19 Best Travel Backpacks for Every Type of Trip
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Whether you're hopping on a bike, trekking across rugged terrain, sightseeing, shopping, or jetting off to a business meeting, the best travel backpacks give you the freedom to explore hands-free. With so many options to choose from, we've rounded up 19 of the best bags to throw over your shoulder, from chic carry-ons to super durable options, all of which prove there really is a backpack for every occasion. Ahead, discover our editors' and contributors' recommendations for the best weather-resistant carry-on bags, ultralight hiking backpacks, and sleek business-friendly options to bring on your next adventure.
This article is part of Condé Nast Traveler’s second annual Luggage Week, for which dozens of suitcases, backpacks, and weekender bags were road-tested by our editors.
How we tested
To help us recommend the absolute best luggage to our readers, more than a dozen Condé Nast Traveler editors and contributors spent months (and in some cases, years) road-testing the newest and best-selling bags from top travel brands. These bags accompanied us near and far on planes, trains, buses, and cruises, from local staycations and Hamptons getaways to the Paris Olympics and Marlon Brando’s private island in French Polynesia. We packed these bags to the brim, lifted them into overhead bins, rolled them down cobblestone streets, and inspected every bump and scuff they endured. We considered each bag's weight, capacity, functionality, price point, and how well it held up after several trips. We also identified smart design features that make a bag stand out from its competitors, like having weight indicators, separate shoe compartments, or ample pockets. After traveling with each bag, we carefully reviewed them, keeping the aforementioned criteria in mind to determine which ones are worth the cost and a spot in our Luggage Week lineup.
Our top picks:
Best for weekend trips: Quince Revive Nylon backpack
Best for long vacations: Roam The Continental backpack
Best for business travel: Nex Explorer backpack
Best for everyday use: Lo & Sons The Rowledge backpack
Best splurge option: Carl Friedrik 72-Hour backpack
MZ Wallace Metro Backpack Deluxe
Weight: 1.3 lb.
Dimensions: 16.5" x 12.2" x 6.9"MZ Wallace’s products are distinct due to the brand’s signature super-soft, quilted material. While the Metro Backpack Deluxe is small enough to serve as a personal item on a plane, its overall polished appearance makes it appropriate for the office or work trips. Against the competition, “it’s much more lightweight and stylish,” says commerce editor Meaghan Kenny. “When empty, it's practically weightless.” Inside, the main compartment fits a few changes of clothes, a 15-inch laptop, a water bottle, and toiletries. It’s been Kenny’s go-to backpack all summer long, accompanying her on weekend trips to the Hamptons and the Jersey Shore, and for an overnight stay visiting family. Between car and train rides, there hasn’t been any wear or tear shown on the plush material—a testament to the quality and craftsmanship.
Pros: Comes with a removable pouch, luggage sleeve, multiple interior pockets, laptop sleeve, and double water bottle pockets; adjustable straps; sleek look
Cons: It’s a bit priceyVecave Carry-On backpack
Weight: 2.2 lb.
Capacity: 40L
Dimensions: 16.92" x 11.81" x 7.87"“At the price point it’s a steal,” says commerce writer Paris Wilson. “It’s the same size as a personal item but has the space and organization of a carry-on.” It’s outfitted with a laptop compartment, a wet bag for liquid toiletries, a shoe compartment (enough for one pair), an anti-theft pocket, a trolley sleeve, and an easily accessible charging port. Though—not necessarily a negative aspect—travelers should know it doesn’t come with a charging bank; you’ll have to supply your own. It’s perfect for college students who don’t want to pack too much for a weekend back at home, frequent gym goers who need more space for extra clothes, and families traveling with young children who want to assert their independence and carry their own bag.
Pros: The backpack’s design maximizes space as much as possible
Cons: It's bulky and you can feel the shoes rattling around a bit
Nex Explorer backpack
Weight: 2.83 lb.
Capacity: 23.75L
Dimensions: 16.7" x 12.4" x 7"Traveler contributor and professional photographer Karthika Gupta loves this trendy leather backpack, which she’s taken on both assignments and personal trips. Nex. is a new luggage brand with many products, but this travel backpack stands out as a highlight. The Explorer features a variety of interior pockets for all your essentials while still maintaining its sleek outer shape. It has dual zippered compartments, a key clasp, two expandable accessory pouches (for bottles or chargers), and a logo sleeve that can conceal a small tracking device or AirTag. The exterior zippered pocket has protective padding and is spacious enough to fit a 15-inch laptop. However, to Gupta, the hidden back pocket secured with a magnetic button-clasp is one of the best features, as it’s deep enough to securely store valuables like cash or wallets. “I regularly travel internationally with my teens, who are as forgetful as they are opinionated, so this hidden pocket is a godsend for quickly accessing passports,” she says. Thick, comfortable shoulder straps, a padded handle, and a sleek trolley sleeve complete this design-centric backpack, making it perfect for both travel and everyday use.
