Eagle Creek 2-in-1 Tote and Backpack
- 11″ shoulder drop.
- Converts and expands from tote shoulder bag to backpack.
- Drop bottom expansion adds 30 percent more capacity.
- Adjustable moisture-wicking air mesh tote.
- Backpack straps for a comfortable carry.
Ever have one of those times where you go somewhere with one bag and come back with two? Or you need something after arrival for carrying things to the beach or for going shopping at the local market?
This handy Eagle Creek 2-in-1 Tote/Backpack stuffs down to nothing in your suitcase but will hold loads of goodies as a carry-on, shopping bag, or daypack.
This first photo at the top is how the tote looks when you fully expand it to backpack form. In that state it will hold 26 liters of goodies, which is enough for a day hike or a serious souvenir shopping trip.
I’ve used it this way in my travels when I’ve needed to carry a bunch of stuff around all day like a camera, notebook, jacket, and snacks.
The mesh straps are not cushioned of course—this all has to stuff down into a little pouch—but they’re adjustable and if you’re not carrying really heavy items they do the job.
There’s also a water bottle pocket on the side and a front pocket for small things like money or an ID.
If you take it down a notch to turn it into a tote, you zip one expansion panel closed, rejigger the straps, and you’ve got a tote bag instead.
Without one key step, it’s not quite so balanced as it looks in this photo: you can’t see the back where the backpack straps are attached to the bottom, unlike the other straps attached to the top.
To rectify this, there are snaps on each strap that attach to the top of the tote to make it balanced. Once you figure this out, it all makes sense.
Then you’ve got a tote back you hold at the top as you peruse that organic farmer’s market for your heirloom vegetables and locally produced cheese.
The snaps aren’t all that strong though, so clips or even buttons would probably be a better bet for a future version.
If you’ve traveled somewhere and are coming back with more than you left with, you can easily carry this onto the plane and stuff it under the seat or in the overhead.
It’ll probably even get inside the odd dimensions gate box from Ryanair, Spirit Air, or Allegiant. When fully expanded it’s 14 x 12.5 x 4.75 inches.
If you want to take this double-duty bag with you just in case, it’s not going to require a lot of space in your backpack or suitcase.
It packs down into a little pouch that you could stuff into a jacket pocket if you needed to. It also weighs next to nothing thanks to the strong but lightweight nylon impregnated with silicone (for water resistance).
The 2-in-1 Tote comes in green, blue, or black. It runs $60 on the Eagle Creek website and you may find it for a tad less at Backcountry, Moosejaw, or Zappos.
Eagle Creek Adventure Pop Top Carry-On
- 600D Poly Ripstop , 600D Helix Oxford , 1260D Helix Ballistic.
- Fabric lining.
- Converting from wheeled tote to full-size carry-on with just a couple zips.
- This bag expands 60% for more carry capacity.
- Converts from wheeled under-seat tote to full size carry-on.
You know how everything fits into your carry-on when you depart for your destination, but when you’re packing to return home, you no longer have room?
Even if you’re simply re-packing the very same items? Or how you go to a work conference unencumbered, and return with promotional items and sheafs of papers you never knew you needed?
Or how you fold everything perfectly when packing to go somewhere awesome, but simply stuff dirty laundry back in your back every which way when it’s time to head back to the airport?
Yeah. All of that.
The Eagle Creek Adventure Pop Top Carry-On is one of those products that will make you slap yourself on the side of the head and say, “Why didn’t I think of inventing that?” At least, that’s what I said.
Here’s how it works: the bottom of the Pop Top is an independent wheeled tote (28 L), with an extra compartment zippered into the lid. As a tote, the Pop Top fits under airline seats.
To expand the tote to a full carry-on (45L), simply unzip. What you then have is essentially two separate compartments, stacked one on top of the other.
At first, I thought I would rather have the ability to fully merge these two compartments to one space.
However, after using the carry-on, during which my son used it as a wheeled tote en route, then we expanded to utilize the top compartment as a ‘laundry bag’, we were both glad his clean clothes remained separate.
The two compartments also makes it easier to find things (think of them as big packing cubes). To make the carry-on into a tote again, simply zip the top back up (not that you’ll ever have less stuff at the end of a trip).
Here’s the nitty gritty details:
The Pop Top is made of poly ripstop, high quality like all Eagle Creek gear. The extended capacity is 2750 cubic inches, and you get a top and front zipper for each compartment.
Zippers are lockable, and there’s both an internal mesh pocket and outer organizational pocket (plus an additional outer pocket on the outside of the upper carry-on section).
You also get a 3-1-1 pocket when in carry-on mode, and an elastic band along the back to make it easy to stack the Pop Top securely on bigger luggage.
