Best Travel Backpacks of 2026
Updated:
May 14, 2026Table of contents
Perhaps no piece of travel gear is more versatile than your backpack. It’s your close-at-hand lifeline while you’re on the go, carrying everything from gadgets and important documents to spare clothes and snacks. Choosing the right pack might seem more convoluted than planning an open-jaw flight, but there are plenty of great options out there, and we’re here to help. Our team of experts has thoroughly tested, compared, and rated every pack in this guide to bring you the best models on the market in 2026.
Travel Backpack Superlatives
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L ($230)
REI Co-op Ruckpack 30 ($109)
Osprey Farpoint 40 ($200)
Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L ($300)
Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L ($239)
Aer Travel Pack 3 ($249)
Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 30L ($199)
Our Travel Backpack Picks
The Allpa’s fun colors might catch your eye, but behind its looks is a smartly designed travel pack that can handle heavy loads and withstand lots of use. While its straightforward organizational layout works well for most, some users might prefer a more comprehensive setup, though.
The Allpa’s fun colors might catch your eye, but behind its looks is a smartly designed travel pack that can handle heavy loads and withstand lots of use. While its straightforward organizational layout works well for most, some users might prefer a more comprehensive setup, though.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Durability
Water Resistance
Weight & Size
Sustainability
Capacities
35L (28, 42L)
Fabric(s)
840D nylon, TPU coated
Hipbelt
Yes
Laptop Sleeve
Yes (15 in.)
Exterior Pockets
4
Weight
2 lb. 15 oz.
Pros
Cons
The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack proves that sometimes, less is more (its flashy colorways notwithstanding). This pack’s layout is relatively straightforward: A single clamshell opening accesses the main compartment, which is roomy enough for a medium and small packing cube plus a pair of shoes. The compartment also features medium and small zippered pockets, perfect for stashing a bulky sweater and extra charging cables. Outside, you’ll find a quick-access top pocket for small essentials, and a larger, U-shaped pocket with a key clip and a zippered mesh sleeve. A side-access laptop sleeve with a divider fits a 15-inch computer. Rounding out its storage is an elastic mesh water bottle sleeve. Our tester found the Allpa’s organization to be just right compared to more pocket- and sleeve-heavy packs like the Patagonia Black Hole, which she thought a bit overwhelming.
With its boxy appearance, it might seem like the Allpa would be uncomfortable to carry. But thanks to its padded mesh shoulder straps, comfy backpanel, and hipbelt, our tester carried over 20 pounds without complaint. Though the pack can bulge outwards (placing heavier items closer to your back promotes a more natural center of gravity), there’s also an adjustable sternum strap to aid in weight distribution. As someone with a small frame who often feels weighed down by travel packs, our tester found the Allpa’s superb carry comfort to be a major highlight. When off your body, the shoulder straps and hipbelt tuck away neatly for a compact profile, and three haul handles—top, bottom, and side—allow easy grabbing from multiple angles.
Sticking with the exterior, the Allpa boasts 840-denier, TPU-coated nylon that’s among the thickest and most weather-resistant fabrics we’ve seen in this category. (Plus, a ripstop polyester liner adds an extra layer of defense.) On a six-day trip to Norway, it kept our tester’s gear and clothes safe throughout. Once at the airport, she even checked the pack with her computer and tablet inside, and both arrived unscathed. All in all, the Allpa is a refined, burly travel pack that’s comfortable to carry and easy to use. Wherever your travel plans take you, it should serve as a dependable companion, even if your bank account may not love a price tag that’s well above $200. For more, read our Allpa 35L review.
A hybrid between a travel pack and a hiking pack, the Ruckpack is designed to take you seamlessly from skyscrapers to summits. Our testers praised its comfort, adaptability, and value, but a few awkward design choices prevented it from competing for a top spot.
A hybrid between a travel pack and a hiking pack, the Ruckpack is designed to take you seamlessly from skyscrapers to summits. Our testers praised its comfort, adaptability, and value, but a few awkward design choices prevented it from competing for a top spot.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Durability
Water Resistance
Weight & Size
Sustainability
Capacities
30L (18, 40L)
Fabric(s)
400D nylon
Hipbelt
Yes
Laptop Sleeve
Yes (15 in.)
Exterior Pockets
4
Weight
1 lb. 13 oz.
Pros
Cons
At first glance, you might mistake the Ruckpack for a hiking daypack, and you wouldn’t be far off. Unlike many travel packs we’ve tested, this one actually performs well in the woods. Its laptop sleeve, which fits computers up to 15 inches, doubles as a water reservoir compartment (it has a hose port at the top), and the exterior has attachment points to hold trekking poles, both uncommon features in this category. In terms of comfort, the padded straps sat well on our tester’s shoulders, and the ribbed foam backpanel provided impressive ventilation for a travel pack. On the trail, the Ruckpack handled heavy loads with ease. With 25 pounds of gear strapped to his back, our tester crushed three hikes totaling 10 miles, and never complained about shoulder or back fatigue. The pack hugged his body well, and its sternum strap and removable hipbelt kept the weight from sitting directly on his traps.
The Ruckpack is more than a one-trick pony, though. It features a bucket-style opening with a U-shaped zipper for loading, plus a mesh pocket inside. On its exterior are simple top and side pockets for small items (the former includes a key clip), two water bottle sleeves, and an extra side zipper that grants direct access to your computer. That said, we have a few qualms with the Ruckpack’s design. We missed having a dorsal pocket, which would make it easier to store items like books, maps, or boarding passes. When full, the side pocket eats into the usable space of one of the water bottle sleeves, making it hard to fit anything wider than a standard plastic water bottle. And reaching your laptop can be a pain—items in the main compartment block access from the top, while using the side zipper requires unclipping the compression straps first.
One nice bonus that is a rarity in this category: You don’t need to worry about your things getting wet, as the Ruckpack’s side pocket hides an included PU-coated raincover. Its shell and lining also feature DWR treatment for additional water resistance. These additions, combined with its serviceable 400-denier nylon build, help the pack shrug off unexpected rainstorms as well as minor bumps and bruises. Finally, as with many REI-branded products, its $109 cost is friendly on the wallet—and you get impressive hybrid performance to boot. All in all, the Ruckpack is a solid, versatile pack that transitions smoothly from paved streets to dirt trails, for far less than most other travel backpacks. For more, read our review of the Ruckpack 30.
With its robust harness and internal frame, the Farpoint carries loads and covers distances most competitors can’t match. But while it excels in comfort, this pack’s organization falls short, and its build quality is merely average.
With its robust harness and internal frame, the Farpoint carries loads and covers distances most competitors can’t match. But while it excels in comfort, this pack’s organization falls short, and its build quality is merely average.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Durability
Water Resistance
Weight & Size
Sustainability
Capacities
40L (50, 75L)
Fabric(s)
450D polyester
Hipbelt
Yes
Laptop Sleeve
Yes (16 in.)
Exterior Pockets
4
Weight
3 lb. 6.4 oz.
Pros
Cons
It’s understandable if you initially mistake the Farpoint (women’s Fairview) for a backpacking pack. After all, Osprey is one of the leaders in the space, and the Farpoint borrows several design cues from its backcountry cousins. Chief among them is its impressive suspension, which consists of a metal perimeter frame and a framesheet, as well as load lifters and a sternum strap. The Farpoint also has a substantial hipbelt (it has an elastic pocket on the left wing) and shoulder straps, both thickly padded, as well as an adjustable torso length that promotes a dialed fit. Altogether, the design results in a pack that can haul loads most competitors can’t touch. Our tester praised how well the Farpoint hugged his body, and on several 4- to 6-mile hikes, he never experienced pain or discomfort while carrying over 25 pounds. Even the ribbed mesh backpanel kept his back from getting overly sweaty.
