away travel backpack review

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Away The Backpack Travel Backpack Review

An ideal commuter tote—and a decent choice for lighter travel demands

Away’s The Backpack is one of 10 travel backpacks I evaluated for qualities including organization, comfort, and sturdiness as part of CR’s “Outside the Labs” review program.

Price: $165 Where to buy: Away.com Dimensions:  12.4 x 7.2 x 17.5 inches Weight: 2.9 pounds Construction: Nylon Claimed capacity: 25.5 liters Tuckable pack sleeves: No External bottle sleeve: Yes Shoulder carry: No Waist strap: No Eyeglass sleeve: No Extras: Key cord

Here’s My Review Away’s The Backpack is bigger than you’d guess from the exterior. I wish it were just a hair better organized inside, however, because it’s missing some key slots for pens and business cards. Still, I can overlook some of those shortcomings while “flying” (that is, sitting in my wicker chair in cramped quarters of our coach cabin mock-up). I was able to remove the Away from the underseat space, prop it on my knees, and access my over-ear headphones, Moleskine notebook, hand sanitizer, snacks, lip balm, etc., all without fear of spilling the contents. Why? It has a perfectly flat bottom. This is HUGE! A lot of packs I tried out wanted to topple over or were happier on their sides, which is no good if you want to just poke inside for one item, particularly while in transit. Also, yes, it’s made from nylon, but it’s smooth, and for that reason—if you’re wearing a short-sleeve T-shirt—doesn’t rub abrasively like the stuff used for some of the brawnier packs I evaluated. 

See our review of the best travel backpacks for more information, including details on how we evaluated them.

Bummer then that although it could just consume everything I had to carry, and squeeze into the underseat space with minimal toe overlap, the Away didn’t handle my 17.5 pounds of stuff with particular grace. There’s no sternum strap, and I either had to elongate the backpack straps to let the load hang lower and press on my sacrum or cinch the too-narrow straps very tightly and feel the force of the weight in my lumbar. Once I removed a few pounds, the pack felt a lot easier to carry, so probably the solution is to just bring less.

Bonus! There’s a cut-through to lower the Away onto the handles of roll-aboard bags, and just behind that there’s a concealed zippered compartment to stash something very important, like a passport.

Other Travel Backpacks Evaluated

• Amazon Basics Carry-On Travel Backpack •  eBags Pro Slim • Incase EO Travel Backpack •  Pacsafe Vibe 28L Anti-Theft Backpack •  Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC Travel Backpack •  Thule Crossover Backpack 32L •  Topo Designs Global Briefcase •  Tumi Essential Backpack Alpha Bravo • Yeti Crossroads 27L

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Michael Frank

Michael Frank is a freelance writer who contributes to Consumer Reports on the intersection of cars and tech. His bias: lightweight cars with great steering over lumbering, loud muscle cars any day. You can  follow him on Twitter  (@mfwords) and  Instagram  (mfwords).

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Is Away Carry-On Luggage Worth the Price?

Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC Travel Backpack Review

The 7 Away Luggage Pieces We Recommend Most

By Rachel Chang

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

I distinctly remember the moment I first laid my eyes on an Away suitcase . One of my coworkers had been talking nonstop about her new carry-on, and before heading out of town one day, she rolled the hard-shell spinner into the office. Like a proud new homeowner, she took our team on a tour through its features, leaving me mesmerized by its built-in compression straps and portable battery pack, as well as its stylish and sturdy design.

Though awestruck, I didn't immediately purchase my own; I was never one to invest in baggage—and the introductory price—$225 when it first hit the market—was beyond what I thought luggage was worth at the time. Following an ill-fated journey to Australia , in which I found my checked bag split open on the baggage carousel, the zipper having burst after I overstuffed it, I knew it was time to upgrade.

My first Away bag was The Bigger Carry-On , and despite having previously thought of luggage as glorified boxes to transport my travel essentials, I was immediately obsessed. For an overpacker, I was surprised how much I could stuff into the suitcase. Constantly slipping in “just one more” thing in, the zipper always held tight and the shell showed no signs of bulging. While on the go, the light glide of the wheels could tackle any surface, even cobblestone streets. Plus, the sleek, minimalist design just jived with me.

Shown in green

Being the space hog I am, I later upgraded to The Bigger Carry-On Flex , which added an extra 2.25 inches of expansion, meaning even I was able to go on a two-week trip with just a carry-on . As much as I’ve banged it around and overstuffed it, it’s remained impervious to my abuse.

These days, I often see other brands trying to mimic Away's features—a sign of just how much it’s changed the luggage industry. What makes it all the more surprising is that Away is still a relatively new company, having roared onto the market in 2015, with one simple goal: understanding travelers.

“From the beginning, we set out to expand the conversation around travel, solving real world travel pain points by keeping an incredibly close pulse on our customer’s needs,” Away’s chief marketing officer Carla Dunham says. “We dissected and developed a solution to all of the common headaches of travel while revolutionizing what it meant to be a travel brand.”

Founded by two female former Warby Parker executives, including Jen Rubio, who still serves as the CEO, Away was sparked by her own broken baggage disaster, noticing there was a hole in the market for luggage that was fun and functional.

After talking to hundreds of travelers, the initial carry-on was designed to meet all the most common needs—a lighter and stronger hard-side with an impact-resistant polycarbonate shell that moved easily with premium 360-degree wheels, with thoughtful features like a snap-in mesh laundry bag to keep clean to separate clean and dirty laundry, and a removable battery pack to eliminate the fight for the airport outlets.

The result wasn’t just success—the brand quickly entered the zeitgeist. Stars from Margot Robbie to Mandy Moore were spotted toting them , and Meghan Markle is believed to have given 17 Away bags as party favors at her baby shower. They've turned up on screen, too. Dunham says her favorite pop culture moment was when Portia tossed her Away away in The White Lotus. “It seemed so natural that she had an Away suitcase and that spoke to the brand’s unique position in culture and continued relevance.”

Since launch, the price points for the standard editions—which now start at $315 for The Carry-On and go up to $475 for the newly introduced The Trunk —have gone up, and are a notch above what casual or new travelers may be used to paying, but are still fairly reasonably priced for the suitcases' quality.

The brand has ventured into other travel accessories since launch, too, with both hits ( packing cubes ) and misses (travel pillows, now discontinued)—and added an outdoor collection, F.A.R., last year . It continues to evolve based on the needs of the moment. With the growing number of power outlets available on flights and around airport terminals these days, Away just phased out its distinctive built-in battery charger from its core product last month, as part of its first major refresh of its original classics line .

“Each update is incredibly intentional—from the improved features like a redesigned zipper shape, additional interior organization, and an updated trolley system, to the fresh color palette and new gloss finish, underscores how we obsess over every detail to make the journey smoother for our customers,” Dunham says.

As the brand continues to evolve, more updates and new products are sure to come, but some of the products remain staples. Here, we round up the Condé Nast Traveler team’s most-used Away bags and accessories.

This article is part of Condé Nast Traveler' s first-ever Luggage Week , for which dozens of suitcases, backpacks, and weekender bags were road-tested by our editors.

Weight: 7.9 lbs. Dimensions: 23" x 15" x 10" Capacity: 47.9L

A recent convert from a larger suitcase that often had to be checked, editorial assistant Jessica Chapel says the refreshed Bigger Carry-On suitcase “does wonders,” especially since she can fit almost as much in this more compact hardside spinner, which she recently took on a five-day trip with plenty of room to spare. She’s already traveled with the 7.9-pound bag by plane, bus, and car, and put it to the test when delays allowed her only 15 minutes to get between gates. She swiftly pulled the bag out of the overhead compartment thanks to “the perfect mix of convenient handle placements and the texture of the luggage,” put the bag on top of her head—an unconventional carrying method, to be sure—and sailed through the crowd. “It's the little things, including the unique placement of the luggage's underside handle—with a small dash of adrenaline—that certainly does the trick for easy access without any shuffle, which is exactly what's needed in an airport rush,” Chapel says. (She made her connecting flight in the knick of time.)

Also notable, she says: the interior lining, mesh, and drawstring laundry for dirty clothes (no longer snapped, as part of the refresh), are made of recycled polyester. Deputy global editorial director Jesse Ashlock concurs, having depended on the classic version for more than three years now, calling it a “solid workhorse polycarbonate bag that suits a lot of different trip styles.” I recently tried the updated version of The Bigger Carry-On, and was able to pack enough for a weeklong California getaway; I am especially loving the additional inner pockets to keep my essentials more organized.

Weight: 10.4 lbs. Dimensions: 26" x 19" x 11" Capacity: 68.8L

During a two-week car trip to Rhode Island and Martha’s Vineyard, destinations editorial assistant Charlie Hobbs brought along the “perfectly light” 10.4-pound medium check-in sized hardside, able to fit enough in to not have to do laundry the entire getaway. The interior of the upgraded version—which he found “unassuming”—includes more storage pockets: The compression flap, which used to have just one large zipper mesh compartment, is now divided into two zippered sections on one side with an added large pocket on the backside. Additionally, the zipper closure for the top half of the suitcase now has a zippered pocket on it. He also noticed what’s perhaps the most commonly called-out downfall of Away’s hardsides: “Despite only ever being in the car, this bag is already quite scuffed up,” he said. (When I was in Estonia with two other travel writers last month, looking at our three Away bags, we commented the same thing.) Each suitcase does come with Away's own version of a Magic Eraser that helps remove light scuffs, though a bit of elbow grease might be needed to get them out. That said, Hobbs found the 360-degree wheels rolled “perfectly well” and appreciated the new ergonomic curved zippers. Like Chapel, he found the luggage easy to lift up in a bind, when he had to put it on the roof of a Toyota for a ferry ride, noting it was easy to sling it up, “thanks to the side handles.”

Weight: 8.15 lbs. Dimensions: 22" x 14" x 9" (not expanded) Capacity: 39.8L

“The joy of this luggage is its simplicity,” global director of audience development Lara Kramer says. At 8.15 pounds, this model has the expandable 2.25-inches of zipper space going from 39.8 liter capacity to 46.7 liters, providing “the luxury of expanding to add more room if needed,” she adds. She and her husband both use it as their carry-on suitcase—in part because it moves so well, “gliding smoothly and easily with its 360-degree spinner wheels.” Otherwise, she finds the other features “pretty straightforward,” also noting the issue of the exterior scuffing “very easily,” especially noticeable on a dark suitcase. “They're generally surface scuffs and not hard to buff out, but against the black color, it can look pretty jarring,” she adds. That said, Kramer says, “I still truly love this piece and it has continued to hold up despite many uses.”

Weight: 2.45 lbs. Dimensions: 12" x 6" x 18" Capacity: 20L

Simplicity comes first with this water-resistant nylon backpack, available in five subtle monochromatic shades, that CNT editors have called “functional” with “a classic look that you won’t tire of.” As a freelancer whose backpack is her office, that timeless look also means the backpack strikes the right balance of being professional (I’ve toted it to business meetings and events), travel-friendly (I’ve also taken it on day trips to the Jersey Shore and Long Island), and casual (it’s also doubled as my exercise bag for spin class). When I got caught in the rain at the US Open in New York, the raindrops wicked right off, and the bag's contents stayed dry. But my two favorite magic tricks of this bag are the extended clamshell-style zipper, which opens the main compartment and makes it just as easy to take something out of the bottom as the top, and the bag's weight distribution. Whether it’s the padded straps or the mesh back panel, it somehow makes the contents feel lighter—I’ve stopped at least twice to make sure my laptop was actually inside the 15-inch sleeve. Plus, the thoughtful number of pockets are great for storing little essentials.

Weight: 1.74 lbs. Dimensions: 19" x 13" x 8" Capacity: 26L

When it comes to travel backpacks, I’m far pickier than with luggage. I need an uber-spacious main compartment and every zipper and pocket needs to be just in place—so much so that I used the same ratty old Vans Off the Wall one for well over a decade. While I recently tested out a new Tumi backpack, I never liked the placements of its pockets. Enter the F.A.R. Backpack 26L. The main compartment is deep and wide open, yet still has a slip pocket in the back for my laptop. Hidden behind it is another zippered compartment that fits a 15-inch device. The front pocket is surprisingly roomy too, with tons of organizational pockets—plus, there are two water bottle side pockets, each able to hold a 32-ounce container. Add to that the fact the entire bag is only 1.74 pounds and it still fits under the seat in front of me on planes.

While the Everywhere Zip may be sufficient for day trips, personally, I do need the space of the 26-liter bag to fit my basic travel essentials for anything that includes an overnight stay. Plus the shell is tougher for more rugged travels, whether it's outdoor adventures or multi-stop itineraries, where it may be subject to more use. That said, I am still learning to trust mine completely. On two occasions, the zipper has opened on its own and I didn't realize until contents spilled out. But both times were when I was leaving hotels in a rush, so it's possible I didn't properly zip it.

Weight (full set): 0.7 lbs.

Dimensions: Small: 10" x 4" x 8" Medium slim: 10" x 4" x 4" Medium wide: 13" x 4" x 10" Large: 13" x 4" x 7"

Before I tried Away’s packing cubes, I was a skeptic of the travel accessory as a whole. Other cubes I had seen were either bulky, or felt rough, cheap, and pointless. Admittedly, when I first saw this innocuous set from Away, I was still doubtful. But as it turns out, this set of four nylon water-resistant zip bags with one mesh side are as subtle as they are useful. In the smallest one, I’m able to stuff in all my “just in case” accessories—a foldable running cap, beanie, scarf, gloves, and swimsuit, and tuck it into a teeny corner of the suitcase. The medium slim is perfect for organizing my underwear, packing them vertically, Marie Kondo–style , while the medium wide fits my bras, tanks, and socks. The final one, the large slim, rotates between storing pairs of shoes or other bulky items. They all fit together like Legos in my suitcase, weighing a combined 0.7 pounds—well worth it for keeping me organized on the go.

