Amazon BasicsTravel Backpack Carry On Flight Approved, Lightweight, Expandable, Dual Use as Backpack or Shoulder Bag, Black

This is a phenomenal backpack for the super reasonable price that amazon demands for it. It has a lot of space within it, with every pocket being very useful to hold multiple different things. I love the amount of compartments it comes with, and the quality of the exterior and the feel of the stitching is great. The color has stayed vibrant, despite the constant exposure to sunlight, and it has withstood multiple drops, scrapes, and general vigorous wear and tear with little permanent damage marking it. The padding on both the inside and the shoulder straps is top tier, comfortably protecting and cushioning the valuables I keep inside, as well as making it a light sweat to carry, even with the usual 40~ lbs. of things i keep in it. Overall, a great backpack for both outdoors and campus life!

After much indecision, I purchased this Amazon Basics bag as my only luggage for a week-long trip to California, wanting to avoid checked luggage. I'm happy I pulled the trigger on this one.I bought “used, like new” to save a few bucks and as far as I'm concerned it really is like brand new. It arrived in original plastic bag (which is actually how you're supposed to return stuff to Amazon anyway.) No sign whatsoever of having been touched by human hands. (Thank you to the person who didn't take it on a trip to test it out before returning it!)I was a bit worried about the size as the description lists it as slightly larger than standard 22X14X9, but my measurement says it's closer to standards than listed. It fit perfectly in the size checker at check in, in case anyone else had that concern.Right off the bat I liked almost everything about this bag.The size is almost exactly the maximum standard carry on size so there's no wasted space (or extra weight) as with wheels. That was important to me for being able to pack enough to avoid checked luggage and that whole waiting at the carousel for your man-handled suitcase. In this case I packed for a week…easily.I like the material as it appears to be quite durable and feels “heavy duty” enough to hold up for years. Stitching looks good too. Zippers work well and are pretty heavy duty.Another important feature, to me, is that this fully opens like a suitcase making it a lot easier to pack than having to stuff a bag.There is a nice, wide handle on the side and top so it can be carried horizontally or vertically. The handles don't bunch up since there is a “stiffening agent” sewn inside (probably a strip of plastic). I tried squeezing it tightly and it didn't bend so it seems durable. The only issue with squeezing it (or holding it tightly) is that the internal plastic strip is both thin and rigid and can press into your hand in an uncomfortable way. Not a problem, just don't squeeze.I appreciate that there are four compression straps on the outside to squash down the load for when saving space is a concern or just to snug up your load. I think these could also work as an umbrella holder or to strap a jacket to the side of the bag. [Note: I did strap my jacket on at the airport and it worked great for that.As far as the backpack use is concerned, the padding on the back is adequate and the straps are comfortable. The waist strap is thin and I think it would get uncomfortable quickly. I didn't even take it on my trip.As you can see on the listing, there is a zippered, mesh compartment on the inside of the “lid” of the main compartment. This compartment is flat with no depth although you could stuff it and make it bulge, taking space away from the main area. I suppose it would be good for a wet swimsuit or dirty underwear or something. As another reviewer noted, It's kind of strange how this mesh panel was only designed to occupy about ¾ of the width of the lid which wastes an opportunity for slightly more packing…but that's a negligible concern.I don't think the compression straps on the inside of the main compartment are all that useful considering the external ones do a fine job of compressing the whole load. I didn't use them at all…they just seem like interference with getting to your stuff.I like that this bag is expandable because you just never know what you're going to find on vacation that you can't resist bringing home! I did not use that this trip but thought I was going to have to, so it was added security.I like the idea of the strap across the back that would enable you to slide this bag over the extended handle of a rolling suitcase, but I generally try to avoid traveling with that much stuff to have to haul around, so I'll probably never use it.For the $37 I spent, I have no complaints, but there is room for improvement. For one thing, I'd like it if there was a shallow zippered compartment on the front rather than the deep ones.That would be more convenient for stashing things you want quick access to without having to dig. Cellphone, charger, cables, glasses, chapstick, breath mints (a courtesy for your row partners.)I also would have liked a beverage holder pouch on the outside so I wouldn’t have to hold my thermal coffee container in hand or stuffed inside taking up packing space. My fix was to order a separate bottle holder to attach to an external compression strap. (See photo)If there is ever an upgraded version of this bag that includes those missing features, I'd buy that too.I travel quite a bit and I think this will be my new “go to” bag despite the small criticisms. I think that for the price you can't really go wrong, so, notwithstanding those design omissions, I give this my full recommendation, endorsement and five stars.Follow up: On my return trip I checked this bag due to “sensitive” content (empty gun clips my brother was sending to my son who's a cop) and I didn't want to get stopped at security. I also thought it would be a good test to see how well it stood up to the baggage handling process. Call me foolish but I had also packed a large, heavy, ceramic mug that I'd picked up at a thrift store (so no big loss it didn't survive). The bag and all contents came through in perfect shape except for one small “snag” in the fabric. (Thank you American Airlines baggage handlers.)Other: To say I packed for a week is subjective. (In college it could’ve been a couple shirts, an extra pair of pants, some underwear and a toothbrush…and, wistful thinking, a couple condoms…lol!)So here's what I actually just unloaded when I got home.3 pants1 cargo shorts1 gym shorts1 swim suit5 button down shirts (short sleeve)2 v-neck tees2 regular tees1 long-sleeved polypro shirt7 underwear3 socks1 small toiletries bag1 shaver in hard case1 small zippered pouch for cables, chargers, adapters etc.1 16oz insulated coffee container (I didn't have the external strap-on holder yet for this trip.)1 large, heavy ceramic mug1 left over 3.5oz bag of Cheerios1 bag of granola1 tin of breath mints2 e-candles (night lights for dark hotel bathrooms.)1 large Samsung tablet.1 reading glasses1 can hair sprayA few small packets of creamer, sugar and red pepper flakes.1 (hopefully never to be used) covid maskAnd 1 bandana (never travel without a bandana! See my book, “100 uses for a bandana”.)All this without even using the “expando” feature and I'm sure I could have put in another couple tee shirts etc.

