A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
Updated on Sep. 27, 2024
Whether you're traveling by plane, train or automobile, you'll need the best backpack for travel to organize all your essentials and more.
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Forget what you think you know about backpacks. The hands-free hero bag has evolved over the decades to go beyond basic knapsacks for schlepping around school supplies and camping gear. In addition to style and specific needs (like if you prefer a laptop backpack), comfort is a huge consideration.
Our editors and testers tried out various travel backpacks to determine which ones will make your next trip easier. Read on to see which ones made the cut.
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Actress Shay Mitchell’s brand Béis (pronounced “base”) churns out fashionable and functional bags, like The Commuter Tote, for stylish jet-setters with wanderlust. The Expandable Backpack looks like an ordinary backpack, but it features an extender so you can fit everything you’ll need without walking around carrying a misshapen, overstuffed lump on your back.
Our tester, Caroline Stanko, took this backpack on a three-day work trip and was amazed by how much she was able to fit. She packed two laptops, cords, chargers, glasses, books, an extra shirt, a pair of slippers, toiletries, makeup, snacks and more. “This is a really good size for a travel backpack. It was large enough to fit a ton of items. It expands, but it’s still small enough to fit under a plane seat and on top of carry-on luggage,” she says. When not traveling for work, Stanko uses this as a day-to-day backpack and says she has a ton of spare room, even when the backpack is not expanded.
In addition to being a roomy option for travel, it’s also a relatively convenient and comfortable one. Stanko shares that you can wear this as a traditional backpack, place it over the handle of a suitcase or hold it like a long purse by the top handles. She also appreciated how easy it was to adjust the straps while wearing the pack. “The backpack is mostly comfy,” she says. “The straps didn’t dig into my shoulders, but I think comfort ultimately depends on how much is in there and how heavy the pack is.” According to Stanko, the back of the pack is quite thin, especially if you have a laptop in the back compartment. “I didn’t feel like I could arch my back much without feeling the laptop,” she adds.
Another thing you may want to consider is if you’re someone who is likely to use the extender, Stanko found it awkward to use at times. “The expander zipper is located halfway down one of the sides and it drove me crazy because half the time I went to open up the backpack, I opened the expander instead,” she explains. That being said, she points out that it’s a minor issue that could be attributed to user error and looks forward to using the bag again on upcoming trips.
So how much will a Béis backpack set you back? This backpack retails for $98. According to Stanko, it’s a fair price to pay given the sleek shape, water-repellent exterior and built-in organizational system. It’s the best travel backpack for weekend getaways or weeklong excursions and one that is sure to give you your money’s worth.
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This wildly popular Matein travel backpack has more than 3,350 five-star ratings on Amazon. Here’s why: The storage is exceptional. The two front organizer sections have spots for stashing keys, a wallet and a phone. The main compartment is roomy and ideal for daily essentials, and there’s a separate padded space for laptops and other small tech devices. It’s one of the best wallet-friendly Amazon carry-on luggage pieces.
Since Amazon finds can be hit or miss, we had our tester, Liz Hund, give this one a shot to see if it was worthy of its glowing reviews. Spoiler alert: It totally is. “The Matein backpack isn’t the most stylish backpack on the market, but it’s functional and durable,” writes Hund in her Matein backpack review. Hund was impressed by the backpack’s spacious main compartment, which boasts a 40-liter capacity, as well as the myriad organizational pockets. She also appreciated the bag’s laptop compartment, anti-theft pocket and easy-to-access second storage compartment. In spite of its large capacity, Hund was easily able to fit this backpack under the seat in front of her on a full flight, making it ideal for use as a carry-on or personal item.
This bag may only retail for $40, but it’s anything but cheap. “The Matein backpack is not only a steal but also a quality backpack that can withstand the various elements of travel,” raves Hund. Made of water-resistant, high-density nylon fabric with durable metal zippers, it will keep your items safe and dry whether you’re shlepping through airports, heading out for a busy day trip, or simply using it as your new work bag.
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Since 1967, JanSport has continued to churn out some of the best backpacks for a reason: The durable construction is meant to last, and the affordable price point can’t be beaten. JanSport’s lightweight backpack only weighs 14 ounces and is simple, yet sturdy. The classic design of this best travel backpack boasts spacious storage in the main compartment, including a padded 15-inch laptop sleeve, a front utility pocket with a built-in organizer, a lined interior, a webbing grab handle and padded shoulder straps.