Weight: .8 oz. Dimensions: 6" x 8" x 3" Capacity: 0.5 gal.

When I first got this bag, I didn’t think I’d ever use it. It wasn’t quite a dry sack, it wasn’t quite a travel pouch. It was an in-between hybrid that I saw no practical use for. But then one day when I was running out the door, holding too many chargers in my hands, I tossed them in there—and it’s become my go-to tech accessories bag, traveling with me both on trips and in my everyday life. Made of water-resistant recycled ripstop nylon, it repels accidental spills (mostly coffee, in my case), but is so thin and sturdy that it doesn’t take up much space. The recycled nylon handle also makes it easy to grab when I’m trying to fish it out of my bag. Use it for chargers and cords, toiletries, or any other odds and ends, and know that there are small and large versions if you want a full set.

5 best backpacks for every travel style

Editor's Note

My purple camo Trans by Jansport backpack served me well for 20-plus years. It accompanied me to several countries, on countless road trips and along many hikes.

However, as I improved my packing strategies and my needs changed, I realized my current backpack situation was not ideal.

My bag lacked padding for my laptop, which I never travel without these days. It didn't include enough compartments for me to stay organized, either. Also, I've lost more than a handful of water bottles over the years, thanks to the short and loose side pockets.

Backpack benefits

The best travel backpacks are durable, well-organized and roomy enough for all your travel essentials.

They can also be more comfortable for frequent use. Because they're better at distributing weight, they're less likely to cause musculoskeletal damage that lugging a heavy tote bag on one shoulder might.

"Carrying heavy weight on one side of the body can cause a forward tilt of the shoulder, and poor posture, which can lead to shoulder and back pain long-term," said Dr. Jenny Yu, head of medical affairs at Healthline Media (which is owned by TPG's parent company, Red Ventures).

Backpacks are also easier to manage than rolling carry-ons, making your sprint to your connecting flight a little more efficient.

It was time to level up. Choosing the perfect replacement was a daunting task, though. I researched several models from different brands in varied price ranges.

Considerations when choosing a backpack

The type of bag you choose depends largely on how you plan to use it. Will it serve as your go-to bag for day trips, work commutes and road trips? Or, do you need a sturdy backpack for camping, hiking and long-haul flights or extended travel?

Once you narrow down your needs, it's easier to hone in on your other requirements.

Your travel plans and how you plan to use your backpack will likely determine how small or large your bag should be.

A park day out with the kids or a cruise port shore excursion may just require a small (6–10L) bag. Daypacks, typically 10–30L, are fine for your work commute or hiking. For travel purposes — from weekend getaways to multiday vacations — backpacks in the 30–45L range are your best bet.

On most U.S. airlines, a 45L backpack is the maximum size carry-on allowed. If you're flying on a budget carrier, you'll probably want to stick with something under the 40L range.

For packing purposes, a 45L bag is a good option if you're not bringing another carry-on. It should be able to hold four large packing cubes, a medium packing cube and a toiletry bag. This size fits in the overhead compartment.

Storing your backpack in the overhead bin? It shouldn't be larger than 22 by 14 by 9 inches.

You can fit two large packing cubes, a medium cube and a small toiletry bag in a 35L backpack. It should fit under the seat in front of you on the aircraft.

If you want to ensure your backpack fits under the seat, it can't exceed 18 by 14 by 8 inches, according to airline policy.

Related: How to tell if your backpack counts as a personal or carry-on item.

Backpacks can feature a variety of anti-theft components — some styles are more robust than others.

You may not need your bag to be at a Fort Knox level of security, but it should inclfeatures that can protect you (and your belongings) from thieves or pickpockets.

Consider a backpack constructed with slash-resistant material and straps, as well as lockable zippers.

Bags that offer RFID protection are lined with a special material that blocks accidental payments and intentional skimming of credit cards. They can prevent criminals from electronically accessing your personal information.

Compartments

If you use packing cubes, this might not be as big of a consideration for you. Even with packing cubes, I like having smaller sections for things I need to access easily — my phone, chargers, reporter notebook (yeah, I'm old school), passport and other necessities.

What do you typically pack in your backpack? As I mentioned, a laptop pocket is essential for me. I also like to have hidden pockets to store my passport, COVID-19 vaccine card and wallet. Separate areas to stash my sunglasses, chargers, keys and other important items I travel with are important, too.

Keeping the above features in mind, I reviewed five backpacks ranging in price and style. Here's the round-up.

Related: Here's what to pack in a carry-on bag every time you travel

Patagonia — Black Hole 32L Travel Pack

What I liked

The Patagonia Black Hole 32L Travel Pack is completely constructed with 100% recycled materials, including the body fabric, lining and webbing. It comes in a handful of colors — gold, red, black and gray/blue. The shinier shell has a polyurethane coating that makes it water-resistant.

This bag is also Fair Trade Certified™ sewn (as are all Patagonia products). Since the program launched in 2014, it has impacted more than 75,000 workers in 10 countries.

The lightweight bag packs flat and is very flexible. At first glance, I wondered if it would be structured enough to protect my laptop. However, the padded pocket worked well and fits most 15-inch laptops. The pocket is also slightly elevated from the bottom of the bag, which can protect your laptop if the bottom of your bag gets wet.

Both my 28- and 40-ounce insulated water bottles fit easily in the side pockets.

I tested this bag (along with the Away F.A.R. backpack) during a recent long-haul trip to South Africa. I packed:

• My 13-inch laptop.
• A 28-ounce insulated water bottle (filled once I passed through security).
• Compression socks.
• Travel pillow.
• Cross-body bag containing my passport, credit cards and money.
• A small reporter's notebook.
• Two paperback books.
• Makeup bag.
• Toiletry bag.
• A large Ziploc bag filled with snacks (protein bars, as well as bags of almonds and trail mix.

Filled, the backpack weighed just under 10 pounds.

I was impressed with the number of items I was able to pack. This backpack is like the clown car of backpacks. The sturdy straps held it in place and it never felt cumbersome to carry.

The pocket section of the bag zips open so you can lay it flat for going through the TSA scanner. (If you have Global Entry or TSA PreCheck , you won't need to worry about that, though.)

I liked the two rows of daisy chain-style loops on the outside of the bag. It's good for hanging bulky items or things you don't want to get crushed inside.

If you plan to long-distance hike with this bag, there's a hole at the top for the hose of your hydration pack.

Other considerations

The Patagonia Black Hole Travel Pack doesn't offer RFID protection. However, if the wallet that holds your ID and credit cards has the RFID protection feature, you should be covered.

Although this bag has an air mesh back panel for increased ventilation, other reviewers commented that the airflow wasn't substantial enough to prevent a sweaty back. I didn't encounter that issue. This bag doesn't include a hip belt, which could provide more stability. I typically don't use hip belts on backpacks, so I didn't mind it missing here.

Sizing: 16.93 by 7.87 by 23.03 inches, 1.1 pounds (empty).

Price: Around $249 on Amazon.

Arlo Skye — The Backpack

The brand's luggage line consistently garners high praise from reviewers, so I figured its one backpack offering, The Backpack , would be pretty solid. Color options are mint and black. It arrived tucked in a large reusable drawstring bag that included a handy silica gel pack, one of my essential travel accessories .

I tested a black backpack. I liked the bag's sleek design and leather top handle and trim. The water-resistant material is a nylon and polyester blend.

A tiny zip pocket at the top of the bag is the ideal spot to stash my earbuds, charger or a small pair of sunglasses. If you don't have a clunky set of keys, they may fit as well. I set off my car alarm attempting to shove mine into the small pocket.

The front section has a zippable mesh pocket, and two RFID-lined slip pockets for secure storage of your credit cards, ID and passport. A decent-size (9.5 by 7 inches) front pocket with a zipper provides easy access to your smartphone, keys and other items. There was room enough to store my Kindle (without its cover). There's also an attached key leash.

A middle section provides an open pocket for a tablet or iPad, and two smaller pockets — one of them, an expandable mesh. The third (back) portion of the bag is a padded laptop compartment that fits up to a 15" laptop.

The backpack also features a wide back sleeve that fits securely over the handle of carry-on luggage.

If you need a backpack that could serve as your one and only carry-on, this may not work for you. It's roomy enough for basics and a minimalist packer could possibly fit a weekend's worth of clothes and essentials in it. However, I think it would be a better option for your daily commute, weekend road trips or day trips.

The water bottle pockets were kind of useless to me. The pockets don't expand and there is no give in the material, so you're somewhat limited in bottle size.

It barely fit my 28-ounce insulated water bottle (I couldn't push the bottle all the way to the bottom of the pocket). However, you would probably be fine with a purchased 16-ounce plastic bottle of water.

I don't like storing my water bottle inside my backpack because of potential leaks (and water damage to my laptop), so I ended up carrying my 40-ounce bottle separately. There is a metal hook on one side of the bag so you could attach an insulated bottle to it with a carabiner.

Sizing: 11.8 by 7.5 by 17.7, 2.1 pounds (empty).

Price: $250.

Away — F.A.R. Backpack 26L

Away has a sizable fan base ( including TPG staffers ) thanks to its stylish hard-side rolling luggage.

F.A.R. (For All Routes) is the brand's recently launched outdoor line. The collection is designed with frequent travelers and outdoor adventurers in mind. Bags in the collection are constructed with lightweight 100% recycled polyester, and are abrasion- and water-resistant. The zippers and webbing are also made with recycled materials.

I tested the 26L backpack . The bag arrived wrapped in a plant-based compostable plastic bag, which is in line with the brand's push toward offering more sustainable and environmentally friendly products.

It's available in five colors — black, vivid blue, red-orange, burgundy and (dark) green.

As I mentioned above, I tested this bag on my return long-haul flight from South Africa. On the trip home, it contained everything I packed in the Patagonia backpack, as well as two small bags of souvenirs I snagged at the airport on the way out.

Since it's a bit smaller than the Patagonia backpack I carried first, I was concerned it wouldn't hold everything I started my trip with. I was pleasantly surprised it did with no issues.

The two side pockets for water bottles are roomy. The features list reads that the pockets fit up to 32-ounce bottles, but my 40-ounce insulated bottle fits easily (though I traveled with a 28-ounce bottle).

This backpack had lots of pockets and hidden storage. The front compartment has interior slip pockets for easy access to small essentials like your wallet, smartphone, passport, a book or two, chargers and other items. It was a slightly tighter fit once filled, but I suspected it would be given the size difference.

The main compartment features a larger slip pocket for your laptop. The padding wasn't quite as thick as the Patagonia laptop pocket, but it was enough that I didn't worry about it being damaged.

Two hidden zipper pockets on each side are so well concealed I wouldn't have found them if I hadn't read the features card included with the backpack.

You can attach your keys or other items to the bag's wide front webbing loops. Also, the thick backpack trolley strap slips easily onto your luggage handle.

In addition to the backpack I tested, the F.A.R. line includes three sizes of duffles, a 45L backpack, a water bottle bag, a packing cube, a zippered pouch and a messenger bag.

Of the five backpacks I tested, this was probably my favorite. Based on my experience with this brand, I will likely add more F.A.R. products to my travel arsenal.

Sizing: 19 by 12.6 by 7.7 inches, .78 pounds (empty).

Price: $130.

Solo Re:Claim

One of the products in Solo's Re:Cycled collection, the Solo Re:Claim is made from Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a type of strong, lightweight and 100% recyclable plastic. The collection is reasonably priced and includes additional backpacks, totes, rolling cases, laptop sleeves and other products (all constructed from recyclable plastic).

The bag I tested was heather-grey. It also comes in burgundy and navy (though the navy backpacks were unavailable at the time of writing this).

The backpack is water-resistant and comes with a five-year limited warranty. It features a smaller padded front zippable pocket with compartments for pens, cards, your phone and a tablet, as well as a small clip for your keys. A roomy fully-padded compartment fits 11- to 15.6-inch laptops.

There are mesh pockets on each side for water bottles. Although the pockets give a little, I struggled to squeeze in my 28-ounce insulated bottle. Once I got it in, though, I felt confident it wouldn't fall out.

A tag was included in the packaging with information about Solo's partnership with the National Forest Foundation. The company plants trees with every bag sold from its Recycled Collection.

I didn't really care for the two handles at the top of the backpack. They were located on each side of the opening with a wrap-like velcro to connect them. It was kind of annoying to have to take it apart every time I wanted to unzip the bag.

I usually travel with a 40-ounce bottle, which did not fit in the side pockets.

Sizing: 16.5 by 12.25 by 6.75 inches, 1.2 pounds (empty).

Price: About $67.26 on Amazon.

Briggs & Riley — @Work Large Cargo Backpack

This backpack is ideal for work commuters and business travelers who need a sleek and professional-looking bag to carry their business essentials. It's also roomy enough to pack clothes and toiletries you'd need for an overnight stay if needed.

The hefty price tag might intimidate you. However, when you consider the company's lifetime replacement warranty and consistently positive customer reviews, I feel like it's worth the investment.

It has an interior organizer, main and laptop compartments, a durable fabric lining, an RFID-blocking pocket with two hidden credit card pockets that hold a wallet and passport.

There are also three elastic slip pockets with leather tabs to organize smaller items such as cords and USB drives and two more slip pockets to store other items.

Its top cargo pocket on the front panel holds travel accessories. It features two elastic pen loops, a large main compartment, a full-length slip pocket in the main compartment for storing folders or files, as well as two elastic pockets in the main compartment for storing cables and chargers.

