Backpacks are extremely convenient for travel. They come in all shapes and sizes, and work well as either a personal item or carry-on when flying. They work as a suitcase for shorter trips, and are perfect for using all day long while sightseeing. Their compartments and pockets will keep you organized no matter where the day takes you.
Here are our picks for the best backpacks for travel.
| Ranking | Backpack | Number of Pockets | Laptop Sleeve | Price | Luggage Loop |
| Best Sustainable | Everlane The ReNew Transit Backpack | 7 | Yes – exterior | $$ | Yes |
| Most Durable | YETI Crossroads 35L Backpack | n/a | Yes – interior | $$$$ | Yes |
| Best Everyday Backpack | Lululemon Everyday Backpack 2.0 | 5 | Yes – exterior | $$ | Yes |
| Best Convertible Backpack | Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole 27L Tote Pack | 2 | No | $$ | No |
| Best Suitcase Zipper Style Backpack | Cotopaxi Allpa 35L | 6 | Yes – exterior | $$$$ | No |
| Sleekest Design | Monos Metro Backpack | 6 | Yes- exterior | $$$$ | Yes |
| Best Alternative to a Suitcase | Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L | 6 | Yes – exterior | $$$$ | No |
| Best Backpack with Matching Luggage | Away The Everywhere Zip Backpack | 6 | Yes – exterior | $$$ | Yes |
| Best Mini Backpack for Travel | Longchamp Le Pliage Backpack | n/a | No | $$$ | No |
| Best Backpack for Adventurers | Osprey Farpoint 40 | 4 | Yes – exterior | $$ | No |
| Best Budget Backpack for Travel | L.L.Bean Stowaway Pack | 5 | No | $ | No |
| Best Leather Travel Backpack | Madewell The Lorimer Backpack | 3 | No | $$$$ | No |
| Best Quilted Travel Backpack | MZ Wallace Metro Convertible Backpack | 10 | Yes – Interior | $$$$ | No |
| Best Travel Backpack for Men | Thule Aion Travel Pack ($200) | 5 | Yes – exterior | $$$$ | Yes |
| Best Expandable Travel Backpack | BÉIS The Expandable Backpack | 6 | Yes – exterior | $$ | Yes |
| Best Compact Travel Backpack | Athleta Excursion Backpack | 5+ | No | $$$ | No |
| Best Travel Backpack for Cities | Troubadour Ki Backpack | 5 | Yes – interior | $$$$ | Yes |
| Best Travel Backpack for Festivals | Fjällräven Kånken Water Resistant Backpack | 4 | No | $$ | No |
| Best Travel Backpack for Hiking | Osprey Sirrus 24 Women’s Hiking Backpack | 7 | No | $$$ | No |
| Best Basic Travel Backpack | Amazon Basics Carry-On Travel Backpack ($50) | 6 | Yes- interior | $ | No |
| Best Anti-Theft Travel Backpack | Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 ($260) | 6 | Yes – exterior | $$$$ | No |
| Most Versatile Travel Backpack | Peak Design Travel Backpack ($300) | 5+ | Yes – exterior | $$$$ | Yes |
| Most Colorful Travel Backpack | Topo Designs | 5 | Yes – interior | $$ | No |
| Best Over-sized Travel Backpack | REI Co-op Ruckpack 60+ ($199) | 4 | Yes – Exterior | $$$ | No |
| Best Overall Travel Backpack | CamelBak A.T.P. 26 Backpack | 7 | Yes | $$$ | Yes |
Best Travel Backpack Made with Recycled Material – Everlane The ReNew Transit Backpack
Made from 100% recycled polyester, this bag from Everlane is not only environmentally-friendly but functional too.
Features include:
- 15-inch exterior laptop pocket
- Two water bottle pockets
- Luggage handle pass-through strap
- 17.5 x 12 inches
Most Durable Travel Backpack – YETI Crossroads 35L Backpack
If you’ve ever owned one of their water bottles, you know YETI does not mess around when it comes to durability. Their Crossroads backpack is made with TuffSkin™ nylon- water and abrasion-resistant material.
