Traveling Forward: OGIO’s Alpha Backpack and Renegade Carry On impressions

There’s something to be said about routine, especially when it comes to travel. For years, I never really thought twice about the bags I used. A well worn backpack pushing a decade, a carry on that’s easily over 12 years old, and an old reliable duffel that’s seen everything from gym runs to cross state trips. They worked. They held up. And honestly, I never had a reason to look beyond them. But that mindset is starting to shift.

With a growing goal of traveling more, attending events, and eventually hitting conventions once my comic project launches, it felt like the right time to start taking travel a bit more seriously. That led to connecting with OGIO and checking out something new for the first time in a long time.

For this trip to Orlando, I went in with two pieces: the Alpha 25L backpack in the Canyon colorway and the Renegade 22 inch four 4-wheel spinner carry on.

And for full transparency, this entire experience is also part of my new personal vlog series over on YouTube, where I’m documenting these kinds of trips, gear impressions, and everything in between. So if you want to see the bags in action, there’s video coverage to go along with this soon.

First Impressions: A Shift in Mindset

Right out of the gate, the Alpha backpack stands out. The Canyon color is bold, way more vibrant than what I’m used to, but it works. It feels like a modern travel bag with intention behind it. Multiple compartments, a dedicated laptop sleeve that can handle up to a 17 inch device, and a clamshell style opening that makes packing less of a guessing game.

It’s a 25 liter bag, but it doesn’t feel bulky, which is something I immediately appreciated. My older backpack always had a bit of unnecessary heft to it, even when it wasn’t fully packed. This feels more streamlined, more in line with how I actually travel now.

That said, for this specific trip, I ended up not using the Alpha in transit. Size constraints and what I needed to carry made it a better fit as an everyday bag rather than a flight companion this time around. Since then, using it day to day, it’s been a strong addition to my routine. The only real drawback for me personally is the shoulder straps. As someone a bit more on the stocky side, I’d prefer them to have a bit more length for a more comfortable fit.

The Unexpected Star: Renegade 4-Wheel Spinner Carry On

If the Alpha represents the shift, the Renegade 4-Wheel Spinner carry on is where things really clicked.

This is a 22 inch carry on with roughly 33 liters of capacity, built with a front load design and a structured interior that makes organization simple without overthinking it. But the real game changer here is the four wheel spinner setup.

I’ve used two wheel bags forever. You get used to dragging them, adjusting your posture, shifting weight, dealing with that constant pull on your shoulder or arm. The Renegade eliminates all of that. And I felt it immediately.

What I didn’t plan for was a seven hour delay at the airport. What could have been a miserable experience turned into something surprisingly manageable, simply because I wasn’t fighting with my luggage the entire time. The ability to just glide the bag alongside me without strain made a bigger impact than I expected.

It held everything I needed going out, stayed clean, handled the wear of travel without any issues, and on the way back, it actually impressed me more. Between promotional items and event pickups, I ended up packing more than I left with, and it all fit without turning into a game of luggage Tetris.

Final Impressions

This trip ended up being less about just trying new gear and more about rethinking how I approach travel moving forward.

The Alpha backpack may not have made the flight this time, but it’s already found a place in my daily rotation, and I can see it becoming a go to for lighter trips or convention days. A small tweak to the strap length would make it even better for my build, but overall, it delivers where it counts.

The Renegade carry on, though, is the real standout. From maneuverability to capacity to overall comfort, it’s easily the best travel bag I’ve personally used. After years of sticking with what I knew, this felt like a genuine upgrade.

And with more travel on the horizon, more events to cover, and conventions in sight once my comic releases, this feels like the right time to finally step things up.