Pro Nice looking pack
It's not always easy to find a travel backpack that also looks nice. The Router has a nice style and comes in 5 different colors.
Pro Fits larger laptops
The laptop compartment fits up to a 17" laptop.
Con Laptop compartment isn't protective
The padding in the separate laptop compartment is fairly light, providing limited protection to your laptop.
Con Lack of support due to minimal hipbelt
The hip belt is just a nylon strap, it doesn't provide any padding.
Pro Extremely durable
Osprey is known for creating long-lasting, strong and well designed packs.
Pro Available in two torso lengths
The pack is available in two torso lengths. Small/Medium, which is more suitable for shorter women, and Medium/Large.
Pro Fits up to a 17" laptop
The separate laptop compartment fits up to a 17" laptop.
Con Laptop compartment located at the front
Because the laptop compartment is located at the front of the pack rather than against your back, it can make the bag feel heavier. The laptop compartment can also curve if you pack is full, which can cause the laptop screen to crack.
Con Limited number of pockets
There isn't much in the way of pockets for organization. There are small mesh pockets inside the main compartment, and one external pocket for papers and such.
Pro Padded carry handles
There are two padded grab handles, one at the top and the other at the side.
Pro Attachments for a daypack
Reinforced loops allow you to attach a daypack to the front of the Porter (designed specifically for the Daylite Pack).
Pro Stowaway harness
They quickly hide away in a zippered pouch to protect that harness when stowed, or to keep them out of the way when navigating tight places.
Con Only one external pocket
The only external pocket is the front panel organizational compartment for papers, tablets and a laptop. There are no pockets for food or anything else you may want quick access to.
Con Minimal support makes it uncomfortable to wear for long periods
The padding on both the shoulder straps and hip belt is quite light. Especially when heavy, the straps can dig into your shoulders and become uncomfortable.
Con No internal compression straps
There are no straps in the main compartment to help secure your belongings, so they may shift while traveling.
Pro Lockable zippers for security
The zippers on the main compartment are lockable to help keep your belongings safe.
Pro Front pockets for quick access
There are two zippered pockets on the hip belt for easy access to money, tickets, etc..
Pro Extremely durable
This pack can be taken on year-long trips around the world. It can face an unimaginable number of different environments and take a huge amount of abuse. After all that, it can still be used actively and works just as well as a new bag.
Con Unattractive design
The Tortuga is only available in one color and has a boxy shape that some people find unattractive.
Con Not great for shorter people
The torso fit for the Tortuga is 18"+, there is currently no version available for those with a shorter torso.
Pro Beautiful design
Travel backpacks aren't exactly known for their beauty. However, appearance was a consideration when the Redwing was designed, and it shows.
Pro Lots of external storage
The Redwing 40 has loops at the front for hanging things off of, and mesh pockets for holding anything that may need to dry out. It has large pockets on both sides for water bottles, and a compartment at the front with lots of internal pockets for organizing.
Pro Front or top loading
You can either use this pack as a top-load, or a front load.
Con No laptop compartment
There is no compartment specifically designed for a laptop, so the only option is putting it in the main compartment.
Con Carry strap isn't padded
There is only one carry strap, located at the top of the pack. It's a fairly thin strip of material and quickly becomes uncomfortable to hold, especially when the pack is heavy.
Con Better suited for use with packing cubes/bags
There are no internal straps in the main apartment to keep clothes from moving around. And due to the fact the top of the pack zips away, you are left with the main compartment having 3 walls instead of 4 when unzipped. Combined, it's hard to keep your clothes and other belongings where you wa...
Pro Includes raincover
A raincover comes with the pack.
Pro Lockable zippers for security
There are locking zippers on both the main compartment and laptop compartment. The zippers are close enough together that you can use the same lock for both.
Pro Straps can be stowed away
The straps can be zipped away, giving the bag a slimmer profile (more suitcase-like), and protects the straps from damage.
Con Hip belt sold separately
There is a hipbelt available for the Minaal, but it will be sold separately.
Pro Women-specific version available
There is a women-specific version of the REI Trail 40 available, which has a slightly smaller torso fit range.
Pro Pockets on the hip belt for easy access
The hip belt has two zippered pockets which lets you store things for easy access (such as papers, money or snacks).
Pro Four zipper access to easily get to your belongings
The pack is front load with four zipper access, allowing you to unzip from either the top or bottom. This is great if you want to grab something from the bottom of your pack without opening it completely.
Con Pocket for hydration reservoir is difficult to access
The pocket for the hydration reservoir is external, located right behind the back panel. There is very little room, making it hard to access and can only fit a small amount of water (around 1.5L).
Con Internal bungee compression system can get in the way
The internal compression straps are a bungee system, which does not unclip the way most do. When your pack is full, this can make it a very tight squeeze if you want to access something in the back.
