Hi! I just need to say that this review convinced me to purchase this bag and use it on my trip to Europe for about two weeks. It worked amazingly well! Thank you so much for your review!
I just took this on a seven-month trip around Southeast Asia, and sadly returned it when I came back. I give it an A for back support and the straps were really nice, but I needed more of a travel pack; packing was an issue! I always had to lean this on something and keep it upright, otherwise everything would fall out. This pack is great for a week long trip or a trip where you'll have to do a lot of running around with the pack on. However, I had to repack every single time I hit the road because as soon as I pulled out one packing cube, the inside became a mess! I just traded in for a Cotopaxi Allpa 35 because the suitcase style pack appeals more to me for long term travel.
I just happened to stumble across this video and about fell off my chair. Everything you guys said about the backpack is exactly what i was looking for. I'm going to order it today! Thank you!!
Girl, TY TY TY for this review. I've been looking for 1. a review of a backpack from a woman, and 2. a backpack designed for a woman. You just saved me (literally) hours of time. My REI is 20 minutes away from my house. Off I go.
I plan to check this out at REI! I have had similar problems as you with other bags. I going to view your follow up video immediately. Thanks so much for the effort in doing this video! I have a new pack sitting here that I bought and even before viewing your video, knew it just wasn't going to make it.
Great interaction, believable dialogue(not deathly serious like so many video reviews) and a wonderful balance of images; not too much narcisism like so many videos that hardly show you the equipment , and not just the equipment. keep it up. your personalities play off each other very well, and that means that playful honestly is conveyed to your audience . (A post script; enough time has gone by that Gregory has come out with a travel pack that may interest you. The Praxus is the men's version; my memory fails me on the name of the women's; Proxy? Just an FYI) Thanks for the great, well informed review!
thanks for the effort and the sharing. we just went through the same search on a recent trip to tanzania and zanzibar. but we wanted to make sure our one-bag travel was carry-on. we ended up with the osprey transporter 40. large enough to hold plenty. small enough to have no trouble carry-on even with the more restrictive international size regulations. clam shell design. internal cinch straps. it has grab handles on four sides and a hideaway set of decent backpacking straps. tough material. looks good. we were thrilled. thumbs up.
Thanks! We like the transporter and is definitely looks like an excellent bag. For us though we put an emphasis on the backpack comfort since we knew we wouldn't always have somewhere to drop our bags immediately when we get to a destination, and crucial to that is a hip belt. We can see how the transporter would be perfect for other trips, though. Anyway, thanks for sharing and safe travels!
The transporter 40 and similar style packs aren't as comfortable as the osprey farpoint 40 and this ruckpack 40. For backpackers, the transporter 40 just doesn't cut it for comfort. The transporter 40 is meant for just that, transporting. Ie. if I was going to the cabin for the weekend or if I was going camping. For airplane travel or backpacking, the transporter 40 is not good enough.
Thank you so much for this review! I have been googling and researching backpacks for weeks trying to find the perfect one for my year long trip to New Zealand and I haven’t found anything that quite worked for me. I love everything about this bag and will definitely order one!
I did a 3 month backpacking in Europe with the Manta AG 36 and I often had to carry some kind of extra bag. Loved the AG suspension. Gonna try the Atmos AG 50. If you can fit in the small and remove the brain, it'll pass on a plane
THANK YOU so much!! I ve been watching videos on the best backpack this week and really, I am buying!! It has all the qualities I was looking for! Thanks!!! And have a nice trip!
I am going to india, Rajastan for January. I love the No strap on the outside, and the color! Wow seaweed, beautiful, it superficiel but it like the cherry on top!
I have been looking for a backpack that can serve as a hiking pack and a travel pack all in one. But I struggled to find something that fits both roles and is affordable. I love this video because it really put me on to the REI Ruckpack. Thank you!
Thank you for your review. It helped out A LOT between the 2 packs I wanted to get (Osprey Porter 30 or REI Ruckpack 40) for my 2 week japan trip in May. Same day I saw your video I went to REI in Emeryville and bought my pack! Again thanks guys from your local East Bay traveler.
You guys should try out Patagonia’s Cragsmith pack 45l. It has a lot of volume, easily accessible because it opens up like a duffel and has quite a few compartments.
Have been looking at this bag and the Osprey Fairview 40. Will you be doing a video on how you packed your cubes inside? The REI in Fresno is limited on bag selection, going to head to the Bay to look there. You guys are great!
Those metal zipper tabs would drive me nuts. Looks like you could cut them off with plier cutters and put the zipper pulls back into the zipper body that has the locking rings on it. I've done that with myTom Bihn bags. Looks like REI is stepping up their travel bag game. Having spent the last 2 weeks traveling all over Spain by train, bus, foot and budget planes, I'm extremely happy with my Osprey Farpoint 40 choice, but someone looking for a more backpack oriented bag that's low profile this looks like a great choice.
We don't mind the zipper tabs. They're plastic so it hasn't been an issue. Before we found the ruckpack we were pretty sure the farpoint was the best option. Glad to hear it worked well for you. Where did you go in Spain? We're looking to plan a trip there soon and would love some recommendations.
Thanks! No one is more surprised than us! At the time no one had posted a review of the Ruckpack since it was so new and we felt it was necessary to introduce it to the world! We think it's weird that there's still very few videos about it since it's such a great bag! Safe Travels!
Sending love from the Philippines. Really informative video. What makes this video better than other comparison videos is that each bag was actually used for travelling, not just one day. Nice job!
Thanks, yeah we really wanted to put them through the paces before giving our full impressions. Speaking of which here's our follow up video after a few trips with the Ruckpacks: ua-cam.com/video/VJcdzwpusyY/v-deo.html Safe travels!
Great review. I appreciated the visual breakdown of the features (although I miss the rain cover :() and your videography was excellent. Please do follow up the review; I'm really interested in getting one of these for an upcoming trip I have.
Thanks for the kind words! Yeah we've been really busy lately and haven't had a chance to catch up on editing. We have one video in the works then we'll do the retrospective of the bag during our trip to Europe.
Looks like a good bag. I have the Arcido Akra which is a perfect minimalist one bag travel pack. You can carry it on the plane and you can fit a lot of stuff into it. Plus it has a sleek look to it as well. It's a perfect combination of tech and travel pack. I love it. Good video
I used the Trail 40 on the El Camino trail in Spain this October and it performed well in this application. I would characterize the Trail 40 as a pack that could be used for travel but was optimized more for long distance carrying comfort than the Ruckpack 40. I saw the Ruckpack 40 at my local REI the other day, tried it on, and felt that this was also a good pack of similar size that seemed more optimized for travel and might be not quite as comfortable on the trail for long distances as the Trail 40. BTW, I had no problem carrying on my Trail 40 which is about the same size as the Ruckpack 40 and saw people carrying on even larger backpacks with no problem. I couldn't carry on my hiking poles and my Swiss Army knife though and had to check them. We flew Southwest and American airlines. Thanks for your review because I am considering the Ruckpack 40 for trips that aren't quite as hiking intense as the El Camino.
That's exactly our thought about the trail vs ruckpack, and our trip to Europe confirmed it. The ruckpack was perfect for general travel, but if we were spending time away from the city we would prefer the trail. Glad you enjoyed the video and we're confident the ruckpack would be perfect addition to your travel arsenal!
You both are so entertaining. Great videos. Any suggestions on packing cube sets that go well with this bag? Cheers in advance. And make your way down here to NZ!
