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Need recommendations for a good sized, air travel friendly backpack Login/Join 
Wait, what?
Picture of gearhounds
posted
I'm looking to get suggestions from the SF collective for a new laptop backpack for under $100. This will be a carry on for air travel. Extra pockets are especially desired for extra items used on the plane.

The laptop is an older Dell XFR; it is a beefy monster of a military grade machine- dimensions are roughly 15"X12"X2.5" with rubber armored corners. Currently, I'm using a well worn Targus CVR-600 which barely allows me to close the computer compartment zipper.

I would prefer a tactical-ish pack (molle not prerequisite, but not a deal killer) that is sturdy, comfortable, and functional. Compression straps would be an added bonus. I'm not concerned with meeting the airline standard of a "personal item", as long as it will fit under the seat ahead. Thanks in advance.




“Remember to get vaccinated or a vaccinated person might get sick from a virus they got vaccinated against because you’re not vaccinated.” - author unknown
 
Posts: 15565 | Location: Martinsburg WV | Registered: April 02, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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After much trial and error I discovered the North Face Surge about 5 years ago and it has been, by far, my go to bag every since.

It is airline friendly, has a ton of room, lots of pockets and compression straps
 
Posts: 3987 | Location: Peoria, AZ | Registered: November 07, 2002Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Wait, what?
Picture of gearhounds
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quote:
Originally posted by Kevmo:
After much trial and error I discovered the North Face Surge about 5 years ago and it has been, by far, my go to bag every since.

It is airline friendly, has a ton of room, lots of pockets and compression straps


I need something with a good bit more laptop space- this Dell is gigantic compared to slim machines.




“Remember to get vaccinated or a vaccinated person might get sick from a virus they got vaccinated against because you’re not vaccinated.” - author unknown
 
Posts: 15565 | Location: Martinsburg WV | Registered: April 02, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Lighten up and laugh
Picture of Ackks
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It's not a tactical bag, but check out the SwissGear Scansmart at your local Sam's Club.

https://www.samsclub.com/sams/...mart/prod21441589.ip

It can take a 17" laptop, additional pocket for a tablet, pocket for sunglasses, and can hold drinks on both sides. It is a pretty large bag and even has a strap in the middle to slide it over the handle of a rolling carry on. It is hard to beat for $40.
 
Posts: 7934 | Registered: September 29, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Fighting the good fight
Picture of RogueJSK
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I use a Maxpedition Fliegerduffel as my carry-on. It's designed specifically to meet carry-on size requirements, and is very well laid out, maximizing the available space. And like all Maxpedition stuff, it's excellent quality.

MSRP is steep, but you can find them online for under $150.

https://www.maxpedition.com/pr...?variant=36683506513
 
Posts: 32503 | Location: Northwest Arkansas | Registered: January 06, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of Jimbo Jones
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I own both of these.

Functional but obviously a computer backpack. Replaced a similar bag that I owned for 12 yrs and used a lot.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NOR7PY/


More Tactical

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005KDBHWM


---------------------------------------
It's like my brain's a tree and you're those little cookie elves.
 
Posts: 3625 | Location: Cary, NC | Registered: February 26, 2013Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of aileron
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I have his after many others, the Verb is far a and away the best as it holds a lot of stuff and is built hell for stout with a lifetime warranty. Easy on the eyes too

https://www.briggs-riley.com/s...ate-backpack-vp375-4
 
Posts: 1480 | Location: Montana - bear country | Registered: March 20, 2013Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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The most common backpack I've seen among frequent international travelers is the Wenger Swiss Gear Synergy:

https://www.wenger.ch/us/en/Pr...s/Synergy/p/27305140

Tons of pockets that are somewhat specialized and easily accessible. I can take everything I need to do my job anywhere with this thing. However, it can get bulky and "big" depending on how much to stuff into it.
 
Posts: 4713 | Location: Indiana | Registered: December 28, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Drill Here, Drill Now
Picture of tatortodd
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This is the modern version of the Outdoor Procucts backpack that I've been using as a briefcase for 5ish years. It's been on business trips all over North America as well as international trips to UK, Germany, Belgium, and Japan.

For personal travel, I use PacSafe backpacks as they contain slashguards (common theft tactic is slice open backpack and steal contents falling out) and contains a cable lock for attaching to chair/post while dining.



Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity

DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.
 
Posts: 23242 | Location: Northern Suburbs of Houston | Registered: November 14, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Was that you
or the dog?
Picture of SHOOTIN BLANKS
posted Hide Post
That $216.00 Maxpedition bag is only $146.00 on Amazon...