Features include:
- Luggage pass-thru sleeve
- Shoulder straps padded with EVA Foam
- Side zip for easy access to inside
Best Everyday Travel Backpack – Lululemon Everyday Backpack 2.0
It’s in the name – the Everyday Backpack from Lululemon is not just great for travel, but for your everyday use as well.
Features include:
- Water-repellant fabric
- Luggage loop
- Laptop sleeve
Best Convertible Travel Backpack – Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole 27L Tote Pack
Easily switch from backpack to tote with the Ultralight Black Hole backpack from Patagonia.
Features include:
- It stuffs into its own pocket for easy storage
- Fairtrade certified sewn
- Double stretch-mesh water-bottle pockets
- Made from weather-resistant nylon
Best Suitcase Style Zipper Backpack – Cotopaxi Allpa 35L
This backpack from Cotopaxi has a zipper that goes all the way around the bag – like a suitcase – making it incredibly easy to pack and unpack.
Features include:
- Low-profile harness system
- Rain cover
- Security YKK zippers
- Tuck away straps
Sleekest Design Travel Backpack – Monos Metro Backpack
This sleek, compact backpack will hold everything you need for a short trip or that you want to take with you on an airplane for a longer trip.
Features include:
- 11.5 by 16.5 inches
- Available in nylon or vegan leather
- Privacy compartment made with waterproof fabric
- Includes a Metro Classic Kit that easily attaches to the front and is perfect for toiletries and other accessories
Best Alternative to Carry-on Suitcase – Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L
You may never use a rolling carry-on suitcase again when you get the 40L Tortuga Travel Backpack. It combines the convenience of a backpack with the space and organization of a suitcase.
Features include:
- Hip belt
- Organizer panel
- Laptop sleeve
- Made with durable, waterproof fabric
Best Backpack With Matching Luggage – Away The Everywhere Zip Backpack
For anyone who likes to have a matching luggage set, The Everywhere Zip Backpack coordinates with all of Away’s collections. It’s the perfect personal item to go along with their carry-ons and checked suitcases.
Features include:
- Made with water-resistant material
- Padded straps
- Interior organization pockets
Best Mini Backpack for Travel – Longchamp Le Pliage Backpack
The iconic Longchamp has created this insanely cute backpack to hold your basic essentials for your next trip.
Features include:
- Made from recycled polyamide canvas with an inside coating
- Zipped and snap closure
- Foldable for easy storage and transport
Best Backpack for Adventurers – Osprey Farpoint 40 ($185)
No matter if you are headed to an adventure in the wilderness or to a big city, the Osprey Farpoint 40 has you covered. Roomy, durable and convenient, this backpack is perfect for whatever comes your way.
Features include:
- Dual front compression straps
- Internal compression straps that will keep your items secure
- AirScape® back panel that will keep you cool
- Adjustable torso fit
Best Budget Backpack – L.L.Bean Stowaway Pack
Nothing says durability like LL Bean, and you can count on that and more with their Stoaway Pack.
Features include:
- Padded foam shoulder straps
- Folds into its own pocket
- Made from recycled water/soda bottles
- Adjustable waistbelt and sternum strap
Best Leather Backpack for Travel – Madewell The Lorimer Backpack
Made from rich Italian leather, the Lorimer backpack is fashionable and functional for all of your travel needs.
Features include:
- Interior pockets for organization
- Fringed pulls for easy opening and closing
- Compact style
Best Quilted Travel Backpack – MZ Wallace Metro Convertible Backpack
The unique style of this backpack will make you a standout while jet-setting. Easily carry it as a tote when you don’t want it on your back.
