Ditch the baggage check stress and airport trolley struggles by opting for a carry-on backpack as your essential travel companion. These practical and functional backpacks can hold up to a week’s worth of clothing, making your travel experience more efficient and enjoyable, whether you’re backpacking across continents or enjoying a weekend escape.
We rigorously tested 90 carry-on backpacks through seven distinct evaluations in our New York City lab, even simulating real flight scenarios with our airplane set, complete with seats and overhead bins. Following lab assessments, each backpack accompanied us on real trips for at least six months to gauge their performance in diverse travel situations. Here are our top recommendations for the best travel backpacks.
Why We Are Experts
I am Anna Popp, Associate Editor at Travel + Leisure. Since 2022, I have been deeply involved in every backpack test we’ve conducted, personally assessing over 50 bags. Owning two backpacks from this very list, including our top overall pick, gives me confidence that you’ll find the perfect carry-on backpack for your travel style right here.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Cotopaxi Travel Pack at Amazon $201
Jump to Review
Best for Long Trips:
Away The Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L at Away Travel $220
Jump to Review
Best With Packing Cubes:
Asenlin 40L Travel Backpack at Amazon $34
Jump to Review
Best Expandable:
Nomatic Travel Pack at Amazon $280
Jump to Review
Best Anti-theft:
Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 ECONYL at Amazon $290
Jump to Review
Best Compression:
Tropicfeel Shell Backpack at Amazon $239
Jump to Review
Best Organization:
Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L at Backcountry $199
Jump to Review
Best Waterproof:
Tortuga Travel Backpack at Tortugabackpacks.com $350
Jump to Review
Best Pockets:
Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack at Calpaktravel.com
Jump to Review
Best for Photographers:
Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L at Amazon $300
Jump to Review
Best Overall
Cotopaxi Travel Pack
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PHOTO: Cotopaxi
$201 at Amazon
$250 at REI
$192 at Backcountry
Pros & Cons
Why We Love It:
- Durable, spacious, water-resistant, and comfortable even when fully packed.
What to Consider:
- Its larger size might restrict it to overhead bin storage only.
Overview
Cotopaxi, celebrated for its eco-conscious practices and vibrant outdoor gear, stands as a top backpack brand. While the Allpa 35L Travel Pack was previously our best overall pick, the enhanced 42L Travel Pack has claimed the top spot as our favorite carry-on backpack due to its increased capacity and improved features. The updated Allpa line, launched in August 2024, boasts more robust materials, refined weight distribution, and new additions such as air mesh shoulder straps, a luggage pass-through strap, and an external stretch water bottle pocket.
During my personal testing in the Travel + Leisure lab, I found the 42L design superior to the 35L version, offering more practical features for modern travelers. Despite its substantial size, the backpack remained surprisingly manageable to carry, thanks to its supportive straps and redesigned hip belt. Navigating airports also felt smoother compared to wheeled suitcases. While internal organization could be slightly improved, I comfortably packed for a five-day trip with extra room.
The pack features a clamshell opening, revealing a large mesh zippered compartment on one side and two smaller zippered pockets on the other. A medium-sized zippered front pocket and a small top zippered pocket offer quick access to essentials like passports or phones. The padded back compartment includes a laptop sleeve with a divider for multiple devices. While not ideal for daily use due to its size, its versatility makes it suitable for flights, business travel, camping, road trips, and more.
The Details
Capacity: 42 liters | Dimensions: 22 x 14 x 11 inches | Weight: 3.1 pounds | Material: TPU-coated 1000D polyester, 840D ballistic nylon paneling | Laptop Sleeve: 15-inch | Water Resistance: Water-resistant
Product Images
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Best for Long Trips
Away The Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L
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PHOTO: Away
Pros & Cons
Why We Love It:
- Exceptionally comfortable on shoulders and back due to soft materials and cushioned straps.
What to Consider:
- Its length might be unsuitable for travelers with shorter torsos.
