15 Travel Backpacks to Help Streamline Your Next Trip
Now boarding: your most organized self.
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Backpacks are the ideal bag for traveling, and you won’t change my mind. The even weight distribution of a good travel backpack makes it ideal for trekking through new cities, navigating foreign bus systems—and at times, sprinting through airport terminals. And being hands-free? You can’t beat that, especially when you’ve got a passport, phone, boarding pass, and coffee in hand.
But don’t just take it from me. “Being hands-free while traveling is essential, which is why a backpack is the perfect type of bag to use for all trips,” says Matilda Sandstroem, co-founder and designer at Adventurist Bags. “It will also distribute weight better than a one-shoulder bag, which will be crucial for longer travel days.” Plus, Sandstroem points out that a stylish backpack can double as your day bag once you arrive at your destination and is perfect for housing a light layer, camera, or snacks. (Good luck trying to bring that duffle bag to the Trevi fountain...)
To give you even more insight, I combined my own research with Sandstroem’s and that of the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute to bring you the definitive guide to the best travel backpacks. Whether you’re packing a weekender bag or looking for the best bags on Amazon, here are 15 backpacks that make stellar travel companions.
Pros
- Personalize it
- Water resistant
- Padded sleeve for laptops up to 15”
- Can be flattened to store inside a suitcase
- Luggage sleeve
Cons
- No side pockets
Away Travel is known and loved for its suitcases—I, for one, swear by the bigger carry-on—so you can bet the brand makes a damn good carry-on backpack, too.
Colors: Garnet, Navy, Black, Coast
Dimensions: Width: 12 inches; height: 17.7 inches; depth: 5.9 inches
Customer review: “I needed a backpack that I could use for business travel that would allow me to really pack it in for international work. This bag has a ton of space and several pockets to keep items organized. I recently returned to the office and find that its great as a daily bag for all of my needs. I even get lunch into the main compartment.”
Pros
- Quality investment
- Available in two sizes and a variety of colors
- Laptop compartment
Cons
- Expensive
If traveling in style is a priority for you, more power to you. This leather backpack from Bottega Veneta is the best way to take to show your fellow travelers that you have taste.
Colors: Surf, Space, Mud, Black, Ardoise
Dimensions: Width: 11.8 inches; height: 18.1 inches; depth: 5.5 inches
Pros
- Quality investment
- Luggage sleeve
- Padded back
- Magnetic lock
- Padded sleeve fits up to 16” laptop
Cons
- Expensive
Rimowa is like the Rolls Royce of luggage brands. And in case no one has told you lately, you deserve the best of the best.
Colors: Black, Slate Gray
Dimensions: Width: 14.5 inches; height: 17.3 inches; depth: 6.3
Pros
- Available in vegan leather or nylon
- Separate zippered laptop compartment
- Section for shoes or dirty clothes
- Modular Metro Kit system
- Sustainable
- Water resistant
- Luggage sleeve
Cons
- No side pocket
See that pouch on the front? It provides the perfect amount of extra storage for easy access to necessities and detaches in a snap—literally.
Colors: 10 options
Dimensions: Width: 11.5 inches; height: 16.5 inches; depth: 6 inches
Customer review: “It looks sharp, I’ve already gotten compliments. It is super spacious inside which is perfect for both travel and in a professional setting since it fits everything from spare shoes to my lunch. The compartments actually make sense for organizing.”
Pros
- Lots of color options
- Durable
Cons
- Lacks organization
Fjallraven: the bag that everyone has, but no one knows how to pronounce. While these bags don’t offer much in the way of organization or storage, they are extremely durable and available in a ton of colors and sizes.
Colors: 27 options
Dimensions: Width: 10.75 inches x height: 14.5 inches x depth: 4 inches
Customer review: “This Fjallraven has been to and all around Japan with me, and recently I started back to University…It’s not too bulky but surprisingly holds a lot.”
Pros
- Lots of organization
- Durable
- Luggage sleeve
Cons
- Probably not big enough for single bag travel
- Water bottle pocket is small
Calpak’s Luka bag is an organizer’s dream because it’s chock-full of pockets. This versatile pack is great for everyday use or as a day bag while traveling.