It also includes a laptop compartment with a padded sleeve, plus a padded tablet pocket in the laptop compartment.

The exterior is 1600D ballistic nylon that resists wear, moisture, dirt and abrasion. The front panel also has a leather nameplate on the front (that you can monogram), a deep zip pocket on the front panel for easy access to items such as sunglasses or a smartphone, top-grain leather carry handles and a gusseted side u-zip pocket with an elastic band for a water bottle.

The backpack has adjustable padded straps, an aerated mesh back padding and a slip-through back panel that allows the backpack to slide over a luggage handle and bottom corner guards to protect the backpack from wear and tear.

It's very comfortable. I'm surprised at how light it feels given its large size. I tested it during my daily office commute. It holds my laptop, charger, wallet, phone and an extra pair of shoes.

I also appreciated the light contrasting shade of the bag's inside lining — it's so much easier to find my items.

Color choices are limited to black and dark grey. However, if you're using it for daily work or business travel, you want something that looks professional and this definitely fits the bill.

Additionally, there aren't any real external gear attachment options. The bag does include a removable luggage tag, which is nice.

Sizing: 19 by 15 by 8 inches, 3.2 pounds (empty).

Price: $379.

Related: What your luggage brand says about you

Bottom line

A well-organized and sturdy travel backpack is worth its weight in gold.

If you expect a lot out of your bag and want it to last through all your future travels, you may want to spend a little more on it. If you travel occasionally and just need a backpack for convenience, lower-priced options should suffice for your needs.

Before you buy your next backpack (or other travel essentials), check out TPG's guides to airline and shopping portals, as well as the best credit cards for online shopping. That way, the gear you buy for your next trip can also help you pay for it.

Do you have a backpack you can't do without? Let us know in the TPG Lounge or email us at [email protected]. We're always on the lookout for products that make travel easier and we would love to hear from you.

Away The Everywhere Bag Review

Meet your versatile new best bag-friend

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Away The Everywhere Bag

TripSavvy / Joy Merrifield

Fits perfectly over most carry-on handles

Easy to clean

Lightweight

Discreet umbrella pocket

Odd laptop sleeve gussets

Always sold out

The Everywhere Bag from Away is a modern, minimalist delight that we are happy to endorse.

• Ease of Cleaning
• Competition
• Final Verdict

We purchased the Away The Everywhere Bag so our expert reviewer could thoroughly test and assess it. Keep reading for our full product review.

Designed to hold its own solo or nest on the handle of a rolling suitcase, The Everywhere Bag is Away’s crack at a truly take-anywhere accessory. Since the company’s 2015 launch, Away’s design mission has been to offer an easy, effortless uniform that works for the masses but feels unique to the individual. We enjoyed taking Away’s Bigger Carry-On for a spin and were interested to see if the weekender iteration could measure up to its big sister and to its name. And how better to test an Everywhere Bag than to take it absolutely everywhere? 

Design: Minimalism, maximized

Classic and a little boxy, the Everywhere Bag doesn’t take up a lot of visual real estate at first glance. Away’s brand M.O. so far has been to boil down travel accessories to their most essential, useful roots, applying thoughtful design to a field that can be overrun by heavy design details like outsized hardware and thick leather features. 

We reviewed the nylon version, which is available in a wide choice of colors (we went with the neutral Sand). Constructed of—you guessed it—thick, waterproof nylon, the bag is minimally accented with narrow black leather handles, a removable black shoulder strap in soft cotton webbing, and coordinating black zippers and pocket piping. Away also offers The Everywhere in leather , as well as other limited-run premium fabrics—if you can get your paws on them before they sell out. The color combos for non-nylon vary, but the basic bone structure remains the same.

The bag construction employs a hint of origami, using strategically placed darts rather than stitched-together panels to create the boxy shape. Away has cleverly managed to make the majority of the exterior from one large piece, which is great for weatherproofing and gives it shape without rigidity. This is probably the most low-key but crucial evidence of its modern design. It’s unlikely that you’d notice the darts outright, but the absence of side panels is what keeps the design from dipping into gym bag territory. They also help it maintain its shape when empty, which, as anyone who’s tried to pack a floppy duffel bag before will know, is merciful.

The Everywhere features a subtly integrated exterior panel that you can slip over the telescopic handle of most rolling suitcases (Away or not), so they can roll together. These are sometimes called a “trolley sleeve,” and while Away didn’t invent them, they’ve certainly gotten them some good—and well-deserved—publicity. They’re genius. If you’ve ever attempted to run to your gate while balancing a personal item on your rolling suitcase, then you know how very real the struggle can be. 

Storage: Pockets, pockets, pockets

Besides the trolley sleeve, the wealth and variety of pockets is where The Everywhere Bag shines. One thing Away clearly understands is the power of partitioned storage. A waterproof, virtually invisible zippered compartment in the base of the bag is designed to hold umbrellas, leaving us to wonder why every bag ever designed doesn’t have this. How many commutes with dripping umbrellas have we had to suffer through before this? 

The exterior also has a zippered pocket over the trolley sleeve, and a small, accessible phone pocket. Our larger phone stuck out of the pocket a little, which didn’t feel very secure, so we opted to keep it in the zippered pocket instead.

Besides the trolley sleeve, the wealth and variety of pockets is where The Everywhere Bag shines.

The interior has more piped and zippered pockets, including a snap-closure laptop pocket that will accommodate up to a 15-inch computer. The sides of the laptop pocket are gusseted to handle either thick laptops or laptops kept in their sleeves. The width was just right for a 15-inch MacBook Pro, but the gussets give it too much room to flop forward and backward. It would’ve been nice if Away had designed the pocket’s closing strap to be adjustable to account for computer size variation.  

Though great, the other interior pockets don’t need individual calling out, except for one: There’s a discreetly placed pocket in the very bottom interior. We’re pretty sure you’re supposed to tuck the umbrella sleeve into it when not in use, but it’s also roughly passport-sized. Maybe a bonus security feature?

Capacity: A perfect personal item

The airline gods would categorize The Everywhere Bag as a “personal item” rather than luggage. As the name implies, you can take it anywhere, but with a capacity of 20 liters, don’t plan on stretching it out to an extended stay. For comparison, your average school backpack will have a capacity falling somewhere between 18 and 25 liters. 

You can take it anywhere, but with a capacity of 20 liters, don’t plan on stretching it out to an extended stay.

The Everywhere is designed to harmonize with Away’s rolling suitcases, letting them manage the heavy lifting while keeping the laptop and toiletries (in their chic, quart-sized clear bag) close at hand. As luggage, you aren’t going to be able to fit much more than a weekend’s worth of essentials in there, unless you’re planning for a week spent exclusively in sarongs and flip flops. And if that’s the case, can we come?

If you’re looking for a larger bag, Away’s Weekender Bag , with an almost 39-liter capacity, may be better for you. It’s about the same size as a small carry-on and can fit in both the overhead compartment and under the seat.

Uses: Great almost everywhere, for almost everything

We were impressed with how convertible this bag was. We ferried a 15-inch laptop around the city in it, commuted back and forth to work in the rain with it, took it to work meetings, packed it for a weekend trip, and used it as our gym bag for a month. By keeping the design neutral and the capacity intermediate, the Everywhere really did work almost everywhere. The Nylon Sand colorway we reviewed felt a little out of place in a nice restaurant, but the leather version, currently offered in either black or blush, wouldn’t have. 

The Everywhere really did work almost everywhere.

Ease of Cleaning: Spot clean only

The exterior of the Everywhere we reviewed is abrasion- and water-resistant performance nylon. Away recommends that you skip the washer and dryer for this fabric and spot clean with a damp cloth and gentle soap. After a month, we didn’t notice any stains or marks on our light-colored bag, but we did notice that the waterproof umbrella pouch will stay wet forever if you let it. You should turn it inside out to dry at the end of a rainy day—and try not to forget your wet umbrella in it for an entire weekend as we did. 

Price: A little expensive

At $195, the price of Away’s Everywhere Bag does seem a little expensive. It’s obviously well made, and we love all the storage pouches and pockets. The nylon quality is excellent, and the accent leather is fine—maybe not the most durable, but buttery soft. At the end of the day, though, it’s a small, nice nylon bag that costs nearly as much as the rolling suitcase that made Away famous, and it doesn’t even come with its own charging station. We wish they would’ve found a way to price it $30 to $50 cheaper.

Competition: It’s fierce (and trendy) out there

Dagne Dover Ryan Laptop Bag: Slimmer, trendier, and better built for business than the Everywhere Bag, the Ryan Laptop Bag from Dagne Dover has a trolley sleeve that slides over your suitcase handle to lock in place, but it caters more to electronics than weekend outfits. Fabricated from neoprene in some ridiculously cute colorways and loaded down with pocket features, the Ryan is 100 percent business, but 0 percent buttoned up. 

Lo & Sons O.M.G.: The Everywhere Bag is certainly multi-use, but it would never be mistaken for a purse. If you love the pockets, dividers, and trolley sleeve of the Everywhere Bag but don’t love the idea of carrying a separate suitcase, laptop bag, and purse on your travels, the O.M.G. from Lo & Sons is a great compromise. Roomy without being too obviously functional, the O.M.G. has roughly the same capacity as the Everywhere Bag (20 liters) and holds a 13-inch laptop. It even has a discreet shoe compartment at the bottom, which is great for when the business dinner finally ends and you get to slip on some Keds to explore the new city. 

Everlane The Twill Weekender: Similarly styled with strong, modern solids and polished black leather accents, the Twill Weekender from Everlane is a more laid-back alternative to the Everywhere Bag. It doesn’t offer much in the way of dedicated pockets, and it doesn’t have the trolley sleeve, but it’s a handsome, classic weekender with a generous 36-liter capacity and of-the-moment brand appeal.  

Minimal and exceptionally versatile, The Everywhere Bag from Away truly did find a way to fit into every setting. We love that the size and quality are adaptable to the gym, commuting, work, travel …  everywhere! We think it’s a little expensive for a smallish nylon bag, but the design and the features sold us anyway. If it’s in the budget (and if it’s in stock), we’re even considering a level up to the elegant leather version. Even in the nylon fabrication, though, we can easily add our recommendation to this one. 

• Product Name The Everywhere Bag
• Product Brand Away
• Price $195.00
• Weight 2.6 lbs.
• Product Dimensions 16.3 x 7.3 x 10.2 in.
• Color Nylon: Black, Navy, Green, Asphalt, Sand; Leather: Black, Blush
• Outer Material Nylon, leather
• Lining Material Nylon
• Capacity 20 L
• Handle Drop 7 in.
• Warranty 100-day no-question return policy

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The Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks

By Kit Dillon

Kit Dillon is a writer focused on bags and travel gear. He has worked for Wirecutter for a decade and lost count of the number of bags he has tested.

When you open up your favorite carry-on travel backpack, it should feel like you’re opening the door to a well-organized closet or sitting down at a clean desk, with everything in the right place and easy to reach.

This is your moment to center yourself, no matter how chaotic the journey.

What we considered

A 45-liter bag maximizes overhead space but can get heavy when fully packed; 35-liter bags tend to be more manageable.

A bag with a clamshell design opens like a book and is the easiest to pack, but a bag that opens traditionally tends to have more structure.

Ideally, a travel backpack has handles on all sides—especially the bottom—so you can pull it out of overhead bins or from under seats.

Some internal pockets are useful, but major organizing is better managed with packing cubes.

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack and the larger Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L offer the best combination of features, quality, and durability. Both bags are exemplary carry-on travel backpacks that are designed for comfort, durability, and organization. Though these backpacks are great as companion bags for any trip, they’re designed to ultimately replace all of your other luggage and become your exclusive bag as you travel.

This style of packing is not for everyone, but once some people try it, they’re forever hooked. Finding the right bag is a personal choice, though, and no single bag will appeal to everyone. That’s why we also have picks that are great for people who travel for work , others that are designed to be carried over long distances , and a bag that’s basically luggage on your back .

The research

Why you should trust us, who this is for, best small carry-on bag for most situations: cotopaxi allpa 35l travel pack, best large bag for most situations: peak design travel backpack 45l, best mobile office: patagonia black hole mlc 45l, best bag for long journeys on foot: osprey farpoint 40 and fairview 40, best bag if you need a large suitcase on your back: tortuga travel backpack pro 40l, other good carry-on travel backpacks, how we picked and tested, the competition.

I’ve been covering aspects of luggage and travel bag design for Wirecutter for nearly a decade, and I have personally researched, tested, and compared hundreds of bags in that time. I personally try to do most of my travel with a single backpack, whenever possible. I spent nine months roaming around Hawaii with not much more than that, and I spent another six months nomadically couch-surfing in New York City.

I reached out to writers who specialize in traveling the world carrying everything they need in a single bag: Eytan Levy, the owner and operator of the Snarky Nomad travel website; James Feess, founder of The Savvy Backpacker ; and Sharon Gourlay, of the Where’s Sharon? travel website. I also spoke with moderators of Reddit’s r/onebag and r/heronebag forums, as well as with Chase Reeves, bag fanatic, reviewer, and owner of Matterful .

We researched and tested bags designed for those who want to travel light and stay flexible while flying, without the burden of checking luggage. For some people, the challenge of cutting down a packing list is intimidating. But if you can get past that initial hurdle, traveling with a single bag is a revelation. With fewer items, you have more time to concentrate on and appreciate the journey.

