Best Travel Backpacks Travel, backpacks are essential for hands-free, versatile travel, perfect for city hopping, hiking, or long-term adventures while meeting carry-on size limits (22 x 14 x 9 inches) to avoid baggage fees ($30–$50/flight). Our top picks—Osprey Farpoint 40, Tortuga 40L, Cotopaxi Allpa 35L, Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L, and Nomatic Travel Pack—excel in capacity (30–45L), comfort, and durability ($150–$350).
We evaluated them based on carry-on compliance, weight (3–5 lbs), features (laptop sleeves, padded straps), and organization (pockets, clamshell opening). These selections suit solo travelers, digital nomads, and adventurers for short trips (3–7 days) or extended travel.
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Why Choose a Travel Backpack?
Benefits of Travel Backpacks
Travel backpacks offer mobility, comfort, and organization for airports, urban travel, or trails, saving baggage fees, per Travel + Leisure. They’re ideal for weekend getaways, long-term backpacking, or business trips, with 30–45L capacities for clothes, tech, or gear.
Features include carry-on compliance, padded hip belts, water-resistant materials (nylon, polyester), and laptop compartments (13–17”). Priced at $150–$350, they’re durable compared to suitcases ($100–$500) or basic backpacks ($50–$150), per Wirecutter.
Top 5 Best Travel Backpacks
Here’s our curated list of the top five travel backpacks, comparing capacity, weight, features, price, and suitability.
1. Osprey Farpoint 40 – Best Overall
- Lightweight & Durable – Durable fabrics in high-wear areas combine with smart design to create a lightweight and tough t…
- Stowaway Harness & Hipbelt – The harness stows away for safekeeping while checked and deploys quickly for any path or tr…
- Quick access zippered 16″ laptop and tablet sleeve, External zip toiletry pocket
- Features: 40L, 3.5 lbs, 22 x 14 x 9 in, clamshell opening, padded straps, hip belt, recycled polyester.
- Pros: Carry-on compliant, comfortable for long wear, durable, per Wirecutter.
- Cons: Limited colors, no waterproofing.
- Best For: Versatile travelers needing carry-on and comfort.
2. Tortuga 40L – Best for Comfort
- LARGE TRAVEL BACKPACK: Carry everything you need with this travel bag, built to maximize space in a light, simple build….
- CARRY-ON APPROVED: At 22 x 14 x 8 inches, this bag meets international and US size requirements for carry-on luggage and…
- PREMIUM COMFORT: Designed with generous padding, a sternum strap, load lifter straps, and a hip belt that takes 80% of t…
- Features: 35L, 4.6 lbs, 20.3 x 12.9 x 8.2 in, adjustable harness, laptop sleeve (17”), water-resistant.
- Pros: Ergonomic design, weatherproof, lifetime warranty, per Pack Hacker.
- Cons: Pricey, slightly heavy.
- Best For: Travelers prioritizing comfort and organization.
3. Cotopaxi Allpa 35L – Best for Style
- Suitcase style, full-wrap zipper opening, Internal pocket configuration: 1 large, 1 medium, 1 small Stretch mesh water b…
- Front zip accessory pocket with internal organization & key clip, Front zip accessory pocket also compatible with Allpa …
- 3 grab handles: side, top, and bottom, 15″ padded & fleece-lined laptop sleeve
- Features: 35L, 3.8 lbs, 20 x 12 x 8 in, clamshell, padded straps, recycled polyester.
- Pros: Vibrant colors, eco-friendly, durable zippers, per Travel + Leisure.
- Cons: No hip belt, limited padding.
- Best For: Style-conscious travelers needing compact design.
4. Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L – Best for Photographers
- TRAVEL BACKPACK 45L: Built for 1-bag travel, the 45L Travel Backpack offers intuitive organization, weatherproof protect…
- DESIGNED TO ADAPT: Expandable from 35L to 45L, this carry on approved pack adjusts to fit your load. Side pockets expand…
- DURABLE DETAILS, CLEAN DESIGN: A weatherproof 400D recycled nylon canvas shell with ultra-durable hardware stands up to …
- Features: 35–45L (expandable), 4.5 lbs, 22 x 13 x 9.5 in, clamshell, camera gear dividers.
- Pros: Modular, weatherproof, sleek design, per Forbes.
- Cons: Heavy when expanded, complex straps.
- Best For: Photographers or tech-heavy travelers.
