Best Travel Backpacks for Every Trip (2026 Guide)

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Product

Description

Best Overall Travel Backpack

Best Overall Travel Backpack

Nomatic 40L Travel Bag

• Price > $349.99
• Liters > 40L
• Material > Tarpaulin/Ballistic Weave
• Best Use > Travel, digital nomad lifestyle, weekend trips

Check on Nomatic

Best Carry On Travel Backpacks

Best Carry On Travel Backpacks

Osprey Farpoint/Fairview 40 L

• Price > $200
• Liters > 40L
• Material > 100% recycled 200D nylon
• Best Use > Backpacking

Check on Osprey

Best Travel Backpacks for Hiking

Best Travel Backpacks for Hiking

Osprey Kestrel

• Price > $240
• Liters > 48L
• Material > 100% recycled 420D nylon
• Best Use > Travel, international backpacking, urban lifestyle

Check on Osprey

Best Backpacks for Digital Nomads

Best Backpacks for Digital Nomads

Tortuga Laptop Backpack

• Price > $250
• Liters > 25L
• Material > ECOPAK™ EPX200 waterproof sailcloth
• Best Use > Travel, international backpacking, urban lifestyle

Check on Tortuga

If your trip involves moving around a lot — different cities, public transport, uneven streets — backpacks tend to make life easier. They’re built for mobility. You’re not relying on wheels, you’ve got both hands free, and you can deal with stairs, dirt roads, and chaotic bus stations without constantly fighting your luggage.

That said, suitcases are still a perfectly solid choice for the right kind of trip. If you’re flying in, taking taxis, and heading straight to a hotel, the convenience of rolling luggage and easy access to your stuff can actually be the better option. Not every trip needs a backpack.

Choose a backpack if:

• You’re moving frequently between locations
• You’ll be using buses, trains, or ferries
• You expect rough streets, cobbles, or dirt roads
• You want your hands free while navigating
• You might hike or travel off-grid

Choose a suitcase if:

• You’re mostly doing airport-to-hotel travel
• You want easy, suitcase-style access to your clothes
• You won’t be carrying your bag much
• You prioritise organisation over portability

At the end of the day, it’s not about which is “better”, it’s about what fits the way you actually travel

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

#1 Nomatic Travel Bag 40L

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

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

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

#2 AER Travel Pack 3

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

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

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

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

Read our Aer Travel Pack 3 review to learn more about this bag!

#3 Osprey Men’s Aether/Ariel

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

There are 5 different size versions available, but we recommend the 70L which offers a whopping 70 litres (no shit!!) of storage and has all the advantages that every pack from the Osprey brand offers. (the Osprey ‘All-Mighty Guarantee’, durability, comfort). Several of us here at TBB use this pack for all of our backpacking trips and I have carried mine across 5 continents now. It has plenty of pockets and compartments to keep things extra organized plus An AirScape back panel to keep you cool on the warmest adventures. I can guarantee it’ll last a lifetime, if you don’t believe me, just ask Osprey!

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

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

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

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

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

#1 Osprey Farpoint/Fairview 40 L

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

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

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

#2 Peak Design Travel Pack

The Peak Design 30L Travel Pack (a 45L versions is available) is built with the modern traveler in mind. Its 30-liter capacity is perfect for weekend getaways or even extended travel if you pack light. The bag’s sleek design isn’t just about looks; it’s also about function. Its adjustable compartments allow for a customized fit for your belongings, while its innovative side access points provide convenience in retrieving items without having to dig through the entire bag. The expansion zippers give you the flexibility to accommodate extra items when needed, making it an adaptable companion for various travel durations.

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

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

#3 Tortuga Travel Pack

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

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

Inside the main compartment are six smaller compartments. The first four smaller compartments are enclosed within the main compartment. The Tortuga Travel Pack is still without a doubt one of the best backpacks on the market. It’s quality build, intuitive design, fantastic organization, and smaller size make it the perfect compact travel bag for anyone who wants to travel light, but travel in style. Oh, and if you wan’t something lighter but less durable, then the Tortuga Lite is also a great pack.

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

The best present of all… is CONVENIENCE!

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

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

Buy on REI!

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

We have listed a select handful here, but if you would like to read more about these special pieces of gear, then be sure to check out our ENORMOUS hiking backpack guide!

#1 Osprey Kestrel

Specs

• Price: $240
• Size: 48L
• Dimensions: 79 × 40 × 30 cm
• Weight: 2.1 kg

 

Feature Highlights

• Cutting-edge back support and Air flow
• Integrated rain cover
• Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment

 

The Osprey Kestrel (we used the 48L versions) is one of the most versatile hiking packs ever released by one of the world’s leading backpack brands. Its 48-litre hiking and travel backpack built for long-distance adventures and multi-day treks, combining durability, comfort, and a close-to-body fit that moves with you on the trail.

This babe is built to be strong, comfy, and easy to carry pack on long hikes. It has an AirScape™ back panel that keeps air flowing and helps to avoid a drenched back. The sturdy LightWire™ frame spreads the weight evenly, and there are heaps of straps to make sure it fits you just right. The pack is made from recycled nylon that’s tough and water-resistant, so it can handle bad weather too and it comes with an attached rain cover that folds out quickly if the weather does take a turn.