Overview
The Away Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L truly impresses with its spaciousness. The main compartment’s clamshell opening provides easy access, allowing us to pack a four-day packing list with room to spare. It features numerous large compartments, compression straps, and several pockets for excellent organization of clothes, gear, and accessories, making it one of the best travel backpacks for extended trips. While the 45-liter capacity can become heavy when fully loaded, the padded shoulder straps offer ample support and comfort for long walks. Convenient duffel handles provide an alternative carrying style to combat fatigue.
This backpack also includes a well-cushioned laptop sleeve, which effectively protected our test laptop even when we dropped the fully packed bag from a counter three times. Post-testing, the bag showed no signs of rips, scuffs, or fabric tears. Its water and abrasion-resistant properties make it ideal for adventurous travelers seeking a sleek backpack for city exploration to camping excursions.
The Details
Capacity: 45 liters | Dimensions: 21.7 x 13.6 x 9.5 inches | Weight: 3.32 pounds | Material: Recycled polyester | Laptop Sleeve: 16-inch | Water Resistance: Water-resistant
Product Images
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Best With Packing Cubes
Asenlin 40L Travel Backpack
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PHOTO: Amazon
Pros & Cons
Why We Love It:
- Spacious and includes three packing cubes for optimal travel organization.
What to Consider:
- Shows noticeable scuffs and scratches after extended use.
Overview
The Asenlin 40L Travel Backpack is an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers, impressing us with its organizational features and comfortable wear. Its interior and exterior compression straps maximize packing space, making it a highly functional travel backpack. The inclusion of small, medium, and large packing cubes enhances organization. We appreciate the suitcase strap and horizontal handle, offering versatile carrying options. Internal straps and a laptop sleeve securely hold items and electronics.
While its design may not match premium brands, it includes essential features like a laptop sleeve and water bottle holder. Its versatility extends to backpack, briefcase, and trolley sleeve modes for attachment to rolling suitcases. A wider adjustment range for the chest strap would be beneficial. Durability tests showed no scuffing or damage, affirming its value as a durable, comfortable, and spacious carry-on backpack at an affordable price.
The Details
Capacity: 40 liters | Dimensions: 18.5 x 12.5 x 9.5 inches | Weight: 2.7 pounds | Material: Polyester | Laptop Pocket: 17-inch
Product Images
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Best Expandable
Nomatic Travel Pack
PHOTO: Amazon
$280 at Amazon
View on Nomatic.com
Pros & Cons
Why We Love It:
- Expandable zippers increase capacity by 10 liters, adding significant space.
What to Consider:
- Some pockets may feel redundant for certain users.
Overview
The Nomatic Travel Pack excels in versatility due to its expandable zippers, which add 10 liters of capacity, making it a top choice among expandable travel backpacks. Ideal for short trips or long weekends, it features numerous pockets and compartments for efficient organization of shoes, clothes, accessories, and tech. While the abundance of pockets might initially seem overwhelming, highly organized travelers will appreciate the designated padded laptop sleeve, sunglasses case, passport pocket, and various slip and zippered pockets in the main compartment.
Comfortable handles and padded shoulder straps ensure easy carrying, and its medium size prevents bulkiness or heaviness. After four months of international travel testing, the bag remained in excellent condition despite rough handling and under-seat storage.
The Details
Capacity: 20 liters (expands to 30 liters) | Dimensions: 18.5 x 12 x 6-9.5 inches | Weight: 4.16 pounds | Material: Nylon and polyester | Laptop Pocket: 14-inch
Product Images
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Best Anti-theft
Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 ECONYL
PHOTO: Pacsafe
$290 at Amazon
$290 at REI
$290 at Backcountry
Pros & Cons
Why We Love It:
- Equipped with comprehensive anti-theft features including locking zippers and wire-reinforced layers.
What to Consider:
- Some anti-theft features may require a learning curve to operate effectively.