Pros: Soft and flexible leather that doesn’t scuff even after extended use, available in three gender-neutral colors
Cons: The numerous pockets may seem overwhelming at firstCotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack
Weight: 2.15 lb.
Capacity: 35L
Dimensions: 22" x 12" x 10"“This is one of the most unique backpacks I’ve ever had,” says travel bookings editor Jamie Spain. The backpack features a zipper design that allows it to open flat like a suitcase and has storage compartments that have a place for everything on your packing list. The three handles make it easy to carry, while the shoulder straps work to distribute the bag's weight evenly, so it doesn’t cause any aches or pains on longer treks. For outdoorsy travelers, it can fit about a week’s worth of clothes if you don’t have many accessories in tow. Spain found it had enough space for a few outfits, an extra pair of shoes, a laptop, and toiletries on short weekend trips across the East Coast.
Pros: Variety of interior pockets, flat-lay design
Cons: Larger than a traditional personal item, so it might have to be checked
Peak Design Travel backpack
Weight: 4.5 lb.
Capacity: 30–45L
Dimensions: 22" x 13" x 9.5"Peak design caters to tech lovers who are constantly traveling with gear, and has been working to make the experience tailored to each traveler. Velcro dividers come with this Travel backpack, so that you can create your own compartments depending on what—and how much—you’re packing. Associate articles director Megan Spurrell found this helpful for weekend trips where clothing and camera gear took up most of her packing list. “I packed a DSLR camera, extra lens, and batteries on just a single row, and you can fit several 'rows' if you have the dividers handy,” says Spurrell. “In terms of clothes, it works nicely for a short three- to four-day trip (but that’s if your dopp kit is the size of mine, which is equivalent to a portable drone).” The strong, resilient shell is made from 100 percent recycled nylon. Peak Design also offers a lifetime warranty if any issues were to arise. Though the backpack itself is designed as a hollow, customizable shell, it does include thoughtful hooks and straps on the outside that make it easy to latch on a camera, or slide the bag onto your suitcase handle.
Pros: You can build out the backpack to your specifications with dividers and snap or clip-on accessories
Cons: If you don’t purchase the dividers, there aren’t a ton of pockets or other built-in organizersThule Subterra 2 backpack
Weight: 2.1 lb.
Capacity: 27L
Dimensions: 18.9" x 13.4" x 8.7"Tested by research director Alexandra Sanidad on a trip to San Francisco and two trips to Upstate New York, this backpack offers cushioned comfort and substantial storage compared to others on the market. “I really appreciated the padded interior to carry both my laptop and tablet,” says Sanidad. “There’s such intentional storage spaces with discreet pockets for important things like my passport. Plus, there are two large side pockets that can stash my water bottle.” There are also zippers along the side to expand the bag if you find you need more space. Sanidad notes it can fit a few days' worth of clothes, but might be a bit heavy to lug around. Luckily, the padded mesh back panel helps to keep you comfortable, while the sternum strap stabilizes the load.
Pros: Many zippered compartments and pockets, including a zipper that allows you to access your laptop from the side without having to dig everything out
Cons: Some of the handles could be longer to make the bag easier to grab
Patagonia Refugio Daypack
Weight: 1.9 lb.
Capacity: 26L
Dimensions: 18" x 12" x 6.5"Made from water-repellent recycled polyester fabric, the Refugio Daypack can withstand everything from sharp corners to the occasional drips. “It’s best suited for outdoorsy pursuits,” says senior commerce editor Madison Flager. “It’s great for personal travel, especially trips when I have a single hike or day trip factored in and want a backpack that I can still bring on the plane and store my laptop securely in.” The removable tech caddy works as a mobile workstation where travelers can use the zippered pockets to keep chargers and other tech accessories in close proximity. While the main compartment can hold most of the bulkier items, the front pocket has a vertically oriented zipper that makes it easy to get the necessities out.
Pros: Color scheme, comfort, dual water bottle pockets
Cons: Could use a few more interior pockets within the main compartmentsAway The Outdoor Backpack
Weight: 1.74 lb.
Capacity: 26L
Dimensions: 19" x 12.6" x 7.7"“My ideal backpack has tons of interior pockets hidden neatly behind a sleek, simple exterior,” says associate transportation and travel news editor Hannah Towey. “ This bag has a pocket for everything.” With two water bottle side pockets that fit up to 32-ounce bottles; a separate front compartment with slip pockets for easy access to small essentials like keys and your passport; two 15-inch laptop compartments (one exterior and one interior); an extra, hidden zipper compartment; and trolley straps to secure it on your suitcase—it’s easy to see why it was Towey’s first choice on her trips to the Paris Olympics, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Made from 100 percent water- and abrasion-resistant Dual Action fabric from Away’s Outdoor Collection, it’s designed to protect all your gear from the elements (and travel) while being easy to wipe down when needed.
