Best Travel Backpacks (2019)

If you are trying to find the best backpack for travel then it can be challenging to find one that ticks all the boxes. Many retailers and websites just won’t give you the right advice. They will often try to sell you the biggest and most expensive backpack, not the lightest, smartest, or most convenient.

In this guide, I’ll aim to give you some better advice! I will share with you what I believe are some of the top travel backpacks for traveling anywhere. Whether you’re going on a holiday, a backpacking trip, or you need a backpack for your business travels, I’ve got you covered.

How I review backpacks

First things first, why should you care about my backpack recommendations? Fair question.

I’m a travel blogger and nomad, so I travel all the time. Whether it’s on commutes, weekend trips, week-long trips, or backpacking journeys lasting many months, I’ve put many different bags through their paces.

I also review backpacks in a totally independent way. That means no sponsored content. The only products I recommend are also ones that I have physically owned and reviewed. I believe you can only genuinely recommend something if you’ve truly used it.

Some of the links in this guide are affiliate links, so if you click them and buy them I will get a small commission. This lets me monetize the blog and buy more backpacks to review.

A few of the backpacks I’ve reviewed

 

Key features to look for

If you travel frequently or if you’re planning a big trip, then it’s often better to go for something light and versatile (and possibly carry-on size), as you’ll want a bag that is always comfortable to carry.

Aside from this, there are a few features worth keeping an eye on:

• Front-loading (you will love this!). Many backpacks are top-loading, with a drawstring to close it at the top. This sucks. It means having to dig around awkwardly to get something from the bottom. Bags with a clamshell design are much nicer: you just zip them open face down, with everything within instant reach. Super convenient.
• Waist strap. Using a waist strap distributes the load around your whole body instead of just your shoulders. It’s essential for frequent travel as it helps avoid sore shoulders and bad backs.
• Laptop compartment. A separate padded compartment keeps your electronics secure. Of course, you can also use these zipped compartments for books, your travel journal, or many other things.
• Rain resistant. You don’t want water to leak into your bag! Make sure it’s weather sealed or includes a rain cover.
• Carry-on sized (if possible). It might not a deal breaker for everyone, but carry-on size lets you save time and avoid additional luggage fees on some airlines.

Other nice-to-haves: lockable zippers (rings that let you attach a padlock or wire lock to prevent opportunistic theft), good carry handles (for when you’re not wearing it on your back) and internal or external compression straps (helps you pack more and organize better).

Travel backpack size guide

Before we look at some recommended backpacks, let’s stop for a moment to think about how big a backpack you might need.

Backpack sizes are typically expressed in liters (i.e., the volume they can contain). You’ll notice that backpacks sometimes have this number in their product name. Thinking in liters might not be totally intuitive, so here are my 2 cents on some of the common sizes:

Admittedly, I’m a bit of a light packer. For example, I typically pack no more than around 7 to 10 days worth of clothes, even if I’m traveling for much longer. I believe it’s much better to wash your clothes from time to time than to carry a huge travel wardrobe around everywhere. Read my guide to packing light for much more on this.

For an example of how much can fit in a smaller-size bag, have a look at the video below. It happens to be focused on packing for Southeast Asia, but you can pack in a roughly similar way for traveling anywhere.

If you’re staying in hotels, apartments, or hostels, I generally do recommend a 40L or so carry-on size bag. You’ll end up with less weight on your back, more freedom to move, and much less hassle. Though you might want to combine this with a smaller daypack, which you can usually take these onto flights as your additional personal item.

Best carry-on travel backpacks

Tortuga Setout

TOP PICK for all-purpose travel bag

Since it was launched last year, the Tortuga Setout has been my top pick for best carry-on size travel backpack. I love it and it’s my personal go-to bag. It’s versatile and easy to recommend for any type of trip. If you’re using it mainly for urban or air travel, then that’s great! But if you want to take this on a backpacking adventure, then it’s quite suited for that as well.

This big 45-liter backpack gives you the maximum carry-on capacity on most airlines. Meanwhile, its clamshell design gives you easy suitcase-style access to all your stuff. The harness has wide straps making it very comfortable, while the back panel comes with proper padding and ventilation space.

The hip belt is nicely cushioned and has two zipped pockets, which is a handy feature normally reserved for trekking bags. For a traveler, that just means having two quick-access pockets whenever you’re on the move.

Don’t need that hip belt? Then you can detach the whole thing! The entire harness is entirely stowable as well, essentially letting you turn the Setout into a duffel bag if needed. I love the flexibility and I think this is one of those rare backpacks that you could easily take on a weekend trip, holiday, backpacking trip, or even on a business trip.

The heathered grey exterior and off-white interior look rather stylish but don’t draw too much attention, so this bag will blend in easily no matter what sort of trip you’re going on. There are now also a navy blue and a black version to choose from.

The Tortuga Setout currently retails for $199 (via Tortuga’s online shop) and is my top recommended carry-on backpack. You can also read my in-depth review here. In 2019, the Setout line was expanded with additional sizes (35L and 26L) and two new colors.

