In an ideal world, I would only ever travel with carry-on luggage but unfortunately most bags aren’t up to the task, and this isn’t only because of the inconvenience of having to check in and reclaim luggage. We often fly with budget airlines and luggage is just additional cost.
We travel light and like to stay organized. Travel backpacks are adapting and allowing us to maximize space as much as possible, and this is exactly what Standard Luggage’s backpack does best.
I first heard about the Standard Luggage carry-on backpack when it was a Kickstarter campaign, so I was super excited to see it come to life.
You can read my review on the backpack below.
Contents
Standard Luggage Carry On Backpack Review
As far as travel backpacks are concerned this bag is in a league of it’s own. Essentially the bag is a 3 in 1 as it can be used as a backpack, suitcase and shoulder bag.
I was a little overwhelmed by all the compartments that I had to do some investigating to locate them all. When I did work it out I was very impressed.
There’s so many compartments and pockets that I can forgo my handbag while traveling and still have a place to store the things I need, which is a definite bonus. Plus, it looks great and is super comfortable.
I’ll discuss the the different aspects of the bag in more detail below.
Design
The first thing you’ll notice is that the bag looks more like a suitcase than a traditional backpack. This is quite different from other travel backpacks I’ve seen and I like it.
The bag is made of a soft water resistant material which feels strong and wipes clean easily. Handles are positioned on both the side and top so that you can carry the bag and easily access it in an overhead bin.
The handles and zips came with orange leather attachments which could be removed and replaced with blue ones (which are also included). I quite liked both colors and found neither of them too feminine or masculine. I did notice that they appeared much brighter in person than on their website however.
The bag features clam-shell opening which I love. It makes packing the bag super simple and I can stuff it as full as possible and still find what I’m looking for.
Pockets and compartments
One of the other great things about this bag is the pockets. There’s a lot.
The front of the bag has 2 pockets – one document sized pocket and a smaller one up top for loose items.
When you open the main compartment there are 2 sides.
On one side you’ll find a zippered area which looks to be waterproof. The front of this area has two pockets with one of them having a mesh screen.
The other side is the main compartment which is fabulous. I was able to store quite a bit as it is quite deep. It also has compression straps which work great to minimize the amount of space taken up. There’s also a private zippered pocket at the base.
The back of the bag partially opens and it is here where you can organize yourself even more. You’ll find 2 zippered mesh screen pockets and some pen/card slots, and a slot to slide your earphones or a cable through.
The back is also where you’ll find the laptop sleeve. The sleeve can fit a 15-inch laptop comfortably and is tethered to the bag by 2 straps. You can remove the sleeve from the bag by unclipping the straps which makes passing through security at an airport super easy.
I wouldn’t place anything else in the back as there’s just not enough room.
Back and shoulder straps
At first I wasn’t sure this was a backpack until I located the straps. They’re zippered away in the back of the bag but are easily taken out and inserted into the clips which are tuckered away on the side of the bag.
The straps are thick and super comfortable, and made of a breathable mesh fabric. They can be adjusted to your liking and there is also a waist band strap located between them to provide even more support.
The position of the straps work well for me. They’re located almost right at the top of the bag which means the bag can sit comfortably underneath my head. I can imagine it would be a good fit for most heights.
The shoulder strap can be clipped to the top and base of the bag. It can be adjusted quite long and is comfortable enough. Personally I’m not a fan of carrying my bag this way, but it’s nice to have the option.
Expandability
I love expandable bags. Even at the end of a trip where I bought nothing I always find myself having to expand the bag, and this bag does a great job.
Unlike some bags, the expandable zip goes all the way around the bag (and then some) which gives you a lot more space. Officially this adds 10 litres to the bags capacity which is pretty significant.
Cons
There’s not a lot that I don’t like about this bag, however when I think of a suitcase (these days anyway), I think of something with wheels.
The bag does lack this. From experience bags with wheels do increase the weight quite a bit so they’re not always ideal for carry on luggage anyway. However, there is a back pocket which makes it possible to slide the bag on top of another bags handle.
You can read more about the backpack here.
Extras
- Includes a rain cover
- Includes leather luggage tags
- Built-in safety whistle
Specifications
- Dimensions (in inches): 21.5 H x 13.5 L x 7.5 W / 9.5 W when expanded
- Volume: 35L – 45L
- Weight: 3.7 pounds
Verdict
I absolutely love this bag. It’s a great alternative to a traditional travel backpack and it does feel a bit more like a suitcase with added convenience.
Not only is the bag great, but there is also a lifetime warranty which is great as you can never predict just how well a travel backpack will hold up.
There’s also loads of accessories on their website that all work with the bag. This is by far the best carry-on bag for keeping organized that I’ve used.
Click here to see the latest price of Standard Luggage Co. backpack.
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