Best packable bags?
 

What are your favorite packable bags that you've used or seen? Something that folds up small (preferably into its own pouch/pocket), but expands into a relatively sturdy bag.

Maybe it's a backpack that could be used as a personal item, but folds up into a tiny pouch. Or maybe something larger and more sturdy, like a duffel that packs up pretty small, but is still sturdy enough to be checked in a pinch.

My travel sometimes tends to be unpredictable when it comes to luggage, and sometimes I end up having to bring more back than I took with me. I really prefer to take a small packable bag with me instead of checking something on the off chance I need the space, but I'm still looking for the perfect balance of size and strength.

I used to have some nylon duffel bags that were much like you describe. I haven't seen anything like them in years.

Tons of cheap options on Amazon. If you want bulletproof, look at Red Oxx Aviator Small or XSmall. No frills design so packs flat.

https://www.redoxx.com/aviator?_q=aviator&map=ft

Eagle Creek used to have a whole line of good packable items. Looks like they currently have a back pack and a waist-pack.

https://www.eaglecreek.com/products/...nvertible-pack

I always bring nylon shopping bags when I travel - they come in handy. One bag we often travel with is an ikea backpack that stuffs into its own pocket. For dirty laundry or souvenirs, I pack a lesportsac duffel - I have a large and a medium weekender, I grab whichever size makes sense. They are pretty sturdy - do not pack down into nothing. But I don't worry about them falling apart when I check them, either.

We have a Muji backpack that folds up into virtually nothing that we take on every trip. We've bought similar at Target.

I've had good experiences with the REI Flash 22 pack. REI updates this pack every few years so you might get a slightly different pack than my version, but the basic specs stay roughly the same: backpack weighing less than a pound, 22L capacity (about half the space of the standard carryon), and unstructured nylon that folds into itself. It's about $60.

I also have the Red Oxx XS Aviator, and I like the bag a lot, but I got mine when they were first introduced and underappreciated by the powers-that-be at Red Oxx. The current version of the bag costs more than double what I paid (currently $105), and has D-rings that were not offered on the bag that I bought--although a popular mod for many buyers that cost a lot less than the cost Red Oxx has added. Despite the D-rings, you must supply or buy the carry strap. Capacity and weight are roughly the same as the REI pack, but the XS is made from the very wear-resistant ballistic nylon that you see with Red Oxx products while the REI is ripstop.

The two bags also present a classic contrast in styles with the XS having zippers across the top and sides, making it easy to access anything packed inside while the REI is a classic backpack-and why is it that in any backpack, the item I want has always gravitated to the very bottom, under everything else I know I packed previously?

I think both are good choices, but your choice depends on what you see as the features and bugs of each bag.

I've got a muji tote and a longchamp expandable duffel that both fold down to practically nothing. I've taken them on probably over 100k miles so far and they are quite sturdy and easy to clean.

I've been using a Bellroy Lite Daypack https://bellroy.com/products/lite-daypack

350g and crumples down pretty compactly as needed, or can flat pack (e.g. into a bag's laptop compartment).

I have a LeSportsac large weekender duffle and one of their older Pullman as my caryy-on sized extra bag. It really depends on what I'm expecting to bring back with me. If I'm expecting to bring an entire extra suitcase of clothes I would bring an aSaks/Lucas expandable soft suitcase 26". It doesn't have wheels so will have to sit on something else with wheels to be transported from curb to counter. All these are sturdy enough to check.

I usually have either an Osprey packable backpack/Patagonia blackhole pack tote or a Sea to Summit Travelling Lite backpack as my packable/overflow daybag. The Sea to Summit is the lightest but has no internal nor external.pockets.