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Choosing the best travel backpacks for a one-bag trip can be a daunting task. There are many brands and models to choose from, based on durability, price, ease of fitting, and many other factors. In addition, you will be wading through a veritable maelstrom of choices, with a variety of opinions and feedback from people with different values, needs, and body types.
Whether you are a new traveler preparing for your first trip, a digital nomad looking to “sell all your stuff and put it in a backpack,” or somewhere in between, getting the best travel backpack for you is essential. This guide is written and informed by Pack Hacker staff who are frequent travelers and digital nomads. That means we use and test these products every day to better understand what’s available and how each bag appeals to different types of travelers.
If you’d like to skip all this information and go directly to the backpacks we’ve reviewed, you can see our top rated travel backpacks list below, or all of our travel backpack reviews. We review and rate new bags frequently, so this list is constantly being updated. Below, we have mentioned Best Travel Backpacks.
Here is the list of Best Travel Backpacks
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack
Easily one of the best Travel Backpacks available on the market, the Cotopaxi’s Allpa 35L Travel Pack meets all of these criteria and was selected for the top spot in 2022. In addition to the brand’s signature vibrant styling and multi-colored patterns, the Allpa is extremely durable, with panels of 1000 denier TPU-coated polyester and 840 denier ballistic nylon. It also comes with a retractable rain cover to help you cope with inclement weather.
The main compartment has two accesses: a wrap-around zipper and a side zipper next to the back panel for easy access to your gear while on the move. In addition, the electronics sleeve is large enough to handle both a laptop and a tablet at the same time, something not many cases like this can do. All in all, Allpa is well made, stylish, and very well equipped for travel.
HEIMPLANET Transit Line 34L
The Heim Planet Travel Pack 34 is a true statement of quality and style. The clamshell design is simple, quick, and intuitive to store and organize items. It is compact enough for commuting with plenty of room for weekend trips. This premium backpack is made of high-quality, sustainable materials for a sleek and stylish look.
The thickness of the padding and the quality of the material will ensure that your belongings will be protected in most situations. This makes it the perfect backpack for business trips or work, where the exterior matches the professional environment. Currently, this is one of the best Travel Backpacks that you can buy right now.
Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L
With its small size and minimal external features, the Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L is the closest bag to the style of backpack you carry on a daily basis. This bag is ideal for use as an everyday backpack after traveling to a work event and getting off the plane without attracting too much attention. The topo also has a built-in attachment clip so you can piggyback your small everyday backpack into a travel bag.
The Travel Bag is one of the simplest bags we tested, with basic paperwork organization in the main compartment and front pocket. The bag is a front panel loader and is organized around a main pocket that holds two large packing cubes. The lid of the bag has two mesh dividers for a little organization. On the outside are two small zippered pockets for travel accessories and a large organizer pocket for books, tickets, snacks, etc.
Peak Design Travel Backpack
The Peak Design Travel Backpack may look unassuming at first glance, but this bag is loaded with features you need for travel. The expandable design allows you to alternate between 35L and 45L by simply opening and closing the front-most zipper. Top, side, front, and rear entry points allow for easy access to items anywhere in the pack. There is also a padded laptop or tablet sleeve, a dividable main compartment, large elastic side pockets, and multiple interior pockets.
Plus, it is wrapped in a thick nylon canvas shell that is durable, streamlined, and very modern. What are the complaints about the Peak Design’s best Travel Backpacks? Price is the most notable drawback; at $300, it is one of the most expensive designs on our list. Additionally, while the bag is undeniably sleek, it is quite utilitarian looking and not suitable for everyday use compared to more vibrant options like the Cotopaxi Allpa above or the Topo Designs Global Travel Bag below.
Hynes Eagle Travel Backpack 40L
The Hynes Eagle travel bag with a 40L capacity should be ideal for you if money is tight. In contrast to how it looks in the pictures, the backpack is actually much bigger and more capacious. It works best for quick business trips and weekend getaways, but it can also be used for longer journeys with only a few changes of clothing. With the help of the numerous compression buckle straps on this carry-on bag, you can customise the fit of the backpack to fit your height.
It also has adjustable sternum and waist (or hip) straps for overall comfort on the back. The main compartment holds a 15″ laptop and other essentials, while the front zip pocket holds toiletries and other small items. Choose the model that comes with a packing cube and you’ll be all set to go on your trip.
Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L
You often travel with expensive camera gear and need easy access and lots of storage pockets, or you prefer a backpack-based packing system that is adaptable and highly customizable. Some bags in this category are designed to do one thing extremely well as a backpack. However, the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is built to adapt.
Like the Swiss Army knife of backpacks, it is adjustable, customizable, and almost the perfect system for photographers and gearheads on the move. Many bag expansion mechanisms are not worth the extra zipper and look as attractive as a boiled ham cracking out of a plastic package. But Peak Design is different; it looks just as beautiful whether packed into a 45-liter bag or compressed into a 30-liter daypack.
Osprey Aether Plus 70 Men’s Backpack
Easily one of the best Travel Backpacks available on the market, the Osprey Aether has all the advantages of all Osprey brand packs, but this model is slightly smaller than the standard 80+ liter pack. However, this model is slightly smaller than a standard 80+ liter backpack. It also features a full range of pockets and compartments for easy organization.
The AirScape back panel keeps you cool during warmer adventures. Osprey stands behind its lifetime warranty. The only downside to this pack is that you can’t avoid checked baggage fees. But at least you don’t have to throw away your luggage. This is one of the best backpacks for traveling around the world on long adventures.
Asenlin 40L Travel Backpack
We were impressed by the Asenlin 40L Best Travel Backpacks’ capacity for packing and cosy fit. Our testers believed that this bag’s internal and external compression would give them extra packing room and good organisation. Three different packing cube sizes—small, medium, and large—are also included in the backpack. Although the design is not quite as well thought out as some of the more expensive brand bags, it does include a water bottle holder and a laptop sleeve.
They also appreciate the versatility of carrying it as a backpack, a briefcase, or by sliding the trolley sleeve over the handle of a roller suitcase. Some people, however, felt that the chest strap could have used a little more adjustment. The backpack displayed no signs of abrasion or damage during the durability testing. This budget-friendly backpack is a great buy for anyone looking for a strong, cozy, and roomy carry-on bag.
Final Words
Here are some of the best travel backpacks, now you can find travel backpacks in the most unique shapes and designs with anti-theft technology and configurations fitting over 50 pounds of your property. Check out our selection of models that meet high industry standards and choose the backpack that will become your trusted travel companion.