I tried out a dozen different travel backpacks over the past few years, and this 40L backpack has been a big upgrade.
I normally take 50+ flights per year and have grown accustomed to carry-on only travel, so my top priority was finding a compact & organized backpack. There are other bags out there that fit this criteria, but the Tortuga’s comfortable harness system really put it a step above the rest. The back is well-padded, and the chest+hip straps do a great job distributing the weight of a full bag.
I was initially afraid that the 40L backpack might be too big, so I was pleasantly surprised to find that it fit underneath an airplane seat while still being large enough for all my gear.
The internal organization is thoughtfully placed without being too much, but it took me a couple trips to figure out the best way to use the smaller compartments. After slinging this backpack around Canada, England, Germany, and the US, I can honestly say that this is my new favorite carry-on bag.