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The 14 Best Waterproof Backpacks for Travel [2024]

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Amar Hussain

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The 14 Best Waterproof Backpacks for Travel [2024]

Why Use a Waterproof Backpack?

Size and capacity, carry options, waterproof vs. water-resistant, material and durability, seams and closures, 1. a lightweight daypack for urban adventures, 2. a rugged, waterproof backpack for the wild, 3. a stylish and functional daypack for water-based activities, 4. backpack designed to float on water, 5. minimalist charm paired with impressive waterproof capabilities, 6. a compact backpack that offers impressive protection, 7. best for those looking to keep their valuables on dry land, 8. basic dry bags that really do the job, 9. eco-friendly credentials wrapped up in an impressive backpack, 10. an excellent choice for anyone indulging in wet activities, 11. affordable protection in a great-looking backpack, 12. a great-looking backpack that packs a waterproof punch, 13. travel light with this water-resistant daypack, 14. one for the cyclists, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Your backpack needs to be able to travel the world with you. To do this, it needs to be built to last, and depending on your travel style, it should be waterproof, too. A backpack that can handle adverse weather conditions, as well as the usual bumps and knocks of overseas adventures, is well worth its weight in gold.

Backpacks are a popular choice with the modern-day global explorer, and they offer a highly efficient way to carry your stuff while still being able to keep your hands free. Because you want to explore the world in the most hands-on way possible, you certainly won’t want to be held back by luggage that underperforms when it really matters.

Protect your clothing, your electronics, your laptop, and your other valuables from water damage by choosing a backpack that guarantees protection against the dampest of conditions . From wet days in the city and quick trips on soggy beaches to adventures in mountain blizzards or tropical rainforests, your waterproof backpack will quickly become your new best friend.

Poor weather, accidents around water, or indulging in aquatic activities all come with a risk of a good soaking, for both you and your precious belongings.

An effective waterproof backpack will protect everything in it from water damage, leaks, and spillages . These types of backpacks will also usually be easier to wipe clean and are often made from fabrics that can repel moisture, including the sweat from our bodies, which can disintegrate and damage lesser bags eventually.

Bottom Line: Even if you are planning on staying on dry land in sunny conditions, you could still benefit from a waterproof backpack to protect both your bag and your belongings along the way.

Things To Consider With Waterproof Backpacks

Not all waterproof backpacks offer the same levels of protection. If you want to be certain that your belongings will be safe, consider the following before you commit:

Waterproof bag size

You will need a bag that is big enough to carry all of your stuff, yet small enough to remain lightweight and easy to take anywhere. Most backpacks come in a variety of sizes, and whether you choose a daypack , a weekend backpack, a multi-day backpack, or even a full-size expedition backpack, there are plenty of waterproof backpacks out there to suit your requirements.

As a basic guide, a waterproof backpack comes in the following sizes:

  • Daypacks usually range from 20- to 35-liter capacity and are designed to carry an extra layer of clothing, water, food, and essentials for days out both at home and away.
  • Weekend backpacks range from around 40- to 50-liter capacity and offer you much-needed extra space to stow sleeping bags, toiletries, and extra clothing. These are suitable for a few nights away, or as an addition to your daypack.
  • Multi-day backpacks offer 50- to 70-liters of backpack volume and come with harnesses to help carry the extra weight of enough gear to last you up to a week.
  • Expedition backpacks are heftier, heavier, and designed for full-on adventures. Offering 70- to 95-liter capacity, as well as lots of options for additional storage space, these are perfect for around-the-world adventures.

Bottom Line: Whatever size you choose to use, making sure your backpack is waterproof will protect all of your gear, no matter how much you take or how long you will be traveling. You also might want to take along a waterproof jacket , too.

Rule number 1 when it comes to using a backpack is to never make it too heavy. Lumbar supports, chest straps, and compression systems can help to take the strain off your back, but the heavier the backpack, the harder it is to carry.

You should be able to comfortably carry your bag on your shoulders for a decent amount of time if you want to be able to use it when traveling. Your fully-loaded backpack should not weigh more than about 20% of your body weight , while your day hiking pack should not weigh more than about 10% of your body weight.

Waterproof bag backpack straps

There are lots of different ways to comfortably carry your backpack with you wherever you are headed. Larger backpacks usually offer a combination of ways to carry your gear with you, while smaller ones may only have simple shoulder straps to keep your stuff close on the go.

  • Backpack Straps — The most recognizable of all baggage handles, backpack straps sit across your shoulders and are simply designed to hold the pack against your body
  • Sternum Straps — Designed to help distribute the weight of the backpack and prevent the shoulder straps from sliding off of your arms when moving
  • Shoulder Straps — Not to be confused with backpack straps, despite them both being carried on the shoulder, this long, single strap is used to carry the backpack horizontally (think gym bags and shopping totes) and is useful for moving quickly
  • Carry Handles — Vital for quick grabs and careful throwing, when you may need to move your backpack quickly to get it out of the way, throw it into the trunk of a car, or pick it up from the luggage carousel

Waterproof vs water resistant

Many manufacturers may claim that their backpacks will survive the heaviest of downpours when in reality they are simply water-resistant and not fully waterproof. Take caution, as this could mean the difference between wet clothes and a waterlogged laptop, or not.

Waterproof backpacks are usually made of nylon and are coated in silicone, acrylic, or polyurethane to ensure that no water leaks through their layers. Once coated, these bags are designed to keep your gear safe, even when submerged.

Water-resistant backpacks, on the other hand, can offer varying degrees of resistance depending on the individual thread count. They may be able to deal with a bit of drizzle, but plain nylon will not be able to keep your possessions dry if you are caught in a storm or your bag falls into a river.

Bottom Line: Make sure that you choose a backpack that is fully waterproof rather than water-resistant. 

Waterproof bag materials

Waterproof bags can be made from a variety of different materials, but by far the most common is nylon . When nylon fabric has a high thread count, it can be impressively water-resistant on its own, but for guaranteed protection against wet conditions, an additional waterproof coating is often added.

Bags made from PVC vinyl, PVC, or rubber also offer excellent protection against water damage.

Wearing your backpack for long periods can be uncomfortable. Most reputable backpack manufacturers provide various features to help alleviate discomfort for more extended periods of wear. These could include:

  • Adjustable shoulder straps to position the backpack high on your back for maximum comfort; these should also be padded to prevent them from digging into your delicate shoulder area
  • Waist straps or hip belts to distribute the weight load to the hips and help to relieve pressure on the shoulders; these should also be padded and adjustable to ensure the most comfortable fit possible
  • Torso measurements may affect fit more than your height; different makes and brands of backpacks come in various lengths, so have the length of your torso measured before you invest

Waterproof bag color

As waterproof backpacks are far more likely to take a plunge in a body of water than other types of bags would be, they must be easy to see and identify from a distance. While sleek black suitcases may be the trend for business travelers, bright colors are your friend when it comes to more outlandish adventures.

Bottom Line: Opt for greens, reds, yellows, and even neons to ensure that your backpack can always be spotted wherever you may take it. More traditional colors like gray and khaki are almost always available, too, should you wish to go for a more camouflaged appearance on the move.

Waterproof bag handle

Seams and closures are particularly crucial on waterproof backpacks, as you don’t want any water getting in. Most will either offer zipper closures or roll-down closures . Zips can be made watertight by being tucked beneath a waterproof covering, while roll-down closures can be latched and sealed using something like water-resistant Velcro.

Bottom Line: Take care to inspect your potential new rucksack for strong, oversewn seams before purchase. Just as with zips and fastenings, you do not want any water sneaking in through the seams on your next adventure.

The 14 Best Waterproof Backpacks

BEST OVERALL: Piscifun Dry Bag Waterproof, Lightweight Dry Backpack 10L

Piscifun Dry Bag Waterproof, Lightweight Dry Backpack 10L

Whether you’re hiking around a city or in the great outdoors, this is a great daypack that will keep all of your belongings dry, wherever you may be. Made from 500-denier nylon, this 10-liter, roll-top backpack is ultra-tough and features superior waterproofing and durability. It also comes in 20 liters and 30 liters.

Wet and dry compartments let you keep your wet clothes and gear separate from the equipment you want to keep dry. It comes with a waterproof pouch and IPX8 waterproof cell phone case with 100% seal lock.

Perfect for those with a busy active lifestyle, the backpack is superlight at just 1.15 pounds and features shoulder straps that adjust for a custom fit and position.

This is a great entry-level waterproof backpack for travelers and outdoors enthusiasts.

What We Like

  • Comes with waterproof cell phone case

What We Don’t Like

  • Outside pocket isn’t waterproof

UPGRADE PICK: YETI Panga Airtight Submersible Bags

  • YETI Panga Airtight, Waterproof, and Submersible Bags

Designed for extended backcountry stays, water-based adventures, and long weeks in the wild, this backpack is absolutely waterproof and as tough as nails.

Airtight and waterproof, the ergonomic DryHaul Shoulder Straps offer extra carrying comfort, meaning that this is 1 backpack you really can carry for miles. A removable chest strap helps to evenly distribute the weight of your belongings, while the waist belt provides added stability and security on the move.

The thick skin shell is made from high-density nylon and thick TPU laminate, designed to be both puncture and abrasion-resistant. The specially designed Hydrolock zipper helps to keep the water well away from your precious belongings, no matter how ferocious the weather gets.

The straps and accompanying lash points make it easy to haul, and its rugged construction makes it perfect for dragging and hauling on dry land, and even throwing overboard on wetter adventures. There are interior stowaway pockets and sleeves to keep your possessions safe and well-organized.

From the experts who brought you the best coolers on the market comes this rugged backpack, featuring a rigid base and ultra-tough fabrics.

  • Has a removable chest strap for comfortable carrying
  • Could do with some more pockets internally

Oak Creek Canyon Falls 30L Dry Bag Backpack. Premium Waterproof Backpack with Padded Shoulder Straps. PVC Construction. Keep Your...

  • Oak Creek Canyon Falls 30L Dry Bag

Made by a company that specializes in all sorts of outdoor gear, from camping hammocks to tents, it is no surprise that this bag is incredibly adept at keeping your gear dry on the move. Made from high-quality waterproof PVC fabric, this is an excellent bag for those visiting more extreme locations, as it promises to be dust-, sand-, and dirt-proof , too.

Comfortable shoulder straps with plenty of padding and a range of adjustable length settings help to make the backpack comfortable to wear. Mesh panels help the bag to breathe, and the sweatproof design will keep you comfy on dry land.

With a 30-liter capacity, this is a day backpack that can handle the wildest of wet days out and is perfect for adventurers looking to play water sports or explore the great outdoors in adverse weather conditions.

The Oak Creek Canyon Falls 30L Dry Bag has been cleverly designed to maximize the amount of usable space available, even in a daypack. Elastic pockets, a mesh bottle holder, and the roll-top buckle that doubles up as a handle make this so much more than just your average backpack.

Waterproof, roomy, and made of stern stuff, this is an excellent bag for days out and short journeys.

  • Front webbing for stashing or attaching items to
  • Seams are a little weak

Vitchelo 30L Dry Bag

  • Vitchelo 30L Waterproof Dry Bag Backpack

Offering an impressive level of waterproof protection for your gear, this 30-liter daypack is made from vinyl tarpaulin with a sturdy welded seam. It comes complete with a solid roll-top closure system that provides a watertight seal designed to keep your stuff drier for longer.

This smart little backpack is designed to float on the water without causing any damage to your belongings and is light enough to go the distance and compact enough to act as your carry-on bag on your flight. From grocery shopping to canoeing, fishing to paddle boarding, this is a versatile little bag that will stay dry.

With elasticated front webbing and mesh netting pockets on both sides for extra storage, you should easily be able to take everything with you for a day out. The reinforced 1-handed strap will take the weight off of your shoulders, and the padded chest and waist straps help to limit side-to-side movement on the go. The straps are also breathable to allow for better ventilation, preventing sweat from building up where the bag touches your body.

Surf, ski, and even sweat in style with this waterproof dry bag that really packs a punch.

  • Has external water bottle pockets
  • Could do with internal pockets

Skog å Kust Floating Backpack

  • Skog Å Kust BackSak Waterproof Backpacks

Available in a choice of 25- and 35-liter sizes, this sleek, minimalist dry bag is free from loud logos or tacky slogans, and the simple design is just one of its selling points. The BackSak is made from heavy-duty 500-denier PVC that completely repels the elements to keep your gear dry when enjoying outdoor activities.

To ensure that your backpack remains comfortable, no matter what you are doing, this bag comes complete with a sternum clip and padded back support to help relieve pressure on the muscles as you move. The thick, cushioned straps can be adjusted to find a custom fit , and the handy D-rings at the side of the bag hold water bottles and other gear that you need easy access to.

The spacious interior pockets are large enough to keep everything you need in 1 place and the design of the pockets will keep your electronics and other valuables separate from wet towels and swimsuits. There is also a splash-proof outer pocket that will keep your cash, keys, and ID safe and dry no matter what you do.

All in all, a chic-looking backpack that will keep your gear dry while looking sleek and simple.

  • Padded back panel and sternum strap
  • No water bottle pockets

Chaos Ready Dry Bag

Chaos Ready Waterproof Backpack

Small enough to be completely comfortable, yet big enough to handle everything you need for a day out, this waterproof day pack is an excellent choice for literally anyone who wants to keep their gear dry.

The main 22-liter compartment offers protection from a quick submersion , making it useful for water-based activities such as boating, kayaking, canoeing, and even water skiing. The bag can also float on the surface of the water if you need it to. Be careful, though — while this bag offers a good level of protection, the front pocket is not 100% waterproof, so be wary of what you keep in there.

The heavy-duty tarpaulin construction makes it lightweight but incredibly watertight, while the tri-fold roll-up buckle system stops water seeping in. 2 mesh pockets on the side of the backpack are just right for easy access to your water bottle, and the adjustable, padded shoulder straps help you to find the most comfortable way to carry your gear with you.

Waterproof, good-looking, and easy to carry, this is an excellent day pack with impressively watertight credentials.

  • Good customer service if you experience an issue with the bag
  • Bottom of the bag needs some padding or reinforcement

SealLine Skylake 18L Daypack

SealLine Skylake 18-Liter Minimalist Waterproof Dry Daypack

Made from waterproof PVC-free materials, this compact backpack is just as well suited to outdoor adventurers as it is to commuters living in a temperate climate. Transport your stuff in style and keep it dry while not looking out of place in any environment.

The simple, slimline design is based around a large interior compartment that can be used to carry clothes, food, drinks, and anything else you need to access on the move. There are no zippered compartments, though, so bear in mind that delicate electronics or valuable items could bounce around if stashed in the front mesh pocket.

The lightly padded straps make this backpack as comfortable to carry as possible, and the sternum strap will help you to find the right setting to balance your load.

If you are looking to take your basic belongings out and about with you while you ride, walk, run, or hike, this is a great little daypack to consider. Laptop lovers and camera enthusiasts should probably look elsewhere, though, as the sack-like design is not secure.

  • Rolls up small when not being used
  • No interior pockets to stay organized

Marchway Floating Dry Bag

Marchway Floating Waterproof Dry Bag

These fun, funky, and incredibly affordable dry bags are available in 5-, 10-, 20-, 30-, and 40-liter options in a wide variety of colors.

Made from lightweight, ripstop tarpaulin with welded seams, this is a surprisingly waterproof range of backpacks that will protect your belongings from water, snow, mud, and even sand.

Perfect for extreme adventures and water sports, these bags can float on top of the water and will protect your gear from torrential downpours and adverse weather conditions. Be aware, though — these bags are not designed to be watertight in situations where your belongings are fully submerged in the water.

The sack-style design makes these incredibly easy to fill and go. The roll-down top fastening can be rolled and plugged to seal the bag, and the adjustable and removable strap can be adjusted to sling across your body or wear on your shoulders more traditionally.

Midsized yet spacious, these are useful backpacks for almost any occasion.

  • Available in a variety of vibrant colors
  • Rolling the top for waterproofing reduces the internal packing space

FE Active 30L Dry Bag

FE Active – 30L Eco-Friendly Waterproof Dry Bag

This waterproof backpack claims to be one of the most environmentally friendly options on the market and is made from fully certified eco-friendly PVC. The marine-grade PVC tarpaulin has high-frequency welding that helps to create a watertight seal to keep the elements out and your belongings dry.

Perfect for even the most rugged of outdoor activities, the FE Active backpack weighs just under 2 pounds and has an impressive 30-liter capacity, making it a daypack with plenty of room for an extra day, too.

Padded shoulder straps allow the bag to sit comfortably on your shoulders, while the built-in mesh lining creates better airflow to help keep you feeling sweat-free and fresh on the move. On the inside, there is a pouch for your valuables, and on the outside, the mesh pockets will hold a water bottle upright. The external bungee webbing can be used to hold items like yoga mats , camping gear , or extra clothing, and all these extras are what make this bag one of the most impressive for the price.

Surfers, climbers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds will love this practical, yet lightweight backpack that will keep your belongings dry in any conditions.

  • Bungee webbing is useful to attach wet gear
  • Doesn’t have a waist strap to improve comfort when carrying

Earth Pak Waterproof Backpack

Earth Pak Waterproof Backpack

Available in a choice of 35-, 55-, or 85-liter sizes, the East Pak Waterproof Backpack is bright, bold, and brilliant for anyone looking to enjoy real outdoor adventures. Made from 500D PVC, the huge main compartment, with its roll-top closure and single reinforced strip, is designed to protect your gear from getting wet on the go. Side-cinching straps make for a compact profile and the MOLLE system loops on the front of the bag provide anchor points to latch onto while boating, biking, or kayaking.

As well as offering an ergonomic padded back panel, contoured and padded shoulder straps, and a low-profile sternum strap, this backpack also has a heavy-duty waist belt to help you support your load.

The splash-proof large zippered front pocket is perfect for quick and easy access to your most important belongings. The additional mesh pockets and zippered compartments mean you can keep everything organized on dry land or out on the water.

Offering lots of high-end features, this backpack also comes with a waterproof phone case that provides robust protection for large smartphones.

  • Contoured shoulder straps, sternum, and waist strap
  • Front pocket is only splash-proof, not waterproof

IDRYBAG Waterproof Dry Bag

IDrybag Roll Top Dry Bag Backpack

The IDrybag is made from 500D outdoor waterproof fabric and offers guaranteed waterproof protection for your gear on the go. With a vinyl-coated woven polyester exterior and heavy-duty welded and watertight seams, this bag provides extreme durability and maximum protection anywhere you go.

The large main compartment is sealed using a roll-top seal with a woven tape, and a plug buckle to complete the seal. You can also compress the bag to make it smaller by using the strap. The splash-proof zip pocket offers a decent amount of protection for smaller items, but it is not watertight enough to hold anything valuable.

The dry bag can be carried by the handle or over the shoulders like a backpack. Hang it over your bike handles or sling it over your back for hands-free adventures — this little backpack is perfect for water sports and wet adventures.

  • Lots of internal pockets to stash your valuables
  • No back padding for comfortable carrying

Sea to Summit Hydraulic Dry Pack

Sea to Summit Hydraulic Dry Pack

Available in 35-, 65-, 90-, and 120-liter capacities, this water-resistant backpack is an excellent choice for serious outdoor adventurers. Made from 600D, TPU laminated heavy duty waterproof fabric, this is one backpack that is not only waterproof but also looks really impressive. The clever combination of UV-resistant PVC-free fabric and advanced waterproofing also makes it suitable for withstanding frigid temperatures, too.

Designed to be comfortable for long periods, the waist belt supports even the heaviest of loads. For a perfect fit, the sternum straps are height adjustable. The removable harness is easy to get on and off and allows for the attachment of compatible Hydraulic Dry Bags to add even more stowable space.

No matter how hard you work, this waterproof backpack works harder. With an open construction of EVA foam and air mesh, this backpack allows for plenty of airflow and rapid drying even when wet. With a non-wicking TPU roll-top closure, water damage will be kept at bay no matter how hard it rains.

Minimalist looks with high-tech features, the Sea to Summit Hydraulic Dry Pack will keep your gear dry as a bone, everywhere you go.

  • Removable harness for easy transportation in any situation
  • No exterior pockets

Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Pack

Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Day Pack

Made from siliconized CORDURA fabric, this ultra-lightweight and foldable daypack is a real find for those who like to travel light. Fully water-resistant (note that it does not claim to be fully waterproof), it is a good option for rainy days and damp conditions. Complete with its very own tiny stuff sack and carabiner key ring attachment , the Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Day Pack would make a useful addition to your main luggage on your next big adventure.

Double-stitched seams and a high-density PU seam help to keep the wet conditions at bay and the unique double Hypalon roll-top is non-wicking to create a good seal. At 22 liters, this is one of the smallest day packs on our list, but the compression lacing system on the front provides additional secure storage when you need it most.

Although this particular bag is not intended to be used in conditions where it is likely to be fully submerged in water, it is still an effective option for hikes, bike rides, and urban adventures in damp or sweaty conditions.

An ultra-lightweight dry bag that can handle rough weather and keep everything you need safe and dry.

  • Folds up tiny so very easy to transport
  • Tricky to repack in its storage bag

LOCALLION Cycling Backpack Biking Daypack for Outdoor Sports Running Breathable Hydration Pack Men Women 18L

LOCALLION  18L Cycling Backpack

Designed for cycling and other outdoor adventures, the LOCALLION Cycling Backpack is lightweight, comfortable, and convenient. Providing 18 liters of storage in the main compartment, you can use this bag for your daily commute or take it off-road for winter sports and other activities.

Cyclists know better than most just how vital a waterproof backpack can be when you are out and about in all conditions. This bag will keep your precious gear dry and the reflective strips on the backpack straps will make you more visible when cycling on the road.

The padded shoulder straps, chest and sternum straps, and well-ventilated back panel help to keep you comfortable and sweat-free while you cycle, walk, or run.

As well as side pockets for a water bottle or umbrella, this backpack has an interior open pocket for a water bladder system. Stash your helmet in the front net when not in use and all of your other essentials can be easily accommodated in the many storage pockets.

  • Has a water bladder pocket and feed-through hoops for a drinking tube
  • Water may seep through the zippers in heavy rainfall

Wet weather, accidental soakings, and even the occasional submersion need not be anything to worry about anymore. With modern-day synthetic materials offering excellent protection against water damage, both off and on land, your belongings will stay dryer for longer.

Rugged, durable, and extremely protective, a waterproof backpack can be relied upon across all manner of adventures, from canoeing to sailing, skiing to climbing, and just about everything in between.

Make sure you understand the difference between waterproof and water-resistant, though, to ensure that you avoid any nasty surprises.

Looking for even more options in travel backpacks? Check out this guide for the best travel backpacks for men and women .

We’ve got all sorts of reviews on related travel products if you’re interested in perusing additional options!

  • The Best Sling Backpacks for Travel [Men & Women]
  • The Best Travel Weekender Bags for Men & Women
  • The Best Travel Duffel Bags on the Market
  • All Our Best Travel Product Reviews – In One Place

Frequently Asked Questions

Are backpacks waterproof.

Not all backpacks are waterproof, but some can be. A waterproof backpack can usually be submerged without the contents getting wet. Just because a backpack is made with waterproof materials doesn’t mean that the backpack is waterproof. Some backpacks may be merely water-resistant rather than fully waterproof.

What is the best waterproof backpack?

These are some of the top waterproof backpacks available:

  • The Friendly Swede Waterproof Backpack Dry Bag 33L

Do I need a waterproof backpack?

Protect your clothing, your electronics, your laptop, and your other valuables from water damage by choosing a backpack that guarantees protection against the dampest of conditions. From wet days in the city and quick trips on soggy beaches to adventures in mountain blizzards or tropical rainforests, your waterproof backpack will quickly become your new best friend.

What's the difference between waterproof and water-resistant backpacks?

Waterproof backpacks are usually made of nylon and are coated in silicone, acrylic, or polyurethane to ensure that no water leaks through their layers. Once coated, these bags are designed to keep your gear safe even when submerged.

Water-resistant backpacks, on the other hand, can offer varying degrees of resistance depending on the individual thread count. They may be able to deal with a bit of drizzle, but plain nylon will not be able to keep your possessions dry if you are caught in a storm, or your bag falls into a river.

What should I consider when buying a waterproof backpack?

  • Size and capacity
  • Carrying options
  • Waterproof vs. water-resistant
  • Material and durability
  • Seams and closures

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About Amar Hussain

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

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15 Best Waterproof Backpacks of 2024

Are you looking for a waterproof backpack for your next adventure? Check out our list of the 15 best waterproof backpacks currently on the market!

15 Best Waterproof Backpacks of 2024

If you are on the search for the best waterproof backpacks to keep your gear dry on the move, there’s a big difference between the performance of high-quality products and those that cut corners. Many products that claim to be waterproof offer disappointing performance in the real world.

I’ve experienced the frustration of finding my gear soaked in my pack after a rainstorm. It’s not something I want to deal with again.

Whether you’re braving rainstorms on your bike commute or heading out on a packrafting trip, waterproof backpacks are an essential piece of travel gear . A backpack that can withstand adverse weather conditions, as well as general wear and tear, is an investment you will not regret.

Here are my picks for the best waterproof backpacks available.

  • Best Overall Waterproof Backpack: YETI Panga Backpack 28
  • Best Waterproof Backpack for College: Rains Backpack
  • Best Waterproof Laptop Backpack: Mission Workshop Rhake
  • Best Packable Waterproof Backpack: Matador Freerain22
  • Best Women’s Waterproof Backpack: Mammut Ducan Spine 28-35 Women’s Backpack
  • Best Men’s Waterproof Backpack: Timbuk2 Robin Pack
  • Best Lightweight Waterproof Backpack: Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Daypack
  • Best Commuter Waterproof Backpack: Showers Pass Transit Waterproof Backpack
  • Best Waterproof Backpack for Hiking: Mountain Hardwear Scrambler Pack 25
  • Best Waterproof Backpack for Work: Osprey Arcane Roll-Top
  • Best Waterproof Dry Sack: Osprey UltraLight Dry Sack
  • Best Waterproof Daypack: SealLine Urban Dry Daypack
  • Best Waterproof Backpack for Fishing: Simms Dry Creek Z Backpack
  • Best Waterproof Travel Backpack: The North Face Borealis Classic Backpack
  • Best Small Waterproof Backpack: Fjallraven Ulvo 23 Daypack

YETI Panga Backpack 28 : Best Overall Waterproof Backpack

YETI Panga

YETI is well-known for a reason. Their gear doesn’t just work, it works for a lifetime. And this fantastic waterproof backpack is no different. It’s the ultimate fortress for all your gear. Combining the durability of the Panga duffels with a backpack design for comfortable carrying, the Panga Backpack is perfect for any adventure.

With its ultra-strong construction, the Panga Backpack is the ultimate pack for water sports. From rafting to kayak-packing, this bag is built to keep your gear dry.

Unlike many water-resistant backpacks on the market, this true dry bag backpack is designed with waterproof performance as the first priority. The U-Dock and Hydrolok Zipper ensures a completely airtight seal, keeping your belongings bone-dry, no matter the weather. The ThickSkin Shell, made from high-density nylon and thick TPU lamination ensures the bag is puncture and abrasion-resistant.

But, keep in mind that, like other YETI products, they come at a premium. This definitely the best waterproof bag on this list, but it’s not cheap!

  • Pros & Cons
  • Technical Specs
  • Ergonomic, durable DryHaul shoulder straps and removable hip belt and chest strap ensure the backpack is stable and secure throughout your trek
  • ThickSkin shell is able to resist punctures and abrasion
  • HydroLok zipper is extremely effective at sealing out water, ensuring that your valuables remain dry at all times
  • Internal sleeves and mesh pockets keep your valuables secure, dry and organized
  • Only available in one color (Storm Gray)
  • The bag is not the most lightweight option available
  • The bag only comes in one size, which may be considered large by some

Rains Backpack : Best Waterproof Backpack for College

Rains Waterproof Backpack

Rains is a modern lifestyle brand that merges conceptual design with streamlined functionality. Their signature rainwear uses a highly durable polyester fabric bonded to a waterproof polyurethane face, and their bags make use of the same material to offer impressive water resistance.

As a college student, you want a bag that can carry everything you need in style without weighing you down. The best options will be lightweight, simple designs that offer laptop storage and just enough room for a few books.

The Rains Backpack is a chic bag that gives you everything you need for cruising around campus. The waterproof construction is an added bonus for when you have to rush through downpours between classes.

One downside is that the shoulder straps are just made of thin webbing and don’t have any padding. If you’re carrying heavy loads around, this may become uncomfortable over time.

It definitely isn’t cut out for outdoor adventures, but on campus, the Rain Backpack is proof that the best waterproof backpacks don’t have to look like something meant for whitewater rafting.

  • Stylish, minimal design
  • Polyurethane layer won't absorb water
  • Quick access to main compartment
  • Thin shoulder straps
  • Small volume

Mission Workshop Rhake : Best Waterproof Laptop Backpack

Mission Workshop Rhake

Mission Workshop is a San Francisco that is dedicated to building the most durable and functional packs and gear on the market. They build products with bomber materials and construction and back them up with an impressive warranty.

If you commute or travel with a laptop, it’s essential to keep your device protected from impact or water. With other packs, I’ve resorted to stuffing my laptop inside a trash bag when things got wet. The Mission Workshop Rhake is made of fully water-resistant X-Pac material to keep your belongings dry in a downpour.

This durable daypack is heavy at over three pounds, but in return, you get a nearly indestructible pack that is very supportive with comfortable shoulder straps.

This is an expensive bag, but if you are looking for the most protective, durable, and feature-packed water-resistant daypack for carrying your laptop, you can’t go wrong with the Mission Workshop Rhake.

If you want some more options, check out my list of the best laptop backpacks.

  • Extremely durable
  • Tons of organization features
  • Impressive warranty
  • Great waterproof protection
  • Very expensive

Matador Freerain22 : Best Packable Waterproof Backpack

Matador Freerain22

The Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack is part of Matador’s “Advanced Series”. This range of products is designed for the traveler who pushes further, hikes longer, and enjoys the unexpected. It is one of the lightest, most compact weatherproof backpacks around.

The Freerain22 is designed for quick and easy access in variable conditions. It is ultralight, water-resistant, and packs down to fit into your palm.

Thanks to its waterproof UHMWPE-reinforced Robic® nylon, sealed seams, and roll-top closure, this bag’s main compartment is completely waterproof. In addition to keeping your belongings safe, this bag offers plenty of storage, including side pockets to hold your water bottle.

The mesh shoulder straps aren’t padded, so it isn’t great for heavy loads. The adjustable sternum strap, and removable waist straps help improve carrying comfort and keep it secure on your back.

The Matador Freerain22 is a great choice for anyone who needs the best waterproof backpack that can pack into a compact package. It’s hard to believe it packs down so small!

  • Waterproof UHMWPE-reinforced Robic® fabric with sealed seams and sealing zippers for optimal protection from all elements 
  • Adjustable sternum strap and removable waist straps
  • Packs down small for travel
  • 22L capacity doesn't hold a ton, but there is a 28L version available as well 
  • Fabric could be stronger

Mammut Ducan Spine 28-35 Women’s Backpack : Best Women’s Waterproof Backpack

Mammut Ducan Spine

The Mammut Ducan Spine is the perfect hiking backpack for women. The bag is specifically cut for the female frame. It features a suspension system with patented Active Spine Technology designed to support a natural gait.

This pack offers fantastic comfort and fit. The flexible, padded shoulder straps and hip belt conform to your body, and the elastic sternum strap helps you dial in the fit. The air suspension system allows for adequate ventilation, keeping your back sweat-free (at least, as much as possible after hours on the trail).

The Mammut Duncan Spine does a great job with weatherproofing. It uses a fully waterproof material, sealed seams, and a straightforward roll-top design to keep water out. One thing to watch out for is that the lightweight fabric is prone to wear, which would compromise the weatherproofing.

For women who struggle to find waterproof backpacks that fit just right, this lightweight pack may be the perfect solution.

  • Lightweight and tailored specifically to the female anatomy, allowing for optimal comfort
  • Roll top closure creates a tight seal
  • Well-positioned pockets to allow easy access to your gear while walking or hiking.
  • Waterproof rain cover included for added protection in case of downpours
  • Only one size option available - may be too big for some
  • Less durable than other waterproof bags
  • Easy to lose water-resistant performance through wear and tear
  • No front pocket

Timbuk2 Robin Pack : Best Men’s Waterproof Backpack

Timbuk2 Robin Pack

Need a stylish, yet functional, everyday men’s backpack? Then the Timbuk2 Robin Pack is a great option. It’s hic, nimble and designed to withstand even the heaviest of downpours. Most of the best water-resistant backpacks look bulky and utilitarian, but this bag will keep your gear safe in style.

The Timbuk2 Robin Pack features a coated nylon pack body and removable rainfly. This adds an extra layer of weather-proofing in the worst downpours.

The magnetic closure is an awesome innovative feature for men on the go. It makes it super easy to access the inside of the bag.

I found myself wanting a bit more space with this bag, as the internal volume is quite limited. For a compact everyday bag, though, it does a great job.

  • Adjustable magnetic chest strap keeps the bag secure and allows for an even weight distribution
  • Incognito reflective panel illuminates when hit with direct light, allowing for improved visibility 
  • Includes a tuck-away rainfly for extra protection in case of downpours. 
  • Secure magnetic closure
  • More organization pockets would be nice
  • Only one size option available
  • Not good as a hiking backpack

Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Daypack : Best Lightweight Waterproof Backpack

Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Day Backpack

Sea to Summit builds a wide range of high-quality, ultralight products for travel and outdoor adventures. the Ultra-Sil Dry Daypack is an incredibly light packable backpack that’s designed to keep your gear dry on the trail or while traveling.

This compact backpack is made from featherweight but tough 30D siliconized CORDURA fabric and has double-stitched, fully-taped seams. With the roll top enclosure that allows you to completely seal this bag, you can count on it to keep your gear dry in heavy downpours.

Most waterproof bags are bulky and heavy, so they aren’t great for backpacking or other activities where you need to carry your gear for a long time. This quality waterproof backpack is different, tipping the scales at a measly 3.9 oz.

To hit that incredible weight, Sea to Summit cut a few corners when it comes to comfort and features. There is no padding whatsoever, no hip belt, no chest strap, no outside pockets, and very little structure to distribute the weight.

I’m actually okay with this compromise because it was done for a reason. As long as you are using this bag for it’s intended purpose (as an ultralight secondary bag for short excursions), I don’t think you’ll be disappointed

Whether you’re backpacking and need a packable pack for side trips, or want an ultralight daypack for traveling, this waterproof backpack is the ultimate in lightweight water-resistant design.

  • Packs down small
  • Ultra lightweight design
  • Comfortable for such a minimal pack
  • No exterior pockets
  • Not as durable as other waterproof backpacks

Showers Pass Transit Waterproof Backpack : Best Commuter Waterproof Backpack

Chrome Urban Ex Backpack

This tough, chaos-ready waterproof backpack is defined by its protective, durable design and is perfect for cyclists on their daily commutes. Safely store your lunch, books, and gadgets as you travel between destinations, be it home, work, or your local coffee shop. Regardless of your destination, the Chrome Urban Ex Backpack is sure to keep all your belongings secure and dry.

This backpack features 100% waterproof materials and internally welded seams, providing optimal protection in all conditions. For bike commuters (or any commuters) in rainy climates, this is a great option for getting to the office and back without soaking your laptop.

The design is very stripped-back and minimal. With a roll-top closure, a single zipped pocket, and a few loops for attaching lights or accessories, the exterior of this bag is sleek. While it does sacrifice the convenience of having more pockets, it looks really good and performs exceptionally well in wet weather.

Inside, a padded laptop sleeve and compartmentalized organization panel keep your essentials organized.

  • Fully waterproof material
  • Internal welded seams
  • Sleek, streamlined design
  • Padded laptop compartment
  • Only one external pocket
  • Less organization than most backpacks

Mountain Hardwear Scrambler Pack 25 : Best Waterproof Backpack for Hiking

Mountain Hardwear Scrambler Pack 25

Mountain Hardwear makes a wide range of high-performance, technical outdoor gear. They are one of the few mainstream brands that seems to be willing to follow the trends set by smaller “cottage” gear makers in terms of materials and construction.

I’ve been impressed with the design, build quality, and durability of every Mountain Hardwear product I’ve tried, and their waterproof backpacks are no exception.

The Mountain Hardwear Scrambler Pack 25 is a rugged outdoor backpack that encompasses all of the above. Its rugged, 4-layer X-Pac fabric provides optimal protection. No matter the weather, your bag and your belongings inside will be kept safe.

This hiking backpack is durable and light, making it a dependable pack for day hikers, trad climbers, and off-trail scramblers. I do wish this backpack came in a smaller size, as some trails require more mobility which a larger bag does not quite allow for.

  • X-Pac fabric is durable and completely waterproof
  • Dual-density shoulder straps and heavy-duty waist belt offer great support
  • Lightweight framesheet transfers the load off your shoulders
  • Only one color option available 
  • Only one size option available - may be big for some
  • I wish there was a front pocket

Osprey Arcane Roll-Top : Best Waterproof Backpack for Work

Osprey Arcane Roll-Top

If you’ve spent much time looking at the product recommendations on TravelFreak, you’ve probably noticed that there are a lot of Osprey backpacks. You’ll also see Osprey packs being used by hikers on trails all around the country.

This is no accident, Osprey makes some seriously capable packs, and they lead the industry in durability, functionality, and comfort-oriented designs.

The Osprey Arcane Roll-Top is a stylish, minimalist pack designed for urban travel while incorporating a lot of the same design elements as their hiking packs.

The overall design of the Osprey Arcane is simple, but extremely functional. It has a wide-opening roll-top access to the main compartment, an easy-access front pocket, a small external zipped pocket, and a padded laptop compartment on the inside.

