The Best Active Travel Backpacks

The Best Active Travel Backpacks
Traveling lets you take on new outdoor adventures on different terrain. Before you leave home, it's important to have gear that will handle both trekking in solitude and navigating the bustle of an airport. When you match the right travel pack with the needs of your trip, you'll be less distracted by your gear and better able to focus on the road, or trail, in front of you.

Eagle Creek Thrive 65L

The Eagle Creek Thrive 65L gives you the features of a backpacking pack with extras to make you travel-ready. The 65-liter capacity is large enough for extended trips but compact enough for crowded train platforms. A zipper lets you close off the suspension system to keep it from being damaged during flights. A detachable daypack lets you take day trips while leaving your extra gear back at the hostel. Compression straps keep your gear in place, and a detachable rain covers keeps the Thrive dry in inclement weather. The Thrive 65L retails for $200. Find out more at eaglecreek.com.

Osprey Meridian 75L

The Osprey Meridian 75L provides 75 liters of storage, ready to hold your gear for longer trips. The main compartment sits on wheels so you can roll your pack through airports and streets. For moderate trekking, or to move quickly through terminals, you can unzip shoulder straps and a hip belt and wear the Meridian as a backpack. A 20-liter daypack zips off for your shorter trips. The Osprey Meridian 75L retails from $299 and can be found at ospreypacks.com.

REI Vagabond

REI's Vagabond backpack holds 45.9 liters of gear while staying within carry-on dimensions for most airlines. The hip belt and shoulder straps can be zipped covered, and the streamlined exterior prevents the pack from becoming stuck or snagged during travel. An organizing pouch keeps travel documents safe in the top of the pack. A stow-away rain cover protects the Vagabond during wet weather and adds extra security while moving through crowded areas. The Vagabond retails for $199 at rei.com.

PacSafe Daysafe Secure Daypack

The PacSafe Daysafe Secure Daypack is the pack for peace of mind on your next day trip. The daypack provides padded shoulder straps, but without a hip belt, it's designed for smaller, lighter loads. Stainless steel wire weaves into the fabric of the pack, making it much harder for a would-be thief to slash into the pack. The main compartment comes with a lock to keep valuables safe. An outer-mesh pocket expands to stash bulky items. You can purchase the PacSafe Daypack from rei.com for $149.95.

Article Written By Kathrine Cole

Kathrine Cole is a professional outdoor educator. She teaches rock climbing, backpacking, cycling, and bike maintenance classes. She is a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School, a Wilderness First Responder, and a Leave No Trace Trainer.

Write for Trails.com
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