The handle fully collapses and zips into its own pocket. In short, you don’t sacrifice any bells and whistles in the name of novelty. Check out the video to see a demo.
Pick one up for $235 in cobalt blue, olive, or black. It’s also available on eBags for a similar price, and there’s a selection on Moosejaw.
Eagle Creek 2-in-1 Backpack Duffel
- 100% Nylon. Imported.
- 19″ shoulder drop.
- Converts and expands from a backpack to a duffel bag.
- Pack-in pocket doubles as interior security pocket.
- Made in Vietnam.
I love packable travel backpacks. The new Eagle Creek 2-in-1 duffel may be the best I’ve seen to-date.
It meets my non-negotiable criteria for an overnight carry-on: it’s lightweight, packable (stuffs into its own pocket), and offers many of the bells and whistles of a full-scale (non-stuffable) backpack.
Having used a lot of different backpack duffels over the years and the Eagle Creek is absolutely the best backpack duffel I have ever used.
I’m usually less of a fan of convertible bags. Maybe it’s just me, but on a given trip, I either need a duffle or a backpack, but rarely both.
However, with the Eagle Creek 2-in-1, you don’t lose as much valuable space when switching between styles as you do with many convertibles, making this a non-issue for me.
The 2-in-1 is made of ripstop nylon and carry-on sized at 11 x 22.5 x 7.5. It has a 33 L capacity (28 as a backpack).
Why Is This our Favorite Best Travel Backpack Duffel?
What I love about the 2-in-1 backpack duffel: when used in backpack mode, the pack can be accessed by top-load panel or side panel zippers, and offers two roomy water bottle pockets, a deep top zippered pocket, and a deep interior zippered pocket.
The zippers are lockable, and you also get side and bottom compression straps with external lash points for stowing more gear. The bag is reflective and very lightweight.
Converting the pack to a duffel is pleasantly simple (see photos below) and when you do convert, the duffel version gives you 15% more space (though a little bit is lost to shoulder strap storage).
What I don’t love so much: I really wish the shoulder straps slightly more significant (I’m willing to add some weight for this feature) and more adjustable.
They do adjust at a basic level, but I was unable to fit the straps to my nine-year-old. I know, the 2-in-1 has never been touted as a child’s pack, but because of the size and weight, it’s the ideal carry-on bag for a kid.
We love using the top zippered pocket for my son’s iPod, ear buds, and Kindle (all the possessions he could possibly want on a trip) and the main compartment for the rest of his gear.
How it converts: Converting from a backpack to a duffel is easy, as illustrated below. Eagle Creek is nice enough to color-code the straps and clips for us (all are gray), making it even simpler.
Step 1: unhook the shoulder straps from the bottom of the pack. Step 2: stuff them into the zippered back panel. Step 3: Unzip the bottom circular compartment. Step 4: Pull out the duffel straps. Step 5: Attach the duffel straps to the coordinating clips.
Pick up a 2-in-1 backpack duffel from Eagle Creek for $80, or find it at Amazon, Sunny Sports, or Moosejaw for the same price. Colors include black, flame orange, or mantis green. While you’re shopping, take a look at additional Eagle Creek gear we’ve reviewed.
Eagle Creek FlipSwitch Wheeled Backpack
- Synthetic lining. Zipper closure.
- Wheeled 20-inch backpack featuring zip-away suspension.
- With contoured and detachable 3D Air Mesh shoulder straps.
- Top, side, and bottom handles.
- Side zippered pocket and spacious interior with large zippered mesh pocket.
The new Eagle Creek FlipSwitch is a very fun and useful hybrid wheeled carry-on / backpack. It does, however, take some playing around with and trial and error to fully ‘get’ it.
Before I tried it out, I wondered whether it was going to score high on novelty points in the double duty gear category, but low on practicality points. I’m happy to say that’s not the case.
First, here’s what it is and how it works: At first glance, the FlipSwitch looks like your standard wheeled carry-on.
It comes in two sizes, 22″ for the carry-on version and 28″ for the larger or checked bag version. It’s soft-sized with ripstop fabric under a lifetime warranty, has reinforced sections where bags are subject to the most abuse, and two-sided, lockable zippers in two compartments.
There’s also a zippered water bottle holder, two reinforced handles (one on the side and one at the top), and nice, easy to roll wheels (with a pull handle, of course).
However, unzip the outside compartment, and you’ll find a full suspension backpack system. This includes a fully padded, vented back, padded shoulder straps, a fully adjustable waist belt, and even a chest strap.
Within the back pad is a small zippered compartment, and behind the whole system is an extra, roomy pocket.
It takes about one minute for a newbie to switch the bag from carry-on to backpack and be on the go again, but I imagine I’ll get my time down to under 30 seconds as I get more familiar with the bag.