This pack is made of a durable recycled polyester fabric with a waterproof coating and a DWR treatment that repells water without using environmentally harmful PFC compounds.

Be aware that while this pack will keep your gear dry in a rainstorm, it definitely isn’t meant for paddle sports. If you’re heading out on a raft or paddle board, you’ll want a full drybag.

The Osprey Arcane is a durable, water-resistant pack that will last years to come and minimize your impact on the planet.

  • Eco-friendly materials and treatments
  • Stylish design
  • Fantastic comfort for everyday wear
  • Solid build quality
  • Less waterproof than other options
  • Not great for outdoor activities
  • Only one water bottle pocket

Osprey UltraLight Dry Sack : Best Waterproof Dry Sack

Osprey Ultralight Dry Sack 3L

Through relentless innovation, Osprey aims to ease your journey and inspire travel. One of the products through which the brand wishes to achieve this is the Osprey UltraLight Dry Sack . This compact, lightweight waterproof dry bag is designed for the best gear protection and organization without adding excess weight.

To keep your gear as safe and organized as possible, the bag features a roll-top closure and is made from durable, waterproof materials. It features a color-coded interior, making packing and accessing all the more simple.

So before placing your gear into your travel luggage, use the Ultralight Dry Sack as it allows you to pack more efficiently.

  • Available in many sizes and colors 
  • Rectangular shape allows for efficient packing
  • Highly durable as it is made from 40D Ripstop nylon
  • Roll top ensures watertight seal
  • Some users have reported leaking, however, this is rare
  • Does not have its own strap and needs to be placed within another bag

SealLine Urban Dry Daypack : Best Waterproof Daypack

SealLine Urban Dry Daypack

SealLine’s waterproof dry bag products are made to protect your gear in all conditions. They build a range of impressive waterproof bags and packs for outdoor adventures, and the Urban Dry Daypack packs that same capability into a waterproof bag that’s optimized for everyday use while commuting or traveling.

In wet weather, a fully waterproof backpack can make the difference between a great day and a disaster. Unlike many packs that claim to be water, this waterproof dry bag backpack is clearly designed from the ground up with waterproof performance in mind. It has minimal seams for water to seep in, and the top-loading roll top design effectively seals this pack from the weather.

This is another great bag for getting around town on a bike. The narrow, burrito-style roll-top allows for improved over-the-shoulder sightlines while riding, and the shoulder strap design keeps the pack from shifting around as you pedal.

With no outside pockets or waist belt, this pack isn’t great for hiking, but it is a very capable daypack for commuting or travel in urban environments.

From a company that specializes in waterproof gear, the Urban Dry Daypack is a minimal, functional bag for keeping your belongings dry on the go.

  • QuickClick flap closure creates an optimal watertight seal, keeping your gear safe and secure
  • Waterproof materials and includes welded seams to ensure the inside of the bag remains bone-dry
  • Light-colored interior allows for easy identification of contents within the bag
  • Only available in a single size
  • Not many handy options for separating items
  • No mesh pocket for water bottles

Simms Dry Creek Z Backpack : Best Waterproof Backpack for Fishing

SIMMS Dry Creek Z Backpack

Simms truly believes in the joy of fishing and is committed to making everyone’s experience all the more worthwhile. Through their innovative products, the brand aims to lower the barriers between the world’s lakes, rivers and open waters, and those who hear their call.

The Simms Dry Creek Z Backpack is a rugged, water-resistant backpack and is perfect for anyone who enjoys fishing. Hard-to-reach fish require strategy and stamina. The Dry Creek Z easily endures the effort, tolerates heavy loads and keeps your gear, tools and layers safe and dry.

The Dry Creek Z Backpack is fully waterproof, net-friendly and provides quick access to all your gear. Whether you’re an experienced guide or a beginner taking your first cast, this bag is sure to have you covered.

  • Tru Zip waterproof self-healing zipper offers 100% submersible protection in all conditions
  • Roomy, water-resistant exterior pocket for quick access to key items
  • Ample storage in main compartment
  • Could have more features given its price
  • Only available in one size - 35L

The North Face Borealis Classic Backpack : Best Waterproof Travel Backpack

The Northface Borealis

Stash your gear and hit the road with this modern, rugged backpack by The North Face. The Borealis Classic Backpack is a 28-liter backpack offering updated features and an improved suspension system for all-day comfort.

This water resistant backpack is larger than many of the other options on this list, so it is great for longer trips. If you are a light packer, you can definitely get by with using this as your only bag while traveling.

To be clear, this backpack is definitely not submersible, but it offers enough water resistance to keep your belongings dry in an unexpected downpour.

It also packs in great versatility for trail-to-town use. The padded laptop sleeve can double as a hydration reservoir compartment. The well-padded shoulder straps and reinforced back panel make it comfortable and supportive enough for all-day hikes. The durable materials will take a beating whether your scrambling over boulders or tossing it into an airplane overhead bin.

  • Highly comfortable, padded backpack with spine panel and PE sheet for extra back support 
  • Plenty of internal and external pockets to keep your belongings secure and organized
  • Integrated, reflective bike light loop (bike light not included)
  • Many color options available (Horizon Red, Sweet Lavender, Asphalt Grey, and more)
  • The bag is top-heavy and does not have a flat bottom so it tends to fall over when set down
  • Less stylish than other travel backpacks

Fjallraven Ulvo 23 Daypack : Best Small Waterproof Backpack

Fjallraven Ulvo 23

The Fjallraven Ulvo 23 Daypack is a versatile, packable backpack , great for light treks, traveling, and everyday commuting. The bag’s innovative Fjallraven Bergshell fabric is made from 100% recycled nylon and is completely water-resistant. This way, you’re able to keep all your daily essentials safe and secure while you travel.

One of this waterproof daypack’s biggest draws is its sleek, minimalist design. I really love how this bag balances the minimal aesthetic with a function-first design.

With many hidden pockets and compartments, there’s no shortage of organization.

The backpack has lightly-padded shoulder straps with ventilating air mesh at the shoulders and bag for added comfort. For those who are always on-the-go, and do not want to sacrifice style for functionality, I definitely recommend checking this backpack out.

  • Versatile daypack made from waterproof, durable and recycled Bergshell fabric
  • 23-liter main storage compartment - can easily hold a 15” laptop and more
  • Plenty of pockets to keep your gear organized
  • Also works as a hiking backpack
  • Raincover not included
  • Only available in one size
  • More stylish than most outdoor backpacks

How to Choose a Waterproof Backpack

waterproof

Not all waterproof backpacks are created equal. Here are some of the key factors to consider as you search for the best waterproof bag for your next adventure.

Waterproof vs Water-Resistant Backpack

It’s important to understand the difference between waterproof and water resistant. If a backpack is labeled as waterproof, it suggests that the bag will not let any water inside, even when submerged into a body of water. It goes beyond simply withstanding a rainstorm, and optimizes for more extreme conditions.

A water-resistant bag, on the other hand, will do a good job at keeping rain out, but it may leak over time, and you definitely wouldn’t want to drop it in a lake. Most of these bags are made of a coated nylon or polyester with a DWR treatment: an additional waterproof coating that prevents moisture from seeping through.

The best waterproof backpacks have certain features that ensure moisture is kept out. This includes waterproof fabrics, coated zippers, sealed seams, and more. A pack can be made of fully waterproof fabric, but without sealed or welded seams, coated zippers, and secure closures, water can still get inside.

The packs in this roundup vary in their level of waterproofness, from dry bag backpacks intended for rafting or fishing to highly water-resistant packs that will stay dry in a downpour but shouldn’t be submerged.

If you are going rafting, kayak packing, or fly fishing and need a pack that is 100%, no holds barred waterproof, you need to look for waterproof backpacks that are based on a dry bag design. This means you should look for features like a thick TPU outer coating, minimal outside pockets or stitching, fully welded seams, and a drybag sealing closure.

For more general use, you just need your bag to stay dry in the event of heavy rain and don’t need a full waterproof dry bag backpack. Most backpacks on the market offer some level of water resistance, but if you know you’ll be facing precipitation, you want a laminate material like X-Pac, coated waterproof zippers, and sealed seams.

Comfort and Fit

Great features and build quality don’t matter if a pack is uncomfortable or doesn’t fit right. In my opinion, fit is the most important thing to consider when shopping for waterproof backpacks.

For larger packs that will carry heavier weight, you’ll definitely want thickly padded shoulder straps, a padded waist belt, and some sort of frame to distribute some of the weight off your shoulders.

In a smaller, lightweight backpack, you can get away with less padding and structure, but you still want it to be comfortable. Features like sternum straps or removable waist belts can help improve the stability and carrying capability of a smaller bag.

I highly recommend trying a pack on before buying it. Pack comfort and fit is a very personal thing, and what works for someone else may not work for you. If you are shopping for waterproof backpacks online, buy from a retailer with a good return policy, and don’t be afraid of sending a pack back if it doesn’t fit quite right.

Even the best waterproof backpacks lose their function if you tear a seam or wear a hole through the fabric. While it’s nice to cut weight where possible, you definitely want a pack that will stand up to the abuse you throw at it.

Here are a few features to look for in a durable waterproof bag:

Thick, high-denier fabrics

Welded or sealed seams rather than taped seams

Heavy-duty buckles and components

Oversized coated zippers (YKK-branded zippers are widely considered the best in the business)

When shopping for waterproof backpacks, you want to make sure to choose one that’s the right size for your intended use. From lightweight daypacks for hiking or commuting to massive gear haulers for raft-packing trips, there is a massive range of sizes to choose from.

As a general rule of thumb, a good daypack will have 10-30L of internal capacity. For a travel bag, you’ll be looking in the 20-50L range. For backpacking or extended outdoor adventures, you’ll most likely want a bag above 40L.

Pockets and Organization

While one massive main compartment may be useful for some situations, many times you’ll want more backpack features like pockets and compartments to keep your gear organized and accessible.

I love having mesh pockets to hold water bottles on the outside of a pack. Exterior zippered pockets are also useful for keeping small items like keys, charging cords, and your phone easy to access.

Depending on the type of pack you’re looking for, you may also benefit from some interior organization. Some of the packs on this list that are meant for city use feature a padded laptop sleeve to keep your device secure and protected.

One thing to be aware of is that exterior pockets and seams create weak points in the waterproof protection of a pack and increase the likelihood of leaks.

Final Thoughts on the Best Waterproof Backpack

With a waterproof backpack, you will be able to fully enjoy each and every adventure. With high-quality, durable materials, these backpacks will ensure your belongings stay safe and dry, for years to come.

Note that quality and durability often come with a higher price tag. For a high-quality waterproof bag, you can expect to pay up to as much as $300 or more. Luckily, there are several more cost-effective options on this list that still guarantee a great experience.

Before your next outdoor adventure, be sure to pick up one of the top waterproof backpacks from this list!

I hope that from this list you have found the right waterproof backpack to accompany you on your next adventure. If you’re interested in any other useful travel gear, check out the informative options below.

  • Best Backpack Brands
  • Best Travel Backpacks
  • Best Rain Jackets for Travel

Waterproof Backpack FAQs

Do waterproof backpacks exist.

Yes, there are specific backpack with a dry-bag construction that are fully waterproof.

What is the difference between a waterproof backpack and a water resistant backpack?

Water-resistant backpacks use a waterproof material and can repel mild rain. To be waterproof, a backpack needs welded or sealed seams and a fully sealing closure.

What backpacks can be submerged?

If you need a backpack that can be submerged, look for a dry bag with shoulder straps.

Why are backpacks not waterproof?

Most backpacks aren’t fully waterproof because adequately sealing the seams and openings is difficult.

Jeremy Scott Foster

Jeremy Scott Foster

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The Packable Life

13 Waterproof Backpacks to Keep Your Gear Dry in 2024

Six waterproof backpacks, Breakwater Supply, Zpacks, Patagonia, Matador, EarthPak, and Osprey with drops of water on them in the forest

Ever hiked in the pouring rain, eager to change into the dry clothes inside your pack, only to find out they were soaking wet when you finished? We sure have, which is why we created this list of the 13 best waterproof backpacks of 2024. These weatherproof packs will keep you and your gear dry on any humid or wet-weather adventure out there.

Whether you’re searching for collapsible daypacks, personal item carry-ons , or high-capacity adventure bags, we’ve got you covered. Our list includes backpacks for every scenario — traveling, hiking, cycling, or rafting — and will satisfy the needs of both minimalists and glam globetrotters.

We waited for the rain to fall, then thoroughly tested and reviewed packs from some of the most trusted names in the industry, including Patagonia, Osprey, Breakwater Supply, and Matador. From this firsthand experience, we put together a list of 13 of 2024’s best waterproof packs on the market, and are here to share them with you.

Best Waterproof Backpacks of 2024

  • Best Overall: Breakwater Supply Fogland
  • Ultralight Pack: Zpacks Bagger ULTRA
  • Fully-Submersible for Life on the Water: Patagonia Guidewater
  • Collapsible Daypack: Matador Freerain22
  • Best on a Budget: Osprey Transporter
  • High-Capacity Roll-Top on a Budget: Earth Pak Summit
  • High-End Pick: Mission Workshop Fitzroy
  • Laptop Bag for Commuters: Timbuk2 Parker
  • Built for Travel: Tortuga Travel Backpack
  • Ultralight Hiking Daypack: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Daybreak
  • High Capacity Backpacking Bag: Gossamer Gear Mariposa
  • Built for Cycling: Rapha Roll-Top
  • Waterproof Cooler Backpack: RTIC
  • Factors We Considered When Analyzing Products

Final Thoughts: Best Waterproof Backpacks of 2024

Best overall waterproof backpack breakwater supply fogland.

Black backpack leaning against a fence and collecting raindrops

Weight: 2.4 lb | 1.1 kg Capacity: 25L Materials: Hydrowall 420D Nylon TPU

If you spend a lot of time in wet climates, the Breakwater Supply Fogland should be on your shortlist. It’s completely waterproof, fully submersible, and designed for boating, fishing, and other types of high-precipitation adventure travel. It’s our favorite waterproof backpack of 2024.

With a high-density 420D nylon shell, the Fogland is built to withstand rugged voyages into the worst Mother Nature has to offer. It sports a trekking pole loop, dual water bottle pockets, daisy chains, and a convenient front pocket for high-use items. We also love its sleek style, ultra-comfortable padded back panel, and thoughtful (but not overboard) set of pockets.

Its clean and minimalist design will feel at home both on land and at sea. For its adventure-forward use case, I’m having trouble finding many downsides aside from its firm zippers which take a little zipper lube to break in. Don’t splurge for a YETI Panga; the Fogland is a lighter and more full-featured option for $100 less.

Why We Like the Fogland: It’s fully submersible, sleek, highly durable, has dual water bottle pockets, and is more full-featured and affordable than comparable YETI bags.

What to Keep in Mind: Its zippers are tough to use at first and take a little while to loosen up.

Best Ultralight Pack Zpacks Bagger ULTRA

Black Zpacks brand ULTRA waterproof backpack

Weight: 10 or 12 oz | .30 or .34 kg Capacity: 25L or 40L Materials: ULTRA Polyethylene 100D & 200D, 3D spacer mesh

Looking for a backpack that’s lighter than air and keeps your gear dry? Here it is — at just 12.6 ounces, it’s the lightest pack on this list. It has weather-sealed zippers that keep your stuff dry even in a downpour. It’s Noel ‘s go-to personal item pack for travel and day hiking .

The Bagger ULTRA is stripped down to the essentials. It’s easy to load and unload, with just one main compartment, a front pocket, and dual side water bottle pockets. The weather-sealed zippers work like a charm, but the minimal shoulder strap padding could get uncomfortable if you load your pack over 20 pounds.

If you value function over form, the Bagger ULTRA is a minimalist’s dream for weekend traveling, short overnighters, or as a secondary pack on longer adventures. You’ll sacrifice a bit of comfort for a lot of weight savings, so if you’re looking for a more padded and feature-rich pack, look elsewhere.

Why We Like the Bagger ULTRA: It’s as light as a feather, has fully-sealed zippers, sports dual water bottle pockets and a giant front pocket, and comes in two sizes.

What to Keep in Mind: This is a genuinely minimalist pack, so don’t expect many frills.

F ully Submersible for Life on the Water Patagonia Guidewater

Blue backpack sitting on a boat dock

Weight: 2.20 lb | .99 kg Capacity: 29L Materials: 100% recycled polyester with TPU film laminate and DWR finish

The Patagonia Guidewater is our top waterproof backpack for life on the water, and it has the chops to prove it. It’s a very well-reviewed pack geared towards fishermen, and is a top pick for anyone needing a versatile ‘on-the-water’ bag that can take a beating. Throw as much water at it as you please; nothing inside the Guidewater will get wet.

This bad boy sports a 29-liter capacity that’s ideal for long days on the water, wet hikes, or quick weekend getaways in tropical climates. Its padded shoulder straps and back panel ensure a comfortable carry, but with no external pockets on the outside, you’ll be limited by stashing everything in its main compartment.

Lack of pockets aside, it is compatible with attachable Patagonia fishing accessories, which can be purchased a la carte on the Patagonia website. The Guidewater is made from recycled materials in a Fair Trade Certified factory, making it a sustainable option for the Earth-first buyers among us.

Why We Like the Guidewater: It’s fully submersible, relatively rugged, made from sustainable materials, and is built to accessorize with Patagonia fishing attachments.

What to Keep in Mind: The zipper can be hard to get unstuck if snagged on clothing inside.

Collapsible Daypack Matador Freerain22

Black and grey waterproof backpack against a mossy tree with raindrops

Weight: 10.6 oz | .30 kg Capacity: 22L Materials: Waterproof Cordura

The Matador Freerain22 pack will pack down to the size of a grapefruit and weighs a meager 10 ounces. But don’t let its small size fool you; it’s made from a 30D waterproof Cordura fabric with sealed seams and rocks a roll-top closure that locks out downpours. Its front zippered pocket makes for easy access to your high-use essentials.

The Freerain’s primary downside is its lack of back and shoulder padding, but that’s a tradeoff for its miniscule collapsed size in your luggage. That also makes it a no-brainer to bring along for travel, day trips, and as a backup bag for all other occasions.

The Freerain 22 is probably the least durable and waterproof bag of the bunch, but if you’re an unapologetic ultralight traveler, this backpack should be on your list of top contenders.

Why We Like the Freerain22: It’s as lightweight and compact as they come, can be packed into a pocket-sized pouch, rocks dual water bottle pockets, and is quite durable considering how thin the material is.

What to Keep in Mind: This pack has a lower capacity and zero padding on the shoulder straps.

Best on a Budget (Sub-$100) Osprey Transporter

Black waterproof rucksack on the wet forest floor

Weight: 1.8 lb | 0.82 kg Capacity: 20L Materials: 400D Recycled polyester

The Osprey Transporter offers a lot of bang for your buck; it’s lightweight and minimalist and rings for under $100. It’s perfect for budget-minded day hikers, peak baggers, and nimble urban dashers. If you like the design but need more storage capacity, check out the larger Transporter 36 .

The Transporter is a compact carry for the essentials. It doesn’t have any external pockets, but its tech-forward internal design will make it excel as a wet-weather around town bag. We love it’s ventilated foam back panel, which acts as a frame and prevents the dreaded sweaty back syndrome. It has a hip belt, though you’ll likely never load this pack heavy enough to need it.

This pack comes in four or five different colors and a number of different iterations within the Transporter Family . It lacks the fancier bells and whistles you’d expect from more expensive Osprey bags, but will keep your gear dry all the same. For those who value simplicity and affordability, the Transporter is a solid choice.

Why We Like the Transporter: It’s pretty darn lightweight, has excellent internal organization, rocks a vented back panel, and is priced to sell.

What to Keep in Mind: Its smaller capacity will limit its use, and its side water bottle sleeve is a bit awkward.

High-Capacity Roll-Top on a Budget Earth Pak Summit

Yellow Earth Pak bag sitting on the wet forest floor

Weight: 3.0 lb or 1.36 kg (55L) | 3.5 lb or 1.60 kg (85L) Capacity: 55L or 85L Materials: 500D PVC

Are you seeking a high-capacity roll-top bag that won’t break the bank? That’s the Earth Pak Summit, a no-frills, top-loading ‘dry bag’ pack for anyone needing to haul a lot without paying a lot. It’s offered in three sizes: 35-, 55-, and 85-liters, all under $100.

The Earth Pak’s roll-top closure is simple and effective. Made with thick PVC, this bag will float but is not rated as submersible, so unless you’re a scuba diver, this bag will probably keep your stuff dry. The pack’s padded shoulder straps and breathable back panel keep were comfortable upon the first wear, but seem a little cheap and may lose their cushion after a while.

This large and waterproof bag won’t win any beauty contests, and its main compartment lacks dividers or pockets. But when you seal that roll-top closure, your stuff will stay bone dry (and your bank balance will thank you later).

Why We Like the Summit: It has a huge internal capacity, comes in various colors, and is the most budget-friendly pack on this list.

What to Keep in Mind: It doesn’t have much internal organization or water bottle pockets and seems to be made from cheaper materials.

Our Favorite High-End Pick Misson Workshop Fitzroy

Misson Workshop Fitzroy high-end commuter bag

Weight: 3.3 lb | 1.63 kg Capacity: 40L Materials: Waterproof 1000D nylon with urethane coating

The Mission Workshop Fitzroy is a high-end, top-loading technical and luxury backpack. Hand-made in San Francisco, this bag is a durable and stylish choice for anyone wanting the best. It’s built for anything, from trekking through the wilderness to navigating the concrete jungle.

The Fitzroy’s 40-liter capacity, waterproof 1000D nylon with urethane coating, and roll-top closure make it perfect for extended trips. It also features a padded 17″ laptop sleeve. But with a limited number of pockets, it might be more challenging to organize than some. Also, its weight and price tag are higher than average.

Mission Workshop is a favorite made-in-the-USA option among backpack connoisseurs, and the Fitzroy is bound to get you compliments anywhere you go, from Rodeo Drive to the Amazon rainforest.

Why We Like the Fitzroy: It’s as well-engineered as they come, has 40 liters of storage, and utilizes multiple straps to optimize weight distribution. It’s currently on sale for nearly 50% off!

What to Keep in Mind: It seems the Fitzroy is about to be discontinued. Get it while you still can!

Laptop Bag for Commuters Timbuk2 Parker

Black commuter backpack with water-resistant material

Weight: 3.1 lb | 1.40 kg Capacity: 26L Materials: Polyethylene, polyurethane, Cordura, nylon

The Timbuk2 Parker is one of the most streamlined, upscale, functional, and well-made waterproof backpacks on this list. For many urban bicycle commuters in rainy areas, it’s undeniably seductive. I’m going to ask Santa for one this year.

The Parker has a rugged outer shell, a waterproof liner, a removable rainfly, plus a side access pocket for 15″ laptops. Bonus features include reflective panels on the shoulder straps and rear panel, as well as magnetic compression straps and pockets… the sweet union of solid functionality and luxury features.

The Parker isn’t as well-padded as some may wish, and the zippers can be stiff. But it’s also extremely well-reviewed, reliably dry, and is one of the best looking bags on this list. If you’re an urban professional in wet environments, this might be your shiniest badge of commuting pride.

Why We Like the Parker: This pack is quite stylish, has multiple compartments and great internal organization, comes with a rain cover, and boasts a lifetime warranty.

What to Keep in Mind: Reviewers note that it has stiff zippers and only fits up to 15-inch laptops.

Built for Travel Tortuga Travel Backpack

Black Tortuga brand travel pack

Weight: 4.5 lb | 2.04 kg Capacity: 40L Materials: Nylon, polyester

Frequent flyers, take note: this behemoth is the largest carry-on size many airlines allow. Its waterproof material should keep everything dry inside, but the bigger story is how amazingly comfortable it is. Fully loaded, the Tortuga Travel Backpack can be heavy when packed with a few weeks’ worth of gear, but it keeps all that weight balanced. Here’s how:

Extra-thick padding on the back panel, shoulder straps, and hip belts cushion the load, and the highly adjustable harness system keeps the weight close to your body. Inside, the clamshell-style Travel Backpack has a padded pocket for 17″ laptops, plus many other organizing pockets.

If you travel frequently and want a stylish backpack that keeps gear dry and organized, check out this beauty. Whether you’re a digital nomad, a backpacker, or George Clooney in “Up in the Air,” the Travel Backpack by Tortuga is a high-capacity option to consider.

Why We Like the Travel Backpack: It’s as roomy as carry-ons get, wins loads of awards, carries comfortably for long periods, and sports incredible internal organization. It’s a do-it-all one-bag travel pack.

What to Keep in Mind: This pack will get heavy when fully loaded and is a bit pricey.

Ultralight Daypack for Hiking Hyperlite Mountain Gear Daybreak

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Daybreak hiking pack

Weight: 1.3 lb | .60 kg Capacity: 17L Materials: DCH15

I wish I’d had this pack in northern Spain for my day trips that didn’t require a lot of gear. With its innovative nylon composite material, the Daybreak can withstand even the most intense rainstorms. The cherry on top: it’s also quite comfortable, and its clean design is versatile enough for both town and trail.

Feature-wise, the Daybreak doesn’t disappoint. This rock-solid pack has a streamlined design that’s both lightweight and durable. It has a roll-top closure that keeps your goodies dry, and there’s even a hydration port. The only cons to consider are its higher price and modest internal volume.

Overall, the Daybreak is a good match for people seeking a reliable waterproof daypack that can pull double-duty in urban and outdoor environments. This pack is worth considering if you value high-quality gear and don’t mind paying a bit extra for it.

Why We Like the Daybreak: Its cutting-edge ultralight design, durable materials, and incredibly well-engineered build will ensure years of high-intensity use wherever you take it.

What to Keep in Mind: This pack is pretty expensive, and its 17-liter capacity will limit how much gear you can carry.

High-Capacity Bag for Backpacking Trips Gossamer Gear Mariposa

Grey Gossamer Gear Mariposa

Weight: 1.9 lb | .87 kg Capacity: 60L Materials: 100 & 200 denier high-tensile strength nylon

The Mariposa’s reputation as one of the most comfortable ultralight backpacking gear haulers earned it a spot on this list. Its 60-liter capacity will tote all your gear for long backpacking trips while still providing the other critical features you look for in a pack.

It’s full-featured, with many pockets, a hydration sleeve, and even a removable lid that doubles as a fanny pack to hold snacks and other essentials. Sure, it’s a bit pricey, and some may not like its opaque external mesh pockets, but it’s well worth a look if you’re in the market for a reliable high-capacity pack.

No matter how full you stuff it, the Mariposa won’t carve into your back every time you shoulder it. You’ll appreciate its comfort, quality, and durability for years to come. If I was only allowed one backpack for the rest of my life, this might be it.

Why We Like the Mariposa: It’s an incredibly spacious backpack with loads of pockets and thoughtful features. It’s highly rated in the backpacking community and wins awards, year after year.

What to Keep in Mind: It’s not extremely durable and is on the expensive side.

Built for Cycling Rapha

Rapha Roll-Top cycling

Weight: 2 lb | .93 kg Capacity: 30L Materials: Oil-waxed nylon

This lovely roll-top is very close to my heart because I used it every day when I lived in Amsterdam. Made by Rapha, a cycling- and commuting-focused company, this backpack was created primarily for cyclists, but it’s also versatile enough to serve as a minimalist one-bag travel option.

It has plenty of pockets and a single spacious main compartment, perfect for those who know exactly what they’ll need on short trips. The lack of a waist belt is a bit of a head-scratcher, but this shouldn’t be an issue if you’re looking for a cycling-only pack.

If you want a durable and functional backpack, this Rapha roll-top has a large reflective stripe for commuting, and its extra-rugged waxed nylon construction is built to last. Yes, it’s relatively heavy, but for those needing a reliable pack to keep their gear dry, cycle out and give this a go.

Why We Like the Rapha: Its slick roll-top closure, stylish design, durability, and functionality make it one of the most well-rounded packs on this list.

What to Keep in Mind: It’s not the most comfortable on long rides and lacks a waist belt.

Waterproof Backpack Cooler RTIC

Grey and black RTIC backpack cooler

Weight: 8 lb | 3.60 kg Capacity: 20 to 30 cans Materials: Heavy-duty nylon

Keep your beverages cold and your food fresh — that’s precisely what the RTIC backpack cooler does (and far better than most). The RTIC’s waterproof design is ideal for a day at the beach, on a boat, in the countryside, or for any outdoor activity involving food and drink. Think of it as a fridge you can carry on your back.

The RTIC will keep your ice solid for days and your food and beverages frosty, thanks to its premium insulation and welded seams. It’s completely waterproof, with the only downside being its sheer bulk and weight.

The RTIC is basically a well-insulated cube with shoulder straps. No, it won’t fit under your airplane seat, but it’s ideal for tailgating, camping, boating, and many other outdoor adventures. If you’re looking for a packable cooler that’s built to last, grab this one.

Why We Like the RTIC: It’s very well-insulated, floats in the water, comes in many different colors, and is affordable compared to similar cooler packs on the market.

What to Keep in Mind: It’s the heaviest and bulkiest pack on this list, especially when loaded with beverages.

Factors We Considered When Reviewing Products

Main with beard wearing a rain jacket in a storm in Iceland

In making this list, we considered a wide range of factors to share only the best of the best products with you. Here are some of the key factors we took into account:

Waterproof backpacks are only as good as the materials and fabrics used. We looked for backpacks made with durable and proven waterproof materials like ULTRA, oil-waxed nylon, and DCH150. We also considered the quality and design of zippers, buckles, and other hardware, as well as assembly issues such as the stitching or sealing of seams.

The main material of your pack is the top factor to examine when considering the overall waterproofness of the product.

Functionality

Being waterproof is a good start, but backpacks must also have the everyday features people want and use. We looked for backpacks with padded laptop compartments, multiple pockets for organization, easily accessible water bottle pockets, daisy chain tie-down loops, hydration ports, ventilated back panels, and roll-top or airtight closures.

Check out Thule’s excellent “ backpack parts ” post to learn more about this topic.

The frameless packs listed here put most of the load on the shoulders, so padding and adjustability are essential. Other straps help balance the load — hip belts, load lifters, and sternum straps, for example. We aimed to include packs with ample padding and multiple straps for maximum comfort.

Always read buyer comments first in regards to long-term comfort. Cheap backpacks may feel comfortable at first but can put a strain on your shoulders after long periods of wear.

A waterproof backpack must not only withstand the elements but also the wear and tear of regular use. We looked for backpacks made with abrasion-resistant materials and favored those with reinforced stitching and other no-fail features.

If your pack tears, it’s no longer waterproof. Some of the bags less durable bags on this list, like the Freerain22, should be babied a bit to ensure they don’t wear out and let the moisture in.

Every ounce counts when you’re on the move, so we kept weight in mind and included a handful of ultralight backpacks to stay true to our mantra. But remember, there’s always a tradeoff — less weight often means sacrificing comfort features and/or durability. Saving a few ounces on pack weight won’t matter much if you’re going to load it full of heavy gear

Storage Capacity

A waterproof backpack must hold all your gear and keep it dry, from your clothes, food, and supplies to your laptop. We included an array of packs with varying storage options, from 17 liters up to 85.

Within that internal storage should exist functional compartments and well-placed pockets. We’ve also included a few backpacks with compression straps and other volume-adjusting features.

For most of us, price is always a factor when choosing a product. That’s why we’ve tried to cover the financial spectrum, from budget-friendly basics to high-end dream packs. As a cyclist, I’m happy with my middle ground Rapha, but in my dreams, I’m wearing the Timbuk2 to wow the folks at the metro station or the Mariposa to turn some heads on my next backpacking trip.

Blue Patagonia Guidewater proof backpack on the grass

Has our list of the best waterproof backpacks of 2024 inspired you to schedule your next rainy-day adventure? The 13 packs we recommended are designed and built with water- and weather-resistance in mind, so they’ll keep your gear dry and safe, even in the wettest of conditions.

Whether you’re a traveler, fishermen, hiker, cyclist, or simply looking for a new EDC pack, this list has you covered — from collapsible daypacks to high-capacity adventure bags — and from trusted brands like Breakwater Supply, Timbuk2, Patagonia, and Zpacks.

Do you have any tips, wet-weather gear recommendations, or drenched gear stories? If so, please share them in the comments section below. Don’t let a little water spoil your next adventure — grab one of these waterproof backpacks and get out there. Keep exploring, and stay dry!

Last Updated on March 30, 2024

Photo of author

Ze Eduardo Penedo

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Two backpacks and some boots by a stream in nature

The 11 Best Waterproof Backpacks for Traveling and Hiking

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Sarah Schlichter

Deputy Executive Editor Sarah Schlichter's idea of a perfect trip includes spotting exotic animals, hiking through pristine landscapes, exploring new neighborhoods on foot, and soaking up as much art as she can. She often attempts to recreate recipes from her international travels after she gets home (which has twice resulted in accidental kitchen fires—no humans or animals were harmed).

Sarah joined the SmarterTravel team in 2017 after more than a decade at the helm of IndependentTraveler.com. Sarah's practical travel advice has been featured in dozens of news outlets including the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Budget Travel, and Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio. Follow her on Twitter @TravelEditor .

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "A journal. Even years later, reading my notes from a trip can bring back incredibly vivid memories."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Road tripping and hiking through the rugged mountains of Patagonia."

Travel Motto: "'To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.'—Freya Stark"

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Aisle. I get restless on long flights and like to be able to move around without disturbing anyone else."

Email Sarah at [email protected] .

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Your phone. Your DSLR camera. Your e-reader. Your travel documents. No matter what you’re carrying in your backpack, you’ll want to make sure it’s protected from unexpected rainstorms while you’re out traveling the world. The following waterproof backpacks for travel come in a variety of sizes and styles, but they all offer excellent protection for any weather.

This list also includes a few water-resistant backpacks that perform well in rainy conditions but might not stand up to an all-day downpour or a tumble into a lake. These can still be useful travel backpacks if you won’t be spending significant time outdoors.

YETI Panga Backpack 28

best travel waterproof backpack

You might get soaked, but if you have YETI’s Panga Backpack , your stuff won’t. The Panga Backpack is airtight and 100 percent waterproof, so no sneaky moisture will get in through the zippers. The ergonomic DryHaul shoulder straps make carrying heavy packs feel easy, as do the removable chest straps and waist belt. This ultra-durable bag will resist rips or tears, and is perfect as either a personal item on a plane or a hiking backpack.

best travel waterproof backpack

FE Active Cloudbreak Backpack

FE active cloudbreak backpack

The Cloudbreak from outdoor retailer FE Active is a dry-bag backpack that’s made of eco-friendly PVC tarpaulin for full waterproof protection during activities like hiking, camping, and kayaking. It’s got two netted side pockets for water bottles and a corded exterior to hold a jacket or other items. This roomy backpack can hold a laptop and multiple changes of clothes; when it’s completely full, however, you may have to check it rather than carrying it on a flight.

best travel waterproof backpack

RAINS Waterproof Drawstring Backpack

Rains waterproof drawstring backpack

The Waterproof Drawstring Backpack from RAINS is a small, chic waterproof daypack that’s perfect for city sightseeing. It’s large enough to hold the basics—a wallet, a water bottle, a tablet or book—without weighing you down. The main compartment has one interior pocket for your phone, and the bag is made of waterproof polyester and polyurethane.

best travel waterproof backpack

Earth Pak Summit Dry Bag Backpack

Earth pak summit dry bag backpack

Another heavy-duty dry-bag backpack, this 35-liter bag from Earth Pak is ideal for travelers who don’t want to worry about water damage during their outdoor adventures. It’s roomy enough to pack for a weekend but small enough to use as a carry-on, and the sturdy PVC material protects everything inside, from camera equipment to clothing. Sternum and waist straps help you balance the load. Bonus: The bag comes with a waterproof case that fits smartphones up to 6.5 inches (measured diagonally).

Chrome Hondo Backpack

best travel waterproof backpack

Designed for commuters, the Hondo Backpack is also a good bet for business travelers seeking a waterproof laptop backpack. It has a 15-inch padded sleeve for your computer and keeps you organized with interior and exterior pockets. This waterproof travel backpack is comfortable to wear, thanks to plenty of padding and a chest strap to balance the weight, and it’s small enough to carry as your personal item on a plane.

best travel waterproof backpack

Matador Freerain24 Backpack

Matador freerain24 backpack

When you’re carrying all your belongings on your back, the last thing you want is a heavy bag that adds a lot of extraneous weight. That’s why I like the Freerain24 . At just 6.6 ounces, this waterproof hiking backpack won’t weigh you down as you’re scrambling up mountains or wading through streams. It’s got two side mesh pockets for water bottles, as well as a water-resistant front exterior pocket to hold items you need to access quickly. Between trips, you can fold it up into its own small sack for easy storage.

best travel waterproof backpack

KOPACK Anti-Thief Laptop Backpack

KOPACK Anti-Thief Laptop Backpack

The Kopack Laptop Backpack is made of water-resistant, anti-scratch fabric that can handle spells of light to moderate rainfall. The bag features a hidden zipper, shock absorbing laptop sleeve, and discreet card pockets on the straps to keep your important cards and documents handy. With an additional rain cover stored in the bottom slot of the bag, you can be sure that your valuables will stay dry and accounted for.

9 Most Stylish Laptop Bags for Travel

Skog A Kust BackSak

Skog a kust backsak

The sleek BackSak , which comes in 25- and 35-liter options, closes in two different ways. Once you’ve rolled the top of the bag down a few times, you can clip the two ends to each other to create a carry handle on top of the bag, or you can attach them to the bag’s side clips to help you compress the load. Either way, this backpack is fully waterproof (though the company doesn’t recommend extended submersion). The bag has an interior and an exterior pocket, as well as reflective patches so you can see the bag in the dark.

