santiago black travel backpack 50l

Best 50L Backpacks (for travel, hiking and trekking)

• Post author: Kieren
• Post last modified: July 16, 2021
• Post category: Pack

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A backpack is one of the most important, yet overlooked item you’ll purchase ahead of any trip.

Knowing what to look for in a backpack isn’t always obvious and will vary depending upon how you plan to use it. That’s why I’ve put together a series of guides to help you find the right features whether you’re travelling abroad, hiking up a hill or trekking through the countryside.

I trawled through all of the best branded and budget 50L backpacks to find the below recommendations that I’m sure you’ll love.

Quick Summary

Is a 50l backpack right for you, osprey farpoint trek 55, patagonia black hole duffel 55l, kathmandu hybrid trolley 50l, osprey atmos 50l, deuter aircontact lite 45+10, kelty redwing 50, north face terra 55l.

• Earth Pak 55L

50 Litre is a popular backpack for both travel and outdoor use. Here are the best use cases but this will vary by person:

Travel: Unfortunately 50 litres doesn’t officially fit as carry on luggage, however many travellers, myself included, will manage to get it into the cabin with no fuss. If you’re travelling to a warm climate, this will be plenty of room for your belongings, if you’re visiting a cooler climate then you’ll have to be a light packer to fit everything in.

Hiking and Trekking: If you’re heading on multi-day hiking, trekking  or backpacking trips of around 3 days then a 50 litres will be adequate. It should hold all of your clothing, camping gear and food for the trail.

I put together this infographic to help you choose the right size:

Best 50 Litre Backpacks

Here are my recommended 50L backpacks: (with Amazon links)

• Best Travel Backpack: Osprey Farpoint Trek 55
• Best Duffel Bag: Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 55
• Best Backpack with Wheels: Kathmandu Hybrid Trolley 50
• Best for Hiking and Trekking: Osprey Atmos 55
• Runner Up Hiking Backpack: Deuter Aircontact Lite 45+10
• Great Value Hiking Backpack: North Face Terra 55L
• Best Under £100: Kelty Redwing 50
• Best Waterproof Backpack: Earthpak 55

Below are full reviews and information about all of the backpacks I’ve listed, plus more.

If you need a backpack in the 50 to 55L capacity range for travel then this should be the go-to choice

See Fairview Trek 50 for Women’s fit

✓ Trampoline mesh back panel helps stay cool and ventilated

✓ Usual durability and high quality you’d expect from Osprey

✓ Front loading and spacious

✗ No protected laptop sleeve

I was never a fan of Osprey’s 55L Farpoint backpack which was essentially a 40L backpack with a 15L daypack strapped to it so I was relieved when they launched the 55L Farpoint Trek as an alternative and it’s been a real hit with me.

For starters, it’s front loading which is an essential feature of a good travel backpack. The only downside is the lack of a padded laptop compartment which is another essential for me.

The main compartment offers a spacious interior for packing in the extra items you’ll need for visiting cooler climates and it has plenty of organisational compartments on the exterior, including side pockets that can conveniently be accessed from both the side and top.

It does feature a bladder sleeve if you really need to use it for trekking or hiking but I wouldn’t recommend buying it especially for this purpose as there are better hiking backpacks in this guide.

It has the durability expected from Osprey and all the typical features:

• strong zips
• large grab handles
• compression straps
• integrated rain cover in lid

It’s also very comfortable to carry with a mesh ventilated back panel, an improvement on the Farpoint 40 which I rated as in my review of 40L packs.

Best Duffel Backpack

An excellent duffel bag and backpack combo made from sustainable materials.

✓ Made with heavy duty, recycled material

✓ Huge interior

✗ Back panel isn’t particularly strong or well ventilated when used as a backpack

As you can tell, I’m more of a backpack fan than a duffel bag fan so it’s not surprising that my favourite 50L duffel bag is one that also functions well as a backpack.

The Patagonia Blackhole range features backpack straps that can be quickly and easily added for airline travel, and are reasonably comfortable due to the level of padding on them.

The heavy-duty 900D recycled ripstop polyester material is extremely durable and gives the bag a good form, for even more weather resistance it’s finished with a TPU water-resistant film.

As well as the large main compartment, it has a flat mesh pocket under the lid as well as a smaller pocket on the outside for quick access items. If that still isn’t enough there are plenty of places to hook extra items on the outside.

The only downside is the lack of any ventilation or padding against your back when using it as a backpack but this is more of a general duffel-backpack combo issue than specific to this bag.

Best Backpack with Wheels

If you need a travel backpack that works like a suitcase then this is the best one going in 50L.

✓ Stands up well even when fully packed

✓ Retractable handle to seamlessly turn it from a backpack to a wheeled suitcase

✓ Front loading

✗ Limited organisational compartments inside

New Zealand has given the world many great things, and one of those is excellent bag. The Kathmandu Hybrid Trolley functions as both a wheeled suitcase and a backpack, doing a great job of both.

As a suitcase, the wheels look flimsy but they are actually very rugged and do well on most terrains. The outside is sturdy and it’s front-loading so perfect for the job.

As a backpack it has a comfortable mesh back panel with good ventilation as well as compression straps and a hip belt. The wheels and handle both tuck away nicely so it’s easy to carry.

The internal compartment is huge although it could do with additional storage options to keep things organised, you’ll probably want to use packing cubes with his.

As you often find with Kanthmandu backpacks, it integrates really nicely with one of their smaller day packs, this one can attach to the Gluon day pack (sold separately) if 50L isn’t enough.

Best Hiking Backpack

Overall best backpack for hiking, trekking and backpacking with anti-gravity back system.

✓ Anti gravity suspension system

✓ Most featureful hiking backpack on the market

✓ Thick 630D Nylon material

✗ Hip belt pockets are awkwardly placed

✗ Expensive

Osprey seem to be doing a lot of things right which is why I’ve also given them the title of the best 50L hiking and trekking backpack.

The highlight is undoubtedly the anit gravity technology, officially this ‘combines 3D support and a tensioned lumbar support’ which basically means it hugs your body so you feel less weight from the pack.

But the features don’t stop there, it also has:

• Front zip access to the main compartment
• A removable lid which can reduce the volume to about 45L
• Stretchy side pockets with front access
• Hydration bladder
• Quick access trekking pole holders

There are almost too many features to mention. It also has the great quality of an Osprey pack with huge durable zips and it’s made from 630D Nylon which is the toughest on this list, this does add to the weight but the anti-gravity system means you won’t feel this.

The only real downside I could find was the placement of the hip pockets which make it awkward to use the zips when you’re wearing it.

With all the positives comes a hefty price tag which can be difficult to swallow. But once you pay it, the durability and repairability of the bag will make sure you get the use out of it. The Osprey Stratos range has been released more recently as a good competitor, although this is around 15% cheaper it doesn’t feature the anti-gravity system so you are losing the best feature.

Excellent runner up in 50L hiking backpacks and slightly cheaper than the Osprey.

✓ Comfortable Aircontact Lite back panel with air channel

✓ Ergonomic hip fins

✓ Packed with storage pockets

✗ Doesn’t come with a rain cover so you’ll need to buy this separately

I feel guilty putting this excellent backpack as a runner up but if it wasn’t for the outstanding anti-gravity system on the Osprey, this would be a contender for number one.

The X-frame design helps transfer the pack’s weight to the hip belt to spread the load. It’s very comfortable to wear thanks to the extra thick padding and open-cell foam on the shoulders and back.

It also has an air channel down the back to allow circulation and prevent you from sweating too much. The torso is adjustable with their specially designed system and the ergonomic hip belt helps reduce the pressure.

The SL version for women has same feature set but fit for women with more conical shape fins and narrower shoulder straps with more distinct s-shape.

The +10 refers to the lid which can be lifted higher to allow more volume in the pack or removed if not needed.

The backpack seems to have storage compartments hidden all over it with hip belt pockets, side pockets, lid pockets, front pockets and if that wasn’t enough there are loops for trekking poles and hanging other items from.

Best Under £100

A great all-round 50L backpack that comes in under £100 for those on a tighter budget.

✓ Well ventilated back panel that sits comfortably against the spine and shoulders

✓ Lots of organisational pockets including the signature side pockets

✓ Very good price for the quality

✗ Only in one size (although it is adjustable)

✗ No laptop sleeve or lockable zips

The Redwing 50 has long been a great backpack but they continue to improve it with new upgrades, most recently the back panel which sits well in the curve of your back with great ventilation.

It has the huge side pockets that are found on all sizes of the Kelty Redwing backpacks that help keep belongings separate and have pass throughs for tent or trekking poles. It also has mesh pockets for quick access and a hydration bladder sleeve.

The opening can function as both a top loader or a front panel by unclipping the compression straps making it a good all rounder suitable for both travel and the outdoors, although there is no laptop sleeve and the zips are not lockable.

It does only come in the one size but the adjustable torso and sternum will help suit it to your body.

A suitable hiking backpack for those on a budget without compromising on essentials.

✓ Very durable 420D ripstop Nylon material

✓ Air column for good ventilation

✓ Very affordable

✗ Strange layout of front pockets

✗ Torso not adjustable

If you’re looking for a cheaper hiking backpack under £100 then the North Face Terra 55L has the features you need.

The material is very durable, a 420D ripstop nylon that will prevent any tears, although it doesn’t appear to have a coating so has limited weather resistance.

The front pockets have an odd layout with one on each side although the interiors overlap so you can only really use one at a time. The rest of the bag makes up for this with plenty of storage including a large main compartment, brain pocket in the lid, sleeping bag pouch at the bottom and trekking pole mounts.

The sleeping bag pocket is well designed with access from the bottom and the option to remove the separator if not required.

Other features that make it suitable for hiking include:

• Hydration bladder sleeve
• Lots of loops to clip things on
• Adjustable sternum
• Hip belt with pockets

The Torso isn’t adjustable although there are plenty of sizes to choose from, just make sure you get the right fit to start with and it should be long lasting.

Best Waterproof Backpack

Earth Pak 55 L

100% Waterproof make this an ideal backpack for water sports

✓ 100% Waterproof

✓ Strong 500D PVC material

✗ Not the most comfortable to wear for long periods of time

Many of the backpacks I’ve shared above have been water resistant, but if you’re doing water sports such as sailing, water skiing or kayaking and require a large backpack, then the Earthpak 50 is just what you need.

This is a 100% waterproof backpack that’s built to last, with thick 500D PVC material and a roll top with durable clip, water isn’t going to penetrate it anytime soon

Of course it’s never going to be as featureful as a standard backpack, but that hasn’t stopped the creators from trying. It has a waist strap and sternum to spread the weight and external pockets  for quick access (although these have zips so they aren’t water tight). It also has reflectors which come in handy at night.

That’s all from me, I hope this has been a useful guide and met your requirements.

View more backpack guides:

A 50 litre backpack will fit enough items to last 1-2 weeks in cooler climates or 2-3 weeks in warmer climates. Of course, if you’re able to wash your items, then this can keep you going for months. When it comes to outdoor activities, 50L will be fine for multi-day hiking and camping trips up to 3 days with all of your kit.

A 50L backpack is ideal for the following situations: Travel: If you’re visiting cooler climates and need to pack warmer layers of clothes, a 50L backpack is the minimum size you’ll need and should give you enough room for 1 week’s worth of items. Hiking and Trekking: If you’re heading on multi-day hiking, trekking or backpacking trips up to 3 days then a 50L backpack will be ideal. It should hold all of your clothing, camping gear and food for the trail.

If you’re only visiting warm climates and are a light packer, I would recommend a 40L as being more suitable and will fit as hand luggage. If you’re going on a hike or trek for one day or less, then a smaller 30L might be more suitable. If you’re heading out for much longer than 3 days, then a 60-70L would be better.

No, of all the 50L backpacks reviewed here, none of them have been suitable for carry-on luggage. The biggest bag I have come across that would fit in carry-on luggage is the Peak Design 45L although you’ll need to check airline requirements as some budget airlines are more stringent.

Price key: £=under £100, ££=£100-150, £££=£150-200, ££££=£200+

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Whether weekend road-tripping or jet-setting around the world, you’re going to need a pack to toss over your shoulder. Here are the best travel backpacks for every adventure.

There are a lot of great travel backpacks out there, but not all of them are created equal. A travel pack needs to be comfortable to carry, easy to organize, and durable enough to withstand being toted from place to place.

From hitting the road for the weekend to spending months traveling abroad, we’ve put nearly 30 different travel backpacks through the wringer. We tallied our airline miles, punched our tickets, and put our tray tables in the upright and locked position for close to half a decade now, taking domestic and international flights to as far as Iceland and as close as 30-minute island hops. And while there isn’t a single pack that suits every traveler, we’ve highlighted a variety of designs and price points to help you find the perfect travel backpack.

Choosing a travel backpack can be a dizzying experience, and we’ve shaken down the best to sort through the static. Each pack has seen its time on the baggage carousel, hostel luggage cart, and we’ve even had a few go missing for the full experience. We fully pack and live out of these bags to test them, and in the end, we’re confident that the 15 packs collected here are the best travel backpacks available today. Check in and check them out.

For all your travel pack questions, consult our buyer’s guide , where we’ve laid bare all the essentials. Compare each of the packs using our handy comparison chart , and if you’ve still got questions, check out our FAQ section.

Editor’s Note: We updated our travel backpack guide on March 20, 2024 to add the Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 24L — a supremely nice commuter-style travel pack, as well as the Thule Aion 40L and Osprey Archeon 30L .

