Which brand of backpack should I carry so as to not stick out in Europe?

At times some brands of backpack have a period of being in fashion.

The brands named in the question have had their time of fame and are still used quite a lot by some groups and well used by the average European.

But there are so many brands, and even so many more backpacks with fantasy brands or without brands at all, that no single backpack will stand out as from a particular country.

What makes you stand out as a tourist is how you dress, and that is fashion more than regional differences, and how you fit in.
Some people will fit in as ‘local’ whatever they wear and however they look, others will never fit in even when they wear the same as the locals of their age, due to small differences like how you smile and how you look or not at the others on the street.
So do not worry about the brand of pack, or even its size, just behave as you would do when dressed as the others in the street and you will likely fit in.

And if not, you are a tourist and there is nothing wrong with being a tourist, nobody is bothered by the nationality of a single tourist as long as they try to fit in.

(a) You will probably be identified as a tourist whatever you do.
(b) Nobody will mind (and neither should you — after all, you are a tourist).

As for backpacks: the mere fact that you are toting a big friggin backpack in the first place is the biggest giveaway, regardless of branding. If you want to be mistaken for a local, leave your backpack at the hostel.

Why not have a look at Amazon? It’s one of the largest online retailers in Europe.

• France
• Germany

Not actually a backpack, but what I do is to get a decent plastic or fabric bag from a local market chain.

Not only does it make me inconspicuous, but teaches me to not to pack unnecessary stuff as well. To have one hand busy all the time helps against carrying a camera and other traveler’s stuff in hand all the time.

One must be careful, though, not to forget the bag somewhere.

For Germany:

• The most inconspicous backpacks are either Jack Wolfskin or Deuter. Seriously, while traveling it is like a lighthouse: Hello, compatriot !
• Other popular brands: Arc’teryx, Eagle Creek, Tatonka, The North Face, Thule, Vaude or special brands like PacSafe.
• But you can always use a cheap No-Name brand: They are also quite often visible.

For moving under the radar: No Hawaiian shirt or boxer shorts, especially on the beach.

Do not smile automatically at people. It is not that you cannot smile, it is more that you here either smile slightly the whole time because you are in a good mood or this likeable man/woman addresses you now. It is difficult to explain, but there is a typical subconscious smile which appears at once at eye contact that tells people at once: “Tourist from the USA”.

You are allowed to ignore people or remain silent as long as no one addresses you and it is also no problem to look back if someone looks at you. It is a widespread habit in Germany that people are sitting outside in a Cafe/Park and watch the passersby.

Using “Paris, France” or “Berlin, Germany” is also a sure sign of an US-Tourist: No European uses the country name for cities because the names are unique.

As for France and other European countries (Spain, Poland …), go to Decathlon. That’s the most popular sport store by far, it is reasonably priced and the quality is good, they invest much in R&D.

I would recommend actually buying your backpack there than in North America, I bought one at Mountain Equipment Coop, the Canadian equivalent, and for the same price I would have had a little better backpack at Decathlon (more comfortable with more pockets).

Actually they sell different brands (still all designed by the same company, Oxylane), each for a different sport category: Quechua for mountain sports (except Winter sports, which is Wedze), B-twin for cycling, Rockrider for mountain biking, Kalenji for running and also team sports I think, Tribord/Nabaiji for aquatic sports, …

You will see everyone with bags, clothes, and whatever sport equipment from this store in France. But then if you wear it in North America, be prepared to see French people talking to you in French!

By the way I still find this is a strange request.