• When you’re not loaded down by heavy luggage, it’s easy to remain more mobile. And it’s easier to adjust your plans mid-trip. If you’re willing to do laundry on the road, then one bag is all you need to travel indefinitely. At its heart, one-bag travel allows you to discover more—not just about the places you’re going but also about yourself and what you really need day to day.
• Size and weight still matter. If you desire more creature comforts or more gear, or if you plan to be away for a long time across multiple climates, you’ll want a bigger travel backpack . These larger bags tend not to be carry-on-friendly, however, especially in Europe, so be prepared to check them.
• No single backpack is perfect for everyone. Before you make any purchase, consider some basic points. How much can you carry? And where do you usually visit: the city or outback? Travel gear should feel like a welcome companion—there to support you when you need it but unobtrusive when you don’t.

45-liter bag vs. 35-liter bag

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L

A versatile small pack for a week or a weekend.

This durable bag’s clamshell design makes it easy to organize your stuff. And due to its strap design, this bag can be worn on your back or carried in your hand while you’re on the move.

Buying Options

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The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack is an easy-to-organize, comfortable-to-carry bag for getaways lasting just a few days or a whole week.

It’s one bag that can do it all. This is a great all-around bag for any traveler who’s dedicated to packing light, or for a smaller person who wants less to carry. There are handles on all four sides of this bag, so it’s easy to grab no matter where you’ve stowed it. It’s also protected by a full lifetime warranty, and it has the build quality to back that up. After more than four years of testing, this single backpack (plus a personal item ) has replaced nearly every travel bag or piece of luggage I use.

It comes in various sizes, but we think the middle-of-the-road version is the best. Cotopaxi also makes the Allpa in 28-liter and 42-liter sizes. But for us, the 35-liter bag is the best option. At 42 liters, this bag becomes heavy for most people to carry when it is fully packed, and we’d prefer that it had a more-robust hip belt. At 28 liters, the bag becomes a touch small for most people, and its internal organization feels fussy for shorter trips, such as an overnight. Cotopaxi also makes a hip pack , which is designed to fit snugly into the Allpa bag’s front top compartment. It’s a neat little addition to the bag, and it is worth getting if you like wearing fanny packs while you travel.

It’s organized, easy to pack, and easy to carry. The Allpa bag has a clamshell design, so it opens like a hard-sided suitcase—a large YKK zipper runs around three sides of the bag, allowing it to fall open into two halves when unzipped. On the right side is a deep compartment, spacious enough for two large packing cubes or half a suitcase’s worth of clothing (which you access through a mesh zippered flap). On the left, there’s space for one more medium-size packing cube behind a zippered flap. Above that there are two smaller pockets with high-visibility backing—useful when you’re looking for hard-to-differentiate personal items.

It’s secure but still accessible. The Allpa pack has two side-access zippers—great for on-the-go access, especially when the bag is hanging from your shoulder. One of these reveals a flat computer pocket with a padded false bottom; so if you drop the bag, it won’t land on the corner of your computer. The other reveals a “secret” pocket with a hidden zipper and access to the main compartment. All of the main compartment zippers are protected by security loops, which you thread the zipper through at the end of its run. This prevents anyone from subtly or quickly grabbing a zipper and opening your bag when you aren’t paying attention.

It’s comfortable to carry. The Allpa bag’s hip belt—which can be removed while the bag is on your back—is substantial enough that it’s comfortable to wear when you need it. With or without the hip belt, the Allpa bag is comfortable to carry over long distances. However, folks who have longer torsos (over 19 inches) may find that the waist belt sits a little high off the hips, unless you fully extend the shoulder straps. Speaking of shoulder straps, unlike the ones on our other picks, the Allpa bag’s straps are contoured to fit people who have large or small chests. It’s not a specifically gendered design, but our female tester noticed the improvement right away.

The Allpa pack is made with 1680-denier ballistic nylon, similar to the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 . (Denier is a measure of a fabric’s fiber thickness.) It feels similar to a strong canvas, but it has a more prominent weave. This is the type of bag that’s as easy to toss into an overhead compartment as it is into the back of a rusty pickup truck. And it also includes a rainfly, which is unique in this category.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• Though this pack is well organized for packing, it’s less ideal as a mobile office. The Allpa pack has a minimal amount of administrative organization—places to keep pens and papers, spaces to hold tickets, and so forth. This is where a good personal item comes in handy. However, if you want to travel with just this one bag, there are a few nooks you can hide things in. The front organizer is deep enough that you can also fit several small organizing pouches, if you want, or the aforementioned fanny pack.
• We prefer the model without the TPU front. Cotopaxi does enjoy playing around with fabrics and colors. Sometimes the company has released the Allpa pack without the TPU-lined front panel. The TPU panel improves water resistance, but after many years of traveling with our bag, we’ve found that the TPU layering can begin to flake in spots.

Capacity: 35 liters Weight: 3 pounds 5 ounces Main compartment access: clamshell opening Style: adventurous Colors: assorted

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

An easily customizable large bag for long trips and expensive gear.

This bag was built with photographers in mind. Yet most travelers will appreciate its easy accessibility, clever tuck-away straps, and the elegant way the bag expands and contracts. The accessory cubes cost extra, though.

The Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is a good choice for those carrying more expensive gear—especially camera gear. It’s also great for those who prefer a large, backpack-based packing system.

One bag provides many configurations. Some bags in this category are built to do one thing extremely well—be carried on your back. But the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is built to adapt. It’s the Swiss Army knife of backpacks: adjustable, customizable, and (if you spring for the extra cubes and organizers) an almost perfect system for a photographer or gearhead on the move. Most bags’ expanding mechanisms aren’t worth the extra zipper they’re built on, and they look about as attractive as a boiled ham splitting out of its plastic packaging. That’s not the case with the Peak Design: This bag looks just as good fully packed at 45 liters as it does compressed to a 30-liter daypack.

It’s expandable, with clever folds and zippers. You can access the bag through a back panel (which doubles as a computer and tablet pouch) as well as a front one (if you unzip the pass-through divider). You can also get into the main compartment via two wing-like trapezoidal flaps, which run along each side of the pack. In its natural shape, the Travel Backpack holds 35 liters, but an expansion zipper lets the bag swell to 45 liters. If you want to use the bag as a daypack, you fold in the top corners and snap them down, reducing the bag’s volume to a slim 30 liters. In this configuration, it will still feel larger than a normal daypack, but we think that’s a small compromise for being able to use one backpack as both your travel bag and your daily explorer. The bag itself consists of 400-denier nylon and polyester fabrics. It feels tough but not as tough as some other bags we’ve tested, such as the Cotopaxi Allpa.

It has fold-away straps, for easier storage. The Peak Design lets you tuck its shoulder and hip straps away when you’re not using them. But unlike any other bag we’ve ever tested, this pack has magnetic flaps on the back panel that open and close with an almost magical snap. Once you’ve played with them, you’ll wonder why every backpack doesn’t have something similar. A small, childish part of me still gets excited about tucking away the straps when I put the Peak Design into an overhead bin. Although the straps are thin, they’re still comfortable. The hip belt isn’t quite as plush as the one on the Tortuga pack; still, even when the Peak Design is fully loaded, the belt doesn’t pinch or dig into the body.

It’s great for carrying expensive gear. If you travel with a camera, you don’t have to use Peak Design’s camera cubes , but they do make carrying that gear a whole lot easier. The cubes come in five sizes. And if they’re situated properly in the bag with the provided clips, they line up with the Travel Backpack’s side-access flaps for quick access. Caleigh Waldman (a photographer for this piece and, full disclosure, my spouse) took this bag across the country for a wedding shoot. “I want this backpack,” she said after three weeks of travel. “I want to travel with it everywhere. With my cameras. Without my cameras. It doesn’t matter. I want to travel with it.”

• It’s expensive—especially if you commit to the entire system of packing and camera cubes.
• More complexity means more things that can break. The adjustable design and multiple zippers do add complexity, and complexity adds potential weaknesses. Peak Design covers all of its bags with a lifetime warranty , which should alleviate most people’s concerns. But if you’re particularly hard on your gear and still need to carry as much as possible, you might consider the Tortuga bag instead.

Capacity: 45 liters Weight: 4½ pounds Main compartment access: back-panel loader Style: minimalist and unobtrusive Color: black, sage

Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L

Combines more organization with a simple interior.

This bag’s split interior makes organizing easy. Those who travel for work will appreciate this bag’s dedicated panels for organizing tech, books, papers, and assorted miscellaneous items.

If you travel often for business and prefer a bag that’s much easier to work out of than most of our other picks, you may like the Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L . This bag has a front panel and assorted pockets that make it feel like a small traveling office.

It’s built like luggage but organized like your office. Of all the bags we recommend, the MLC (short for Maximum Legal Carry) comes closest to being a suitcase on your back, due to its large size, simple interior, and minimal external features. The MLC is also one of the simplest bags we tested, divided into two leaves (imagine a book with only one page), with a main compartment for packing and a second compartment for document organization and tech storage. The MLC has a built-in laptop compartment that fits 17-inch laptops and is situated close to your back; this protects the computer and keeps its weight closer to your body.

Despite its size, it’s comfortable enough to carry. Most carry-on backpacks of this size, without frames, become somewhat unwieldy when fully packed. Thankfully, the Black Hole MLC bag, like the Cotopaxi Allpa, is a welcome exception to this rule. The MLC has two shoulder straps, a hip belt, and an optional shoulder strap, for easy carrying. When they're not in use, or when you’re checking your bag, all of the straps can be stowed away easily. When fully loaded, the bag was pleasant to carry—not as comfortable as the Peak Design or the Osprey, but decent enough. I wouldn’t want to carry it all day across a city, but I wouldn’t mind carrying it through an airport to a car and to a hotel.

It’s built from high-quality materials, with durability in mind. This pack is made from recycled polyester, and the fabric is woven in a cross-weave that’s very similar to what Patagonia uses in its long-lasting Black Hole series of duffle bags . This is a material I’ve come across a bunch with Patagonia gear, and I’ve tested it thoroughly; it’s very tough. The front of the bag is coated in a weather-resistant TPU, for extra protection from the elements. The bag has large YKK zippers (the industry leader) and smaller YKK zippers throughout. Unlike the Cotopaxi Allpa pack, the Black Hole MLC bag has no security loops.

It comes with one of the best repair programs and a lifetime warranty. Similar to our other picks, the MLC is backed by an excellent lifetime warranty , and we’ve always found that Patagonia’s repair program goes above and beyond other comparable companies.

• We wish the Maximum Legal Carry (despite the name) came in a few more sizes. The 45-liter capacity may be intimidating for some people, and there is no alternative.

Capacity: 45 liters Weight: 3 pounds 10 ounces Main compartment access: clamshell Style: retro Colors: tan, black, olive, green

Osprey Farpoint 40

For long distances on foot.

A great starter option for one-bag travel, this bag is easy to pack, adaptable to most situations, and sturdy enough to take with you as you travel the world.

Osprey Fairview 40

For long distances and smaller torsos.

A scaled-down version of the Farpoint, this bag has shoulder straps that are slightly lower, to keep the bag’s bulk more aligned with smaller torsos.

Updated in 2023, the Osprey Farpoint 40 and Fairview 40 packs are both built around a hiking backpack frame that’s easy to carry over long distances.

It’s built for travel but designed for hiking. The Farpoint 40 bag is well made, easy to pack, and comfortable to carry over most mid-length distances—such as walking across a city for an afternoon. (For simplicity’s sake, everything we say here about the Farpoint bag also applies to the Fairview bag.) Osprey makes excellent backpacks for hauling around, and its lifetime warranty is renowned within the industry . The Farpoint pack also has an optional messenger bag–style strap, which offers some flexibility when you’re maneuvering tight spaces like subways or crowded city centers.

It’s simple to pack, but not as spacious as it seems. Opening the bag reveals a clamshell design; it’s deep enough to accommodate most large items, yet you won’t have to fumble awkwardly with zippers once it’s time to close up the bag. The feeling you get is not unlike when you’re packing a bit of sturdy luggage, and that’s something we love about bags like this one—especially when you use packing cubes . Osprey says this bag, when fully packed, can carry 40 liters. But after using the Farpoint bag for a few years, we’ve decided that its rounded shape seems to cut into that theoretical packable space more than other bags do. In practice, the Farpoint pack’s available space is closer to—but still less than—that of the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L .

It’s the easiest bag to carry among our picks. Like all Osprey bags, the Farpoint 40 has very comfortable shoulder straps. The years of design and consideration Osprey has put into its hiking backpacks are quite evident in the Farpoint 40. After more than seven years of long-term testing this bag, we’re still surprised by how great it feels to wear when fully packed. Crucially, the straps of the Farpoint 40 stow away neatly behind a zippered panel. However, when you’re using the shoulder straps, the design forces you to also use the hip straps. Though this isn’t a huge issue, if you prefer a sleeker look or would rather have the option of using shoulder straps without hip straps, the Cotopaxi Allpa pack is more flexible, and it lets you hide the waist straps while the bag is on your back.

The Fairview 40 has the same features, in a scaled-down size. The Farpoint 40 and the Fairview 40 packs basically have the same design, but the Fairview pack is made for someone with a more-diminutive torso. It’s also slightly lighter. However, it has the features and durability of the Farpoint bag. It also has the same hip belt and adjustability. On both, the chest-strap clip is also equipped with a small security whistle that’s surprisingly loud. It’s a handy feature for anyone traveling in unfamiliar environments.

• For a smaller carry-on travel backpack, this one has little to not like. However, we do wish Osprey would trade some of the sleeker contours for a little more interior space.

Capacity: 35 liters Weight (Farpoint): 3 pounds 3 ounces Weight (Fairview): 3 pounds 2 ounces Main compartment access: front-panel loader Style: active Colors (Farpoint): green (Gopher), gray (Tunnel Vision), blue (Muted Space), black Colors (Fairview): blue (Winter Night), red (Zircon), blue (Night Jungle), black

Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L

A suitcase to carry on your back.