Overview
The Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 ECONYL stands out as our top anti-theft carry-on backpack after rigorous testing. With a generous 45-liter capacity, it serves as a secure carry-on, protecting valuables with RFID-blocking pockets, lockable zippers, and slash-proof fabric. The clamshell compartment opens like a suitcase, easily accommodating our packing list with extra space. Ample internal pockets enhance organization, but the standout is its safety features. Main zipper pulls lock together with a built-in padlock, a deterrent against opportunistic theft, though initial setup may require some familiarization.
Constructed from recycled polyester with a water-repellent coating, the backpack’s exterior is durable and eco-conscious. While we could cut through the outer layer with a box cutter, a wire-reinforced inner layer prevented complete penetration, safeguarding contents. Slash-proof straps add further security. An integrated stainless steel cable allows securing the backpack to stationary objects, although its operation wasn’t immediately intuitive. Despite being slightly bulky and heavy, it is comfortable to carry and offers versatile, smart anti-theft features.
The Details
Capacity: 45 liters | Dimensions: 21.7 x 13 x 7.5 inches | Weight: 3.97 pounds | Material: 750D recycled polyester | Laptop Sleeve: 16-inch | Water Resistance: Water-resistant
Product Images
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Best Compression
Tropicfeel Shell Backpack
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PHOTO: Tropicfeel
$239 at Amazon
View on Tropicfeel.com
Pros & Cons
Why We Love It:
- Features adjustable straps for size modification and a removable, compressing wardrobe organizer.
What to Consider:
- Top handle comfort could be improved.
Overview
The Tropicfeel Shell Backpack is celebrated for its thoughtful features catering to diverse traveler needs. It can expand to 42 liters for week-long trips or compress to 20 liters for daily use, making it a versatile travel backpack.
After six months of regular use, its sturdiness and durability impressed us. It easily accommodated our full packing list with extra space, thanks to adjustable buckled straps for size modification. The front buckle loosens to expand the roll-top opening, while a kangaroo pouch adds 6 liters for separate shoe storage. A padded 17-inch laptop compartment and a removable, compressing wardrobe organizer, which doubles as a hanging closet organizer upon arrival, enhance its functionality.
Comfortable shoulder and waist straps, although requiring some effort to adjust buckles, ensure a good fit. The Shell Backpack remained undamaged throughout testing and is made from weatherproof material. Additional organization and accessory pouches are available for purchase. Its versatility and sustainable construction from 100% recycled nylon and 64% recycled polyester justify its higher price point for travelers seeking an all-in-one backpack.
The Details
Capacity: 20 to 42 liters | Dimensions: 12 x 20 x 7.5 inches | Weight: 3.3 pounds | Material: Recycled polyester | Laptop Sleeve: 17-inch
Product Images
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Best Organization
Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L
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PHOTO: Topo Designs
$199 at Backcountry
$189 at Zappos
View on Topodesigns.com
Pros & Cons
Why We Love It:
- Numerous pockets and a dedicated laptop compartment for superior organization.
What to Consider:
- Can feel heavy when fully packed after extended use.
Overview
The Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L simplifies packing with its exceptional organizational features. A padded rear compartment securely fits up to a 15-inch laptop, while two front pockets offer easy access to tablets or chargers. Its abundant compartments and pockets eliminate the need for packing cubes, providing dedicated spaces for cords, documents, electronics, water bottles, and small items, making it one of the best organized travel backpacks.
Adjustable shoulder, chest, and waist straps evenly distribute weight for comfortable carrying, although it can feel heavy when fully packed over time. The 100% recycled nylon material is durable and built to last.
The Details
Capacity: 30 liters | Dimensions: 20 x 12.5 x 7 inches | Weight: 2.63 pounds | Material: 1000D recycled nylon, 400D recycled nylon, 210D recycled nylon, 1680D recycled ballistic nylon | Laptop Sleeve: 15-inch
Product Images
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Best Waterproof
Tortuga Travel Backpack
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PHOTO: Tortuga
Pros & Cons
Why We Love It:
- Made from 100% recycled and waterproof material, safeguarding belongings in wet conditions.
