Travel is a large part of my job, whether it be for trade shows, hunting down stories, or the obligatory summer weekend away to escape New York. I’ve tried virtually every type of 3-day-sized luggage out there: tote bags, duffels, hard-sided spinners, all types of backpacks. But none have managed to impress me to the point that I’ve fully committed to one style — until now. For the past few months, I’ve been traveling with Pacsafe and Quiksilver’s collaboration 40L pack and it’s nothing short of perfect.
Let’s start with the shape. At 40L, it’s perfectly sized to fit in the overhead bin, as well as under the seat in front of you. Yes, it’s a bit tight in coach, but it’s completely manageable. It’s so well proportioned in fact, that it won’t even take up all the luggage space in the McLaren 570S, which is an achievement in itself. The pack opens in a clamshell manner, giving you unfettered access to every corner — coincidentally it also makes it incredibly easy to organize within the pack using one of my favorite travel accessories, Eagle Creek’s packing cubes. On the underside of the lid are a handful of pockets, including one sized perfectly for a 15-inch MacBook Pro, cables, chargers and a book.
Though I’m never one to lock my luggage, the pack also comes with a handy locking mechanism that easily works with a TSA approved lock. Some of the other security features include an RFID-safe pocket on top, slash-proof lining and a detachable and lockable shoulder strap so that you can lock your bag to an immovable object.
Perhaps the best, and most overlooked feature of the bag however, is the included drybag. While it is designed for use with your wetsuit after a day in the surf, it works equally well for laundry when on the road.
