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The 12 Best Travel Backpacks for Men & Women in 2024 [Detailed Guide]

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Amar Hussain
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Amar Hussain

Senior Content Contributor

754 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 63U.S. States Visited: 9

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications incl...
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Keri Stooksbury

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If you’re planning on traveling the world, your backpack will quickly become your best friend. You’ll get to love the way it feels, the space it offers, and even the way it smells.

It will carry your precious belongings from one location to another, you’ll rest your head on it at airports and bus stations around the world, and it will be with you every step of the way.

For these reasons, and many more besides, choosing the right backpack for your next big adventure is one of the most important travel decisions you’ll ever make.

Why Use a Backpack Over a Suitcase?

Travel Backpack vs Suitcase
Backpacks and suitcases both have their pros and cons. Image Credit: Amar Hussain

To clarify, suitcases are great. They’re rugged, reliable, and an excellent choice for single-destination travel where you can unload once and explore. With lots of lovely internal storage space, smooth-rolling wheels, and plenty of fun colors and designs to choose from, a suitcase is still a great way to take your belongings on vacation with you.

But, if you’re planning a trip with multiple stops, a backpack will serve you better.

With the flexibility to roll along the floor, or carry on your back, there’s literally nowhere your backpack can’t go with you. It can carry as much, if not more than your suitcase can, but will weigh significantly less. Small backpacks are perfect for urban exploration or short trips, while larger ones can contain gear for all sorts of adventures.

Sturdy, well-made, and full of hidden extras like daisy chains, mesh pockets, bottle holders, and so much more, your backpack offers enough space to hold everything you need for every kind of adventure.

Keep the suitcase for the city weekend break but grab your backpack when you have bigger plans to take on.

Bottom Line: Backpacks are more flexible and are allowed virtually everywhere. Not only do backpacks serve as great luggage, but they then can transition to a day pack for adventuring. 

Things To Consider With Travel Backpacks

Not all backpacks are made the same. It’s important to find one that fits your unique needs and has all the right extras to fit your travel plans. Before you buy, consider these things:

Size and Capacity

Travel Backpack Size
Travel backpacks come in a range of shapes and sizes. Image Credit: Amar Hussain

The right size backpack for you will come down to your personal preference and requirements. If you’re taking lots of gear with you and traveling to multiple destinations with differing weather, or if you just aren’t one to travel light, you’ll probably need to look at a 60-liter backpack or bigger to fit everything in.

A bigger backpack will need to be checked in when you fly, meaning you’ll be at the mercy of check-in gates and luggage carousels, so be sure you really need to take all that stuff before you commit to it.

Smaller backpacks, on the other hand, may not have the capacity to take the kitchen sink with you on your journey, but they can be used as cabin bags and are generally easier to travel around with when you get there.

Most 40-liter backpacks are carry-on sized while some 50-liter backpacks that don’t have a rigid frame may also be small enough to carry on.

Backpack capacities usually range from as little as 5 liters for daypacks, up to 30, 40, and 50 liters for cabin bags, and up to 60-, 70-, and even 85-liter monsters for longer adventures and real globetrotters.

Weight

Travel Backpack Weight
Travel backpacks are often lightweight. Image Credit: Amar Hussain

If you fill your backpack full of big pieces of gear like hiking boots, of course, it will be cumbersome to carry around with you. But, it’s not just the weight of the backpack when loaded that needs to be considered, as some makes and models can weigh a fair bit even without any gear.

Some bags are made of thick canvas and are constructed using heavy frames that will feel weighty even when empty. Most modern backpacks, however, are made from durable, lightweight materials that shouldn’t make your shoulders ache before you’ve even left the airport.

Hot Tip: As a general rule, a full backpack should weigh no more than 20% of your body weight, and an empty one will need to weigh just a small fraction of that.

Of course, feel free to throw that rule out the window if you feel comfortable carrying heavier loads. It’s entirely up to you!

Wheels vs. No Wheels 

Travel Backpack Wheels
Some backpacks have wheels as an optional way to transport. Image Credit: Amar Hussain

This is a common dilemma. To sum it up, here are some of the pros and cons of both wheeled and non-wheeled backpacks.

