Customer Reviews

High Sierra Carry-On Wheeled Backpack with Removable Day Pack

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This backpack is great for traveling because of its versatility and the removable day pack.

The main pack was large enough to pack three pairs of cargo shorts, a pair of jeans, 6 t-shirts, 6 pairs of underwear, 4 pairs of socks, a pair of flip flops, my Rick Steves 50" travel towel, a travel pillow, and my toiletries. I'm 5'10 and wear size 34 pants, so depending on how big your clothes are, you may be able to fit more or less than I did. I rolled all of my clothes into tight bundles to get everything to fit. It weighed about 20 lbs with everything packed into it.

The day pack is smaller than a regular Jansport school backpack. I put a digital SLR camera, two pairs of socks, and a sweatshirt in it and it was pretty full.

When fully packed, the entire backpack was a bit too large and bulky to wear as a backpack, so I mostly wheeled it around. When we arrived at a hostel, I left the main pack in our room and took the day pack off. It worked really well for me on our two week trip.

Before the recent airport security changes (August, 2006), the main pack just met the carry-on requirements so I didn't have to check anything. I just removed the day pack and had two carry-ons. After the security changes, I had to check the main pack, but the day pack was still small enough to have as a carry-on.

UPDATE 12/2008: Well, it's over two years later and the little, nylon loop on top of the day-pack broke off. The loop is same that you would find on the top of almost any backpack. I wrote to High Sierra to get it fixed, but they just sent me an entirely new set instead. They just asked me to cut off the "High Sierra" patch along with the little white tag on the inside of the main luggage as proof of purchase.

Overall, I've been extremely happy with this backpack set. I've taken it on several trips within the U.S., across 11 cities in 5 countries in Europe, on a two week vacation in Taiwan, and even on a week-long camping trip. It has survived extremely well, with only the little nylon loop breaking off on the day-pack. Customer service was prompt and courteous and they even gave me a small rebate coupon for a future High Sierra purchase.

I was going on a two-month trip throughout Eastern Europe and I wanted to take a bag that would allow me maximum versatility in traveling. I chose this bag because of the small size and was generally very pleased with its performance.

In the main bag, I was able to fit about 3 pairs of pants, 3 shirts, along with underwear, socks and sandals... The bag flips open very easily and packs very conveniently and the zippers are tough and durable. It has a small pocket on the front, and the side handles are thick and make it easy to carry by hand. The back straps are also fairly durable and pack away easily if you choose not to use it as a backpack.

The daypack is small, but can carry a surprising amount. It too is solidly constructed and very durable. I put it through alot of abuse and had no complaints.

The one issue that should be noted is in regards to the weight. Because of the roller attachment, the bag weighs a bit more than you would expect, and with the daypack attached it tends to stick out quite a bit. I think that if you are looking for something that you intend to carry on your back for a significant amount of time, then this isn't the right bag. I usually wore the daypack on my back and just carried the main bag by hand, or used the rollers.

Also, the zipper attachment with holds the daypack to the main bag seems very light, and I was very worried about it snapping or breaking. It never did, but it seemed like it could have been a problem. Because of this, I tended to keep the daypack and main pack separate most of the time.

Overall I was very, very pleased with this pack. For the price, its a well-designed and very durable pack, and its small size will give you a high level of flexibility when traveling. But depending on how you expect to be traveling, it might not be the right bag for you.

I'm a business traveller, on the road almost every week, and I use this as my carry on. Because I'm a bit of a gadget geek, 99% of the time it just has electronic components, and a set of emergency clothes. Additionally, as an IT consultant and trainer, I often travel with more than one laptop. I use the main compartment to carry both laptops and accessories (using padded neoprene bags to protect the laptops themselves) and the day bag for a portable DVD player, snacks, magazines/newspapers and other sundries. I rarely have to check the main bag (and usually its a gate check on smaller aircraft), which fits fine in most overhead bins. The day bag goes under the seat in front of me for easy access to the DVD player, magazines, etc.