Honestly any packing cubes will work, even the cheap ones on Amazon. With that said we got a set of REI packing cubes (bit.ly/REIPackingCubes) a little while back and love them. They're expandable which comes in handy. For example, the medium sized one when expanded fills about 1/3 the volume and is almost exactly the width and height of the main compartment when the bag is lying down. The large size in that pack is similarly useful if you want to lay it across your back if you have larger/flatter items you need to pack (it fills about 3/4 of the depth, 7/8 of the width, and about 1/2 the height of the main compartment). Finally the small one is great for toiletries and other small things and will fit in pretty much anywhere in the bag. Hope this helps and yes NZ is on our list, we'll definitely make it known when we're headed down there! Safe travels!
@4:26 It's strange that you don't like the hip straps. Hip straps help your back a lot if you happened to walk a long distance because the weight of the bag will be shifted down to the waist which can handle more load. Certain bags like The North Face Borealis backpack designed the waist straps to be hidden inside so the strap not dangling when you don't need them.
I think you misunderstood, a hip strap is one of our must have features on any travel backpack we consider now. I was pointing out that I wish the incase bag did have a hip strap, not that it would've solved the other issues I had with the bag. Safe travels!
13:36 -- the main fail of that "hidden" pocket is, that it zipps same way that the outter, it needs to go another way -- than it will be harder to insensibly unzip it & stole the documents or money from that
A few others have mentioned those bags. They definitely look like good bags but we just can't justify paying that much for a bag that's only slightly better. Definitely a case of diminishing returns in our book. Safe travels!
This is awesome. I appreciated the first 8 minutes because it is all the problems I have been experiencing (with bags) in the last few years. I love this video! My only question is, if it is not over-packed, would the REI Ruckpack 40 work as a carry-on?
WOW! only 1 video. You guys are naturals - please make more vids. Thank you for the review, couldn't agree more. My daughter is going on her first international trip at Christmas. I will recommend this to her for all the reasons you pointed out. Thanks so much. more please
Thank you so much! We plan on making many more videos (we have a couple we'll be posting very soon) and hope your daughter has a great time on her trip!
The far point 55 s/m can turn into a 40 liter minus the day pack which is carry on size absolutely. You could also attach the day pack and just not fill up your packs to carry-on. The Osprey quality is impressive with their guarantee
Thanks for the review. That would have been a nice bag for my Asia trip . I took an Osprey porter 40 but I didn’t really like the strap system after using it for a while. I’ll look into that bag.
Thanks! Yes the bag is the max allowable size for a carry-on. If you get pulled out it'll squeeze into the sizer pretty easily, just be careful of the weight, others have had to gate check because they packed it too heavy. With that said, we've never had any issues. Happy travels!
A more direct comparison between the REI Trail 40 and REI Ruckpack 40 would have been very interesting since you do own both. I'm especially wondering if the hipbelt feels better on the "real" trail backpack since a stow away design usually implies some compromise (hip pockets are obviously missing) I wouldn't be willing to compromise here just to be able to hide the hip belt
That's a great idea! We may make that video soon! As for the hip belts, we can safely say that the hip belt on the Ruckpack 40 is just as comfortable as the one on the Trail 40. The omission of the pockets is a bit annoying though, but for us isn't a deal breaker. Keep exploring!
Looks like a great pack. Just got back from Europe and am now hunting for something like this for next time. I am not sure how I feel about the side pocket accessing the main part of the bag though.
Yeah, to be honest it's not something we've ever really used so it would've been nice if they used that side access for something else or just removed it all together. With that said, there is a mesh panel on that side so there's no worry of things falling out or someone being able to quickly reach in and take something from your bag so you shouldn't let that deter you from getting the bag. Safe Travels!
Nice video, you guys are naturals. Where is the follow up? I’m trying to decide between this bag and the women’s North Face Overhaul 40. I thought the Timbuk2 Wander could work but there is no waist strap and poor reviews on the straps and clips. Wondering how some of the Patagonia black hole products could do, like their black hole MLC. Anyway would love to see your follow up on how it worked for your trip.
Thank you! Yeah, those are all bags we looked at while searching as well. The Overhaul is nice but a little too compartmentalized to make it useful for our needs. On the other hand, we feel the MLC has too little structure. As for the follow up, we've been procrastinating massively on it. We're way behind on editing our videos. We'll be posting it soon though.
We like the rolltop + 3/4 zip main compartment, side access, and hidden water bottle holder, but the quick access pocket it a little small for our taste. Otherwise it's an interesting bag and if we get our hands on it we'll definitely do a comparison. Right now though, we'd still prefer the Ruckpack if only because of REI's awesome return policy. Safe travels!
If you want style, the BE bag looks a lot better, but what it makes up in design it lacks in function. The ruckpack is just so much more functional than the BE bag, the one zip up on the side is just inefficient as a carry-on replacement. The ruckpack is really the best of both worlds. It looks better than the farpoint 40 and it has more functionality. The BE looks amazing, but functionally it doesn't cut it.
I have been to South America, Central America and Europe. Never once heard of someone randomly opening a pocket not knowing what’s inside. Have hear of ppl getting the whole bag stolen. Would worry about that more than someone blindly opening a random pocket.
I have extensively tested the REI Ruckpack 40, and it is a great value for money given its innovative features and an incredibly ergonomic fit. However, it is not the perfect travel backpack for everyone; each individual needs to consider their requirements before making this purchase.
This bag looks really awesome! Really appreciate the zippers behind the head idea (for those urban travels where there are sticky fingers lurking!) and the sleekness of it. Let us know how it works out on your travels. I want this to be married to several other bags ive been eyeing to make it THE bag for me! I'm afraid the Length is 24inches, making it slightly larger than some of the international carry on size requirements. *Maybe i'll just have to slightly underpack it? I hope it serves you both well. xoxo Going to check out your other videos too!!
It's worked out great for us so far. We haven't had any issues carrying it on to any domestic or international airlines even when it's over-packed.Check out our follow up video after a few trips with the bags: ua-cam.com/video/VJcdzwpusyY/v-deo.html Safe travels!
Have you had any issues carrying-on the REI Ruckpack 40. The published dimension is 24 inches tall, which is larger than some airlines allow. Just wondering if you have had any issues with Carry-on?
We haven't had any issues am any airlines. Though it's technically too big it'll easily squeeze into the bag sizer. Just be careful of the weight. Others have said they've had to gate check the bag because they packed it a little too heavy for some of the more strict airlines.
My wife and I travel from the state's to Australia often to see her family and make a trip out of it. So we like to simplify as much as possible. We are considering the nomadic travel bag as well as the tri 40L.
We haven't had a chance to look at the Nomatic, but from what we've seen we feel it's trying to be too clever. We definitely prefer simplicity over "features" you may or may not use regularly. We definitely feel the Ruckpack strikes a nice balance in that regard (plus it's almost $100 less than the Nomatic). Let us know which you end up getting!
Thanks! Yeah, we've carried it on multiple airlines without issue. Technically it's a little too large for many airlines, but the soft sides will allow it to fit into the bag sizer if you get pulled out. Just be careful of the weight, a lot of airlines are very strict about that and others have said they've had to gate check because they packed the bag too heavy. Safe travels!
Thanks! Unfortunately the bag is probably going to be too big. Your best bet would be to go in to REI or a similar outdoor store, get your torso measured, and have them help you find a bag that fits. Safe travels!
Any ideas on the new RuckPack 65!?!? I’m about to buy the 40... but wanted to see what you guys thought about the 65? What pro’s/con’s can you see since you already have experience with the 40L?
We hadn't heard of it, but thanks for putting it on our radar! From what we can see it's definitely compelling option. We're going to go check it out and post a comparison video soon!
Thanks for the vid...buying a bag today and am between the Farpoint 40 and the Ruckpack...can you post the review after using the bag? Concerned about how the bag gets narrow...thanks!
