Lydia Mansel is a writer with more than eight years of experience editing and writing for both brands and online publications -- with a particular focus on travel, fashion, and lifestyle. She's also the founder of the travel site justpacked.com.
I haven't always been someone who travels with a backpack. For years, I opted to bring a tote bag as my personal item; besides the obvious hands-free capabilities of a backpack, I didn't see much of a difference between the two. I could always fit a decent amount in my leather Cuyana bag or MZ Wallace Metro Tote, and there was no real reason to change this part of my travel routine. But, as a travel writer and founder of the packing site, Just Packed, it's important to me that I'm always testing out new ways to travel -- and my allegiance to travel tote bags changed after discovering the Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack, currently on rare sale for Black Friday.
When I first inspected the bag, I was, admittedly, overwhelmed by the number of features. It's adorned with buckles, straps, and zippers, and I wasn't quite sure how (or if) I'd end up using them all. I also assumed all of these design elements would result in a relatively bulky bag. But I tried to reserve my final judgment until after I tested the backpack out myself.
The first time I put the backpack -- which, it is worth noting, is from the Oprah-loved brand Calpak -- to use was during a weekend ski trip to Utah. Given the short timeline of the trip, I knew I wanted to pack light. With my Away Bigger Carry-on holding all of my ski clothes, I used the backpack for my toiletries, laptop (there's a padded laptop sleeve), an extra pair of sneakers, and a book. I immediately noticed there was still plenty of room to spare -- so I was eager to push the backpack's limits even further.
Over the last few months of regular use, I've done a deeper dive into the backpack's capabilities and overall performance, testing it everywhere from a road trip through the Scottish Highlands to Miami Beach. I've discovered four main areas that set it apart from other travel backpacks I've used: organization, capacity, functionality, and durability.
On the organization front, there are multiple zipper pockets, including four on the front of the backpack. I use these pockets to store extra power banks, sunglasses, and anything else I want within easy reach. The main compartment is also cavernous. If I roll and fold properly, I can fit just as many clothes as I do in my carry-on suitcase.
I'm not the only one who's experienced this phenomenon. "I travel for months at a time, so I use this bag as my everyday bag I bring with me. It can fit my next two to three days of outfits, my electronics, and my everyday toiletries," says one reviewer. Another reiterated it's "like bringing an extra suitcase."
The backpack also pulls double-duty as a duffel, thanks to sturdy grab handles and a detachable, adjustable shoulder strap; you can also open it flat like a clamshell (like you would a regular suitcase) and secure the contents with an interior compression strap. I prefer using it as a backpack -- I'm a fan of the comfortable padded shoulder straps -- but the versatility is appreciated.
The final thing that completely won me over was the surprising lack of bulkiness. No matter how much I pack inside (a laptop in the sleeve, clothes and toiletries in the main compartment, a water bottle in the side pocket), I never have any problem fitting it under the airplane seat. Sure, it's a bit easier if I'm flying in an upgraded class, but I've also never faced any issues when I'm in a middle seat in economy.
If you aren't quite ready to spend $159 but still want something similar to the Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack, keep scrolling. Below, I rounded up several top-rated styles that have similar organizational features and capabilities.