How To Choose The Best Travel Backpack
Backpacking Gear
As a professional world-traveling backpacker, I get a lot of emails asking about the best backpacks for travel. There are so many to choose from! Here’s my advice, plus tips for how to find your own.
There’s something magical about traveling to new countries for the first time.
Getting lost in foreign cities, meeting cool people, breaking out of your comfort zone, discovering cultures different than your own, and having life-changing experiences.
Maybe you are planning your own backpacking adventure soon — South East Asia, Europe, or South America — and you need a good travel backpack to hold your stuff.
But what’s the best travel backpack to take on your next adventure?
There’s no easy answer to this question. Different types of travelers will have different requirements and budgets.
My goal with this backpack buyer’s guide is to help you narrow down the overwhelming choices that are out there — and pick the top travel backpack for traveling anywhere. Whether you’re traveling for 2 weeks or 2 months.
Here’s everything we’re going to cover (feel free to click to go to a specific section if you want to skip around). Make sure to read all the way to the end for a chance to win your own free travel backpack!
My Travel Backpack Review Guide 2019
We’ll get to the juicy stuff in a second (I promise!), but first, it’s important to understand what makes a backpack good for travel.
Tips For Choosing a Travel Backpack
How To Choose A Travel Backpack
WEIGHT – Obviously you want the lightest travel backpack you can find, that’s also comfortable, because this will save your back from fatigue. The materials a backpack is made of can also affect its weight, and super light-weight fabrics can increase the price.
SIZE & CAPACITY – Backpack sizes are usually quoted in liters of volume they can hold. Generally, 15-30 liters is considered a daypack, 40-50 liters is big enough for a weekend trip or carry-on only travel, and 55-75 liters is for those who need extra clothing or gear.
FRONT LOADING – Hiking backpacks are usually top-loading, meaning you need to dig through them from the top to find your stuff. Travel-friendly backpacks are front-loading, so they zip open more like a suitcase and it’s easy to locate gear quickly.
STRAP TYPES – A padded waist strap distributes the weight of your backpack on your core, instead of just your shoulders. This helps avoid sore shoulders and back pain, especially when wearing it for long periods of time. Some travel backpacks also have padded grab-handles or a duffle-bag strap which is a nice feature.
GEAR POCKETS – This is subjective, and everyone is different, but I prefer a minimal amount of pockets on my travel backpack. Some important ones include a quick-access pocket for things like keys, passport, sunglasses, etc. I also love when there’s a laptop pocket, and one for my filtered water bottle.
ZIPPERS – I prefer large, easy to use zippers on a backpack. Bonus points if they’re lockable zippers, specifically designed to be secured with a small luggage lock.
PROPER FIT – You could have the best travel backpack available, but if it doesn’t fit right, you’ll be miserable. Your torso length is more important than your height. Here’s a great backpack fitting guide.
LOOKS – Some travel backpacks are built wider than they are tall, making them look kind of “boxy” compared to hiking backpacks. It isn’t always flattering. But it’s ultimately up to you how important looks are.
WEATHER RESISTANCE – The material a backpack is made of can determine how weather-resistant it is. Some backpacks need a special rain-cover, others have rain-resistance built right in. You don’t want your gear getting wet!
CARRY-ON FRIENDLY – Airlines are starting to get much more strict about the size and weight of your carry-on bag. As a general rule, I wouldn’t try to bring anything larger than a 45L travel backpack for carry-on luggage to be safe.
Different Types of Travel Backpacks
What Kind Of Traveler Are You?
When choosing a travel backpack, it’s important to have a general idea about how you plan to use it. Generally, I split backpackers up into three different categories.
If you’re a light packer, you can actually fit quite a bit of stuff into a 40L carry-on backpack. However, if you lug around a lot of camera gear, camping equipment, or clothing — you’ll want a larger backpack to check under the plane.
Carry-On Backpackers
Carry-on backpackers prefer to travel carry-on only and hate checking bags at airports. They primarily visit cities on the “backpacker trail” with decent travel infrastructure like hostels, hotels, transportation etc. They might embark on the occasional day hike, but don’t need their own camping gear.
GAP Year Travelers
Gap year backpackers are students taking a year off to travel before university, or maybe recent college graduates traveling through Southeast Asia or Europe before starting their professional careers. Many are first-time travelers — inexperienced with packing light. They often need to check a bag because they tend to overpack.
