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Outdoor Gear Reviews & Guides

7 Best Hiking and Backpacking Forums

December 2, 2021 by Oscar Brumelis | Last updated February 28, 2023

Finding an active hiking/backpacking community is invaluable, regardless of whether it’s on Reddit, Facebook, or a dedicated forum. Not only will you find a new, fun way to spend your free time, but also get some useful tips along the way and become a smarter hiker.

In this article, I list my 7 favorite backpacking forums ( backpacking, as in hiking in the wilderness, not traveling ), ordered from best to worst. Each one is slightly different – some are better for beginners, and others for more experienced hikers, some talk about ultralight gear, and others about survival. That said, you’ll probably find something that’s good for you.

1. r/Ultralight

Community: 442 000 users

Posts per week: 28

Personally, the subreddit r/Ultralight is my favorite hiking community, which I check daily for new posts. It’s a very active community and has a few new posts every day with an average of 30 comments on each post.

The general idea behind it is to discuss various topics around ultralight hiking. If you didn’t know, “ Ultralight ” just means extremely lightweight gear, with a base weight of under 10 lbs. Even if you don’t consider yourself an ultralight hiker, it’s still a very rewarding community to be contributing to. I’ve learned so many tips and hacks over there on making my backpack lighter, which are beneficial to anyone who goes outdoors, not just ultralight hikers.

Most discussions around there revolve around the following topics: ultralight gear lists, thru-hiking, ultralight and lightweight gear, pack weight-saving tips, “leave no trace” principles and all kinds of other topics around hiking and backpacking in general.

At times, the community there can be a bit narrow-minded. For instance, a lot of people there will recommend complete beginners to spend tons of money on gear that weighs only a few grams less, which is a bit annoying. But if you’re willing to deal with that, you can find a lot of hidden gems in there, that are relevant for anyone interested in the outdoors.

Instead of posting pictures and videos, almost all of the content there is in the form of discussions. Also, no self-promotion is allowed, which is actually one of the main reasons why I like this subreddit more than others.

2. Backpacking Light Forums

Community: 20 000 active users

Threads: 77 000 threads (not counting gear trade threads)

Outside of Reddit, I consider the best hiking and backpacking forum to be the Backpacking Light forums. The only downside to it is that it’s a paid forum but it costs only 7$ per year. The good news is that you can read the whole forums without paying a dime. You only need to pay if you want to comment or make a new thread yourself.

Even though it’s a very old forum and has seen a bit better days, it still has a very active community. You’ll find a few new discussions every day with plenty of responses on each. And what I really love is that the people there are really knowledgeable. Backpacking Light forums are filled with old-timers who know every trick in the book, so they’re especially great for beginner hikers .

The main topics over there involve ultralight gear, lightweight gear, weight-saving tips, gear reviews, gear suggestions, gear lists, thru-hiking, and all kinds of other hiking and backpacking advice.

I consider Backpacking Light to be r/Ultralight on steroids. The r/Ultralight subreddit is more active, but its community can be a bit toxic at times and the people there aren’t as experienced.

3. r/WildernessBackpacking

Community: 262 000 users

Posts per week: 15 (not counting pictures, videos, and news)

Another community on Reddit that I really love is the r/WildernessBackpacking subreddit. It has almost zero self-promotion and most of the content there is pretty interesting – even most pictures and videos.

The main idea behind this subreddit is to create discussions, photos, and videos around hiking in the wilderness (untouched, wild places in the outdoors with very few people). The main topics involve gear, camping, hiking, survival, specific trail discussions, and general tips for being in the outdoors.

It has a pretty active community with about 20 responses to each post. Most of the advice there is actually really good, and I’ve personally learned quite a few things there. The discussions will be suited both for beginners and more experienced hikers.

4. r/CampingandHiking

Community: 1 800 000 users

Posts per week: 28 (not counting pictures, videos, and news)

Another great community on Reddit that revolves around hiking is the r/CampingandHiking subreddit. It’s essentially a mix of everything. You’ll find pictures, videos, and quite a bit of self-promotion there, but it also has a healthy amount of discussions, with about 10 responses on each post.

I’ve found that the best way to use this subreddit is to only select the filters “Gear Questions”, “Food”, and “Destination questions”. This will filter out most of the spam which comes in the form of self-promotion through pictures and videos.

In terms of discussions, it covers a broad range of topics around hiking and camping – mostly for beginners, but occasionally for more experienced hikers as well. It also contains a great deal of content around survival.

5. WhiteBlaze Forums

Community: 68 000 total / 900 active users

Threads: 110 000 threads (not counting gear trade threads)

WhiteBlaze is a US-based backpacking forum, which originally focused only on thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT) but developed into much more. Nowadays, it covers all kinds of topics – mainly about thru-hiking in the United States but also about gear, ultralight hiking, DIY gear, gear reviews, hiking tips, and other topics.

WhiteBlaze is a very popular hiking forum, especially among thru-hikers. It has a pretty active user base, with a few new discussions every day and a healthy amount of responses to each one. Even though it’s mainly about thru-hiking, you can find all kinds of useful advice there, which can be applied to regular backpacking or camping as well.

Unfortunately, it isn’t available in certain parts of the world. For instance, from Latvia, I’m able to access WhiteBlaze only by using a VPN and changing my IP address to the United States. This also speaks greatly about its target audience – it’s mostly focused on hiking in the United States.

6. Hammock Forums

Community: 58 000 total / 2300 active users

Threads: 126 000 threads (not counting gear trade threads)

Hammock Forums is essentially a spin-off of WhiteBlaze. So many people were interested in hammock camping, so they launched another forum dedicated just to that topic. And even though it’s mainly about hammock camping, it also covers a lot of other topics, which are also usable for people who sleep in tents or tarps.

Similar to WhiteBlaze, it’s popular only in the United States and focuses mostly on thru-hiking (albeit much less). If hammock camping is something you’re interested in or would like to try, this forum is definitely the go-to place to learn the ropes (pun not intended).

Even though Hammock Forums is a spin-off of WhiteBlaze, it’s become more popular and now has a bit more active community. You’ll find a few new posts every day with a few responses to each one.

7. NWhikers Forums

Community: 15 000 total / 200 active users

Threads: 60 000 threads (not counting gear trade threads)

NWhikers Forums is a backpacking forum that mainly focuses on hiking in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. That said, it also covers a wide range of other topics, including thru-hiking, gear, food, trip reports, gear lists, hiking tips, and others. It’s useful to check for anyone, not just hikers in the Pacific Northwest. It also has enough content for beginners and a pretty responsive community.

Although NWhikers forums is the smallest backpacking forum on this list, it’s still a pretty good one. It has plenty of active people and you’ll find new posts every day with a healthy amount of replies to each one.

Final Words

Personally, I actively participate only in r/Ultralight, r/WildernessBackpacking, and I sometimes check out the Backpacking Light forums. But for this article, I did a lot of research and I checked out all the main backpacking forums. I included only the best ones which were still active.

If you’re looking for a backpacking community that only keeps growing and will stay active for the upcoming years, you should probably look for something on Reddit, as more and more people move from forums to Subreddits. There are a lot of hiking, backpacking, and camping Subreddits but I only included the three best ones in this list. Others were mostly about pictures and videos or included too much self-promotion.

Anyway, hopefully, you found a backpacking community that’s worthy of joining – whether you’re a thru-hiker or a survivalist.

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20 Useful Backpacking Websites, Forums, Communities

The backpacking trend has been here for a couple of years but probably much longer with a different name!  People were always traveling on a low budget, using local transportation, trying to avoid hotel resorts, crowds, and willing to know the real local culture.

Nowadays, unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to avoid crowds of backpackers especially in South-East Asia and Latin America. As backpacking is growing in popularity we are coming with a list of websites that can be useful for every backpacker out there!

Revolut  (Best fees + APP (TOP UP your card whenever you want and avoid ATM scams )

Backpackers and travelers who use this app gain security and convenience to their spending. Just a few clicks on their phone and they can freeze lost/misplaced/stolen cards and unfreeze these accounts when found, have a physical balance in 16 currencies, save fees on international money transfers, and more.

Users get a Revolut card delivered to them in as fast as 2 business days. It may take longer depending on your location and preferred delivery. But once you have your card, Revolut should help you securely transact at an interbank rate in 120 currencies.

Revolut app users also benefit from free card transactions in 120 countries, free ATM withdrawals of up to £200 each month then with a 2% fee thereafter, and lesser risks of fraud and overdrafts. The app is protected by either a password or a fingerprint ID, and is regulated to protect consumers.

This user-friendly app allows you to conveniently transact in more than a hundred countries safely and almost instantly. You can spend with no to minimal fees, in up to 25 currencies real-time. Customer service is available 24/7 for your guidance.

FB Groups – Travelers & Backpackers Communities

Therefore, we are putting together a list of the most active, supportive and helpful Facebook pages for travelers:

• Secret Flying – find best flight deals
• Bucket List Beasts   – travel tips
• Young Travelers Network   – young travelers
• GirlsLOVETravel   –  female-only travel support group
• Families Who Love to Travel   – ideal for families o\r moms who wants to travel
• Travel Community – general information about travel
• here is the full list of the most useful travel groups on FB (by packslight.com)

Backpackers Forums & Communities

As we mentioned above, FB pages took over the forums but you can still find some very useful and active ones. We did a quick research and listed a few of the most popular: 

• Backpackertravel.com – Community
• Backpackinglight.com Forums
• Trailgroove.com Forums – Hiking and backpacking tips

iVisa – Get You Visa Hustle FREE

Say goodbye to endless research and dealing with foreign governments. We enable travelers to process visas from a computer, smartphone, or tablet. Travel agents, destination management companies, and corporations can use iVisa .com to process any travel visa. We provide the best solution in the market.

Depending on the destination and if the client selects rush or super rush timing processing, the visa can be mailed t in less than 24 hours.

Safety Wing – Better Save than Sorry – Insurance $37/month

Their regular packages only cost 37/month and it comes with great coverage and support.

TURO – RENT CAR from PEOPLE (Airbnb for CARS)

A million users and car owners have enjoyed so much with this app that it has been dubbed repeatedly as the car-version of Airbnb, which was indeed an inspiration for the company concept and its founding in 2010 as RelayRides.

The app initially started as a peer-to-peer car-sharing service in the US, has headquarters in San Francisco, serves millions of commuters, and showcases hundreds of thousand cars available for rent.

Users can pick their choice depending on their preferred price range and mileage allowances, and for added convenience, your selected vehicle can be delivered to your location. For the passengers and car owner’s benefit, Turo partners with an insurance company. So there’s no reason for you to worry. Book a car rental and enjoy the ride.

And perhaps, another great deal about this app is that it’s not just about getting a ride for a commute. Other users also find this app extremely helpful when booking trucks on moving day, a limo or a luxurious vehicle for a long-awaited weekend getaway, a bus for a road trip with friends, and more.

Turo is more than an app. It is a venue where local car owners offer their vehicles and earn, while users choose their own terms and budgets on how to enjoy their journeys. Win-win!

AIRWANDER – Best STOPOVER Finder, pay LESS & travel MORE

AirWander got this covered and with their smart engine, you can find great trips and time it very well. You will be able to save up much more than if you would try this on your own.

Couchsurfing

Find accommodation for FREE or make friends in new city!

The idea of Couchsurfing is simple but priceless at the same time. It is one of the biggest travel communities on web. Pretty much in every bigger city in the world, you can find a couchsurfer who is ready to host you, show you around or meet some locals.

Apart from crashing someones couch, you can go to meetings or parties and meet interesting, mostly friendly people, hear theirs stories and share yours. You can also create your own event for meeting new pips, sharing a ride or looking for travel buddies! Couchsurfing is growing daily, it is a chance to make millions of friends worldwide don’t waste a chance like this & make your travels attractive.

Check out also our roundups of Hostels for Backpackers  from all around the world!

Become a volunteer, do an exchange job, and get accommodation & food for FREE.

Workaway is a website providing volunteering and cultural exchange in over 130 countries in the world. It’s really easy, create a profile and search for your destination!

Get a job in your dream country and experience another side of traveling. You can choose from various jobs such as housekeeping, farming, construction but also IT jobs, web design, fitness, etc.

Another savvy solution on how to find a unique but affordable accommodation on your travels. It doesn’t matter whether you travel alone, as a couple, a family, or a group of friends.

So what is Airbnb? Airbnb is a website/app that offers several types of apartments. Rent a loft in New York, spend a night in an igloo in Finland, rent a room in a medieval Irish castle or dip into a swimming pool in your villa in Bali.

It makes traveling more authentic and many travelers prefer Airbnb over staying in hotels.

If you are a new user you can enjoy a welcome 35 USD credit to your first booked trip . Just sign up using this link .

Hubstaff Talent

Find jobs you can do from anywhere and become a digital nomad!

Anyone can backpack and enjoy the wonders of the world, but only a few can earn money doing that.  

Hubstaff Talent  enables you to make your dreams come true. Get your first remote job today with just a little bit of effort. There are 1000 of skills that you can monetize through the internet, just browse their portal and find one that suits you.

You never know what you might find. Getting a remote job is the best way to start traveling indefinitely. Just create a compelling profile, add your resume and companies that find you valuable will contact you based on your work experience and personality.

Jobs range from web design, content writing to PHP development, so if you browse carefully you will definitely find a job that you can manage. Create your profile today and be on your way to getting your first remote job so you can travel the world indefinitely.

Hostelworld

Find the cheapest places to stay & make friends!

Backpackers prefer to stay in cheap hostels and they don’t mind sleeping in a dormitory room with 10 other travelers.

Social life in hostels is amazing because of the number of travelers you meet (the parties rocks!). Finding a cheap/good place to stay in almost any city is with Hostelworld not a problem at all.

Personal experience: definitely one of the best travel websites when it comes to great and cheap accommodation. Good review system, affordable pricing, and wide choice in almost every city!

WORLDNOMADS – Travel Insurance (for long term travelers)

In many places around the world, tourism and accidents became a huge business! Sometimes it’s a good thing. Because there are quality hospitals in less developed countries, just because of tourism. So they serve you with a certain standard. On the other side, sometimes you end up in a bad hospital and bills go up crazy.

WorldNomads insurance packages, services, and support are adjusted for travelers and therefore you can rely on it much more than on your local (home country/commercial) insurance.

Read travel experience and plan your trip!

It is a website full of blogs about traveling around the world containing information of almost every country. Travelers are sharing their stories, adventures, and feelings. 

If you are after detailed info do not hesitate to visit. Many good travel writers got started on TravelBlog . In the process of planning it’s always good to read the thoughts and experiences of other travelers. A big plus are hundred of thousands of beautiful pictures

Skyscanner – Find the best flight deals!

Backpackers usually prefer to take a bus, a bicycle or hitchhike but sometimes you have to take a plane for whatever reason.

There are many flight search engines out there but Skyscanner is one of the best . Skyscanner is completely free, multilingual with over 30 languages including Chinese, Japanese, Spanish or Russian.

It does not sell flights directly but it allows you to find the best deals. Become one of 35 million monthly visitors and get your flight for the best price on the market.

Lonely Planet – Thorn Tree Forum

The biggest travel forum on the internet!

Lonely Planet is the largest travel guide book  publisher in the world which is great but backpackers hate LP. But be wise and think twice.

Thorn Tree forum is one of the biggest travel forums on the web. Just imagine the wealth of information in every single post. Millions of subscribers have shared their questions, problems, hints and tips before you even started traveling. Thorn Tree was founded in 1996 by travelers and for travelers. It is a golden mine of information.

The Man in Seat 61

Best source of train transportation information!

If you like to use train transportation there is no better information source than seat 61. Not just famous but first of all very useful website about railways in Europe, Russia, India, more countries included. Check the details like schedule, map or even book a ticket.

Over a million visitors in a month is proof of the popularity and importance of such a project. The Man in Seat 61 has won several awards as well.

Tripadvisor

All in! Read the best reviews of hotels, hostels, trips, destinations, etc…

Yeah, we know it very well. There is no much to say to introduce Tripadvisor as everyone knows it haha. In forum with over 60 million members and 170 million reviews, it is impossible not to find an information you need.

Check out the top attractions in your future destinations, read reviews, check the photos & plan. Well done Tripadvisor, thank you.

A worldwide search engine can take you anywhere!

An amazing project, Rome2Rio is a worldwide transport search engine. Enter any place, landmark or city as an origin do the same for destination and hit enter.

A search engine searches through databases of flights, buses, trains, and ferries. It also computes the roads for cars. The use of a map-based interface to display roads makes it really easy to understand.

A classified advertisement website operating in over 70 countries around the world. If you are looking for whatever first try craigslist .

Accommodation, cars, services, jobs, new or used staff there is nothing you can’t get on craigslist. But be wise because there are many freaks trying to rip you off. Apart of that it is a great help.

— PIN IT —

So this was our list of backpacking websites, forums, projects and community pages. We hope you’ve found something useful for you that will help you on your travels. If you have any suggestions that you think we should add to this list, please feel free to comment below or reach out via contact page.

DISCLAIMER: This article contains a few affiliate links! We might earn a commission from the purchase of the above services or products. This income helps us to run the magazine. Thank you for supporting us.

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The Hiking Life

Websites for Hikers and Backpackers

These days the internet is full of backpacking blogs and websites. When coupled with the multitude of online hiking forums, advice is never more than a click or two away. However, not all advice is created equal, and the fact is that more than a few of the folks doling out backcountry wisdom have a relatively limited amount of practical experience out in the field.

The list of sites below are ones that I have personally found to helpful over the years. They contain a wide range of information about gear, lightweight backpacking techniques, wilderness skills, health and safety, trip reports and up-to-date news for outdoorsy types.  The compilation is by no means exhaustive, and I’m sure there are plenty of other great online backpacking resources of which I am unaware:

• Adventure Alan : Trip reports, gear recommendations, hiking guides and how tos. The site’s author, Alan Dixon, was the co-founder of Backpacking Light in 2001.
• Andrew Skurka : Gear reviews, skills tutorials and trip reports from the author of The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide .
• Backpacking Light : Articles, reviews and forum geared towards lightweight and ultra-lightweight backpackers.
• BasecampMD : A good source of information for anyone interested in hiking at high altitudes.
• Besthike : A wide-ranging index of some of the best hikes, treks and tramps from around the world.
• Bushwalk.com: Australian online hiking forum. Good source of information on a multitude of bushwalking options around the country.
• Caltopo : An excellent online mapping and planning tool that has become a go-to site for many folks in the US hiking community.
• Chris Townsend Outdoors:  Trip reports, gear reviews and skills articles from the author of The Backpacker’s Handbook .
• Gear Institute : Wide-ranging compilation of outdoor gear reviews (hiking, climbing, cycling, fishing and skiing).
• Gear Junkie : All the latest in gear reviews and news from the outdoor world.
• Hiking in Finland : Gear Reviews and European trip reports from Hendrik Morkel. His long running,  The Week in Review, is a compilation of the latest news and articles from around the hiking and backpacking universe.
• International Fuel Names : Translations for the names of fuels commonly used in backpacking stoves in more than sixty countries around the world.
• Mark Verber’s Recommended Outdoor Gear : Gear reviews and general information on light and ultralight backpacking.
• Pmags.com :  Across-the-board commentaries on all things hiking and backpacking. Practical, too the point and with a little bit of humour thrown into the mix.
• REI Blog : Tips, stories & gear reports.
• Section Hiker : Gear reviews and how tos. Philip Werner, the site’s author, is one of the most prolific outdoor writers on the web.
• Semi-rad : A humorous and often insightful look at the outdoors lifestyle.
• Summitpost :  Logistical information and trip reports for a wide range of hikes around North America.
• The Great Outdoors / TGO Magazine – The online version of the UK’s original outdoor magazine. Trip reports, gear reviews and useful skills section. Also contains up-to-date weather information for British hikes, and all the latest news on what’s happening in the UK outdoors scene.
• Thruhiker.com : Nutritional recommendations for backpackers and other endurance exercise enthusiasts. The site’s author is nutritionist and long distance hiker, Dr. Brenda Braaten.
• Trail Groove : US-based online hiking and backpacking magazine. Trip reports, backpacking recipes, photography, forum and gear reviews.
• Trail Posse : An informative site covering race and equity in the outdoors. Lots of thought-provoking articles.
• Treeline Review : Detailed reviews and rankings of a wide range of lightweight backpacking equipment, as well as other outdoor gear.
• Ultralight Insights : In depth UL gear reviews and commentaries on new technologies. The author is Will Rietveld, who has been reviewing gear for Backpacking Light  (see above) since 2004.
• Ultralight Reddit : Useful forum for hikers interested in lightening their pack load. Pack shakedowns, skills articles, youtube tutorials, trip reports and gear lists.

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For those interested in backpacking around the world or perhaps just a popular region of the world, here are some online publications referencing backpacking hot spots.

