I'm a Travel Writer and My Favorite Travel Backpack Is 25% Off With This Last-Chance July 4th Deal
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 $30 Dinictis backpack is the single best carry-on bag I've ever owned. And it's available now with a 25% discount at Amazon.
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 $30 in most colors. (The dark gray version is available for a dollar more, at $31, which is still a great deal.) If you have travel plans coming up this spring or 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
Here are the current discounts for each color:
Light gray: $30 (was $40) - $25% off
Black: $30 (was $40) - 25% off
Dark gray: $31 (full price)
Blue: $30 (was $36) - 17% off
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 10 kg, 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 $31, this bag is a pretty safe bet.
When will this deal expire?
We don't know how long this deal will last, but we often see at least one color of this backpack on sale on Amazon. Still, we always recommend placing your order sooner rather than later if you want to ensure you get this price.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
People need to quit this bad airplane habit — it caused chaos on my flight
It starts with a small act of selfishness and makes everything way more stressful than it needs to be. I knew it was going to be a long travel day. My family and I had flown from Los Angeles to London, then had a long layover before boarding a short connecting flight to Amsterdam. We were tired, jet-lagged, and just trying to get through the final stretch without any hiccups. So when I booked our EasyJet tickets, I paid a little extra to select seats near the front of the plane. I figured it would be worth it — we'd board a bit earlier, and more importantly, we'd be able to deplane quickly once we landed. With two kids in tow and a long, sleepless day behind us, I wanted to make the end of our journey as smooth as possible. What I didn't count on was just how little etiquette some passengers would show when it came to the overhead bins. We were seated in row 3 — right up front — but by the time we boarded, every bin anywhere near our row was already full. Other passengers, many seated in the middle or even the back of the plane, had stashed their luggage up front, wherever they pleased. No rhyme or reason, just a first-come-first-served approach, designed to minimize their own hassle. We had no choice but to keep walking until we finally found space halfway down the plane. When the flight landed, things got messy fast. Everyone stood up and tried to get their bags — but no no one was near their luggage. People were squeezing backward down the aisle, trying to retrieve bags they'd left many rows behind. Others were pushing forward, trying to exit while dodging passengers moving in the wrong direction. It was total gridlock. Deplaning took twice as long as it should have, and everyone — not just us — was visibly frustrated. I get that it's a budget airline. I wasn't expecting champagne service or extra legroom. But I did expect basic consideration — the kind that makes air travel even slightly more bearable. Instead, it felt like overhead-bin anarchy. When you stash your carry-on in someone else's space just because it's open, you're not being clever — you're being inconsiderate. And it snowballs fast, especially on full flights with limited space, in such a way that's likely to result in a headache for everyone on the plane, including the offender. So, if you're flying soon, do us all a favor: Put your bag near your seat. Not five rows ahead. Not wherever's convenient. It's a small gesture that makes a big difference — and saves everyone from the kind of chaotic deplaning that turned our quick hop from London to Amsterdam into an unnecessarily stressful ordeal. Solve the daily Crossword
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2Ftal-one-off-review-nobl-suitcase-tout-f552d71943a24759b124c58cb27383fd.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
2 hours ago
- Travel + Leisure
Frequent Fliers Love This Best-selling Carry-on That Holds Up to 10 Days' Worth of Clothes—and It's on Sale
Battling with luggage at the airport is so frustrating that it can actually make you not want to travel again for a very long time. But an exceptional carry-on bag can have the opposite effect. In fact, we found one piece of carry-on luggage that is so multifunctional, people are excited for travel days, because they have an excuse to use all of its 'genius' contraptions. The suitcase in question, the Nobl All-in-one Carry-on, has an impressive 21,000-plus ratings and an average of 4.8 stars from frequent fliers who call it 'priceless.' Not only is it equipped with a ton of clever features that make airport days easier—like a drink holder, locking wheels, and built-in charger, for example—but it's also spacious enough to fit everything needed for a 10-day trip. Now's the perfect time to take a chance on the chic and practical bag, too, with it being a whopping 46 percent off during this limited-time Nobl luggage sale. You'll need to hurry, because it ends tonight at midnight ET! The All-in-one Carry-on is 20.5 by 15.5 inches (not including wheels) and 10 inches deep, with a 35-liter capacity that is plenty spacious for a weekend trip or maybe even enough for a week-plus, depending on what kind of packer you are. One reviewer said they were able to fit 10 days' worth with the help of two compression packing cubes. Another said they stuffed it with enough 'clothes, shoes, and meds for a week' and still had room for a couple of backup outfits. The hardside suitcase has an aluminum frame and polycarbonate shell that the brand calls 'unbreakable.' It sits on smooth 360-degree spinning wheels that feature a convenient locking mechanism, ensuring you never have an embarrassing runaway bag scenario. One reviewer who's traveled on business several times a month for decades declared them the 'best wheels ever on a suitcase.' Beyond the standard luggage features, this best-selling Nobl carry-on goes above and beyond to make the overall airport experience so much easier. In addition to the main compartment with its ample organizational pockets, the front of the bag opens to reveal a smaller laptop pocket where you can keep your computer, travel documents, money, and other items you want to keep accessible. This is an uncommon perk, as hardside luggage doesn't usually come with exterior pockets. 