Colors: 13 options
Dimensions: Width: 12 inches x height: 16 inches x depth: 7 inches
Customer review: “This backpack has been great so far! I use it for daily commutes, and it fits my 16” laptop in that compartment with ease. It is also great for being outdoors, got stuck in the rain and my laptop remained dry.”
Pros
- Fits 17” laptop
- Waterproof
- Affordable
- Comes with packing cubes
Cons
- Lacks padding
- Gets heavy when filled
A waterproof, high-capacity pack + a clamshell opening – an expensive price tag = the ultimate travel backpack.
Colors: Black, Blue, Grey, or Pink
Dimensions: Width: 13.38 inches x height: 20.74 inches x depth: 7.87 inches
Customer review: “Backpacked for 10 days in Greece with this! My friends bought $100+ backpacks, and mine worked just as well for a fraction of the price. I was able to fit a large packing cube with PLENTY of clothes, two pairs of shoes (sandals), a curling iron, a sweater, and my toiletries in this bag!”
Pros
- Durable
- Versatile
Cons
- Top-loading
- Doesn’t self-support
- Not big enough for single bag travel longer than 1–2 nights
The genius product testers over at the Good Housekeeping Institute rated this the overall best travel backpack. As someone who has regularly used this as a carry-on for nearly six years, I’d have to agree. It stands up to the test of time and is great for short trips or as a day bag.
Colors: Lime, Taupe, or Orange
Dimensions: Width: 12 inches x height: 19.5 inches x depth: 6.5 inches
Customer review: “Awesome backpack. Large, spacious, and full of compartments. Suitable for any type of trip, I love it.”
Pros
- Durable
- Carry-on-approved size
- Clamshell opening
- Well-designed for weight distribution
Cons
- Pricey
- Big
Calling all fellow backpackers and hostel hoppers! If you’re trekking through Europe, or anywhere else for that matter, it’s best to keep your luggage light. This durable, waterproof Tortuga pack is the largest allowed carry-on for international flights, making it perfect for your next adventure.
Colors: Black
Dimensions: Width: 13. 8 inches x height: 21.7 inches x depth: 7.9 inches
Customer review: “Just returned from a two-week tour of Norway and Iceland, five different hotels, four flights. Outbreaker…made it so easy to effortlessly stay on the move…This was our first carry-on-only trip of this length, and I loved the ease of check-in and airport departure it gave us. With the hip belts to carry most of the weight, we did not suffer any back or shoulder strain.”
Pros
- Luggage Sleeve
- Laptop compartment
- Under $100
- Sustainable
Cons
- None!
If there’s one thing for certain, I don’t need another backpack. But after reading the reviews for this Beis bag...I just might have to get one for myself. It has specialized features like an expanding section and a water bottle holder that can be used in or outside the bag.
Colors: Black or Beige
Dimensions: Width: 13 inches; height: 15 inches; depth: 5-7 inches
Customer review: “Love how much room this backpack has! I took it on a trip to Italy and it was light/compact enough to put in luggage but can fit so many things. The design of this backpack is a 10/10 for me.”
Pros
- Stylish
- Available in 3 sizes
- Sustainable
Cons
- Pricey
- Some customers say it isn’t durable
Dagne Dover bags are super popular right now, and with good reason. Fashionable and versatile, they’re perfect for everyday use or as your designated school bag. Plus, Dagne Dover products are made with Repreve technology, meaning they’re sustainable.
Colors: 10 options
Dimensions: Width: 13.25 inches x height: 17.5 inches x depth: 5.25 inches (for large size)
Customer review: “I love this bag and its many pockets and pouches. I can easily organize everything with its numerous zippers, and it stores my laptop perfectly in the back. It’s super light, which is great for a backpack, but thick and good quality with its neoprene.”
Pros
- Under $100
- Your purchase helps those in need
- Vegan leather straps
- Water resistant
- Padded sleeve for laptops up to 15”
Cons
Not only does Sandstroem design these bags with style in mind, but for every backpack purchased, 25 meals are provided for American families in need.
