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We thoroughly tested travel backpacks from Osprey, Cotopaxi, Tortuga, Peak Design, The North Face, and other brands to help you pick the ideal adventure partner.
Some of the top bags in our travel backpack lineup.
Our experts have tested over 60 of the best carry-on travel backpacks since 2017, and this review includes the top 16 available today. We took each pack on long plane rides, weekend road trips, and commuting from hotel rooms to city-wide destinations.
The best pack in our tests is the Osprey Sojourn Porter 46L due to its great organization, comfort, and ability to handle light and heavy loads.
While several backpacks have multiple carry modes, we also have a separate duffel bag review. Decided you'd rather have wheels? We've tested carry-on luggage and checked luggage (including wheeled duffel bags) to help you get there better. If you need several kinds of bags for your next adventure, see our travel bag round-up.
Editor's Note: We updated our travel backpack review on October 24, 2024, with the latest and greatest packs on the market, including new models from Thule and Osprey.
Lightweight, budget-friendly, internal compression and organization pockets
Internal compression and mesh pocket, lightweight, budget-friendly
Cons
Somewhat bulky when fully packed, expensive, no torso height adjusment
No external pockets for quick access, does not stand upright
Laptop sleeve isn't the best, mesh organization limits "shove-ability"
Expensive, doesn't compress down well
Expensive, odd waist belt design, no internal compression straps
No compression system, unable to stow carrying straps
Not the most comfortable, no exterior pockets
Expensive, poor internal organization features
Doesn't hold its shape well, not very weather resistant
Large and boxy design, material shows dirt easily, pockets are low volume
Doesn't hold shape well, slippery and noisy material, low-volume pockets
Doesn't hold a lot of clothes, noisy material, exterior pockets are awkward to use
Expensive, exterior pockets take up main compartment space, no internal organization
Not many organization features, pockets cannibalize space, sealed pockets aren't water proof
Flimsy material, odd pocket design
Not very structured, uncomfortable when fully loaded
Bottom Line
An all-around top performer that is perfectly sized for a weekend trip, is comfortable with heavy loads, and offers easy packing and access
Built for long-haul comfort and heavy loads, with a user-friendly layout that makes it excellent to live out of
A vibrant bag with multiple internal organization pockets to keep clothes and gear neatly stowed away
An upgraded bag that boasts plenty of storage capacity and a removable laptop attaché in a sleek package
A sleek pack that holds and organizes your gear with a convenient design and pocket layout and has the added protection of waterproof and lockable zippers
This compact bag is ideal for a quick getaway, and makes it simple to pack and organize your clothes
This rugged bag is a cavernous gear-hauling machine, but the lack of additional pockets and features hinders its versatility
This sleek bag comes with a variety of fancy and user-friendly features but isn't the easiest to live out of when on the go
A minimalist bag that prioritizes durable materials and ultralight design without skimping on easy-to-use features
The livability of this bag makes up for its boxy design and poor back support with great organization features
A budget-friendly bag that gets the job done but isn't particularly enjoyable to use
A small budget friendly bag that is pleasant to use but doesn't compare to higher end models
This high-end backpack packs plenty of amazing features, but fails to deliver on the ability to live out of it on the go
A budget friendly bag that has some decent features, but there are other bags we like better for less
A lightweight bag that won't break the bank but lacks the necessary support to carry heavy loads comfortably
This affordable bag has just enough features to get the job done, but is not our first choice in this price range
Internal mesh organization, U-shaped entry to the main compartment, dual security pockets, 15" laptop compartment, Stowable waist belt & shoulder straps, two water bottle pockets
The Osprey Sojourn Porter 46L is a well-designed bag that is packed — pun intended — with great features and usability that make it the perfect travel companion. Not only is the bag large enough to hold all of your weekend getaway clothes and supplies, but its compression straps help hold everything secure on both the inside and out. The external compression straps are also designed to attach several other compatible Osprey daypacks if you're looking to have a smaller day bag at your destination. This durable pack is built tough enough to withstand bumps and scrapes in taxis, luggage scanners, and luggage holds, and it is small enough to be TSA carry-on compliant. Thanks to the padded straps, waist belt, and load-lifter straps, it offers adequate support for heavy loads, keeping your back happy while trekking across town or through airports. The laptop sleeve is large and well-padded, and the small external pockets and internal mesh pockets help keep all your items protected and stored safely during transit.
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Dimensions (When Full)
24" x 14" x 11"
Sizes Available
30L, 46L, 65L
Measured Weight
3.4 lb
Weight-to-Volume Ratio
1.18 oz/L
Pockets with Exterior Access
5
This backpack received above-average scores across the board, which is why it earned a top spot in our lineup. It has a cavernous storage capacity, protects its contents, and is reasonably versatile, but one of our favorite things about the Sojourn Porter is how comfortable it is to carry. We can fully load this baby with 20+ pounds of gear and still walk around in relative comfort thanks to its well-crafted system of load-lifting straps and supportive padding. While not quite on par with the type of support you would get from a traditional backpacking pack, we think this is a good hybrid of weight distribution balanced with travel-friendly features such as stowable straps and extra grab handles. If you like traveling with only one backpack but don't travel light, the Osprey Farpoint 40 is one of our favorites for carrying heavy loads. The Peak Design Travel 45 and Nomatic Travel Bag 40L are two other notable mentions for their ability to stow plenty of clothes and gear.
Using the Osprey Sojourn Porter 46L backpack as your carry on item frees up your hands for... more luggage.
Credit: Hale Milano
The Osprey Sojourn Porter has features that make it more suitable for international adventure travel than some other travel backpacks. Its rugged design can easily withstand various outdoor conditions but is sleek enough to blend in at the airport. It is also one of the larger bags in our lineup, and most of the bag's storage space is in the main compartment, which is handy when you need to pack bulky gear. We think the Porter does a great job of straddling the line between creature comforts and rugged practicality, whereas the other large Osprey in our lineup, the Farpoint, focuses more on carrying comfort for heavy packs like a traditional backpacking bag.
