Best Carry-On Backpacks To Buy (For Her & Him) To Travel Light And Smart 2024

Travel Light And Smart With The Best Carry-On Backpacks — Image courtesy: Yong/Pixabay

Whether you’re a seasoned backpacker, a weekend adventurer or simply tired of lugging multiple bags while travelling, a carry-on backpack is your ultimate travel companion. It’s the unsung hero that promises comfort and freedom of movement while you’re busy navigating the bustling cities, airports and train stations. Our list of the best carry-on backpacks brings you the most convenient luggage choices, especially for quick getaways and long layovers.

Also, check out these stylish, luxury walking sneakers for all-day comfort when backpacking through cities.

Designed in stylish designs and silhouettes, carry-on backpacks are timeless staples that also stand the test of uncertain weather conditions and extreme usage due to their durable build. Practical and functional, they are spacious yet compact enough to store all your essentials and meet the carry-on size and weight guidelines of most airlines. Contrary to the common notion of having to rummage through to find stuff, such bags are usually equipped with multiple pockets and compartments for efficient organisation and easy access.

Since the ideal type of luggage is a personal choice, selecting the best one can feel somewhat daunting, especially with the abundance of options available in the market. However, this short guide will help you scout for the best carry-on backpacks online, featuring some of our top picks. From basic styles to convertibles that can multitask as duffles and roll-ons for flexible carrying options, we’ve got it all covered.

Check out these top carry-on backpacks if you’re always on the go

RIMOWA Travel Backpack — A part of the brand’s Never Still collection, this travel backpack is an efficient yet stylish choice for cabin luggage. Designed in a suitcase-like silhouette using premium full-grain leather and canvas, it boasts a compact yet spacious make that’s ideal for a short trip. It features two main compartments: a padded zipped pocket for a 16-inch laptop and a large, roomy space with a clamshell opening to store your clothes and other belongings.

While other internal pockets help with neat organisation, the padded shoulder straps and back ensure comfort. It can also be fixed onto the handle of a suitcase, thanks to the back strap.

**Material** Canvas, full-grain leather

**Measurement** 18.11 x 13.39 x 6.69 inches

**Weight** 2 kg

**Volume/Capacity** 26 litres

Maison Margiela High Tech Weekender Backpack — Crafted in a utilitarian design that allows the bag to be carried both as a backpack and a duffle, this Maison Margiela piece makes for the perfect weekend getaway bag. Featuring a front zip closure running through the middle, the design comes with anatomic mesh and shoulder straps, and sternum buckles for optimum comfort.

The internal and external pockets offer organised storage for small things. The brand’s signature four stitches have been placed on the front bottom corner in contrasting white.

**Material** Nylon, 100 percent calf leather

**Measurement** 18.5 x 11.81 x 7.48

TUMI 2 Wheel Duffle Backpack Carry-On — Nothing beats the prowess of luggage that can multitask to deliver optimal utility for a fun and hassle-free journey. This Alpha Bravo bag by TUMI, which can be used both as a backpack and a duffle roll-on, is a one-stop luggage solution for all backpackers and solo travellers. Offering a spacious packing capacity in a compact build, its front opening allows ease of packing and finding items inside the bag.

While the two wheels and the Teli handle convert it into a roll-on, the stowable shoulder and sternum straps make it comfortable to carry as a backpack. The bag is further equipped with a low-profile TSA lock with replaceable pullers and the TUMI Tracer, which can help you track your bag in case of loss or theft.

**Material** Nylon, leather

**Measurement** 21.6 x 13.9 x 9 inches

**Weight** 3.31 kg

**Volume/Capacity** 40 litres

Peak Design Travel Line Backpack — The Peak Design Travel Backpack comes loaded with features making it a great pick if factors such as ultimate comfort, convenience and style are on your checklist. Weatherproof and made to last, the bag offers a generous space that can be expanded and collapsed to convert it into a sleek day bag. What sets it apart from the rest is the ease of access from front, side and even rear. A padded laptop sleeve and external side and front pockets further aid in keeping things organised.

Not only can the shoulder straps and hip belt be tucked away, but the backpack also has concealable external carry straps that can be used to secure trekking, camera and camping gear. Additionally, the UltraZips are made with abrasion-resistant UHMPE thread lending them exceptional durability.

**Material** 100% recycled 400D nylon canvas

**Measurement** 22 x 13 x 9.5 inches (standard), 22 x 13 x 11 inches (expanded)

**Weight** 2.05 kg

**Volume** 30 litres (compressed), 35 litres (standard), 45 litres (expanded)

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack — Engineered with a purposeful and ergonomic design to enhance your travel experience, the Allpa 35L Travel Pack by Cotopaxi is the only bag you need for weekend staycations and short work trips. It opens like a suitcase, revealing zipped sections with ample storage space, along with a fleece-lined sleeve pocket for a laptop or tablet, a front compartment for toiletry kits, and an external easy-access pocket. Other features include a water bottle holder, external webbing loops for attaching additional gear, and padded shoulder, sternum and hip straps.

The three extra grab handles on the top, bottom, and side offer flexible carrying options, while the anti-theft, lockable YKK zippers ensure your belongings stay secure.

