I’ve used more travel backpacks than I care to admit, some that claim to be minimalist marvels, others overloaded with gimmicks that never hold up beyond the first trip. But few packs have hit the sweet spot quite like the Eagle Creek Tour 40L. This isn’t the most hyped bag on the market. It doesn’t try to be. And that’s exactly why it works.
I’ve carried the Tour 40L across five countries, through city streets, onto overnight trains, in humid airports, and even along a couple of rocky trails. It’s built for practical travelers: the kind who need carry-on compliance, interior organization, and gear that won’t fall apart under pressure.
If you’re considering a bag that balances durability, structure, comfort, and sustainability, let me walk you through why the Tour 40L deserves a serious look.
What Is the Eagle Creek Tour 40L?
The Tour 40L is a lightweight, carry-on-sized travel backpack designed for one-bag travel. Eagle Creek built it for the kind of travel most of us actually do: navigating airports, hopping cities, packing and repacking in transit.
Its dimensions, 22 x 14 x 9 inches, keep it within carry-on size limits for most airlines, including tighter European carriers. It holds exactly 40 liters, which in my experience, is enough for 7–10 days of travel without doing laundry, or indefinitely if you’re packing light and washing along the way.
What I appreciate is that it’s not trying to be everything at once. It’s not a trekking backpack dressed up for travel. It’s not an overbuilt fortress that weighs five pounds before you even put anything inside. It’s a no-nonsense travel companion that does the basics very, very well.
How Much Can You Pack in the Eagle Creek Tour 40L?
You’d be surprised how much this bag can handle. I’ve fit everything I needed for a 12-day trip to Japan in this pack, including:
- 3 pairs of pants
- 5 t-shirts
- 1 dress shirt
- 1 lightweight fleece
- Toiletries
- Running shoes
- A MacBook Pro 14”, charger, Kindle, travel documents, and my tech pouch
The clamshell opening lets you pack it like a suitcase, which means you don’t need to unpack everything just to reach a clean shirt. Internally, you’ll find:
- A large compartment with compression straps
- A zippered mesh divider for organizing clothes or gear
- A top pocket for easy-access items like your passport, wallet, or snacks
- A stretch side pocket that holds a water bottle or small tripod
Eagle Creek’s Pack-It System compatibility adds to the efficiency. If you use packing cubes (and I always do), they fit perfectly in the main compartment and make staying organized on the road a breeze.
Is It Comfortable for Long-Term Carry?
Yes, and this is where it stands out from many other “travel” backpacks in the same class. The Tour 40L weighs just under 2.8 lbs (1.27 kg), and that light base weight makes a difference when you’re hustling through customs or catching a late-night train.
It features:
- Contoured shoulder straps that feel well-balanced even when the pack is full
- A ventilated back panel to reduce sweat during hot or humid conditions
- A removable and stowable hip belt that takes the load off your shoulders when walking longer distances
- An adjustable sternum strap with load lifters, which I found especially helpful when shifting weight off the upper back
I’ve worn this pack through long airport transits and even a 2-hour urban walk in Lisbon’s hills, it never felt like it was dragging me down.
It’s not built for full-on trekking, but for city-to-city, plane-to-train transitions, and even light hikes, it performs better than most travel-specific bags I’ve used.
Is the Eagle Creek Tour 40L Durable?
Absolutely. The outer shell is made of 100% recycled 600D polyester with a durable water-repellent (DWR) finish, and reinforced with TPU coating in high-wear areas. I’ve thrown it under bus seats, rested it on wet pavement, and stuffed it into overhead compartments without babying it, and it still looks great.
Other durability details include:
- YKK #10 zippers, which I’ve never seen fail in over a decade of travel
- Puncture-resistant zipper pulls, a rare feature that gives a surprising amount of peace of mind
- Heavy-duty stitching in the shoulder and handle seams
- Weather resistance that holds up in light rain (though it’s not fully waterproof)
Eagle Creek backs the bag with their No Matter What™ Warranty, which covers manufacturing defects for life. That alone speaks volumes about the confidence they have in the construction.
How Well Is It Organized?
This is the kind of pack where everything has a place, without overcomplicating things.
- The main compartment has built-in compression straps and a full divider panel, which I use to separate clothing from gear.
- The top pocket is accessible without opening the main compartment, perfect for headphones, boarding passes, hand sanitizer, or chargers.