MOS Blackpack

best travel waterproof backpack

Travelers looking to stay organized will appreciate the Blackpack from MOS . This travel backpack comes with a built-in rainfly so your travel gear is safe from most weather conditions. With a 15.6-inch laptop pocket, dedicated tablet pocket, and mesh pockets, the Blackpack offers 27 liters of storage space. MOS also sells a power adapter that you can store in a special pocket to keep all your electronics charged while they’re in your backpack.

Geckobrands Waterproof 30L Backpack

best travel waterproof backpack

Though it’s not intended for full submersion, Geckobrands’ 30-liter backpack is otherwise fully waterproof as long as you tightly roll down the top at least three times before buckling. This dry bag backpack makes a handy companion on outdoor adventures, with padded shoulder straps that are comfortable to wear. The bag weighs just 0.6 pounds and folds up small when not in use.

Patagonia Stormfront Pack

Patagonia stormfront pack

If you’re looking for a waterproof backpack that will keep your stuff dry even if it’s submerged, consider the Stormfront Pack . Made of sturdy nylon that’s coated with thermoplastic polyurethane and durable water repellent, this 30-liter waterproof hiking backpack is ideal for outdoor adventures. It’s comfortable to wear thanks to padded straps and a removable waist belt, and at 21 x 12 x 9 inches, it fits most airlines’ carry-on size requirements. The exterior pocket is the only part of the backpack that isn’t fully waterproof, but it’s still a useful place to stow items such as a poncho or car keys.

More from SmarterTravel:

  • 6 Hybrid Duffel Backpacks That Will Change the Way You Pack
  • How to Pack a Backpack: 5 Essential Tips
  • 7 Modern Travel Backpacks That Will Update the Way You Travel

Follow Sarah Schlichter on Twitter @TravelEditor for more travel tips and inspiration.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2019. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. Codey Albers contributed to this story.

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We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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14 Best Waterproof Backpacks For Weather Protection

Keeping your gear safe is imperative on any trip. This post will help you find the best waterproof backpack for you, regardless of the destination.

14 Best Waterproof Backpack For Ultimate Weather Protection

We’ve all been there—we’re out on an adventure, and it starts to rain. Maybe you take a spontaneous day hike, and the trail is rugged and full of more river crossings than you anticipated. Or, perhaps you know your journey is going to get wet and you want to be prepared. Regardless of the reason, nobody wants their gear to get soaked. Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered.

In this post, we’ll go over some of the best waterproof backpack models, what they’re good for, and how you can use them. However, before we dive in, there are a few things we should go over.

There are three terms that are important to know when it comes to talking about water and backpacks: waterproof, water-resistant, and submersible.

Waterproof means that something keeps water out. This can be used to describe materials, hardware, or a product. However, when a backpack is waterproof, that doesn’t necessarily mean it will withstand all water. For example, a waterproof backpack can’t necessarily handle submersion. While traveling somewhere that gets a lot of rain or while backpacking, you probably want a waterproof backpack or a backpack mostly made with waterproof materials.

Water-resistant is a lesser version of waterproof. It means that a specific material or product is resistant to water but won’t keep it out indefinitely. After enough time or pressure, water will seep through. For a backpack you’ll carry every day with a laptop and other electronics inside, you probably want a water-resistant backpack.

Submersible means that a product can be taken underwater in some capacity without taking on water and malfunctioning. This doesn’t necessarily mean it can stay underwater indefinitely or under any conditions, but it can typically be submerged for up to a half hour without water sneaking inside. If you’re going on a canoe trip, you probably want a submersible backpack. (Hint: this is where you usually find an IPX rating)

Now that we’ve got that out of the way let’s dive into some of the best waterproof, water-resistant, and submersible backpacks on the market!

  • MARCHWAY Dry Bag 20L
  • Earth Pak Summit Dry Bag Backpack 35L
  • YETI Panga 28L Waterproof Backpack
  • Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L
  • Filson Dry Backpack
  • HEETA Waterproof Dry Bag 20L
  • Earth Pak Original Waterproof Dry Bag 10L
  • Skog A Kust BackSak Pro
  • L.L.Bean Adventure Pro Waterproof Day Pack 26L
  • ORTLIEB Velocity Waterproof Backpack 17L
  • Filson Dry Sling Pack
  • RUX Waterproof Bag

MARCHWAY Dry Bag 20L Review

Why We Like It: It’s budget-friendly.

What You Should Know: Durability might not be top notch.

You've probably encountered the MARCHWAY Floating Waterproof Dry Bag when searching for the best waterproof backpack. There are five sizes at the time of writing, between five and 40 liters, coming in various colorways from Digital Camo to Shiny Blue. The five and ten-liter versions are single-strap sling-type bags, whereas the 20, 30, and 40-liter options are backpacks. None of the capacities have back panels, so you aren't going to want to wear this thing on an extended hike.

What might enable the MARCHWAY packs to creep up your list for the best waterproof backpack is their price. At the time of writing, all the options come in at under $30. At that price, when paired with the fun colorways and waterproof construction, it's hard to go wrong.

These dry bags utilize a rolltop closure to ensure your gear stays dry. Whereas this design isn't completely waterproof, in our experience, this pack is submersible. Whether you're going out on the kayak or want a budget pack to bring with you on your trip to a wet and rainy place, MARCHWAY has you covered.

Earth Pak Summit Dry Bag Backpack 35L

Why We Like It: Ample back panel padding.

What You Should Know: Hardware doesn’t feel very durable.

A common negative of cheaper waterproof bags on Amazon is that they don't have ample harness systems. With the Earth Pak Waterproof Backpack, that isn't an issue. It has a rolltop closure that'll keep your gear dry, attachment loops on the front and sides, and a harness system that'll keep you moderately comfortable on a hike that involves rain, river crossings, or other water features.

The pack comes in three sizes, and all of them are on the larger side. The 35-liter is a capable hiking pack, the 55-liter is fine for trips you won't have to walk long distances, and the 85-liter works well as a gear hauler. There are five colorways, so you can snag something that matches your vibe or your travel gear.

The hardware on this pack isn't top-notch, but we haven't had any issues with it breaking so far. The rolltop is reasonably simple to buckle down, but it does take some getting used to. If you're looking for a bag to keep your gear dry, this might be the best waterproof backpack for you!

YETI Panga 28L Waterproof Backpack

Why We Like It: Looks like a regular backpack.

What You Should Know: Colorways leave something to be desired.

A common gripe when searching for the best waterproof backpack is that they don't often look like a standard pack. Because of the thick and durable materials needed to ensure water can't permeate the pack, they often aren't as stylish as the bag you use daily. However, that isn't the case every time.

The Yeti Panga 28L Waterproof Backpack looks more familiar and still keeps your gear dry. With an IPX7 rating, you can submerge the pack in up to a meter of water, and your gear will stay dry for 30 minutes. After that, it might start to leak.

Unlike many of the listings in this post, this pack utilizes a zipper. It can be hard to open and close, but it makes it easier to load and unload the pack. If you prefer a zipper to a rolltop, this might be the best waterproof backpack for you!

Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L Review

Why We Like It: A sustainable option from a brand we trust.

What You Should Know: It’s pricey.

The Patagonia Guidewater Backpack is one of the most popular waterproof backpack models on the market and for good reason. It's fully submersible, is Fair Trade Certified, has external attachment loops, and looks more like a standard backpack than most items on this list. What else could you ask for? Well, other than ice cream, but you can get that on your way home!

All those features come at a price—a relatively high one. However, Patagonia is a brand known for its quality, which isn't different on the Guidewater. The materials are durable and recycled, the pack has a comfortable fit, and Patagonia donates 1% of all sales to environmental causes.

When you buy Patagonia to explore the world, you can feel better spending your money with a brand that cares about its well-being as much as you do. Pair that with the waterproofness, durability, and ease of use that the 29-liter Guidewater offers, and you might have the best waterproof backpack for you!

Filson Dry Backpack

Why We Like It: The materials are very durable.

What You Should Know: Can be difficult to roll the top because of how thick the materials are.

If you're looking for a waterproof backpack from a company with over a century of experience making some of the most rugged packs on the market, look no further than the Filson Dry Backpack. This pack is fully submersible, so it'll keep your gear dry on city streets in monsoon season or on a hike through the river while fly fishing for trout.

The pack utilizes a rolltop closure, which takes some getting used to, but it's relatively quick to close once you've gotten used to it. We dig the Green colorway, but Flame is a fun change of pace for folks who want a pack as vibrant as their personality (or want to be seen during hunting season).

One of the biggest pros of this pack is the quality harness system. It'll keep you comfortable no matter where you take it. Plus, it has D-rings and other attachment loops where you can add gear and accessories for your adventure.

HEETA Waterproof Dry Bag 20L Review

What You Should Know: The hardware doesn’t feel very durable.

If you tend to worry whether or not you've got all your gear and want to ensure it stays dry on your next adventure, we've got you covered. The HEETA Waterproof Dry Bag is submersible and semi-transparent, so you can see what you've got stowed inside. Did you put your phone inside? No problem. Want to make sure you snagged sunscreen? Forget about it. Just look through the pack!

There are a variety of sizes available between five and 40 liters, so there's a pack that works for everyone's needs. The five and ten-liter versions utilize a sling design, whereas the 20, 30, and 40-liter versions use a backpack design. None of the models have padding or aeration on the back panel, so they aren't the most comfortable option for longer treks. However, they come in various colorways, which is fun.

All the options come in under $35 at the time of writing, so this is one of the best waterproof backpack models if you're on a budget!

Earth Pak Original Waterproof Dry Bag 10L Review

Why We Like It: It’s easy to clean and floats in water.

What You Should Know: There isn’t much organization.

If your adventures often go off-road or underwater, the Earth Pak Original Waterproof Dry Bag 10L might be perfect for you. Let's let the cat out of the bag before we dive too far; this is a sling, not a backpack. However, this pack has larger versions, up to 55 liters.

We like how easy it was to clean and the fact that it floats, and we've found both those factors to be big players when looking for a piece of gear. This means that you can quickly clean up after a more rugged journey and don't have to worry about it sinking to the bottom of the river (and scaring all the fish) on your next fishing trip.

There isn't much organization inside the pack and no external pockets or attachment loops. Still, we dig the colorways, and this thing has proven to be durable, making it a worthy addition to this list!

Skog A Kust BackSak Pro

Why We Like It: It has lots of attachment loops.

What You Should Know: The logo on the front of the pack is hard to ignore.

If you like modular gear and are searching for the best waterproof backpack for you, look no further than the Skog Å Kust Skog Å Kust BackSåk Pro! It has a daisy chain running down the front face, attachment loops on the pack's sides, and additional D-rings on the shoulder straps. Plus, it's waterproof!

The pack has an IPX7 rating, so your gear will be safe in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. After that, it might start to leak. The harness system is capable and features mesh and padding. The sternum strap and hip belt feel more like a standard backpack than other waterproof backpack models we've tested, which we dig.

The pack comes in 25 and 35-liter configurations, which feel capable and not overdone. Plus, there are four colorways to choose from at the time of writing so that you can find the perfect one for your vibe.

L.L.Bean Adventure Pro Waterproof Day Pack 26L

Why We Like It: The front mesh pocket is versatile.

What You Should Know: Can get hot if wearing it all day.

Most waterproof backpack models don't have external pockets because of the thick and durable materials used to ensure their waterproofness. However, on the L.L. Bean Adventure Pro Waterproof Day Pack 26L, there's a secondary mesh pocket on the front of the pack. We dig this because you can stow a packable travel jacket , water bottle , or another small item.

At 26 liters, this is an excellent pack for a day hike or canoeing down the river. The shoulder straps are also comfortable, making it more capable for hiking than others we've tested.

On long days of wearing it in the sun, the pack does get warm fairly quickly. However, most waterproof packs suffer from this issue, and this one performs similarly to others we've tested. Plus, if you're by the water, it's easy to cool down every so often!

ORTLIEB Velocity Waterproof Backpack 17L

Why We Like It: It has a sleek design.

What You Should Know: Not completely waterproof.

The Ortlieb Velocity isn't the most waterproof pack on this list; however, it offers a unique style, comfortable carry, and three sizes. The 17-liter option is excellent for trips where you won't have as much space (a small boat, perhaps), and the 23 and 29-liter options offer more space when you've got more cargo room to work with. Maybe Chief Brody got a bigger boat, after all.

Like other packs on this list, the Velocity has a rolltop closure. We dig the Black colorway, but the Petrol option is unique. The pack exterior is sleek; however, there aren't attachment loops, which might deter some users. Plus, the pack has an IP64 rating, which doesn't qualify as waterproof, but it'll protect your gear in most water situations outside of submersion.

The harness system is amply padded and aeration, so the carry is comfortable. Whether you take this highly water resistant backpack over the river or down the road, your gear will be dry when you get there!

Filson Dry Sling Pack Review

Why We Like It: It has a zippered main compartment.

What You Should Know: Operating the zipper takes some getting used to.

If you like to ride the wave between sling and backpack, the Filson Dry Sling Pack was made for you! It fits like a sling but comes in at 20 liters, so you can still bring all your gear on your journey.

This pack is fully submersible; however, it features a zipper, not a rolltop closer, which some users will dig because it’s quicker to open. The zipper can be hard to manipulate, but this makes the pack easier to load and unload.

The harness system is extraordinarily comfortable and breathes reasonably well. Still, it will get warm on hot days or while wearing it on longer journeys.

We've got one external pocket to work with, which is perfect for stowing smaller, flat gear, like a phone or a fishing license. We don't have much organization on the pack's inside, and the main compartment can be difficult to load. However, this is one of the most capable waterproof backpack (or sling) models we've used to date.

RUX Waterproof Bag Review

Why We Like It: It can be used as an open tote or a rolltop bag.

What You Should Know: It works best in conjunction with other RUX gear.

When you want something you can lash to your boat or stand up paddle board that is still useful for hauling your gear to the beach or the park, you may like the travel tote design of the RUX Waterproof Bag. The waterproof TPU coating on the nylon provides a rubbery texture on the outside, and it doesn’t show watermarks when it gets wet since it’s colored instead of clear.

This 25L bag includes comfortable handles and a removable shoulder strap so you can load it up with everything you need to float down the river while still being able to carry your tube to the drop-off point. Lash points all around the base of the bag give you plenty of places to strap it to your ride, and a wide base makes it easy to pack.

Use it like a regular tote if your gear can get wet or already is, but you can roll the top down for a waterproof seal when you want to keep your clothing dry for the rest of your day or plan to bring sensitive gear on your white water rafting trip. It includes compression straps to hold the top together and flattens to slide into the bottom of your rolling luggage when you don’t need it. The RUX Waterproof Bag also provides additional organization inside the 70L RUX bag. You can hook it to the outside or fit two inside the bag to keep your wet clothing separate from your dry gear. And if you want more organization on the Waterproof Bag, you can get the RUX Pocket and attach one or two to the outside.

Here at Pack Hacker, we love testing gear. When it’s waterproof, we put things through their paces in the elements, under the faucet, and sometimes in the shower. Not every slice of gear is submersible, but it doesn’t always have to be. There are many highly water resistant backpacks on the market, and we couldn’t help but share a few of our favorites with you. Let’s dive in!

Mountain Hardwear Simcoe 28 Backpack Review

Why We Like It: TPU shell is water-resistant and easy to clean.

What You Should Know: Pack can’t stand up on its own.

The nylon shell on the Mountain Hardwear Simcoe 28 Backpack is coated with a thermoplastic polyurethane, or TPU, coating, which makes it an extraordinarily water-resistant backpack. The main compartment has YKK AquaGuard zippers, which also help keep the gear you've stowed inside from leaking liquids. At 28 liters, you can store a fair amount inside, including up to a 15-inch laptop!

The harness system is more comfortable than most other packs on this list because it isn't crafted from 100% waterproof materials. There's more stretch, padding, and aeration, which we dig on a comfort level.

If you're caught in the rain, spill something on the exterior, or get splashed while walking through a new city, the Mountain Hardwear Simcoe 28 Backpack will keep your gear dry.

Matador Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack Review

Why We Like It: It packs down to fit into your hand.

What You Should Know: Doesn’t hold its shape without gear stowed inside.

We understand if you're surprised to see a packable backpack on this list with waterproof in its name. However, if you're into backpacks, you probably won't be surprised to see that Matador manufactures it. The Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack packs down to fit into the palm of your hand and is crafted from nylon with a UTS waterproof coating. Whereas we haven't found this pack to be waterproof, we find it highly water resistant, especially considering its size and weight.

The pack has a lightweight harness system, which we aren't shocked by, considering it's a packable backpack. However, having a sternum strap and hip belt are excellent for long journeys across a new city or unfamiliar trail.

Considering its size, price, and highly water-resistant construction, the Matador Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack is an excellent shout for anyone looking to stay dry while saving weight.

Patagonia Black Hole Pack 32L Review

Why We Like It: It’s highly water-resistant.

What You Should Know: The organization in the secondary pockets isn’t great.

If the idea of a heavy waterproof backpack scares you and you still want the amenities of a travel backpack, check out the Patagonia Black Hole Pack 32L. It's much lighter than most waterproof backpack models on the market and combines many features. It has external attachment loops, is highly water-resistant, and has thoughtful internal organization. Plus, some of the pack uses recycled materials!

The primary pack material is a 300D recycled polyester ripstop with a TPU coating. This fabric does a stellar job keeping water at bay and remains lightweight. The look might not be for everyone, but it does the job.

Whether trekking across the concrete jungle or hiking up a mountain, the harness system is simple but comfortable. It can get hot on warm days but breathes better than many travel backpacks we've tested. If you're a fan of Patagonia and are looking for a water resistant backpack, the Black Hole Pack 32L might be for you!

So there you have it; some of the most waterproof backpacks and slings on the market, with a few water-resistant models. Whether you’re crossing a river, boating, or staying somewhere rainy, hopefully, you’ve found your pick!

June 20, 2023

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Author: Eric Hergenreder

Eric has been across the globe, but his favorite place to explore is his home state of Michigan. His love for photography has taken him all around the Great Lake State, often writing about his travels so that others can enjoy them, too. Eric loves messing around with analog photography, watching soccer, and searching for the world’s best burger in his spare time.

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Tested: The 7 Best Waterproof Backpacks for Unpredictable Scenarios

Best Waterproof Backpacks 0 Hero

By: Ethan Brehm Published: Feb 15, 2024

By: Ethan Brehm and Sean Tirman Published: Feb 15, 2024

Contributors

best travel waterproof backpack

Weather can be unpredictable — both in day-to-day life and when out in nature . And while we still haven’t figured out how to control the skies, intrepid craftsmen have figured out plenty of ways to help protect you and your gear against the unpredictability of Mother Nature. That includes creating waterproof and water-resistant outerwear, shoes and boots, and even carry solutions.

It’s the latter of that group we’re interested in focusing on today. More specifically, we’ve rounded up a collection of some of the most ubiquitous haulers, the backpack, that are far more weatherproof than your average JanSport. Whether you live in the rainy PNW, find yourself frequently trekking through the rainforest, or you just want a solid travel bag that isn’t going to spring a leak and ruin your laptop computer, you’ll find it on our list of the best waterproof backpacks, which we’ve tested out for you.

Best Waterproof Backpacks

Sea to Summit Ultra Sil Dry Day Pack F 2 24 4

Best Budget Backpack

Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Day Pack

Matador Freerain22 F 2 24 4

Best for Travel

Matador Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack

Ortlieb Velocity F 2 24 4

Best for Urban Commuting

Ortlieb Velocity Backpack

Filson Dry Backpack F 2 24 4

Best for Camping

Filson Dry Backpack

Black Ember Citadel F 2 24 4

Best Everyday Backpack

Black Ember Citadel Minimal Pack

Patagonia Guidewater F 2 24 4

Best for Boating

patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L

YETI Panga F 2 24 4

Best Overall

YETI Panga Backpack

Article Overview

How We Tested

What to look for in a waterproof pack, waterproof backpacks comparison chart, waterproof vs. water-resistant, honorable mentions, the best dry bags.

Best Waterproof Backpacks Tested

As you’ll see below, not every waterproof backpack is made equally. In order to help you with your purchasing decision, we’ve gone through a handful of bags to see which ones are the best. For starters, we used our knowledge in the space to help us come up with a list of brands we love. We also scoured the web to fill in any gaps. From there, we took a look at these brands’ waterproof backpack options, taking into account price, zippers, materials, construction, and submersibility. From there, we acquired our samples for review and tested them out.

A major part of our testing was submersibility, which required us to perform a bathtub test. This consisted of resting each of these bags inside a bathtub filled with water for 5 hours to see how they held up. Inside, we placed a piece of colored construction paper to better visualize the water marks, if any. Outlined below, our results were just part of our testing process, which also consisted of using and wearing the bags themselves, looking at variables such as durability, straps, comfort, capacity, and price, among other things. The results are presented to you below.

Capacity: A bag’s capacity will greatly affect your purpose for it. Larger bags may act as your primary backpack for camping or hiking, while smaller, packable backpacks may simply serve as supplementary gear bags. Likewise, the bigger the bag, the heavier it may be.

Exterior Materials: Without some kind of IP rating, it’s somewhat difficult to tell just at a glance what bags are waterproof and which aren’t. But if you see TPU laminates (or similar materials) in the exterior construction, there’s a pretty good chance that the fabric is at least impenetrable to moisture. It’s also helpful when brands, on their websites or on labels, mark that fabric is 100% waterproof. There are also some materials that are extremely water-resistant, but not impenetrable to moisture. Don’t be fooled by believing that GORE-TEX makes something completely impenetrable. Yes, it will likely keep out even the heaviest rainfall, but complete submersion will yield a different, soggier result.

Closures & Seals: Almost as important as the material itself, the seals and closures will determine true waterproofing. Something with stitched seals is inherently not waterproof, as moisture can slip between the seams. However, seams that are welded or taped are going to be far more water-tight. Similarly, there are both water-resistant and waterproof zippers — so keep an eye out for that. Lastly, many truly waterproof bags rely on hearty roll-top closures to create a waterproof seal. Not all of these closures are truly waterproof, but they can be extremely good at fending off impending moisture.

Submersion: The easiest way to see if something is truly waterproof or just extremely water resistant is to see if the brand themselves make claims as to whether it can be completely submerged. Bags that are submersible are a point of pride and will almost always be outlined as such. If a bag’s description doesn’t mention this factor, you’re better off assuming it can’t be submerged.

Sea to Summit Ultra Sil Dry Day Pack F 2 24 1

  • CORDURA construction is super tough and lightweight
  • Material is slightly transluscent to help see gear inside
  • Surprisingly sturdy shoulder straps
  • Contoured shape brings structure
  • Difficult to stuff into sack
  • Exterior bungee pocket could be more effective

Best Budget Backpack: It comes as no surprise to anyone familiar with the outdoor gear brand that Sea To Summit’s Ultra-Sil Dry Day Pack is the most affordable here. Also great for those looking to shed some weight, the 22L pack can compress into an impossibly small stuff sack of just 5″x2.5″x1.5″ with a carabiner attachment. You’ll still get an exterior made from 30D siliconized CORDURA for superior durability and strength, reinforced shoulder straps, double-stitched seams with high-density PU tape, and a double hypalon roll-top.

Sea to Summit Ultra Sil Dry Day Pack F 2 24 2

Once you get the Ultra-Sil out of its pouch, you’ll notice how bare-bones this bag truly is, which could be seen as a benefit when traveling for long distances . At 22L, the bag’s contoured outer seams allow it to maintain a distinct shape despite its packability. Likewise, the translucent fabric helps you see the inside easier. Despite being thin and relatively unstructured, the shoulder straps feel pretty sturdy. I thought they would be more prone to twisting, but was delightfully wrong. Not only are they easy to set straight around your shoulders but if they do twist once or twice, they don’t have the stiffness that could make it difficult to untwist, as so many other backpacks have. When comparing the roll-top clip to others, the Sea to Summit’s is easy to snap on and off, but also strikes the balance between sturdy and loose. You can also tuck them away easily if you don’t need them. As expected, the backpack let in a lot of water during our bathtub test, but it never claims to be submersible either.

Sea to Summit Ultra Sil Dry Day Pack F 2 24 3

My biggest gripe with the Ultra-Sil is the difficulty of stuffing this back inside the stuff sack (as well as the initial removal). I could see travelers circumventing the sack altogether out of frustration and to save time. If you do this, make sure to turn it inside out so the straps don’t snag on anything in the process. Elsewhere, the bungee pocket on the outside doesn’t have enough switchbacks where something like extra clothing would feel secure over a longer haul. Perhaps this is in order to shed weight and allow it to stuff a bit smaller, but few would complain if the stuff sack had to be slightly larger.

Sea to Summit Ultra Sil Dry Day Pack F 2 24 4

Verdict: With a great contoured shape despite the lightweight nature of the bag, the Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil feels remarkably sturdy and easy to wear. Putting it back into its stuff sack may be an issue but this thing is so lightweight and packable that you could realistically stuff it anywhere with no issues.

Capacity: 22L Weight: 3.9oz Material: 30D siliconized CORDURA Seams: Double-stitched and taped Submersible?: No

Matador Freerain22 F 2 24 1

  • Incredibly lightweight
  • Additional front pocket is spacious
  • Multiple roll-top clipping options
  • Roll-top may unroll easily

Best for Travel: Matador has made it its business to provide outdoorsmen and travelers with ultra-lightweight gear-carrying solutions, and the brand’s Freerain22 is a paradigm of that. Keeping things under 11oz, the 22-liter backpack is constructed with 70D Robic nylon ripstop reinforced with ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene and given some PU waterproofing for good measure. The seams are sealed internally while the secure combination of YKK zipper and a Hypalon roll-top closure allows this thing to be as close to submersible as you can get without actually being submersible.

Matador Freerain22 F 2 24 2

Incredibly lightweight, the Freerain22 still feels sturdy. By looking at it, you may forget that it’s actually just 10.6oz. Aside from the attractive design, the Matador bag has some nice features, such as the side water bottle pockets, the sternum and hip straps, and the array of lashing points for attaching extras. Likewise, for an ultra-lightweight backpack, the spacious front pocket –– sealed with a YKK zipper –– is a generous inclusion. A lot of the time, zippers on waterproof bags can be difficult to open and close, but these cause no hassle whatsoever. Not to mention, the satisfying click of the top roll-top clip feels secure. The buckle can be either clipped like a normal roll-top, or attached to the sides of the bag (i.e., each side of the clip attaches to a receiving clip next to the shoulder strap).

Matador Freerain22 F 2 24 3

As much as we loved the versatility of the top clip, the actual roll-top function feels the most unrollable of all the ones we tested. I was able to easily unroll the closure without unclipping it, likely due to the addition of the top zipper which prevents a full wrapping of the buckle. I opted for the side clipping option for testing since it felt the most secure. The Matador never claims to be submersible, but we thought we’d try out how it performed underwater. After its time in the bathtub, both the main compartment and the side pocket flooded with water after 5 hours.

Matador Freerain22 F 2 24 4

Verdict: Packable yet capable of functioning as an actual day-to-day backpack, the Matador Freerain22 has more extra pockets than you’d expect and sports an attractive design to boot. For $100, you’re certainly getting at least double what you’d get with a bag half its price. A great waterproof backpack regardless of its few flaws.

Capacity: 22L Weight: 10.6oz Material: 70D Robic nylon UHMWPE reinforced ripstop with PU coating Seams: Internally sealed Submersible?: No

Ortlieb Velocity F 2 24 1

  • Comfortable for wearing all day
  • Despite not being submersible, water stays out pretty well
  • Very rugged exterior
  • Laptop sleeve is removable
  • Lightweight
  • Able to attach helmet or rear light
  • Needs exterior stretch pocket for water bottle
  • Difficult to see inside

Best for Urban Commuting: Although it’s decidedly more city than country — and it can’t be fully submerged — Ortlieb’s Velocity Backpack is undeniably one of the best weatherproof haulers for city-going commuters. We’re looking at you, urban cyclists. With a 20L capacity, it’s plenty roomy for most folks and their everyday carry. But its flip-top closure and waterproof coated polyester canvas exterior will ensure that no water creeps inside. Also, you’re able to attach a helmet or rear light for cycling. While we reviewed the black version, it’s also available in several colors, including a hi-vis yellow that’s perfect for staying safe in gray, stormy weather.

Ortlieb Velocity F 2 24 2

Although it’s not submersible, the Ortlieb Velocity is still very waterproof. It would serve you well in most downpours; it just can’t go swimming with you. After our bathtub test, we noticed the entirety of the water was coming in from up top, based on the markings on the paper inside. This tells us that, unlike other non-submersible backpacks, the seams at the base weren’t letting in any water. However, in a situation where rain was falling from above, this backpack should still keep your stuff pretty dry. The removable laptop sleeve is a plus and comes with a zippered gear pouch. The top and bottom Velcro ensure that it’s extra secure inside as well; it’s not easy to remove, for better or worse. Removing the pouch could help with having easier access to what’s inside of it, but I can’t see most people willing to go through this extra step to do so. While it could use at least one external pouch or pocket, there is a webbing loop on the back and several on the straps for attaching extra bags or gear via carabiners.

Ortlieb Velocity F 2 24 3

To further the waterproof point, perhaps the interior laptop compartment could have gotten some sort of waterproof zipper. Instead, your computer would just rest right inside of the flip-top closure. And while it would likely be safe in most conditions, an extra layer of security wouldn’t hurt. We also mentioned the relative difficulty of taking out the laptop sleeve, but it’s also not easy to put it back inside. In general, the bag is difficult to see inside. It’s deep and doesn’t open all that wide. As a plus, however, it’s capable of standing up on its own when open.

Ortlieb Velocity F 2 24 4

Verdict: The Ortlieb Velocity could use some extra exterior pouches but this is a comfortable bag that’s easy to wear for extended periods, considering its size. I kind of liked the Velcro flip-top in place of a classic clip-on roll-top. It may technically be easier to unlatch but not by much, and it’s certainly easier and cleaner to close. If you’re forced to bring your laptop to work every day and must endure a wet commute, this backpack is the perfect pick-up, and one that won’t break the bank.

Capacity: 23L Weight: 1.94lbs Material: Coated Polyester Seams: N/A Submersible?: No

Filson Dry Backpack F 2 24 1

  • Shell is really durable and abrasion-resistant
  • Submersible
  • Comfortable when hiking all day
  • High-visibility color is optimal for finding it easier
  • Not too many straps
  • Could be slightly bigger in capacity
  • Top buckle can be difficult to operate

Best for Camping: Founded in Seattle way back in 1897 as an outfitter during the Klondike Gold Rush, Filson knows a thing or two about building superb, water-resistant gear. But they may have outdone themselves with their Dry Backpack — at least when it comes to waterproofing. You see, this bag is actually submersible thanks to its water-tight roll-top closure and PU-coated nylon exterior. The large main compartment is also complemented by a smaller zippered external pouch and another inside. All told, this is a relatively compact waterproof backpack with plenty of space for day hikes in any weather or even across bodies of water.

Filson Dry Backpack F 2 24 2

High-visibility backpacks have plenty of benefits, such as their ability to be found in a crowded trunk or a waterlogged boat. Unlike its Dry Bag, Filson’s Dry Backpack is fully submersible, as we saw in our bathtub test, which showed no markings on the paper inside. Where most roll-tops clip in a round formation, the clips here attach to the bag’s sides. There aren’t a lot of extra straps on this backpack, but the ones that are there, such as the sternum straps, are brown in color, so they don’t blend into the rest of the bag and can be spotted easily. Aesthetics aside, the color choices are thoughtfully chosen. However, the sample we got had a slightly different shade of orange on the shell, so keep that in mind.

Filson Dry Backpack F 2 24 3

As useful as the clip over the top is when ensuring submersibility, it’s a bit difficult to undo when in a hurry. Likewise, the Velcro mouth is hard to open but, what’s worse, is it closes easily on its own. On the other hand, there are some nice gear pouch options –– one zippered pocket on the outside and one on the inside. Although, some may wish that there were one or two more inside, even though 20L isn’t necessarily a lot to work with. Also, keep in mind that the exterior pocket is not necessarily submersible. While it helps keep the weight light, the 20-liter capacity is admittedly not a lot, especially after you fold the top down, so you won’t get as much interior real estate for packing your gear.

Filson Dry Backpack F 2 24 4

Verdict: A very comfortable, lightweight bag, the Filson Dry Backpack won’t fit as much as some other options, but for a more practical submersible option, this is definitely a great option for the price. It feels rugged to the touch and you can rely on this backpack to do its job.

Capacity: 20L Weight: 2.19lbs Material: 840D TPU-coated nylon tarpaulin Seams: Welded Submersible?: Yes

Black Ember Citadel F 2 24 1

  • Stealthy appearance
  • Comfortable to wear all day long
  • Aircraft-grade hardware
  • Extremely well-organized
  • Zippers are easy to open
  • Relatively heavy, especially when wet
  • Not super waterproof
  • Could use waterproof pocket

Best Everyday Backpack: Probably the stealthiest and definitely one of the best-looking traditional-style backpacks on our list, Black Ember’s Citadel Minimal Pack might just be the best urban waterproof hauler we’ve ever come across. Not only is it built from a proprietary Micro-Hex waterproof fabric , but it also features exacting laser-cut details and bonded seams that allow it to stave off just about any storm and keep all your gear inside dry and safe. Mate that to comfortable EVA shoulder straps, a stabilizing sternum strap, YKK AquaGuard zippers, and aircraft-grade aluminum hardware and this bag is definitely deserving of its place here.

Black Ember Citadel F 2 24 2

You’ll go mad trying to discover all the organization compartments in this thing. Your laptop gets its own pocket in the back, which is great for keeping your other gear separate. Great whether you’re commuting or running errands, you’ll be able to segment the different sections according to your needs. What’s more, the pockets within the pockets are incredibly deep. A lot of organization pockets inside backpacks are inexplicably shallow, but not here. The bag’s not submersible, but the AquaGuard zippers are still really easy to open. In terms of grab handles, you have the standard option up top, but the back also has a built-in handle in the center. There’s only a sternum strap, but Black Ember realizes that perhaps a waist strap is too much. For the few number of times we actually use them, waist straps can often get in the way. There’s already a lot to take in with this bag.

Black Ember Citadel F 2 24 3

If this bag could use anything, it’s an assigned water bottle pocket. However, you shouldn’t have trouble finding one of the interior pouches to stuff one inside. In terms of keeping out water, we knew the Citadel wouldn’t be submersible but we weren’t prepared for exactly how non-submersible it would be. In the bathtub test, it got completely soaked in every pocket, which had the added drawback of adding even more weight to the already-3.5-pound bag. Unlike other non-submersible bags on this list, there’s no roll-top or flip-top either to keep out moisture in heavy rains.

Black Ember Citadel F 2 24 4

Verdict: Highly comfortable, durable, and extremely well-organized, the Black Ember Citadel is not only useful but it’s fun to use. With plenty of segmented compartments, the bag has an intuitive design that’s well worth the price on the tag. It might not be your go-to for heavier rains (and definitely not camping) but it will do you just fine in drizzles.

Capacity: 25L Weight: 3.5lbs Material: 800D Micro-Hex Performance Textile Seams: N/A Submersible?: No

Patagonia Guidewater F 2 24 1

  • Lightweight, especially for the size
  • Good organization for smaller gear too
  • Lots of gear loops
  • Totally waterproof and submersible
  • Zippers difficult to open and close

Best for Boating: It should surprise nobody to see a big, outdoor-focused brand like Patagonia on our list. But that doesn’t mean they didn’t earn their spot. One of three truly submersible packs on our list, their Guidewater Backpack certainly ranks amongst the best out there. Built with burly 100% recycled nylon plain weave with 200D polyester lining (also 100% recycled), this 29L vest-compatible pack is a compact weatherproof hauler that would be perfect for single-day hiking trips or cycling through inclement weather with an IPX7 rating. Weighing just over 2lbs, it also has hydrophobic shoulder straps and a back panel that don’t absorb water. The handy gear loops on the back also allow this to be modular and versatile for multiple scenarios, with an ambidextrous net scabbard on the back panel for easy stowing.

Patagonia Guidewater F 2 24 2

Unlike other submersible bags, such as the YETI below, the Guidewater has some smaller interior organization options. There’s a large interior pocket that’s stitched in as well, and then there’s a removable (via Velcro) gear pouch that features two small pockets and a zippered pocket with a lashing point on the inside. Although it’s easy to open, it requires two hands to do so effectively. The top Velcro strip on this pouch has extra room for sticking on additional items. Like most other submersible bags, this backpack doesn’t have any exterior pockets. However, there are plenty of gear loops and D-rings. Sternum and waist straps help you carry heavier loads, while the shoulder straps separate so you can put them around larger objects.

Patagonia Guidewater F 2 24 3

It’s also important to note how lightweight this backpack is considering how rugged it is. Although, the YETI Panga, which can be easily compared to this bag, is nearly twice as heavy but also feels sturdier. The heavy-duty zipper on both the patagonia Guidwater and the YETI Panga below are very similar in that they’re both incredibly difficult to open and close. However, the Guidewater is even more difficult due to its shell, which is a bit flimsier than the Panga. To ensure that it’s fully submersible, you have to lock the zipper at the end, which can be difficult to do. However, an incomplete zip will surely let in water, so be careful. If you do want to take this into the water, it can certainly keep everything out. It passed our bathtub test with flying colors, leaving the paper inside completely dry.

Patagonia Guidewater F 2 24 4

Verdict: With plenty of exterior gear loops and some useful interior organization options, both big and small, the patagonia Guidewater is a fantastic boating and outdoor backpack, and one that’s refreshingly lightweight to boot. Perhaps a bit flimsier than, say, YETI’s Panga, that flexibility will also help it fit into tighter spots without losing any durability.

