The Best Travel Backpacks For Every Type Of Traveler 2023

When you’re embarking on a new journey, the luggage you bring with you matters. While traditional hard-sided luggage will never go out of style, a solid travel backpack is a versatile and convenient option for trips when you know you’ll be active and on the move. Whether you're exploring a bustling metropolis like New York City, trekking through rugged landscapes in Yellowstone National Park or working from the beach in Ibiza, traveling with the right backpack can greatly enhance your experience.

A solid travel backpack is a versatile and convenient option for trips when you’re on the move.

Travel backpacks are designed to balance function, comfort and style. When you begin your search for a new travel backpack, you’ll be sure to find many backpack brands with features like organizational pockets, padded straps and even built-in compression systems, similar to suitcases. Choosing the right travel backpack for your trip may seem overwhelming—but that’s where we come in. From compact backpacks for hikers to spacious carry-ons for the digital nomad, we’ve selected the best travel backpacks for all types of adventurers.

Matador

Dimensions: 22” x 12.8” x 11” |Volume: 45 liters | Weight: 4.5 pounds | Laptop Compartment: 16 inches

Perhaps the most versatile travel bag on the market today, the Matador GlobeRider45 does it all: It’s carry-on compliant, has an external laptop pocket, is durable enough for outdoor adventures and has top-notch interior organization thanks to ample pockets and shock cords. Its most impressive feature is the external “admin” pocket that is suitable for small items you need easy access to. No matter how much you overpack the rest of the backpack, this pocket remains functional and roomy, while many other bags quickly lose functionality the more you stuff them.

We used this bag on countless weekend getaways, including a three-week Europe trip that involved both city travel and outdoor adventure. Although we have tested dozens of bags over the years, this is the one that we reach for again and again due to its intuitive, high-performing design and comfortable strap system. Read our comprehensive review of this bag here.

REI Co-op

Dimensions: 22” x 12” x 9.5” | Volume: 35 liters | Weight: 3.5 pounds | Laptop Compartment: Yes

Whether you’re looking to add a pop of color with Cotopaxi’s vibrant colorways or keep it sleek with all black, the Allpa will become your go-to carry-on companion due to its versatility and durability. For a 35-liter pack, it feels incredibly spacious. The open, clamshell design allows you to take full advantages of every liter—and you’ll never have to worry about not meeting airline requirements.

The Allpa is also built to withstand the rigors of travel, as evident by the weather-resistant TPU-coated polyester shell, durable nylon webbing, and reinforced stitching. The backpack also incorporates several travel-friendly features, including a stowable harness and hip belt, a suitcase-style handle for convenient carrying, and a top pocket for quick access to essentials like passports or a phone.

Backcountry.com

Dimensions: 22” x 13” x 9.5” | Volume: 45 liters | Weight: 4.6 pounds | Laptop Compartment: 16 inches

If you travel with electronics like a laptop or camera gear, you know how important it is to to access them at a moment’s notice, like in the TSA line or when you need to shoot off a quick e-mail. Peak Design’s Travel Backpack streamlines your travels while keeping your gear safe. It features multiple handles, like on the side and the back panel, so you can grab and go in the airport or when you’re getting out of your Uber.

Whether you’re carrying camera equipment, a remote work setup or clothing, this backpack is all about customization. You can easily configure the interior to fit your gear perfectly by adjusting or removing the padded dividers to create the ideal setup. (It’s also compatible with Peak Design’s camera cubes if you want better organization or an extra layer of protection.) In its most compact state, this bag is 30 liters, but when you need more space, you can unzip and add over 10 liters of capacity.

REI Co-op

Dimensions: 22” x 14” x 17” | Volume: 55 liters | Weight: 4.2 pounds | Laptop Compartment: 16 inches

Osprey is known for making high-quality outdoor gear like backpacking packs, and the Fairview 55L takes elements from the brand’s more technical bags and combines them with travel-friendly features. The padded shoulder straps and a cushy hip belt rival the strap systems on Osprey’s hiking backpacks so you can evenly distribute weight, saving your back from strain. The mesh back panel is breathable and the harness system is adjustable for optimal comfort.

Unlike hiking backpacks, this bag opens like a suitcase so you can easily pack and organize, and at 55 liters, it’s the largest pack on this list (so it may not fit in all overhead compartments). It also comes with a detachable daypack to use hiking or around town.

REI Co-op

Dimensions: 22” x 10.5” x 5.5” | Volume: 25 liters | Weight: 1.4 pounds | Laptop Compartment: 15 inches

This relatively small pack is the perfect size for weekend adventures: Big enough to hold a few outfits and an extra pair of shoes, but small enough to use everyday. Daisy chain attachment points on the front increase the usable space, as you can attach extra gear like a yoga mat or sleeping pad, and the stretchy side pocket can accommodate a large water bottle.

The feature that makes this bag stand out is that it is extra rugged and tough—built to withstand the elements and resistant abrasion or the occasional downpour. The ripstop polyester fabric and weather-proof TPU coating make it an ideal choice for outdoor enthusiasts, but it’s equally at home in a city, too. But the durability is also matched with a sporty, fashion-forward design. Patagonia’s color options are always fresh and right now, the Black Hole 25L comes in colors like black, navy, purple, red, or green, depending on where you buy it.

