MOST WEATHERPROOF
While I was stranded at Denver International Airport during the blizzard of ’06, this 4,600-cubic-inch hauler sat for over an hour in a slushy puddle. But my stuff stayed dry, thanks to the Cargo Hold’s compression-molded plastic underbelly and PU-coated nylon fabric. And when canceled flights meant trudging through the tundralike parking lot, the large five-inch wheels had no problem barreling through the snow. Inside, a partitioned-off 22-inch interior panel keeps a few folded outfits in crisp condition, while a handful of organizing pockets are the perfect size for toiletries and other small items. jansport.com
Bonus: A kickstand keeps the Cargo Hold upright in line, and then flattens for easy storage.
Bummer: There’s only one external zip pocket, and it’s too small for magazines and newspapers.