On a recent SkySafari with Elewana Collection, I enjoyed the chance to use a backpack that was durable enough for dusty game drives yet compact enough to fit into the cabin of the private plane that would whisk us between luxury safari camps and lodges. One of the first things I appreciated about the Topo Designs Daypack are its lined interiors that keep the contents protected from moisture and dust if the bag is zipped properly.
These bags are handmade in Colorado with a variety of striking colors (mine is olive green) and several leather accents that make it incredibly stylish. The exterior pocket allows you to easily grab things like keys, lip balm, or cell phone with just a quick unzip. Inside the bag, there is another pocket for organization plus a sleeve to protect a laptop as big as 15 inches.
Backpacks are not my favorite travel bag because I tend to overpack them to the point that they start to strain my shoulders. The Top Designs daypack has padded straps that make that less of a concern. The bag comes in two sizes with the larger measuring 22 inches. I wished the side pockets had more elasticity so that they could easily hold more things when the bag is stuffed completely full (like water bottles or umbrellas).
Bag straps on the side of the bag allow you to dangle water bottles or keys. I really liked how there was a handle on the top of the bag that allows you to grab the bag easily from an overhead compartment on the plane or to carry the bag evenly when it is full (rather than lopsided if grabbing it by one of the shoulder straps). The Topo Designs Daypack retails for $179 online.