This article is a part of CNN Underscored’s Summer Travel Week, a weeklong focus on how to travel smarter and save money during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year.
While?luggage?and?packing cubes?are important parts of any travel gear arsenal, we’re laser-focused on the travel backpack right now. The elusive bag that’s big enough to fit everything you might need while flying but also diminutive enough to comply with the standard size allowance of 22 inches long, 14 inches wide and 9 inches high (including wheels and handles).
Not only do backpacks let you travel hands-free through airport security, but they’re also a bastion of organization, with laptop storage, portable battery charging ports and interior and exterior pockets galore, ensuring you’re prepared for the journey.
You’ll want to pay attention to its true volume — also known as the amount of usable space within the bag — which is measured in liters. Most travel backpacks range from 16 (a smaller, slimmer bag) to 45 liters, which is the max we’d recommend for a carry-on.
Whether your travel backpack is carrying a Kindle, laptop, travel snacks and a travel blanket or if you’re using it as a true carry-on, packing it like a suitcase with your trip’s wardrobe and necessities, the key is finding the right one for you.
To get you on your way, we’ve rounded up 35 of our favorite travel backpacks below, ranging from rough-and-tumble, all-terrain options to utterly fashionable picks for those heading to date night upon reaching their destination.
Carry-on travel backpacks
$100 and under
With well over 20,000 positive reviews and a 4.7-star rating, this Amazon laptop backpack is perfect for travel, too. Boasting a luggage strap, a top handle, an external USB port and loads of pockets, the backpack can host up to a 15-inch laptop and comes with a lock that can be attached to the zippers, fully securing all your stuff.
Amazon's viral clamshell backpack lives up to the hype, especially when you consider the price. For less than $50, you get a comfortable, durable pack that has too many pockets to count. It's a no-brainer purchase for organized budget travelers.
Longtime luggage maker Samsonite has a slew of travel backpack options, among them the slim, lightweight Modern Utility Double Shot Travel Backpack. Perfect for quick work trips where the user wants professional-looking travel gear from a trusted brand, this backpack can accommodate up to three days’ worth of clothes, a 17-inch laptop and a 10-inch tablet.
Boasting more than 3,000 positive reviews from Béis shoppers, the clamshell-style bag’s front panel has three zipped compartments, while the interior features elastic compression straps that allow for packing bulkier items like clothing and travel shoes. The rest of your small accessories — pens, phone and gum, for example — can be stored in the backpack’s front pocket, and the laptop heads to a separate padded sleeve in the rear.
If you're on the hunt for a small travel backpack, the Adventurist Classic is a good bet. Its 16-liter capacity won't replace your carry-on bag, but the built-in laptop compartment and small front pocket will keep your tech organized on the go.
$200 and under
Away's got another versatile take on a backpack with its F.A.R. bag. Former Underscored Senior Travel Editor Emily McNutt swears by this bag, thanks to its multi-use features. "You can use it from the airport to touring around a new destination," she says. "There are two hidden pockets, perfect for keeping your important items safe, plus a dedicated laptop sleeve in the large main compartment."
The Dagne Dover Dakota is swathed in a downy neoprene fabric that is not only easy on the eyes but also totally cozy on your back. Available in three sizes, the bag’s medium and large formats are most appropriate for travel, as they contain luggage sleeves and can hold 13- and 16-inch laptops, respectively.
The Metro Backpack from travel pros Monos is a versatile option for travelers who want to mix business and leisure — while still carrying style on their backs. The bag is made of a water-resistant nylon with vegan leather details. Inside the bag, you'll find a slew of pockets and other organizational features as well as space to store a 15-inch laptop.
$350 and under
Ideal for short trips ranging from one to three days, this water-resistant backpack’s chief selling point is that it’s able to quickly expand in size — from 20 liters of capacity to 24 liters — via a zipped extension panel. "I highly recommend Nomatic’s travel pack, a truly excellent pack," says travel expert and founder of The Broke Backpacker, Will Hatton.
