Recommendations for Study Abroad?

Hello everyone,

I'm new here and looking for a little help. I'm going to be studying abroad next semester and am looking for opinions about a pack that I can use when I make smaller trips (i.e. I've landed in my destination and am taking a trip for a weekend or so). I'm looking for something that will be comfortable and capable of carrying the necessities for a ~4 day trip, but can also fit into my luggage/work as a carry-on. Thanks for any help!

This is not a travel forum. If you look at the topics, you'll see that we are into "backpacking" as wilderness trekking, not budget travel. While most of us have traveled, our knowledge is not necessarily current.

You may want to try travel forums such as Lonely Planet.

But I have to imagine that the actual pack would be something that backpackers are more familiar with, like a daypack. I need something that is durable and efficient, and I figure that backpackers would be experts at durable and efficient.

True, but I've done both and the requirements are different depending on the kind of travel you will be doing. For bus, train or plane, I'd get a pack with wheels and a handle, like a carryon with straps.
Like this-
Eagle Creek pack

The lightweight gear backpackers carry will get ripped to shreds by luggage handling equipment and careless baggage handlers. I put my pack in a big duffle bag for protection when flying.

There are small packs that are basically just nylon duffel bags with shoulder straps that roll up to a small size. I used one as a day pack for my last few European trips (I carried it on my chest when my backpack got too full of souvenirs, wine, etc.). However, this would only be suitable if you were carrying it all the time--as Tom says, it's far too fragile to trust to baggage handlers. Whether this would work for what you'd want to carry for a weekend, it's hard to say. It would basically just carry toilet articles, spare socks and a jacket. I can't give you recommendations because I bought mine 22 years ago from a firm that's now out of business.

And Tom is right--I would never, never trust any of my backpacking gear to baggage handlers. For traveling, I used a convertible travel backpack. It has internal stays and a hipbelt so is comfy to carry. The shoulder straps and hibbelt can be zipped behind a panel both for airline travel and to look like a regular suitcase if I want to stay in a hotel instead of a hostel. It is twice as heavy as the pack I use for backpacking! It is an REI house brand bought in 1992. I have used it for all kinds of travel and it still looks as good as new. I have no idea if REI is still making this model.

I still think you'll get better recommendations from a travel site.

A jansport bookbag.

Jansport Backpack

Super Tune, if you're still here--I just spotted this relatively new item on the Gossamer Gear website: Quiksak. 8.1 oz., about 23 L capacity, looks as though it will roll up quite small.

Obviously not for public transit baggage handlers, but small enough to carry with you for overnighters.

Lots of smaller backpacks work as excellent carry-ons and many people use then as such. My wife carries an Osprey Kestrel 28 and we use it as a carry-on. It's plenty tough enough to place under an airline seat or up in the bins. Most backpacks under 60 liters, if not filled, will fall under the size requirements for carry on luggage. You can then comfortably use the pack for treks up to a week, especially if you're staying in hostels, or not carrying lots of food. Osprey and Granite Gear are my favorite packs, but there's many out there.