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Tortuga makes the best carry-on travel backpacks. Simon travelled full-time with a Tortuga backpack for five years and with each new release, their backpacks got better and better.
The Tortuga Backpack Lite (which replaces the Tortuga Setout) stands alongside the Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro (which replaces the Outbreaker) as a lighter, more affordable but less full-featured bag.
In this detailed Tortuga Backpack Lite review, we share the backpack’s pros and cons, comparing it to the Tortuga Pro (so you can decide which is right for you) and the Tortuga Setout Backpack (the older version).
Contents
- Tortuga Backpack Lite Details
- Tortuga Backpack Lite vs Tortuga Setout
- Tortuga Backpack Lite Review
- Tortuga Backpack Lite For Women
- Tortuga Expandable Backpack
- Tortuga Backpack Lite vs Pro: A Detailed Comparison
- Tortuga Travel Backpack Lite Summary
- More Carry-On Packing Posts
Tortuga Backpack Lite Details
Dimensions (cm): 55 x 35 x 20 cm
Dimensions (inches): 21.7 x 13.8 x 7.9 in
Volume: 40 litres
Weight: 1.59kg (3.5 lbs)
Colour: Black
Price: US $250 (free US shipping)
Buy from: Tortuga website
Tortuga Backpack Lite vs Tortuga Setout
In January 2023, Tortuga released the new Tortuga Backpack Lite, a replacement for the Tortuga Setout Backpack with some changes.
It only comes in one size, 40L, slightly smaller than the previous Setout 45L men’s version and slightly bigger than the previous 35L women’s one.
This review was originally of the Setout, but as it’s no longer available, we’ve updated it to focus on the new Tortuga Backpack Lite.
Here’s how the new Tortuga Travel Backpack Lite compares to the Tortuga Setout:
- One size only – The new backpack only comes in 40L compared to the previous Tortuga Setout that was available in both 45L and 35L. The bag meets the carry-on requirements for international airlines and domestic US ones.
- Colour – Only available in black, whereas the Setout was available in two colourways.
- Stylish – The Travel Backpack Lite has a sleeker look with the front pocket zip located further at the top.
- Lighter – It’s 10% lighter at 1.59kg vs 1.77kg.
- Recycled fabric – Made of 630D CORDURA nylon, which is 100% reclaimed fibres and is water-resistant, lightweight and durable.
- Improved suspension system – The Setout replacement has comfortable, thick, soft shoulder pads with a larger foam back panel.
- Simplified Storage – There is no admin panel in the front pocket or additional tablet sleeve in the laptop sleeve. Gone too are the additional small pockets in the hip belt. There are still two internal mesh pockets in the main compartment, a separate fleece-lined laptop sleeve at the back, a top pocket with a key clip and a flat front pocket along the side.
Everything else stays the same.
Overall, I think these are great changes. Check out the Tortuga Travel Backpack Lite here.
Tortuga Backpack Lite Review
Tortuga Backpack Lite Pros
One of the reasons we love Tortuga so much is that the founders Fred and Jeremy really understand the needs of travellers.
They created the original Tortuga backpack after a backpacking trip to Europe when they discovered that traditional hiking backpacks are inconvenient for travel—they stand out too much, it’s hard to access your stuff, and there’s no storage for electronics.
Since then they’ve been striving to create the perfect travel backpack for urban travellers and each backpack gets better and better.
The previous version, Tortuga Setout Travel Backpack, was our favourite so far.
Simon travelled with the largest 45 litre version of the Setout (the maximum carry on size allowed on most planes). I trialled it for a while but found it too large, so the smaller size of the Tortuga Backpack Lite is ideal.
Carry-on Size
As with all Tortuga backpacks, the Tortuga Backpack Lite is carry-on sized, so you can take it on the plane and save time and money. It’s the maximum carry-on size allowed on most airlines and it holds a surprising amount of stuff.