Wheeled Backpacks

  • The wheels and handles make it easy to lug a heavy load for long distances.
  • Unlike a suitcase with wheels, when the terrain gets tough, a backpack can be lifted and carried easily enough until it can be wheeled again.
  • Wheeled backpacks have come far in terms of design. Long gone are wonky wheels and lousy handling, as modern-day wheeled backpacks offer excellent maneuverability and are strong and stable on the majority of different terrains.

Non-Wheeled Backpacks

  • Traditional backpacks are lighter than their wheeled counterparts and are less boxy in their design.
  • Generally speaking, the back systems on non-wheeled backpacks offer better padding and are more adjustable than backpacks with wheels, where straps are seen as a secondary feature to wheels.
  • Regular backpacks can handle a good amount of being knocked about during transit. Wheels are more delicate and easily damaged.

If you do decide that you’d like to invest in a wheeled backpack, be sure that you choose one that has free-spinning wheels that are strong enough to roll for miles, as well as a sturdy handle that will take the weight while you pull your belongings along behind you.

Carry Options

Travel Backpack Straps
Backpacks have useful straps and handles to help carry the load. Image Credit: Amar Hussain

Even though backpacks are designed to be carried on your shoulders and back (the clue is in the name), they often have other useful straps and handles to help carry the load, including:

  • Shoulder Straps — These padded, adjustable straps are designed to keep your bag on your shoulders and are a key component of an effective backpack.
  • Grab Handles — If you’re lifting a heavy backpack off of the floor or hauling it from a luggage carousel, a grab handle will make it quick and easy. Located on the top or the side of the backpack, these should be strong and durable.
  • Sternum Straps — This strap helps to distribute the weight of the backpack and to prevent the straps from slipping off your shoulders as you move.
  • Stabilizer Straps —These are usually found connecting the top of the backpack to the shoulder straps. They’re there to help take the weight off of your shoulders by bringing the bag forward, bringing the center of the weight inward.

Access

Backpack access
Some backpacks open like a clamshell. Image Credit: Amar Hussain

For multi-stop travel, you’ll be loading and unloading your bag frequently. It’s important to choose a bag that makes it easy to locate the things you need. There are a variety of options out there, including:

Top Loader Backpacks

A great idea in theory, but in reality, they’re a pain! If you have a large capacity backpack, everything you put in it will sink to the bottom. So when you need to reach that all-important towel that’s lying beneath all of your clothing, you’ll have to take everything else out to get to it.

That said, top-loading backpacks do have their benefits. As they’re designed for long-distance hiking, they’re better equipped to distribute weight to your hips rather than your shoulders, making them easier to carry.

Top loaders are also usually taller and thinner, which means that they’re easier to walk through crowds with.

Front-Loading Backpacks

These backpacks function like a suitcase, meaning the front panel opens to allow you access to the internal storage space. Easy to pack, and easy to find your gear when you get there, these are the more popular option for casual backpackers and travelers.

That said, keep in mind that front-loading backpacks are generally heavier than their top-loading counterparts.

Having extensively used both types of backpacks, unless you’re going to be in a situation where you have to carry your backpack for long periods, we strongly recommend buying a front-loading backpack.

Water Resistance

Water resistant material
Backpacks are often made with water-resistant material. Image Credit: Amar Hussain

If you’re likely to experience rain on your trip, it’s worth getting a rain cover for your backpack.

Made from waterproof material, these can slip over your backpack to keep your belongings safe and dry on the inside, and just as crucially, stop the exterior of your backpack from becoming wet and heavy.

A wet backpack feels rotten to carry, and depending on where you are, you may not get the chance to dry it out properly. Be prepared and carry a rain cover just in case.

Material and Durability

Travel Backpack Material
Travel backpacks are made from durable materials. Image Credit: Amar Hussain

Most backpacks that are designed for real travelers will be made from tough, lightweight materials that will last you for years to come. Ripstop or ballistic nylon are popular choices as they offer extra protection against wear and tear.

Pack-cloth nylon, Cordura, or air-treated nylon are all lightweight and designed to be resistant to scratches and abrasions, while cotton canvas gives a vintage look and feel, but is heavier to carry. Canvas is also less water-resistant than nylon.