Although there are many reasons to love this bag, the design has a few drawbacks. Given the rugged cavernous design and robust compression straps, it's quite easy to overload this bag and end up with a heavy and bulky monster on your back. The external compression straps that help attach daypacks or secure a sweatshirt also make it protrude quite far from your body. Once you've reached your destination, those same features also prohibit the bag from laying fully open and flat, though the bag does hold its shape nicely when empty, which is quite helpful for packing and accessing your items. On the whole, we found the Sojourn Porter to be a premium bag with premium features, and we highly recommend it for most trips and travels. Another excellent bag that can stow plenty of gear and manage to keep it all organized is the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L; it's not as rugged as the Porter, but it's incredibly easy to live out of when on the go.
The Sojourn impressed during testing. It earned great storage and protection ratings from our testers and is one of the most comfortable options to carry.
The Osprey Daylite Carry-On 35 is a budget-friendly travel backpack that offers many of the features we look for in a carry-on bag: durable materials, dedicated organization pockets, a laptop compartment, and more. For the price, the Daylite offers the most bang for your buck, though it's not a standout across any of our testing metrics. It makes a great carry-on and can definitely hold its own as a stand-alone piece of carry-on luggage, although there are some features and performance issues that we wish were a little better. We'd recommend this bag for those who want longevity and durability from their travel backpack but aren't using it as their exclusive luggage for traveling.
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Dimensions (When Full)
20" x 15" x 11"
Sizes Available
26L, 35L, 44L
Measured Weight
2.1 lb
Weight-to-Volume Ratio
0.06 oz/L
Pockets with Exterior Access
5
The Daylite scores just above average across all of our testing metrics, placing it just below average in our overall lineup of Travel Bags. This bag is a minimalist workhorse available on a budget — less than half the cost of some of the other bags in our lineup. The bag folds wide open with a suitcase-style zipper and is easy to pack and access. There are two internal compression straps to help cinch everything inside the main compartment, plus a single large mesh organization pocket on the back panel. While this is enough for packing light, it's definitely short of the capacity and organizational capabilities of bags like the Sojourn Porter or Cotopaxi Allpa 35L. There's a dedicated and padded laptop sleeve on the back panel as well. Once the bag is all packed, it's comfortable to wear, thanks to the padded Osprey Airscape back. Two external organization pockets keep the essentials easily at hand too. We measured the ounces per liter for each bag we tested to compare the relative weight of each and the Daylite is one of the lightest in our lineup. Another reasonably budget-friendly bag that offers a step up in terms of the storage, organization, and protection of your gear is The North Face Base Camp Voyager. This bag was a tester favorite for its livability as well as the dedicated electronics pouches.
While we didn't find much that we absolutely loved about this bag, we also didn't find anything we strongly disliked. One of our testing team's biggest complaints is that the main compartment is a little flimsy; the bag tends to collapse when empty, making living out of the bag on the go less than ideal. While there are two compression straps, unless you fold items neatly, they can get a little jumbled during transit. The bag is also thin, which helps it to fit underneath the seat in front of you or in an overhead bin on a plane. It also makes it difficult to pack bulkier items or fold in more than a few sets of clothes. We also found the weather resistance to be a little lacking; water seeped inside with ease during our drench tests. If you're looking for more protection for your gear from your bag, we really liked the water and abrasion resistance of the Peak Design Travel 45 and Nomatic Travel Bag 40L, both of which have functional waterproof zippers.
Though it keeps the weight down, the light material on the body of the Daylite doesn't hold its shape well.
This bag did a pretty fair job keeping water out through the top, though we did notice it seeped in through the bottom of the bag.
If you're pairing the Daylite with a traditional rolling carryon the passthrough strap lets you take some weight off your back.
The Daylite has all the right features in a value-oriented package; nothing jumps out as amazingly good or amazingly bad.
Traveling can be expensive, and sometimes, cutting corners on certain equipment can help make that next dream vacation a reality. While it's easy to obsess over every feature in a bag, sometimes good enough is, well, good enough. The Osprey Daylite is just that. The bag will help get all your gear from home to wherever your destination is and keep it reasonably protected and organized to boot. We think it's perfect if you want to make every dollar count, and this bag is more than durable enough to last for many years of travel. If you know you'll use your carry-on frequently, it is a nice upgrade option from the ultra-budget friendly options like the Coowoz or Hynes Eagle 40L Carry On but still won't set you back quite as much as our top-scoring models.
The Coowoz Essentials is an affordable bag that will fit within most traveler's budgets, but still has all the features you need to make it through your next trip. This compact carry-on is small enough to fit under the airplane seat in front of you or in the overhead bin. It is also comfortably padded, especially the well-structured back panel, and it is quite easy to pack since it holds its shape well even when completely empty. The straps and padding on this bag are also very plush, making for a comfortable bag on those long treks across the airport or standing in TSA lines. It comes in a plethora of colorways and will fit in with most styles.
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Dimensions (When Full)
13" x 19" x 8"
Sizes Available
22L, 27L, 31L, 46L
Measured Weight
2.8 lb
Weight-to-Volume Ratio
1.14 oz/L
Pockets with Exterior Access
7
The storage features of the Coowoz Essentials are fairly average, but considering its far-below-average price, we aren't complaining. In fact, we were pleasantly surprised with how well the bag performed compared to others in this price range. It is clear that this bag checks all the boxes for features that make a good travel bag, but it's also clear that the materials and construction quality aren't up to par with more expensive bags in our lineup. The polyester fabric may shed light water when new, but don't expect it to hold up to the 800D nylon and waterproofing on bags like the Cotopaxi Allpa or Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L. There are a variety of internal organization pockets on both the interior and exterior of the bag to help stow your travel items, as well as an integrated USB charging cord. These features are great to have, especially at this price point. Still, there's a noticeable drop in design and ease of use between the mesh pockets in the Coowoz and in bags like the Cotopaxi. A standout feature is the separate shoe and wet item pocket with exterior access so you can keep messy items away from your clean clothes.
The Coowoz is a great option for shorter weekend trips or as a supplementary travel bag for longer vacations.
Credit: Hale Milano
There's no getting around it; travel can be expensive. The last thing you want to do is shell out for a pricey bag on top of hotels, transportation, and other travel costs. Enter the Coowoz Essentials. While not the highest-performing option in our selection of tested backpacks, the Coowoz offers many features that are not found in bags at a similar price point. Our tester says, “This bag is perfect if you need a functional travel backpack for the occasional weekend trip, but know that you might not use it frequently.” It's not too big, not too flashy, but is still featured enough to be travel-friendly and comfortable enough to carry through the airport. Overall, the Coowoz is a great compact choice for budget-savvy travelers or for kids looking to carry their own belongings.
