• Best Overall: The Osprey Daylite Expandable Travel Pack is an extra-roomy personal item that’ll also serve as a carry-on on shorter trips, especially if you’re always short on suitcase space.
  • Best for Hiking: Outdoorsy trips will benefit from the Teton 55L Scout Internal Frame Backpack, which is made from ultra-strong weatherproof fabric and includes enough space to hold up to three days’ of gear.
  • Under-$100 Favorite: The Lululemon Everywhere Backpack 22L features easy-to-clean material, strategic pocket placement, and a size that’s not too big or too small. 

Traveling with a backpack instead of a tote or duffel makes your life easier—period. “Being hands-free is everything when you’re navigating airports, hauling luggage, showing your ID, and grabbing your boarding pass,” says Christina Pedroni, EVP and general manager at Envoyage—and a frequent flyer herself. “A tote constantly slides off your shoulder at the worst moments, whereas a backpack stays put and distributes the weight evenly.”

Still, not all travel backpacks are created equal. And you’ll want to have some criteria in mind before buying yours: Do you need something for multiple long-haul flights? Or are you just taking a quick day trip? With this in mind, I consulted travel experts for their travel backpack recommendations—and included my own favorites as a frequent flyer. Scroll down for top-rated suggestions followed by expert advice on choosing the best travel backpack for your needs.


Osprey Daylite Expandable 26+6 Travel Pack

Credit: Amazon

Why We Love It

  • Compact enough to be a personal item

  • Doubles as a carry-on on shorter trips

  • Lots of practical handles and pockets

Worth Noting

  • Stuffed to full capacity, it’s far bigger than your average backpack

  • Its sporty look might not be for everyone

This hyper-efficient model is a go-to for Anne Marie Brown, cofounder of Alpenglow Travel. It’s basically the biggest backpack you can get away with declaring as your personal item. This helps to spread out your packing to avoid excess baggage fees. You can fit a ton of stuff in here—there’s a main compartment, laptop sleeve, front pocket, and key storage—but carry it all quite easily thanks to padded straps and a front harness.

Because the model is so roomy, it also stands in as a carry-on for shorter trips. The brand has accounted for this scenario by including a suitcase-style clamshell opening with a mesh divider to keep things organized.

Capacity: 26 liters | Weight: 1.85 lbs | Material: Recycled polyester


lululemon Everywhere Backpack 22L

Credit: lululemon

I first encountered this backpack while reviewing laptop bags, but it quickly became my go-to for flights. I love that it’s roomy, but not so big I’ll end up overstuffing it. It also has just enough separate pockets to keep all my essential items organized.

The fabric is easy to wipe down if something leaks or spills (a common occurrence during my travels). It’s still going strong after over a year of trips, sometimes up to two or three a month. But even if I need to purchase a replacement, it won’t be a huge deal: At under $100, it’s far less expensive than many alternatives that incorporate similar technical fabrics and protective padding.

Capacity: 22 liters | Weight: Not listed | Material: Recycled nylon and recycled polyester


Away The Commuter Backpack

Credit: Away

Why We Love It

  • Sleek, understated aesthetic and laptop sleeve are ideal for work trips

  • Has multiple interior and exterior pockets, plus a trolley sleeve

Sleek and roomy, this Away design is both practical and polished enough to take straight from the airport to a work meeting. Pedroni cites it as her “everyday travel workhorse,” noting that “the organization is outstanding” with four exterior pockets, a padded laptop sleeve, a key clip, and two water bottle pouches. It also includes a discreet trolley sleeve, which makes for easy transport through the airport.

This backpack reads as surprisingly professional, thanks to the simple silhouette and understated color options. The black version is your safest bet as it feels the most formal, though the navy and olive green are solid options as well. The one shade you should avoid, though? “Skip the Cloud Grey,” says Pedroni. “The recycled nylon holds up beautifully, but light grey shows a year of heavy use.”