You should also look for sturdy, high-quality zippers, clasps, and buckles as you don’t want your backpack to fall open along the way.

Comfort

Osprey Materials
Some backpacks have a breathable back panel. Image Credit: Amar Hussain

All of the straps on your backpack should be soft against your skin. The hip belt and torso straps should include thick, comfortable, and supportive padding, which is often made with dual-density foam or EVA.

The shoulder straps should be contoured for more comfort and to help reduce muscle fatigue and aching.

Some backpacks will also have slightly curved backs or gaps in the padding to allow for airflow. This is especially important in hot countries where your back can get sweaty fairly fast.

Bottom Line: Think about how you travel and where you’re going when figuring out what backpack is right for you. Are you going whitewater rafting? Then a waterproof backpack is a must. Are you sightseeing in Paris? Then a small, secure, fashionable backpack would be ideal. 

Carry-On Backpacks or Checked Backpacks

Deciding whether to travel with a big backpack that needs checking, or to go without and rely on a smaller, cabin-sized backpack is an endless debate that rages on. In case you’re wondering which option is best, the simple answer is that there’s no right answer!

Be prepared to check your backpack if:

  • You’re taking sleeping bags or other camping equipment with you
  • You’re the type of person who needs to take a lot of things with you
  • You’re taking bulky items like heavy shoes or hiking, scuba, or surf gear with you
  • You’re going to be visiting somewhere really cold, where you’ll need extra layers, coats, and snow boots

While you may enjoy the fact that you have enough space to take all your favorite things away with you, remember that bulky baggage is heavier to carry and harder to stow.

You’ll also have to consider the costs. If you’re flying on a low-cost airline, it’s likely that checked baggage will cost you extra. If you’re flying with airlines where checked baggage is included anyway, it won’t make a difference to your bank balance.

Take a big bag by all means, but only if you really need it. If not, stick with something smaller.

Consider carry-on sized luggage if:

  • You only need to take lightweight clothing with you
  • Your travel plans involve lots of busy, urban environments and street walking
  • You’re likely to be taking a lot of flights from one destination to another
  • You’re a savvy packer who knows what’s important to bring and what you can do without

Cabin luggage is generally free, which makes leaving the airport quick and straightforward, and is small and light enough to not break your back when you walk from one destination to another. Need more stuff? Buy it when you get there, or find a creative way to go without it.

Hot Tip: Traveling with little ones? Check out our guide to the best travel backpacks for kids.

How To Wear a Backpack Properly

Travel Backpack Sternum Strap
Sternum straps help disperse the weight through your shoulders. Image Credit: Amar Hussain

Wearing a backpack properly is about so much more than just slinging it across your shoulders.

The most important part of your new backpack will be the hip belt, which helps to distribute the weight of your luggage evenly, and to a lesser extent, the sternum strap, which is designed to disperse the weight of the backpack through your shoulders and reduce motion.

While it may be a hefty piece of equipment, your backpack should still feel like a natural extension of your body. It should be comfortable to carry for long periods and not feel like it’s putting pressure on any one part of your body.

Travel Backpack Waist Pack
Hip belts help distribute weight and sometimes have handy pockets. Image Credit: Amar Hussain

The humble hip belt is vital to help distribute the weight and will take up to 80% of the load away from your back and shoulders, allowing your leg muscles to do a lot of the work.

To ensure that you’re wearing your backpack the right way, always be sure to:

  • Confirm that the hip belt is buckled and fastened just slightly above your hip bone.
  • Adjust the sternum strap vertically, so it sits across your chest. You should pull the shoulder straps closer together, but at the same time ensure that the shoulder straps aren’t pulling at your back.
  • Adjust the shoulder straps to ensure that your backpack sits flush against your back.
  • Tighten both the shoulder strap and the hip belt until you can physically feel the weight shift from your back to your hips.

Bottom Line: Never underestimate the power of the hip belt. Without it, your shoulders will be shot to pieces in no time at all. Get your hip belt sitting just right, and you can conquer the world with your backpack!

The 8 Best Carry-on-Sized Travel Backpacks

While these backpacks have been listed as carry-on sized, please check with your airline that they meet their requirements. Also, bear in mind that the 50-liter-sized bags below will only meet carry-on requirements if they aren’t completely full.