Colors: 7 options
Dimensions: Width: 13.5 inches; height: 15.5 inches; depth: 6 inches
Customer review: “I’ve had this backpack for almost a year now and I have only good things to say! I got the sand color and even through hiking and using it a lot it still looks great! It’s water resistant so I don’t have to worry about bringing my camera, and it’s also super cute and makes my hiking outfits look great! Can’t recommend it enough, if you’re thinking about getting one, do it!”
Pros
- Light
- Durable
Cons
- Pockets won’t fit large water bottles
The Good Housekeeping Institute voted this pack as the best lightweight bag. If you’re camping, hiking, or just trying to lighten your load, it’s a fantastic option that’s both durable and spacious.
Colors: Gold, Teal, Loden, Navy, or Black
Dimensions: Width: 10 inches x height: 19 inches x depth: 7 inches
Customer review: “Great bag. Love all the pockets, and it’s lightweight. Like how it can roll into a pouch.”
Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack
Pros
- Durable
- Spacious
Cons
- Small water bottle pockets
At first glance, you might underestimate how much this backpack can hold. But don’t be deceived; it secretly holds a ton of stuff. That’s just one of the many reasons the Good Housekeeping Institute rated this Osprey as the best travel daypack.
Colors: 13 options
Dimensions: Width: 11 inches x height: 18.9 inches x depth: 9.45 inches
Customer review: “As a backpack hoarder, I’m always on the search for the perfect functional backpack. I bought the Osprey Daylite Plus to use on vacations where I’d also need to lug my work laptop along. I wanted something that is light enough to use on hikes and will work as a personal item when flying.”
Pros
- Rave reviews
- Waterproof
Cons
- Expensive
Business trips shouldn’t be a chore...well, not more so than the actual business part. But packing for business trips definitely shouldn’t be a pain. Allow Timbuk2 to take the hassle out of packing.
Colors: Black
Dimensions: Width: 13.4 inches x height: 20.5 inches x depth: 5.5 inches
Customer review: “After using this pack for a couple weeks commuting, I can confidently say that it’s more functional, well designed, and comfortable than any other pack I’ve owned. The materials and build are incredibly high quality, and it sits perfectly on my back without adding strain, even when fully loaded with a laptop.”
What to consider when buying a travel backpack
- Size: Don’t just eyeball it based on what size you think you want; the precise measurements matter. Each airline has its own size restrictions for carry-on bags, and these are particularly varied between domestic and international flights. “Since you may be flying on a lot of different airlines in the future, it may be best to choose the smallest common denominator that way your backpack is sure to fit no matter which airline you travel with,” Sandstroem says.
- Security and durability: “With most of us carrying around expensive electronics such as laptops, tablets, and camera gear, it’s important to find a backpack that will adequately protect your belongings,” Sandstroem says. “Whether you’ll be throwing your bag on the ground, storing it under the seat of the plane, or tossing it in the overhead compartment, make sure to look for something that has both front and back padding.” You’ll also want to look for a bag that offers a padded laptop compartment that will fit your device. Some precautious customers might also opt for a bag that includes locks or some other anti-theft mechanisms.
- Weight and material: The more lightweight, the better. “It may seem like a couple of pounds won’t make much of a difference, but after hours of traveling, you’ll be happy to be rid of any extra weight,” Sandstroem says, noting that materials like polyester or nylon are both lightweight and durable.
- Organization and features: You might find that a bag with an abundance of pockets or separated sections provides more ease of mind. It’s certainly simpler to keep organized. Or, if you’re someone who keeps their belongings grouped in different pouches, you can probably do with a more open-concept bag. Bear in mind any additional features that might make a difference for you, like a key leash, water bottle pocket, shoe bag, or chest straps.
Meet the Experts
Matilda Sandstroem is the co-founder and primary designer for Adventurist Bags. The emerging brand is based in Denver and focuses on minimalist travel bags. For every bag purchased, Adventurist Bags donates 25 meals to Americans in need via non-profit Feeding America.
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