Travel backpacks: now there's an idea

If you do a lot of traveling, especially in airplanes, you might want to look into travel backpacks as cheap alternatives to traditional luggage. A good, sturdy travel backpack is especially handy if you don't have much gear to pack, and you're in a hurry. These backpacks are specially geared for traveling: they're designed to fit most airlines' size requirements for carry-on luggage, they're ruggedly built, and some even come with wheels to make dealing with them a bit easier at the end of a long trip.

Travel bags: built for comfort

Any bag meant for globetrotting should be capacious as well as durable, sharp looking as well as functional. No problem there. A typical traveling backpack comes equipped for hiking in any environment, whether it's urban, airport, bus terminal, or deep woods. There are plenty of places in these packs for all manner of gear, including (in most cases) expandable water bottle pockets. Most travel packs come with both shoulder and belt straps, made with moisture-wicking fabric to help keep you cool.

Will I need bags of money to buy one?

Not necessarily. These backpacks usually cost less than good piece of travel luggage; the models at REI outfitters start for around $175, and you can squeeze a great deal of use out of one. You might even be able to catch one on sale for less -- say, $99, a true bargain. Most travel packs are made of rip-resistant nylon, but you can get a leather backpack if you prefer -- often for less than a nylon model. Can't know until you try, so come on down!