Are you looking for a carry-on that’s ideal for one-bag travel, letting you save you money on airline check-in fees? Or do you just need a carry-on that’s perfect as a companion pack to your regular luggage?
Then you’ve come to the right place!
I’ve been reviewing backpacks for years now. I’ve been able to test many dozens of carry-on backpacks first-hand, leading me to shortlist a number of favorites that I think most people will love.
Of course, not everyone needs a carry-on backpack for the same reasons. A frequent business traveler is clearly going to want something different from a student heading off to backpack around Europe. That’s why I’ve included some versatile all-rounders as well as some more specialized bags.
Do keep in mind that carry-on size limits are not strictly standardized across every airline. Some lower-tier airlines use their own weird size restrictions. For example, RyanAir in Europe can have different restrictions from most other airlines.
That said, the backpacks on this page all conform to generally accepted carry-on size norms.
Elsewhere, I also have a guide on how to travel light with some neat tips on how to pack efficiently and minimally.
Note: this buyer’s guide is fully independent, i.e. no sponsorships of any kind.
Quick Overview: Best carry-on backpacks
Tortuga Setout
Top Choice
(Mid-Range)
- Maximum carry-on size
- Clamshell-style main compartment
- Laptop & organizer compartments
Peak Design Travel Backpack
Top Choice
(Premium)
- Amazingly clever design filled with surprising features
- 35L but expands to 45L
- My top backpack if price is no concern
Osprey Farpoint 40
Best for backpacking
- Clamshell-style main compartment
- Great for hostelling & budget travel
- Detachable shoulder strap included
Nomatic 40L Travel Bag
Best for business travel
- Focused on minimalist travel
- Works well together with rolled luggage
- Plethora of optional accessoiries for hotel & business travel
Osprey Porter 46
- Front-loading
- Many side-pockets and a travel organizer
- Laptop compartment at the back
Standard Luggage Carry-On Backpack
- Two interchangeable colors included (blue and orange)
- With raincover and shoulder straps
- Highly secure laptop compartment
Peak Design Duffel 35L
Best duffel carry-on
- One large space to fill as you want
- Removable shoulder straps and handles
- Can be worn as a (basic) backpack
Best general carry-on backpacks
Top pick Tortuga Setout
Price $199
Pros
- Maximum carry-on size
- Clamshell-style main compartment
- Great suspension system
- Not too heavy
Cons
- No major cons
Tortuga Setout is the best all-purpose carry-on backpack that I’ve come across. This 45-liter pack has a clamshell design, giving you easy access to all your stuff. You will also find a ton of handy pockets and organizers inside.
The Setout is clearly designed to be a versatile tool, making it 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 more adventurous trip, then it’s equally suited for that as well.
The harness of the Setout is kind of a big deal for a travel bag. It has thick comfy straps, a back panel with proper padding and ventilation space, and even a hip belt with two spacious zipped pockets for quick access. (This is a feature normally found on trekking bags. But if you don’t like it, you can detach it.) A laptop or tablet compartment sits in the back, which is ideally placed for load balancing. On the side it has a large mesh bottle holder, which could also hold a small tripod.
A grey heathered material on the outside and a white interior make the Setout quite stylish as well — though without screaming “tourist” or drawing needless attention. The main material is 900 denier polyester which has a water-resistant coating.
Again, this bag is all about versatility. If you don’t want to carry it as a backpack, you can detach the harness and attach a shoulder strap. Ta-da: it’s now a duffel bag!
The Tortuga Setout currently retails for $199 (via Tortuga’s online shop), and I think in this price category it’s the best carry-on backpack you can get. You can also read my in-depth review here.
Osprey Farpoint 40
Price $140
Pros
- Clamshell-style main compartment
- Lightweight, great for backpacking
- Budget priced
- Detachable shoulder strap included
Cons
- Intense neon green interior on some versions
- Lack of clever storage spaces (packing cubes recommended)
The Farpoint 40 is one of the most popular backpacks around, and often seen in backpacker hostels all over the world. I myself traveled around South America and Asia with one of these continuously for two years. The Farpoint 40 is designed to be lightweight and budget-friendly, though I do think it also lacks a few clever organizational features found on other bags.
The big selling point of the Farpoint 40 is its fully padded harness. This means the Farpoint 40 is comfortable enough to wear for extended periods of time, making it more than just a transit bag. This is why it’s popular with backpackers who may need to walk around town to find a place to stay or hike up to a hostel in the countryside. I even took it trekking in the Himalayas for a week and had no issues (even though it is not really a trekking backpack).