In contrast to its robust carry design, though, the Farpoint’s organization is more minimal. There’s a back shove-it pocket for quick access to a jacket or snacks, a small top pocket for phone-sized items, and a 16-inch laptop compartment. Inside is the spacious main space (which has two compression straps) and a large mesh pocket. While our tester mostly appreciated this uncluttered layout, his biggest gripe was the lack of a water bottle sleeve—a surprising omission for a pack built for long hauls. Durability is mediocre as well. While the Farpoint feels solid in hand, its 450-denier, DWR-treated polyester falls short of competitors like the Cotopaxi Allpa, which uses thicker fabrics and additional coatings for better protection. And although external compression straps help slim its profile, this pack’s rigid body and bulk make it more difficult to squeeze into tight corners.
Similar to the Topo Designs Global, the Farpoint has external straps that can thread through sleeves on Osprey daypacks for a modular carry system. Attachment loops let you lash on extra gear, and an ID slot provides a spot for your contact info in case you misplace the pack. And when it’s time to take the Farpoint off, you can stow the shoulder straps and hipbelt for a clean silhouette. This isn’t the sleekest, toughest, or most organized pack out there, but when it comes to carrying comfort and pure brawn, the Farpoint is a workhorse built for travelers who load up and go the distance. Plus, at $200, its performance might even punch above its price. For more, read our Farpoint 40 review.
The aptly named Travel Backpack is the ultimate adventure companion, designed with our favorite organizational layout and plenty of other features to help make your journey as smooth as possible. Its bulkiness and middling durability (not to mention its price) may be turnoffs for some, but its performance on the go is top-notch.
The aptly named Travel Backpack is the ultimate adventure companion, designed with our favorite organizational layout and plenty of other features to help make your journey as smooth as possible. Its bulkiness and middling durability (not to mention its price) may be turnoffs for some, but its performance on the go is top-notch.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Durability
Water Resistance
Weight & Size
Sustainability
Capacities
45L (30L)
Fabric(s)
400D nylon
Hipbelt
Yes
Laptop Sleeve
Yes (16 in.)
Exterior Pockets
5
Weight
3 lb. 8 oz.
Pros
Cons
Peak Design is best known for its photography gear, and the Travel Backpack benefits from the brand’s knowledge of how to ensure all your items are in the right place and easily accessible. Out of all the travel packs we’ve tested so far, this one’s organization stands out. Our tester easily fit 21- and 13-liter packing cubes along with a toiletries bag inside its main compartment, which he accessed through its suitcase-like clamshell opening and two side zippers. The large dorsal pocket includes several organizational sleeves on the lid side for travel essentials like his sunglasses, while the opposite panel acts as a divider that can fully unzip for an extra spacious main compartment. Two side sleeves securely hold bottles, and also house hidden zippers to quickly stash your phone or passport. Finally, there’s a small stash pocket near the top and a 16-inch compatible laptop compartment with a tablet divider.
Given that you’ll be storing a lot in it, we appreciate that the Travel Backpack includes several security features. Its back pocket zippers fit through a loop to prevent popping open, the main compartment zipper pulls can be unfastened and interlocked, and the side zippers lock closed when connected to toggles inside. There’s also an ID slot for your contact information, should you misplace your pack. We also like that the pack’s capacity is adjustable—unzip the side expanders to make the most of its 45-liter volume, or snap together the top compression clips for a 30-liter daypack. The Travel Pack’s most clever feature, though, is that the shoulder straps and padded hipbelt can seamlessly fold behind the backpanel. You can quickly throw it in an overhead compartment or car trunk without risk of snagging, while a host of external grab handles will make the job even easier.
The Travel Backpack’s shoulder straps aren’t very padded, and its backpanel is not as ergonomic or breathable as in models like the Osprey Farpoint. Still, it handles heavy loads better than most, thanks to its sturdier-than-usual hipbelt (the left side features a small pocket) and sternum strap. Our tester only experienced mild soreness after a 6.5-mile haul deep in the San Gabriel Mountains carrying 30 pounds. On the other hand, the Travel Backpack’s 400-denier nylon shell is too thin for our liking. To its credit, the base is reinforced with a double PU-coated 900-denier waterproof liner, but overall durability is disappointing for the most expensive model we’ve tested so far. These quibbles are easier to excuse with everything else this pack offers, though. If you’re undeterred by its $300 cost, the Travel Backpack is a smartly designed winner. For more, read our Travel Backpack 45L review.
The spacious Black Hole MLC melds the capacity of a duffel with the convenience and comfort of a travel pack. Its roomy design and well-built carry system let you haul your stuff for sizable distances without discomfort. That said, we wish it had a dedicated water bottle pocket, and its size may feel bulky to travelers with smaller loads.
The spacious Black Hole MLC melds the capacity of a duffel with the convenience and comfort of a travel pack. Its roomy design and well-built carry system let you haul your stuff for sizable distances without discomfort. That said, we wish it had a dedicated water bottle pocket, and its size may feel bulky to travelers with smaller loads.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Durability
Water Resistance
Weight & Size
Sustainability
Capacities
45L (22, 30L)
Fabric(s)
300D polyester, TPU Coated
Hipbelt
Yes
Laptop Sleeve
Yes (19 in.)
Exterior Pockets
2
Weight
3 lb. 10 oz.
Pros
Cons
If you’re debating between getting a travel pack and a duffel bag, the Patagonia Black Hole MLC might check both boxes. This 45-liter pack (MLC stands for Maximum Legal Carry-on) offers the kind of storage space usually reserved for duffels, but it delivers the carrying comfort of a traditional backpack. The main components of its user-friendly feel are padded shoulder straps, an adjustable sternum strap, and—unlike past models— a padded hipbelt that can be reconfigured for over-the-shoulder carry. Even with a load of around 25 pounds, our tester found it easy to shoulder his things in the Black Hole during a month of travels around Europe, and he described the fit like that of a hiking pack. The weight felt well distributed, transferring much of the load from his shoulders to his hips.
With the largest carry capacity of any travel pack we’ve tested so far (along with the Peak Design Travel Backpack, in its expanded configuration), the Black Hole provides plenty of space. Its clamshell main compartment opening provides access to a deep compartment on the right side for most of your clothes, while the left side houses two medium pockets—one mesh and one solid—for smaller accessories. Near the backpanel, an additional clamshell opening reveals smaller pockets and sleeves, including a key clip and a 19-inch padded laptop sleeve. To keep everything secure, the Black Hole has four external compression straps that, unlike those on the REI Co-op Ruckpack, don’t impede your ability to quickly access your laptop. Unfortunately, there’s no dedicated water bottle sleeve, so you’ll need to stash your drinkware inside or lash it to one of the external loops.
When you’re not carrying it on your back, the Black Hole resembles a standard carry-on duffel, and the shoulder straps and hipbelt tuck away completely to avoid snags. In this mode, you can carry the pack via haul handles on the side or top, or slide it over your suitcase handle using its luggage pass-through strap. The exterior is made from TPU-treated, 300-denier ripstop polyester, with a 200-denier recycled polyester liner coated in PU. Though the pack’s materials are thinner than comparable models, such as the Cotopaxi Allpa and its 840-denier nylon build, our tester experienced no issues with construction during his travels and trusts it to handle harsh conditions for years to come. And if the $239 price tag feels high for a travel pack, remember that the Black Hole isn’t the most expensive model in the category, and that you’re essentially getting a duffel in the deal as well. To learn more, check out our Black Hole MLC review.
The Travel Pack 3 looks fairly unassuming, but it’s as burly as they come. The mega-tough build should keep it in fighting shape for years, and it also boasts intuitive organization and a solid carry. It’s bulky, though, and misses out on some quality-of-life features.