For dedicated single-bag travelers, this water-resistant, durable bag is easy to pack and to travel with. And it’s comfortable to wear over endless miles—as long as you don’t mind the heavier weight.

The Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L maximizes packing space in a bag that’s durable, water-resistant, and customizable to fit most torso lengths (there’s also a 30L version ), with plenty of organizational features to suit any digital nomad.

It’s like a suitcase, with backpack straps. The Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L is built to occupy the maximum carry-on space available. It’s a nearly perfect blend of backpack and luggage. On the outside, its tear-resistant sailcloth and sealed zippers provide ample protection from sharp objects and the elements. Opening the main clamshell zipper reveals a cavernous interior and a few organizational features that make the bag a cinch to pack. The front panel is a particular standout, great for keeping track of electronics and chargers. Of all the bags we tested, the Tortuga strikes the closest balance between the carrying comfort of a hiking backpack and the space and organization of a piece of luggage.

It’s as easy to pack as luggage. When it comes to packing, the Tortuga pack has a soothingly minimal interior, as any good suitcase should. In addition to the bag’s cavernous main pocket, its interior lid has a large vented panel. The panel is too narrow to hold additional packing cubes, but it’s great for holding light jackets or doubling as a dirty-laundry bag (if you’re really committed to one-bag travel). The Tortuga is available as a 40-liter pack (the maximum space for a carry-on bag), which we tested; there is also a 30-liter version, which is compliant with some intra-European flights. The more-diminutive version is a decent choice for weekend travel or for minimalist travelers—but for those uses, we prefer the space-saving profile and extra internal organization of the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L bag.

It’s very customizable. The Tortuga pack is the most adjustable model we tested, thanks to its adjustable torso length, shoulder straps, and waist-belt system. The adjustable strap system lets you manipulate the location of the shoulder straps (video) to fit a wider variety of body sizes, in both the 30- and 40-liter versions. Of the packs we’ve tested, this one (with its included load-adjuster straps at the top, to prevent the bag’s weight from sagging toward your lumbar region) is the best at distributing its weight (4½ pounds when empty—roughly 1½ pounds more than most of our other picks, except the Peak Design ). The hip straps are removable if you need, but the shoulder straps are not stowable.

• Its straps don’t stow away. Some people, especially those who are hard on their gear, may consider not being able to remove or stow the shoulder straps (as they can with our other picks, like the Cotopaxi Allpa ) a disqualifying factor. But after years of testing, traveling with, and occasionally checking our bag, we haven’t had an issue. However, if these mysteries beneath the airport also make you nervous, you might prefer our picks with easy-to-stow straps, such as the Peak Design.
• It's heavy. We’ve fielded complaints from some testers who said that older models of this bag were too heavy for them to carry, even with the padded hip belt and adjustable straps. The additional padding does add weight. At 4½ pounds, this latest Tortuga bag is more than half a pound lighter than it used to be (the difference is noticeable), and it weighs the same as the equally large Peak Design pack. We are currently testing a new, lighter, and less-expensive version of this pack—aptly named the Travel Backpack Lite 40L —and will report back soon.  In the meantime, if you think you would struggle carrying the Tortuga, we strenuously encourage you to consider one of our more-manageable picks, like the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L.

Capacity: 40 liters Weight: 4½ pounds Main compartment access: clamshell opening Style: minimal, with a rigid construction Color: black

If you want to travel like a backpacker but also fit in at a board meeting (and you have the budget for it): Consider the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 . This bag’s reputation for durability, adaptability, and a low-key aesthetic make it a favorite among many dedicated one-bag travelers. And after testing it, we think it’s a great bag too. That said, for the bag to really stand out against other backpacks—and to take full advantage of its carrying adaptability—you need to buy the internal frame , the hip belt , and (if you’re traveling with a suit or jacket) the shoulder strap . On a bag that already costs $330, all of this adds up. Everything about the Tom Bihn bag (the fabric, the zippers, the quality of construction) feels like an upgrade from other bags, but it’s simply too pricey, and its design is too rarified and specific for most people. The biggest flaw, from our perspective—apart from the price—is that the Tom Bihn bag lacks a dedicated laptop pocket. In its place, the company sells laptop sleeves (a fine version if you don’t have one) that clip into the bag’s central compartment. Not everyone needs a dedicated laptop pocket, but we prefer the more secure feeling of bags that do.

If you want a budget pick (but only when it’s on sale): The eBags Mother Lode Travel Backpack (our former budget pick) is still your best budget option, if you can catch it on sale for at least half off the list price. It’s not comfortable enough for trekking long distances on foot, but there are plenty of external pockets for organization, a laptop sleeve (which holds the weight of your computer high up on your shoulders), and an easy-to-access main compartment. This pack also has the largest capacity of any bags we tested, expanding to 65 liters—well beyond any airline’s regulated 45-liter limit. However, the bag’s casual-to-basic looks might not be to everyone’s taste. In 2024, eBags raised the price of the Mother Lode to $200. We have seen it on sale for $100, and in our opinion it’s worth getting only at the sale price.

We’ve narrowed our specifications for a great bag to the following list of features, ordered from most relevant to least:

• Front- or back-panel loader or clamshell opening, for the main compartment: As with any good piece of luggage, with this type of bag, you should be able to open it and see everything you’ve packed. When you have a bag with a panel-loading or clamshell design—rather than a traditional, top-opening design—you can pack and unpack it just as you would a suitcase.

• Backpack strap comfort and design: You never know when you’ll be walking farther with your bag than you’d intended. The more comfortable and well designed the straps are, the easier traveling will be. “Ideally, you want a bag’s shoulder straps to adjust to the angle of your shoulders,” said Eytan Levy of Snarky Nomad. “Good shoulder straps are the difference between an easy trip and a hard trip.”
• Hip-belt comfort and design: A hip belt transfers heavy loads from your back and shoulders onto your hips, letting your legs—not your back—bear the brunt of the weight. Just having a waist belt is a plus, but having a padded and sculpted one—especially on bags with over 40 liters of volume—makes a world of difference.
• Material quality: Durability is critical for any type of luggage, but especially for a backpack that will be your only bag. Most bags worth considering are made of nylon, which resists abrasion more than polyester fabrics of similar density. Spending more, however, can get you exotic, light, and strong materials, such as Dyneema or sailcloth.
• Weight: Once the bags arrived, we weighed each one ourselves. Most of the bags weighed within a few pounds of one another. But unless you’re very strict with yourself, by the time you’re packed for a two-week journey, all bags are going to feel equally massive, even if one is just 2 pounds heavier than another when empty.
• Stowable straps: These are nice to have, but they aren’t absolutely necessary. “The more often you need to check a bag, the more often you need to hide away the straps,” Levy said. “But if the straps are tough enough, it doesn’t matter.”
• Accessory pocket layout and design: Some people will love an accessory pocket that has a specific space for everything; others may find that feature constricting and unadaptable. We prioritized bags with simple designs that guided our packing without constraining us.
• Style: This is purely subjective. We preferred bags that had a minimalist exterior style, but not all of our picks will please everyone. Most of the people we spoke with, however, preferred not to stick out like a tourist wearing a large, colorful backpack, if they could avoid it.

During testing, we flew across the country with these bags, took weekend trips to nearby cities, lived out of them on extended trips, and tried them locally in our daily routines. We also packed and unpacked each bag, using a standardized set of weeklong travel necessities and accessories, to see how well the internal organizational features (or lack thereof) aided or got in the way of efficient packing.

This is not a comprehensive list of all of the carry-on travel backpacks we have tested. We have removed any models that have been discontinued or that no longer meet our criteria.

The Away Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L is a rare miss from the Away team. This bag is resoundingly average for the price. Although it’s made from excellent materials, the bag is let down by its overall design, which lacks any kind of structure or attention to comfort. There are better options.

The cheap, no-frills Cabin Max Metz bag is intriguing for the price. Any bag at this price should almost be considered disposable. That said, if you need a simple bag that costs less than a seat upgrade, this might be the way to go—unless you can pick up the eBags Motherlode bag for under $100, which we think is a better deal at that price.

The GeniusPack Travel Backpack is the only model we came across that tried to fit a suit into a travel backpack. Though some people might need that, we think those who have to travel with a suit (or clothes that require pressing) would be better off with a piece of carry-on luggage . GeniusPack now offers a second version of this bag, but our conclusion hasn’t changed.

For certain people, the GoRuck GR3 is almost worth the cost. It’s strong and simple and covered by an iron-clad repair guarantee. The removable hip belt is comfortable to wear, and it’s good at displacing the weight of a 45-liter backpack. This is a decent bag. After testing it, however, we weren’t thrilled with the internal Velcro lining for compatible Velcro packing cubes. Velcro isn’t great: It wears out, it’s difficult to keep clean, and it clings to dirt. That might seem like a small thing, but for the price, this bag should feel perfect.

The Minaal Carry-On 2.0 was designed to be a backpack for business people. But if you’re carrying it for business, you’re probably wearing at least a blazer, so you wouldn’t use a backpack in any case. If you’re a business traveler who falls more on the casual end of the business-casual spectrum, and you’re not on a budget, this is a well-thought-out pack. But we think our picks are more versatile for world travel, and they come at a better price. Minaal has since introduced a 3.0 version of this bag ; our thoughts about it remain the same.

The Osprey Sojourn Porter 46L is a slightly larger sibling of the Farpoint pack. The Sojourn Porter bag is about 2 inches longer, and it pushes right up to most airline limits. If you don’t mind possibly having to check your bag at the last minute, this would be an excellent alternative to the Farpoint pack.

This article was edited by Ria Misra and Christine Ryan.

Chase Reeves, Matterful.co , phone interview , October 10, 2018

Addison Ryan, moderator, r/onebag , email interview , September 8, 2018

Lindsay Lorraine Calderón, moderator, r/heronebag , phone interview , September 28, 2018

Meet your guide

Kit Dillon is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter. He was previously an app developer, oil derrick inspector, public-radio archivist, and sandwich shop owner. He has written for Popular Science, The Awl, and the New York Observer, among others. When called on, he can still make a mean sandwich.

Further reading

The Best Travel Backpack

by Geoffrey Morrison

For trips ranging from a week to multiple months, the Osprey Farpoint 55 and Fairview 55 carried everything we needed comfortably.

Wirecutter’s Favorite Bags, Totes, Backpacks and Carryalls

by Truth Headlam

Whether you’re going to school, work, the gym, the store, or on vacay, you need a bag. Here’s the Wirecutter-recommended carrying gear we love most.

The Best Buy It for Life Backpack (Please Don’t Call It Tactical)

by Kit Dillon

A buy-it-for-a-lifetime backpack should last you for years of heavy use. But as with all investments, you need to decide if it makes sense for you.

The Best Laptop Backpacks

by Zoe Vanderweide

A great laptop backpack protects your tech, is comfortable to carry, and looks good, too. These five bags are our favorites for wrangling your workday gear.

Away Carry-on Flex review: Is it worth the money?

O ne-bag travel is how I roll. I pack everything I need in a carry-on backpack to save money at booking and time at check-in, not to mention waits at baggage claim and the stress that comes with lost luggage. 

But for a trip this month to southwest Alaska, my 26-liter Timbuk2 backpack wasn't going to cut it. At 45 liters, my burly Patagonia Maximum Legal Carry-On could have, but I wanted something that would glide along beside me, rather than strap to my back. And besides, I was antsy to take  my new Away Carry-On Flex out for a spin. 

Away Carry-On Flex - $325

They've caught your eye everywhere you travel: minimalist, hardshell suitcases flitting through airports, quietly stylish in matte monochromatics and Easter eggy pastels, making their owners look effortlessly put together. This time, only a rolling bag would do, and the Away Carry-On Flex was my pick for this trip to the Alexander Archipelago.

Our journey together would start in sunny Palm Springs with a road trip to Los Angeles, then an Alaska Airlines flight the next day to Seattle. We’d board a ship for a round-trip cruise to the 49th state, then do it all again in reverse seven days later. This trip would test the Carry-On Flex in cars, planes, carts, trucks and ships; manhandled by baggage handlers in airports and seaports; and traversing terrain from tile, carpet and concrete to asphalt, metal ramps, brick pavers and crosswalk rumble strips. With eight nights of travel ahead of me, I knew I was asking a lot from a carry-on to accommodate nine days of clothes — and the Carry-On Flex delivered.

My great experience with Away started the moment it turned up on my doorstep. It arrived quickly, many days sooner than even UPS predicted. Like the suitcase itself, the packaging was minimal and clever. It arrived packaged in an outer carton of corrugated cardboard, with an inner cardboard box containing the suitcase — impressive in that it was plenty protective without gobs of foam, padding and air packs. It was all easily cut down and recycled. Already, I was impressed, and that was before I came across the thoughtful extras: a handsome leather-like luggage tag and a melamine sponge that you dampen to buff scuffs from the outer shell. 

The suitcase itself opens like a clam, with two halves roughly equal in volume and lined with water-resistant nylon. The left half is contained behind a mesh flap that zips up completely. The right side is wide open, with two compression straps to cinch everything flat, a zipper pouch that hides a rolled-up laundry bag, and a removable pocket divider that serves as both a storage sleeve and a compression pad so things stay put. 

Many travelers love lots of interior pockets in suitcases, but I find they seldom suit my needs and end up ignoring them. The Carry-On Flex has none inside, and I love that each half is a wide-open sandbox for me to play in. A handy set of packing cubes could help divvy up the interior, but I enjoy the freedom of a blank slate.

