The Best Travel Backpack I've Ever Used

I used to hate packing. It stressed me out because I never did a good job; I either forgot something important or brought stuff I didn’t need. But I’ve discovered the best travel backpack that’s singlehandedly curing my travel stress: Gossamer Gear’s new Aero Jet.

Here’s how the bag’s organization and design has reduced my packing volume and time by almost half, and, to my amazement, even made me look forward to the formerly dreaded task.

Gossamer Gear Aero Jet Travel Backpack

$225 at Gossamer Gear

To help explain why I love the Aero Jet so much, I called up Drew Zeiff, the lead tester for Outside’s guide to the best travel bags. After testing hundreds of different bags, he was able to immediately summarize what makes the top-rated travel backpack stand out.

“What it all comes down to is compromises,” he said. “There’s no such thing as a perfect travel backpack that will fit everyone’s needs at all times, so the best travel backpacks are the ones where you don’t really notice the compromises but instead enjoy the product design.”

I then called Carrie Fritsch, Gossamer Gear’s lead designer on the Aero Jet. She agreed with Zeiff that minimizing compromises with the Aero Jet was key to making a bag with wide appeal. The way they went about that, she said, was by sticking to the company’s unofficial mantra that no one should have to “pack their fears.”

“When designing ultralight backpacks we’ve always used that motto and it works on travel packs as well,” Fritsch said. “We know that most of the time we can get away with a lot less than we think.”

That framework helps bring the Aero Jet’s attractions into focus. Take size, for example. At 35 liters, the Aero Jet is small but still roomy enough to leave me some breathing room. Over the course of many multi-day trips, I’ve found that I don’t need that much to be happy, safe, and prepared.

In my pack, I’ve managed to easily squeeze in shoes, all my daily clothing, plus a packable puffy, running kit, toiletries, my laptop, a book, all my cords, and other various knick-knacks. External stretchy pockets on the sides and front take the capacity to about 38 liters and hold a rain jacket and water bottles. Two stretchy pockets on the shoulder straps are there for a phone or plane ticket, or whatever else I want to access quickly.

Even when totally packed out, the Aero Jet is not much bigger than a school backpack and easily fits under an airplane seat, whereas other travel bags I’ve tested seem to be designed so that they could just barely squeeze into an overhead compartment. Carrying the bag through airports and on buses, I never felt weighed down or like I was going to knock people over when I turned around. The Aero Jet’s convenient size was refreshing and helped me forget that I’m bringing less gear along.

Organizationally, the Aero Jet is similarly thoughtful. It has one big clamshell opening that allows the two main packing compartments to come completely apart and lay flat on the floor for easy access. Those parking compartments also zip open, so you have full access to your clothes and don’t have to rummage through to find something at the bottom.

The tech compartment has two padded sleeves for an iPad and laptop— a 16-inch MacBook Pro fits, no problem—and there’s a clever hidden sleeve for an Airtag. An RFID pocket protects the info on your credit cards and passport from being stolen. As I’ve organized my gear in the pack, I’ve found that there are plenty of pockets for what I need, but not so many that things ever get lost.

The outside of the pack is made from a flexible, medium-weight 210-denier nylon that puts up with being tossed around and scraped, but doesn’t show much wear because of the dark color. Lots of other travel backpacks I’ve used want to prove how tough they are by using ultra-durable outer materials that stand up to abuse, but they also make the bag so rigid that it doesn’t fit into small compartments and is uncomfortable to wear.

For a harness, the Aero Jet borrows from the company’s ultralight backpacking line and uses wider-than-normal shoulder straps that distribute the weight. The back panel is soft and cushy but full of ridges that allow for air flow—so you don’t get too sweaty when huffing through a terminal or a new city.

I’m currently packing the Aero Jet for a trip to Mexico City where I’m running the annual marathon, and I’ve found that I have to make very few, if any, compromises about what I’ll bring. I’ve already squeezed in travel clothes, extra running shoes, extra running clothes, and rain and cool-weather gear because it’s been chilly and pouring down there. I’ll be gone for five days, but I know that I’ll be able to travel through the airports and in Ubers and subways and never once feel like I’m underprepared or burdened by a pack full of fears.

Shop the Gossamer Gear Aero Jet Travel Backpack

$225 at Gossamer Gear