We tested and used the 31-liter option of the Coowoz. We loved this size for its lighter weight and ease of use, but the downside is that it limits the amount of travel items and clothes you're able to pack in the bag. An upgraded option with better materials that still boasts a lightweight is the Osprey Daylite Carry-On 35. The Daylight is over half a pound lighter and only 0.06 oz/L compared to the Coowoz's 1.14 oz/L. Due to the internal layout, we felt that we weren't able to fit as much gear inside as similarly sized competitors. Even with its internal compression straps, this small model doesn't fit much more than a weekend's worth of clothes, assuming you travel light. The interior fabric of the bag is also very slick and a little noisy. It is not a deal breaker, and you don't notice it when carrying, but when loading and accessing your items, the lining feels a bit like a plastic bag. Lastly, the exterior pockets on this carry-on backpack are a little awkward to access due to the protective flap over each zipper. While it helps protect from moisture, rooting around the inside is challenging, especially when the bag is full. That said, no bag in our lineup performed better at a lower price point. If you need more space but are still working with a tight budget, you might consider the Amazon Basics Carry On Travel. It has decent compression straps and external pockets and won't run you much more than the Coowoz.
Updated October 2024
Cotopaxi just updated their Allpa packs. The latest model of the Allpa 35 features an external water bottle pocket, a luggage handle pass-through so the bag can be attached to a roller bag, different internal organization pockets, and redesigned air mesh backpack straps. It's also constructed from recycled materials. Both versions of the Allpa are still readily available.
Our team unanimously agreed that the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L is a bag they'd reach for whenever they were heading on a trip and planned to live out of their luggage. For those who travel frequently or are changing locations every day while on vacation, the ability to live out of your bag without unpacking is critical. Rooting through one big open pocket to find the shirt you're looking for can quickly make a mess of even the most well-organized bag. The Cotopaxi solves this problem with integrated mesh pockets that are essentially built-in packing cubes. This system of pockets kept our shirts, socks, and travel necessities neatly organized while on the go. It was also quite comfortable to haul through the airport, thanks to a well-padded back panel and supportive shoulder and waist straps. If you don't need the extra support, the waist strap is completely removable. We appreciate that feature compared to the hide-away style that some other bags employ, as it keeps the profile of the bag smoother and more comfortable.
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Dimensions (When Full)
22" x 12" x 11"
Sizes Available
20L, 28L, 35L, 42L
Measured Weight
3.1 lb
Weight-to-Volume Ratio
0.09 oz/L
Pockets with Exterior Access
4
Even if you're not traveling for work, most people these days bring a laptop or tablet with them on trips. For how common this is, we wish the Cotopaxi's laptop sleeve was a bit more functional. Our testing showed that when the pack is full, the zipper can be a challenge, and though padded on the outside, there was no internal padding on the laptop sleeve. Bags like the Thule Subterra 2 Convertible solve that problem with a removable laptop attaché; a convenient feature for jumping from the hotel to the conference room without unpacking everything.
Another minor complaint we had with this bag is also a byproduct of its incredibly organized interior. The integrated mesh dividers limit the ability to treat this bag like a duffel and just shove clothes and gear inside. Depending on your preferred packing style, this could be a blessing or a curse. Despite this, we found the Cotopaxi Allpa to be one of the easiest bags to travel with and live out of for a few days at a time, and we highly recommend it. If organization is your jam, the Topo Designs Global Travel Bag has more pockets than we knew what to do with, though there is certainly a space and home for every item on your travel packing list. A sleek, feature-rich alternative is the Peak Design Travel 45. It has a large main compartment, and its internal mesh pocket is accessible from both sides of the pack.
The Thule Subterra 2 Convertible is a high-end bag that boasts a compilation of some of the best features seen in other top travel packs in our lineup into one sleek, albeit big, bag. The Subterra is a versatile bag, highlighted by the removable laptop attaché for when you need to quickly transition from traveling to working. You can even repurpose the sling-style strap for a makeshift shoulder bag. The Thule boasts plenty of internal room with a snap-in divider and a large mesh pocket to keep things organized. Plus, it has a convenient pocket for small items needed while on the go, like a passport, wallet, charger, or snacks. It's similar to the Cotopaxi Allpa with its slick outer shell but presents a much cleaner outline thanks to semi-rigid fabric that holds its shape even when only half full. The Thule is quite comfortable, with large, well-padded backpack straps and a back panel that are capable of supporting heavier weights with ease, such as a packing list full of electronics and camera gear. Its semi-stiff frame and ample padding not only protect your gear, but also make it easy to pack and unpack since the bag holds its shape well.
The large suite-case style zipper provides ample access to your contents, folding the back panel of the bag completely clear and open. We preferred this style for easy access over other bags, such as the Sojourn Porter, which somewhat limits access with extra straps, or the Coowoz, which tends to collapse when empty. During our testing and travels, we found the Thule easy to live out of, no matter what your packing preference is. The cavernous main pouch makes it easy to fold items nicely and keeps them stowed neatly during transit, but it's also just as easy to shove in bulky sweatshirts or a pair of pants helter-skelter if you're packing up in a rush. The durable material and strong zippers make cinching all that up a breeze. Despite the ample room and pockets, the Thule remains a sleek bag, with minimal exterior pockets or straps to clutter up its clean lines or get tangled during transit. The bag is rough enough to withstand a weekend adventure trip but sleek enough to blend in for a business trip. Overall, we found the Subterra to be a livable bag with some high-end features.
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Dimensions (When Full)
22" x 14" x 9"
Sizes Available
40L
Measured Weight
4.0 lb
Weight-to-Volume Ratio
0.10 oz/L
Pockets with Exterior Access
4
While we loved the simplicity of the Subterra- it was everything we needed and nothing that we didn't- there were some finer details and features that we missed from time to time. On a bag this size, it's easy to overload, and internal compression straps were notably missing from the main compartment. If you pack your bags to the brim, don't expect to cinch any items on the outside. On the flip side, if you pack light, don't expect the Thule to pack down any smaller. While we love the padded and stiff material that helps the bag hold its shape, it also means it won't cinch down smaller, even when empty. Bags like the Osprey Daylite that are a little more flexible, or even the larger Osprey Sojourn Porter with its external compression straps, offer a little more flexibility in this area.