Check on Osprey

Osprey Packs Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack

Sizes: 40 L

Weight: 4.7 pounds

Perfect for a short break or a weekend away, the Farpoint 40 is just one of the many well-designed backpacks available from luggage leader Osprey. This particular model is available in checked luggage sizes of 55-, 70-, and 80-liters, although here we’ll focus on the smaller 40-liter model.

Made from high-quality ripstop nylon, the Farpoint has a large main compartment that opens up with wide a zip panel for easy packing. It also has a separate laptop and tablet sleeve in its own lockable compartment to keep your precious tech safe from would-be criminals.

Designed to be incredibly comfortable to carry, no matter how full of gear it gets, the Farpoint offers a stowaway back panel, harness, and a hip belt that can be used when you need to, and tucked out of sight when you don’t.

The 2 internal compression straps will also keep your belongings safely in one place while in transit, and ensure that you can squeeze as much gear in as you need to.

Designed to be carried like a backpack but packed like a suitcase, this strong and highly durable backpack is a solid favorite with travelers from all around the world. It also fits nicely with cabin carry-on regulations, making it the perfect backpack for fast, efficient air travel anywhere in the world.

What We Like

  • Comfortable sternum and hip strap

What We Don’t Like

  • Compression straps restrict usage of the water bottle pockets

2. Hard-wearing Travel System With Plenty of Extras

NOMATIC Water Resistant 40L Travel Bag

Size: 40 L

Weight: 4.05 pounds

This is more a full-service travel system than just a single backpack. It offers a variety of travel solutions to suit every type of traveler.

The NOMATIC travel bag combines all of the very best features from a backpack, duffel bag, and suitcase to create a single travel bag with over 20 features. With a sleek, minimalist design, this bag is made from strong weather-proof materials and is built to last.

Designed to fit the maximum size allowed on most airlines, you can easily fit this bag in the overhead compartment.

With a water pocket, an RFID-protected pocket, a shoe compartment, a padded laptop pocket, a cord organizer, and even a notebook pocket, you’ll be able to keep all of your belongings safe and secure as you travel.

With a 40-liter capacity, you can fit enough gear for a short break or long weekend, and also take your laptop with you. For extra convenience, the laptop compartment lays flat, so you can leave your laptop in the bag when passing through airport security checkpoints.

Made from 100% waterproof tarpaulin material, this backpack is rugged and durable on the outside and offers bonus accessories such as a dedicated laundry bag, detachable waist straps, and waterproof zipper coverings.

What We Like

  • Has an RFID-blocking compartment

What We Don’t Like

  • No side pocket to hold a water bottle

Osprey Packs Fairview 40 Women’s Travel Backpack

Sizes: 40 L

Weight: 3.16 pounds

Designed with the female frame in mind, the Osprey Fairview is available in 40-, 55-, and 70-liter capacities, but for this review, we’re focusing on the 40-liter version.

Unlike the unisex Farpoint, the Fairview offers a more female-specific fit, and the ergonomic shape will contour the body and be just as comfortable on long journeys as it is on short rides.

With a lightweight frame and compact dimensions that meet most airline carry-on regulations, this is a brilliant backpack for weekends away or short trips overseas.

With the patented LightWire frame suspension, the weight of the backpack rests on the hip belt, saving your shoulders from aches and pains after a day of exploring. With a back system that offers a stowable harness, yoke, and back panel, the Fairview is much more than just a good-looking backpack made for women.

The large zippered compartment is easy to access, making packing a simple task, and the cushioned carry handles mean you can either sling this over your back or carry it like a suitcase.

Inner compression straps are designed to help keep your belongings secure in transit, and the extra stash pockets are perfect for sunglasses, travel documents, and your water bottle.

There’s also a padded internal laptop sleeve, making this an excellent option for both business and leisure travelers alike. The entire suspension stows away under a zippered panel creating a sleek silhouette during transport.

What We Like

  • Zips open like a suitcase for easy packing

What We Don’t Like

  • Laptop compartment is not located at the back of the backpack

4. A Comfortable Carry for Women

Check on Walmart

Osprey Packs Aura AG 50 Women’s Backpacking Pack

Sizes: 50 L

Weight: 4.1 pounds

The Aura AG is one of the best-fitting women’s backpacks available today, and it lives up to the hype. Available in both 50- and 65-liter capacities, you’ll be able to carry everything you need in comfort, however far you’re traveling.

