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Travel Pack

Now we get to my personal favorite type of carry-on bag; the travel pack.
What exactly is a travel pack? It's similar in philosophy to the home gym that allows you to do various exercises, or a cross-training sport shoe that allows you to go running as well as do aerobics. Travel packs are usually soft-sided, made of tough Cordura nylon material like regular backpacks. Most travel packs look more rectangular than hiking backpacks or bookpacks. They look almost like soft-sided shoulder bags--until you unzip a secret compartment in the back that conceals a pair of backpack shoulder straps. These straps clip onto D-rings on the side (now bottom) of the bag, and you can now carry the bag like a back pack!
Some people don't like travel packs for the same reason they don't like other all-in-one equipment; that is, all-in-ones are created to do many different things well, but not any one thing excellently. For example, while a travel pack does have shoulder straps, they lack the design that serious hikers and backpackers need (i.e. hefty waist straps, etc.).
Personally, I say "phhhhbbbttt!" to such naysayers. I have used my travel packs in both shoulder bag and backpack mode--and they work really well for the majority of people. I also have the advantage of having a great-looking, modest piece of luggage that doesn't scream "hitchhiker!" like many backpacks do. I don't have lots of straps and buckles either, so if on the off chance I have to check the bag in, I don't have to wrap it in a plastic garbage bag like a lot of hikers do with their backpacks. While serious hikers and outdoor-types may not like travelpacks, I believe most people will find them plenty useful. Even those who are hardcore backpack enthusiasts, may find some models palatable (including the Eagle Creek Journey series, which look like regular backpacks).
The travel pack I used to use was a Jansport Daytripper; unfortunately they're no longer made. On my last trip, I used a small travel pack called the Sierra by Uphill Down (reviewed as the featured product below).
At the same time that I have seen an increase in travel packs, I have also unfortunately had a fairly difficult time finding smaller travel packs. Apparently, many manufacturers like to make them as big as the airlines will allow (which for me is now too big because I got so good at traveliting). I have spoken to the marketing department at Eagle Creek about this, because I think slightly smaller travel packs (midibags?) are marketable, and a valid concern for smaller people (i.e. women, and those under 5'6"). There are a few smaller ones out there (the Sierra, and Jansport's new Carry On Pack come to mind) but they are few and far between.
Travelpacks are versatile, allowing you to look modest and civilized when needed, happy-go-lucky when you want. Most dirt smudges can be cleaned fairly easily with a damp cloth. Most of the manufacturers use reinforced seams so the pressure points at the seams don't fray.



Travel Pack Selections

The following are some of the manufacturers that currently make travel packs, with some sample product names to get you started. Note that some (especially Jansport and Eagle Creek) also make horrendously humongous travel packs models (take that tape measure with you). Just as with the large rolling uprights, be careful not to get any that'll have the airline crew forcing you to check in your precious bag at the last minute!

-Eagle Creek: Journey Series; Traveler Series
-Where to buy: Retail and mail order. In particular, the Rand McNally and REI chains seem to carry a regular inventory. For mail-order, try REI or Magellan's (see their URL in this FAQ).
-Details: The retail champion of soft-sided travel bags.They have two major lines of travel packs: The Journey series (looks more like backpacks), and the Traveler's series. The former looks more like traditional bookpacks, while the latter looks like traditional luggage. Unfortunately, Eagle Creek no longer makes the Traveler's series. You may be lucky and find some still being sold.

-JanSport: Carry-On Pack; Weekender
-Where to buy: JanSport bags are available in many locations, including Sports Outlet, Rand McNally and various stores. Mail-order sites are linked to specific models from JanSport's web site.
-Details: The Carry-On Pack looks like a backpack. The Weekender fits as a maximum carry-on piece and looks more like traditional luggage. Both are convertible travel packs.

-L.L. Bean: Bean's Adventure Travel Pack -Where to buy: Available through mail order. -Details: Expandable rectangular travel pack. Priced at an affordable $68.00.

-Magellan's: Borneo Bag
-Where to buy: In-house brand available via mail order or at their store in Santa Barbara.
-Details: The Borneo Bag is a stripped-down maximum-allowable carry-on sized travel pack. Priced at $89.