Simon isn’t exactly an ultralight traveller—his electronics collection can include a 15-inch laptop, 13-inch tablet, Nintendo Switch games console —but he has plenty of space for all his stuff. See our Carry On Packing List for what we carry and packing tips.
Like previous designs, its rectangular shape maximises the amount you can take on a plane and makes it easy to pack, especially if you use packing cubes like us.
The side carry handle makes handling it as a mini case even easier, and the shoulder straps and hip belt can be tucked away.
Light
Our biggest issue with the Tortuga Backpack Pro (Tortuga Outbreaker) was how heavy it was. The Setout was lighter at 3.9 lbs but the Travel Backpack Lite beats it at 3.5 lbs.
Durable
The Tortuga Travel Backpack Lite is made from recycled water-resistant nylon designed to be durable.
Simon has used previous Tortuga bags for years without any sign of wear or tear. Even after two years of travelling full-time with the Setout, it still looked great.
The Tortuga Backpack Lite is made with YKK zippers and Woojin buckles, which are widely regarded as the best in the business. Tortuga does not skimp on materials.
Padded hip belt
Most carry-on sized travel backpacks don’t include a padded hip belt, but we think it’s essential to transfer the bag’s weight from your shoulders to your hips and avoid back pain. This is especially important if you travel with heavy electronics as we do.
The Setout replacement has a robust padded hip belt that takes 80% of the load off and makes it comfortable to carry.
If you don’t want to use the hip belt you can unclip it.
For increased comfort, there is also a wider foam back panel, thick, soft shoulder straps with foam padding, sternum strap, and load lifters.
Stylish
The Travel Backpack Lite is the best-looking Tortuga backpack yet with a sleek design on its front, and the front pocket zip moved further to the top.
Front-loading like a suitcase
Like all Tortuga backpacks, the Backpack Lite is front-loading, which means it opens along the entire front (along three sides) like a suitcase.
This is much better than hiking backpacks, which open from the top, as it’s easier to access your stuff and keep things organised.
Electronics storage
As with the Setout, the Tortuga Backpack Lite is ideal for digital nomads as there is a dedicated sleeve for a laptop (up to 16-inch).
The padded laptop sleeve is in a separate compartment at the back of the bag, close to your body for the best weight distribution. Simon packed his 15-inch MacBook Pro in the Setout in a neoprene case first for extra protection, but there’s enough padding to skip the case.
In the Setout replacement they have removed the additional tablet sleeve that sat within the laptop sleeve. However, the side pocket has space to hold a small tablet.
Organised
There were enough pockets to organise your stuff in the Setout, but not too many. The Tortuga Backpack Lite simplifies storage further but I don’t think this is a dealbreaker.
There are three sections in the backpack, each accessed by different zips.
Front section
There are two pockets at the front. One opens horizontally at the top with a key clip and is designed for easy access to small items in transit. They have removed the organiser panel, but it is still spacious.
The second pocket opens vertically and goes across the middle of the backpack so it is spacious enough to fit a small tablet.
Main section
The middle main section is the largest and has lockable zips. It unzips on three sides, so it’s really easy to pack.
It’s ideal if you use packing cubes to keep your clothes organised (and save space). Simon used an Eagle Creek compression cube for his clothes in the photo above (he now prefers the Peak Design cubes).
There are two zippered mesh compartments on the opposite side which are useful for small items or dirty laundry.
Electronics compartment
The main electronics compartment is at the back, with lockable zips and unzips across the top. It’s easy to reach in to grab your laptop or tablet. It’s fleece-lined and has cushioning on the bottom to further protect your laptop.
The vertical front pocket for a small tablet isn’t padded but is spacious enough to fit one protected by a case.
External pockets
As outlined above, two zippered pockets are at the front of the backpack.
On the side is one stretch pocket to fit a water bottle or umbrella.
The Tortuga Backpack Lite no longer has the small pockets in the hip belt, which again I don’t think is a dealbreaker (we never used them).
