The 7 best travel backpacks, according to seasoned travelers and expert editors

The tone of your trip is set long before you're en route — it starts with packing the right bag. No matter how far you go or how long you'll be gone, you'll need one that suits your needs — and sometimes, even the best wheeled luggage or a great carry-on is too unwieldy. That's when the best travel backpacks enter the scene.

Say goodbye to totes slipping off your shoulder and wheels getting stuck on the curb — a good backpack makes a world of difference when you need to be hands-free and nimble. But a quick search for the best travel backpack yields endless options. "Every person's preferences and travel needs are so different, so you'll want to think about how you travel, what's comfortable for you, what makes your life easier when on the road and what you need out of a good travel backpack," says Rilee Smith , travel expert and content creator.

To find the best travel backpacks, we spent more than 40 hours researching top styles, interviewing travel experts and testing options. We factored in size, capacity, weight, usability, material functionality and durability. We got our hands on several of the top contenders that made it past our expert and consumer evaluations, and then compiled this final list of the very best travel backpacks we personally love and would buy again.

Best travel backpacks for 2026

How we tested

To find the best travel backpacks, we spent more than 40 hours researching top styles and reading real user reviews, scoping out the pros and cons of each. I started by searching for popular travel backpack brands and models. I also dug through retailer sites, blogger reviews and Reddit forums for real user feedback, reading up on the upsides and drawbacks of each travel backpack I considered.

Along with my own travel experiences and product-testing knowledge, I interviewed travel experts for advice. I asked them for their personal recommendations for the best travel backpacks, along with shopping tips on finding the best pack for every need. I leaned on our team's product-testing expertise, polling our travel-obsessed staffers for their top picks and tips as well.

Finally, to whittle my research down to a highly curated list, I considered factors like material, prioritizing durable fabrics that can withstand longer periods of use and weather-resistant finishes that hold up in variable weather. I also considered size and capacity to determine how much a bag could carry and whether it would fit as a carry-on and/or personal item on an airplane. I took weight into account, plus helpful features like support straps, adjustability and packing load, as well as compartments. Our final list includes only the top contenders that we personally love and would buy again and again.

Factors to consider when choosing travel backpacks

"A simple layout, a good laptop sleeve, well-thought-out pockets, and durable materials usually make the biggest difference for long-term use," says Iacofano. Here are some other factors you want to look out for before making your purchase.

Size

While capacity refers to the interior load, size refers to the external dimensions of a pack. This is especially important if you plan to use your backpack as a personal item or carry-on, as it'll need to be airline-compliant. "Typically, for domestic travel, a carry-on should be no larger than 22 x 14 x 9 inches, and a personal item should generally be 18 x 14 x 8 inches or under," says Teich, who adds, "all airlines have slightly different restrictions, so always be sure to check specifically before you travel."

Capacity

"Make sure to check the liter size of the bag, aka how much the bag can carry," say Gabi and Shanna Meit-Sciara, a married traveling couple and content creators behind 27Travels . The backpacks on our list range in capacity from 22 to 46 liters. "Packs 19-30 liters are typically best for day trips, while anything higher is better-suited for longer trips," says Teich. Iacofano adds, "For me, the sweet spot is usually 30 to 40 liters, big enough to hold everything I realistically bring but still easy to carry on."

Weight

How heavy your travel backpack is can significantly impact your traveling experience. You'll want to think about what you're using the travel backpack for and how long you'll be needing it. For example, the Patagonia pick on our list weighs just over a pound, making it more ideal for longer periods of time — say if you're going hiking or exploring a city.

On the heavier end, the Peak Design backpack on this list comes in at 4.5 pounds, which might not seem ideal for carrying, but often times, the heavier weight speaks to durability and the bag's ability to support heavier items. "Weight is also an important consideration if you'll be using your bag as a carry-on, especially internationally," says Teich, who recommends a mid-weight bag that's structured and durable without being too heavy (her pick: our top-rated Osprey pack, which is about 3.5 pounds).

Material

All of the backpacks on this list are made from nylon or polyester, two popular synthetic outdoor-apparel and activewear fabrics.

The difference between the two? "Nylon is an extremely strong fiber, making it a good choice if you want long-lasting, durable" packs, says Teich, while polyester "has high durability, though slightly lesser than nylon. The upside? It's extremely fast-drying." Nylon is also softer and typically shinier, while polyester looks newer longer and holds color better. Both are easy to care for and more durable than natural fabrics.

