35L Travel Backpack - Open Story™

First let’s start with size. This review is for the smaller 35 liter version, but many of my comments on quality and design apply to the larger version as well. I waited to write a review until I had used this bag several times and I have now flown with this as a carry on four times. The 35 liter version is small for a carry on bag, but the larger size did not fit me well and would have been uncomfortable to carry (I’m 5’3”). Even the smaller version is much too large to use as a “personal item” unless you find an extremely generous airline! This bag is badly designed, and would not function well enough to use if you are flying with out a checked bag. At the maximum weight allowed for a carry on, this does not have the proper support or good enough straps. There are much better bags designed for this purpose but they are more expensive because they are better quality! In addition to the poor quality, the design of this bag is really bad for travel. They added lots of features that are appropriate for a school bag, not a travel bag. First, the laptop sleeve at the back is horribly designed. It has space for an enormous laptop, but that’s not something you are likely to bring if you are traveling with just carry on luggage! The way the sleeve is designed really eats into the space in the main compartment, so you have to use it to pack other flat items if you want to use the bag efficiently. You have to pack flat items only in this slot because the bag is not designed with an internal frame to protect your back and distribute weight. Next is the outer pocket with slots for pens and other office product. Again this is not needed for a travel bag! And the pocket only opens from the top so it is difficult to use efficiently for travel. Possibly useful for dirty laundry or to slip in some flat folded bulky items. I just needed a carry on back pack to keep my hands free on trips that also included checked luggage. It worked ok for that purpose, and I got the bag on sale, so at a lower price it was acceptable. At full price I don’t think it would be worth it because I don’t think the bag is sturdy enough to last very long. That said, this bag was perfect for the odd items I recently had to transport in carry on luggage! I was able to pack several framed pictures in the laptop sleeve and front pocket. The internal main compartment was perfect for holding a large shoe box packed full of small breakable items. Also had a little room at the top of each compartment for some small normal carry on items. So if you are clearing out mementos from grandmom’s attic this might be the bag for you! It definitely earned a star from me for this use! But for use as a regular carry on it is barely acceptable if you have checked bags. It would not be acceptable for use as your only bag.

This was perfect for my travel needs until I found out that there was not a place to attach a water bottle. I will be returning this product.

I loved this bag so much that I bought another for my husband and an entire Open Story luggage set! I purchased this about 3 years ago. We are a military family so we are traveling often. When we moved across the country I knew we would be traveling cross country often and this bag has been there every step of the way! I use it for long flights and short overnight stays. It even came with me for the birth of my daughter! I love the amount of pockets. Not too many but just enough. I also purchased the Open Story packing cubes although I used this bag for a year without any and didn't have any problems. I love how versatile this bag is. It's visually pleasing and the quality is impeccable! Just buy it if you plan on traveling or staying overnight anywhere!!

Great size for a small carry on our personal item. It is easy to pack because it opens completely & has pockets to help organize belongings.

Perfect size, color, everything. I got because I was tired of dealing with luggage on wheels. I could really appreciate at King Cross station there was packed because od 9 1/2 platform and original Harry Potter store. Free hands and less space I took saved me in the crazy crowds. It’s was perfect size to pack everything I needed for 10 days plus I had a space for many souvenirs. I was not afraid that the wheels will fail during the trip. And gave me a freedom of moving through the London and York. I am planning to used for a month long trip to Europe again this year since every apartment has a washer. Even my disabled son was able to carry his backpack. This is the perfect size as carry on. The larger one is huge and will not fit in carry on requirements. I am really happy with this backpack and I am highly recommend getting that one.

Besides mine coming a bit smudged and dirty. It was a pretty cool bag!

Bought this to use as carryon. Waiting to depart and noticed the edge coming apart. We'll see how I feel in 2 weeks when I return, if I attempt to return this item. Don't know if this is a sign of the durability of this bag, and this is just the first of ongoing issues or if it is just a fluck. We'll see how it handles the rest of my trip.

I bought this to use as a personal item on a trip to Iceland. We didn't check bags, so I thought this would be perfect to take in place of my backpack for extra room. I'd give this 5 stars on ease of use. It was so easy to attach to my carry-on suitcase and roll through the airport. It fit the size requirements with no problem. It was honestly perfect for the trip. My only caveat is that the duffel bag space is wide open, so I haven't used this for weekend trips because as soon as you pick it up to wear like a backpack, gravity comes into play and everything moves around. It's been great to throw my makeup, toiletries, etc, but I don't think it's worth it for small weekend trips unless you plan to hold it by the side handle when carrying.

I think the reviews are misleading. To be honest this bag is not that great because it’s difficult to close when even slightly full. It’s heavy even on its own and truly does not hold more than a few days worth of outfits and toiletries comfortably. For the price I wish I had bought something else. Alas I did make my purchase online without assessing the bag in person so thats my mistake.

I love this backpack! Traveled during Thanksgiving. It worked perfectly fitting my usual luggage I would have used a small rolling suitcase for. Having it on my back way easier for me to carry and walk through airport. Bp fit great under the seat in front of me. Padded shoulder pads. I did purchase bp during a holiday price. I’ve been looking to see if price goes on sale for another purchase for my hubby. Color options are all nice. Would i recommend? Yes!

I like how much space this thing has. Perfect for short trips!

I love this backpack for traveling. It has lots of room and zippers for packing. Fits under the seat on the plane so saves me from having to pay for carry ons!

Perfect for traveling. Love the size, and the colors are awesome. Should and backpack have cushioning that make wearing very comfortable. Lots of compartments for all your things. Great traveling backpack

really handy and useful, can fit a lot and doesn't look silly or nerdy

This is an ideal-sized backpack for overnights/short trips. I like that it can handle my work computer and files but also my clothes and toiletries. I do wish it had a water bottle sleeve but otherwise, happy with my purchase.

very durable, can fit so many things in it. a bit expressive but the quality is worth it

So, I’d give this pack five stars IF it had a water bottle holder. Otherwise, it’s spacious and durable. The fact that it fits under the seats on a plane blows my mind; it’s basically the size of a carry on masquerading as a personal item!

Let me start by saying I am not a backpack person. My daughter purchased these for our last minute trip to see my mom (we did not want to pay for checked baggage). The backpack has so many pockets to fit all the essentials. I was able to fit three outfits, toiletries, my clutch, phone charger and other things for the trip. The price was steep but so far so good.

I had heard amazing things about this backpack so purchased it before my month-long trip through Asia. Unfortunately, the quality was not great. One of the backpack straps completely broke and the carabiner-esque attachment basically snapped. I was worried the other strap would break as well if it was carrying the full weight, so I had to find a replacement backpack in the middle of my trip. Just want to warn anyone who is thinking of using this for a trip :(

Very big, able to hold size on gaming console