Capacity: 25 liters | Weight: 2.5 lbs | Material: Recycled nylon, recycled nylon trim


Baggallini Securtex® Anti-theft Vacation Travel Backpack

Credit: Amazon

Why We Love It

  • Includes every possible defense against pickpockets, including slash-resistant fabric and locking zippers

  • Easy to spot clean with a damp cloth

Traveling internationally involves many unknowns; it’s always best to prepare for the worst-case scenario. Luckily, this backpack comes loaded with anti-theft features, like slash-resistant fabric, RFID protection, and locking security zippers. Plus, hundreds of reviewers rave over this option’s sturdy construction—think lots of extra pockets and a water-repellent finish. However, it’s not all function over form: Its small size gives it a more playful and casual vibe, while the multiple colors and print options are a fun way to show your personality. The lightweight bag is easy to carry through lengthy security lines and long itineraries, so it’s ideal for every stage of your trip.

Capacity: 8.5 liters | Weight: 1.06 lbs | Material: Nylon


Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack

Credit: Amazon

If you’re looking for a backpack that doubles as a carry-on, this roomy option—which has space enough to carry items for a weeklong trip—comes highly recommended by Brown, who says it’s one of her go-tos when she’s not checking a bag. Despite its massive 35-liter capacity, it’s surprisingly manageable to carry, thanks to an ergonomic design that distributes weight evenly to the hip belt and wide mesh straps that won’t dig into the shoulders.

This one is also a durable pick for trips where luggage may be thrown in and out of various vehicles (like on a safari or a seaplane traveling between islands).

Capacity: 35 liters | Weight: 2.95 lbs | Material: Recycled 840D TPU-coated nylon, recycled 840D ballistic ripstop nylon, recycled ripstop polyester 


Teton 65L Scout Internal Frame Backpack

Credit: Amazon

Choosing a backpack for outdoorsy—versus air—travel requires a different set of criteria. You need something that can withstand the elements (read: technically crafted materials are nonnegotiable) as well as a design that’ll let you carry a heavy load comfortably for long periods. This durable, ergonomically designed pick from Teton is up to the job, with an adjustable back panel, padded straps, and a built-in rain flap.

Thousands of customers praise the design for its supreme storage capacity and long-lasting ripstop fabric. It’s also frequently lauded for its three-quarter frame construction, which tends to be more manageable for petite hikers.

Capacity: 65 liters | Weight: Not listed | Material: 600D Polyester Diamond Ripstop


The Laura Convertible Backpack

Credit: M.Gemi

Why We Love It

  • Doubles as a chic purse

  • Looks far more sophisticated than your standard knapsack

  • Big enough to fit a laptop, water bottle, and small cosmetics case

This sustainably produced beauty holds everything you need for a mid-length flight (snacks, a laptop, books, and your wallet); later, it seamlessly converts into a purse for sightseeing. Because the Italian leather is grained, it is a bit heartier than similar alternatives; the texture develops a cool, lived-in patina after several wears.

That said, you should think of it as an upgraded travel purse, rather than a potential carry-on item. If you need extra room beyond a checked bag or standard-size carry-on, a traditional backpack might be a better choice.

Capacity: Not listed | Weight: 1.7 lbs | Material: Italian tumbled calf leather


Cuyana Leather Backpack 16”

Credit: Cuyana

“The backpack feels very minimalist yet super chic, as it’s crafted from Italian leather,” says travel publicist Sydney Engel. She appreciates that it fits her large laptop without ever looking bulky, and it fits well under airplane seats. Additionally, unlike many all-leather alternatives, it is quite lightweight, making it the ideal choice for a long day of running from place to place before checking into a hotel. “It is a lifesaver when I’m hauling a heavy laptop, massive amounts of paperwork, toiletries, and chargers,” she says.

Capacity: Not listed | Weight: 2.6 lbs | Material: Italian leather


Maison de Sabré The Large Soft Backpack

Credit: Nordstrom

Why We Love It

  • Luxurious, sleek leather design

  • Magnetic closure

  • Zipped outside side pocket for valuables

“Maison de Sabré’s attention to detail is unmatched, and their aesthetic is the epitome of quiet luxury,” says Engel. As a busy travel publicist, she’s on a plane for work at least once a month—if not more—and has been leaning on this luxe design as a cool-but-practical way to haul her MacBook around.

Besides looking incredibly sophisticated, the style includes a handy magnetic closure—making it fast and easy to reach your essentials—as well as an internal key ring and zippered side pocket for important items. It also doesn’t hurt, she points out, that Maison de Sabré is frequently worn by those in the know. “I’ve seen Naomi Watts rock some of their bags,” says Engel, “and she’s always been a style icon to me—enough said.”

