I packed my bags in Ljubljana, Slovenia, turned in the keys to my Airbnb host, and jumped onto a 5-hour bus ride to Vienna, Austria. About halfway there, I scolded myself for not filming specific videos when the opportunities presented themselves, in this case, a packing or "what's in my bag" style of video. When I arrived at my Vienna apartment, however, I settled on making an unpacking video to kick off my 30-day stay in Austria. Along with that, I did a quick walkthrough of the apartment, so if you would like to check that out, I have included the full video below and HERE. This article, however, will focus on the bag I've been traveling with so that if you ever decide to travel for months on end, it could be the bag for you. Let's get into it.
All journeys start with a bag and clothes, and overall, the Osprey Sojourn 45L is an absolute beast of a travel bag. I, like many, have a general keen interest in bags, specifically, travel bags and camera bags. In regards to travel, I haven't seen any other bag that has had enough "oomph" to tear me away from my Osprey. Ultimately, it's a bag, so I don't want to bore you by covering the basics. What I will do is focus on the three best features I've come to value during my nine-month journey around Europe.
First, it's soft-shell. Unlike its ubiquitous hard-shell counterpart, the Osprey allows you to squeeze in items without having to battle with any rigid lid. Do I overstuff my bag, not really, but the ability is there if the situation were to arise. There is just so much flexibility that everything always fits. If I were to use a hard-shell to hold the gear I travel with, the size of such a case would have a much bigger profile. Do I recommend placing breakable items in there? Not at all, but for clothing and other non-breakable items, it works well. Additionally, it's high-quality materials keep it intact. I have opted to check my bag numerous times, and when I've picked it up at the baggage carousel, it was no worse for wear.
Second, it's got sturdy wheels. One element that always deterred me from the well-known hard-shell cases I mention above is their flimsy wheels. They seem so fragile, and when I assist with my client's luggage through difficult terrain, it always felt as if the luggage was going to fall apart. The wheels on the Sojourn, however, are solidly built and protected from the sides. Because of that, they do not spin 360 degrees like an ice skater on the rink, but I'll tell you what they can do, take a beating from cobblestone streets. Which, believe me, if you are traveling to Europe on a budget, you will get to know said streets very well. It is the chassis that accommodates the handle and protects the wheels, and with that, comes the final benefit.
It's a hybrid bag, which means it turns into a backpack. When one opens the zippered compartment on the backside, two straps reveal themselves and unfold. One then clasps them on to well-protected corner clips and throw it on like a backpack. I will admit, it's not the most comfortable pack to wear on your back, but I believe it's there for a "just in case" type of scenario. Again, those cobblestone streets become a severe nuisance after a while, and sometimes it's much more efficient to throw it on your back for a short distance. Additionally, if you are traveling over dirt paths or climbing numerous stairs, changing it over to backpack mode is much more practical.
The book-nerd in me will not allow me to go on without a quick mention of a 1.5-inch gap in the chassis, which is enough space to fit additional items. Because I'm addicted to buying books when traveling, however, I tend to fit the three medium-sized books in that gap. Can one classify it as a design flaw of the bag? Perhaps, but it's one I'm grateful to have.
The main drawback to this bag is that it pushes the limits of a carry on bag. During my travels, I would say that two out of four flights had an overhead compartment in which the bag would not fit. Primarily, lower-cost airline companies in Europe, such as Easy Jet, Wizz Air, and Ryanair. To complicate things even further, if the plane is on the smaller side, often one can still take the bag as a carryon but will be placed in the hold as soon as you make your way to the plane. Once you land, your bag is waiting for you at the bottom of the stairs. I have saved an enormous amount of money this way, so much so, that if I do have to pay extra, I'm still up by not automatically purchasing a checked bag. With that said, however, that method may not work for everyone, for it's a 50/50 chance that an airline (and specific flight) allows you to stow your bag in the hold free of charge. Choose wisely and be prepared to accept the consequences.