Pros: Made from responsibly sourced, recycled materials
Cons: Needs more interior zipper pockets and colorways to choose from
Carl Friedrik 72-Hour backpack
Weight: 3.8 lb.
Capacity: 25L
Dimensions: 18.1" x 11.8" x 7.1"Carl Friedrik is known for its sturdy yet functional luggage and bags. It comes as no surprise that the brand’s backpacks are fashioned more like a suitcase than your standard knapsack. It features a front panel that opens up like a top to a trunk, so you have enough space to organize your travel accessories. There are many slim pockets for things like pens, notebooks, and a laptop, giving it the feel of a big commuter backpack. For associate editor Matt Ortile, the bag is best suited for overnight hotel stays, but he believes it “will deliver on its 72-hour promise for light packers.”
Pros: Spacious interior that minimizes the need for numerous bags
Cons: Heavy on its ownArlo Skye The Backpack
Weight: 3 lb.
Capacity: 25L
Dimensions: 18" x 12" x 7.5"Elevated, sophisticated, and comfortable are just a few of the words that associate social media manager Emily Adler used to describe this bag after traveling with it to Upstate New York, the Hamptons, and Washington, DC. Inside you’ll find a laptop sleeve big enough for a 15-inch laptop; four smaller pockets for pens, lip balm, headphones, and chargers; and an exterior front pocket for easy access to your most important documents like a passport or wallet. “Personally, I’ve been using it as a carry-on bag alongside a suitcase for trips,” says Adler. “Otherwise, on its own, it would definitely work well for an overnight trip.” With two plush straps, it's easy and comfortable to carry, but can also slide onto the handles of a carry-on thanks to the trolley sleeve on the back.
Pros: Sleek design while being practical, functional, and carrying a lot
Cons: Not spacious enough for international trips
Calpak Luka Laptop Backpack
Weight: 1.8 lb.
Capacity: 22L
Dimensions: 16" x 12" x 7"Calpak's Luka collection is made of scratch-resistant material, so you can rest assured that this backpack will hold up for years. “I love this backpack's material because of how durable it is for travel. I’ve spilled coffee, food, and makeup on this bag and it's so easy to clean with a disinfectant wipe,” says Kenny. It's her go-to backpack because of its many pockets, roomy compartments, and ultra-soft material. Inside, there's a large zippered compartment, a small mesh pocket, and three compartments for keeping items like socks, beauty products, or tech essentials separate. “One of my favorite features is the shoe compartment on the bottom of the bag that fits a pair of slippers or sandals,” says Kenny. The Luka backpack can hold up to 22 liters of essentials, but it still feels so lightweight.
Pros: Laptop compartment, trolley sleeve, water bottle pocket, soft adjustable straps
Cons: Very narrow luggage trolley sleeveQuince Revive Nylon backpack
Weight: 1.72 lb.
Capacity: 14L
Dimensions: 15.8" x 11.8" x 4.8"Made from 15 plastic bottles, the sleek recycled nylon on the Quince backpack is smooth to the touch, water-repellent, and lightweight. The nylon material is a selling point for the commerce director at Architectural Digest, Rachel Fletcher. “I love the black nylon because it’s basically invincible when it comes to stains—something I’m very prone to," she says. Though compact, it can still fit quite a bit—Fletcher has used it for commutes to the office as well as a weekend to Connecticut. “It fits an East Coast summer weekend’s worth of clothing pretty comfortably,” she says. "It's best to bring on an airplane as your personal item, but if you’re a light traveler, it would definitely fit the bill for a quick trip."
Pros: Thoughtful laptop sleeve, water-repellent material, accessible price point
Cons: A little bulky
Monos Metro Backpack
Weight: 3 lb.
Capacity: 18L
Dimensions: 16.5" x 11.5" x 6"This design-forward vegan leather bag is just the thing for travelers looking for a more elevated backpack. According to Flager, “it’s a comfortable bag to wear, and fits a lot—I’ve used it as an overnight bag. I do think it’s a great backpack, especially for commuters or for work trips where you want the practicality of a backpack while also looking polished." Whether you're headed on a weekend trip, carrying necessities on your daily commute, or using it as a carry-on bag, the Monos Metro backpack is a smart choice. The inner laptop compartment fits a 15" laptop, and there's a built-in trolley sleeve, top carry handle, and adjustable shoulder straps. The bag also comes with a Metro Kit, a modular pouch that snaps securely onto the front of the backpack, so you can keep essentials like a phone, earbuds, and hand sanitizer nearby.
