The best travel backpacks

Whether you’re traveling overnight or for weeks at a time, you’ll need a backpack that’s functional, comfortable, and helps keep you organized.

We know there’s no one backpack that will work for everyone, so we picked bags that will meet the needs of most types of travelers—whether you need a small option for the overhead of a plane, or lockable zippers for security.

Our best overall travel backpack is the Peak Design Travel Pack 45L, which ticks all the boxes for durability, versatility, and comfort, but also offers a thoughtful design, unique organizational features and high-quality, sustainably made materials.

Buy it now: $300 at Backcountry

Why we like it: The sleek-looking Peak Design Travel Pack 45L is our best overall travel backpack. It’s expandable, carry-on compliant, and is bursting with innovative features. This backpack is functional—think gusseted side pockets for water bottles or tripods—and made with high-quality weatherproof materials and theft-deterrent zipper pulls. It’s durable and secure, and it’s obvious that every detail of this bag has been carefully thought through. 

There are smartly placed pockets, and the padded harness system tucks beneath magnetic flaps for duffel-style carry. The spacious main cavity is accessible from the front, rear and both sides, and the extensively padded bag has 16-inch laptop and tablet sleeves.

Keep in mind: At 4.5 pounds, it’s not light, and smaller-framed travelers may find it cumbersome to carry. The harness isn’t adjustable, so the torso length is one-size-fits-all.

Product details:

• Sizes available: 30L, 45L

• Materials: Recycled nylon and polyester

• Frame type: Frameless

• Number of external pockets: 8

The best with laptop compartment: Thule Aion 40L

Buy it now: $200 at Backcountry

Why we like it: The Thule Aion 40L is our best backpack with a laptop compartment.  It’s a carry-on travel backpack that accommodates a 16-inch laptop while leaving plenty of room for other gear. Its roomy side-access laptop compartment contains cushioned laptop and tablet sleeves. There’s a compartment for accessories and a rollaway bag for damp or dirty items in the main compartment, which minimizes the chances of wet belongings damaging tech. There are breathable, padded shoulder straps and a back panel, plus a sternum strap to keep things secure. A robust side handle facilitates duffel-style carry, and there’s a pass-through for a rolling suitcase attachment.

Keep in mind: There’s no weight-bearing hip belt, and the wax-coated canvas creates a weathered look that might not appeal to everyone.

Product details:

• Sizes available: 28L, 40L

• Materials: Recycled polyester

• Frame type: Frameless

• Number of external pockets: 2

Buy it now: $89 at Patagonia

Why we like it: Our pick for the best small travel backpack is the Patagonia Atom 20L Tote Pack, a versatile, lightweight bag that stows under airplane seats. This backpack has a large main compartment, which houses a thickly padded removable 13-inch laptop sleeve and a hydration bladder pass-through for hikers. External features include a bike light loop, attachment points for the removable sternum strap and other essentials, and a zippered front compartment that occupies the full length of the bag. The well-padded, breathable harness system makes the Atom a comfortable carry in backpack mode, but it can also be transported tote-style using its sturdy handles. 

Keep in mind: The two compartments lack organizational features, and the laptop sleeve compromises internal space. The backpack fits a 17-inch torso length, so it may not work for taller travelers.

Product details:

Buy it now: $270 at Amazon

Why we like it: The Pacsafe’s practical, versatile Venturesafe EXP35 Anti Theft Travel Backpack is our pick for the best anti-theft backpack. It’s made with recycled slash-resistant material and lockable, puncture-resistant, self-locking zippers. This pick has an RFID-blocking pocket to keep credit card information safe and a hidden lockable 16-inch laptop compartment. The comfortable, breathable harness system has cut-resistant straps that can be used to secure the bag to fixed objects. 

Keep in mind: The anti-theft features hamper quick access, and the bag’s solid construction and numerous compartments make it feel heftier than it is.

Product details:

Buy it now: $300 at Osprey (Farpoint and Fairview)

Why we like it: The Osprey Farpoint/Fairview 36 Wheeled Travel Pack* is our pick for best rolling backpack. It’s comfortable in backpack mode, has a stamina-saving rolling mode, and is straightforward to switch between the two. This bag features padded shoulder straps and hip belt, mesh back panel and torso adjustment to provide a comfortable backpack-style carry. If your back needs a break, engage the harness stowaway system, extend the single tube ergonomic handle and let the rugged, oversized wheels do the work. Organizational features include a zippered top pocket for quick-access items and a 15-inch laptop compartment; the main cavity facilitates easy packing with its compression straps and suitcase-style opening. 

*The bags’ features are identical; however, the Fairview’s fit is tailored specifically to women.

Keep in mind: It’s a heavy bag, and the interior frame and stowed rolling handle reduce capacity in the main compartment. 

