Travelling with a backpack

[clutter]

A decent sized backpacking backpack, that is. I haven't seen if it will squish into the carryon bin or not, but I'm thinking with a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, etc, it won't. But I'm hesitant to check it because I could see it getting ripped. How do most people deal with them? (no where to store any kind of luggage, etc at the destination.)

 

[minnie mum]

Can you have it wrapped at the airport? Many airports have this feature available. At least it would afford a degree of waterproofing, and could prevent straps, etc from getting snagged and ripped.

 

[jec6613]

Usually you shrink wrap it at the airport, or have a massive lightweight duffel that it goes into (or both). A backpacking type backpack is not only too big for most airline overheads, it's even too big for some X-ray machines. Not to mention, the airlines won't let you carry it on.

If you can get it down to 22x14x8 (maybe with an extra inch per dimension) you'll be okay bringing it on; otherwise, Minnie mum's shrink wrap suggestion is what people usually do. I have an old Army duffel that does the job, too.

 

[sweet maxine]

I have a 65L pack that I use for my backpacking trips. I usually use a mesh laundry bag to cover my pack with, and it is checked at the ticket counter. The only time I have been offered a wrap was with Alaska Airlines. The ticket counter agent gave me a huge clear plastic bag, then she twisted the end and wrapped it with tape to make a kind of handle to attach the luggage tag on to it.

Usually, it has been up to me to have the pack secured. I also travel with my tent, and it is secured to my pack. Placing the whole pack inside a mesh laundry bag has sufficed so far, but I did save the clear plastic bag from my recent flight for later use. All of that said, my pack is too large to use as a carry-on. Maybe something like a 30L or so would work, though.