I have used it for carrying gear while traveling by road, for things that I don't care are dirty. Plate carriers, helmets, climbing harnesses, etc. The fact that it's just a big plastic box with wheels and a decent handle (I did not spring for the travel specific version) means that it's also easy to clean out, just hit it with a hose or damp cloth.
“There is no growth in the comfort zone.”--Jocko Willink
"You can never have too many knives." --Joe Ambercrombie
I have a Mystery Ranch Coulee 25 that I bought for day hikes. I like it, but sometimes I wish it was a little larger and had more organization. To be fair, I've only used it on three trips thus far, so my opinion is still forming. We're traveling right now, and a couple of days ago, I noticed a guy with a slightly larger MR, a Scree 32, I think. I sort of wished that I'd bought that pack instead. However, for carrying water, the Coulee is great. It has four external water bottle pockets and a place on the inside for a bladder. We visited Arches National Park yesterday, and I greatly appreciated how easy it was for me to load up with water.
For in town travel, I really love the Osprey Porters. I have a 30 for when I'm flying with just a carry on and for weekend trips. For longer trips I have a 65. These two cover all my bases.
Lastly, I have an Eberlestock Bandit. I want to love this bag, but it seems too small and too heavy. The central compartment is a narrower that I would like. I honestly haven't found much use for the bag yet, so don't let my critique give you a negative impression of the brand. I think a small Vertx back pack would have my utility for me than the Eberlestock.
For my set of requirements I have been trying a lot of packs lately. Osprey is hard to beat overall IMO. I don’t get on with the over built nature of many packs.
The nice thing about packs is they are way cheaper than guns and super easy to return or sell if you don’t care for them.
I don’t travel enough to have an opinion on luggage. I just usually grab what costco
has on sale and they last enough.
In use:
Osprey Transporter Zip Top 30 daily-worn up to four hours walking to and from work or two hours biking.
HMG Southwest 2400 for backpacking.
HMG Daybreak Black Large for Day hikes
Osprey Talon 10 for MTB rides
Returned/sold
Osprey Porter 30
Osprey Skarab 30
Osprey Hikelite 32
Mystery Ranch Scree 32
Osprey Transporter Roll Top 26
Tom Bihn Smart Alec 26
Camelbak Linchpin
Tom Bihn Synapse 19
HMG Summit 30
Black Diamond Street Creek 30
Retired but keeping around:
Tom Bihn Synik 30
Tom Bihn Synapse 25
HMG Daybreak White Med
Elemental Horizons Kalais X2
Camelbak Alpine Explorer
Camelbak Blowfish
That photo is “riding to work”
I got 150 days of travel on a 45L Patagonia MLC. Max load is about 22 lbs so kinda at the edge with an old school lap top.
I recently prioritize a bit and fit into a 26L Patagonia MLC. I liked it better but that was solo travel and not travel with family which often adds things here and there.
I like the living out of those MLC’s over a backpack with the organization but also heavily use Eagle Creek packing cubes.
But you gotta stay under 20lbs so if you are hauling camera gear or other heavy go elsewhere.
I am sold on travel with less than 45L and I really liked moving down to 26L but need to do some work on some more travel friendly pants and more wool shirts that can survive a wear or two without being gross.
Hill People Gear and London Bridge Trading Co. are my go to sources these days.
I have a NorthFace day pack I used in college in the 80's still going strong. Back then NorthFace was a specialty shop brand. I would be surprised if they still are of the same quality.