TravelChannel.com (Best Countries for Backpacking)

http://www.travelchannel.com/interests/budget/photos/best-countries-for-backpackers

Huffington Post (Top 10 Backpacking Destinations 2014)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/off-track-planet/otps-top-10-backpacking-d_b_4505063.html

Essential Travel (Top 10 Backpacker Destinations)

http://www.essentialtravel.co.uk/magazine/top-10/backpacker-destinations.asp

http://BackpackTravel.co.uk (Top Backpacking Destinations)

http://www.backpackingtraveldestinations.co.uk/

Indietraveller.com (7 Cheapest Backpack Destinations)

http://www.indietraveller.co/articles/view/top-7-cheapest-travel-destinations

StudentUniverse.com (Top 10 Cheapest Countries)

http://www.studentuniverse.com/travel-guides/top-lists/top-10-cheapest-countries-to-backpack-through

Loads more on top backpacking destinations available online. These can be found with a quick google or yahoo search.

Low Cost travel destinations for Asia in 2015

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1-i12290-k8089530-Low_Cost_Travel_Cheapest_Asian_Destinations_2015-Bargain_Travel.html

Low Cost travel destinations for Europe in 2015

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1-i12290-k8074859-Low_Cost_Travel_Cheapest_European_Destinations_2015-Bargain_Travel.html

Related threads on the top of GAP Year travel

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1-i12334-k8724816-GAP_Year_Travel_Information-Holiday_Travel.html

World's Cheapest Destinations (2016)

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1-i12290-k9317109-World_s_Cheapest_Travel_Destinations_2016-Bargain_Travel.html

Recent report on backpacking costs for a couple in Europe (see link)

http://theworldpursuit.com/cost-to-backpack-through-europe/?platform=hootsuite

Cuba is also a very good country to do backpacking, its very sunny and colorfull, places like Pinar del Rio, La Cienaga de Zapata, Havana its a beautiful city, it preserves the original air from the 50s, no macdonals or Coca Cola Advertising

This is a video of the new floating bridge in Havana

http://www.tracuba.com/en/places/puente-flotante-de-la-habana.html

and here are some other videos of Cuba and lodging options.

Nice traveling

Tripadvisor staff removed this post because it did not meet Tripadvisor's forum posting guidelines with prohibiting self-promotional advertising or solicitation.

<<<<Another nice way to save a bit of money, choose your habitation on AIRBNB,>>>

Generally speaking, AirBNB can represent nice room prices and options but..... it needs to be considered alongside the legality of using this and similar service providers prior to your travels.

In many cities, unlicensed accommodations, which represent a large % of properties listed on AirBNB are not legal places for visitors to stay. As such, you may save money with AirBNB but you may be breaking local laws during the process. In this regard, it is the responsibility of each and every traveller to find out for themselves if AirBNB is a viable and legal option for the places they are going to travel before booking.

Yes, AirBnb private rentals breach local URA Housing Rules and Regulations in Singapore. We warn visitors all the time on the Singapore forum.

bump for those thinking about low-cost destinations and cheap travel this summer.

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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The Indispensable Guide to Backpacking for Beginners

Daunted by the prospect of making the jump from "hiker" to "backpacker"? To help ensure you're ready for your first overnighters in the wild, our comprehensive guide will give all the smarts you need to make the transition a smooth one.

Long-term camping in the wild can be a highly rewarding experience, however, it will require proper gear, skills, clothing, and extensive planning. Continue reading below to find out if you’ve got what it takes to become a backpacking pro.

In this guide to backpacking for beginners , we’ll cover common mistakes made by new backpackers, the ins and outs of planning, beginner backpacking gear, clothing, and food, as well as bonus backpacking tips for beginners on backpacking with kids or pets. By the end, we feel confident that you’ll be ready to embark on the first of many happy adventures.

Table of Contents

• Key Takeaways

Too Much, Or Poorly Suited, Gear

Not using trekking poles, forgetting to consider elevation along your intended route, what are your objectives, beginner backpacking trips – where to go, do your research, suggestions for coordinating with a friend, solo or with a friend, buy your gear before your pack, familiarize yourself with the big 4, the essentials for backpacking, practice makes perfect, clothing for backpacking, prepackaged, freeze-dried backpacking meals, utilize a snacking strategy, sample 3 day backpacking menu, popular methods for storing/carrying water, don’t forget: water treatment (water filter, tablets, or purification pen), practice hiking with weight, strengthen your legs, incorporate elevation gains into your training, mental flexibility, food storage, personal hygiene, get a little knotty, leave no trace, common beginner backpacker mistakes.

Looking back on some of our early backpacker blunders is a bit comical. Hopefully, by sharing some of the mistakes we made, along with others we’ve witnessed out on the trail, we’ll lessen the number of things you’ll look back on through the years with the thought of ‘Did I really do that?’

Despite the fact that it was just my wife and me, we took a 4-person camping tent, the only tent we owned at the time, with us on our first backpacking trip. It weighed over 8 lbs…

We would go on to learn that many backpackers have a base pack weight (the sum of all core backpacking items) less than 12 lbs, exemplifying the hilarity of an 8+ lb. tent. We’re still not sure how we managed to fit it inside our packs and man was it a burden to haul around.

Carrying too much gear, or gear that is poorly suited to long-distance trail travel, is an easy way to make your trip feel like more work than it needs to be. Carrying unnecessary clothing, tents not designated for backpacking use, bulky, synthetic sleeping bags, or excessive cookware are all mistakes made, almost exclusively, by beginners.

I don’t think many newbie hikers or backpackers realize the benefits associated with using trekking poles. Reduced impact on your joints/knees, better efficiency and increased stability in rough terrain are just a few examples. And if you happen to be carrying a heavy load, the added support the provide is a godsend.

Like many beginners, I never really saw the need for hiking poles… until I started using them. I’ve since proclaimed that trekking poles may be one of the most underrated items associated with backpacking, and I seldom hike without them.

There have been many times where I have calculated the distance along my intended route, in an attempt to estimate hiking time, without minding the elevation change. It’s not much fun to realize, in the midst of a grueling ascent, that 2.5 miles up 2,200 feet of elevation will not happen in 45 minutes like it might on level terrain.

It’s easy for first-time backpackers to focus only on the number of overall miles they’d like to achieve on any trip. Just remember to, also, take a look at the map’s elevation profile so that you don’t end up in over your head.

Beginners Guide to Backpacking: Planning Your Backpacking Trip

Most successful overnight trips would not happen without meticulous planning and foresight. We’re not saying that your time on the trail needs to be formally structured or that you need to follow a strict itinerary for your adventures (in fact, the opposite strategy can be quite rewarding). 

The planning that we’re referring to takes place years, months, or weeks before you ever depart on a trip, irrespective of its goals. Here’s how it’s done: 

Are you keen to partake of a backpacking trip for a chance to relax in nature? Or to see an iconic site, perhaps within a National Park , that you’ve always wanted to explore? Or do you just want to try something new to say that you’ve done it? Perhaps, you are looking to challenge yourself and impress with a high mileage number.

Defining exactly what your goal is for an upcoming trip will help you select a destination and route that pairs well with it. Always remember, to take into account your fitness and experience levels, and try to start small and then build your way up. First-time backpacking trips can be a steep learning curve and this policy will help prevent biting off more than you can chew.

Choosing where you go for your first overnight backpacking adventure will, obviously, be a personal decision based on many factors. 

While it’s true that many iconic multi-day backpack opportunities are within national parks, don’t forget about local forests, state parks and wilderness areas closer to home. Oftentimes, these places will serve as a better-proving ground, in which you can hone your skills for use on bigger trips that may require interstate or international travel.

This is, arguably, the most important aspect of planning a backpacking trip. And with the modern-day convenience of the worldwide internet, there’s little excuse to skip it. Just go to your favorite search engine and do a simple keyword search on the hike you are looking at completing.

This is, often, where I discover key planning details such as backcountry permit requirements, the location of established campsites along the route, time of year concerns, or even specific alerts issued by land managers ( high bear presence , wildfire concerns, closed sections of trail, etc.).

Hiking with an experienced friend, particularly on your first-ever backpacking trip, is a great way to pick up skills. You’ll be able to ask them questions and see, firsthand, how they handle common scenarios along the trail. Here are some tips to help smooth the coordination of a trip with a friend:

​Clearly define each person’s responsibility

• Are you both packing food, or is one person handling food while the other brings a stove and cookware? Which car are you leaving at which trailhead? Who’s tent are using? Who is bringing the map?

Confirm availability from the beginning

• It can be a challenge for working adults to match up schedules. Don’t plan an entire trip, assuming a friend will join you because they mentioned that they would like to, only to have them back out because they couldn’t get the time off of work

Only hike with people who are enthusiastic and ready for a challenge

• A negative attitude can affect the feel of an entire trip. Famed adventurer, Bear Grylls , once noted that he would prefer an enthusiastic teammate, even if they had fewer skills and less experience over an expert with a poor attitude. Follow this advice for a more enjoyable experience!

Backpacking for Beginners: Essential Backpacking Gear

Knowing what to bring on a backpacking trip can be an intimidating process if you haven’t built up your experience. There are a few basic principles, however, that you can use to help prepare for your first journey out. 

Again, we strongly recommend finding a friend to join you for your first backpacking experience. Not only will it be reassuring in the event of a mistake (and let it be known, you will make mistakes), it helps to spread out the weight of your backpacking gear.

Upon deciding that they would like to start backpacking, many new backpackers purchase a large backpacking pack (70+ liters). We have noticed that if you start with a large pack, it is easy to find ways to fill it, ultimately, carrying far more than is necessary.

Accumulate what you plan on putting in the pack first, then select the one that fits it all. It may be a lot smaller than you think!

The following four gear items will, likely, be in your pack for every overnight trip that you take. 

• Backpacking Pack
• Best Backpacking Sleeping Bag
• Best Backpacking Sleeping Pad
• Best Backpacking Tent

They are crucial to your comfort and safety, and they will comprise the biggest source of weight within your pack (check out our ultralight backpacking guide for tips on how to reduce weight with each of the 4). Extra thought and care into selecting the best/lightest options, within each category, will pay off in the long run.

Hikers and backpackers have utilized a simple list of essential items, necessary for preparedness and comfort in the wild, for many decades. The ‘ten essentials’, to which they are commonly referred, is a great place to start for any new backpacker wondering what they should carry. And once you’ve got the gear, of course, also make sure you know how to use it.

Testing your gear in a comfortable setting close to home, like in your backyard or a local campground, before bringing it on a backpacking trip is a smart strategy to help avoid later frustration. Learn to use your new backpacking stove so that its ignition, and the subsequent cooking, is second nature on your trip. Learn, and practice how to pack a backpack correctly. 

Practice setting up your tent so that putting it up in a hurry, a common scenario due to darkness or storms approaching is a simple proposition. Wear your new pair of hiking boots on a local walk around the neighborhood before setting off with them on a 75-mile section hike. You get the idea.

You’ve seen it before, you’ll see it again…no cotton in the backcountry, please! It absorbs moisture easily, provides limited insulation when wet and requires a long time to dry. Instead, look for a synthetic (polyester, nylon) and natural wool (traditional or merino ) clothing approach that keeps you regulated in a wide range of temperatures.

A layering approach is preferred by experienced outdoor professionals, and is, really, the only way to prepare for temperature changes with minimal clothing. Begin familiarizing yourself with the three-layer system to outdoor clothing, highlighted in the chart below.

Preparing Food For Backpacking

Choosing food for a backpacking trip is a delicate balance of needing to replenish large numbers of calories with food that is light, takes up minimal space, and can survive several days without refrigeration. And, oh yeah, it’s nice if you actually enjoy eating the stuff you bring too.

When done correctly, it takes a considerable amount of time in the days before your trip. Check out some tips below, or explore our guide to backpacking food ideas , gleaned from our hard-earned experience (a fancy way to say we’ve done it wrong a lot).

Found in most outdoor stores and online, these packs are a convenient way to get started with carrying food into the backcountry. There are many meals to choose from, and in most cases, all you have to do is add boiling water to cook/rehydrate using a canister stove (or similar).

They are, however, expensive and their packaging can be heavy. As most backpacker’s experience grows, they tend to rely less on freeze-dried meals like this.

Plan your food consumption while backpacking for several 200-400 calorie snacks, every few hours, as opposed to a traditional, three meal approach. This will keep you better energized throughout the day. Foods that make great snacks for backpacking (high calorie, good fats, protein, light):

• Energy bars
• Dried fruits
• Cheese & crackers
• Peanut butter
• Angel hair pasta
• Energy chews (in moderation)
• Homemade fruit roll-ups

Consider investing in a dehydrator, like the Nesco one seen here , to expand your options for backpacking food. We have used ours for pasta sauces, dried fruits, and much more!

This is just one example of what we might bring for a typical weekend backpacking trip (Fri. evening – Sun. afternoon).

Strategies For Carrying Water 

Staying properly hydrated while on the trail is a critical component that beginner backpacker’s often overlook. The amount you need to carry will vary based on weather conditions, energy output, and the availability of water along your intended route.

Hydration reservoirs with drinking hose

• Allows for convenient drinking while hiking – no need to take off your pack
• Ample storage, typically 2-3 liters
• Our preferred method for 3-season backpacking (check out the best hydration bladders )
• Hose can freeze easily during cold-weather adventures
• Routing the tubing can be a nuisance – care must be taken every time you set your pack down to avoid depressing the mouthpiece, resulting in water leakage

Plastic Bottles ( Nalgenes )

• Volume indicators on sides of bottles make for easier water measurement when cooking
• Ease of collection at water sources
• Heavier than soft-sided versions
• Takes up a full liter of volume in your pack, regardless of how much water is actually in the bottle

Collapsibles (We use these from Platypus )

• Lightest option
• Adaptable – takes up less space in your pack as you consume water
• Less durable
• Can be difficult to drink with one hand

All water in the backcountry should be treated properly to reduce your chance of contracting harmful bacteria. We use the Steripen Ultra , a device that kills 99.9% of all harmful bacteria with UV light. It’s lightweight and can treat a full liter in 90 seconds. Other options include traditional pump filters , gravity fed filters , or iodine tablets .

Beginning Backpacking: Getting Mentally And Physically Fit For Your Trip

No backpacking guide is complete without mentioning a few caveats. 

Backpacking is hard. You will, likely, be carrying over 30 lbs. on your first backpacking trip and doing so for many miles over rugged terrain. You will be managing your safety and exhaustion levels without the comforts of home. 

Tasks, such as navigating, collecting and treating water, setting up camp, preparing your food, cooking, or doing dishes seem constant. Happy backpacking requires a high level of mental and physical toughness. Here are some ways to boost both:

Regardless of how many miles you’ve accumulated on day hikes or trail running, practice hiking with 20+ pounds in a backpack before you ever consider an overnight backpacking trip. Trust us, it’s a lot different.

It shouldn’t be hard to anticipate which area of your body will take the biggest beating over several days spent hiking. A strong lower body will help counteract the fatigue and soreness, often, encountered by inexperienced backpackers.

Two miles flat is, significantly, different than two miles with 1,500 ft of elevation gain. Instead of your usual run on flat pavement, find a route that requires some steep hills or stairs, even if it is a shorter distance. It won’t take long before you discover nature’s many stair steppers so why not be prepared for when you do?

Accepting the reality that most trips will not go exactly as planned will help ensure your enjoyment, regardless of what mother nature throws at you! Playing ‘what if?’ scenarios in your mind during the weeks leading up to a trip is another great way to mentally preparing for situations that may require you to adapt.

Backpacking Skills Needed For The Trail

Developing your skill set as an outdoor adventurer can be one of the most fun aspects of the whole game. These skills prepare you for the inevitable mental and physical challenges that come with spending time outside, increase your ability to adapt to emergencies and, ultimately, ensure that you are enjoying the outdoors responsibly. 

Practice some of these before and during your first trip:

With the increase in popularity of GPS devices, the art of reading, orienting and navigating with the use of a map and compass seems to be dying. Don’t contribute to that demise. Learn to use a map and compass (check out our in-depth guide to compass navigation to get you started).

GPS and cell phone apps rely on battery and signal, neither of which is a given in remote environments. Plus, a map and compass are much lighter than a bulky GPS unit. Experienced backpackers seldom carry a GPS unit, unless exploring far, remote regions of the world, not likely to be the case for your first backpacking trip.

We talked about what type of food to bring above, but have you thought about how you will store that food once out on the trail? Learn to hang a ‘bear bag’ properly, or invest in a canister, so that you can prevent animal encounters. Here are our 3 most commonly used methods for food storage on the trail:

• Bear bag hang – we prefer the PCT method shown here
• Hard-sided bear canister – Some national parks and wilderness areas require these of all overnight visitors (we use the BearVault-450 )
• Food storage boxes – many established, backcountry campsites have food storage containers designated for overnight food storage

Spending time out in the wilderness requires a certain level of self-sufficiency and planning for those situations we hope we never encounter. 

Bringing along a backpacking medical kit is a must, whether you are travelling solo or with friends. We’d highly recommended purchasing a pre-made one (check out our guide to the best first aid kit for backpacking ) to begin with, and adding/removing items as you learn and your skills grow.

In addition to owning a first aid kit, you will also need to understand how to perform first aid. There are many providers of wilderness first aid courses dotted around the country, so there is really no excuse not to attend one.

Finding ways to keep yourself feeling, relatively (I mean if you’re not a little dirty, then you’re not trying hard enough!), clean and refreshed on any overnight or long-term trip is key to your overall enjoyment. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Bring the best backpacking soap for washing your hands, face, hair, dishes, or whatever else you want clean.
• Staying clean is important to prevent thigh chafing, butt chafing, or just generally, chafing. Dirt and sweat will contribute to irritating your skin in these hot spots. A good lightweight backpacking towel that dries quickly is highly recommended.
• Brush your teeth – don’t forget a toothbrush and toothpaste (organic, biodegradable is best practice)
• Moist wipes can be a great way to wipe dirt, sweat, and skin protectants (sunscreen & bug spray) off at the end of the day
• Bring a cathole trowel and know the correct method of disposing of *ahem* human waste.

Despite the eye roll that I receive every time I make this joke with my wife, practicing knots is a fun way to build your outdoor skill repertoire. I have used knots to hang bear bags, tension guylines on a tent or tarp and secure gear to the outside of a pack. Check out our guide to basic knot tying for camping and be amazed at all the future uses you will find for them!

No discussion on the skills needed for backpackers would be complete without mention of the 7 leave no trace principles. These guidelines, established by The Leave No Trace Center For Outdoor Ethics, help protect the delicate environments you may be traveling through and they should be followed on every trip you take.

EXTRA: Backpacking With Kids And Dogs

Sharing your love of nature with your offspring or four-legged best friend can create memories to last a lifetime. 

Be warned though, it’s not always as idyllic as it sounds. Caring for yourself in harsh environments, with limited resources, is hard enough. Adding someone else to the mix can create a plethora of new challenges. Here are some tips to better your odds for a pleasant experience!

Lower the Mileage

It can be tempting to increase the distance of your planned route with a child in an attempt to wear out their seemingly endless supply of energy. As energetic as they may be at home, hiking requires a different kind of fitness.

Kids have smaller legs and tend to get bored easily. Contrary to the above sentiment, we recommend a shorter hike each day (1-6 miles depending on age & fitness) than what you might plan if it were only adults.

Make Them Carry Gear

Isn’t there a saying among parents along the lines of, “the main reason we had kids was to help us with chores!” While it may not be realistic for a 5-year-old to carry all of their own equipment, something is better than nothing.

Make sure that your child will have their own pack, and we encourage you to let them pack it (creative/strategic thinking practice). It creates a sense of personal responsibility for the child and prepares them for greater physical burdens with future trips as they age.

Have Lots of Cool Info and Area-Specific Knowledge Ready

This is your chance to step into the shoes of a national park ranger! Doing some area research and familiarizing yourself with the local plant and wildlife will give you plenty of ways to keep your child engaged on the trail (and help to steer them clear of danger!).

Don’t Forget Their Food and Water Needs

Just like you do when exerting yourself on a challenging hike, your dog will need greater quantities of food and water to stay energized and hydrated on the trail.

Invest in a Dog-Specific Pack or Vest

I guess since we didn’t let kids off the hook with carrying some of their own gear, we shouldn’t do it with dogs either. You might be surprised how much of their gear you can fit in a small dog pack. This makes it easier to bring along the extra items that will make their life easier, without having to suffer yourself from a heavier pack.

Give Them Frequent Breaks

It can be hard to discern when a dog is just panting from exercise or on the brink of serious heat exhaustion and dehydration. Your fitness level might allow you to go 8 miles without stopping, but unless your dog has been acclimated to that before, don’t expect them to do the same.

Give them frequent breaks to drink, eat, or lay down for a bit. This will ensure you both stay happy on the trail.

Last update on 2024-03-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Chris Olson

In addition to his role as an outdoor adventure guide, Chris Olson seeks to share his passion for, and experience in, the great outdoors through writing and photography. He has backpacked, hiked, climbed, kayaked, biked, and skied throughout much of the eastern United States, as well as iconic locations such as Zion National Park, Newfoundland, and Puerto Rico.

His passion for fresh air, and beautiful places, reminds us all of the simple joys to be had from spending time outside!

