A travel backpack can make it easy for you to commute and travel. Designed to be easy to carry and comfortable, you can have all your essentials within reach without any hassle. A travel backpack is also a great choice for those who want to save money on luggage fees when travelling by air.
But with many options available on the market, how do you know which travel backpack is the right one for you? To find the best one, look for features like durability, comfort, and organisation.
A high-quality travel backpack should be able to withstand the rigours of travelling. Moreover, it should be comfy enough to wear for extended periods without causing any discomfort. Additionally, having proper organisation features such as multiple compartments and pockets can make packing and accessing your belongings much easier.
The team at Finder has rounded up the 11 best travel backpacks that meet these criteria and are perfect for all your travel needs. We considered key product features and customer reviews to bring you the best options for any needs.
Our pick for the best overall travel backpack is the Osprey Fairview, which has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Designed to be lightweight yet spacious, the Fairview 40 is perfect for both city breaks and lightweight adventures. The large panel zip access to the main compartment allows easy packing and unpacking, while lockable sliders on the main compartment zipper ensure your belongings stay secure.
The dual front compression straps help to keep the pack compact and stable while also providing external attachment points for extra gear. There's also the added convenience of a large front shove-it pocket, perfect for stashing items you need quick access to.
For those who like to stay organised while on the go, the Fairview 40 has an external zip toiletry pocket and internal compression straps to keep your belongings secure and in place. However, some users didn't like that these internal straps were a bit cumbersome.
For the best carry-on travel backpack, our team recommends Samsonite's Xenon 3.0 Checkpoint Friendly Medium Backpack. It has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
The Xenon 3.0 is designed for durability and offers protection for your laptop with its built-in padded compartment. It also features a quick stash pocket for small items like sunglasses and personal electronics, making it easy to access while on the go.
For added convenience, it has a top carry handle with a neoprene padded grip and a smart sleeve feature that allows the backpack to slide over the handle of your luggage for easy transport.
Plus, the back has air mesh padding and lumbar support for comfort during long trips. The main compartment offers ample storage space and is well-organised for business needs.
However, some users may find this backpack a bit heavy when fully packed. It also lacks water bottle pockets, which may be a downside for some travellers.
With a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon, we picked the JanSport Driver 8 Core Series Wheeled Backpack as the best option with wheels.
This rugged, wheeled pack is big on space and versatility, making it perfect for travellers needing a backpack and a rolling carry-on. The tucked-away shoulder straps allow you to convert the bag into a backpack when needed easily.
The JanSport Driver 8 features two large main compartments, a padded sleeve for laptops up to 15 inches, and various organisational pockets, including a front utility pocket, front stash pocket, and side water bottle pocket.
Customers rave about its fully padded back panel, retractable two-stage handle, and 80-millimetre inline skate wheels, providing stable and controlled motion. With a capacity of 2,175 cubic inches and weighing only five pounds, this bag is perfect for long trips or daily commuting.
However, some users have noted that the Driver 8 can be cumbersome to lift, especially into fully packed overhead bins. Additionally, the position of the straps when the bag is rolled can sometimes catch on uneven surfaces.
Our picked or the best camera travel backpack is the Endurax Large Camera Backpack. It has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
With its extra large capacity, it can fit two pro-sized mirrorless cameras, 6-8 lenses, 2-3 flashes and tons of small pockets for organising photography equipment. This makes it the perfect backpack for professional photographers carrying many gear.
For protection, it has a PVA front armoured panel in both the upper and lower compartments. This provides extraordinary protection for your valuable gear, ensuring they stay safe even in rugged outdoor use.
Thus, the backpack also has space for other essentials such as a 17" laptop, a 10" tablet, water bottles or tripods. It even has a flip pocket designed for photography or drone tools and accessories.
But due to its large size designed to carry considerable amounts of equipment, it's not the most lightweight option. It also doesn't have a rain cover included, but you can purchase one separately to ensure your gear stays dry in wet weather conditions.
For men, we recommend Osprey Atmos AG 65 Men's Backpacking Backpack as the best travel backpack available online. It has a rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
The Atmos AG 65 backpack is designed with the utmost comfort and convenience in mind. It features a Fit-on-the-Fly harness and hip belt that can be easily adjusted for a perfect fit. This system seamlessly extends the tensioned back panel into the hip belt, providing lightweight support and optimum weight distribution.
Customers are impressed by its large capacity and durable design, making it perfect for long trips and heavy loads. The curved zip access on each side panel, floating top lid with lash points, and fabric-reinforced front shove-it pocket allow for easy-access storage of all your essentials.
The backpack also has a zippered sleeping bag compartment with a removable divider and removable sleeping pad straps, keeping your sleep system secure while on the move. However, it doesn't come with a hydration reservoir sleeve, which you need to buy separately.
With a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon, our team has chosen the PacSafe Vibe 25L Anti-Theft Backpack as the best anti-theft option.
This backpack is not only lockable and cut-resistant, but it also has multiple compartments for easy organisation. The patented Pacsafe design makes it nearly impossible for thieves to access your belongings, giving you peace of mind while travelling.
The detachable shoulder strap buckle even allows you to lock the bag to a fixture for extra security. This is especially useful when on vacation or international travel. Plus, with the padded and adjustable shoulder straps, sternum straps, and waist straps, this backpack is incredibly comfortable to wear for extended periods.
However, it only has a 25L capacity, so it may not be suitable for longer trips. One user also said it's pretty heavy, but this seems to be an isolated concern.
The Asenlin 40L Travel Backpack is our pick for the best affordable travel backpack, earning an impressive rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Perfect for all types of travel, this backpack has multiple storage compartments to keep your belongings well-organized and secure while on the go. It's also suitable for both men and women, making it a versatile option for all travellers.