Durability

"For a pack that lasts long (and that won't make you tire easily), look for features like reinforced stitching, strategic padding and ripstop fabric," notes Teich. Ripstop is a fabric that can be made from a variety of fibers — including cotton, nylon and polyester — in a grid-like weave designed to make fabric resistant to tears.

Compartments 

"I always want a padded laptop sleeve and a few well-designed pockets so I can grab things quickly on the plane without digging forever!" Iacofano says. She adds that the key is to have enough pockets but not too many, which can actually make it harder to find certain items or encourage overpacking. "And if it opens fully like a little suitcase, I'm obsessed because it just makes packing so much easier," she shares.

Best travel backpacks FAQs

How do I choose the right travel backpack size?

The "right" backpack for you depends on how you're using it and how long you intend to use it. Here are some quick considerations as you make your decision:

• How you're traveling:"If you are traveling via plane or train, there may be baggage size or weight restrictions that you need to keep in mind when choosing which backpack you bring," Smith says. Just note that even though bags like the 40-liter or larger options can technically be used as carry-ons, when stuffed, they may be deemed oversized and need to be checked at the gate, depending on your airline.

• How long you're traveling for:Smith explains, "If you're going for a long two-week trip with no access to laundry, you will need a much larger pack than if you were going away for a long weekend." On the other hand, if you're going out for just a couple of days, you can get away with a 25-liter bag, like the Patagonia or Bagsmart styles on our list.

• How you'll use your backpack throughout your trip:Going on a longer trip and plan to only use your backpack during travel days? Then you might not mind having a large, oversized, heavy backpack, Smith says. "However, if you also need your pack to double as your everyday bag, you'll likely want something that is small and practical for day-to-day activities," she added. The REI Co-op bag is a great example of a smaller pack.

What's the difference between a daypack and a travel backpack?

The answer is simpler than you'd think, but the difference comes down to size and intent. "One is for adventures during the trip, and the other gets you to the trip," Iacofano explains. 

• A daypackis what you'd guess it to be — a smaller bag that's meant to hold just the essentials on a one-day trip. "A daypack is great for exploring cities, quick hikes and holding the basics," says Iacofano. 

• A travel backpackis more like an additional suitcase. "It's bigger, sturdier and meant to replace or support your suitcase for multi-day trips," she notes. 

What should I consider when shopping for a backpack for…

• Long-term travel:

  • "Comfortis everything because you're carrying this thing through airports, train stations and cobblestone streets, so padded straps matter," Iacofano says. Smith agrees, saying that if you're going to be carrying your bag for long periods, you'll want something lightweight with good support features like chest straps.

  • Organization. Our experts also agree that bags with multiple compartments, or enough space to hold multiple packing cubes, can help you stay organized throughout your trip. "It's also ideal to have a compartment that will allow you to keep clean clothes separated from dirty clothes," Smith adds.

  • Pockets. The Meit-Sciaras say that backpacks with several pockets help you safely store your things and know where they are vs. something like a tote bag where everything collects at the bottom. "Look for backpacks with quick-access pockets for things like your electronics, your snacks or your toiletries when going through the airport. That way you don't have to break into your entire bag when you just need something quick."

  • Luggage sleeve.In addition, the Meit-Sciaras like backpacks with a luggage pass-through, or a sleeve that allows you to secure it on your rolling luggage. "It makes it easier to get through the airport when it's on top of our luggage instead of the bag being heavy on our back," they explain.

• Hiking/active travel:

  • Weight: The Meit-Sciaras suggest something that is comfortable and relatively lightweight if you will be hiking, climbing or walking a lot. "We recommend testing out some backpacks and seeing what works best for you."

  • Capacity: "It should be lightweight but still able to hold all the important things like water, snacks, layers and sunscreen, with pockets I can quickly reach while I'm on the move," Iacofano says. 

  • Padded straps: Padded straps make for more comfortable carrying and help distribute the weight of your bag evenly, adds Iacofano.

  • Chest or hip straps: These help distribute the weight from your shoulders and are especially helpful for heavier loads.

  • Water bottle storage: "You will need tons of water during an active trip so having a water bottle slot on the side is clutch," say the Meit-Sciaras.

  • Waterproof capabilities: "If you're going somewhere where the climate is wet," this should be a consideration, Smith says.

Meet our experts

• Raimee Iacofano, travel blogger and content creator at Raimee Travel

• Serenity Lesley, travel blogger at Manifesting Serenity

• Gabi and Shanna Meit-Sciara, travel bloggers and content creators at 27Travels

• Rilee Smith, travel blogger and content creator at Rilee Smith