Pros: Multiple pockets, trolley sleeve, comes with a removable pouch
Cons: Not very lightweight and can feel bulkyHerschel Kaslo Daypack Tech
Capacity: 20L
Dimensions: 16.75" x 11" x 5.75"Although labeled as a tech bag, the simple and sleek design makes it versatile enough to wear just about anywhere. There are two main compartments that give you plenty of room to pack clothes, toiletries, a laptop, an iPad, and large over-the-ear headphones. There are also multiple interior pockets that keep small essentials secure. Kenny was able to fit two days' worth of clothing inside and says it's a great personal item for long-haul flights. “It’s so easy to carry, thanks to its buckle that connects the two straps which helps better distribute the weight and keep the backpack secure,” she says.
Pros: Luggage sleeve, made from recycled materials, features a water bottle pocket
Cons: Earbuds pocket is only compatible with Apple products or others that are similarly shaped
Dagne Dover Dakota Backpack (Small)
Weight: 1.10 lb.
Capacity: 8L
Dimensions: 13" x 9.5 x 5"Former Traveler editor Alex Erdekian has traveled with the Dagne Dover backpack to Mexico, Italy, France, New Hampshire, and Boston to name a few. There are several pockets inside and it expands enough to fit a weekend’s worth of clothing. It’s extremely light when unpacked and the foamy exterior straps don’t dig into your shoulders and evenly distribute the weight of the backpack. It's made from neoprene and Performance Air Mesh which was a selling point for Erdekian. "The look of this backpack is a major part of why I use it so much. Something about the neoprene foam look feels really modern and fresh. It also looks so simple and free of distractions, whilst being tricked out with all these hidden bells and whistles on the inside,” she says.
Pros: Spacious, comfortable, chic design
Cons: There are almost too many pockets inside, the neoprene can get a little scuffedLo & Sons The Rowledge
Weight: 3.2 lb.
Capacity: 21L
Dimensions: 16.5" x 11.5" x 6.75"Traveler Contributor Lydia Mansel loves this sleek, convertible backpack for carrying all of her work essentials. It features a 13" laptop compartment and can easily transition into a tote, thanks to backpack straps that tuck into a back pocket. It has plenty of pockets for organization—including a hidden one at the top for slipping your passport and boarding pass into while at the airport—and a trolley sleeve. It's made of a mix of nylon and leather, and has memory foam straps for extra comfort.
Pros: It can carry two laptops, plenty of pockets, luggage sleeve
Cons: Offered in two sizes, but the smaller version is a little too small to store a day's worth of essentialsRead a full review of this backpack here.
Roam The Continental backpack
Weight: 2.4 lb.
Capacity: 26L
Dimensions: 17.75" x 14" x 8"Each time Flager takes this backpack on vacation she's complimented on its aesthetic. The bag is fully customizable, so each customer can choose the colors used for the front, back, sides, and straps. The wide, deep side pockets are a highlight for Flager, who says “there’s a place for everything—I like to put my important documents, ID, phone, and AirPods in the top zippered pocket for easy access, my Kindle or a book in the largest exterior pocket, and my keys in the smallest exterior pocket. I like that there are two side pockets for a water bottle and an umbrella or other small item."
Pros: Lightweight, many color options
Cons: A water bottle sometimes slips out of the pocketBaggallini Soho backpack
Weight: 1.4 lb.
Capacity: 16L
Dimensions: 15" x 11" x 6"This has long been a go-to work bag for Wilson, “I've carried this non-stop since I got it. I just love how lightweight it is. It has a lot of storage space and a dedicated laptop sleeve," she says. It has one main compartment with a laptop sleeve and interior pockets that have hard inserts and pen holders. It's impossible to overpack with this bag which means that you don't have to worry about the weight straining your shoulders. Wilson notes that one of her favorite features of the backpack is the design: “It has a sturdy build where it stands up on its own while I organize my things. The reinforced structure makes me feel put together when I wear it.”
Pros: Multiple pockets, can stand on its own
Cons: Limited colors available
Troubadour Apex backpack
Weight: 2.2 lb.
Capacity: 25L
Dimensions: 18.9" x 12.6" x 5.9"If you're looking for a sleek yet functional bag that's polished enough for the office, look no further than Troubadour's Apex backpack. Made of waterproof fabric, Kenny says this lightweight backpack is perfect for busy commuters. It fits up to a 17" laptop and has multiple pockets for small essentials like AirPods, glasses, or a wallet. This stylish backpack also features a breathable back panel and ergonomic padded shoulder straps for added comfort. “This would be a great bag for a business trip, and thanks to its trolley sleeve, it fits nicely on your carry-on," says Kenny.
Pros: Padded laptop compartment, waterproof material, trolley sleeve
Cons: Not ideal for active days outdoors due to its sophisticated look
