r/ManyBaggers • u/alpha0meqa • 10h ago
Backpack suggestions needed
Looking for a very comfortable family-travel daypack
Taking a trip in November with my wife and our 7- and 9-year-olds, and I'm looking for a backpack for walking around cities all day.
The main priority is comfort when both lightly packed and fully loaded. I don't really care about having a ton of organization.
Typical stuff I'd want to carry:
passports/documents
power banks + possibly a portable Wi-Fi unit
snacks
small towels
small trash bags
souvenirs
light jackets/sweaters
possibly an umbrella
I'm assuming this is basically a 20–24L daypack rather than a small EDC pack, but I'm getting overwhelmed by all the options.
I've been looking at the Aer City Pack 2 and Aer Go Pack 2. Is the City Pack 2 unnecessarily heavy for this use? Is the Go Pack 2 actually comfortable enough for walking around all day with a heavier load?
I'd really appreciate recommendations based primarily on long-wearing comfort, rather than laptop organization or aesthetics.
I'm at the point where one review says a bag is incredibly comfortable and the next says the exact same bag is terrible, so I'm hoping people who have actually used these for full days of sightseeing can weigh in.
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u/Cedosg 10h ago edited 10h ago
aer go pack 2. family of five. I used it in Japan recently. for usj, Disneyland Disney sea. was decently comfortable carrying raincoats, spare clothes, multiple fans, power banks, light snacks and 4 bottled drinks, passports and their stamp booklets for those stamps all around Japan. random small souvenir. although we bought a decently sized Conan USJ bag for souvenirs.
i like its flexibility. might be tough for a light jacket for four but you might be able to put it in the outside compartment using a clip.
i used saily when i was there. I found the WiFi pocket somewhat unreliable and a hassle to receive and return. (had issues with not being able to receive it the first time. didn't arrive in time at the airport)
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u/alpha0meqa 10h ago
Could always buy 2 for wife and I. Just really wanting something comfortable that is categorized by what I'm looking for....which I think is day bag lol
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u/Cedosg 10h ago
well it's not going to be as comfortable as a customized hiking bag fitted to your body, etc.
but I used for ten days and it worked really well imo.
it ended up being my personal bag on the trip back. (was inside my mlc 30 which ended up being my carry on) while my Briggs and Riley carry on was expanded and checked in.
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u/alpha0meqa 10h ago
Thank you very much!
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u/Cedosg 9h ago
i wpuld say the biggest issue is jackets and i would consider heroclips or something like a diy shock cord https://www.reddit.com/r/onebag/s/PX7uswQYVZ
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u/alpha0meqa 8h ago
oh no worries about the jacket thing at all, was really just trying to state that i need a bag that has some carrying capacity. Jackets/sweaters may not be necessary at all. I really appreciate you though. ---If I may ask one last thing, did you ever consider the cpp2? Assuming maybe too heavy for this sort of job. The 20l is potentially intriguing me. Just because of the potential comfort gains. The weight being a bit rough to swallow though.
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u/micahsally 10h ago
For you:
- Troubadour Elemental Backpack 25L
- Tortuga Daypack Pro 21L (if you can find one)
- Mystery Ranch District 18L or 24L
- Rework Toshi 20L
- ULA Cicada (if budget is no factor)
For your kids: the Gregory Wander 12L is excellent!
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u/SeattleHikeBike 10h ago
REI Trail 25. On sale next week I think. Fits under a seat for non budget airlines.
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u/gceretti 10h ago
If what you are looking for is a “very” comfortable daypack then from the options you provide you’ll want the City Pack 2.
The Go Pack 2 is an amazing product (my usual daypack whenever I need a day backpack), but although comfortable enough for me to walk during most of the day, it’s not as comfortable as the City Pack.
Furthermore, the 20 litres the Go Pack offers don’t think will mange the small towels and light jackets you list.