• Best Overall Travel Backpack: Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L
• Best Budget Travel Backpack: Dakine Campus 33L Backpack
• Best Carrying Travel Backpack: Osprey Farpoint & Fairview 40 Travel Packs
• Best Organization in a Travel Backpack: Matador SEG45 Travel Pack
• Best Shoulder Bag: Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L
• Best Commuter-Style Travel Backpack: Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 24L
• Best Personal Item Travel Pack: TimBuk2 Never Check Expandable Backpack

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

• Capacity 45 L (collapses to 35 L)
• Weight 4 lbs., 8 oz.
• Dimensions 22" x 13" x 9.5" standard, 22" x 13" x 11" expanded
• Compartment access Back panel clamshell design with #10 zipper
• Material Weatherproof, 100% recycled 400-denier nylon canvas shell; 900-denier waterproof bottom

• Compresses down to maximum airline carry-on size, and then expands once you’ve hit your destination
• Burly construction
• No details are overlooked in the design
• Side-carry handles are offset in an awkward position

Perfect is a dirty word in product design, but we’re about stumped when it comes to drumming up a quibble about the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45 L ($300). This redeye-ready clamshell design is made to the highest of standards.

It’s made of quality materials, utilizing aluminum hardware and a burly 400-denier nylon canvas — and it easily ticks all our boxes for the best overall travel backpack. The interior of the bag is split into two compartments: a larger main area for storing the majority of your kit and a secondary sleeve at the front of the bag with five zippered pockets. The main pocket also sports a foam-padded laptop sleeve and three more pockets.

One of the more impressive aspects we discovered along the bag’s inaugural leg from Seattle to Anchorage was how easily the straps of the Travel Backpack stow away into the bag. Two foam panels on the back of the bag flip away to secure them and then close with a magnetic closure — very slick. This was our favorite strap-stowage system, with the zippered panels of the Matador GlobeRider45 coming in a close second. We find the Peak Design bag compresses smaller.

Then there are the little details. An ID-size sleeve on the back panel provides all the information should your bag get separated from you. Zipper pulls thread through one another to keep what’s yours safe. And a collapsible system adjusts the bag from a full 45 to 35 liters.

In our review, there’s little about the Peak Design pack that misses the mark. The company leans heavily toward the camera-toting travelers among us, but the 45 L Travel Backpack makes no compromises and works just as well for any user group. The high price is undeniable, but for the scope of the travel pack, it’s a buy-once-cry-once purchase we would make again.

Also available in a 30L size , the range of Travel Backpacks from Peak Design is so well-thought-out that you can practically see the cogs turning in their creators’ heads. We think they make the best travel backpacks on the market.

Dakine Campus 33L Backpack

• Capacity 33 L
• Weight 1 lb., 10.6 oz.
• Dimensions 20.5" x 13" x 8"
• Compartment access Zippered top access
• Material Depending on print type, can be 600-denier recycled polyester, 420-denier recycled nylon, 630-denier recycled nylon, or 1,200-denier recycled polyester

• Cheap price
• Available in many different fabric prints
• Unique insulated cooler pocket
• Not many travel-specific features
• Straps don’t pack away

Even at the regular price, the Dakine Campus 33L Backpack ($75) is a great deal. And considering you can grab one on sale for $45, it’s a must-have budget travel backpack.

It has everything you need to keep your travels organized, without getting too big or complicated. This design has a padded laptop sleeve and a fleece-lined top pocket to keep your sunglasses safe. There’s an organizer pocket that’s perfect for pens, a phone, and easy-access essentials. We love pockets, and this backpack has plenty.

And if that weren’t enough, it also has an insulated cooler pocket to keep your snacks fresh on the go, plus double side pockets keep drinks handy. We found the straps comfortable during long travel days. Be sure to use the sternum strap when carrying a heavy load for the best fit.

While this bag does excellent at travel, it isn’t quite what the bag was designed for, thus it’s missing a few travel niceties like a compression system or the ability to pack away the straps. We didn’t find that we missed them desperately, but they would have been nice for a few instances. For similar-sized backpacks with more of a travel bend to them, look to the sleek Timbuk2 Never Check, or the uber-customizable Tom Bihn Synapse 25. But prepare to shell out some more for them.

If you’re looking for a sub-$100 backpack (under $60 during sales!) that does the basics, then the Dakine Campus Backpack is for you. It comes in a variety of colors and is also available in a 25L capacity .

Osprey Farpoint & Fairview 40 Travel Packs

• Capacity 40 L
• Weight 3 lbs., 7.6 oz.
• Dimensions 22" x 14" x 9"
• Compartment access Zippered back panel clamshell design
• Material Bluesign-approved 450-denier recycled polyester

• Supreme suspension system offers the best carry of any pack we tried
• External compression straps limit the volume well
• Comfortably padded grab handles
• Not much internal organization

No stranger to producing supremely comfortable suspension systems, Osprey injected a good bit of its tech into the Farpoint and Fairview packs ($185), which both sport LightWire frames, load lifters, and breathable framesheet and suspension straps. Our Farpoint pack was easily the best load carrier of any we tested and a close contender for the best travel backpack overall.

Far beyond what any of the other travel packs offer, the pack even allows you to adjust the torso length — unheard of in the typical travel pack. Newly updated, these packs have been tweaked to ride the line between traditional backpacks and functional luggage, a claim we can substantiate.

The 40-liter capacity is just about the sweet spot for domestic carry-on luggage limits, and these packs make good use of the space. We could easily pack away a long weekend’s worth of travel essentials into the bag with a little space to spare.

Whereas many other travel packs stash straps away into the body of the pack, the Farpoint and Fairview move in the opposite direction with a deployable strap cover that neatly seals in the suspension for safekeeping when checked. This produces a clean profile that’s ready to be slung around, but it’s not quite as easy and quick as the magnetic panels of the Peak Design Travel Backpacks, as you need to unclip straps to tuck them away.

The interior of the pack is rather spartan, incorporating only one zippered pocket, a laptop sleeve, and two internal compression straps. We would have rather seen a bit more organizational features involved like those that the Matador GlobeRider and Topo Designs Global Travel bags incorporate, but for those who stuff more than pack, the Farpoint and  Fairview may very well punch the ticket.

With one foot on the platform and one on the trail, these packs from Osprey will get you where you’re going and carry a trip’s worth of kit with ease.

Matador SEG45 Travel Pack

• Capacity 45 L
• Weight 2 lbs., 8 oz.
• Dimensions 22" x 13.4" x 10.2"
• Compartment access Full clamshell interior, additional front zippered access
• Material 420-denier nylon exterior, 100-denier Robic Dynatec interior

• Excellent storage organization options
• High-quality, strong, and lightweight construction
• No frame to speak of
• Shoulder straps don’t pack away

Aiming to do more with less, the Matador SEG45 Segmented Backpack ($200) proposes a future free of packing cubes and splits up the bag for you, making the organization of your travel pack a breeze.

The full 45 liters of volume is shared among the five segments (6, 9, 15, 9, and 6 L) and trades volume between the full clamshell compartment and the segments. Each of these segments is accessible via its own water-resistant zippers and can be collapsed as your needs change.

We found organizing by clothing type made the most sense in our own packing, but you could even pack based on the day of the week or the use. The clamshell-accessed main compartment was ideal for holding larger items like spare shoes or quarantining spent outfits.

Known for its overbuilt but lightweight bags, Matador didn’t spare the SEG45, utilizing 420D UHMWPE-reinforced nylon in the pack body, as well as 100D Robic Dynatec weave on the interior. It should be noted that this travel backpack doesn’t have any kind of frame and will rely on being packed well to carry correctly. Because of this, this pack won’t carry as well as bags like the Osprey Farpoint/Fairview, so consider packing mostly clothing in the SEG45.

Our testers felt this bag excelled as a travel bag you might deploy once you’ve hit your destination, as it packs away into larger bags so well. Unfortunately, however, the shoulder straps don’t pack away into the bag itself, so you’ll have to wrangle them into place to keep things tidy.

No matter what you’re up to, everything has got a spot to live in the SEG45 . Need a bit less space? Matador offers the SEG28 ($250) for that.

Read Review: Dresser in a Backpack: Matador SEG42 Review

Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L

• Weight 3 lbs., 10.3 oz.
• Dimensions 22.8" x 8.6" x 14.5"
• Compartment access Back panel zippered clamshell design
• Material 900-denier recycled polyester ripstop with a TPU laminate

• Multiple ways to carry the pack
• Many different storage and internal organization options
• Burly external fabric
• Doesn’t carry the best as a backpack

Looking to squeeze out every last liter of allowed space? Patagonia named this pack in honor of the cause: the Patagonia Black Hole Maximum Legal Carry-On 45 L ($239). This bag can be carried in a number of different ways, but we found it shined during travel as a shoulder bag.

Borrowing fabric from Patagonia’s line of burly Black Hole Duffels , the MLC 45 is made for the long haul. The 900-denier polyester ripstop is coated in a TPU laminate and feels ready to take on the surliest baggage carrier. We certainly felt no remorse in tossing the bag around.

At 45 L, the MLC is certainly right at the cusp of the maximum allowed size, but thankfully that space is well divided up inside the pack. Inside the main clamshell-accessed compartment is a blizzard of zippers and mesh pockets and dividers. Anything we tossed inside was well-stabilized.

Because there isn’t much of a frame to speak of, the Black Hole MLC doesn’t carry the best when slung over both shoulders and can sag when not entirely full. But over a shoulder with the included shoulder strap, this pack feels great and can be easily accessed on the go. This is one of the only packs in our testing to feature a shoulder strap (the other being the Topo Designs Global Travel Bag).

On top of all this, we greatly appreciate that the Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45 L is made with 100% recycled body fabric, lining, and webbing. Perfect for grabbing and going, this pack is ready to move.

Read Review: Patagonia Black Hole MLC Bag Review: An Organized, Carry-On-Size Wonder

Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 24L

• Capacity 24 L
• Weight 3 lbs., 1.6 oz.
• Dimensions 18" x 7: x 11.5"
• Compartment access Zippered clamshell
• Material 840D ballistic nylon 6, 420D HT nylon

• Functions as both a laptop backpack and suitcase
• Well-structured and protected
• Full panel loading access
• Limited colorways

With an understated look that betrays the truly impressive fit and functionality inside, the Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 24L ($279) doesn’t need to brag — it knows it’ll tote your kit through the worst of your travel or everyday commutes without missing a beat. This bag is our newly anointed best commuter-style travel backpack.

From a fabrics and materials standpoint, it’s clear that someone at Evergoods truly nerded out when they brewed up this bindle. The 840D ballistic nylon 6 that makes up the exterior of the pack is burly (errantly spilled coffee wipes right off), and compliments the thick #10 zippers and spacer-mesh back panel. Even the Evergoods logo is low-key: a simple 2×2” patch on the front of the bag with a slash. That’s it — and we dig it.

Bar none, the Civic Panel Loader has the best laptop sleeve we’ve ever encountered in a backpack, and that’s saying something. The side-accessed zippered aperture can hold a 17” Macbook Pro, and nestles into a fully padded space at the rear of the pack. This sleeve is suspended from the bottom of the bag, as we’ve seen in many forward-thinking bags, but goes a step further and protects the laptop from the side with an aluminum stay — the primary functionality of which is to support the side handle on the bag. Genius.

The high-polish finish on the CPL24 feels reminiscent of the attention to detail we loved about the Tom Bihn Synapse 25, but we ended up enjoying this pack even more for a simple reason: side carry. The broad handle on the side of the pack is reinforced by that aluminum stay, and it creates a perfectly supported carry for jostling through crowded terminals.

On the interior of the pack, two large pockets are subdivided with a few smaller sleeves and pockets, which are oriented to be accessed with the bag on its side. We carried this pack for a month straight of remote work, lugging it to coffee shops and co-working spaces, and it supplanted all other packs we’ve used previously. “It’s hard not to love a pack that makes your life easier,” says Senior Editor Nick Belcaster. “This pack does that. Laptop, headphones, notebooks — a whole lot goes into the pack without a care.”

Up there with Nomatic, GORUCK, and Tom Bihn, Evergoods is certainly among the pack-makers that put intelligent design and smart material choice above all else. The Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 24L is the final word when it comes to a travel pack you can carry every day. We certainly do.

Timbuk2 Never Check Expandable Backpack

• Capacity 27.5 L
• Weight 2 lbs., 9 oz.
• Dimensions 18.9" x 11.4" x 5.9"
• Material 420x2000D Cordura nylon, 135D polyester

• Dang good looking
• High-quality trim and details, including anodized G hooks and supple webbing
• Supper cushioned back panel
• Exterior expandable water bottle pocket is a bit slim
• Pack straps don't stow away.

Pulling off a good expandable backpack can be a tough task, with fabric accordion folds often taking up valuable real estate on the interior when collapsed in lesser bags. Not so with the TimBuk2 Never Check ($209), which takes a simple backpack shape and elevates it with premium materials and design to create one of our favorite travel backpacks for tucking under an airliner seat.

Unlike a lot of the pure-function rectangular bags in our lineup, the Never Check is a real looker — easily one of the best styled in our testing so far, and we’d have no qualms about bringing it along as a business bag. Small details like rubber-covered zipper pulls, anodized G hooks, and supple webbing keep it looking sharp. The 27.5-liter size is just about dead-on for most airline ‘personal item’ size requirements, and this bag easily slides under a seat.

The main compartment is accessed through a clamshell zipper on the front of the bag, which is gusseted to hang open while you’re loading it up. During the few national and international flights our Senior Editor Nick Belcaster deployed the bag on, this was easily enough space for everything you might want during a plane ride. And for everything else, a front pocket is lined with multiple drop and zip pockets for organizing small gadgets like chargers or keys.

The back panel of the Never Check is a plush ½ inch of comfortable foam, and combined with the equally padded shoulder straps made for a very nice carrying bag. The straps unfortunately do not stow away, but on a lower volume pack such as this, it’s a much less useable feature in our opinions.  And finally, one of our favorite features: the wide laptop sleeve. This 15” opening is generous enough to accommodate the larger laptops of today, and is suspended from the bottom of the backpack to ensure bumps don’t turn into bruises.