5. Nomatic Travel Pack – Best for Business Travel
- Travel Laptop Backpack: This multifunctional bag also serves as a carry on backpack with its luggage strap, making it an…
- Expandable Capacity Anti Theft Backpack with Laptop Compartment: This tech backpack transforms from a sleek 20-liter wor…
- Stay Organized: Featuring a range of pockets, including an RFID lockable security pocket, mesh zipper pockets, a dedicat…
- Features: 20–30L (expandable), 4.2 lbs, 18.5 x 12 x 6–9 in, laptop sleeve (16”), TSA-ready.
- Pros: Sleek, organized, versatile for 1–5 days, per The Independent.
- Cons: Smaller capacity, pricey for size.
- Best For: Business travelers needing compact organization.
How We Chose the Best Travel Backpacks
Criteria for Selecting Top Travel Backpacks
We selected these backpacks based on:
- Size: Carry-on compliant (22 x 14 x 9 in), 30–45L, per Wirecutter.
- Weight: Lightweight (3–5 lbs) for easy carrying, per Travel + Leisure.
- Durability: Water-resistant materials, strong zippers, per Pack Hacker.
- Comfort: Padded straps, hip belts, breathable back panels, per The Independent.
- User Feedback: High ratings (4.0–4.5/5) from Amazon, Reddit (r/onebag), and X posts.
- Price-to-Value: Balances cost ($150–$350) with features, per Forbes.
Quick Comparison of Best Travel Backpacks
| Model | Price | Capacity | Weight | Features | Best Use |
| Osprey Farpoint 40 | ~$$$ | 40L | 3.5 lbs | Clamshell, Hip Belt | Versatile Travel |
| Tortuga 40L | ~$$$ | 35L | 4.6 lbs | Adjustable Harness, Waterproof | Comfort-Focused |
| Cotopaxi Allpa 35L | ~$$$ | 35L | 3.8 lbs | Clamshell, Stylish | Stylish Travel |
| Peak Design Travel Backpack | ~$$$ | 35–45L | 4.5 lbs | Camera Dividers, Expandable | Photographers |
| Nomatic Travel Pack | ~$$$ | 20–30L | 4.2 lbs | TSA-Ready, Laptop Sleeve | Business Travel |
Benefits of Travel Backpacks
Why Choose a Travel Backpack?
Travel backpacks offer:
- Mobility: Hands-free travel through airports or trails, per Travel + Leisure.
- Cost Savings: Fits overhead bins, avoiding baggage fees ($30–$50/flight), per Wirecutter.
- Organization: Laptop sleeves, pockets, and clamshell openings for efficiency, per Pack Hacker.
- Durability: Water-resistant materials for urban or outdoor use, per The Independent.
They’re long-lasting ($150–$350) compared to suitcases or cheaper bags.
What Users Say About These Travel Backpacks
Feedback from Amazon, Reddit (r/onebag), and X posts:
- Osprey Farpoint 40: “Perfect carry-on, super comfy for long walks,” per Wirecutter (4.5/5).
- Tortuga 40L: “Best harness, worth the price for comfort,” per Pack Hacker (4.4/5).
- Cotopaxi Allpa 35L: “Stylish, great for city travel,” per Amazon (4.3/5).
- Peak Design 45L: “Ideal for camera gear, sleek design,” per Forbes (4.3/5).
- Nomatic Travel Pack: “Compact, perfect for work trips,” per The Independent (4.2/5).
Concerns include weight (Peak Design), price (Tortuga), and limited padding (Cotopaxi), per Reddit.
Maximize Your Travel Backpack
Tips for Optimizing Your Travel Backpack
Maximize your backpack with these tips, per Pack Hacker and Travel + Leisure:
- Osprey Farpoint 40: Use hip belt for heavy loads; pack light for carry-on compliance.
- Tortuga 40L: Organize with packing cubes; use laptop sleeve for TSA checks.
- Cotopaxi Allpa 35L: Pack with included mesh bags for efficiency; store in rain cover for wet weather.
- Peak Design 45L: Use dividers for camera gear or tech; collapse for compact carry.
- Nomatic Travel Pack: Expand for souvenirs; use TSA-ready laptop compartment.
- Care Tips: Clean with mild soap, store dry, avoid overpacking, per Forbes.
Conclusion
The Osprey Farpoint 40, Tortuga 40L, Cotopaxi Allpa 35L, Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L, and Nomatic Travel Pack are the best travel backpacks in 2025. Choose Osprey for versatility, Tortuga for comfort, Cotopaxi for style, Peak Design for photographers, or Nomatic for business. Match your backpack to your travel style, duration, and budget. Shop now on Amazon, Osprey, or Tortuga to simplify your adventures!