What to Consider:
- Can feel heavy when fully packed due to its robust construction.
Overview
For travelers venturing into rainy climates, the Tortuga Travel Backpack is an ideal waterproof travel backpack. Constructed from Tortuga’s 100% recycled and waterproof Shell200 “sailcloth” material, it ensures complete protection from the elements. During a rainy camping trip, it remained in a puddle for hours, keeping all gear and clothing completely dry, and cleaned easily with a damp cloth.
This spacious 40-liter backpack comfortably fits a week’s worth of clothing within its clamshell compartments. The split-style design simplifies packing and space management. Additional top, front, and side exterior pockets provide storage for laptops, accessories, water bottles, and essentials.
The Details
Capacity: 40 liters | Dimensions: 21.7 x 13.8 x 7.9 inches | Weight: 4.5 pounds | Material: Waterproof sailcloth | Laptop Pocket: 16-inch | Water Resistance: Waterproof
Product Images
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Best Pockets
Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack
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PHOTO: Calpak
Pros & Cons
Why We Love It:
- Features pockets within pockets, including an expandable water bottle holder and padded laptop sleeve.
What to Consider:
- Glossy material prone to scuff marks.
Overview
For those who value organization, the Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack is packed with pockets. Despite its medium 26-liter capacity, it offers ample space for 4-5 days of travel essentials, consistent with Calpak’s organizational design in their luggage line.
“For a four-day trip to Jackson Hole, this served perfectly as my carry-on,” notes T+L testing editor Jackie Cucco. “Front pockets provided easy access to necessities, and airport security was smooth with the laptop compartment. The zippered water bottle pocket is also a great feature.” The glossy, water-resistant material, while prone to scuff marks, cleans up easily.
Padded straps ensure comfortable long-distance carrying, and side buckles and straps compress the pack. Convertible to a duffel bag by tucking away backpack straps, it offers versatile carrying options.
The Details
Capacity: 26 liters | Dimensions: 18 x 12 x 7.5 inches | Weight: 2.9 pounds | Material: Recycled ripstop polyester | Laptop Sleeve: 17-inch | Water Resistance: Water-resistant
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Best for Photographers
Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L
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PHOTO: REI
$300 at Amazon
$300 at Backcountry
View on Peakdesign.com
Pros & Cons
Why We Love It:
- Main compartment accessible via four exterior zippers for ultimate convenience.
What to Consider:
- Among the pricier and heavier backpacks on our list.
Overview
The Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L, an expandable travel backpack, offers ample space for at least four days’ worth of clothes, efficiently accommodating bulky items like jackets and shoes. Its design, reminiscent of camera bags, is ideal for photographers and travelers alike. Removable divider sleeves and compression straps secure packed items. It is compatible with camera cubes and features four entry points to the main compartment for easy access to gear without full unzipping. A padded laptop sleeve and stretchy side pockets for water bottles or tripods add to its functionality.
Despite its weight, every space is utilized effectively, including a hip belt with a storage pocket that can be tucked away when not needed. Adjustable straps ensure balanced weight distribution and comfort. Constructed from weatherproof and water-resistant recycled nylon, it showed no damage after durability tests. While expensive, its features and performance suggest long-term durability and value.
The Details
Capacity: 30 to 45 liters | Dimensions: 22 x 13 x 9.5 inches (expanded: 22 x 13 x 11 inches) | Weight: 4.8 pounds | Material: Nylon and polyester | Laptop Sleeve: 16-inch | Water Resistance: Water-resistant
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Best Value
Matein Travel Backpack
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PHOTO: Amazon
$34 at Amazon
View on Matein.com
Pros & Cons
Why We Love It:
- Multiple compartments for organized storage of clothing, shoes, tech, and accessories.
What to Consider:
- Material quality is slightly lower compared to higher-priced backpacks.