The Thule also isn't quite as weather-resistant as other bags in our lineup. Given its sleek design, we wouldn't expect complete weatherproofing, but if you're caught in the rain unexpectedly, water may seep in through the zippers quicker than we'd like. The zippered water bottle pocket also leaves something to be desired, while it can fit your average plastic bottle, it's not ideal for larger insulated bottles. There's no waist belt, though we didn't miss it, as it's not a feature we tend to use frequently with carry-on-sized packs. If a waist belt is important to you, the Cotopaxi Allpa features a removable but effective belt, and the Osprey Farpoint has a feature-rich belt and suspension system that rivals dedicated hiking bags.
The Osprey Farpoint 40 is a bag that stands out for its phenomenal carrying system, but we would be remiss if we overlooked its other great attributes like livability and easy-to-use organizational features. The Farpoint is a bag designed to carry heavy loads with ease. It has a fully featured carrying and suspension system that also neatly zips away when not in use. The adjustable torso length, LightWire frame, and foam back panel provide the same comfort as high-end hiking backpacks. We also love that the grab handles are designed to keep up with the weight capacity of this bag. They are extra plush and thick, making it easy to grab the bag to toss in a luggage rack or overhead bin. The Farpoint is also quite easy to live out of. Though it only has one internal mesh pocket, the compression straps and large main compartment are well-suited to stow your clothes and gear. The external compression straps help keep the bag from getting too bulky and also enable you to attach a compatible daypack. The other Osprey pack we tested, the Sojourn Porter, is also designed with this feature in mind. Overall, this bag is geared for hauling gear in comfort and is still friendly for life on the go.
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Dimensions (When Full)
22" x 14" x 9"
Sizes Available
15L, 40L, 55L, 70L, 80L
Measured Weight
3.5 lb
Weight-to-Volume Ratio
1.40 oz/L
Pockets with Exterior Access
3
The biggest downside to the Farpoint is the lack of any small external pockets for accessing items on the go. We dislike the need to reach into the main compartment and disturb our carefully packed clothes to grab headphones, snacks, and other frequently used travel accessories. Still, if you're a habitual over-packer and constantly worry about being able to carry your entire packing list comfortably, the Osprey Farpoint is just the backpack you need for your trip. The Thule Subterra splits a balance between capacity and organization, with some internal mesh pockets alongside a large main compartment. Bags like the Cotopaxi Allpa and Topo Designs Travel Bag sacrifice that maximum capacity to some extent, but they do excel in the organization of all your items. Osprey also makes a version of this bag designed specifically for women, the Osprey Fairview 40, with a gender-specific fit and all the same great features as the Farpoint. The only bag that performs quite as well as the Farpoint in the comfort metric is the other large Osprey bag in our lineup, the Sojourn Porter. The Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L is also comfortable enough to lug around through a large airport, and it has pockets on the hip belt for quick access to items on the go.
The Farpoint is a great dedicated travel backpack but it can also fill other roles, such as an impromptu crag bag, thanks to a supportive carrying system and heavy payload.
Credit: Hale Milano
Compare Products
We researched the most promising travel backpacks before selecting the top models to test side by side.
Credit: Hale Milano
How We Test Travel Backpacks
We've taken these packs on all sorts of adventures over the years and have a knack for picking out the features that matter the most when it comes to living on the road. We use them everywhere we go, whether that be far-off lands or neighboring states, our day-to-day lives at home, using them around town and on work commutes. We pack and unpack each bag numerous times, taking note of how easy it is to store and organize our belongings in various configurations. We also evaluate the padding and weather protection that each bag provides.
Testing the waterproof capabilities of both the bag and its zippers.
Credit: Hale Milano
For weeks at a time, we live out of these bags, both at home and while traveling, which allows us to accurately gauge how easy it is to grab the clothes and items we are looking for without destroying the organization within the pack. Lastly, we test the comfort, fit, and versatility of each bag by loading them up and carrying each bag around. Strap adjustability, available sizes, and its ability to be useful in a variety of scenarios all play into a bag's overall score. To find out more about our testing process, check out our complete How We Test article.
We test these backpacks using four key performance metrics:
Storage & Protection (30% of overall score weighting)
Ease of Use (30% weighting)
Comfort & Fit (30% weighting)
Versatility (10% weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
This review is brought to you by Hale Milano, Liz Chamberlain, and Hayley Thomas. Hale is a travel expert, having explored over 35 countries by foot, plane, boat, and car. He spent a period of his life traveling for work, hopping on planes with a few days worth of clothes and a computer week after week, so he knows the value of an efficient and functional travel bag. His passion for gear includes the bags he uses to pack it all in, and he brings a fresh perspective to our travel backpack testing team. Liz is no stranger to travel and has worked in the retail gear industry for years. She understands the importance of both form and function and brings a critical eye to this review. Hayley lived in a van for several years, so it's no secret that travel is a big part of her life. You can frequently find Hayley traveling to new climbing, biking, and skiing destinations — almost always with a backpack in tow.
Travel backpacks can free up your hands for cameras, or more bags. The oversized grab handles on the Farpoint are comfortable, even when the bag is heavy.
We compared the different compartment layouts and organization features by taking them on weekend trips.
While we tested travel backpacks on airplanes and big trips, we also evaluated how well they performed in everyday activities.
These bags traveled with our test team on numerous trips to various destinations to help assess their real-world performance.
How to Pick the Best Travel Backpack for You
Here are four key considerations to help narrow down your next travel backpack selection. See much more detail in our full How to Choose A Travel Backpack article.
What Size Works Best?
With the array of size options for backpacks, it can feel overwhelming to hone in on an appropriate size. Identifying your travel needs, such as the usual trip duration and the activities you partake in, are key considerations to help narrow down your choice. A bag under 30 liters is typically suitable for day trips and carrying essentials. A 30-liter to 50-liter pack is more applicable for weekend trips and multi-day adventures and is capable of packing extra clothes, toiletries, and electronics. 60 Liters plus is great for extended travels when you need a lot of storage, but won't fit in carry-on size requirements. Finding the sweet spot between size and weight will help you avoid running out of room or having too much room on your next trip.
How Important is Comfort?
While comfort is often a high priority when shopping for a new backpack, people will have different preferences and needs to accommodate them. Considerations to look for include shoulder straps, back panels, and waist belts. Choosing a comfortable backpack is partially subjective but also comes down to key aspects such as the amount of padding, adjustability capabilities, and proper ventilation. Identifying your needs and looking at backpacks with these desirable features will help avoid discomfort and pain.
