Summary of "The Travel Bags Tier List (2025/2026 Edition)"

Summary of “The Travel Bags Tier List (2025/2026 Edition)”

The video reviews and ranks 15 of the most popular travel bags based on the creator’s personal preferences after testing over 500 bags. The tier list ranges from D (pass) to S (god level), focusing primarily on comfort, usability, aesthetics, and travel-relevant features. While all bags discussed are well-regarded, the rankings are subjective and tailored to the reviewer’s travel style and preferences.

Main Features & Evaluations of Highlighted Bags

Coto Paci Alpa (B Tier)
- Pros: Huge top clamshell pocket, good organization, excellent harness system with hip belt and ventilation.
- Cons: Shoulder straps are dense/hard, coating prone to peeling, unappealing color options.
- Verdict: Comfortable and functional but not visually appealing for the reviewer.
Simple Weekender (C Tier)
- Pros: Comfortable shoulder straps, decent for a structured weekender.
- Cons: Too thick and structured, overly complex for the reviewer’s travel style.
- Verdict: Good weekender for some but not preferred by the reviewer.
Amazon Basics Carry-on (C Tier)
- Pros: Extremely budget-friendly (~$50), compression straps, stowable shoulder straps, expandable.
- Cons: Comfort issues (especially at hips), basic materials.
- Verdict: Great value for extreme budgets but lacks premium feel and comfort.
Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro (A Tier)
- Pros: Very comfortable (hip belt, back panel, adjustable harness), weather resistant, clamshell opening.
- Cons: Heavy, admin compartments considered unnecessary by reviewer.
- Verdict: One of the better travel backpacks, though slightly overshadowed by Tortuga Light.
Osprey Daylight 26 + 6 (B Tier)
- Pros: Iconic, affordable (~$100), features like expansion, water bottle holders, ventilation, excellent warranty.
- Cons: Limited and unattractive color options, shoulder straps could be better padded, “heritage dorky” design.
- Verdict: Great value and solid performer but not top-tier for reviewer.
Packed Travel Backpack V2 (B Tier)
- Pros: Feature-rich, clamshell opening, good organization including laptop divider.
- Cons: Dense shoulder straps with coarse mesh, heavy, too many features for reviewer’s taste.
- Verdict: Functional and comfortable but overly complex.
Black Ember Forge (D Tier)
- Pros: Stunning aesthetics, technical design, good stowaway shoulder straps.
- Cons: Very heavy, overly complex, not comfortable for travel.
- Verdict: Great for business users wanting technical features, but heavy and too complicated for general travel.
Broy Venture Travel Pack 26L (C Tier)
- Pros: Sleek design, beautiful interior.
- Cons: Thin shoulder straps, thick materials, uncomfortable for the reviewer.
- Verdict: Visually appealing but uncomfortable and didn’t work well for reviewer.
Alpaca Elements Travel Backpack (D Tier)
- Pros: Good EDC gear brand, unique NASA-inspired foam shoulder straps.
- Cons: Tight packing, poor clamshell access (top loader only), hard shell bottom, uncomfortable.
- Verdict: Not suitable for travel in reviewer’s opinion, though brand is respected.
Broy Light Travel Backpack (S Tier) - Pros: Lightweight (<2 lbs for 30L), malleable, very comfortable shoulder straps and back panel, clamshell opening. - Cons: PU-coated zippers questionable, white color prone to dirt, side laptop access not ideal. - Verdict: One of the best travel bags tested, exemplifies “less is more” trend.
Peak Design Travel Backpack (C Tier) - Pros: Iconic, well-designed, magnetic closures, stowaway hip belt/shoulder straps, great expansion system. - Cons: Too many features for reviewer’s taste, personally annoying. - Verdict: Excellent design but not aligned with reviewer’s minimalist travel preference.
Nomadic Travel Pack (C Tier) - Pros: Professional look, expandable, great tech compartment, favored by business travelers. - Cons: Heavy, too many features, thin shoulder straps, thick fabric. - Verdict: Good for business travelers; not preferred by reviewer for comfort and weight.
TomTack Navigator (S Tier) - Pros: Affordable (~$100), very comfortable (beefy shoulder straps and back panel), functional compression straps, multiple pockets. - Cons: Compression straps can be intrusive, dark internal lining. - Verdict: Excellent value and comfort, feels premium despite mid-range price.
Air Backpack (D Tier) - Pros: Viral marketing success, unique internal vacuum system. - Cons: Very heavy, uncomfortable foam shoulder straps, high price for feature. - Verdict: Not recommended by reviewer despite popularity.
Air Travel Pack 3 (A Tier) - Pros: Iconic silhouette, PU zipper, external water bottle holder, excellent comfort with load lifters, epic clamshell opening. - Cons: Heavy and bulky, very thick ballistic nylon exterior. - Verdict: Highly recommendable and iconic but not perfect due to weight and bulk.

