Last-Chance Prime Day Deal: My Go-To Travel Backpack Is Still 20% Off
As a full-time food and travel writer, I'm constantly flying to different places all over the world -- in fact, I take at least 50 flights a year. Wherever I go, my highest priority is that I have a spacious carry-on bag that I can easily hoist into the overhead compartment -- something that's also versatile enough to accommodate all my travel essentials.
It doesn't take a professional traveler to know that having just the right luggage is essential. However, because I fly so often, I've tried out just about every type of carry-on bag you can find. And I say this with complete sincerity: This Dinictis backpack is the single best carry-on bag I've ever owned.
I'll admit that other carry-on bags might look more stylish and come in a wider array of colors. But I have yet to find one that meets my needs for durability, efficiency and affordability better than this well-designed travel bag that's just $40 at full retail price and which often goes on sale for less. If you have travel plans coming up this summer, this is the carry-on you want to bring along, full stop. And don't worry about misplacing your backpack. Simply throw in an AirTag, especially when you can get a pack of them for a super low price too.
Read more: Traveling Soon? 5 Unique AirTag Locations for Peace of Mind
When only a backpack will do
It's available in four colors: gray, dark gray, blue and black.
Pamela Vachon/CNET
To be clear, my backpacking days were over before they started. Without the means for serious travel before age 25, my life as a traveler didn't kick off in earnest until I was equipped solely with roller-bag sensibilities. As an [age redacted]-year-old, when I scheduled myself for a bus trip along the coast of Peru, with overnight stays in modest accommodations, suddenly a roller bag felt kind of … well, prissy. Roller bags are decidedly inconvenient on unpaved or nontiled surfaces; plus, it's just not a good look when the vibe is more low-brow than luxury. This wasn't a backpacking trip by any means but a backpack was definitely called for. One that could accommodate a week's worth of clothing, amenities and a laptop but still potentially fit in a locker.
The Dinictis 40L Travel Backpack came into my life for this particular trip, exceeding my expectations. Since that Peruvian adventure, this bag has come with me on every single trip, no matter the occasion.
A backpack that works like a suitcase
It's a backpack that packs like a suitcase.
Dinictis
Many travel backpacks are spacious and compartmentalized but the Dinictis 40L Travel Backpack operates like a suitcase. It opens along three sides so you can flip it open like a suitcase and pack accordingly, with straps for holding your clothing in place. This makes finding what you need much easier than shoving your belongings from the top down like a typical backpack. A side handle even allows you to carry it like a suitcase.
When full, it can easily hold up to 10kg, or 22 pounds, the weight restriction for carry-on baggage for many of the discount airlines. Because it's a backpack, nobody has ever asked to weigh it for compliance. It will always look lighter than it is.
Store your laptop with confidence
As a writer, I always travel with a laptop so I'm concerned with its portability as well as safety. That said, I hate having it pressed right up against my back, which can be stiff and, depending on where you're going, sweaty. The laptop sleeve on this model is ideally situated near the (sweat-free) front of the pack but isn't the most outward-facing compartment. Honestly, protected by a foam divider, the laptop feels hidden, even when packed to the gills.
Outside pockets are a must
A side handle is key for navigating public transportation.
Dinictis
I am team-soft-body, even in roller-bags, for two reasons. First, it's much easier to shove last-minute items into an already zipped suitcase without the clamshell action of a hard case, and second: outside pockets. Who can travel without these? (No, I really want to know…) This backpack has two outer pocket compartments for miscellany, arguably three when considering the extra space in front of the laptop sleeve -- and four if you include the handy water bottle holder. There are even compartments within the compartments. These are the sorts of details that separate the high-functioning from the holding-up-the-line travelers, in my opinion.
Read more: Essential Items to Pack and Avoid in a Carry-On Bag to Breeze Through TSA Lines
A personal item that can masquerade as checked luggage
Safe laptop storage is crucial for a travel writer and this bag has a dedicated sleeve.
Vaultz
Many travel backpacks have an infrastructure that keeps them in a certain shape, even when empty. The Dinictis model has enough structure to keep its sides afloat while you pack it, but its essence is still as a lightweight, fabric backpack. If you've ever been asked to prove that your carry-on actually qualifies as carry-on, you will understand that "smushability" is an important factor. I have packed this backpack for a weekend away and brought it on board as a personal item. (I will fly Spirit Airlines but I will only do it while giving them as little of my money as possible.) It can totally fit under the seat in front of you when necessary.
The beauty of this travel backpack is that it is also suitable as checked baggage, with heavy-duty fabric that can withstand the journey. The straps can be unclipped and tucked away and the body cinched by additional clips, for a tidy package that doesn't make you feel panicky when you watch it being whisked away on the baggage conveyor.
I've had many trips where it leaves with me as carry-on and returns as checked luggage. Even in the lighter gray color, its durable material doesn't reveal that it has ever seen the tread of a baggage carousel. It was the function I didn't even know I needed but now I never travel without it for this purpose.