Features include:
- Double top handle for easy conversion to use bag as tote
- Zip and drawstring closure
- Detachable pouch included
- Laptop sleeve
Best Travel Backpack for Men – Thule Aion Travel Pack
The Thule Aion Travel Pack is practical and efficient, and will hold everything you need for a short trip or to use as your personal item for a longer trip.
Features include:
- Removable bag for toiletries, wet/dirty clothes
- Exterior padded laptop sleeve
- Water-resistant
Best Expandable Travel Backpack – BÉIS The Expandable Backpack
This compact backpack expands for times you need a little extra room for your essentials.
Features include:
- Water bottle pocket that can be stored away when not in use
- 2-inch expandable gusset
- Trolley sleeve on back
- Several interior pockets
Best Compact Travel Backpack – Athleta Excursion Backpack
This compact yet functional backpack is perfect for long days of travel as well as taking with you while out and about on vacation.
Features indclude:
- Several pockets for easily storing items
- Water bottle holder
- Adjustable straps
Best Travel Backpack for Cities – Troubadour Ki Backpack
Stay fashionable and organized with the Ki Backpack from Troubadour.
Features include:
- Made with waterproof fabric
- Hidden pockets for quick access to phone and accessories
- Laptop sleeve
- Ergonomic straps
Best Travel Backpack for Festivals – Fjällräven Kånken Water Resistant Backpack
The removable foam cushion-come-seat pad in this backpack will become your best friend while on the road. While you’re walking around with a full backpack, it offers extra padding, and when you need to sit, pull it out and put it down for extra comfort.
Features include:
- Adjustable straps
- Snap together carry handles
- Water-resistant
Best Travel Backpack for Hiking – Osprey Sirrus 24 Women’s Hiking Backpack
This lightweight backpack is perfect for whatever adventure comes your way. Fitted with the AirSpeed® ventilated suspension system, the weight of the backpack will melt off and keep it manageable.
Features include:
- Internal hydration reservoir sleeve with back panel hose port
- Compression straps
- Hipbelt
- Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment
Best Basic Travel Backpack Amazon Basics Carry-On Travel Backpack
This no-fuss backpack will provide everything you need for a basic travel bag. With plenty of pockets and comfort features, this may be all you need!
Features include:
- Compression straps
- ID pocket
- Padded shoulder straps
- Expandable
Best Anti-Theft Travel Backpack – Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45
You will relax knowing your items are safe in the Pacsafe Venturesafe backpack. The securable and puncture-resistant zippers can be locked with a padlock using a stainless steel cable,, and the fabric is cut-resistant, making it extra secure.
Features include:
- Shoulder and hip straps
- 6 pockets for easy organization
- 2 lockable main compartments
- 5-year warranty
Most Versatile Travel Backpack – Peak Design Travel Backpack
This backpack will fit the needs of whatever trip comes your way. It meets international carry-on guidelines and has compartments for all of your essentials.
Features include:
- Expandable side pockets
- Quick access pockets
- Made with weatherproof fabric
- Compatible with Peak’s travel cubes
Most Colorful Travel Backpack – Topo Designs Rover 20L Backpack
This backpack from Topo Designs is available in your typical black or grey, but also bright yellows, greens and blues, making it a fun statement piece.
Features include:
- Padded laptop sleeve for laptop up to 13-inches
- Side compression straps
- Adjustable side pocket
Best Oversized Travel Backpack – REI Co-op Ruckpack 60+
The roominess of the main 60L REI Co-Op Ruckpack one will probably be all you need, but it comes with an extra 20L daypack that can be attached to the larger bag, or simply packed to be used as a smaller bag while sightseeing.
Features include:
- Access port that can hold hydration port
- Raincover
- Hipbelt
- Lockable zippers
Best Overall Travel Backpack – CamelBak A.T.P. 26 Backpack
This backpack is made from 100% recycled re/cor CORDURA, so is not only sustainable but also insanely durable.
Features include:
- 15-inch removable laptop sleeve
- Large side pocket with key clip
- Luggage passthrough
- Deployable straps
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We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
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