Best Travel Backpack Buyer’s Guide (For 2021)

Are you trying to find the best travel backpack for you based on your budget? Then you’ve come to the right page.

I’ve been a professional traveler for 9 years now, so I know from experience what to look for in a great travel backpack. I’ve also done hands-in reviews of tons of backpacks — and I will share with you my absolute favorites here.

All these reviews are my own opinions after actually using them.

I know it can be challenging to find a great travel backpack that ticks all the right boxes. I believe it must be comfortable, easy to organize, and durable as well.

Depending on what type of traveler you are, some criteria may be more important than others. After all, a business traveler won’t have the same needs as a budget backpacker.

So, whether you’re looking for a cheap backpack for low-budget travel, or a premium backpack for your business travels, I’ll share with you here what I think are the best travel backpacks for 2021.

Note that some of the links are affiliate links with which I may earn a commission, but nothing on my blog is sponsored.

Latest Update: added the Salkan Backpacker

Key aspects to look for

Weight

Weight is a factor in how comfortable a backpack is. But for carry-on backpacks, it’s doubly important, as any extra weight will eat into your precious luggage allowance. I test all backpacks in real-life to get a proper feel for their weight.

Comfort

The back panel, waist and shoulder straps, padding, and carry handles are some of the main aspects affecting comfort. Some premium backpacks allow you to adjust the suspension system to your torso height.

Usability

Clamshell designs are highly favored as they give immediate suitcase-like access to your main compartment. Some backpacks just ‘feel’ better to use, which can be thanks to sensible pocket placement, better accessibility, or useful features like lockable zippers or compression straps.

Durability

The materials can make all the difference in whether a pack stands the test of time, as well as its degree of weather resistance. Some adventure-focused backpacks come with separate rain covers.

Best carry-on travel backpacks

These backpacks you can take on board most airlines without having to check them in. Even if you’re not flying, they are a great medium size.

Peak Design Travel Backpack

TOP PICK for premium carry-on travel bag

Honestly, Peak Design’s 45L Travel Backpack is close to perfect. Using it just feels good. If price is not your only concern and you just want the best, then this is my top recommendation.

All the little touches — like the magnetic pouches, hidden straps, and clever storage spaces — create a totally fluid experience.

Some backpacks tack on too many features, leading to too heavy materials, overly cramped spaces, or just too many extraneous elements. Not so with Peak Design’s backpack, which is thoughtful and restrained.

Despite having a ton of functionality, this pack remains lightweight and easy to access.

Its sturdy 400D nylon shell holds its shape when unloaded. The default carry capacity is 35L, staying well within any airline carry-on size limits, but it can expand to 45L if you need more space. This makes it a versatile pack suitable for many types of trips.

To get the most out of this backpack, I recommend getting the Peak Design accessories. In particular, the toiletry bag, electronics pouch, and packing cubes are cleverly designed and fit the backpack perfectly.

This has been my primary backpack for 2 years in my work as a full-time travel blogger, and its durability has not let me down.

Want to know more? Read my full review here.

Or watch my video review:

 

Tortuga Setout

TOP PICK for all-purpose carry-on travel pack

The Tortuga Setout is marketed as a backpack that is “just right”, and I think that description is, well, just right.

The Setout sits between the pro-grade backpacks (like the Peak Design or Tortuga Outbreaker) and more budget-focused backpacks. It’s my favorite medium option, offering great functionality and value for money.

There are several Setout editions:

The 35L Setout is more or less the default size and is fully carry-on compliant. I think it’s great for trips up to a week.

The 45L Setout is a chonky one; it’s the maximum possible carry-on size backpack! It feels like the most spacious of any carry-on I’ve used, probably also in part due to the lightweight materials and unpartitioned main compartment.

Finally, the Setout Divide is a more compact 26L size, but it can expand up to 34L. It’s more like a day pack that can double as a weekend bag.

Since there are already enough photos of me on this page, here’s my girlfriend showing off the 35L Setout on a trip to Italy:

All versions have a clamshell design, giving you easy access to all your belongings. The harness has wide and comfortable straps, while the back panel comes with proper padding and ventilation space. The latest editions have load lifter straps. All this ensures a high degree of comfort.

There is a well-padded hip belt included, but if you don’t need it, you can detach it. The entire harness is stowable as well, turning the Setout into a duffel bag if needed.

This makes the Setout a highly versatile backpack, suitable for city trips but equally for backpacking-style travel.

Despite plenty of pockets, sleeves, and other features, the 35L Setout weighs only about 1.5kg or 3.4lbs, making it lighter than many other packs.