**Material** 100 percent recycled 840D TPU-coated nylon and ballistic ripstop nylon

**Measurement** 22 x 12 x 10 inches

**Weight** 1.33 kg

**Volume/Capacity** 35 litres

Bric’s X-Travel Montagna Backpack — The Bric’s X-Travel Montagna is one of the best lightweight backpacks, ideal for use both as hand luggage and a work bag. The main compartment offers ample space for your apparel and toiletry kits, while the front zipped pocket is perfect for storing a laptop and important work documents. Multiple internal and external pockets help store small things like power banks, chargers, passports, keys and wallets securely, ensuring quick access.

The bag also features four snap closures on the sides for slight compression and a rugged, casual look, along with grab handles at the top and side for easy lugging. The olive and brown colour combination adds to its distinctive aesthetic appeal.

**Material** Nylon, leather

**Measurement** 16.5 x 12 x 6.5 inches

**Weight** 1.11 kg

**Volume/Capacity** 21 litres

Osprey Fairview Travel Backpack — This lightweight and durable carry-on backpack is equipped with many features making it a great choice for short getaways and backpacking across a city. Apart from the large compartment and multiple pockets, what makes this piece stand out is the comfort level it has to offer. Along with the stowable, padded harness and hip belt, adjustable torso settings and load-lifting LightWire frame ensure that carrying this backpack is a breeze without any added stress on the back and shoulders.

While the internal and external compression straps keep the contents of the bag secure and its size in check, the lockable sliders on the zip ensure your essentials stay safe. Padded top and side handles, gear attachment loops, and a laptop sleeve pocket are also noteworthy features of this travel backpack for women.

**Material** 450D recycled twist dobby polyester, PFAS-free DWR

**Measurement** 22 x 14 x 9 inches

**Weight** 1.54 kg

**Volume/Capacity** 40 litres

Choosing the best carry-on backpacks for travel

The best carry-on backpacks for travelling should be extremely durable, spacious yet comfortable to carry, weatherproof, and sized to meet the carry-on luggage guidelines of most airlines. With that in mind, we’ve narrowed down a few key factors you should consider before making your final choice.

Material and durability: A bag that lasts long and stands the test of time and wear because of its durability should be a priority. Lightweight yet sturdy materials like nylon or Dyneema are some great options for travel backpacks. Moreover, the bag should also be waterproof or water-resistant to ensure the safety of your belongings in case you get caught in a downpour. Tarnish and rust-resistant metal hardware like zippers, locks, and logo detailing are an added plus.
Main compartment opening: The main compartment of a hassle-free and easy-to-use carry-on backpack should have a front-loading or a clamshell opening. This allows you to pack and unpack it like a suitcase making it easy for you to access all your belongings easily as opposed to the traditional top-opening backpack.
Belts and straps: Look for a design with a padded hip belt that supports the bag’s weight, making it easier to lug on your back. A sternum belt can further help distribute that weight evenly, reducing the pressure and stress on your back and shoulders. Additionally, thick padded shoulder straps are a must for a carry-on backpack since their weight will push down, putting more pressure on the lower back and shoulders.
Multiple compartments: A bag with multiple compartments offers easy organisation and saves the stress of having to dig around for items every time you need something. Additionally, dedicated pockets for things like footwear, laptops, water bottles, and used clothes can further help in keeping your belongings sorted and secured while ensuring hygiene. If your backpack does not have many compartments, invest in good-quality packing cubes and travel vanity kits to store stuff neatly.

Related | 10 Luxury Luggage Bags To Travel The World In Style

(Featured image: Courtesy Yong/Pixabay; All product images: courtesy brands)

Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.

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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What are the best features for a carry-on travel backpack?

Some of the best features of an ideal carry-on backpack for travel include a compact yet spacious design, front-load opening, padded and comfortable shoulder straps and hip belt, multiple compartments, durable and weatherproof materials and light-weight.

How do I clean my carry-on backpack?

Each backpack comes with its own set of care instructions based on the materials it incorporates in its design. For instance, while a nylon backpack can be hand or machine-washed with soapy water, a leather bag will need to be cleaned with a leather conditioner. Similarly, while you can use a soft-bristled brush to spot-treat stains on water-resistant fabric, suede will need a rather gentler hand. While metal hardware and zippers can be scrubbed using a metal cleaner, the interiors can be easily vacuumed. Hence, it is always recommended to read the washing and cleaning labels or manuals of each bag.

What’s the difference between a hiking backpack and a carry-on travel backpack?

The primary differences between the two depends on various factors like size, ease of use and carrying, organisational features and capacity. While carry-on backpacks are relatively large to store all your belongings, hiking backpacks come in varied sizes and often have an internal frame to provide back support.

Additionally, hiking backpacks feature more compartments for efficient organisation including external attachment points to store trekking gears and a water reservoir pocket. They’re also mostly top-loaders while the ones used as carry-ons are mostly front-loaders or have a clamshell opening.

Is it safe to carry valuables like laptops in a backpack?

While you can carry a laptop (covered with a protective sleeve or case) in your backpack, it is rather ideal to invest in a bag that offers a separate compartment for storing it. Such laptop pockets are usually padded and ensure that your device stays secure even during extreme movements or a fall.

Can a carry-on backpack fit under the airplane seat?

Usually, a carry-on backpack is too large to fit under the seat and hence it goes in the overhead compartment. However, if it falls under the airline’s size guidelines to be considered as a personal item, it can go in front of you, under the seat.