comparing these viral travel backpacks so you don’t have to

[@ReganShorter]

Thank you to everyone who watched my last video with packing tips! If you haven't seen it yet, check it out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZ67dqusfa6jm6c I got a few questions on that video asking me to compare these two viral travel bags, so as promised, I've got an in-depth comparison and brutally honest review for you. I've got some trips planned for January, so please let me know if you have any other questions or things you'd like to see in videos!

[@RyanKry]

If you are willing to go as high as 70 dollars, why not go for another 10 bucks and get the tomtoc navigator travel backpack ($80). It is the cheapest known brand travel backpack. Just to give an idea how cheap it is, I have a peak design 45l travel backpack ($300) and a Tortuga 40l one ($350). Tomtoc, at one third the price, is not far off in terms of quality compared to much more expensive options. Check it out. Btw, not the amazon one but the other one you have in this video seems like heavily "inspired" by the tomtoc model I am talking about. Good video though, cheers.

[@ReganShorter]

Someone else mentioned the Tomtoc bag in the last video, so I’m trying to get one for comparison! Looking through their site their bags look excellent and the price is great. I have a Peak Design tote pack from 2019 (I think) and don’t love it, which I’m sad about because they’re so expensive

[@RyanKry]

@ true they are quite expensive however they are built like a tank with lifetime worldwide warranty. There is a brand called Cabinmax, their main focus is to make bags that fit into specific airlines carry on or personal item bins at the airports and maximise the main compartment for max potential to pack more clothing. If I’m not mistaken most of their products range between 40-100. Cannot speak of their quality though never owned one. But check it out it might become a tool for future content if you like it.

[@ReganShorter]

@@RyanKrythank you for sharing! I’ve never heard of them so I’ll give them a look

[@SamiGreenOasis]

​@@ReganShorter I don't own one but saw a couple reviews for Cabin Zero this last Friday while looking for a new personal item size bag and they look on point for the size. They aren't as pretty as others but do the job. Tomtoc on the other end can be found around 70 bucks if you are lucky enough to find a deal.

[@ReganShorter]

The tomtoc bag is on the way! It’ll be here in mid-January, so I’ll likely have a full video in February for it 🎉

[@marjan6008]

I use The North face Borealis $125,- for travel and as a day backpack. It's comfy and big enough for a week of Summer vacation.

[@TimNguyen825]

I loved my bagsmart bag just because of that quick access compartment. Extremely convenient to put things I grab often on a plane without having to pull my bag that far out under the seat. As well as not having it mixed in with my other stuff I packed in the main compartment

[@ReganShorter]

I agree, I love that pocket!

[@pichaelthompson]

I bought one of those viral travel bags in a 35L model. I’ll admit, it is GREAT for space saving, and the comfort overall is decent. But for me, the deal breaking factor was the construction. Most backpack companies know to use a sturdy material so that the base stays flat. Some companies even use different materials on their base. But the material used to make the viral backpack was not strong enough for the base to stay flat while I wore it. I don’t have poking objects, yet I could feel everything in my bag sag and poke my butt with each step. While standing, it uncomfortably rested on my butt, which I’ve never had a backpack do that in my entire life. I tried compressing it and adjusted the straps to sit higher, but I couldn’t fight gravity. That sag was so weird feeling that I just couldn’t take it. I had to return it. I usually use my trusty fjallraven kanken because it’s universally known to be the max for personal item parameters, but I found an alternative now. On Amazon, there’s a brand called mixi and I bought their 22-24L backpack. This ensures that it will be considered a personal item for most airlines, and it holds just a bit more than my fjallraven. No sag, comfortable straps and stylish. It might not be the most space saving or functional, but it looks great in photos and it’s just as cheap.

[@ReganShorter]

Thanks for sharing! I love the look of the fjallraven, but I need some padding on the straps or my shoulders ache. I'll check out the one you suggested!

[@Belgarathe]

The fit is pretty important. Go for fit and comfort especially if you planning to travel out of the bag. Saving $35 on a bag isn’t worth it if not comfortable carrying full load. I recommend in the review to carry both up and down stairs fully loaded. Sometimes the bag feels very different when it loaded with big heavy things vs when it packed with some light stuff. This coming from someone who has bought numerous bags and also has a short torso too.

[@jetlaggedjanice]

Regan I LOVE the way you break things down so clearly! Such a great comparison video!

[@ReganShorter]

Thank you!! A lot of rambling gets cut during editing 😅😅😅

[@doloresfuertes6677]

Hello! Out of my own experience: if you travel with a back pack only the packing cubes won't do the job. The vacuum bags will! Fold your clothes flat, as a shape of your back pack and place them in 2-3 vacuum bags. Use the bags of manual compression. You will have an excess space left in your back pack for shoes, toiletries and gatgets. Your back pack will stay slim and won't rise the doubts of the air company workers. I traveled with a bigger back pack with the notorious Ryanair without any problems. 🌹

[@ReganShorter]

Do you find that it gets really heavy with vacuum sealed bags? I used them once but wayyyy overpacked because they got so small and my bag was super heavy.

