Have you been tirelessly searching for the ideal luggage solution for family travel? Perhaps you’ve been swayed by the allure of rolling suitcases, imagining a smooth and stylish journey. But what if I told you there’s a game-changing alternative that can revolutionize your family travel experience? Prepare to have your perceptions challenged, because we’re about to dive into why a Mens Travel Rucksack is not just a good option, but arguably the absolute best backpack for travel with kids and the entire family!
Get ready for some unconventional wisdom that could transform your family trips for the better! If you’re on a quest to discover the best suitcase for kids or families, you might be surprised to learn that it’s not a suitcase at all!
The Lathrop family showcases their mens travel rucksacks at the airport, ready for adventure.
Before embarking on our overseas family adventures, we explored the US extensively. During these trips, primarily by car, we encountered recurring frustrations with traditional luggage – yes, rolling suitcases! These seemingly convenient companions often became cumbersome obstacles, especially when navigating family travel dynamics.
As we planned a family trip and potential relocation to Europe, the need for a more streamlined solution became paramount. Budget-conscious family travel was a key priority, and we knew traditional suitcases weren’t cutting it.
The moment we embraced travel rucksacks, specifically designed to be carried backpack-style, our family travel paradigm shifted permanently. We are adamant – we will NEVER revert to rolling suitcases or any similar luggage style again!
Now, I understand if you’re skeptical. You might be envisioning your sleek rolling suitcase with its vibrant hard shell and ergonomic handle, and thinking a rucksack can’t compare.
Believe me, I was once in the same mindset.
Why We Abandoned Rolling Suitcases for Mens Travel Rucksacks:
Once upon a time, I was completely charmed by matching rolling suitcase sets, envisioning a coordinated and stylish family on the move. They seemed perfect, fun, and… practical?
Unfortunately, the reality of using rolling suitcases as family luggage, especially for young kids, quickly shattered that illusion. While older children managed adequately, the younger ones turned them into battering rams against walls, clumsy obstacles for fellow travelers, and even impromptu dining surfaces – resulting in inevitable spills and sticky residues.
Ditch the struggle! Mens travel rucksacks offer a far easier way to manage family luggage.
Maneuvering these rolling suitcases became a constant challenge. And when little legs tired, guess who ended up stacking smaller suitcases atop larger ones, becoming a luggage Sherpa through airport terminals? (Sound familiar?)
The most overwhelming aspect was the sheer stress of simultaneously keeping everyone’s luggage together, navigating boarding processes for planes or trains, AND keeping a watchful eye on our children. It was, frankly, chaotic. 😬😬😬
Traditional suitcases amplified the inherent challenges of family travel, adding layers of logistical stress for us parents.
This frustration propelled us to seek a better way, leading us to…
Discovering the Best Suitcase for Kids: The Mens Travel Rucksack Alternative
Driven by our less-than-ideal experiences, we embarked on a quest to discover how other families managed their travel luggage. We immersed ourselves in family travel blogs, engaged in world travel Facebook groups, and devoured countless lists of family travel tips.
We diligently read Amazon reviews on various family suitcases, even considering stroller-suitcase hybrids designed for toddlers (intriguing, but still a suitcase!).
Observing trendy traveling couples on YouTube, we noticed a recurring theme: many seasoned travelers favored large, hiker-style backpacks. As relative novices in the realm of extensive travel, this revelation was mind-blowing! 🤯🤯🤯
Inspired, we took the plunge. We retired our “cute lil roly polys” and upgraded to travel backpacks engineered for the demands of modern travel – specifically, mens travel rucksacks and similar designs for the whole family. 😉
The Undeniable Perks of Mens Travel Rucksacks for Family Suitcases:
This is where the narrative takes a compelling turn. (Perhaps a coffee refill is in order!)
Switching to travel backpacks, and in particular, equipping the men in our family with robust mens travel rucksacks, has yielded numerous and significant advantages.
Let’s explore the key benefits and delve into the specific rucksacks our family utilizes. I’m eager to explain why we believe these are the best backpacks for travel with kids, and why a mens travel rucksack can be a cornerstone of your family travel gear.
