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Standard Luggage Carry On Backpack Review
If you’re looking at large carry on travel bags in the 35-45 liter range, like the GoRuck GR3, or the Tortuga Outbreaker 45L, I would highly encourage you to have a look at this backpack. The Standard Luggage Carry On Backpack gets right what most of these other packs get wrong, for less. It comes with multiply carry options, a bomb-proof nylon exterior, a ton of thoughtful organizational features, as includes accessories most other bags charge a premium for.
Cost: $179
Capacity: 35-45 liters (expandable)
Dimensions: 21.5 x 13.5 x 7.5 (collapsed), 21.5 x 13.5 x 9.5 (expanded)
Style: (Clamshell, top load, duffel bag)
Weight: 3.7 lbs. (1.68 kg.)
Laptop: 15+”
Materials: 1680 denier ballistic nylon, YKK zips, leather accents
Origin: Manufactured in China, designed in Ontario Canada
Warranty: Full lifetime
Looking at older versions of the Standard Luggage Carry On Backpack, it becomes obvious that this bag has been upgraded. I read the reviews and comments mentioning the cons of the bag: no hip belt, lack of ventilation or padding on backpack. Then BAM! The latest version has an awesome detachable hip belt, great back padding and ventilation, a removable padded laptop sleeve! And get this, they updated the bag with all these great new features, but they didn’t raise the price. To me this speaks volumes about this company.
Materials, Colors, and Size
Material
Standard Luggage uses a very high quality, durable 1680 denier ballistic nylon fabric in the Standard Luggage Carry On Backpack. It is a great, super durable, water resistant material that will probably last forever, but may get slightly “fuzzy” after extended use when compared to bags made out of 1050 denier ballistic nylon (like Tom Bihn), or 1000 denier Cordura® (like GoRuck).
The Zippers are all simple high quality YKK branded zips. With Locking #8’s on the Main and Laptop compartment, and a #8 non-locking expandable pocket. The remaining exterior pockets, and interior compartments are all YKK #5. I use this mini locking carabiner to keep my zippers secure.
Aesthetics
I love the orange and blue colored accessories, use them, lose them, mix and match, it’s your choice. I like the black version, with your choice of patch. It has a nice sleek looking pack similar to the GoRuck GR3, but for a THIRD of the price.
Size and Color
This backpack is definitely designed as a MAX CARRY carry on travel bag. Unexpanded, the bag is slightly taller, and wider than comparable 33-35 liter backpacks. If you are shopping for a more minimalist bag in this size range, like the Aer Travel Pack 2, Minaal Carry-on 2.0 for example, this bag will be too big for you.
Think of the Standard Luggage Carry On Backpack as a 45L bag that can be compressed, instead of a 35 liter bag that can be expanded.
However, if you are shopping for a large carry on travel bag in the 35-45 liter range, like the GoRuck GR3, or the Tortuga Outbreaker 45L, I would highly encourage you to have a look at this backpack. It has a size and features comparable to these packs, but for way less money.
If you’re like me, you ALWAYS end up with more gear (presents, souvenirs, clothes) than you started your trip with. That’s where an expandable pack comes in handy. The Standard Luggage Carry On Backpack allows you to start your trip with a slim 35L backpack, but expand it to 45L to accommodate all these extra goodies.
Accessories
They include so many really useful accessories with this backpack, this needed to be its own section. Most packs either don’t come with these things, include them as poorly made add-ons, or they charge extra for them. Standard Luggage includes all these with the Standard Luggage Carry On Backpack: Padded laptop sleeve, rain cover, shoulder strap, detachable hip belt, leather luggage tag, 2 full sets of leather handle covers and pull tabs.
External Components
External Organization
There are two medium sized external “slash pockets” on the front of the Standard Luggage Carry On Backpack. They are large enough to hold most of your easy access items, and an interior blue liner fabric is helpful to locate your gear. These pockets don’t have further interior pockets or dividers, but several further interior pockets are perfect for organizing smaller items
Compression Straps / Buckles
This bag lacks external compression straps, however the expansion zipper allows you to compress the pack in a similar way. Simply pack the bag while expanded, then close the zipper. Your bag now takes up the same room as a 35 liter pack. It performs the same function, but with a cleaner exterior look.
Water Bottle Pocket
The one side water bottle pocket is very similar in style to the Aer Travel Pack 2, except bigger. It’s an expandable side access pocket that zips flat when not in use. One of my favorite designs for water bottle pockets. It’s there when you need it, and out of the way when you don’t.
Waterproofness
The 1680D ballistic nylon is water resistant, so you don’t need to worry during light sprinkles. However the included rain cover really comes in handy if you encounter a downpour. I LOVE that the rain cover comes in its own separate pocket, you can put it anywhere, or store it in a small interior pocket. Packs like the REI Ruckpack 40, and the Minaal 2.0 really restrict the organization by putting the cover in a dedicated bottom pocket.
Carry Options
They have a great 3-in-1 carry system on the Standard Luggage Carry On Backpack, it is really the best of all worlds. It consists of hide-away backpack straps, shoulder strap (included), removable hip straps (also included), and side carry handles. All of the straps are removable for a clean look, and easy access through airports.
Backpack straps
These backpack straps have a great feature, they hide-away inside a top access zippered compartment. They are big and comfortable, with thick foam padding, and an adjustable sternum strap. The back padding is a comfortable, soft foam with mesh covering, and has good ventilation channels.