The Setout’s only downside is that the material and zippers are not super ultimate weather-resistant. You can take it through some light rain, but maybe not a storm. If this is an issue, check out Tortuga’s Outbreaker. It’s aimed more at the hardcore traveler, but keep in mind it’s also heavier and more expensive.

All things considered, the Tortuga Setout is my top recommended all-purpose backpack for a medium budget.

 

Osprey Farpoint 40

Perfect for backpacking and hosteling

The Farpoint 40 is hugely popular in the backpacking scene. I see them constantly in hostels around the world. I myself once took it on a 2-year round-the-world trip and was glad to have it with me!

There are a few things other bags do better: for example, the laptop compartment is not very strategically placed and there aren’t any clever storage spaces in the main compartment.

Basically, it’s not going to hit you over the head with the latest and greatest in backpack gadgetry. But… you can’t beat the Farpoint 40’s combination of price and reliability.

This is an amazing backpack for any budget traveler. If you’re, say, planning to backpack around Southeast Asia or hostel-hop around Europe for the summer, you can’t go wrong with the Farpoint 40. It’s a classic.

Besides affordability, the best aspect of the Farpoint is comfort. Thanks to a padded back panel, well-padded shoulder straps, and a full-size hip belt, it’s just great to wear. Six different adjustment straps make it easy to distribute the weight along your entire back.

Osprey mostly makes trekking bags and some of this expertise has clearly made it into the Farpoint line of travel backpacks.

There’s also the Osprey Fairview 40, which has a women’s specific fit. If you’re going to travel a long time (e.g. a gap year or round-the-world trip) and don’t need your pack to be carry-on sized, consider the Osprey Farpoint Trek. It’s a more developed design with some cool improvements, though it also costs a bit more.

 

Nomatic 40L Travel Bag

TOP PICK for business travel backpack

Nomatic promised to create the most functional backpack ever — and they succeeded.

Yep, it is ridiculously clever and innovative. You’ll find more packing features on the Nomatic Travel Bag than almost any other backpack.

You can even pimp it with accessories like a laundry bag, shirt organizer, toiletry bag, and vacuum compression bag — all designed to work as one integrated system.

Two nitpicks. One is that although the exterior is sturdy and weather-sealed, its stiffness can also make it a bit cramped (if overpacked).

Also: this is a really tricked-out backpack. Do you truly need a separate book pocket or an underwear compartment? Maybe you do. I think this backpack is ideal for frequent travelers who can make the best use of its detailed features.

Thoughtful touches such as the shirt organizer (which keeps your shirts wrinkle-free), the shoe compartment are really made for professional travelers. The laundry bag is a great hotel-room accessory and the Nomatic 40L pairs very well with a rolling suitcase with a pass-through sleeve.

 

Cotopaxi Allpa 42

A fully featured carry-on with wonderful colors

This carry-on bag is notable in particular for its funky Andean-inspired colors and design. While there is an all-black version available, it’s the colorful versions that really stand out.

It’s a great choice for anyone going on a backpacking adventure overseas, but it works great as a weekend bag too.

One minor downside is the rubbery 1000D polyester outer shell, which can look a bit blobby when the pack is not fully filled up. This is mostly an aesthetic issue, but some may wish this bag held its shape a bit more.

That said, the internal organization of this backpack is superb; it’s way better than the popular Farpoint 40 and I might even say it’s a little better on this specific point than the Tortuga Setout.

You won’t need packing cubes or additional accessories with the Allpa, as its design has all the pockets and sleeves you would want, including a laptop compartment. A rain cover is included as is a shoulder strap for duffel-style carry.

Another neat feature is the hip belt, which can be entirely detached and adjusted based on your height.

The tarp-like outer material, while sturdy, is probably the love-it-or-hate-it aspect. However, if durability is important to you and you like the colorful style, then this might well be your backpack. (If you prefer a softer material, then there are others to consider.)

The 42-liter size is maximum carry-on and recommended for big trips. For shorter trips or a sleeker design, consider the Allpa 35. You can also read my full review here.

 

Standard Luggage Co. Carry-On

The cool thing about this carry-on backpack by Canadian manufacturer Standard Luggage Co. is that it has a suitcase-like design. I include it here because its appearance is so different from other backpacks.

The suspension system is deliberately kept simple to make it fully stowable, though it does include an adjustable sternum strap, two padded straps, and a nicely padded back. This makes it suitable for any type of trip.