We'll be posting our post-trip thoughts in a few days but overall the Ruckpack was excellent. Plenty of space, good amount of organization, and most of all comfortable. We also like that the laptop/hydration bladder sleeve is against your back since it's much better for weight distribution. Honestly you can't go wrong with either but obviously we prefer the Ruckpack. Let us know which you choose!
Love your passion for bags. New challenge is a one bag travel pack with no check in. Try the Kathmandu Transfer I can do a month with tech and a suit 🤠. All carry on :) Great review
Yeah, that's one of only a few issues with the bag, and a very minor one in our opinion. If you need a bag that will stand up on it's own often you're better off getting a roller bag. The few times we've had to take these bags of while in transit there has been some we could lean them so it hasn't bothered us. Which other bags are you considering?
You're right, we forgot to mention the rain cover! One of the best features of the bag! As for the trekking pole loops and daisy chains, we intentionally left them out because they're more backpacking rather than travel features. Thank you for the praise! We'll be posting a full retrospective video from our 2 weeks in Europe with these bags soon.
Hey guys- do you have a verdict? pros/cons? just purchased yesterday for our 2 week Italy trip. looking for tips or tricks you encountered. great video, btw!
Perry Ferrell Sorry we've been really bad and finding time to film our final thoughts. Short answer is we feel it was pretty much perfect! Obviously there were some quirks, but nothing major that we couldn't work around. We're confident it'll serve you very well in Italy! Have fun!
Only having one size is actually a big drawback. The reason they come in different sizes is to cover a wider range of people. This bag is listed on REI's site as only fit for an 18-20 inch torso. While that is a common range it is pretty narrow. By offering multiple sizes they are able to cover people with large and smaller torsos. As is this bag would be too small for me and would probably not carry well for long periods of time. Everyone should get their torso properly measured and taken into consideration anytime buying a backpack you plan to carry for awhile.
That's a very good point. We're both right in the middle of the respective torso lengths so the bags work very well for us. Our biggest gripe with bags that have different sizes, though, is the tendency for those bags to sacrifice capacity in the smaller sizes. It's a little deceptive to list a bag as having 40L when in reality it only has ~36L. Maybe look at the Ruckpack 65 (we made a comparison video: ua-cam.com/video/T3craJtDPWU/v-deo.html). The large size says it fits between 19-21 inch torso, so maybe you fall in that range. Also, it has the added benefit of more capacity, but the downside is it's probably not carry-on approved. No matter what, we hope you find something that works! Safe travels!
I'll make this quick, you two are naturals at this, my one criticism is that taking up 8:30 of the 15:30 (more than half) of vid time reviewing those other packs that fell short was torturous - and took valuable time away from featuring more on the subject pack. One thing I would have loved to see is what you pack and how you pack it inside. Maybe go straight to the featured item in future reviews, so that you can give an even more detailed description/demonstration and first hand testimonial on its use. Great job on the video in every other way. Safe travels!
Thank you! We welcome all criticism and this is certainly helpful. Yeah we know it's a bit long winded, however we feel that's what sets it apart. Most others will just say "I've had other backpacks and this one is the best" with no other description about really why. And while there is certainly a place for those kind of reviews, we feel it's doing our viewers a disservice not going into detail about the specifics of why we think it's the perfect travel backpack. With that said, we'll try to keep the comparisons shorter in the future, we're still new at this after all. Also, we'll be posting a "What's in our bag" soon as well as a (much shorter) retrospective of our experience with the bag after a few trips. Thank you again and we hope you enjoy what we have in store! P.S. Which others are you shopping this bag against? And which are you leaning toward or bought?
I am leaning towards the Amazon Basics Carry-On Travel Backpack so far. My next trip is a few months away, so I can take my time deciding. Other considerations are the AER Travel Pack, the Nomadic Travel Pack, the Goruck G2, and the Hynes Eagle. Price is a nominal concern, but not a deal breaker - if I can get exactly what I want/need. I am usually cost conscience as far as the ROI goes. As an example, I splurged on a $300+ TUMI laptop bag ten years ago as my daily bag during the work week and it is still in great condition (not to mention TUMI replaced the well worn shoulder strap for free two years ago). The price of the Amazon is an attention getter, in the context of I am only getting back into traveling out of state/country after taking 5 years off and just staying put here in the islands. - and I don’t want to spend a great deal of money just yet on a bag that I may not like after a few uses. Which is also how I came across your video., looking for authentic user reviews (like yours) to get an idea of what is out there now ( a lot!). After owning so many “regular" backpacks and suitcases for travel, I am over the clamshell access and really prefer the suitcase type o access for my gear. The last few trips I have used a 34L military tactical that is intended for use as a basic BoB that holds three days of clothes, in reality it holds 4 days of clothes, extra pair of shoes, laptop and electronics, CPAP machine, and travel docs. With the mollies, I can attach my hydroflask or other water bottles, a mid-sized camera tripod and monopod. And with all of that can still get through TSA pretty easily and fits in the overhead bin of every airline that I have used. But again, the clamshell access is annoying anymore. Unfortunately the only color available when I got a few years back was digital camo, so it can draw unwanted attention at times. I plan on purchasing my next travel bag by mid-January at the latest. So, with all of that being said, I am looking forward to your next review, can’t wait!
Seems like you've definitely done your fair share of research. We hadn't even considered the Amazon bag but looking at it now it's an interesting option, especially given the price. With that said, we definitely agree with paying more for quality gear. Let us know what you end up getting.
OK I ended up "cheaping out" and went with the Amazon Basics. But I had help - The decision had come down to the Basics and the REI Ruckpack 40 mens. I decided on the Basics mostly due to size and cost and not being sure yet how much travel I will be doing this next year. I then decided to sleep on it and see what morning brought. I then changed my mind in favor of the REI and planned to order it when I got into the office. But the wife had seen my notes and ordered the Basic one as a surprise. So there we are. Taking a short trip to the Big Island for New Years and then to CA for a week. Those will be good tests until I can do a summer sojurn somewhere. If it doesn't fare well, REI here I come! Thanks again for the vid, and safe travels!
Hey guys, I usually travel for 2 months so I take a big hardshell suitcase. I'm thinking of the alternative of buying a travel backpack like the one you presented, my concern is how about the electronics ? Are you able to bring such big bag in the plane cabin ? I guess you document it, but arent' you worried about the electronics going down in the baggage compartiment ?
Yes, everything comes with us in the cabin. Derek carries all the electronics and camera gear usually. Just like with everything else we try to stick to only things we're 95%+ sure we'll use on the trip and are as small and light as possible. For example, we recently replaced the 13" laptop we used to carry with an iPad which does everything we need while on the road including editing our videos. Also, we used a point and shoot (Canon G7x mk II) and a GoPro as our cameras. We've since added a small mirrorless camera (videos to come), but the emphasis has always been on keeping things as small and light as possible. As for carrying it all, we found this set of electronics organizers/packing cubes (a.co/4BmOT6H) that we really like. The large one in that set fits 2 hard drives, a backup battery, all the chargers and cables, the gopro with a floaty selfie stick, and any other accessories we might need (like a small LED light that's come in handy a few times: a.co/e6KGqEm). It even has a sleeve that fits the iPad, though it's a very tight fit if you have a case on it like we do. The best part is it's perfect size to place at the very top inside the main compartment so when we get on the plane he unzips the bag just a little bit, pulls out the organizer, and throws the backpack in the overhead bin. Super simple. And in the rare case the backpack needs to be checked, all the electronics are in the organizer so we don't have to worry about things getting mishandled and thrown around in the cargo hold. Anyway, hope this helps! Safe travels!