The Incase A.R.C. Travel pack is one of our favorite backpacks out there. The bag makes it easy to expand and creates more room for your belongings. "One of the things that makes the?A.R.C. Travel Pack?my go-to is the way it expands for added storage when needed — I even took it on a 16-day European vacation when I wanted to?avoid checking a bag," says travel expert and CNN Underscored contributor Holly Johnson.
Designed for work travel, this durable 30-liter backpack from Able Carry has a dedicated “work” compartment with sleeves for both an oversized laptop (up to 17 inches) and a tablet, not to mention a zippered pocket with slots for your tech gear — backup battery packs, charging cords and more. The main compartment has two built-in zippered pockets for storing accessories and a roomy cavity for a weekend’s worth of clothes.
This backpack is great for travelers who are heading away on longer trips and want to replace their rolling carry-on bag. We love that even though it features a massive 40 liters of capacity in its clamshell-style packing design, it still fits the carry-on size requirements of most airlines.
Travel backpacks for men
$200 and under
Cool and refined, this hip backpack checks off all the boxes. Luggage sleeve? Check. Separate laptop compartment? Check. Myriad extra pockets? Check. And all those design details are ensconced in a simple silhouette that comes in five fabrics and colors, ranging from a water-resistant navy to a coated canvas black.
The Hex Technical Backpack V2 offers a balance of functionality and durability with features like a padded laptop sleeve, water-resistant Cordura shell and versatile organizational pockets. It's suitable for both travel and outdoor adventures.
Rugged and luxe all at once, this backpack from STM Goods can seamlessly take you from the airport to your next adventure in a snap. Swathed in a 360-degree “foam fortress,” the 30-liter backpack can accommodate and protect a 17-inch laptop. But what’s truly genius is the main section’s customizable shelves that can easily accommodate a weekend’s worth of clothing.
A critically hailed favorite, this Cotopaxi Allpa backpack is loaded with bells and whistles that are bound to impress. The 35-liter bag can be packed like a traditional suitcase with zippered mesh compartments but strapped on like a traditional backpack. Plus, it’s got a padded laptop sleeve, four grab handles, a sternum strap and a removable hip belt.
Ever wished you could turn your dry pack into a backpack? Well, leave it to Sea to Summit to get the job done. Perfect for snowy, rainy or just plain wet adventures — white water rafting, anyone? — the 35-liter Dry Pack's top-loading, roll-top main compartment is completely waterproof, to the point it can even be briefly submerged under water while still keeping your PJs and extra socks safe and dry. And don’t worry, the pack’s shoulder straps are ventilated and quick-drying too.
This backpack from Swedish outdoor adventure brand Thule is equally prepared to head straight to the boardroom, thanks to its convertible nature that allows it to transition from backpack to briefcase in a snap. Hyperorganized, the ultra-durable backpack also has lots of fun selling points like a crush-resistant pocket for sunglasses and your phone.
$350 and under
We’re big fans of everything Yeti churns out — from coolers and chairs to wine tumblers and water bottles — and that includes this tough-as-nails, clamshell opening pack. Also available in 22- and 27-liter sizes (which are better for day trips), the Crossroads has a water- and abrasion-resistant nylon exterior, padded straps for comfortable carrying, a no-pressure back panel that keeps your lumbar feeling good and two zipped pockets for water bottles and other easy-access necessities.
Heading into the great unknown? Consider taking Peak’s waterproof 45-liter backpack with you. Boasting more than 900 positive reviews and a 4.8-star rating on its site, the backpack is an airline-approved carry-on that can expand to fit more or contract to become a daypack.
For the adventurous traveler, Osprey's range of Aether backpacks is a no-brainer. "For longer adventures, it’s pretty hard to beat Osprey’s Aether range," Hatton says. "They are super practical, strong, with compartmentalization and ideal for long backpacking adventures, hiking or even just weekends away." This backpack has a adjustable straps to fit most torso lengths and comes in two sizes.
Travel backpacks for women
$200 and under
This viral backpack is great for travel and your everyday commute. Its sleek design pairs well with any outfit, and inside you'll find pockets aplenty so you can stay organized. That said, with only 12 liters of storage capacity, it probably won't replace your carry-on.