The Travel Pack 3 looks fairly unassuming, but it’s as burly as they come. The mega-tough build should keep it in fighting shape for years, and it also boasts intuitive organization and a solid carry. It’s bulky, though, and misses out on some quality-of-life features.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Durability
Water Resistance
Weight & Size
Sustainability
Capacities
35L (28L)
Fabric(s)
1,680D Cordura nylon
Hipbelt
No (Sold Separately)
Laptop Sleeve
Yes (16 in.)
Exterior Pockets
5
Weight
4 lb. 1.9 oz.
Pros
Cons
It’s rare that one piece of gear stands head and shoulders above its competitors in any category, but the Travel Pack 3 is the easy pick for our “Most Durable” superlative. It’s built from class-leading 1,680-denier Cordura nylon, which we think might be the same specs as a rhino hide. (For comparison, the next-closest models feature 1,000D nylon.) While we won’t claim it’s indestructible, you’re unlikely to see wear or tear on the Travel Pack 3 anytime soon. There’s no doubt that this is a high-quality pack, but the real question is whether you’re willing to pay the price of a one-way, cross-country flight for it.
Personally, we don’t think you’ll be disappointed with the Aer. Besides its uber-tough build, the Travel Pack 3 has a just-right blend of organization and understatedness. Inside the clamshell opening are pockets, sleeves, and compartments for every travel essential, all without feeling overwhelming. The back features a small zippered pocket with a key clip, and behind it sits a full-sized pocket with an organized panel of sleeves and compartments—a layout our tester preferred over the more cluttered Thule Aion. Small top and side pockets offer quick access to a passport or wallet, and a top-loading laptop compartment with a divider accommodates devices up to 16 inches. The main compartment includes a smart tracker sleeve and three pockets. Finally, the Travel Pack 3’s magnetic clips stay as secure as normal buckles, but are easier to fasten and release with one hand.
The only organization issue our tester noted was the Travel Pack 3’s water bottle sleeve. Though expandable, it’s still too small for his wide 40-ounce HydroFlask and interferes with one of the compression straps when in use. But that’s a minor complaint, and unlike many packs without hipbelts, which tend to sit heavy on the shoulders, the Travel Pack 3 distributes weight more evenly thanks to its internal framesheet and well-padded harness with sternum straps and load lifters. The design helped our tester easily carry 25 pounds through LAX without uncomfortable pressure points, although ventilation proved merely average.
Note: Aer recently released the Travel Pack 4 that we're currently in the process of testing. The good news is that the well-loved Travel Pack 3 is still available at a discount, and we'll follow up with a full review of the latest model shortly.
Forgive us if this sounds weird, but the Bellroy is one of the sexiest travel packs that we’ve seen. Its simple yet striking silhouette is backed by smartly designed pockets and thoughtful features, although your carry comfort may vary depending on your body type.
Forgive us if this sounds weird, but the Bellroy is one of the sexiest travel packs that we’ve seen. Its simple yet striking silhouette is backed by smartly designed pockets and thoughtful features, although your carry comfort may vary depending on your body type.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Durability
Water Resistance
Weight & Size
Sustainability
Capacities
30L
Fabric(s)
Nylon
Hipbelt
No
Laptop Sleeve
Yes (16 in.)
Exterior Pockets
2
Weight
2 lb. 1.5 oz.
Pros
Cons
Hailing from the land down under, Bellroy first made a name for itself with slim, efficiently constructed wallets before expanding into other categories. That same sleek, aesthetics-forward ethos carries over to the Lite Travel Pack. Unlike some other models that feel overengineered, this pack stays streamlined and looks all the better for it. There’s still a decent amount of organization, though, including a back pocket with space for books or maps and a top pocket with a key clip that can hold other small essentials. A clamshell lid reveals the main storage space and two pockets—one mesh and one solid, acting as built-in packing cubes. Lastly, a separate laptop compartment fits devices up to 16 inches and is accessible via a side zipper. What’s missing, however, is a water bottle sleeve, leaving you without a dedicated place to stash your drinkware. (It’d probably ruin the silhouette, anyway.)
The Lite is also surprisingly feature-rich. Most notable are its stowaway shoulder straps, which make it easier to squeeze the pack into tight spaces on a flight or a train. Well-built haul handles make hand-carrying a breeze, and other thoughtful touches include a luggage pass-through strap, attachment loops, and a discrete slip pocket for an AirTag. And while clearly designed for urban travel, the Lite held up reasonably well in rougher terrain. We tested it mostly in cities and airports over the course of a week, but its DWR-coated nylon survived some mild trail use. (That said, the materials are thinner and less robust than burlier packs that can truly double as hiking bags.)
This pack’s carry comfort left us scratching our heads a bit. The Lite’s shoulder straps and backpanel are padded and lined with mesh, but they sat awkwardly on our 5-foot-10 tester’s body (he has large traps and shoulders). The straps sat too wide, and the top of the bag pulled away from his shoulder blades while the bottom pressed into his lower back. The adjustable sternum strap helped redistribute some weight, but not enough to alleviate the awkwardness. (His partner, who’s the same height but with a narrower build, had no fit issues.) Yet, even with its so-so comfort and no hipbelt, he completed a 4-mile jaunt through Griffith Park in L.A. while carrying 25 pounds, experiencing only mild back stiffness. You’ll want to consider your own frame when choosing this pack, but if it works, you’ll have a handy piece of luggage that may even garner compliments from passersby. For more, read our review of the Lite Travel Pack 30L.
The Vantage 30 is a polished, functional, well-built, and highly sustainable travel pack. We put it through its paces on a number of domestic trips and abroad, including a multi-week adventure from England to Poland, and it's a pack that we look forward to using time and time again.
The Vantage 30 is a polished, functional, well-built, and highly sustainable travel pack. We put it through its paces on a number of domestic trips and abroad, including a multi-week adventure from England to Poland, and it's a pack that we look forward to using time and time again.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Durability
Water Resistance
Weight & Size
Sustainability
Capacities
30L (20, 26, 40L)
Fabric(s)
300D x 600D polyester
Hipbelt
Yes
Laptop Sleeve
Yes (16 in.)
Exterior Pockets
4
Weight
3 lb. 1 oz.
Pros
Cons
In the sea of travel backpack options, the Nemo Vantage 30 stands out as a comfortable, well-built pack that also boasts being one of the most sustainable on the market. Starting with organization: this pack has all of the pockets we could have asked for, from the nifty shoes/dirty clothes zone of the main compartment, to the robust tech compartment that can comfortably fit two 16-inch laptops, to the fun secret pocket for valuables (shhh). The backpanel and shoulder straps were quite comfortable to wear, even when the pack was loaded down. And importantly, we’ve taken this pack all over the United States to the far corners of Europe, while paying little mind to its preservation, and it’s still totally unscathed.
One differentiator between the Vantage and other top travel packs like the Cotopaxi Allpa and Patagonia Black Hole is the lack of a padded hipbelt. Carry-on packs are in that in-between zone where they often don’t weigh quite enough to merit a large hipbelt, and particularly the 30-liter version (this may matter more for the larger 40 and 45- liter sizes). Plus, the backpanel on the Nemo is noticeably comfy compared to other travel packs we’ve used. But if you plan on logging serious mileage on long travel days, a structured frame and padded hipbelt may make a difference.
Other than that, we have few qualms with the Nemo Vantage, and appreciate that it is part of Nemo’s Endless Promise Program. This means that when the pack’s travel days are done, you can send it back for full recyclability and Nemo will reuse the materials for other products in its various lines. Kudos. For more, read our full Nemo Vantage 30L review.
Featuring an expandable main compartment and top-notch build quality, the Able Carry Max is a versatile, premium offering. Its rigid shape and high price won't be for everyone, but it's hard to knock this pack's all-around solid design.