Damn, we know the struggle. For us the ability to stand in it's own isn't a deal breaker, instead usable external water bottle pockets and a few other things are. You'll find your perfect (or at least close to perfect) bag. Good luck and safe travels!
I think I am going to compromise on my "must stand up on it's own" rule, and now I am torn between this and the Trail 40! I've actually watched some other reviews of the Trail 40 and now realize that REI has made some changes to the new Trail 40 that I don't like - ugh! In any case, I'll figure it out.....eventually. Haha.
Yes! Even though technically the dimensions are slightly bigger than some airlines allow, the soft sides make it so it'll fit into the bag sizer if you get pulled out. Just be careful of the weight, others have said they've had to check it because they packed it too heavy.
Nice video and well thought trough choice but i live in Europ and i travel around with the most common airlines here and keep in mind that on some occasion you will be asked to check it in cos is just slightly over the allowed size or you will have to pay more to get it on board, loads more ... look at Ryanair policy and easy-jet the 2 biggest airbus company in EU, shame cos is a gorgeous bag i was looking in to the osprey Transporter 40 or the small duffle bag from north face.. now really considering the Cabin Max Manhattan 55x40x20 Hybrid Trolley Backpack as clothing luggage and Oxford Stowaway Bag - 35x20x20cm a sling back pack for my teck these 2 fit 100% the requirement. dont make me super happy but maximising is all.
Honestly, it's close enough and unless they pull out the measuring tape they won't make you check it. Most of the time they'll just have you put it in the bag sizer, and it should fit no problem because of the soft sides. I would be careful about the weight though. With the ever tightening restrictions on the weight it's really easy to pack it too heavy and unfortunately you can't force 20lbs to be 15lbs by shoving it in a sizer. Maybe some day. Anyway, safe travels!
On our Europe trip we packed ~4 days worth of clothes each plus wedding attire including dress shoes/heels and a few sweaters and jackets. Derek also carried all of our electronics, including a laptop and all the various cables, chargers, and camera gear we needed for the trip. All in all it turned out to be perfect size! Check out our follow up after the trip: ua-cam.com/video/VJcdzwpusyY/v-deo.html
We haven't thought about it but yeah that is a curious omission. With that said, we've never felt liked we've needed it since there are synch straps on the outside of the bag and we use packing cubes to keep everything together. We can see how it could be an issue if you're carrying a very small load, but we tend to fill it pretty full especially since it's usually our only bag. Which other backpacks are you looking at that have the internal straps?
Us Against The World well I am actually using an Osprey farpoint 40 (2017 series) and my wife is using the new fairview 40 (female model of farpoint). Both models have internal load restraints and that's very useful. These packs are good indeed and hi quality but my wife thinks the Rei Ruckpack maybe has a bit more room. Is she right? I know you owned and tested the fairview 40 too, do you believe the ruckpack has more space? Before eventually placing an order, we want to evaluate everything, 'cause we live in Italy and we would incur into heavy tax fees importing this backpack. Ah, I was almost forgetting: we have been flying and traveling with just one piece of hand baggage since 2011. We tested and used lots of different pieces (including duffel bags and bowling bags) and the first important one was the "Benzi Ultimo bz4045" bought through Amazon.co.uk for 20 euros a piece. We still have this cheap and noteworthy hand baggage but the real step forward was the Osprey Farpoint 40. Thanks
The S/M size of the Farpoint/Fairview 40 is actually only 38L., so yes the Ruckpack is slightly larger in that case since there is only one size. We've never tested the Farpoint/Fairview, but there were a few things we didn't like about the bag which kept us from buying it. Most notably was the lack of any true easy access pockets. Yes there are technically 2 stretchy mesh pockets on the front, but when you have the synch straps tight they essentially make those pockets useless. There is the one other pocket on the top front, but it's just not big enough.
Unfortunately it's not for a magic pocket with unlimited volume without making the bag any heavier. 😉 I believe it's there to help with manufacturing the bag, so it doesn't really serve any useful purpose. Safe travels!
Skip to 8:28
God bless you
RRDL84 you save 8 minutes of my life, thanks
Thank you
RRDL84 thanks man!
Nah, I like these two.
Hi! I just need to say that this review convinced me to purchase this bag and use it on my trip to Europe for about two weeks. It worked amazingly well! Thank you so much for your review!
I just took this on a seven-month trip around Southeast Asia, and sadly returned it when I came back. I give it an A for back support and the straps were really nice, but I needed more of a travel pack; packing was an issue! I always had to lean this on something and keep it upright, otherwise everything would fall out. This pack is great for a week long trip or a trip where you'll have to do a lot of running around with the pack on. However, I had to repack every single time I hit the road because as soon as I pulled out one packing cube, the inside became a mess! I just traded in for a Cotopaxi Allpa 35 because the suitcase style pack appeals more to me for long term travel.
Great video! I just bought this bag yesterday and packed it for a trip, very surprised by how much room it has, I believe it’s my new best bag.
I just happened to stumble across this video and about fell off my chair. Everything you guys said about the backpack is exactly what i was looking for. I'm going to order it today! Thank you!!
Really helpful video.
Thank you guys very much!
Getting the REI Ruckpack 40 cuz of you guys.
Cheers from Yemen.
Girl, TY TY TY for this review. I've been looking for 1. a review of a backpack from a woman, and 2. a backpack designed for a woman. You just saved me (literally) hours of time. My REI is 20 minutes away from my house. Off I go.
I'm definitely getting one. After watching a few videos of backpacks reviews and this is it. Thank You!!!
I plan to check this out at REI! I have had similar problems as you with other bags. I going to view your follow up video immediately. Thanks so much for the effort in doing this video! I have a new pack sitting here that I bought and even before viewing your video, knew it just wasn't going to make it.
Are these too big for carry-ons?
Reviews say the Osprey farpoint 40 is carryon. Isn't it roughly the same size?
Great review, but I have to say it: Kitchen goals :)
U look like Angel from Heaven 😍😙😙😙😘In my next life a Huge Modular kitchen Only for You done 😙👍
Just came back from a 1 week trip to Norway with mine. Great design.
Awesome! And we absolutely agree! It was the perfect companion for our 2 week Europe trip. Keep exploring!
Great interaction, believable dialogue(not deathly serious like so many video reviews) and a wonderful balance of images; not too much narcisism like so many videos that hardly show you the equipment , and not just the equipment. keep it up. your personalities play off each other very well, and that means that playful honestly is conveyed to your audience . (A post script; enough time has gone by that Gregory has come out with a travel pack that may interest you. The Praxus is the men's version; my memory fails me on the name of the women's; Proxy? Just an FYI) Thanks for the great, well informed review!
thanks for the effort and the sharing. we just went through the same search on a recent trip to tanzania and zanzibar. but we wanted to make sure our one-bag travel was carry-on. we ended up with the osprey transporter 40. large enough to hold plenty. small enough to have no trouble carry-on even with the more restrictive international size regulations. clam shell design. internal cinch straps. it has grab handles on four sides and a hideaway set of decent backpacking straps. tough material. looks good. we were thrilled. thumbs up.
Thanks! We like the transporter and is definitely looks like an excellent bag. For us though we put an emphasis on the backpack comfort since we knew we wouldn't always have somewhere to drop our bags immediately when we get to a destination, and crucial to that is a hip belt. We can see how the transporter would be perfect for other trips, though. Anyway, thanks for sharing and safe travels!
The transporter 40 and similar style packs aren't as comfortable as the osprey farpoint 40 and this ruckpack 40. For backpackers, the transporter 40 just doesn't cut it for comfort. The transporter 40 is meant for just that, transporting. Ie. if I was going to the cabin for the weekend or if I was going camping.
For airplane travel or backpacking, the transporter 40 is not good enough.