All-in-all this is a great bag, and when it falls apart, I will probably replace it with the same make and model (assuming they still make it!)

My sole bag for 2 back-to-back trips; I bought this specifically so that I would not have to check any luggage. Big enough for several days worth of clothes + gadgets, I dragged this thing all over Peru for 2 weeks and then Japan for another 1 1/2.

Never once had to check it, no broken zippers, never tore the liner, the wheels and extending handle both still in good shape and that smaller zip-off backpack is a lifesaver both from a security standpoint (knowing your important stuff is safe when you leave main luggage at the hostel..) and just to have something small to lug around.

With all the plane, train and bus rides, the hostel lockers, station lockers and just packing a bag w me everywhere for a month, I abused the hell out of this. It's great to find something so rugged. A terrific purchase.

I ordered this backpack because of all the great reviews I read on Amazon, but I was very disappointed. The pack looked great, and had lots of compartments.

Unfortunately, when I unzipped the day pack to try it on, I found it extremely uncomfortable. The shoulder straps rested on my neck, and if I walked, they rubbed against my skin. I am a small-framed person, so it may have been due to this. I ended up sending the pack back the following day.

My wife and I recently traveled to Alaska on a cruise. We were looking for a carry on that was a little more versatile. When we found this bag we thought it fit the bill. Well it most certainly did. From the airplane fight to the day trips off ship, this bag was very handy. The backpack is convenient for storing electronic devices, books, and travel documents while flying. In addition, the backpack fits nicely under the airline seat in front of you while the main carryon is overhead. When you embark on your travels the backpack is great for carrying jackets, in addition to carrying a camera and an mp3 player.

Materials: the materials are extremely durable. It holds up to light rain well and if it gets dirty, it cleans up in a snap.

It was just right because it works.

I purchased this bag because I travel quite a bit on smaller planes - the CRJ 900 and E170 jest. A 22" rollaboard is a little to large for these planes, so I wanted something that I could use as a carry on, that made it easier than using one suitcase and a separate laptop bag. The idea of this is great - you can use it together going through the airport, and if there is room you can carry both on - if the plane is full and you have to gate check the bag, you can unzip the pack and take that with you.

The bag seems very well constructed - pretty heavy duty. The zippers are, if anything, a little TOO big and hefty! The suitcase portion is good. It is not soft-sided - it has hard plastic supports which means it does not compress as much as the compression straps suggest, but it opens well, and has a front pocket when the daypack is taken off. The handle does protrude above the top of the suitcase, but seems well built at least.

The problem is with the daypack. It is definitely on the small size - why they did not make it in scale with the case I do not know. The biggest problem, however, is with the opening. It is not a standard slot style opening, but a cover flap. And due to the zipper and small size of it, it is not big enough to get anything in there. I could not fit my laptop in there - even though there was enough room in the bag, because I could not get it trough the opening.

High Sierra makes other bags, one is a 22" with a full size day pack and slot style opening, which seems perfect - if they put that daypack on the front of this case it would be perfect. But this daypack is too small, and that suitcase is too large.

- when you remove the day pack the bag is small enough to fit in the airplane overhead compartments...
- big enough to fit all your stuff for a six day trip (in my experience)
- very comfortable and durable...great bag!!

Without the smaller backpack it's just small enough for carry-on luggage in the airplane and I can still take clothing and all with me for 2 weeks. The walking handle is even long enough for my 6'3" fiancee. Just great. Only the pockets on the smaller backpack are difficult to unzip. But I would buy the same one next time.

I bought this pack so that I could have my hands free when I take my 2 year old on flights with me. This is great because everything fits in it and if I choose I can put it on my back or pull it! I can gate check it and not have to pay the bag fee at the airport. It does get a little bulky with the day pack loaded. You can just unzip and take it as personal item on plane.