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1 thought on “The Indispensable Guide to Backpacking for Beginners”

This is an excellent article. Thanks for making it so clear, concise and well explained for beginners. I teach wilderness skills and will refer my backpacking students to this for reference. If you don’t mind, 2 things that you may consider updating; Iodine is generally being replaced by Chlorine Dioxide as iodine has been found to not really kill Cryptosporidium. A now very common pathogen. Also, stressing prefiltering water by collecting it thru some tightly woven fabric really helps all treatment options and prolongs filter flow rate/ life greatly. (I am in the desert Southwest and filter clog fast here) You have done an awesome job with this post! Thank you!!

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The Best Travel Insurance for Backpackers

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What to consider when buying backpacker insurance

The best travel insurance providers for backpackers, finding the right plan for you, backpacker travel insurance recapped.

Are you currently backpacking or planning an epic around-the-world trip? Perhaps you're taking some time off from school, want a break from your job or you're a digital nomad. Whatever your situation, you may have realized that your current medical insurance may not be enough to protect you against everything you might encounter while backpacking — especially if you're abroad.

So, what is the best travel insurance for backpackers? Here's our guide to help you find the right policy for your situation, plus some top picks.

There is no one best travel insurance for backpackers. The right plan for you will depend on where you travel — Europe, Latin America, Asia? — and how long you plan to travel. You'll also want to consider the type of coverage you will need. Here are some things you might want to consider when looking for travel insurance as a backpacker:

Medical emergency insurance 

If you need medical care when traveling outside your home country, you will want to have insurance that covers your costs. In the United States, many insurance plans don't cover international travel . Those that do typically consider most services performed outside of the United States to be out-of-network. This means, at a minimum, you'll likely pay higher deductibles and fewer services may be covered.

Travel disruptions

Flight delays and cancellations happen and you'll want to be prepared. Many travelers receive some trip interruption and trip delay insurance through their credit card, but coverage limits and exclusions vary depending on the type of card you hold. Coverage for travel disruptions can also be purchased as part of a travel insurance plan and help you recover your losses if your plans change due to various reasons, from flight delays to illness.

Emergency evacuation

If you need to be evacuated from a country, you might be able to get some coverage through the credit card you used to book your trip. However, not all credit cards cover every situation. For example, some cards may cover emergency medical evacuation but won't help if you must evacuate because of political unrest or sudden armed conflict.

» Learn more: The guide to emergency evacuation insurance

Repatriation of remains

If the worst should happen and you want your remains to be shipped home should you die overseas, you'll want to be insured for repatriation of remains. Out-of-pocket costs for repatriation can be upwards of $10,000, so it can be a good idea to include this coverage in your travel insurance.

Length exclusions

Some policies only offer coverage for trips of a particular duration, while others require you to return to your home country periodically. When selecting your travel insurance plan, pay special attention to what lengths of trips are covered and make sure your plan doesn't exclude the type of travel you plan to do.

Coverage in your home country

Be sure you understand what your travel insurance covers when visiting your country of residence, especially regarding medical costs. Often, travel insurance providers exclude or offer lower coverage amounts for travel within your country of residence.

Other types of coverage

There are various options and add-ons regarding travel insurance, and some may be more important to you than others. As you shop around, consider whether you want coverage for any of the following:

COVID-19 coverage .

Baggage delay insurance .

Pre-existing medical conditions .

Accidental death and dismemberment .

Rental car coverage .

Cancel For Any Reason coverage .

» Learn more: Best long-term travel insurance

1. World Nomads — Great insurance for up to six months

World Nomads provides comprehensive travel insurance. The company's standard plans include all the essentials: $100,000 of emergency medical coverage, $300,000 of emergency evacuation insurance, $2,500 of trip cancellation and interruption coverage and $1,000 against loss, theft or damage of your gear.

The coverage includes repatriation of remains, trip delay and accidental death and dismemberment coverage. More significant coverage limits are also available through the company's Explorer plan.

One downside to World Nomads is that their travel insurance isn't available if you will be gone for more than 180 days. So, if you're a backpacker or digital nomad traveling for longer than that, you'll want to look elsewhere.

2. Safety Wing — An option for long-term backpackers

Nomad Insurance by Safety Wing is an insurance product underwritten by Lloyd's. The Nomad Insurance policy includes medical coverage up to $250,000, including hospital stays, ambulance transportation and physical therapy. The policy also provides trip interruption, trip delay, emergency medical evacuation and political evacuation coverage.

Two notable benefits of Safety Wing are that you can purchase the insurance when you're already abroad and extend your coverage as you go — instrumental if you're not sure when you'll return home. In addition, if you sign up for an automatic renewal plan, Safety Wing will extend your insurance coverage every 28 days. Your insurance can continue indefinitely until you pick an end date.

3. Battleface — Coverage for adventurous backpackers

Some travel insurance providers exclude high-risk activities — such as scuba diving, skiing or rock climbing — from coverage. If you're more adventurous than the average backpacker and want coverage for these types of activities, consider Battleface.

The company offers policies that cover trip cancellation, interruption and delay. Its coverage also includes $250,000 of medical expenses and personal property protection. However, digital nomads or long-term backpackers may need to look elsewhere for coverage. Battleface's annual plan covers unlimited trips, but any trip can only be 40 days long.

4. Allianz — For frequent travelers who return home often

Allianz is a globally-known insurer that offers travel insurance. Its plans for travelers include coverage for emergency medical, emergency medical transport, lost or delayed baggage, travel delays, rental car damage or theft and more. Coverage levels depend on which plan you purchase, and some benefits — such as rental car insurance — are optional add-ons.

Allianz offers travel insurance per trip through its OneTrip plans and year-long coverage through its AllTrips offerings. However, most AllTrips plans only insure trips for up to 45 days, so if you travel but return home frequently, Allianz might be a good option.

» Learn more: How much is travel insurance?

When traveling, everyone's situation is different. What might be the best backpacking travel insurance for you might not work for your travel companion. To find the best plan for you, here are some things to consider:

Understand your travel plans 

Your travel plans will dictate what insurance options are available to you. Are you planning on backpacking for a month, three months, a year, or indefinitely? Which countries do you plan on visiting? Will you return home frequently? Make sure that your travel insurance plan covers your situation.

Take inventory of what coverage levels you need 

As you research, consider what coverage you think you'll need. You'll probably want basic medical and emergency evacuation coverage, at a minimum. Beyond that, consider your risk tolerance and the probability that you'll need to file a claim.

Start with our recommendations 

Our recommendations are far from the only providers of backpacker insurance out there. Use them as a starting point, but get suggestions from friends and read reviews of different insurance providers before purchasing coverage.

Finding the right travel insurance will take some time and require research. Take a look at your travel plans, understand what coverage you need and use our list as a starting point. If you put in some time upfront to find the right backpacking travel insurance, once you're abroad, you can spend your time enjoying the journey.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

The Best Travel Insurance Companies for Backpackers

I’m a backpacker at heart. Even after traveling the world for over a decade , I still love to travel cheap, prioritizing experiences over fancy accommodation and transportation. I still love staying at hostels , meeting locals, and sampling as many local delicacies as I can.

Contrary to popular belief, being a backpacker is not about pinching every penny — it’s about finding value. If you want to have a genuine and authentic trip without breaking the bank, then you need to spend your money wisely.

And when it comes to backpacking around the world, one of the wisest choices you can make is to purchase travel insurance .

I know, travel insurance seems like just another expense that will chip away at your budget. I used to think that too.

But it also has the potential to save you thousands of dollars should something go wrong on your trip.

And after traveling around the world for over twelve years, I can confidently tell you this: things will go wrong.

To help you stay safe on your next trip, here is everything you need to know about buying insurance as a backpacker.

Table of Contents

Why Do Backpackers Need Insurance?

What does travel insurance cover, what does travel insurance not cover, the best backpacker insurance companies.

The reason you need to buy travel insurance is because accidents happen. Regardless of whether you’re at home or abroad, things go wrong. At home, you likely have access to medical care and reliable medical facilities.

On the road, that isn’t always the case.

While serious injuries are rare, they do happen. And it’s always better to be safe than sorry. But insurance isn’t just for medical emergencies. It also covers a lot of incidents that are much more common than you think!

I’ve had my bags stolen, I’ve needed to go to the hospital overseas, and I was even stabbed while traveling in South America .

I didn’t plan for any of these things to happen. But when they did, I was glad I had insurance to help me get reimbursed as well as to help me navigate the confusion that comes with having an emergency abroad.

While it’s unpleasant to spend time dwelling on these things, the truth is, you need to be prepared for the worst. Hopefully, you’ll never need to use your insurance plan, but if you need to, you want to make sure you have the coverage you need.

Here’s a quick overview of what you can expect your backpacker insurance to cover:

• Coverage for most countries in the world
• Medical emergencies (surgery hospitalization fees, medical evacuation to the nearest hospital)
• Flight delays and cancellations
• Trip cancellations (due to injury or a death in the family)
• Emergency evacuation (due to injury or natural disaster)
• Dental emergencies
• Lost or stolen baggage
• Death overseas

I know, as a backpacker you like to keep costs low. Insurance isn’t free, after all, which makes it seem like a burdensome and unnecessary expense.

But it’s much better to pay a few bucks a day than risk losing your life savings should an emergency occur while you don’t have coverage.

While most travel emergencies and injuries are covered by travel insurance, it’s important to know what is not covered by your plan. Knowledge is power, after all.

Most backpacker insurance policies do not cover:

• Accidents sustained while participating in extreme adventure activities (which often include hang-gliding, paragliding, or bungee jumping)
• Alcohol- and drug-related incidents
• Carelessness or negligence (such as if your bag gets stolen after you left it unattended)
• Pre-existing conditions or general check-ups
• Stolen cash
• If civil unrest makes your destination unsafe but your government hasn’t called for an evacuation (unless you have more advanced coverage from a company like Medjet )
• Changing your mind about your trip or unfriending/breaking up with your travel partner will disqualify you from trip-cancellation coverage
• If your visa to a destination is refused you won’t be reimbursed if you decide to cancel your trip

There’s only two companies worth using as a backpacker.

They are the best choice for long-term travelers as you can renew your plan while abroad and their $250 USD deductible keeps your monthly fee low. While their coverage isn’t as comprehensive as other companies, it covers the most important stuff, making them a good choice for travelers on a tight budget.

Here’s a quick overview of SafetyWing :

• Super affordable plans (with a deductible)
• Can purchase and renew plans while abroad
• Claims can be filed online
• $250,000 USD in emergency medical coverage
• Friendly and responsive customer service
• After being abroad for 90 days, you keep your medical coverage for 30 days in your home country (15 days for US residents)
• Best for digital nomads and frugal travelers

Insure My Trip also provides comparisons from insurance companies that cover older travelers (many travel insurance companies won’t cover travelers over 65), making them the go-to company for retirees and other senior adventurers.

Here’s a quick overview of Insure My Trip :

• Guaranteed low prices
• Coverage for senior travelers over 65
• “Anytime Advocates” ask the insurer to give your claim a second look if you think it was unfairly denied
• Compares 23 different companies to ensure you get the best plan
• Reviews of each policy so you can see what other travelers are saying

The huge benefit of using Insure My Trip is that they guarantee you won’t find the same policy elsewhere for less money! Click here to get a quote from Insure My Trip.  

Here’s a look at World Nomads at a glance:

• Tiers for basic and premium coverage
• Delay and cancelation coverage
• Can submit a claim after your trip ends
• Offers some COVID coverage
• Everything can be done via the website
• Trusted by brands like Lonely Planet, Eurail, and Intrepid Travel

World Nomads is more expensive than SafetyWing (roughly 3x the price) but they also cover more activities and include more coverage for things like cancelations and delays. In short, they’re best for adventurous travelers or travelers who want more more coverage and have the money to spend.

I never leave home without travel insurance. I’ve experienced first-hand how helpful it can be. It’s saved me thousands of dollars over the years — as well as countless headaches too.

Being a backpacker is all about having amazing, memorable travel experiences all without breaking the bank. And there’s no better way to insulate yourself from expensive (and unnecessary) costs than by buying travel insurance (Remember that Safety Wing is our top pick!)

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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The 8 Best Backpacking Tents for Three-Season Adventures

We tested 12 tents in the wild this year. these were our favorites..

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

Every year, tents get lighter, stronger, and more sustainable. 2024’s batch of three-season shelters was no exception, with ultralight trekking pole designs, purpose-built bikepacking bivvys, and cleverly guyed-out basecamps. The eight winners of this year’s exhaustive testing process proved themselves over and over in wind, rain, and even snow.

At a Glance

• Editors’ Choice: Durston X-Mid Pro 1 ($549-639)
• Best Bikepacking Tent: MSR Hubba Hubba Bikepack 2-Person ($580)
• Best Budget Tent: Mountain Hardwear Meridian 2 ($275)
• Best Basecamp: Seek Outside Twilight 3P ($480)
• Best Strength-to-Weight: SlingFin Portal 3 ($600)
• Best Ultralight 2-Person: Zpacks Offset Duo ($799)
• Most Spacious 1-Person: Argali Owyhee 1p ($345)
• Most Improved: Exped Mira II ($449)
• How to Choose a Tent

How We Test

All gear in this guide was tested by multiple reviewers. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside.   Learn more .

Note: All tent weights are “packaged” weights, not minimum weights.

Editor’s Choice

Durston x-mid pro 1.

$549-639 at Durston Gear

Weight : 17.8 oz (DCF floor); 1.2 lbs (sil-nylon floor) Interior Space : 20 square feet Peak Height : 45 inches

Pros and Cons ⊕ Incredibly lightweight ⊕ Tall peaks ⊕ Weatherproof ⊕ Small footprint ⊗ Setup has a learning curve

With the Durston X-Mid Pro 1, Durston Gear has perfected its signature asymmetrical tarp-tent design to create the most comfortable, storm-worthy one-pound shelter we’ve ever tested. The secret sauce behind founder Dan Durston’s ultralight success, both in his one- and two-person tents, is a deceptively simple offset design: Where many other trekking-pole tents are set up with poles at the midpoint of the tent, the X-Mid’s poles sit with one towards the feet and the other towards the head. That means 45 inches of peak height at both ends, which lends an airy, vaulted feeling and enough room to change. Offset poles also mean that there’s no obstruction in front of the mesh doors, which can be operated easily with one hand thanks to two easy-sliding zippers.

“It felt positively palatial for a one-person tent,” said one tester after backpacking on the Art Loeb Trail in the Pisgah National Forest. “And yet, it weighed less than my sleeping pad, and was small enough to get lost in my pack.”

Interior space is optimized, too, with a parallelogram (instead of rectangular) floorplan that sits diagonally under the Dyneema fly. With 90 inches of floor length, it’s possible to store all of your clothes, electronics, and ditty bags inside while an astonishing 22 square feet of vestibule space is more than enough for even the most gear-heavy ultralighters.

The X-Mid Pro 1’s double-pole pitch, steep walls, tall bathtub floor, and ten stake-out points (plus four guylines) give it the edge over competing tarp-style tents, allowing for increased sturdiness in windy and wet conditions. One tester put it through a late-season windstorm in Vermont’s Green Mountains, with 40-mile-per-hour gusts that flattened a freestanding tent in the same campground. There are lighter Dyneema tents on the market, but few that can handle those windspeeds.

Two generous top vents and an all-mesh interior to minimize the dreaded single-walled condensation factor. Durability is solid for an ultralight Dyneema tent, but careful campsite selection is a must. Thankfully, the one-person footprint is svelte enough to squeeze into the tightest third-choice nooks.

Best Bikepacking Tent

Msr hubba hubba bikepack 2-person.

$580 at REI $580 at Backcountry

Weight : 3.75 lbs Interior Space : 29 square feet Peak Height : 42 inches

Pros and Cons ⊕ Portability ⊕ Weather protection ⊗ Livability ⊗ Ventilation

It’s a testament to the growing popularity of bikepacking that the folks at MSR decided to release a brand-new version of their long-running Hubba Hubba tent to cater specifically to those exploring the wilderness on two wheels. Our testers were unanimously glad they did, touting its portability and weather protection.

Weighing a tick over three pounds, the Hubba Hubba Bikepack is just 3 ounces heavier than the original, with shorter poles and increased vestibule space (17.5 square feet total) to stash bike shoes and helmets. Inside, a gear loft holds electronics while a clothesline dries out wearables. An average peak height of 42 inches allows most folks to sit up and change clothes, and its 29 square feet of interior space is small but acceptable given the Bikepack 2’s weight and portability (though two broad shouldered bikepackers should be prepared to get cozy).

Despite its low weight and small size, this tent doesn’t skimp on protection and durability, utilizing lightweight aluminum poles and 20-denier ripstop nylon for fly and body (with 10-denier poly for the canopy.) Its lack of mesh improves weather and wind protection, but makes for poor ventilation. “I felt stuffy at lower elevations when the temperature was about 50 degrees,” reported one tester from Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina. Best of all for our bikepacking testers, the whole thing packs down into a waterproof stuff sack, which is roughly the size of a small paper towel roll—just right for most handlebar shapes.

Best Budget Tent

Mountain hardwear meridian 2.

$275 at Amazon $275 at Mountain Hardwear

Weight : 5.6 lbs Interior Space : 31.8 square feet Peak Height : 43 inches

Pros and Cons ⊕ Price ⊕ Easy setup ⊗ Weight ⊗ Lack of features ⊗ Durability

The Meridian 2 occupies a special bottom-shelf status in the backpacking tent world: It’s cheap, reliable in moderate rain and wind, and made by a bonafide outdoors brand with longevity and quality in mind. You can go lower at a sporting goods store, but it won’t do you any favors when an afternoon thunderstorm rolls through. “This is a no-frills tent that you can rely on when the weather turns sour,” reported one tester after a trip in Moab, Utah.

Mountain Hardwear’s entry-level shelter is both the most affordable and spacious two-person tent we tested this year, with a near 32-square-foot interior, an ample 43-inch peak height, and 18.3 square feet of vestibule space. Five interior pockets allow the interior to stay free of clutter.

At nearly five and a half pounds, the double-walled Meridian is also the heaviest tent in our testing class. The increase in weight comes from heavy materials, including a 68-denier polyester floor and fly with a perfectly serviceable 1500mm waterproof coating that kept us dry during light afternoon rainstorms, but showed signs of seepage in more sustained, heavier rains. A bathtub floor and side panel provide coverage halfway up the tent at the entrances, and the included groundsheet bolsters that weatherproofing prowess. But thanks to a full mesh upper canopy and easily-secured rollback fly, stargazing is still an option.

Best Basecamp

Seek outside twilight 3p.

$480 at Seek Outside

Weight : 4.2 lbs Interior Space : 105 square feet Peak Height : 72 inches

Pros and Cons ⊕ Massive floor plan ⊕ Versatile ⊕ Stove-compatible ⊗ Finicky guyline setup ⊗ Extra cost for stove/poles/mesh insert

By far the largest tent in our testing group, the Twilight offers an excellent space-to-weight ratio with a gigantic 105 square-foot floor plan that can be used in a variety of ways. Our testers loved it as a floorless basecamp, with ceilings tall enough to allow for standing, plenty of room for three sleepers and gear, and a stove jack that allows it to convert to a hot tent using a lightweight titanium stove (sold separately, starting at $309). “It was cold and raining when we woke up in the morning, so we set up our chairs inside, threw some wood in the stove, and cooked breakfast by the fire,” reported one tester from Grand Mesa National Forest in Western Colorado.

The non-freestanding Twilight can be set up using two carbon fiber poles (sold separately, $150), or three trekking poles with a hitch to connect two of them together. Like all mid-style tents, it needs to be guyed out extensively to provide proper weather protection. Setup is made a bit more complicated than a typical pyramid owing to the two-pole design, but most testers were able to pitch it in fifteen minutes or less. With nine guy-out and eight stake points, the Twilight stood tall in 20 mile-per-hour wind gusts and kept the interior dry during storms. That waterproofing is thanks to the silicone-coated 30-denier Nylon 6.6 ripstop body which has a 3000mm waterproof coating. A peak vent helped keep condensation at bay, although airflow was never an issue when running the shelter floorless. In bug season, a half-mesh insert can be installed (sold separately, $200), with the other half serving as a giant vestibule.

Testers were split on Seek Outside’s proprietary zipperless technology, which forgoes a traditional zippered door on the vestibule and instead allows entry by sliding the bottom edge of the tent along a fixed guy line. In the pro camp: No stuck zippers from ice or dust and dead-quiet nightly pee breaks. Cons? Some testers felt the zipperless technology was difficult to operate from the inside, and that its setup required patience.

Best Strength-to-Weight Ratio

Slingfin portal 3.

$600 at SlingFin

Weight : 4.2 lbs Interior Space : 41.5 square feet Peak Height : 44 inches

Pros and Cons ⊕ Bombproof ⊕ Durable materials ⊗ Livability

SlingFin’s new double-walled Portal 3 is the bigger brother to the brand’s bomber Portal 2, adding about fifty percent more space while maintaining a reasonable 4-pound weight.