-Mountain Equipment Co-Op (MEC): Jumbo Jet Bag, Jet Bag
-Where to buy: MEC stores in Canada or through mail order only.
-Details: A Canadian equivalent of REI, this membership-driven co-op has the best prices on travel packs anywhere. The Jumbo Jet Bag beats all other travel packs hands-down for price at only $46 Canadian! Its smaller sibling, the Jet Bag, is only 7" x 12" x 17" and only $43 Canadian.

-Rick Steves' Europe Throuhe Back Door: Back Door Bag
-Where to buy: Available through mail order and at ETBD's store in Washington. -Details: Similar to Magellan's Borneo Bag, the Back Door Bag is a stripped down rectangular convertible travel pack. $75.

-Tough Traveler: Caravan
-Where to buy: Available through mail order.
-Details: Convertible travel pack. $143. Children's Mini-Van also available.

-Uphill Down: Sierra
-Where to buy: Retail outlets. Mail order from manufacturer.
-Details: The Sierra is a rather small convertible travel pack that can serve as a large soft-sided briefcase.


Travel Pack Extra Features

There are some novel features that add bells and whistles to the basic travel pack. These may or may not good for you, depending on your needs. Eagle Creek and TravelSmith have travelpacks that are expandable, in case you buy too many souvenirs at your destination. The expansion usually comes in an extra zipper that hides an extra inch or two in the width (thickness) of the bag.
Jansport, Eagle Creek and TravelSmith also carry models that allow the front pocket to be zipped off for use as its own daypack. These are particularly handy if you want to put the travelpack in the overhead, but retain a smaller bag by your feet. The newest feature I've seen takes the "all-in-one" concept to new heights in a travelpack/traveling upright hybrid--what I call the trollerbag. Currently, only Eagle Creek and TravelSmith have them. We're talking zip-off daypack, handles, shoulder straps, backpack straps, telescoping handlebar and rolling wheels. Too much? Maybe. It might be taking convenience to a ridiculous level.
Important
- If you decide to go with a travel pack, make sure you get one that is small enough to use as a carry-on. Many travel packs, including the entire JanSport World Traveler line and the Eagle Creek Endless Journey, are too large to carry-on. You will end up having to check them in, defeating the entire purpose of travelite. - Bona fide travel packs should be able to convert to: a short-handled bag; a shoulder bag; and a backpack. If does not qualify for ALL THREE, it should not be considered as an option. This means a great little bag like the JanSport Four Great Directions Carry-on bag, which is marketed as a travel pack, would not pass muster because it does not have the D-rings to support the latching on of shoulder straps.
Advantages: Looks modest and decent. Versatile; can be carried as a briefcase, shoulder bag or backpack. Easy to clean. Easy to mend with a small sewing kit.
Disadvantages: Most have no wheels so tougher for those with bad backs or trouble carrying heavy things. Extra bells and whistles usually means travelpacks are more expensive than a plain backpack or shoulder bag. And as mentioned above, most models are too large for women.
Important features to look for:
-Make sure the seams seem strong.
-Make sure the zippers do not seem too flimsy, preferably YKK zippers.
-Look for a little loop at one end, through which you can install a little padlock (and lock it onto the end of your zipper).
-Look for a separate set of short handles so you do not have to rely on your backpack straps
-The backpack straps are adjustable and feel comfortable on you.
-The backpack straps should be padded.
-Bottom of backpack straps should be detachable and the straps concealable on a back panel accessible through a zipper.
-Shoulder strap should be adjustable, and comfort pad should adjust to a good spot on your shoulder at whatever length you set the strap.
-Shoulder strap should be detachable.
-Look for internal compression straps to tie down your clothing.
-Look for a separate outside pocket to hold your tickets, etc.

General Prices of Travel Packs

Travel packs cost considerably more than regular rucksacks and bookpacks, because there is more labor attached to making one. Fortunately for you, travel packs are very affordable when compared to traditional luggage!
Under $100: Jansport's "Weekender," Magellan's "Borneo" and Europe Through the Back Door's in-house travel pack are priced under $80. All three are basic models, but are sturdy and will travel far with you. Of the three, the Weekender has the most amount of extras (pockets, cinch straps, etc.) however, the other two seem to be built much heftier than the Weekender. Between $100 and $200: Most travel packs with any sort of bells and whistles will be priced in this range. This includes models such as the Transport II, Solo Journey and Continental Journey from Eagle Creek, as well as the travelpacks from TravelSmith. Over $200: Travel Packs that cost over $200 are few and far between. The high cost will either be due to an expensive brand (e.g. Patagonia, which has an incredibly well-made travel pack), or highly specialized features, such as concealed rolling wheels (e.g. Eagle Creek's Cargo Switchback Plus)
Compare this to your standard rolling upright, which usually costs at least $100, with many models running well over $250. Some go as high as $500 and more!