Padded shoulder straps
The Tortuga Backpack Lite has thick, soft shoulder straps with foam padding. There are also load lifters and a sternum strap to ensure a comfortable fit.
The wider foam padding on the back is also a welcome change.
Lockable zippers
We lock our backpacks with a small combination lock to prevent opportunistic theft.
On the Backpack Lite, both the main compartment and laptop section are lockable.
Hideaway straps
You can unclip the shoulder straps and tuck them away into the back panel and remove the hip belt.
Simon never used this feature, but it could be useful if you want it to carry it like a suitcase with the padded side handle or check your bag.
Good value
At $250 the Tortuga Backpack Lite isn’t cheap, but it’s good value for the quality and will last you many years. It’s $100 cheaper than the Tortuga Backpack Pro and other similar backpacks like the Minaal Carry-On 2.0.
Free shipping
Tortuga offers free US shipping and if the backpack doesn’t work out for you after a test pack, return it unused within 30 days for a full refund. They also pay for the return shipping on US orders.
Tortuga Backpack Lite Cons
Only One Size Available
The Setout was available in multiple sizes, including a smaller 35L for women. The Backpack Lite is only available in 40L. However, as this is the perfect size to carry-on when travelling, it is suitable for all frames.
A smaller option is the Expandable Backpack, due to be released in November 2024, which is expandable from 27 litres to 32.5 litres. This is ideal for short trips or minimalist packers.
No height adjustable suspension system
Unlike the Pro, the Backpack Lite doesn’t have a height adjustable suspension system (rare for travel backpacks anyway). This wasn’t a problem for Simon when using the Setout, but if you have a short or long torso, the Pro might fit better.
No shipping outside the US
The backpacks are only available from the Tortuga website, and as of 2019, they no longer ship internationally.
Instead, you could use a freight forwarder.
Less full-featured than the Pro
The Backpack Lite has fewer features and less organisation than the Pro. See our comparison below.
Tortuga Backpack Lite For Women
In 2019 I decided to give the Tortuga Setout 45 a try for myself. I used to think it was too big for me as a 5’4″ woman, and I was happy with my Osprey Farpoint 40, but after nine years of living out of one bag, I was ready for more space.
We’d been travelling to an inconvenient mix of hot and cold countries, and I had lots of extra clothes that were a tight squeeze in a smaller bag.
So seven months, five countries, and dozens of trains and planes later, what did I think?
These were my thoughts on travelling with the men’s version of the Setout 45L.
Pros
Packing was so much easier with the Tortuga Setout! The main compartment was huge and the way it unzipped on three sides made it super easy to access every corner. Even with my overload of clothes (including a thick Christmas jumper) and five pairs of shoes (including fleece-lined winter boots!) I could fit everything in easily.
Even when the Setout seemed full, I would turn it upright and a magical new pocket of space was created at the top (enough to fit three vegan pot noodles at a Japanese train station!).
I loved all the pockets too. The mesh compartments in the main section are great for dirty laundry. The small front pocket was useful for quick access items (tissue, pen, eye mask and ear plugs), and the front compartment had various padded pockets for my Kindle, phone, and Apple Watch.
I also think the design was more stylish than the Osprey Farpoint and I was a big fan of the Heather Grey colour.
Cons
The problem with a large bag is that you fill it. I wanted the extra space but fully packed it did feel too big and heavy for me. It was so bulky that I found it difficult to lift up and swing over my shoulder easily.
Once on my back it wasn’t so much of a problem, and the hip belt did take some of the weight off, although I found it a little too large and difficult to quickly tighten.
The Tortuga Setout was a brilliant backpack, but at this stage of my nomadic life (travelling slowly with more stuff) I decided to switch to a rolling suitcase (the Away Bigger Carry-On) and haven’t looked back.