Capacity: 29L Weight: 2.13lbs Material: 100% recycled nylon plain weave with 200D polyester lining Seams: N/A Submersible?: Yes

YETI Panga F 2 24 1

  • Surprisingly great interior organization
  • Modular interior and exterior
  • Totally waterproof and puncture-resistant
  • Really attractive aesthetic
  • Needs a water bottle pocket on the side

Best Overall: As mentioned previously in this article, YETI –– who you may know best for its supreme drinkware products –– also makes one of the best waterproof bags around. A good deal more compact and easy to carry than their ultra-sturdy duffel bag of the same name, the Panga Backpack boasts a similar construction in a more manageable silhouette perfect for short-term adventures. Weighing 3.9lbs in total, this bag can haul 28L worth of gear inside its main compartment, but also has a modular grid on the exterior for some additions that might not otherwise fit. It also features an airtight HydroLok zipper and waterproof ThickSkin Shell — comprised of high-density nylon and a TPU laminate. That alone would garner this bag a spot on our list, but it’s also got some handy organizational pockets inside as a bonus.

YETI Panga F 2 24 2

Arguably the best-looking backpack on this list, the Panga sports YETI’s signature design language and will be a popular choice because of it. We love the interior Velcro wall that invites attachment options for modular capabilities, as well as the zippered mesh pocket that’s easy to see inside. A larger pocket simply acts as a divider but is far too thick and rubbery to keep many things in place. Outside of the bag features 10 gear loops, with loops underneath the backpack for tying it down in, say, a boat or at your campsite. Unlike other bags with a lack of grab handles or just one on the top or side, this bag has grab handles on both sides as well as on top. Like expected, the Panga didn’t let any water in during the bathtub test.

YETI Panga F 2 24 3

We mentioned this with the patagonia Guidewater above, which features a similar issue, but the zipper is incredibly difficult to operate. And just like the Guidewater, it must be forced closed at the end, otherwise you risk letting water inside. Again, this is a necessary evil to ensure its submersibility. There could also be some sort of water bottle pocket or external pouch, but the name of the game with this backpack is total protection against water inside of itself. In other words, if you needed to cross a lake with this strapped to your back, you could do so.

YETI Panga F 2 24 4

Verdict: At 3.9lbs, the YETI Panga might make more sense for shorter outings, but its 28-liter capacity will serve you well for longer trips too. The zipper can be frustrating but this backpack would be our first choice in terms of ruggedness and actually protecting our valuables from moisture. Blending form and function really well, the Panga isn’t big on organization but is a very capable and versatile backpack nonetheless.

Capacity: 28L Weight: 3.9lbs Material:  TPU-Laminated High-Density Nylon Seams: Welded Submersible?: Yes

“Waterproof” and “water-resistant” are often used interchangeably, but don’t get it twisted: These are not the same thing! If something is water-resistant, it simply means the product can resist moisture, whether through a special water-repellant fabric treatment or materials that are inherently water-resistant, such as polyester or nylon.

“Waterproof” means that both the materials and the way the product is constructed are fully impenetrable to moisture. Elements such as zippers and seams will be designed in a way that they don’t let water inside. And remember that not every waterproof bag is fully “submersible.” However, brands will often let you know if this is the case.

Rains is well-known for its rain jackets but we felt its Trail Mountaineer Bag deserves special mention for its versatility and affordable price point. We weren’t able to get hands-on with the backpack but it’s perfect for both hiking and commuting, combining sporty and outdoorsy aesthetics as well, while including a padded laptop sleeve and tons of external pockets and attachment point.

Earth Pak’s Summit 35L is a good budget-friendly option that’s popular for its sturdiness at a fair price point. However, it would be easy to spend a little more and just get the Matador we mentioned above.

Another bag that blends hiking and commuting is the L.L. Bean Adventure Pro Waterproof Day Pack 26L . L.L Bean is a trusted brand in this space and this submersible bag could be a great mid-level option for beachgoing or rafting.

Not as notable as the brand’s Baja View dry bag, SealLine’s Black Canyon Waterproof Backpack just barely doesn’t make the cut here, since there are plenty of more credible bags in this same price range.

Subtech’s Pro Drybag 55L is a great rugged option that can double as a floatation device. However, compared to some of the options that made the cut, the backpack’s lack of actual innovations and visual appeal kept it off our shortlist.

Arc’teryx is another brand that needs to be mentioned here. Its Granville 25 Backpack is a popular choice, albeit one plagued with poor reviews due to construction inconsistencies. However, it may be an appealing upper mid-level choice for some.

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The Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks

A person standing outside in a light blue short sleeve shirt wears the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L backpack, in black with a gray llama-head logo and aqua accents.

By Kit Dillon

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

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

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

What we considered

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

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

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

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

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

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

The research

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

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

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

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

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

45-liter bag vs. 35-liter bag

A graphic comparing the difference in capacity between a 45-liter and a 35-liter backpack.

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L

A versatile small pack for a week or a weekend.

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

Buying Options

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

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

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

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

The packed Cotopaxi Allpa Travel Pack, shown fully open so that the contents are accessible.

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

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

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

Flaws but not dealbreakers

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

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

A person stands by a wooden fence outdoors while wearing the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L, our larger pick for the best carry-on travel backpack.

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L, our also-great pick for the best carry-on travel backpack, is held in midair by a person wearing a plaid shirt.

Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L

Combines more organization with a simple interior.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Osprey Farpoint/ Fairview 40 Travel Pack, one of our also-great picks for the best carry-on travel backpack, shown in black.

Osprey Farpoint 40

For long distances on foot.

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

best travel waterproof backpack

Osprey Fairview 40

For long distances and smaller torsos.

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

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

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

View of the straps on the reverse of the Osprey travel backpack.

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

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

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

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

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

The Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L, our also-great pick for the best carry-on travel backpack.

Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L

A suitcase to carry on your back.

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

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

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

The Tortuga Backpack Pro shown with the front clamshell lid in the open position.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A graphic illustrating a clamshell bag opening

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This article was edited by Ria Misra and Christine Ryan.

Chase Reeves, Matterful.co , phone interview , October 10, 2018

Addison Ryan, moderator, r/onebag , email interview , September 8, 2018

Lindsay Lorraine Calderón, moderator, r/heronebag , phone interview , September 28, 2018

Meet your guide

best travel waterproof backpack

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

Further reading

Four Osprey travel backpacks, two blue, two green, sitting next to each other.

The Best Travel Backpack

by Geoffrey Morrison

For trips ranging from a week to multiple months, the Osprey Farpoint 55 and Fairview 55 carried everything we needed comfortably.

A person in an outdoor environment wearing one of our picks for best buy it for life backpack with a minimalist look, the GoRuck GR1.

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

by Kit Dillon

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

Three of our favorite backpacks, totes and duffle bags on display

Wirecutter’s Favorite Bags, Totes, Backpacks and Carryalls

by Truth Headlam

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

Our picks for best laptop backpack pictured with school supplies.

The Best Laptop Backpacks

by Zoe Vanderweide

A great laptop backpack protects your tech, is comfortable to carry, and looks good, too. These five bags are our favorites for wrangling your workday gear.

Travel Fashion Girl

Best Waterproof Backpack for Women: Picks for Any Trip or Terrain

Backpacks , FASHION

best travel waterproof backpack

Support TFG by using the links in our articles to shop. We receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) so we can continue to create helpful free content. We earn from qualifying purchases made to the featured retailers. Thank you, we appreciate your support!

Expecting rain on your next trip? We’ve rounded up the best women’s water resistant backpack options to keep your essentials safe and sound—check them out!

Top Waterproof Backpack Women Travel With

Table of contents.

Every traveler needs a great backpack to hold their essentials, whether for sightseeing, business trips, beach days, or sporty adventures like hiking and camping. But if you’re traveling during the rainy season or are heading to a rainy climate, then you’ll need a trusty, water-friendly option to keep your things safe inside. 

Take a look at the best waterproof backpack travel picks! 

Best Womens Waterproof Backpack for Various Scenarios

best-waterproof-backpack

Shop: Amazon | Osprey

Best Overall Waterproof Backpack for Travel: Osprey Transporter

This longtime TFG favorite also happens to be the Editor’s top pick! This Osprey waterproof backpack is such a fantastic option for all kinds of travelers and destinations. Tough yet sleek, this lightweight waterproof backpack opens up to reveal awesome organizational features, including a spacious, flat-opening compartment for easy packing. And with its DWR finish, you’ll never have to worry about getting caught in the rain with it.

best-waterproof-backpack

For my European summer trip in 2022, I used the Osprey Transporter 38L Wheeled Suitcase and the Osprey Transporter 44L Backpack as a diaper bag for the flight!

I recently used this waterproof backpack osprey as my personal item during a four-week trip through Europe . I brought it to use as a diaper bag for the flight and to store my baby’s belongings. It’s so comfortable to carry and has separate compartments with plenty of pockets to keep everything ultra-organized. Loved it!

I used the all-new Osprey Transporter bags for that trip. I loved it and couldn’t have been happier with my choices!

best-waterproof-backpack

Shop: Amazon | Walmart

Best Water Resistant Backpack Voted by Readers: MATEIN

Readers have made this Matein waterproof backpack with a laptop compartment a bestseller on the blog and for good reason! Loved for its top-notch organizational features, this bag boasts a TON of pockets (including tech and pen pockets), a padded laptop sleeve, a USB charging port, and a trolley sleeve. The straps and back have ventilated padding for comfy carrying, and it has a water-resistant coating to keep valuable travel items protected and dry!

It’s especially popular among tech-savvy or business travelers , and given all the functions, it’s really lightweight, too!

One reader says, “This is the best laptop waterproof backpack I’ve ever had. It packs a lot and is still comfortable to carry!”

You’ll never struggle in the airport again with these recommended travel bags with trolley sleeve !

best-waterproof-backpack

Shop: Amazon

Best Water Resistant Backpack Laptop Style for Europe: Sherpani 

A perfect combination of style and travel-ready function makes this Sherpani Soleil water resistant backpack a favorite among readers for their European travels. This chic yet sensible bag has multiple inner and outer pockets (including two side pockets for a water bottle ) and is lightweight and has a trolley sleeve, along with a comfy crossbody strap for you to switch up how you carry it!

And the RFID blocking system, locking zippers, and chair lock will make this less worrisome to carry around Spain or France .

One reader says, “Wow! It’s a beautiful waterproof backpack black, that’s versatile and affordable!”

best-waterproof-backpack

Best Waterproof Backpack for Hiking : Osprey Tempest 

The Tempest 20 waterproof backpack hiking style is feather-light, with a durable DWR coating that’s impervious to the harshest of elements. It’s also beyond comfortable to carry — because I’ve had back issues, I prioritize lightweight backpacks , and this is as good as it gets! The airflow increased the comfort level as it felt breathable and light on my back.

best-waterproof-backpack

When I hiked the Utah national parks in 2021, the Osprey Tempest 20 Daypack was my constant companion! 

This is probably one of the best hiking waterproof backpack as its features tick off all the points on my wishlist: hiking pole inserts, a mesh exterior pocket for quick access to my waterproof jacket or phone with mini-tripod, 2 mesh secure water bottle holders, a small upper stash pocket for essentials, and a main compartment with just enough space for some snacks, silk thermals , and a Columbia waterproof jacket .

We’ve rounded up the best anti theft travel bags for women , and our readers have voted for their favorite styles!

best-waterproof-backpack

Shop: Orvis

Best Waterproof Backpack for Camping : Orvis 

This Orvis waterproof backpack has you covered for camping trips with its robust, water-resistant nylon construction and adventure-ready features. This bag is spacious yet will remain slim and comfy against your body; plus it comes equipped with two exterior zip pockets, two side water bottle pockets, and a padded laptop sleeve inside. 

While sporty and rugged, this small water resistant backpack is super cute, too, with the lovely sage color adding a subtle feminine touch! 

A wearer shares more, “I’m in love with this pack. It’s simple and exceptionally well-made. The fabric is silky and feels nice while being durable. The zippers are effortless, and the cinch top adds a nice extra level of security. I can get everything I need in there for almost any trip, for any length of time, in any weather!”

best-waterproof-backpack

Best Waterproof Backpack for Beach Trips: Piscifun

Keep your belongings safe and sound as you splash around at the beach with Piscifun’s waterproof backpack small option . This will give you such peace of mind if you’re spending time by the water, as it has a fully welded seal and sturdy straps, plus it’ll float if it falls in! You can take this kayaking, and sailing, to the beach, a lake, and beyond! 

As a major bonus, this waterproof backpack dry bag comes with a waterproof phone case with touch screen capabilities, which is super handy for snapping pics on the go! 

A user gives an impressive review, “After just getting back from two weeks in Hawaii I’m impressed with the bag. Used it all day, every day. It was great for the beach and was comfortable on hikes. I used it as a ‘floaty’ for snorkeling in bigger waves and submersed it at times, and it stayed dry. It’s a great bag!”

Read  this post  to find out our favorite cute backpacks for travel!

best-waterproof-backpack

Shop: Amazon | Bagsmart

Best Waterproof Backpack for Camera Gear: BAGSMART

Protecting all of your precious camera equipment is the #1 priority when it comes to choosing a bag, and BAGSMART’s cute waterproof backpack does that and more! Aside from keeping your things safe from the elements with its water-resistant coating, it has a padded laptop sleeve, sturdy buckle closures for security, and a shock-absorbing bottom in case it drops.

Plus, the waterproof backpack’s stylish design has a pocket or compartment for absolutely everything, so you’ll be able to stay beyond organized and always ready to snap that perfect photo!

A happy user shares, “Love this camera bag, and I think it’s the best waterproof backpack for a laptop. The compartment is completely customizable, which is incredible and perfect for my ever-changing lens collection! I take this backpack every time I travel because I always want my camera, but it also has great space for my computer and iPad, as well as books and journals. Great storage, great size! The trolley sleeve is also incredibly useful!”

best-waterproof-backpack

Shop: Amazon | Moosejaw | Osprey

Best Waterproof Backpack Laptop That’s Chic: Osprey Arcane

Streamlined and sleek, The Osprey Arcane waterproof backpack roll top style will keep your belongings ultra-safe with its high quality, rugged, and fully waterproof construction. It has a slim, minimalist design with a roll top, comfy straps, and a breathable back panel, plus it has a laptop sleeve and an exterior zip pocket. 

Rain or shine, this stylish waterproof backpack can tackle outdoor adventures or city sightseeing, with a blinky light attachment and reflective graphics for some added safety! 

This rolling waterproof backpack is sustainably made from recycled nylon! A wearer says, “Stylish and functional. I wanted something for traveling that’s a bit smarter for things like city breaks. The bag is really nice, well made, and looks amazing.”

To help you avoid overweight baggage fees, we’ve rounded up the best lightweight luggage – under 5 lbs!

best-waterproof-backpack

Shop: Amazon |  Nordstrom

Best Water Resistant Backpacks for Sightseeing: Fjällräven

This Kånken water resistant backpack is a dependable and easygoing option that’s perfect for sightseeing, whether in rainy London or tropical Southeast Asia . This cutie checks all the travel-friendly boxes with a lightweight yet spacious design, durable fabric, a side water bottle pocket, and a front pocket for easy-to-reach essentials.

Its iconic, retro, and timeless style will complement any sightseeing look, and it comes in a ton of colors to suit your wardrobe!

One reader shares, “I love my Kanken water resistant backpack! It’s surprisingly comfortable to wear, even when packed to the max. It’s water-resistant for drizzly days, and it’s crazy durable too!”

best-waterproof-backpack

Shop: The North Face

Best Waterproof Backpack North Face Pick: Kaban 2.0

The North Face is a super popular brand in the TFG community, and this Kaban waterproof backpack is adored for both city and adventure travel. It’s tall and spacious yet super lightweight for the size, and the padded back panel and shoulder straps make it extra comfortable to carry (plus, there’s a side handle and a trolley sleeve for switching it up).

And if you love having a dedicated place for everything, the multitude of variously sized pockets in this Northface waterproof backpack will really speak to you!

The north face waterproof backpack has a DWR finish that’ll give you the utmost peace of mind when out and about in the rain, too. A user raves, “This is amazing and sleek and minimalist in its design but extremely functional in its organization pockets. I take this out in heavy rain with no hesitation, and no moisture has ever found its way into the bag. The water bottle pockets are functional, and the laptop sleeve is fleece lined.”

best-waterproof-backpack

Most Durable Travel Waterproof Backpack: Carhartt

Retro design meets modern function in this Carhartt waterproof backpack . The fabric is a standout feature, made of durable canvas that’s as tough as it gets and treated with a DWR finish that’ll have any rain or splashes rolling right off. It has a laptop sleeve, a side water bottle pocket, and a large exterior pocket for easy organization, too.

Whether packing it for day-long excursions or spending the day souvenir shopping, this canvas waterproof backpack will keep packing light and carrying comfy!

A traveler says, “What is there not to like about this backpack?! It’s got tons of storage and compartments to keep your stuff organized, it’s a great color, and it’s super sturdy. Fits great and is water-resistant! Will be taking this on a trip to Switzerland with lots of outdoor activities.”

These women’s sling bag styles will keep your must-have essentials close at hand as you embark on your exciting trips!

best-waterproof-backpack

Best Lightweight Waterproof Backpack for Adventure: Cotopaxi

For your outdoorsy adventures, this Cotopaxi Allpa 35L waterproof backpack bag boasts all the rugged features you’ll need for a comfy and organized trip. It’s lightweight and durable as can be, plus the suitcase opening, multiple compartments, and zippered pockets will give everything a designated spot for seamless packing. It also has heft-proof webbing on all external zippers and a breathable air mesh back panel with an adjustable sternum strap for supreme comfort.

This 35L option is good for up to 4 days worth of clothes, but if you have an overnight stay or want to keep it extra light, the 28L small waterproof backpack option is great, or you can amp up the packing capacity for 5+ days with the 42L large waterproof backpack option !

One wearer says, “Plenty of space for me to pack all of my clothes, electronics, and toiletries for a week-long trip. The inside organization helps keep smaller things easy to find, and the larger areas fit packing cubes very well. I like the burly construction, and the material keeps things dry if you get caught in the rain.”

best-waterproof-backpack

Shop: Backcountry

Most Sustainable Patagonia Waterproof Backpack: Fieldsmith

For the eco-conscious travelers out there, The Patagonia Fieldsmith roll top waterproof backpack is Fair Trade Certified™ sewn and sustainably constructed with 100% recycled polyester and is super tough yet lightweight. There’s also a spacious main compartment that is padded, with a front zip pocket and side pockets to add to the functionality.

Most importantly, the DWR finish of this rolltop waterproof backpack will keep your valuables safe from light rain.

The 30L version is super packable for a few-day getaway, and it also comes in a waterproof backpack lightweight 28L version , and a 25L version depending on the adventure!

A wearer says, “A nice, minimal pack with just the right compartments to organize my things without making finding things too complicated. Great design, quality, and style. It’s a great size for any trip if you’re a really light packer!”

Waterproof Backpack Bags Comparison Chart

What do you think is the best outdoor waterproof backpack ? Share with us in the comments!

For more travel backpacks, please read:

  • Backpack Vs Suitcase: Which is Right for My Trip to Europe?
  • Best Business Backpack Styles Available
  • Best Backpacks for Women With a Trolley Sleeve
  • The Best Convertible Backpack Purse for Travel

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The 6 Best Travel Backpacks of 2024

Whether you need a backpack for air travel or one versatile enough for commuting and outdoor sports, we found the best travel backpacks for any occasion

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more ›

Great travel backpacks are the ones you can take anywhere. They’re ideal for international travel, commuting, outdoor adventures, and more. The more uses and applications it has, the better. Even though that’s how I categorize the best of the best when it comes to travel backpacks, the categories below help break down a few of our top picks for packs that best fit those specific qualities. 

When looking at travel backpacks, it is important to remember that while one or two on our list are suitable for backpacking, others are better equipped to be used for air travel, commuting, or paddling. The type of travel you do, your packing style, and the gear you need also influence the size and type of pack necessary. We rounded up and tested some of the best travel backpacks on the market—here are my favorites.

Best Overall: Exped Radical 45

Best for air travel: peak design travel backpack 45l, best for commuting: nomatic travel pack.

  • Best Large: Gregory Baltoro 75

Best Waterproof: Matador Freerain22

Best budget: coowoz travel backpack, how we made our picks.

In reviewing and recommending the best travel backpacks, additional research was collected to narrow down possible selections once the categories were chosen. The packs that made the list were individually tested by the writer or reviewed by someone the writer trusts to give an honest opinion and testimonial. Other things such as company-specific research, industry knowledge of products and product design, verified customer reviews, and interviews with other users contributed to which packs made the list. 

When choosing the best travel backpacks, specific aspects such as functionality, sustainability, versatility, and durability were all a priority. 

The Best Travel Backpacks: Reviews and Recommendations

Camping photo

Key Features

  • Material: 210D ripstop nylon, PU coating
  • Capacity: 45L
  • Weight: 1lb 8.7oz
  • Dimensions: 25.2 x 13.4 x 9.1in
  • Bluesign Approved materials
  • Some materials are recycled/repurposed 
  • Converts into a duffle bag 
  • Theft resistant design
  • Compresses down well 
  • Really only has one large compartment (like a duffle bag)

If you are in the market for a travel backpack that can double as a backpack for hiking , climbing, or other outdoor sports, then the Exped Radical 45 is worth considering. It has a unique yet simple design that provides a high level of comfort and versatility. It features one large opening comparable to a duffle bag and two smaller zip pockets on the sides. When worn as a backpack, the zipper sits on your back, providing a sleek look and making the bag more theft-resistant when traveling through crowded areas. 

While it feels the most functional and is easiest to carry (in my opinion) as a backpack, you can turn it into a duffle bag. This feature may be ideal for people that want to use it as a gym bag or for a weekend trip to the cabin. The bag’s materials seem durable, especially with the ripstop nylon as the primary fabric. However, without a longer testing period, I cannot say how durable the materials are quite yet. 

Overall, this bag is a minimalist traveler’s dream. It allows you to not only take it on a plane easily, but with one large compartment, it is also great for sports like rock climbing. The adjustability and versatility of the bag provide a design suitable for various uses. With the duffle-like zip opening, many will enjoy how easy it is to pack and unpack. 

Camping photo

  • Material: Nylon
  • Capacity: 45L 
  • Weight: 2 lbs 8 oz
  • Dimensions: 22 x 13 x 11 in
  • Lifetime guarantee 
  • Weatherproof 
  • Versatile expansion and compression features
  • International carry on approved 
  • Shoulder straps don’t have enough adjustability and may be uncomfortable for anyone with a larger build 

The Peak Design Travel Backpack is essentially the swiss army knife of travel backpacks. It features a space for anything you may need while you travel. When it is expanded to the largest size, it is 45L, and even at that size, it is internationally carry-on approved for all airlines. If you need a smaller bag or didn’t pack much for your trip, you can compress it down to be as small as 30L. 

You can also purchase the Peak Design organizational cubes for additional organizational bliss. Although it has a classic backpack design, it is easy to access specific items with the dual access design and zippers on the bag’s front, sides, and back. The only downside we found with this bag is that it won’t be comfortable for people with a larger build or broad shoulders. The shoulder straps don’t have as much adjustability as we’d hoped. Otherwise, this stellar travel backpack is ideal for frequent air travelers or daily commuters. 

Camping photo

  • Material: polyester with polyurethane coating
  • Capacity: 30L
  • Weight: 4 lbs
  • Dimensions: 6 x 12 x 18.5 in
  • Also available in a 14L size
  • Water resistant materials
  • A variety of compartments to stay organized
  • Carrying technology was highly considered in the design 

Similar in design and quality to the Peak Design pack, the Nomatic Travel Pack is ideal for air travel and commuting. The stand out for commuting is the water-resistant design and technology-forward design. It has a quality protective area for laptops and a front compartment that makes it easy to keep other items organized that you may need easy access to throughout the day. 

Since many commuters may not need a full 40L pack daily, having the compression and expansion options is nice. When compressed, the pack is around 30L in capacity, which is more than enough for a trip to the office. When it comes to organization and versatility, this is a stand-out bag as well. It can zip open like a suitcase, so if you plan to use it for travel and daily wear, it is an excellent choice. 

Although it seems to be a decent quality bag, the only major complaint we have is that it should have a more inclusive lifetime warranty for the price. The water-resistant coating does wear off over time, and the exterior is prone to scratches. For the price, you are getting a very versatile and functional travel backpack, but we did expect a better warranty system at that price point. 

Best Large: Gregory Baltoro

Camping photo

  • Capacity: 72L / 75L / 78L
  • Weight: 4.96 lbs
  • Dimensions: 28.78 x 19.37 x 9.65 in
  • Large capacity 
  • Gregory repair policy
  • Durable construction 
  • Good organizational features
  • Capacity may be too large for some people’s needs

Travelers that need a pack that can carry them from place to place for months on end may be in the market for a higher-capacity bag like the Gregory Baltoro. The Gregory Baltoro is the men’s version of their Deva pack designed for women. Both packs offer a large carrying capacity which is great for extended trips or winter adventures. 

It is essential to have a comfortable and functional design when carrying so much weight. All Gregory packs, but especially this size, distributes weight quite well when packed and sized appropriately. Along with ample interior storage, this design also features ten exterior pockets and has an integrated day pack. While this pack is quite fitting for this category, it still may be too big for some travelers. If this sizing is too large, consider other Gregory packs closer to 55-65L. 

Camping photo

  • Capacity: 22L
  • Weight: 10.6 oz
  • Dimensions: 19.5 x 10.5 x 7in
  • Fully waterproof design
  • Rolltop closure 
  • Packs down small 
  • Good adjustability 
  • Small 

This small, lightweight waterproof pack is ideal for day hikes and to bring along in your luggage during any vacation. It packs down small when it is empty, so you can put it in a larger backpack or suitcase without worrying about adding too much extra weight or taking up too much space. While it is smaller than most other options on our list, with a capacity of just 22L, it is still a very functional design with several compartments to keep you organized. 

The fully waterproof design is primarily why this bag was chosen for this category. While there are several other waterproof backpacks on the market, we liked the versatility and durability this bag offers. The rolltop access isn’t necessarily ideal for packing and unpacking items, but it does provide a very secure seal to ensure that all items stay dry. For the price, this is a quality product that is accurately portrayed in their marketing and performs well in all weather conditions. 

Camping photo

  • Material: Polyester
  • Capacity: 3-5 days
  • Weight: 2.2 lbs
  • Dimensions: 12.6 x 7.87 x 16.53 in
  • Affordable price
  • Good organization 
  • Available in several colors 
  • Works as a carry-on for most airlines 
  • Not the most durable or comfortable option

If you are on a tight budget but want a bag that has a similar design and functionality to that of the Peak Design or Nomatic travel backpacks, then the Coowoz Travel Backpack is a decent option. Bear in mind that while this bag will work okay as a travel backpack, the construction is not as reliable or as durable. It does not specify the exact capacity of the backpack, but it should be suitable for the average person’s 3-5 day trip. This bag is ideal for travelers on a weekend trip or who want to pack only a carry-on for a short vacation. 

Things to Consider Before Buying the Best Travel Backpacks

Intended use.

Like any other piece of gear, the best travel backpacks are highly dependent on your intended use. Do you need a backpack for your daily commute on the train or by bicycle? Do you want a pack to use as you backpack through Europe? Or do you want a backpack that’s the perfect size as a carry-on for all of your flights?

As you narrow down your potential uses for the pack, you can start thinking about some of the other design features you deem necessary. For example, a fully waterproof design may be the best option if you want a pack that works for paddling. However, if you are using the pack for air travel, you may want the benefits of carrying a backpack but choose one with the functionality and storage of a suitcase. 

Versatility and Design 

The versatility of the backpack also depends on its intended use. Do you want a backpack that works for air travel and outdoor adventures? Something as simple as an Osprey daypack can work for both situations. 

Then, as mentioned before, frequent air travelers are likely to favor designs that have nice padded straps but with a more functional packing design. So instead of having to pack and unpack from the top like most backpacks, it may open all the way up more similar to a suitcase. 

Since the idea of a travel backpack means that you’re on the go, a lightweight design is a must. Even with ultralight backpacks, you want the materials to last a long time. Look at the quality of things that wear out quickly, such as the zippers, mesh, and straps. Consider if the company has a repair policy or warranty of any kind. Knowing how to do simple repairs on commonly damaged parts of a backpack will come in handy if you travel often, so you can fix the backpack while you’re on the move. 

The comfort of the pack can also be determined by the design of the pack itself. If it is a larger backpack, does it have a hip belt to help distribute the weight for longer treks or standing in lines? Even if you’re just walking around a city, after 5+ city blocks, you’ll be glad you chose a backpack design that focuses on comfort. 

Other design features that are worth mentioning include the compartments and openings. Are there separate compartments for a computer, a water bladder, or even to separate wet and dirty clothing items? Knowing your needs in terms of organization and packing style will help you narrow down the options. 

Size and Functionality 

To determine the size of the bag, you also need to consider the length of the trip and the type of trip. If you are a more minimalist packer, you may get away with using a 40L bag for a week-long trek. If you are looking for a travel backpack that will function for months of international travel, something closer to 65L may be best. 

For bags larger than 40L, it is important to note that they are too large to be used as carry-on luggage on most airlines. So, you’ll need to check the backpack. If you’re primarily traveling on buses and trains, this may also be a consideration so you’re not carrying multiple bags. 

Some travel backpacks have components that can be removed or added to change the size. This is an excellent feature if you want a travel backpack with more versatility. 

Q: Is 45L enough for a travel backpack?

Yes, for most travelers, this is a large enough backpack. A 45L backpack is generally the largest size most US airlines allow as a carry-on, so unless you’re checking luggage, this is the size you want. An even safer size backpack is 35L to ensure all airlines will accept it as a carry-on bag. 

Q: Are all travel backpacks waterproof?

No, not all travel backpacks are waterproof. Look at product specifications to see what materials and coatings the fabric has. If the pack is waterproof, the company will likely specify it in the description. It is more likely that the pack is water resistant, and you will need to carry a rain cover. 

Q: Will a 40L backpack fit under the seat in a plane?

On most planes, no, a 40L backpack will not fit under the seat of an aircraft, and it is too large to count as a carry-on item. A 40L backpack is better to be used as a carry-on item than a personal item while flying. 

Q: Is it better to travel with a backpack or a suitcase?

That depends on the trip and your personal preferences while flying. Some travelers prefer using a backpack because it is easier to carry around in airports and cities but can be more challenging to pack and unpack. A suitcase is often easier to pack, and if it has the right design, it is still very easy to get around. Ultimately, it is up to you and what you’re comfortable with during your trip. 

Q: What size backpack do I need for a 5-day trip?

For the average person, anything 40L and above should suffice. Some travelers need more items due to their trip type, whereas others can pack more minimally. For backpacking treks, some hikers use packs as large as 65-70L for a week-long trip, especially in colder weather. The time of year, type of trip, and style of packing will all influence your needs in terms to pack size. 

Where should I store my travel backpack?

It is best to store any travel or outdoor backpack in a temperature-controlled, low-humidity environment away from sunlight. They should be unpacked and kept away from other hazards, such as rodents and moisture. Hanging the pack in a closet is an excellent way to prevent bending or damage to certain components and keep them off the floor. 

Best Travel Backpacks: Final Thoughts

The best travel backpacks differ from person to person and trip to trip. Choosing the right pack for you can take some time, but we suggest looking into backpacks that offer a high level of versatility and durability. That way, you can get the most out of your purchase. Whether you need a travel pack for your next international trip or a backpack for outdoor recreation , we are certain you will find the perfect pack for you either here or within one of our other product roundups.

Meg Carney

Author of the Outdoor Minimalist and host of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, Meg Carney, has been an outdoor and environmental writer for over six years. After studying communication arts and literature in Duluth, Minnesota, she pursued various outdoor-industry jobs that eventually led her to her current career in freelance writing.

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The Best Backpacks of 2024

A backpack isn’t just the bag on your back — it's a mobile home, a traveling office, and a ticket to see the world. After shouldering the best — along with the rest — we’ve found the greatest backpacks for any task.

Best Backpacks — TNF Recon Hero

A good backpack is what stands between you and looking like a traveling junk show. And while backpacks come in a blizzard of different shapes, sizes, and uses, the hallmarks of a good backpack are generally the same: comfortable, spacious, well-organized — with a little style thrown in.

Across all disciplines, our experts have tested hundreds of backpacks across a decade of experience — from months-long thru-hikes to minutes-long commutes across town. We packed them full for quick day hikes in the North Cascades, even fuller for backpacking trips in Alaska, and tried to skirt under carry-on limits internationally.

Whether you’re looking for a do-it-all bag, or a specialized pack for the trip you take once a year, we’ve pulled them all together here. During testing, we focused on challenging these bags at what they do best, tested their carrying capacities, and long-term durability, and even sought fashion opinions from strangers.

Below is our selection of 12 of the best backpacks from across the spectrum — from blitz-around commuters to backpacking-ready load haulers, urban grocery-getters, and packs made to travel the globe with. If this is a strange new world to you, consider diving into our comprehensive Buyer’s Guide section for the low-down. Our FAQ and Comparison Chart sections will also lend a little light — otherwise: saddle up your bindle and let’s go.

  • Best Overall Backpack: The North Face Recon 30L
  • Best Budget Backpack: Dakine Campus 33L
  • Best Hiking Daypack: Deuter Speed Lite 25
  • Best Travel Backpack: Peak Design Travel Backpack 45
  • Best Laptop Backpack: Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 24L
  • Best Campus Backpack: REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 Recycled Daypack
  • Best Backpacking Backpack: Osprey Aether & Ariel 55

The North Face Recon 30L Backpack

  • Capacity 30 L
  • Weight 2 lbs., 9 oz.
  • Dimensions 11.6'' x 7.5'' x 19.3''
  • Compartment access Zippered top access to three compartments
  • Material 210D recycled nylon ripstop with non-PFC DWR finish
  • Electronic storage 19'' x 11'' laptop sleeve, internal organizer pockets

Product Badge

  • Comfortable and adjustable FlexVent suspension system carries weight well
  • Fleece-lined pocket for sunnies or glasses
  • External compression straps that don’t interfere with zippered access
  • Versatile feature set means the pack can be used for everything from hiking to campus
  • Women's- and men's-specific versions available
  • When fully loaded, smaller internal pocket robs space from the larger main compartment
  • Laptop sleeve isn’t quite suspended enough for full protection
  • Only comes in one volume

Is it an urban daypack? Or a campus-to-trail bindle? The North Face Recon 30L ($109) is comfortable existing in the interstitial spaces between backpack categories, and that’s exactly why it lands atop our line-up of backpacks — pure versatility. 

Made to pretty much do it all, and do it all well, the Recon is a classic design from The North Face, and our testers loved it for everything from bopping around town to grabbing for a quick jaunt in the hills. The 30 liters of capacity is just about perfect for fully loaded days on campus and is split up into smart compartments to keep your kit organized.

At the rear of the pack, a separate laptop sleeve backs up to the uber-padded back panel and doubles as a water reservoir sleeve. In front of this is the main compartment, which easily swallows books or binders, and is augmented by the secondary pocket in front of it, which is studded with organization. These organizer sleeves vary from padded to fleece-lined to stretch mesh, making them tailored to pretty much anything you want to stuff away.

Carry on the Recon is sweet as — one of the most padded in our testing outside of backpacking packs — and is supported with articulated shoulder straps and a curved back panel. While the American Chiropractic Association certification on the suspension seems gimmicky to us, you at least can feel assured that you won’t fold like a lawn chair while wearing this pack.

Laptop users will likely want to use a sleeve for their hardware, as while the Recon sports a well-padded laptop sleeve, it is only suspended from the bottom of the pack by about ½” — not quite enough in our books to warrant full protection. And as a jack-of-all-trades pack, the North Face Recon has a busy exterior look that might not appeal to those looking for a sleek commuter or work bag.

Comparative daily-driver packs include the Patagonia Black Hole Pack 32L, as well as the Mystery Ranch District 18 — both bags that aren’t afraid to take the scenic route to work. The Osprey Aoede Airspeed Backpack also makes a compelling comparison, but in our opinion, it has a less-refined internal organization compared to the Recon, and puts a higher premium on being stylish over jamming in functionality.

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

The Best Backpacks of 2024

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

Available out the door at $75 (and often less on sale), the Dakine Campus 33L earns its keep in our travel backpacks category for its excellent value. The tough 600-630D exterior fabric speaks to a pack worth much more, and for the money, we think the Campus makes the grade for a number of different uses.

While its internal organization isn’t quite as robust as the Recon from The North Face, the Campus still offers up a handful of pen, phone, and notebook sleeves, as well as a padded laptop sleeve that will tote a 14” computer. The 33 liters of volume is just about dead-on for what we consider optimal in an everyday pack, and the bag carries the weight well.

Unique to the Campus, there’s also an insulated (read: not waterproof) pocket at the front of the pack to keep a snack chilled while you make your way to work or school. Slim ice packs are the key here, and while we typically carry a dedicated lunch box for this, we ended up enjoying the integration into the pack. It won’t be for everyone, however.

The fit and finish of the Campus is greatly aided by the tough fabric it’s hewn from, which is either a 600D recycled polyester or 630D recycled nylon, depending on the print (of which there are 14 to choose from.) The budget price point has got to make some sacrifices somewhere, and in this pack one of the places it’s apparent is the zippers, which feel lesser quality and run a little loose.

On the exterior of the pack, the side water bottle pockets are kept low-profile with a panel of stretch-mesh, though this does limit the size of the insulated bottle you can carry to more slim vessels. For those looking for just a bit more functionality, the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 Recycled Daypack adds on a good bit more for only $25 over the Campus.

Sometimes you just need a pack to toss your stuff in and run, and the Dakine Campus 33L has no problem making the run with you. With just enough organization to keep us sane, a comfortable carry, and plenty of different patterns and colors available, it’s a pack that is more workhorse than a show pony — and all at an undeniable value.