Just like the name suggests, the Never Check Expandable Backpack provides a svelte solution to bringing a bag with you during airline travel — or even just to the office. Its clean profile and attention to detail impressed us, and it would make an excellent work-to-weekend bag.

Matador GlobeRider45 Travel Pack

• Dimensions 22" x 12.8" x 11"
• Compartment access Zippered clamshell design
• Material 420D UHMWPE-reinforced ripstop nylon, 100D Robic nylon mini-ripstop

• Incredible density of pockets and sleeves
• Tough UHMWPE outer fabric can be tossed around
• Shoulder straps tuck away in a novel and smart manner
• Laptop sleeve opening is a bit tight
• Price is up there

With a pocket or sleeve for pretty much everything, the new Matador GlobeRider 45 ($350) gives the Peak Design Travel Pack a run for its money when it comes to the best overall travel pack. 

Our Managing Editor raved about the GlobeRider after serious testing where she pretty much lived out of it for 3 months: “If you travel often and look for crucial components like internal and external pockets, laptop storage, and backpack and hip straps, consider the Matador GlobeRider 45. It’s a unique design in that the [pack] seems to have it all — every feature I’ve needed so far, both living out of it and in my travels — in a pretty packable size.”

What impressed us most was the way the GlobeRider was able to balance both an eye-watering amount of organization and versatility, and burly durability that ensures that this pack won’t shy away from tough travel conditions. In total (and we double-counted) there are 19 individual pockets on the pack, in all types of stretch mesh, zippered, and collapsible configurations. When good organization is key, the GlobeRider reigns. 

On the back panel of the GlobeRider, one of the more novel stowage systems we’ve seen packs away the shoulder straps and hip belt for when you want to slim down the pack. Two zippered panels — similar to the structure of the Peak Design packs, save for the closure — envelop the straps when not in use, and provide a lump-free panel for toting around. 

When it comes to downsides, the GlobeRider doesn’t miss much. The laptop sleeve aperture is a bit small at 9.5”, which in today’s age of mondo-screened computers may be limiting to some with larger devices. There also is no ability to convert the pack to a shoulder bag like the Patagonia MLC does, which can be handy when moving quickly through the airport.

Dang-near the top of the list, the Matador GlobeRider 45 would be an excellent choice for anyone who practices one-bag travel, or desires to have a place for everything in their journeys. The price does sting a bit, but based on the long-term testing we’ve completed so far, we’ve seen no indications that this pack will fade away anytime soon.

Read Review: I Lived Out of This Backpack for 3-Plus Months: Matador Globerider45 Review

Thule Aion 40L

• Weight 3 lbs., 3 oz.
• Dimensions 13" x 9.1" x 20.5"
• Material Waxed P600 polyester canvas

• Maxes out on carry-on-compliant space
• Internal roll-top TPU bag separates the clean from the to-do laundry
• Waxed canvas exterior has a classy look
• Centered side handle carries well
• Well-cushioned back panel
• No shoulder strap stowage option
• No hipbelt on a 40L is pushing it

Better known for their roof boxes and racks, it’s fair to say that Thule knows travel, and the addition of smart, organized, and comfortable travel packs like the Thule Aion 40L ($200) makes all the sense in the world to us. This pack is a finely-honed bag for international and local travel alike, and is decked out in some high-class materials.

Like the Patagonia Black Hole MLC pack, the Aion 40L aims to go for the maximum allowed capacity, and at our measurements (21.5” x 15” x 8”) the pack slides in just half an inch less than the normal 45 linear inches typically allowed. That’s efficient. The space is split up into two main compartments and a laptop sleeve, with the larger opening with a full clamshell zip.

This inner compartment hosts a few zippered pockets and internal compression straps, but the star of the show here is the integrated TPU rolltop bag. This sack can be used to cordon off your liquids (and easily presented for inspection), as well as separate your pile of ‘to-do’ laundry. This reminds us of the ActiveShield compartment in the Gregory Border Traveler pack, but we enjoy the removable aspect here even more. 

Round the back of the pack, the spacer-mesh swaddled laptop sleeve rivals the Evergoods Civic Panel Loader , and has an additional sleeve for items like tablets, notebooks, or chargers. The back panel itself is impressively cushioned (one of the more luxe in our testing) and that extends to the shoulder straps. 

Unfortunately, there’s no shoulder strap-stowage system here, so you’ll have to wrangle those yourself, and while we typically enjoy the lack of a hip belt in smaller travel packs, the absence in a 40-liter pack is a little puzzling. Fully loaded, the Aion could certainly benefit from one, and while a separate sling bag can be added to function as one, you’ll need to fork over $50 for it.

Ranking high up there with your Peak Designs and your Ospreys, the Thule Aion 40L nails the style and material departments, and with a full 40 liters of space on board, has all the room to pack for your week-long trips — no roof box required.

Osprey Archeon 30L

• Capacity 30 L
• Weight 3 lbs.
• Dimensions 20.5" x 13" x 11.4"
• Compartment access Zippered top-access
• Material 840D ballistic polyester with carbonate coating

• Extra-tough exterior fabric with carbonate coating
• High-polish details such as seatbelt webbing straps
• Mini-wing hipbelt tucks away easily when not needed
• Smart internal storage pockets that lay flat when not needed
• Laptop sleeve opening is a bit too snug
• Compression straps lay over the main zipper

First off, one word: Rugged. The Osprey Archeon 30L ($250) is a high-end build that spares little in the material department, and looks dang good while it’s at it. The 30-liter size makes this bag weekend travel-ready, and we greatly appreciated the fit and finish.

The overall design of the Archeon reminds us a good bit of the Peak Design Travel Bag (certainly the all-waterproof exterior zippers and curved side-entry pockets), but it’s the exterior fabric that really impressed. The 840D ballistic polyester is coated with a carbonate polyurethane coating, a bolstered recipe that increases durability by a magnitude over traditional PU coatings. In testing, we wore out before putting a dent in it.

The pack itself breaks down into two main compartments, with the main pocket opening behind a curved clamshell zip (we did have a little trouble with the zipper passing behind the exterior straps. Removing them fixed that). Inside, three expandable tech pockets tuck away all of your small kit, and do a good job of keeping things tidy on the interior.

On the exterior, Osprey doesn’t disappoint when it comes to suspension straps, which are comfortable, adjustable, and stashable. The mini wing-style hip belt earns special praise on packed flights, where we find traditional hip belts to be a hassle to store, and combined with the slick shoulder-strap stash pocket, the Archeon converts to minimal mode in under a minute.

Something the Archeon certainly could use, however, is a slightly larger aperture into the laptop/tech compartment. As-is, the zipper doesn’t quite extend down far enough to truly open up the pocket, and as such it can feel a bit like rummaging around in the dark looking for cords and chargers in the bottom of the pack. Extending these zippers down to the middle of the pack would seem to fix the issue, and we hope a later iteration might address this.

Nonetheless, we were still impressed by the Osprey Archeon 30L . There’s also a 40-liter version if you’re looking for a max-capacity carry-on, and even a smaller 24-liter for kicking around coffee shops day-to-day.

Read Review: Hack Carry-On Rules: Osprey Archeon Kit Gives Power Back to Passengers

Arc’teryx Granville 25 Backpack

• Capacity 25 L
• Weight 1 lb., 14.5 oz.
• Dimensions 22" x 12" x 9"
• Compartment access Drawstring top-entry
• Material N400r-AC² nylon ripstop

• Tough and waterproof exterior fabric
• White interior for easy viewing
• Floating laptop sleeve
• Not very much interior organization
• Simple webbing waistbelt

Made for moving through the city over the concourse, the commute-ready Arc’teryx Granville 25 ($220) takes travel backpacks to the streets in a sleek and tough design that we couldn’t keep from grabbing every day.

Crafted from the same N400r-AC² nylon ripstop as Arc’teryx’s high-end climbing packs, the mountain DNA is strong in the Granville, with fully taped seams that make the pack highly weather-resistant. In our impromptu “rain” test, a garden hose fired directly at the pack wasn’t able to get a drop past the tough exterior.

On the front of the pack, a single water-resistant zippered pocket was practically made for your keys, and could accommodate a few other essentials for when you’re on the go. Tossing back the shaped lid, a single drawstring entry leads to the interior space, which is mainly one large pocket, with a few zippered and drop pockets to separate smaller items. If you’re looking for the same style pack, but with a bit more organization built-in, the Tom Bihn Synapse 25 divides up its space well.

The padded interior laptop sleeve will accommodate up to a 16” laptop, and is suspended within the main compartment in a way that leaves us feeling confident in slinging our computer across a shoulder. Compared to other more airline-focused travel packs, the Granville 25 has its feet more firmly planted on the ground, and excels at bus, bike, or foot travel.

Whether your commute is just across town or across the country, the Arc’teryx Granville 25 makes for a good-looking carry-all that’s bound to be around for a while.

Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 40L

• Weight 3 lbs., 10.4 oz.
• Dimensions 22.5" x 14" x 7.5"
• Material 1000D recycled nylon, 400D recycled nylon, 210D recycled nylon, 1680D recycled ballistic nylon

• Overbuilt design with tough materials and chunky zippers
• Plenty of organizational pockets
• Bright interior
• Not the cleanest strap stowage

Chunky zippers, an overhead-savvy profile, and multiple ways to sling it over your shoulder: The Topo Designs Global Travel Pack ($229) has honed in on much of what we love in a travel backpack.

During a recent trip from Seattle to Southern California we were heavily saddled with the maximum the airline would allow. But this pack made use of every inch of space and reached the allowance of what we could check as our carry-on. The 40 liters of internal capacity is broken down into a series of dividers and pockets, which made condoning off things like electronics from the rest of our kit easy. And the interior of this pack is a cheery canary yellow, which helps with ease and visibility.

On the exterior of this pack, three separate carry styles are available to get you through the concourse in whatever way you choose. We found the full-featured backpack straps to be our go-to, which even sport load-lifters for a comfy carry. This suspension system does tuck away for when you might want to check the bag, though we found the hipbelt to be a bit tricky to fully retract.

Rounding out this travel-ready backpack is a tough build that makes use of 1000D recycled nylon and heavy-duty zippers, and we had no qualms with tossing this bag around during our trip. Perfect for anyone who subscribes to the one-bag travel ethos, the Global Travel Pack from Topo Designs makes the grade for those who want the most out of their carry-on.

And if you’re only going to be away for a short trip, the Global Travel pack is also available in a 30L capacity .

Cotopaxi Allpa 28L Travel Pack

• Capacity 28 L
• Weight 3 lbs., 4 oz.
• Dimensions 19" x 12" x 9"
• Material TPU-coated 1,000-denier polyester, 840-denier nylon paneling

• Burly exterior material holds up for the long run
• Plenty of zippered mesh storage pockets
• On the heavier side
• TPU-coated nylon can feel grabby

The Allpa 28L Travel Pack ($170) will change the way you travel. It’s sleek, durable, and able to fit an incredible amount of stuff in a small space. The zippered mesh pockets keep clothes organized. And the compression straps maximize what you can pack.

The tough polyester and nylon construction can take a beating without any signs of wear. And we appreciate that the externally accessed, padded laptop sleeve makes pulling out your electronics at security checkpoints a breeze. There’s also a small outer compartment to keep essentials at hand.

You can completely tuck away the backpack straps and carry the pack like a briefcase, or wear it comfortably as a backpack. We’ve stuffed this pack to the gills countless times and have never had a problem with the zippers. Light rain showers or spills roll right off the TPU-coated exterior, but for legit rainstorms, just pull out the included rain cover.

The Allpa also comes in 35L, 42L, 50L, and 70L capacities. As our editor noted in the 42L review , “Building on its fun and functional ethos, Cotopaxi beefs up its bestselling product. The Allpa Travel Pack earns big points for clever design, clean aesthetic, and a surprising number of handy — and hidden — features.”

Yes, the Cotopaxi Allpa packs are an investment, but anyone who travels regularly will find it a worthy one. These powerhouse travel backpacks are sturdy, versatile, and built to last.

Tom Bihn Synapse 25

• Weight 1 lb., 13 oz.
• Dimensions 13.4" x 20" x 9.1"
• Material 400-denier Halcyon, 420-denier nylon ripstop

• Many different fabrics and color schemes are available
• Built to last design and materials
• Removable webbing hip belt
• Suspension doesn’t pack away
• Side wing pockets are a little awkward to access

Refined and clean-looking, the Tom Bihn Synapse 25 ($243) is a high-end travel backpack we just can’t stop staring at. It just looks that good. Made of burly textiles and zippers, this pack was built to stand the test of tough travel and come out shining on the other side.

The Synapse 25 is the larger version of Tom Bihn’s Synapse 19 , a popular backpack made for daily carry. The bump in volume is appreciated in this travel-oriented version and is doled out in one large compartment as well as a set of pockets on the front of the pack.

We found all the pockets easily accessible, save for the side wing pockets. While these were excellent for the organization of smaller bits and bobs, the openings were a bit awkward to jump into.

Topped off by a cushioned suspension (the foam is a half-inch of supple EV50), this travel backpack didn’t weigh us down on long days of travel when fully packed. And when we wanted to go light, even the webbing hip belt was removable. In terms of the ability to bop around town as a daily driver, this pack is up there with the TimBuk2 Never Check and Arc’teryx Granville packs (we liked the back panel on this pack the most).

Along with being carry-on compliant, the Synapse is also one of the few bags on our list that are compact enough to fit under most airline seats without hogging too much precious legroom.

