Traveling light doesn't have to mean compromising on packing space or functionality. In fact, with the right gear you can have the best of both worlds, and tomtoc's Navigator-T66 backpack embodies this balance perfectly.

Available in 40-liter and 28-liter sizes, the Navigator-T66 is a carry-on-friendly bag designed for business and leisure travelers alike, with dimensions that fit snugly within IATA's flight size requirements, along with a variety of multi-functional compartments (inside and out) to hold everything from laptops and tablets to clothes and cameras.

The large main compartment of the 40L bag fits up to four days’ worth of essentials (two days for the 28L size), and unzips like a suitcase to offer quick access to those things, as well as making it easier to pack and unpack than a typical backpack. The tech compartment on the back also swings open up to 180° to make getting through airport security checkpoints a breeze.

I'm a fan of how the bag is actually constructed too. They used durable, post-consumer recycled fabric (made from PET plastic bottles) to keep things more eco-friendly yet still robust, and they outfitted it with premium YKK zippers rather than cheaping out with lesser ones.

They also focused on wearable comfort even when the bag is fully loaded, as evidenced by the 3D padded back panel, thick contoured shoulder straps, and adjustable chest buckle.

For those trips when you do need to bring separate luggage along, the Navigator-T66 has a pass-through strap on the back so you can hang it on a suitcase for easy transport.

You can get the tomtoc Navigator-T66 in two sizes and colors:

• 40-liter: Available in Black ($81) and Gray ($86)
• 28-liter: Available in Black ($76) — (Gray unavailable as of July 19th, 2024, but keep checking the Amazon page for when it returns)