I love not having to carry my bag through airports, but I do miss the Tortuga’s excellent organisation, lighter weight, and the convenience of a backpack when climbing stairs.
Tortuga Expandable Backpack
An update on the previous Setout Divide, the soon to be released Expandable Backpack is an (you guessed it!) expandable carry-on backpack and is the smallest bag in the Tortuga Travel Backpack line.
It’s ideal for short trips and light packers. The expandable design means you can adjust the bag to suit your current trip (or fit souvenirs in for the journey home).
When unexpanded it can fit under a plane seat (on larger planes), so it can work as your personal item too. It can be paired with a rolling suitcase with a sleeve that passes through the handles.
The two-compartment layout is different from the classic Lite and allows you to pack dirty and clean clothes separately.
It fits a 16-inch laptop and 9.7-inch tablet and is made from the same material as the Lite.
Dimensions (inches): 19.2 x 12.5 x 6.9 inches (expands to 8.3 inches)
Dimensions (cm): 48.7 x 31.8 x 17.5 cm (expands to 21cm)
Volume: 27 litres (expands to 32.5 litres)
Weight: 3.6 lbs (1.6 kg)
Colour: Black
Price: US $250 (and free US shipping)
Buy from: Tortuga website
Tortuga Backpack Lite vs Pro: A Detailed Comparison
| Tortuga Lite | Tortuga Pro |
|---|---|
| $250 | $350 |
| 40 litre | 40 litre |
| 1.59 kg (3.5 lbs) | 2 kg (4.5 lbs) |
| Not height adjustable | Height adjustable |
| Hideaway straps | No hideaway straps |
| Fits 19-21″ torsos | Adjustable |
| Laptop up to 16-inch | Laptop up to 16-inch |
Simon travelled happily with the Tortuga Outbreaker (the previous version of the Pro) for over a year to eight countries.
He wasn’t in the market for a new backpack, but when the Setout was released he thought it was worth trying because the only real issue with the Outbreaker was how heavy it was (5.1 lbs/2.3 kg).
Here’s a comparison of the newer versions of the two backpacks to help you decide which one is right for you.
Compared to the Tortuga Pro, the Backpack Lite is:
- 1 lb (0.41kg) lighter
- $100 cheaper
- Water-resistant rather than waterproof
- Not as rugged (and possibly less durable)
- Less organised (no organiser pocket, tablet sleeve or mini pockets in the hip belt)
- Less padded
- Less adjustable to find the perfect fit
Another major difference for some people is that the Lite has hideaway shoulder straps, which the Pro doesn’t have (although its hip belt can be removed).
Here’s a comparison of each of the Lite’s areas:
Front and sides
- There’s no organizer pocket compared to the Pro.
- There’s only one water bottle holder on one side rather than on both sides (although Simon never used both when using the Outbreaker).
Main compartment
- As the fabric is lighter on the Lite, the sides will be floppier like on our Setout backpacks. It still opens on three sides and is easy to pack.
- The main advantage that the Lite has over the Pro is that there are two internal mesh pockets compared to the single one in the Pro.
Laptop compartment at back
- The Lite doesn’t have an additional tablet sleeve, unlike the Pro.
Back
- On the Lite you can unclip the shoulder straps and hide them away in the back panel (Simon never used this).
- The shoulder straps are less padded but still comfortable.
- On the Lite you can’t adjust the height of the shoulder straps. This wasn’t an issue for Simon but could be if you have a particularly long or short torso. The Pro has an adjustable height system to suit all whereas the Lite fits torsos 19–21 inches.
- There are no additional pockets on the hip belt.
Tortuga Travel Backpack Lite Summary
The Tortuga Backpack Lite is an excellent carry-on backpack. It’s spacious, stylish, durable but light, and very well-designed with just enough support and organisation. It’s ideal for anyone looking to maximise the amount they can travel with carry-on only.
