Are you planning a trip to Vietnam and wondering how to pack efficiently? A Personal Item Travel Backpack is the perfect solution! SIXT.VN offers expert travel advice and services to make your trip seamless, ensuring you have the right gear for your adventure. Learn about maximizing space and convenience with a personal item backpack. By choosing the right backpack, you can travel comfortably.
1. Gear Up: Fjallraven Kanken Laptop Backpack
Fjallraven Kanken Laptop Backpack Review
Looking for the best personal item laptop bag? The Fjallraven Kanken Laptop Backpack is a super cute and functional choice. Many team members use it for budget airlines, praising its well-padded shoulder straps that tuck away neatly. Packing is easy thanks to its bucket-like design, and the dedicated laptop compartment offers quick access. The top handles are great for grabbing and going, and it holds a 13-inch laptop perfectly.
Why We Like It:
- Durable and water-resistant materials
- External laptop compartment for easy access
What You Should Know:
- Small side pockets aren’t very useful
- Fabric can fade after a few years
2. CabinZero Military Backpack 28L: Travel Ready
CabinZero Military Backpack 28L Review
Need a personal item-sized bag? The CabinZero Military Backpack 28L is specifically designed for that! It’s budget-friendly and uses durable 1000D nylon, YKK zippers, and Duraflex hardware. With a simple design and two pockets, it offers packing versatility. It fits most airline restrictions, and the laptop compartment can hold up to a 16-inch computer.
Why We Like It:
- Spacious main compartment
- Budget-friendly price
What You Should Know:
- Large logo might not appeal to everyone
- Can be uncomfortable when fully packed
3. EVERGOODS Civic Travel Bag 26L (CTB26): Your Travel Companion
EVERGOODS Civic Travel Bag 26L Revie
The EVERGOODS CTB26 is a top-notch backpack with a capacity in the mid-20s. Ideal for non-budget airlines, its durable materials, numerous pockets, and comfortable harness system make it a frequent traveler’s favorite. Its minimalistic style blends into any environment, and the laptop compartment fits up to a 17-inch computer.
Why We Like It:
- Thoughtful organization
- Sleek and stylish design
What You Should Know:
- Hook-and-loop fastener logo for patches
- Size might not work with budget airlines
4. Cotopaxi Allpa 28L Travel Pack: Colors and Comfort
Cotopaxi Allpa 28L Travel Pack Review
Looking for the best personal item for international travel? The Cotopaxi Allpa 28L Travel Pack is a colorful and functional option. It features attachment loops for gear and many interior pockets for clothes, tech, and toiletries. It packs like a suitcase and fits well on most airlines. Plus, it can hold a 17-inch computer and is incredibly comfortable, even on long days.
Why We Like It:
- Endless color choices
- Flexible materials for easy fitting
What You Should Know:
- Long design may bump against shorter torsos
- Built-in organization can limit larger items
5. TOM BIHN Synik 22: Functional and Durable
Tom Bihn Synik 22 in Detroit
The TOM BIHN Synik 22 is loved for its functionality and durable materials. With numerous pockets and a classic design, it’s ready for any journey. It’s compatible with other TOM BIHN gear and has a 22-liter capacity. It fits a 13-inch computer and offers great comfort with padded, mesh shoulder straps.
Why We Like It:
- Plenty of organization
- Compatible with other TOM BIHN gear
What You Should Know:
- Style isn’t for everyone
- Heavy compared to similar bags
6. Aer City Pack Pro: Modern Travel
Aer City Pack Pro Review
For modern air travel, the Aer City Pack Pro is a top choice. It works as both a daypack and a travel backpack, with numerous pockets and a clamshell opening. It has load lifters, a sternum strap, and a hip belt for comfortable carrying. It can hold up to a 16-inch computer and offers ample padding and mesh for comfort.
Why We Like It:
- Organized with room for larger gear
- Durable materials
What You Should Know:
- Heavier than other packs
- Slightly too big for budget airlines
7. Calpak Hue Mini Carry-On Luggage: Roll with Style
Calpak Hue Mini Carry-On Luggage
Rolling luggage offers convenience, and the Calpak Hue Mini Carry-On Luggage is no exception. It features a hard-sided design, telescopic handle, and locking zippers. The interior has a large storage area with a compression system and a zippered compartment. It’s stylish and comes in fun colors.