'My dad got me this carry-on when I started my new job, and it's my essential travel item,' wrote one reviewer. 'I'm extremely forgetful and get really big travel anxiety, so this has helped me have peace of mind while I'm checking in. I can store my laptop, phone, and documents, and I don't feel like I'll lose them while at the airport.' In addition to the front pocket, this Nobl carry-on bag has a built-in cup holder that folds out from the back, as well as a hardly noticeable hook on the side for your handbag or a shopping bag of duty-free goodies. The handle has a phone holder, so you can prop your phone up to eye level and watch Netflix hands-free while you wait for your boarding group to be called. And as well as a TSA lock on the side of the suitcase, there are USB and USB-C ports on top of the carry-on for charging on the go. These are the features that make the bag stand out; navigating an airport 'feels very freeing' with this thing in tow, one person wrote. 'This is the best carry-on I've ever owned,' said another customer. 'The attention to detail (like the lock for the wheels) is beyond genius. I never knew I needed something so bad. As a mom of a service dog, this has simplified traveling to a T.' The All-in-one Carry-on is on special sale for $279 right now, about half the regular price of $515, and it's not the only bag on major sale. Shop more Nobl luggage pieces below, including the full-size checked-bag version of this carry-on, plus other carry-on styles and a luggage set that comes with compression cubes and a matching water bottle. At the time of publishing, the price started at $279. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Forbes
Some Foreign Tourists Must Soon Pay $15,000 Bond To Enter U.S.
The U.S. State Department will require tourists and business travelers from some countries to provide a steep financial guarantee they will not overstay their visas—the latest initiative by the government to tighten requirements for foreign visitors. Sticker shock: The Trump administration will charge some foreign visitors up to $15,000 to enter the U.S. getty The State Department announced a 12-month pilot program under which people from some countries could be required to post bonds of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000 when they apply for a visa, according to a preview of a notice that will be published Tuesday in the Federal Register. The pilot program targets 'aliens applying for visas as temporary visitors for business or pleasure (B-1/B-2)' from countries with 'high visa overstay rates, where screening and vetting information is deemed deficient.' The notice does not name the affected countries or detail how tourists would reclaim the refunded bond at the end of their stay. The program will also target countries offering Citizenship by Investment programs with no residency requirement—a more lax policy of some immigration-by-investment programs in the Caribbean, European and Middle East. 'The scope of the visa bond pilot program appears to be limited, with an estimated 2,000 applicants affected, most likely from only a few countries with relatively low travel volume to the United States,' Erik Hansen, senior vice president of government relations at U.S. Travel Association (USTA), said in a statement. Last month, Congress announced a $250 visa integrity fee for most non-immigrant U.S. visas, including tourist visas, beginning in 2026. A recent study from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) that analyzed the economic impact of tourism in 184 countries revealed the U.S. was the only country forecast to see international visitor spending decline in 2025—in part due to a number of Trump administration initiatives that make it more difficult or expensive for foreign travelers to enter the U.S. 'We remain most concerned with the $250 visa integrity fee recently enacted by Congress, which would apply across all nonimmigrant visa categories and applicants,' Hansen said, noting the fee would mean 'the U.S. will have one of, if not the highest, visitor visa fees in the world.' For the U.S. to remain competitive in the global travel market, 'it's critical that U.S. visa policy reflects both national security priorities and the significant economic value of international visitation,' Hansen added. Big Number $254 billion. That's how much international tourists spent on U.S. travel and tourism-related goods and services in 2024, according to the International Trade Administration. Whether yet another financial hurdle for tourists will impact attendance at World Cup 2026. In March, FIFA projected the soccer tournament will drive $30.5 billion in economic output in the U.S., according to an analysis by OpenEconomics (OE). But that number was predicated on the assumption the U.S. will see an 'influx of visitors' from foreign countries to fill stadiums and hotels. FIFA has told World Cup host cities to expect a 50/50 split between domestic and international visitors, multiple host city tourism officials told Forbes. Chief Critic 'Raising fees on lawful international visitors amounts to a self-imposed tariff on one of our nation's largest exports: international travel spending,' Geoff Freeman, president of the U.S. Travel Association (USTA), said in a statement last month when the visa integrity fee was announced. Further Reading Trump's Big Beautiful Bill Has A Nasty Surprise For World Cup Tourists (Forbes) How A 48-Country Travel Ban Could Suppress U.S. Tourism In A World Cup Year (Forbes)