On the exterior, you don’t find the usual array of zipper pockets. The polycarbonate shell has the same lightweight-but-sturdy ruggedness of a Tupperware tote you might use to tame the chaos in your garage. There's a soft-grip handle each on the top and right side, which sit flush when not in use but raise easily when needed. The bottom sports an inset handhold for easy lifting out of car trunks and into overhead bins — a feature so game-changing, it's now tough to imagine using a suitcase without one.

Atop the case you’ll find a telescoping handle with three height options and a rubberized texture for a comfy hand feel. For me, at 6 feet tall, the second-highest stop was the perfect height for pushing, so I’d say this case would work even for the tallest among us. At just over six inches wide, the trolley handle also easily accommodates those ride-on-top weekender bags that are all the rage now.

Like its hardcase contemporaries, Away’s case builds in a TSA-approved lock, into which the zippers themselves click to become the closure. The three-digit passcode was easy to set and change, to keep your belongings secure while letting baggage screeners slip in as needed. When unlocked, the zippers easily spring free with the press of a slider. As for the zippers themselves, they're heavy duty, with large teeth, beefy pulls (even for man-sized hands) and a buttery-smooth glide even around corners when the carry-on is stuffed to the max.

Packing and capacity

The “Flex” in the suitcase’s name refers to its ability to expand by simply unzipping a zipper. This extra 2.25 inches of depth was particularly useful during packing: With the suitcase fully expanded, I packed it to the brim, then zipped it back down to carry-on size. This compression hack worked like a charm.

I'll admit: With my clothes laid out beside it, my first thought was, “This is never gonna fit.” I was already making peace with what I’d have to leave behind. Luckily, my husband is a packing expert and puzzled through it with me. When I opened it again at my destination, everything was just as tidy as we’d packed it. Nothing was jostled, mangled or wadded: a credit to Away’s internal compression and my flex-it-then-unflex-it hack.

Away recommends the Carry-On Flex for trips from three to six days in length, but I was able to pack in everything I needed (and more) for this nine-day journey to wintry Tlingit country. These all fit in, with a bit of ingenuity:

• 1 pair of loafers
• 1 pair of boots
• 6 pairs of socks and underwear
• 4 pairs of pants
• 1 part of gym shorts
• 6 polo shirts
• 4 polo sweaters
• 2 thermal shirts
• 1 bulky turtleneck
• 1 winter scarf
• Swim trunks

It’s a bag for a seasoned traveler who knows how to pack. If you know the tricks – like packing socks, underwear and jewelry tightly into shoes, unspooling belts around the perimeter along the zipper, and nestling polos into the channels created by the telescoping handle – it’ll serve you well. 

Moving the bag around

The suitcase itself is incredibly lightweight at just over 8 pounds when empty. Fully packed, I found it still lifted easily, pushed effortlessly and steered reliably. Even as my brother-in-law at times struggled making sharp corners and hairpin turns with his (twice as expensive) pull-behind roller bag, the Away nimbly turned on a dime as I pushed it along, even with a jacket draped over it. Each spinning wheel swiveled in sync, never once tipping, skidding, spilling, fishtailing or locking up. I found it glides easiest on hard surfaces like tile and concrete and drags a bit on thicker carpets, but it navigates inclines and thresholds without pushback.

Its small size made it solid, compact and predictable rather than bloated, floppy and unwieldy  like a few sack-of-potatoes duffels on our flight. The flip side of that, though, is that it’s rigid, meaning it can’t squish and mold itself into tight spaces like a softside bag might. It either fits, or it doesn’t. 

Longevity and durability

After baggage claim on my return flight – I checked it for one leg to see how it would hold up to baggage handlers – it was more than just a little scuffed up. From a distance, it looked fine; up close, however, it was clear it had been tossed about and taken a few spills. But the melamine sponge buffed it up nicely, taking those scuffs and skid marks down to nearly nothing. A few spots remain on the corners where the matte, textured finish has been worn flat and shiny, but that’s to be expected without bumper guards like those on July’s hardshell suitcases . And I chose a hardy color like Asphalt with wear-and-tear in mind, expecting it would get roughed up and still look handsomely rugged; the candy-shop colorways might not wear so well.

Pressed to name a con, I'd say: It’s a pack-it-and-forget-it kind of suitcase. With no exterior pockets for easy access, it’s not a bag for anything I’ll want to use in flight or on the fly. There’s no unzipping it a little and slipping my hand in for my tablet, headphones , book or power bank . When I zip it up at home, I know the next time I'll unzip it will be at my destination. 

Overall assessment

Would I recommend the Away Carry-On Flex at the retail price of $325? Absolutely. I can honestly say this suitcase lightened my load, both literally and figuratively. Sure, it felt nice to have a photogenic suitcase I was proud to be seen with, but even more valuable than aesthetics was the peace of mind it gave me. It handled well, looked awesome, withstood the rigors of travel with just a few scuffs, carried onto planes with no issue and held far more cold-weather gear than I ever thought would fit. All that, in my book, makes the Away Carry-On Flex a suitcase I'll reach for time and again.

Editor's Note: Like many publishers who cover shopping advice, we receive sample products from companies' PR teams. We do not guarantee reviews of any product, and our writers' opinions are always independent.

Here's how we choose products to recommend to you.

This article may contain affiliate links that Microsoft and/or the publisher may receive a commission from if you buy a product or service through those links.

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The Away Daypack: Small Travel Laptop Backpack Review

Written by Becca

Updated on April 26th, 2024

I found the Away Daypack to be the best laptop and travel backpack for petite women. It's a cute and versatile laptop backpack with stylish features and an attractive design.

This article may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commissions when you purchase via those links — and it's free for you. It's only us (Becca & Dan) working on this website, so we value your support! Read our privacy policy and learn more about us .

Table of contents

• How does the Away Daypack fit?
• Features of the Away Daypack that work for travel
• Features of this backpack for laptop carrying (commuting)
• Highlight features
• Things I fit into the Away Daypack
• Is it worth it?
• The problem: my quest for the best petite women’s laptop backpack
• What are my requirements for the best women’s backpack for work?
• What are my requirements in looking for a backpack or daypack?

The Away Daypack was the first daypack and small travel backpack that I truly enjoyed. I was proud to use it while biking around NYC, while commuting to work or heading to meetings, and of course, to take as a personal item on flights.

Before I got it, I had never owned a laptop backpack for work that I really wanted to use, if that makes sense. In this product review, I’ll cover the features that make this backpack a suitable choice for both women and men.

AWAY has updated the backpack with facelift since I’ve reviewed it in these photos. The updates are great improvements to this backpack and it looks better as a stylish laptop bag than it did before.

How does the Away Daypack fit?

I must admit I’m surprised, and impressed. The Away Daypack definitely feels okay on my petite frame. First, it’s 11.5 inches wide and 15.7 tall. This beats out other laptop bags that have made me feel overburdened and stocky.

I’ve returned quite a few bags I’ve tried out because they’ve looked like luggage attached to my back, rather than something cute I want to wear around and be seen with.

Next, the bag has a capacity of 11.6 liters. While this is not big enough to, say, take a weekend trip (unless you’re an extreme minimalist), it’s the perfect volume for being out for a day. This is truly a ‘daypack’ volume, meaning for your daytime essentials. It’s also an ideal volume for a petite woman to keep on her back and not feel weighed down.

Lastly, the bag has a total empty weight of 1.8 pounds. That’s a good starter weight for a bag that a petite woman would carry, and there are probably leather purses out there that start off with the same weight, but you wear them over one shoulder (ouch).

When I fill up this bag with my MacBook Air , a full water bottle, computer accessories and snacks for my day out, I don’t feel weighed down.

Overall, I still feel cute with this backpack on my back even when it’s full. I think its overall shape is flattering and does not make me look bulky when I’m wearing it as my backpack purse.

It’s a great choice for a travel daypack and it’s one of the best choices as a default backpack for work if you’re a petite or narrow woman, or if you have a short torso.

To get even more great examples of bags for woman, check out our best backpack picks !

Features of the Away Daypack that work for travel

The Away Daypack has a few nice features that make it ideal for a trip. First, it secures your laptop in a back pocket so that your laptop rides safely with you on your trip.

Next, the front compartment has a vertical zipper that feels like a deep envelope pocket attached to the front of the bag. This is for flat items, and I like to keep my backup battery, key wallet, phone and some cards in there.

There’s a zippered pocket inside this zippered pocket, to keep valuables safe. It would be hard for a thief to quickly get in there.

In the main compartment, several more pockets keep your things organized. There’s a zippered pocket (another theft-proof functional aspect), some deeper mesh pockets and a flat pocket in front of the zippered one. A key lanyard clips onto your keys to keep them safe and prevent them from getting lost.

As specific to travel, there’s a horizontal strap on the back that allows this daypack to attach to and sit comfortably on top of your Away suitcase.

I’d never seen this before, and it’s brilliant. Doesn’t everyone want their backpack or daypack sitting on top of their suitcase while waiting to board the flight, and ensure that it’s not falling off? I’ve been waiting for something like this for years!

Looking for new proven ways to save money on flights and airfare? The easy solution is to sign up for Going , the leading way to find flight deals and mistake fares, directly to your inbox. Looking for a discount? Use HALFHALF20 to get 20% off!

And finally, the Daypack is slim and lightweight enough to flatten and pack into your suitcase during a part of a trip when you’re not using it.

Away Travel Bags

Travel in style and convenience with Away Travel Bags, a must-have for the modern traveler.

Features of this backpack for laptop carrying (commuting)

As I said before, I’ve been trying for ages to find a laptop backpack specifically for women that I really enjoy and want to be seen wearing.

The features of the Away Daypack that have blown me away are that it’s slim, acceptable for travelers taking a minimalist approach and durable to use for a business travel backpack and daytime laptop backpack for work.

First, I’ll focus on this bag for use as a woman carrying around a laptop. The Daypack snugly fits a 13-inch laptop in its case, and I use a neoprene laptop sleeve .

The laptop with its sleeve on fits perfectly as the backbone of the Daypack, and there’s even some cushioning when I’m wearing it. I never feel like I have my laptop directly against my back and it always feels fine.

Second, as a backpack specifically for work, I feel perfectly confident walking into a professional environment with this as my professional work bag. Yes, it fits a laptop, but even if I wasn’t bringing my laptop somewhere, I feel that this backpack is attractive enough to use as a professional daytime bag.

I made note above that a plus for me is a bag that has a rectangular base that allows it so sit upright like a briefcase when it’s on the floor. This may not seem like a big deal, but it’s a very useful characteristic that prevents this backpack from toppling over if it’s sitting on a chair in a coworking space, next to a chair in a cafe or leaning against your desk at work.

Highlight features

A few things I like are the minimalist design and the choice of dark colors that this backpack comes in. If I get a backpack to use year-round, I don’t want it to be light enough so that it shows dirt (if you live in a big city like NYC, this is a crucial point!).

The color choices of gray, navy and black are diverse enough to provide a choice and varied enough so that you can make sure you won’t be clashing with your winter coat (mine’s charcoal gray and my peacoat is dark green, so I had to take this into account).

Lastly, one more quality characteristic of the bag is the slim shoulder straps. As a petite woman, I don’t like straps that are too fat, wide or long. The shoulder straps of the Away Daypack seem to be just right for my figure and for my style.

Things I fit into the Away Daypack

I use the Daypack every day when I work from cafes, coworking spaces and places I travel. There are a few reasons I think this is the best women’s travel backpack for work, but namely because I can fit all these things inside:

• My MacBook Air
• Dell XPS charging cable
• Logitech mini wireless mouse
• Apple AirPods in the interior zipper compartment
• Reusable water bottle
• A reusable plastic container or two of my favorite healthy fresh snacks
• A reusable shopping bag
• A backup battery pack
• The Google Pixel phone
• A few back-up feminine products
• A granola bar when I’m on the go
• A large-ish wallet
• A magazine or book

All this, in a daypack with a volume of 11.6 liters — can you believe it? I’m certainly impressed. The bag has an ideal shape in that the bottom has a rectangular base, but it doesn’t make it feel boxy or oversized.

The front zip pocket is slim, like a sleeve, and that’s where I keep my phones, keys with wallet-size keychain and battery backup brick.

Is it worth it?

If you’re looking for a new women’s laptop backpack and you plan to use it every day, I’d tell you that the price tag on the Away Daypack is worth it.

The Small Everywhere Zip Backpack

We're recommending the Away Daypack as one of the best laptop backpacks for anyone seeking an attractive and sleek daypack or travel backpack.

Solely coming from my perspective that I was disappointed for years in finding what I thought could be the ‘perfect laptop daypack’ and that being a narrow-shouldered petite woman made it all the more challenging, I’ve been delighted in my use so far of this backpack.

What I’m also happy with is that, in investing in the Away Daypack, you’re getting one of the best women’s laptop backpacks for work, a cute and slim business travel backpack and a daypack that doubles as a purse during travel.

Overall, I say yes — I actually have nothing bad to say here! Let me know how it goes for you.

The problem: my quest for the best petite women’s laptop backpack

As mentioned, I’m five-foot-two. My shoulders are narrow, and I mostly wear a size XS, 0-2 or XXSP in clothing. When it comes to women’s travel backpacks and unisex laptop backpacks, not everything makes the cut.

Backpacks with shoulders that extend too far outward fall off my shoulders. Backpacks that are too wide look like I’m borrowing a backpack from a boyfriend or a big brother.

What I’ve always needed was a petite backpack that fit a 13-inch laptop , essentials for a day out in the city or during a trip and a versatile backpack that doubles as a purse.

I never found all these requirements, until now. I’m being serious! I’ve used all sorts of backpacks as bags for bringing my laptop to a cafe, bags to use as a carry-on for a trip, bags to use as a personal item on an airplane and bags to use as a daypack while away from home, or hiking.