Deuter Speed Lite 25

  • Capacity 25 liters
  • Weight 1 lb., 9 oz.
  • Dimensions 21.6" x 11.4" x 7.4"
  • Material 100D and 140D high-tenacity 100% recycled polyamide
  • Electronic storage N/A

The Best Backpacks of 2024

  • Carries weight well
  • Bluesign-certified body fabric
  • Frame limits packability for travel
  • Shoulder pocket a bit too small to hold phone

In a sea of worthy hiking daypacks , our testers narrowed in on the Deuter Speed Lite 25 ($120) as the one that made it out on the trail more often than the rest. There must have been a pretty clean cutting room floor at Deuter when they brewed up this pack, as it leaves little functionality behind and carries like a dream.

The running vest style is becoming increasingly popular in light daypacks, and we can dig it. These broad and padded shoulder straps pair excellently with the minimal hip fins, and transfer motion well when the hiking pace picks up. That suspension system is mated to a Delrin U-frame, which creates a supportive structure to port your kit around on and differentiates the pack from simpler stuff-sack-style daypacks like the REI Co-op Flash 22 . 

Internal storage is pretty plain jane, which is common in smaller daypacks, but thankfully there are a few internal storage pockets to stash away essentials like your keys or wallet. Emphasis is instead put on accessibility while moving, and the stretch-mesh pockets on the shoulder straps make the perfect spot to store your phone, snacks, and sunglasses.

That’s all rounded out with three mesh pockets on the back and side of the pack (perfect for stashing a wet rain jacket), as well as the functionality to carry trekking poles and ice axes. Zooming out, the materials on the Speed Lite are made of 100 and 140D polyamide that is post-consumer recycled, meaning it is made of material that would have otherwise been industrial scrap.

The 25 liters of internal space is just about right for most day hikes, but for space to carry more layers, you’ll want just a bit more. For that, we recommend both the Patagonia Black Hole 32L and REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 Recycled Daypack , which both have a bit more space and more traditional strap systems.   

The fit and finish of the Deuter Speed Lite 25 is decidedly action-packed , and as such it’s a bit much to cut around town with casually. But get it out on the trail where it’s made for, and it shines — perfect for day hikes into the hills. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better daypack than the Speed Lite 25.

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45

  • Capacity 45 L (collapses to 35 L)
  • Weight 4 lbs., 8 oz.
  • Dimensions 22" x 13" x 9.5"
  • Compartment access Back panel clamshell design with #10 zipper
  • Material Weatherproof, 100% recycled 400-denier nylon canvas shell; 900-denier waterproof bottom
  • Electronic storage 16" laptop sleeve

The Best Backpacks of 2024

  • 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

Dialed to the last stitch, the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L ($300) is a round-trip-ready pack that we’ve carried on international flights to Iceland, national hops to Utah and California, and even lost (and been reunited) — all without a scratch. It easily topped our travel backpack category , and otherwise makes a great backpack for everyday hauling — especially if you are a photographer.

Made to high specifications and using quality materials, the fit and finish on the Travel Backpack is undeniable. Using aluminum hardware, burly 400-denier nylon canvas, seatbelt-like webbing, and chunky #10 zippers, the buy-once, cry-once is strong with this pack, and it’s made to withstand years of luggage carts, baggage carousels, and rough handling. 

More than most any other travel bag, the Peak Design offering embodies the 1-bag travel ethos by expanding to a full 45-liter loader hauler that meets international carry-on size requirements, but also collapsing to a 35-liter day bag that can scoot through crowded public transit once you’ve reached your destination. Genius.

That space is split up into two main compartments: a larger main area for storing the majority of your items, and a second sleeve at the front that sports multiple pockets and sleeves all of kinds for in-depth organizing. Access is gained by the large clamshell main zippers, or side access for snagging those gotta-have-it items packed away in deep.

While boarding an international flight to Keflavík, Iceland, we found two things to be true: European airlines aren’t as accommodating to American-sized carry-ons, and the strap storage system on the Peak Design pack deftly makes this a non-issue. Two foam panels on the back of the pack pivot away to enclose the straps behind them, secured in place by magnets and creating a slick package.

No doubt about it, the Peak Design Travel Backpack is certainly expensive (only the likes of full-on backpacking packs top it), but based on the torture tests we’ve subjected it to already, we’re fully confident that the bag still has years of fight left in it. Those who will be carrying their pack long after landing might be better served by the Osprey Farpoint and Fairview , but for everything else, Peak Design has it.

Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 24L

  • Capacity 24 liters
  • Weight 3 lbs., 1.6 oz.
  • Dimensions 18” x 7” x 11.5”
  • Compartment access N/A
  • Material 840D ballistic nylon 6 exterior with DWR coating, 420D nylon interior
  • Electronic storage 17” laptop sleeve

The Best Backpacks of 2024

  • Super-protected laptop compartment
  • Aluminum stay reinforces the side-carry
  • High-quality materials
  • Interior pockets made to be accessed with bag upright or on the side
  • Higher price

The Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 24L ($279) was the laptop backpack of choice for our remote working testers, and it’s easy to see why — this bag is heavy on smart functionality, and light on over-wrought appearances. Sporting one of the most protected laptop sleeves we’ve ever seen in a backpack (seriously — there’s an aluminum stay protecting it), this pack is made to tote your laptop and everything else you’ll need for a day of work abroad.

Based on the materials and attention to detail on the CPL 24, it’s clear that someone put in some serious effort in designing it. The exterior fabric is an 840D ballistic nylon 6 material that simply doesn’t care what you do to it — it’s not going to wear or tear easily. Two main compartments on the inside of the pack divvy up the space, in addition to the padded laptop sleeve.

That laptop compartment is the star of the show here, and is fully suspended like many other laptop bags, but is also protected from the back by an HDPE frame sheet, as well as thick foam supports to cradle it. We had no qualms about toting our electronic livelihoods around without their laptop sleeves, which is saying something.

Rounding out the carry of this pack are Zote EV50 foam shoulder straps that are differentially cut to wrap around your shoulders, as well as top and side carry handles for toting around on the go. We found the side carry on the CPL 24 to be especially noteworthy, as there is a full-length aluminum stay backing it up, making for a very supported pack.

Is it pricey? Yeah — and we have worse news: It’s absolutely worth it, and you’ll feel validated having spent every cent. For a laptop backpack that leaves a bit more in your pocket, however, the Fjallraven Kanken Laptop 17” ($125) and The North Face Recon ($109) both make good sense. If you’re going to be putting some serious mileage on your remote work set-up, however, it’s hard not to suggest going with the Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 24L .

Read Review: Low-Key Looks, High-Key Functionality: Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 24L Review

REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 Recycled Daypack

  • Capacity 28 liters
  • Weight 1 lb., 12 oz.
  • Dimensions 19.5” x 11” x 9”
  • Compartment access Zippered top access + zippered side access
  • Material Recycled ripstop nylon
  • Electronic storage Minimal laptop sleeve

The Best Backpacks of 2024

  • Bluesign-approved recycled materials
  • Hidden daisy-chain loops stay out of sight when not needed
  • Trail-to-town style is perfect for any type of day
  • Laptop sleeve is on the lighter-duty side, and requires laptop cover to be used
  • Raincover storage takes up a bit too much internal space

We’ve come a long way from book straps, and the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 Recycled Daypack ($100) is proof of that. A good school bag needs to not only get your textbooks from point A to point B, but carry the rest of your daily essentials, and be up for some extra-curriculars after class as well. The Ruckpack balances all this well and is our choice for an education-ready backpack.

The pack doesn’t quite have the luxe look that the Osprey Aoede Airspeed does, but instead leans more into the hike-to-campus vibe, and hosts functionality to back that up: The ripstop nylon exterior is coated with a DWR finish that’ll shoulder some light precip. On the front of the pack, trekking poles loops deploy when needed and tuck away when not. And the laptop sleeve doubles as a hydration bladder sleeve. Slick.

For on-campus organization, the Ruckpack tucks away a side-access pocket with organizers from things like pens, chargers, and the like. A zippered pocket on the top of the pack also keeps frequently needed essentials close at hand. And if 28 liters isn’t big enough to carry your full workload, the Ruckpack is also made in a 40-liter version.

Not often seen in packs outside of daypacks and backpacking bags, the Ruckpack series is available in gendered strap styles, which are shaped differently to accommodate differently shaped torsos. This can be key for dialing in on a pack that fits you perfectly, and our testers really appreciated this fact.

While the included rain cover is novel (a feature that none of our other reviewed packs offers), we did find that it takes up valuable real estate on the interior of the pack, and that more often than not we left it behind — defeating the ‘there-if-you-need-it’ aspect. For most light showers, we found the DWR coating on the pack to be sufficient. The laptop sleeve on this pack was also a bit minimal, and we found we needed to use a laptop sleeve to feel fully confident. 

If ramen noodles are on the menu more often than not, check out the Dakine Campus 33L ($75) as a great alternative school bag. The North Face Recon also can’t be counted out as a go-to pack for hitting the quad, and we found that it has a good bit more organization than the Ruckpack, but not quite as much hiking functionality. Well-rounded for all-semester use, the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 makes the grade in our book.

Osprey Aether 65 & Ariel 55

  • Capacity 65 and 55 liters
  • Weight 5 lbs., 2 oz. (Aether), 4 lbs., 12 oz. (Ariel)
  • Dimensions 33.4" x 15.7" x 11" (Aether), 29" x 15" x 10" (Ariel)
  • Compartment access Top drawstring + access panels
  • Material 420D nylon packcloth; 210-denier nylon

The Best Backpacks of 2024

  • Customizable sizing
  • Extremely durable
  • Lots of options for outside storage
  • On the heavier side
  • Not a lot of upper-body mobility

Haul a week’s worth of supplies, two ropes, and a full rack of cams… heck an entire basecamp — the Osprey Aether 65 & Ariel 55 ($320) is the mighty workhorse for the job. Packed with features and thoroughly well-designed, the functionality and comfort of the Aether make it a solid contender as one of our favorite heavy haulers.

When long miles with absurd base weights are on the docket, this is the steed we slide from the closet. Its stellar suspension system, luxe cushioning, and fully loaded feature set make this the Lamborghini pack of your dreams. If you’re willing to turn a blind eye to its scale reading.

If the Aether had a minimal weight, it’d be downright difficult to ding it — but dang five pounds is a hard pill to swallow. Some ultralight nuts are winnowing their entire base weight to just over five pounds, which makes it hard to justify a pack that weighs an equal amount on its own. For that reason, we rarely saddle up in the Aether for difficult backpacking trips. It has instead found its lane as our partner in crime for gear-intensive climbing missions, or as a “tote everything to basecamp” pack mule. For these excursions, it’s about as good as it gets.

Although this pack is a classic-style top-loader, a large front zippered access point allows you to get into the depths of your gear without having to fully unpack. We like that Osprey has combined some tried-and-true backpack design elements with clever and innovative features of its own creation. For quick access to bits of essential gear, this pack offers dual-zippered hip belt pockets, stretch-mesh water bottle pockets, and a front “shove-it” pocket.

The Aether also features the ability to fine-tune its fit for a variety of different shapes and sizes, including an adjustable torso length, as well as Osprey’s Fit-on-the-Fly hipbelt and shoulder straps.

Other noteworthy features include an internal hydration bladder sleeve, dual ice axe loops, and a versatile compression system that offers additional exterior storage.

Although Osprey also makes a 65L version of the Aether we like the 55L version for its compact profile and slightly reduced weight. For long weekend trips, this pack will offer plenty of space for most users.

While we personally wouldn’t pack ’er up with an ultralight kit and head out on a fast and light thru-hike, we’re always grabbing the Aether when giant loadouts need to be schlepped over gnarly terrain. This thing is ultra-reliable and feels stable and balanced on the trail. If you’re looking for a burly, dependable pack that will last for years, this may be the perfect fit.

Read Review: Osprey Aether 55 and Ariel 55: The Cadillac of Backpacks

Osprey Aoede Airspeed Backpack

  • Capacity 21 liters
  • Dimensions 18.7” x 11.6” x 8.6”
  • Material 840D ballistic polyester with a PFAS-free DWR treatment
  • Electronic storage 16” laptop sleeve

The Best Backpacks of 2024

  • Unique ‘kickstand’ tech helps the back to stand upright while being loaded or unloaded
  • AirSpeed back panel keeps your back cool
  • Soft fleece-lined pocket keeps phones and glasses protected
  • Interior liner is a mixed mélange fabric that looks great
  • Weatherproofing covers over some exterior zippers inhibit zipper opening
  • Simple shoulder strap construction, with no load lifters, sternum strap, or hipbelt

The new Osprey Aoede Airspeed Backpack ($140) lifts some lines from one of our favorite carry-on travel backpacks, the Parsec 26, but done up in a much cleaner aesthetic to create a slick-looking pack for urban touring. Our testers loved the tough 840D exterior paired with seatbelt-like webbing, and the AirSpeed back panel carries as well as any other Osprey pack equipped with it. 

At 26 liters, the Aoede is right on the money for daily carry, and is split up into a large main compartment, middle admin pocket, padded laptop sleeve, and a fleece-lined stash pocket for items like sunglasses or phones. That large interior space is smart, too, as it sports an internal ‘kickstand’ hoop that spreads the bottom of the pack in order to stand the pack up on its own. Smart.

The exterior is urban-ready and clean, even down to the molded zipper pulls, and was one of the highest rated by our testers when it came to overall style (though the Evergoods Civic Panel Loader gives it a run for its money.) “I’d have no problem using the Aoede as a business bag — pack just plain looks good.”

The strap system is decidedly more minimal than many other Osprey packs, but they’re backed up by the impressive AirSpeed back panel — a tensioned mesh trampoline that provides air space behind your back and contours to your back. We found that when fully loaded the strap system was sufficient, though we did want at least a sternum strap for a little extra security.

As a more urban-minded pack, the Aoede will feel a bit undergunned for taking into the wilds. For this, we recommend more of an all-arounder such as the Patagonia Black Hole Pack, or the Mystery Ranch District 18. Both packs are more amenable to outdoor travel, though at slightly higher price points.

For pure city-slickers, however, the Osprey Aoede Airspeed Backpack is the ticket, and we used it with great success cutting around Seattle during our testing.

Patagonia Black Hole Pack 32L

  • Capacity 32 liters
  • Weight 1 lb., 11 oz.
  • Dimensions N/A
  • Material 300D recycled polyester with TPU-laminate exterior, 200D PU-coated polyester interior
  • Electronic storage 15” padded laptop pocket

The Best Backpacks of 2024

  • Impressively burly exterior TPU fabric shrugs off dirt and water
  • Broad access zipper to laptop compartment
  • Back panel and shoulder straps are just OK
  • Lack of hipbelt at 30+ liters puts strain on shoulders

The Black Hole line from Patagonia has been around for a while, and for good reason: these tough packs just go and go. The Black Hole Pack 32L ($169) is no different and is built around the newly updated burly Black Hole fabric — a polyester ripstop coated with a recycled TPU laminate that makes this pack darn near life-proof.

Excellent as a capital B backpack , the Black Hole Pack takes on most everything with ease from the trails to the coffee shop, and has the internal and external organization to accommodate both a remote worker headed to a new locale, and the day hiking 10 essentials. There’s a padded laptop pocket, a large main compartment with zippered storage, as well as stash pockets on the front and top of the bag.

The foam back panel and shoulder straps on the Black Hole Pack are fairly boilerplate but comfortable enough to lug around the pack when it’s full. There’s even a back handle tucked away here that makes the pack rolling-luggage friendly for when you want to get airborne. The Black Hole pack has been featured on our travel backpack guide for years now, but we were impressed at just how much else it excels at.

That’s not to say there aren’t a few things we’d change, however. The laptop pocket doesn’t come with the integrated padded sleeve that the similar Refugio pack does (for this reason we recommend the Refugio for more tech-minded users), but it will still accommodate a 15” computer.

Keeping with the trail-to-town idea, it also would have been nice to see a hydration hose port and hanging loop on the Black Hole Pack (such as on the REI Ruckpack), but you’ll have to make do with the two stretch pockets on the exterior for your water bottles. As with any all-around backpack, however, there’ll always be some weighing of the scales and choices made.

The Patagonia Black Hole Pack 32L does weigh those scales well for most things, however, and for those who are looking for a generalist bag, this is one that won’t disappoint. 

Mystery Ranch District 18

  • Capacity 18 liters
  • Weight 2 lbs., 9.6 oz.
  • Dimensions 17” x 11.2” x 8.5”
  • Material 420D Cordura recycled nylon, 200D nylon liner
  • Electronic storage 15” padded laptop sleeve

The Best Backpacks of 2024

  • Very smart quick-access front compartment
  • Main compartment accordion opening is huge, with foam-padded dividers
  • Burly 420D Cordura exterior
  • A bit heavy compared to other generalist bags on our list

The Mystery Ranch District 18 ($159) is yet another all-around backpack that has little problem slotting into pretty much any activity you’ve got planned day-to-day. An impressively wide-opening main compartment is split up with a few accordion folds, that then even detach completely for a full clamshell opening. And that’s not even the half of it.

At the front of the pack, a slick quick-entry system employs Velcro and a button snap to allow fast access to the storage within. In practice, this can be very fast to open up and have instant access to anything in the pocket. It’s these novel entry solutions that Mystery Ranch is known for ( see their unique 3-Zip designs ) and our testers loved the smart application here.

Cordura and Mystery Ranch go hand-in-hand, so it’s unsurprising to see a burly 420D weave of the proprietary nylon make up the exterior of this pack. That burl factor does come with a little weight penalty (the thick foam back panel and straps add to this) but that comes with the territory, and we were happy with the trade-off during use.

The carry is also unsurprisingly robust, with a pre-curved spacer-mesh foam back panel mated to thick shoulder straps studded with oversized hardware. We found that only The North Face Recon pack has a better padded back panel, but only just. Load-lifters round out the carry system, which are much appreciated and help keep heavier loads close to your back.

Stacked up next to your Patagonia Black Hole Packs , your North Face Recons , and your REI Co-op Ruckpacks , the Mystery Ranch District 18 pack stands tall as another worthy daily driver backpack. We loved the materials, innovative internal storage design, and overbuilt carry system. This is a pack that’ll be around for just about as long as you need it.

Fjallraven Kanken 17″ Laptop Pack

  • Capacity 20 liters
  • Weight 1 lb., 1.6 oz.
  • Dimensions 16.5” x 11.8” x 7”
  • Material Vinylon F material on exterior, 70D polyamide lining
  • Electronic storage 17” padded laptop sleeve

The Best Backpacks of 2024

  • Classic style available in many different colors
  • Different-sized packs available for different-sized laptops
  • Removable foam sit-pad
  • Not much structure to the pack
  • Minimal shoulder straps

With an undeniably classic profile and look, the Fjallraven Kanken Laptop 17” ($125) brings a touch of modern tech-forward design to a simple backpack for work, school, or travel. Touring the streets of Reykjavík, Iceland recently, we were struck by how many Fjallraven packs we could tally up, and the Kanken is the most classic among them. 

Available in 13”, 15”, and 17” sizes (the rectangle only slightly expands with each), the laptop version of the classic Kanken adds a padded sleeve at the rear of the pack to accommodate your mobile desktop. The shoulder straps are also padded in this version, to better carry the additional load.

The interior of the pack is otherwise pretty simple: one big compartment to swallow all your books, layers, or as one tester pointed out, even baby supplies. Outside of that is a medium-sized zippered pocket on the exterior (perfect for essentials), and a couple of side bottle sleeves. Certainly not the most organization in a pack, but enough to secure things where we know we can find them quickly.

Those classic good looks, unfortunately, don’t translate to much of a structured pack, however, and the Kanken Laptop relies on the included foam seat pad to form a back panel. This is a novel solution (apparently born out of the needs of Swedish school children), but compared to packs that make use of a lot of internal foam for shape, the Kanken is decidedly… squishy.

But for the looks, we’re willing to forgive and forget. This pack was highly rated by testers as being among the most stylish, and sometimes beauty requires sacrifice. The Fjallraven Kanken Laptop 17” makes a killer town bag, and we’re starting to think those Icelanders knew before we did.

Aer Go Pack 2

  • Weight 1 lb., 4.8 oz.
  • Dimensions 17” x 11” x 5.5”
  • Compartment access Zippered clamshell
  • Material 210D Cordura crinkle nylon exterior
  • Electronic storage 16” suspended laptop sleeve

The Best Backpacks of 2024

  • Packable travel-friendly design
  • High-end materials meet beautiful design
  • Luggage handle pass-through loop
  • Not much structure or support

Not every travel backpack needs to just barely skirt in under carry-on compliance limits, and the Aer Go Pack 2 ($99) is an excellent example of that. Made to be tucked away in larger bags and deployed on the ground, the Go Pack 2 leans on a supremely nice set of materials rather than a bulging feature set to win you over — and win us over it did.

The exterior material is what catches your eye first, and it’s a boutique-looking Cordura crinkle nylon that has a real luxe feel to it. Aer is among the upper crust of backpack manufacturers (among Nomatic, Evergoods, and Tom Bihn), so we’re sure the choice was carefully considered. The rest of the pack is equally decked out, from the Hypalon zipper pulls to the magnet-assisted buckle that closes off the front pocket.

The interior is decidedly simple, with a single large compartment that hosts the laptop sleeve, as well as a single zippered pocket for collecting small items. On the exterior, an easy-access front stash pocket is secured with that magnetic buckle, and all of our gotta-have-it items found their way into this pocket. This is flanked by two water bottle pockets, sized to fit most slender bottles.

The smaller stature will mostly prevent you from carrying too much in the Go Pack 2, but it should be said that super heavy items should find a more supportive bag to ride in — this is a minimal pack through and through. The shoulder straps are well padded, however, and even fully loaded we had no problem with it.

Other excellent “personal item” backpacks include the TimBuk 2 Never Check Expandable Backpack , as well as the Tom Bihn Synapse 25 , which are both just as materials-forward as the Go Pack 2, just with a few more bells, whistles, and space. Neither will be as packable as the Aer Go Pack 2 however, and if you’re traveling with exploration in mind, it’s the pack we’d suggest finds its way into your carry-on.

Backpacks Comparison Chart

Best Backpacks — Deuter Speed Lite Hike

How We Tested Backpacks

Likely more than just about anything else, GearJunkie knows backpacks. We’ve tested them on the trail, on the train, and on the taxiway. Across our various backpack categories, we’ve likely tested north of a few hundred, and our knowledge comes together here to help guide your next backpack purchase.

The testing team for this guide is led by Nick Belcaster — a multisport athlete based in the Pacific Northwest who has a couple of thousand miles notched on his belt wearing packs of all stripes. His gear closet has now reached critical mass, spilling forth with thru-hike-worn ultralight packs , avalanche airbags, mountain-biking hydration packs, and more.

When we tested travel backpacks , our globe-trotting testers hit the tarmac and racked up their air miles — over 10,000 in the last year alone. They lived out of their packs for weeks on end, stuffing them full and challenging any baggage handler to do their worst.

While testing backpacking backpacks , our Senior Editor Chris Carter led the charge — leveraging his experience as a Triple Crown thru-hiker and boots-on-the-ground testing in Appalachia to find the best pack to disappear for the weekend with. At the opposite end of the seasonal spectrum, Senior Editor Morgan Tilton charges headlong into the snow as our winter categories editor, shouldering ski packs of all kinds in the refrigerated mountains of Colorado.

Similar high praise can be heaped on Miya Tsudome, a seasoned gear-tester stationed at the margins of the High Sierra and contributor responsible for our hiking daypack testing, as well as Meghan LaHatte, the remote worker extraordinaire who put the hours into finding the best laptop backpacks available today. 

In order to better test organization, we assembled an average ‘everyday carry’ — an assortment of daily-used kit — and used it to gauge the small-scale management these packs were capable of. We also loaded them down with the maximum, traded notes on style, and generally tried to run them into the ground in our quest to find the best of the best backpacks.

And as sure as new packs come out every year, we’ll continue to stay on the hunt for the best among them, and add them to our lineup. 

Testing History

For our first foray into the world of backpacks in 2024, we assembled seven of our favorite packs from the major styles: travel, laptop, daypacks, and backpacking. Testing for these bags took place across the country, and with gear testers who considered them against like-bags in their respective categories.

In addition to that, we gathered a number of different generalist packs — bags that do it all and do it well — to round out our look at the broad world of backpacks and provide some options for those who want a daily driver. These bags were tested over a summer and fall in the Pacific Northwest, making runs into dense city centers, co-working spaces, and coffee shops.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Backpack

More than just about anything else, intended use is going to be the biggest consideration when choosing a new backpack. Luckily, there’s a bindle for just about everything these days, and once you’ve nailed down what adventures you’d like to into with it, the pieces fall into place.

While some packs can be used for a number of different things, there’s good use in going with the right design for the activity. Most all will be tailored with something in mind, and when you might be carrying it for hours on end or living out of it while traveling, the little details add up to equal a successful camping weekend, trip to France, or quick run to the store.

Once you’ve hammered that out, you can begin to dig into overall volume (just how much stuff you’ll want to tote around) as well as how that volume is organized, and any added functionalities you’ll need. Below, we’ve dug into the dirty details surrounding backpacks to lay plain what makes a backpack just good, and what makes a backpack great. 

By the end of this guide, it’s our hope that you’ve got the understanding needed to make your next pack purchase a breeze — best to save your energy for the next big hill climb.

Types of Backpacks

Everyday/campus backpacks.

Best Backpacks — TNF Recon Hallway

Your capital B “backpacks” — everyday packs are made to tote around a little of everything and aren’t too fussy about where you take them. Most often moderate in size, these daily drivers like The North Face Recon or REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 will offer up functionality to appease both hikers and students.

Commuter-styled packs are often styled to be business casual, making use of higher-end materials and a simpler exterior design to fit into your office space. Folks who commute via cycle should look for bike-specific functionality such as blinky light mounts, U-lock harnesses, and waterproof exteriors.

Campus backpacks need to be stout enough to carry a full load of textbooks and binders, but not so cumbersome that you get jammed up in the hallway. They also need to sport a good bit of internal organization, often in what pack manufacturers will call an admin pocket.

Best Backpacks — Daypacks

While your destination might not always be the same, you can generally rely on the best daypacks as being versatile enough to meet whatever the day brings, whether that’s hiking, biking, trail running, or just kicking around.  

Daypacks are the Swiss Army knives of the pack-o-sphere, typically sporting a number of different functionalities to aid you in whatever you’re getting after. This includes hydration-bladder sleeves and accompanying hose ports, integrated rain covers, trekking pole and ice axe tethers, helmet securing systems, and more. 

Most daypacks land at around the 15-30 liter range, with smaller packs having just enough space for the basic 10 essentials, and larger packs being able to carry more layers for colder climates, or more water for arid ones. While they can be used for shorter hikes, backpacking bags are typically overgunned for shorter day-long excursions.

Certain running-inspired daypacks, known as hydration packs , shrink down the overall volume to only the essential handful of liters needed to carry quick calories, and are often more vest-like than packs. Still, some like the Ultimate Direction FastPack 20 offer up a good amount of space for longer runs. These packs often revolve around the hydration bladder they carry, and are poised to provide hydration quickly through smart hose routing.

Laptop Backpacks

Best Backpacks — Evergoods CPL Laptop

The center of the laptop backpack is unsurprisingly, the laptop, and more importantly, the manner in which it’s carried and protected. Laptop sleeves integrated into backpacks are padded areas made to safely port your mobile desktop around, and good versions will suspend the bottom of the sleeve off the bottom of the pack for protection.

Most often smaller to moderate in size, these laptop packs also lean on a good bit of internal organization to keep things tidy, stashing away journals, pens, chargers, and the like. A broad, supportive base is also handy in order to have a pack that stands up on its own, making rifling around in it easier.

Like some commuter bags, travel backpacks typically lean toward the high-polish side of the spectrum, and can be made with durable and good-looking materials such as seatbelt-like webbing, metal G-hooks, waterproof zippers, and durable thick-denier fabrics.

The Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 24L represents one of the best of the best in our opinion and protects your laptop behind walls of foam, HDPE plastic, and an aluminum stay. The Fjallraven Kanken Laptop pack brings a bit of classic flair to the equation, and our testers greatly appreciated the tech-focused functionality of the Peak Design Everyday Backpack .

Travel Backpacks

Best Backpacks — Peak Design Travel Pack

It’s all about the miles for travel backpacks . Part luggage, part tourism instrument; travel packs have to be modular in order to meet the demands of the savvy traveler, and more often than not are shaped by the parameters placed on them by airlines. You’ve got your carry-ons (almost always near 40-45 liters) and your personal items (closer to 20-25 L). 

Made to also be versatile in their carry, these packs also often sport a variety of different handles, straps, luggage handle pass-throughs, and even strap storage options — meaning you can carry them in whatever way makes sense for the day. They also will be pretty minimal on the exterior, making for a clean profile to get into overhead bins.

Packs like the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L can be collapsed down to a 30L size for daily adventures at your destination and then maxed out to fully take advantage of airline carry-on limits. Comparatively, bags like the TimBuk2 Never Check Expandable Backpack and Aer Go Pack 2 nestle in under the seat in front of you.

Backpacking Packs

Osprey Aether 65 Review

Backpacking packs are built around the load they’re made to carry, whether that’s an ultralight load-out or an entire NOLS-course worth of kit. Typically built from the frame-out, these bags are made for extended overnight travel and are some of the most complex packs out there. From hydration sleeves to suspended trampoline suspensions, floating brains, and internal dividers, the features can be dizzying.

Because the weight you’ll carry in a backpacking bag is more than most any other pack, sizing is much more important, and these packs are offered in the largest size ranges available, as well as in different gendered suspension systems to accommodate different shaped frames. Consider getting sized by a retail professional, or have a friend measure you up to get the best fit.

For most weekend-ready backpacking packs, an overall volume of 50 to 70 liters should be enough to carry everything you’ll need. For single overnights, many can often get away with 35 to 40 liters. Be mindful that often times the number advertised on backpacking packs may only include the internal volume of the main compartment, leaving some additional space in the exterior pockets and floating lids.

Bags like the Osprey Aether 65 & Ariel 55 offer the full complement of features, and sport supportive frames that will carry a fully weighted down pack. We also have found great success with REI Co-op, Gregory, and The North Face packs.

Specific-Use Packs

Best Backpacks — Climbing Packs

For the outer realms of sport, there are specialty packs that are refined for specific tasks, and while many backpacking packs can often cover a good spread, they often lack the sport-specificity to truly excel in their niche. 

Climbing packs are made to be rough and tumble and tote around heavy (and sometimes sharp) equipment and are often split into approach and on-route packs, with the former aiming to tote your whole climbing rack and rope, and the latter just what you’ll need on the wall.

Skiing is particularly tough on equipment, and packs made for skiing need to be equally tough to make it to the end of the tour. Specific storage compartments for avalanche rescue equipment are essential, and some even incorporate inflatable airbag systems to stack the deck toward survival in an avalanche.

Packing out large ungulates isn’t easy, and the best big-game hunting packs have robust metal frames in order to shoulder the weight. They also need to be made from quiet materials, with silent-running zippers and soft-faced fabrics to keep from spooking your quarry.

Best Ultralight Backpacks — HMG Southwest 2400 Donner Pass

Dialing in on the perfect pack size depends on a few things: how much you’re planning on carrying in it, and how far you’ll be traveling with it. Sure, you could commute with a backpacking pack or travel with a daypack, but you’d quickly find yourself greatly under (or over) prepared for the task. 

In our lineup, packs range from the svelte 18-liter Mystery Ranch District to the 65-liter load-hauling Osprey Aether. In general, we’ve found the following breakdown to describe the volumes of most packs out there:

  • 10-20 L: Most daypacks, small personal-item travel bags, and cycling hydration packs. 
  • 20-30 L: Most day-hiking backpacks, daily-driver packs for commuting or campus, and larger daypacks for more intensive adventures. Many laptop backpacks also land in this volume range.
  • 30-40 L: Most overnight backpacking backpacks. Many carry-on travel backpacks will also land in the 40-45 liter range — about the maximum allowed by most airlines. This is also where dialed ultralight backpacking packs begin.
  • 50-60 L: Most weekend-sized backpacking packs, as well as many climbing packs. Sized for 2-3 days.
  • 60-70 L: Appropriate for extended backpacking trips where you’ll be packing extra food and fuel, or winter trips that demand bulkier sleep gear and clothing. Sized for 4-7 days.
  • 70+ L: Most expedition-sized backpacks for mountaineering, equipment-intensive backpacking, or big-game hunting packs.

Best Backpacks — REI Ruckpack 2

Many packs of all stripes will incorporate some type of compression system, which both lowers the internal volume of the pack for when you aren’t carrying as much and keeps the load closer to your back where it’s better supported. 

A functionality unique to travel packs is an expandable volume, made possible by zippered gills that add space to a pack to meet carry-on size limits, and then collapse when you’ve hit your destination to be a more manageable day bag. The Peak Design Travel Backpack is an excellent example of this.

Frames and Suspension

While smaller volume (~10-15L) packs can get away with little to no frame, most packs will need some sort of support system to properly carry their load. The simplest frames are found in daypacks and use a sheet of foam to transfer some load from the shoulder straps to the hip belt. Packs like the REI Co-op Flash 22 , Arc’teryx Aerios 15 , and Fjallraven Kanken all use frames like this to support smaller loads.

As the volume and load increase, so does the need for a more robust frame system. Because many laptop backpacks are moderately sized but often carry heavier tech, they incorporate stronger frames such as those made from HDPE plastic sheets, which not only increase carrying ability but also protect the laptop inside.

Further frame tech comes in the form of tensioned struts, which act as a sort of spring between the hipbelt and shoulder straps to suspend the weight. Packs like the Deuter Speed Lite make use of simple bent wire hoops, compared to the more static aluminum stays of travel and laptop backpacks (like on the Evergoods Civic Panel Loader.) 

Tensioned mesh panel back panels are big in backpacking packs, with Osprey being an early innovator with their AirSpeed and AntiGravity back systems, and other manufacturers following suit. These suspension systems make use of a supportive trampoline as a back panel, which greatly increases ventilation on long hikes.

Some ultralight backpacking packs eschew a frame entirely, instead relying on an ultralight base weight and some creative packing to form the internal structure of the pack. Care is needed to not over-pack these bags, but when your base weight is less than 5 pounds, going frameless opens up a world of possibilities.

Finally, frames and packs can come in different sizes to suit different body sizes. Typically only seen in larger packs (and a handful of daypacks,) different torso lengths help you get the perfect fit, and can be user-adjustable on the pack itself.

In our lineup of best backpacking backpacks , almost every pack comes in both men’s and women’s sizing (save for some of the smaller cottage-industry brands) with the Osprey Aether & Ariel 55 and Gregory Men’s Katmai 55 & Women’s Kalmia 50 packs landing high on our list.

Shoulder Straps and Hipbelts

Best Backpacks — TNF Recon Backpanel

Just as important as the frames are the shoulder straps and hip belts that interface with it. These straps are the connection between yourself and the pack, and are important considerations when carrying large loads, or carrying the pack for extended periods. Working together; a frame, shoulder straps, and hip belt are a system for support.

Shoulder straps are typically made in three different styles: J-style straps, which are the OG, S-style straps, which fit people with larger chests, and running-vest style straps — typically only seen on trail-running-styled vests and some daypacks (we love their inclusion on the Deuter Speed Lite packs.) Correctly tensioned, your shoulder straps should take the lesser of the load and instead aim to carry more of the weight on your hips.

Load-lifters are straps that run from the middle of your shoulder straps and connect to the top of your backpack’s frame, which aids in pulling the load in closer to your body. Most lower-volume packs won’t need the added support provided, but they add a good amount of relief to larger backpacking packs. 

Hipbelts connect the majority of the load with your hips, where your body will best be able to support the weight. More of a consideration in larger backpacking packs, be sure to size your pack so that your hip belt lands just about at your iliac crest (the top of your hipbones) for the best load transfer. 

Like different torso sizes, straps are also often available in different gendered sizes, with “Men’s” packs suiting folks with broader shoulders and narrower hips, and “Women’s” packs working better for people with narrow shoulders and wider hips. The straps and padding may also be shaped anatomically for the best fit.

Organization

Best Backpacks — Organization Evergoods

Some packs are spartan and simple tubes, while others break up the space with a flurry of pockets, sleeves, dividers, secret compartments, and false bottoms. If you are living out of your pack for weeks on end, a good organizational system is paramount to staying sane. Your use case will largely direct how organized you want your backpack to be, but there are a few important things to note.

If you’re looking for some more information on how to best pack a backpack, check out GearJunkie’s How-To where we lay it all out (literally).

Main Compartment

Best Backpacks — TNF Recon Organization

Most every pack on the market will access the main compartment through either an opening in the top of the pack (known as top-loaders) or through panel openings that release a side of the pack (known as clamshell or panel-loading). In the case of packs like the Peak Design Travel Backpack , the U-shaped zipper extends far enough to fully separate the back panel, which can be important for TSA screenings of laptops.

Packs made for daily use (such as commuters, campus, and laptop backpacks) will sport more internal organization than bags made for purely load hauling. These come in the form of divided internal space, frequently of a more simple open compartment, and then one with more pockets and sleeves. Often seen in work or laptop bags, “admin or valet” pockets are meant to harness your pens, chargers, and journals, and generally provide quick access to this kit in an organized way.

Best Backpacks — Deuter Access

Travel backpacks are often much more like luggage internally, and will offer up a large internal compartment, along with some sub-dividers and internal compression straps to keep things in place. We greatly appreciate travel packs that offer some type of “dirty laundry” compartment like the Thule Aion or Gregory Border Traveler bags, which make living out of the bag much more civilized. 

While packs designed for backpacking are typically less involved internally to facilitate easy packing, some will feature a dedicated sleeping bag compartment at the bottom of the bag. This helps to keep your bag cleaner and drier, but in most cases, we find the division to be unnecessary and limit our ability to make use of all the space.