Thank you so much for this review! I have been googling and researching backpacks for weeks trying to find the perfect one for my year long trip to New Zealand and I haven’t found anything that quite worked for me. I love everything about this bag and will definitely order one!
We're so happy to hear this helped you make a decision! And we know you'll love the bag just as much as we do! Enjoy your trip!
I did a 3 month backpacking in Europe with the Manta AG 36 and I often had to carry some kind of extra bag. Loved the AG suspension. Gonna try the Atmos AG 50. If you can fit in the small and remove the brain, it'll pass on a plane
THANK YOU so much!! I ve been watching videos on the best backpack this week and really, I am buying!! It has all the qualities I was looking for! Thanks!!! And have a nice trip!
Awesome! Glad to hear! Where are you going to take it first?
I am going to india, Rajastan for January.
I love the No strap on the outside, and the color! Wow seaweed, beautiful, it superficiel but it like the cherry on top!
That sounds like a fun trip! We're sure the backpack will be perfect!
I have been looking for a backpack that can serve as a hiking pack and a travel pack all in one. But I struggled to find something that fits both roles and is affordable. I love this video because it really put me on to the REI Ruckpack. Thank you!
Thank you for your review. It helped out A LOT between the 2 packs I wanted to get (Osprey Porter 30 or REI Ruckpack 40) for my 2 week japan trip in May. Same day I saw your video I went to REI in Emeryville and bought my pack! Again thanks guys from your local East Bay traveler.
Glad to hear we could help! Enjoy your trip!
Great extensive video, but can you carry it on and does that fit in the overhead compartment fully packed?
You guys should try out Patagonia’s Cragsmith pack 45l. It has a lot of volume, easily accessible because it opens up like a duffel and has quite a few compartments.
You're gonna like the next bag video we post then (hint, hint)
@@UsAgainstTheWorld can't wait for that video. Highly considering buying the cragsmith but not many reviews online
Have been looking at this bag and the Osprey Fairview 40. Will you be doing a video on how you packed your cubes inside? The REI in Fresno is limited on bag selection, going to head to the Bay to look there. You guys are great!
Thanks! We haven't yet, though we've been thinking about making a series of videos showing how we pack for various types of trips.
Hi, the bag look pretty good, but i concerned about the weight.
Those metal zipper tabs would drive me nuts. Looks like you could cut them off with plier cutters and put the zipper pulls back into the zipper body that has the locking rings on it. I've done that with myTom Bihn bags. Looks like REI is stepping up their travel bag game. Having spent the last 2 weeks traveling all over Spain by train, bus, foot and budget planes, I'm extremely happy with my Osprey Farpoint 40 choice, but someone looking for a more backpack oriented bag that's low profile this looks like a great choice.
We don't mind the zipper tabs. They're plastic so it hasn't been an issue. Before we found the ruckpack we were pretty sure the farpoint was the best option. Glad to hear it worked well for you.
Where did you go in Spain? We're looking to plan a trip there soon and would love some recommendations.
Can't believe this was your first video! Excellent
Thanks! No one is more surprised than us! At the time no one had posted a review of the Ruckpack since it was so new and we felt it was necessary to introduce it to the world! We think it's weird that there's still very few videos about it since it's such a great bag! Safe Travels!
Us Against The World I will definitely check it out when I'm on the hunt for a rucksack. There's an REI 3 blocks from my house :D
Loved it! Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!
Sending love from the Philippines. Really informative video. What makes this video better than other comparison videos is that each bag was actually used for travelling, not just one day. Nice job!
Thanks, yeah we really wanted to put them through the paces before giving our full impressions. Speaking of which here's our follow up video after a few trips with the Ruckpacks: ua-cam.com/video/VJcdzwpusyY/v-deo.html
Safe travels!
Awesome video! I have the trial 40 & the Ruckpack 28. What do you guys think of the Ruckpack 28 for daily commute/daily use?
The Ruckpack 28 would be great for commuting. Andrea uses a Ruckpack 18 as her commuter bag and it's pretty perfect for her needs. Safe travels!
Us Against The World awesome. Have fun on the travels. 🌎
Thanks for the great video. I've been researching for a bag just what you 'tech' reviewed! Looking forward to real use follow up with the bag.
Thanks! Here's our follow up after a few trips with the bags: ua-cam.com/video/VJcdzwpusyY/v-deo.html
Great review. I appreciated the visual breakdown of the features (although I miss the rain cover :() and your videography was excellent. Please do follow up the review; I'm really interested in getting one of these for an upcoming trip I have.
Thanks for the kind words! Yeah we've been really busy lately and haven't had a chance to catch up on editing. We have one video in the works then we'll do the retrospective of the bag during our trip to Europe.
Looks like a good bag. I have the Arcido Akra which is a perfect minimalist one bag travel pack. You can carry it on the plane and you can fit a lot of stuff into it. Plus it has a sleek look to it as well. It's a perfect combination of tech and travel pack. I love it.
Good video
I used the Trail 40 on the El Camino trail in Spain this October and it performed well in this application. I would characterize the Trail 40 as a pack that could be used for travel but was optimized more for long distance carrying comfort than the Ruckpack 40. I saw the Ruckpack 40 at my local REI the other day, tried it on, and felt that this was also a good pack of similar size that seemed more optimized for travel and might be not quite as comfortable on the trail for long distances as the Trail 40. BTW, I had no problem carrying on my Trail 40 which is about the same size as the Ruckpack 40 and saw people carrying on even larger backpacks with no problem. I couldn't carry on my hiking poles and my Swiss Army knife though and had to check them. We flew Southwest and American airlines. Thanks for your review because I am considering the Ruckpack 40 for trips that aren't quite as hiking intense as the El Camino.
That's exactly our thought about the trail vs ruckpack, and our trip to Europe confirmed it. The ruckpack was perfect for general travel, but if we were spending time away from the city we would prefer the trail. Glad you enjoyed the video and we're confident the ruckpack would be perfect addition to your travel arsenal!
Keep on posting guys, you have an unusually charismatic style. I wouldn't mind seeing travel vids from you also.
Thank you! We're having a tough time catching up with the edits. We'll get some of them up soon.
Very informative video guys! Hope you put that backpack to good use for many many travels! Take care!
You both are so entertaining. Great videos. Any suggestions on packing cube sets that go well with this bag? Cheers in advance. And make your way down here to NZ!
Honestly any packing cubes will work, even the cheap ones on Amazon. With that said we got a set of REI packing cubes (bit.ly/REIPackingCubes) a little while back and love them. They're expandable which comes in handy. For example, the medium sized one when expanded fills about 1/3 the volume and is almost exactly the width and height of the main compartment when the bag is lying down. The large size in that pack is similarly useful if you want to lay it across your back if you have larger/flatter items you need to pack (it fills about 3/4 of the depth, 7/8 of the width, and about 1/2 the height of the main compartment). Finally the small one is great for toiletries and other small things and will fit in pretty much anywhere in the bag. Hope this helps and yes NZ is on our list, we'll definitely make it known when we're headed down there! Safe travels!
love your review of the REI ruckpack 40
I like the side pocket for water or shoes as you said which the Farpoint 40 doesnt have
@4:26 It's strange that you don't like the hip straps. Hip straps help your back a lot if you happened to walk a long distance because the weight of the bag will be shifted down to the waist which can handle more load. Certain bags like The North Face Borealis backpack designed the waist straps to be hidden inside so the strap not dangling when you don't need them.
I think you misunderstood, a hip strap is one of our must have features on any travel backpack we consider now. I was pointing out that I wish the incase bag did have a hip strap, not that it would've solved the other issues I had with the bag. Safe travels!
I bought this ruckpack 40 bag for Europe based on y'all's recs and luckily it was on sale at REI. Thanks!
when is the sale?
