As a full-time food and travel writer, I cover more than 50 flights a year, so having reliable carry-on gear is a must. My bag has to be spacious enough to hold everything I need for my trip, but light enough to easily fit in an overhead bin. That’s why the Dinictis travel backpack has earned a permanent place as my ultimate sidekick.
It’s shockingly affordable. This versatile workhorse usually lists for a cool $25 for the gray version, which is what I have. However, that price has fallen by 20 percent during that time Amazon’s Big Spring Salewhich reduces to a very low price of just $20. That’s an amazing steal in a backpack that easily converts from a personal item to a carry-on bag, proving that extreme value doesn’t mean compromising on quality or durability.
You can spend a lot of money on travel bags and backpacks, but the durable and affordable Dinictis backpack is the best I’ve tried and I always beat them. It’s available in a variety of colors, and they’re all on sale now less than $23.
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I will admit that some of the bags you ride in may look stylish and colorful. But I haven’t found one that meets my needs for durability, efficiency and affordability better than this well-designed travel bag. If you have travel plans on the horizon, this is the step you want to bring, full stop.
That’s all the backpack will do
To be clear, my backpacking days were over before they began. Despite the rugged trails before the age of 25, my life as a traveler didn’t begin in earnest until I was armed only with the sensitive stuff of a roller-bag. Like [age redacted]years old, when I planned a bus trip along the coast of Peru, and an overnight stay in modest lodgings, suddenly the roller bag felt kind of… well, prissy. Roller bags are determined to be safe on anything but a hard surface; Also, it’s not just a good look when the vibe is more low-key than glamorous. This wasn’t a backpacking trip by any means, but the backpack definitely called for it and it held church clothes, supplies and a laptop while still fitting in the closet.
The Dinictis Travel Backpack came into my life on this particular trip, and it exceeded my expectations. Since that trip to Peru, this bag has come with me on every single trip.
A backpack that doubles as a suitcase
The side handle is the key to navigating public transport.
Most travel bags are open and compartmentalized, but the Dinictis Travel Backpack works like a suitcase. It opens on three sides so you can open it like a suitcase and pack accordingly, with straps to hold your clothes in place. This makes finding what you need much easier than shuffling your stuff up and down like a regular backpack. The side handle also allows you to carry it like a suitcase.
When full, it can easily hold up to 10kg, or 22 kilograms, the carry-on weight limit of most discount airlines. Because he bakes, no one has ever asked to weigh for compliance. It will always look easier than it is.
Protect your laptop with confidence
It’s a backpack that packs like a suitcase.
As a writer, I always travel with a laptop, so I am concerned about its portability and safety. That said, I hate pressure on my back, which can be hard and, depending on where you go, sweaty. The computer sleeve on this model is conveniently located near the (non-sweaty) front of the pack, but it’s not much room to the outside. Honestly, protected by a foam separator, the laptop feels hidden, even when packed to the gills.
Outer pockets are required
I am the body of the group, even in roller bags, for two reasons. First, it’s much easier to shove last-minute items into a suitcase that just breaks down without the clamshell action of a hard case; and second: outer pockets. Who can go without these? (No, I really want to know….) This backpack has two exterior pockets in the mix, arguably three if you consider the extra space in front of the laptop sleeve — and four if you include a handy water bottle holder. There are even rooms inside the commissions. These are the kinds of details that separate high performance from holding-up-the-line travelers, in my opinion.
Read more: Pack Your Carry-On Like a Pro to Breathe Through TSA Security
A personal item that can act as checked baggage
Safe laptop storage is essential for the travel writer and this bag has a dedicated sleeve.
Most travel bags have an interior structure that retains its shape, even when empty. The Dinictis model has enough structure to keep its sides floating while you pack it, but its core is still a simple, canvas bag. If you’ve ever been asked to prove that your resume qualifies as a resume, you’ll understand that “recovery” is an important factor. I packed this backpack for the weekend away and brought it on board as a personal thing. (I will fly Spirit Airlines, but I will only do it while giving away as little of my money as possible.) It can fit perfectly under the seat in front of you if needed.
The beauty of this travel backpack is that it is also suitable for checked luggage, thanks to its heavy-duty fabric that can withstand travel. The cables can be unzipped and moved, and the body is reduced by additional clips, for a tidy package that doesn’t make you feel nervous when you watch it being removed from the luggage carrier.
I have had many trips where it took off with me as a carry on and back as checked baggage. Even with a light gray color, its sturdy material does not show that it has seen the tread of a luggage cart. It was a job I didn’t even know I needed, but now I never go without it for this purpose.
Dinictis Travel Backpack details
External dimensions: 7.8 x 12.2 x 18.5 inches
Storage capacity: 28 liters
Weight: 2.49 kilograms
Packages: 1 exterior water bottle pocket, 2 exterior front pockets, 1 interior decorative laptop pocket
Carrying handles: 1 up, 1 side
Important: Polyester and nylon
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4.6 stars average rating on Amazon
You don’t even have to take it from me. The Travel Backpack has over 1,000 five-star ratings on Amazon. As someone who reviews various products for a living, I know how rare this type of rating is. And now that it’s on sale for only $20 this bag is a pretty safe bet.
When will this agreement expire?
There is no way of knowing how long this deal will last. However, the prices of the different colors of this backpack seem to fluctuate daily. You can always find one of these backpacks on sale. However, I recommend placing your order soon if you don’t want to miss out on your color choice, especially if it’s on sale.