Capacity: Not listed | Weight: 2.98 lbs | Material: DriTan European leather


Longchamp Le Pliage Energy L Backpack

Credit: Longchamp

Why We Love It

  • Weighs under 1 pound

  • Looks sleek and elevated

  • Surprisingly roomy

“This is my go-to for leisure travel: sightseeing, beach days, or any time where I want to start light and leave room to fill up along the way after a good shopping trip,” Pedroni says, noting that it’s also the bag she reaches for on conference days when she needs her laptop and essentials, but wants something more elegant than a full-on travel backpack.

She says this model, which has adjustable straps and a zippered interior pocket, “fits more than you’d expect, packs down beautifully, and proves that practical and stylish don’t have to be mutually exclusive.”

Capacity: Not listed | Weight: 0.91 lbs | Material: Polyamide canvas made with recycled fibers

What to Keep in Mind

  • Capacity: You need something that’ll fit all your essentials—but that can vary depending on the nature of your trip and final destination. Engel, for instance, is loath to carry anything too large. “I avoid overly bulky or sporty-looking backpacks (think hiking or what you’d bring to the gym) that won’t transition well into professional settings,” she says. “I take a lot of early flights and often can’t check into my room right away. Therefore, I need something that blends with the surroundings while I’m working from a hotel lobby, restaurant, or coffee shop.” Meanwhile, for Pedroni, who does a lot of long-haul travel, bigger really does mean better. “Size is nonnegotiable,” she says. “I need something that can genuinely hold what I’m carrying without a fight at the zipper.” A smart way to streamline your travel backpack search is to figure out the storage situation that’ll serve you best, and work backward from there.
  • Material: Although leather can be a fantastic and fashion-minded choice for shorter trips or direct flights, it’s not ideal for any situation in which you’ll be hopping between several modes of transportation. “Durable nylon over leather every time when you’re actually traveling [long distances],” advises Pedroni. “It needs to function, not just look good—I learned that the hard way with a faux leather backpack that looked great for office days but couldn’t keep up with airports and full travel days.” You also want something that’ll be comfortable on your shoulders, says Brown, who suggests you check the padding on the straps—the thicker, the better. “It wears down quickly,” she says.
  • Organization: “Look for lots of pockets,” says Brown, who prioritizes a padded laptop sleeve, a front flat with separate space for pens, and water bottle holders. However, as Engel points out, too many zipper sections can get chaotic and make it difficult to keep track of your stuff. “I want something easy to organize without the backpack feeling too heavy or overwhelming,” she says. In short: You want some pockets, but they should serve specific purposes, and be thoughtfully placed throughout the design. 

Your Questions, Answered

How do you choose a travel backpack?

“[Although you shouldn’t buy] anything that sacrifices function for style, the two don’t have to be mutually exclusive,” says Pedroni. “It’s just about matching the right bag to the right trip.” This means knowing how much space you’ll need to pack for, as well as how often you’ll be throwing your bag on the floor and shoving it under your seat or in overhead storage. Be honest with yourself: A small leather design can be great for shorter jaunts, but you’ll need something heavy-duty for more adventurous journeys.

Does a backpack count as a personal item?

According to Brown, a backpack can double as your personal item as long as it has a capacity of around 30 liters or less. “That’s usually the max that will fit under the seat in front of you [on a plane,]” she says. “Anything above that will typically be flagged by airlines.”

Why Shop With Us

Alison Syrett Cleary is a fashion journalist with over a decade of industry experience, covering topics such as personal style, shopping recommendations, and emerging trends. She also writes about travel both for multiple outlets and her newsletter Take It To Go, and flies internationally at least once—if not twice or three times—a month for work.

For this story, she spoke with the following experts:

  • Sydney Engel is a travel publicist and the CEO/Founder of Sydney E. Publicity.
  • Anne Marie Brown is a cofounder and partner at Alpenglow Travel as well as the voice behind The Upgrade newsletter.
  • Christina Pedroni is the Executive VP and General Manager at Envoyage, a network of independent travel agencies and advisors who connect travelers to exceptional travel experiences around the world.





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