Does the backpack work as carry on for flight companies like Ryanair?
Frances Lewis wondering the same thing!
Frances Lewis yes
What about Thule Landmark 40? I would like see a comparison.
Did you guys show the hidden webbing, trek pole holder &, non hidden webbing around the top of the clam shell in 1 of you other videos
13:36 -- the main fail of that "hidden" pocket is, that it zipps same way that the outter, it needs to go another way -- than it will be harder to insensibly unzip it & stole the documents or money from that
You guys need to look into the goruck gr1. It is literally the best pack on the market
A few others have mentioned those bags. They definitely look like good bags but we just can't justify paying that much for a bag that's only slightly better. Definitely a case of diminishing returns in our book. Safe travels!
This is awesome. I appreciated the first 8 minutes because it is all the problems I have been experiencing (with bags) in the last few years. I love this video! My only question is, if it is not over-packed, would the REI Ruckpack 40 work as a carry-on?
WOW! only 1 video. You guys are naturals - please make more vids. Thank you for the review, couldn't agree more. My daughter is going on her first international trip at Christmas. I will recommend this to her for all the reasons you pointed out. Thanks so much. more please
Thank you so much! We plan on making many more videos (we have a couple we'll be posting very soon) and hope your daughter has a great time on her trip!
Thanks for the review! Loved it!
The far point 55 s/m can turn into a 40 liter minus the day pack which is carry on size absolutely. You could also attach the day pack and just not fill up your packs to carry-on. The Osprey quality is impressive with their guarantee
Very nice bag. Have you tried the 41L north face router transit, it's worth looking at...
Thanks for the review. That would have been a nice bag for my Asia trip . I took an Osprey porter 40 but I didn’t really like the strap system after using it for a while.
I’ll look into that bag.
Keep em comin’! Maybe one of u guys traveling with one bag life. Awesome video.
Ask and you shall receive! ua-cam.com/video/2-FLuvLRtUw/v-deo.html
You two are a great couple. This video convinced me to get one. It's coming in a week, and I'm taking it to Taiwan this summer. Thanks.
Awesome video guyz :) Do you know if the size of the bag is allowde in the cabin?
Thanks! Yes the bag is the max allowable size for a carry-on. If you get pulled out it'll squeeze into the sizer pretty easily, just be careful of the weight, others have had to gate check because they packed it too heavy. With that said, we've never had any issues. Happy travels!
A more direct comparison between the REI Trail 40 and REI Ruckpack 40 would have been very interesting since you do own both. I'm especially wondering if the hipbelt feels better on the "real" trail backpack since a stow away design usually implies some compromise (hip pockets are obviously missing)
I wouldn't be willing to compromise here just to be able to hide the hip belt
That's a great idea! We may make that video soon! As for the hip belts, we can safely say that the hip belt on the Ruckpack 40 is just as comfortable as the one on the Trail 40. The omission of the pockets is a bit annoying though, but for us isn't a deal breaker. Keep exploring!
6:54 First international trip? 4:40 Mexico is part of the US? Really starts here: 8:28
Great video thanks for posting!
Loving all the reviews and info. Any chance you two might compare the rei Ruckpack 40 and the new-ish Thule Landmark 40/60? Pretty please? All best!
Looks like a great pack. Just got back from Europe and am now hunting for something like this for next time. I am not sure how I feel about the side pocket accessing the main part of the bag though.
Yeah, to be honest it's not something we've ever really used so it would've been nice if they used that side access for something else or just removed it all together. With that said, there is a mesh panel on that side so there's no worry of things falling out or someone being able to quickly reach in and take something from your bag so you shouldn't let that deter you from getting the bag. Safe Travels!
Very helpful video and walkthrough of the features. Do you think it'll fit a 15' Mac? I just ordered mine based on your video :)
Welcome to the ruckpack family! We know you'll like it just as much as we do! And yes, it'll easily fit a 15" Mac.
I used to onebag a 40L (farpoint), but it was too big, now one-bagging the TNF Recon.
Nice video, you guys are naturals. Where is the follow up?
I’m trying to decide between this bag and the women’s North Face Overhaul 40. I thought the Timbuk2 Wander could work but there is no waist strap and poor reviews on the straps and clips. Wondering how some of the Patagonia black hole products could do, like their black hole MLC. Anyway would love to see your follow up on how it worked for your trip.
Thank you! Yeah, those are all bags we looked at while searching as well. The Overhaul is nice but a little too compartmentalized to make it useful for our needs. On the other hand, we feel the MLC has too little structure.
As for the follow up, we've been procrastinating massively on it. We're way behind on editing our videos. We'll be posting it soon though.
Just realized that I have a pack obsession...
Can u use it as carry-on or check it in most airlines?
Any thoughts on the BE Outfitters Tahquitz bag? Trying to choose between in and the ruckpack
We like the rolltop + 3/4 zip main compartment, side access, and hidden water bottle holder, but the quick access pocket it a little small for our taste. Otherwise it's an interesting bag and if we get our hands on it we'll definitely do a comparison. Right now though, we'd still prefer the Ruckpack if only because of REI's awesome return policy. Safe travels!
If you want style, the BE bag looks a lot better, but what it makes up in design it lacks in function. The ruckpack is just so much more functional than the BE bag, the one zip up on the side is just inefficient as a carry-on replacement. The ruckpack is really the best of both worlds.
It looks better than the farpoint 40 and it has more functionality. The BE looks amazing, but functionally it doesn't cut it.
Thanks, great review, definitely gonna get 2 for me and my man
Wicked review! I am sold on ruckpack 40. I rrally wanted size 28L but it doesn't have padded waist belt.
My favorite pack is the REI flash 55.😀
I have been to South America, Central America and Europe. Never once heard of someone randomly opening a pocket not knowing what’s inside. Have hear of ppl getting the whole bag stolen. Would worry about that more than someone blindly opening a random pocket.
That's a very good point, and another reason why it doesn't bother us too much.
Thank you for sharing, this is really helpful
I have extensively tested the REI Ruckpack 40, and it is a great value for money given its innovative features and an incredibly ergonomic fit. However, it is not the perfect travel backpack for everyone; each individual needs to consider their requirements before making this purchase.
Please do a NEW review about the ruckpack 40 redesign!
Good review, I was ready to buy one until I saw the weight is over 4lbs.
This bag looks really awesome! Really appreciate the zippers behind the head idea (for those urban travels where there are sticky fingers lurking!) and the sleekness of it. Let us know how it works out on your travels. I want this to be married to several other bags ive been eyeing to make it THE bag for me! I'm afraid the Length is 24inches, making it slightly larger than some of the international carry on size requirements. *Maybe i'll just have to slightly underpack it? I hope it serves you both well. xoxo Going to check out your other videos too!!
It's worked out great for us so far. We haven't had any issues carrying it on to any domestic or international airlines even when it's over-packed.Check out our follow up video after a few trips with the bags: ua-cam.com/video/VJcdzwpusyY/v-deo.html
Safe travels!
Great video; I'm researching travel packs and you guys have put the REI Ruckpack 40 at the top of my list.
Have you had any issues carrying-on the REI Ruckpack 40. The published dimension is 24 inches tall, which is larger than some airlines allow. Just wondering if you have had any issues with Carry-on?
We haven't had any issues am any airlines. Though it's technically too big it'll easily squeeze into the bag sizer. Just be careful of the weight. Others have said they've had to gate check the bag because they packed it a little too heavy for some of the more strict airlines.
Hey! I got The Ruck pack 40 for my husband for his first backpack, and I love it so much I'm going to get myself one too!
That's awesome! Safe travels with your new bags!
