Imagine this: You’re preparing for a 10-day trip across Europe, and you’ve decided to follow everyone’s advice to pack everything into a single carry-on. As you lay out your clothes, toiletries and travel essentials, the task seems daunting. How can anyone cram a week’s worth of anything into a space smaller than a dresser drawer?

An Airback backpack is innovative and engineered to make packing small for extended trips effortless. A built-in vacuum compression system compresses the clothes and other items by squeezing out the dead space and effectively increasing your packing capacity by up to 50%. 

Constructed from high-quality, waterproof materials, it is also built to withstand the rigors of travel. On a recent extended travel assignment, everything we packed in our Airback stayed safe and dry, whether we were caught in a sudden downpour or navigating through crowded airports.

We love the Airback’s multiple compartments and zippered pockets, which keep wallets, keys, laptops, chargers and passports organized and easily accessible. Everything has its place, making a long-haul travel experience more organized and stress-free.

Comfort hasn’t been overlooked either. The Airback features padded shoulder straps and a breathable back panel so that even when fully loaded, it remains comfortable to carry. If you get tired of shouldering it like a pack mule, it’s rugged enough to check as luggage. 

The Airback’s rechargeable vacuum pump quickly compresses your items on the go. We’re fans of the compression technology, the sturdy carrying handles and straps, the hidden pocket for valuables and the integrated USB and USB-C ports for charging your devices on the move. The handle even includes a built-in digital scale, allowing you to weigh the backpack to ensure you don’t exceed increasingly strict airline requirements. Another nice touch: a TSA-approved zipper lock is stitched directly into the fabric, which adds security and means there’s one less lock to misplace. 

The Airback is available in two sizes to suit different travel needs. Like children, we love them both equally. The standard size is perfect for longer trips and was engineered to fit in airplane overhead bins. The smaller carry-on size fits comfortably under an airplane seat, making it ideal for shorter journeys or as an additional piece of luggage. Both sizes share many of the same clever features and a convenient side pouch for a water bottle that rank the Airbacks at the top of our travel essentials list.