Exterior Pockets

Best Backpacks — Deuter Speed Lite

Made for quick and easy access, exterior pockets are ideal for snagging frequently accessed items such as keys, phones, or wallets. They typically come in a few different variations:

  • Hipbelt Pockets: Located on the waistbelts of larger packs, these pockets are an excellent place to park the items you want to access without taking off your whole backpack. 
  • Floating Lid/Brain: Another feature of backpacking packs, floating lids are affixed to the pack body with straps, and feature a few internal zippered pockets where small items like headlamps, maps, or GPS devices can be stashed.
  • Stretch Stuff Pockets: Stretch or dump pockets on packs make retrieval easy, and can accommodate water bottles as well as wet layers like a rain jacket. Very often seen on outdoors-oriented packs such as backpacking bags and daypacks, but less so on laptop or work bags.

Accessory Attachment

Best Backpacks — Patagonia Black Hole Access

For everything that won’t fit on the interior of your pack, there is likely a means of wrangling it onto your pack with an accessory attachment system. One of the most standard is daisy-chain webbing loops, which can be clipped to with carabiners or tied off to fasten gear down.

Other options include elastic cords and toggles for fastening down trekking poles or ice axes, adjustable webbing straps for lashing down bulky kit, or integrated loops for affixing cycling lights. Your use case will greatly influence what attachment systems you may need, so take stock of the items you’re looking to tote around outside of your pack before swiping your card.

Understand also that attachment systems like these will add some complexity to your backpack, and you’ll end up paying a little more for them both out of your wallet and on your back.

Materials and Durability

Best Backpacks — Mystery Ranch District

We always recommend buying a backpack built with high-quality materials, which will not only improve your day-to-day use but also the pack’s longevity.

The fabric denier — a measure of the density of its fibers — is the best quick measure of durability, with higher numbers reflecting a tougher fabric. On our list, fabric deniers range from 140D to 840D, with reinforced areas of up to 900D. Different areas of packs may receive different applications of fabric in order to up their durability in high-wear areas, such as pack bottoms and back panels.

When packs don’t need ultra-tough materials, such as in lightweight daypacks, they often make use of lighter denier nylons and polyesters in their constructions. These can often be shored up by using different weaving techniques to create ripstop or ballistic fabrics, and we greatly appreciate this in rough-and-tumble packs but don’t see much of a need in commuters and laptop bags.

These fabrics often have a durable water repellant (DWR) finish applied to them, which is most often a hydrophobic coating that resists rain and prolongs soaking your backpack but can also be a polyurethane coating as in the case of the Patagonia Black Hole Backpack , or a waxed canvas. Even if we don’t plan on using our packs in the great outdoors, we still highly prefer a pack with some type of waterproofing.

Consider also that your backpack will need to close in some way, and that’s where high-quality zippers, buckles, and webbing come into play. These are the finer details, but still important and a busted piece of hardware can render your bag defunct. Zippers in particular say a lot about the thought put into a backpack, and going with reputable slides from YKK or Riri will keep them sliding into the future.

In terms of long-term durability, one of the best things you can do for your backpack is to keep it clean. For an in-depth look at pack hygiene, check out GearJunkie’s How-To on the subject.

Sustainability

Best Backpacks — Patagonia Black Hole Pack

Finally, be mindful of the impact your new backpack will have on the environment — all the way from beginning to end. A great way to limit this is by purchasing packs that are made with recycled materials, which either use industrial scrap that otherwise would have been thrown away, or source it from post-consumer sources such as plastic waste.

Thankfully, many companies are now going further and incorporating PFC-free DWR finishes into their pack builds. Perfluorinated chemicals — also known as forever chemicals — are particularly nasty to the environment, as well as pervasive, and we’ve found eco-alternatives to be just as good at keeping our packs dry.

Different supply chain certifications can also lend some good insight into what exactly went into creating your backpack, including the labor practices used. Bluesign-certified labels let you know that the materials used met stringent standards for eliminating chemicals of concern and that the factories producing them met emissions and labor safety standards.

Fair Trade Certification is earned by meeting standards set by Fairtrade International, an international nonprofit that works to ensure greater equity for agricultural and textile workers. These standards often require meeting a standard minimum wage, ensuring the right to join in collective bargaining, and that buyers pay a minimum price in order to cover the costs of sustainable production. 

Another under-sold way to limit your pack’s footprint is through brute longevity. Packs that last longer stay out of landfills longer, and investing in a pack that will go the distance (and can be repaired) helps avoid early retirement. The buy once, cry once adage rings true here, and we recommend investing in equipment that will stick with you for many years to come.

When considering the style of the packs in our lineup, we first surveyed our testing team, before turning to the general public and soliciting opinions. Style can be a subjective thing, but we all generally agreed on a few important facets that made certain bags stand out in our testing.

For one, we all found that laptop and campus bags were generally more simple in their exterior styling, while holding a great amount of complexity inside the bag. Backpacking packs are the opposite, with relatively simple interior spaces, but cluttered exteriors. ‘Less is more’ certainly applies here, and for a bag that’ll fly on the metro or in the office, keep it simple. Bags like the Fjallraven Kanken rank high in this regard. 

We also all appreciated high-quality materials in the build of our backpacks, including on the exterior. Waterproof zippers, leather accents, custom buckles, and seatbelt-like webbing all gave a classy look, and it made packs like the Peak Design Travel Backpack look every bit of its $300 price tag. 

Finally, know that some packs will be available in multiple different styles, such as the Osprey Aoede which is offered up in a backpack , a messenger bag , and a brief-pack style of pack.

Backpacks can vary wildly in their intended use, and also in their pricing. Simple around-town bags may only cost you a fistful of bills, but larger volume backpacking bags and certain high-quality travel packs can demand hundreds of dollars. Certainly, you get what you pay for with much of this, but it’s good to understand exactly what you’re paying for.

Budget-Minded Backpacks:

Typically the realm of campus, daypacks, and everyday bags, more budget-minded packs won’t break the bank but may make some concessions in order to hit that price point. First off, there’s no escaping the fact that more material costs more to produce, and thus smaller-volume bags are going to cost less than their larger cousins.

Cheaper packs may also leave out some functionalities found in more expensive packs, such as multiple internal organizers, adjustable suspension straps, and expandable volumes. This keeps the price of these packs at around $60 to $120, and for the money, you’ll see more traditional builds rather than complicated access systems. For example, the Dakine Campus ($75) is a pretty recognizable shape for a school bag, but still gets the job done.

While they typically cost a good bit more, there are still budget backpacking and travel packs, such as the REI Co-op Flash Packs ($199) and the Cotopaxi Allpa Travel Pack ($170) — both perfectly serviceable in their respective niches.

Mid-Range Backpacks:

Mid-range packs thankfully make up the majority of backpacks and mean that just about anyone can get their mitts on a pack that’ll both do what they need it to, but won’t ask for an arm and a leg in doing so. For about $150 to $200, you’ll get a pack that is specialized for the task at hand: whether that’s commuting, hiking on the weekends, or traveling internationally. 

These packs will make use of quality materials, including often higher denier fabrics in typical wear areas. Adjustability, too, enters the equation at this price point, and that extends to both the suspension system, as well as in volume-expanding pockets and folds that’ll make your pack bigger.

Packs like the Deuter Speed Lite 25 ($120), Osprey Farpoint / Fairview ($185), Osprey Exos 58 ($260), and Patagonia Black Hole Pack 32L ($169) all excel in their lanes and come in below the truly spendy versions that jam in all the bells and whistles.

Premium Backpacks:

Because of their feature-packed builds (and the amount of material required to make them), backpacking packs typically command higher price points than other backpack types. The average across all of the packs we tested was ~$270, with some cottage industry packs like the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest ($349), and Zpacks Arc Blast ($375) coming in a good bit above that.

High-end travel backpacks with large volumes, too, will cost you more, with the upper crust going for more than $250, though their prices are typically more due to their build quality than total volume. Packs like the Matador GlobeRider 45 ($350) and Peak Design Travel Backpack ($300) both jam in features into smart layouts that leave little to be desired. 

There can also be premium everyday bags as well, such as the Tom Bihn Synapse 25 ($243) which is made out of ultra-premium materials and is customizable and handmade to spec. If you’re a fan of the best materials possible, this is your pack.

First and foremost, you’ll need to decide what you’re going to do with it. The form should follow function, and whether it’s a backpacking pack, a travel-ready carry-on, or a svelte daypack, you’ll want a bag that’s been designed for what you want to do.

Once you’ve narrowed in on the style you’re after, begin to consider how much stuff you’re aiming to carry in it, as almost every backpack is available in a few different volumes. Generally, 20-30 liters will suffice for weekend-long adventures, with less than that being ideal for daily carries, and more working better for backpacking adventures.

Finally, consider the small niceties of a backpack, such as the style, color, and accessories offered. These details can help be the tie-breaker in otherwise difficult decisions over which pack to pick up.

While JanSport still holds a stranglehold on the educated masses, there are a number of different college-ready backpacks available that we’ve come to enjoy and recommend. 

The North Face has a number of different backpacks that are keen on being used for study sessions, such as the Recon and Jester packs. Both incorporate well-padded back panels, protected laptop sleeves, and a clean look that we enjoy for cutting around campus.

The Dakine Campus is also aptly named, and it doesn’t demand much out of your pocket to boot. And for anyone looking for a classic and stylish bag, the Kanken from Fjallraven would not disappoint.

How much you’ll pay for a good backpack will largely depend on the style of the pack. We find that most decent daypacks will run you around $100 to $150, depending mostly on their size, as well as complexity when it comes to the frame system they employ. The Deuter Speed Lite 25 has many die-hard supporters around these parts, as do the REI Co-op Flash 22 and REI Co-op Trail 25 .

Laptop and travel backpacks often get a bit more of a luxe treatment, meaning they can demand a little bit more for the high-end materials they are made from. $150 to $200 will generally net you a bag that will stand up to the abuse of constant daily use and international travel. At $185, the Osprey Farpoint / Fairview packs make a perfect travel companion.

And in terms of backpacking packs, $250 is about the bullseye to aim for in terms of packs that will stand up to entire seasons of living outdoors. These packs will sport enough padding and adjustability to be comfortable over miles of trail, and be made of durable enough materials to kick around outdoors without much care.

For an average daily-driver backpack, aim for an internal volume of around 20 to 30 liters. This will allow you to store everything that you might need for work, school, or exploring a new city, but also incidentals such as extra layers, or some fresh produce from the farmer’s market.

For weekend trips where you’ve got to carry your home on your back, most will need a backpack between 50 and 70 liters. This provides enough space to lug your sleep system, as well as the food and water you’ll need to support yourself over 2-3 days.

Bunking in the hostel on vacation? You can certainly get away with a pack between 30 and 40 liters — which is enough space to bring along a few extra layers and maybe a book or two.

The quality of a backpack has a lot to do with the materials that it’s made with, as well as how it’s been made. Considering the best packs in each of the respective categories, we looked for builds that emphasized durability in the regular wear zones, had good internal or external organization for the specific use, and had suspensions and padding that fit us well and could be adjusted.

Packs on the lower end of the ‘worth-it’ strata will make some compromises, and typically that comes in the form of left-off features, thinner fabrics, and overall less specification for any one activity. These packs make great do-it-all bags, but they won’t excel at certain tasks. 

The importance of a good warranty also shouldn’t be discounted when tallying up quality. Should anything go awry with your new backpack, certain companies will make it right and get you set back up with a new or repaired bag.

The Best Daypacks 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.

The Best Laptop Backpacks of 2024

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.

best travel waterproof backpack

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

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The Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks for Any Adventure

Whether used solo or packed alongside other bags, the best travel backpacks we’ve tested hold plenty of stuff and make it all easy to access.

Image of Aer Travel pack laying flat next to a variety of other common travel accessories

By Will Sabel Courtney and Ben Bowers

Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission.  Learn more

An excellent carry-on-sized travel and adventure backpack can be a packing game changer. Whether used solo for shorter trips or carried along with other luggage for extended journeys, the best options offer plenty of storage space for clothes and a slew of easy access and protective pockets for water bottles, laptops, and other personal items.

Having spent many days on airplanes crisscrossing continents and oceans for work and play alike, here are the best carry-on travel and adventure bags we’ve tested and recommend hovering in the 35–55 liter size range.

Carry-On Travel & Adventure Backpacks We Recommend

Best Overall

Best Rollaboard Replacement

Best Bargain

Best Multi-Use

Smartest Feature Set

Most Distinctive Option

  • Made in America

Most Versatile

Best for Awkward-Sized Gear

How We Test Travel & Adventure Backpacks

travel bags

Our tester journeyed far and wide on numerous trips by plane, train and automobile with these backpacks, loading them up with apparel, gadgets and gear to see how they handle the stress. They were loaded and unloaded into luggage racks, trunks and back seats alike, carried on long walks to and from terminals and destinations, and left to bash about in the closet between trips.

For many of the tests, he loaded it up with a typical array of clothing and equipment one would need for a business or personal trip of several days time: an extra pair of jeans or slacks, 2–3 T-shirts, 1–2 overshirts or button-downs, a pair of sneakers, gym shorts and shirts, a DSLR camera , iPhone charger and Apple Watch charger and of course, several changes of undergarments.

To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here .

Best Overall Travel Backpack

peak design travel backpack 45l

Peak Design 45L Travel Backpack

  • Can expand from a 35L day bag into 45L multi-day gear hauler
  • Offers many ways to load & access contents
  • Backpack straps can hide conveniently out of site via magnets
  • Weather proof shell
  • Main pouch less accessible than some other bags on the list
  • Cinch straps only work okay
  • $299 at Peak Design
  • $299 at Huckberry
  • $299 at REI
  • $299 at Backcountry
  • $299 at Amazon

Peak Design’s travel backpack has been a top pick of ours for a while now , and suffice it to say, it’s still impressive. You can tell it’s a premium product from the first moment you lay hands and eyes on it; it looks and feels nice, from the action of the zippers to the smooth, almost waxy waterproof exterior to the soft, gentle gray fabric of the interior. But look closer, and you’ll find more features you might have missed the first time; hidden magnets seamlessly tuck away the backpack straps when not in use. (Just be sure you check the straps’ length every time you pull them back out, as they can slide out longer a little more easily than some bags.)

Of course, none of that would matter if it weren’t capable of carrying a bunch of gear. Luckily, this bag excels at that. Two main pockets easily enable the carriage of several days’ worth of apparel, while smaller slots for everything from toiletries to cables to headphones to laptops are found inside. There are grab handles for one-handed toting, multiple zippers for easy entry from several angles, and slots for water bottles on the sides, of course. We also love that unlike most other options on this list, this bag can contract down to a smaller-sized bag 35 L capacity for shorter trips or bulk up to a 45 L if you need to bring more along (or wound up acquiring a few items while out on the road.) All in all, it’s probably as close to the perfect travel backpack as you might find on sale today.

Best Rollaboard Replacement Travel Backpack

best travel waterproof backpack

Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L

  • Designed to maximize allowable carry-on space
  • Opens and packs like a carry-on suitcase
  • Featured padded hip belt with side pocket for better weight distribution
  • Accessing items in main compartment can be awkward on the go
  • Lacks luggage pass-through sleeve
  • Slightly heavier than other options
  • $350 at Tortuga

Tortuga’s Travel Backpack Pro is regarded as one of the best travel backpacks for good reason. Its rectangular shape lets the bag maximize its available storage capacity while ensuring its dimensions fall within standard airline carry-on guidelines. The primary storage compartment also opens as a suitcase to reveal a large mesh zipper compartment side and a spacious main compartment. Depending on your use case, this design detail can be a pro or con. On the one hand, it’s great to lay the bag flat on a bed and unzip the clam shell zipper to reveal and grab whatever’s inside quickly. However, quickly grabbing something buried deep inside the main compartment can be difficult if you don’t have enough space to lay the bag fully flat. The bag’s space-maximizing design also means its physically and aesthetically a bit more boxy than other options we recommend. Tortuga sells a smaller 30L capacity version of the same bag if 40L feels too big for your needs.

Best Bargain Travel Backpack

a black backpack with a strap

Aer Travel Pack 3

  • Features handles on all sides
  • Tons of pockets, including a hidden one for Airtags / Tracker
  • Includes luggage handle pass-through strap
  • $249 at Aer

Aer’s Travel Pack 3 is a little more affordable than the Peak Design entry, but don’t hold that against it; this bag is a lot like the above model. There are an abundance of pockets; you won’t have any trouble finding a place for everything and putting everything in its place. And while it doesn’t look or feel quite as premium when standing next to the Peak Design bag, it still has the quality and appearance of a high-end product.

travel bags

On the downside, the orientation of the main pouch can make opening it and filling the bag a bit trickier than some other entries on the list, and the magnetic clips for the chest strap and cinch straps feel like an unnecessary complication. It’s also a little smaller than other recommendations on this list. Still, overall, it’s a great choice for a few days on the road.

Best Multi-Use Travel Backpack

best travel waterproof backpack

Yeti Crossroads Backpack 35L

  • Made from thick, abrasion resistant nylon
  • Stable luggage pass through sleeve
  • Removable external straps for lashing on other gear
  • Sold in multiple smaller sizes
  • Laptop sleeve is a little smaller compared to other bags
  • Less water resistance than other options
  • Lack of DWR coating also means its more prone to staining
  • $250 at Yeti

Yeti’s approach to backpacks is the same as its coolers . The brand’s Crossroads Backpack is a durably constructed and capable bag with a slightly less techy aesthetic than other recommendations on this list. It also includes a unique feature mix that makes it great for airports, city travel, and outdoor adventures.

For work-related trips or voyages within city limits, it’s got padded organization pockets for various items, including a laptop, and opens clamshell-style for easier packing. In cases of outdoor adventuring, it also features a pair of removal external straps for toting along other items like a rain shell, ground cover, or a lightweight camp chair. There’s also a pocket big enough to fit a 26 oz water bottle, although it’s located inside the bag, which might be a controversial decision for some. We lack the fact that Yeti sells smaller 22 L and 27 L versions of the bag for those interesting in something that’s closer in size to a more traditional backpack.

The Travel Backpack with the Smartest Feature Set

best travel waterproof backpack

Matador GlobeRider 45L Travel Backpack

  • Features a highly adjustable outdoor backpack style harness for optimizing carrying comfort and weight distribution
  • Stowable main backpack straps can tuck away for checking
  • Dedicated internal compartment that's great for keeping dirty / worn shoes from the rest of the bag's contents
  • Looks more technical / camping oriented than other options
  • Bigger compared to other tweener-sized options
  • $350 at Matador
  • $350 at Huckberry
  • $350 at REI
  • $350 at Backcountry

Smart design details distinguish all of Matador’s products, and their premium  GlobeRider 45 travel and adventure backpack  puts this part of the brand’s DNA on full display. While the sheer variety of features makes this bag stand out, its outdoor-grade harness, complete with adjustable load lifters, a contoured aluminum framestay, and a backpacking carry harness, make it one of the best travel backpack options for anyone who expects to walk long distances carrying it. The harness is also stowable behind the padded back panel, which can help prevent the bag from being caught up in machinery if you decide to check it. 

We also love the larger, built-in internal organization pocket that’s sizeable enough to keep a pair of dirty hiking boots separated from other packed items and the internal shockcord securement system on the other side for keeping contents in place when the bag is open. There’s even a “smugglers pocket” tucked away behind the back panel for keeping critical items like a Passport out of harm’s way.

Most Distinctive Travel Backpack

best travel waterproof backpack

Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack

  • Available in more colorful outdoorsy-styled versions, including a randomized Del Dia option
  • Includes removable raincover
  • Includes strap for carrying crossbody
  • Designed to work perfectly with Cotopaxi packing cubes and accessories
  • Includes a lifetime warranty + repairs
  • Less open space for cramming gear inside
  • $220 at Cotopaxi
  • $220 at Amazon
  • $220 at REI

We gravitate to more unremarkable colors in bags. Still, if you prefer your equipment to stand out or like owning something unique,  Cotopaxi’s Allpa 42 L is an excellent option . It’s available in various standard colors, most of which mix and match various bright shades to give off a classic outdoorsy vibe. But there’s also the option of buying a one-of-a-kind  “Del Dia” version  made from leftover parts and pieces from other companies’ production runs. While you can pick the primary color you are interested in, the different colored elements of the bag are determined on the production line based on available materials. The result is an aesthetically unique bag that’s also more sustainably produced. 

But don’t assume the appeal of this bag is all aesthetic. It also offers plenty of practical travel-centric details, including various internal zippered organization pockets, a removal rainfly for foul weather protection, and a removable waist belt. Its primary harness straps can also be tucked away for easier checking. 

If you want to enter the Cotopaxi travel ecosystem fully, the bag is also specifically designed to fit the company’s packing cubes and fanny pack.

Best Made in the USA Travel Backpack

a backpack

GoRuck GR3 45L USA

  • Ridiculously sturdy and tough
  • Simple design
  • Harder to access laptop and other pockets on the go
  • Expensive compared to bags with bells & whistles
  • $455 at goruck.com

GoRuck is known for building bags that are sturdy as hell, and meant to go through it, too. The canvas skin feels thick enough to resist tiger claws. That’s not to say it’s harsh on the wearer; 201D Cordura straps and back panels feel plenty soft even over the long haul. We tested the smaller GR1, but even that 26-liter bag punched above its weight, proving large enough to carry our usual kit without much trouble; the 45-liter GR3 will no doubt prove capable of taking whatever you throw at it, inside or out.

travel bags

With only one main compartment and a couple rather small pockets, it’s a bit harder to stash smaller items in their own areas — you may have to rummage through your underwear to grab your laptop — but if your priority is making sure everything in your bag stays safe and sound no matter what, GoRuck has you covered. Be aware that this bag is often sold out.

Most Versatile Travel Backpack

a black and grey backpack

Osprey Farpoint 55 Travel Pack

  • A built-in secondary pack is great for day trips
  • Massive capacity
  • More affordable than other options
  • Re-assembly of constituent bags can be tricky when full
  • Forces you to split your gear up between two bags when packing
  • $220.00 at osprey.com
  • $176 at Backcountry Gear $220 (20% off)
  • $215 at Amazon
  • $220 at L.L. Bean

Nerd alert: What does the Osprey Farpoint 55 have in common with the USS Enterprise-D from Star Trek: The Next Generation? (Which, coincidentally, first aired with a pilot called “Encounter at Farpoint.”) Well, both starship and backpack can separate into two separate vessels if the need arises. In the case of the Osprey, that means the smaller, secondary pocket detaches to become its own daypack, perfectly sized for short hikes and office visits. Combined, the complete bag is a mammoth beast, capable of taking on a stunning amount of gear; if you tend to pick up souvenirs on your trips, this bag is for you.

travel bags

On the less-appealing side, it’s a bit difficult to get into the main bag when “assembled,” and that assembly process can be tricky when both bags are stuffed. Combined, the overall package is bulky; it’s not an issue when wearing it (or at least it wasn’t for our six-foot-four-inch tester), but it does generally necessitate splitting the bag into its constituent parts on the airplane, stowing the big part in the overhead and the small one under the seat ahead.

Best Travel Backpack for Awkward-Sized Gear

a black backpack with a white background

Patagonia Cragsmith Pack 45L

  • Giant pocket and wide opening make for easy packing
  • Light compared to other bags
  • Not as optimal for business travel as some other bags
  • No true dedicated sleeve for laptops or tablets
  • $152.99 at Patagonia $219.00 (30% off)

Of course, any list of high-quality backpacks wouldn’t be complete without a Patagonia entry. The Cragsmith may be made for rock climbing, but it’s also a good fit for travel, with ample capacity in a giant central compartment as well as secondary slots for other gear. That said, the lack of a second main compartment may be a turn-off for some, and the relaxed sleeve on the inside of the main cargo bay is better suited for rope than a laptop. But if you want a sleek travel backpack from one of the best names in outdoor equipment, the Cragsmith should treat you right.

Key details to consider before deciding on the right travel or adventure backpack for your needs.

  • Do you plan on using your travel or adventure backpack frequently in conjunction with a rollaboard? If yes, we recommend keying in on options that feature a luggage pass-through sleeve. This will allow you to take the bag off your back and more easily roll it with your suitcase during extended treks in the airport.
  • Do you plan on using your travel backpack off the beaten path or expect to be exposed to the elements for longer stretches? If yes, look for options made with DWR coatings or sold with an included rainfly as well as sealed zippers for added water protection.
  • Do you plan on walking/hiking long distances while wearing the travel backpack? If yes, we recommend focusing on backpacks that offer integrated waist straps or, even better, more adjustable/tunable harnesses. Both features will allow you to distribute the weight of the bag better and for more comfort. 
  • Do you plan on ever checking your travel backpack on an airplane? While less critical than the other considerations, bags with stowable straps and harnesses are better suited for checking. It’s an unlikely risk, but extraneous straps can get caught in conveyor belt machinery while being scanned.
  • Do you prefer packing with packing cubes and smaller bags? If so, then we recommend looking at backpacks with less built-in organization pockets to maximize what you can carry. If you’re in the opposite camp, then many of the options that include a variety of pockets and zippered compartments can help you quickly find whatever you’ve packed.

An easy rubric for gauging the right sized carry-on adventure backpack for your needs.

If you are hoping to use a single backpack for a trip lasting more than three days, we recommend focusing on bags with a capacity of 40 L unless you are an extremely light packer.

A handy list of approved carry-on sizes for major U.S. domestic airlines

Approved Carry-on sizing reference table last updated 4/9/2024

To learn more about how big (or heavy) your carry-on can be, refer to our broader guide to the best carry-on suitcases for every trip .

aluminum suitcases

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Best Ultralight Backpacks of 2024

On a long-distance thru-hike, a mountaineering ascent, or a weekender trek through challenging terrain, every once of gear weight on your back matters. An ultralight backpack can help you haul all the supplies, apparel, and provisions you need for an enjoyable outdoor adventure without adding much weight itself. Plus, many have features like hydration reservoir compatibility, compression straps, and multiple compartments that help you place and manage your gear for ideal balance and comfort.

We've selected the best ultralight backpacks based on extensive, first-hand hiking and mountaineering experience; input from other outdoor experts; and thorough research. The ultralight packs we feature each have unique elements that make them stand out, and they all have at least one thing in common: very low weight.

Table of Contents

  • Best Ultralight Backpacks
  • Things To Consider When Buying
  • How We Chose

Osprey Exos 48 Ultralight Backpack  »

Osprey Exos 48 Ultralight Backpack

Good padding and ventilation

Front mesh stash pocket

Easy torso length adjustment

Bluesign-approved materials

Awkward placement of hip pockets

Water bottle pockets too small

The Osprey Exos 48 Ultralight Backpack weighs less than three pounds, thanks to lightweight materials and clever design elements. These include a mesh panel running the entire length of the back panel, which is both comfortable and highly breathable. And they include the use of lightweight (and recycled) nylon and poly fabrics throughout the pack. This 48-liter pack is an ideal size for a weekend camping trip with a trek into the site or for a thru-hike on which you can re-supply yourself every few days.

You can spread those supplies around, from the large main compartment to a removable lid with a zippered pocket to a large rear mesh stash pocket, side mesh water bottle pockets, and zippered hip belt pockets. The hip pockets are placed too far back on the belt and can be hard to access and to close without removing the backpack, and the water bottle pockets are too tight for a larger water bottle (a classic Nalgene, e.g.). But overall, the storage space and arrangement is solid. The pack is solid, too, with a lightweight but tough wire frame helping the pack hold its shape and distribute weight even when it’s fully laden.

Loowoko 50L Hiking Backpack  »

Loowoko 50L Hiking Backpack

Great low price point

Ideal weekend hike size

Built-in emergency whistle

Separate bottom storage pocket

Straps loosen during use

Not a fit for people 6’2” or taller

Loowoko 50L Hiking Backpack costs less than $50, but it only weighs 2.8 pounds and has a 50-liter capacity. This makes it ideal for weekender hikes and camping trips. Its maximum suggested load of 50 pounds means you can bring plenty of gear, food, and clothing with you. You can store most of that gear in the main compartment, and even more in the smaller bottom compartment that’s accessed via zipper. This large lower pocket is ideal for a sleeping bag or to keep soiled clothing separate from the rest of your stuff.

Comfortable and supportive overall, especially considering its price, this pack’s shoulder straps do sometimes loosen up as you trek along. It's also too short for people over 6 feet 2 inches, or those with extra-long torsos. But other shoppers on a budget will be quite pleased with the pack, including details like a built-in emergency whistle, rain cover, and many external gear attachment options.

Black Diamond Speed 40 Pack  »

Black Diamond Speed 40 Pack

Ice axe and rope attachment features

Rugged 210D nylon fabric

Removable belt, lid, and frame sheet

No water bottle, hydration bladder pockets

Hip belt lacks padding

Black Diamond’s Speed 40 Pack is an excellent backpack for tackling a mountain -- not just because it’s lightweight, but because it was purpose-built with mountain gear in mind. The pack has elements like a dedicated ice axe storage system, crampon straps, and a rope storage flap. It’s made of a rugged and abrasion-resistant 2100-denier nylon that's difficult to tear or puncture, and it has reinforcements at spots that are highly prone to contact rocks or ice. And with so much of your gear secured to the outside of the bag, the 40-liter storage capacity is plenty for an overnight or weekend alpine adventure.

The Speed 40 doesn't have a hydration bladder pocket, nor does it have water bottle pockets, so you’ll have to carry your water in the bag. In addition, the pack’s hip belt could have more padding. Those issues aside, note that the hip belt, top lid, and frame sheet (the solid internal panel that gives the pack its structure) can be removed, dropping some weight and turning this backpack into a decent summit bag.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 70 Pack  »

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 70 Pack

Amazing weight-to-capacity ratio

Waterproof main compartment

Multiple compression straps

Very expensive

Shoulder straps lack padding

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 70 Pack has, as the name suggests, a large 70-liter cargo capacity, yet it weighs just 2.4 pounds. In other words, you can bring enough gear, clothing, and provisions for a multiday hike. An internal hydration bladder sleeve helps keep your water close at hand, while side stash pockets can be used for water bottles or other sundries. A larger rear stash pocket can hold soiled garments, snacks you want readily grabbed, or anything you want convenient access to.

The Southwest 70 only has one internal compartment, so the bulk of your gear will all be jammed into the same space. However, a plethora of compression straps at the sides and top of the bag allow you to secure your stuff well, minimizing movement and keeping you properly balanced on long treks. And unlike a lot of ultralight packs, the waist belt is well padded.

Granite Gear Crown3 60 Women’s Pack  »

Granite Gear Crown3 60 Women’s Pack

Designed specifically for women

Lid converts to chest or hip pack

Generous 60L capacity

Too many straps on front of pack

Not ideal for taller women

The Granite Gear Crown3 60 Women’s Pack was specifically designed for women, with a broader hip belt and both lowered and elevated sternum straps. It has multiple adjustment points so it’s easy to customize its fit to your torso, although even the larger pack size maxes out at a 21-inch torso length.

This is a very light pack with an impressive 60-liter capacity and excellent tensioning systems that will secure and balance your load. The roll-top main compartment is reliably water-repellent, while side water bottle pockets and a capacious rear mesh stash pocket can hold plenty of stuff outside the pack. The hip belt has a pair of zippered pouches, and the back panel is padded and has ventilation channels that help with airflow on warmer days.

REI Co-op Flash Air 50 Pack  »

REI Co-op Flash Air 50 Pack

Amazingly low weight

Trekking pole attachment straps

Advanced tensioning options

Max recommended load of 25 pounds

There’s everyday ultralight, and then there’s the REI Co-op Flash Air 50 Pack. The small version of this pack weighs one pound, 13 ounces, while the large version weighs just two ounces more. A great pack for moving fast in warmer weather, it has a well-ventilated back panel with perforated foam padding and large air channels. The blend of ripstop nylon and polyethylene fabric is water-repellent and durable

The top can be rolled down tight, and myriad tensioning straps can further balance and secure the load -- great for moving fast or traversing tougher terrain. The maximum recommended load is 25 pounds, which is low for a longer outing, but you can go over that a bit before you start to pay for it in soreness at the shoulders and hips. And when it’s loaded less, you’ll hardly remember you’re wearing this truly ultralight backpack.

Mystery Ranch Coulee 30 Backpack  »

Mystery Ranch Coulee 30 Backpack

Ideal size for a day hike

Easy-access main compartment

Top zippered pocket accessible while pack is on

Waist belt too short for larger users

Pricey for smaller pack

The Mystery Ranch Coulee 30 Backpack is just the right size for those treks that start in the morning and end at sundown. Its 30-liter capacity could even be used for a very carefully provisioned overnighter, but it’s at its best as a daypack. There's a small zippered pocket at the top that you can reach into without taking the pack off, which is ideal for snacks, sunglasses, tissues, or a phone. Its large main compartment can be opened wide thanks to a three-way zipper configuration that makes it easy to get the piece of gear you want digging through everything. Multiple exterior stash and water bottle pockets keep things within easy reach.

There are plenty of good daypacks that cost well under half as much as this one, but the Coulee 30 is hard to beat in terms of organization and comfort. It won’t serve people with waists larger than 40 inches, but most hikers will love this versatile pack that's light, durable, and very thoughtfully configured.

The Bottom Line

The Osprey Exos 48 Ultralight Backpack is our pick for the best ultralight backpack overall because it weighs just 2.8 pounds yet does not give up on comfort and breathability features. It has a mesh back panel, padding at the hips and shoulders, and plenty of strap adjustment and compression elements. That said, another of the ultralight packs we covered may be the best lightweight backpack for your needs based on cargo capacity, packability, gear features, and more.

Things To Consider When Buying Ultralight Backpacks

Pack Weight: When gear weight is top of mind, a backpack’s weight is the first stat to consider. Ultralight backpacks achieve their minimal weight thanks to the use of specialty materials and the elimination of as many features as possible, such as padding and extra compartments. Thus, the lightest backpack you can get may not always be the best for your needs, so start with pack weight as your first consideration, but by no means consider it the only metric at play.

Capacity and Load Support: Your backpack needs to have the capacity to store all the gear, apparel, and food you’ll need for your outing or it just won’t serve. A pack with around a 30-liter capacity is ideal for a true day hike, one that will last six or more hours but not overnight; a 40- to 50-liter pack is ideal for a weekend adventure; for multi-day unsupported adventures, look for a 70-liter pack and pack it well. Part of proper packing means features like tensioning straps that can help secure your cargo as well as plenty of adjustment points on the pack’s straps.

Comfort and Fit: Because ultralight backpacks often pare down on comforts like padding and ventilation features, it’s all the more important that you get a pack that fits you properly. Measure your torso size and make sure the shoulder straps can be adjusted to fit securely while the waist belt is situated right over your hips. And make sure you can easily adjust the fit of the pack to accommodate different amounts of gear weight — your pack may be notably lighter at the end of an outing, for example, as you eat up your food.

Compartments and Organization Options: Proper gear organization is key to an enjoyable outing, so make sure your pack has the compartment types and the ease of access you require. “How you organize your pack is key, and having a pack that creates a way to sort your items will benefit your adventure in the long run,” says gear design professional Scott Jensen. “The last thing you want to do when getting to your campsite is realize you forgot a critical gear item. Visual placement of items inside your pack will help speed up your trip preparation and ensure you don't forget anything so you know where an item is when you need it most.”

Compatibility with Hydration Systems Climbing Gear, Etc: Think beyond the basics of interior pockets when it comes to gear organization, says avid outdoorswoman L. Renee Blount. “I love a bag [with] a large main compartment, a big mesh pocket, two side water bottle pockets, and outside loops that have allowed me to add ice axes with surprising ease and durability.” Your pack should suit your specific use case needs, and ideally it should make your life as easy as possible out there, securing your water, sleeping gear, trekking poles, and more in a logical fashion.

How We Chose the Best Ultralight Backpacks

U.S. News & World Report contributor Steven John has been an enthusiastic outdoorsman since his teenage years. During his time trekking, climbing, and camping, he has used many ultralight backpacks. His own experience with this product category was in mind as he considered factors like empty weight, backpack capacity, customization and adjustment features, padding and comfort, and more.

John also wanted additional input and perspective, so he reached out to several experts in the outdoor gear space. These included adventure athlete and photographer L. Renee Blount and lifelong backpacker and gear design professional Scott Jensen of Near Zero. Both Blount and Jensen had specific ultralight backpack recommendations as well as tips for what to look for when shopping for the best ultralight packs.

With his own experience in the outdoors, the input from the experts, and lots of reading and research in mind, John created a long list of backpacks to consider, and he then narrowed things down based on ratings and customer reviews and based on the stats of the packs themselves in terms of weight, capacity, and features.

WHY YOU SHOULD TRUST US

Contributor Steven John has been an avid hiker and mountaineer for many years, and in that time he has used many different ultralight backpacks. John also has more than 13 years of product testing and reviewing experience, and much of that work has centered on products designed for use outdoors. In addition to his writing for U.S. News & World Report, he also writes for New York Magazine, Insider, Forbes, Architectural Digest, Dad Gear Review, The Daily Beast, and several other outlets.

Ultralight Backpack FAQs

The lightest backpacks often lack features that heavier hiking packs have, such as extensive padding and multiple compartments. That means ultralight packs can be less comfortable and convenient. However, the fact that they weigh less could be an overall positive in terms of reduced soreness and fatigue as you trek overland, ascend a mountain, or make the climb back down.

There are several different synthetic fibers you will commonly find used in ultralight backpacks. These include siliconized ripstop nylon (AKA Sil-Nylon), siliconized and polyurethane-coated nylon (AKA Sil-PU), siliconized ripstop polyester (AKA Sil-Poly), taffeta polyester, and Dyneema composite fabric (AKA DCF or Cuben Fiber).