A well-padded backpack with adjustability can make all the difference.
Credit: Matthew Blake
What Features Do You Need?
A trusty travel backpack will provide key features to make your trip that much easier. Organization systems, hydration pockets, and waterproof zippers are some examples of nice-to-have accessories. Your packing preferences also factor into the features that may benefit you the most. If you're an “everything in its place” kind of person, consider bags with plenty of internal organization pockets. On the flip side, bags with large compartments and compression straps can be better if you're a “it'll still close” kind of packer. If you travel in wet climates, a water-resistant bag and zippers become critical to protecting your belongings. For those who travel frequently while working, having access to electronic compartments and protective features is a high priority. Consider your personal needs and what features make the most sense to you.
What Material Should You Choose?
Travel backpacks come in various materials, each with pros and cons. If you plan to travel in a hot climate area, a backpack made of mesh and nylon will provide better breathability than a bag built with a fabric such as canvas or leather. It's also important to note what type of activities you will partake in and whether a more durable fabric, such as ripstop nylon, would be appropriate. Padded and rigid bags offer more durability at the expense of their overall size, whereas bags with softer materials can compress down easier but might sacrifice on protection.
Different features like protective zipper flaps, reinforcement layers, and DWR fabric all help protect your contents from the elements.
Credit: Hale Milano
Analysis and Test Results
Since we can't possibly test every product ever made (as much as we would love to), we begin by researching the industry's top-rated options. After countless hours, we narrowed our search and settled on the best selection of the 16 most promising carry-on backpacks. Once we received our test suite, the real fun began. We put each pack through rigorous testing under a very critical eye. We packed, unpacked, and repacked each bag countless times and hauled them to the car, taxi, and airport terminals to test their various features and functionality. We used a thoughtfully curated packing list to compare performance across models objectively and help you find your perfect travel pack fit. Over the years, these bags have accompanied us on adventures to destinations near and far, for overnight trips and multi-week jaunts around the globe.
What's the Best Value?
While we strive to stay objective and honestly recommend the best gear here at GearLab, we also understand that considering a product's price-to-value ratio is an important part of the purchasing process. So even when recommending expensive products, we take into account the value a product brings to your life vs the actual cost. We always like to give options for various budget levels, and from our selection of top travel packs, you will surely find one that falls within your price range without needing to sacrifice the most important features. In the travel bag category, the largest differentiator is typically the material and craftsmanship. Durable, lightweight, and recycled materials with reinforced seams and straps tend to cost slightly more than less advanced, less protective, and heavy-weight materials. That said, some of the budget bags offer many of the same features as the very costly ones, and we recommend paying close attention to the specific functionality you seek rather than the stand-alone price.
Many of our backpacks fell in the same price range, and were above average in their price-to-performance ratio. The Sojourn Porter (Green, Left) and Cotopaxi Allpa (Blue, Right) were within five dollars of each other.
Credit: Hale Milano
The Osprey Daylite bag is our top recommendation for a bag that combines the high-quality materials and design of our top-scoring bags with a price point that's much friendlier on your wallet. The Daylite boasts high-end fabric and features with a simple design, a real no-frills yet quality option.
The Osprey Daylite balances quality materials and necessary features at a budget-friendly price point.
Credit: Hale Milano
Our travel backpack lineup has a few standouts regarding value: the top three scoring models all hover right around the average price point for a travel bag. The Osprey Sojourn Porter, Osprey Farpoint, and Cotopaxi Allpa all provide excellent features and performance for the money. A lower-budget standout is the Coowoz Essentials. This affordable bag outperformed others that cost five times its price. One nice option that splits the middle between quality materials and craftsmanship and a budget-friendly price is the Osprey Daylite 35.
The Coowoz (Pink bag, on suitcase) was a fraction of the price of many other bags in our lineup and provides exceptional value.
Credit: Hale Milano
One of our favorite bags, the Osprey Sojourn Porter, performed well across all our testing metrics. It is durable, comfortable, and easy to use, and we were pleased to note that this didn't send its price tag skyrocketing upwards. Thankfully, if you prefer some of the features or design styles of our other top bags like the Osprey Farpoint or Cotopaxi Allpa, they all fall within the same price band.
When price and performance are both equal the right bag for you can be a matter of preference, or color options.
Credit: Hale Milano
The Coowoz carry-on backpack takes the word bargain to another level and provides surprisingly good performance given its price. While the materials are noticeably lighter weight than the top-scoring bags, not everyone needs bulletproof luggage to survive day-in and day-out abuse from travel. The Coowoz is a good option for the occasional traveler looking to save a few bucks while still reaping the benefits that a travel backpack can provide over a traditional suitcase.
The Coowoz has a comfy interior with several inner pockets for organization.
Credit: Hale Milano
Storage and Protection
First and foremost, the primary purpose of a great piece of luggage is to store and protect your travel items while moving from one place to another. After all, if you can't fit the essentials or your items arrive damaged, the rest is a moot point. To assess our lineup of bags in this metric, we evaluate the storage volume, stability, weather protection, and electronic protection features in our bags. We use a standard three-day packing list to test each bag's ability to stow clothing and other common travel supplies such as toiletries, electronics, and souvenirs. We also evaluate maximum storage capacity by loading each bag up to capacity with packing cubes and recording the amount that we are able to cram in. We evaluate how stable each bag feels on our backs, sitting on the ground, and propped on the seat next to us. We drench them with water from a high-pressure hose and examine the bag for leakage, paying special attention to areas near designated electronic pockets.
The style bag that will work best for you may just come down to how you prefer to pack your bags. Some in our lineup feature multiple individual pockets so that every little item has a home and stays neatly folded. Others are more like a duffle bag with a single large compartment and favor cram-it-all-in style packing, but at least you know exactly which pocket it's all in! Both are perfectly reasonable ways to pack, but keep that in mind when searching for your bag.