“The backpack’s capacity is impressive. It easily accommodates my essentials and can even hold around two days’ worth of clothing or items. During my test, it comfortably housed my 16-inch laptop in its dedicated slot, along with a medium-sized makeup bag and three to four books, shares associate editor, Mariah Thomas, who took this backpack on multiple outings. And it wasn’t just the backpack’s capacity that impressed her. Thomas noted that the backpack was comfortable to tote around. “The straps are sturdy and thick, distributing weight evenly so I didn’t feel any pressure on my shoulders, even with both straps on,” she explains. “Plus, it’s versatile enough to be carried on one shoulder, though it’s not as comfy that way.”
Thomas points out that this backpack is a familiar sight at airports—and for good reason. In addition to offering ample space for essentials, it comes in an array of colorful designs and is an excellent value. “For under $50, you get a spacious backpack that’s comfortable on your shoulders and features unique, stylish designs that set it apart from typical options,” she says. If you ask us, it doesn’t get much better than that!
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From the brand that created the original Swiss Army Knife, Victorinox brings the same ingenuity and clever functionality to its range of travel gear. A trusty duffle bag gets an upgrade with this convertible carryall that we’re calling the best large backpack for travel. With a focus on practicality, durability and comfort, this two-in-one backpack/duffel is an indispensable companion for navigating any journey, near or far.
“This bag holds an impressive amount! I was able to pack for five days in desert temperatures, which ranged from 90-degree heat to 50 degrees and chilly, so I had a lot of layers and a few different pairs of shoes, along with cosmetics and toiletries,” shares associate editor, Miranda Manier.
Hidden straps convert the duffle into a backpack and allow for hands-free cruising, whether you’re racing for a flight or meandering on an outdoor expedition. Manier appreciated the versatility of this best travel backpack, as well as the ease of switching between duffle and backpack. “It’s just a matter of tucking away the backpack straps when you don’t want them and grabbing the handle or clipping on the duffle strap,” she explains.
While switching back and forth was easy and convenient, Manier found that she struggled with the duffle strap during use. “I found this bag to be most comfortable when used as a backpack,” she shares. “When I tried to sling it across my shoulder as a duffle bag, the padded strap twisted upside down more often than not, and the strap could actually be kind of painful digging into my shoulder if I didn’t immediately adjust it.” According to Manier, affixing the padding to the strap so it can’t twist off the shoulder would be a great improvement.
Despite her strap troubles, Manier recommends this bag for anyone who is going on a week-long trip, as it will comfortably hold all of your belongings and is more convenient than a roller bag. Additionally, she insists that it’s worth the $175 price tag. “For how roomy, sturdy and versatile this bag is, I would say that price is fair. The quality is very nice,” she says. Crafted from extra-tough polyester, it holds up on outdoor adventures. Plus, handy multi-purpose pockets offer versatile storage solutions to avoid packing mistakes, including a separate space for shoes and compartments for electronics. It’s a smart bag to have in your collection.
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Samsonite, known for its superior luggage line, designed a convertible backpack that’s ideal for business travelers looking for a stylish carry-on that’s the size of a personal item, according to deputy editor, Anne Fritz. This best backpack for travel features an adjustable strap that allows you to carry the bag in five unique ways: as a backpack, crossbody, over-the-shoulder bag, handheld bag or as an over-sized clutch. The multi-purpose aspect of this quality luggage makes this one of the best business travel backpack options, allowing the carrier to seamlessly adapt for a range of occasions.
Fritz, who needs a backpack when traveling with her laptop, was able to fit everything she needed during a recent trip. “It held my laptop, small makeup bag, Lululemon belt bag, Kindle, chargers, keys and a few other odds and ends,” she shares. But while the bag had enough room for all of her travel essentials, she was disappointed by the lack of padding on the straps. “I was most looking forward to wearing it as a backpack, but the adjustable strap has zero padding, and when the bag was fully packed, they dug into my shoulders,” says Fritz. The good news is that this bag has a zip-away attachment strap, which makes it easy to pop it onto the handles of other luggage, which is exactly what Fritz did.
No matter which way you choose to carry this bag, you can rest assured that you’ll be traveling in style. Made with a sleek and sturdy nylon fabric with vinyl trim that Fritz calls sophisticated and chic, it’s both boardroom-appropriate and stylish enough to sport every day.
