HELP · BUYING GUIDE

Which Salkan backpack is right for you

We make four backpacks, from 20 to 45 litres. This guide covers what each one is for, what it isn’t for, and how they compare, so you can choose once and keep it for years.

The short answer

  1. EVERYDAY · TRAVEL LIGHTDaypack 20L
  2. EVERYDAY + 1 TO 3 NIGHTS · ROOM FOR MOREShorthaul 27L
  3. 3 TO 7 DAYS · CABIN ONLYCarry-On 35L
  4. 1 WEEK + · CHECKED OR OVERLANDLonghaul 45L

Find your bag in three questions

How long are your trips, usually?
How do you pack?
On a plane, where does it go?

Answer all three and we’ll suggest a bag.

The four bags

DAYPACK · 20L

Daypack 20L

Our everyday bag. Room for a laptop, a jacket and lunch, and small enough to go under the seat in front of you.

GOOD FOR

  • Commuting and daily carry
  • Day hikes and city days
  • A personal item alongside a bigger bag

NOT FOR

  • Nights away with bulky layers. It doesn’t expand.

WHAT IT HAS

  • 15" laptop sleeve, opens from the outside
  • Two bottle pockets
  • Fleece-lined sunglasses pocket
  • Hidden passport pocket on the side
  • Removable sternum strap
Size
42 × 29 × 18 cm16.5 × 11.4 × 7.1 in
Weight
0.85 kg1.9 lb
On a plane
Under the seat
£120.00 View the Daypack
Salkan Shorthaul 27L in forest green worn on a model's back in a grassy field, water bottle in side pocket

SHORTHAUL · 27L

Shorthaul 27L

An everyday bag on Monday, a weekend bag on Friday. The roll-top takes it from a slim daily pack to enough room for a night or two away.

Named best travel backpack by Condé Nast Traveller and The Independent.

GOOD FOR

  • Everyday carry that also handles one to three nights away
  • Flying with one bag: under the seat rolled down, overhead packed out

NOT FOR

  • A week of cold-weather clothes
  • Heavy rain without a cover. A rain cover is sold separately.

WHAT IT HAS

  • Roll-top that expands
  • Front and top openings
  • Quick-access 16" laptop pocket
  • Side pocket fits a 1 L (32 oz) Nalgene
Size
42 × 28 × 20 cm16.5 × 11 × 7.9 in
Weight
0.9 kg2.0 lb
On a plane
Under the seat rolled down, overhead packed out
Charcoal

CARRY-ON · 35L

Carry-On 35L

Sized for the overhead locker. It packs like a small suitcase and carries like a backpack.

GOOD FOR

  • Trips of three to seven days with cabin bags only
  • Longer trips, if you pack light

NOT FOR

  • Daily commuting, where it’s more bag than you need
  • Going under the seat

WHAT IT HAS

  • 4 L expansion
  • Front and top openings
  • Quick-access 16" laptop pocket
  • Removable waist belt
  • Rain cover included
Size
55 × 31 × 22 cm21.7 × 12.2 × 8.7 in
Weight
1.8 kg4.0 lb
On a plane
Overhead locker

LONGHAUL · 45L

Longhaul 45L

For long trips and overland travel. Built to carry a full load comfortably, for weeks or months at a time.

GOOD FOR

  • A week to many months on the road
  • Trips across different climates
  • Checked luggage and overland travel

NOT FOR

  • Cabin-only flying. At 66 cm tall it’s over most airlines’ cabin limits.
  • Everyday use

WHAT IT HAS

  • 45 L, plus 10 L under the hood
  • Adjustable back system with internal frame
  • Four compression straps and daisy-chain attachment points
  • Expandable outer and internal side pockets
  • 15" laptop sleeve
  • Flight cover and rain cover included
Size
66 × 32 × 22 cm26 × 12.6 × 8.7 in
Weight
2.1 kg4.6 lb
On a plane
Checked in

Travelling with two backpacks

For long trips, check the Longhaul 45L and carry the Daypack 20L for days out. For a full cabin allowance, put the Carry-On 35L overhead and the Daypack 20L under the seat, where your airline allows both.