Osprey Nebula 32 Daypack

• Capacity 32 L
• Weight 2 lbs., 1.7 oz.
• Dimensions 19.2" x 12.2" x 11.4"
• Material 420-denier recycled nylon

• TSA-compliant laptop sleeve
• Many options for organization
• Water bottle pockets fit 32 oz. bottles
• Need to release two buckles in order to unzip the main pocket all the way

When it comes to backpacks, Osprey has put in the time — and it shows. The Nebula 32 ($140) feels like it’s all the brand’s most popular packs morphed into one. Most of all, we love how it seamlessly goes from city streets to trails.

This backpack can do it all, whether you’re hauling your laptop and books around town; water, food, and layers on an easy hike; or all of the above and then some for a weekend away.

The internal storage pockets are great for organizing all of your things for easy access. And while the Nebula 32 is top-loading, the main pocket opens up wide enough so you won’t have to unload everything to get to the one thing you want at the bottom. The sternum strap and hip belt are comfortable as well, especially when carrying a heavy load.

On smaller volume packs like this, sometimes design concessions need to be made to accommodate all the functionality, and on the Nebula it’s in the side compression straps. Like on the Osprey Farpoint/Fairview, the compression system of the pack overlays across the main compartment zipper, meaning you’ll need to undo some straps before rifling around in the storage area. Not a deal breaker, but a little annoying when the TSA line starts to back up behind you.

Overall, the Nebula 32 won’t disappoint if you make it your go-to smaller-volume travel backpack.

Travel Backpack Comparison Chart

How We Tested Travel Backpacks

The staff of GearJunkie is a hot-footed bunch, restlessly plodding across the country or around the globe in search of adventure and whatever else comes our way. And we have a lot of stuff, which necessitates having a travel bag or four in the stable.

Surely any old bindle will do in carrying your kit around, but having a travel backpack that is dialed into the needs of travel can turn a stressful situation into a manageable one. We’ve been testing travel backpacks since 2019 and have put the market slice through the wringer on thousands of miles of travel to weed out the best of the best.

Senior Editor Nick Belcaster has a zeal for international travel, and he leads up our current travel pack testing, logging almost 10,000 flying miles in the last year alone. From Iceland to Utah, Belcaster has carried these packs and lived out of them for weeks, relying on them to support back-to-back travel excursions. In testing, we looked for a number of features in our travel backpacks, including overall capacity, carry style, durability, and aesthetics. It’s important to think about how you’ll use your travel pack, and as such, every pack on our list is carry-on compliant for the worst-case scenario.

We know no trip will be like the next, so we took a broad swath of the travel backpacks on the market in order to create a list that will suit many different travelers. Packs in hand, over our shoulders, or on our backs, we hit the four corners and tested the best travel backpacks of 2024.

Curious about what we pack in our travel backpacks? We’ve penned up a list for both domestic and international trips .

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Travel Backpack

Travel backpack user profiles.

The International Jet-Setter: The term ‘One Bag Travel’ is no stranger to you, and you’ve just about got your life distilled down into 45 liters of space. If international travel is your bag, then a backpack that’s up to the task will be essential to see you through to further time zones. Efficiency will be the name of the game here, and going with a pack that is dang-near the carry-on maximums for international flights will mean you can make it through without checking a bag. Look for near to 45-liter packs with plenty of organization baked in, as well as a comfortable (and stashable) carry system.

For international travel, the bag we reach for most often had to be the Peak Design Travel Backpack , with a razor-thin second place going to the Matador GlobeRider45 Travel Pack . For an emphasis on organization, the Matador SEG45 splits up the volume well, and if you’ll be schlepping bags around a long way, the Osprey Farpoint & Fairview Packs have all the Osprey suspension we love.

The Weekend-Warrior: Maybe it’s a work trip, and maybe it’s just for fun, but it’s only going to take 2-3 days total, and you’ll need a bag that can pack it in. For weekend excursions, we find packs in the 25-35 liter range work well for the minimalists among us, and the 30-40 liter range for those who like a bit more options.

The Tom Bihn Synapse 25 is easily one of the most stylish packs in our review, only slightly edged out by the Timbuk2 Never Check , and both make the grade for a single overnighter in a foreign locale. For a bit more space, you can’t go wrong with the Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 40L , a fun pack that is a lot tougher than the multi-colored exterior would let on.

The Commuter: No flight involved! Duty calls, and sometimes you’ll need to lug around a bit more kit than the old briefcase can allow for. Commuting with a travel backpack is a great way to stay comfortable on longer rides, as shoulder and handbags are cumbersome over the long run. Focus on a bag with a more traditional backpack shape that puts an emphasis on ease-of-access, and is in the 20-30 liter range.

For bumping around town, we’ve come to love the Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 24 , which not only lugs our remote office around with ease, but also looks pretty slick doing it. The drawstring opening here is a huge boon for quickly stashing a jacket, and the tough exterior fears no weather forecast. For a budget just-get-it-done choice, the Dakine Campus 33L will make it happen for less.

The right size pack for you depends on a few things. First, where are you going? And, how long do you plan to stay? Winter travel often comes with more gear, so you’ll need to pack extra layers. Longer trips often require larger bags.

That said, your personal packing style will be the most important factor. We know minimalists who happily travel for months with only a single backpack in tow and others who want the largest travel backpack possible in addition to a totally stuffed duffel bag . One method isn’t better than the other, but knowing your style is helpful when choosing a bag.

In general, we’ve found that something in the 28-45 liter range is ideal for comfort and packability. Many packs will also offer a compression system to allow you to limit the overall volume of the backpack. We’ve seen many different ways to accomplish this, but the most effective by far were the button snaps and expanding zipper of the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L . Packs toward the 40-45 liter range will be your carry-on bags of choice, and the 45-liter Peak Design, Patagonia MLC , and Matador GlobeRider are perfect for maxing out your allowed space. The 40-liter Osprey Farpoint/Fairview packs give up a little internal room for the luxe suspension system they’re carried with.

Packs in the smaller end of the range, from around 25-30 liters, make better personal items, and the TimBuk2 Never Check , Tom Bihn Synapse , and Patagonia Black Hole backpacks all fit snuggly underneath an airliner seat. These small bags move through a city gracefully and look more like everyday carry backpacks than traditional luggage.

What good would a bag be if you couldn’t get into it? From a simple drawstring to a thicket of Velcro and zippers, there are plenty of ways to keep your bag closed while you’re on the go, but not every one will be amenable to travel.

Zippered Clamshells: Most travel backpacks will use a clamshell-style design that opens up the backpack like a suitcase, allowing you to pack intentionally as opposed to stuffing things in. Oftentimes, an internal strap system will help keep your items contained while you’re on the move.

Packs with this clamshell design may also opt to add internal dividers to the main storage area, and make these dividers removable — should you need the entire storage area uninhibited. For packs without internal dividers or straps, consider adding a few packing cubes to keep your items organized.

In addition to the rear entry, some backpacks will offer additional entry points through the top or front of the pack. This can be helpful when you need to quickly retrieve something like a passport from your bag, without the need to totally spill the contents. The majority of packs in our review close in this clamshell manner, and a few of our favorites are the Peak Design Travel Backpack , Osprey Farpoint & Fairview 40 Travel Packs , and Matador GlobeRider45 Travel Pack .

Zippered Top-Access: Much like many traditional backpacks, zippered top-access packs load and unload from the topside, and generally only offer one point of entry/egress into the pack. For this reason, packs of this flavor are generally left packed during travel, as digging around for something at the bottom can be a hassle.

Bags of this stripe, including the uber-nice Tom Bihn Synapse 25 and expandable Timbuk2 Never Check , most often make better personal items over carry-ons, as their smaller volumes make for easier searching within.

Drawstring Top-Entry: While not quite as common as a zippered clamshell or top-access pack, drawstring top-entry packs can make for very quick and easy access to your kit if you’re on the move. These packs will integrate an extended fabric collar to the top of the storage area, which can be compressed when needed, or overstuffed with bulky items like jackets.

Commuters will find drawstring entry bags the most appealing, and the Arc’teryx Granville 25 has become one of our dedicated laptop toters for everything from remote work stints at the coffee shop to jumping on a ferry for work.

Carrying Options

There are plenty of ways to lug your kit to your boarding gate, but not all of them will be comfortable for everything. Over-shoulder backpack straps can support a good bit of weight but typically will need some type of frame to truly be supportive. The Osprey Farpoint/Fairview packs were the best-carrying packs in our testing, owed largely to the wire frame and Airscape mesh back panels, but we also enjoyed the carry of the aluminum frame stays on the Matador GlobeRider.

A shoulder strap travel backpack, like the Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L , can be slung across your body and provide a great amount of accessibility on the go. Don’t expect to carry too much weight this way, however.

And then there’s the classic suitcase style, easily towed anywhere. It’s good to note many travel backpacks will have stowable straps to better streamline the pack for a trip through an X-ray machine or stowed under a seat. The strap storage design of the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L impressed us most of all, utilizing magnetic closure flaps to pack away the shoulder and hip straps neatly.

Pockets & Organization

There’s an organizational saying: “A place for everything and everything in its place.” And we couldn’t agree more. Keeping track of everything while you travel is key for organization. And while more pockets always seem better, there is a threshold where having too many simply becomes more places to misplace things. Instead, we recommend packs with three to six pockets.

The Cotopaxi Allpa and Topo Designs Global Travel Bags both have ingenious inner organization systems complete with large zipping “pockets.” It has just enough space to find room for everything but not so many compartments that you’ll be hunting all day for your misplaced passport. For even more organization, the Matador SEG45 splits into five different segments that are accessible from the exterior of the pack.

Bringing along a laptop is a necessary evil for some travelers, and having an incorporated laptop sleeve in your travel backpack can keep it safe during travel. Most laptop sleeves will be padded with some type of foam and nestle in close to the back for maximum protection. In order to be TSA-compliant, a laptop sleeve will need to fold entirely flat away from the pack to be scanned.

Because flying with liquids over 3.4 ounces is prohibited in the U.S., carrying all of these items in a separate toiletry bag can make your foray into the screening line a breeze. Many of the packs on our list incorporate many external pockets where such a bag could be stashed and produced when needed.

Travel luggage takes a beating, so durability is a top concern. Luckily, gear manufacturers realize this and are making increasingly burly yet portable packs. The fan-favorite Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L pack is made with a 900-denier ripstop nylon outer with a TPU laminate for extra durability. It’s nearly indestructible, water-resistant, and versatile.

If you’re traveling somewhere with inclement weather or if your pack needs to double as a climbing bag or hiking pack, durability is extra important. And it’s worth paying more for a backpack that is water-resistant.

Space Efficiency & Carry-On Compliance

Astute observers will note many of the packs in our review sport a rectangular shape, which is certainly due to designers aspiring to create a more space-efficient pack. This isn’t to say that more shapely packs won’t make it happen, but when you’re struggling to make every liter of space count, maximizing dimensions matters.

Carry-on luggage is any bag that you plan on bringing into an airplane and storing in the overhead bins. Because space is limited, airlines dictate the maximum size that any carry-on can be. In the U.S., the most common size is 22 inches x 14 inches x 9 inches, or 45 linear inches (length + width + height). However, this is just a rough guideline; some airlines differ from these dimensions, and you should refer to their information directly.

In general, these dimensions provide a travel backpack with around 40-45 liters of internal volume, so buying a pack that’s as close to that as possible will provide the most space allowed. Many of the packs on our list have the ability to compress to a smaller size, such as the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L .

Be mindful as well, that any protrusions from your travel pack such as shoulder straps or handles will also need to fall within the maximum allowed size. Many travel backpacks today incorporate some type of strap-stowing ability, such as the magnetic panels of the Peak Design packs, the zippered cover of the Osprey Farpoint/Fairview, and the hybrid zipper/panel of the Matador GlobeRider 45. All of these provide a more streamlined profile that should both hit the mark, and fit better into overhead bins.

Travel backpacks run the gamut of prices — from affordable to downright pricey. There are a number of factors that play into what you get for the money.

Budget-Minded Travel Packs

Travel backpacks, as a category, are generally a bit pricer than your average luggage, as they incorporate tough materials that can put up with extensive wear over the lifespan. Travel is tough on bags, so it’s unsurprising that even budget travel backpacks will cost you around $100-150. These packs often will incorporate more traditional architectures such as a zippered top access, as opposed to the more complicated (and spendy) full-zip clamshell designs. For example, the Dakine Campus ($75) is pretty much your average school bag.

Volumes, too, will be a bit limited in this price range — added material adds cost. The 32-liter Osprey Nebula ($140) is about the best price-to-volume ratio you can get.

Mid-Range Travel Packs

Mid-range packs make up the bread and butter of travel packs, and can be had for around $150 to $200. These designs are often more of the full carry-on variety, and aim to capitalize on permitted volume as much as possible. The 45-liter Matador SEG45 ($200), Patagonia Black Hole MLC ($239), 40-liter Osprey Farpoint/Fairview ($185), and Topo Designs Global Travel Bag ($229) all shoehorn in just about as much space as a friendly gate agent will let you get away with.

For the price, you also get a good variety of functionality that makes travel easier, such as stowable pack straps, interior segmented pockets and sleeves (done excellently on the $170 Cotopaxi Allpa ), and an external compression system that limits the space your bag takes up. Some packs, like the TimBuk2 Never Check ($209), don’t exactly hit these parameters, but instead make up for it in high-quality design and materials.

Premium Travel Packs

Above $250, you’re likely paying for premium materials or a to-the-hilt design that leaves absolutely nothing on the cutting room floor. The Peak Design Travel Backpack ($300) is a great example, and utilizes super high-quality nylon canvas, custom aluminum hardware, and supple seatbelt material webbing in its build, as well as fitting in just about every conceivable feature you could want in a travel pack. The same can be said of the Matador GlobeRider 45 ($350), which uses high-tech UHMPWE-reinforced materials and sports a total of 19 pockets.