There’s nothing flashy about this tent on the surface: The Portal 3’s setup is quick and straightforward, using two poles connected with a swivel as well as one cross-pole to create a standard freestanding pitch. But, like the two-person variant, the Portal shines in the details of its construction materials and weather protection, including thick, lightweight aluminum poles, a 20-denier PE-coated bathtub floor, and 10-denier Nylon 66 Ripstop silicone-coated fly that wards off inclement weather. Ten external guy-out points (with included lines) and the two internal pre-installed guylines allow for increased stabilization in high winds. “By the time we staked out all ten guy lines, it was clear that this tent would survive just about anything,” one tester reported from Kaibab National Forest in Arizona. “We had gusts of 25 miles-per-hour and the tent didn’t move.”

Sleeping in the 41-square-foot interior was more or less shoulder-to-shoulder for three people, but the generous 44-inch peak height, 20 square feet of vestibule space, and eight pockets—including one that runs the entire width of the tent—lend a feeling of spaciousness. An all-mesh body allows for stargazing on clear evenings, while kickstand vents on the fly aid with ventilation during inclement weather.

Best Ultralight 2-Person Tent

Zpacks offset duo.

$799 at Zpacks

Weight : 1.2 lbs (does not include stakes or stuff sack) Interior Space : 31.4 square feet Peak Height : 48 inches

Pros and Cons ⊕ Livability ⊕ Weight ⊗ Price ⊗ Condensation

The Zpacks Offset Duo came as a bit of a shock to ultralighters who thought the brand’s popular Duplex was the peak of ultralight two-person design. Weighing just over 1.25 pounds while offering more than 31 square feet of interior space, 100 inches of length, and a peak height of 48 inches, our testers raved about its space-to-weight ratio, which bests the Duplex in almost every regard.

One tester who took the Offset Duo to the Lost Lake Trail in Chugach National Forest, Alaska, was able to comfortably fit two people and a medium-sized dog without issue (watch those claws, though). The non-freestanding Dyneema shelter owes its voluminous shape to a pitch that utilizes one small 32-inch carbon fiber support pole at the foot of the tent in addition to the usual double-trekking pole setup found on most tarp-style tents. All three must be securely guyed out to ensure a solid pitch, so patience and experience is required to prevent collapse in high winds. The foot pole also introduces a potential weak point in windstorms, although testers never encountered any issues.

It’s single-walled with a built-in tent body, so condensation was a factor, though air circulation is aided by two vents and a mesh interior. In dry conditions, magnetic toggles make rolling the doors up a cinch. Vestibules are small (two-by-six-and-a-quarter square feet) but adequate for ultralighters with limited gear.

Most Spacious 1-Person Tent

Argali owyhee 1p.

$345 at Argali

Weight : 2.1 lbs Interior Space : 27.91 square feet Peak Height : 50 inches

Pros and Cons ⊕ Livability ⊕ Storage space ⊗ Add-ons increase price

Because many one-person tents lack large vestibules or adequate interior space, some solo backpackers end up carrying a two-person tent, taking on extra weight and bulk in the process. The new Argali Owyhee strikes a much-needed balance, offering the low weight, quick setup, and packability of a one-person tent paired with the increased storage of a two-person tent.

“One-person tents usually don’t have enough storage for me,” one tester said after a climbing outing in Colorado’s Uncompahgre National Forest. “But I could fit all my gear in the Owyhee with room to spare.” Sporting a generous interior floor plan of nearly 28 square feet plus more than 11 square feet in its front-door vestibule, it weighs a hair over two pounds and can be pitched with a single trekking pole or carbon fiber pole (sold separately), packing down to the size of a liter Nalgene.

An all-mesh body and top vent keep air moving, and a peak height of 50 inches will allow most to sit up and change. Utilizing 20–denier Nano-Ripstop SilPoly fabric—an increasingly popular cottage industry fabric choice that doesn’t sag like silnylon—with 2000mm double silicone coated waterproofing, aluminum stakes, and six stake-out points (with 5 additional guy-outs), the Owyhee kept us dry during moderate rain and stood up tall to 15 mile-per-hour winds in the Uncompahgre.

Ding: The mesh insert is sold separately ($130); otherwise, it runs floorless without interior pockets. Double-ding: Seam sealing will cost you another $45.

Most Improved

Exped mira ii hl.

$449 at Exped

Weight : 3 lbs Interior Space : 30 square feet Peak Height : 42 inches

Pros and Cons ⊕ Easy setup ⊕ Solid weather protection ⊗ Durability

The latest version of Exped’s double-walled Mira II HL boasts a lower weight and speedier setup, two improvements that made our testers love this weekend warrior even more than the previous iteration.

First, the new tent drops roughly three ounces from the previous version thanks to material changes, using slightly thinner 15-denier ripstop nylon on the body and 10-denier on the fly; a footprint is recommended for rocky sites. The Mira II HL’s packability is a huge improvement: “For a freestanding tent, this one is fairly light and really compact—it packs down as small as many trekking pole tents I’ve used,” said one tester after an outing on the Art Loeb Trail in North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest.

Another big change? The tent now uses DAC’s lightest type of 8.7mm pole, hubbed together for a much easier and more intuitive setup. Weather protection still punches above its weight thanks to a beefy pole arch design running the length of the tent and a half dozen guy out points.

Inside, livability is the same as the previous version, with 30 square feet of interior space, a 42-inch peak height, and more than 18 square feet of vestibule space. One downside: The tent is technically freestanding, but the foot needs to be staked out to take on its full shape.

How to Choose a Three-Season Tent

Capacity, size, and vestibules.

The first thing to consider when buying a tent is its size. You’ll want to know the number of people it’s designed to hold, but also look closely at the square-footage to ensure it will work for your specific needs. Check the length of the tent if you are more than 6 feet tall—a couple inches of head and leg room are critical for a good night’s sleep, and not all tents are created equal. Pay attention to the amount of vestibule space a tent offers, especially if you plan to backpack in colder, more gear-heavy months.

Weight vs. Durability and Weatherproofing

While the best tents offer a lightweight balance of livability, weather protection, and durability evenly, those qualities often come at a weight penalty. Consider how far you’ll be hiking and how much weight you can comfortably carry over that distance. Some folks are happy to carry a five-pound tent that has a large floorplan and ample headroom, while others will prefer to minimize weight at the cost of comfort. Once you get a sense of your maximum weight, think about the weatherproofing you’ll need in the environments you plan to visit. Campers in Florida have different needs than campers in Colorado. An all-mesh tent body will improve ventilation in hot climates, but let heat escape in cold climates. If heavy rain or bad weather is the norm for you, invest in heavier-weight, more waterproof tent fabric and thicker, stronger poles. Burlier floor materials also add weight to the tent, but offer more durability on abrasive ground.

Freestanding vs. Semi- vs. Non Freestanding

Another thing to consider is the type of pitch a tent uses. Freestanding tents are supported by a set of structural poles and can be pitched anywhere, without the use of guy lines or added tension. They are the easiest to pitch, but offer minimal customization in foul weather. Semi and non-freestanding tents all use poles of some sort (structural aluminum poles or trekking poles), but need to be staked out using guy lines. This requires more patience and know-how when pitching, however it also allows the tent to be pitched in a variety of ways, making it easier to fit into tight spaces. Non-freestanding and semi-freestanding tents also typically weigh less than freestanding tents because they don’t come with as many—or any—poles.

Finally, a Pro Tip

Know the return policies. The only way to truly know a tent is to spend a couple of nights in it. Some stores and brands allow you to return used products without a penalty.

• Number of Testers: 11
• Number of Products Tested: 12
• Number of Miles Hiked While Testing: 382
• Number of Nights Slept Outside: 88

Our testing group spanned the country, in wilderness areas from Maine to Hawaii. Testers come from a variety of backgrounds, genders, and professions, from public school teachers to park rangers. All of them are backpackers, ranging from veteran trekkers to weekend warriors. Over the course of two months, these testers evaluated tents on a multitude of criteria, including livability, ventilation, design, weather protection, setup, and price, among other intangibles. Those that didn’t stand up to the elements, were uncomfortable to live inside for weeks on end, or simply weren’t worth the price tag, didn’t make it onto this list

Meet Our Lead Tester

Will McGough has been writing about the outdoors and testing tents for Backpacker and Outside since 2015. Specs aside, he believes the most important quality of a tent is how it makes you feel—a good tent should make you feel at home, regardless of climate and conditions.

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Home » Gear » best travel backpack

The BEST Travel Backpacks: (2024)

Did you know that the average human makes upwards of 35,000 decisions every single day? That’s a whole lotta deciding right? But in truth, some of life’s (many) decisions are more important than others. BIG decisions include what career to  pursue, who to marry and of course whether you should take the red pill, the blue pill (or both…_

So, in the grand scheme of things, choosing which travel backpack to buy may not seem all that important and yet take it from us (the experts), having the right backpack can sometimes make or break a trip. Seriously peeps, choosing which backpack to bring on a given trip is almost as important as choosing where to go.

Your travel backpack will carry every single one of your possessions on the road and will become your home. You need your chosen backpack to be strong, durable, comfortable, and compact enough to save you some space! Over the years, I have personally tried countless different backpacks and pushed them far past their limits.

So in this post I am going to channel all of that experience and knowledge in order to help you deuce what is the best travel backpack for your trip? Let’s go find out.

Quick Answer: These are the Best Travel Backpacks of 2024

So why choose to travel with a backpack, travel backpack: the best overall for 2024, the best carry on travel backpacks, best travel backpacks for hiking, best backpacks for digital nomads, the best backpacks for travel photographers, other special travel backpacks worth considering, what makes a good travel backpack, the great backpacker debate (must read), faq about the best travel backpack, conclusion of the best travel backpacks mega-list.

• #1 Nomatic 40L Travel Bag – The Best Overall Backpack
• #2 Tropicfeel Shell  – Best Organised Travel Backpack
• #3 Osprey Aether Plus 70L  – Best Long Term Travel Backpack for Men (Large)
• #4 Osprey Farpoint 40L   – Best Travel Backpack (Carry on)
• #5 Osprey Aura 50L  – Best Large Long Term Travel Backpack (Women s)
• #6 Osprey Airscape UNLTD – Best Travel & Hiking Backpack
• #7 Tortuga Travel Pack  –Best Full-Size Carry On (Unisex)
• #8 Osprey Ozone  – Best Travel Bag with Wheels
• #9 WANDRD PRVKE 31  – Best Camera Backpack for Travel
• #10 Tortuga Setout Laptop Backpack  – Best Travel Bag for Laptops

Nomatic 40L Travel Bag

• Liters > 30L and 40L
• Material > Tarpaulin/Ballistic Weave
• Best Use > Travel, digital nomad lifestyle, weekend trips

Osprey Men’s Aether Plus 70

• Price > $$$
• Liters > 70L
• Material > 210D high-tenacity nylon
• Best Use > Backpacking

Osprey Farpoint 40

• Liters > 40L
• Material > 450D recycled twist dobby polyester
• Best Use > Travel, international backpacking, urban lifestyle

Osprey Aura 50

• Liters > 50L
• Material > 210D honeycomb recycled nylon
• Best Use > Trekking, backpacking, hiking, international travel

Osprey Airscape UNLTD

• Price > $$$$
• Liters > 68L
• Material > 210D Nylon Mini Hex Diamond Ripstop
• Best Use > Hiking, international backpacking,

Tropicfeel Shell

• Liters > 22-40
• Material > Polyester – 60% recycled material, 100% recycled nylon

Tortuga Travel Pack

• Material > SHELL200D Recycled Polyester

Osprey Ozone

• Liters > 38L
• Material > 100-denier recycled high-tenacity NanoFly nylon
• Best Use > Travel, international wheelpacking

WANDRD PRVKE 31

• Liters > 31-36L
• Material > Combination of tarpaulin and robic nylon
• Best Use > Travel photography

Tortuga Setout Laptop Backpack

• Liters > 25L
• Material > 900D heathered polyester
• Best Use > Travel, digital nomad lifestyle, carry on, day pack

Ok so why should you travel with a backpack rather than suitcase? Well, ultimately it depends on where you are going and your travel style.

For example, the cobbled streets of Europe, dirt roads of Nepal, and busy bus stations around the world are quite simply not suitcase friendly. In these environments your suitcase is likely to get damaged, get in the way and, in general, piss you off. Trust me, carrying your suitcase because the wheels have fallen off while you search for the hostel, is not a great start to a trip.

And, if you are planning to visit multiple destinations and using public transport, a suitcase is simply not practical and you will hate yourself for bringing one!

Backpacks also look kind of cool whereas suitcases just make you look like a tourist.

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Crucially, when traveling with a backpack your hands are free to use Google Maps to find your hostel, tackling stairs is not a problem, and you can officially join the backpacker hordes! No one likes a suitcase.

Still not convinced? What if I told you that once you invest in the best travel bag you shouldn’t ever need to buy another one! A good quality travel backpack lasts years and does not get damaged as easily as suitcases. I’ve been dragging my pack around the globe for nearly ten years and it’s still going strong.

The best backpacks for travel will be flexible in size and shape so when they are not full, there is more chance that you can take them on board planes. Some traveling backpacks even come with detachable day packs to make things even easier.

Why Should You Trust Us?

The Broke Backpacker team have been travelling and living out of their own backpacks for years now. Collectively, they must have 50+ years of travel experience and, by now, know what it takes to be successful on the road. They are experts in their field and take great pleasure in presenting the best possible gear to you.

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A unique coworking and co-living hostel for those that want to travel the world while working from their laptops. Make use of the massive open-air coworking spaces and sip on delicious coffee.

Network with other like-minded travellers all day and if you need a quick screen break, just take a refreshing dip in the infinity pool or go grab a drink at the bar.

Let’s kick this off with what I feel are the absolute TOP backpacks to travel with.

#1 Nomatic Travel Bag 40L

• Dimemsions: 22.86 x 53.34 x 35.56 cm
• Weight: 1.55 kg
• Looks sexy!
• Modern and efficient
• Tons of room
• Lots of awesome features
• Carry on size

Nomatic bags are designed to be modern, sleek, and provide ultimate packing efficiency. This is accomplished by great design: tons of features, and more pockets and sleeves than you’ll know what to do with.

The Nomatic Travel Pack 40L is widely acclaimed as the perfect travel pack for several compelling reasons. Firstly, its meticulously designed organization system sets it apart. The pack features an array of compartments and pockets that are intelligently laid out, ensuring that every item has its specific place. This includes a dedicated laptop and tablet compartment, a secure RFID safe pocket, and a versatile main compartment that can expand or contract based on your packing needs.

The bag can seamlessly transition from a 40L check-in bag to a slimmer, day pack by simply adjusting the expansion zipper, making it incredibly versatile for different types of trips. The thoughtful design extends to the inclusion of a cord management system and a magnetic water bottle pocket, making it incredibly convenient to stay organized and access essentials on the go. Whether you need a backpack for a business trip  or are a digital nomad traveling the world, this will keep your laptop and valuables well secured all while looking stylish.

Read our full review of the Nomatic Travel Bag!

#2 Aer Travel Pack 3 – Our Favorite Backpack to Travel With Runner Up

• Volume: 35 liters
• Dimemsions: 55 x 33 x 22
• Weight: 1.87 kg
• Multiple compartments for organization
• Lots of potential customization

Here at The Broke Backpacker, we are big fans of AER – and the Travel Bag is one of their best backpacks to date. This bag has gotten a ton of (much deserved) hype and it’s our pick for the best overall travel backpack!

The AER Travel Pack 3 is a testament to functional design and urban style, ideal for the modern traveler who values efficiency and aesthetics. This pack is crafted from high-quality, water-resistant materials, ensuring durability and protection against the elements. a wonderful backpack for digital nomads on the go. It can fit your laptop as well as any other travel gear you tote around. Use it as a daypack around town or bring it on the pane for one bag travel.

There are many different compartments, pockets, and zippers to keep you organized. There’s a laptop sleeve and a very handy place just for shoes. With its blend of durability, organization, and style, the AER Travel Pack 3 stands as an excellent choice for those seeking a reliable and fashionable travel companion.

The minimalist outer design helps deter thieves, and what the outside lacks in pockets it makes up for with well-designed internal storage.

Read our Aer Travel Pack 2 review to learn more about thus bag!

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#3 Osprey Men’s Aether Plus 70 – Best For Backpacking (Men)

• Dimemsions: 83.82 x 38.1 x 35.56 cm
• Weight: 2.81 kg
• Convertible top-lid day pack.

The Osprey Aether is in our view, the quintessential backpackers backpack. If you headed to Southeast Asia for a few month, or maybe going on a backcountry hiking trip, then this arguably the PERFECT backpack.

It’s offers a whopping 70 litres of storage and has all the advantages that every pack from the Osprey brand offers. (the Osprey ‘All-Mighty Guarantee’ , durability, comfort). Several of us here at TBB use this pack for all of our backpacking trips and I have carried mine across 5 continents now. It has plenty of pockets and compartments to keep things extra organized plus An AirScape back panel to keep you cool on the warmest adventures. I can guarantee it’ll last a lifetime, if you don’t believe me, just ask Osprey!

Literally guys, they put a lifetime guarantee on every single product they sell to prove it. The only downside to this pack is you can’t avoid checked luggage fee’s with this bad boy as its too big. But at least you don’t have to dump any stuff! This is hands down one of the best backpacks for traveling around the world on a longer adventure.

Check out our review of the Aether 70 backpack to learn more!

#4 Osprey Aura 50 – Best For Backpacking (Women)

• Dimemsions: 81.28 x 38.1 x 30.48 cm
• Weight:  1.86 kg
• Anti-Gravity Suspension
• Floating top-lid replaceable with FlapJacket
• Multiple organisation options.

The ladies-specific Osprey Aura is the best travel backpack for the female form. This is a high-quality backpack for women traveling on epic short or long haul adventures. Osprey as a brand are awesome and they guarantee to last many adventures! Seriously, all Osprey travel bags come with a lifetime guarantee making them undeniably the best value backpacks.

With the unique built-in Anti-Gravity suspension system, this bag is designed to carry up to 40lbs without the carrier even noticing! Meaning this travel backpack is stable, strong and can carry the weight without you having to suffer for it! If you’re a lady hitting the road, this is the travel backpack I recommend.

Overall, you should get the Osprey Aura 50 if you are traveling in a variety of weather (humidity and snow) and hike and backpack often. This backpack will be a great fit if you are looking for a high-quality backpack that can handle wear and tear.

Check out our awesome Osprey Aura 50 review!

#5 Osprey Airscape UNLTD – Best Hiking & Travel Backpack

• Dimemsions: 81.28 x 40.64 x 38.1 cm
• Weight:  2.72 kg
• Cutting edge super comfy back support
• Lid detaches into a day pack

The Osprey Airscape is one of two spanking hiking packs launched by the world’s leading backpack brand’s as part of its UNLTD series. The Airscape UNLTD is a 68 litre hiking and travel backpack that utilises cutting edge, 3D printing technology to create an ultra comfy, supportive and breathable lumbar, back support.

Whilst there are too many little features to list in this section (read on for the full run down), another major bonus is the 8l top lid that converts to an 18l day pack which brings a whole new dimension to the pack. 

Alas, the Osprey Airscape UNLTD also comes with a hefty $750 price tag which by far makes it the most expensive backpack that I have ever come across. Whether it is really worth that amount of money is of course debatable but what I can say is that this is by far the most comfortable hiking backpack that I have ever tried.

I have about four different travel backpacks now. For longer trips I generally use my Osprey Aether, but I also have a number of carry on backpacks which I use for shorter trips.

And hear this, these days it is increasingly common for airlines to charge separately for checked bags and it can often increase the price of the ticket by 50%. As such, if you only travel with a compact backpack you can save a fortune on luggage fees and simply take your backpack on a flight as carry-on. Budget backpacking win right there!

Below are some of my favorite backpacks that I use as a carry-on. If you’d like to learn more about these sort of bags, then be sure to head over our comprehensive guide on the top carry-on backpacks to take traveling!

#1 Osprey Farpoint 40 L  – Best Carry-on Backpack (Men)

• Dimemsions: 55.88 x 35.56 x 22.86 cm
• Weight: 1.59 kg
• Large panel zip access to main compartment.
• Stowaway backpanel, harness and hipbelt with zippered rear flap for protection.
• Laptop and tablet sleeve secure in lockable compartment.

Overall, you should get the Osprey Farpoint 40 if you are traveling the world, and like to pack super light (like me). If you are looking for a nearly indestructible carry on backpack which can actually carry, and compartmentalize, a lot of stuff – this backpack might be your match made in heaven.

Because of it’s 40 liter size, the Farpoint 40 is a near-guarantee to carry on no matter the airline. This will save you hundreds of dollars in checking fees, and countless hours waiting in baggage claim. And as we will look at later, there is plenty of space to make sure that light-traveling does not mean bad-traveling.

In my opinion, the Osprey Farpoint 40 is the best value carry on backpack on the market right now. Check out our epic Osprey Farpoint review here . 

#2 Osprey Fairview 40  – Best Carry-on Backpack (Women)

• Size: 40 Liters
• Dimemsions: 53.34 x 35.56 x 22.86 cm
• All of the pros of the Osprey Farpoint 40.
• A hiking and carry-on backpack specifically designed to fit women!