By the way…

• The Setout Divide is an even smaller 26L version that can expand to 34L. That makes it usable as a daypack or commuter bag. I’m currently using this as my laptop and daypack when I’m working from co-working offices back home.
• The Tortuga Outbreaker is a more professional-grade backpack that costs $100 more. It has amazing weather-resistance and a suspension system that you can adjust completely to your torso height, but it’s also about 1kg or 2lbs heavier than the Setout. For this reason, as well as the lower price, I still recommend the Setout.

 

Osprey Farpoint 40

Great for backpacking and hosteling

The Farpoint 40 is a great choice for world travelers looking for a light and budget-friendly bag. It’s hugely popular in the backpacking scene and I see them all the time in hostels around the world. I myself took one on a 2-year round-the-world backpacking trip.

Many travel backpacks come with just a flimsy little harness, but not so with the Farpoint 40. It’s super comfortable to wear thanks to a padded back panel, well-padded shoulder straps, and a full-size hip belt. Six different adjustment straps make it easy to distribute the weight fully along your entire back. All this makes it a great pack to carry for longer stretches of time if needed.

It’s not a trekking backpack, but it’s comfortable enough to take on an occasional hike. I even took it trekking in the Himalayas for a week and had no issues. (Mind you, I was staying in guesthouses, so I didn’t carry a tent or sleeping bag. For that it’s simply too small, and you should go with an Osprey Atmos 65 instead.)

It’s a great pack, though it doesn’t quite have as many organizational features as the Tortuga Setout or Osprey Porter 46. I also wish the laptop compartment was placed at the back, where it’s more secure and better balances the weight. While maybe not a perfect bag for a one-bag enthusiast or urban explorer, the Farpoint 40 is a somewhat sportier bag that’s excellent for budget traveling and backpacking.

There’s also the Osprey Fairview 40, which is the exact same bag but with a women’s specific fit and a different color.

Osprey Porter 46 (US only)

A bit less comfy than Farpoint, but better organization

The Porter 46 is an interesting alternative to the Farpoint 40 that’s available only in North America. It seems designed from a different starting point; the Farpoint 40 feels almost like a down-sized trekking bag made suitable for general travel, while the Porter 46 feels like a duffel bag that got upgraded to a backpack.

It has padded walls that stand up, whereas the walls of the Farpoint 40 will fold in when not packed. It has more side-pockets and a better built-in travel organizer. But also its harness is thinner and not as well-padded, making it less ideal for heavier loads or walking long distances. It’s basically more of a city bag.

I think the Porter 46 is more suited for urban/general travel, while the Farpoint is better for adventure travel. The Porter 46’s frame is slightly clunky and wide and it isn’t quite as comfortable on your back, but it’s a lot easier to store your stuff inside and feels more versatile. It also does a better job of carrying a laptop.

The newest version came out in 2017 which I strongly recommend over the older one which is still sold occasionally. You can tell by the logo: if it’s a monochrome outline, it’s the new version. If there’s an oval badge around it, it’s the old version. You can read my full review here.

Nomatic 40L Travel Bag

TOP PICK for business travel backpack

The Nomatic travel bag is the result of a successful Kickstarter campaign that promised to create the most functional backpack ever. It got a ton of pre-release buzz and so I ordered one to try it for myself.

And yep, it is ridiculously clever and innovative. You’ll find way more packing features on the Nomatic Travel Bag than virtually any other backpack. You can even pimp it with optional accessories like a laundry bag, shirt organizer, toiletry bag, and vacuum compression bag — all designed to work as one integrated system.

I do have two pitpicks though. One is that while the exterior is very sturdy and wonderfully weather-sealed, it’s also very stiff. This can make the space inside feel just a bit cramped. Access to the main compartment is also a bit unusual, in that the zippers are on the back panel (behind the shoulder straps). This takes a bit of getting used to.

You could also argue that the Nomatic bag could be a bit too tricked out at times. I mean, do you really need a separate book pocket or even an underwear compartment? Personally, I do like all the clever bells and whistles, but I can see how someone might wish for a slightly less compartmentalized design.

This bag is probably overkill for just a casual holiday. But I think business travellers — who can carefully hone their packing methods over time — can get the most out of the Nomatic Travel Bag.

With the added accessories it’s the perfect hotel/city backpack, thanks to the shirt organizer that keeps shirts wrinkle-free, the laundry bag (which you can hang on your hotel room door), the shoe compartment, compression bag, and so on. A pass-through sleeve will let you easily attach this backpack to rolled luggage as well. If you’re a frequent traveller, you’ll be able to really use this bag as intended.

While it’s maybe not the first choice for those who want a simple and affordable bag, it’s an excellent choice for business travellers and digital nomads.

Aer Travel Pack 2

Great all-purpose travel bag (at smaller size)

The Aer Travel Pack 2 is a bit smaller than the other backpacks mentioned in this roundup. If you are going on a big trip, I would still recommend getting a maximum carry-on size bag such as the Tortuga Setout. But for a shorter trip or if you’re a minimal packer, the 33 liters of the Aer Travel Pack 2 might be the perfect size for you. Not too big, not too small.