A standout in this metric is the Peak Design Travel 45. This massive gear hauler fits all of our supplies with room to spare — even without needing to open the expanding features of this bag. When packed full, we can still access small pouches on the outside or reach inside for items. It has both an expanding zipper and space-collapsing magnets to help tailor the size of the bag to your packing list. The bag is also quite stable, so there's no need to worry about it accidentally falling over when packed with sensitive electronics. Speaking of which, the large padded laptop sleeve set against the back panel is ideal for protecting laptops and tablets while still providing easy access. To cap it off, the 100% recycled 400 denier nylon shell is fully waterproof, and the watertight zippers and seams protect the contents from any water intrusion.
The Peak Design fit some of the largest amounts of gear in our lineup and was great for bulky items and equipment.
Credit: Hale Milano
The next few bags that impressed us with their storage and protection capabilities all land in the same scoring zone. The Osprey Sojourn, Nomatic Travel Bag 40L, Cotopaxi Allpa, and Osprey Farpoint can all stow and protect gear with ease, no matter what you have inside. Thanks to its dual compression straps, the Sojourn is a beast when it comes to packing a high volume of clothing, and the padded shell of the bag helps protect fragile items from bumps in transit. While it won't protect your bag from getting lost, we love that the Sojourn comes with a TSID Luggage Registration tag. Once you complete the free registration, the tag links to the owner's information and can be more easily identified across a network of over 2,800 airports worldwide, helping you find your bag if it ever does get lost in transit (knock on wood).
External cinch straps on the Sojourn Porter (green, left) do more than compress the bag; we used them to store a sweatshirt that we wanted quick access to onboard the plane.
A TSID tag on the Sojourn Porter gives peace of mind during your travel.
Most bags in the 35-35 liter range were large enough to hold all our items with gear, and high-end bags had water-repellent or even waterproof fabric.
The Nomatic is another great option for protecting your travel essentials. On top of comfortably accommodating all your gear, the Nomatic's water-resistant fabric and zippers kept all contents perfectly dry during our rain tests. But protection from water isn't the only thing the Nomatic excels at. This bag boasts an RFID protective pocket to keep your payment cards and IDs safe as well.
The Nomatic's RFID Safe pocket can protect sensitive payment cards and ID cards while traveling.
Credit: Matthew Blake
The Cotopaxi Allpa and Osprey Farpoint are also impressive bags that can fit your entire packing list and protect your items from damage. The Cotopaxi takes a unique approach to storage, using integrated mesh packing pockets, and the Farpoint has a more traditional single large compartment with internal compression straps to secure contents. Both options allow you to fit plenty of clothes and supplies, but which one you may prefer depends on your packing style preferences. One of our testers prefers the small pockets of the Cotopaxi, which keep everything organized each time you open the bag to grab a fresh pair of socks or a new shirt. Another tester prefers the open cavity style of the Osprey bags that allow you to dig down into the single pocket to locate what you need without having to remember which pocket you stashed your charger in this time.
We packed 4 days worth of clothes, toiletries, and travel essentials in the Allpa and found a perfect place for everything.
The main compartment of the Farpoint is a dumping ground for gear; we tossed this all in, cinched down the straps, and zipped it all up with no problem.
The Cotopaxi (left) and the Farpoint (right) have very different styles of organizing and storing your gear.
Three final honorable mentions in our storage and protection metric are the Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L, Patagonia Black Hole, and Thule Subterra. All of these bags handle our standard packing list with ease and protect contents from the elements. The Black Hole has a unique design where the bag is designed to be laid on its back, more akin to a duffel, not upright. There's even a grab handle right in the center of the back panel in case you want to carry it lengthwise instead of on your back. The Black Hole is also one of the more durable bags we tested; the 100% recycled TPU laminate material easily sheds water during rain showers and resists abrasions during transit in the trunk of a car or the cargo hold of a plane.
The Patagonia duffel (Center) has a durable ripstop and waterproof outer shell for protecting your bag. It is designed to be laid with this side down.
Credit: Hale Milano
Given the Tortuga's size, we can happily pack all of our clothes with ease, but we wish it had compression straps to keep everything cinched in tightly for those instances where we don't need to pack it to the brim with clothes. The Tortuga earns a perfect score in our rain protection test thanks to its proprietary SHELL200 three-layered sailcloth fabric and waterproof zippers. The Tortuga also has lockable zippers, so if you're looking for a little extra protection on your travels, this may be a good choice.
The Tortuga's waterproof zippers kept our contents dry even under a heavy downpour.
Credit: Hale Milano
The Subterra is a bit of a hybrid between the ultra-organized and the open compartment style. The bag has a snap-in divider that lets you tailor the size of the compartment to your needs, separating space for clothes and gear, a pair of shoes, or even dirty clothes. There's also a zippered mesh organization pocket that's easy to access. The best storage & protection feature for the Thule, however, is the removable laptop bag. This offers extra protection for your electronics and helps pack them neatly when it's time to hit the road.
Adjustable sections help to make organizing your gear easier.
Carry them together or side by side; the Thule Subterra makes a great travel companion.
Not only does the main backpack stow and organize plenty of gear, but the separate attaché is great for electronics.
Ease of Use
When you're living life on the go, your time should be spent focusing on taking in the views, checking off bucket list items, and grabbing your camera to snap the perfect shot. Having a travel backpack versus a suitcase aids in moving faster on foot, but it should also be easy to use during your downtime so that you can spend more of your vacation doing what you want rather than digging through clothes to find what you need. We assess how easy the pockets on each backpack are to access on the go, as well as how convenient each bag is to live out of. We give higher scores to the bags that we can pack to the brim while still providing quick access to all your essential items and usable external pockets. For each backpack, we also record the ease of switching the strap and harness system around to different carry methods. Lastly, if we find a unique feature that just makes life easy, we take note of it and bump the ease of use score accordingly.
One of our favorite bags to use is The North Face Voyager. Though its design is not as feature-heavy as other models, it is the thoughtful simplicity that makes it pleasant to pack and live out of. A perfectly proportioned main pouch holds its shape well when empty, making packing items a breeze. We are big fans of the removable internal divider that segments the compartment into two folded-shirt-sized areas. There is an internal mesh pocket for organizing your small items as well. Outside the bag, pockets for accessing items are heavily-featured and well-organized. There are two small item pouches for stashing your travel and tech essentials, and they're lined with a soft protective material so screens don't get scratched.
We kept all our frequently used items like headphones and a magazine in the external pockets of the Voyager.
The internal divider on the Voyager makes it incredibly easy to pack clothes neatly.
The Voyager's pocket configurations are easy to use, both when on the go and lying flat.