The design is quite appealing, though I do feel the internal lime green color is a bit over-the-top (apparently this makes it easier to find things, but I don’t know if this is worth it!). It uses a mix of 600D and 210D nylon which is fine, though these lighter materials might not quite satisfy the most hardcore travelers. The Farpoint 40 is best suited for light packers and for hostel-style travel.
The Farpoint 40 comes in S/M and M/L editions. As of 2017, 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
Price $140
Pros
- Front-loading
- Many side-pockets and a travel organizer
- Laptop compartment at the back (better balance!)
- Stow-away harness
Cons
- Harness not quite as good as Farpoint or Setout
- Lime green interior (though this is a matter of taste)
The Porter 46 is a duffel-style bag that also has a harness, allowing you to carry it as a backpack. It’s made of thicker material than the Farpoint 40 and has padded foam walls that stand up when empty. It has plenty of side-pockets and a built-in travel organizer. I think its harness is not quite as good or well-padded as other backpacks reviewed here, though it still makes for a good general purpose carry-on bag. It excels mostly with its great organizational features and neat protective shell.
The Porter 46 seems ideal for urban and air travel. If you’re going on very long or outdoorsy adventures, I would suggest getting a bag with a more advanced harness like the Farpoint 40 or Tortuga Setout. You can read my full review here.
Best duffel-style carry-ons
Peak Design Duffel 35L
Price $129
Pros
- Removable hand straps and shoulder straps
- One large space to fill as you want
- Budget-friendly price
Cons
- Not as comfy as a full backpack
If you’re looking for an affordable duffel carry-on bag then this is easily my top choice. I reviewed this and used it as a weekend bag for a while, before I got into the (admittedly pricier) Peak Design 45L Travel Backpack.
In terms of space, it offers one big main compartment that you can fill as you see fit. On the sides are a couple of sleeves and pouches for smaller items. But the Peak Design Duffel 35L is a fairly no-frills design, intended for quick packing and easy carry. At 35 liters, it is fully suitable for carry-on travel.
You can also wear this duffel as a backpack using the fully stowable straps. I’ve found this to be comfortable enough for short periods of time (for example to get to your gate at the airport), but don’t expect the comfort level to be that of a dedicated backpack.
At around $130, this is a great budget option while still having all the high-quality materials and production that Peak Design is known for.
Standard Luggage Co. Carry-On
Price $179
Pros
- Blue and orange colors both included
- Loads of pockets and spaces
- Superb padded laptop compartment
- Shoulder straps and raincover included
Cons
- Raincover a bit difficult to put on
This carry-on bag by Canadian manufacturer Standard Luggage Co. is also capable of being used as a backpack or as a duffel bag using a shoulder strap that’s included. This backpack has some great design touches that make it stand out from the rest. I like the color accents that are used, which can be changed between orange and blue (both are included).
The suspension system is deliberately kept a little basic in order to make it fully stowable, though it does include an adjustable sternum strap, two padded straps, and a nicely padded back. The bag has loads of storage spaces. The most notable pocket is the laptop compartment, which is better than I’ve seen in many 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 inside the back compartment. Your electronics will be highly protected inside.
Osprey Transporter 40
Best for expeditions, storing climbing gear, sports equipment, etc.
Price $110
Pros
- Extremely tough material
- 4 grab handles
- Stow-away harness
- Superb for active outdoors use
Cons
- While tough, it’s not so versatile
This bag is not a race car nor an SUV; it’s a tank. Made of laminated 840D nylon and double-coated for weather-resistance, it’s designed to be a workhorse.
No, it doesn’t come with a laptop compartment or side pockets or little spaces to keep your pens or keys or whatnot. It’s not that kind of bag. It just gives you one big storage space with four big carry handles and a stowable backpack harness.
It’s designed to be thrown around and you can trust it to keep your gear secure and protected from the elements. It can certainly be carried on your back, but it would be equally at home in the back of a pickup truck or in a garage or on a boat. If you need to carry any sporting gear or expedition gear, this is your best bet.
Best premium carry-on backpacks
Top Choice Tortuga Outbreaker 45
Best for long-term travelers.
Price $299
Pros
- Amazingly clever design filled with surprising features
- Highly versatile (35L expands to 45L)
- Great materials & holds its shape
Cons
- None
The Peak Design 45L is my personal favorite premium backpack (by which I mean, my favorite among pricier backpacks using higher-quality materials and features).
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.
Despite having lots of features, the Peak Design 45L doesn’t feel too cramped or overly heavy. This is in contrast to the Nomatic 40L or the Tortuga Outbreaker, for example, which feel very sturdy but are not as accessible as the Peak Design.
