This roomy pack is a hybrid of a backpack, a shoulder bag, and duffel bag: you have the opportunity to wear it as a traditional backpack, where it’s just a bit smaller than the typical outdoors backpacking bag, or carry it by the attached handles on either side. And each option is optimized for comfort and ease. The padded shoulder straps make a heavy load feel light, and the backpack mode has a water bottle pocket as well as a small zipped area in the back for keys and wallets.

Alternatively, the duffle option has secure handles for carrying in-hand, plus a longer, horizontal handle that comes as an add-on if you want an over-the-shoulder option. This was the perfect way to lug things around after long days when my shoulders were aching from walking around for hours, or if I needed to quickly swing my bag into overhead storage on the Shinkansen, Japan’s high-speed “bullet train” that connects most of the nation’s major cities.