Top travel packs: these knapsacks are outfitted with convenient features that make life on the road easier. Pick your pleasure, then load up

Shape, July, 2008

* For sighteeing

The sleek Arc'teryx Quiver ($89; moose jaw.com) is the perfect travel companion. Its main compartment opens from the side for easier access to all your stuff (especially the things on the bottom), and it has a pocket for a hydration bladder that can hold 68 ounces of water. Plus, its extra-padded foam bottom protects the goods inside if you drop it.

* For plane rides

Pull back the flap of the Patagonia Critical Mass ($119; patagonia.com) to reveal compartments for books, folders, toiletries, and anything else you want to get to quickly. It has a padded sleeve for a 17-inch laptop, an elastic stuff pocket for a spare jacket, and external side pockets to hold your water bottles, keys, or cell phone.

* For day trekkers

At just under 3 pounds, the Osprey Kestrel 32 ($129; ospreypacks.com) holds all the gear you'll need for hours of exploring without weighing you down. It comes with a roll-out rain cover to protect the bag and four side straps that cinch the pack against your back so you can run with it on. Its foam hip belt also molds to your shape.