The shoulder straps are missing load adjustors, which would help balance the weight on your back. I find the system to be a good compromise, it’s comfortable for most trips, without the added weight. Fully packed with heavy gear, this pack might become uncomfortable on your shoulder during long trips.
The back of the bag also includes a pass-through strap so you can put the bag over the handle rolling luggage, OR if in hurry can slip backpack straps through this strap.
Hip belt
The Standard Luggage Carry On Backpack includes a removable hip belt. They give you just a little bit of extra support when you are carrying a larger load. They can be used, removed and left at home, or tucked inside the side pouch for a sleeker look.
The hip straps are a similar style to those seen on packs like the Aer Travel Pack 2 (link to optional hip belt), and the Minaal Carry On 2.0 (link to removable hip belt), except those companies charge between $20 – $40 extra for their removable hip straps. They are included in the Standard Luggage Carry On.
If carrying this pack full, the hip straps are a little small when compared to the hip straps on large 45L bags like the GoRuck GR3, and the Tortuga Outbreaker 45L, however this pack is considerably cheaper than those packs.
Shoulder Strap
Another great carry option is the included shoulder strap. It’s constructed from a 3” thick piece of neoprene attached to 1.5” nylon webbing and plastic YKK buckles. A quality strap which is included for free with the Standard Luggage Carry On Backpack.
Carrying any bag of this size with a shoulder strap is going to eventually lead to fatigue. I carry my 33L Tom Bihn Tristar with a shoulder strap, and even that gets tiring. The shoulder strap option is great if your bag is packed on the small size, or if you’re going a short distance. But don’t expect to carry a fully packed 45L bag around for any serious length of time with a shoulder strap.
Top And Side Handles
The carry handles are in the medium range of thickness I’ve seen on bags like this. They are a high quality 1680D nylon strap with thick foam padding. They are definitely good, comfortable handles for loading or carrying the bag, even fully packed. Add the leather colored accents and you have yourself a pretty decent carry option.
Interior Components and Design
Packing Style
The Standard Luggage Carry On opens lengthwise into a flat panel loading, clamshell style compartment, similar to a suitcase. The large compartment is spacious, and very easy to pack. Place large items in one side, and smaller items on the top side.
Interior Organization
The lay-flat design of this bag is great. The top flap opens giving you access to 3 additional interior compartments. One large, spacious 3D pocket comes out 1-2” from bag. While not quite large enough to fit a full packing cube, its big enough for a couple folded dress shirts, or a light jacket.
There are two additional zippered slash-pockets above the 3D pocket. One mesh, and the other fabric. These are perfect for any additional smaller items you have, like toiletries or electronics.
Laptop Compartment
They include a large padded laptop sleeve, big enough to hold most 15” laptops. Its attaches with an ingenious removable strap system, and is stored in a separate back access compartment. I really, really like this system for a several reasons, but it has one downside.
The padded laptop sleeve holds most 15” laptops, and includes an extra pocket to hold a tablet. It’s big enough to hold my gigantic 15” Toshiba, and one reviewer on Amazon says he can fit a 17” laptop in here. It is however a little large if you are carrying a smaller 13” laptop.
One downside to the laptop compartment is a lack of a false bottom. This is a separator that keeps your laptop from touching the bottom of the backpack. It helps keep your laptop from being damaged if you were to set your pack down heavy, or drop it. This is only a problem if you choose not to use the sleeve however, as this added padding should protect your laptop in all but the worst drops.
Packing The Carry On Backpack
Again, this is a large carry on backpack, designed to fit the maximum dimensions of most airlines. It is a little larger than the backpack I usually carry, so I’m going to include some extra items in my pack list so I can demonstrate the capacity of the Carry On Backpack.
The Ultimate Travel System
This packing system is really ingenious. It’s 4-piece system of three hanging packing cubes, and a packable daypack (that doubles as a packing cube), all designed to fit perfectly into the Standard Luggage Carry On Backpack.
Packing cubes
These cubes are designed to fit together with Velcro® fasteners, and hang up for easy access. This is a great feature in hotel rooms, it keeps your clothes visible, and highly accessible. This system works well if your packing cubes aren’t full, however I the Velcro isn’t strong enough to hold 3 cubes full of heavy clothes together. And the top zipper is a little more challenging to pack than the traditional full-flap opening cubes (like these from Eagle Creek) you usually see.
Packable Daypack
What if you could save weight by using one of your packing cubes as a daypack? This provides two solutions, you get a packing cube to hold gear when you’re traveling, and a handy daypack to use when you get to your destination.
Usually carry on travelers will use packing cubes in their main bag, plus bring a separate daypack for carrying small items during the day. The Packpack Daypack saves you space by doing double duty. I’ve been using a similar system on my Tom Bihn Tristar for years, and I love it.
Summary
They really thought of everything with the Standard Luggage Carry On Backpack. They get right what a lot of other backpacks get wrong, but for less. Standard Luggage really did their homework with this backpack, and include a ton of useful features most companies charge extra for. This is going to be a great option for travelers looking for a maximum sized carry on backpack, with multiple carry options. If you’re used to a smaller bag, or want something to fit under the airplane seat, this is going to be a little big for you.
Best Features
- More features than similar bags
- Great price for the quality
- Love the laptop sleeve
- Detachable waist belt
Worst Features
- Boxy design
- Wide and tall compared to similar 35L bags
- No exterior compression straps
- No false bottom in laptop compartment
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