Great, in-depth review. Thank you for the detail and great work :-)
Thank you. We take pride in being thorough and it means a lot to us that people are appreciating it. Which bags are you comparing?
My wife and I travel from the state's to Australia often to see her family and make a trip out of it. So we like to simplify as much as possible. We are considering the nomadic travel bag as well as the tri 40L.
We haven't had a chance to look at the Nomatic, but from what we've seen we feel it's trying to be too clever. We definitely prefer simplicity over "features" you may or may not use regularly. We definitely feel the Ruckpack strikes a nice balance in that regard (plus it's almost $100 less than the Nomatic). Let us know which you end up getting!
Very practical and simple advice. Brilliant team work too in espousing the different travel challenges. Great job.
Guys! Are these compact enough to be a carry on lagguage? Thanks. Love the vids...keep it organic.
Thanks! Yeah, we've carried it on multiple airlines without issue. Technically it's a little too large for many airlines, but the soft sides will allow it to fit into the bag sizer if you get pulled out. Just be careful of the weight, a lot of airlines are very strict about that and others have said they've had to gate check because they packed the bag too heavy. Safe travels!
Great review, thanks guys!
Good review, but I am not sure about the warranty, or polyester pack cloth vs. Made in USA 1,000 D Cordura
Wow, not bad. REI does a solid job as usual. Would you guys see this as an Everyday backpack?
Hi, nice review! Very helpful. I would like to ask if its size is ok for me. I'm petite, around 4'9 and a bit skinny. Thank you in advance!
Thanks! Unfortunately the bag is probably going to be too big. Your best bet would be to go in to REI or a similar outdoor store, get your torso measured, and have them help you find a bag that fits. Safe travels!
I will. Thanks!
Any ideas on the new RuckPack 65!?!? I’m about to buy the 40... but wanted to see what you guys thought about the 65? What pro’s/con’s can you see since you already have experience with the 40L?
We hadn't heard of it, but thanks for putting it on our radar! From what we can see it's definitely compelling option. We're going to go check it out and post a comparison video soon!
I'm between this and the Osprey FarPoint 40. Any thoughts?
Thanks for the vid...buying a bag today and am between the Farpoint 40 and the Ruckpack...can you post the review after using the bag? Concerned about how the bag gets narrow...thanks!
We'll be posting our post-trip thoughts in a few days but overall the Ruckpack was excellent. Plenty of space, good amount of organization, and most of all comfortable. We also like that the laptop/hydration bladder sleeve is against your back since it's much better for weight distribution. Honestly you can't go wrong with either but obviously we prefer the Ruckpack. Let us know which you choose!
Love your passion for bags. New challenge is a one bag travel pack with no check in. Try the Kathmandu Transfer I can do a month with tech and a suit 🤠. All carry on :) Great review
Thanks!
Looks like the bag is designed in such a way that it wont stand on its bottom/base ,and you have to lean it?
Yeah, that's one of only a few issues with the bag, and a very minor one in our opinion. If you need a bag that will stand up on it's own often you're better off getting a roller bag. The few times we've had to take these bags of while in transit there has been some we could lean them so it hasn't bothered us.
Which other bags are you considering?
You guys totally missed the rain cover, the daisy chains, and the trekking pole loops. But it was a nice review and it is a great pack.
You're right, we forgot to mention the rain cover! One of the best features of the bag! As for the trekking pole loops and daisy chains, we intentionally left them out because they're more backpacking rather than travel features. Thank you for the praise! We'll be posting a full retrospective video from our 2 weeks in Europe with these bags soon.
Hey guys- do you have a verdict? pros/cons? just purchased yesterday for our 2 week Italy trip. looking for tips or tricks you encountered. great video, btw!
Perry Ferrell Sorry we've been really bad and finding time to film our final thoughts. Short answer is we feel it was pretty much perfect! Obviously there were some quirks, but nothing major that we couldn't work around. We're confident it'll serve you very well in Italy! Have fun!
Us Against The World here now and it packed out well! Only complaint is that it doesn’t stand well but doing great so far.
+Perry Ferrell Great to hear! Enjoy!
Only having one size is actually a big drawback. The reason they come in different sizes is to cover a wider range of people. This bag is listed on REI's site as only fit for an 18-20 inch torso. While that is a common range it is pretty narrow. By offering multiple sizes they are able to cover people with large and smaller torsos. As is this bag would be too small for me and would probably not carry well for long periods of time. Everyone should get their torso properly measured and taken into consideration anytime buying a backpack you plan to carry for awhile.
That's a very good point. We're both right in the middle of the respective torso lengths so the bags work very well for us. Our biggest gripe with bags that have different sizes, though, is the tendency for those bags to sacrifice capacity in the smaller sizes. It's a little deceptive to list a bag as having 40L when in reality it only has ~36L.
Maybe look at the Ruckpack 65 (we made a comparison video: ua-cam.com/video/T3craJtDPWU/v-deo.html). The large size says it fits between 19-21 inch torso, so maybe you fall in that range. Also, it has the added benefit of more capacity, but the downside is it's probably not carry-on approved. No matter what, we hope you find something that works! Safe travels!
I'll make this quick, you two are naturals at this, my one criticism is that taking up 8:30 of the 15:30 (more than half) of vid time reviewing those other packs that fell short was torturous - and took valuable time away from featuring more on the subject pack. One thing I would have loved to see is what you pack and how you pack it inside. Maybe go straight to the featured item in future reviews, so that you can give an even more detailed description/demonstration and first hand testimonial on its use. Great job on the video in every other way. Safe travels!
Thank you! We welcome all criticism and this is certainly helpful. Yeah we know it's a bit long winded, however we feel that's what sets it apart. Most others will just say "I've had other backpacks and this one is the best" with no other description about really why. And while there is certainly a place for those kind of reviews, we feel it's doing our viewers a disservice not going into detail about the specifics of why we think it's the perfect travel backpack. With that said, we'll try to keep the comparisons shorter in the future, we're still new at this after all. Also, we'll be posting a "What's in our bag" soon as well as a (much shorter) retrospective of our experience with the bag after a few trips. Thank you again and we hope you enjoy what we have in store!
P.S. Which others are you shopping this bag against? And which are you leaning toward or bought?
I am leaning towards the Amazon Basics Carry-On Travel Backpack so far. My next trip is a few months away, so I can take my time deciding. Other considerations are the AER Travel Pack, the Nomadic Travel Pack, the Goruck G2, and the Hynes Eagle.
Price is a nominal concern, but not a deal breaker - if I can get exactly what I want/need. I am usually cost conscience as far as the ROI goes. As an example, I splurged on a $300+ TUMI laptop bag ten years ago as my daily bag during the work week and it is still in great condition (not to mention TUMI replaced the well worn shoulder strap for free two years ago).
The price of the Amazon is an attention getter, in the context of I am only getting back into traveling out of state/country after taking 5 years off and just staying put here in the islands. - and I don’t want to spend a great deal of money just yet on a bag that I may not like after a few uses. Which is also how I came across your video., looking for authentic user reviews (like yours) to get an idea of what is out there now ( a lot!).
After owning so many “regular" backpacks and suitcases for travel, I am over the clamshell access and really prefer the suitcase type o access for my gear. The last few trips I have used a 34L military tactical that is intended for use as a basic BoB that holds three days of clothes, in reality it holds 4 days of clothes, extra pair of shoes, laptop and electronics, CPAP machine, and travel docs. With the mollies, I can attach my hydroflask or other water bottles, a mid-sized camera tripod and monopod. And with all of that can still get through TSA pretty easily and fits in the overhead bin of every airline that I have used. But again, the clamshell access is annoying anymore. Unfortunately the only color available when I got a few years back was digital camo, so it can draw unwanted attention at times.