The Tom Bihn Synapse 25 ($243) is a bit of an outlier, as it commands a high dollar amount not for the extreme amount of space it offers or amount of features, but for being a hyper-customizable, hand-made bag that uses the nicest textiles available, as well as the best zippers, webbing, and foam in its design. If you’re a fan of the finest materials, this is your daily driver pack.

What Is One Bag Travel?

The ‘One Bag Travel’ ethos and travel backpacks go hand-in-hand. Simply put, to travel in one-bag style is to be minimalist in your luggage choices, and only take what you can carry onto the plane/train/pack animal. Not only does this do away with the fuss of deciding what exactly to bring along with you, but it also allows for breezing through airports — skipping the need to check baggage, wait at baggage claim, or fear for lost luggage.

In order to most effectively travel with one bag, be sure to read up on exactly the baggage size allowances provided by your transportation. This can affect both overall size and weight, and having an expandable pack is a large benefit here. In this way, you can carry just enough to skirt through under the limit, and then expand the bag when you’ve hit your destination for more breathing room. If you aim for a 35-40 liter backpack, you’ll be right on the money for one-bag travel.

Finally, remember that this bag is going to be the only item of luggage you’ve got, so ensure it’ll be comfortable enough for the long haul. Look for padded back panels and hip belts that’ll transfer the load correctly, and if they stash away — all the better.

Our team unanimously agrees that the best travel backpack is the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L . It’s extremely durable, and it offers plenty of organizational pockets to stash your kit away in. The clamshell opening makes packing a breeze, and we really appreciated the unique shoulder strap storage options available to turn the pack into a stripped-down bag that would slide into any overhead compartment.

The best size bag for traveling depends largely on your travel itinerary and mode of transport. The Cotopaxi Allpa packs range from 28 to 42 liters.

The 28-liter option makes for a compact and comfortable backpack that easily fits in overhead airplane compartments. The 42-liter option is a bit more like carrying a duffel bag on your back, but it still manages to fit in overhead compartments. It’s a great option for maximizing carry-on capacity in backpack form.

While both have their place in travel, a backpack can offer some advantages over a suitcase. Since they’re much more portable, backpacks can be brought to many more places where a suitcase won’t work. Suitcases can be your large load carriers, but a good travel backpack gives you the freedom to strike out on daily adventures.

Travel backpacks absolutely can be carry-on luggage, given they meet the size requirements. In the U.S., the most common maximum size is 22 inches x 14 inches x 9 inches, or 45 linear inches (length + width + height). But this is only a common size, and different airlines will have different specifics. Consult with your airline specifically to determine what they allow.

While different body types will find different travel packs comfortable, we can all agree that a good support system and ample foam make for a comfortable carry. In our own testing, we found the Osprey Farpoint 40 and Fairview 40 Travel Packs were by far the most comfortable due to their plush suspension systems.

Because many different airlines operate a slate of different planes, there isn’t a standard under-seat luggage size, although there is an average: 16 inches x 12 inches x 6 inches. Some airlines allow personal items larger than this, but you should consult with their customer service for specifics. Our favorite personal item-sized travel pack was the Timbuk2 Never Check Expandable Backpack , which at 24 liters compressed easily slides under a seat.

The Best Laptop Backpacks of 2024

Whether you’re headed to the office, class, or even the trailhead, here’s our top picks for the best laptop backpacks of 2024.

The Best Daypacks of 2024

We tested the best daypacks of 2024 with options for every budget. Top picks include Osprey, Cotopaxi, and more.

Hailing from the hemlocks and hanging mosses of Washington State, Senior Editor Nick Belcaster is an adventure journalist following threads of stories across the West. Cruelly stolen from the alpine swales of rural Wisconsin at a young age, Nick made do ascending the snows and granite of the North Cascades while completing a journalism degree. A long stint on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2018 codified a life bent on sleeping on minor slopes and picking devil’s club out of his shoes.

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The Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks

By Kit Dillon

Kit Dillon is a writer focused on bags and travel gear. He has worked for Wirecutter for a decade and lost count of the number of bags he has tested.

When you open up your favorite carry-on travel backpack, it should feel like you’re opening the door to a well-organized closet or sitting down at a clean desk, with everything in the right place and easy to reach.

This is your moment to center yourself, no matter how chaotic the journey.

What we considered

A 45-liter bag maximizes overhead space but can get heavy when fully packed; 35-liter bags tend to be more manageable.

A bag with a clamshell design opens like a book and is the easiest to pack, but a bag that opens traditionally tends to have more structure.

Ideally, a travel backpack has handles on all sides—especially the bottom—so you can pull it out of overhead bins or from under seats.

Some internal pockets are useful, but major organizing is better managed with packing cubes.

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack and the larger Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L offer the best combination of features, quality, and durability. Both bags are exemplary carry-on travel backpacks that are designed for comfort, durability, and organization. Though these backpacks are great as companion bags for any trip, they’re designed to ultimately replace all of your other luggage and become your exclusive bag as you travel.

This style of packing is not for everyone, but once some people try it, they’re forever hooked. Finding the right bag is a personal choice, though, and no single bag will appeal to everyone. That’s why we also have picks that are great for people who travel for work , others that are designed to be carried over long distances , and a bag that’s basically luggage on your back .

The research

Why you should trust us, who this is for, best small carry-on bag for most situations: cotopaxi allpa 35l travel pack, best large bag for most situations: peak design travel backpack 45l, best mobile office: patagonia black hole mlc 45l, best bag for long journeys on foot: osprey farpoint 40 and fairview 40, best bag if you need a large suitcase on your back: tortuga travel backpack pro 40l, other good carry-on travel backpacks, how we picked and tested, the competition.

I’ve been covering aspects of luggage and travel bag design for Wirecutter for nearly a decade, and I have personally researched, tested, and compared hundreds of bags in that time. I personally try to do most of my travel with a single backpack, whenever possible. I spent nine months roaming around Hawaii with not much more than that, and I spent another six months nomadically couch-surfing in New York City.

I reached out to writers who specialize in traveling the world carrying everything they need in a single bag: Eytan Levy, the owner and operator of the Snarky Nomad travel website; James Feess, founder of The Savvy Backpacker ; and Sharon Gourlay, of the Where’s Sharon? travel website. I also spoke with moderators of Reddit’s r/onebag and r/heronebag forums, as well as with Chase Reeves, bag fanatic, reviewer, and owner of Matterful .

We researched and tested bags designed for those who want to travel light and stay flexible while flying, without the burden of checking luggage. For some people, the challenge of cutting down a packing list is intimidating. But if you can get past that initial hurdle, traveling with a single bag is a revelation. With fewer items, you have more time to concentrate on and appreciate the journey.

• When you’re not loaded down by heavy luggage, it’s easy to remain more mobile. And it’s easier to adjust your plans mid-trip. If you’re willing to do laundry on the road, then one bag is all you need to travel indefinitely. At its heart, one-bag travel allows you to discover more—not just about the places you’re going but also about yourself and what you really need day to day.
• Size and weight still matter. If you desire more creature comforts or more gear, or if you plan to be away for a long time across multiple climates, you’ll want a bigger travel backpack . These larger bags tend not to be carry-on-friendly, however, especially in Europe, so be prepared to check them.
• No single backpack is perfect for everyone. Before you make any purchase, consider some basic points. How much can you carry? And where do you usually visit: the city or outback? Travel gear should feel like a welcome companion—there to support you when you need it but unobtrusive when you don’t.

45-liter bag vs. 35-liter bag

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L

A versatile small pack for a week or a weekend.

This durable bag’s clamshell design makes it easy to organize your stuff. And due to its strap design, this bag can be worn on your back or carried in your hand while you’re on the move.

Buying Options

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack is an easy-to-organize, comfortable-to-carry bag for getaways lasting just a few days or a whole week.

It’s one bag that can do it all. This is a great all-around bag for any traveler who’s dedicated to packing light, or for a smaller person who wants less to carry. There are handles on all four sides of this bag, so it’s easy to grab no matter where you’ve stowed it. It’s also protected by a full lifetime warranty, and it has the build quality to back that up. After more than four years of testing, this single backpack (plus a personal item ) has replaced nearly every travel bag or piece of luggage I use.

It comes in various sizes, but we think the middle-of-the-road version is the best. Cotopaxi also makes the Allpa in 28-liter and 42-liter sizes. But for us, the 35-liter bag is the best option. At 42 liters, this bag becomes heavy for most people to carry when it is fully packed, and we’d prefer that it had a more-robust hip belt. At 28 liters, the bag becomes a touch small for most people, and its internal organization feels fussy for shorter trips, such as an overnight. Cotopaxi also makes a hip pack , which is designed to fit snugly into the Allpa bag’s front top compartment. It’s a neat little addition to the bag, and it is worth getting if you like wearing fanny packs while you travel.

It’s organized, easy to pack, and easy to carry. The Allpa bag has a clamshell design, so it opens like a hard-sided suitcase—a large YKK zipper runs around three sides of the bag, allowing it to fall open into two halves when unzipped. On the right side is a deep compartment, spacious enough for two large packing cubes or half a suitcase’s worth of clothing (which you access through a mesh zippered flap). On the left, there’s space for one more medium-size packing cube behind a zippered flap. Above that there are two smaller pockets with high-visibility backing—useful when you’re looking for hard-to-differentiate personal items.

It’s secure but still accessible. The Allpa pack has two side-access zippers—great for on-the-go access, especially when the bag is hanging from your shoulder. One of these reveals a flat computer pocket with a padded false bottom; so if you drop the bag, it won’t land on the corner of your computer. The other reveals a “secret” pocket with a hidden zipper and access to the main compartment. All of the main compartment zippers are protected by security loops, which you thread the zipper through at the end of its run. This prevents anyone from subtly or quickly grabbing a zipper and opening your bag when you aren’t paying attention.

It’s comfortable to carry. The Allpa bag’s hip belt—which can be removed while the bag is on your back—is substantial enough that it’s comfortable to wear when you need it. With or without the hip belt, the Allpa bag is comfortable to carry over long distances. However, folks who have longer torsos (over 19 inches) may find that the waist belt sits a little high off the hips, unless you fully extend the shoulder straps. Speaking of shoulder straps, unlike the ones on our other picks, the Allpa bag’s straps are contoured to fit people who have large or small chests. It’s not a specifically gendered design, but our female tester noticed the improvement right away.

The Allpa pack is made with 1680-denier ballistic nylon, similar to the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 . (Denier is a measure of a fabric’s fiber thickness.) It feels similar to a strong canvas, but it has a more prominent weave. This is the type of bag that’s as easy to toss into an overhead compartment as it is into the back of a rusty pickup truck. And it also includes a rainfly, which is unique in this category.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• Though this pack is well organized for packing, it’s less ideal as a mobile office. The Allpa pack has a minimal amount of administrative organization—places to keep pens and papers, spaces to hold tickets, and so forth. This is where a good personal item comes in handy. However, if you want to travel with just this one bag, there are a few nooks you can hide things in. The front organizer is deep enough that you can also fit several small organizing pouches, if you want, or the aforementioned fanny pack.
• We prefer the model without the TPU front. Cotopaxi does enjoy playing around with fabrics and colors. Sometimes the company has released the Allpa pack without the TPU-lined front panel. The TPU panel improves water resistance, but after many years of traveling with our bag, we’ve found that the TPU layering can begin to flake in spots.

Capacity: 35 liters Weight: 3 pounds 5 ounces Main compartment access: clamshell opening Style: adventurous Colors: assorted

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

An easily customizable large bag for long trips and expensive gear.

This bag was built with photographers in mind. Yet most travelers will appreciate its easy accessibility, clever tuck-away straps, and the elegant way the bag expands and contracts. The accessory cubes cost extra, though.

The Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is a good choice for those carrying more expensive gear—especially camera gear. It’s also great for those who prefer a large, backpack-based packing system.

One bag provides many configurations. Some bags in this category are built to do one thing extremely well—be carried on your back. But the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is built to adapt. It’s the Swiss Army knife of backpacks: adjustable, customizable, and (if you spring for the extra cubes and organizers) an almost perfect system for a photographer or gearhead on the move. Most bags’ expanding mechanisms aren’t worth the extra zipper they’re built on, and they look about as attractive as a boiled ham splitting out of its plastic packaging. That’s not the case with the Peak Design: This bag looks just as good fully packed at 45 liters as it does compressed to a 30-liter daypack.

It’s expandable, with clever folds and zippers. You can access the bag through a back panel (which doubles as a computer and tablet pouch) as well as a front one (if you unzip the pass-through divider). You can also get into the main compartment via two wing-like trapezoidal flaps, which run along each side of the pack. In its natural shape, the Travel Backpack holds 35 liters, but an expansion zipper lets the bag swell to 45 liters. If you want to use the bag as a daypack, you fold in the top corners and snap them down, reducing the bag’s volume to a slim 30 liters. In this configuration, it will still feel larger than a normal daypack, but we think that’s a small compromise for being able to use one backpack as both your travel bag and your daily explorer. The bag itself consists of 400-denier nylon and polyester fabrics. It feels tough but not as tough as some other bags we’ve tested, such as the Cotopaxi Allpa.

It has fold-away straps, for easier storage. The Peak Design lets you tuck its shoulder and hip straps away when you’re not using them. But unlike any other bag we’ve ever tested, this pack has magnetic flaps on the back panel that open and close with an almost magical snap. Once you’ve played with them, you’ll wonder why every backpack doesn’t have something similar. A small, childish part of me still gets excited about tucking away the straps when I put the Peak Design into an overhead bin. Although the straps are thin, they’re still comfortable. The hip belt isn’t quite as plush as the one on the Tortuga pack; still, even when the Peak Design is fully loaded, the belt doesn’t pinch or dig into the body.