Compare the range

Daypack 20LShorthaul 27LCarry-On 35LLonghaul 45L
Volume20 L27 L35 L45 L
ExpansionNoneRoll-top+4 L+10 L under the hood
Size42 × 29 × 18 cm16.5 × 11.4 × 7.1 in42 × 28 × 20 cm16.5 × 11 × 7.9 in55 × 31 × 22 cm21.7 × 12.2 × 8.7 in66 × 32 × 22 cm26 × 12.6 × 8.7 in
Weight0.85 kg1.9 lb0.9 kg2.0 lb1.8 kg4.0 lb2.1 kg4.6 lb
LaptopUp to 15"Up to 16"Up to 16"Up to 15"
On a planeUnder the seatUnder the seat rolled down, overhead packed outOverhead lockerChecked in
Trip lengthEveryday and day tripsEveryday, and 1 to 3 nights3 to 7 days1 week to many months
Rain coverNot includedSold separatelyIncludedIncluded, plus flight cover
Price£120.00£160.00£250.00£280.00

What every bag shares

FABRIC

900D COTNA polyester outside, 210D nylon lining inside, both recycled. 900D is dense and hard-wearing. We chose it over lighter fabrics because it lasts longer.

WEATHER

Weatherproof, not waterproof. Everyday rain is fine. In a downpour, use a rain cover.

REPAIRS

Free repairs for life on bags bought new from us. Depending on where you live, you may pay a small postage cost.

GUARANTEE

A lifetime guarantee against manufacturing faults, wherever you are.

RETURNS

30 days to return a bag that’s unused and resellable.

MADE BY

LD Gear Co. in Ho Chi Minh City, who have made our bags since day one.

Questions people ask

What size travel backpack do I need?

Go by trip length and how you fly. Around 20 litres covers everyday use and day trips. 25 to 30 litres covers one to three nights. 35 to 40 litres suits about a week with cabin bags only. 45 litres and up suits longer trips, colder climates and checked luggage. In our range that’s the Daypack 20L, Shorthaul 27L, Carry-On 35L and Longhaul 45L.

Which Salkan backpack fits under an aeroplane seat?

The Daypack 20L and the Shorthaul 27L (with the roll-top rolled down) are sized as personal items, at 42 cm tall. Under-seat allowances vary between airlines and some budget airlines set smaller limits, so check yours before you fly.

Which Salkan backpack is carry-on size?

The Carry-On 35L is sized for the overhead locker at 55 × 31 × 22 cm. The Shorthaul 27L also goes overhead when packed out. The Longhaul 45L is 66 cm tall, which is over most airlines’ cabin limits, so plan to check it in. Cabin limits vary, so check your airline.

Can I travel for a week with just a carry-on backpack?

Yes. The Carry-On 35L is designed for trips of three to seven days with cabin bags only, and for longer trips if you pack light.

What’s the difference between the Shorthaul and the Carry-On?

The Shorthaul 27L is an everyday bag that expands for a night or two away, and goes under the seat or overhead. The Carry-On 35L is a dedicated travel bag for three to seven days. It goes overhead, has a removable waist belt and comes with a rain cover. If you want one bag for daily life and short trips, choose the Shorthaul. If you mostly need it for travel, choose the Carry-On.

Are Salkan backpacks waterproof?

They’re weatherproof, not waterproof. The 900D outer and the lining are both PU-coated, so the bags handle everyday rain. For heavy or sustained rain, use a rain cover. One comes with the Carry-On 35L and the Longhaul 45L, and one is sold separately for the Shorthaul 27L.

Will my laptop fit?

The Shorthaul 27L and Carry-On 35L have a quick-access pocket for laptops up to 16 inches. The Daypack 20L and Longhaul 45L have a sleeve for laptops up to 15 inches.

Why do you use 900D fabric?

900D is a dense, hard-wearing fabric. We chose it over lighter fabrics because it lasts longer, and that durability is part of what you pay for. Both the 900D COTNA polyester outer and the 210D nylon lining are recycled.

What happens if my bag gets damaged?

We repair Salkan bags for free, for life, if you bought them new from us. Depending on where you live, you may pay a small postage cost. Manufacturing faults are also covered by our lifetime guarantee. Bags bought second-hand or through Second Life can still be repaired, and we’ll give you a price before any work starts.

Can I return a bag if it’s the wrong size?

Yes. You have 30 days to return a bag that’s unused and in a resellable condition.

Which Salkan bags work well together?

Two common pairings: the Longhaul 45L checked in with the Daypack 20L as your day bag, and the Carry-On 35L in the overhead locker with the Daypack 20L under the seat, where your airline allows both.

Still not sure?

Email info@discoversalkan.com and tell us where you’re going and how you travel. One of the team will reply with an honest recommendation.