Wasted $150 on a 'budget' travel backpack that fell apart in Bali

I bought this cheap 40L backpack off a random site before my 2 week trip to Bali, thinking I was saving money. The stitching gave out on the third day and I had to duct tape the shoulder strap just to get through the airport. Has anyone actually found a decent travel bag under $100 that doesn't break after a few uses?

3 comments

3 Comments

emmawood23h ago

Feel you, that sucks. Honestly I've had way better luck with random no name bags from Amazon under $50 than anything marketed as "budget travel." Tbh the stitching is always the first thing to go on those cheap ones.

the_stella20h ago

Noticed that with lots of stuff now, the cheaper you go the faster it falls apart.

mark_mitchell6h ago

Honestly gotta push back a little here. Cheap bags under $50 usually have those thin nylon straps that snap right at the airport curb. I've seen it happen twice with friends who bought those no name Amazon packs. The zippers are the real tell though, they always jam or split after a few trips. At least the big brands use YKK zippers and bar tack the stress points.