My Take on Travel + Leisure’s “Best Luggage of 2026”
Traveling is one of the best ways to force yourself out of your comfort zone.
It also forces you to figure out what you actually need to carry with you.
Recently I was reading Travel + Leisure’s roundup of the Best Luggage of 2026, where travel writers shared their picks for the best travel bags, backpacks, and carry-on luggage for frequent travelers. If you want to read their full breakdown, you can check out their article here:
Lists like that are always interesting because they cover everything from hard-shell carry-ons to lightweight travel bags and durable suitcases. But the category that always catches my attention is the modular backpack.
Because when you travel often, flexibility matters more than anything.
What Makes a Bag “Modular” for Travel?
A modular bag is simple in theory.
It’s a bag that adapts to different situations without needing a completely different setup every time.
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Daily carry
- Work gear
- Quick overnight trip
The bag should handle all of it.
For me, that’s exactly where the Errant MK II comes in. It’s become my everyday carry bag, but it also doubles as my travel backpack when I need something lightweight, durable, and organized.
In a lot of ways, it’s what I’d call the best modular bag for travel right now.
Why the Errant MK II Works So Well for Travel
My go-to everyday carry setup usually includes a few essentials:
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External monitor
- Keyboard and mouse
- Moleskine notebook
- Camera gear
- Boundary Supply Tech Case
- Chargers and cables
The Errant MK II handles this without feeling overloaded.
The internal organization is dialed. Stretch mesh pockets keep smaller gear separated, and the multiple padded sleeves make it easy to store a laptop, tablet, or portable screen without everything sliding around.
The bag is built entirely with waterproof X-Pac fabric, which means if a rainstorm hits while you're running between terminals or walking through a city, your gear stays dry.
That peace of mind alone makes it a solid durable travel bag.
Built for Airports, Not Just Desks
here this bag really shines is during actual travel.
There’s a dedicated luggage pass-through so it rides cleanly on top of a rolling suitcase. The quick-access zip makes grabbing things mid-flight easy, and the deep front pocket is perfect for magazines or travel documents without opening the entire bag.
It also fits comfortably under an airplane seat, which makes it a great underseat travel bag when you want to keep your essentials close.
When you’re running through an airport trying to catch a connection, small design decisions like that matter.
Minimal Travel, Maximum Utility
The thing I like most about traveling with the Errant MK II is that it encourages you to pack smarter.
You don’t overpack because the layout naturally keeps things organized. Everything has a place.
Laptop protected.
Camera secure.
Daily essentials easy to reach.
No chaos.
For quick trips especially, it hits a sweet spot between looking professional and staying low-profile. Clean design, smart layout, and just enough capacity to carry what matters without turning into a bulky travel pack.
A Different Kind of Travel Bag
Travel + Leisure’s list covers a lot of excellent luggage options, especially for travelers who prefer hard-shell carry-ons or traditional rolling luggage.
But if your style leans more toward modular backpacks and travel-ready EDC, the Errant MK II is worth a look.
It’s not just a backpack. It’s a bag that adapts to how people actually move through airports, cities, and daily life.
And that’s exactly what a best modular bag should do.
