Last-Chance Prime Day Deal: My Go-To Travel Backpack Is Still 20% Off
As a full-time food and travel writer, I'm constantly flying to different places all over the world -- in fact, I take at least 50 flights a year. Wherever I go, my highest priority is that I have a spacious carry-on bag that I can easily hoist into the overhead compartment -- something that's also versatile enough to accommodate all my travel essentials.
It doesn't take a professional traveler to know that having just the right luggage is essential. However, because I fly so often, I've tried out just about every type of carry-on bag you can find. And I say this with complete sincerity: This Dinictis backpack is the single best carry-on bag I've ever owned.
I'll admit that other carry-on bags might look more stylish and come in a wider array of colors. But I have yet to find one that meets my needs for durability, efficiency and affordability better than this well-designed travel bag that's just $40 at full retail price and which often goes on sale for less. If you have travel plans coming up this summer, this is the carry-on you want to bring along, full stop. And don't worry about misplacing your backpack. Simply throw in an AirTag, especially when you can get a pack of them for a super low price too.
Read more: Traveling Soon? 5 Unique AirTag Locations for Peace of Mind
When only a backpack will do
It's available in four colors: gray, dark gray, blue and black.
Pamela Vachon/CNET
To be clear, my backpacking days were over before they started. Without the means for serious travel before age 25, my life as a traveler didn't kick off in earnest until I was equipped solely with roller-bag sensibilities. As an [age redacted]-year-old, when I scheduled myself for a bus trip along the coast of Peru, with overnight stays in modest accommodations, suddenly a roller bag felt kind of … well, prissy. Roller bags are decidedly inconvenient on unpaved or nontiled surfaces; plus, it's just not a good look when the vibe is more low-brow than luxury. This wasn't a backpacking trip by any means but a backpack was definitely called for. One that could accommodate a week's worth of clothing, amenities and a laptop but still potentially fit in a locker.
The Dinictis 40L Travel Backpack came into my life for this particular trip, exceeding my expectations. Since that Peruvian adventure, this bag has come with me on every single trip, no matter the occasion.
A backpack that works like a suitcase
It's a backpack that packs like a suitcase.
Dinictis
Many travel backpacks are spacious and compartmentalized but the Dinictis 40L Travel Backpack operates like a suitcase. It opens along three sides so you can flip it open like a suitcase and pack accordingly, with straps for holding your clothing in place. This makes finding what you need much easier than shoving your belongings from the top down like a typical backpack. A side handle even allows you to carry it like a suitcase.
When full, it can easily hold up to 10kg, or 22 pounds, the weight restriction for carry-on baggage for many of the discount airlines. Because it's a backpack, nobody has ever asked to weigh it for compliance. It will always look lighter than it is.
Store your laptop with confidence
As a writer, I always travel with a laptop so I'm concerned with its portability as well as safety. That said, I hate having it pressed right up against my back, which can be stiff and, depending on where you're going, sweaty. The laptop sleeve on this model is ideally situated near the (sweat-free) front of the pack but isn't the most outward-facing compartment. Honestly, protected by a foam divider, the laptop feels hidden, even when packed to the gills.
Outside pockets are a must
A side handle is key for navigating public transportation.
Dinictis
I am team-soft-body, even in roller-bags, for two reasons. First, it's much easier to shove last-minute items into an already zipped suitcase without the clamshell action of a hard case, and second: outside pockets. Who can travel without these? (No, I really want to know…) This backpack has two outer pocket compartments for miscellany, arguably three when considering the extra space in front of the laptop sleeve -- and four if you include the handy water bottle holder. There are even compartments within the compartments. These are the sorts of details that separate the high-functioning from the holding-up-the-line travelers, in my opinion.
Read more: Essential Items to Pack and Avoid in a Carry-On Bag to Breeze Through TSA Lines
A personal item that can masquerade as checked luggage
Safe laptop storage is crucial for a travel writer and this bag has a dedicated sleeve.
Vaultz
Many travel backpacks have an infrastructure that keeps them in a certain shape, even when empty. The Dinictis model has enough structure to keep its sides afloat while you pack it, but its essence is still as a lightweight, fabric backpack. If you've ever been asked to prove that your carry-on actually qualifies as carry-on, you will understand that "smushability" is an important factor. I have packed this backpack for a weekend away and brought it on board as a personal item. (I will fly Spirit Airlines but I will only do it while giving them as little of my money as possible.) It can totally fit under the seat in front of you when necessary.
