The Best Travel Backpacks for Every Adventure
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
Before heading out on your next big trip, make sure you’re equipped with a reliable travel bag. You’ll want to look for something lightweight but durable, with plenty of room for your belongings. And while a tote or messenger bag may seem perfectly fine on paper, they start getting uncomfortable to carry after long periods of time, and, frankly, just don’t hold that much stuff. When it comes to travel bags, you can’t beat the convenience, versatility, and space of the best travel backpacks.
At a Glance: The Best Travel Backpacks
- Editor’s Pick: Patagonia Black Hole MLC
- Runner-Up: Cotopaxi Allpa
- Small Backpack: Herschel Little America 25L
- Large Backpack: Osprey Fairpoint 55L
- Hybrid Backpack: Dakine Verge
The best travel backpacks provide a safe and secure place for your gear, electronics, accessories, and valuables, whether you’re hiking Machu Picchu, or strolling through the cobblestone streets of Europe. Because they’re worn close to your body, these backpacks physically keep your stuff close by — and away from potential pickpockets.
In This Article
- The Best Travel Backpacks to Buy Right Now
- Travel Backpack Buying Guide
- How We Chose the Best Travel Backpacks
The Best Travel Backpacks to Buy Right Now
Below are some of the best travel backpacks available right now. We chose these packs after testing several ourselves on multiple trips, and comparing our experiences to other product experts and customers alike.
Patagonia Black Hole MLC
I’ve been using a Patagonia Black Hole as my go-to backpack/duffel for years, and still think it’s the best travel backpack out there. The classic Black Hole backpack/duffel is great, but this MLC (Maximum Legal Carry) leans more toward the backpack side. It features what we think is a better organizational setup than the original: The interior is divided in two with a main compartment for clothes and other travel goods, and another compartment for tech and everyday carry essentials. It’s also extremely durable, and, like all Patagonia products, comes with their famous lifetime warranty.
Cotopaxi Allpa
In its 35-liter version, this Allpa backpack from Cotopaxi is about as versatile as a bag can be. The clamshell design lets you fully unzip the backpack, like a suitcase, for easier packing and visibility when accessing stuff. Inside there are also several pockets that help maximize capacity. The build quality and materials — TPU-coated ballistic nylon and polyester — are also very rugged for years of rough use.
Herschel Little America 25L
This Herschel backpack may be dubbed the “Little America,” but it’s got enough storage space to take you on a trip around the world. The classic “mountaineering” style sack is made from a heavy-duty 600D polyester that holds up to almost anything you put in it (most bags use a 300 denier count which isn’t as thick or durable). This bag has space for 25L worth of stuff, with storage spread across a zipped front pocket, an internal “media pocket” for things like phones and tablets, and a padded laptop sleeve that fits up to a 15-inch computer. Don’t let the leather straps fool you: they actually close with magnets so you never have to unbuckle the bag. The upright design of the bag and the adjustable straps help it sit flat against your back for a more comfortable carrying experience.
Osprey Farpoint 55L
Heading to Europe for a backpacking trip? Check out this Fairpoint backpack from Osprey. With a 55-liter capacity, it’s big enough to haul about a week’s worth of clothing. It’s also very comfortable — even when fully loaded — thanks to a waist strap and ample padding all around. Inside, there’s a padded pocket for laptops or tablets, as well as other organization pockets. Outside, you’ve got removable sleeping bag straps for camping trips. It’s a great choice for walking-heavy adventures — whether you’re strolling in airports, train stations, streets, or the wilderness.
Dakine Verge 32L
If you’re looking for a backpack that works as a daily hauler as well as a travel companion, check out this Dakine Verge. I’ve been using one for about a year — both for day trips and air travel — and think it’s one of the best do-anything backpacks I’ve ever tested. The real draw for me is the pocket setup, which includes a large main compartment, a laptop sleeve, and several pockets all over (some very well hidden, if you need to stash something secret). There’s also a luggage handy sleeve.
Travel Backpack Buying Guide
Not all backpacks are made equal. Here are a few things to keep in mind while choosing the best travel backpack for your adventures.
Comfort: The best travel backpacks are made of lightweight, padded materials for a comfortable travel day. Also be on the lookout for adjustable straps, and even other carrying options (i.e. drop handles).
Size: The most important feature of any backpack is its storage space. The best travel backpacks will have one or two main compartments for larger items (I.e. laptop, magazines, headphones) and multiple small to medium-sized pockets for things like your phone, tablet, wallet, and snacks. If you’re packing clothing, go with a larger main compartment and fewer secondary pockets. If you’re mostly packing gadgets, toiletries, and other small items, go with something that has more small pockets for better organization.
Weather Resistance: Backpacks for travel should be able to hold up to all conditions. All of the picks on our list are made from weather-resistant materials, so it won’t spell disaster if you’re caught in the rain while walking to a train station.
Style: No reason to ruin an outfit with an ugly backpack. Since you’ll likely be using your travel backpack once you’ve arrived at your destination (not just during the journey), we think the best travel backpacks marry fashion and function to haul your stuff in style. Look for neutral colors, timeless silhouettes, and unique materials to go with a range of outfits.
How We Chose the Best Travel Backpacks
Our team of product editors travels often, so we got the chance to test several popular travel backpacks in the real world. We looked for comfort over long days of walking through airports and public transportation systems, smart organization layouts for maximum hauling capacity and easy access to things we need, and durability over multiple trips. After finding our favorites, we compared notes with other expert reviews and customer feedback. The above picks are the finalists that checked all the boxes, are available (as of writing) from reputable online retailers, and feature an average customer rating of at least 3.7/5 stars.