In fact, some of you might find this bag’s size more versatile. After all, maximum carry-on bags are awkward to use as daily carry or daypacks (as they’re simply too big), but this is not an issue with the Aer Travel Pack.

I think this is a really solid and capable backpack. It’s well-designed, has plenty of storage spaces, and a great minimalist look. The material feels a bit more rugged than the Tortuga Setout but not so super stiff as the Nomatic backpack, which I think offers a nice balance between durability and weight. With weather resistant material and zippers, you can also be assured that your stuff will stay dry. A shoe compartment at the bottom and is a clever addition, sharing space with the main compartment.

I have only very minor quibbles: for example, it would be nice if the laptop compartment had a little hammock sleeve, so that the device won’t touch the ground. The harness is comfortable enough, but other backpacks in this list have more padding or more adjustment straps.

But all in all, if you’re looking for a small to mid-size bag, then the Aer Travel Pack 2 is an excellent choice. I reviewed the new 2.0 edition launched in Summer 2018, which has a number of tweaks and improvements over the first edition.

Pacsafe Venturesafe X40

Best security features

Pacsafe has long made a name for itself with travel security products such as money belts, passport wallets, and portable locks. They also make backpacks with a focus on anti-theft features.

The X40 is a lightweight carry-on bag with a comfortable harness that’s comparable to the Farpoint 40. I like that it has a back panel mesh as well as wide waist straps that also have zipped pockets in them, which is a handy feature typically only seen on trekking backpacks. Safety features include slash-proof webbing, lockable D-rings, a smart zipper lock for the main compartment, and an included padlock. The built-in rain cover is a nice plus, as is the removable internal divider (can be used to separate clean and dirty gear, among other uses).

Best larger travel backpacks

Osprey Farpoint 55

TOP PICK for medium-sized travel bag

I love the versatility of the Farpoint 55. It’s essentially two travel packs combined into one integrated system. You can leave the detachable daypack on or off, you can clip the daypack onto the main bag for a ‘turtle shell’ carry mode, and you even can zip away all the straps and carry it as a regular bag.

I recommend this backpack if you don’t want to go for full minimalism and need just that extra bit of space. Multiple pockets and pouches on the daypack provide easy access to smaller items, though as with the other Osprey packs I do also recommend getting some packing cubes to help you organize the main compartment.

I’ve traveled with this backpack extensively and you can read my full review of the Farpoint 55.

Left: the Farpoint 55 main backpack plus daypack (zipped off).
Right: the Farpoint 40.

Osprey Atmos 65

TOP PICK for campers, trekkers & backpackers

This is the backpack to get if your trip will involve any camping or extended trekking. It’s also a fine choice if you’re a backpacker staying in hostels but you want something a bit bigger than a carry-on (or maybe you just want to go for that traditional backpacker look).

The reason I recommend the Osprey Atmos 65 is that it has a good balance between carry capacity and weight. It’s also ridiculously comfortable to wear. Now, there are plenty of other trekking backpacks such as the Osprey Aether 70 that have much heavier frames designed to carry heavier loads. Those are cool if you’re, say, going to be trekking for weeks on end, or you’re carrying tons of heavy mountaineering gear. But for the average backpacker or hiker, I think the Atmos 65 is the better pick.

It has a trekking pole attachment and while a water reservoir isn’t included, you can buy one separately. There is also the Osprey Aura 65, which is the same backpack but with a women’s specific fit.

What about other backpacks?

There are a lot of backpacks out there, but many I just chose not to list for various reasons.

For example, North Face has the Terra 50 rucksack, but it’s annoyingly top-loading. All the Berghaus, Vango, Lifeventure, and JanSport bags are as well, and they also lack many useful features. I used to list the eBags Motherload and Deuter 55 here, but I now think other bags are better. I excluded bags like the Cabin Zero which look nice and are inexpensive, but lack the features needed for serious travel.

I chose to list the backpacks above as they all have neat features and would be ideally suited for frequent travellers.

Why it’s worth the investment

A good backpack is an investment that pays off over time. Spend somewhere in the range of $150 / €120 / £100, and you can likely enjoy using this bag for a long time to come.

You get what you pay for, which is something I had to learn. I once bought a cheaper backpack by Mountain Warehouse (a UK store), and it fell apart just two months into my trip to Southeast Aisa. I had to replace it when I was in Vietnam and still had several months left to travel. I got a (possibly fake) North Face backpack in Hanoi, and it too died on me soon, with the shoulder straps quickly tearing apart. In hindsight, I should have gotten something proper from the start.

Best travel backpacks in 2019 overview

Finally, a quick comparison of all the backpacks mentioned in this post. The prices are approximate as color choices and sizes can affect this.

P.S. Links to Amazon and other online stores give me some commission (at no extra cost to you). This is explained more here. This page contains no sponsored or paid-for content.