The Osprey Fairview 40 was designed specifically for girls and women – making this category an easy choice! To clarify for the ladies… ANY of the bags mentioned prior can be used for women. Whether you are interested in Minaal, Tortuga, AER, or any of the others – all of these bags are unisex. Except for the Osprey Fairview 40, which was designed specifically for women.

This travel backpack can transform into a duffel bag, which is made even more awesome by the included shoulder strap, and the ability to stow the bag’s harness and hip belt. At a square 40 liters, you’ll rarely have to worry about this bag being checked.

If you are a lady, and want all of the glory of Osprey in a bag that is specifically designed for you, then hell yes! Please, don’t be hesitant to purchase any of the other bags (as they are all unisex!) but if you want a badass hiking pack that also functions as a carry on backpack, this is an easy pick.

#3 Peak Design Travel Pack – Best 30l Carry On Travel Pack

• Capacity: 30 litres
• Dimemsions: 53cm x 34cm x 20cm
• Weight: 1.44 kg
• Price: $250
• Great organisational capacity
• Extends to 33L
• Amazing for organization
• Comfy to carry and fits under the seat

The Peak Design 30L Travel Pack is built with the modern traveler in mind. Its 30-liter capacity is perfect for weekend getaways or even extended travel if you pack light. The bag’s sleek design isn’t just about looks; it’s also about function. Its adjustable compartments allow for a customized fit for your belongings, while its innovative side access points provide convenience in retrieving items without having to dig through the entire bag. The expansion zippers give you the flexibility to accommodate extra items when needed, making it an adaptable companion for various travel durations.

I have been incredibly impressed by this travel pack and it has now accompanied me on a free weekend rips already. What I really love about it is how well organised I can get with my packing – everything has its place and there are enough zips and pockets to stash all of those little odds and ends. In terms of downsides, the packs material is thick and robust but not all that nice to the touch. The bag does also feel a bit heavier than it looks.

Finally I personally find that 30 litres is only ever enough storage for a few nights worth of traveling but perhaps thats just me – I do after all travel with a hair-dryer. Fortunately though there is a 40 litre version available.

#4 Tortuga Travel Pack  – Best Full Size Carry-on

• Size:  45 litres
• Dimemsions: 47 x 30 x 23
• Weight:  1.5 kg
• The design will leave you fairly impressed
• It has tons of pockets/compartments
• It packs huge – you can put A LOT in it

The first thing I noticed when packing my new Tortuga Travel Pack, was just how massive the main compartment was. It has the capacity to carry a ton of clothes. If you are a world traveler, then this is great because it means you have to do less laundry – score! And yet despite its generous capacity, the new and improved version of the Tortuga Travel pack was custom designed to for carry on meaning that it complies with the limits for pretty much every airline in the world.

Its a cleverly designed pan too. The Travel Pack by Tortuga’s design enables its the main compartment to be opened like a suitcase; this is far more convenient than a traditional backpackers backpack. Reaching my stuff was simple, and because of the organization of the compartments, it was easy to know what was where.

Inside the main compartment are six smaller compartments. The first four smaller compartments are enclosed within the main compartment. The Tortuga Travel Pack is still without a doubt one of the best backpacks on the market. It’s quality build, intuitive design, fantastic organization, and smaller size make it the perfect compact travel bag for anyone who wants to travel light, but travel in style.

Check out out our must-read full Tortuga Travel Pack review .

#5 Tropicfeel Shell Backpack – Best Backpack for Organizing

• Size: 22-40 litres
• Dimemsions: 51 x 30 x 19 cm
• Really fucking versatile
• Packs up easily
• Fairly priced

The Shell by Tropicfeel is a little to medium backpack sized with a big concept. Firstly, it is a 3 in 1 extendable backpack that begins life as a 22 liter pack, rolls up to 30 litres and then with the addition of a detachable pouch goes all the way to 40 litres.

As well as being a 3-in-1 backpack (which you can easily adapt to use as day pack, overnight pack and carry-on pack), the Shell also has another awesome feature – a little, mini drop in pull out travel roll up wardrobe! With multiple compartments, you can easily pack and unpack all of your belongings. For a quick outfit change at the airport, this is ideal.

This is a VERY unique and special pack and it seriously impressed me. While not all of you will want this kind of pack, it has won itself a delisted fanbase. I also just love how mega-stylish this bag is too. Keeping everything tidy, easily accessible and organized during your travels has never been so easy. On top of that, the recycled material is also weather and water-resistant.

Want to know more about the company, we’ve done a full review of TropicFeel just for you!

A lot of people like to go hiking while they are out traveling the world. To do so, they need a special type of travel backpack, one that can go further, carry more, and last longer.

Aside from the Osprey Aether and Aura, here are a couple more options when looking for a good bag to go traveling and hiking with. If you would like to read more about these special pieces of gear, then be sure to check out our ENORMOUS hiking backpack guide !

#1 Osprey Aether Plus 85 Backpack – A BIG Travel Backpack

• Dimemsions: 86.36 x 40.64x 40.64 cm
• Removable top lid w/compartment and waterproof zipper
• Converts to a lumbar pack with AirScape lumbar pad

Looking to head into the back country in search of adventure? Whether it is a couple of days hiking or an epic adventure The Osprey Aether Plus 85 backpack is the best travel backpack on the market by far.

I’ve been adventuring with my Aether for nearly ten years now. The best thing about Osprey is that they operate an all-mighty guarantee. This means that they will repair any damage done to your pack, no questions asked, for free. However, note that in recent years they have amended this guarantee and it now excludes wear & tear, water damage and airline damage.

The Osprey Aether Plus 85 is a big expedition backpack; it’s 85 liters, extremely comfortable thanks to the custom-molded hip belt, is compatible with hydration systems, has plenty of sections for storage and can easily be loaded up with a ton of stuff – I once strapped three tents to the outside and had a fourth tent on the inside plus cooking equipment, sleeping bags, food, clothes, electronics etc…

#2 Osprey Skarab 30 – A Smaller Backpack for Shorter Journeys

• Dimemsions: 53.34 x 27.94 x 25.4 cm
• Weight: 0.74 kg
• Walking pole attachments
• Adjustable BIOFIT back system

For the days when you venture into the wilderness or walk the market streets, you need a pack that is both comfortable and practical. I’ve been using my Osprey Skarab for three years now as my go-to backpack for shorter adventures or hikes.

It’s one hell of a pack and is the best budget backpack I’ve come across. It’s pretty cheap considering the quality and it has plenty of pockets for storage, a padded hip belt, a safety whistle on the chest strap (always handy!) and an in-built rain cover.

The Osprey Skarab backpack is 30 liters so it’s a backpack best for weekends or ultralight hiking rather than long expeditions where you have to carry tents and food. It can just about handle long trips but space is limited so whilst it is one of the best backpacks for travel, it wouldn’t be my first choice for a long trip. For more intel check out our full-length Osprey Skarab review .

Now, you  could spend a fat chunk of $$$ on the WRONG present for someone. Wrong size hiking boots, wrong fit backpack, wrong shape sleeping bag… As any adventurer will tell you, gear is a personal choice.

So give the adventurer in your life the gift of convenience: buy them an REI Co-op gift card!  REI is The Broke Backpacker’s retailer of choice for ALL things outdoors, and an REI gift card is the perfect present you can buy from them. And then you won’t have to keep the receipt. 😉

#3 Deuter Aircontact Core 65 + 10 Pack – A Cheaper Travel Backpack Osprey-Alternative

• Dimensions: 84.07 x 32 x 27.94 cm
• Weight: 2.25 kg
• 15% perspiration control
• Dimemsions:

Hands down, this is one of the best backpacks for hiking. This is a fantastic backpack for those looking for comfort, support, breathability and freedom of movement. This backpack is absolutely one of my best picks and if it wasn’t for my trusty Osprey, I would probably be a Deuter man.

These days, traveling without a laptop is just not going to happen. For many of us, a laptop is just as essential as a phone and if you are a digital nomad hitting the road, you need to protect your baby. So amigos, let me share the best travel backpacks for digital nomads and laptop lovers.

#1 Tortuga Setout Laptop Backpack – Best Travel Backpack for Digital Nomads

• Size: 25 liters
• Weight:  1.27 kg
• Very functional
• High-quality manufacturing
• Super organized

This one is pretty obvious – the Setout Laptop Backpack is great for…. laptops! But seriously, if you are looking for a sturdy pack to carry your laptop around– look no further, this bad boy is as good as it gets. This is for a few reasons.

First off, Tortuga Backpacks are possibly some of the most well designed and durable backpacks on the market. We’ve reviewed tons of Tortuga products and they all have an incredible amount of detail to them, and are made of the highest quality materials. High quality/durable materials means your precious laptop will be safe and sound.

Simply put, this backpack has tons of organization features, all of which are designed specifically for laptops. Notice in the pictures above and below, that this bag is loaded with ways to keep your gear safe, and very organized. Tortuga markets this bag as an “organized daypack for air travel” – and it’s certainly true!

The design and features of this backpack make it perfect for air travel. Whether it’s the sleek laptop sleeve, the easy to lock zippers, the luggage handle pass through or the hideaway shoulder straps, this bag thrives in airports and airplanes.

Check out our in-depth Tortuga Setout Laptop backpack review . 

#2 High Spirit Laptop Backpack – Supreme Organization, Style, and Security

• Size: 19.5 liters
• Extremely well made
• Durable shock-absorbing base

High Spirit Bags have broken onto the travel backpack scene with an emphatic BANG. Their brand new Laptop Backpack is the perfect choice for travelers who prioritize style , security, and functionality all rolled up into one tidy package.

Every inch of the Laptop Backpack is thoughtfully designed to provide the best possible user experience. The high quality leather exterior is the ideal combination of sleek and anti-theft – which when you are toting around expensive electronics – this feature is very important.

Perhaps my favorite feature is the pack’s access design. The zippers are located on the back panel making it virtually impossible for thieves to unzip your backpack whilst you are wearing it. The organizational layout of this backpack provides more than enough storage options for your work day in the city or a weekend jaunt to Barcelona.

Surprisingly, the High Spirt Laptop Backpack is much more affordable than many other laptop-focused travel backpacks out there. The verdict is in: you are not going to find a more high-quality laptop backpack that looks and functions this well for the given price point (£110).

#3 Arcido Akra 35L – A Large yet Lightweight Travel Backpack

• Dimemsions: 55 X 35 X 20 cm
• Weight:  1.7 kg
• Sleek, stylish design
• Super lightweight makes travel easy
• Organized + customizable

This is the perfect carry on travel backpack for urban travelers. Its laptop harness, organizational pockets, and integrative packing cubes (in the Arcido Akra and Vaga Daypack Bundle ) make this the perfect travel backpack for digital nomads too.

At only 2.4 lbs, this is a lightweight backpack for travel that can become even lighter when the sternum straps and waist belt are removed. In essence, Arcido makes simple, tough, and well-designed travel backpacks equipped with enough storage and organizational features make any modern traveler happy. We love that this is an affordable backpack for its high-quality design.

Check out our full Arcido Akra review!

#4 Incase Icon Pack – One of the Toughest Laptops Bags

• Size: 9 x 13 x 19 inches
• Dimemsions: 48.26 x 33.02 x 22.86 cm
• Dedicated laptop compartment
• Multiple organisation options
• Airflow channels in back panel

The Incase Icon Pack is a great travel backpack if you’ll be working on the road and need a sturdy, durable pack to keep your laptop safe while exploring new areas. Featuring multiple exterior and interior pockets, the Icon laptop backpack allows maximum organisation and easy access to your belongings, with a dedicated laptop compartment to stow your gear away safely.

Check out our in-depth breakdown of the best laptop backpacks for more intel!

Photographers need to be very mindful of their gear while traveling. Rough rides and constant movement can imperil sensitive camera equipment, so it’s very important to have a reliable backpack that can keep everything safe.

These are a few more good travel backpacks, this time with the photographers and aspiring photographers in mind. If these suggestions aren’t enough, we’ve also written an in-depth guide to choosing the best camera backpacks too!

#1 WANDRD PRVKE 31  – Best Travel Camera Backpack

• Size: 31 Liters
• Dimemsions: 48 X 30 X 18 cm
• Expandable roll top
• Large enough for travel camera + 3-4 lenses
• Additional straps for accessories

For those who want a backpack that can does a little bit of everything, is durable, and looks damn good in the process, the WADNRD PRVKE 31 is an excellent investment. At 31 (expandable to 36) liters, this backpack can hold quite a bit and there are plenty more pockets to hold everything else. Thanks to its robust weather-resistant design, your belongings will be safe as well. Add in some customizable straps and sleek sexy design and you have a backpack that can do damn near anything.

Though the PRVKE 31 has lots of padding and additional straps for distributing weight, it lacks certain key features that make it truly adept at carrying heavier loads. During our tests, both of the women on our trip struggled somewhat while carrying this bag as it did not fit snugly against their bodies.

I was impressed with the number of customizable options that PRVKE 31 offered. Between the many loops found on the pack as well as the ability to attach adjustable accessory straps (sold separately), users will be able to find many alternative means of packing. Overall, a badass camera backpack!

Read our WANDRD PRVKE 31 review!

#2 Nomatic Peter Mckinnon Camera Bag  – Best Travel Camera Backpack

• Size: 35 liters
• Dimemsions: 55.88 x 34.29 x 22.86 cm
• Weight:  2.61 kg
• Expands to 42 liters
• Can hold a full-frame camera, multiple lenses, and a small drone
• Doubles as a great short-term travel backpack

This is the first true camera bag offered by Nomatic. Inspired and designed by legendary Youtuber and renowned photographer Peter Mckinnon, this 35 liter backpack is already a top competitor of the Wandrd PRVKE 31.

Built to last and with the traveling photographer in mind, the Nomatic Camera Bag is ultra-functional, durable, and sleek. Small enough to be a carry on, yet big enough to support extended weekend trips, the 35 liters offered here makes this bag ideal for photographers who find themselves frequently out on overnight/ inner-city trips.

The drawback: to get the most of this bag, you really need to go for the bundle package – which comes with all of the nice accessories that make this backpack great. If you have the money, going for the Nomatic Camera Bag is an excellent investment and is probably an all-around better backpack then the WANDRD 31 when all of the accessories and features are added up.

Read our Nomatic Camera Pack review !

Sometimes traveling calls for a unique bag. Maybe you’re a weekend warrior who needs something both professional and rugged. Maybe you just like to mix things up. Either way, these backpacks maybe more appropriate for you.

#1 Osprey Ozone 4-Wheel – Top Wheeled Backpack for Travel

• Size: 38 Liters
• Weight: 2.27 kg
• Will attach to any of the wheeled luggage by Osprey
• Can be combined with other Osprey bags to make a nimble beast

Wheeled luggage sometimes get a bad reputation. We’ve all seen those travelers trying to roll giant pieces luggage around cobble stone streets or busy Asian alleys, clearly in over their head. But wheeled backpacks are different. …

Designed for the savvy traveler, Osprey Ozone 4-Wheel Carry-On Wheeled Luggage is pretty much one of the best travel backpacks out there. The padded hip-belt and shoulder harness stow away for easy transport. It can clip on to the wheeled range by osprey for easy transport and it is super breathable. It even has an inside zipped compartment perfect for smelly hiking boots!

I’ve been using this pack on and off for two years: you can fit a TON of stuff in it – a genuinely surprising amount considering it still qualifies as hand luggage most of the time – however, once it’s heavy it quickly becomes a tad uncomfortable – not ideal if you plan on taking it hiking. This is one of the best backpacks for travel if you have a ton of valuables you want to keep in your hand luggage – i.e. if you are a digital nomad!

#2 REI Co-Op Flash 55 – An Excellent Budget Backpack

• Dimensions: 76.2 x 35.56 x 30.48 cm
• Weight: 1.28 kg
• Perfect-Fit suspension for on-body adjustments
• Easy access
• Budget-friendly

Although a little smaller than the Osprey Aether (and not as well-built), the REI Flash 55 still makes for a quality backpack for travel on long haul minimalist trips and weekend backpacking missions.

Ideal for use in both cities and in the mountains, the Flash 55 is a versatile, sturdy backpack with multi-functional pockets, a comfortable, suspension- supported fit, and easy access compartments allowing you to get to your essentials whenever you need to. This is one of the best hiking bags around for under $200.

Coming in just under $200, this pack features 8 external pockets plus a main compartment, making packing for your adventure a breeze. Combine this with a breathable back frame and comfortable hip belt, this is a great go-to for your weekend backpacking trips and more. I’ve used this pack primarily in desert climates, and typically tried to keep the overall packed weight under 35 lbs, and it’s yet to fail me.

All that being said, there are a few things I don’t love about the bag. For starters, the zipper pouch on the back side is made from a ripstop nylon material, which I found to be super inconvenient.. Another small complaint I had was the option to not include a rain cover for the bag. The nylon exterior can fend off small mistings of from mother nature, but anything more would more than likely render the bag (and your belongings inside) rather soaked and heavy.

Picking the best backpack to travel with doesn’t need to be difficult or expensive…

It’s easy to grab a great discount deal from a top brand and, to be honest, if you buy anything from Osprey, AER, or Tortuga you won’t be disappointed. However, not all backpacks are created equal and there’s a few factors you should always look at when picking a backpack for traveling…

1. The Right Travel Backpack Size

Size is a personal choice and the best travel packs have no definitive size. If you are a medium to long term traveler who needs more space for camping gear, who wants to pick up lots of trinkets or who travels with a full wardrobe then you need a 60-liter minimum backpack. I have seen some backpackers make do with 50 litre packs, and while I applaud them, they are definitely freaks!

Larger backpacks however mean checked baggage fees and you are less likely to be able to take your backpack into the bus with you -instead you’ll have to strap it to the roof and hope it doesn’t rain (rain covers do exist mind).

The smaller your travel bag, the less you can take, but the big bonus is no checked bag fees and it’s easier to keep tabs on your pack at all times. If you can keep your backpack below fifty liters you will save a fortune when flying. However the reality is that small bags are usaally too small for trips that last longer than a week to maybe two.

Think carefully about the size of your pack and what’s best for you – the best backpacks for travel are different for everyone. Personally, I travel with a seventy liter pack as I am often carrying camping gear.

2. Straps on Your Travel Backpack

Carrying everything you need to travel the world on your back doesn’t come lightly… even when you pack light! Wandering lost, trying to find a hostel in the heat of the day with a travel bag is not fun, even the lightest packers will agree.

To combat this, the best backpacks will include well designed load bearing straps to help turn that heavy backpack into a fairly light backpack.

The aim of the game is to take weight off your shoulders and onto the hips. This is significantly better for you and you can walk, climb and even jump around pretty comfortably if your pack’s weight is distributed evenly. These days most larger backpacks include hip belts as standard.

For me, quality hip belts are what makes a great travel backpack. Without a hip belt, even the best backpack in the world can turn into a nightmare. Some traveling backpacks have heat-molded custom made hip belts that may appear somewhat gimmicky but are very comfortable.

Your shoulder straps are equally important and should be comfortable to wear, without the hip belt. Look for shoulder straps that have plenty of padding.

3. Pockets, Pockets, POCKETS

Well organised travel bags make the best travel bags. There’s nothing more annoying than a typical backpack which only opens from the top meaning that each and every time you need something you’ll be pulling literally, everything else but that, out.

Pockets alleviate this problem; allowing you to assign certain segments of your travel backpack to particular items (e.g. clothes, toiletries, passport and money) for easier access. The best pocket is a U-shaped opening pocket as this allows easy access.

4. Travel Backpack Weight

Great travel backpacks are those which are as light as a feather. Sadly these don’t really exist and instead, you need to consider the best weight for what you’ll be doing. Backpacks themselves are not weightless, the heavier the frame, the more weight you have to start with.

In general, you want to go for the lightest, but toughest, pack you can find. Gregory Packs are some of the lightest packs on the market but they are simply not as tough as Osprey or AER and that is there downfall…

5. How Comfortable Should a Travel Backpack Be?

Your travel backpack will become your new best friend, it’s where you will store all of your shit, it will basically become your home; therefore you need to try and choose the most comfortable backpack.

You’ll find the best travel pack by trying it on in the store before buying. When trying it on, load it up with some weight to take it for a proper test drive. I strongly recommend trying a bunch of different backpacks on at an REI or Outdoor Store before making your choice.

When it comes to fitting a backpack , you want an even distribution of weight across your hips, shoulders and chest, and to make sure there are no pressure points that may cause the bag to rub or pinch as you walk. Cushioned shoulder pads and padded hip belts are always a winner my friends…

The better your hip belt, the better your pack will sit upon your body and the more comfortable it will be.

6. Material and Construction of a Good Travel Backpack

So it’s raining and you’re still trying to find your hostel? Or you can see your backpack from the plane window waiting to be loaded and it’s sitting in the rain? ( Fuck you Kingfisher Airlines ). Water-resistant material is essential when traveling!

