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Best Travel Backpack Made with Recycled Material - Everlane The ReNew Transit Backpack
- 15-inch exterior laptop pocket
- Two water bottle pockets
- Luggage handle pass-through strap
- 17.5 x 12 inches
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Most Durable Travel Backpack - YETI Crossroads 35L Backpack
- Luggage pass-thru sleeve
- Shoulder straps padded with EVA Foam
- Side zip for easy access to inside
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Best Everyday Travel Backpack - Lululemon Everyday Backpack 2.0
- Water-repellant fabric
- Luggage loop
- Laptop sleeve
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Best Convertible Travel Backpack - Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole 27L Tote Pack
- It stuffs into its own pocket for easy storage
- Fairtrade certified sewn
- Double stretch-mesh water-bottle pockets
- Made from weather-resistant nylon
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Best Suitcase Style Zipper Backpack - Cotopaxi Allpa 35L
- Low-profile harness system
- Rain cover
- Security YKK zippers
- Tuck away straps
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Sleekest Design Travel Backpack - Monos Metro Backpack
- 11.5 by 16.5 inches
- Available in nylon or vegan leather
- Privacy compartment made with waterproof fabric
- Includes a Metro Classic Kit that easily attaches to the front and is perfect for toiletries and other accessories
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Best Alternative to Carry-on Suitcase - Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L
- Hip belt
- Organizer panel
- Laptop sleeve
- Made with durable, waterproof fabric
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Best Backpack With Matching Luggage - Away The Everywhere Zip Backpack
- Made with water-resistant material
- Padded straps
- Interior organization pockets
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Best Mini Backpack for Travel - Longchamp Le Pliage Backpack
- Made from recycled polyamide canvas with an inside coating
- Zipped and snap closure
- Foldable for easy storage and transport
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Best Backpack for Adventurers - Osprey Farpoint 40 ($185)
- Dual front compression straps
- Internal compression straps that will keep your items secure
- AirScape® back panel that will keep you cool
- Adjustable torso fit
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Best Budget Backpack - L.L.Bean Stowaway Pack
- Padded foam shoulder straps
- Folds into its own pocket
- Made from recycled water/soda bottles
- Adjustable waistbelt and sternum strap
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Best Leather Backpack for Travel - Madewell The Lorimer Backpack
- Interior pockets for organization
- Fringed pulls for easy opening and closing
- Compact style
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Best Quilted Travel Backpack - MZ Wallace Metro Convertible Backpack
- Double top handle for easy conversion to use bag as tote
- Zip and drawstring closure
- Detachable pouch included
- Laptop sleeve
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Best Travel Backpack for Men - Thule Aion Travel Pack
- Removable bag for toiletries, wet/dirty clothes
- Exterior padded laptop sleeve
- Water-resistant
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Best Expandable Travel Backpack - BÉIS The Expandable Backpack
- Water bottle pocket that can be stored away when not in use
- 2-inch expandable gusset
- Trolley sleeve on back
- Several interior pockets
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Best Compact Travel Backpack - Athleta Excursion Backpack
- Several pockets for easily storing items
- Water bottle holder
- Adjustable straps
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Best Travel Backpack for Cities - Troubadour Ki Backpack
- Made with waterproof fabric
- Hidden pockets for quick access to phone and accessories
- Laptop sleeve
- Ergonomic straps
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Best Travel Backpack for Festivals - Fjällräven Kånken Water Resistant Backpack
- Adjustable straps
- Snap together carry handles
- Water-resistant
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Best Travel Backpack for Hiking - Osprey Sirrus 24 Women's Hiking Backpack
- Internal hydration reservoir sleeve with back panel hose port
- Compression straps
- Hipbelt
- Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment
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Best Anti-Theft Travel Backpack - Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45
- Shoulder and hip straps
- 6 pockets for easy organization
- 2 lockable main compartments
- 5-year warranty
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Most Versatile Travel Backpack - Peak Design Travel Backpack
- Expandable side pockets
- Quick access pockets
- Made with weatherproof fabric
- Compatible with Peak’s travel cubes
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Most Colorful Travel Backpack - Topo Designs Rover 20L Backpack
- Padded laptop sleeve for laptop up to 13-inches
- Side compression straps
- Adjustable side pocket
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Best Oversized Travel Backpack - REI Co-op Ruckpack 60+
- Access port that can hold hydration port
- Raincover
- Hipbelt
- Lockable zippers
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Best Overall Travel Backpack - CamelBak A.T.P. 26 Backpack
- 15-inch removable laptop sleeve
- Large side pocket with key clip
- Luggage passthrough
- Deployable straps
Backpacks are extremely convenient for travel. They come in all shapes and sizes, and work well as either a personal item or carry-on when flying. They work as a suitcase for shorter trips, and are perfect for using all day long while sightseeing. Their compartments and pockets will keep you organized no matter where the day takes you.
Here are our picks for the best backpacks for travel.