Choosing an pack that fits your torso well is always important, but especially with an ultralight backpack. Also think about how you load your pack. “Weight distribution is critical for optimal comfort when doing long ultralight backpacking trips,” Jensen says. “Without it, knees, back, hips, shoulders, neck, and feet get sore much faster. Most ultralight packs eliminate weight by reducing pack support, making it important to keep gear items properly placed inside a backpack with proper pack sizing, which will make a world of difference in your backpacking experience.”

Always hand-wash ultralight packs using a mild soap and lukewarm water; never put one through a washing machine or dryer. Once you've washed your pack (or spot cleaned it, if that’s all that was needed), hang it up and make sure it dries fully, then store it out of direct sunlight. If your pack is damaged, always reinforce the stitching if the damage is on a seam and use a patch made of the same material as the pack to repair tears or punctures to the fabric.

About Our Team

Steven John

Steven John

Contributor

Jeff Kinney

Jeff Kinney

Senior Editor

U.S. News 360 Reviews takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

15 Travel Backpacks to Help Streamline Your Next Trip

Now boarding: your most organized self.

calpak travel backpack

Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

But don’t just take it from me. “Being hands-free while traveling is essential, which is why a backpack is the perfect type of bag to use for all trips,” says Matilda Sandstroem, co-founder and designer at Adventurist Bags . “It will also distribute weight better than a one-shoulder bag, which will be crucial for longer travel days.” Plus, Sandstroem points out that a stylish backpack can double as your day bag once you arrive at your destination and is perfect for housing a light layer, camera, or snacks. (Good luck trying to bring that duffle bag to the Trevi fountain...)

The Everywhere Zip Backpack

Matching Luggage

Away the everywhere zip backpack.

Medium Intrecciato Backpack

Bottega Veneta Medium Intrecciato Backpack

Flap Backpack Large

Luxury Brand

Rimowa flap backpack large.

Metro Backpack

Monos Metro Backpack

Kånken Classic Backpack

Fjallraven Kånken Classic Backpack

Luka Laptop Backpack

Calpak Luka Laptop Backpack

Travel Carry On Backpack, 40L

Amazon’s Choice

Lubardy travel carry on backpack, 40l.

Borealis Laptop Backpack

The North Face Borealis Laptop Backpack

Outbreaker Backpack 40L

Best for International Travel

Tortuga outbreaker backpack 40l.

The Expandable Backpack

Best Expandable Backpack

Beis the expandable backpack.

To give you even more insight, I combined my own research with Sandstroem’s and that of the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute to bring you the definitive guide to the best travel backpacks. Whether you’re packing a weekender bag or looking for the best bags on Amazon , here are 15 backpacks that make stellar travel companions.

Away Travel is known and loved for its suitcases—I, for one, swear by the bigger carry-on —so you can bet the brand makes a damn good carry-on backpack, too.

Colors: Garnet, Navy, Black, Coast

Dimensions: Width: 12 inches; height: 17.7 inches; depth: 5.9 inches

Customer review: “I needed a backpack that I could use for business travel that would allow me to really pack it in for international work. This bag has a ton of space and several pockets to keep items organized. I recently returned to the office and find that its great as a daily bag for all of my needs. I even get lunch into the main compartment.”

If traveling in style is a priority for you, more power to you. This leather backpack from Bottega Veneta is the best way to take to show your fellow travelers that you have taste.

Colors: Surf, Space, Mud, Black, Ardoise

Dimensions: Width: 11.8 inches; height: 18.1 inches; depth: 5.5 inches

Rimowa is like the Rolls Royce of luggage brands. And in case no one has told you lately, you deserve the best of the best.

Colors: Black, Slate Gray

Dimensions: Width: 14.5 inches; height: 17.3 inches; depth: 6.3

See that pouch on the front? It provides the perfect amount of extra storage for easy access to necessities and detaches in a snap—literally.

Colors: 10 options

Dimensions: Width: 11.5 inches; height: 16.5 inches; depth: 6 inches

Customer review: “It looks sharp, I’ve already gotten compliments. It is super spacious inside which is perfect for both travel and in a professional setting since it fits everything from spare shoes to my lunch. The compartments actually make sense for organizing.”

Fjallraven: the bag that everyone has, but no one knows how to pronounce. While these bags don’t offer much in the way of organization or storage, they are extremely durable and available in a ton of colors and sizes.

Colors: 27 options

Dimensions : Width: 10.75 inches x height: 14.5 inches x depth: 4 inches

Customer review: “This Fjallraven has been to and all around Japan with me, and recently I started back to University…It’s not too bulky but surprisingly holds a lot.”

Calpak’s Luka bag is an organizer’s dream because it’s chock-full of pockets. This versatile pack is great for everyday use or as a day bag while traveling.

Colors: 13 options

Dimensions: Width: 12 inches x height: 16 inches x depth: 7 inches

Customer review: “This backpack has been great so far! I use it for daily commutes, and it fits my 16” laptop in that compartment with ease. It is also great for being outdoors, got stuck in the rain and my laptop remained dry.”

A waterproof, high-capacity pack + a clamshell opening – an expensive price tag = the ultimate travel backpack.

Colors: Black, Blue, Grey, or Pink

Dimensions: Width: 13.38 inches x height: 20.74 inches x depth: 7.87 inches

Customer review: “Backpacked for 10 days in Greece with this! My friends bought $100+ backpacks, and mine worked just as well for a fraction of the price. I was able to fit a large packing cube with PLENTY of clothes, two pairs of shoes (sandals), a curling iron, a sweater, and my toiletries in this bag!”

The genius product testers over at the Good Housekeeping Institute rated this the overall best travel backpack . As someone who has regularly used this as a carry-on for nearly six years, I’d have to agree. It stands up to the test of time and is great for short trips or as a day bag.

Colors: Lime, Taupe, or Orange

Dimensions: Width: 12 inches x height: 19.5 inches x depth: 6.5 inches

Customer review: “Awesome backpack. Large, spacious, and full of compartments. Suitable for any type of trip, I love it.”

Calling all fellow backpackers and hostel hoppers! If you’re trekking through Europe, or anywhere else for that matter, it’s best to keep your luggage light. This durable, waterproof Tortuga pack is the largest allowed carry-on for international flights, making it perfect for your next adventure.

Colors: Black

Dimensions: Width: 13. 8 inches x height: 21.7 inches x depth: 7.9 inches

Customer review: “Just returned from a two-week tour of Norway and Iceland, five different hotels, four flights. Outbreaker…made it so easy to effortlessly stay on the move…This was our first carry-on-only trip of this length, and I loved the ease of check-in and airport departure it gave us. With the hip belts to carry most of the weight, we did not suffer any back or shoulder strain.”

If there’s one thing for certain, I don’t need another backpack. But after reading the reviews for this Beis bag...I just might have to get one for myself. It has specialized features like an expanding section and a water bottle holder that can be used in or outside the bag.

Colors: Black or Beige

Dimensions: Width: 13 inches; height: 15 inches; depth: 5-7 inches

Customer review: “Love how much room this backpack has! I took it on a trip to Italy and it was light/compact enough to put in luggage but can fit so many things. The design of this backpack is a 10/10 for me.”

Dagne Dover Dakota Neoprene Backpack

Dakota Neoprene Backpack

Dagne Dover bags are super popular right now, and with good reason. Fashionable and versatile, they’re perfect for everyday use or as your designated school bag. Plus, Dagne Dover products are made with Repreve technology, meaning they’re sustainable.

Dimensions: Width: 13.25 inches x height: 17.5 inches x depth: 5.25 inches (for large size)

Customer review: “I love this bag and its many pockets and pouches. I can easily organize everything with its numerous zippers, and it stores my laptop perfectly in the back. It’s super light, which is great for a backpack, but thick and good quality with its neoprene.”

Adventurist Backpacks Adventurist Classic

Adventurist Classic

Not only does Sandstroem design these bags with style in mind, but for every backpack purchased, 25 meals are provided for American families in need.

Colors: 7 options

Dimensions: Width: 13.5 inches; height: 15.5 inches; depth: 6 inches

Customer review: “I’ve had this backpack for almost a year now and I have only good things to say! I got the sand color and even through hiking and using it a lot it still looks great! It’s water resistant so I don’t have to worry about bringing my camera, and it’s also super cute and makes my hiking outfits look great! Can’t recommend it enough, if you’re thinking about getting one, do it!”

L.L. Bean Stowaway Pack

Stowaway Pack

The Good Housekeeping Institute voted this pack as the best lightweight bag . If you’re camping, hiking, or just trying to lighten your load, it’s a fantastic option that’s both durable and spacious.

Colors: Gold, Teal, Loden, Navy, or Black

Dimensions: Width: 10 inches x height: 19 inches x depth: 7 inches

Customer review: “Great bag. Love all the pockets, and it’s lightweight. Like how it can roll into a pouch.”

Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack

Daylite Plus Daypack

At first glance, you might underestimate how much this backpack can hold. But don’t be deceived; it secretly holds a ton of stuff. That’s just one of the many reasons the Good Housekeeping Institute rated this Osprey as the best travel daypack .

Dimensions: Width: 11 inches x height: 18.9 inches x depth: 9.45 inches

Customer review: “As a backpack hoarder, I’m always on the search for the perfect functional backpack. I bought the Osprey Daylite Plus to use on vacations where I’d also need to lug my work laptop along. I wanted something that is light enough to use on hikes and will work as a personal item when flying.”

Timbuk2 Parker Commuter Backpack

Parker Commuter Backpack

Business trips shouldn’t be a chore...well, not more so than the actual business part. But packing for business trips definitely shouldn’t be a pain. Allow Timbuk2 to take the hassle out of packing.

Dimensions: Width: 13.4 inches x height: 20.5 inches x depth: 5.5 inches

Customer review: “After using this pack for a couple weeks commuting, I can confidently say that it’s more functional, well designed, and comfortable than any other pack I’ve owned. The materials and build are incredibly high quality, and it sits perfectly on my back without adding strain, even when fully loaded with a laptop.”

.css-1wfsl5s{font-family:SaolDisplay,SaolDisplay-fallback,SaolDisplay-roboto,SaolDisplay-local,Georgia,Times,serif;font-weight:normal;margin-bottom:0.625rem;margin-top:0.625rem;text-align:center;}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-1wfsl5s{font-size:2.375rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-1wfsl5s{font-size:2.375rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1wfsl5s{font-size:3rem;line-height:1.2;letter-spacing:-0.0225rem;}}@media(min-width: 73.75rem){.css-1wfsl5s{font-size:3rem;line-height:1.2;}}.css-1wfsl5s b,.css-1wfsl5s strong{font-family:inherit;font-weight:bold;}.css-1wfsl5s em,.css-1wfsl5s i{font-style:italic;font-family:inherit;} What to consider when buying a travel backpack

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  • Size: Don’t just eyeball it based on what size you think you want; the precise measurements matter. Each airline has its own size restrictions for carry-on bags, and these are particularly varied between domestic and international flights. “ Since you may be flying on a lot of different airlines in the future, it may be best to choose the smallest common denominator that way your backpack is sure to fit no matter which airline you travel with,” Sandstroem says.
  • Security and durability: “ With most of us carrying around expensive electronics such as laptops, tablets, and camera gear, it’s important to find a backpack that will adequately protect your belongings,” Sandstroem says. “ Whether you’ll be throwing your bag on the ground, storing it under the seat of the plane, or tossing it in the overhead compartment, make sure to look for something that has both front and back padding.” You’ll also want to look for a bag that offers a padded laptop compartment that will fit your device. Some precautious customers might also opt for a bag that includes locks or some other anti-theft mechanisms.
  • Weight and material: The more lightweight, the better. “ It may seem like a couple of pounds won’t make much of a difference, but after hours of traveling, you’ll be happy to be rid of any extra weight,” Sandstroem says, noting that materials like polyester or nylon are both lightweight and durable.
  • Organization and features: You might find that a bag with an abundance of pockets or separated sections provides more ease of mind. It’s certainly simpler to keep organized. Or, if you’re someone who keeps their belongings grouped in different pouches, you can probably do with a more open-concept bag. Bear in mind any additional features that might make a difference for you, like a key leash, water bottle pocket, shoe bag, or chest straps.

Meet the Experts

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Matilda Sandstroem is the co-founder and primary designer for Adventurist Bags. The emerging brand is based in Denver and focuses on minimalist travel bags. For every bag purchased, Adventurist Bags donates 25 meals to Americans in need via non-profit Feeding America.

Why Trust ELLE

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Every product featured on ELLE.com is independently researched, tested, or editor-approved. We only recommend products that we stand behind, and the merchandise featured on our site is always driven by editorial and product testing standards, not by affiliate deals or advertising relationships. Any content created in partnership with advertisers is marked as such.

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best travel waterproof backpack

The Best Ways To Waterproof Your Backpack When Hiking

T here are many things to consider when planning a hike. For instance, are you hiking a long distance  or alone? You also need to think about the steps you need to take to avoid ticks, poison ivy, and wild animals you might encounter along the way. Another thing to add to that list is how to waterproof your backpack. Yes, getting out into the great outdoors means fresh air and beautiful scenery, but it also means you're under the mercy of the weather. When it rains during your hike, are you prepared? Many hikers view getting drenched in the rain as a rite of passage, so they always protect their hiking gear and other valuables in their bags.

While there are many ways to keep your backpack dry, such as using garbage bags as a liner, you want to be doubly sure that no water will ever penetrate your bag's contents. Hiking gear, essential electronics, and thermal clothing might malfunction when wet and risk your health and safety. Below, we list — in no particular order — some of the best ways you can waterproof your backpack when you go outdoors to hike. All of these will work well alone or in tandem. Just remember that your choice of waterproofing solution boils down to your preference.

Read more: Majestic Mountains You Need To See In Your Lifetime

Waterproof Backpack

If you aim to keep your gear and other hiking stuff dry, investing in a waterproof backpack might be the right choice. These hiking bags are made from polyester with a polyurethane coating. They also have welded seams and feature a roll-top closure to keep the water out not only during a downpour but also when your hike takes you through a river crossing.

When searching for a waterproof hiking backpack, there are several things you should keep in mind. First, you'll need one with enough space for your needs. A 35L or smaller bag is a good option for a day trip, a 36L to 55L backpack is suitable for a camping excursion, and over 55L will hold all you need for a multi-day outing. The bag should also be sturdy and include a chest strap and hip belt. Stay away from bags with any features that could make carrying them uncomfortable.

It's an investment because waterproof hiking bags are expensive. But the price might be worth it for you. Alternatively, you can use dry bags that are designed to be used by paddlers and kayakers.

Seam Seal And Waterproof Spray

For a more cost-effective solution, you might want to use the waterproof spray and seam seal method. You'll need a water-resistant bag, though, as these chemicals only function as an add-on layer of protection. They only allow water to drip off your bag quickly but will not make your hiking backpack waterproof. So, it's only suitable for light rain events and nothing more.

To apply the waterproof spray, you'll need to thoroughly clean your bag at least a day before your hiking trip. Then, spray two coats of waterproofing spray and hang to dry. Once dry, use the seam sealer to cover up all the seams in the fabric. Once the seam sealer is dried, your hiking backpack is ready for use. With improved water resistance, this bag can keep water out during light to moderate rains.

You'll need to remember these application steps because the waterproof spray and seam seal method requires regular re-application. So, while this waterproofing technique is cheap, it's labor- and time-intensive and doesn't guarantee full water protection. It's best used as an extra layer or backup protection to other waterproofing tools, such as a pack cover or pack liner.

Waterproof Pack Liner

If you're looking for a reliable way to waterproof your hiking backpack, many hikers swear by pack liners. They're a tried-and-true method of protecting your bag from the rain. They're made from waterproof material that's lightweight but durable and come in a variety of sizes. Plus, a roll-top closure ensures water doesn't soak the things inside.

Pick a pack liner appropriate for your hiking bag, place it inside your backpack, and stash all your gear, clothing, etc. The pack liner keeps its contents dry, but the bag will still get wet. So, you might want to use this alongside a rain cover.

When you buy pack liners, opt for those made of fabric. They're more durable and can be reused for longer. Plastic bag-type pack liners aren't as strong, so avoid buying them. In addition, even when fabric pack liners get ripped or have holes, you can still extend their use through gear repair tape. Pack liners can be a bit costly, so you'll get your money's worth from the fabric ones.

Waterproof Stuff Sacks Or Dry Bags

If putting everything into a single-pack liner doesn't sound good to you, or if you just crave organization even when hiking, you might want to get a set of stuff sacks or dry bags. They are most suitable for keeping a few smaller items dry. But, as stuff sacks are available in various sizes, shapes, and materials, you can arrange your things the way you prefer and sort items by category. For instance, one dry bag could hold all your electronics, while another will carry your clothing.

Because you need more than one, you'll be spending more. So, depending on how many stuff sacks you require, it could get expensive. Still, it's an excellent way to access certain items without exposing the rest to the rain. Dry bags work best with a pack liner for double water protection.

When packing your stuff sacks, remember to get any air out, or you might have difficulty putting them inside your bag. Unless your dry bags are made of breathable, waterproof material, they might swell with air like balloons.

Pack Cover Or Rain Cover

If pack liners, stuff sacks, or dry bags sound too cumbersome for you, a rain cover might be more your thing. It's made from light and compact material, so it's easy to store and quick to put on. While you need to stop to put it in place, your pack cover stretches over the entire bag, and the elastic holds it in place so your backpack doesn't get wet. However, once your rain cover is on, you might put off getting anything from your bag till later, as retrieving items means taking off the cover and exposing your bag and its contents to the rain.

You'll also need to buy a pack cover that's the right size for your hiking backpack. If you buy a rain cover smaller or bigger than your bag, you might regret it later. (Pack covers are inexpensive, so you can buy one for each hiking bag.) Rain covers are prone to sliding off or blowing away in the wind, so they're not recommended for use in a windy storm or big rainfall. One with an attachment system might lessen or eliminate these problems. But, even if you're hiking under the cover of trees, you'll still have to deal with the possibility of damage from branches and twigs.

Read the original article on Explore .

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Home » Europe » Moscow

EPIC MOSCOW Itinerary! (2024)

Moscow is the heart of Mother Russia. Just the mention of this city conjures images of colorful bulbous pointed domes, crisp temperatures, and a uniquely original spirit!

Moscow has an incredibly turbulent history, a seemingly resilient culture, and a unique enchantment that pulls countless tourists to the city each year! Although the warmer months make exploring Moscow’s attractions more favorable, there’s just something about a fresh snowfall that only enhances the appearance of the city’s iconic sites!

If you’re a first-time visitor to Moscow, or simply wanting to see as much of the city as possible, this Moscow itinerary will help you do just that!

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Best Time To Visit Moscow

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Here is a quick look at the seasons so you can decide when to visit Moscow!

The summer months (June-August) are a great time to travel to Moscow to take advantage of the enjoyable mild temperatures. This is considered peak travel season. Bear in mind that hotel prices rise along with the temperatures!

when to visit moscow

If you’re planning a trip to Moscow during fall (September-November) try to plan for early fall. This way the temperatures will still be pleasant and winter won’t be threatening.

Russian winters (December-February) are not for the faint of heart as Napoleon learned to his peril. Some days the sun will be out for less than an hour, and snow is guaranteed. Although winters are exceptionally cold, this is when you’ll get a true glimpse of the Moscow experience!

The best time to visit Moscow is during spring  (March-May). The temperatures will begin to creep up and the sun begins to shine for significant portions of the day. Hotel rates will also have yet to skyrocket into peak ranges!

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With a Moscow City Pass , you can experience the best of Moscow at the CHEAPEST prices. Discounts, attractions, tickets, and even public transport are all standards in any good city pass – be sure invest now and save them $$$ when you arrive!

Moscow is a large city with many accommodation options to choose from. Staying in a location that fits with your travel plans will only enhance your Moscow itinerary. Here is a brief introduction to a few great areas of the city we recommend checking out!

The best place to stay in Moscow to be close to all the action is Kitay-Gorod. This charming neighborhood will put you within walking distance to Moscow’s famous Red Square, thus cutting down on travel time. This will allow you to see more of the city in a shorter amount of time!

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It’s surrounded by restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops. If you’re a first-time visitor to Moscow, or just planning a quick weekend in Moscow, then this area is perfect for you!

Another great area to consider is the Zamoskvorechye district. This area of the city offers a blend of new and old Moscow. It has an artsy vibe and there are plenty of fun sites you can explore outside of the main touristy areas of Moscow.

Of course, as in all areas of Moscow, it’s close to public transportation that will quickly connect you with the rest of the city and make your Moscow itinerary super accessible!

Best Airbnb in Moscow – Exclusive Apartment in Old Moscow

Exclusive Apartment in Old Moscow

Modern and cozy, this apartment is in the heart of Old Moscow. Bordering the Basmanny and Kitay-Gorod districts, this two-bedroom flat is walking distance to the Kremlin and Red Square. Safe, quiet, and comfortable, this is the best Airbnb in Moscow, no question!

Best Budget Hotel in Moscow – Izmailovo Alfa Hotel

moscow itinerary

The Izmailovo Alfa Hotel is a very highly rated accommodation that provides all the components necessary for a comfortable trip to Moscow. There is an on-site restaurant, bar, fitness center, and an airport shuttle service. The rooms are modern and spacious and are equipped with a TV, heating/air conditioning, minibar, and more!

Best Luxury Hotel in Moscow – Crowne Plaza Moscow World Trade Centre

moscow itinerary

If you’re touring Moscow in luxury, the Crowne Plaza Moscow World Trade Centre is the hotel for you! Elegantly furnished rooms are equipped with a minibar, flat-screen TV,  in-room safes, as well as tea and coffee making facilities! Bathrooms come with bathrobes, slippers, and free toiletries. There is also an onsite restaurant, bar, and fitness center.

Best Hostel in Moscow – Godzillas Hostel

moscow itinerary

Godzillas Hostel is located in the center of Moscow, just a short walk from all the major tourist attractions and the metro station. Guests will enjoy all the usual hostel perks such as self-catering facilities, 24-hour reception, Free Wi-Fi, and security lockers. This is one of the best hostels in Moscow and its wonderful social atmosphere and will make your vacation in Moscow extra special!

Godzillas Hostel is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

An important aspect of planning any trip is figuring out the transportation situation. You’re probably wondering how you’re going to get to all of your Moscow points of interest right? Luckily, this sprawling city has an excellent network of public transportation that will make traveling a breeze!

The underground metro system is the quickest and most efficient way to travel around Moscow. Most visitors rely exclusively on this super-efficient transportation system, which allows you to get to pretty much anywhere in the city! It’s also a great option if you’re planning a Moscow itinerary during the colder months, as you’ll be sheltered from the snow and freezing temperatures!

moscow itinerary

If you prefer above-ground transportation, buses, trams, and trolleybuses, run throughout the city and provide a rather comfortable alternative to the metro.

Moscow’s metro, buses, trams, and trolleybuses are all accessible with a ‘Troika’ card. This card can be topped up with any sum of money at a metro cash desk. The ticket is simple, convenient, and even refundable upon return to a cashier!

No matter which method you choose, you’ll never find yourself without an easy means of getting from point A to point B!

Red Square | Moscow Kremlin | Lenin’s Mausoleum | St. Basil’s Cathedral  | GUM Department Store

Spend the first day of your itinerary taking your own self guided Moscow walking tour around the historic Red Square! This is Moscow’s compact city center and every stop on this list is within easy walking distance to the next! Get ready to see all of the top Moscow landmarks!

Day 1 / Stop 1 – The Red Square

  • Why it’s awesome: The Red Square is the most recognizable area in Moscow, it has mesmerizing architecture and centuries worth of history attached to its name.
  • Cost: Free to walk around, individual attractions in the square have separate fees. 
  • Food nearby: Check out Bar BQ Cafe for friendly service and good food in a great location! The atmosphere is upbeat and they’re open 24/7!

The Red Square is Moscow’s historic fortress and the center of the Russian government. The origins of the square date back to the late 15th century, when Ivan the Great decided to expand the Kremlin to reflect Moscow’s growing power and prestige!

During the 20th century, the square became famous as the site for demonstrations designed to showcase Soviet strength. Visiting the Red Square today, you’ll find it teeming with tourists, who come to witness its magical architecture up close!

The Red Square

The square is the picture postcard of Russian tourism, so make sure to bring your camera when you visit! No matter the season, or the time of day, it’s delightfully photogenic! 

It’s also home to some of Russia’s most distinguishing and important landmarks, which we’ve made sure to include further down in this itinerary. It’s an important center of Russia’s cultural life and one of the top places to visit in Moscow!

In 1990, UNESCO designated Russia’s Red Square as a World Heritage site. Visiting this historic site is a true bucket-list event and essential addition to your itinerary for Moscow!

Day 1 / Stop 2 – The Moscow Kremlin

  • Why it’s awesome: The Moscow Kremlin complex includes several palaces and cathedrals and is surrounded by the Kremlin wall. It also houses the principal museum of Russia (the Kremlin Armory).
  • Cost: USD $15.00
  • Food nearby: Bosco Cafe is a charming place to grat a casual bite to eat. They have excellent coffee and wonderful views of the Red Square and the Moscow Kremlin!

The iconic Moscow Kremlin , also known as the Kremlin museum complex, sits on Borovitsky Hill, rising above the Moscow River. It is a fortified complex in the center of the city, overlooking several iconic buildings in the Red Square!

It’s the best known of the Russian Kremlins – citadels or fortress’ protecting and dominating a city. During the early decades of the Soviet era, the Kremlin was a private enclave where the state’s governing elite lived and worked.

The Kremlin is outlined by an irregularly shaped triangular wall that encloses an area of 68 acres! The existing walls and towers were built from 1485 to 1495. Inside the Kremlin museum complex, there are five palaces, four cathedrals, and the enclosing Kremlin Wall with Kremlin towers.

The Armoury Chamber is a part of the Grand Kremlin Palace’s complex and is one of the oldest museums of Moscow, established in 1851. It showcases Russian history and displays many cherished relics. Definitely make sure to check out this museum while you’re here!

The Moscow Kremlin

The churches inside the Moscow Kremlin are the Cathedral of the Dormition, Church of the Archangel, Church of the Annunciation, and the bell tower of Ivan Veliki (a church tower).

The five-domed Cathedral of the Dormition is considered the most famous. It was built from 1475–1479 by an Italian architect and has served as a wedding and coronation place for great princes, tsars, and emperors of Russia. Church services are given in the Kremlin’s numerous cathedrals on a regular basis.

The Grand Kremlin Palace was the former Tsar’s Moscow residence and today it serves as the official workplace of the President of the Russian Federation (Vladimir Putin seems to have bagged that title for life) .

Insider Tip: The Kremlin is closed every Thursday! Make sure to plan this stop on your Moscow itinerary for any other day of the week!

Day 1 / Stop 3 – Lenin’s Mausoleum

  • Why it’s awesome: The mausoleum displays the preserved body of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin .
  • Cost: Free!
  • Food nearby: Khinkal’naya is a charming Georgian restaurant with vaulted ceilings and exposed brick. It’s a popular place with locals and right next to the Red Square!

Lenin’s Mausoleum, also known as Lenin’s Tomb, is the modernist mausoleum for the revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin. It’s located within the Red Square and serves as the resting place for the Soviet leader! His preserved body has been on public display since shortly after his death in 1924.

It’s located just a few steps away from the Kremlin Wall and is one of the most controversial yet popular Moscow attractions!

Admission is free for everyone, you’ll only need to pay if you need to check a bag. Before visitors are allowed to enter the mausoleum, they have to go through a metal detector first. No metal objects, liquids, or large bags are allowed in the mausoleum!

Lenins Mausoleum

Expect a line to enter the building, and while you’re inside the building, you’ll be constantly moving in line with other visitors. This means you won’t be able to spend as long as you’d like viewing the mausoleum, but you’ll still be able to get a good look. Pictures and filming while inside the building are strictly prohibited, and security guards will stop you if they see you breaking this rule.

The mausoleum is only open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday – unless it’s a public holiday or a day scheduled for maintenance. The hours it’s open for each day are limited, make sure to check online before you visit to make sure you can fit this into your Moscow itinerary for that day!

Insider Tip: The Lenin’s Museum is there for people to pay their respect; remember to keep silent and move along quickly, it’s not intended for people to congregate around. Also, men are not allowed to wear hats and everyone must take their hands out of their pockets when inside the building.

Day 1 / Stop 4 – St. Basil’s Cathedral

  • Why it’s awesome: A dazzling designed cathedral that showcases Russia’s unique architecture. This cathedral is one of the most recognizable symbols of the country!
  • Cost: USD $8.00
  • Food nearby: Moskovskiy Chaynyy Klub is a cozy cafe serving food items and pipping hot tea; it’s the perfect place to go if you’re visiting Moscow during the winter months!

Located in the Red Square, the ornate 16th-century St. Basil’s Cathedral is probably the building you picture when you think of Moscow’s unique architecture. Its colorful onion-shaped domes tower over the Moscow skyline!

The cathedral was built from 1555-1561 by order of Tsar Ivan the Terrible. It was designed with an iconic onion dome facade and enchanting colors that captivate all who see it. Fun fact: If you’re wondering why Russian churches have onion domes, they are popularly believed to symbolize burning candles!

This iconic cathedral has become a symbol of Russia due to its distinguishing architecture and prominent position inside the Red Square. It’s one of the most beautiful, wonderful, and mesmerizing historical cathedrals in the world!

St. Basils Cathedral

The interior of the church surprises most people when they visit. In contrast to the large exterior, the inside is not so much one large area, but rather a collection of smaller areas, with many corridors and small rooms. There are 9 small chapels and one mausoleum grouped around a central tower.

Visiting the inside is like walking through a maze, there are even small signs all around the cathedral tracing where to walk, and pointing you in the right direction! The walls are meticulously decorated and painted with intricate floral designs and religious themes.

The church rarely holds service and is instead a museum open for the public to visit.

Insider Tip: During the summer months the line to go inside the cathedral can get quite long! Make sure to arrive early or reserve your tickets online to guarantee quick access into the cathedral!

Day 1 / Stop 5 – GUM Department Store

  • Why it’s awesome: This is Russia’s most famous shopping mall! It’s designed with elegant and opulent architecture and provides a real sense of nostalgia!
  • Cost: Free to enter
  • Food nearby: Stolovaya 57 is a cafeteria-style restaurant with a variety of inexpensive Russian cuisine menu items including soups, salads, meat dishes, and desserts. It’s also located inside the GUM department store, making it very easily accessible when you’re shopping!

The enormous GUM Department Store is located within the historic Red Square. It has a whimsical enchantment to it that sets it apart from your typical department store.

A massive domed glass ceiling lines the top of the building and fills the interior with natural sunlight. There are live plants and flowers placed throughout the mall that give the shopping complex a lively and cheerful feel! A playful fountain sits in the center, further adding to the malls inviting a sense of wonder and amusement!

The GUM department store opened on December 2, 1893. Today, it includes local and luxury stores, including Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and many more! There are numerous cafes, restaurants, and even a movie theater inside!

GUM Department Store

For a special treat, head into Gastronom 1. This 1950s-style shop sells gourmet food items, like wine, freshly-baked pastries, cheese, Russian chocolate, and of course, vodka! Also, be on the lookout for a bicycle pedaling ice cream truck with an employing selling ice cream!

The ambiance is simply amazing, a trip to this idyllic shopping mall is an absolute must on any Moscow itinerary!

Insider Tip: Make sure to carry some small change on you in case you need to use the restroom, you’ll need to pay 50 rubles – or about USD $0.80 to use the bathroom in GUM.

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Novodevichy Convent | Gorky Park | State Tretyakov Gallery | All-Russian Exhibition Center | Bolshoi Theater

On your 2 day itinerary in Moscow, you’ll have a chance to use the city’s excellent public transportation service! You’ll explore a few more of Moscow’s historic highlight as well as some modern attractions. These sites are a little more spread out, but still very easily accessible thanks to the metro!

Day 2 / Stop 1 – Novodevichy Convent

  • Why it’s awesome: The Novodevichy Convent is rich in imperial Russian history and contains some of Russia’s best examples of classical architecture!
  • Cost: USD $5.00
  • Food nearby: Culinary Shop Karavaevs Brothers is a cozy and simple place to have a quick bite, they also have vegetarian options!

The Novodevichy Convent is the best-known and most popular cloister of Moscow. The convent complex is contained within high walls, and there are many attractions this site is known for! 

The six-pillared five-domed Smolensk Cathedral is the main attraction. It was built to resemble the Kremlin’s Assumption Cathedral and its facade boasts beautiful snowy white walls and a pristine golden onion dome as its centerpiece. It’s the oldest structure in the convent, built from 1524 -1525, and is situated in the center of the complex between the two entrance gates.

There are other churches inside the convent as well, all dating back from many centuries past. The convent is filled with an abundance of 16th and 17th-century religious artworks, including numerous large and extravagant frescos!

Novodevichy Convent

Just outside the convent’s grounds lies the Novodevichy Cemetery. Here, you can visit the graves of famous Russians, including esteemed authors, composers, and politicians. Probably the most intriguing gravestone belongs to Russian politician Nikita Khruschev!

The Novodevichy Convent is located near the Moscow River and offers a peaceful retreat from the busy city. In 2004, it was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The convent remains remarkably well-preserved and is an outstanding example of Moscow Baroque architecture! 

Insider Tip: To enter the cathedrals inside the complex, women are advised to cover their heads and shoulders, while men should wear long pants.

Day 2 / Stop 2 – Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure

  • Why it’s awesome: A large amusement area in the heart of the city offering many attractions!
  • Cost: Free! 
  • Food nearby: Check out Mepkato, located inside Gorky Central Park for a casual meal in a cozy setting. There are indoor and outdoor seating options and the restaurant is child-friendly!

Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure is a large green space in the heart of Moscow. The park opened in 1928, and it stretches along the scenic embankment of the Moskva River. It covers an area of 300-acres and offers a lovely contrast from the compact city center.

You’ll find all sorts of wonderful attractions, from boat rides to bike rentals to tennis courts and ping-pong tables, and much more! there are an open-air cinema and festive events and concerts scheduled in the summer months.  A wide selection of free fitness classes is also offered on a regular basis, including jogging, roller skating, and dancing!

Although many of the options you’ll find here are more suited for outdoor leisure during the summer, you’ll also a selection of winter attractions, including one of Europe’s largest ice rinks for ice-skating!

Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure

If you’re trying to decide what to do in Moscow with kids, the park also offers several venues designed specifically for kids. Check out the year-round Green School which offers hands-on classes in gardening and art! You can also feed the squirrels and birds at the Golitsinsky Ponds!

The park is very well maintained and kept clean and the entrance is free of charge, although most individual attractions cost money. There is also Wi-Fi available throughout the park.

With so many attractions, you could easily spend all day here! If you’re only planning a 2 day itinerary in Moscow, make sure to plan your time accordingly and map out all the areas you want to see beforehand!

Day 2 / Stop 3 – The State Tretyakov Gallery

  • Why it’s awesome: The gallery’s collection consists entirely of Russian art made by Russian artists!
  • Food nearby : Brothers Tretyakovs is located right across the street from the gallery. It’s a wonderfully atmospheric restaurant serving top quality food and drinks!

The State Tretyakov Gallery was founded in 1856 by influential merchant and collector Pavel Tretyakov.  The gallery is a national treasury of Russian fine art and one of the most important museums in Russia!

It houses the world’s best collection of Russian art and contains more than 130, 000 paintings, sculptures, and graphics! These works have been created throughout the centuries by generations of Russia’s most talented artists!

The State Tretyakov Gallery

The exhibits range from mysterious 12th-century images to politically charged canvases. The collection is rich and revealing and offers great insight into the history and attitudes of this long-suffering yet inspired people!

All pictures are also labeled in English. If you plan to take your time and see everything inside the museum it will take a good 3-4 hours, so make sure to plan your Moscow trip itinerary accordingly! This gallery is a must-see stop for art lovers, or anyone wanting to explore the local culture and history of Russia in a creative and insightful manner! 

Insider Tip: When planning your 2 days in Moscow itinerary, keep in mind that most museums in Moscow are closed on Mondays, this includes The State Tretyakov Gallery!

Day 2 / Stop 4 – All-Russian Exhibition Center

  • Why it’s awesome: This large exhibition center showcases the achievements of the Soviet Union in several different spheres. 
  • Food nearby: Varenichnaya No. 1 serves authentic and homestyle Russian cuisine in an intimate and casual setting.

The All-Russian Exhibition Center is a massive park that presents the glory of the Soviet era! It pays homage to the achievements of Soviet Russia with its many different sites found on the property.

The center was officially opened in 1939 to exhibit the achievements of the Soviet Union. It’s a huge complex of buildings and the largest exhibition center in Moscow. There are several exhibition halls dedicated to different achievements and every year there are more than one hundred and fifty specialized exhibitions!

All Russian Exhibition Center

The Peoples Friendship Fountain was constructed in 1954 and is a highlight of the park. The stunning gold fountain features 16 gilded statues of girls, each representing the former Soviet Union republics. 

The Stone Flower Fountain was also built in 1954 and is worth checking out. The centerpiece of this large fountain is a flower carved from stones from the Ural Mountains! Along the side of the fountain are various bronze sculptures.

You will find many people zipping around on rollerblades and bicycles across the large area that the venue covers. It’s also home to amusement rides and carousels, making it the perfect place to stop with kids on your Moscow itinerary! Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and allow a few hours to explore all the areas that interest you!

Day 2 / Stop 5 – Bolshoi Theater

  • Why it’s awesome: The Bolshoi Theater is a historic venue that hosts world-class ballet and opera performances!
  • Cost: Prices vary largely between USD $2.00 –  USD $228.00 based on seat location.
  • Food nearby: Head to the Russian restaurant, Bolshoi for high-quality food and drinks and excellent service!

The Bolshoi Theater is among the oldest and most renowned ballet and opera companies in the world! It also boasts the world’s biggest ballet company, with more than 200 dancers!