It’s cheaper than the Pro and the option of tuckable shoulder straps to carry it by a side handle is a nice advantage with the Lite.
Click here to buy the Tortuga Backpack Lite on the Tortuga website.
More Carry-On Packing Posts
- Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L Review
- The Ultimate Carry On Packing List After 12 Years of Travel
- Carry-On Travel in 10 Easy Steps
- Iceland Packing List How to Pack Carry-On Only for Cold Weather
- How to Pack for 4 Months in Europe from Summer to Winter
- The Secret to Carry-On Only Travel: How to Use Packing Cubes to Save Space
- Airline Carry On Luggage Size and Weight Limits: A Detailed Guide
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Many thanks to Tortuga who provided us with a Setout backpack for our original review. We were under no obligation to write a positive review or keep travelling with it for so many years. As full-time travellers our luggage is extremely important and Simon would not have travelled with the Setout if he didn’t think it was the best backpack.
I hope the post is not too old and you’ll answer. I’m about to buy one but i can’t decide between 2 very similar model, and I like to have your opinion. Considering that I live in London and To be sure that I can use it on all low cost flight I’ll go max for 35L. I’ll probably have laptop and/or tablet with me(I’m a Man 1.82m height).
The 2 backpacks are:
Aer travel pack2 (33L)
Tortuga setout (35L)
Which one do you suggest?
I like that the Aer has a couple of more pockets on the internal front, I’ll probably don’t use the shoes pocket but can be good for dirty clothes since is there.
But the tortuga seems to fit more stuff inside.
Big dilemma please help!
Giuseppe
We’ve only tried the Setout but I would go for that. It’s currently on sale which makes it really good value and the Aer charges extra for a hip belt (which we find essential if you are carrying electronics).
We find the Setout has plenty of pockets for organisation and it has some mesh pockets inside that are good for dirty laundry. The Setout 35L is also a bit lighter. Good luck with your decision!
Hi,
Between the 35L Setout and 34L expanded Setout Divide, which do you find to be better? I’m so torn between the two.
Personally I’d go for the 35L Setout as the Setout Divide is slightly smaller (even when expanded) but heavier.
Hi Erin ! Not exactly related to this post but have you had the chance to test the new Tortuga Setout for women ? If so what do you think about it ? I have been waiting for the woman specific version for months and I’d love to have your input !
I haven’t had a chance to try it yet but I do recommend women get the women’s version as it sounds like it will fit better.
Great review… I recently had to go with a wheeled carry-on after a rib and foot injury and knew my trusty Far point 40 would be too painful to
navigate Northern Japan and all the plane and train travel… I did some research I went for the Osprey Ozone wheeled Global carry-on
38L/ 19.5 …not cheap but you know Osprey makes quality products and this purchase is a definite winner…That and my medium size messenger bag all I used for 3 weeks of varying temperature travel (hot and cold clothes)… Still cant believe how lightweight and easy navigate it ..So Erin, when your ready to take the rolling plunge check it out…
Ok, Travel on….
Thank you for the recommendation Susan! I’ll definitely look into it.
Hi. I have a flight on Peach Airline hitch has a size restriction nineteen.six inches x fifteen.seven x nine.eight so does that mean I could not take the setout as carryon? This site won’t let me use numbers….
Is the setout collapsible ie I can crunch down to make it under twenty inches tall?
Technically the Setout would be over those dimensions and it doesn’t really squish down lengthwise. In our experience airlines aren’t that strict if your bag is a little over the allowed size (we’ve never had to put our bag in the sizing frame or been denied entry), but we haven’t flown on Peach so I can’t say for sure. We would probably risk it and just accept there’s a risk we’d be made to check it.
At 5’4 and about 130 lbs , is the set out 45l too big for a 2 month trip to Asia?
Would the Cotopaxi Allpa be better fit?
I’d recommend the new Tortuga Setout 35 litre. I’m the same size and switched to the Tortuga 45 five months ago (Simon has been travelling with it for years) and although I love many things about it, I do find it a bit too bulky.