Our family largely relies on Osprey brand backpacks. We also incorporate a few Deuter bags into our collection (with seven family members, variety is helpful!).
Both brands demonstrate a deep understanding of traveler needs in their backpack designs. They incorporate a wealth of pockets and practical features that streamline the travel experience.
Sale 
Osprey Farpoint 70L Mens Travel Rucksack
Osprey Farpoint 70L Mens Travel Rucksack, Muted Space Blue – Adjustable torso fit
- External Gear Attachment loops
- Padded top and side handles
- Stowaway harness and hipbelt for protection…
See options
Perk 1: Mens Travel Rucksacks Free Up Your Hands.
Packing efficiently into a well-designed bag (strategic packing tips coming soon), slinging it onto your back, and having your hands completely free is the essence of effortless family travel! For dads especially, a robust mens travel rucksack provides both capacity and hands-free convenience.
The Osprey Farpoint 70L mens travel rucksack, a hands-free hero for family trips.
Using a travel rucksacking with toddlers or babies becomes an absolute lifesaver when you need to hold their little hands, particularly when navigating crowded trains or subway systems.
Imagine effortlessly accessing plane tickets and passports without juggling luggage handles. Or pausing to consult your phone for gate information without the cumbersome task of maneuvering a rolling suitcase.
And let’s not forget the boarding process: matching passports to small faces while managing luggage and impatient queues is simplified when your hands are free.
The freedom afforded by having luggage on our backs is invaluable, saving time and reducing travel-related anxieties.
Among the multitude of factors that simplify travel, having our hands free to better assist our children has significantly diminished the stress of navigating airports and train stations.
This shift has been so transformative that we consistently feature it in our family travel hacks as essential family travel gear. In fact, you can find it in our article: 5 Must-Have Travel Items & Kids Travel Essentials For Making Travel Easier!
If you’re contemplating the best backpack for travel with kids, particularly a reliable option for men carrying the bulk of family gear, we have excellent recommendations for all ages coming right up! (Farewell, traditional family suitcases!)
Perk 2: Travel Rucksacks are Easily Carried by Everyone, Including Men.
Another significant advantage of backpack-style luggage, especially mens travel rucksacks designed for comfort and load-bearing, is that each family member can have their own. This often translates to carry-on sizes, making travel rucksacks the best travel bag for families due to the diverse range of sizes available.
I personally favor this women’s fit Osprey backpack. It’s the BEST travel backpack for moms, boasting numerous pockets and a detachable daypack (more on this later!). I use this for both family and solo travels.
Being petite at only 5 feet tall, I also recommend my Osprey as the best travel backpack for petite women and teens.
And, as my husband humorously puts it, Osprey also offers the best travel backpack for larger men. He’s taller and broader, requiring larger backpack straps and an adjustable fit. Mens travel rucksacks often cater to these needs with robust designs.
He utilizes this larger duffel bag and appreciates the shoulder strap option in addition to backpack straps. (Osprey also offers smaller duffel bags, but for our large family and extended trips, we often opt for larger capacities!).
The Lathrop family demonstrates the versatility of travel rucksacks, including robust mens travel rucksacks, for family travel.
One of our teenage daughters prefers this men’s style Osprey backpack specifically for its detachable daypack and comfortable fit, even on longer walks from train stations to accommodations. Our pre-teen favors this women’s hiking backpack, which is smaller, lighter, and doubles as a daypack for daily excursions.
For adults, we wholeheartedly endorse the Osprey brand as the best travel backpack for moms, dads, and older teens. (More on our brand loyalty shortly.) Mens travel rucksacks from Osprey are particularly favored by the men in our family for their durability and capacity.
For younger children, we consider this Deuter backpack (the purple one pictured later) to be the absolute BEST travel backpack for kids. Specifically designed for children, it features ample pockets for snacks, water bottles, toys, and other essentials.
Our children frequently use these as daypacks for exploring, making them far more versatile than typical family suitcases. Our youngest particularly enjoyed having their daypack filled with snacks while exploring lavender fields in Provence! (Read about our Provence tips here!)
The bright colors of children’s backpacks also offer a practical safety feature – making it easier to spot a wandering child in a crowd! (A common parental concern, right?!)