Adventure Travelers
Adventure travelers spend a lot of time in the mountains, deserts, and jungles. Maybe they like to hitchhike, and prefer visiting more remote destinations where they may not have a roof to sleep under. They pack their own multi-day trekking and camping equipment to survive outside in the backcountry.
The travel backpack you choose from the guide below will depend on what kind of traveler you are (or think you’re going to be).
Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks
Osprey Farpoint 40 – Most Popular Travel Backpack
Capacity: 40 Liters
Load Range: 20-40 LBS
Colors: Grey, Red, Blue
Best For: Carry-On Travel
Price: Click Here For Latest Price
Probably the most popular carry-on travel backpack right now for GAP year travelers and hostel enthusiasts. The Osprey Farpoint 40‘s front-loading design is super easy to use and holds a lot of gear. But the big draw is how comfortable it is due to a really good suspension system and straps.
The straps can be stowed-away with a zipper, turning this backpack into a streamlined travel bag with a padded carry-handle. The comfortable hip-belt makes it work well for day-hikes, and it’s not as “boxy” looking as other digital nomad backpacks. You can take it on a hike and not look out of place.
- Front-Loading
- Lockable Zippers
- Stow-Away Straps
- Dayhike Friendly
- Laptop compartment isn’t against your back
- Bright green interior may put some people off
Nomadic Travel Bag 40 – Digital Nomad Friendly
Capacity: 40 Liters
Load Range: 20-40 LBS
Colors: Black
Best For: Carry-On Travel
Price: Click Here For Latest Price
The Nomadic Travel Bag was created after a very successful Kickstarter aimed at minimalist digital nomad types who work while they travel. It’s full of design features that cater to this special demographic.
From a dedicated underwear pocket to power cord management, this carry-on backpack has thought of everything a millennial business traveler could ever want. It converts into a duffle bag and has a dedicated laptop pocket. It also easily attaches to a rolling suitcase.
- Water-Resistant Material
- Detachable Hip-Belt
- Front-Loading
- Some Gimmicky Features
- Boxy Looking Design
- Expensive
Kelty Redwing 44 – Adventure Travel Daypack
Capacity: 44 Liters
Load Range: 20-40 LBS
Colors: Green, Black, Blue
Best For: Carry-On Travel
Price: Click Here For Latest Price
If you want a carry-on travel backpack with a more sporty style, look no further than the Kelty Redwing 44. This is also the lightest backpack of the bunch because it was designed as a hiking daypack and overnight travel bag.
However you can cram a lot of travel gear inside, the perfect size for people who only travel with one bag. There are plenty of compartments for organizing your stuff. The hybrid U-zipper design is both top-loading and front-loading, allowing easy access inside.
- Kelty also makes a 50-liter version as well as a women’s version.
- Hybrid Front & Top Loading
- Very Lightweight
- Great For Dayhikes
- Comfortable Hip-Belt
- Casual Appearance
- Too Big For Some Airlines
Best Travel Backpacks For Hiking
Climbing Mount Whitney with my Bora 50
Traveling carry-on only isn’t for everyone. Maybe you are not an expert traveler yet, and need more space for your clothing. Or you prefer more adventure travel, hiking, and camping than the average backpacker.
Then you may want to look at the best backpacks for both travel AND hiking.
These backpacks have enough space to accommodate a sleeping bag, tent, and cooking equipment needed for typical trekking and overnight camping adventures.
Gregory Mountain Zulu 65 – Hiking Travel Backpack
Capacity: 65 Liters
Load Range: 40-50 LBS
Colors: Grey, Green
Best For: Hiking & Travel
Price: Click Here For Latest Price
The Gregory Mountain Zulu is a cross between a travel backpack and a hiking pack. Its crossflow suspension system is wonderful at distributing your gear weight, with plenty of airflow to keep your back cool. Along with a traditional top-loading pull cord, the backpack also boasts a U-shaped front access zipper which is handy for travel.
Hidden inside the pack you’ll find a removable lightweight “summit bag” that can act as a daypack for shorter adventures, like going to the beach or walking around town. The hipbelt is well-padded with two easy access pockets. This is a backpack that can handle all kinds of different travel situations.
- Gregory also makes a 55-liter version of this backpack.