The Cotopaxi Allpa is another tester favorite, but in terms of design, it is almost the polar opposite of the Voyager. The Cotopaxi features three internal and integrated mesh pockets, like built-in packing cubes. The ability to open your bag and not have contents scattered everywhere can be great when your travels have you hopping destinations frequently, and you don't have time to constantly reorganize. Access on the go is less impressive, though still adequate for storing travel essentials like headphones, wallet, charging cords, and, of course, your favorite travel snacks. Beyond packing the bag, we found the harness system to be quite easy to use. Though the shoulder straps are permanently attached and don't stow away, the entire waist belt is removable. We love this feature over bags with hide-away waist belts. Although waist belts are great for supporting heavier loads, they can get caught during travel or when squeezing through airplane aisles. If you prefer not to use a belt, it can be nice to have the option to take it off completely rather than attempting to stuff or slide it into a tight slot.
The Cotopaxi opens up like a suitcase with complete access to the integrated mesh packing cubes keeping gear organized and secure even when opening the bag.
Credit: Liz Chamberlain
Another one of the easiest bags to use and live out of is the Thule Subterra 2 Convertible. This travel pack splits the middle between the simplicity of the Voyager and the ultra-organization of the Cotopaxi Allpa. The rigid material helps the Subterra hold its shape, which makes the entire process of packing and living out of the bag much easier. Once open, you have easy access to a large main compartment. There is a zippered internal closure on the main compartment with a mesh pouch, ideal for smaller items. The dual-zip closure also lets you keep the contents of your main compartment secure while accessing the built-in laptop pouch and removable attaché case. This feature was incredibly easy to use, and helped keep the rest of the bag light and organized when removed.
We lived out of the Thule in from the back of a car while staging for backpacking trips; it stayed propped open and held all our clothes and gear easily while providing all the necessary access to pouches that we needed, including the removable laptop pouch.
Credit: Hale Milano
Next up in our ease of use metric is the Osprey Sojourn Porter backpack. It boasts a large main compartment with an open cavity design, and the sturdy sidewalls and material hold the shape of the bag open for easy access and packing. Compression straps and two small mesh zipper pockets help to round out the internal organization. A large external pocket is well-suited for storing travel essentials that you may want easy access to en route to your destination. The backpack and waist straps can all be tucked away for protection during travel with relative ease.
The rigid outer shell of the Sojourn Porter helps hold its shape even when empty.
Credit: Hale Milano
The Tortuga Travel Backpack is another favorite for its livability and easy accessibility. The main compartment of the Tortuga folds completely open, providing unfettered access to the very large packing area and a mesh storage pocket on the inside flap. While the bag has plenty of room to store all your essentials and then some, we wish it had compression straps to hold gear secure inside. Externally, there is a large pocket that runs the length of the bag and has some small pouches and a padded tablet sleeve for organizing your frequently used items. The removable hip belt also has two pockets; however, we preferred not to use it during our testing as it tends to get in the way more than it helps.
The external organization pocket of the Tortuga runs the whole height and width of the bag, and includes a fleece-lined tablet pocket and small organization pouches.
Credit: Hale Milano
We also consider the Topo Designs Global Travel Bag to be a user-friendly option. With more pockets than most people can keep track of — 15 to be precise — this bag has a space for everything; the only way you can improve the organization of this bag is to buy a label maker and stick on the labels yourself. This bag has a dedicated place for each and every item you like to travel with, and the bright interior and numerous pockets look like a Marie Kondo dreamscape. However, if you are as forgetful as we are, the excessive number of pockets may be overwhelming. We often spend more time zipping and unzipping pockets to search for a single item than if we were to just rummage through one big pocket. Still, we can't deny that for the organized traveler, the Global Travel Bag is well-suited to life on the road.
The Topo bag boasts an endless assortment of pockets for the ultra-organized traveler. As much as we liked the organization, 15 pockets felt like too much when all we wanted was to stuff a jacket inside and grab some snacks.
Credit: Liz Chamberlain
Comfort and Fit
A seasoned globetrotter knows that active travel days can be the most exhausting of the trip. A travel-specific backpack that carries comfortably when weighed down with all your belongings is a guaranteed way to improve happiness and lessen frustration.
Maybe you're on a shoestring budget, and your travel day requires schlepping your belongings from hostel to boat dock to bus station to airport, or maybe you rented a charming Parisian flat on the seventh floor of the building, only to find that the elevator is either broken or nonexistent. In either case, you'll be grateful to have a pack that doesn't add unnecessary strain to your back and shoulders during long travel days. We thoroughly test the comfort of each bag under a heavier-than-average load and evaluate the padding and effectiveness of the backpack straps. In addition to loading up each bag with our belongings, we measure the weight of the bag alone and compare it to its capacity to get a weight-to-volume ratio. While not as important as in some other backpack categories, it can help you make the right choice for your travels.
During our testing, we carefully measured the weight per each liter of storage capacity. A lower number means a better and lighter bag per liter.
Some features we consider key to a comfortable travel backpack are ample yet breathable padding, thoughtful weight distribution, and adjustability. When it comes to these metrics, no backpack in our lineup matches the performance of the Osprey Farpoint. This backpack boasts a harness system that rivals top-tier hiking backpacks. A LiteWire frame suspension helps bring weight from your back to the hip belt, and a mesh foam AirScape back panel provides breathability while keeping the weight close to your back. The waist, shoulder, chest, and load lifter straps are all incredibly comfortable. The entire torso length of the harness system is adjustable as well. If all that isn't enough, a convenient flap zips up to protect the entire harness and suspension system during travel. The Farpoint earned fully deserved perfect marks in our comfort evaluations.
The Farpoint is a comfortable option for hauling heavy packing lists, no matter what type of trip you're taking.
All of the straps on this bag sat comfortably, allowing for great weight distribution and less strain.
The mesh back panel on the Farpoint is one of the most comfortable that we tested.
The feature-rich harness system on the Farpoint includes load lifter straps, a reverse pull waist belt, and a molded foam back panel.
The Osprey Sojourn Porter is another incredibly comfortable bag that can handle a heavy packing list and long wear times. Its firm and supportive waist belt, cushy shoulder straps, and load lifter straps help to distribute weight across your body. The entire harness system can also be stowed for transit should you need to check your bag for any reason.