Featuring an expandable main compartment and top-notch build quality, the Able Carry Max is a versatile, premium offering. Its rigid shape and high price won't be for everyone, but it's hard to knock this pack's all-around solid design.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Durability
Water Resistance
Weight & Size
Sustainability
Capacities
32 (30L)
Fabric(s)
1,000D Cordura
Hipbelt
No
Laptop Sleeve
Yes (17 in.)
Exterior Pockets
3
Weight
4 lb. 2 oz.
Pros
Cons
Able Carry is a pack specialist through and through, and the Max 32L is its hardwearing, premium travel and commuting offering. The overbuilt design (in the best way) combines a seriously tough combination of X-Pac and 1000-denier Cordura nylon, resulting in a shell that resists abrasion, disguises wear exceptionally well, and feels built to last years of hard travel. The layout is equally thoughtful for organization-heavy travelers, with a large main compartment, multiple discreet exterior pockets, and a dedicated, zippered tech pocket for a laptop (up to 17 in.), tablet, and accessories. Finally, there’s an expandable zipper system on the 32-liter version that adds 2 liters of extra space when needed. Our tester found this useful for squeezing a mountain bike helmet alongside the rest of his belongings for a race he was traveling to.
That said, all of that structure and organization comes at a cost—both literally and physically. At over 4 pounds, the Max is noticeably heavier than many competing travel packs, and the lack of a hipbelt meant our tester had shoulder fatigue on gear-heavy trips when he was carrying about 20 pounds. The sheer number of pockets also won’t appeal to minimalists who prefer simpler layouts. But for commuters, business travelers, and frequent flyers who want a highly refined pack with standout materials and organization, the Able Carry Max feels exceptionally polished and purpose-built. For more, read our review of the Able Carry Max.
The Router is one of the most comfortable packs we’ve tested, even when it’s stuffed full. It also offers ample organization and trims the bulk found in many packs with similar capacities, but we aren’t huge fans of its lackluster breathability and thin construction.
The Router is one of the most comfortable packs we’ve tested, even when it’s stuffed full. It also offers ample organization and trims the bulk found in many packs with similar capacities, but we aren’t huge fans of its lackluster breathability and thin construction.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Durability
Water Resistance
Weight & Size
Sustainability
Capacities
40L
Fabric(s)
210D nylon (300D in heather colorway)
Hipbelt
Yes
Laptop Sleeve
Yes (17 in.)
Exterior Pockets
5
Weight
2 lb. 15 oz.
Pros
Cons
Nobody likes sore muscles after a long day on the go, but the Router has your back—literally. The North Face calls the pack’s suspension the FlexVent system, and instead of a single, continuous backpanel, its padding is divided into nine sections that hug your body naturally. As such, the pack responded smoothly to our tester’s movements and didn’t create any awkward pressure points. A sternum strap and a simple hipbelt help keep weight close to your torso, and altogether, we found that the Router was one of the best-carrying packs we tested.
The Router’s capacity is sneakily large. Unlike other 40-liter models that are quite bulky, like the Osprey Farpoint or the Thule Aion, it’s much slimmer, which helps boost its carry comfort. But the Router still has decent organizational chops: Its dorsal pocket has a clamshell opening with mesh sleeves on both sides, while the top pocket serves as the main organizational hub, with an admin panel featuring several small sleeves and compartments along with a key clip. It’s not perfect, though; the bag’s main compartment is top-loading, which makes it difficult to reach items at the bottom. Also, we would have liked another entry point, like the Yeti Crossroads’ side access zipper.
Perhaps the biggest downside to this nicely affordable pack is its construction. We haven’t seen any undue wear and tear on the Router outside of a few scuffs, but its 210-denier recycled ripstop nylon material (300D on the heather version) is still much thinner than that of its competitors, including the REI Ruckpack, which has 400-denier fabric and yet still costs $50 less. You could view the Router’s comparatively flimsy build as helping it achieve its sub-3-pound weight, but the plain truth is that it probably won’t hold up as long as many packs in this category. But while it lasts, you can load the Router up and take it far, with your back and shoulders feeling none the worse for wear. For more, read our review of the Router Backpack.
The Crossroads is a rugged, well-organized pack for travelers who aren’t afraid to bring their gear into rough environments. However, its build is geared more towards light loads, and you’ll want to wear a shirt that you don’t mind sweating in.
The Crossroads is a rugged, well-organized pack for travelers who aren’t afraid to bring their gear into rough environments. However, its build is geared more towards light loads, and you’ll want to wear a shirt that you don’t mind sweating in.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Durability
Water Resistance
Weight & Size
Sustainability
Capacities
35L (22, 27L)
Fabric(s)
700D nylon
Hipbelt
No
Laptop Sleeve
Yes (15 in.)
Exterior Pockets
3
Weight
3 lb. 11.2 oz.
Pros
Cons
Yeti has a reputation for high-quality—and pricey—gear, and the Crossroads does little to challenge that perception. Even at first glance, it’s clear this bag has its durability directives down. Yeti built the Crossroads with 700-denier nylon throughout the body, and augmented that with a PU-coated base. Although it’s not the most impressive pack we’ve seen from a toughness perspective (the Aer Travel Pack 3 and the Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L both rank higher in that metric), it can take a beating. The Crossroads held up to our tester carrying it through dense, overgrown trail sections in California’s Santa Susana Mountains, and also endured scrapes against rocks and concrete floors with almost no visible wear.
The Crossroads also checks a lot of boxes in the organization department. We used the dorsal pocket to stash maps and books, and the top pocket for holding essentials like a wallet or phone. Inside the clamshell opening, two sleeves sit against the backpanel—one for laptops up to 15 inches and a smaller one for a tablet or magazine. On the opposite side is the main packing space (and a zippered mesh divider), which you can also get into via a side-access zipper. The Crossroads even includes an internal water bottle pocket that our tester quickly grew to appreciate, knowing that his drinkware was secure whether navigating a crowded city or scrambling over rocks. Compression straps, four haul handles, a luggage pass-through strap, daisy chains, and a key clip round out the feature set.
If you’re eyeing the Crossroads for carrying heavy loads, though, its thin shoulder straps and lack of a hipbelt make it ill-suited to the task. Our tester’s neck and shoulders emerged significantly sore from hiking in the Santa Susanas under a 25-pound load; by contrast, The North Face’s Router pack offered miles of pain-free walking laden with a similar weight. On the plus side, the Crossroad’s backpanel’s ergonomic shape kept his back comfortable, even when other areas ached. But it’s a single foam piece, so you’re going to build up sweat, as our tester did while walking through the airport—not ideal when you’re about to get on a plane. Concerns like these also become especially pronounced when you’re spending $250 on a pack, but as long as you keep your loads light, the Crossroads should be a worthy travel companion. For more, read our review of the Crossroads 35L.
Like many of Topo Designs’ products, the Global marries a busy design with dependable build quality and smart organization. However, it doesn’t match the comfort of more ergonomically built travel packs.
Like many of Topo Designs’ products, the Global marries a busy design with dependable build quality and smart organization. However, it doesn’t match the comfort of more ergonomically built travel packs.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Durability
Water Resistance
Weight & Size
Sustainability
Capacities
30L
Fabric(s)
1,000D nylon, 1,680D nylon back and bottom
Hipbelt
Yes
Laptop Sleeve
Yes (15 in.)
Exterior Pockets
2
Weight
3 lb. 3.2 oz.
Pros
Cons
Colorado-based Topo Designs is one of the few brands you’re just as likely to spot in the Rockies as you are on the streets of New York or Los Angeles. The brand has a crunchy yet appealing style, and the Global Travel Bag blends that with impressive functionality. Organization is the key word here: This pack features two U-shaped clamshell openings—the first accesses the main compartment and two mesh pockets, while the other reveals a secondary section with several sleeves and smaller pockets. On the backside are daisy chains and a book-sized pocket that contains—you guessed it—even more pockets. Along the backpanel sits a laptop sleeve that fits devices up to 15 inches. With all these storage options, you shouldn’t have trouble finding a place for everything—except your Nalgene. The side sleeves are small, and if your bottle won’t fit in a car cup holder, it won’t fit here, either.