Overview
The Matein Travel Backpack offers functionality and space at an affordable price point. This 40-liter backpack features a spacious main compartment easily fitting multiple tops, bottoms, and a toiletry case. A separate footwear compartment prevents shoe contact with clean clothes and accommodates shoes up to size 12.
It also includes a large laptop pocket and a front pocket with organizers for chargers, headphones, and small accessories. While material quality is lower than premium bags, the nylon fabric proved durable in tests. Overall, it offers excellent value for its lifespan.
The Details
Capacity: 40 liters | Dimensions: 20 x 13 x 8 inches | Weight: 2.2 pounds | Material: Nylon | Laptop Pocket: 17-inch | Water Resistance: Water-resistant
Product Images
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Other Carry-on Backpacks We Liked
While many carry-on backpacks showed quality, some fell short in testing.
Earth Pak Summit Dry Bag Backpack: Its durability, comfort, and water resistance are commendable. The included waterproof phone case is a bonus. However, the cumbersome roll-top closure makes packing inconvenient for carry-on use, better suited for outdoor adventures.
Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
Bellroy Transit Backpack Plus: Adjustable sternum and waist straps are appreciated but it doesn’t offer significant advantages over more affordable options.
Amazon Basics Carry-on Travel Backpack: Good organization and durable material, but lacks standout features to make it a top recommendation.
Vancropak Carry-on Backpack, Extra Large 40L: Spacious and fits under airplane seats, but budget picks offer slightly better performance at a lower cost.
Our Testing Process
We conducted over seven tests in our New York City lab to evaluate carry-on backpacks from leading luggage and backpack brands. Our latest tests utilized a simulated airplane environment with seats and overhead bins. Over 90 carry-on backpacks have been assessed for capacity, design, comfort, durability, and value. Post-lab testing, T+L editors used the backpacks in real-world travel scenarios for long-term insights.
Capacity tests involved packing three shirts, two pants, a jacket, shoes, and a toiletry bag, noting remaining space and compartment functionality. Design was assessed by zipper and buckle operation, pocket functionality, and fold-out features.
Comfort was rated after 10-minute wear tests, focusing on weight distribution. Durability was tested by dropping backpacks from heights, checking for damage to the bag and contents.
Value was assessed without prior knowledge of cost, based on performance quality. Real-world travel tests over six months provided insights into performance in actual travel conditions, including air travel.
Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson
Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
Tips for Buying a Carry-on Backpack
Under-seat vs. Carry-on Considerations
Check airline underseat dimensions if underseat storage is preferred. For overhead bin carry-ons, verify airline carry-on size restrictions to avoid fees due to overpacking.
Intended Use Matters
Consider primary use: smaller, lightweight backpacks for walking-heavy travel; compression or highly organized backpacks for air travel to maximize limited baggage space. Rolling options like rolling backpacks, weekenders, or duffel bags offer added convenience for air travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much can fit in a carry-on backpack?
Our tests packed three shirts, two pants, a jacket, shoes, and a toiletry bag with room to spare. Laptop compartments are common, but verify inclusion and size. Compression packing cubes can further maximize space. - Are all carry-on backpacks airline-approved?
Size restrictions vary by airline. Check product specs for dimensions. For underseat use, ensure packed bag dimensions fit airline limits. - Can I bring a backpack and an additional carry-on bag onto the plane?
Airline policies vary. Most allow one overhead carry-on and one personal item (underseat), each within size restrictions.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
Since joining T+L in 2022, associate editor Anna Popp has personally tested over 50 backpacks, including Cotopaxi, Calpak, Peak Design, and Nomatic models featured here. She has used a Cotopaxi backpack for over four years, prompting her family to acquire the same bag.
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Edited by Jackie Cucco
Jackie Cucco is a Testing Editor at Travel + Leisure.
Updated by Anne Taylor
Anne Taylor is an Updates Writer at Travel + Leisure.