Pro Women-specific fit
The suspension system and harness is designed specifically for women. The torso fit has a range suitable for shorter backpackers as well.
Pro Integrated rain cover
The pack includes a color-matched, quick-attach rain cover.
Pro Very well built
Gregory is known for their very durable and well designed bags.
Con Not specifically designed for travel
The J38 is a versatile pack, but not specifically designed for travel. It has some features you may not have a use for (such a pole loops) and is lacking in features you may find helpful (like a laptop sleeve). The shape is not ideal for storage (under seats, or in the overhead).
Con Expensive
Compared to other packs around this size, the price tag on the Gregory is a bit higher.
Pro Suitable as a carry on
The pack is carry on sized for most airlines.
Pro Stowaway pack straps
The backpack shoulder straps tuck into their own pockets to keep them out of the way when not in use.
Con Shoulder straps can slip
When worn as a backpack, the shoulder straps can slip off your shoulders because there is no sternum strap.
Con Can be uncomfortable as a backpack when heavy
There is no sternum strap or hip belt to help you carry the weight. It can get uncomfortable when worn as a backpack for long periods, especially when heavy.
Pro Includes raincover
The pack comes with a rain cover that stows away in it's own zip pocket.
Pro Four zipper access to easily get to your belongings
The pack is front load with four zipper access, allowing you to unzip from either the top or bottom. This is great if you want to grab something from the bottom of your pack without opening it completely.
Pro Pockets on the hip belt for easy access
The hip belt has two zippered pockets which lets you store things for easy access (such as papers, money or snacks).
Con Pocket for hydration reservoir is difficult to access
The pocket for the hydration reservoir is external, located right behind the back panel. There is very little room, making it hard to access and can only fit a small amount of water (around 1.5L).
Con Internal bungee compression system can get in the way
The internal compression straps are a bungee system, which does not unclip the way most do. When your pack is full, this can make it a very tight squeeze if you want to access something in the back.
Pro Both compartments can be locked with the same lock
The Roobar design allows the zippers of both compartments to be locked with a single cable lock.
Pro Anti-theft fabric
A stainless steel wire mesh is embedded in the fabric, making the pack much more difficult to cut open.
Pro Stowaway straps
The shoulder straps and hip belt can be tucked behind the back panel.
Con Laptop compartment is at the front of the pack
Heavy items should be closest to your back. However with the laptop compartment located at the front of the pack, the weight can throw off your balance and make the bag feel heavier.
Con Laptop compartment only unzips on one side
The laptop compartment only unzips on a single side, making it hard to access.
Pro Very lightweight
With a high capacity of 48L, it is still very lightweight at 2lbs 10 ounces.
Pro High capacity for a carry on
Capacity of 48L, a fair bit higher than the capacity of most carry on packs.
Con Uncomfortable to carry for long periods
Not a great option if you're looking for a pack you can wear while exploring the city. There is no hip belt or hip strap, so all the weight of the pack will be on your shoulders. The shoulder strap padding is fairly minimal, causing them to dig in.
Pro Lots of pockets
It's very easy to keep the pack organized thanks to all the pockets on both the inside and outside.
Pro Stowaway shoulder straps
The shoulder straps quickly zip into their own compartment, keeping them out of the way when storing or using as a duffle bag.
Pro Variety of colors available
There is more choice than is usually available with travel packs. The TLS Mother Lode Weekender is available in 6 colors currently.
Con Not water resistant
The material is not water resistant, so even a small amount of rain can get to your belongings.
Con Minimal waist strap
The waist strap is only a single strap with no padding, so it doesn't offer much support.
Pro Just the right size
Big enough to hold your computers, a couple books, and your lunch, but still light enough to not wear out your shoulders during your commute.
Pro Made of 1050 Denier Nylon
A super-tough nylon made to resist abrasion and wear and tear, that's also been coated for water resistance.
Pro Padded laptop compartment up to 15"
The Chrome Hondo also has a thoughtfully padding bottom panel built to protect your electronics when you set it down.
Con Not waterproof
The bag will get you through a light rain, but wont provide protection if you're caught in a storm.
Pro Clamshell laptop compartment
The laptop compartment opens completely flat and is TSA compatible.
Pro Sits flat
The back has a wide flat bottom so that it sits up without falling over.
Con Minimal hipbelt
The hip belt is a single strap with no padding. It doesn't help support the weight of the backpack.
Pro Large
Up to 40L capacity.
Pro Checkpoint friendly
Folds all the way open to quickly allow visual inspection.
Con Large
This bag is large, it might be too big for some smaller people.
Pro Plenty of pockets for organization
There are many pockets on both the inside and out to help you stay organized.
Pro Can be used as a duffel
This is a convertible pack that can also be worn/used as a duffel bag.
Con Straps have very little padding
The shoulder straps are only lightly padded, which can be uncomfortable if the bag is worn for long periods.
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