The REI Ruckpack 40 Is Traveler-approved

On my first multi-stage international trip, I stumbled off the plane dragging a wheeled suitcase behind me. And then I continued to drag it behind me for two weeks and five different locations. While I love a good-wheeled carry-on, travel backpacks have proven more convenient for multi-stage travel. After multiple trips with a variety of daypacks and backpacks, I’ve sworn loyalty to the organized, comfortable, and affordable REI Ruckpack 40. 

This pack most recently fit 16 days’ worth of clothes and gear for a multi-stage trip to Japan. We started in Tokyo, flew south to the Kerala Islands, north to Kyushu, then back to Tokyo. We moved locations and hotels every few days, and I carried this pack fully loaded during multiple full days of travel without discomfort. This meant ferries, buses, taxis, multiple flights, and a lot of walking around. It fits easily into overhead bins on both domestic and international flights, and has the perfect amount of pockets to stay organized without getting overwhelmed. 

REI Ruckpack 40

The Ruckpack 40 has a backpacking-pack-style internal frame system supported by a wide, padded hip belt, adjustable shoulder straps, a sternum strap, and load-lifters to keep the weight close to your back. The back panel has vented Airmesh (like REI’s house-brand backpacking packs) and dual channels for airflow that help keep the sweat at bay. The pack sits right on my hips for excellent weight distribution, and it doesn’t yank my shoulders back. It’s also available in both men’s and women’s models, which helps dial in the fit. 

For me, 40 liters is the perfect size for a trip where I’m trying to pack smart but not limiting myself too much. Our trip was quite varied, including everything from snorkeling on a tropical island to hiking in 40-degree Fahrenheit rain to city sightseeing. I never felt like I was short on luggage space though, and since I prioritize highly packable clothing, I was able to fit five pairs of pants, two pairs of shorts, two bathing suits, six shirts, two jackets, my laptop, full toiletries, two pairs of shoes, and my headphones and electronics without an issue. 

Plus I still had room to bring back a dozen packs of Hi-Chews from the convenience store. If you like the design of the Ruckpack 40 but want something smaller, REI also makes it in a 30-liter capacity with similar pockets and features, or an 18-liter daypack with a pared-down build.

Since the main body of the pack is just one big compartment, I used two Thule packing cubes to organize my clothes (one for shirts and one for pants) and an Eagle Creek packing cube for toiletries. The three cubes were stacked neatly in the main compartment, which opens in a full U-zip for easy access. The multiple mesh and zippered internal pockets were perfect for socks and underwear, important documents, and my electronics and cables. 

The top lid of the pack has a full-width zipper, where I kept headphones, my external battery, and any quick-grab items. I also made sure to store the Ruckpack with the top zipper facing out during my long-haul flights, stashing easy-access items in that top pocket so I could grab them without taking the pack out of the overhead bin.

REI Ruckpack 40

The bag’s durability is another area where it shines — even despite its impressively lightweight 2.75-pound frame. It’s made with rugged 400-denier nylon outer material, which has held up incredibly well to the abuse of international travel, and fortified with tough zippers, weight-distributing webbing, and hefty buckles. I’ve had to gate-check this bag a few times on full flights, and it still shows very little signs of wear and tear after crashing around the luggage carousel. It has a DWR treatment to repel light rain, and it also comes with a handy pack cover if you’re taking a trip with a soggy forecast. 

It’s also worth noting that I haven’t experienced any zipper failures or issues with closures, but if you’re concerned about the straps getting tangled in transit, the bottom compartment opens up to reveal a zippered closure that turns this into a handle-carry duffel. 

The REI Ruckpack 40 is, without a doubt, my favorite travel backpack, but I also have tested and recommend a few others if you’re looking for different organization and design options. 

More Travel Backpacks to Shop: 

Osprey Fairview 40

This pack is similar to the Ruckpack 40 in that it takes design inspiration from Osprey’s backpacking packs and has a similarly comfortable weight distribution. It also has reinforced side panels that buckle around the pack to provide compression and additional protection for your gear. 

The pack opens more widely than the Ruckpack 40, which makes it easier to find items fast, but it does weigh .5 pounds more than the Ruckpack thanks to the burlier materials. The Fairview 40 also has a stowaway panel cover to tuck the straps in during travel, and the reinforced duffle handles let you carry it by hand.

Thule Aion 40

I’ve used the 28-liter version of this pack as my personal item for years, and am continually impressed with the durability and sheer number of features it crams into a small package. The Aion 40 is a perfect carry-on size, with more of an angular structure than the Fairview and Ruckpack. This can help when maximizing space with packing cubes and rigid items. It has dual top-carry handles, separate compartments for dirty and clean clothes, and multiple interior padded pockets for your laptop, notebooks, and documents. 

Cotopaxi Allpa 42

I tested this last year, and it has impeccable organization. The whole bag opens like a book, which makes the main compartment easier to access than backpacking-style packs. Each side is further divided into mesh pockets, and it lies entirely flat so you can see everything quickly. I also appreciated the reinforced, TPU-coated exterior that felt like a solid barrier against the elements, as well as the padded laptop sleeve. 

The pack is designed less like a backpacking pack and more like a suitcase you carry on your back, so I’d recommend this mostly for trips where you won’t need to carry it super far. 

Gregory Border 30

The Border 30 feels like a mix between the Ruckpack and the Allpa. It’s shaped more like a rectangle than the rounded top of the Ruckpack, but I found it more comfortable to carry than the Allpa. The organization is also right in the middle, styled as a classic travel backpack with an internal divider where you can separate dirty clothes from clean clothes, and another area for stashing shoes. 

I like the structure of this pack and appreciate the design details like the split case, but I often find it easier to pack all my gear into one main compartment. While the 30-liter is a great weekend pack, Gregory also makes a 40-liter version for a carry-on bag alternative. 

Timbuk2 Wingman Travel Backpack Duffel

For travelers looking for the most access while still being able to carry the bag like a backpack, a combination duffel backpack is a good option. You won’t get the support and carry comfort of a backpacking-style travel pack, but the full access of the Wingman Travel Backpack Duffel is nice for anyone packing large items. I’ve used the side pocket for shoes and a smaller packing cube, and the backpack straps (and hip belt) tuck away for when you use it as a duffel.

The main compartment also has a mesh compression panel to both organize and keep gear in place, and at just under 40 liters, it’s a no-brainer for even the smaller domestic airline overhead bins. 

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