The beauty of this travel backpack is that it is also suitable as checked baggage, with heavy-duty fabric that can withstand the journey. The straps can be unclipped and tucked away and the body cinched by additional clips, for a tidy package that doesn't make you feel panicky when you watch it being whisked away on the baggage conveyor.
I've had many trips where it leaves with me as carry-on and returns as checked luggage. Even in the lighter gray color, its durable material doesn't reveal that it has ever seen the tread of a baggage carousel. It was the function I didn't even know I needed but now I never travel without it for this purpose.
Read more: Best Laptop Backpack for 2025
Dinictis Travel Backpack specs
Exterior dimensions: 9.8 x 13.8 x 19.6 inches
Storage capacity: 40 liters
Weight: 2.49 pounds
Pockets: 1 exterior water bottle pocket, 2 exterior front pockets, 1 padded interior laptop pocket
Carrying handles: 1 top, 1 side
Material: Polyester and nylon
4.7 average rating on Amazon
You don't even need to take it from me. The 40L Travel Backpack has thousands of five-star ratings on Amazon. As someone who reviews various products for a living, I know just how rare this kind of rating is. And now that it's still selling for only $29, this bag is a pretty safe bet.
When will this deal expire?
While there's a chance that this deal will stick around after Amazon's Prime Day sale officially ends tonight, we wouldn't count on it. Several colors have already gone back up in price, so it's likely that this holdover discount won't last for much longer. We'd definitely recommend getting your order in sooner rather than later if you don't want to miss out on these savings.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
31 minutes ago
- Yahoo
The summer holiday hacks that saved us hundreds of pounds
The cost of all-inclusive package holidays to some of the most popular destinations has soared, prompting people to get creative to save money. BBC News has been speaking to people who have used money-saving hacks to slash the price of their summer getaways. If there are issues you would like to see covered, you can get in touch via Your Voice, Your BBC News. Laura Strang, 25, from Oban, Scotland saves money by booking at the last minute. She even booked her honeymoon just two days before they flew. "We got married on the 21st of June and waited until the 23rd of June to book a holiday for June 25th. "We had two weeks in Mexico because it was cheaper than two weeks in Europe." Laura and her husband Sam Gledhill, 27, paid £1,200 each for 14 nights all-inclusive in Cancun. "I would say we saved thousands of pounds, based on reviews," she says. "Ten nights in Spain was coming up the same or more expensive. It's a 10-hour flight over to Mexico so it's a little bit crazy, that." She says she and her husband have previously booked holidays within a few days of flying to Tenerife, Salou and Marrakesh and have saved money each time. "Choosing not to go all-inclusive can save money but that depends on the country," says Laura. "We found Mexico quite expensive when going out and about [so all-inclusive made sense], but you could probably save money in Spain by going half board." Nathan Hart and his fiancee Cassie Farrelly estimate they saved £3,300 by searching for a holiday that offered a free child's place and going outside school holidays. They have booked a 10-day all-inclusive holiday in Spain's Balearic Islands at the end of September with their three-year-old twin daughters Alba and Luna. The couple from Merthyr Tydfil, Wales recommend using the filter option on some of the biggest travel agency websites. "When searching you can see which places offer one free child place, choose a range of locations and sort by lowest price," says Nathan. "We found an exceptional hotel for £800 per person plus one free child place, so that's already an £800 saving. "As well as that, on the booking page you can see a calendar showing the difference in price for the holiday on different dates." Holidays to Spain, Cyprus and Turkey soar in price Six ways to save money on your summer holiday Nathan says when he compared the same holiday in August it was double the price. "That would have been completely unaffordable for us. "I now completely understand why parents with older kids travel inside school term time and it's absolutely something we will have to consider when our girls are older." Parents who take their children out of school for holidays during term time risk being fined, and repeat offenders could face prosecution. May Burrough works in central London. But her flat is too small to have lots of people to stay, so last October she invited some close friends to a five-bedroomed villa with a pool on the Costa Brava, Spain. She estimates it would normally have cost around £3,500 to rent a house like that. But she used a home-swapping site and only paid €100 (£85) - for the cleaning fee - plus around £250 on transport. Although she saved money on the villa, May and her friends did splash out on food and drink, such as oysters and wine from the region. "We really had a lush time at the house because we were like, 'well, we're not paying for the accommodation!'" Because finding someone to do a straight swap with can often be tricky, the Home Exchange site she uses allows her to earn credits by letting people stay in her one-bedroom flat, and then spend them elsewhere. "It does take a bit of effort. I put valuables away, you have to change the bedsheets, cleaning every time. But it is fully worth it," says May. She says the site is a bit clunky to use, but she