What are my requirements for the best women’s backpack for work?

If I’m bringing a backpack into an office, coworking space or a meeting, here are the boxes it has to check:

• Must be ‘cute’ to double as a purse
• Must look okay with a dress or business casual attire
• Must match my coats and jackets during winter (and not clash)
• Must fit a laptop
• Must have a solid ‘base’ so that it sits upright on the floor or on a chair
• Must have a good number of pockets

What are my requirements in looking for a backpack or daypack?

If I’m going to have a new backpack that I’m using for travel, it has to be functional and fit a good number of things I want to pack .

In the past, I’ve focused on having zippered purses that fit things like a water bottle, a DSLR camera , all my daytime ‘travel things’ when I’m out in a city sightseeing.

If I’m going to be switching to a small travel backpack to be my daytime purse, I’m looking for:

• Must have high-quality zippers
• Must have a good number of pockets for keeping things safe and organized
• Must be comfortable enough to wear for an entire day
• Must look attractive in photos during my trip
• Must take the place of a zippered purse

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Away Small Zip Backpack Review

The sleek look and gusseted opening make the Away Small Zip Backpack great for day-to-day use, but the semi-clamshell design has a few quirks.

Our Verdict

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• Gusseted clamshell-style opening
• Good mix of internal organization styles
• Wide floor maximizes 14-liter capacity
• Gussets can get stuck in clamshell when zipping up
• Gear is difficult to access unless bag is fully open
• Key clip is long and hard to store

Technical Details

Carry-on compliance.

View 142/145 Airlines

Disclaimer: We take the measurements of the bag provided by the manufacturer and compare them to the allowance listed on airline websites. This should be used as a guideline rather than a rule. Bags can change size as you pack them out, and every airline's interpretation of compliance is different. Just because a bag is listed as carry-on compliant here doesn't mean that the airline will interpret it that way.

Like the Look

Polled on Instagram

Weight (lb)

1.8 lb (0.8 kg)

10.4 in x 5.9 in x 14.2 in (26.4 x 15 x 36.1 cm)

Notable Materials

Nylon, Leather

Manufacturing Country

Laptop Compartment Size

Warranty Information

Full Review

Once in a while, we get behemoths like the Tropic Feel Shell Travel Backpack and the Salkan Backpacker —both edging over 40 liters in capacity with a features list longer than forearms. We admit, we get excited running through each feature and finding out how well they work in real-world testing. But there’s also something equally satisfying when you find that “wow” factor in a smaller backpack.

Enter the Small Zip Backpack from Away. It’s not a 40-liter travel backpack like the ones we just mentioned; rather, it’s a 14 -liter daypack . Despite the streamlined and simplistic design on the outside, there’s a lot of cleverness going on once you get it open. We enjoyed testing this backpack, and we’re ready to share the results with you.

Materials & Aesthetic

A quick glance over Away’s website reveals their design philosophy. They’re very simple in shape, with an almost uniform emphasis on trapezoidal and squared-off profiles. There are very few creases with the designs, which keeps the shape streamlined. Even the logo is confined to a small tag on the side. At most, we could see two different colors on any given bag, and it keeps all of the styling and aesthetics minimal and classy. All of these design aspects are found on the Small Zip Backpack, resulting in a charming little 14-liter bag with an understated all-black aesthetic.

The fabric is water-resistant nylon, which did get a bit dirtied up during testing, but it was nothing a little water and cloth couldn’t fix. Unfortunately, the zippers are of unknown origin, which is to say they’re unbranded apart from Away’s own logo. Since the zippers play a major part in the Small Zip Backpack’s aesthetic, acting as the most eye-catching accent piece around the bag, we would have preferred something more familiar here. Nevertheless, these zippers and their metal pulls have proven themselves reliable throughout testing, so they get a pass from us.

Speaking of accent pieces, less noticeable are the leather top handle, leather patches on the shoulder straps, and leather key leash inside. They blend in with the black nylon fabric, but they’re nice touches that make the experience feel a bit more premium.

Oh, and if you do want the leather trim to stand out a bit more, there’s also a Moss Nylon colorway available at the time of writing. To each their own, but we find the Black Nylon colorway we have here as the safer choice since black is easier to match with various clothes.

External Components

The Small Zip Backpack comes with a simple harness system consisting of adequately-sized shoulder straps, and that’s it. There are no fancy load lifters, compression straps, waist straps, hip belts, or sternum straps. Standing at a whopping 14-liters, however, it’s not as if you’re carrying Buckingham Palace on your back. The humble shoulder straps feature a decent amount of padding and rounded edges that don’t dig badly into your shoulders.

The back panel is fully covered in mesh material that keeps things cool and breathable. It’s also soft and well-padded but doesn’t feel lacking in structure. The small footprint of the bag gives it an advantage over bigger bags since it fits a wider range of frames, whether big or small. In short, the Small Zip Backpack is decently comfortable to carry, thanks to its appropriately designed harness system.

Apart from the harness system, the Small Zip Backpack doesn’t have too much in terms of external features. The few concessions include the luggage pass-through and a leather top handle. The former is quite wide, so the bag sits flush against a rolling luggage’s slender trolley handle. Admittedly, the leather handle isn’t the most comfortable to hold by hand, but it’s a love-it-or-hate-it thing depending on whether you dig the leather trim or not.

Those who need or want to carry a water bottle need not fret, however. There may not be a water bottle pocket on the left or the right, but there is one in the main compartment. In fact, whereas the Small Zip Backpack is rather bare on the outside, it’s quite surprising once you get inside.

Inside The Pack

At the front of the Small Zip Backpack is a small slit running horizontally across. It’s a pocket—a magnetically closed quick-grab pocket to be exact—and it’s handy for storing your smartphone or spare change you want easy access to. It’s a bit tight, so grabbing small items may take some feeling around.

If you want a bit more security with nearly the same quick accessibility, there’s also a zippered pocket on the backside. It’s a good place to store wallets or identification cards. Though it’s not as secure as a dedicated security pocket located on the back panel like in other daypacks, the pocket’s hidden nature keeps it relatively secure from naughty pickpockets.

So far, we’ve established that the Small Zip Backpack has a simple, streamlined design with an adequate harness system and a secure quick-access pocket—all good stuff, but nothing too mind-blowing, all things considered. But once you open up the main compartment, things take an interesting turn.

Whereas other backpacks in this size come with a horseshoe-style opening, the Small Zip Backpack’s zipper goes from the bottom right all the way to the bottom left. It’s a clamshell design—but unlike most clamshell backpacks, the Small Zip stops short of fully opening thanks to gussets. The result is a sort of hybrid, featuring a wider opening than a horseshoe-style design without the spread-out nature of a clamshell.

Of course, this design has its own caveats, the most notable of which is that the gussets tend to come out and get caught when closing up the bag. It’s not a huge issue since it’s easy to squeeze them back in as you zip along.

With a clever semi-clamshell opening, accessibility is great on the Small Zip Backpack. Despite the relatively small 14-liter capacity, it feels a lot more spacious than it looks, courtesy of the wide opening and the grey interior fabric. It’s not all smoke and mirrors, though; the wide floor of the bag genuinely gives the bag a substantial amount of depth to fit a tech pouch, a small packing cube, a small hoodie, and even a 16-ounce water bottle.

During use, we observed that fully opening the main compartment’s zippers caused the stack of items inside to collapse further down into the available space. It makes closing up harder, which is somewhat troublesome when you’re opening it in on the go. One workaround is not to fully open it when you just need to grab something quickly and only open it completely at your destination. With this in mind, the semi-clamshell opening takes some trial and error to get used to.

The inside features a good mix of organization options. The one pocket that stood out the most to us is the internal water bottle pocket. It features a mesh material where moisture can seep through. We recommend going with an insulated bottle—like our 18-ounce Hydro Flask — to prevent this kind of build-up of condensation inside.

Right beside the water bottle pocket is a liner pocket wide enough for an Apple Magic Keyboard . There’s a liner pocket on the opposite side where we keep our pouch and a handy pen silo for, well, our pen. Behind them is a zippered pocket for everyday carry items that we didn’t feel comfortable putting inside the external front pockets. Items such as a small bottle of hand sanitizer, wireless earphones case, sunglasses, and chapstick can fit in there comfortably.

There’s also a built-in key clip attached via a leather leash. The trouble is that the leash is quite long—so long in fact that our keys can sit comfortably on the floor of the bag while attached. Fortunately, the leash is removable and therefore replaceable. Otherwise, our quick tip would be to place your keys inside one of the many pockets to avoid them being buried by whatever you’re going to stack inside the main compartment.

Lastly, there’s the laptop compartment, big enough for a 13-inch MacBook. The one we tested with the Small Zip Backpack is a 2017 13-inch MacBook, which is a little bigger than the newer ones. While our MacBook does fit, albeit tightly, the corners stick out and touch the ceiling of the bag. There’s a false bottom, but it’s still a little too close for comfort for us, and it’s not the most reassuring in terms of device protection. It’ll fit but will require extra careful attention.

Away nails their aesthetic choices, and while we’re big fans of the look, it’s a subjective aspect of the Small Zip Backpack. Though it’s fairly simple and streamlined on the outside, Away made the most out of the internal design, with the gusseted clamshell opening and well-balanced organization—bringing the best out of the 14-liter backpack.

Usage Timeline

Condition: Excellent

• Main compartment has gussets at the sides
• Built-in key leash is located inside the main compartment
• Zipper goes all the way down the sides, but the gussets stop it from opening fully like a clamshell
• Color shows dust and dirt easily, but it’s easy to wipe off using a damp rag
• Clamshell opening makes access easy and gussets add stability
• Key strap is very long and sits awkwardly in the bag

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• Travel Products
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• Backpacks, Totes + Small Bags

The 10 Best Packable Backpacks of 2024

They’re perfect for when you’re ready to ditch the shoulder tote.

Katherine Alex Beaven is a Los Angeles-based travel, food and drink, and culture writer.

In This Article

• Our Top Picks
• Tips for Buying

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why Trust T+L

Travel + Leisure / Brian Kopinski

Packable backpacks tick a trifecta for us: they’re versatile, come in handy in a pinch, and don’t take up a lot of real estate, just in case. Most weigh less than a pound, have a folding or lie-flat profile, and usually have some level of water resistance, too. They can be used to transport planned or unexpected shopping, and provide a hands-free vessel for carrying essentials for extended periods of time, like on a hike or walking tour. 

These reusable bags could even double as a carry-on or personal item if you use up all the available space in your luggage. Here are the details on our favorite packable backpacks based on performance, design, and organization so you can fall in love with this travel must-have, too.   

Best Overall

Bellroy lite daypack.

It’s made from 100 percent recycled water bottles and has a lightweight but high-quality feel. 

There are moisture-wicking materials, so it can wear sweaty on hot days.

We are big fans of the Bellroy Lite Daypack's versatility, making it a great pick to pack for those just-in-case scenarios on almost any trip. It has extra cushioning on the shoulder straps and against the back but, don’t worry, it’s not bulky and can easily roll up or pack flat (though it does not fold into itself like some other packable backpacks). This bag is made from 100 percent recycled plastic water bottles and has weather-resistant zippers which offer solid protection in case you get caught in inclement weather. 

The design of this bag features a decent amount of organizational pockets — like a dedicated quick-access pocket for sunglasses at the top, loops for clipping-in accessories, a full panel interior slip pocket, and a smaller stretchy pocket for your water bottle — but the lack of exterior pockets is noticeable. And, while the padded straps and back make it one of the most comfortable backpacks to wear on this list, our backs did get sweaty while testing in the heat of Mexico City. 

The Details: 19 x 10.5 x 7 inches (open) | 0.8 pounds | 20 liters | Ripstop fabric

Travel + Leisure / Alexander Huang

Best Organization

L.l.bean stowaway day pack.

It’s made from Bluesign-approved recycled drink bottles and has an option for carrying a water bladder. 

The color options pop, but the overall look is still very outdoorsy.

If you’re the type of traveler who likes to have everything in its perfect place, the L.L.Bean Stowaway Pack has well-thought-out storage compartments that don't leave you digging through the bag to find something. The main compartment is deep and features a zippered stash pocket at the back that’s big enough for a mini tablet, eReader, or even a water bottle (there’s a slit at the top of the backpack where you can thread a drinking tube). That said, each side also has a stretchy pocket on the outside, and we had no trouble slipping our reusable 32-ounce Hydroflask in (and, honestly, could have even fit something slightly larger). Two zippered compartments at the front of the bag work well for storing smaller items, like your phone, charging cables, snack packs, your passport case, and the like. Although we like the idea of the extra shielding layer that velcros over the main compartment, it can be annoying when you’re accessing things frequently or during everyday use. Breathable padded straps and back panels, along with the chest and hip straps, make this a comfortable bag for toting heavier items. 

The Details: 19 x 10 x 7 inches (opened) | 0.9 pounds | 22 liters | Recycled ripstop polyester

Travel + Leisure / Kate Rousu

Paravel Mini Fold-up Backpack

It has wider-than-usual straps for a mini-pack, making it more comfortable to wear. 

The straps have very minimal adjustment capabilities. 

This lightweight packable backpack’s slightly smaller measurements make it a great choice for travelers with a smaller frame or who aren’t looking for a bag that will cover their entire back. Immediately during testing, this backpack stood out to us because it delivered with strap width and softness. We’d even dare to wear this on bare shoulders. The small front pocket is large enough to fit your phone and wallet, though we recommend storing these in one of the interior zip pockets for security reasons. The main compartment isn’t quite tall enough to fit a laptop, but you’d have no problem storing a tablet, book, scarf, and makeup bag inside. We also fit a Hydro Flask water bottle inside. When folded up, the dimensions are similar to a paperback book, making this easy to keep on hand in your coat pocket or regular backpack sleeve. If you live in a walking city, this is a good choice for one-way transportation of items like retail returns or a picnic spread with friends. 

