Top-Load vs Front-Load vs Clam-Shell vs Panel-Access vs Dual-Access vs Butterfly vs Back-Access..... Backpacks
If you're new to the world of backpack design, you may come across these terms as you search for a travel backpack, and it can be a bit confusing, so we thought we'd clear the air and cover all the various types of backpack access styles, and hopefully help make a bit more sense of it.
Let's start by addressing the title of this post, which is a bit misleading, since front-load, clam-shell, panel-access, back-access and (depending on your viewpoint) butterfly openings are all the same.
But we'll get to that in a minute, the point of this post is to cover the various backpack access styles, the pros and cons of each, and why you might choose one over another.
So let's get started.
Top-Load / U-Zip / Half-Moon / Roll-Top Backpacks
Top-load backpacks are what you see on daily-use laptop bags and hiking backpacks, not travel backpacks.
Top-load designs are often used for laptop bags because they're convenient for anyone who uses their pack for office work, as your bag often sits at your feet, and you want easy access as you pack/unpack cords, laptops, hoodies, water bottles, etc.
You'll find a lot of top-load haters if you do any research, but the one benefit often unaddressed is that these backpacks are designed to stand up versus lying flat.
Top-loaders are fine for small backpacks (<30L), but get exponentially more painful to pack as your bag size increases; if you can fit everything you need for one-bag travel into a 30L bag, a top-load design will work just fine.
Top-load designs are also used for hiking packs and backpackers who spend most of their time outdoors; the pack itself needs to stay protected from rain, and the best way to do this is to have a single top opening with a rain fly cover.
This design is great for hiking backpacks, but not great for travel backpacks since they make packing and unpacking a burden.
There are also roll-top top-access backpacks, i.e. fully waterproof bags that require a roll-top design to ensure complete air/water protection, these are technically top-load backpacks too, but they get their own name for the fun of it.
And then there are U-Zip / Half-Moon access backpacks - just like they sound, it's the same top-load design as a regular backpack, only with a bigger, longer zipper.
Half-moon access backpacks offer a good mix of easy (top) access, upright standing, and packing/unpacking simplicity. Again, these designs are fine for smaller backpacks under 30L.
Front-Load / Clam-Shell / Panel-Access Backpacks
Then you have front-load backpacks, which are the same as clam-shell and panel-access, but different vendors use different names because, well, "clam-shell" is accurate but weird, and panel-access just sounds cool.
These backpacks open like a suitcase and provide easy access for packing/unpacking.
Most long-term travelers opt for backpacks that feature front-load, clam-shell, or panel-access openings, but there are a couple of other access types worth discussing.
The only downside to front-load backpacks is if you're on the move and need to get something out of your pack, you have to lay it flat to get access, there's some risk of things tumbling out, but I'm usually more worried about backpack straps touching filthy airport floors.
Butterfly access backpacks offer a unique approach to backpack openings, popularized by Mystery Ranch packs, they have three zippered openings that meet in the middle, great for fast top access, relatively easy packing/unpacking, and bag structure while packing; plus they look cool.
These packs sit somewhere between top-loading and front-loading because the more confusion the better!
Dual Access / Side-Access / Multi-Access Backpacks
Frequently seen on (hiking) backpacks, these packs combine top-load access with a side-access zipper so you can get to things like tent poles, cookware, shoes, etc. without fully unpacking.
We started to see side/dual access packs when waterproof zippers became a thing, backpack manufacturers were less worried about rain or moisture getting in the pack, so they started adding easy-access panels to the sides and bottoms of existing designs.
These packs are great for hiking backpacks but are still too inconvenient for travelers who want an easy packing/unpacking solution.
It's also worth noting that most high-end travel backpacks in the $200+ range will have multiple easy-access pockets on the back/bottom/hip belt, etc, so the term "multi-access" gets thrown around a lot.
Back-Access / Security Backpacks
What type of backpack access/opening should I get?
Different opening styles offer various levels of accessibility and organization.
If you're lucky enough to fit everything into a 30L pack, you may want to consider a top-load, half-moon, or butterfly access design that stands upright, the convenience of an upright bag is unparalleled and with a pack that small, packing and unpacking shouldn't be too difficult.
If you're anything over 30L, we highly recommend a front-loader / clam-shell style backpack; when you get into the middle-to-upper sized backpacks, the ease of packing is unmatched for front-loaders.
Of course, it always comes down to your personal aesthetic preferences and, as we'll repeat constantly throughout this site, comfort.
For further reading, check out some of our other posts:
- How to Choose the Right Backpack Size for One-Bag Travel
- How to Size a Backpack to Fit Your Body
- How to Choose the Right Backpack for Long-Term Travel
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References (in order of appearance)
- Crew Executive Choice 3 Medium Top Load Backpack
- REI Co-Op Flash 55 Men's Backpacking Backpack
- Skog A Kust Backsak Pro Waterproof Backpack
- The North Face Vault Backpack (Women's) at Half Moon Outfitters
- Tortuga Backpacks - Front Loader vs Top Loader Backpacks
- Kotaul Ultralight Travel and Adventure Backpack
- Mystery Ranch Coulee 50 Hiking Backpack
- Gregory Baltoro 75 Backpack
- Women's Forclaz Travel Trekking Backpack