Its sturdy 400D nylon shell holds its shape when unloaded. The default capacity is 35L, staying well within any airline carry-on size limits, but it can expand to up to 45L. You can also read my full review here.
Nomatic 40L Travel Bag
Ideal for businesspeople & digital nomads
Price $269
Pros
- Focused on minimalist travel
- Integrated packing cubes
- LOADS of clever features
- Works well together with rolled luggage
Cons
- A little pricey
The result of a popular Kickstarter campaign, the Nomatic travel bag has a clean look and numerous ways to manage your items inside. I think it’s a great bag in particular for business travelers and city-hopping digital nomads, as it invites you to pack minimally with just your laptop + electronics and a few neatly organized clothing essentials.
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.
The only downsides are its price and the potential for its design to be overkill for a casual traveller. The materials used are sturdy and durable, but an adventurous backpacker may want something a bit lighter or flexible. That said, I think this is a bag designed especially for the professional traveller.
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.
Awesome review! I just bought the Patagonia Cragsmith 45L as a travel/gear hauler, but will probably return it. I’m afraid it’s too big for getting by as carry on. It’s one of those tall skinny packs that just looks too big. If they made it 3″ shorter and 1.5″ deeper, the profile would be much lower and maintain a good volume.
I looked at the Osprey Porter 46 today. Awesome pack, just didn’t love the style, and the harness felt a little small on me (6’1″). Never heard of tortuga. The outbreaker looks great, just wish it came in the setout gray and wasn’t so $$$.
Awesome reviews!
I’m debating on the Farpoint 40 and the Porter 46, but i was also looking at the Kelty Redwing 44 as well. I’m not sure if you had any experience with the Kelty, but I thought I’d ask. My main want is to make sure I can use the bag as a carry-on with MOST airlines. Secondly I want something I can carry for long periods of time without having to worry about comfort. I plan to backpack Europe next year for a month, but I also want something I can use on most trips and want to replace my carry-on suitcase with a backpack. I felt the Kelty was more breathable and had better straps, even though you can’t store them but these are based on reviews as I have not and probably won’t have the chance to try them on before purchasing.
Any advice would be great. Thanks in advance!
For carry-on compliance and back comfort I’d recommend the Farpoint 40 over the Porter 46. Haven’t checked out the Kelty yet (though it’s on my list to review)!
Hi Marek,
Great and in-depth of the bags.
I am comtempating to buy the Osprey Farpoint 40, Osprey Porter 46, or Tortuga Setout.
I saw a review about the Setout that there is no load lifters so the bag tend to tilt back. Also with longer torso, the shoulder strap and the hip belt tend to be too close.
Did you encounter either problem?
I like the Farpoint 40 for the comfort shoulder straps and hip belts but dislike it same as you mentioned for lack of organization, laptop in front (instead in back), and green interior (livable but not likable).
The Porter 46 2017 solves for what the Farpoint doesn’t have but the hip belt is small and shoulder strap doesn’t seem as comfortable.
Each of the 3 bags is missing one or the other.
Would like to get your take since you have all 3 and used them.
I am not budget conscious as all are within $100 of each other but more important is comfort, good organization, and quality.
Thanks!
Hi Dan. That’s a great question. I think the Setout combines the best of the other two bags you’ve mentioned: it has organization like the Porter and a good suspension system like the Farpoint. That makes me like the Setout the most out of these 3 bags.
I haven’t had a problem with the lack of load lifters personally (the load hasn’t been flopping around or been too far removed from my back). But I do have a long torso (I’m 1.94m) and with my height the Setout’s hip belt is a little higher than ideal. If your budget allows you could also look at the Tortuga Outbreaker – I think it’s not quite as stylish as the Setout, but it has load lifters and can be fully adjusted to your torso length.
Hi Merek,
Thanks for getting back to my inquires!
Appreciate the feedback based on your real life experience of the 3 bags.
It seems like the Setout seems to be shine in terms of comfort, organization, look and feel, and good value for money.
I just click on Tortuga website and the Setout is temporarily out of stock.
Will check back again later
Best,
Dan
FYI, I got an email from Tortuga saying they’ll be out of stock until June. Apparently the Setout proved a bit more popular than anticipated.
Great article! I have been thinking about getting the Tortuga Setout and you have me sold. I have an older version of a Tortuga bag and have wanted to update. Thank you!!!
If you liked the older Tortugas I bet you’ll like the Setout. It’s a really nice upgrade from the previous designs!