It also comes with some snazzy extras. You get a bottom compartment for your sleeping bag, two pockets on the hip belt, and a clever trekking pole holder that lets you stash your poles away without having to stop.

Unlike some of Osprey’s high-end limited editions, the Kestrel 68 offers premium comfort and functionality at a far more accessible price point. After testing A LOT of packs, I can say is that this is one of the most comfortable and reliable hiking backpacks I have ever tried.

View on Osprey

#2 Osprey Skarab 30

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

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

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

#3 Deuter Aircontact Core 65 + 10 Pack

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

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

#1 Tortuga Laptop Backpack

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

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

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

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

Check out our in-depth Tortuga Laptop backpack review. 

#2 TomToc Navigator-T66

This is the perfect lightweight travel backpack for digital nomads weighing only 1.17kg.  It has a large 40L compartment with more than enough space to pack your clothes, a padded laptop sleeve and a mesh zipped pocket for your accessories.

You might be wondering, “Do I sacrifice quality and comfort because of the lightness?” Absolutely not. This pack has ultra-comfortable straps, a padded back panel and is made with high-quality materials. In essence, TomToc makes simple, tough, and well-designed travel backpacks equipped with enough storage and organizational features to make any modern traveller happy. For the price and quality, this pack is a steal!

#3 Incase Icon Pack

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

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

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

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

#1 WANDRD PRVKE 31

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

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

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

Read our WANDRD PRVKE 31 review!

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

#2 Osprey Ozone 4 Wheel

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

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

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

#3 REI Co-Op Flash 55

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

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

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

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

A good travel backpack isn’t about features; it’s about fit, function, and how well it matches your trip.

Get these right, and everything else becomes a lot easier.

1. Choose the Right Size

Size defines everything.

• 20–30L – short trips, minimalist travel
• 30–40L – carry-on sweet spot (most people)
• 50L+ – long trips, bulky gear, camping

Bigger isn’t better. Larger packs mean more weight, less mobility, and often checked baggage.

2. Pick the Right Access Style

How you open your bag matters more than you think.

• Clamshell (suitcase-style) – easiest for travel
• Top-loading – lighter, but harder to access
• Hybrid – somewhere in between

If you’re unpacking regularly, clamshell wins. If you’re moving fast and packing light, top-loaders can work.

3. Prioritise Carry Comfort

You will carry your bag more than expected.

Look for;

• a proper hip belt (on larger packs)
• padded shoulder straps
• a breathable back panel

A good carry system makes weight manageable. A bad one makes even light loads feel heavy.

4. Check Organisation and Laptop Carry

Think about what you’re carrying.

• Need tech? – get a dedicated laptop sleeve
• Like structure? – go for organised compartments
• Prefer simplicity? – fewer pockets, more flexibility

Too many pockets can be as bad as none. Aim for useful, not excessive.

5. Think About Materials and Weather Resistance

Your bag will get wet at some point.

Look for:

• water-resistant or waterproof materials
• durable fabrics that won’t tear easily
• solid zips and construction

You don’t always need full waterproofing (a rain cover will often do the job), but you do need something that can handle real travel conditions.

6. Match the Bag to Your Actual Travel Style

This is where most people go wrong.

Ask yourself:

• Are you moving often or staying put?
• Urban travel or outdoors-heavy trips?
• Carrying tech or just clothes?

A hiking pack, a commuter bag, and a travel backpack all do different jobs. Choose based on how you actually travel, not your idealised version of it.

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

7. Fit Over “Men vs Women”

Fit matters more than labels. Women ’s-specific packs often adjust for:

• shorter torsos
• different strap positioning

But plenty of unisex bags work just as well. So ignore the marketing, pick the one that fits your body best.

There really isn’t one single “best” travel backpack, there’s just the best one for how you travel. A bag that works perfectly for a digital nomad flying city to city won’t suit someone trekking between hostels or carrying camping gear. The key is matching the bag to your trip style, not chasing a universal winner.

If you just want the straight answer, it really comes down to two camps.

If your travel is urban, flight-heavy, and tech-driven, go for something like the NOMATIC 40L Travel Bag or the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L. these are built around organisation, carry-on compliance, and structured packing. They open like suitcases, handle 3–7 day trips comfortably, and keep everything exactly where you expect it . They’re the smart choice if you’re bouncing between airports, cities, and coworking spaces.

If your trip leans more backpacking, longer-term travel, or anything outdoors-heavy, then look at the Osprey Aether 65 or the Osprey Farpoint 40. These prioritise comfort and load carrying — proper suspension, weight distribution, and durability — which makes a huge difference when you’re actually walking with your pack for hours at a time.

Or to put it another way….

• Nomatic / Peak Design = structured, organised, travel-first
• Osprey Aether / Farpoint = comfort, movement, real backpacking

Pick based on how much you’re moving on foot vs living out of your bag.