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Dagne Dover’s Dakota Neoprene Backpack may look like your standard, everyday backpack, but you’ll be amazed by how much this chic pack holds, according to senior shopping editor, Katie Bandurski. She was able to comfortably fit an entire day’s worth of essentials, including a laptop and charger, wallet, phone, sunglasses, water bottle, jacket and snacks—and had plenty of room to spare. “I’m impressed at just how many pockets, caddies and pouches it contains,” she says.
In addition to its spacious interior, this bag is comfortable for all-day wear. “It has two standard backpack straps—which are very comfortable. They are padded and adjustable for the perfect fit. The fabric is also very soft, so this would be comfy for all-day wear at Disney or the zoo or somewhere you might be walking all day in a tank top,” says Bandurski. “There’s also a reinforced handle so you can grab it on the go, but I wouldn’t suggest carrying it that way for long—especially if you have a full pack. The weight is much more evenly distributed on the back.” And if you don’t want to wear it, you’re in luck, as this backpack can slide onto your luggage. “As someone who’s #TeamCarryOn this makes traveling a breeze,” she adds.
This backpack comes in three sizes and 10 colors. It’s convenient for travelers, chic enough for college students and comfortable for commuters. And while the smallest size will set you back a cool $150 to 155, depending on the color you choose, Bandurski points out that most quality pieces of luggage tend to be on the pricier side.
Before you go ahead and add this backpack to your cart, keep in mind that the manufacturer recommends hand-washing only. Since washing by hand can be labor intensive, Bandurski says she would be hesitant to use this backpack during a trip to the beach, waterpark or other place where it could get dirty.
The newest versions of the best backpacks for travel are equally functional and fashionable, and they suit just about any event, occasion or vacation. So whether you need an underseat luggage option or a carry-on bag, if the goal is to pack lighter and travel smarter, there’s a backpack for you. The best backpacks have lumbar support, padded straps and even special features, such as wireframes or metal stays for heavier loads.
Before adding to cart, consider these points when choosing the best backpack for travel:
Here at Reader’s Digest, we don’t just do a deep dive into whatever products we’re reviewing—we get our hands on them and put them to the test ourselves. With the help of our editors and testers—many of whom have years of experience in the commerce space—we took the best backpacks for travels on airplanes, in cars and wherever our days took us.
Thanks to Caroline Stanko, Liz Hund, Mariah Thomas, Miranda Manier, Anne Fritz and Katie Bandurski, we were able to see if these top-rated travel backpacks stood up to constant use, had desirable features, included enough organizational pockets and were overall worth their prices.
We don’t have to tell you that there are a lot of travel backpacks on the market, making the decision tricky, especially when ordering online. That’s why we personally ordered backpacks from some of the best luggage brands, including Béis and Samsonite, so that we could try them on our own travels.
After selecting raved-about backpacks for travel, complete with looking into their features and real-life user reviews, we asked our editors and testers to take them on their next trips. They traveled on airplanes, where they placed the bags under the seat in front of them and in the overhead compartment, and in cars, where they hoped for easy access while on the road.
They also took them on daily “travels” to the coffee shop or running errands. In total, we spent nearly 100 hours testing the best backpacks for travel, taking note of their durability, ease of use and valuable features. We landed on the top six travel backpacks that we’re recommending here.
The best travel backpack is a versatile carry-on bag that allows you to easily maneuver—hands-free—through busy airports and crowded towns. If you’re backpacking or traveling by foot, portability is paramount, so backpacks are usually the best bet. But, if you’re going on a longer trip and need to pack more items, a roller suitcase or hard-shell luggage might be a better option.
It depends on the length of the trip. Small knapsacks may be suitable for overnight getaways, but you’ll want a larger, more substantial size for weekend trips. For vacations longer than a week, check out the top best luggage sets.
The best carry-on backpack should be able to hold at least a couple of days’ worth of clothes, accessories, shoes and toiletries. Using packing cubes, compression bags and rolling clothes helps maximize space in the backpack. But the exact amount of stuff that fits will vary depending on the style and design of the bag.
Do you plan to put the carry-on backpack in the overhead bin of the plane or under the seat? Every airline has different size restrictions for each, so double-check with the carrier to avoid unwanted baggage fees.
Most airlines allow a carry-on with a maximum size of 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches and a weight of 22 pounds (although many domestic airlines don’t have weight restrictions). But remember, just because a backpack can carry a ton doesn’t mean it should, especially when it’s a kid doing the carrying. To prevent injury and backaches, a child’s backpack shouldn’t exceed about 10% of their body weight.
Additional reporting by Marisa Hillman.