Equipped with Osprey’s unique AntiGravity back system with its fully-ventilated hip belt, this backpack is an incredibly comfortable carry regardless of the terrain you’re covering.

Perfect for warmer climates, the ventilation system will prevent you from sweating and add even more excellence to the Aura’s all-around load carrying experience.

The ExoForm Biostretch harness and the Fit-on-the-Fly hip belt provide outstanding load support and help to reduce strain on your shoulders and back, meaning you can carry heavy loads for longer.

Designed to fit the female form perfectly, this is a backpack that has been designed for women who don’t want to do anything by half.

This backpack is a top loader, but it’s also hydration bladder-compatible. It also has a sleeping bag compartment in the base. If you aren’t traveling with a sleeping bag you effectively have 2 compartments, making it even easier to pack and unpack.

Finally, it comes with the patented Osprey Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachments that allow you to stow and access poles without having to remove your backpack.

What We Like

  • Has an internal compartment for a hydration reservoir

What We Don’t Like

  • Main compartment is only accessible from the top

5. A Bestseller That Offers Plenty of Practical Space

Kelty Redwing 50L Backpack

Size: 50 L

Weight: 3.0 pounds

As one of the best-selling backpacks from the popular Kelty brand, the Redwing 50L offers exceptional load carrying capabilities for an affordable price.

The hybrid loading U-zipper is designed to work as both a “top loader” and a “panel loader,” meaning that you always have easy access to all of your gear.

This backpack also offers zippered side and stash pockets for holding everyday essentials, and the large front pocket provides additional organizational space. The backpack even has a laptop pocket that’s padded and secure.

When it comes to carrying, the LightBeam single aluminum stay and Dynamic AirFlow back panel keep your load stable and comfortable. The Airflow back panel will keep you sweat-free, while the Air Mesh on the shoulder straps, dual-density foam waist belt, and lumbar pad will keep you comfortable regardless of where you’re walking.

Designed for those who love the great outdoors, the Kelty Redwing also comes complete with its very own hydration-compatible design, although the hydration pack is sold separately. For shorter trips out, there’s a water bottle pocket on the side for storing your hydration.

What We Like

  • Useful external pockets for quick access to personal items

What We Don’t Like

  • Back panel and shoulder strap mesh can rub on exposed skin

6. 2 Packs in 1 From Deuter

Deuter Transit 50 Travel Backpack with Removable Daypack

Size 65 L

Weight 5.1 pounds

Deuter’s 65L Transit backpack is a comfortable size to carry on your back while being big enough to hold everything you need for a trip away.

Made from 600d Polytex, the PU coating adds water and abrasion resistance to ensure that this backpack can handle the knocks and scrapes of long-distance travel.

Designed for fast and easy access, the 65-liter main compartment has a U-shaped zippered front panel. This pack also has a separate bottom compartment for heavy items like shoes or to keep dirty laundry separate.

One of the biggest selling points of this particular model is the detachable daypack that can be used for day trips when you reach your destination, or for keeping your wallet, travel documents, and cell within easy reach.

Lightweight and easy to carry, the Transit 65L has a padded removable carry strap, 2 sturdy grab handles, and a breathable padded shoulder harness that offers extra stability and improved comfort on longer journeys.

The VariQuick adjustable shoulder harness has a zip-up cover panel to keep straps and buckles out of the way when stowed.

What We Like

  • Has a removable daypack to use on location

What We Don’t Like

  • Too large to use as carry-on

7. The Low-cost Carry-on Backpack

Cabin Max Madrid Backpack Flight Approved Carry-On Bag

Size: 44 L

Weight: 1.54 pounds

The Cabin Max Metz Backpack is designed to meet the regulations for approved hand luggage on most major carriers. This means you can take your gear with you without having to worry about check-in desks and luggage carousels.

Made from high-strength composite nylon, this useful cabin bag features a main zippered compartment that will hold your clothes and personal belongings and also has some smaller compartments for keeping your valuable items safe.