loves what it allows her to do, for an annual fee of around £170. Recently she booked a one-night stay in Vienne, France so she could go to a concert. "A hotel was going to be mega-expensive. So I booked a room in someone's home and left in the morning." Ebrahim Paruk, 35, from Nuneaton near Coventry in Warwickshire saves money on flights by saving up Virgin Atlantic credit card points. He does his best to collect as many points as possible. "I pay for everything I can with the card," he says, including his bills, weekly petrol, and weekly groceries. "These are day-to-day necessities that you have to buy, so you might as well get a reward," he says. Describing himself as "the biggest football fan you will probably ever find", he started doing it as a way of going to the major international tournaments. The best saving he made with the points was a return flight to Düsseldorf to watch Germany v Denmark in the 2024 Euros - he saved £400 on his £800 flight. To add to the saving, he won the match ticket and hotel accommodation in a competition, meaning the whole trip cost him a total of £500. Now he uses the same method to save money when booking holidays for him and his wife. Annmaree Bancroft is a single mum of a three-year-old and has been house sitting with him 11 times. Their first time was looking after two dogs for a week in a house in Scarsdale outside New York City. This year they will be going back there for a few days, this time as friends of the homeowner. Then they will stay on for three more weeks in the US, without paying for any overnight accommodation, thanks to further housesitting stints in Connecticut and Brooklyn. The cost of the holiday will be the £1,435 she is spending on flights, plus travel between cities and spending money. "A lot of parents think that once you have a child, you can't travel," says Annmaree. "That is just not true. There are these alternative ways now to travel and make it affordable." If you do choose to house sit, it is recommended that you use a reputable site. Annmaree uses the online platform Trusted Housesitters, which charges a membership fee for sitters of £99 to £199 a year. House sitting may also be an option for those choosing not to go abroad. Kayleigh Pennel-Price lives with her partner, two children, aged two and four months, and their golden retriever Kofi in Wiltshire. She had looked into a family holiday through the traditional means but calculated that it would cost around £3,000 to go on a foreign holiday for a week. Instead, the whole family is going house sitting in a small village in Buckinghamshire for two weeks. They will be staying in a home with a sauna, swimming pool and a private woodland, to look after two Yorkshire terriers, booked through the website HouseSit Match. "We mostly plan to just stay there," says Kayleigh, who thinks the whole trip could cost £250. "We love both abroad and UK holidays, but we don't like to leave our dog," she says. "And with the two babies, abroad is a little harder."
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
When to book and where to stay: Six ways to save money on your summer holiday
Prices for all-inclusive family package holidays in some of the most popular desinations have soared over the past year. But there are ways of saving money if you want to escape abroad. Here are six tips to help keep costs down. The price you pay for your accommodation depends on when you book. July and August are the peak months for summer holidays, not just for Brits but for people in other parts of Europe. "If you've ever been to Paris in August there's hardly anyone there, everybody goes to the beach or heads for the mountains," says Sean Tipton, spokesperson for The Travel Association (ABTA), which represents tour operators and travel agents. "That's when the hotels put their prices up," he says. Therefore, it is usually cheaper to book a holiday aboard for June or September. If you do have to go during the peak months, Mr Tipton says: "It is generally a good idea to book it as early as you can. "It can be a bit of a lottery because you can't 100% predict what the demand will be but as a rule of thumb in the majority of cases if you know you're travelling in July, August or over Christmas or Easter, book early." The best time to travel is the middle of the week, according to Mr Tipton. "The weekend is the most expensive time to go because people prefer to fly over the weekend so if you fly mid-week it is generally cheaper," he says. "Just simple little things like that get the price down." The same goes for the time of the day you travel. "It is common sense really," he says. "I don't particularly like getting up at 3am for a 6am flight and I'm not alone in that so those flights will be consequently cheaper." If you have some flexibility around when you can travel, there are some last minute bargains to be had. Package holiday operators may have booked a lot of hotel space in advance which they may not have been able to sell at the holiday date approaches. "They'll discount it just to make sure they get something for it," says Mr Tipton. "Travel agents get sent notifications of last minute good deals so they're a good place to go if you've left it late and you want a good, cheap deal." Another option is house-swapping. Instead of paying for a hotel or villa, people can register with an online platform which acts as a fixer between homeowners in different countries who want to stay in other's houses. Justine Palefsky, co-founder and chief executive of Kindred, says that people who register with her site pay only a service and a cleaning fee. For