We typically equip younger children with their own small backpacks to carry snacks and kid-specific travel accessories, ensuring easy access during journeys.
When selecting travel backpacks for kids, size and functionality are paramount. Deuter excels in this area. Mens travel rucksacks, on the other hand, prioritize durability and capacity for adult needs.
Perk 3: Travel Rucksacks Offer Unmatched Versatility Compared to Family Suitcases.
As previously mentioned, our children readily take their backpacks everywhere during family trips. Primarily carrying snacks, water, and essentials, these backpacks are ideal for daily explorations.
Larger travel rucksacks, including mens travel rucksacks, often incorporate detachable daypacks, adding another layer of versatility.
The detachable daypack on an Osprey mens travel rucksack: two bags in one!
These daypacks are a travel perk in themselves!
On travel days, we utilize daypacks for easily accessible laptops and electronics, crucial for airport security checks.
During explorations, we fill them with jackets, snacks, water, and daily necessities.
These daypacks conveniently zip directly onto the front of the larger rucksack, effectively providing two travel backpacks in a single system! Mens travel rucksacks with detachable daypacks offer exceptional flexibility.
We can secure important items in the smaller daypack and leave the larger rucksack at our accommodation before heading out for meals or sightseeing. (This is the model we use!)
The versatility of these smaller daypacks significantly elevates the value of travel rucksacks as indispensable family travel gear.
And, without dwelling excessively on rolling suitcases, we’ve experienced wheel failures on several occasions – a seemingly common issue. Switching to durable travel rucksacks, including robust mens travel rucksacks, has demonstrably helped us manage our family travel budget by eliminating the need for frequent suitcase replacements or repairs!
Perk 4: Our Travel Rucksacks are Carry-On Compliant!
While bag size has been discussed, it’s crucial to emphasize that all our rucksacks, with the exception of the large duffel bag, are carry-on size! Mens travel rucksacks are readily available in carry-on dimensions, providing significant travel advantages.
This carry-on compliance firmly establishes our travel rucksacks as the premier luggage choice for family travel! We consider them the best European travel backpacks as well, consistently using them on European family vacations without ever checking luggage.
The advantages of carry-on family luggage are numerous.
The most immediate benefit is the elimination of checked baggage fees, translating to direct cost savings.
(This translates to budget-conscious family travel, enabling MORE adventures within our financial reach!)
We also completely avoid baggage claim anxieties, as our luggage remains with us throughout our journey. This is particularly valuable for European travel, allowing seamless transitions between countries without luggage loss concerns!
Finally, carry-on luggage eliminates the need to weigh our bags!
Carry-ons are generally permitted based on size dimensions, regardless of weight (within reasonable limits). This is especially advantageous for kids’ backpacks, as books can add significant weight! Mens travel rucksacks, designed for carrying heavier loads, handle this aspect effortlessly.
Our Deuter and Osprey rucksacks showcase the ideal carry-on size for family travel, including durable mens travel rucksacks.
Perk 5: Lifetime Warranties Make These the BEST Travel Backpacks for Long-Term Value!
A major factor driving our unwavering preference for Osprey and Deuter rucksacks, including mens travel rucksacks, is their long-term investment value.
These are not disposable suitcases requiring frequent replacements due to wear and tear or broken components (like those aforementioned wheel failures!).
In fact… reputable brands like Osprey and Deuter offer a lifetime warranty! This enduring quality significantly contributes to why we consider these the best family luggage – they are built to last!
We even equipped our eldest child with an Osprey rucksack when they moved out, confident in its enduring utility for years, even decades, to come!
These are not merely the best backpacks for travel with kids; they are bags that will mature alongside them into adulthood! This long-term value is immense. Mens travel rucksacks, with their robust construction and warranties, offer exceptional longevity.
This is a crucial consideration for our large family of seven. Family travel expenses for seven quickly escalate, so investing in durable, long-lasting luggage is a smart financial strategy. (Read about our budget-conscious travel planning here!)
We strongly recommend Osprey brand bags for enduring performance as travel backpacks for ALL ages. Mens travel rucksacks from Osprey are a particularly sound investment.