Hello,
I need some help deciding on which bag to buy. I enjoy your writeup and blog…as a seasoned Setout user, I hope you can answer a few questions for me. I’m leaning towards the setout (either 35L or 45L, the divide is a bit small). My main other consideration is the AER Travel Pack 2. The main compartment size of the Setout 45L is 34L, the main compartment volume of the 35L Setout is 25.4L, the main compartment size of the AER is 28.5L.
what I like about the AER is that it is compressible using the compression straps. The 45L bag will usually be bigger than I need, which is not really a problem if it can compress well…but in the pictures I’ve seen, the compression straps don’t do a good job. They seem to pinch it at two points, and all the stuff sinks to the bottom. Question 1: how does the 45L Setout perform when it is only 50-70% full??
I am also a bit concerned about the attachment point of the compression strap. it is just under the main compartment zipper (instead of going over the main compartment zipper like on most bags..and this seems to put a lot of stress on the zipper of the main compartment. Question 2: Have you seen or heard of any problems with the integrity of the main comparment zipper over many years??
The setout seems to sag off the shoulders. Question 3: now they are adding load lifters, do you think they will solve this problem?
1) Neither of our Setout backpacks are ever 50% full so I can’t say for sure but if you don’t need all the space I would go for the 35L. The 45L is a big bag! If it wasn’t full, I think things would fall to the bottom of the backpack but I personally wouldn’t find that a problem. We use packing cubes to sort of stack things.
2) We’ve had no issues with the zipper at all. Still in perfect condition.
3) I think load lifters will help.
Good luck with the decision! Tortuga offer free returns if you want to try it out.
I received a Setout Divide today. It now has load lifters. I wasn’t sure if the smaller size was too small so I packed it and managed to fit: 2 pair pants (Bluffworks), 5 under shirts, 2 long sleeve dress shirts, 3 short sleeve dress shirts, 5 pairs socks, 5 underwear, workout shorts and t-shirt, toilet kit, dress shoes, and laptop (15″) and charger. Oh, and the day pack. Thanks for the recommendation on Tortuga!
Hi Terry,
I am looking into backpacks and like the Setout when I saw your post this is exactly what I am planning to pack and am now thinking go with the Setout Divide. Did you use packing cubes if so which? And roughly what size are your clothes if you don’t mind sharing? I am taking a 10 day trip to Italy where we will move 3 times but I am lucky enough to have a washer and dryer on the 5th night I will be there…
Any update on how you liked the setout as a woman compared to your Osprey? I’m currently trying to decide between the two of them for a Europe trip. I’m 5’6″. Thanks!
I’m also interested!
I didn’t use packing cubes. I might eventually. I do use an folded clothes organizer (Eagle Creek). I tend to fold some clothes and roll other clothes, like t-shirts, in the available space. And I put clothes in the extra shoes. I am 6’3″ with pants being 34w36l and shirts are tall/large.
Hello, thanks for this review it’s really helpful! I’m thinking of getting the Setout for a trip I’m taking next year, but just wanted to check, have you ever had an issue with the weight restrictions of carry on with this bag? I know a lot of airlines are 7kg and this looks like it could pack more…thank you
If you fill the bag up (especially with electronics like us!) then you’ll likely go over 7kg. Ours are significantly over that but we have only had an issue with the airline weighing it once (and they ended up letting us on with it). In general we find airlines are less likely to weigh a backpack than a rolling suitcase. It helps if you check-in online and avoid the check-in desk. We have some more tips in this post: https://www.neverendingvoyage.com/how-to-travel-carry-on-only-airline-size-and-weight-guide/
Good luck!
Thanks for this comprehensive review. I have the Tortuga V2 and I think I’ll keep it for now – despite being on the road fulltime for 2 years with it, it still does the job for now. It doesn’t appear to weigh much more than the Setout from what I can still find in the various reviews on it.