It’s great for carrying expensive gear. If you travel with a camera, you don’t have to use Peak Design’s camera cubes , but they do make carrying that gear a whole lot easier. The cubes come in five sizes. And if they’re situated properly in the bag with the provided clips, they line up with the Travel Backpack’s side-access flaps for quick access. Caleigh Waldman (a photographer for this piece and, full disclosure, my spouse) took this bag across the country for a wedding shoot. “I want this backpack,” she said after three weeks of travel. “I want to travel with it everywhere. With my cameras. Without my cameras. It doesn’t matter. I want to travel with it.”

• It’s expensive—especially if you commit to the entire system of packing and camera cubes.
• More complexity means more things that can break. The adjustable design and multiple zippers do add complexity, and complexity adds potential weaknesses. Peak Design covers all of its bags with a lifetime warranty , which should alleviate most people’s concerns. But if you’re particularly hard on your gear and still need to carry as much as possible, you might consider the Tortuga bag instead.

Capacity: 45 liters Weight: 4½ pounds Main compartment access: back-panel loader Style: minimalist and unobtrusive Color: black, sage

Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L

Combines more organization with a simple interior.

This bag’s split interior makes organizing easy. Those who travel for work will appreciate this bag’s dedicated panels for organizing tech, books, papers, and assorted miscellaneous items.

If you travel often for business and prefer a bag that’s much easier to work out of than most of our other picks, you may like the Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L . This bag has a front panel and assorted pockets that make it feel like a small traveling office.

It’s built like luggage but organized like your office. Of all the bags we recommend, the MLC (short for Maximum Legal Carry) comes closest to being a suitcase on your back, due to its large size, simple interior, and minimal external features. The MLC is also one of the simplest bags we tested, divided into two leaves (imagine a book with only one page), with a main compartment for packing and a second compartment for document organization and tech storage. The MLC has a built-in laptop compartment that fits 17-inch laptops and is situated close to your back; this protects the computer and keeps its weight closer to your body.

Despite its size, it’s comfortable enough to carry. Most carry-on backpacks of this size, without frames, become somewhat unwieldy when fully packed. Thankfully, the Black Hole MLC bag, like the Cotopaxi Allpa, is a welcome exception to this rule. The MLC has two shoulder straps, a hip belt, and an optional shoulder strap, for easy carrying. When they're not in use, or when you’re checking your bag, all of the straps can be stowed away easily. When fully loaded, the bag was pleasant to carry—not as comfortable as the Peak Design or the Osprey, but decent enough. I wouldn’t want to carry it all day across a city, but I wouldn’t mind carrying it through an airport to a car and to a hotel.

It’s built from high-quality materials, with durability in mind. This pack is made from recycled polyester, and the fabric is woven in a cross-weave that’s very similar to what Patagonia uses in its long-lasting Black Hole series of duffle bags . This is a material I’ve come across a bunch with Patagonia gear, and I’ve tested it thoroughly; it’s very tough. The front of the bag is coated in a weather-resistant TPU, for extra protection from the elements. The bag has large YKK zippers (the industry leader) and smaller YKK zippers throughout. Unlike the Cotopaxi Allpa pack, the Black Hole MLC bag has no security loops.

It comes with one of the best repair programs and a lifetime warranty. Similar to our other picks, the MLC is backed by an excellent lifetime warranty , and we’ve always found that Patagonia’s repair program goes above and beyond other comparable companies.

• We wish the Maximum Legal Carry (despite the name) came in a few more sizes. The 45-liter capacity may be intimidating for some people, and there is no alternative.

Capacity: 45 liters Weight: 3 pounds 10 ounces Main compartment access: clamshell Style: retro Colors: tan, black, olive, green

Osprey Farpoint 40

For long distances on foot.

A great starter option for one-bag travel, this bag is easy to pack, adaptable to most situations, and sturdy enough to take with you as you travel the world.

Osprey Fairview 40

For long distances and smaller torsos.

A scaled-down version of the Farpoint, this bag has shoulder straps that are slightly lower, to keep the bag’s bulk more aligned with smaller torsos.

Updated in 2023, the Osprey Farpoint 40 and Fairview 40 packs are both built around a hiking backpack frame that’s easy to carry over long distances.

It’s built for travel but designed for hiking. The Farpoint 40 bag is well made, easy to pack, and comfortable to carry over most mid-length distances—such as walking across a city for an afternoon. (For simplicity’s sake, everything we say here about the Farpoint bag also applies to the Fairview bag.) Osprey makes excellent backpacks for hauling around, and its lifetime warranty is renowned within the industry . The Farpoint pack also has an optional messenger bag–style strap, which offers some flexibility when you’re maneuvering tight spaces like subways or crowded city centers.

It’s simple to pack, but not as spacious as it seems. Opening the bag reveals a clamshell design; it’s deep enough to accommodate most large items, yet you won’t have to fumble awkwardly with zippers once it’s time to close up the bag. The feeling you get is not unlike when you’re packing a bit of sturdy luggage, and that’s something we love about bags like this one—especially when you use packing cubes . Osprey says this bag, when fully packed, can carry 40 liters. But after using the Farpoint bag for a few years, we’ve decided that its rounded shape seems to cut into that theoretical packable space more than other bags do. In practice, the Farpoint pack’s available space is closer to—but still less than—that of the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L .

It’s the easiest bag to carry among our picks. Like all Osprey bags, the Farpoint 40 has very comfortable shoulder straps. The years of design and consideration Osprey has put into its hiking backpacks are quite evident in the Farpoint 40. After more than seven years of long-term testing this bag, we’re still surprised by how great it feels to wear when fully packed. Crucially, the straps of the Farpoint 40 stow away neatly behind a zippered panel. However, when you’re using the shoulder straps, the design forces you to also use the hip straps. Though this isn’t a huge issue, if you prefer a sleeker look or would rather have the option of using shoulder straps without hip straps, the Cotopaxi Allpa pack is more flexible, and it lets you hide the waist straps while the bag is on your back.

The Fairview 40 has the same features, in a scaled-down size. The Farpoint 40 and the Fairview 40 packs basically have the same design, but the Fairview pack is made for someone with a more-diminutive torso. It’s also slightly lighter. However, it has the features and durability of the Farpoint bag. It also has the same hip belt and adjustability. On both, the chest-strap clip is also equipped with a small security whistle that’s surprisingly loud. It’s a handy feature for anyone traveling in unfamiliar environments.

• For a smaller carry-on travel backpack, this one has little to not like. However, we do wish Osprey would trade some of the sleeker contours for a little more interior space.

Capacity: 35 liters Weight (Farpoint): 3 pounds 3 ounces Weight (Fairview): 3 pounds 2 ounces Main compartment access: front-panel loader Style: active Colors (Farpoint): green (Gopher), gray (Tunnel Vision), blue (Muted Space), black Colors (Fairview): blue (Winter Night), red (Zircon), blue (Night Jungle), black

Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L

A suitcase to carry on your back.

For dedicated single-bag travelers, this water-resistant, durable bag is easy to pack and to travel with. And it’s comfortable to wear over endless miles—as long as you don’t mind the heavier weight.

The Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L maximizes packing space in a bag that’s durable, water-resistant, and customizable to fit most torso lengths (there’s also a 30L version ), with plenty of organizational features to suit any digital nomad.

It’s like a suitcase, with backpack straps. The Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L is built to occupy the maximum carry-on space available. It’s a nearly perfect blend of backpack and luggage. On the outside, its tear-resistant sailcloth and sealed zippers provide ample protection from sharp objects and the elements. Opening the main clamshell zipper reveals a cavernous interior and a few organizational features that make the bag a cinch to pack. The front panel is a particular standout, great for keeping track of electronics and chargers. Of all the bags we tested, the Tortuga strikes the closest balance between the carrying comfort of a hiking backpack and the space and organization of a piece of luggage.

It’s as easy to pack as luggage. When it comes to packing, the Tortuga pack has a soothingly minimal interior, as any good suitcase should. In addition to the bag’s cavernous main pocket, its interior lid has a large vented panel. The panel is too narrow to hold additional packing cubes, but it’s great for holding light jackets or doubling as a dirty-laundry bag (if you’re really committed to one-bag travel). The Tortuga is available as a 40-liter pack (the maximum space for a carry-on bag), which we tested; there is also a 30-liter version, which is compliant with some intra-European flights. The more-diminutive version is a decent choice for weekend travel or for minimalist travelers—but for those uses, we prefer the space-saving profile and extra internal organization of the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L bag.

It’s very customizable. The Tortuga pack is the most adjustable model we tested, thanks to its adjustable torso length, shoulder straps, and waist-belt system. The adjustable strap system lets you manipulate the location of the shoulder straps (video) to fit a wider variety of body sizes, in both the 30- and 40-liter versions. Of the packs we’ve tested, this one (with its included load-adjuster straps at the top, to prevent the bag’s weight from sagging toward your lumbar region) is the best at distributing its weight (4½ pounds when empty—roughly 1½ pounds more than most of our other picks, except the Peak Design ). The hip straps are removable if you need, but the shoulder straps are not stowable.

• Its straps don’t stow away. Some people, especially those who are hard on their gear, may consider not being able to remove or stow the shoulder straps (as they can with our other picks, like the Cotopaxi Allpa ) a disqualifying factor. But after years of testing, traveling with, and occasionally checking our bag, we haven’t had an issue. However, if these mysteries beneath the airport also make you nervous, you might prefer our picks with easy-to-stow straps, such as the Peak Design.
• It's heavy. We’ve fielded complaints from some testers who said that older models of this bag were too heavy for them to carry, even with the padded hip belt and adjustable straps. The additional padding does add weight. At 4½ pounds, this latest Tortuga bag is more than half a pound lighter than it used to be (the difference is noticeable), and it weighs the same as the equally large Peak Design pack. We are currently testing a new, lighter, and less-expensive version of this pack—aptly named the Travel Backpack Lite 40L —and will report back soon.  In the meantime, if you think you would struggle carrying the Tortuga, we strenuously encourage you to consider one of our more-manageable picks, like the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L.

Capacity: 40 liters Weight: 4½ pounds Main compartment access: clamshell opening Style: minimal, with a rigid construction Color: black

If you want to travel like a backpacker but also fit in at a board meeting (and you have the budget for it): Consider the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 . This bag’s reputation for durability, adaptability, and a low-key aesthetic make it a favorite among many dedicated one-bag travelers. And after testing it, we think it’s a great bag too. That said, for the bag to really stand out against other backpacks—and to take full advantage of its carrying adaptability—you need to buy the internal frame , the hip belt , and (if you’re traveling with a suit or jacket) the shoulder strap . On a bag that already costs $330, all of this adds up. Everything about the Tom Bihn bag (the fabric, the zippers, the quality of construction) feels like an upgrade from other bags, but it’s simply too pricey, and its design is too rarified and specific for most people. The biggest flaw, from our perspective—apart from the price—is that the Tom Bihn bag lacks a dedicated laptop pocket. In its place, the company sells laptop sleeves (a fine version if you don’t have one) that clip into the bag’s central compartment. Not everyone needs a dedicated laptop pocket, but we prefer the more secure feeling of bags that do.

If you want a budget pick (but only when it’s on sale): The eBags Mother Lode Travel Backpack (our former budget pick) is still your best budget option, if you can catch it on sale for at least half off the list price. It’s not comfortable enough for trekking long distances on foot, but there are plenty of external pockets for organization, a laptop sleeve (which holds the weight of your computer high up on your shoulders), and an easy-to-access main compartment. This pack also has the largest capacity of any bags we tested, expanding to 65 liters—well beyond any airline’s regulated 45-liter limit. However, the bag’s casual-to-basic looks might not be to everyone’s taste. In 2024, eBags raised the price of the Mother Lode to $200. We have seen it on sale for $100, and in our opinion it’s worth getting only at the sale price.

We’ve narrowed our specifications for a great bag to the following list of features, ordered from most relevant to least:

• Front- or back-panel loader or clamshell opening, for the main compartment: As with any good piece of luggage, with this type of bag, you should be able to open it and see everything you’ve packed. When you have a bag with a panel-loading or clamshell design—rather than a traditional, top-opening design—you can pack and unpack it just as you would a suitcase.

• Backpack strap comfort and design: You never know when you’ll be walking farther with your bag than you’d intended. The more comfortable and well designed the straps are, the easier traveling will be. “Ideally, you want a bag’s shoulder straps to adjust to the angle of your shoulders,” said Eytan Levy of Snarky Nomad. “Good shoulder straps are the difference between an easy trip and a hard trip.”
• Hip-belt comfort and design: A hip belt transfers heavy loads from your back and shoulders onto your hips, letting your legs—not your back—bear the brunt of the weight. Just having a waist belt is a plus, but having a padded and sculpted one—especially on bags with over 40 liters of volume—makes a world of difference.
• Material quality: Durability is critical for any type of luggage, but especially for a backpack that will be your only bag. Most bags worth considering are made of nylon, which resists abrasion more than polyester fabrics of similar density. Spending more, however, can get you exotic, light, and strong materials, such as Dyneema or sailcloth.
• Weight: Once the bags arrived, we weighed each one ourselves. Most of the bags weighed within a few pounds of one another. But unless you’re very strict with yourself, by the time you’re packed for a two-week journey, all bags are going to feel equally massive, even if one is just 2 pounds heavier than another when empty.
• Stowable straps: These are nice to have, but they aren’t absolutely necessary. “The more often you need to check a bag, the more often you need to hide away the straps,” Levy said. “But if the straps are tough enough, it doesn’t matter.”
• Accessory pocket layout and design: Some people will love an accessory pocket that has a specific space for everything; others may find that feature constricting and unadaptable. We prioritized bags with simple designs that guided our packing without constraining us.
• Style: This is purely subjective. We preferred bags that had a minimalist exterior style, but not all of our picks will please everyone. Most of the people we spoke with, however, preferred not to stick out like a tourist wearing a large, colorful backpack, if they could avoid it.