- Front-Loading Access
- Sleepingbag Compartment
- Extra Removable Daypack
- Raincover Included
- No Laptop Pocket
- Not Carry-On Friendly
Osprey Atmos 65 – Lightweight Backpacking
Capacity: 65 Liters
Load Range: 40-50 LBS
Colors: Grey, Red, Blue
Best For: Hiking & Travel
Price: Click Here For Latest Price
The Osprey Atmos 65 is the perfect travel backpack for people who prefer more traditional overnight trekking or camping trips. Its best feature is the super comfortable AntiGravity suspension system that helps distribute the load on your body.
Additional handy features include a large front stretch mesh pocket, integrated rain cover, and a very lightweight design compared to other hiking backpacks. If you’re going to be embarking on a lot of adventure travel with equipment like a sleeping bag, hammock, or tent, this is a great bag.
- Great Suspension System
- Integrated Raincover
- Lightweight Design
- Top-Loading Only
- Too Big For Carry-On
Arc’teryx Bora 50 – Adventure Travel Backpack
Capacity: 65 Liters
Load Range: 50-60 LBS
Colors: Blue
Best For: Trekking & Backpacking
Price: Click Here For Latest Price
I’m a big fan of Arc’teryx outdoor gear. While it’s expensive, their attention to detail is unrivaled. The Arc’teryx Bora 50 is no exception. It’s a true adventure backpack for traveling in the backcountry. The coolest features are a composite frame and crazy comfortable hipbelt suspension system.
This backpack remains comfortable even with a lot of heavy gear. The pack itself isn’t very light, but the innovative floating hipbelt makes up for this in that it carries weight on your hips far better than others. Also, the fabric is so waterproof on its own that I usually don’t bring a rain cover with me.
- Tough Rain Resistant Exterior
- Crazy Comfortable Hip-Belt
- Minimalist Design
- Expensive
- Not Many Pockets
- Top-Loading Only
Top Travel Backpacks For Women
Osprey Fairview 40 – Women’s Carry-On Backpack
Capacity: 40 Liters
Load Range: 30-40 LBS
Colors: Grey, Olive
Best For: Carry-On Travel
Price: Click Here For Latest Price
The Osprey Fairview 40‘s is basically the women’s version of the Farpoint 40 travel backpack. Great for GAP year travelers and hostel enthusiasts. Its front-loading design is easy to use and holds a lot of gear, with a comfortable (and stow-away) suspension system.
The women’s version comes in a few different colors and a slightly different female-friendly fit.
- Front-Loading
- Lockable Zippers
- Stow-Away Straps
- Dayhike Friendly
- Laptop compartment isn’t against your back
- Bright green interior may put some people off
Gregory Mountain Deva 60 – Women’s Hiking Pack
Capacity: 60 Liters
Load Range: 40-50 LBS
Colors: Plum, Green, Blue
Best For: Hiking Backpack
Price: Click Here For Latest Price
The Gregory Mountain Deva is the female version of the Zulu. A cross between a travel backpack and a hiking pack. Its crossflow suspension system is great for distributing your gear, with plenty of airflow to keep your back cool. Plus that handy U-shaped front access zipper which is perfect for travel.
The women’s version comes in a few different colors and a slightly different female-friendly fit.
- Front-Loading Access
- Sleepingbag Compartment
- Extra Removable Daypack
- Raincover Included
- No Laptop Pocket
- Not Carry-On Friendly
Best Camera Backpacks For Traveling
Great Camera Backpacks for Travel
So, what if you travel with a ton of camera equipment like me? Multiple cameras, lenses, a drone, etc.
To pack all that expensive gear in a safe and secure way, I prefer traveling with a dedicated carry-on friendly camera backpack, and check a separate bag with all my clothing and adventure gear.
LowePro Whistler 350 – Extreme Camera Backpack
Capacity: 30 Liters
Load Range: 30-40 LBS
Colors: Grey
Best For: Adventure Photographers
Price: Click Here For Latest Price
The LowePro Whistler 350 has been my favorite travel camera backpack for years now! The special TPU coating can take a lot of abuse from the elements, and a large easy-to-use zipper allows you to open the camera compartment quickly, even with gloves on. The newer versions have a laptop pocket too.