Ranking | Backpack | Number of Pockets | Laptop Sleeve | Price | Luggage Loop |
Best Sustainable | Everlane The ReNew Transit Backpack | 7 | Yes - exterior | $$ | Yes |
Most Durable | YETI Crossroads 35L Backpack | n/a | Yes - interior | $$$$ | Yes |
Best Everyday Backpack | Lululemon Everyday Backpack 2.0 | 5 | Yes - exterior | $$ | Yes |
Best Convertible Backpack | Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole 27L Tote Pack | 2 | No | $$ | No |
Best Suitcase Zipper Style Backpack | Cotopaxi Allpa 35L | 6 | Yes - exterior | $$$$ | No |
Sleekest Design | Monos Metro Backpack | 6 | Yes- exterior | $$$$ | Yes |
Best Alternative to a Suitcase | Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L | 6 | Yes - exterior | $$$$ | No |
Best Backpack with Matching Luggage | Away The Everywhere Zip Backpack | 6 | Yes - exterior | $$$ | Yes |
Best Mini Backpack for Travel | Longchamp Le Pliage Backpack | n/a | No | $$$ | No |
Best Backpack for Adventurers | Osprey Farpoint 40 | 4 | Yes - exterior | $$ | No |
Best Budget Backpack for Travel | L.L.Bean Stowaway Pack | 5 | No | $ | No |
Best Leather Travel Backpack | Madewell The Lorimer Backpack | 3 | No | $$$$ | No |
Best Quilted Travel Backpack | MZ Wallace Metro Convertible Backpack | 10 | Yes - Interior | $$$$ | No |
Best Travel Backpack for Men | Thule Aion Travel Pack ($200) | 5 | Yes - exterior | $$$$ | Yes |
Best Expandable Travel Backpack | BÉIS The Expandable Backpack | 6 | Yes - exterior | $$ | Yes |
Best Compact Travel Backpack | Athleta Excursion Backpack | 5+ | No | $$$ | No |
Best Travel Backpack for Cities | Troubadour Ki Backpack | 5 | Yes - interior | $$$$ | Yes |
Best Travel Backpack for Festivals | Fjällräven Kånken Water Resistant Backpack | 4 | No | $$ | No |
Best Travel Backpack for Hiking | Osprey Sirrus 24 Women's Hiking Backpack | 7 | No | $$$ | No |
Best Basic Travel Backpack | Amazon Basics Carry-On Travel Backpack ($50) | 6 | Yes- interior | $ | No |
Best Anti-Theft Travel Backpack | Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 ($260) | 6 | Yes - exterior | $$$$ | No |
Most Versatile Travel Backpack | Peak Design Travel Backpack ($300) | 5+ | Yes - exterior | $$$$ | Yes |
Most Colorful Travel Backpack | Topo Designs | 5 | Yes - interior | $$ | No |
Best Over-sized Travel Backpack | REI Co-op Ruckpack 60+ ($199) | 4 | Yes - Exterior | $$$ | No |
Best Overall Travel Backpack | CamelBak A.T.P. 26 Backpack | 7 | Yes | $$$ | Yes |

Made from 100% recycled polyester, this bag from Everlane is not only environmentally-friendly but functional too.
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If you’ve ever owned one of their water bottles, you know YETI does not mess around when it comes to durability. Their Crossroads backpack is made with TuffSkin™ nylon- water and abrasion-resistant material.
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It’s in the name - the Everyday Backpack from Lululemon is not just great for travel, but for your everyday use as well.
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Easily switch from backpack to tote with the Ultralight Black Hole backpack from Patagonia.
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This backpack from Cotopaxi has a zipper that goes all the way around the bag - like a suitcase - making it incredibly easy to pack and unpack.
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This sleek, compact backpack will hold everything you need for a short trip or that you want to take with you on an airplane for a longer trip.
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You may never use a rolling carry-on suitcase again when you get the 40L Tortuga Travel Backpack. It combines the convenience of a backpack with the space and organization of a suitcase.
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For anyone who likes to have a matching luggage set, The Everywhere Zip Backpack coordinates with all of Away’s collections. It’s the perfect personal item to go along with their carry-ons and checked suitcases.
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The iconic Longchamp has created this insanely cute backpack to hold your basic essentials for your next trip.
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No matter if you are headed to an adventure in the wilderness or to a big city, the Osprey Farpoint 40 has you covered. Roomy, durable and convenient, this backpack is perfect for whatever comes your way.
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Nothing says durability like LL Bean, and you can count on that and more with their Stoaway Pack.
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Made from rich Italian leather, the Lorimer backpack is fashionable and functional for all of your travel needs.
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The unique style of this backpack will make you a standout while jet-setting. Easily carry it as a tote when you don’t want it on your back.
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The Thule Aion Travel Pack is practical and efficient, and will hold everything you need for a short trip or to use as your personal item for a longer trip.
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This compact backpack expands for times you need a little extra room for your essentials.
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This compact yet functional backpack is perfect for long days of travel as well as taking with you while out and about on vacation.
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Stay fashionable and organized with the Ki Backpack from Troubadour.
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The removable foam cushion-come-seat pad in this backpack will become your best friend while on the road. While you’re walking around with a full backpack, it offers extra padding, and when you need to sit, pull it out and put it down for extra comfort.
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This lightweight backpack is perfect for whatever adventure comes your way. Fitted with the AirSpeed® ventilated suspension system, the weight of the backpack will melt off and keep it manageable.
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You will relax knowing your items are safe in the Pacsafe Venturesafe backpack. The securable and puncture-resistant zippers can be locked with a padlock using a stainless steel cable,, and the fabric is cut-resistant, making it extra secure.
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This backpack will fit the needs of whatever trip comes your way. It meets international carry-on guidelines and has compartments for all of your essentials.
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This backpack from Topo Designs is available in your typical black or grey, but also bright yellows, greens and blues, making it a fun statement piece.
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The roominess of the main 60L REI Co-Op Ruckpack one will probably be all you need, but it comes with an extra 20L daypack that can be attached to the larger bag, or simply packed to be used as a smaller bag while sightseeing.
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This backpack is made from 100% recycled re/cor CORDURA, so is not only sustainable but also insanely durable.
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