During testing, we flew across the country with these bags, took weekend trips to nearby cities, lived out of them on extended trips, and tried them locally in our daily routines. We also packed and unpacked each bag, using a standardized set of weeklong travel necessities and accessories, to see how well the internal organizational features (or lack thereof) aided or got in the way of efficient packing.

This is not a comprehensive list of all of the carry-on travel backpacks we have tested. We have removed any models that have been discontinued or that no longer meet our criteria.

The Away Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L is a rare miss from the Away team. This bag is resoundingly average for the price. Although it’s made from excellent materials, the bag is let down by its overall design, which lacks any kind of structure or attention to comfort. There are better options.

The cheap, no-frills Cabin Max Metz bag is intriguing for the price. Any bag at this price should almost be considered disposable. That said, if you need a simple bag that costs less than a seat upgrade, this might be the way to go—unless you can pick up the eBags Motherlode bag for under $100, which we think is a better deal at that price.

The GeniusPack Travel Backpack is the only model we came across that tried to fit a suit into a travel backpack. Though some people might need that, we think those who have to travel with a suit (or clothes that require pressing) would be better off with a piece of carry-on luggage . GeniusPack now offers a second version of this bag, but our conclusion hasn’t changed.

For certain people, the GoRuck GR3 is almost worth the cost. It’s strong and simple and covered by an iron-clad repair guarantee. The removable hip belt is comfortable to wear, and it’s good at displacing the weight of a 45-liter backpack. This is a decent bag. After testing it, however, we weren’t thrilled with the internal Velcro lining for compatible Velcro packing cubes. Velcro isn’t great: It wears out, it’s difficult to keep clean, and it clings to dirt. That might seem like a small thing, but for the price, this bag should feel perfect.

The Minaal Carry-On 2.0 was designed to be a backpack for business people. But if you’re carrying it for business, you’re probably wearing at least a blazer, so you wouldn’t use a backpack in any case. If you’re a business traveler who falls more on the casual end of the business-casual spectrum, and you’re not on a budget, this is a well-thought-out pack. But we think our picks are more versatile for world travel, and they come at a better price. Minaal has since introduced a 3.0 version of this bag ; our thoughts about it remain the same.

The Osprey Sojourn Porter 46L is a slightly larger sibling of the Farpoint pack. The Sojourn Porter bag is about 2 inches longer, and it pushes right up to most airline limits. If you don’t mind possibly having to check your bag at the last minute, this would be an excellent alternative to the Farpoint pack.

This article was edited by Ria Misra and Christine Ryan.

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Kit Dillon is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter. He was previously an app developer, oil derrick inspector, public-radio archivist, and sandwich shop owner. He has written for Popular Science, The Awl, and the New York Observer, among others. When called on, he can still make a mean sandwich.

Further reading

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The Best Buy It for Life Backpack (Please Don’t Call It Tactical)

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A buy-it-for-a-lifetime backpack should last you for years of heavy use. But as with all investments, you need to decide if it makes sense for you.

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Whether you’re going to school, work, the gym, the store, or on vacay, you need a bag. Here’s the Wirecutter-recommended carrying gear we love most.

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• Large Capacity & Organized: The large backpack owns 3 spacious compartments-one separate laptop compartment that fits 17-inch laptops, and one main compartment roomy for daily necessities, such as clothes, notebooks, etc. The front compartment has many small pockets, as well as pen pockets and a keychain design to keep your things organized. The large backpack for men has 10+ pockets, including 2 side mesh pockets for water bottles and umbrellas. Size: 18"x13.5"x6.5"
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Customers like the quality of the backpack. They mention it's well-made, holds up well so far, and is made of thick material. Some say the shoulder straps are great and they have had very little issues carrying the bag.

"...It's made of thick material and the zippers are strong. Dual pockets for water bottles. Built in wire to attach a power bank...." Read more

"Its great. Well made , extra large, many separate pouchs and pockets for smaller items and 3 large compartments for the big stuff...." Read more

"...So far, it has held up nicely . Had up to 35-40lbs worth of gear in it with no issues.Pro's: Durable. Comfortable...." Read more

"...I've had mine for a little over a year. It is still in mint condition . Many pockets, carry my laptop and notebooks when I go to school...." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the pockets in the backpack. They say it has plenty of pockets and space for what they need. The bag is pretty spacious, and can fit 4+ days of clothes, a toiletry bag, and everything else they need for a trip. The backpack is convenient with seperate pockets for various items. It protects electronics well, and is bigger than expected. The quality and storage space is excellent, and the backpack can hold enough clothes for 3-7 days. The mesh side pockets do well to hold cans or bottles.

"This backpack is an ideal size for a single traveler. I can fit 4+ days of clothes , a toiletry bag, and everything else I need for a longer trip...." Read more

"...many separate pouchs and pockets for smaller items and 3 large compartments for the big stuff . I use it for travel ,but not on a plane yet...." Read more

"...It is very light-weight and has lots of room ...." Read more

"...Decent enough padding for your electronics. Multiple pockets of varying sizes for different needs...." Read more

Customers appreciate the value of the backpack. They say it's well worth the price, and that the cheap price does not mean cheap quality. Some customers also mention that the backpack is good for budget adventurers, and it can fit a lot of stuff.

"... Highly recommend for the price ." Read more

"...It is very light-weight and has lots of room. It was one of the least expensive bags I have but its performance passed that of other most expensive..." Read more

"...All in all, a really good travel backpack for the money ." Read more

"...A nice feature. Worth the price ." Read more

Customers are happy with the size of the backpack. For example, they mention it's oversized, durable, and fits everything they need. Some say it'll fit under an airline seat and that the handles are wide. Overall, most are satisfied with the quality and size of this product.

"Its great. Well made, extra large , many separate pouchs and pockets for smaller items and 3 large compartments for the big stuff...." Read more

"...controllers (Gamecube, 2 PS5, Switch) into this thing and it all fit pretty comfortably . Insane...." Read more

" I love the size . Easy to pack. This backpack fits my Asus Rog gaming laptop. It is a big laptop and I was having trouble finding a carry bag...." Read more

" Easily fits my 16 inch laptop and much more. Several different sections. Very well made. Love the handle. Highly recommend!" Read more

Customers find the backpack perfect for traveling with lots of room and pockets. They say it's perfect for the working traveler, and it easily packs a laptop, two tablets, two phones, H2O bottle, cables and chargers. The backpack is pretty light for its size, and works well as a carry on. It's compact and friendly, making it great for an overnight trip.

"This backpack is an ideal size for a single traveler . I can fit 4+ days of clothes, a toiletry bag, and everything else I need for a longer trip...." Read more

"I have been using this backpack for travel. It is very light-weight and has lots of room...." Read more

"...Otherwise it’s held up, has lots of pockets, etc. While this is great for travel , I would not recommend for hiking." Read more

"I love the size. Easy to pack . This backpack fits my Asus Rog gaming laptop. It is a big laptop and I was having trouble finding a carry bag...." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the appearance of the backpack. For example, they mention it's well-made, good-looking, and comfortable. The sewing looks good both inside and outside, and they're satisfied with its design and features. The color is vibrant and the bag is very spacious. Some love the red color and say it'll make a perfect accessory for any outfit.

"...Well made and the red color is still the tone it was when I bought it. I use it every day...." Read more

"This backpack is nice and roomy. I can fit my laptop and lunch bag in it with lots of room to spare...." Read more

"...trekked through wet, humid, and dry conditions, and it still looks great . I'd say it's even stretched out a few inches over the years...." Read more

"...to buy your own power pack to charge stuff up but otherwise it looks really cool and useful ten billion pockets so you just have to remember where..." Read more

Customers like the performance of the backpack. They say it's super functional, works well as a carry-on, and is usable for all uses. Some mention that the cord is a plus and very useful. They also say it works great with their laptop and is perfect in every way.

"...I took it on a 4 day trip and it worked great . I will be taking it when I travel the world as a carry on. Highly recommend for the price." Read more

" Its great . Well made, extra large, many separate pouchs and pockets for smaller items and 3 large compartments for the big stuff...." Read more

"...Multiple pockets of varying sizes for different needs. Bottle holders work great & have straps to clip taller bottles in...." Read more

"When I opened and found the bag it was really good and spacious also came in a very good air tight compressed packaging but when I observed closely..." Read more

Customers find the backpack comfortable to carry for extended periods of time. They mention that the shoulder straps are wide and do not cut in. Some appreciate the soft handle and the fact that it doesn't hurt their back to haul it.

"...Pro's: Durable. Comfortable . LOTS of storage compartments & they are easy to get to & use...." Read more

"...The straps are super comfortable , and there’s a lot of pockets. I love the purple color, very pretty!" Read more

"...Shoulder comfort. Its is more comfortable than most backpacks I have used and didnt chafe the neck and shoulder area like others have...." Read more

"Great pack! Lots of pockets, solid zippers, comfortable straps and lots of room!...." Read more

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CAMINOLOVERS.COM – FROM PILGRIMS TO PILGRIMS WITH LOVE

Best Backpack for Camino de Santiago – For men, women, different Caminos and preferences

Affiliate Disclaimer : As an affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this website from Amazon and other third parties. This helps supporting our website, so we can continue creating amazing content for you :).

Let me put something straight right at the beginning of this article– there’s nothing like one and only best backpack for Camino de Santiago. Because while some people want to pack super-light (and hence will do well with 30 liters backpack), some prefer carrying more weight and enjoying more comforts on their Camino (and need 45-50 liters or so backpack).

And because a skinny women 5.3 foot tall won’t enjoy the Camino very much, if she walks with a backpack that fits well a muscular men 6.4 feet tall. Having said that, there are a few things that characterize any good backpack for the Camino, and I have also hand-picked some great products for each possible situation you may encounter as a pilgrim (light packing, heavy packing with emphasis on comfort, short camino, super long camino with a lot of wild camping).  We will look at all these things on the following lines, so stay tuned and I hope that once you’re done with this article, you will know exactly what to buy for your Camino.

Table of Contents

Rule no. 1: Before deciding about a backpack to buy, make sure how many things you want to pack

Ultralight packing is the name of the game for many pilgrims (you can later check my ultralight camino packing list for some inspiration on how to get the weight down to 4 kilos), but that doesn’t mean it is a right philosophy for everyone . Me personally, I’ve never walked with a backpack lighter than 8 kilos (including 1 liter of water), simply because I like some comforts on the Camino . Think at least 2 books in print :), an inflatable mattress (which allows me to sleep outside when I feel like that), a mouth harmonica, and such things. And since I am also on a plant based diet, I always have a bit more food with me (think nuts, dried fruits and stuff), because while you can eat vegetarian on the camino , it isn’t always east to get something immediately.

The point I try to make here is that one of the most important characteristics of the backpack is its size . And Camino can definitely be done with 34 or even 30 liters backpack –if you pack light, and take only the most necessary stuff. If you like to have a few more things on you as I do, than you’ll need 45, or even 55 liters backpack . Another thing to bear in mind is that each backpack has a weight it can support , and for some non-hiking backpacks (some people do the Camino with the “city walk” backpack), this can be quite low. If you overload such a backpack, the straps on your back will start to tear from day one , and after a week you’ll need a new backpack, since the original one will simply be broken… Hence this is one of the things to consider.

Rule no. 2: Buy a backpack fitting for your body size.

Many people do not know this, but backpacks also have sizes ! They aren’t typically that many (often only two, S/M and L/XL ), since each good backpack has the adjustable back , so you can make a bit “longer” or “shorter” depending on the length of your torso, but this also has some limits. Hence it is pivotal to get the right size , because if your backpack is too small, you’ll just have pain and develop rash and itches.

And when it is too big (which is actually the worse case scenario ) you won’t be able to position it properly on your body, the backpack will be too low on you, and both your hips and back will suffer as a result . Believe me, I have seen more than a dozen of pilgrims quit the Camino simply because they had a backpack too large for their body, and developed injuries because of that. Make sure you won’t make the same mistake!

Rule no. 3: Do not try to save too much weight when it comes to straps that help to support your weight on different part o your body.

Of course the weight of a backpack is very important , especially when you try to pack light. There are many backpacks on the market weighting 2.5 kilos (5.5 pounds) and more . You can hardly get your backpack down under 6 kilos when the back alone weights three kilos, without anything inside it yet… However, one place where you should never try to save too much weights are the straps that support the backpack on your chest, and especially the straps that support it on your hips .

Some manufactures make these really thin, trying to save weight . But believe me it isn’t a good idea . These straps should be wide enough and feel comfortable on your body. Only that allows for right weight distribution and will prevent injuries that you will no doubt suffer with a backpack that has these straps super-thin or one doesn’t have them at all.

You should also consider the number of pockets (each pocket makes the backpack heavier, especially if there’s a zip), but having virtually no pockets on the backpack (which is the case with the real super-light packs) also comes with a price . Having pockets means that you can distribute the stuff in the backpack logically . Also it allows you to for example have a mobile phone always at hand, without having to actually carry it in your hand :)… To sum it up, less weight is good, but only when the manufacturer of the backpack saves the weight on the right places.

My recommended Camino backpacks for various situations, weights, men and women

Okay, let’s dive into this. I will now try to present 1-2 great backpacks for affordable price , for each possible situation on the Camino . You can purchase these backpacks on Amazon, in any of their locations, hence regardless of if you will head to the Camino from the US, Canada, Australia, Asia, or Europe, you should be able to purchase the backpacks. Let’s start!