Why We Like It:
- Hard-sided for extra protection
- Locking zippers
What You Should Know:
- No dedicated laptop compartment
- No external storage
8. Travelpro Maxlite 5 Carry-On Rolling Underseat Bag: Compact and Convenient
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Carry-On Rolling Underseat Bag
The Travelpro Maxlite 5 Carry-On Rolling Underseat Bag offers everything you need in a small package. It has three external compartments, a laptop compartment for up to a 13-inch laptop, and ample space for clothing. The clamshell-style opening makes organization easy.
Why We Like It:
- Three secondary compartments
- Laptop compartment
What You Should Know:
- Might not fit all budget airlines
- Side pockets aren’t very useful
9. Bellroy Tokyo Wonder Tote 12L: Stylish and Functional
Bellroy Tokyo Wonder Tote 12L Review
Consider a tote for your personal item? The Bellroy Tokyo Wonder Tote 12L is small but mighty. It has a luggage pass-through, a zippered top, a dedicated laptop compartment, and external pockets. It’s perfect when paired with a carry-on or checked bag and can hold up to a 14-inch laptop.
Why We Like It:
- Grippy straps
- 14-inch laptop storage
What You Should Know:
- Won’t fit all your clothing
- Flimsy luggage pass-through
10. TOM BIHN Nomad Tote: Modular and Durable
TOM BIHN Nomad Tote Review
The TOM BIHN Nomad Tote works well with a carry-on or checked bag. It’s small enough for most airlines, has a dedicated spot for your computer, and is made from durable materials. It’s compatible with other TOM BIHN gear and has a large luggage pass-through.
Why We Like It:
- Durable materials
- Compatible with TOM BIHN gear
What You Should Know:
- Fairly large for the capacity
- Hard to remove laptop when fully packed
11. tomtoc Wander-T26 Daily Sling 5.5L: Budget-Friendly and Versatile
tomtoc Wander-T26 Daily Sling 5.5L Review
A sling is a great personal item choice, and the tomtoc Wander-T26 Daily Sling 5.5L is budget-friendly. It can fit a cased Nintendo Switch and has a well-padded strap. It’s perfect for tech gear and keeps essentials within reach.
Why We Like It:
- Budget-friendly
- Space for a Nintendo Switch
What You Should Know:
- Long design might feel big on smaller frames
- Organization is hard to use without tech
12. Peak Design Everyday Sling 6L (V2): Versatile and Durable
Peak Design Everyday Sling 6L
The Peak Design Everyday Sling 6L (V2) is one of the most versatile slings available. It offers configurations for carrying camera gear and daily essentials. The Flexfold dividers segment gear, and the exterior is durable and water-resistant.
Why We Like It:
- Stows various gear
- Stowable strap
What You Should Know:
- Look isn’t for everyone
- Feels empty with less gear
13. Tropicfeel Hive Backpack: Stylish and Expandable
Tropicfeel Hive Backpack Back
The Tropicfeel Hive Backpack stands out with its fun colorway and feature-rich design. It has magnetic attachment points for accessories and a weather-protected outer shell. The clamshell-style main compartment is roomy and easy to pack.
Why We Like It:
- FidLock magnets for accessories
- Spacious with plenty of pockets
What You Should Know:
- Accessories affect dimensions
- Laptop compartment lid isn’t secure
Personal Item Travel Backpack: Testing and Trust
How We Tested It
Three critical criteria we covered for each of these bags are how well it fits the measurements for a personal item bag on popular airlines, how big of a laptop you can fit inside (and the merits of that compartment as a whole), and how comfortable the bag actually is to carry.
Test 1: When testing the bags to see if they’ll work on popular airlines, we did a ton of research on what certain airlines allow for personal item bags. Seriously, it was hours of research! However, since these measurements change all the time, we can’t, in good faith, share them here. After all, we don’t want to be the reason you get slapped with that billion-dollar fine! Instead, we recommend looking up any bag that interests you (after reading our testing results, of course) to ensure that nothing has changed for the airline you plan to fly.
Here are a few insights from our research: measurements range from 15 x 11 x 3.9 inches (38.1 x 27.9 x 9.9 cm) on an airline like Lufthasana to 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45.7 x 35.6 x 20.3 cm) on Spirit. Some airlines don’t have a specific rule for personal items; however, your bag has to fit under the seat in front of you. For an airline like Delta, that’s 20 x 17 x 11 inches (50.8 x 43.2 x 27.9 cm). Generally, some of the best airlines for size are Delta, Spirit, American, and Frontier, and the airlines that have the most rigid restrictions are Ryanair, Lufthansa, and AirFrance. However, just because an airline has a limitation doesn’t mean it is enforced, throwing another wrench into the works.