The theater has been rebuilt and renovated several times during its long history. In 2011 it finished its most recent renovation after an extensive six-year restoration that started in 2005. The renovation included an improvement in acoustics and the restoration of the original Imperial decor.

The Bolshoi Theater has put on many of the world’s most famous ballet acts! Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake premiered at the theater in 1877 and other notable performances of the Bolshoi repertoire include Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker!

Bolshoi Theater

Today, when you visit the theater, you can expect a magical performance from skilled singers, dancers, and musicians with the highest level of technique!

If you don’t have time to see a show, the theater also provides guided tours on select days of the week. Tours are given in both Russian and English and will provide visitors with a more intimate look at the different areas of the theater!

The stage of this iconic Russian theater has seen many outstanding performances. If you’re a fan of the performing arts, the Bolshoi Theater is one of the greatest and oldest ballet and opera companies in the world, making it a must-see attraction on your Moscow itinerary!

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Godzillas Hostel is located in the center of Moscow, just a short walk from all the major tourist attractions and the metro station.

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Cosmonautics Museum | Alexander Garden | Ostankino Tower | Izmaylovo District | Soviet Arcade Museum

Now that we’ve covered what to do in Moscow in 2 days, if you’re able to spend more time in the city you’re going to need more attractions to fill your time. Here are a few more really cool things to do in Moscow we recommend!

Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics

  • Hear the timeline of the ‘space race’ from the Russian perspective
  • This museum is fun for both adults and children!
  • Admission is USD $4.00

The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics is a museum dedicated to space exploration! The museum explores the history of flight, astronomy, space exploration, space technology, and space in the arts. It houses a large assortment of Soviet and Russian space-related exhibits, and the museum’s collection holds approximately 85,000 different items!

Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics

The museum does an excellent job of telling the full story of the exciting space race between the USSR and the US! It highlights the brightest moments in Russian history and humanity and is very interesting and fun for all ages!

If you’re a fan of space or just curious about gaining insight into Russia’s fascinating history of space exploration, make sure to add this to your 3 day itinerary in Moscow!

The Alexander Garden

  • A tranquil place to relax near the Red Square
  • Green lawns dotted with sculptures and lovely water features
  • The park is open every day and has no entrance fee

The Alexander Garden was one of the first urban public parks in Moscow! The garden premiered in 1821 and was built to celebrate Russia’s victory over Napoleon’s forces in 1812!

The park is beautiful and well maintained with paths to walk on and benches to rest on. The park contains three separate gardens: the upper garden, middle garden, and lower garden.

The Alexander Garden

Located in the upper garden, towards the main entrance to the park is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with its eternal flame. This monument was created in 1967 and contains the body of a soldier who fell during the Great Patriotic War!

The park stretches along all the length of the western Kremlin wall for about half a mile. Due to its central location in the city, it’ll be easily accessible when you’re out exploring The Red Square.

It provides a bit of relief from the city’s high-energy city streets. Bring a picnic lunch, go for a walk, or just sit and people watch, this is one of the best Moscow sites to wind-down and relax!

Ostankino Television Tower

  • Television and radio tower in Moscow
  • Currently the tallest free-standing structure in Europe
  • Make sure you bring your passport when you visit, you can’t go up without it!

For spectacular views of the city, make sure to add the Ostankino Television Tower to your itinerary for Moscow! This impressive free-standing structure provides stunning views of the city in every direction. The glass floor at the top also provides great alternative views of the city!

Ostankino Television Tower

It takes just 58 seconds for visitors to reach the Tower’s observation deck by super fast elevator. The tower is open every day for long hours and is a great site in Moscow to check out! There is even a restaurant at the top where you can enjoy rotating views of the city while you dine on traditional Russian cuisine or European cuisine!

The tower is somewhat of an architectural surprise in a city that is not known for skyscrapers! To see the city from a new perspective, make sure to add this stop to your Moscow itinerary!

Izmaylovo District

  • The most popular attractions in this district are the kremlin and the flea market
  • Outside of the city center and easy to reach via metro
  • Most popular during the summer and on weekends

Travel outside the city center and discover a unique area of the city! The Izmaylovo District is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, and one of the coolest places to see in Moscow! The two main attractions we recommend checking out are the Kremlin and the flea market.

The Izmailovo Kremlin was established as a cultural center and molded after traditional Russian architecture. This colorful complex is home to several single-subject museums, including a Russian folk art museum and a vodka museum!

Izmaylovo District

Next to the Kremlin is the Izmailovo open-air market, which dates back to the 17th century! The market is connected to the Izmailovo Kremlin by a wooden bridge. Pick up all your Russian souvenirs here, including traditional handicrafts, paintings, books, retro toys, and Soviet memorabilia!

You will find many hand-made and hand-painted options available at higher prices, as well as mass-produced souvenir options at lower prices!

Museum of Soviet Arcade Games

  • Closed on Mondays
  • Filled with old arcade games that visitors get to try out!
  • The museum also includes a small cafe and burger shop

For something a little different, check out the Museum of Soviet Arcade Games! The museum features roughly 60 machines from the Soviet era, including video games, pinball machines, and collaborative hockey foosball! The machines inside the museum were produced in the USSR in the mid-1970s.

Museum of Soviet Arcade Games

The best part is, most of the games are still playable! Purchase tickets and try the games out for yourself! The museum also has a neat little screening room that plays old Soviet cartoons and an area with Soviet magazines! This unique attraction is a fun addition to a 3 day itinerary in Moscow, and an attraction that all ages will enjoy! 

Whether you’re spending one day in Moscow, or more, safety is an important thing to keep in mind when traveling to a big city! Overall, Moscow is a very safe place to visit. However, it is always recommended that tourists take certain precautions when traveling to a new destination!

The police in Moscow is extremely effective at making the city a safe place to visit and do their best to patrol all of the top Moscow, Russia tourist attractions. However, tourists can still be a target for pickpockets and scammers.

Moscow has a huge flow of tourists, therefore there is a risk for pickpocketing. Simple precautions will help eliminate your chances of being robbed. Stay vigilant, keep your items close to you at all times, and don’t flash your valuables!

If you’re planning a solo Moscow itinerary, you should have no need to worry, as the city is also considered safe for solo travelers, even women. Stay in the populated areas, try and not travel alone late at night, and never accept rides from strangers or taxis without a meter and correct signage.

The threat of natural disasters in Moscow is low, with the exception of severe winters when the temperature can dip below freezing! Bring a good, warm jacket if you visit in Winter.

However, please note that Russian views on homsexuality are far less accepting than those in Western Europe. Likewise, Non-Caucasian travellers may sadly encounter racism in Russia .

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Now that we’ve covered all the top things to see in Moscow, we thought we’d include some exciting day trips to other areas of the country!

Sergiev Posad (Golden Ring)

Sergiev Posad Golden Ring

On this 7-hour guided tour, you’ll visit several scenic and historic areas of Russia. Start your day with hotel pick-up as you’re transferred by a comfortable car or minivan to Sergiev Posad. Admire the charming Russian countryside on your drive and enjoy a quick stop to visit the Russian village, Rudonezh!

You’ll see the majestic Saint Spring and the Church of Sergiev Radonezh. You’ll also visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, one of the most famous Orthodox sites in Russia!

Lastly, you’ll swing by the local Matreshka market and enjoy a break in a nice Russian restaurant before returning to Moscow!

Day Trip to Vladimir and Suzdal

Day Trip to Vladimir and Suzdal

On this 13-hour trip, you’ll discover old Russia, with its picturesque landscapes and white-stoned beautiful churches! You’ll visit the main towns of the famous Golden Ring of Russia – the name for several cities and smaller towns north-east of Moscow.

Your first stop will be in the town of Vladimir, the ancient capital of all Russian principalities. The city dates back to the 11th century and is one of the oldest and the most important towns along the Ring! Next, you’ll visit Suzdal, a calm ancient Russian town north of Vladimir with only 13,000 inhabitants!

The old-style architecture and buildings of Suzdal are kept wonderfully intact. If you’re spending three days in Moscow, or more, this is a great option for exploring the charming areas outside the city!

Zvenigorod Day Trip and Russian Countryside

Zvenigorod Day Trip and Russian Countryside

On this 9-hour private tour, you’ll explore the ancient town of Zvenigorod, one of the oldest towns in the Moscow region! As you leave Moscow you’ll enjoy the stunning scenery along the Moscow River, and make a few stops at old churches along the way to Zvenigorod.

Upon arrival, you’ll explore the medieval center, including the 14th-century Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery. Next, you’ll take a break for lunch (own expense) where you’ll have the chance to try out the Russian cuisine! Next, you’ll visit the Museum of Russian Dessert and sip on tea at a Russian tea ceremony.

The final stop of the day is at the Ershovo Estate, a gorgeous place to walk around and enjoy nature!

Day Trip to St Petersburg by Train visiting Hermitage & Faberge

Day Trip to St Petersburg by Train visiting Hermitage and Faberge

On this full-day tour, you’ll enjoy a a full round trip to St Petersburg where you’ll spend an exciting day exploring another popular Russian city! You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Moscow and be transferred to the train station where you’ll ride the high-speed train ‘Sapsan’ to St Petersburg.

Upon arrival, you’ll start the day by touring the Hermitage Museum and the Winter Palace. Next, you’ll visit the Faberge Museum, where you’ll explore the impressive collection of rare Faberge Eggs! In the afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing boat ride and a traditional 3-course Russian lunch.

If you’re spending 3 days in Moscow, or more, this is an excellent trip to take!

Trip to Kolomna – Authentic Cultural Experience from Moscow

Trip to Kolomna - Authentic Cultural Experience from Moscow

On this 10-hour tour, you’ll escape the city and travel to the historic town of Kolomna! First, you’ll visit the 14th-century Kolomna Kremlin, home to the Assumption Cathedral and an abundance of museums!

Next, enjoy lunch at a local cafe (own expense) before embarking on a tour of the Marshmallow Museum – of course, a marshmallow tasting is provided!  Your final stop is the Museum of Forging Settlements, where displays include armor and accessories for fishing and hunting.

Discover this beautiful Russian fairytale city on a private trip, where all of the planning is taken care of for you!

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Find out what people want to know when planning their Moscow itinerary.

How many days you need in Moscow?

We recommend that you spend at least two or three days in Moscow to take it all in.

What’s the best month to visit Moscow?

The best time to visit Moscow is over the spring, from March to May as temperatures are mild, crowds are thin and prices are reasonable.

What are some unusual things to do in Moscow?

I mean, queuing up to see an almost 100 year old corpse is pretty unsual! Check out Lenin’s Mausoleum if you fancy it!

What are some fun things to do in Moscow?

The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics is a fun place to explore the famous space race from the perspective of the ‘other side’!

We hope you enjoyed our Moscow itinerary! We’ve made sure to cover all the Moscow must-sees as well as some unique attractions in the city! Our addition of insider tips, favorite food stops, and day trips from Moscow is an added bonus and will guarantee you make the most out of your exciting Russian vacation!

Immerse yourself in the modern and traditional Russian lifestyle! Get lost in museums, witness awe-inspiring architecture, and indulge in Russian cuisine! Spend the day strolling through all of the charming sites of Moscow, admiring the beautiful scenery and discovering the city’s fairytale-like enchantment!

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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!

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2018 Primetime Emmy & James Beard Award Winner

In Transit: Notes from the Underground

Jun 06 2018.

Spend some time in one of Moscow’s finest museums.

Subterranean commuting might not be anyone’s idea of a good time, but even in a city packing the war-games treasures and priceless bejeweled eggs of the Kremlin Armoury and the colossal Soviet pavilions of the VDNKh , the Metro holds up as one of Moscow’s finest museums. Just avoid rush hour.

The Metro is stunning and provides an unrivaled insight into the city’s psyche, past and present, but it also happens to be the best way to get around. Moscow has Uber, and the Russian version called Yandex Taxi , but also some nasty traffic. Metro trains come around every 90 seconds or so, at a more than 99 percent on-time rate. It’s also reasonably priced, with a single ride at 55 cents (and cheaper in bulk). From history to tickets to rules — official and not — here’s what you need to know to get started.

A Brief Introduction Buying Tickets Know Before You Go (Down) Rules An Easy Tour

A Brief Introduction

Moscow’s Metro was a long time coming. Plans for rapid transit to relieve the city’s beleaguered tram system date back to the Imperial era, but a couple of wars and a revolution held up its development. Stalin revived it as part of his grand plan to modernize the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 30s. The first lines and tunnels were constructed with help from engineers from the London Underground, although Stalin’s secret police decided that they had learned too much about Moscow’s layout and had them arrested on espionage charges and deported.

The beauty of its stations (if not its trains) is well-documented, and certainly no accident. In its illustrious first phases and particularly after the Second World War, the greatest architects of Soviet era were recruited to create gleaming temples celebrating the Revolution, the USSR, and the war triumph. No two stations are exactly alike, and each of the classic showpieces has a theme. There are world-famous shrines to Futurist architecture, a celebration of electricity, tributes to individuals and regions of the former Soviet Union. Each marble slab, mosaic tile, or light fixture was placed with intent, all in service to a station’s aesthetic; each element, f rom the smallest brass ear of corn to a large blood-spattered sword on a World War II mural, is an essential part of the whole.

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The Metro is a monument to the Soviet propaganda project it was intended to be when it opened in 1935 with the slogan “Building a Palace for the People”. It brought the grand interiors of Imperial Russia to ordinary Muscovites, celebrated the Soviet Union’s past achievements while promising its citizens a bright Soviet future, and of course, it was a show-piece for the world to witness the might and sophistication of life in the Soviet Union.

It may be a museum, but it’s no relic. U p to nine million people use it daily, more than the London Underground and New York Subway combined. (Along with, at one time, about 20 stray dogs that learned to commute on the Metro.)

In its 80+ year history, the Metro has expanded in phases and fits and starts, in step with the fortunes of Moscow and Russia. Now, partly in preparation for the World Cup 2018, it’s also modernizing. New trains allow passengers to walk the entire length of the train without having to change carriages. The system is becoming more visitor-friendly. (There are helpful stickers on the floor marking out the best selfie spots .) But there’s a price to modernity: it’s phasing out one of its beloved institutions, the escalator attendants. Often they are middle-aged or elderly women—“ escalator grandmas ” in news accounts—who have held the post for decades, sitting in their tiny kiosks, scolding commuters for bad escalator etiquette or even bad posture, or telling jokes . They are slated to be replaced, when at all, by members of the escalator maintenance staff.

For all its achievements, the Metro lags behind Moscow’s above-ground growth, as Russia’s capital sprawls ever outwards, generating some of the world’s worst traffic jams . But since 2011, the Metro has been in the middle of an ambitious and long-overdue enlargement; 60 new stations are opening by 2020. If all goes to plan, the 2011-2020 period will have brought 125 miles of new tracks and over 100 new stations — a 40 percent increase — the fastest and largest expansion phase in any period in the Metro’s history.

Facts: 14 lines Opening hours: 5 a.m-1 a.m. Rush hour(s): 8-10 a.m, 4-8 p.m. Single ride: 55₽ (about 85 cents) Wi-Fi network-wide

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Buying Tickets

  • Ticket machines have a button to switch to English.
  • You can buy specific numbers of rides: 1, 2, 5, 11, 20, or 60. Hold up fingers to show how many rides you want to buy.
  • There is also a 90-minute ticket , which gets you 1 trip on the metro plus an unlimited number of transfers on other transport (bus, tram, etc) within 90 minutes.
  • Or, you can buy day tickets with unlimited rides: one day (218₽/ US$4), three days (415₽/US$7) or seven days (830₽/US$15). Check the rates here to stay up-to-date.
  • If you’re going to be using the Metro regularly over a few days, it’s worth getting a Troika card , a contactless, refillable card you can use on all public transport. Using the Metro is cheaper with one of these: a single ride is 36₽, not 55₽. Buy them and refill them in the Metro stations, and they’re valid for 5 years, so you can keep it for next time. Or, if you have a lot of cash left on it when you leave, you can get it refunded at the Metro Service Centers at Ulitsa 1905 Goda, 25 or at Staraya Basmannaya 20, Building 1.
  • You can also buy silicone bracelets and keychains with built-in transport chips that you can use as a Troika card. (A Moscow Metro Fitbit!) So far, you can only get these at the Pushkinskaya metro station Live Helpdesk and souvenir shops in the Mayakovskaya and Trubnaya metro stations. The fare is the same as for the Troika card.
  • You can also use Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.

Rules, spoken and unspoken

No smoking, no drinking, no filming, no littering. Photography is allowed, although it used to be banned.

Stand to the right on the escalator. Break this rule and you risk the wrath of the legendary escalator attendants. (No shenanigans on the escalators in general.)

Get out of the way. Find an empty corner to hide in when you get off a train and need to stare at your phone. Watch out getting out of the train in general; when your train doors open, people tend to appear from nowhere or from behind ornate marble columns, walking full-speed.

Always offer your seat to elderly ladies (what are you, a monster?).

An Easy Tour

This is no Metro Marathon ( 199 stations in 20 hours ). It’s an easy tour, taking in most—though not all—of the notable stations, the bulk of it going clockwise along the Circle line, with a couple of short detours. These stations are within minutes of one another, and the whole tour should take about 1-2 hours.

Start at Mayakovskaya Metro station , at the corner of Tverskaya and Garden Ring,  Triumfalnaya Square, Moskva, Russia, 125047.

1. Mayakovskaya.  Named for Russian Futurist Movement poet Vladimir Mayakovsky and an attempt to bring to life the future he imagined in his poems. (The Futurist Movement, natch, was all about a rejecting the past and celebrating all things speed, industry, modern machines, youth, modernity.) The result: an Art Deco masterpiece that won the National Grand Prix for architecture at the New York World’s Fair in 1939. It’s all smooth, rounded shine and light, and gentle arches supported by columns of dark pink marble and stainless aircraft steel. Each of its 34 ceiling niches has a mosaic. During World War II, the station was used as an air-raid shelter and, at one point, a bunker for Stalin. He gave a subdued but rousing speech here in Nov. 6, 1941 as the Nazis bombed the city above.

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Take the 3/Green line one station to:

2. Belorusskaya. Opened in 1952, named after the connected Belarussky Rail Terminal, which runs trains between Moscow and Belarus. This is a light marble affair with a white, cake-like ceiling, lined with Belorussian patterns and 12 Florentine ceiling mosaics depicting life in Belarussia when it was built.

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Transfer onto the 1/Brown line. Then, one stop (clockwise) t o:

3. Novoslobodskaya.  This station was designed around the stained-glass panels, which were made in Latvia, because Alexey Dushkin, the Soviet starchitect who dreamed it up (and also designed Mayakovskaya station) couldn’t find the glass and craft locally. The stained glass is the same used for Riga’s Cathedral, and the panels feature plants, flowers, members of the Soviet intelligentsia (musician, artist, architect) and geometric shapes.

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Go two stops east on the 1/Circle line to:

4. Komsomolskaya. Named after the Komsomol, or the Young Communist League, this might just be peak Stalin Metro style. Underneath the hub for three regional railways, it was intended to be a grand gateway to Moscow and is today its busiest station. It has chandeliers; a yellow ceiling with Baroque embellishments; and in the main hall, a colossal red star overlaid on golden, shimmering tiles. Designer Alexey Shchusev designed it as an homage to the speech Stalin gave at Red Square on Nov. 7, 1941, in which he invoked Russia’s illustrious military leaders as a pep talk to Soviet soldiers through the first catastrophic year of the war.   The station’s eight large mosaics are of the leaders referenced in the speech, such as Alexander Nevsky, a 13th-century prince and military commander who bested German and Swedish invading armies.

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One more stop clockwise to Kurskaya station,  and change onto the 3/Blue  line, and go one stop to:

5. Baumanskaya.   Opened in 1944. Named for the Bolshevik Revolutionary Nikolai Bauman , whose monument and namesake district are aboveground here. Though he seemed like a nasty piece of work (he apparently once publicly mocked a woman he had impregnated, who later hung herself), he became a Revolutionary martyr when he was killed in 1905 in a skirmish with a monarchist, who hit him on the head with part of a steel pipe. The station is in Art Deco style with atmospherically dim lighting, and a series of bronze sculptures of soldiers and homefront heroes during the War. At one end, there is a large mosaic portrait of Lenin.

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Stay on that train direction one more east to:

6. Elektrozavodskaya. As you may have guessed from the name, this station is the Metro’s tribute to all thing electrical, built in 1944 and named after a nearby lightbulb factory. It has marble bas-relief sculptures of important figures in electrical engineering, and others illustrating the Soviet Union’s war-time struggles at home. The ceiling’s recurring rows of circular lamps give the station’s main tunnel a comforting glow, and a pleasing visual effect.

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Double back two stops to Kurskaya station , and change back to the 1/Circle line. Sit tight for six stations to:

7. Kiyevskaya. This was the last station on the Circle line to be built, in 1954, completed under Nikita Khrushchev’ s guidance, as a tribute to his homeland, Ukraine. Its three large station halls feature images celebrating Ukraine’s contributions to the Soviet Union and Russo-Ukrainian unity, depicting musicians, textile-working, soldiers, farmers. (One hall has frescoes, one mosaics, and the third murals.) Shortly after it was completed, Khrushchev condemned the architectural excesses and unnecessary luxury of the Stalin era, which ushered in an epoch of more austere Metro stations. According to the legend at least, he timed the policy in part to ensure no Metro station built after could outshine Kiyevskaya.

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Change to the 3/Blue line and go one stop west.

8. Park Pobedy. This is the deepest station on the Metro, with one of the world’s longest escalators, at 413 feet. If you stand still, the escalator ride to the surface takes about three minutes .) Opened in 2003 at Victory Park, the station celebrates two of Russia’s great military victories. Each end has a mural by Georgian artist Zurab Tsereteli, who also designed the “ Good Defeats Evil ” statue at the UN headquarters in New York. One mural depicts the Russian generals’ victory over the French in 1812 and the other, the German surrender of 1945. The latter is particularly striking; equal parts dramatic, triumphant, and gruesome. To the side, Red Army soldiers trample Nazi flags, and if you look closely there’s some blood spatter among the detail. Still, the biggest impressions here are the marble shine of the chessboard floor pattern and the pleasingly geometric effect if you view from one end to the other.

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Keep going one more stop west to:

9. Slavyansky Bulvar.  One of the Metro’s youngest stations, it opened in 2008. With far higher ceilings than many other stations—which tend to have covered central tunnels on the platforms—it has an “open-air” feel (or as close to it as you can get, one hundred feet under). It’s an homage to French architect Hector Guimard, he of the Art Nouveau entrances for the Paris M é tro, and that’s precisely what this looks like: A Moscow homage to the Paris M é tro, with an additional forest theme. A Cyrillic twist on Guimard’s Metro-style lettering over the benches, furnished with t rees and branch motifs, including creeping vines as towering lamp-posts.

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Stay on the 3/Blue line and double back four stations to:

10. Arbatskaya. Its first iteration, Arbatskaya-Smolenskaya station, was damaged by German bombs in 1941. It was rebuilt in 1953, and designed to double as a bomb shelter in the event of nuclear war, although unusually for stations built in the post-war phase, this one doesn’t have a war theme. It may also be one of the system’s most elegant: Baroque, but toned down a little, with red marble floors and white ceilings with gilded bronze c handeliers.

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Jump back on the 3/Blue line  in the same direction and take it one more stop:

11. Ploshchad Revolyutsii (Revolution Square). Opened in 1938, and serving Red Square and the Kremlin . Its renowned central hall has marble columns flanked by 76 bronze statues of Soviet heroes: soldiers, students, farmers, athletes, writers, parents. Some of these statues’ appendages have a yellow sheen from decades of Moscow’s commuters rubbing them for good luck. Among the most popular for a superstitious walk-by rub: the snout of a frontier guard’s dog, a soldier’s gun (where the touch of millions of human hands have tapered the gun barrel into a fine, pointy blade), a baby’s foot, and a woman’s knee. (A brass rooster also sports the telltale gold sheen, though I am told that rubbing the rooster is thought to bring bad luck. )

Now take the escalator up, and get some fresh air.

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A Professional Packer Shares the 11 Best Carry-on Bags That Actually Fit a Week's Worth of Clothes — From $30

Never check a bag again.

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Travel + Leisure / Tyler Roeland

There are some travelers who are completely at ease with bringing just two or three outfits on a trip to skip checking a bag . I am not one of them. I like to pack as many options as my carry-on luggage will allow. While this may initially seem to contradict my title as a professional packer — I’m the founder of the Just Packed travel site and corresponding newsletter — the two aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive. Instead, I define an expertly packed carry-on bag as one that contains everything that you may need on your trip (and still has the ability to close).

Before the actual packing process can begin, though, it’s critical to have luggage pieces that offer ample room to ensure its spot in the overhead bin or under the airplane seat in front of you. But, not every travel bag is up for the task. Over my years of research, both on the ground and in the air, these are the 11 roomiest carry-on bags that I've found. They include classic suitcases as well as travel totes, backpacks, and duffels that help you pack a week's worth (and even more) of clothes so you'll have everything that you need for your next trip.

Away Bigger Carry-on

In my line of work, I’m constantly testing different suitcase brands and styles. My 22-inch Away Bigger Carry-on has yet to be topped when it comes to how much it can hold. From the outside, it looks like a basic, albeit sleek , suitcase; there are no bells and whistles. That simplicity, however, is the key to its success. Every inch of the suitcase serves to get the job done (a.k.a. hold as much as possible). By using the interior compression system, I can fit about one week’s worth of clothes without trying too hard — but if I use a few of my tried-and-true packing hacks , I can make it work for a two-week trip.

It's also made with a polycarbonate hardshell, a sturdy material that I always look for when suitcase shopping because of its durability. Trust me, you'll appreciate it when your carry-on gets tossed around during takeoff and landing.

July Carry-on Pro

I might be loyal to my Away suitcase, but the 21-inch July Carry-on Pro recently caught my eye. It has a similar design, but it comes with a few more functional features. The front pocket can fit a 15-inch laptop and an iPad (although I tend to use compartments like this to hold a few items of clothing), and the Y-strap compression system helps keep the contents of the suitcase neatly packed down. I haven’t gotten a test to take mine out for a spin yet, but the luggage brand notes that it can hold six to eight outfits, or between five to seven days’ worth of clothing. 

Amazon Basics 20-inch Hardside Spinner

If you’re looking for a more affordable carry-on suitcase, the highly-rated Amazon Basics 20-inch Hardside Spinner might do the trick. Coming in at under $65 thanks to a limited-time deal, this best-selling carry-on is the perfect choice for anyone who wants a capacious bag but doesn’t travel enough to warrant one with a higher price tag. Several reviewers noted that it’s great for week-long trips with its expansion feature that adds 15 percent more packing space, the interior organizer, and the three smaller zippered pockets. 

MZ Wallace Deluxe Large Metro Tote

Overpackers who are actively trying to avoid bringing checked bags on their travels need the MZ Wallace Deluxe Large Metro Tote in their luggage repertoire. Not only is it, hands down, the most spacious tote that I’ve ever used, but it’s also pliable and filled with different pockets and compartments to keep everything organized in a designated spot. I think of it like a Mary Poppins-style bag. On a recent weekend trip, it served as my only piece of luggage, and I had no issue zipping it up while it held my pajamas, two outfits, a pair of sneakers, my laptop, a small toiletry bag, and a collection of other miscellaneous items (chargers, snacks, a hairbrush, etc). But when you're flying, use this as your personal bag along with your carry-on suitcase so you can get away with bringing more clothes on board. 

When buying a new travel tote to use as a carry-on, I always recommend paying close attention to how the bag is designed (and how it will keep your belongings secure). Does it zip, tie, or latch everything inside? The exact closure method, and how it’s implemented, can significantly affect how much can be carried inside. This one has a zip-top design, so I know that it will keep everything safe from spilling out if I put it in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of me.

L.L. Bean Medium Boat and Tote Zip-Top

The classic L.L. Bean Boat and Tote comes in a variety of sizes and colors, and there’s even the option to choose one with or without a zip-top closure. The extra-large tote is technically the largest, but I personally use the medium-sized zip-top version. Inside, I’ll fit my toiletry bag (which tends to take up too much space in my suitcase), laptop, chargers, a water bottle, and a smaller crossbody bag. I’ve also never had any issues fitting it under the seat in front of me on a plane, and it’s sturdy enough to stay upright during take-off or turbulence. 

Oeihuivt Weekender Bag

The Oeihuivt Weekender Bag is the more affordable twin of the steeper-priced duffel bag that I usually use. According to the brand, the bag can hold between two and four days' worth of essentials inside its six pockets, main compartment, and roomy shoe pouch. If I’m traveling with just a pair of shoes on my feet, I’ll often use the shoe pouch as a hack to store more clothes; it makes the perfect spot for my socks, Dopp kit, a sweatshirt, and a pair of jeans. 

Paravel Foldable Travel Duffel Bag

I always think of my Foldable Travel Duffel Bag from Oprah-loved brand Paravel as my “in case of packing emergencies” bag. On a trip to Jackson Hole last year, I knew that there was a possibility that I’d be leaving with a few more items than I’d arrived with — so I tucked this duffel into my suitcase to use on the journey home. It’s one of those bags that’s deceptively roomy, and it held the hiking boots, sneakers, puffer vest, and several sweaters that had been displaced from my suitcase by my new Wyoming purchases. In addition to being an M.V.P. for bringing back souvenirs, it can also be used as a tote when you're at your destination, and even a beach bag if needed. 

Bjlfs Weekender Carry-on

Some trips require a do-it-all kind of bag, one that can handle whatever you need it to hold. Enter the Bjlfs Weekender Carry-on. Its exact dimensions have it measuring in at around 10.7 inches by 22 inches by 7 inches, which means that it has more than enough room for a three-day weekend trip's wardrobe — and you’ll have no trouble fitting it in most overhead bins or under the seat in front of you should you use it as a personal bag. Interested in seeing how it would perform on a longer trip? According to one reviewer , they paired it with a small carry-on suitcase for an 11-day trip, and it was perfect.

Cuyana Classic Easy Zipper Tote

My vast collection of travel bags waxes and wanes on a regular basis, but there are a few extra-roomy styles that maintain their starting positions on my roster. One of those is my Cuyana Classic Easy Zipper Tote. The leather bag is a staple for work travel, and it holds more than you’d think upon initial glance. If you pair it with a carry-on for your next flight, you'll definitely be able to fit everything that you need for your trip. 

A foolproof way to wisely choose a spacious carry-on bag is to identify its purpose. As one of my allowed carry-on bags, this roomy tote is always reserved for my laptop, which means that it has to be strong and wide enough to hold my heavy, 16-inch MacBook Pro and my other essentials. I’ve gone on several trips where it’s managed to perfectly carry my laptop, a couple of books, an extra layer, a water bottle, and even a Dopp kit or crossbody bag.

Roam Continental Backpack

When I say that the Roam Continental Backpack holds just as much as a duffel bag, I mean it. It first accompanied me on a trip to Venice, and I was immediately blown away by the capacity of each compartment. There’s an exterior laptop compartment, which holds all of my chargers, a front pocket (and is great for snacks and smaller toiletries), and a large main compartment. The latter fit a pair of shoes, the rest of my toiletries, a light jacket, and a small purse. There are also two water bottle holders on the backpack’s sides; I used one for my Yeti and the other for a couple pairs of socks. 

Lo & Sons Large Rowledge Backpack

Lo & Sons

I’ve found that the Lo & Sons Large Rowledge Backpack is slightly less bulky than the above Roam style, but somehow, it’s almost just as spacious. If I’m using it as a secondary carry-on bag, the backpack always has extra room; if I’m bringing it on a short weekend trip, I typically don’t need to bring another bag. By using the rolling folding method, I can fit three to four outfits in the larger compartment, and the front compartment is perfect for a travel-sized toiletry bag and other essential accessories. 

Bagsmart Hanging Toiletry Bag

This isn't a piece of luggage, but it's an essential item for making everything fit in a carry-on. There are a few things that I’ll sacrifice when packing — like extra pairs of shoes or an additional coat — but my beauty routine is not one of them. I’m a stickler for using my specific skin and hair care products, even while traveling, so I require a toiletry bag that can hold everything. The large Bagsmart Hanging Toiletry Bag can carry all of my skincare, shampoo and conditioner, makeup, and other hygiene products. If it’s packed in my carry-on, I just have to make sure to use my TSA-sized products or transfer my liquids to my trusty Cadence capsules .

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    Best Waterproof Backpacks. Best Overall: Mountain Hardwear Scrambler Pack. Best Lightweight: Exped Stormrunner 15. Best Budget: Marmot Slate All Day Travel Bag. Most Heavy Duty: Yeti Panga Pack ...

  7. The 5 Best Travel Backpacks of 2024

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    Weight: 3.1 lb | 1.40 kg. Capacity: 26L. Materials: Polyethylene, polyurethane, Cordura, nylon. The Timbuk2 Parker is one of the most streamlined, upscale, functional, and well-made waterproof backpacks on this list. For many urban bicycle commuters in rainy areas, it's undeniably seductive.

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  10. The 3 Best Travel Backpacks of 2024

    Comfortable, adjustable, and carry-on capable, the Fairview has everything we needed for a week, or even months, of travel. $220 from REI. $220 from Osprey. The Osprey Fairview 55 and the nearly ...

  11. 14 Best Waterproof Backpacks For Weather Protection

    The Yeti Panga 28L Waterproof Backpack looks more familiar and still keeps your gear dry. With an IPX7 rating, you can submerge the pack in up to a meter of water, and your gear will stay dry for 30 minutes. After that, it might start to leak. Unlike many of the listings in this post, this pack utilizes a zipper.

  12. Tested: The 7 Best Waterproof Backpacks For Adventure

    Best Budget Backpack: It comes as no surprise to anyone familiar with the outdoor gear brand that Sea To Summit's Ultra-Sil Dry Day Pack is the most affordable here. Also great for those looking to shed some weight, the 22L pack can compress into an impossibly small stuff sack of just 5″x2.5″x1.5″ with a carabiner attachment.

  13. The 6 Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks for 2024

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  14. 14 Best Waterproof Backpacks in 2024

    The Top 6 Waterproof Backpacks in 2024. 1. Editor's Choice: Sea to Summit Big River Dry Backpack. 2. Fly-fishermen's Delight: Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L. 3. Best All-Weather: FE Active Cloudbreak Waterproof Backpack 30L. 4.

  15. Best Waterproof Backpack for Women: Picks for Any Trip or Terrain

    Best Waterproof Backpack for Camping: Orvis. Best Waterproof Backpack for Beach Trips: Piscifun. Best Waterproof Backpack for Camera Gear: BAGSMART. Best Waterproof Backpack Laptop That's Chic: Osprey Arcane. Best Water Resistant Backpacks for Sightseeing: Fjällräven. Best Waterproof Backpack North Face Pick: Kaban 2.0.

  16. The 6 Best Travel Backpacks of 2024

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  17. The Best Backpacks of 2024

    Best Overall Backpack: The North Face Recon 30L. Best Budget Backpack: Dakine Campus 33L. Best Hiking Daypack: Deuter Speed Lite 25. Best Travel Backpack: Peak Design Travel Backpack 45. Best ...

  18. The Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks for Any Adventure

    Slightly heavier than other options. $350 at Tortuga. Tortuga's Travel Backpack Pro is regarded as one of the best travel backpacks for good reason. Its rectangular shape lets the bag maximize its available storage capacity while ensuring its dimensions fall within standard airline carry-on guidelines.

  19. Best Ultralight Backpacks of 2024: Expert Picked

    Loowoko 50L Hiking Backpack costs less than $50, but it only weighs 2.8 pounds and has a 50-liter capacity. This makes it ideal for weekender hikes and camping trips.

  20. 15 Cute Travel Backpacks, Tested & Reviewed for 2024

    A waterproof, high-capacity pack + a clamshell opening - an expensive price tag = the ultimate travel backpack. Colors: Black, Blue, Grey, or Pink Dimensions: Width: 13.38 inches x height: 20.74 ...

  21. The Best Ways To Waterproof Your Backpack When Hiking

    To apply the waterproof spray, you'll need to thoroughly clean your bag at least a day before your hiking trip. Then, spray two coats of waterproofing spray and hang to dry. Once dry, use the seam ...

  22. 20 BEST Hostels in Moscow (2024 Insider Guide)

    Tours & Travel Desk. Comrade Hostel is the joint best hostel in Moscow in 2021. Comrade Hostel is a highly recommended hostel in Moscow so if you wanna stay here you've gotta book your bed ASAP, especially if you and your travel buddies wanna stay in the same dorm room. Comrade Hostel is in Moscow's old town known locally as Kitai-Gorod.

  23. 8 Of The Most Stylish Backpacks For Summer Travel

    It's also an RFID blocking pocket and boasts nice lumbar support—all in a very functional but still nice looking option from a trusted travel brand. $295. Arden Cove MB Backpack. Arden Cove ...

  24. EPIC MOSCOW Itinerary! (2024 Guide)

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  25. How to get around Moscow using the underground metro

    Just avoid rush hour. The Metro is stunning andprovides an unrivaled insight into the city's psyche, past and present, but it also happens to be the best way to get around. Moscow has Uber, and the Russian version called Yandex Taxi,butalso some nasty traffic. Metro trains come around every 90 seconds or so, at a more than 99 percent on-time ...

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    L.L. Bean Medium Boat and Tote Zip-Top. L.L.Bean. Buy on L.L.Bean $45. The classic L.L. Bean Boat and Tote comes in a variety of sizes and colors, and there's even the option to choose one with ...

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    Photo Tips: After work hours are the best time to see people interacting with street performers, perfect for street photography. 8. Church of Nikolaya Chudotvortsa Tverskoy Old Believers' Community. This is a small, relatively unknown cathedral, but what makes this place special for me is its location.