Product details:

• Sizes available: 36L, 65L

• Materials: bluesign® approved recycled nylon 

• Frame type: 4 mm LightWire peripheral frame

• Number of external pockets: 4

Buy it now: $200 at REI

Why we like it: The Allpa 35L Travel Pack from Cotopaxi is our best carry-on backpack—a durable, easily stowable option with thoughtful organizational features and anti-theft zippers. The no-nonsense, adjustable harness system tucks away neatly into a slotted back panel during transit, while four reinforced grab handles make pulling the backpack out of an overhead bin child’s play.

The bag opens suitcase-style for efficient packing, but a side zipper also provides on-the-go access. High-visibility backing in the front compartment makes searching for small items less challenging, and there’s convenient side access to the padded 15-inch laptop sleeve, which has a false bottom to protect devices if dropped. There’s a rainfly included, should you arrive at your destination to unexpected wet weather.

Keep in mind: Flimsy and lacking structure, it doesn’t hold its shape unless it is full. The lack of an external water bottle pocket may be a deal-breaker for some.

Product details:

• Sizes available: 28L, 35L, 42L

• Materials: Recycled polyester and nylon

• Frame type: Frameless

• Number of external pockets: 2

Buy it now: $130 at REI

Why we like it: Our pick for the most versatile travel backpack is the Gregory Rhune 25 Pack, a water-resistant travel backpack with great functionality and a surprising amount of space. Thanks to its structured base, rounded body, and organizational compartments, more fits into this 25L bag than you’d expect. Padded internal sleeves fit a 15-inch laptop and tablet/folio, and pockets outside include a handy swing-around access stash pocket. With a moisture-wicking padded back panel, removable sternum strap and contoured shoulder straps, this bag is designed to carry weight comfortably: a great all-rounder whether you’re a hiker, digital nomad, or urban sightseer.

Keep in mind: Top-opening access makes it tricky to locate items at the base. Shoulder straps may feel bulky to smaller travelers.

Product details:

• Sizes available: 20L, 22L, 25L

• Materials: Recycled polyester and nylon 

• Frame type: Frameless

• Number of external pockets: 4

Buy it now: $82 at Amazon

Why we like it: The Navigator-T66 Travel Laptop Backpack 40L is our pick for the best budget travel backpack. It’s made with quality materials and loaded with organizational features despite its affordable price tag. The sturdy, water-resistant, and easy-to-pack clamshell design, plus the multi-functional pockets and attachment points, mean efficient organization. This backpack has a TSA-friendly 17-inch laptop compartment, which will save time at airport security. The cushioned harness means it’s comfortable to wear, and top and side handles and a pass-through make it easy to grab or attach to a wheeled suitcase. 

Keep in mind: It’s so heavily padded that packing space feels compromised. There’s no load-bearing hip belt.

Product details:

Our review process

I referred to brand product descriptions, third-party reviews, competitor articles, Reddit discussion boards, watched an excessive number of review videos, and evaluated my findings with my own knowledge and experience, considering the following:

• Material and quality: Durability of materials and hardware is critical for a bag that will be repeatedly thrown into overhead bins and exposed to bad weather.

• Versatility: I looked for bags that could be carried duffel-style, fastened to a rolling suitcase or pulled-on wheels and were capable of protecting tech equipment, and keeping belongings dry on hikes.

• Storage and protection: I looked for features such as stowable harness systems for ease of storage, and hidden pockets and anti-theft zippers for peace of mind.

• Comfort: Weight-bearing, cushioned hip belts, secure sternum straps and adjustable padded shoulder straps all maximize carry comfort.

• Organization: Positioning and accessibility of pockets, compartments and attachment points are a matter of personal preference, but they should maximize functionality.

• Sustainability: I prioritized bags made with recycled materials and brands actively addressing their social, ethical and environmental impact.

What to know about travel backpacks

• Material: The most common materials used for travel backpacks are nylon and polyester (both increasingly recycled), which can be treated to enhance durability and water resistance.

• Size: The size of a travel backpack is measured in liters, with external pockets included. How much it actually fits depends on shape, material thickness, flexibility, and padding.

• Frame type: Backpacks with heavy external frames offer structure and support. Internal frames hold bags closer to the body, offering more stability but less ventilation.

• Number of external pockets: External compartments such as mesh water bottle holders and quick-grab pockets are great for organization.

• Weight: Carry-on weight allowances vary between airlines, so a lightweight bag optimizes what you can pack.

• Comfort: Look for high-quality harnesses with cushioned straps, breathable back panels, secure sternum straps, and a weight-bearing hip belt if required.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best backpack to take on a plane?

Choose a backpack that fits in an overhead bin and has a robust handle for retrieving it. Quick-access external pockets and efficient internal organization enable quick access to belongings; lockable zippers provide security.

Is a travel backpack a carry-on?

As long as it complies with your airline’s regulations.

What is a good size backpack to travel with?

The length and purpose of your trip will determine the size of the bag you need. Generally speaking, a 25-30 liter backpack should suffice for weekend trips, and 30-45 liters allow a good amount of space for longer travel. For most airlines, backpacks up to 45 liters should be carry-on compliant.