When it comes to carrying, it couldn’t be easier. With padded, adjustable shoulder straps, you can wear this on your back for the duration of your journey or flip it around to use the carrying handles if that suits you better.

One of the biggest selling points for this particular model is its lightweight, yet durable construction. A very capable little backpack, this is a great budget alternative to other carry-on-sized backpacks from bigger brands.

What We Like

  • Opens fully like a suitcase

What We Don’t Like

  • No sternum strap to distribute weight

8. Lightweight and Practical Backpack by Haynes Eagle

Check on Walmart

Hynes Eagle Travel Backpack 40L

Size: 40 L

Weight: 2.45 pounds

Made by the popular luggage brand Haynes Eagle, this backpack offers 40L of useable luggage space, as well as high-quality construction and smart storage solutions that the brand is so famous for.

With 3 carrying options and 2 travel modes, you can wear this on your back or carry it in your hands as a good-size backpack or as a suitcase.

The interior space offers plenty of well-thought-out solutions to keep your belongings secure, including 4 exterior compression straps to stop unwanted movement while in transit and a padded laptop and tablet sleeve to keep your devices extra secure.

There are also interior and exterior slot pockets that can be used for keeping your wallet, cell phone, boarding pass, and passport safe while you’re on the move.

The contoured shoulder straps can be hidden away when you no longer need to use them, and the padded air mesh construction makes them super comfortable when you do. The adjustable sternum strap also helps to transfer the weight from your shoulders and keep your backpack upright for longer.

What We Like

  • Easy to store shoulder straps

What We Don’t Like

  • Zippers can get stuck

The 4 Best Checked Luggage-sized Travel Backpacks

1. A Great Quality Budget Backpack With Removable Daypack

Mountain Warehouse Carrion 65L Rucksack

Size: 65 L

For travelers who don’t want to be held back by bulky luggage, this is the perfect combination of a spacious backpack and a useful daypack. Perfect for long trips overseas, both packs are made from robust and durable material and are designed with comfort and strength in mind.

To avoid pain and stress on the back and shoulders while on the move, this backpack offers adjustable back and shoulder straps to help you find the optimum position for comfort and load-bearing.

The chest and hip straps also help to stabilize the bag and distribute the weight evenly, making it a comfortable carry from the word go.

For fast access to everyday essentials, there are a variety of pockets to choose from, and the rain and flight cover will help to protect your bag from inclement weather or damage in transit.

The 20L daypack is just the right size for taking with you on excursions, while the main body of the backpack can remain safe and secure back at your accommodation. Offering the best of both worlds, this is a great combination backpack for overseas adventurers.

What We Like

  • Comes with a detachable daypack

What We Don’t Like

  • No small pockets on the main backpack

2. A Giant Duffel and Backpack Combo From Osprey

Osprey Packs Transporter 65 Expedition Duffel

Sizes: 65 L

Weight: 3.1 pounds

Bigger is better with this spacious duffel that doubles up as a backpack. Made from water-resistant, high-grade material, this duffel is rugged and dependable.

With a contoured harness and yoke integrated into the fabric of the duffel, you can comfortably wear this on your back for as long as you want to. When you prefer to carry it by the handles, the back piece simply stows away out of sight.

Because this bag is designed for use in any terrain, the main compartment comes complete with a weather-protected main zipper with overlapping rain flaps to help keep your belongings protected from inclement weather.

The dual-zippered 3D end pockets are perfect for quickly grabbing your passport, phone, wallet, or other everyday items, while the large U-zip opening in the main compartment makes it super-easy to pack as much as you need to.

For trips where you do need to take lots of gear, there are 8 side-panel and 4 lower web lashing points that let you attach even more to this clever duffel bag with impressive backpack capabilities.

What We Like

  • Wear as a backpack or carry as a messenger bag

What We Don’t Like

  • No laptop compartment

3. A Multi-use Backpack for Travel and Hiking

Check on Gregory

Gregory Mountain Products Women’s Amber 55 Backpack

Size: 55 L

Weight: 3.1 pounds

Large enough to hold all the gear you need for a weekend away or a short break, the Amber 55 backpack is not just sizable; it’s also incredibly lightweight, too.

