Best backpacks for travel
Frequent travelers understand the benefits of a traditional backpack. Messenger bags can get annoying, as they constantly smack against rolling suitcases and are difficult to open when stored under an airline seat. There are many great packs that can distribute weight evenly on your shoulders, providing comfort and storage.
The kind of backpack you want depends on what kind of traveler you are. Young backpackers on a gap year, for instance, have different needs from business travelers headed for a big meeting.
Best backpacks for backpacking in Europe
If you’re planning to visit another continent for months at a time, you’re going to need to bring a lot of stuff. While vacationers can use a simple carry-on for electronics and a suitcase for clothes, a backpacker’s aim is to get everything in one pack, so they need something big.
The best models are greater than 50 liters and are equipped with an internal frame and waist strap. Be warned that the biggest options exceed most airline carry-on standards, so you won’t have access to your stuff on the flight.
The North Face Griffin: Available from Backcountry
An absolute behemoth at 75 liters, this high-end model is for those going away for a long time. Its full back frame is lined with FlashDry fabric to wick moisture, which will come in handy on hot summer days. The zipper goes way down to create a wide opening so you don’t have to rummage around without seeing what you’re grabbing at.
Osprey Rook 65: Available from Backcountry and Amazon
One drawback of many larger packs is that they overstate their size, relying on awkward outer compartments that make the bag cumbersome and oddly-shaped. The sleek Rook 65 manages to offer a lot of space through both its main compartment and handy hip pockets and weighs less than 4 pounds when empty, so what you see is what you get.
Teton Sports Scout: Available from Amazon
Young backpackers don’t always have several hundred to spend on a backpack, making this a great budget-friendly option. The rainfly and sleeping bag compartments are helpful features for outdoor adventures like camping trips or multiday trail hikes.
The best carry-on backpacks for business travelers
If you’re going straight from the airport to an important function, you don’t want a backpack that makes you look like a child. Any of these choices will allow you to be professional and comfortable while protecting your electronics with dedicated compartments and security technology.
The No. 1 thing to look for is the size of the laptop sleeve. It doesn’t matter how stylish it is if your computer doesn’t fit.
Tumi Alpha Bravo Sheppard: Available at Amazon, Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue
The gold standard when it comes to high-end luggage, Tumi has a long list of quality backpacks, but the Alpha Bravo Sheppard gets the nod because it offers so much storage while also being so attractive. With a 15-inch laptop pocket and a tablet pocket, you can bring all your electronics. And the Tumi Tracer technology can help you find it if it ever gets lost.
Briggs & Riley @ Work Luggage: Available at Amazon and Macy’s
Also available in a smaller size, this high-end bag is for those who want as many compartments as possible. It’ll help you keep your cords and accessories organized and has an anti-RFID pocket, yet is small enough to fit under the seat in front of you so you can have access to your stuff during a flight.
Travelpro Crew Executive Choice 2: Available from Amazon
Though it was a tough choice between this and the company’s Platinum Elite Business Backpack, the Crew Executive Choice 2 is less expensive and has the ability to store a battery or power bank inside the bag and plug your phone into the exterior so you can charge on the go.
Victorinox Swiss Army: Available at Amazon
This backpack truly lives up to the Swiss Army name, thanks to its many versatile compartments. Gamers and bloggers will appreciate the fact that it can accommodate a 17-inch laptop, and the rear security pocket makes it easy to remove a plane ticket or passport without taking it off your shoulders.
Lannsyne Vintage Full Grain: Available at Amazon
It’s hard to find a leather backpack that doesn’t have a cartoonish appearance, but this 24-liter choice manages to look simultaneously modern and classic. It’s got quite a bit of capacity, so you can slide a change of clothes inside and avoid bringing a suitcase on an overnight business trip.
The best budget-friendly backpacks for vacation
Families headed on vacation don’t need expensive designer bags or giant wilderness packs. You want something that can be flexible, useful both for the beach and for city exploring. Our choices are all versatile options that may not be impressive enough for a corporate meeting, but still offer protection and convenience without costing an arm and a leg.
Swiss Gear ScanSmart: Available from Amazon and Kohl’s
Not to be confused with the Victorinox/Swiss Army brand, Swiss Gear makes quality luggage at affordable prices, and this backpack is no exception. Its most notable feature is its lay-flat design to get you through TSA checkpoints without having to remove your laptop, something frequent flyers will be sure to appreciate.
The North Face Borealis: Available from Amazon, Saks Fifth Avenue, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Backcountry
Simple and rugged, this bag offers features many designer options don’t, like a breathable lumbar panel and elastic bungee straps. It’s also available in dozens of colors, so you can get one that matches your specific style.
Mark Ryden Waterproof: Available at Amazon
The minimalist design of this option makes it suitable for travelers of any age, and because the main pocket opens 180 degrees, you’ll have an easier time packing. It’s also got a smart lock to deter theft, providing peace of mind when traveling with a lot of electronic devices.
Samsonite Kombi: Available from Amazon and Macy’s
There are several variations of this backpack, but they all offer the same advantages: a trusted brand; durable, water-resistant fabric; and a reasonable price. The only downside is the interior color, which is a confusing orange.
Best travel backpacks with unique features
Sporting advanced security, transport and comfort features, each of these bags offers something standard backpacks don’t. Not all travelers will have a need for these extra capabilities, but those who do will find them well worth the money.
Anti-Theft Backpack: Available from Uncommon Goods
If you take the train or subway, it can be nerve-wracking to have a backpack on because you worry about someone unzipping it quietly and stealing your belongings. This bag’s clever design eliminates the worry with hidden zippers and strap pockets. With an integrated USB port, it’s ideal for use in crowded cities.
Samsonite Wheeled: Available from Amazon
To ease the strain on your shoulders, you can use this inexpensive bag’s wheels and telescoping handle to pull it through the airport, then put it on for walking down the cobblestone streets of a European village.
Massaging Backpack: Available from Uncommon Goods
If you want to unwind while waiting for your flight, this bag offers something unique: the ability to massage your aching muscles with three levels of stimulation powered by a (not included) mobile battery bank. Those who tend to get a little cranky in the security line may benefit from one of these.
Gregg Parker is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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