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Traveling isn't just about the destination. Carry On is our series devoted to how we get away in the digital age, from the choices we make to the experiences we share.
Whether you're traveling for work or for pleasure, a decent backpack can make all the difference. After all, you already have to worry about catching planes and trains, getting through security, keeping your valuables safe, arriving at your destination on time, and trying to stay as comfortable as possible through it all. You shouldn’t also have to worry that your carry-on backpack isn’t pulling its weight.
Not only should your ideal backpack make your travels more streamlined and convenient, but it should also be comfortable and convenient to carry. A secure and well-designed backpack will help you keep your hands free as you navigate airports and bus terminals, and simultaneously keep all your essentials secure and easily accessible when you need them most. (Oh, and it doesn't hurt if the backpack looks good too!)
Here are our favorite travel backpacks of 2023, tested and reviewed:
Who among us doesn’t remember the thrill of getting a new JanSport at the start of the school year? While the brand is known for its quality school packs, they also offer options that are perfect for travelers. We found the classic Right Pack to be surprisingly durable and comfortable in our testing. It includes a versatile sleeve designed to fit a 15-inch laptop, a front organizer pocket, and a side water bottle pocket to keep things organized while on the go. The fully padded shoulder straps and web haul handle made this pack super easy and comfortable to carry, on one shoulder or two. While it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of some of the other travel backpacks on our list, this pack covers all the basics, and includes the brand’s famous lifetime warranty.
The Peak Design Travel Backpack is a rugged, expandable, and brilliantly accessible carry-on travel backpack ideal for both short day trips and longer getaways. It holds an impressive amount of stuff, with an expandable capacity of 35-45L. There are weatherproof zippers on the top, side, front, and rear of the bag for convenient access, and they all slide around like butter. The padded laptop and tablet sleeves also make it super convenient to work and play on the go.
Combined with the brand’s packing cubes, keeping things organized is a cinch. Not only is this pack impressive af, but the company itself has some great work practices, is 100% carbon-neutral, and donates 1% of revenue to environmental causes. While we found this bag kind of heavy, it’s a testament to the quality and durability of the materials used.
A popular backpack designed for travelers, the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack is made with high-quality materials that are designed to last. The color options for all the bags in the brand’s lineup spark joy. We really liked how versatile this pack is, whether we used it for hiking, a weekend getaway, or going about in the city. Its 35-liter capacity holds a lot of stuff, even if the interior layout wasn’t our fave. That said, the Allpa has many compartments and pockets on the inside of the pack, allowing you to keep your belongings organized and easily accessible. We appreciated the included rain cover for those stormy days. The only real issue we had with this pack was that the zippers were quite challenging to zip around the bag. (But the security YKK zippers are straight fire for keeping your gear safe).
We were pleasantly surprised at how lightweight the Mountain Hardwear Red Eye 45L Travel Pack was, compared to the durable feel of the materials. This meant it was comfortable and easy to carry for extended periods. With a capacity of 45 liters, the Red Eye provided plenty of room for all our travel essentials, and the wide opening at the top of the pack was perfect for our stuff-and-go packing style. One feature we found super handy was the stand-up base, which made it easy to load and unload. There aren't a ton of compartments to keep things organized, and the hip belt isn't padded, so it wasn’t super comfortable on long trips. Overall, this pack offered a nice mix of capacity, durability, and lightweight design that we really liked, at a respectable price point.
The Pro Pack System from JanSport is a new collection of modular bags that fit together or can be worn apart to suit various travel needs. The backpack features a removable front pocket that converts to a crossbody bag — ideal for hands-free travel. The dual water bottle pockets on the exterior are super convenient for staying hydrated, and the roomy main compartment was easy to pack and unpack. There were so many pockets and organization spots we didn’t know where to start. This backpack is pretty budget-friendly, but we still found it to be quite comfortable and hold a ton of stuff.
While a lot of travel packs are functional, one thing many lack is style. That’s not the case with TruCarry Philos by The Jacket Maker. It’s made from supremely durable full-grain leather with a cotton twill inner shell. We loved the interior and exterior pockets for keeping essentials organized and within reach, and the luggage strap made it so convenient to add this bag to our carry-on luggage. We found the padded back and adjustable shoulder straps easy to adjust for a perfect fit. It doesn’t hold as much as the other packs on our list, but it’s perfect for a short business trip. There was a strong chemical smell when our bag arrived for testing, but airing it out for a good week got rid of most of the odor, and was likely just from the leather dyeing process.
