Amazon BasicsTravel Backpack Carry On Flight Approved, Lightweight, Expandable, Dual Use as Backpack or Shoulder Bag, Black

I purchased the Amazon Basics Travel Backpack for my trips, and as a first-time travel backpack user, I’m really pleased with it. This backpack is surprisingly spacious, easily fitting clothes, essentials, and even a dedicated padded compartment for my laptop, which keeps it secure. The quality feels solid—no rips, loose threads, or zipper issues after multiple trips, which is reassuring for the price.The padded straps are a standout feature; they’re comfortable even when the bag is fully loaded, making long walks through airports or cities much easier. I don’t have other travel backpacks to compare it to, but this one checks all the boxes for functionality and durability so far. My only minor gripe is that I wish it had a few more organizational pockets for smaller items, but it’s not a dealbreaker.Overall, for the price and performance, I’d highly recommend the Amazon Basics Travel Backpack to anyone looking for a reliable, no-frills option for travel. It’s been a great companion on my journeys!

Great looking in black. The smooth-finish, semi-ballistic weave exterior isn't too shiny, it just has a nice low-gloss sheen, but it sheds pet fur unlike "canvas" style fabrics.The laptop slot is ingenious - the side towards my back is well-padded, as expected, but the side on the interior is unpadded, allowing the fabric to drape around the laptop edges, and thereby "reclaim" otherwise lost laptop compartment space.This is a classic, albeit well-designed and beautifully made, "onebag" - a term coined by blogger Doug Dyment to describe convertible suitcase/backpack carry-ons that are efficient enough to replace checked luggage. Rick Steves has also been a big advocate of the "carryon only" philosophy and rectangular (for maximum interior volume) convertible backpacks.This AmazonBasics is virtually a clone of the eBags TLC Mother Lode Weekender Convertible, which is a good thing - I've had both years-ago and recent Motherlode editions, and they are cleverly designed. My one gripe about the Motherlode line is "feature creep" - too many compartments, clever but hard to use snap-out water bottle slots, etc.SO the AmazonBasics is a slightly simpler version of the Motherlode - for about half the price.Size is maximum carryon size based on United Airlines' spec - 9x14x22. Unlike a lying wheelie, however the AmazonBasics is really 9x14x22 - wheelie makers usually don't count their wheels or protruding top and side handles (the handles on this AmazonBasics lie pretty flat).Main compartment has tie-down straps that come straight off the bottom edge, compared to eBags which are routed through clips up the sidewalls first. Tie down straps off the bottom edge tend to compress packing cube edges more than their flat tops, pulling the packing cube edges away from the sidewalls.The only interior organizing slot/pouch is a flat 2/3 width, flat mesh zipper pouch. I think this should have been full width.Outside, there are two slots. The outermost slot is "flat" with zipper slight below the actual slot top. This is mostly good for - LOL - magazines (actually printed magazines? yeah, right) or a newspaper, stuff that isn't too thick. I'd be reluctant to even shove a scarf in hereBehind the flat zipper slot is a real "compartment", basically an add-on to the lid but accessible from the outside. It opens with a u-zipper, pulling down from the top (no opening side-to-side book style). You can fit a light wind or rain jacket in here, but fleece or a hooded rain parka will create a bulge. There are two pen slots on the body-side panel, with drop in solid slots at top and drop in mesh slots at bottom. These are designed for flat items; an Amazon Fire HD 8 without a case fits easily. I don't think any of the slots here are suitable for phone or passport, you should have a waistpack, neck pouch, or "personal item" sized handbag or small daypack for stuff that needs organizing.Me, I only care about room for the following:1. Packing cube for a couple travel pants and couple polos or short sleeve sport shirts;2. Combination packing cube for underwear and socks.3. Room for light sweat pants or longjohns, and light fleece, for pajamas.4. Bathroom kit, in a dopp kit-style sil nylon zip pouch.5. Chargers and cables kit.6. Laptop and tablet (ok, in this case the front panel drop-in table slot is handy).7. Left over room for a fleece and rain shell spread top to bottom in the interior main compartment.andThin fabric shelled, t shirt weight lined, casual runners or hikers jacket in the external zipper compartment, to keep me warm on the flight.So, basically, I can underpack this thing outbound, using the handy exterior compression straps to keep stuff from shifting and also to slim down the profile (which makes gate check agent happy).Inbound, I loosen the compression straps, unzip the expansion panel, and stuff the bag with souvenirs - and treat it as checked luggage when I leave, knowing that if it is temporarily lost I'll already be home and can live without it for a while.$49.95 is a crazy price. This is worth $99 and would still be a bargain compared to name brands.

This is a phenomenal backpack for the super reasonable price that amazon demands for it. It has a lot of space within it, with every pocket being very useful to hold multiple different things. I love the amount of compartments it comes with, and the quality of the exterior and the feel of the stitching is great. The color has stayed vibrant, despite the constant exposure to sunlight, and it has withstood multiple drops, scrapes, and general vigorous wear and tear with little permanent damage marking it. The padding on both the inside and the shoulder straps is top tier, comfortably protecting and cushioning the valuables I keep inside, as well as making it a light sweat to carry, even with the usual 40~ lbs. of things i keep in it. Overall, a great backpack for both outdoors and campus life!