It holds a deceptively large amount of gear, and I regularly carry it on airplanes loaded down with 30-40 lbs (don’t tell the airlines!). There’s a large front pocket to pack your lunch, a jacket, or even avalanche equipment. External gear straps can hold snowshoes, a snowboard, skis, your tripod, or anything you need.
- LowePro makes a larger 450 model, but it’s too big for airline carry-on.
- Great Water Resistance
- Holds Adventure Gear
- Carry-On Friendly
- Quick & Easy Access
- Side Pocket Is Small
- Expensive
- One Color Option
Peak Design Everyday 30 – Travel Camera Backpack
Capacity: 30 Liters
Load Range: 30 LBS
Colors: Black, Grey
Best For: Travel Photographers
Price: Click Here For Latest Price
The Peak Design Everyday Backpack is a popular walk-around camera bag that’s great for lugging your camera equipment around cities, for day hikes, or as a carry-on camera backpack. The material looks great but is pretty weather resistant too.
It has three points of entry into the bag. From the top, as well as two side flaps for easy access to your camera gear without needing to remove the backpack completely. The MagLatch system leaves part of the bag open on the sides, because there’s no drawstring closure.
- Good Looking
- Fast Camera Access
- Lightweight
- Hipbelt Is Minimal
- Straps Are Thin
- Top Doesn’t Close Fully
Exploring Iceland with my Gregory Zulu 55
Backpack, Suitcase, Or Rolling Duffle?
Traveling with a backpack allows you to get around hands-free using Google maps or buying train tickets, not to mention climbing stairs or tackling dirt roads is so much easier than with your typical rolling suitcase.
But it really depends on your travel style.
While I initially began my nomadic career with a backpack, as I’ve grown older, I now prefer a rolling duffel bag for most trips. It’s especially handy for traveling in cities and less tiring when walking on concrete.
I own a few travel backpacks but only use them for specific situations, like weekend-trips, or overnight trekking.
Now that I have a base in Italy, I store these other bags away. But if you’re a vagabond living out of your backpack full time, you don’t have that luxury.
My Personal Favorite Travel Bags
North Face Rolling Thunder – My current favorite travel bag with plenty of room, heavy-duty lockable zippers and a waterproof shell. A seperate compartment for hiking boots, and big wheels for dirt roads & cobblestones.
Gregory Zulu 55 Backpack – This lightweight, super comfortable overnight trekking & travel backpack includes full front-zipper access to all my gear. It can lie flat in my roller bag if I don’t need to check both.
Lowepro Whistler 350 – My amazing carry-on camera & laptop backpack. I use this for day hikes with my camera gear, but it has room for things like snacks, water, jacket, full-size tripod, snowboard, ice-axe, etc.
Arc’Teryx Granville 18 Tote – This is what I use as my airline approved “personal item”. It’s basically an overdesigned water resistant masculine tote bag that zips shut.
READ MORE: My Complete Travel Gear Guide
Win This Osprey Farpoint 40!
Win A Free Travel Backpack!
Congratulations! That was a long post, and to reward you for making it down this far, I’m giving one lucky reader a free travel backpack for their next trip.
Travel in style with one of the most popular backpacks for exploring the world these days, a carry-on friendly Osprey Farpoint 40L. This isn’t sponsored at all, I’ll purchase it for the winner myself.
OFFICIAL RULES
ELIGIBILITY: Ages 18+
The promotion is only open and offered to residents of the United States & Canada, due to strict laws regarding giveaways in different countries. I wish I could offer it to others, but legally speaking, it’s almost impossible to organize.
CHOOSING A WINNER:
A winner will be selected at random from the list of entries and notified by email or social media on March 10th. If the winner does not respond within one week, an alternate winner will be chosen at random.
PRIZE:
The winner will receive a new Osprey Farpoint (or Fairview) 40L Backpack. The prize is shipped to the winner’s chosen address in the US or Canada. Customs fees are not included with the prize.
How To Enter Contest
Enter your name and email address below and follow the instructions.
You’ll have the option to earn extra contest entries (and more chances to win!) by completing certain tasks, like leaving a comment.
READ MORE TRAVEL TIPS
Iceland’s Great Photography Road Trip
10 Simple Steps To Starting A Blog
Travel Quotes To Inspire You
My Favorite Gifts For Travelers
Have any questions about good travel backpacks? What about other suggestions? Drop me a message in the comments below!
This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.
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