This backpack is made from high-quality, lightweight nylon with polyester and the VersaFit adjustable torso length creates a customizable fit for your height.

Perfect for a variety of trips, the wishbone alloy frame creates a stable structure, making it incredibly comfortable to carry even as you add more weight. The load weight will be transferred from your back and shoulders down to the lumbar pad and hips.

For your carrying comfort, the 3D foam breathable back panel allows airflow across the back, preventing sweat patches in all conditions and climates.

The top opening access to the main compartment is easy for packing and unloading while the quick-access waistbelt pockets and the front buckle pocket are perfect for stowing your passport, wallet, cell phone, and other travel essentials.

Compression straps are also included to keep your belongings secure and the backpack stable. This is a great travel backpack that can also be used for multi-day hikes.

What We Like

  • Separate bottom compartment for a sleeping bag or shoes

What We Don’t Like

  • Nowhere to neatly store excess straps

4. A Globetrotting Backpack With Innovative Extras

Osprey Men’s Atmos 65 AG Backpacks

Size: 65 L

Weight: 3.0 pounds

The Atmos AG backpack from Osprey is a brand-leading backpack that comes in both 50- and 65-liter capacities.

Based on the patented Osprey Anti-Gravity suspension system, this backpack promises to deliver outstanding ventilation and carrying comfort, all around the world. The Atmos also offers a revolutionary integrated FlapJacket that will help to protect your gear from the elements.

This backpack is so exciting it has even won awards, which cements its reputation as one of the best in the business. It has a seamless back panel made from lightweight mesh and Fit-on-the-Fly hip belt pads that can accommodate different hip sizes to provide a truly custom fit.

The structure of the backpack contours automatically to your body, providing outstanding fit and unrestricted movement, while the adjustable harness allows for custom adjustments using the easy-release cams behind the harness yoke.

With a floating top lid, you can quickly load and unload the Atmos, while the dual-zippered front panel pockets are perfect for storing items that you need superfast access to.

The external compression straps are there to help stabilize the load and act as extra gear carry straps, while the internal straps will keep your luggage in 1 place while you’re on the go.

What We Like

  • Anti-gravity suspension for comfortable carrying

What We Don’t Like

  • Hip strap pockets can be difficult to access 1-handed

Final Thoughts

Wherever you’re headed, and however much you’re planning to take with you, there’s a backpack to suit.

Choose quality and practicality over looks, gadgets, and gizmos, and you’ll quickly find your travel backpack becomes a much-loved travel companion in its own right.

Remember to go for a front-loading backpack if you can and carry the weight on your hips rather than your shoulders!


Looking for reviews on other types of travel bags & products to up your game? Check out these articles:

Frequently Asked Questions

What backpacks are good for traveling?

While there are many great backpack brands out there, the most important feature of a backpack is how it opens. A clamshell-style opening or one that zips open like a regular suitcase are the best and most practical types of backpack. The Osprey Farpoint or Osprey Fairview are great examples of these types of backpacks.

Can you carry-on a travel backpack?

Travel backpacks can be taken on as a carry-on provided they meet the measurement restrictions imposed by the airline that you are flying with. Most 40- or 45-liter backpacks have been designed to meet the majority of airline requirements, but it is best to check before you fly.

What size backpack should I take traveling?

The size of the backpack you take traveling comes down to personal preference and the type of gear you will need when you travel. For short trips or a 1-week vacation, a 40-liter backpack will do just fine. If you are going for longer or like to pack more outfits, 50 to 60 liters will be what you need. For longer trips, or if you need to take cold-weather gear or diving gear, consider 70- to 80-liter capacity backpacks.

How big of a backpack do I need for 2 weeks?

The right size backpack for you will come down to your personal preference and requirements. If you’re taking lots of gear with you and traveling to multiple destinations with differing weather or if you just aren’t one to travel light, you’ll probably need to look at a 60-liter backpack or larger to fit everything in.

Why use a backpack over a suitcase?

With the flexibility to roll along the floor, or carry on your back, there’s literally nowhere your backpack can’t go with you. It can carry as much, if not more than your suitcase can but will weigh significantly less. Small backpacks are perfect for urban exploration or short trips, while larger ones can contain gear for all sorts of adventures.

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About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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