I plan on purchasing my next travel bag by mid-January at the latest. So, with all of that being said, I am looking forward to your next review, can’t wait!
Seems like you've definitely done your fair share of research. We hadn't even considered the Amazon bag but looking at it now it's an interesting option, especially given the price. With that said, we definitely agree with paying more for quality gear. Let us know what you end up getting.
OK I ended up "cheaping out" and went with the Amazon Basics. But I had help - The decision had come down to the Basics and the REI Ruckpack 40 mens. I decided on the Basics mostly due to size and cost and not being sure yet how much travel I will be doing this next year. I then decided to sleep on it and see what morning brought. I then changed my mind in favor of the REI and planned to order it when I got into the office. But the wife had seen my notes and ordered the Basic one as a surprise. So there we are. Taking a short trip to the Big Island for New Years and then to CA for a week. Those will be good tests until I can do a summer sojurn somewhere. If it doesn't fare well, REI here I come! Thanks again for the vid, and safe travels!
Definitely let us know how the bag fares! Safe travels to you as well!
Hi, awesome review! What kind of couch is that?
Hey guys, I usually travel for 2 months so I take a big hardshell suitcase. I'm thinking of the alternative of buying a travel backpack like the one you presented, my concern is how about the electronics ?
Are you able to bring such big bag in the plane cabin ? I guess you document it, but arent' you worried about the electronics going down in the baggage compartiment ?
Yes, everything comes with us in the cabin. Derek carries all the electronics and camera gear usually. Just like with everything else we try to stick to only things we're 95%+ sure we'll use on the trip and are as small and light as possible. For example, we recently replaced the 13" laptop we used to carry with an iPad which does everything we need while on the road including editing our videos. Also, we used a point and shoot (Canon G7x mk II) and a GoPro as our cameras. We've since added a small mirrorless camera (videos to come), but the emphasis has always been on keeping things as small and light as possible. As for carrying it all, we found this set of electronics organizers/packing cubes (a.co/4BmOT6H) that we really like. The large one in that set fits 2 hard drives, a backup battery, all the chargers and cables, the gopro with a floaty selfie stick, and any other accessories we might need (like a small LED light that's come in handy a few times: a.co/e6KGqEm). It even has a sleeve that fits the iPad, though it's a very tight fit if you have a case on it like we do. The best part is it's perfect size to place at the very top inside the main compartment so when we get on the plane he unzips the bag just a little bit, pulls out the organizer, and throws the backpack in the overhead bin. Super simple. And in the rare case the backpack needs to be checked, all the electronics are in the organizer so we don't have to worry about things getting mishandled and thrown around in the cargo hold.
Anyway, hope this helps! Safe travels!
are the zippers lockable? and well is it carry on?
great video thank you. I have a question. I have a laptop 15'6. Do you think it can fit? And is the suppport enough for it to be safe?
Yes, it’ll fit and be protected. Safe travels!
Us Against The World thank you! I really hope I get to buy it!
I'm in love with this backpack. I want it!
Does this stand up without tipping over? It seems a little rounded toward the bottom so I'm skeptical of this...
Unfortunately, no. That's definitely one of the few things that could be better with the Ruckpack. Safe travels!
Us Against The World that's such a shame. That is one of my pet peeves about packs. I can't buy it now. I liked everything else about it though. Sigh.
Damn, we know the struggle. For us the ability to stand in it's own isn't a deal breaker, instead usable external water bottle pockets and a few other things are. You'll find your perfect (or at least close to perfect) bag. Good luck and safe travels!
I think I am going to compromise on my "must stand up on it's own" rule, and now I am torn between this and the Trail 40! I've actually watched some other reviews of the Trail 40 and now realize that REI has made some changes to the new Trail 40 that I don't like - ugh! In any case, I'll figure it out.....eventually. Haha.
HI! Seems really nice. Jag wander thought, does the size fit on carry on specifications, for cabin bagage?
Yes! Even though technically the dimensions are slightly bigger than some airlines allow, the soft sides make it so it'll fit into the bag sizer if you get pulled out. Just be careful of the weight, others have said they've had to check it because they packed it too heavy.
What about any of the Pacsafe bags?
Nice video and well thought trough choice but i live in Europ and i travel around with the most common airlines here and keep in mind that on some occasion you will be asked to check it in cos is just slightly over the allowed size or you will have to pay more to get it on board, loads more ... look at Ryanair policy and easy-jet the 2 biggest airbus company in EU, shame cos is a gorgeous bag i was looking in to the osprey Transporter 40 or the small duffle bag from north face.. now really considering the Cabin Max Manhattan 55x40x20 Hybrid Trolley Backpack as clothing luggage and Oxford Stowaway Bag - 35x20x20cm a sling back pack for my teck these 2 fit 100% the requirement. dont make me super happy but maximising is all.
Honestly, it's close enough and unless they pull out the measuring tape they won't make you check it. Most of the time they'll just have you put it in the bag sizer, and it should fit no problem because of the soft sides. I would be careful about the weight though. With the ever tightening restrictions on the weight it's really easy to pack it too heavy and unfortunately you can't force 20lbs to be 15lbs by shoving it in a sizer. Maybe some day. Anyway, safe travels!
what were you able to pack? Specially in the cubes?
On our Europe trip we packed ~4 days worth of clothes each plus wedding attire including dress shoes/heels and a few sweaters and jackets. Derek also carried all of our electronics, including a laptop and all the various cables, chargers, and camera gear we needed for the trip. All in all it turned out to be perfect size! Check out our follow up after the trip: ua-cam.com/video/VJcdzwpusyY/v-deo.html
I like the backpack and the review but still they didn't put any interior belt to prevent things from moving around!
We haven't thought about it but yeah that is a curious omission. With that said, we've never felt liked we've needed it since there are synch straps on the outside of the bag and we use packing cubes to keep everything together. We can see how it could be an issue if you're carrying a very small load, but we tend to fill it pretty full especially since it's usually our only bag. Which other backpacks are you looking at that have the internal straps?
Us Against The World well I am actually using an Osprey farpoint 40 (2017 series) and my wife is using the new fairview 40 (female model of farpoint). Both models have internal load restraints and that's very useful. These packs are good indeed and hi quality but my wife thinks the Rei Ruckpack maybe has a bit more room. Is she right? I know you owned and tested the fairview 40 too, do you believe the ruckpack has more space? Before eventually placing an order, we want to evaluate everything, 'cause we live in Italy and we would incur into heavy tax fees importing this backpack. Ah, I was almost forgetting: we have been flying and traveling with just one piece of hand baggage since 2011. We tested and used lots of different pieces (including duffel bags and bowling bags) and the first important one was the "Benzi Ultimo bz4045" bought through Amazon.co.uk for 20 euros a piece. We still have this cheap and noteworthy hand baggage but the real step forward was the Osprey Farpoint 40.
Thanks
The S/M size of the Farpoint/Fairview 40 is actually only 38L., so yes the Ruckpack is slightly larger in that case since there is only one size. We've never tested the Farpoint/Fairview, but there were a few things we didn't like about the bag which kept us from buying it. Most notably was the lack of any true easy access pockets. Yes there are technically 2 stretchy mesh pockets on the front, but when you have the synch straps tight they essentially make those pockets useless. There is the one other pocket on the top front, but it's just not big enough.
what is that zipper on top of the laptop/ hydration bladder sleeve?
Unfortunately it's not for a magic pocket with unlimited volume without making the bag any heavier. 😉 I believe it's there to help with manufacturing the bag, so it doesn't really serve any useful purpose. Safe travels!
Thanks!
Thank you so much! Really nice review!
Thank you! Do you think this is the backpack you'll buy?