Best Travel Backpack Buyer’s Guide (For 2020)

Looking for the best backpack for travel? Then it can be challenging to find one that ticks all the boxes!

A good travel backpack has to be comfortable, easy to organize, and durable as well.

I’ve been traveling for 8 years, so I know from experience what to look for in a backpack. I’ve also been reviewing TONS of backpacks over the last four years — and will share with you my favorites here.

By the way, there are no sponsorships on this page. There are some affiliate links, which may give me a small commission if you make a purchase, but that’s all. These reviews are my real opinions after actually using them.

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 what I think are the best travel backpacks for 2020.

Key features to look for

If you travel often or planning a big trip, then it’s often better to go for a lightweight and versatile pack (and possibly carry-on size). It’ll be more 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.
• Waist strap. Using a waist strap distributes the load around your whole body instead of just your shoulders. It’s essential for avoiding 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! I always look at whether it’s weather-sealed or includes a rain cover.

Other nice-to-haves: lockable zippers (O-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).

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.

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.

Best carry-on travel backpacks

Tortuga Setout

TOP PICK for all-purpose travel pack

The Tortuga Setout is a high-quality, lightweight, and attractively priced backpack, making it my go-to recommendation. The design is quite versatile, making it equally suited to globe-trotting journeys and shorter trips. The main target market is urban/air travel, but I’ve also taken this bag into more adventurous situations (e.g. travel in Asia) and been super happy with it.

As of 2019 there are several Setout editions. The 35L and 45L versions have a larger capacity while staying within carry-on size limits. The Setout Divide is a more compact 26L size, but it can expand up to 34L.

All versions share certain features. Firstly, the clamshell design will give you easy 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. On the new 2019 editions, you’ll even find load lifter straps. (You can ignore any old reviews that say it doesn’t have one.)

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 turning the Setout into a duffel bag if needed. Despite all these features, the Setout weighs only about 2kg or 4.6lbs, making it lighter than many other packs.

The Tortuga Setout currently retails for $199 (via Tortuga’s online shop). Note that Tortuga doesn’t ship internationally, so if you’re not in the US you may want to scroll further and consider other backpacks instead.

Tortuga also sells the Outbreaker, which is aimed at professional travelers. It has increased weather-resistance and its harness can be fully adjusted to your height, but it’s also heavier and bulkier. In the ‘advanced’ backpack category, I think the Peak Design and Nomatic bags are better than the Outbreaker.

Peak Design Travel Backpack

TOP PICK for premium carry-on travel bag

This bag may be overkill for budget travelers (if you are, have a look at the Tortuga Setout or Osprey Farpoint) but if you don’t mind spending a bit more, then I think Peak Design’s 45L Travel Backpack is simply the best you can get.

Honestly, it’s close to perfect. Using it just feels good. All the little touches — like the magnetic pouches, hidden straps, and clever storage spaces — create a totally fluid experience.

I love that the design is thoughtful and restrained. Other backpacks I’ve reviewed tacked on too many features, leading to overly tight spaces, too heavy materials, or just too many extraneous elements. But not so with the Peak Design backpack, which has loads of features but is still lightweight and easy to access.

Despite its sturdy 400D nylon shell, which holds its shape when unloaded, this backpack weighs just 2.05 kg (4.5 lb). Its default capacity is 35L, staying well within any airline carry-on size limits. But if you need just a bit of extra space, you can expand it to 45L (by unzipping an expansion area), truly making this an all-purpose travel bag.

To get the most out of this backpack, I recommend getting the Peak Design accessories. The toiletry bag, electronics pouch, and packing cubes are just as thoughtfully designed and fit the backpack perfectly. You can read my full review here.

 

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 do think it’s an ideal backpack for traveling on a budget — I myself once took one on a 2-year round-the-world backpacking trip and loved it.

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. Otherwise, I’d have gone with an Osprey Atmos 65.)

Many travel packs come with just a flimsy harness, but not so with the Farpoint 40. It’s super comfortable 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 along your entire back.

One downside is that it doesn’t have quite as many organizational features as, for example, 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. But at this lower price point, maybe you can’t really complain so much.

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

A bit less comfy than Farpoint, but better organization

The Porter 46 is an interesting alternative to the Farpoint 40. 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 perhaps 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. You can read my full review here.

Nomatic 40L Travel Bag

TOP PICK for business travel backpack

This backpack is the result of a successful Kickstarter campaign that promised to create the most functional backpack ever.

And 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.

I do have two nitpicks. One is that while the exterior is sturdy and weather-sealed, it’s also quite stiff. This can make it feel just a bit cramped.

It might also be bit too tricked out at times. I mean, do you really need a separate book pocket or even an underwear compartment? I do like all the bells and whistles, but not everyone might need these features.

Still, this is an amazing backpack clearly created with professional travelers in mind. Features like the shirt organizer (keeps your shirts wrinkle-free) and the shoe compartment are perfect for business travelers and digital nomads. The bag pairs well with a rolling suitcase with a pass-through sleeve, and the laundry bag is a great hotel-room accessory.

 

Standard Luggage Co. Carry-On

Fully featured carry-on (with a different style)

This carry-on bag by Canadian manufacturer Standard Luggage Co. can be used either as a backpack or duffel using the included shoulder strap. It has some great design touches that make it stand out, which is a key reason for me including it here. I like the color accents, which can be switched between orange and blue (both colors are included).

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.

Aer Travel Pack 2

Great all-purpose travel bag

The Aer Travel Pack 2 has a capacity of 33L, which 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.

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 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.

Best larger travel backpacks

Osprey Farpoint 55

TOP PICK for medium-sized travel bag

The Farpoint 55 is 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.

Multiple pockets and pouches on the daypack provide easy access to smaller items, though you might want to add some packing cubes as the Farpoint packs are a bit lacking in internal organization.

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

Left: the Farpoint 55 main backpack plus daypack. 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 trekking. Keep in mind though that this is a top-loading backpack, unlike any others mentioned previously on this page, so access is more limited in favor of comfort for long durations.

There are trekking backpacks with heavier frames, but I recommend the Osprey Atmos 65 as it has a good balance between carrying capacity and weight. 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 fit.

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 Asia. I had to replace it when I was in Vietnam and still had many months left to travel. I got a knock-off North Face backpack in Hanoi, and it too died on me soon, with the shoulder straps tearing apart. In hindsight, I should have gotten something proper from the start.

Quick answer: Best travel backpack overview

Finally, a quick comparison of all the top backpacks mentioned in this post.

• #1 Tortuga Setout — Best Travel Backpack Overall (Carry-On)
• #2 Peak Design 45L — Best Premium Carry-On Backpack
• #3 Osprey Farpoint 40 — Best For Budget Backpacking (Men’s)
• #4 Osprey Fairview 40 — Best For Budget Backpacking (Women’s)
• #5 Osprey Porter 46 — Best Duffel-Style Carry-On Backpack
• #6 Nomatic Travel Bags — Best Backpack for Business / Digital Nomad
• #7 Osprey Farpoint 55 — Best Larger Travel Backpack
• #8 Osprey Atmos 65 — Best Travel / Trekking Backpack (Men’s)
• #9 Osprey Aura 65 — Best Travel / Trekking Backpack (Women’s)
• #10 Tortuga Setout Divide — Best Laptop + Travel Backpack

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