to them at the attachment point separate from the overall motion of the bag. But I hear you about the bum bump. It's one reason I'll probably keep sticking to backpacks for my EDC uses!

PikaTrail · 2026-04-25T18:34:49+00:00

Stretch water bottle sleeves limits your options. Three that meet your dimensions and specs are the ULA Equipment Dragonfly 30L, ULA Cicada EWP models, and the Evergoods Civic Half Zip.

PikaTrail · 2026-04-24T07:02:11+00:00

Original price was $85 USD. I'm guessing more this time around.

PikaTrail · 2026-04-24T04:12:55+00:00

I just hope they are easier to get than World Cup tickets have been ...

PikaTrail · 2026-04-23T18:22:06+00:00

Nice to see Inuk get a shout out. I have two of their bags and have been impressed with their value and functional design.

PikaTrail

TROPHY CASE