Do you need it? This was my first question once I’d become familiar with how the FlipSwitch works.
The fact is, the backpack system does take a substantial amount of space in the bag, and we all know how precious space is in our wheeled carry-ons.
That said, the backpack system is removable. You could absolutely leave it at home and use the space for more storage.
Of course, I know the minute I do that, I’ll encounter a situation in which I need the backpack.
Whether having this nifty backpack option is worth the space it takes depends entirely on your mode of travel and preferred method of carrying your bag.
For standard air travel, I’ve found I haven’t used the backpack once. The next time I’m flying, I’ll remove it from the pack before leaving.
However, for road trip travel and trips when I need to carry my bag long distances in cities, I have used the backpack every time.
If you opt to keep the backpack system attached, but not used, you basically lose the storage space of the outer compartment.
This leaves you with the interior compartment, which is small by carry-on standards (35L).
You do also have a small zippered pocket on the lid of the inner compartment, good for storage smaller items, toiletries, or power cords. There’s also reflective striping and an ID pocket.
What it comes down to: is the FlipSwitch a quality bag? Yes. And I’m not surprised; I’ve always been able to trust the Eagle Creek name.
But for $275 for the 22″ model, you’re paying for both a bag and a backpack. If you need both, this is a great value.
If not, the FlipSwitch is probably more than you need. Pick one up in light blue or black at Eagle Creek or Backcountry for $275, or find one for around $250 at Amazon.
Eagle Creek No Matter What Rolling Duffel Packs Down Tight
- Ultra durable and water-resistant Bi-Tech material.
- Large oversized wheels for mobility over urban obstacles.
- Top external compression straps secure and stabilize the load.
- Extra durable and water-resistant bi-tech material.
- Number 10 lockable, self-repairing zippers with storm flap.
A year ago when a lot of people left the Outdoor Retailer show raving about some new technical fleece or stay-dry sleeping bag, one thing that really grabbed me was a new line of luggage Eagle Creek was putting out that could be stored in a tiny corner of a closet.
It wasn’t even on the floor or a shelf—it was hanging on a display rack. Yeah I know, for most Americans living in oversized houses filled with overflowing stuff, finding a place in the garage for suitcases isn’t a big deal.
But if you live in a small apartment in New York, San Francisco, or Europe, space is at a premium.
I recently got my hands on one of these No Matter What rolling duffel bags from Eagle Creek and if I still lived in my old 480-square-foot condo across the river from Manhattan, I’d be ready to give some designer at the company a kiss.
The first photo you see here is what this large capacity 105-liter rolling bag looks like when it’s full. And believe me, it’s hard for a guy like me to even make this thing full.
I packed it with anything and everything I thought I would need for a one-week vacation and still had plenty of room to spare.
Even with three pairs of shoes, a couple books, a sweater, and a coat. I wasn’t too worried about the weight though because I was in my own car and hey, it has wheels!
As with all Eagle Creek bags, they’re good wheels too—ones that aren’t going to blow out on you at just the wrong time.
This being a duffel, it’s not all that complicated. One big zipper with two lockable zip tabs runs the length of the bag and inside is a big open space to stuff with your belongings.
If you want to be organized, you can use Eagle Creek’s packing cubes, folders, and sacks. There’s a handle on the top where two loops join, a handle on the end opposite the wheels, and a shoulder strap you can take or leave behind.
Compression buckles keep everything reigned in. The fabric is tough water-resistant dual ripstop nylon.
The pouch that the bag stuffs into doubles as a laundry bag you can bring along, with mesh on the sides.
When you get back home (or when in a tiny hotel room), after unpacking you can stuff this whole shebang into that small pouch, which you can see from this photo next to a size 10 shoe, is not going to be a space hog in your closet or under the bed.
There are not many rolling bags of any kind out there that can compress to this size when not in use, so if your living quarters are nothing like those in sprawling suburbia, this compacting duffel could be the ticket.
The one I tried out is the large size, but you can alsoget one in XL: three feet long and holding 128 liters of capacity (7,800 cubic inches).
Both of these weigh less than four pounds, but if you stuff the latter to capacity you might run into a weight limit issue with the airline. Have a luggage scale handy while packing.
These packable rolling duffel bags come in blue or black and retail for $130 (large) and $140 (XL). What takes them from “decent deal” to “great deal!” is Eagle Creek’s No Matter What warranty, the kind of promise you usually have to pay three times this much to receive: whatever happens, they’ll fix it or replace it, for the life of the product.
It doesn’t get any better than that.
See more details at the Eagle Creek site where you can buy direct. These bags are also available at Zappos, Backcountry, or Moosejaw.