Stowing the harness on the Sojourn Porter is easy; simply unbuckle the load lifters and bottom of each strap, and tuck it away into the slim zippered pocket.
Credit: Hale Milano
A close third in this metric, the Tortuga checks off all of the comfort must-haves. The firm foam padding on the back panel, waist belt, and shoulder straps is about a quarter to a half-inch thick, and the weight distribution is well thought out. The harness system consists of shoulder straps, a sternum strap, load lifters, and a fully removable waist belt. When buckled, the waist belt is quite comfortable and effective; however, the quick attachment clips allow it to swing, dangle, and get tangled easily when not in use, so we prefer to either buckle the straps around the waist or just remove them altogether. The pack sits closely to your back, and every part of the harness system is highly adjustable, down to the placement of the shoulder straps.
Ultra cushy straps and a thick waste belt on the Tortuga Outbreaker allow this backpack to remain supportive even when fully loaded.
Credit: Liz Chamberlain
We found the Cotopaxi Allpa to be quite comfortable, though not as supportive or firm as others. The Allpa is essentially a large, soft rectangle on your back. It features complete suspension and decent padding. It is comfortable to wear, though it doesn't handle extremely heavy loads as gracefully as some of our other options.
The Cotopaxi is reasonably comfortable, but we liked that the entire hip belt can be removed if you don't plan to use it.
Credit: Hale Milano
The Thule Subterra 2 is another standout in this metric. Similar to the Cotopaxi, it's not quite as supportive as other bags, yet we found it very comfortable for the size and weight we most often packed during testing. The backpack straps were well-padded. The shoulder sling lacked enough padding to support the entire bag when full; however, when used for the laptop attaché, it was more than adequate. The Thule does lack any sort of waist belt, though we think that's only necessary if you tend to pack very heavy.
We preferred the backpack straps for comfort, but the Thule shoulder strap will work in a pinch.
Credit: Hale Milano
The Peak Design backpack has ergonomic shoulder straps, a thickly padded adjustable hip belt that can be tucked away when not needed, and excellent overall structure. The Patagonia Black Hole is designed a bit differently than your standard travel backpack. Because of this, it lacks the support and structure of other top backpacks in our lineup, but its straps and padding are still quite comfortable to wear when loaded up with gear, and we don't have any major complaints.
The straps and belt on the Peak Design bag slide away behind magnetic flaps.
Credit: Hale Milano
Two final bags worth mentioning for their carry comfort are The North Face Voyager and Topo Designs. Both of these bags provide above-average features that make them more comfortable than most. The Voyager's back panel padding is on the firmer side and is quite supportive when stuffed with 3+ days of clothing and toiletries. The Topo bag's straps are very pleasant; however, the lack of structure in the back panel means it can rub your body just a little too much when fully packed.
The firm padding is comfortable, though the straps on the Voyager are unable to be stored away when not in use.
The straps on this bag are very comfortable, though it lacks support.
The firm back panel of The North Face Voyager (left) supports the weight well, and the straps on the Topo (right) are quite comfortable.
Versatility
The ideal travel backpack can facilitate seamless transitions from one leg of your trip to the next, encouraging a fun travel experience and helping transportation go smoothly. It should function well on any of the various trips that fit into your lifestyle, whether it is filled with bathing suits for the beach vacation of a lifetime or formal clothes for a business trip. We looked at the versatility of each bag by examining its usefulness and practicality for different types of travel and uses — can it double as a daypack or hiking pack — as well as available color options, size options, and style. Be sure to read between the lines of the numerical ratings and award winners to find your perfect pack.
For the most part, our backpack lineup features bags that are designed to excel as your primary travel bag and still fit within the size restraints of a carry-on. They are feature-rich in areas that support livability, access on the go, and comfort. What helps some of the top contenders stand out over others are the style and color options for the bag, as well as its useability as an everyday carryall when you're not off galavanting around the globe.
The Cotopaxi comes in a variety of vibrant colors.
Credit: Hayley Thomas
One of the travel backpacks with the most potential for versatility is the Thule Subterra 2. The removable attaché and sleek design of the Thule helped earn its high versatility score. We'd just as soon grab the Thule for a carry-on bag for our next backpacking trip abroad as we would for a weekday work trip wearing business casual. That said, the Thule remains a dedicated travel bag. It's too bulky for daily wear into the office or around town and lacks the suspension systems that might help it pull double duty on the trails in a pinch.
Sliding out the Subterra laptop bag helps make a quick transition between transit and the office.
Credit: Hale Milano
The Osprey Farpoint is another versatile bag that has the potential to do double duty, especially if you are bound and determined to bring only one bag. The fully equipped harness, suspension, and compression systems make it an ideal pack if you want to leverage the Farpoint for heavier loads, such as hiking trips, if needed. Visually, it has a more rugged design, but we think that style can appeal to a variety of individuals, whether you are a dirtbag climber or just dipping your toes into gorpcore fashion.
The Farpoint can double as a crag bag if you don't want to take multiple bags on your international climbing trips.
Credit: Hale Milano
Several other bags in our testing have proven to be reasonably versatile. At the very least, they are all significantly more versatile luggage options than what you would get with a traditional suitcase or duffle bag. The North Face Voyager is small enough that it can be used for a daily commute into the office, packing it with a laptop and binders. The Osprey Sojourn's muted color palette and daypack-compatible design help boost the appeal for both business and pleasure trips. The impressive 21 color options of the Coowoz combined with its compact design mean you can easily transition from the airport to the office without looking like you're dragging a suitcase behind you. The Hynes Eagle 40L Carry On and Asenlin 40L Travel backpacks, with their small size and plethora of color options, respectively, are quite versatile bag choices for travelers looking to maximize the use they can get out of their bag.
We packed binders and some publications in the Voyager for a trade show. It was a little roomy, but did the job!
Credit: Hale Milano
Conclusion
Finding the right travel backpack can be almost as tricky as finding your ideal travel companion. Everyone has a different reason to travel, and there is a huge variety of travel backpacks available today. The common theme is their ability to help you move fast and light on your travels while carrying all the gear you need comfortably on your back. Some of these carry-on packs highlight storage and organization, some function like a deluxe duffel, and some specialize in carrying heavy gear comfortably. We hope that with the help of this review, you are able to match the best travel backpack to your specific uses and preferences.
We packed all of these bags dozens of times to help you find which bag is best for your next trip.