Made with high-quality, water-resistant polyester Oxford cloth material and "explosion-proof zippers", this backpack is built to withstand tough travel conditions and keep your valuables safe and sound.
Customers said it's comfortable to wear and praised the backpack's spacious dimensions, which can hold a large laptop up to 17 inches in its special pocket. However, some found the fabric a little flimsy and suggested using a rain cover in extreme weather conditions.
For business, we picked the Samsonite Kombi Business as the best option. On Amazon, it has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
Constructed of rugged ballistic nylon with genuine leather details, this backpack is designed to withstand the wear and tear of everyday use. It is suitable for professionals who are always on the go, as it features performance mesh shoulder pads and an air mesh padded back to ensure comfort even when carrying heavy loads.
To protect your laptop, the backpack has a padded laptop compartment that can fit up to a 15.6" laptop. It also has a smart sleeve that slides over upright handles, making it convenient for travel.
There is also a key fob to keep your keys easily accessible and multiple pockets for all your essentials. However, the design is a bit plain-looking. Some also wish it had more organisation features.
The Vaschy Kids Backpack is our top choice for kids, earning a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
This model has various design options and is perfect for kids aged 2-6. It also has a decent 11.5L capacity to fit all their essentials for a day out. The main compartment is spacious enough to fit an A4 tablet, activity books, and other small items, such as a lunch bag or water bottle. The backpack also features side pockets for extra storage and easy access to snacks or toys.
This backpack is also lightweight and water-resistant. Plus, the adjustable padded shoulder straps provide comfort and support, while the chest strap helps stabilise the load for better comfort.
It's worth mentioning that this isn't the most durable backpack on the market, but it's perfect for toddlers and young kids who are just starting to carry their own belongings.
The Pacsafe Women's Citysafe CX is what we'd recommend as the travel backpack for petite women. It has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
The bag includes a cut-resistant anchor strap that can be secured around a fixed object to keep your bag from being snatched away. It also features an RFID-blocking pocket to protect your credit cards and passport from unauthorised scans. This is especially useful when travelling in crowded areas or using public transportation.
It can also fit a 16-inch MacBook Pro in a padded sleeve for added protection. And for those who like to keep their belongings organised, the Citysafe CX has multiple internal pockets and a phone pocket for easy access to your essentials. However, the opening is pretty small, so packing and unpacking may require some maneuvering. Some also found the straps way too long for petite frames.
With a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon, the Breakwater Supply 100% Waterproof Submersible Backpack is our pick for those looking for a waterproof travel backpack.
Featuring a sleek and modern design, this model is stylish and highly functional for outdoor activities. Its main compartment and front pocket are designed to be airtight and 100% waterproof, so your belongings stay dry even in the wettest conditions.
Numerous users are impressed by the backpack's durability, with its welded seams and drysuit-grade airtight zippers. The backpack can also float, making it a reliable choice for water-based activities such as kayaking, boating or fishing.
The shoulder straps are padded for extra comfort, and the back panel is designed to promote ventilation, keeping you cool and dry even on long hikes or bike rides.
But note that it's pretty pricey at over $400. Some also didn't like that it only has one extra pocket and lacks organisational features.
Grab up to 40% discount and FREE delivery on select luggage and duffel bags from top brands such as Samsonite, Wanderlite, American Tourister, Rockland and more at Amazon. While stocks last. T&Cs, exclusions apply.
Get up to 80% discount on luggages, packing cubes, storage bags, carry-on backpacks, duffel bags and other travel accessories on sale at Temu. While stocks last. T&Cs, exclusions apply.
Amazon prices last updated on 5 May, 2024 at 02:03 ameBay prices last updated on 5 May, 2024 at 06:13 amThe Iconic prices last updated on 4 May, 2024
Methodology
26 Brands considered
100+ Products compared
11 Best products chosen
Why you can trust our picks
We considered the following travel backpack brands:
Amazon Basics
Asenlin
Bellroy
BOPAI
Eagle Creek
Earth Pak
Everki
High Sierra
Himawari
Hynes Eagle
JanSport
Kenneth Cole
Kopack
Kroser
Lowepro
Matein
Ogio
Osprey
Pacsafe
Samsonite
Skechers
Sterkmann
Thule
Under Armour
Vaschy
ZOMAKE
For this list, we carefully picked products with the highest customer ratings on Amazon. We ended up with over a hundred travel backpacks to compare.
We then researched each product and its features. We also considered ratings and customer reviews on Amazon. We came up with what we believe are the 11 best travel backpacks available online.
Frequently asked questions
The ideal size of your travel backpack depends on the length of your trip and what you'll need to pack. For short trips, a backpack between 20-30 litres might suffice. For longer journeys, consider 40-65 litres, especially if you're carrying clothing for different climates or special gear.
Many travel backpacks are designed to comply with carry-on luggage size restrictions, typically around 22 x 14 x 9 inches. However, you should always check with your specific airline for their guidelines before purchasing.
Not all travel backpacks are waterproof, but many are water-resistant. It's important to check product specifications for the level of water protection. For added security, consider a backpack cover for heavy downpours.
Why you can trust Finder Shopping best guides
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We assess hundreds of products for each guide to ensure you're getting a full overview of the market. All guides are regularly reviewed and fact-checked.
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Ericka Pingol is a writer for Finder specialising in reviews. She has previously written articles about property investment, finances, and health. She’s a huge fan of Tina Fey, bubble teas and dogs. Ericka has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of the East, Manila and is currently writing her thesis for a Master’s degree in Communication
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