[@doloresfuertes6677]

@ReganShorter The vacuum bags do not solve the problem of overpacking. They do help to pack your belonings in a smaller volume, which is the biggest challenge when you travel with a back pack only. 2-3 plastic bags of manual compression will probably add to your luggage 40-60 grams of weight.

[@Randilynn66]

Not sure why I'm watching since I usually take a checked bag, sometimes 2. LOL.

[@ReganShorter]

I'm too impatient for checked bags and I hate trying to drag them on public transit and around a city haha

[@gpturner0924]

I used to have a backpack that featured the USB relay for external charging. I used it ALL THE TIME! I have been looking for a bag with that feature again because I actually miss it…

[@JL-ly7me]

Thank you. Very good review!!!!

[@mikeleone1347]

That Bagsmart bag works more like a small duffle. The Tomtoc T66 opens the same way, a backpack that opens like a duffle.

[@ReganShorter]

Those are the words I was looking for you! You described exactly what I was thinking... a backpack that opens like a duffle. Thank you! I've gotten a surprising amount of comments about that bag, so i reached out to Tomtoc and they're sending one for comparison. Video coming for that next year!

[@rogerseng]

Just in time for CES. Thanks Regan!

[@ReganShorter]

Are we gonna get a recap video from it??

[@PepperJacksArt]

Would love to see an update on how the Bagsmart treated you during your travels! I have been looking at it for a while but I want to make sure it’s a good investment:)

[@ReganShorter]

I think you'll enjoy it, especially if you take a lot of flights with just a backpack. Another comparable one is from Tomtoc, though it's just a little bit bigger. I just got one in the mail, so I'll compare the two when I'm home again and give you an update. But either way, I think you'll enjoy them!

[@cr4nkberry]

I have the same exact bagsmart backpack like yours. Been taking it to cambodia and the philippines. The space is quite generous inside. And soooo many compartments for easy access. Really worth my money in my opinion

[@ReganShorter]

I looooove the quick access pocket on the top! Both of them hold way more than you’d think.

[@mrkitty5581]

I’m looking at this and the Lovelook for my Cambodia and Thailand trip next month. Pack only a week’s worth of clothes.

[@cr4nkberry]

Hope you get the most suitable one for you!

[@amberatartimec2564]

Facts and figures. Yay!!

[@ninadaon1077]

Question to those who are using the Bagsmart. Are the sides slightly padded or are they like a regular backpack? Are the handles sturdy especially the suitcase handle? Are you pleased with the zipper quality? Thanks.

[@ReganShorter]

Just checked and there’s a very very slight amount of padding on the sides of the Bagsmart bag, that I don’t feel on the fabric of the front pockets. I can’t speak to the long term quality of the zippers, but here is another in depth review on Reddit that does talk more about the zippers (scroll to Retrospective): www.reddit.com/r/onebag/s/EmBJwKUDMY

[@ninadaon1077]

Thanks.

[@pandatrueno_cl]

I have to say it: I use the usb port once, but my battery overheated and the charge was sloooow, so I never used it anymore.

[@ReganShorter]

oh no 😥 yea, I don't really see the point of it. I figured if I'm going to have a cord hanging off my bag, I might as well attach it directly to my battery bank. Plus, I use a usb-c cable, so it wouldn't work anyway 🤭

[@bethmccomb3621]

I wonder how you feel about the fact that the new bagsmart expands.

[@ReganShorter]

If it’s any bigger it won’t fit under the seat, so I personally wouldn’t use the expansion! If I have the option to do a personal item and a carry on, I usually bring a suitcase for the carry on. But the expansion would be nice for road trips and things like that, where you might want more space but aren’t restricted by the size!

[@bethmccomb3621]

@ReganShorter I agree but I like the versatility.

[@mimimaiii]

Bought the bagsmart bag in the Philippines for only $35

[@ReganShorter]

What a deal!

[@janes1138]

great useful video

[@mrgenetics4063]

you're the first American I've seen that uses kg as the metric system of choice rather than lbs XDDD

[@ReganShorter]

It’s because people wanted to know for international airlines, so I used kg because I assumed that’s what would be on the airline website 🙈. I use Celsius on our kettle too because I just never got around to changing to to Fahrenheit lol

[@Liz_Living_Life]

I purchased a Reebok backpack from Walmart best $20 ever spent. Holds everything!

[@ReganShorter]

I love that! Backpacks are a never ending rabbit hole. I bought a bag for $5 from H&M years ago that I love, but it has terrible straps. I’ve been trying to find something similar with comfier straps for years and still haven’t found a replacement that I love as much 😅

[@saraheart2804]

Boycott Peak Designs. They have serial numbers on their backpacks and will snitch on you like they did Luigi.

[@ReganShorter]

I was sooooo shocked when that news came out 🙃

[@TheReversMan]

❤Frist comment ❤