Your bag will be exposed to rain, puddles or leaks at some point. There’s nothing worse than opening the bag to find your clothes soaked and stinking or worse, your electronics damaged. The most durable backpacks are made from strong, durable, stretchy, waterproof material.

So look out for backpack material that will last for years – the last thing you want is a ripped bag halfway through your travels!

Does the sound of having a super-durable backpack speak to you? Check out our in-depth best heavy duty backpacks review!

7. Best Travel Backpacks for Men vs Women

There are literally thousands of backpacks for traveling on the market and the best packs tend to be made with one gender or another in mind. Unisex backpacks usually will fit pretty much anybody but you can get a man’s backpack, which will take into account broad shoulders, for the same price so I definitely recommend finding a gender-specific backpack when you hit the road.

Finding the best female travel bag requires more research than nice colors and comfortable straps. I am, of course not a woman. So to help me out on this I spoke to a bunch of kick-ass women adventurers for advice.

Size is perhaps the most important consideration along with comfortable straps and weight distribution. This doesn’t mean that women have to buy travel bags specifically for them, but the feedback from my girlfriend and friends; is that they’re so much better.

Other than the different design for a typical woman’s body, there is not much difference between the women’s and the men’s travel backpacks. Most of the points that you’ll below apply to both genders so keep these in mind.

Generally speaking, backpackers are some of the most warming, understanding, agreeable people on the planet.

But there is one decisive issue among backpackers.

To travel with a carry on backpack, OR to travel with a large backpack ?

This has proven to be quite the epic debate. Every backpacker has an opinion on the topic, making it difficult for newbie travelers to know which side to pick, and most importantly, which bag to buy.

Let’s go over both options.

In Favor of a Big Backpack (60L – 80L)

The most obvious reason to have a larger backpack is that you can carry more stuff! A 65-70 liter backpack can hold all kinds of extra items from food to gear to photography/videography equipment!

Now not everyone is going to want or necessarily need to deal with all of these extra pieces of kit. More kit means more weight, more check-in fees, and more tedious packing and unpacking sessions. Ultimatly, you should only be packing what you need.

How About 50 Litres?

Some backpackers prefer to use 50 litre backpacks. They offer the comfort and durability of “proper” big backpacks but obviously are lighter and carry less stuff making them lighter again. Honestly, a litre backpack feels really nice to carry and they are easy to throw on and take off bus roofs.

However. While some travellers a 50 litre backpack to be something of a “not too big not too small” sweetspot, I actually find them to occupy a bit of a neversphere. What I mean is that they are too big to take as carry on but (for me) not big enough for a proper long trip. Personally, my view is that you are going to go with a full sized pack, go with 60 litres. Even if you don’t use all 60, at least you have room for souvernirs.

• Can accommodate extra gear for hiking, camping, etc
• Great if traveling to colder destinations
• Great when traveling off the beaten path
• More room=more options
• Additional strain on your back
• Have to check it on airplanes and buses
• Many travelers simply don’t need it
• Not as ideal for urban travel

In Favor of a Carry On Bag (35L – 40L)

While traveling with a  60L+ bag might make sense for some people, it is completely unnecessary for other people. If you are a lighter packer, or maybe if you are just going away for the weekend, then need a 65L beast is too way much.

If this is you, then you may prefer a 40L, “carry on” size bag. To be fair, they are still a decent size and can carry a lot of stuff. If you are not any bringing camping or hiking gear, then a 40-50L bag can be more than enough to handle all of your stuff.

Traveling with a light bag means traveling with less stress. Less stress on your back, less stress in your bag, less stress in your life in general. Travelers who carry large bags often fill it with things they don’t need.

But traveling light does require a sense of dedication, and if this minimalist bag style doesn’t appeal to you, then go big baby!

• Less shit to worry about
• Less stress on your back
• If your bag is under 40L, you don’t have to check it
• Great for urban travel
• Forget about camping, trekking or hitchhiking
• Limited space means less stuff
• Not a great option if you want to bring a lot of clothes

Should you get a Large or Carry On Backpack?

This is completely up to you and will ultimately depend on your travel style.

Take into consideration the type of person you are… is traveling super lightweight attractive to you? Do you plan to go camping around the world ? Do you plan to travel mostly to cities? Will you be flying a lot and want to avoid luggage fees?

By determining your travel plans and travel style, you’ll be able to better make a selection for which travel bag is best for you

If you still have some questions then no problem! We’ve listed and answered the most commonly asked questions below. Here’s what people usually want to know:

How can you find the right travel backpack for you?

Comfort, durabilty, size and prize are the main factors that determine a good backpack. Make sure you measure your torso and find out how much capacity you need for your gear during your trip. Then choose from the remaining options accordingly.

Is a 40L backpack big enough for Travelling?

Unless you’re travelling extremely minimalistic, long term travel can be tricky with only 40L. For short term travel however, it’s abolutely enough.

What is the best value travel backpack?

The Nomatic Travel Bag 40L is a great value backpack since it offers the best bang for your buck that you could find on the market. However, the Aer Travel Pack 3 is a strong competitor.

Are there any good budget backpack options?

The REI Co-Op Flash 55 is an excellent budget option. With 55L and high quality material, the Flash 55 is a versatile, sturdy backpack.

Which is the best travel backpack brand?

For us, the obvious choice is Osprey as they hit the right price point, the backpacks are durable and they offer a big variety of styles.

So there you have it amigos, the best tips to help you find the best travel packs for your upcoming adventures. The packs featured here are our personal favourites and we can vouch for each and every one of them.

Still not sure which backpack to buy? Well to nicely summarise it all for you, the best backpacks for travel are:

• The Nomatic Travel Bag 40L is the best overall travel bag for 2024.
• For the best hiking travel backpack, it is the Osprey Aether 70 for men…
• And the Osprey Aura 50 (womens)

You are now armed with all of the best options to find the best backpack for you! Our hope is that you find the backpack of your dreams and have many, many awesome adventures with your new best friend.

Now that you have your backpack, it’s time to check out our backpacking packing list for some ideas of what to put in it!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Aiden Freeborn

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59 Comments

You can backpack with a surplus military rucksack and do well. Poorly chosen footwear, tho, not so much.

Lets not hype it too much. Any three of the comparable packs in size and intent would be usable for the length of that trip. For the experienced packer tho, you only get one pair of boots. Choose wisely – and carry extra socks.

I know most of the experienced packers would read right past the opening line, but someone wanting to try the trail for their first time to Devil’s Den would not be well served concentrating on a high end pack and hitting the trail head with flip flops.

Great detailed article. I ended up going with the Wandrd Prvke. I think i made an awesome choice. Really love the looks and functionality of the bag.

Hey Will, Thanks for your wounderful review. Actually I was using Pacsafe Metrosafe backpack and now I want to upgrade my backpack. I’ll go for Nomatic as exactly you said it is designed to be modern, sleek, and provide ultimate packing efficiency. Thank for this buying guide!

Glad you are enjoying the Nomatic Pack! Indeed, that pack is awesome. Cheers.

very informative article sir

Thanks for sharing. I’m the new in backpack travel. I was torn between nomatic backpack and zynego backpack. Although I know the popularity of these two bags cannot be compared, I am very interested in zynego’s ai intelligence system. I think I need help! hhh

Our top choice at the moment is the Nomatic backpack :). Cheers!

I use the Osprey Porter 30L as my Carry On, because I have NEVER had to check it in no matter what airline. Even on small regional flights, I had no issues with it as a Carry On. The Farpoint and Fairview are excellent bags, but depending on the airline, yoiu may have to check them in. That’s never an issue with the Osprey Porter 30L.

Same with my 35 liter Minaal 2.0 Never have to check it. Always allowed carry on. Best way to travel… light… quickly… easily.. one bag… carry on. Much more free feeling…

I missed Deuter act lite but I bought 60 + 10 liter for women and I am more than happy with it!

60 – 70 liters. WOW ! I would never want to be packing that much stuff. Why would you need to pack so much stuff and put so much strain on your body? I travel for months at a time with just a 35 liter convertible backpack and I find that’s plenty. Pick up and go. I never have to check a bag, always carry on. I used to travel with a 45 liter bag, but it was big, and I always had to check it at the airport and then hang around the carousel waiting for it at my destinations. Now I just carry my 35 liter bag on and toss it in the overhead and no waiting a carousels or wondering who’s handling my bag. One Bag…Carry On travel. I always travel for a minimum of two months at a time, and up to four months. One, 35 liter, convertible backpack.

Whoah, Thanks for the lovely post. A great help, hope you continue to do this more often. I really like studying your posts. Cheers!

Hey, I’m in a bit of a dilemma- I’m so used to suitcases and i’m doing my first backbacking trip around SE Asia for 5 weeks in aug-sept. I want to pack quite a few clothes and I’m travelling by plane between different cities. Should I still go for a backpack and what size would you recommend. I was thinking backpack because I want to get scooter Grabs, and also the terrain. I was thinking 60-70 because of the amount of stuff I wanna bring but I was told by a friend that it would break my back lol.

Pssshhhh!!! Don’t listen to them! You can totally take a 60L without a problem so long as you don’t have a pre-existing spinal problem. Just make sure the pack fitted right! Depending on how heavy you pack, you might not need all that stuff though. I’m in Thailand for 7 weeks with Nomatic’s 30L . (Don’t worry, they have laundry service everywhere!)

I’m in my 60’s and would never think of taking a 60 or 70 liter back pack. Too much stuff. And you will have to check it at the airport and possibly pay baggage fees. Why would you want to take lots of clothes? I take three pair of summer weight material zip off pants, three thin summer weight material Columbia shirts wit roll up sleeves and three pair of ex-officio underwear and a good pair of hiking sandals. So I wear one set of clothes, and my other two sets are “Ranger Army Rolled” and in packing cubes in my 35 liter backpack. There are cheap laundries everywhere there that will do a load for a buck or two. And you can even wash your clothes in the sink and shower and hang to dry in your hotel room or apartment. I go for months at a time in Southeast Asia and carry only my 35 liter Minaal 2.0 convertible backpack. So much easier to carry less stuff, and not have to check any bags. Just carry it on the plane and throw it in the overhead. No waiting at carousels, or worrying about other people being rough with your bag or having it being diverted to another country and not showing up. Minimalist, one small bag, carry on is the way to travel. And it’s becoming more popular.

60 – 70 liters. WOW ! I would never want to be packing that much stuff. Sounds like major Himalayan expedition for a few months. I travel for months at a time with just a 35 liter convertible backpack and I find that’s plenty. Pick up and go. Never check a bag, always carry on.

Hey thank you for writing this post. It’s really helpful 🙂

Hi I am not a frequent traveller though like travel. In a recent trip with a connection inDubai, i used an american tourister 35L backpack, which caused a heavy toll on my back. Is it due to the particular brand or backpacks as a whole. Please suggest a backpack that is Back’ frenly.

Hi Shephy, I don’t really know about that model specifically, but if you have no spinal issues normally, a well-made, well-fitted pack won’t give you problems. Make sure you have hip straps (and use them). You can have someone help you fit it properly and always pack the bag with the heaviest stuff closest to your spine. This helps maintain your normal posture.

Have you tried the Eagle Creek Global Companion 40L? I’m trying to decide between that one an the farpoint 40L. Thank you.

Hi Lucas, we have not tested the Eagle Creek backpack you mentioned, but we always recommend anything by Osprey…and the Farpoint is a solid choice!

Any suggestions for a woman with low back issues. I hurt my back last year and can no longer carry larger bags but love the freedom of having a backpack for travel. I’m also only about 5″3″ if that helps.

It’s recommended to have a backpack with hip straps if you’re traveling but in your case, I’d say it’s ESPECIALLY important to have sturdy and padded hip straps, even if it’s a smaller backpack. This will take most of the pressure off your back. The second key element will be to get it properly fitted, especially if you’re wearing a larger bag. You need to find the tension that works for your hip straps, shoulder straps, and stabilizers (if you have them). You can research this online or ask a professional at an outfitter – they’re usually willing to help, even if you didn’t purchase the pack in their store. Similarly, do research on how to mount the pack properly without doing more damage to your back. Lastly, manage the time that you’re carrying your pack. This will just take a little planning before you leave your hotel or get off your flight – take breaks when you need to and cut down on weight as much as possible. I hope you find that backpacking freedom again! See ya out there!

Jackie… take a look at the Minaal 2.0 It’s only 35 liters and is convertible to duffle or backpack. Get the optional waist belt for it. I did. It’s the only bag I take even when I go for months, and I never have to check it. No more waiting at carousels.. I’m 67, and still carry my own bag. No wheelie luggage. There are other 35 liter and even smaller bags out there. You don’t have to get a Minaal 2.0 It’s a pricey bag. But I love mine.

First of all, I’ve been scouring the Internet for any articles/blogs/videos/Reddit comments regarding backpacks that are optimal for people with lower back pain, as I have really bad lower back pain too. Second of all, I HIGHLY recommend you to check out a rolfer or a trained Structural Integration practitioner in your area. Saved me thousands in chiro fees and made me stand straight after years of lower back pain.

As for backpack choices, I suggest maybe 30L and below and with hip straps (maybe Tortuga Setout if you’re in the US) and/or load lifters. I personally am 6 ft and around 185lbs and decided to go with Thule Subterra 34L and Tortuga Setout 35L (for when I need to pack more stuff).

Hope your lower back issues can be fixed!

Thank you all so much!! I appreciate all of the advice!! I have seen a doctor and went through physical therapy for 3 months to get me pretty much back to normal. Unfortunately, heavy lifting still bothers my back and I need to be careful about how and how much I carry. With all of your suggestions I went to get fitted and learned even more about keeping your pack weighted correctly. They fitted me with the Osprey Sirrus 24 Hiking backpack which is a little too small for longer travel so I’m looking at getting the Osprey Fairview 40 Women’s Travel Backpack. Smaller than the ones listed here but I think should be a good option for me. I haven’t bought one yet so I can’t speak to how it works for someone with back pain but I’m hoping it works well. Thanks!!

Yes, 24 liter might be a bit small for long term travel, although there are some minimalists who do travel long term with bags that small. I downsized from a 45 liter bag to a 35 liter convertible backpack. It’s great traveling lighter and being able to carry it on the plane and just toss it in the overhead. I spend months at a time in Southeast and South Asia with only that one 35 liter bag. No waiting at carousels and worrying about it going missing or being mishandled. I feel better not being over loaded down with stuff, not paying baggage fees. Becoming a minimalist one bag, carry on traveler takes adjusting, but is so much more freeing and enjoyable.

You should also start backing up the data you store on your device(s). If you don’t know where to start, you’ll want to dig into our guides covering iCloud backups and iTunes backups. Data loss issues are pretty rare, but there’s always a chance something gets lost in the shuffle as you transition to a new version of iOS.

Hi. Just wanted to leave some information on my trip that I just returned from. I used the Osprey Porter 30. Carry On bag only. I had one connection both ways of the trip. My trip was for three days, and I had no issues fitting what I needed in the bag and I was able to fit it under the seat in front of mine, even on the smaller planes. I stowed away the straps to do it, and it worked out great. One of the best travel investments I made. It also wasn’t uncomfortable walking through the terminals to my connections. I highly recommend the Osprey Porter 30 for shorter trips as a carry on bag. I love it.

Amazing! This makes traveling easier.

Thanks for the recommendations. I really like Osprey and was going to get the Farpoint 40, which because of you and others I know, is said to be an excellent carry on bag. That said, I opted for the Osprey Porter 30 because I need a bag that will ALWAYS be carry on size, no matter what airline I am flying on. I usually only need a bag to get me by for a few days and I am pretty good at packing what I need. This bag looks small on the outside, but it is bigger than it looks. I have no problem packing everything I need. I won’t be hiking, camping, or anything like that. Just needed a carry on bag. I may attach an Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack to it, but I really don’t need to.

I travel one bag, carry on also. So many great bags out there. Used to travel with a 45 liter convertible backpack, but was made to check it too often. So I bought the 35 liter Minaal 2.0 with zip away backpack strap. Can carry it like a duffle bag when I want. I’ve always been able to carry on my Minaal. Never had to check it. Love being a one bag, carry on traveler. Even when going for months, I only take my Minaal 2.0. It’s so freeing not taking so much stuff. I can’t believe the travelers I see with huge 70 – 120 liter expedition backpacks on their back, a second, smaller backpack on their front. Why ? We call them “Turtle Backpackers” Some of them with all that stuff also pulling a big wheelie suitcase. Unbelievable! That can’t be a comfortable way to travel. Impossible. I just toss my little 35 liter backpack on…and gone. For months at a time. Have safe flights and happy travels.

Good content with great pieces of information on traveling bags with so much variety.

Hi Will! Do you have any thoughts or experience with the Osprey Talon 44 as a travel pack in comparison to the osprey packs you mention?

I plan to travel for 1-3 months, fairly light, so I’m hopeful I can use it as a carryon in some cases. I know I want to to some hiking so a travel-specific pack is a no-go for me.

Thanks for the great guide and your awesome website!

Thank you for the very detailed guide and for your recommendation. I’ve had an Osprey backpack for several years, but I am looking to upgrade to something new and I am browsing opinions from experienced backpackers. To be honest, Nomatic was not on my short list, I was looking at Tortuga and Osprey again, but after your strong recommendation, I may have to take it seriously into account. Keep up the good work.

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Not a fan of the Osprey Ozone. It was weird, I expected to love it- my Osprey Vector 22 (a model they don’t make anymore, sadly) is an almost-perfect carry-on rollaboard type of bag.

But the T-handle is a pain in the ass if the bag rocks or a wheel catches just a bit- it twists too easily in your hand and you can’t steady it while walking. I live in Spain and travel Europe, and so there’s lots of cobblestones, and the Ozone wasn’t great there.

The frame is also a little bit weird. Their guarantee is excellent, which is good because the way the bag attaches *to* that bottom frame is with fabric straps and they’re going to get beat up and break.

Just all in all, wasn’t a fan, and I normally love Osprey stuff. I wish they’d bring the Vector back.

That’s why I like my 35 litre Minaal 2.0 backpack.. which I can also carry like a duffle if I wish just by zipping the backpack straps behind their panel. I don’t have to worry about handles and wheels, sand, mud, stairs, cobblestones. It’s going with me again this year back to southeast Asia. Traveling for much longer than the two months I did last time. Just pick up and go…. carry on… no checking baggage or waiting at carousels. It’s the only bag I take.. whether going for two weeks… or for a year or more.. 67 years old now.. 35 litre backpack… get up and go….

I am very thankful to you as your article has given me lots of ideas. I enjoyed a lot by reading this post. Thanks for sharing your blog.- staff providing agency in bangalore

I’m surprised you didn’t include the Minaal 2.0 in your reviews.. I’ve had a Tortuga bag and an M.E.I Voyageur….. both good bags..Both 45 liters. (They’ve been making the Voyageur since the early 1980’s..with a few tiny improvements over the years. Nothing says “Great Product” like longevity in production). But in early 2017 after a lot of research and comparisons, I bought the Minaal 2.0 …a 35 liter convertible backpack. I was made to check my Tortuga and Voyageur on many flights… but during a two month trip to Cambodia and Thailand in 2017… I was always able to carry it on and toss it in the overhead. Its clean lines and grey color with minimalized Minaal logo keep it from sticking out in the crowd.. discrete. Small… pick up and go.. Hide away backpack straps, rain cover in its own little hidden pocket, I like to use a single strap and carry it like a duffle at times.. Only using the backpack straps and hip belt if I do a long hike across a city… You might like to check out the Minaal 2.0

Your guide is phenomenal. I was looking to buy a Best Camera Backpack for my tactical gear trip and happy that I read your review! Love your other travel articles as well.

It is a very advantageous post for me. I’ve enjoyed reading the blog. It is very supportive and useful information. I would like to visit the post once more its valuable content. Thanks for such post and please keep it up.

Thanks for such a comprehensive post about travel backpacks, Will! Love how you managed to incorporate the important features of each backpack, the pros and cons, as well as links on where we can buy them. Thanks for also providing additional links on your detailed reviews for each product

thank you for share this blog with us. I also like travelling and also like hyking on mountains.

Hi Will, I’m a very tall girl 5’10 and travelling SE Asia for a few months next year. I used a bag with detachable dayback while in Australia and loved it. I noticed the Fairpoint doesn’t have an adjustable back system. Which would you recommend?

Hmmm… tough for me to recommend as you’re taller than me! 😛 I recommend going into a shop for this and testing a bunch out to find one that works for you.

Thanks for such a comprehensive post about travel backpacks, Will! Love how you managed to incorporate the important features of each backpack, the pros and cons, as well as links on where we can buy them. Thanks for also providing additional links on your detailed reviews for each product. It saves us time and headache when looking for the best travel backpack for us. Kudos!

I’m planning on travelling from Australia to Asia, and then on to Europe with total travel time of 9 months (potentially staying on to work). Would you recommend getting something bigger than the womens Osprey 55?

Love your website – it’s filled with really great and helpful information!!

Cheers, Ash

Hey Ash! Hmmmm… it really depends on how much stuff you need, and also how tall you are… but personally I would stick to 55 as the max size, if you have something bigger then you WILL fill the space, and you’ll have a real heavy pack!

