When my old thirty year old backpack finally bit the dust, I started looking for a new travel backpack. I really like to use a backpack as my carry-on luggage. I love this one that ticks all the boxes for my best choice.1. It is very lightweight and made of water repellant fabric. (A nice color, too, which is a bonus) It is not the largest backpack you can get, but it holds an amazing amount of items. If it were any larger, I would probably not be able to carry it when it is full.2. The back of the bag is well padded with a security pocket hidden in the padding which has ample room for wallet, passport, prescription meds, etc. The shoulder straps are curved for a close fit, easily adjusted and well padded. There are two rings at the bottom of the shoulder straps that could be used to fasten a chest strap to make the backpack even more secure from theft in crowded airports. A sturdy strap meant to fit over the handle of your wheeled luggage is in the middle of the back.3. My 20 ounce water bottle and small umbrella fit easily in the mesh side pockets. There are adjustable straps to hold larger items in place.4. The front of the bag has three easy to access pockets. The bottom one is ideal for sunglasses, smart phone, power bank and small tablet or e-reader. There is an opening for the charging cord that you would use with the power bank to keep your tablet or phone going or to hold the ear buds cord if you want to listen to music. The middle pocket is large and water proof for toiletries or other stuff that might leak. And the top pocket, which extends down the entire front of the bag, has small dividers, a key holder and plenty of room for papers, books, sleep mask and inflatable pillow, etc.5. The large center compartment has an open pocket and a zippered mesh pocket on the sides and is quite roomy overall for jacket, extra socks, slippers—all the stuff you might want for long flights or even bus tours. Here is where I would put the pj’s and extra things I would need if my luggage was lost!6. My 13” laptop, or my 11” iPad Pro, fit in the very well padded pocket in the back compartment with an elastic/velcro strap to hold it in place. There is even padding at the bottom of the pocket to protect the devices when the bag hits the floor, as it will on occasion. This compartment also has extra room for more stuff.7. There is a generous, lightly padded, carry handle at the top of the backpack.8. All the compartments and exterior pockets have well made zippers with pulls that have holes at the top allowing you to use a lock if desired.9. And last, but not least, the backpack will be used as a cat bed when you are not traveling!All in all, this bag is going to be my traveling companion for a long time.