In addition to its pockets-galore design, the Global Travel Bag packs in a ton of other travel-friendly features. Its sternum strap and hipbelt are removable, and the shoulder straps can be fully tucked away. Additionally, you’ll find a luggage pass-through strap and loops at the ends of each clamshell lid zipper to keep them from popping open in transit. If you own other Topo Designs gear, you can attach it to the Global using dedicated clips, which can help simplify your task when you’re running to catch a flight. Durability is another strong point: The pack is made from tough, DWR-treated, 1,000-denier nylon, with high-wear areas like the back and bottom reinforced with even burlier 1,680-denier ballistic nylon (both are among the thickest materials we’ve seen during our testing). Inside, a bright-yellow 210-denier nylon liner adds extra protection and makes small items more visible.
Unfortunately, the weakest aspect of the Global is its comfort. It offers three carry options—backpack-style shoulder straps, haul handles, and an over-the-shoulder duffel strap—yet none are particularly noteworthy. To be clear, this is not an uncomfortable pack. The shoulder straps have decent padding, and you’ll find load lifters, a simple hipbelt, and an elastic sternum strap to help distribute weight. With 20 pounds or less, it performs fine. But with heavier weights or longer carries, the Global can’t match the comfort of models like the Osprey Farpoint, which features more padding and an internal frame. Keep your loads reasonable, though, and the Global will serve you well wherever you take it, as it may attract some compliments on the street (or trail). For more, read our review of the Global Travel Bag 30L.
The Aion offers a decently comfortable carry, which says a lot for a pack that forgoes a hipbelt. We’re not huge fans of its bulky, sometimes overengineered design, but its tough, stylish exterior means you won’t have to worry about your stuff (or this pack) taking much damage.
The Aion offers a decently comfortable carry, which says a lot for a pack that forgoes a hipbelt. We’re not huge fans of its bulky, sometimes overengineered design, but its tough, stylish exterior means you won’t have to worry about your stuff (or this pack) taking much damage.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Durability
Water Resistance
Weight & Size
Sustainability
Capacities
40L (28L)
Fabric(s)
600D waxed polyester canvas
Hipbelt
No
Laptop Sleeve
Yes (16 in.)
Exterior Pockets
3
Weight
3 lb. 3.2 oz.
Pros
Cons
It’s generally true that travel packs without hipbelts aren’t very comfortable over long distances, but the Thule Aion is a welcome exception. Even when our tester was carrying 20-pound loads—sometimes for over 2 miles in the San Gabriel Mountains—he found that the Aion easily managed the weight. He reserved high praise for the pack’s elastic sternum strap, which allowed the shoulder straps to move naturally with his body while still transferring some weight to his torso. While the Aion is bulky—when loaded up, it sometimes feels like a turtle shell—you can expect a smooth carry whether you’re walking through a foreign city or embarking on an impromptu hike. The backpanel is also well ventilated, with breathable mesh and a central channel to promote airflow. Our tester stayed mostly sweat-free while navigating DFW and the Dallas streets.
Organization is slightly less impressive. The Aion’s top pocket holds a key clip and an admin panel for quick-grab items, while a generously padded laptop compartment features two dividers and a zippered mesh pocket. The main compartment contains a large mesh pocket on the left and its primary packing space on the right, complete with a top pocket for toiletries and a removable TPU roll-top bag at the bottom to isolate wet or smelly items. It also includes two compression straps, though they’re thin and less effective at keeping your items secure than the mesh dividers found on the Lite or Crossroads. However, our tester thought the Aion was too cluttered overall—the padding takes up a lot of space—and would have preferred a less busy design. What he did like was the hidden pocket above the shoulder straps for stowing his wallet, as well as the snug water bottle sleeve.
The Aion’s durability is decent. It’s made from 600-denier polyester waxed canvas (which gives it a handsome look that’s not too crunchy) that also has a DWR coating. This combination will fend off an unexpected drizzle, as well as rips and tears, although it isn’t as burly as the category’s heavyweights, like the Aer Travel Pack 3. We were also happy to see several features, such as grab handles on the top and side, daisy chains, and a luggage pass-through strap. Just don’t be surprised if it doesn’t fit under the seat on a plane and you have to stow it in the overhead compartment, due to its features and heft. But even with its bulky design and organizational caveats, this pack still checks many of our comfort and craftsmanship boxes, qualities that ultimately matter most in safely hauling your gear from point A to point B. For more, check out our review of the Aion 40L.
The Amazon Basics Travel Backpack will get the job done for the occasional traveler who doesn’t plan on walking very far. While you’ll spend less cash on this pack than with many of its competitors, your shoulders, hips, and back will pay the price.
The Amazon Basics Travel Backpack will get the job done for the occasional traveler who doesn’t plan on walking very far. While you’ll spend less cash on this pack than with many of its competitors, your shoulders, hips, and back will pay the price.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Durability
Water Resistance
Weight & Size
Sustainability
Capacities
40L
Fabric(s)
Nylon
Hipbelt
Yes
Laptop Sleeve
Yes (19 in.)
Exterior Pockets
3
Weight
4 lb. 6.5 oz.
Pros
Cons
The tradeoff of the Amazon Basics line is pretty simple: You won’t have to dig deep in your pockets, but don’t expect a premium experience, either. That’s more or less the case with the Travel Backpack. Starting with the positives, a clamshell opening grants access to a flat mesh pocket on one side and the main packing space on the other, complete with two compression straps to secure your items. On the exterior are two zippered dorsal pockets—one for stashing smaller items and another with an admin panel for everything from pens to magazines—as well as a separate laptop compartment, compatible with devices up to 19 inches. There’s no water bottle sleeve, but you do get compression straps, anti-theft zippers, a luggage pass-through strap, and stowable shoulder straps.
Carry-wise, our tester was initially impressed by the Travel Backpack’s sturdy, thick mesh backpanel, which isolated his body from pointy items. Unfortunately, his praises ended there. Weight isn’t distributed evenly across the back, causing our tester’s shoulder and neck to hurt. The Travel Backpack’s biggest issue, though, is the design of the plastic attachment loops for the shoulder straps and hipbelts at the bottom of the pack. Instead of sitting flush against the body, they’re angled inward and dug into our tester’s hips. He eventually had to unclip the hipbelt, as the loops started irritating his skin. Even with only the shoulder straps attached, they continued to irritate his body.
As with comfort, we had a tentatively positive first impression of the Travel Backpack’s build. While not nearly as burly as more premium options, it felt durable enough for some long-term use. Inside, however, our tester found the materials much more flimsy and cheap. And after just a few days, he spotted several loose threads throughout the bag and rips in the internal fabric. It’s clear that you don’t have to look far to find other, more capable options, but they’ll likely cost at least twice as much. At least the Travel Backpack is a step up from your old school bookbag collecting dust in the closet. For more, read our review of the Travel Backpack.