If pickpockets are a concern on your next trip, then you may want to try this stylish anti-theft backpack from Pincnel. Thanks to a few hidden pockets and well-placed zippers, your wallet, phone and other valuables will be safe from thieves.
Leave it to Paravel, one of our favorite luggage makers, to dream up the perfect travel backpack solution — one that folds right up. Made from “negative nylon,” a silky fabric created by upcycling water bottles, the backpack’s biggest selling point is just how diminutive it is.?Weighing less than a pound, it folds into itself and can be zippered into a cute little pouch that is easy to tuck into your carry-on tote or luggage.
Have you ever seen a prettier laptop backpack? We think not. Made from faux leather, the Kaya can accommodate a 15-inch laptop in its back compartment, while the front area is ready to host your book, snack or that extra pair of socks. We love the braided border detail, the dainty zipper pulls and the extra-wide luggage sleeve that will keep your bag secure when racing through the airport.
$250 and under
Don’t be fooled by the sleek, chic exterior of Modern Picnic’s backpack — the vegan leather bag has a roomy interior that is perfect for stashing backup shoes and airplane snacks … and keeping them cold, thanks to the insulated lining. (That lining is also super handy for mamas looking to keep baby bottles chilled!)
What we love most about this diaper pack option from Dagne Dover is that it works for parents and nonparents alike. Comprised of the aforementioned super-cozy neoprene material, the Indi has an extra-wide top-panel opening and can be attached to your travel stroller thanks to handy built-in clips. It also comes with a changing pad, a shoe bag and a matching neoprene zipped pouch.
$500 and under
Enveloped in MZ Wallace’s signature quilted texture, the Metro Backpack Deluxe features a shiny, airport-friendly fabric, and we think it’s one of the sexiest travel backpacks out there. Beyond looks, it’s highly functional for travel, with a magnetic luggage sleeve, three exterior pockets, six interior pockets and a 15-inch laptop compartment.
Part tote, part backpack, the Lo & Sons nylon Rowledge is the perfect option for racing from the office to the airport, as the straps tuck into the back pocket?to give you a convertible bag. The water-resistant backpack comprises an easy-access 13-inch laptop compartment on the back exterior and a collection of cleverly arranged interior pockets for everything from pens and snacks to earbuds, phones and more.
Need proof that travel backpacks can be dainty? Look no further than this sweet and chic leather option from Cuyana that can be carried as a tote or a backpack. Available in black, cappuccino or stone, the Italian-made bag features two roomy front pockets and two interior pockets. Our favorite design detail, however, is the uber-feminine adjustable straps.
Travel laptop backpacks
$50 and under
Meet Amazon’s No. 1 bestseller in laptop backpacks. With more than 90,000 reviews, the bag is divided into three compartments, and in addition to being able to accommodate a 15-inch laptop, it’s got loads of key design details you’ll want. Think of a top handle, hanging clasps and adjustable straps, not to mention interior pockets for storing small travel accessories.
Boasting four compartments for storing all your belongings, this Amazon Basics backpack's main compartment can fit up to a 17-inch laptop. With nearly 18,000 reviews, a 4.5-star rating and a $35 price tag, this is a budget-friendly bag worth considering.
$100 and under
Parisian luggage brand Delsey has multiple laptop backpack options, our favorite of which is the Maubert 2.0. The 17-liter bag is eco-friendly, with fabric and lining made from recycled water bottles and vegan leather. Plus, the top-panel backpack is hyper-organized, with the main compartment divided to hold a 15.6-inch laptop in a padded sleeve, and all your other things (phone, pens, books and snacks) in the adjacent section.
Travel backpacks with wheels
$100 and under
More than 13,000 Amazon reviewers agree that this rolling backpack is worth the purchase. Featuring a telescoping and fabric handle, two back inline wheels and two zippered front pockets, the backpack’s main selling point is a big clamshell main compartment that you can pack suitcase-style. The bag also has backpack straps and can fit under most airline seats.
In addition to having a fully water-resistant bottom panel, the bag has a two-height telescoping handle and lockable zippers, the top-panel backpack has three compartments, including a clothing section that can open 180 degrees. A separate padded pocket can hold a 15.6-inch laptop, too.