Additional Notes

Comfort is the primary criterion for the reviewer; bags that are not comfortable rank lower regardless of features.
Reviewer prefers simple, lightweight, malleable bags over heavy, feature-loaded backpacks.
Clamshell opening is favored over top loaders for easy access.
Aesthetics matter, but functionality and comfort weigh more.
The reviewer is a fan of Unbound Marino travel clothing for its technical features (moisture-wicking, antibacterial, fast drying), highlighting the importance of clothing alongside bags.
Some bags are highly regarded by others (e.g., Nomadic favored by Alex Hormozi), but personal preferences differ.
The reviewer encourages viewers to watch full in-depth reviews linked in the description for each bag.

Unique Points from Different Speakers or Perspectives

The main reviewer emphasizes personal travel style heavily influences rankings.
Margaret (media manager) agrees on the importance of clamshell opening and simplicity.
Alex Hormozi (business traveler) prefers Nomadic Travel Pack, showing the bag’s appeal to a different user type.
The reviewer acknowledges some bags are iconic and legendary even if they don’t suit his preferences.

Overall Verdict / Recommendation

For 2025/2026, the best travel bags balance comfort, simplicity, and functional design. The Broy Light Travel Backpack and TomTack Navigator stand out as S tier for their lightweight, comfortable, and practical designs at reasonable prices. The Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro and Air Travel Pack 3 are excellent but heavier and bulkier, ranking in A tier. Budget options like the Amazon Basics Carry-on offer value but sacrifice comfort and premium features.

Travelers seeking minimalist, comfortable, and practical bags should lean toward lightweight, malleable designs with clamshell openings. Those who prioritize features or business aesthetics may prefer other options but should expect trade-offs in weight and comfort.

Summary Table

Bag Tier Key Pros Key Cons Verdict Broy Light Travel Backpack S Lightweight, comfy, clamshell PU zippers, white color dirt-prone One of best tested, highly recommended TomTack Navigator S Affordable, comfy, functional Compression straps intrusive Great value, premium feel Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro A Comfortable, weather resistant Heavy, admin compartments Travel masterpiece, heavy Air Travel Pack 3 A Iconic, comfortable, load lifters Heavy, bulky, thick material Iconic, highly recommendable Osprey Daylight 26 + 6 B Affordable, good warranty, features Color options, padding Solid value, not top-tier Packed Travel Backpack V2 B Feature-rich, organized Dense straps, heavy Functional but complex Coto Paci Alpa B Comfortable harness, ventilation Hard shoulder straps, aesthetics Comfortable but not stylish Simple Weekender C Comfortable straps Thick, structured, complex Good for some, not reviewer’s style Peak Design Travel Backpack C Iconic, well-designed Too many features, annoying Great design, not preferred Nomadic Travel Pack C Professional, expandable Heavy, thick fabric, thin straps Good for business, not for reviewer Broy Venture Travel Pack C Sleek, beautiful interior Thin straps, uncomfortable Wanted to love, didn’t work out Amazon Basics Carry-on C Budget, expandable, compression Comfort issues, basic materials Best for extreme budget Alpaca Elements Travel Backpack D Good EDC brand Tight packing, hard bottom, uncomfortable Pass for travel Black Ember Forge D Aesthetic, technical Heavy, complex, uncomfortable Pass for travel Air Backpack D Unique vacuum system Heavy, painful straps Not recommended