My Fantasy Travel Pack

The above implies that I have yet to find a travel pack I truly like. And it's true. I am pretty happy with many of them, but I have not yet seen any on the market that clinches it for me. Features I'd like to see on MY fantasy travel pack:
-High-density Cordura nylon, of course -ONE short leather-covered handle, extra-reinforced stitching onto to the side of the bag, with a "no-sag bar" to keep the bag from sagging when I carry the pack with one hand.
-Detachable shoulder straps, where the covered pad is both adjustable AND removable. Pad should easily move past the adjustment bracket in case I want to wear the strap short (most don't do this).
-Shoulder straps should hook onto the bag on D-rings at each end of the no-sag bar. This provides balanced lift on the pack. Most don't do this.
-The shoulder strap buckles and D-ring sewn into the pack should be of metal and not plastic. Plastic causes funny squeaks on a full pack and annoy the beegees out of me.
-The D-ring that the shoulder straps clip to, should have its own hideaway zippered pocket to prevent snagging. If not, they should be very streamlined. -The front pocket should detach into its own zip-off day pack. Better yet, it itself should look rectangular with a hidden handle so it can be used as a small, soft-sided briefcase, day pack and shoulder bag.
-However, the total size should be no larger than a maxibag, including the zip-off day pack. There are many travel packs with zip-off day packs on the market, but many require you to take off the day pack for the main pack to qualify as a maxibag. [When I pointed this out to a manufacturer, their response was, "Why don't you just pack the daypack in your travelpack?" My gut reaction was, That's Not The Point! The point is to make maximum use out of your travelpack.]

Special Note About Shoulder Straps

I think most manufacturers don't spend much time thinking about their shoulder straps. However, your shoulder strap is one of the most important things about your bag because that is what you carry your bag with! Many manufacturers just toss a cheap strap in with your bag as an add-on. Between the way the bag is designed, the placement of the D-rings, and the heft of the strap itself, it can make for an uncomfortable trip.
When looking at a shoulder strap, consider the following:
-The hooks on the strap should be made out of metal and not plastic.
-The strap length should be adjustable on both ends.
-The pad attached to the strap should be completely movable, and have enough room to pass over the loop locks (the rectangular plastic or metal that adjusts the length of your strap). If this is not possible, then the strap MUST be adjustable on both ends.
-The pad must be rubberized to prevent slippage.
-The pad must be padded to prevent from cutting into the shoulder.
By the way, you can cinch up the shoulder strap on your travelpack and clip each end of the strap to the D-rings where your backpack straps go. It will not provide you the support you'd get from a real back pack waist belt, but it will provide you with some stability.

Minor complaints about current travelpacks on the market

By now you're thinking that I must get money under the table from these manufacturers, because I have such wonderful things to say about so many of them. Well, not quite so fast. I have a couple of things I'm not happy with, and they have to do with size.
These travelpacks and traveling uprights (and it's major enough that it would cause me not to buy them) are too big for women!! A six-foot (two-meter) tall man can still have some dignity carrying one of these, but the large travelpacks are simply too huge for women.
My other complaint is that manufacturers seem to think that they should all strive towards maximum limits. "How big can we make it and still fit as a carry-on?" Well, maxibags are great for novice traveliters, but experienced packers like Doug Dyment and I can travel with bags that pack less than 2,000 cu. inches in volume. Currently, the only "mini-bags" on the market are the Magellan's Mini-Borneo, Eagle Creek Convertabrief, and the Tough Traveller Mini-Van. These packs however, are the size of day packs. Why is there no travelpack sized between these, and the huge maxibags?
My final complaint is that manufacturers don't make maxibags that include zip-off daypacks as part of the carry-on dimensions. As far as I know, every single travel pack on the market today that has a zip-off day pack, is a maxibag only when the day pack is zipped off. Why for example, does Eagle Creek not have a zip-off daypack for their Solo Journey bag, but do for its larger sibling, the Continental Journey?Travel Pack