Read more: Best Laptop Backpack for 2025
Dinictis Travel Backpack specs
Exterior dimensions: 9.8 x 13.8 x 19.6 inches
Storage capacity: 40 liters
Weight: 2.49 pounds
Pockets: 1 exterior water bottle pocket, 2 exterior front pockets, 1 padded interior laptop pocket
Carrying handles: 1 top, 1 side
Material: Polyester and nylon
4.7 average rating on Amazon
You don't even need to take it from me. The 40L Travel Backpack has thousands of five-star ratings on Amazon. As someone who reviews various products for a living, I know just how rare this kind of rating is. And now that it's still selling for only $29, this bag is a pretty safe bet.
When will this deal expire?
While there's a chance that this deal will stick around after Amazon's Prime Day sale officially ends tonight, we wouldn't count on it. Several colors have already gone back up in price, so it's likely that this holdover discount won't last for much longer. We'd definitely recommend getting your order in sooner rather than later if you don't want to miss out on these savings.
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You never know; it just might work. $9.99 at 12V to 110V AC Car Inverter Even better than the portable battery above is this DC-to-AC inverter that will let your teens plug in their laptops, tablets, phones, and other larger electronics. Best of all, there's no need to recharge it every night in the hotel room. $19.43 at Releaser+ Travel Size If your teenage daughter is as obsessed with her appearance as most, you'll need this. It's great for the whole family, especially if you're road-tripping to a holiday or wedding and don't want to arrive looking like you just piled out of a car. Not only does it smooth out wrinkles, but it also eliminates odors, leaving a light, fresh scent. $9.99 at Remover Travel Pens Perhaps more important than wrinkle releaser is this five-pack of stain-remover pens. They're perfect for road trips with kids of all ages. $12.99 at Fan Teens love gadgets like these, especially on road trips. It'll keep them cool, especially if they're camped out way in the back of the minivan or SUV. $28.99 at Cargo Net A must for any family road trip, this ceiling cargo net hangs just behind the driver's cockpit, allowing your kids access to the stuff they need without bothering the parents up front. $19.99 at Essentials for Parents and Drivers Now that you've got the gear and essentials required to keep the kids in the back happy, don't forget to stock up on the stuff that drivers need on a family road trip. Even if you're driving solo with kids in the back, being prepared for emergencies and the unexpected is essential. After all, that's some precious cargo you've got back Starter + Tire Inflator Combo You could pack both a jump starter and a tire inflator, in case your battery dies or you get a flat. But why? We recently reviewed the Boost Air AX65 and called it "a lithium-powered Swiss army knife" because it combines both of those devices into one unit, eliminating clutter and preserving your cargo space for other essentials. It's a space saver as well as a lifesaver. $242.96 at Seat Organizer Traveling solo with kids in the back? You don't need to be fumbling around looking for the stuff they need. Keep it all within reach with a front-seat organizer and prevent distracted driving. $44.99 at with Hand Sanitizer Most modern cars have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto by now—if yours doesn't, you need a wireless adapter—so we drivers don't really need to see our phones while we're behind the wheel anymore. Still, it's nice to have it at arm's reach and know where it is, just in case—and this trusty phone holder from WeatherTech also has a handy hand-sanitizer holder, because kids get messy. $50.00 at amazonHand Sanitizer Stock up that hand sanitizer holder with a bottle of Germ-X. The alcohol-based sanitizer kills 99.9 percent of germs, and this six-pack means everyone in the car could have their own, maybe with some to spare. $12.48 at Emergency Kit In the spirit of being prepared for anything, it's never smart to take a road trip without one of these roadside emergency kits. There are dozens on the market; grab the one that's right for you and stash it in the back. We like this one because it's complete and comprehensive. $69.95 at Cam + Radar Detector Combo Every car needs a dash cam these days, and there are dozens of more affordable ones on the market than this Escort. However, none of those offer the dual functionality of the MAXcam 360c, which also incorporates a radar detector to ensure you don't get caught unawares. If you've ever been pulled over for speeding while the family is sleeping, you know how awful that experience is (don't ask). Once again, you could buy both devices, but why? $849.95 at Vomit Bags If the motion sickness patches and pills don't work, don't let an accident ruin the trip for the rest of the vehicle (and the rest of the trip). This 15-pack of dispoable barf bags should be plenty for the whole car and for the whole ride. $7.99 at Cargo Box Road tripping with kids means you need a ton of stuff. And that means you'll also need a ton of space in the cabin. Give the kids some legroom with a rooftop cargo carrier, and get your luggage out of the cabin and onto the roof. Once again, there are dozens on the market, but we like the affordability and quality of this SportRack Vista. $450.19 at Electric Car Fridge/Freezer We've used this car refrigerator on road trips, too, and it's the ultimate solution to prevent melted ice, warm sodas, and spoiled food. Better still, it eliminates the need for frequent snack stops, keeping you on the road and headed toward your destination. It plugs into your 12-volt power port and keeps working even after the car is shut off, thanks to an internal li-ion battery. $159.99 at You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car