Compare Travel Backpacks
The Allpa’s fun colors might catch your eye, but behind its looks is a smartly designed travel pack that can handle heavy loads and withstand lots of use. While its straightforward organizational layout works well for most, some users might prefer a more comprehensive setup, though.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Durability
Water Resistance
Weight & Size
Sustainability
The aptly named Travel Backpack is the ultimate adventure companion, designed with our favorite organizational layout and plenty of other features to help make your journey as smooth as possible. Its bulkiness and middling durability (not to mention its price) may be turnoffs for some, but its performance on the go is top-notch.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Durability
Water Resistance
Weight & Size
Sustainability
The spacious Black Hole MLC melds the capacity of a duffel with the convenience and comfort of a travel pack. Its roomy design and well-built carry system let you haul your stuff for sizable distances without discomfort. That said, we wish it had a dedicated water bottle pocket, and its size may feel bulky to travelers with smaller loads.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Durability
Water Resistance
Weight & Size
Sustainability
Our Ratings Explained
Rather than merely use an average of a product’s component scores, our overall rating takes into account a travel pack’s full range of attributes, including its comfort and support, organization, durability, and more. Packs that score highly, including premium models and value picks alike, will stand out in a variety of ways. They may keep your gear especially organized, or feel super comfortable on your back, or remain reliable for many trips to come—the best ones will roll all of those traits into one impressive package.
While most travelers should stick to one of the higher-ranking bags in this guide—after all, if you’re traveling, you might as well make the experience as pleasant as possible—lower-scoring models may be appealing for specific reasons. Some include helpful features like an expandable or multi-use design, while others are budget-friendly choices that will work for occasional use.
Considering that the primary purpose of a travel pack is to allow you to actually carry your clothes, gear, and other items on your person—as opposed to a checked bag, per se—this is probably the category you should pay closest attention to. (Yes, organization nerds, we hear you. Settle down.) We evaluate a pack’s suspension—the shoulder straps, backpanel, padding, and whether it has a framesheet or any other support—as well as how breathable the design is. We also assess the effectiveness of a pack’s sternum strap and hipbelt (if present), how the whole thing sits on your body, and whether its weight is evenly distributed.
Packs that earn top marks deliver all-day comfort, even when worn for miles at a time on a hike with undulating terrain (this is one way we test comfort). Those models are usually quite bulky, though, so if you prefer a sleeker, more minimal design, you should factor that into your choice.
These packs typically feature nicely padded shoulder straps, a hipbelt and a sternum strap, and a well-supported backpanel. Load lifters might help with additional weight distribution, and the materials help wick away sweat. Top scorers are built to be fully packed and carried over long distances, and might feel akin to a hiking pack.
Packs in this range are generally comfortable to carry but may struggle under loads greater than 20 pounds or on particularly long schleps. They often have thinner shoulder straps, less ventilation, and more basic backpanels than the models above, and sometimes lack much structure altogether. Many designs that lack a hipbelt fall into this group.
Models that have a critical flaw that makes them uncomfortable for anything more than short distances and light loads. Common issues include gear pressing through the backpanel or pressure points that cause shoulder pain.
Keeping track of your things is essential to staying sane during your travels, so this is another key category. When evaluating a pack’s organization, we start with its main compartment. We’ll look at its size and how easily it allows you to access your gear. We value large numbers of zippered pockets and a smart (but not overly complicated) arrangement of compartments and sleeves, both inside and out. In addition, we look for features most travelers will appreciate, such as water bottle holders and a dedicated laptop compartment, as well as other travel-friendly perks like daisy chains and key clips.
Security and other peace-of-mind elements that keep your gear safe (such as lockable zippers and hidden compartments) are also part of the equation. As with comfort and support, whether you’ll like a pack’s organizational layout ultimately comes down to personal preference. A lower score doesn’t necessarily mean poor organization, just fewer choices. We recommend that you determine what you value most in a pack’s layout, and let that guide your choice.
Packs in this category offer outstanding, intuitive storage layouts. They feature an easy-to-access main compartment, likely with a clamshell opening, well-designed laptop and water bottle sleeves, and other useful pockets, such as a small stash pocket for essentials and a larger pocket for books. They also tend to include built-in security features and thoughtful touches to keep your gear neatly arranged.
These packs are generally well organized but have a few shortcomings. Common issues include awkwardly positioned pockets, missing water bottle sleeves, partially blocked access, or a compartment layout that takes getting used to.
Packs with poor organization. They offer minimal pockets, a small or unstructured main compartment, and may even lack sleeves for your laptop and water bottle.
You already have enough on your mind in making your connection, so it’s nice to have a travel pack that won’t fold under pressure. In general, packs built with high-denier materials (about 700D and up) tend to be more durable. However, fabric type (nylon is typically stronger than polyester) and weave can also play a role in how well a pack resists wear and tear. We also consider any special fabric treatments, like TPU or PU coatings, as well as whether high-use areas, such as the bottom, are reinforced.
When evaluating this category, it’s important to think about how you’ll actually use your travel pack. If you’re mostly sticking to planes, trains, and urban exploring, you can get away with a less durable option. But if you’re planning to explore remote or rugged destinations, a sturdier pack will help ensure your stuff stays protected and in one place.
These highly durable packs have denier ratings of 700 or higher. They may also feature additional protective coatings, reinforcements, or liners to boost durability even further. These workhorses may even outlast you.
Most packs fall into this range, usually (though not always) with denier ratings between 400 and 700. Though rarer, you may also find reinforcements, liners, or coatings on the bottom. Treat these packs well, and they’ll serve you well for many years.
Packs in this range need to be handled with care and exhibit poor construction quality. They’re made with cheap materials and tend to show wear quickly, even with light use.
A travel pack’s ability to keep out moisture is important, especially if you get caught in an unexpected storm. We don’t expect these packs to be completely waterproof like some duffels we’ve reviewed (such as the Osprey Transporter Waterproof, Yeti Panga, etc.), but some packs include durable water-repellent (DWR) coatings or other treatments to help keep your gear dry. Others come with a raincover you can deploy when conditions turn bad, although that’s uncommon.
When determining this score, we also consider the pack’s fabric, since polyester generally resists water better than nylon. The best performing packs in this category feature extensive weatherproofing measures, while those at the lower end offer little to no protection from the elements.
Packs that have protective coatings beyond DWR, such as TPU or PU laminates, or that include a raincover. These can hold off moderate moisture, outside of being left out in a downpour or submerged.
Models that don’t have coatings, but that are treated with DWR. They can handle light storms but lose effectiveness in prolonged rain.
Packs made of thin fabrics with no water-resistant treatments or covers.
A travel pack’s shape and bulk can greatly impact your travel experience, especially if you prefer to move fast and light. While our comfort and support category tends to favor heftier models—a good suspension usually means more weight—this one rewards lighter, more compact models. You won’t be hoofing your load for mega-long days like you would with a backpacking pack, but a lighter build is nice when you’ve spent a long day in transit.
Packs that score well in this category can more easily fit in small overhead bins, under the seat in front of you on a plane, or even be stuffed inside a larger duffel or suitcase. Stowable shoulder straps and hipbelts can also help make your journey easier. We also take into consideration how well a pack can be streamlined when you’re not using it, which aids in easier storage. Any time you can grease the wheels of travel, we say go for it.
Packs under 2.5 pounds. They’re typically frameless and may include travel-friendly features like stowable shoulder straps and tuck-away hipbelts.
These models weigh roughly between 2.5 and 4 pounds. They usually have a more structured backpanel and shape, which can make them harder to fit into tight spaces.
Heavy packs north of 4 pounds. These are bulky and may even include an internal frame, making them difficult to use as a personal item on an airplane.
Our sustainability rating for travel backpacks takes into account nine different criteria. On the product level, we’re looking for recycled or Bluesign-approved materials and PFAS-free durable water-repellent finishes. On the brand level, our criteria include whether the company uses responsible manufacturing (often noted by the Fair Trade Certified label), offers repair services, has a dedicated resale or recycling program, uses recycled or reduced packaging, monitors greenhouse gas emissions (commonly measured by the Higg Index), and publishes an annual impact report. We also consider the degree to which our criteria are met; for example, 10% recycled materials is not the same as 100% recycled materials. Note that not every sustainability effort by a brand or product fits neatly into our categories. In these circumstances, we may increase or decrease a rating based on these factors. You can find details on these factors in the sustainability drop-down under each product above.