___________________________
"Opinions vary" -Dalton
 
Posts: 1633 | Location: PA | Registered: February 11, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Saluki
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My daughter is very happy with the Osprey gear she uses for both carry on and stowed luggage. They will attach to one another if need be. Straps all stow and carry handle can be used. Very nicely done.

Her husband ended up getting one for himself as well.


----------The weather is here I wish you were beautiful----------
 
Posts: 5150 | Location: southern Mn | Registered: February 26, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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It's not tactical but works for me. You might want to test your Dell before you buy it.

https://www.staples.com/SwissG...ue/product_IM1Y94896

I retired 1.5 years ago and no longer carry a laptop, but it still works fine for travel. It fits under the seat in RJs.
 
Posts: 15907 | Location: Eastern Iowa | Registered: May 21, 2000Reply With QuoteReport This Post
You're going to feel
a little pressure...
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Not tactical (but built by military parachute riggers) or $100 but I would look at Redoxx.

You won't buy anything else, after you try one.

Bruce






"The designer of the gun had clearly not been instructed to beat about the bush. 'Make it evil,' he'd been told. 'Make it totally clear that this gun has a right end and a wrong end. Make it totally clear to anyone standing at the wrong end that things are going badly for them. If that means sticking all sort of spikes and prongs and blackened bits all over it then so be it. This is not a gun for hanging over the fireplace or sticking in the umbrella stand, it is a gun for going out and making people miserable with." -Douglas Adams

“It is just as difficult and dangerous to try to free a people that wants to remain servile as it is to try to enslave a people that wants to remain free."
-Niccolo Machiavelli

The trouble with fighting for human freedom is that one spends most of one's time defending scoundrels. For it is against scoundrels that oppressive laws are first aimed, and oppression must be stopped at the beginning if it is to be stopped at all. -Mencken
 
Posts: 4245 | Location: AK-49 | Registered: October 06, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
The Ice Cream Man
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+1 for PacSafe
 
Posts: 5731 | Location: Republic of Ice Cream, Miami Beach, FL | Registered: May 24, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
The Unmanned Writer
Picture of LS1 GTO
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I use a Northface Surge backpack for a computer carry with additional pockets for an mp3, notebooks, writing instruments, etc.

An LL Bean is my non-business carry.






Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.



"If dogs don't go to Heaven, I want to go where they go" Will Rogers



 
Posts: 14036 | Location: It was Lat: 33.xxxx Lon: 44.xxxx now it's CA :( | Registered: March 22, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I have the Wenger Swiss Gear Synergy I take to work every day.

I found I take too much stuff to carry in a backpack for most travel.

I switch to a spinner rolling case for travel,

https://www.amazon.com/Samsoni...ativeASIN=B007B5PPJS

or

https://www.staples.com/Perry-...Case/product_2608031

Saves my back on long trips with layovers.
 
Posts: 4743 | Registered: February 15, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Ermagherd,
10 Mirrimerter!
Picture of ElKabong
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http://lbtinc.com/1476ac

They run sales often, or can be had lightly used on eBay for around $100

Best pack I've ever had, nearly indestructible
I have 2, and their wheeled load out


I quit school in elementary because of recess.......too many games
--Riff Raff--
 
Posts: 2914 | Location: WV | Registered: September 02, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Wait, what?
Picture of gearhounds
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Thanks for all the replies gents. I suppose my first step will be dragging my laptop around and seeing what it will fit where I can and go from there.




“Remember to get vaccinated or a vaccinated person might get sick from a virus they got vaccinated against because you’re not vaccinated.” - author unknown
 
Posts: 15565 | Location: Martinsburg WV | Registered: April 02, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of Blume9mm
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The bag I got as a gift from the NRA for becoming a life member works for me with this... and has too many pockets.... lost a Gerber Multi tool because of this.... seems somehow I got two... I think when I upgraded to an endowment.... it may have a tag on it....


My Native American Name:
"Runs with Scissors"
 
Posts: 4441 | Location: Greenville, SC | Registered: January 30, 2017Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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airline travel restrictions are nuts. Spirit just charged my brother 55 bucks for "oversize" carry on for a Tac 5.11 12 hour bag. Pretty much now when I fly I carry a toothbrush and change of underwear, and overnight my stuff ahead.
 
Posts: 17141 | Location: Lexington, KY | Registered: October 15, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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