Away

Dimensions: 21.7” x 13.6” x 9.5” | Volume: 45 liters | Weight: 3.32 pounds | Laptop Compartment: 15 inches

Away is a beloved luggage company known for its hard-sided suitcases (and bold, neon colors), but the brand’s foray into travel backpacks is equally successful. The F.A.R Convertible Backpack has the roominess of a duffel bag, but the removable shoulder straps and chest strap allow it to convert into backpack for comfortable carrying. Inside, the main compartment has compression straps—which come in handy if you’re an overpacker. Additionally, the exterior compression straps cinch down to create a more compact profile, so you can fit into small spaces on public transit. Best of all, if you’re not quite sold, you have a 100-day trial period to return it.

Amazon

Dimensions: 21.5” x 13” x 9.8” |Volume: 40 liters | Weight: 3.17 pounds | Laptop Compartment: 15 inches

If you’re a frequent traveler, chances are your luggage sees some wear and tear, so it’s important to purchase a backpack made with high-quality materials. Thule, known for its roof-racks, makes one of my favorite travel packs: the Landmark 40L. It’s extremely durable thanks to a 600D polyester and stashable harness system that you can neatly pack away if you need to check the bag.

We used this pack on a month-long international trip and really loved two stand-out features: The hard-shell top compartment that protects delicate items like sunglasses and the external laptop sleeve that zips along the side. One thing to note is that while it fit most airline requirements, it was too bulky to fit in the overhead bin on smaller regional airplanes when fully packed.

CALPAK

Dimensions: 18” x 12” x 7.5” | Volume: 26.5 liters | Weight: 2.7 pounds | Laptop Compartment: 17” pocket

The Calpak Terra 26L is a compact and lightweight backpack designed for travelers looking to balance aesthetics and function. The recycled ripstop nylon exterior is water-resistant, so it’ll keep your belongings dry whether you’re traveling to Iceland or the Pacific Northwest. With its 26-liter capacity, it's ideal as a carry-on for shorter journeys or a supplemental bag for longer travels (It’s even small enough to serve as a personal item.) And because it doesn’t have a hip belt, it’s best for travelers who like to pack light.

Despite its smaller size, the Terra 26L offers good organization options. It features multiple pockets and compartments to keep your essentials organized. The main compartment is spacious enough for your belongings, while additional pockets help keep smaller items readily accessible. Best of all, it has a trolley sleeve so you can stack it on a rolling suitcase as you’re walking through the airport.

Travel backpacks come in an array of styles, but here are some of the key features to look out for when you’re shopping:

Gone are the days of top-loading backpacks. Travel backpacks feature closure styles that allow for easy packing so you get the organization of a suitcase but the functionality of a backpack. For example, many backpacks, like the Matador GlobeRider45 and the Cotopaxi Allpa, open like a book to provide full access to the main compartment. Some, like the Away F.A.R. Convertible, unzip more like a duffel bag, while others, like the Peak Design Travel Backpack, fully unzip at the back panel.

The closure style you chose will ultimately come down to personal preference, but it is one of the most important features of a travel backpack.

Consider the size backpack you need for your travels. Backpacks have two sizes: capacity (listed in liters) and dimensions (listed in inches or centimeters.) The dimensions will dictate whether or not the backpack fits carry-on size requirements, while the capacity will give you an idea of the amount of packing space you have.

Everyone’s packing requirements are different, but in general, weekend travel bags will be around 25 - 35 liters, while backpacks with at least 40 liters will be better suited for week-long and extended travel.

If you’ll be walking long distances with your backpack or hauling it from place to place, you may want to shop for a travel backpack that has a well-padded and ventilated strap system, which includes the shoulder straps, hip belt, chest straps, and any accessory straps like load lifters (located on the shoulder straps.) Hip belts can help disperse some weight from your shoulders, and a chest strap can also distribute the weight evenly for more comfortable carrying.

Brands that make hiking backpacks, like Osprey and Matador, will have the most robust strap systems, while other brands, like Peak Design, may have more minimal straps.

Each airline has different size requirements, so the size of the backpack you can carry on a plane varies greatly. However, as a general guideline, most airlines allow carry-on bags with dimensions of around 22 inches x 14 inches x 9 inches (or no more than 45 total inches if you add all the measurements together.) Keep in mind that these dimensions include the wheels, handles, and any external pockets.

To ensure compliance with your airline's carry-on size restrictions, we recommend you check their website before your flight. Large airlines like Delta and United have standard policies, while some airlines (often smaller ones) may have stricter regulations or weight limits for carry-on bags. You’ll also encounter different rules when flying internationally, so pay close attention as you may change airlines during your overseas journey.

One of the primary advantages of traveling with a backpack is the freedom it provides. Backpacks offer greater mobility than other types of luggage, and—most importantly—you can have both hands-free, allowing you to navigate crowded airports, busy streets, or uneven terrain with ease. But the versatility is also notable: If you are planning a hiking vacation, a travel backpack can cross-over as your backpacking pack, too.

Unlike hard-shell suitcases, backpacks are flexible and can be easily compressed or expanded based on your needs. Some bags, like the Peak Design Travel Backpack, have an expandable design to actually adjust the size of your pack. As you acquire belongings and souvenirs, you can just unzip for extra space. This enhances versatility; you can use the same pack for a weekend adventure as a month-long trip abroad.