These travel backpacks are among the most sustainable on the market and earn our Better Trail Certified distinction. They often meet most of our sustainability criteria for this category.
These travel backpacks are a good, middle-of-the-pack option for sustainability. They often meet half or more of our criteria for this category.
These travel backpacks are the least sustainable and have significant room for improvement. They usually only meet about a quarter or less of our criteria.
Anatomy of a Travel Backpack
A fabric’s thickness is measured in denier, with higher denier counts—for travel packs, that’s about 700 and above—generally indicating greater durability. That said, denier alone doesn’t tell the full story of a pack’s longevity. Different fabrics (polyester, nylon, etc.) of the same thickness can vary in strength. Protective coatings and reinforcements like ripstop weaves also play a key role in boosting a bag’s overall ruggedness.
On the low end, some travel packs use thin, 200-denier fabrics. Heavier-duty bags, on the other hand, may feature denier counts of 1,000 or higher. (The top-rated bag for durability that we’ve tested so far, the Aer Travel Pack 3, is made with extremely thick, 1,680D Cordura nylon. The durability runner-up, the Topo Designs Global, is made with a majority of 1,000D nylon.) Many models also include liners or reinforced fabrics in high-abrasion areas like the bottom or corners to further boost durability.
Nylon
Nylon is a popular travel pack fabric due to its strength-to-weight ratio, which is higher than that of polyester. It can more effectively withstand wear and tear, and doesn’t cost that much to produce compared to its resilience. Some pack designers take durability even further and feature ripstop or ballistic nylon, which have increased anti-tear and abrasion properties. Many nylon pack fabrics are also treated with protective coatings like DWR, PU, or TPU to resist moisture. However, nylon is not as water-, heat-, or UV-resistant as polyester and may fade or break down more quickly when exposed long-term to harsh conditions.
Polyester
Polyester’s biggest edge over nylon is its superior weather resistance, as it absorbs less water, tolerates heat better, and breaks down more slowly in UV light. For travelers venturing into a wide range of climates, polyester can offer better protection against the elements (it keeps its shape better when wet). Polyester’s downfall is that it’s not as strong for its weight as nylon, making it more prone to tears and rips. To compensate, some bags use polyester ripstop and apply protective coatings (again, PU and TPU to the rescue) to increase their durability.
A travel pack’s main compartment is its largest storage space, designed to hold the bulk of your items. Those can include clothes, shoes, toiletries, books, small electronics, gear, and more. Depending on the model, it may be one open space or include built-in organization like a laptop sleeve, water bottle pocket, or other pockets and dividers. Some packs, like the Patagonia Black Hole MLC, also feature a main compartment liner, which adds additional protection from the elements and a touch of durability.
There are two common ways to access a pack’s main compartment. The most traditional is a top-loading design, which is exactly what it sounds like—many hiking daypacks are built like this, as are the The North Face Router and the REI Co-op Ruckpack. Top-loading designs are simple and intuitive, but they can make packing your gear and accessing items at the bottom of your travel pack a bit tricky. (Some models may have side-access zippers to help solve this issue.)
The other design you’ll see in travel packs—and by far the most popular one among the models we’ve tested—is a clamshell opening. Packs with this configuration, including the Cotopaxi Allpa and the Peak Design Travel Backpack, unzip fully like a suitcase, making it easy to see, access, and organize your things. However, clamshell designs tend to require more space to open and can be less convenient if you’re trying to grab something quickly, especially on a crowded plane or bus.
Otherwise known as the pack’s suspension (which can include a frame or a framesheet; more on those below), a travel pack’s shoulder straps and hipbelt play an important role in how comfortable and stable the bag feels when you’re carrying it on your back. Their build can vary widely from one model to the next—some models, like the Yeti Crossroads, feature simple, thin straps, while others, like the Black Hole MLC, use thick padding and a contoured shape to maximize comfort. To make packing and storage easier, models like the Bellroy Lite Travel Pack allow you to stow the shoulder straps in a discrete compartment when not in use, which keeps them out of the way and prevents snags.
While some models opt against a hipbelt, many include them to help you keep the pack’s weight closer to your trunk, which is especially nice if you’re carrying a heavy load. Travel pack hipbelts are usually minimal compared to those you might find on a backpacking pack, with no padding and a basic buckle closure. However, some versions, like the one found on the Cotopaxi Allpa, feature padding that goes a long way towards increasing carrying comfort.
A travel pack’s backpanel has a major impact on its comfort and carryability. While some models opt for a simple, flat design with little support, others, like the The North Face Router, provide structure and are built to match the contours of your back for an optimal fit. Additionally, backpanels may feature breathable mesh, as well as airflow channels, to reduce sweat while still keeping the pack close to your body. Though the differences between backpanels from model to model may not be noticeable when you’re traveling short distances, their impact on a pack’s carry and breathability becomes much more apparent during longer hauls and in hot weather. Some of our favorite backpanel designs are the one on the aforementioned Router, as well as the Thule Aion and the REI Co-op Ruckpack. (Unsurprisingly, these are also some of our preferred packs for taking on hikes.)
Unlike backpacking packs, most travel packs are frameless. Instead, they rely on a light, padded backpanel for support, with the help of padded shoulder straps. The reasoning is that you’ll probably be carrying less weight over shorter distances than if you were heading out on a lengthy or even multi-day hike. That usually works just fine, but we appreciate models that go the extra mile with internal frames or framesheets—so you can walk that extra mile in comfort.
The standout model in the travel backpack category is Osprey Farpoint 40, which has a suspension that would make your favorite backpacking pack proud. It boasts both a framesheet and a metal perimeter frame, which allowed us to tote more than 25 pounds on hikes up to 6 miles long. The Farpoint’s build perfectly distributed the pack’s weight across our hips and backs, and it could even be pressed into light overnight duty. That type of design and performance is rare in travel packs, but other models, like the Aer Travel Pack 3, have a framesheet that helps the wearer shoulder weight at a slightly less burly (but still effective) level.
Whether you’re a jet-setting business traveler, a digital nomad, or a van-lifer always on the go, you’ll want peace of mind that your computer is safe in your pack. To help protect your device from damage, many travel bags include dedicated laptop compartments. Depending on the model, you’ll find either a padded sleeve built into the main compartment or its own, separate pocket—the latter usually makes it easier to access your computer quickly. For people with larger computers, you’ll want to double-check that a travel bag’s laptop compartment can accommodate your machine. For convenience, we’ve included the maximum laptop size that will fit in the sleeve in our specs for each product, which can vary from 14 to 19 inches.
You’ll likely find several pockets throughout your travel pack, and our favorite models—including the Peak Design Travel Pack, the Allpa, and the Travel Pack 3—seem to have a space for everything. Common locations for pockets include a dorsal and top zippered compartment for quick access to items like sunglasses or a wallet, and internal mesh pockets that are ideal for storing smaller, less bulky essentials like a passport. Some packs also feature a key ring or an AirTag sleeve for more specialized organization. That said, each pack has a different pocket layout, so it’s worth finding one that best suits your needs. There’s no “right” pocket layout, just the one that fits your organizational desires.
Along with shoulder straps and a hipbelt, travel packs will feature additional haul handles to help with immediate grab-and-go use. You’ll find a handle on the top of most packs, though many will feature additional, more discrete ones on their front, sides, or back. While not meant for long-distance carrying, they come in handy when you’re reaching for your bag in tight spaces—think pulling it out of an overhead compartment—or during quick maneuvers.
The luggage pass-through strap is typically found on the front of a travel bag, on the side of the backpanel that faces your body. As the name implies, it slips over the handle of a rolling suitcase, allowing you to securely rest your bag on top of your luggage. This feature comes in handy when you’re traveling with multiple bags or walking (er, rolling) long distances, whether in an airport or on city streets. While some straps resemble the bag’s other handles, others are designed as large sleeves for a more secure fit.