Beyond the lifetime warranty, our firsthand experience confirms Osprey’s exceptional customer service.
Anecdotally, after a memorable Christmas/New Year vacation to Brussels, Belgium a few years prior, we stored our (possibly slightly damp) rucksacks for several months (thanks to pandemic lockdowns). Upon retrieval, we discovered a zipper on one rucksack had slightly rusted shut!
Contacting Osprey, their customer service team guided us through a simple fix. When that didn’t fully resolve the issue, they readily offered to repair or even replace the entire bag! 🤯 The issue was ultimately a minor fix, but Osprey’s willingness to replace the bag if necessary was truly impressive.
You can explore Osprey’s All Mighty Guarantee here.
Deuter brand bags also provide a comparable lifetime warranty. While we haven’t yet needed to utilize it (our Deuter bags are newer), we’ve heard consistently positive feedback from fellow avid travelers. Deuter mens travel rucksacks and their entire range benefit from this commitment to quality.
Deuter’s lifelong repair/replacement policy is detailed here.
I wholeheartedly recommend prioritizing Osprey or Deuter bags over any other brand, primarily due to their lifetime warranties. Mens travel rucksacks and the entire family range from these brands are supported by this guarantee.
While other brands may offer repair/replacement options, comprehensive research is essential. In our experience, Osprey and Deuter represent exceptional value, justifying every penny and more!
They are truly the best European travel backpacks, and the best travel bags for families, as highlighted in the next point…
Perk 6: A Baby Carrier Backpack Eliminates Strollers for Toddler and Baby Travel!
One final travel backpack innovation deserves mention in the context of best travel bags for families…
The Deuter brand baby carrier backpack!
Baby Lathrop enthusiastically enjoys the Deuter baby carrier backpack, a stroller alternative for travel.
We acquired this backpack in 2017 and have used it extensively at theme parks, on hikes, and throughout our European family travels! (It even accompanied us during our international family move!)
Another anecdote: while planning a Lisbon trip with our five children, we received overwhelming advice against bringing a stroller. 🤯
We were cautioned about narrow sidewalks, potential stroller-related congestion, and Lisbon’s reputation as Europe’s hilliest city. Navigating hills and stairs with a baby AND a toddler in a stroller seemed daunting.
Enter the best travel backpack for moms and dads – the Deuter baby carrier backpack! (Imagine dramatic theme music)
While my husband primarily carried it, both our baby and toddler adored it!
It features a lower compartment for diapers, wipes, food, and side pockets for essentials. A built-in sunshade protects babies from harsh sun or light rain.
This backpack is remarkably well-designed for simplifying travel with babies and toddlers, proving invaluable for families on the go.
With this ingenious backpack, strollers became obsolete! (Another victory for backpack-style family luggage!)
Travel rucksacks easily accommodate electronics, essential for families balancing travel and online schooling.
The baby carrier backpack merits its own dedicated article, but its relevance to the best backpacks for traveling with toddlers and babies is undeniable!
And, naturally, as a Deuter product, it’s backed by their lifetime warranty. (Bonus!)
For families seeking the best backpack for travel with pre-walking children, the Deuter baby carrier has been a game-changer.
Sale 
Deuter Kid Comfort Midnight 2 One Size Baby Carrier
Deuter Kid Comfort Midnight 2 One Size Baby Carrier – FAMILY FUN: Bring your most precious cargo along for all…
- MAX VENTILATION, MAX ENDURANCE: The Aircomfort mesh back…
- ADJUSTABLE: The Vari Slide back length adjustment system…
- LIGHTEN UP: Pull-forward hip fins, padded hip belt, load…
- DURABILITY: Crafted from 210 denier polyamide fabric with…
Having extolled the life-altering benefits of travel backpacks, particularly mens travel rucksacks, I leave you with this final thought:
If you glean only one takeaway from this article, please consider trying a travel backpack – even just one to start.
You will love it, and you’ll thank me for encouraging you to make the switch. They truly are that transformative!
And if you have a family travel backpack you adore, please share your recommendations and any other family travel tips below! 😉
Wishing you joyful family travels, and may this article contribute to making them just a bit (or a lot!) easier. Happy travels!
