The Massive Carry-On Travel Bag I Can’t Seem To Shake

Pros:

• The soft sides allow for creative packing
• The zippers are incredibly sturdy
• The internal storage and organizers are well laid out
• A waist belt that actually works

Cons:

• If you pack this bag full, the weight can pull you backward
• No wheels, but that’s expected, it’s a backpack
• Not an ideal day pack to tour around town, so I bring a small roll-up bag or fanny pack

The trip to Belize was smooth and TSA was a breeze, besides a couple of long lines I might have created myself. The pack, while bulging full, easily carried my camera gear and clothes for a week-long adventure. Impressive, considering I brought a camera, three lenses, an underwater housing for my camera, three pairs of pants, two shirts, a jacket, toiletries, a computer, a couple of books, charging cables, and a collapsable foam roller. However, on that first trip, I realized bringing everything in the 45L Matador Globetrotter left me wanting one more thing.

Embarking on my second flight with the impressive carry-on that is the Matador Globetrotter, I stuffed in a small bag for day trips. When I was in Belize, I often filled my pockets full or tossed the pack on my back for short day outings, but I felt a little ridiculous with an empty pack that size. So, making this slight change to the system, I am now returning from Europe and my 14th outing thinking to myself, is there a better carry-on backpack?

At the moment, the answer to that is an obvious no. I’ve tried several other carry-on backpacks while traveling and most of them fall short. Meanwhile, the Matador Globetrotter is holding strong and not showing any signs of wear-and-tear, yet. Sixty-seven days of traveling and the pack looks like it has barely been used.

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