You’ll often find daisy chain webbing on the back of a travel pack. These strips of evenly spaced loops feature a low profile when they’re not in use, but offer convenient attachment points for awkwardly shaped gear or items you want easy access to, like a water bottle, a hat, or a pair of sandals. Basically, they give you more external storage options when your bag is fully packed.
Almost all travel packs include a water bottle sleeve to keep your drinkware secure. On most bags, these pockets are located externally on either side and made from stretch material to fit bottles of various sizes. That said, a few models, like the Yeti Crossroads, house their water bottle pocket inside the main compartment, which offers greater security but makes access less convenient.
While not present on every travel pack, some models will feature a dedicated admin panel. This element serves as the pack’s main organizational hub, with sleeves and pockets of varying shapes and sizes designed to hold common accessories, like pens, chargers, and notebooks. Travelers who prefer an all-in-one system will likely appreciate an admin panel, while those who typically use pouches or prefer a simpler design can do without one.
Your Questions Answered
We have included a true budget travel pack from Amazon Basics in this guide and have reviewed others, which are best suited for occasional travelers who only get out a couple of times a year. Budget packs often are made with cheap materials and offer minimal support and comfort, as well as spartan organization. The only real reason to buy a sub-$100 pack is if you’re budgeting for a blowout trip down the road.
In the $100 to $200 range, you’ll start to see models with sturdier constructions, smarter organization, and a more comfortable carry. Some include framesheets, like the REI Co-op Ruckpack or the Osprey Farpoint, while others are compact and streamlined, like the Bellroy Lite Travel Pack. Most travelers can find a solid pack in this price range that will serve them well.
Between $200 and $300, you’ll find packs that stand out in a number of ways. They may be built from ultra-durable materials, like the Aer Travel Pack 3, or feature pitch-perfect organization, like the Peak Design Travel Backpack. If you have specific carry needs or are a serious traveler, it’s likely worth investing in a higher-priced pack that checks most or all of your boxes.
You can divide travel pack openings into two main types: top-loading and clamshell. Top-loading packs are designed like traditional backpacks, letting you access the main storage compartment from above. Their biggest advantage is security—if the opening accidentally comes undone, your belongings are less likely to spill out—as well as convenient use if your personal space is limited (you’re in the aisle of an airplane, etc.). Still, grabbing something stuffed at the bottom of the pack usually means unpacking everything first—a real pain if you’re on a crowded bus or rushing to catch a train. Some packs add side-access zippers to help with this problem, and in general, top-loading packs are best for folks who want to take the occasional hike with their travel pack and don’t use it as much for stashing all of their earthly belongings.
Clamshell openings, on the other hand, allow a travel pack to function like a suitcase, giving you full access to the main compartment. This makes organizing and retrieving items buried deep in your pack much easier, but they’re best used when you have room to spread out in your hotel room. Packs with clamshell openings are generally bulkier than top-loading ones as well, so while they might be better from an organizational standpoint, they might not be as versatile for carrying on the trail.
The answer to this question depends on how much gear you typically carry when you travel. If you like to keep things light—around 15 pounds or less—you’re probably fine opting for a pack without a hipbelt. For loads between 15 and 25 pounds, a hipbelt can help keep your pack tight to your body and can transfer some of the load to your hips. Depending on your preferences for weight distribution, a simple strap may be all you need. But for pack weights above 25 pounds, we recommend choosing a model with a padded hipbelt (such as the Patagonia Black Hole MLC), especially if you plan to carry it over longer distances.
That said, packs that lack hipbelts but that do have thickly padded shoulder straps and backpanels—like the Thule Aion—can sometimes handle heavier loads with aplomb. We were able to comfortably carry up to 25 pounds on the Aion, thanks to its plush construction and a backpanel that provided plenty of structure.
Some travel packs include additional support behind or around their backpanel for improved weight distribution and carry comfort, especially with heavier loads or when you’re hiking. These can range from a simple foam framesheet, like on the Ruckpack, to a peripheral wire frame, like on the Osprey Farpoint. If you like to pack your bag to the brim, appreciate extra stability, and think it’s likely that you’ll use your travel pack as a hiking pack, a framed model makes sense.
Keep in mind that packs with frames are generally harder to fit into tight spaces, such as under an airplane seat or in a small hostel locker. If you don’t need the added support and prefer a pack that compresses more easily, a frameless option may be the better choice.
If you’re heading to a remote destination, whether high in the mountains or off the tourist path, you’ll want a travel pack that’s reliable and tough. (It’s also smart to choose something that can comfortably handle a heavier load, if your homestay is farther from the train station than you expected.) The Cotopaxi Allpa, with its 840-denier nylon exterior and supportive features like a padded hipbelt, is a solid choice. If you’re willing to sacrifice a bit of durability for comfort, the Farpoint features a full suspension—perimeter frame, framesheet, the works—to make even heavy loads feel easy to carry. And for a hipbelt-free option, the Travel Pack 3’s 1,680-denier ballistic nylon exterior can take a beating and brush off almost any damage.
When traveling through the city, durability and weather resistance aren’t as critical—though it’s still wise to choose a pack that can handle a sudden rainstorm. You also likely won’t be carrying as much gear, so a pack with a robust backpanel or heavily padded shoulder straps and hipbelt isn’t necessary. Instead, look for something that’s streamlined, well-organized, and easy to maneuver in crowded buses or subway stations. Packs like the Bellroy Lite or the Topo Designs Global should fit the bill. While bulkier, the Peak Design Travel Backpack also offers several security features to keep your belongings safe from anyone attempting to access your goods.
All the packs in our guide are designed to meet carry-on size limits for most airlines. That said, some, like the Farpoint, are too large and bulky to work as a personal item. If you want a pack that can slide under an airplane seat, go for something smaller and more streamlined, like the Bellroy Lite Travel Pack. Frameless designs also tend to fit better than those with a rigid suspension, and packs with tuckable shoulder straps also do well in this area. Ultimately, check your airline’s specific guidelines to ensure your bag meets their requirements, but every pack in this guide is listed as carry-on compatible.
The travel packs we feature in this guide range from 30 to 45 liters in capacity. On the smaller end are models like the Lite Travel Pack or the Ruckpack. These generally work well for weekend-long trips where you can pack light. While you can’t stuff as much inside as with larger packs, you’ll have an easier time squeezing them into tight spaces, like under a plane seat. Also, if you like to travel with a duffel bag or other carry-on luggage, a 30-liter pack makes a great complement.
Larger packs, like the Black Hole MLC or Farpoint, have capacities in the 40 to 45-liter range and work well for trips of around five days. They’re bulky dimensions make them unrealistic to use as a personal item, but they’re great for one-bag travel. Packs this size are also popular with gap-year globetrotters and other nomads on extended backpacking trips through places like Europe or Asia. For even more versatility, some models, like the Peak Design Travel Backpack, have zippers or clips that allow them to expand or contract, depending on your needs. You can open them up fully when packing for your trip and then compress them down to use as a daypack when out exploring.
Our sustainability team evaluated the travel pack category against product- and brand-level criteria—including recycled materials, PFAS-free waterproofing, responsible manufacturing, and reduced/recycled packaging—and the Patagonia Black Hole Pack 45 MLC earned a perfect score on our five-point scale. Next is the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30 at 4.8, knocked slightly because REI doesn’t offer a dedicated repair program. Other strong performers include the Nemo Vantage 40, Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack, and Osprey Farpoint 40. If sustainability is a key factor for you, you can sort our picks above by sustainability via the “sort by” dropdown, and click the “Read Sustainability Report” button in each product’s sustainability analysis for its full breakdown.
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