Smaller backpacks for women (lightweight packing)

Let me start with smaller backpacks, for women. The two backpacks I am about to recommend are good if you want to pack light , and do not plan to take a bulky sleeping bag (but rather a small one, or a sleeping bag liner–check my article on best sleeping bags for Camino for more information). They both afford decent support in terms of hip and breast straps , enough pockets, and are reasonably light (both below 0.7 kilograms, or 1.5 pounds) for true light-weight packing. Let’s have a look at them:

Smaller backpacks for men (lightweight packing)

The same as goes for women section, these are smaller backpacks and you will do with them if you plan to pack light . Needless to say, if you go for a winter Camino or hope take a tent or love to have lot of clothes with you, the size of these backpacks won’t be adequate. But for a pilgrim who’s in Spain for walking and doesn’t mind to wash his walking t-shirt and shorts every day, they are big enough. And good of course 🙂

Bigger backpacks for women (comfort packing)

If you prefer to pack more things, be it clothes, cosmetics, or a one person tent for a nice sleep outside on a hot night, you won’t do with a 30-35 liters backpack. 45 liters is the bare minimum here, and 55 is the norm that will allow you to not only pack your stuff, but at times when needed carry more food on you, or perhaps even a souvenir or two from your pilgrimage :). I handpicked for you one fantastic backpack (beats anything else on offer), and you can see it below:

• Women’s-specific sizing and fit
• Fixed top lid with zippered pocket
• Osprey Daylite compatible with front panel cord loop attachment points

– An amazing backpack , comes in 50 or 65 liters variation (for really heavy packing), beautiful colors with 3 options, great hip support, unbeatable reviews , 1.5 kilos (3.3 pounds). The one backpack I’ve seen many pilgrims from the US carry, and not a single one was disappointed with it.

Bigger backpack for men (comfort packing)

Just like for the women, I have hand-picked for you one top-notch backpack when it comes to quality/price ratio . Backpack big enough to pack a small tent in it and a sleeping mat and everything else you need for the Camino de Santiago:

• Included raincover made with PFAS-free DWR and bluesign approved materials
• Curved zip access on one side of panel
• Floating top lid with lash points

– The “Creme de la creme” of 50-55 liters backpacks for male pilgrims. Comes with a built-in rain cover, has a perfect location of pockets, super comfy, will endure rough-handling , and basically it’s the one backpack you buy and will take to all your nature trips. Comes in two sizes as well (S/M, L/XL), make sure to pick the right one. The only downside is the weight (almost 2 kilos or 4.3 pounds), however, with this backpack packing ultralight isn’t our goal, hence it isn’t really an issue.

Universal backpack for being completely self-sufficient in Spain

There is one more situation you may encounter. Perhaps you want to connect your Camino de Santiago with some mountain crossings , be it in the Picos de Europa, the Pyrenees, or any other mountain range that is close to one of the pilgrimage routes in Spain. And you want to be self-sufficient, meaning being able to cook on your own stove , having a comfortable tent, and clothes for all possible weather extremes, and of course your own food to cook in the mountains. In such a case, you should look for 65 liters backpack or even a bigger one –to have enough space to pack everything. For women , the bigger 65 liters variant of the Osprey backpack I just recommend (read two paragraphs above) will do the trick. For men , I recommend the following gem:

• Adjustable Suspension – VersaFit adjustable suspension with 4″ of adjustment and Perforated breathable backpanel
• FitTune Adjustable Hipbelt – Quick and simple to adjust while wearing the pack, the FitTune hipbelt allows for 4 inches (10 CM) of adjustment for a custom fit.
• Integrated Safety Whistle – Sternum strap with integrated safety whistle

– Very light for its size (just 1.6 kilos/3.5 pounds), has a built-in rain cover, perfect location of side and hip pockets, pretty comfy and durable , great distribution of weight, unbeatable price for this level of quality (similar backpacks of more famous brands start at $300).

Final word on the best backpack for Camino de Santiago

As you can see, choosing the right backpack for the Camino isn’t as easy as it seems . It is important buying one of right size, with the right capacity, and also one that will offer enough support and good weight distribution. I tried to give you some ideas and tips on backpacks I tested myself, or at least talked to pilgrims who carried them . In my opinion, it is better going for a more expensive backpack, knowing it will last you for years after the Camino , than buying a cheap alternative that you will throw to the garbage bin once you return home. Because Camino is love , and most pilgrims do come back :). Ideally with the same backpack…. Buen Camino!

May also interest you :

• Ultralight Camino packing list , for men and women.
• Best sleeping bag for Camino de Santiago .
• Walking sticks on the Camino – pros & cons, facts & myths .

About the author

Matej has walked nine different caminos over the last ten years. He speaks fluently Spanish, and currently lives on the northern coast of Spain. He is the founder of the CaminoLovers.com website.

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Intercity 50L travel pack

The ever changing travel landscape requires brands to evolve their products to suit market trends. The Caribee Intercity 50L backpack answers the call for a medium sized travel backpack that can be used during your adventures entirety. Rather than acting as a piece of luggage to transport your belongings to your next nights’ accommodation, this compact backpack can accompany you on your everyday adventure, freeing you from the constraints of planned destinations. It’s compact proportions won’t be bothersome in crowded streets or whilst hiking up trails as more time outside of hostels means more time for adventure.

Being an item you take everywhere, the Intercity’s reinforced rip-stop material make this pack both hard wearing and reliable during off grid adventures. Lockable zip housings lead to a generous main compartment that contains multiple storage pockets to keep you organised and prepared whilst the padded harness system with hip belt effortlessly transfers weight to your hips allowing an easy full day’s use. On the outside, large storage pockets hold gear for on the go and the front pocket can store items of more importance. If you next adventure involves short hops and the opportunity for unexpected adventures, the Caribee Intercity 50L backpack is ready for you.

Available instore and online:

Volume: 50L/60 x 36 x 25cm

Weight: 2.1kg

• Designed as a lightweight and compact intercity travel backpack
• Compact proportions allow you the freedom of movement whilst carrying enough gear for short trips away
• Lightweight triple span rip stop material, provides great strength & durability
• Comfortable ventilated air mesh harness system with padded shoulder straps, sternum strap and hip belt
• Zip away harness cover protects the packs back system in transit
• Internal aluminium frame provides great back support and improves load distribution
• Full length main zip compartment allows easy organisation and access to your gear
• Large main compartment provides generous room for your gear whilst QR webbing straps hold it all in place
• Internal zip storage pockets are ideal for accessory storage 
• Front zip storage pocket is designed for smaller, regular use travel items
• Base QR webbing straps allow the attachment of a sleeping bag or other bulky gear
• Side water bottle / accessory pockets
• Lockable zip housings helps protect your belongings from theft
• External QR compression system hold your gear steady
• Water resistant base material protect contents from varying surfaces
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Forclaz Women's MT100 Easyfit 50 L Backpacking Pack

Easy to use and also comfortable, this bag also has all the technical aspects necessary for a good trek.

Free shipping over $49

Free returns

Free pickup

San Francisco , 735 Market St. Options

Select an available color and size to see options.

About this item:

• This backpack is made for multiple days hiking or trekking in autonomy. You can carry everything you need to camp, drink and eat on your back with comfort.
• The MT100 only weighs 3.5 lbs and can contain a total volume of 50 liters which we recommend for a trip up to 2 weeks.
• This backpack has the essential features if you are looking for a budget-friendly option: back ventilation, rain cover, water bottle holder, hiking poles holder, external pockets and a compartment for a water bladder for easy hydration.
• The EASYFIT technology allows you to simultaneaously adjust the back and the straps of the bag by pulling the 2 straps located on each side of the bag.
• This is a women's backpack: This bag has been conceived for a feminine morphology (torso and hips). We recommend to stick to your gender when you choose a bag for comfort purposes when carrying your it on your back.
• 10-year warranty: the fabric of the bag is ultra resistant and Decathlon is proud to offer this warranty for any defect that could appear in the next 10 years.

Product Features

Forclaz women's mt100 easyfit 50 l backpacking pack | this easy-to-adjust 50l backpack is ideal for women trekking for a few days in the mountains. its capacity means you can take everything you need., carrying comfort.

Carry system for the female body shape. EASYFIT automatic back adjustment.

Multiple compartments

Split capacity, access to bottom of bag, 5 pockets

Versatility

Water bottle holder, Pole holder, Rain cover.

Thin yet durable polyester main fabric, reinforced bag base.

Ventilation

Back with aluminium bars to reduce pressure and allow the back to breathe.

Easy hydration

Space for a water bladder (not included) is provided for easy drinking

1.6 kg.The weight indicated is that of our benchmark sample.

Questions & Answers

Questions & answers +.

Look for product information, frequently asked questions, opinions...

Q uestion :

What range of torso length would this fit on women?

Back Length (= distance from the 7th vertebra to the ilium): Minimum: 16 inches. Maximum: 20 inches. Waistband: Minimum: 29 inches Maximum: 52 inches

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Customer Reviews +

Product customer reviews.

Very comfortable, does not feel at all on the shoulders. Very practical top-to-bottom opening. Adjustment that fits really well.

Very good value for money

I have now used this bag twice for short trips through the mountains. I think it is a very nice and spacious bag. You can easily store a week's worth of stuff in it and the bag is very comfortable to wear with thick hip straps. I also like that there is room in the bag for a camel bag. An area for improvement would be to add an extra smaller compartment for small items that you can quickly grab.

I recommend this backpack!! I have already been on several hikes in it - both in the mountains and in Spain, and it has always worked well. You don't feel it when you walk, the support system works if you use it properly hah. Very roomy, can be charged and charged. The included cover is waterproof and works well. My back doesn't sweat and it's actually very nice :)

I use this bag for several activities, hiking and climbing. Its opening all the way up the front makes it very practical to use, you can see the entire bag at a glance, no need to empty everything to access the bottom. the adjustment system is easy to use and quick.

Very well made, lots of pockets. Comfortable to wear on long journeys thanks to the hip belt.

Comfortable hiking bag to carry with a design adapted to my body shape. Plenty of storage space to carry the equipment you need for day hikes in the mountains. Easy adjustments.

I already did a few kilometers with it on the way to Santiago de Compostela and I realized that it absolutely had to be stylized so as not to confuse it with someone else's. I like that the straps are adjustable and adapt to my size. The inside pocket where the protective cover is (provided) is not very practical for rainy days. I like the ventral closure which allows you to go to the bottom of the bag without opening everything. Very practical separation inside the bag, the upper part I put in compression bags my clothes, my toiletries, the tent, sleeping bag, the self-inflatable mattress, and the lower part, the meals , food... The pouch on the belt is too small, a pack of tissues, hydro-alcoholic gel, a Swiss army knife and that's it. Despite its basic weight, he recommends it, because I walk with my poles at 14kg without getting too tired

Great hiking bag, very comfortable, fits perfectly to your body. Very practical and accessible compartments. Very fair price I am just disappointed that it is not in khaki in order to blend in even more with nature

Missing a pocket on the side. Pocket on the waist belt too small.

top this women's version backpack with its adjustable straps and numerous compartments Very practical opening on the top for easy access to the inside of the bag

This is the best women trekking bag I have used till now. I got it in offer price. 100% worth the money!

strong and light

Very good product and suitable for the use I was looking for (hiking).

Additional Product Information

Product information +, composition.

Main fabric: 100.0% Polyester ; Lining: 100.0% Polyester ; Yoke: 100.0% Polyester ; Webbing: 100.0% Polypropylene ; Bag cover: 100.0% Polyester ; Coating: 100.0% Polyurethane

Bag dimensions when in use: Height : 58 cm/23 in Width: 26cm / 10 inDepth: 25 Cm/10 inCompatible with 1/2 moon 2x7L storage coversTorso length (= distance 7th vertebrate - ilium): Minimum: 41 Cm/16 in Maximum: 50 Cm/20 in The waistband:Minimum: 74 Cm/29 in Maximum: 131 cm / 52 in

Easyfit system

Our patented Easyfit system allows you to adjust the torso height and strap tension simultaneously by pulling on one single strap (on each side).1. Put on your bag2. Fasten and tighten the belt3.Pull the straps (upwards)And you're done!

50 L volume. The volume of each backpack is measured using a standardised method. we use small balls to fill the main compartment as well as each pocket. The balls are then emptied into a graduated container in order to determine the equivalent volume in litres, with a margin of error of just a few %.

How to pack a backpack?

Put your bedding at the bottom. Put heavy gear (tent, camp stove, food) near your back. Store your clothing around it. A groundsheet or tent can be placed under the flap or under the bag if there isn't room inside. Keep your waterproof jacket and fleece to hand. Place small items for daily use (sun cream, map, glasses etc.) in the pockets. The water bladder can be placed in the compartment provided down the back.

Female body shape

Our women's models are adapted to their body shape (chest and hips) with a more open shoulder strap shape and a higher fitted belt for greater comfort and freedom of movement. The EASYFiT system has also been adapted to a lower adjustment range from back height.

Complementary accessories

It's important that you are well equipped for your trek to take place in the best conditions. So to complete your equipment and make your MT100 backpack easy to use, check out our storage accessories

Product testing

All our backpacks undergo field tests by users who are representative of our target market under similar conditions to those you will encounter. To test, assess and validate products, our mission test connects the product manager responsible for the product design with individuals independent to DECATHLON. This backpack was tested by trekkers for 5 weeks in the Canary Islands, the Pyrenees and the Mont Blanc mountain range.

Storage instructions

Store your bag in a dry, ventilated place away from direct light.

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Heavy products return policy.

If you return a product you will receive a refund for the purchase price plus any applicable sales taxes, less any non-refundable charges.

Decathlon will cover all shipping costs associated with your return except for items excluded from our return policy such as bikes, basketball hoops, snowboards, surfboards, tents, and other larger / heavier items.

Return costs for heavy products:

If you return a product at any of our store locations, we will gladly help you find the best alternative product or refund you on the spot.

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40 facts about elektrostal.

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

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