V2 is still a great bag and it’s only slightly heavier than the Setout (3.65 lbs vs 3.3 lbs).
did you guys tried the nomatic backpack. I would be interested in a comparison as the price range is also similar.
thank you
We haven’t tried it. It looks pretty good but it’s $50 more, significantly heavier, and smaller than the Setout, so I can’t see any real advantages to it.
what about compared to the outbreaker?
I’m not sure but we recommend the Setout over the Outbreaker for most people anyway.
Blah, you’re telling me I have to get the one that costs $100 more because I decided to get a 17″ laptop… :/ Do you really think a 17″ laptop wouldn’t fit in the Setout? It looks so huge, way bigger than the backpack I have now that fits my laptop just fine.
Simon’s 15-inch laptop is pretty snug in the Setout (with a neoprene case) so I’m not sure a 17-inch would fit. You could always try it yourself as Tortuga offers free returns with the US.
Thankyou this is so helpful- i think we will buy a Tortuga pack now!!! The setout looks perfect for me and my husband as we travel a lot also and prefer not to check in luggage if possible.
Are the packs made of material that would be slash-proof ie: if someone tries to open them with a knife is the material able to withstand that?
Thanks again
The Setout material is fairly sturdy but I don’t think it would be slash-proof. The Outbreaker is much more robust so if that’s important to you it could be a better option.
Bear in mind that your laptop and valuables are kept at the back of the bag so it would be quite hard (impossible?) to cut through the front two sections to get to them.
I have a question regarding the suspension and comfort. I had a Tortuga V2, but found it killed my shoulders after a few hours and had to change the way I travel by the sixth day of a two week trip. I tend to walk a lot with the backpack on and explore new areas, and finally choose a place to stay at night after a day of travel, so leaving the backpack at a hotel/hostel and taking a day-pack during the day is not appealing. I have a farpoint 40 right now, but never was a fan of the laptop placement of the bag. Since Simon has had a chance to use the V2, Outbreaker, and Setout, I was wondering which is most comfortable for long treks? To me, it seems the Setout scaled back on the suspension system compared to the Outbreaker, but it is still better than the V2. I would like a cary-on one bag that I can wear all day and not end up killing my shoulders, and trying to figure out if the Setout would suffice, the Outbreaker is a better choice for that, or if I should consider a different pack completely.
We never carry our backpacks for that long, but the Outbreaker is definitely the most comfortable backpack Simon has tried. The suspension system is very robust although it does make the bag heavier.
He doesn’t find the Setout quite as comfortable, but as he doesn’t tend to carry it for too long it’s worth the trade-off to save weight.
I’d say it’s worth trying the Outbreaker.
This was ridiculously helpful information. Thank you!
I’m glad it helped!
I was hoping there would be equivalent Canadian version links provided. or similar options
I haven’t heard of a similar backpack sold in Canada. You can get Tortuga backpacks delivered to Canada but you’ll have to pay postage and customs.
*to
Hey
First, love the blog – been following it for a while now. Especially love the vegetarian recommendations.
Re: carry on. Most airlines now tend to impose a 7kg limit for carry-on. So has that been an issue for either of you? As a couple, we’ve attempted to travel with just carry-on, but it’s the weight rather than the size that prevents us – we often have to put our backpacks on the scales.
It’s a pain the bum too be honest!
Chris
Our backpacks are pretty much always overweight but we’ve never been prevented from taking them on-board. The trick is to avoid getting them weighed. The best thing is to check-in online so you can avoid the check-in desk where they are most likely to weigh it. I think it also helps to only have one piece of luggage (no additional item) so you don’t look weighed down with stuff. And try to make the backpack as compact as possible.
Late last year on Bangkok Air Simon’s backpack did get weighed (we stupidly didn’t check in online). But he explained it was full of electronics and couldn’t be checked and they let him on.