Testers wanted to see how well every bag handled a laptop.
Test 2: The laptop test was a bit easier. We have all these bags on hand, so what size laptop can we actually fit inside? Are there any other aspects of this laptop compartment worth noting? The main two things we found are that some of these bags have a secondary compartment specifically for a laptop while others don’t. Whether this is a dealbreaker or not will depend on your needs, but some packs make it more challenging to access your computer when the bag is fully packed, so keep that in mind.
Test 3: Testing comfort was easy but rigorous. We couldn’t just test it empty or full; we needed to test every option. From near-empty bags to middleweights stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey, we tested every backpack to help you choose a pack that’ll be comfortable for you. We’ve used almost every pack on this list for two weeks or more in Detroit and across the globe, and those that don’t have full reviews on our site have been rigorously gone over at Pack Hack HQ to ensure their pedigree to be included on this list.
Why You Should Trust Us
We’ve had our hands on thousands of daypacks, slings, and rolling bags and tested hundreds for two weeks or more, so we’ve seen it all. Whether you’re looking for a travel rain jacket that fits in your sling, new travel shoes for your next trip, or a crossbody bag to wear for your journey across Europe, we’ve got you covered. We take what we’ve learned from testing a plethora of gear types over the years and plant it in product roundups like this one to ensure we’re recommending gear that’ll last and work for your next trip. Without further ado, let’s dive in!
Personal Item Travel Backpack: FAQs
Carry on vs Personal Item: What’s the difference?
Carry-ons and personal item bags share the benefit of being allowed in the plane’s cabin with you (i.e., not being stowed away in the cargo hold below). Where they differ is in their size and where the airline allows you to stow them. Carry-ons are generally larger, usually around 22 x 14 x 9 inches (55.9 x 35.6 x 22.9 cm) in dimensions. Thus, you’ll find modestly-sized rollers and spinners and very large travel backpacks fall under this category. Given the larger size, they’re stored in the overhead compartment above your seat.
Meanwhile, personal item bags are on the smaller side. Carriers differ in size limits (even with carry-ons), though a good rule of thumb is that it should be able to fit underneath the sit in front of you. Personal item bags have a clear edge over carry-ons as they’re usually included with your ticket, meaning you don’t have to pay extra or upgrade seats.
What size personal item can I bring?
As mentioned above, carriers and airlines differ when it comes to personal item bag restrictions, though some do have specific size limits. For example, American Airlines (at the time of writing) specifies that personal item bags should not exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35.6 x 20.3 cm). In our experience, airline staff aren’t too strict if your bag exceeds one dimension, whether it’s height, length, or width. So long as it looks reasonably within the stated limits, they usually give it a pass (as always, your mileage may vary).
What counts as a personal item?
Personal items generally refer to bags, as that’s the largest single item travelers bring that’s not a carry on. That said, personal items aren’t limited to backpacks, as tote bags, purses, and laptop bags also count. Essentially, the second bag after your carry on (if you paid for one) is your personal item, regardless of its size. Carriers usually make exemptions for essential items, such as diaper bags, baby carriers, and some medical devices. These exemptions can vary by carrier, so it’s worth checking them out before your trip.
What if my carry on is too big?
So you’ve been asked nicely but firmly to check your bag at the gate because it’s too big. Unfortunately, this usually comes at an extra cost, so we can’t stress enough to triple-check your bag’s dimensions before your trip. Yes, consulting the brand’s page for your bag’s dimensions is helpful. However, once you’ve fully packed your bag, the size can balloon and exceed that, so we recommend breaking out the tape measure and manually measuring your bag at home just to be on the safe side. In our experience, personal item-sized luggage is more likely to be flagged at the gate on stricter airlines, so maybe quadruple-check that before leaving home.
Conclusion
Choosing the right personal item travel backpack can significantly improve your travel experience. Whether you prefer a traditional backpack, a rolling underseat bag, or a stylish tote, there’s an option for every traveler. Consider factors like size, comfort, and organization to find the perfect fit for your needs. Safe travels, and may the odds ever be in your favor, and you always get boarding agents who won’t make you put your bag in the slider!
Ready to plan your trip to Vietnam? Contact SIXT.VN today for personalized travel advice, airport transfer services, hotel booking, sightseeing tickets, flight booking, and Hanoi tour packages. Let us help you create an unforgettable journey!
Address: 260 Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam
Hotline/Whatsapp: +84 986 244 358
Website: SIXT.VN