Great looking in black. The smooth-finish, semi-ballistic weave exterior isn't too shiny, it just has a nice low-gloss sheen, but it sheds pet fur unlike "canvas" style fabrics.The laptop slot is ingenious - the side towards my back is well-padded, as expected, but the side on the interior is unpadded, allowing the fabric to drape around the laptop edges, and thereby "reclaim" otherwise lost laptop compartment space.This is a classic, albeit well-designed and beautifully made, "onebag" - a term coined by blogger Doug Dyment to describe convertible suitcase/backpack carry-ons that are efficient enough to replace checked luggage. Rick Steves has also been a big advocate of the "carryon only" philosophy and rectangular (for maximum interior volume) convertible backpacks.This AmazonBasics is virtually a clone of the eBags TLC Mother Lode Weekender Convertible, which is a good thing - I've had both years-ago and recent Motherlode editions, and they are cleverly designed. My one gripe about the Motherlode line is "feature creep" - too many compartments, clever but hard to use snap-out water bottle slots, etc.SO the AmazonBasics is a slightly simpler version of the Motherlode - for about half the price.Size is maximum carryon size based on United Airlines' spec - 9x14x22. Unlike a lying wheelie, however the AmazonBasics is really 9x14x22 - wheelie makers usually don't count their wheels or protruding top and side handles (the handles on this AmazonBasics lie pretty flat).Main compartment has tie-down straps that come straight off the bottom edge, compared to eBags which are routed through clips up the sidewalls first. Tie down straps off the bottom edge tend to compress packing cube edges more than their flat tops, pulling the packing cube edges away from the sidewalls.The only interior organizing slot/pouch is a flat 2/3 width, flat mesh zipper pouch. I think this should have been full width.Outside, there are two slots. The outermost slot is "flat" with zipper slight below the actual slot top. This is mostly good for - LOL - magazines (actually printed magazines? yeah, right) or a newspaper, stuff that isn't too thick. I'd be reluctant to even shove a scarf in hereBehind the flat zipper slot is a real "compartment", basically an add-on to the lid but accessible from the outside. It opens with a u-zipper, pulling down from the top (no opening side-to-side book style). You can fit a light wind or rain jacket in here, but fleece or a hooded rain parka will create a bulge. There are two pen slots on the body-side panel, with drop in solid slots at top and drop in mesh slots at bottom. These are designed for flat items; an Amazon Fire HD 8 without a case fits easily. I don't think any of the slots here are suitable for phone or passport, you should have a waistpack, neck pouch, or "personal item" sized handbag or small daypack for stuff that needs organizing.Me, I only care about room for the following:1. Packing cube for a couple travel pants and couple polos or short sleeve sport shirts;2. Combination packing cube for underwear and socks.3. Room for light sweat pants or longjohns, and light fleece, for pajamas.4. Bathroom kit, in a dopp kit-style sil nylon zip pouch.5. Chargers and cables kit.6. Laptop and tablet (ok, in this case the front panel drop-in table slot is handy).7. Left over room for a fleece and rain shell spread top to bottom in the interior main compartment.andThin fabric shelled, t shirt weight lined, casual runners or hikers jacket in the external zipper compartment, to keep me warm on the flight.So, basically, I can underpack this thing outbound, using the handy exterior compression straps to keep stuff from shifting and also to slim down the profile (which makes gate check agent happy).Inbound, I loosen the compression straps, unzip the expansion panel, and stuff the bag with souvenirs - and treat it as checked luggage when I leave, knowing that if it is temporarily lost I'll already be home and can live without it for a while.$49.95 is a crazy price. This is worth $99 and would still be a bargain compared to name brands.