example, someone booking a seven night stay at a three bedroom house in Majorca would pay a $140 (£103) service fee to Kindred as well as $140 for cleaning before and after a stay in the house. Ms Hawkes advises that travellers go through a reputable site if they are choosing a house-swap. "People need to be wary of social media ads at this time of year, advertising cheap holidays because scammers do tend to use those portals to show you images of a wonderful location. "Then when you book it and do you bank transfer, you find it doesn't exsist," she says. She recommends doing a reverse image search on websites such as Google to check the images haven't been lifted from somewhere else to promote a home that doesn't exist. Holidays to Spain, Cyprus and Turkey soar in price Heathrow to pipe 'sounds of an airport' around airport Avoid changing money at the airport, says Alastair Douglas, chief executive at TotallyMoney, a price comparison site. "Airports are normally the most expensive places to change cash," he says. Instead, change your money well in advance. Mr Douglas says that if people are worried about exhange rate shifting between booking a holiday and the date of departure they can "hedge their bets" by changing half in advance and half nearer the time. However, he says that people don't really travel with lots of cash anymore. Most spending is done on cards. This is a good thing, Mr Douglas says, because it will often allow you to select the local currency which is "probably the thing that will save you the most amount of money". Even before you reach your destination, costs can pile up. Make sure you print out your boarding pass ahead of time. "Some airlines can charge a lot of money just to print out at the airport," says Nicky Kelvin, editor at The Points Guy website. "Not all of them but just be safe." If you're bringing a small suitcase on board the plane, bear in mind both the weight and the size of the luggage if you have to measure it in a metal sizer at the airport. If it doesn't fit, you may be charged a fee to check it into the plane's hold. Ms Hawkes recommends documenting the luggage dimensions an airline provides on its website just in case you have followed them but get to the airport and discover your bag does not fit. "In that case, if the airline makes you put it in the hold and you've adhered to their website conditions, document everything and make a complaint after," she says. Food, drink and toiletries are often more expensive at the airport. One of the reasons, according to Mr Kelvin, is because of the 100ml onboard liquid rule. While restrictions have recently been relaxed at airports in Edinburgh and Birmingham, it applies everywhere else in the UK. One way to cut costs is to order your suncream or other toiletries online and pick them up in-store at the airport once you've been through security. Some retailers allow you to do this, Mr Kelvin tells the BBC's Morning Live programme. "So it's a double whammy - you're going to save because you're going to get the cheaper online pricing and you're going to avoid the security issue because you're going to pick up your big liquids after." Another cost-saving tip is to take a water bottle with you. Most airports have free water refill stations. He also recommends taking along your own snacks in lunch boxes, especially handy if you're travelling with children. Assume the 100ml airport rule remains, flyers told What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Buzz Feed
5 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
Ease The Nightmare Of Setting Up A Beach Tent With This Ridiculously Easy One
If you're ready for fun beach days but are not looking forward to the hassle of setting up a beach tent or umbrella, listen up: We've found a beach tent that reviewers rave about for its ease of setup, durability and compact size, and you'll want it for your next trip to the shore. The Sun Ninja UPF 50+ beach tent uses sand from the beach as a weight to keep the tent in place, even when it's windy. Included with the tent is a sand shovel, which you use to fill the four sandbags at each corner. Then, stick the poles underneath to create the tent and tie the fabric to each pole using the included bungee cords. When you're done at the beach, you can fit the whole thing inside the included travel carry bag that reviewers say fits right in their luggage. Easy-peasy. You can use the tent on more than just sandy beaches, too because your purchase also includes four metal stakes for use on grassy areas or rocky campgrounds. The setup isn't the only thing to like about the tent, either: As we mentioned earlier, the tent fabric has UPF 50+ protection to keep you safe from harmful UV rays, no matter where you're using it. Reviewers rave about the durability and stability of the tent, especially its ability to withstand wind without falling over. 'We have put it through the wringer over the past two weeks, up and down every day, on the beach for hours with decent winds every day,' one reviewer reported. 'It sets up in less than 5 minutes and stays up for as long as you want it to.' You can get the Sun Ninja tent in four colors and three sizes, which are able to fit two, four and eight people respectively. If you're looking for a beach essential that will work for years, offers sun protection and is compact enough to throw in your beach tote, go ahead and add this beauty to your cart. Need a bit more convincing? We've rounded up some more promising reviews below by people who have used the tent and love it. Get it from Amazon for $59.95+ (available in three sizes and four colors).
