Vent: That $250 'travel backpack' I bought was just a regular backpack with a laptop sleeve

I spent 6 months researching the perfect carry-on bag and ended up with a flimsy hip strap that snapped on day two of a trip to Portland, has anyone else fallen for the hype on those overpriced travel-specific packs?

2 comments

2 Comments

riverm481mo ago

Man, I feel your pain on this one... I bought one of those trendy 'travel backpacks' that was supposed to be the holy grail of carry-on gear. By the end of my first trip, the zipper catch was already bent and the water bottle pocket was sagging like an old sock. I guess my idea of 'travel' is just stuffing stuff in a bag and hoping it doesn't explode, not some fancy minimalist fantasy.

matthewgonzalez1mo ago

Hate to break it to you, but that's pretty much the norm with those so-called premium bags these days. I've had two of them fall apart on me, and both had the same issues you're describing. Zipper quality is usually the first thing to go, and the fabric starts fraying at the seams faster than you'd expect. Honestly, I've gone back to using a thrifted Jansport from the 90s and it's outlasted everything else I've owned. Your mileage may vary on that one, but don't let the glossy ads fool you into thinking expensive means durable.