Hi Will, How does a laptop fit into these travels bags? Im deciding between a 50l deuter bag and a 60l osprey. I think the 50l is enough for me right now but i think i will travel to some colder places in the future and may appreciate the larger size. However, i need to travel with my laptop as well. I dont want to check my laptop in with the checked backpack. Do you think carrying a smaller normal backpack just for my computer would be reasonable?

If you want to travel with a laptop in your main pack, I would honestly consider picking up a pack specifically designed for this, have a read of this post – https://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/best-laptop-backpacks-for-travel/

A vote for the Farpoint here, I ‘ve bought two others since I first bought that and gone back to it each time.. so much better build quality and just so comfortable to carry.

Great review. Thanks. I’m torn between the Nomatic Travel Bag and the Osprey Farpoint 40. I’m going to be island hopping and diving in the Philippines, so it looks like I will be getting the obligatory ‘back sweat’ from wearing backpacks.. Is the Nomatic comfy? I see you have to purchase the hip straps separately and they are detachable, which leads me to believe thay won’t be particularly comfy or robust. Plus the price is probably swing it in favour of the Farpoint 40.. although I wish they did it in more colours.. I really like the green (that they only appear to do in the women’s version ‘Fairview’. Keep up the good work.

I personally think the Farpoint is the better pack…

hi will I am looking at the osprey farpoint 70-80 litres, I am going travelling for 6 weeks, I do however have a wedding to attend so I have 2 extra outfits plus 1 extra pair of shoes, It will be summer so not worried about a load of clothes, I love backpack so the travel backpack with the zip all the way around looks great, any suggestions?oh I am 5ft 5in, 68kilos medium build, & have always carried a backpack, oh yeah I do not need a day pack attached, thanks?

The Farpoint is a great pack, assuming you don’t plan on hiking and if you pick up the 70 litre Farpoint, you’ll have plenty of space for sure!

Finally – a comprehensive list of the best backpacks for travellers. I think you’ve persuaded me to pick up the Osprey Ozone. Firstly it looks beautiful but also 46 Litres is the perfect size for me. Thanks for the advice Will!

Happy to help – The Ozone is an epic backpack!

Thanks for sharing. Some great idea’s for backpacks. Love the detail you go into. Makes choosing a new backpack so much easier.

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The Best Travel Backpacks of 2024

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 14 Best Carry-on Backpacks of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

These spacious and comfortable carry-on backpacks can easily replace a suitcase.

In This Article

Jump to a Section

• Our top picks
• Others We Liked

Our Testing Process

• Tips For Buying
• Why Trust T+L

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Travel + Leisure/Joy Kim

Skip the stress of checking in a bag or lugging a traditional carry-on suitcase around an airport by adding a carry-on backpack to your travel gear. Practical, functional, and hassle-free, a carry-on backpack can fit up to a week’s worth of clothes, depending on your wardrobe and packing prowess. Whether you’re backpacking through Europe or embarking on a weekend getaway, this style helps make your trip as efficient and enjoyable as possible.

We tested dozens of carry-on backpacks and evaluated them based on traits like capacity, comfort, durability, and design. First, we tested the backpacks in our New York City lab and utilized our airplane set complete with row of real plane seats and overhead storage bins. We then took them out into the world for six months to further test each bag on a variety of trips. From rugged to sleek styles, we tested plenty of carry-on backpacks ranging in design and size that impressed us.

Best Overall

Cotopaxi allpa 35l travel pack.

• Capacity 5 /5
• Design 5 /5
• Durability 5 /5
• Comfort 5 /5

The backpack has an unstructured style that makes it easy to pack clothing and accessories, plus a plethora of thoughtful features catered to frequent travelers.

There isn’t a designated water bottle holder.

Salt Lake City-based outdoor gear brand Cotopaxi builds brightly colored clothing and accessories to last. The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack earned our top pick as the best carry-on backpack with its perfect performance in all categories of our testing. We loved its high capacity and thought the unstructured style was ideal for wedging clothes into every corner, maximizing packing space in the clamshell-style compartments. The shell is made of a TPU-coated 1000D polyester with a rubbery feel, and although it feels resistant to liquids, the backpack comes with a rain cover to ensure that your belongings stay dry while traveling. Handles on all four sides of the backpack make it easy to carry and lift into an overhead bin from any angle. The only downside to the bag is that it doesn't have a water bottle holder on the sides, so you'll have to carry one or try to fit it in the top pocket in the front.

We think this durable Cotopaxi bag will remain in excellent condition no matter how many times it hits the road, as it was not damaged at all after we repeatedly tossed it onto the ground. The rubber texture also seemed easy to clean and resistant to liquid spills. After six months of regularly using the bag, we found that it's the perfect size for long weekend trips and helps keep all of our items organized and easy to access. Both stylish and functional, this backpack can even be made one-of-a-kind by choosing the surprise colors option when purchased through Cotopaxi’s website.

The Details: 35 liters | 20 x 12 x 8 inches | 3.8 pounds | TPU-coated 1000D polyester, nylon | Padded laptop sleeve

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Travel + leisure / Jhett Thompson

Best Convertible

Away f.a.r. convertible backpack 45l.

• Design 4.5 /5

We love how comfortable it is on your shoulders and back thanks to the soft materials and cushioned shoulder straps.

At nearly 22 inches tall, this pack may be too long for those with shorter torsos.

You'll be surprised by just how spacious this backpack is. The main compartment opens up like a clam shell for easy access to items that allowed us to fit an entire four-day packing list with ease — plus a few extra items. There are multiple large compartments, compression straps, and a few pockets in this backpack that are ideal for organizing clothes, gear, and accessories. While the 45-liter backpack can grow heavy when completely filled, the padded shoulder straps are supportive and keep you comfortable when walking for long periods of time. Plus, the convenient duffel handles allow you to switch up your carrying style if you do grow fatigued.

This backpack also sports a well-padded laptop sleeve that protected our testing laptop when we threw the fully packed bag off a counter three times. There was also no sign of rips, scuffs, or tears in the bag's fabric after our tests. This water- and abrasion-resistant backpack would be perfect for avid travels who are looking for a sleek backpack to take them from city explorations to camping adventures.

The Details: 45 liters | 21.7 x 13.6 x 9.5 inches | 3.32 pounds | Water-resistant

Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

Best Budget

Asenlin 40l travel backpack.

It’s spacious and comes with three packing cubes to stay organized while traveling. 

After six months of use, the bag is scuffed up with noticeable scratches.

Perfect for travelers on a budget, the Asenlin 40L Travel Backpack impressed us with its packing features and comfortable fit. We thought the bag provided excellent organization thanks to the interior and exterior compression that provided extra room for packing. The backpack comes with three different packing cubes in small, medium, and large. We also like that this backpack includes both a suitcase strap and a handle to hold it horizontally. The backpack itself also features straps inside and a laptop sleeve to easily hold down items and pack electronics.

The design didn’t blow us away like those from some of the more costly brands, but it does have a laptop sleeve and a water bottle holder. We also liked the flexibility of being able to wear the Asenlin as a backpack, hold it like a briefcase, or use the trolley sleeve to slide it onto a roller suitcase’s handle. However, a bigger adjustment range for the chest strap would have been ideal. During our durability tests, the backpack didn’t scuff or show signs of damage. We think this budget pick is well worth the low price for those looking to get a durable, comfortable, and spacious carry-on backpack. 

The Details: 40 liters | 18.5 x 12.5 x 9.5 inches | 2.7 pounds | Polyester | 17-inch laptop pocket

Best Traditional

Samsonite silhouette 17 backpack.

• Design 4 /5
• Durability 4 /5

Thanks to its clamshell design, it’s like a suitcase without wheels.

Some of the straps weren’t intuitive to use.

The Samsonite Silhouette 17 Backpack is ideal for travelers who like the structure and sleek, minimalist style of a traditional suitcase but want the portability of a backpack. We love that this bag opens like a suitcase, making it easy to access everything inside. There was plenty of space leftover after packing the backpack, and the classic clamshell opening allowed for easy access to items in the compression-strapped main compartment and the zippered pockets on the inside of the front flap. All of the interior and exterior pockets, including the water bottle holder and padded laptop sleeve, are useful for traveling. You can convert the backpack to wear as a duffel bag or a briefcase, and it has a rear strap to place on a rolling suitcase if desired. The straps were easy to adjust, and it felt like the weight was nicely distributed thanks to the structured style of the backpack. There was a small scuff on the bag after we tossed it on the floor during our durability tests, but the contents of the backpack remained unharmed. When flying with the bag during our six-month testing period, we found that it easily fits in airplane overhead bins and under the seat. Overall, it’s a backpack with the features of a well-compartmentalized suitcase and much more.

The Details: 13 x 20.5 x 10.5 inches | 3.31 pounds | Polyester, recyclex | Padded laptop pocket | Convertible straps

Best for Photographers

Peak design travel backpack 45l.

• Value 4.5 /5

You can access the main compartment on the bag from four different exterior zippers.

This is one of the most expensive backpack on our list.

This 45-liter backpack has a main compartment that is spacious enough to fit clothes for at least four days, and its expansive design is helpful for packing bulky items like jackets and shoes. Placing the clothes and shoes into the bag during testing was efficient and simple thanks to a removable divider sleeve and compression straps to hold everything down securely. Designed with photographers in mind, this backpack functions similarly to a camera bag . It can fit camera cubes, and it has four points of entry to the main compartment, allowing travelers to quickly grab clothes or accessories without unzipping the backpack. There is a padded laptop sleeve and stretchy side pockets for water bottles or a camera tripod. 

Peak Design didn’t let any space go to waste on its backpack, so even the hip belt has a small pocket on it for storage and can be packed away when you’re not looking for extra support. It’s also easy to adjust all of the straps to prevent weight imbalances and pinching. Made of weatherproof and water-resistant recycled nylon, the bag held up perfectly after we tossed it on the ground, showing no signs of scuffs or damage — exactly what you want in a durable backpack . Although the price of this bag is steep, it comes with plenty of helpful features for travelers, and the stellar performance leads us to believe that it would last a long time. 

  The Details: 45 liters | 13 x 22 x 9.5 inches | 4.8 pounds | Nylon, polyester | Laptop sleeve | Expandable

Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph

Best Compression

Tropicfeel shell backpack.

• Comfort 4 /5

It can be converted from 40 liters for traveling to 22 liters to use as a daypack. 

The handle on the top of the bag wasn’t as comfortable to hold onto as we hoped. 

We love this backpack’s thoughtful features geared toward all types of travelers. The Tropicfeel Shell Backpack has the ability to store up to 42 liters worth of clothing for a weekend or week-long trip, but you can also use it as a 20-liter backpack for day trips, sightseeing, and everyday use. After regularly using the bag for six months, we found it to be incredibly sturdy and durable. We had no issues fitting our full packing list and found that there was plenty more room thanks to the variety of buckled straps that allow you to adjust the size of the bag. You can loosen the front buckle to allow the roll-up opening flap to expand to fit more items, and there is a kangaroo pouch at the bottom of the backpack that provides an additional six liters of space for shoes or other items you want to keep separate. There’s also a padded compartment in the back of the backpack that can fit laptops up to 17 inches long. We thought the backpack was comfortable to wear after adjusting the shoulder and waist straps, but we found that it might take some effort to get the buckles into your desired setting. 

The Shell Backpack didn’t show any signs of damage throughout testing, and the material is weather-proof. For travelers looking to add upgrades to their backpack, the brand has an organization system and accessory pouches that you can add on for additional fees. If you need an all-in-one backpack, we think this backpack’s versatility makes it well worth the higher cost. 

The Details: 20-42 liters | 12 x 20 x 7.5 inches

Best Organization

Topo designs global travel bag 30l.

Topo Designs

• Capacity 4 /5

There are tons of pockets and a laptop compartment to help you organize your belongings.

After six months of use, we noticed the bag can feel quite heavy if packed full.

Packing for a trip can often feel tedious, but the Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L helps make it easy and efficient. We loved how convenient it is to store a laptop up to 15 inches in the padded compartment in the back of the bag, and there are two front pockets for easy access to a tablet or phone charger. There are a ton of compartments and pockets that offer plenty of options for staying organized with small or loose items in the absence of packing cubes, with places to stash cords, travel documents, electronics, water bottles, and more.

The adjustable shoulder straps and straps that go across the chest and waist help evenly distribute the backpack's weight, making it more comfortable to carry around, although we noticed during our long-term testing that the bag can still feel heavy if you pack it completely full. The 100 percent recycled nylon material felt durable and would likely stay in good condition over time. 

The Details: 30 liters | 12.5 x 20 x 7 inches

Best Customizable

Roam the continental.

• Capacity 4.5 /5
• Comfort 4.8 /5

You can choose from four colors to customize the shade of the front, back, sides, and straps of the backpack. 

The laptop sleeve isn’t padded.

Customized luggage can be hard to come by, but Roam’s The Continental backpack makes it easier than ever to build the carry-on backpack of your dreams. The front, back, sides, and straps of the bag can be red, green, black, or blue, or you can keep the backpack all one color for a monochromatic look. We were a bit worried about the light colors when we first got our hands on this bag, but after four months of traveling, is has no signs of wear and tear, there are no stains or loose threads, and everything is still in good shape. We were also impressed by the exterior pockets to stash headphones, snacks, chargers, water bottles, or anything else you could need whether lounging in the airport or mid-flight. The bag is made with a lightweight, water-repellent fabric and YKK zippers so it easily handles temperamental weather while traveling. Spacious and easy to access, the front flap opens wide so packing the bag with clothes and shoes was a breeze, too. The laptop pocket in the back could easily fit a 17-inch device, but it isn’t padded, so you may want to store your computer in a case to be on the safe side. 

The Details: 26 liters | 17.75 x 14 x 8 inches | 2.4 pounds | Water-repellent fabric | Laptop pocket

Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao

Best Expandable

Nomatic travel pack.

• Capacity 4.8 /5
• Comfort 4.5 /5
• Durability 4.5 /5
• Value 4.8 /5

The expandable zippers add an extra 3.5 inches of space which increases the capacity to 30 liters.

Some of the pockets feel unnecessary.

The Nomatic Travel Pack is the ultimate versatile carry-on backpack thanks to its expandable zippers that add an extra 10 liters of space. Ideal for an overnight trip or a long weekend getaway, the bag has a variety of pockets and compartments to efficiently organize shoes, clothes, accessories, and technology. While the number of pockets on the interior was a bit overwhelming at first, travelers who like to be extra organized will appreciate the designated padded laptop sleeve, sunglasses case, discrete passport pocket, and plethora of slip and zippered pockets in the main compartment. The handles and padded shoulder straps are comfortable for carrying the bag, and the small-to-medium size of the backpack makes it super comfortable to carry since it doesn’t feel bulky or heavy. We used this bag on a variety of international trips throughout four months of testing, and it still looks new, despite rough handling and being shoved under airplane seats.

The Details: 20 liters (expands to 30 liters) | 18.5 x 12 x 6-9.5 inches | 4.16 pounds | 16-inch laptop pocket

• Travel + Leisure/Jessica Juliao

Matein Travel Backpack

• Durability 4.3 /5

It has several compartments for keeping clothing, shoes, tech, and accessories organized.

The materials feel a little lower in quality than other backpacks we tried.

If you’re not ready to invest in a pricier carry-on backpack, you can always dip your toes with this functional and spacious one for under $60. This 40-liter backpack has one large main compartment that can fit several tops, bottoms, and a toiletry case without any issues. We particularly love the separate footwear compartment to prevent the bottom of your shoes from coming into contact with clean clothes and that storage can even fit pairs up to size 12. In addition, there is a laptop pocket and a large front pocket with spots to put items like phone chargers, headphones, and other small accessories that could get lost easily. Compared to the pricier bags we tried, this one feels a bit lower in quality, but none of the nylon fabric tore and scuffed during our durability tests, so we still think this bag has a good lifespan ahead of it. 

The Details: 40 liters | 20 x 13 x 8 inches | 2 pounds | Water-repellent nylon

Best for Hiking

Kühl eskape 25.

The 25-liter capacity makes this backpack versatile for an airplane or the great outdoors.

It takes some adjustments to get it to fit comfortably on the back.

This rugged carry-on backpack from Kühl is the perfect option for travelers embarking on an outdoor adventure. The smaller size of this bag is its greatest strength since it can easily fit enough clothes for a weekend trip, or you can use it as an adventure pack for day hikes or camping trips. There are a variety of thoughtful features for hikers including a stowaway hip belt for extra support while trekking, load-lifting shoulder straps, and the bag is made with durable TPU-laminated nylon. Plus, the chest strap slides up and down the shoulder straps so travelers can get the most comfortable fit for their upper body. We found that it takes some extra effort to adjust all of the straps for the right fit, but once you do, the bag is comfortable to carry for long periods of time. For even more versatility, the bag has a padded laptop pocket and a variety of other small and large zippered pockets to stay organized if you’re commuting or traveling for work. 

The Details: 25 liters | 20.5 x 9.5 x 12.5 inches | Waterproof nylon | 17-inch laptop pocket

Best Waterproof

Tortuga travel backpack.

This bag is basically a suitcase without wheels thanks to its large capacity and clamshell-style opening.

The bag can feel a bit heavy to carry when it’s fully packed.

If you’re traveling somewhere with a rainy climate, you’ll want a carry-on backpack like this one from Tortuga that can ward off the elements. It’s made with the brand’s 100 percent recycled and waterproof Shell200 or “sailcloth” material to protect your belongings and prevent bad weather from putting a serious damper on your trip. During a rainy overnight camping trip, the Tortuga Travel Backpack essentially sat in a puddle for hours, yet none of our gear or clothing inside got wet at all, and the bag was easy to clean with just a wet cloth.

This is a seriously spacious bag at 40 liters, so we found that you can seamlessly fit a week’s worth of clothing (or more) between the two clamshell compartments. Because of the split style of the bag, packing it up is hassle-free since it’s easy to see exactly how much space is left on each side. And if you run out of space in the main compartments, there are top, front, and side exterior pockets to store a laptop, accessories, water bottles, and more items that you’ll want to have handy while traveling.

The Details: 40 liters | 21.7 x 13.8 x 7.9 inches | 4.5 pounds | Waterproof sailcloth | 16-inch laptop pocket

Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox

Everlane ReNew Transit Backpack

This lightweight backpack has a sleek and contemporary design that comes in several earthy colors.  

It has a smaller capacity than many backpacks and can only fit a day or two of clothes.

If you’re looking to travel in style, Everlane’s The ReNew Transit Backpack is the perfect fit. Functional and contemporary, we found it to be best suited for weekend trips because of its smaller capacity. The bag fit all of the packing items during testing, but it would be difficult to fit much more in the main compartment. The ReNew Transit was comfortable to wear thanks to its lightweight polyester material and compact build. The front flap of the backpack has an external pocket for smaller items, and it folds over to attach magnetically to the front of the backpack. During our durability tests, the front magnets stayed securely together, and the body of the backpack didn’t get crushed or damaged. We liked how it can fit under an airplane seat, making it a versatile backpack for traveling with or without other pieces of luggage. There is a laptop sleeve in the back of the bag as well as a water bottle holder on the side and a front zippered pocket below the folding magnetic lock. With four earthy tones to choose from, this is a bag to fit all travel style preferences. 

The Details: 27 liters | 12 x 17.5 x 7.25 inches

Best for Foot Travel

Osprey fairview 40.

The compartments and various straps made packing effortless. 

It’s a large bag, but it wasn’t so heavy that it was uncomfortable to wear.

For travelers journeying on foot, the Osprey Fairview wowed us with its spacious interior and comfortable fit. The straps for walking longer distances are really the best part — making your bag feel like you're carrying less since the weight is so well distributed. The bags have the same storage capacity and general style, but Osprey’s women’s backpacks are designed to fit a smaller torso with waist and chest harnesses that sit upward and outward for a more comfortable carry. In testing, the main compartment and mesh zippered pouch on the front flap proved to be spacious. There are two internal compression straps and one external strap that kept belongings secure through our rough handling, so we think the bag would provide sufficient protection if you do need to check it in for a flight. 

We appreciated the padded shoulder straps and back that made wearing the backpack comfortable, despite the weight of its contents. The Osprey Fairview bags have an internal suspension the brand calls “LightWire” that distributes the weight from the harness to the hip belt, and our shoulders didn’t hurt after carrying the backpack since most of the weight shifted to the lower body.

The Details: 40 liters | 22 x 14 x 9 inches

Travel + Leisure /Jhett Thompson

Other Carry-on Backpacks We Liked

While we tested plenty of high-scoring carry-on backpacks, there were some that almost made our list but didn’t quite make the cut due to several weaknesses revealed during testing. 

Bellroy Transit Backpack Plus : We loved the adjustable sternum and waist straps that you can tuck into the bag when not in use, but we think there are better bags out there for a fraction of the price. 

AmazonBasics Carry-on Travel Backpack : It had plenty of compartments for staying organized and the material felt durable, but there weren’t any standout features that made it a must-have backpack. 