Padded laptop pocket with lycra strap can fit up to 16-inch Macbook Pro
The Bad
Smelled strange on arrival
No waist belt
Details
Storage capacity: 19 liters
Material: Leather exterior, cotton interior
How we tested
We hands-on tested every single one of the travel backpacks on this list, putting them through their paces on day trips and week-long getaways to get a feel for them inside and out. Beyond that, we put forth hours of careful research to find a variety of quality travel backpacks, and specifically sought out options to cater to different use cases.
First, we prioritized travel backpacks from well-known brands to come up with a list of options widely regarded as dependable and well-made, with customer service and warranties to match. We then narrowed down the field by focusing on well-rated items with no glaring functionality issues (at least not that we could find among a large portion of user reviews). Each of the travel backpacks on this list has dozens, if not hundreds, of user reviews— a generally reliable sign that the product is often in stock and available for purchase.
To ensure a varied range of options for different types of travelers, there were a number of factors that we took into consideration while researching travel backpacks, including:
Capacity: Whether it was a travel backpack for a weekend getaway, or an option fit to get you through a week-long vacation, we wanted to showcase choices for people who want to travel on shorter trips, as well as those who need to travel a little bit longer. Those with additional pockets for laptops, separating laundry, or storing a water bottle within arm’s reach all made the cut.
Materials: A travel backpack is something that's going to get a lot of wear and tear as you move between destinations, so it’s important that it can stand up to the rigors of travel. We sought out travel backpacks made from durable, high-quality materials designed to last for years.
Comfort. When using a travel backpack, you could be wearing it for hours. You’ll want the most comfortable pack you can find. Padded shoulder straps and adjustable waist belts can help give the perfect fit.
Cost: While most of these travel backpacks fall in the $150-$300 range, we wanted to include options for shoppers who were looking for a more budget-friendly (but still high-quality) item, as well as those who were looking to treat themself with a splurge-worthy pack with all the bells and whistles.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best travel backpack to suit your needs will depend on a variety of factors, including its aesthetic appeal, of course. However, the function of the backpack should come first. For example, if you’re planning to travel with your laptop to bustling cities, you’ll likely have different requirements for your travel backpack than someone whose travel plans involve outdoor adventures.
If you're planning to take it with you on an airplane, the best travel backpack for you will fit within the size limitations to be considered a “carry-on” — though the vast majority of non-hiking backpacks are. In terms of dimensions, the maximum size restriction for an international carry-on is roughly 22 by 14 by 9 inches, which is equivalent to 40 liters when measured by volume.
Frequent air travelers may also find that it is worth investing in a TSA backpack. These laptop backpacks are approved by and meet the Transportation Security Administration's criteria for a designated laptop compartment that, when unzipped, lays flat with the laptop completely visible. This means that as long as nothing major is blocking the TSA official's view of the laptop, you can usually keep it in the bag, meaning a faster trip through security for you.
You'll likely pay more for a backpack that is made of waterproof or water-resistant materials, but it's a very useful quality to look for, especially if you're headed to a place where it's likely to be rainy. (It can also provide priceless peace of mind if your bag is going to contain electronics.) Most waterproof backpacks are made of polyester, and this fabric gets a "denier" rating that relates to the fiber thickness of individual threads. you might see a backpack's material described as 800D or 1,200D; the higher the number, the more water-resistant it will be.
If you know you're going to be in hectic or busy situations, choose a backpack that has lots of compartments and pockets so you can stay organized. If you're traveling abroad, a dedicated, easy-to-access exterior pocket for your passport and travel documents will prove useful. (Same goes for a guidebook or phrase book when sightseeing, or a water bottle while hiking.)
Also consider whether or not you will be traveling with a laptop or tablet — and the size of your particular device. To keep your tech protected, you’ll want your backpack to have a dedicated padded pocket or interior laptop sleeve that can accommodate the size of your device. Some laptop pockets can fit laptops up to 17 inches, while others are only suitable for devices up to 13 inches, so it’s important to double-check this feature.
Tricia Crimmins
Tricia is an editorial fellow on Mashable's entertainment team. She is from Chicago, Illinois and graduated from Bates College in May. When it comes to covering entertainment news, she loves writing stories from social, political, and cultural angles.
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