- There’s a padded laptop compartment in the back panel. It fits my 14” MacBook easily, with room to spare. I like that it’s closest to the back, keeping the weight centered and secure.
- The side water bottle pocket has just enough stretch for a 24 oz bottle or collapsible tripod.
While it doesn’t have dozens of pockets like some competitors, I found it streamlined, not limiting. It encourages you to pack intentionally.
Is It Actually Carry-On Compliant?
Yes, and that was non-negotiable for me.
I’ve flown with this pack on United, Lufthansa, Ryanair, and EasyJet, and it fit in every overhead bin. The semi-rigid structure helps keep it from bulging out of compliance, and the side compression straps help cinch it down if you overpack a bit.
It doesn’t fit under most airline seats when full, but that’s not the point. It’s a pack built to replace a roller bag, and it does that very well.
Is It Environmentally Responsible?
It is, and Eagle Creek deserves real credit for this. The Tour 40L is made from 100% recycled fabrics, which reduces the environmental footprint without compromising durability.
Eagle Creek is also a Bluesign system partner, which means they follow stringent guidelines for chemical safety, worker welfare, and resource efficiency throughout their supply chain.
And as mentioned earlier, the No Matter What Warranty supports long-term gear ownership, reducing waste and promoting repair over replacement.
For travelers who want to reduce their impact, that makes the Tour 40L more than just a functional choice, it’s a responsible one.
How Does It Compare to Other Travel Packs?
I’ve tested similar bags from Osprey, Nomatic, and Patagonia, and while each has strengths, the Tour 40L holds its own.
| Feature | Eagle Creek Tour 40L | Osprey Farpoint 40 | Nomatic Navigator 32–41L | Patagonia Black Hole 40L |
| Weight | 2.8 lbs | 3.5 lbs | 5.2 lbs | 2.6 lbs |
| Carry-On Size | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Laptop Storage | Yes (17”) | Yes (15”) | Yes | Yes |
| Recycled Materials | Yes (100%) | Partial | No | Yes |
| Warranty | Lifetime | Limited | Lifetime | Limited |
If you want a sleek, modular, tech-heavy bag, the Nomatic may appeal to you. If hiking is a bigger part of your trip, the Farpoint has more trekking DNA. But if you want a lightweight, simple, and durable bag built for actual travel scenarios, the Tour 40L strikes the most balanced profile.
Who Should Buy the Tour 40L?
I’d recommend this pack for:
- One-bag travelers who want a carry-on that replaces a rolling suitcase
- Digital nomads who value laptop protection and comfort
- Eco-conscious travelers looking for sustainable construction
- Frequent flyers who need reliability and speed through security
- Budget travelers who want to avoid checked baggage costs
If you’re planning extended city-hopping trips, workations, or multi-week travel with carry-on-only goals, the Tour 40L is a near-perfect match.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Lightweight without feeling flimsy
- Durable materials and water resistance
- Excellent internal organization
- Carry-on compliant for most airlines
- Sustainable design and lifetime warranty
Cons:
- No dedicated shoe compartment
- Hip belt not fully padded for trekking-level support
- Minimal external gear loops
Is the Eagle Creek Tour 40L Worth It?
If you’re looking for a smartly designed, travel-specific backpack that doesn’t overpromise or underdeliver, I think the Eagle Creek Tour 40L is one of the most practical and well-balanced bags on the market today.
It’s not flashy. It’s not overloaded with features you won’t use. But every design decision serves a purpose. It’s lightweight, spacious, protective, and built to last.
For the traveler who values function, ethics, and efficiency, this is the kind of gear you buy once and rely on for years. And after countless miles with mine, I can say it’s more than earned its spot on my back.
FAQs About the Eagle Creek Tour 40L
Is the Eagle Creek Tour 40L a carry-on?
Yes, it fits most airline carry-on size limits.
Is it waterproof?
It’s water-resistant, not fully waterproof.
Does it have a laptop compartment?
Yes, it fits laptops up to 17 inches.
Can the hip belt be removed?
No, but it can be stowed away when not in use.
Is it good for hiking?
It’s designed for travel, not technical hiking.
Does it fit under airplane seats?
Not when fully packed; best stored in overhead bins.
Is it made from recycled materials?
Yes, it’s made from 100% recycled fabrics.