This pack has loads of storage spaces. Most notable is the laptop compartment, which is better than I’ve seen in most other backpacks. You can put your precious laptop inside a protective sleeve, which in turn is held vertically by two straps, and this harness, in turn, sits securely inside the back compartment.

Best larger travel backpacks

Salkan Backpacker

Amazingly stylish and functional backpack for big trips

This pack has two very cool tricks up its sleeve.

Firstly, it looks and feels utterly like a retro canvas backpack, yet it’s made of a durable and rain-resistant polyester that emulates this look. It’s not just a stylish backpack but one you can take on any adventure and in any weather.

Secondly, the Salkan Backpacker is a 2-in-1 system, with a daypack and main pack that work seamlessly together. You can buy just the daypack or the main pack, or you can buy them together for a lower price.

I was skeptical at first of this debut from a new UK manufacturer, but when it reviewed it in-depth, it blew me away. I predict you’ll be hearing more about this backpack as word gets around.

It’s not carry-on size, so it’s less ideal for weekend trips or short-haul travel. However, the large space and features make it perfect for any globe-trotting adventure.

The main pack is 45 liters (expandable up to 55) and the day pack is 20 liters. This is exactly the pack I’d want to have with me for backpacking Asia or city-hopping around Europe.

It may cost a bit more than comparable backpacks such as those by Osprey, but it sports some amazing looks and has every feature you’d need on a big trip. Better yet, Salkan now has a customized backpack designer, letting you mix-and-match different colors and straps.

 

Osprey Farpoint Trek 55

The Farpoint Trek 55(not to be confused with the regular Farpoint 55) is my new favorite larger travel backpack.

Unlike what the name suggests, it is not just for trekking.

In fact, I’d like to think of it as an upgraded version of the Farpoint series that’s ideal for long-term overland travel.

This pack is perfect if you’ll be going on a big overland trip or planning a round-the-world trip. The additional space compared to a carry-on is great if you have to pack for multiple climates.

It’s also ready for the outdoors, with an integrated rain cover included, and a much more comfortable back system. The suspension system can also be fully adjusted to your torso height, making it much more comfortable than the regular Farpoint.

I would love to take the Farpoint 55 Trek on the South America backpacking trail, where you travel mostly overland and where you also might go on the occasional trek, such as the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. While I think carry-on size is nicer if you’re traveling through one climate type or region, this bag is ideal for round-the-world or gap year travel when you may need to pack more gear. The only thing it lacks is a padded laptop compartment.

I prefer the Farpoint Trek 55 over the normal Farpoint 55. The latter has a detachable daypack, but this daypack is not so comfortable to wear. In practice, I also rarely ended up zipping the two bags together. The 55 Trek can still be combined with a compatible daypack, such as the Osprey Daylite Travel. You can read more in my full review.

By the way, besides the Farpoint Trek 55, there is also the women’s specific version, the Fairview Trek 50.

What size backpack for traveling

While many retailers will often push you the biggest or most expensive backpacks, I think carry-on size backpacks are often ideal for most trips. It’s better to have something light and convenient, not something that will bog you down. Carry-on size also lets you save time and avoid additional luggage fees on some airlines.

In some cases you may, of course, need something a bit bigger.

Backpack sizes are typically expressed in liters (i.e., the volume they can contain). You’ll notice that travel packs 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. In my guide to packing light, I show you exactly how I pack my carry-on bag.

I think carry-ons (around 40 liters) are often the best backpacks for traveling — at least, if you’re staying in hotels, apartments, or hostels and don’t need to bring any bulky gear. You’ll end up with less weight on your back, more freedom of movement, and much less hassle.

Finally, all the top backpacks in this guide:

• #1 Peak Design 45L — Best Premium Carry-On Backpack
• #2 Tortuga Setout — Best Travel Backpack Overall (Carry-On)
• #3 Osprey Farpoint 40 — Best For Budget Backpacking (Men’s)
• #4 Osprey Fairview 40 — Best For Budget Backpacking (Women’s)
• #6 Nomatic Travel Bag — Best for Business / Digital Nomads
• #7 Standard Luggage — Best Suitcase-Style Backpack
• #8 Salkan Backpacker — Best For Epic Trips
• #9 Osprey Farpoint Trek 55 — Best Larger Travel Backpack
• #10 Cotopaxi Allpa – Most Colorful Design

Other backpacks I reviewed:

• Osprey Porter 46
• eBags Mother Lode
• Tortuga Outbreaker
• AER Capsule Pack
• AER Travel Pack 2
• Boundary Supply Prima
• Cabon Zero 40L
• Osprey Farpoint 55

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