Vancropak Carry-on Backpack, Extra Large 40L : This backpack fits all of the packing items, and it even fits under an airplane seat, but our budget pick performed slightly better and it costs less. 

On two separate occasions, we tested carry-on backpacks in our New York City lab to make sure we were creating this list with the best options from trusted luggage brands. For our latest tests, we built a specially designed airplane set that includes a row of real airplane seats and an overhead storage bin. To date, we've put over 34 carry-on backpacks through a series of trials that compared capacity, design, comfort, durability, and overall value. After completing our in-house testing, we sent the backpacks out with our Travel + Leisure editors to give us insight on how they fared during real-world travel. We have been updating this article with long-term testing insights as soon as they become available. 

To test for capacity, we began by packing the bags with three shirts, two pairs of pants, one jacket, one pair of shoes, and a toiletry bag. We noted if any space was leftover as well as how functional the compartments were for organizing the contents packed. We evaluated the overall design of the bags by paying attention to how they fold out, how well the zippers and buckles work, and the functionality of each pocket or compartment. 

Next, we put on the backpacks and walked around for 10 minutes to rate comfortability. The highest scoring backpacks were exceptionally enjoyable to wear with the weight evenly distributed on the shoulders or hips.

Then, we threw the backpacks a few feet or off a countertop to test for durability. The highest-rated bags had no scuffs or tears after rough handling, and the packed items inside remained unharmed as well. 

Our testers had no previous knowledge of the cost of each backpack until after testing was completed. This allowed us to give an unbiased rating of overall values, where the top bags were determined to be fairly priced based on a high-quality performance, especially for the pricier bags. After our lab tests, the backpacks were sent out for real-world testing for up to six months.

Tips for Buying a Carry-on Backpack

Consider under-the-seat versus carry-on bags.

Not all carry-on backpacks will fit under the seat of an airplane, but if that’s your intended use, we recommend checking an airline’s underseat dimensions before heading to the airport. Similarly, with a carry-on backpack for the overhead bin, you’ll want to double-check the airline’s carry-on size restrictions to avoid paying unwanted fees if the bag is stuffed full of clothes. 

Keep in mind what the bag will be used for

For those traveling by foot, a smaller, lightweight backpack would be better for portability and comfort. For those traveling by air, a compression bag or backpack that has plentiful organization could be a better choice so you get the most out of the limited airline baggage space.

During our test, we packed three shirts, two pants, one jacket, one pair of shoes, and a toiletry bag into each bag and often had extra space for more clothes. Many backpacks come with a laptop compartment , but you’ll want to make sure that feature is included before purchasing yours.

Carry-on size restrictions vary by airline, and it’s possible for a carry-on backpack to not fit within some limits. Most bags will have a product details section highlighting the dimensions of the backpack. If you’re looking to fit the bag solely under the seat , you should check to make sure the bag fits the dimensions while it’s packed.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Anna Popp is a commerce writer at T+L, where she reviews travel products and writes the majority of the team's "Travel + Leisure Trusted" articles. Anna owns several carry-on backpacks, including the top pick from Cotopaxi, so she combined knowledge of traveling with just a backpack and the thorough lab testing and real-world insights to put together this list of the best carry-on backpacks.

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Best Backpack Reviews from Experienced Backpackers

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Best backpack for international travel in 2023.

Backpacks , February 26, 2023

Finding the best international backpack is crucial before any big adventure. Choosing an international backpack which is the right fit for you can be a tough decision. How do you know which brands are going to last a lifetime of international backpacking, and which will break on your first trip?

To help you prepare for all your future adventures we’re giving you our guide to the best international backpacks on the market in 2019.

What’s the best size backpack for me?   This is the first question you need to ask yourself.

Best Backpacks For International Travel

International travel might mean you’re looking for the best carry on backpack, something small. In this case, you’re looking anywhere between 30L and 45L anything smaller means you’re going to be very tight for space, and bigger won’t work as a carry on backpack for international travel.

However, if you’re taking hold luggage then you can look in the 10L to 30L range for a small backpack for the plane.

If you’re looking for the best international backpack to use as your main luggage you want to look at about 50L to 65L. This will give you enough space for your clothes, shoes and travel essentials.

Anything bigger than 65L is going to be too heavy and is only really designed for hardcore trekking and hiking trips.

If you’re still not sure, our list of the best international backpacks covers various sizes and styles to help you choose the best backpack for you!

Osprey Farpoint 40

Buy on Amazon

If you’re heading on a trip to Europe but don’t want to fork out for hold luggage, then this is the best international backpack! It’s one of the best carry on backpacks for international travel.

It has features designed for comfort like the hip and shoulder straps. It’s great for fitting all your travel essentials and even a laptop.

40L is a perfect size for international carry on luggage without compromising too much on space. For practicality, it has zippable front pockets, a mesh water bottle pocket and it’s very easy to lock. This is a very high-quality backpack, really not bad for its price tag.

Osprey Atmos 65

Opsrey is a huge name when it comes to international backpacking. They’re well known for the quality of their bags which is why you will always find them near the top of any best backpack guide.

This is one of the best international backpacking bags, big enough for those long travels or even camping trips but still a manageable size.

Atmos is a great bag for those organized travelers out there, plenty of pockets and compartments. The back panel is even designed to keep you cool in the heat!

The biggest selling point of this bag has to be comfort provided by the big padded straps and hip belt. So for comfort and versatility on your next international trip, this one is a winner!

Nomatic Travel Bag

The 40L bag is innovative, efficient and well designed, perfect if you can travel light. It began as a Kickstarter campaign and is now used worldwide. Its size means it’s the best backpack for weekends or single week trips, but for any longer, you would need more space.

If you’re going for the digital nomad lifestyle and need your laptop and essentials perfectly organized then this bag is great! This is one of the best minimalist bags on the market and perfect for international travel.

SwissGear Scansmart 1900

If you can’t already tell by the name SwissGear backpacks are reliable, long-lasting and practical. If you have a checklist for the perfect international travel backpack you’re going to hit plenty of points with this one.

Durable, water-resistant, ventilated and comfortable. It’s got plenty of pockets for organization and a TSA compliant laptop compartment. The perfect practical carry on backpack.

Hynes Eagle 38L Weekender

Now if you want to be super organized this weekender backpack is the ticket. Not only do you get a backpack but it comes with 3 packing cubes to help keep all your stuff organized. It’s 38L so a good middle range capacity carry on backpack.

Sick of digging to the bottom of your bag to find your toothbrush? Well now you don’t have to with the Weekender’s nifty design in opens like a suitcase so you can easily sort your belongings.

Ogio Soho Backpack

When you’re traveling so often you need to choose practicality over style. The Ogio Soho backpack is one of the most stylish international carry on backpacks. If you want something with a little more flair then this is a great option.

It can still fit a 15” laptop and works perfectly as a carry on backpack. For those of you who struggle to pack lightly, however, this may not be the best bag for you.

Targus Drifter 2 Backpack

This is another great international business backpack. Padded containers for your valuable tech (it fits up to a 17-inch monitor) and other pockets for your files and essentials.

The padded back also has a secret compartment, great for your keys and money.

Deuter Aircontact lite 50+10

If you’re serious about international backpacking, then you need a bigger bag. This backpack has all the bells and whistles you need for a bag this big to be comfortable: ventilation, weight distribution, padded hip belt, and an ergonomic internal frame.

This is a great all season backpack full of all the pockets and compartments you could want. A great choice for international hold luggage without all the problems of a suitcase.

Vango Contour

Vango is a big name in hiking backpacks and it’s not hard to see why. If you buy a Vango for your next round the world trip, you can bank on it making it there back and on a dozen more long trips without any issues.

It’s durable and waterproof, key components of any good international backpacking bag.

The contour helps to distribute the weight of the bag so anyone can carry it. At 60L it’s great as hold luggage to fit everything you need for a few months away.

Briggs and Riley Verb Advance Backpack

For a combination of fashionable and useful this bag is well worth the price tag. It’s U shaped zip allows for easy access and the durable handles give a comfortable grip. It’s actually just under 30L so for those of you who can’t pack light keep moving.

However, if you want something smaller as your carry on then you can’t go wrong with this one for comfort and organization. It even comes with a lifetime performance warranty which protects against airline damage!

Herschel Little America Backpack

The best international backpack in terms of style has to be from the backpack gurus at Herschel. Of course, the brand comes with the quality assurance that this will be a bag to last.

It’s not just a pretty bag, the back is padded to provide you comfort alongside your style. It’s also available in more colors than you can shake a stick at, so for a fashionable carry on bag pick this one!

Fjallraven Kanken No. 2

Maybe you’ve made it to this point in your life without ever hearing of Fjallraven Kanken, but it’s unlikely. For those of you who haven’t heard of them, Fjallraven Kanken is famous for quality and stylish bags which are definitely on trend right now.

The No.2 model is very similar to their classic bag, with a few fresher details. Necessity meets style in this bag, durable water-resistant material, roomy and fashionable.

This is a great carry on bag for trips within Europe especially when you want to look your best. It’s only a 16L bag so you would want to have luggage in the hold too unless you’re a super pro at packing!

You can use this bag for international travel and continue to use it as your main bag once you’re in country. Double win!

Teton Sports 55L Backpack

For a good size international backpacking bag which fits everything you need, look no further! Teton Sports have a variety of bags but the 65L is a good size for international travel and it can also work for camping and hiking trips.

It’s one of the top-selling internal frame backpacks on Amazon, so they must be doing something right! It’s from a trusted brand who have a great customer service team if you do run into any problems.

High Sierra Pathway 50L

50L is a really good size for international travel. It’s big enough to fit everything you need without being huge and bulky. Anyone can easily manage this bag.

The padded straps and hip belt help to distribute the weight of the bag evenly and keep you as comfortable as possible.

It has an airflow back panel to keep you cool and internal dividers to keep everything organized. The Pathway backpack is a nice middle ground between a smaller carry on backpack and a bigger backpacking bag.

Oakley Kitchen Sink

If you didn’t guess from the name, this backpack aims to let you carry everything you need onto your next international flight. It can carry all your gear without being too huge.

It’s 34l which is on the smaller end of the carry on bags, however, its outer hooks, pockets, and pouches make it a good choice for your carry on luggage without being overly heavy.

Timbuk2 Travel Friendly Backpack

For short business trips or city breaks, this is a great backpack. It works well as a carry on backpack and the design actually allows you to keep your laptop inside when you go through security.

Its sleek design means it also works well moving around in a city and it’s too bulky to take into a meeting. Perfect for those weekends away.

Superdry Montana

The Montana is available in both male and female versions and a variety of styles. It’s a high ranking backpack for style.

It may not match up to some of the others for practicality but for an attractive carry on bag, this one has a very good mid-range price tag.

Montera Vintage Backpack

For the vintage traveler style, you can’t go wrong with the Montera Vintage backpack. It’s practical with extra buckle loops on the outside and a handle so you can even carry it like a briefcase when you need to.

It’s a 33L bag so at the smaller end of the carry-ons but still a great size for your laptop and other essentials.

Barbour Beauly Backpack

Barbour’s beauly backpack is a nice and simple choice for your carry on backpack. It comes with adjustable straps and the classic Barbour tag. If you’re not a minimalist or a big fan of Barbour, then this isn’t the bag for you.

However, for those Barbour fans or anyone wanting a nice and simple bag then this is a great option!

JollyChic Rolling Backpack

Now, this is a very nifty little design. Tired of always carrying your weight on your back? Easily switch between a backpack and a rolling suitcase with this rolling backpack!

Although it may not be the most fashionable of designs it is incredibly useful especially if you’re often carting around heavy things. Make that next trip to the airport a little more comfortable with this bag.

Sumtree 35L Foldable Backpack

If lightweight is at the top of your checklist then you can beat the Sumtree backpack. This is the best international backpack if you need something that takes up minimal space.

It’s a great daypack but it also folds away and is completely packable. Definitely choose this one for a weekend away when you’re tight on space!

So for your next international adventure, you’re now armed with our guide to the best international backpacks on the market for 2019. Whether you’re an organized minimalist or a vibrant hippy backpacker hopefully you’ve found a bag in this list to suit your needs.

Whichever backpack you’ve gone for we hope you have an awesome trip!

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The 12 Best Backpacks for Traveling in 2024

More and more travelers are trading in their oversized “wheely” suitcases for the comfort and convenience of backpacks.

However, not all backpacks are created equal. They come in a dizzying array of sizes, shapes, and styles, from minimalistic bags for city day-trippers to heavy-duty versions for backcountry hiking.

So, which backpack is best for you, your budget, and your  unique travel  needs? Keep reading to discover 12 of the best backpacks for traveling this year.

1. Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag 55L

The Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag 55L is another option with outstanding durability and versatility, making it a top choice for adventurers.

Notable features include rugged weather-resistant construction, reinforced with TPU-film laminate, and durable water-repellent (DWR) coating. This ensures it can withstand even the harshest weather conditions.

Its large 55-liter capacity offers ample space for gear without allowing you to overpack, while multiple carrying options – backpack straps and haul handles – enhance convenience. Additionally, it’s made from recycled materials, which is perfect for the  eco-friendly traveler .

The bag’s hefty price tag might deter budget-conscious buyers; some find the lack of interior organization pockets a drawback. Overall, it’s a high-quality, eco-friendly option for outdoor enthusiasts from another trustworthy brand in the space.

2. Aer Travel Pack 3

The Aer Travel Pack 3 backpack is a popular choice for travel enthusiasts and those with  traveling jobs , offering a blend of exceptional features.

Its best attributes include a sleek minimalist design crafted from durable 1680D Cordura ballistic nylon. The 33-liter capacity offers plenty of space for essentials, with thoughtful pockets and compartments for all your gadgets.

Comfortable and adjustable straps enhance its wearability, while a dedicated shoe compartment helps keep things clean and tidy.

Downsides include its bulkiness when fully packed, which might be inconvenient for some, and premium build quality with a similarly premium price point. Nevertheless, the Aer Travel Pack 3 is a stylish, functional companion for short-term urban travel or anyone seeking a sleek carry-on.

3. Osprey Aether

The Osprey Aether backpack offers exceptional comfort for hikers and travelers alike.

Its adjustable harness and hip belt make it ideal for long treks – or long security lines at the airport – and its internal frame provides excellent load distribution, reducing strain on the back.

Multiple compartments and pockets aid in organization, and the Aether also includes a hydration sleeve for those carrying a water bladder. This backpack is known for its durability with high-quality materials and craftsmanship, and Osprey’s All Mighty Guarantee covers it.

At almost five pounds, its weight may be a drawback for some, as it’s not the lightest option on the list. It’s also relatively expensive compared to other brands. Still, the Aether remains a top choice for avid hikers and travelers seeking a reliable backpack that’s both comfortable and durable.

4. REI Co-op Flash 55 Backpack

The REI Co-op Flash 55 backpack is a versatile and affordable option for budget-conscious travelers.

Standout features include its lightweight design – just three pounds – making it comfortable for extended hikes, the 55-liter capacity that provides ample storage, and numerous pockets for keeping everything organized.

Adjustable shoulder straps and a ventilated back panel offer comfort during long treks. It’s also reasonably priced compared to many competitor options.

Unsurprisingly, for a budget-friendlier backpack, its durability may not match premium brands. Some users also find the frame is less supportive with heavy loads. Despite these drawbacks, the REI Co-op Flash 55 shines as an affordable, lightweight pack that deserves its place on this list of the best  backpacks for travel .

5. Fjällräven Abisko Hike Foldsack

The Fjällräven Abisko Hike Foldsack is a multipurpose, compact daypack for outdoor enthusiasts.

Noteworthy features include its water-resistant G-1000 Eco fabric construction, which ensures longevity and durability. The 15-liter capacity is ideal for day hikes and short urban adventures, with a roll-top closure for easy access and expandability. It’s also super lightweight, making it easier to carry, and the removable foam frame adds support.

However, the smaller size of the foldsack may limit its use for longer trips. Some users may find the minimalist design lacks extra pockets for organization.

Overall, the Fjällräven Abisko Hike Foldsack is a stylish, highly functional daypack for a wide range of  adventures with your friends .

6. Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Southwest Pack

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Southwest Pack is a high-performance ultralight backpack designed for serious adventurers.

Its premier features include a waterproof Dyneema Composite Fabric construction. As the name suggests, this makes it highly durable and weather-resistant while remaining lightweight.

With a 40-liter capacity, this backpack is spacious enough for multi-day trips and includes a roll-top closure for easy access. The minimalistic design and robust materials ensure longevity, while adjustable straps enhance comfort on the road.

The premium price tag may deter budget-conscious buyers, and some may miss additional organizational pockets. Nevertheless, this is another of the best backpacks for travelers seeking something lightweight, durable, and suitable for challenging outdoor expeditions.

7. Cotopaxi Allpa 42L

The highly-rated Cotopaxi Allpa 42L backpack stands out with its versatility and stylish, sustainable design.

Noteworthy features include its recycled polyester fabric with a TPU coating for weather resistance, making it suitable for various outdoor activities. The 42-liter capacity offers a useful amount of space for longer trips. And it boasts a clever selection of compartments, including a padded laptop sleeve.

Its harness system and padded waist belt ensure a pleasant carrying experience. The unique, vibrant color schemes make it easy to spot on the luggage carousel.

Downsides? Some travelers may find it somewhat heavy for a carry-on bag with a relatively high price point. All things considered, the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L impresses with its eco-conscious construction and functional design.

8. Gregory Baltoro 75

The Gregory Baltoro 75 backpack is a rugged, top-tier choice for serious backpacking enthusiasts.

Its best features include an adjustable Response A3 suspension system, which offers unparalleled comfort and load support. Its cavernous 75-liter capacity accommodates extended trips and heavy gear, complemented by numerous pockets and access points for efficient organization.

The backpack’s durability and robust materials ensure longevity, while its integrated rain cover adds weather protection.

Its weight and size may be overkill for some hikers/travelers, and it comes with a heavy price tag. Despite these potential drawbacks, the Gregory Baltoro 75 is a comfortable, feature-rich  backpack for anyone tackling extended trips  or tough outdoor expeditions.

9. Tortuga Travel Backpack 30L

The Tortuga Travel Backpack 30L is a versatile carry-on backpack for urban explorers.

Noteworthy features include a sleek, minimalist design that adheres to airline size restrictions. The 30-liter capacity offers ample space for essentials, with thoughtful organization pockets for tech gadgets and accessories.

It’s comfortable to wear with padded shoulder straps and a ventilated back panel. The backpack’s durable materials ensure longevity, while the hideaway shoulder straps add versatility.

However, the smaller size might not suit longer trips, and the lack of a hip belt could limit comfort for some users with heavier loads. The Tortuga Travel Backpack 30L is a compact, stylish choice for city adventures. Tip: travelers seeking slightly more space could consider the 40-liter version.

10. Osprey Transporter Global Carry-On Travel Backpack

The Osprey Transporter Global Carry-On Travel Backpack is another versatile travel companion with many impressive features.

Its most noteworthy attributes include a durable TPU-coated nylon construction, which offers good weather resistance and longevity. Similarly, the 36-liter capacity adheres to global carry-on size regulations, making it perfect for hassle-free air travel.

The backpack’s comfortable harness system includes a padded hip belt and adjustable shoulder straps for a customized fit. It also offers excellent organization with multiple pockets and a padded laptop sleeve.

The lack of wheels might be a drawback for some travelers, and, like most Osprey packs, it isn’t cheap. This would be a robust, attractive, well-organized, and spacious carry-on for frequent flyers.

11. ULA Circuit Backpack

The ULA Circuit backpack is a favorite among thru-hikers and ultralight backpackers.

Its standout features include a spacious 68-liter capacity, ideal for extended wilderness trips. It also has a comfortable, adjustable suspension system to handle heavy loads.

The rugged Cordura fabric ensures durability, while the numerous external and internal pockets facilitate organization. It has a custom-fit option, allowing buyers to tailor the pack to their needs.

On the downside, its three-pound weight may be considered “heavy” in the ultralight community. Some users also find the lack of frame uncomfortable with heavy loads. Nevertheless, the ULA Circuit is a hardwearing, customizable backpack for anyone serious about long-distance treks.

12. Kelty Redwing Tactical Backpack

The Kelty Redwing Tactile backpack is affordable and versatile for outdoor enthusiasts.

Notable features include a rugged 500D Kodra fabric construction, offering both durability and water resistance. Its 45-liter capacity provides ample space for gear, complete with multiple pockets and organization options.

The U-shaped zipper provides easy access to the main compartment, while the padded shoulder straps and ventilated back panel enhance comfort during extended use.

However, some users may find the tactical aesthetics less appealing for urban settings. And the absence of a dedicated laptop compartment could be another drawback for city travelers. Yet its popularity as a well-built, robust pack is undeniable.

The Best Backpacks for Traveling: Which Will You Choose?

Ultimately, picking the best backpacks for you will depend on where you’re going, what you’re doing, and how long you’ll be there.

As we’ve seen, there are high-quality packs for day-trippers, weekend wanders, long-term travelers, and everybody in between. One of the options on this list is sure to be the perfect traveling backpack for you.

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