The Details: 10 x 12 x 6 (open), 4.5 x 5 x 2 (packed) | 0.44 pounds | Recycled nylon

Travel + Leisure / Tamara Staples

Most Durable

Tumi terrain backpack.

The hardy material still looks stylish in professional settings.

While very slim, the bag’s larger width and height may look bulky on shorter individuals. 

For anyone seeking a high-quality investment backpack that packs down flat, the Tumi Terrain Backpack is a winner. This bag looks as luxe as it feels, with bright turquoise accents that pop against the deep black of the bag. We like that this bag eschews the traditional backpack look in favor of a more grown-up shape and design. It manages to fit in outdoors, on a flight, or at the office. The water-resistant fabric has a tough abrasion-resistant coating and doesn’t feel thin or flimsy. Other design details we love about this bag include a sleek magnetic flap closure, an internal laptop sleeve that can easily hold a 15-inch laptop, and the comfy padded shoulder straps and back panel. A unique feature is that this bag compresses down even flatter by placing it into the included vacuum seal bag and removing the air, or that vacuum bag can be packed with your clothes when returning home from a trip instead. 

The Details: 18.0 x 16.3 x 6.8 inches (opened), dimensions (packed) | 2.5 pounds | Capacity | Material

Best Budget

Sinotron 22l lightweight packable backpack.

It comes in multiple colors and is comfortable to carry, even with heavy items inside. 

It seems smaller than the 22-liter capacity that’s stated. 

The Sintron 22L Lightweight Packable Backpack wins big points for its durability and organization, giving travelers a big bang for their buck. If you’re looking for a lightweight hiking or daypack to travel with you around the globe, this is it. The tear-resistant nylon fabric is splash-proof and holds up well against repeated outdoor use in most weather conditions. It holds an impressive amount of stuff for its size (which feels smaller than the stated 22 liters) without pulling uncomfortably on your shoulders. We love the dual-side mesh water bottle pockets, large interior zip pocket, and convenient front-panel slip pocket with its secure but simple buckle closure. You can also thread a small lock through the main compartment’s metal zippers for added security. It also comes in 12 unique color combinations, so you can make a statement whether you’re on the trail or shuffling through the city. 

The Details: 6.3 X 8.7 X 13 inches (opened), 7.5 x 5.5 inches (packed) | 0.44 pounds | 22L | Nylon

Best Waterproof

Matador freerain22 waterproof packable backpack.

Backcountry

Its tech-heavy features make this backpack a performance powerhouse. 

It compacts into a drawstring sack carrying case instead of folding into a pocketed pouch.

Looking for a tough, 100 percent waterproof backpack that can still be packed down into a compact carry size? The Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack is a third-generation packable backpack that is built on the principle of performance to support outdoor adventurers. Waterproof features include interior sealed seams, a roll top closure, PU-waterproofed Robic nylon, and sealing zippers. Even the front exterior pocket has sealing zippers and is considered water-resistant. There are many well-thought-out design details, but we especially appreciate the inverted V-shaped body that helps with the weight distribution of heavier items, built-in gear loops, and oversized compression pockets on each side. Just note that this bag rolls down for storage in a mesh compression sack instead of folding down into a carry pouch. 

The Details: 19.5 x 10.5 x 7 inches (opened), 3.75 x 3.75 x 5.75 inches (packed) | 0.66 pounds | 22L | Ripstop Robic nylon

Best for Theme Parks

Eagle creek packable backpack 20l.

Eagle Creek

The U-shaped zipper with security loop makes this a good choice for crowded areas like a theme park.

It doesn't have padded straps, so keep contents fairly light for the most comfortable carry. 

This backpack has a streamlined design without any exterior front or top pockets and a U-shaped zipper along the top, which are both ideal when traipsing through a theme park and waiting in long lines, big crowds, and sticky fingers. The 100 percent post-consumer recycled ripstop material is sturdy and repels water while also being incredibly lightweight and thin. The heathered look makes the material look quality. The mesh straps felt flimsy compared to the rest of the bag, and we aren’t sure it’s the best choice for carrying around anything really heavy. But this is a solid option if you need a spot to stash your sunscreen, wallet, water bottle, and a light jacket while parading around a theme park (we took our test to Disneyland). Plus, it’s got extra room for any unexpected souvenirs you may purchase along the way. 

The Details: 18.5 x 10.5 x 5.5 inches (open) | 7.5 x 5 x 2.5 inches (packed) | 0.4 pounds | 20 liters | Recycled ripstop polyester

Best Sightseeing

Columbia unisex lightweight packable ii 21l.

Dick's Sporting Goods

It has a roomy, traditional design in several fun and bright colors. 

It’s made from polyester, not nylon. 

The Columbia Unisex Lightweight Packable II is a roomy and featherweight option for keeping your snacks, light jackets, small souvenirs, and sunscreen with you as you head out for a day of sightseeing. We like the boxy design that gives this backpack shape and width that is often missing with packable backpacks. It has a traditional backpack look, with one large main zippered compartment and a zippered lower front accessories pouch. Inside, you’ll get a divider sleeve and a zippered pocket against the back. Note that this bag is made from polyester, so you will be sacrificing a bit of water resistance and overall fabric strength. This bag is also best for lighter loads, since the straps are thin and unpadded. It’s available in up to 13 color combinations and patterns, so you don’t have to settle on basic black and navy blue. 

The Details: 13.5 x 12.5 x 3.8 inches (opened) | 0.41 pounds | 21L | Polyester

Best Carry-on

Away the packable backpack.

The Ultralight Pack weighs less than half a pound and stuffs into a super-compact storage pocket.

You might need to watch the video to figure out how to stuff it into the pocket.

At less than half a pound, the Osprey Ultralight Pack is one of the lightest-weight packable backpacks we found. The unfolded configuration boasts a 20-liter capacity, but when you want it out of the way, it stuffs into a super-compact, built-in storage pocket.

In addition to a sizable main compartment, there's an exterior zippered pocket for stashing smaller items. This outdoor-friendly backpack is made of waterproof ripstop nylon and has water-tight seams to prevent the contents from getting wet.

The Details: 18 x 10 x 8.5 inches (open) | 0.4 pounds | 20 liters | Ripstop nylon

Best Lightweight

Osprey ultralight stuff pack.

This feature-heavy backpack only weighs one third of a pound. 

It’s water-resistant, not waterproof (but there is a waterproof version.) 

The Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack comes with a lot of features in a small package: dual-side water bottle pockets, padded mesh shoulder straps, and an adjustable chest strap — all able to fold down into a small pocket the size of a paperback book. At one third of a pound, this is one of the lightest bags on the market — and one of the most reliable. The paper-thin fabric is made from 100 percent recycled Bluesign-approved nylon and holds us tough against repeated use. This is a great bag for tossing into your suitcase, clipping onto your daypack, or keeping in the trunk of your car. We also like it for hikes because it’s so lightweight, has space for two water bottles, and comfort features that go the extra mile after hours of carry. However, it’s not waterproof (but the similar Ultralight Dry Stuff Pack 20L is).

The Details: 7.9 X 8.7 X 16.5 inches (opened), 2 x 6 x 5 inches (packed) | 0.33 pounds | 18L | Recycled nylon

Tips for Buying a Packable Backpack

Prioritize lightweight and durable materials.

The best packable backpacks are made of durable yet lightweight materials, such as ripstop nylon or polyester. These synthetic fabrics resist tearing and moisture damage while standing up to daily wear and tear. If you need something for outdoor use, look for a bag with a water-repellent coating that prevents liquids from getting inside.

Consider your organizational and capacity needs

You'll also want to consider what you need in terms of organizational features and overall capacity. When unfolded, most packable backpacks have capacities ranging from 16 to 24 liters, which is about average for a day pack but slightly smaller than a standard backpack. Beyond a main compartment that can fit larger items, you may want a few smaller pockets, pouches, and sleeves for things like your wallet, phone, chargers, a laptop, or a water bottle.

Decide when, where, and how you'll use it

When browsing options, think about when, where, and how you'll be using your backpack. Do you plan to keep it inside a purse when it's not in use? Look for something with an ultra-compact stuff sack. Will you be going on a winter hike or exploring a rainy city? Opt for a water-resistant material. Are you traveling by plane? Look for a bag with a trolley sleeve that'll fit under the seat in front of you.

At the risk of stating the obvious, the main difference between packable backpacks and regular backpacks is that the former are designed to fold, roll, or stuff into a compact configuration. Like packable jackets , many come with little pouches you can stuff them into. This type of bag is also often slightly smaller than a standard backpack and may have fewer organizational features.

Absolutely! Like any backpack, the packable variety can be used as a carry-on bag for air travel as long as it fits into the overhead compartment, which won't be an issue in most cases. To qualify as a personal item, it just needs to fit under the seat in front of you on the plane.

Go for lightweight material that can withstand scrapes against rough surfaces without easily ripping. To pack down, a packable backpack needs to have thin material so it doesn’t end up bulky when folded up. The most common material for a packable backpack is ripstop nylon because of its ability to stay durable at minimal thickness, but some bags may be made of other materials like polyester. Most nylon is at least water-resistant, making this fabric another great choice, in case of accidental spills or sudden rain or snow exposure. 

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this story, K. Alex Beaven consulted with editors, researched through several leading packable backpacks, and relied on our real-world testing insights. 

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• Washington DC

The Outdoor Backpack 26L

Hold a day's worth of travel essentials. Paired with F.A.R Organizational Cube .

• Forest Green

Free shipping・Free returns

Made from a lightweight, high-strength polyester, this versatile backpack is loaded with design features that holds a day’s worth of travel essentials, whether you’re on an afternoon hike in a national park or exploring the outskirts of a new city. There are also two exterior water bottle pockets for keeping hydration on-hand, while a thoughtful organization system securely stashes all your essentials inside the bag.

Made from recycled, water- and abrasion-resistant materials, our Outdoor Collection is designed to protect your belongings from the elements—whether you’re staying local or going off the grid.

Features & functions:

• Two water bottle side pockets that fit up to 32 oz. bottles
• Front compartment has interior slip pockets for easy access to small essentials
• Main compartment has a slip pocket
• Front webbing loops to attach keys
• Exterior 15" laptop compartment for keeping your device separate
• Hidden zipper compartment
• Trolley strap secures to any Away suitcase
• Interior 15" laptop slip pocket as an additional device compartment

Material content:

• Body made from a lightweight, abrasion-resistant 100% recycled polyester
• Zippers and webbing made from 100% recycled materials
• Shipped in compostable packaging

Capacity 26L Dimensions 19" x 12.6" x 7.7" Weight 1.74 lbs

We want you to love everything about getting Away—which is why we offer free returns and exchanges on unused items for the first 100 days. We can only accept returns on unused items, so please gently test them out at home before traveling with them. Learn more about our return policy .

Our bags and accessories are all protected by a limited one-year warranty, which means that if anything breaks in your first year, we’ll fix or replace it. Learn more about our warranty .

Keep in mind that while personalized items cannot be returned or exchanged, they are still covered by our warranties. For shipping info, see our FAQ .

Thoughtfully designed, inside out

Lightweight and durable.

Better for the outside world

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The Best Carry-On Luggage and Weekender Bags for Memorial Day Travel: Away, Samsonite, Calpak and More

The right luggage or carry-on bag for your Memorial Day weekend can help make any trip as smooth as possible.

If you're gearing up for your Memorial Day travel plans, you may be searching for the perfect luggage to accompany you on your upcoming getaway.  Carry-on luggage  — including weekender bags and spinners — is probably the best way to travel if you want to beat the lines at busy airports, especially if you're traveling on a Friday.

No matter where your travel destinations are, one thing's for sure: the right luggage will make all the difference. We've found the best luggage to shop for all of your travels, from spacious duffle bags and practical backpacks to large and luxurious carry-ons  for your next flight.

Need a new tote bag to toss everything in for an upcoming Memorial Day weekend getaway or a bigger carry-on for a tropical vacation? The Beis Weekender Bag will fit all your essentials and help you travel in style. Need a new go-to suitcase for every travel situation? Away’s  standard carry on traveler bag has plenty of packing space while still fitting in the overhead bin. Trying to avoid the checked baggage fees and long bag drop line? The Samsonite Underseat Carry-On Luggage helps you save money and time by going straight to TSA.

Below, we've rounded up the best carry-on luggage and weekender bags this year to take along on your holiday trip.

The Best Carry-On Suitcases for 2024

Samsonite freeform carry-on spinner.

Not only is the Samsonite Hardside Spinner perfectly sized and extremely durable, it's also incredible lightweight so you won't have to strain putting it in the overhead airplane compartment. With all kinds of pockets, you can easily organize all your belongings confidently. 

$200   $140

Away The Carry-On

This Away bag boasts flashy features such as a durable polycarbonate hard shell, spinner wheels and a TSA-approved, ejectable USB charger. The classic rolling hardside luggage with a retractable handle is designed to fit in most major airlines' overhead compartments, making it a great go-to Carry-On bag for travel, regardless of your destination.

Take OFF Luggage Personal Item Suitcase 2.0

The perfect-sized luggage that doubles as a personal item — just pop off the wheels and slide it under your seat. 

Rockland Melbourne Hardside Expandable Spinner Wheel Luggage

This Rockland Melbourne Spinner Luggage makes traveling easier by being extremely lightweight. While protecting your items, the wheels rotate 360 degrees for a smooth and seamless stride in the airport. Although it is compact, this carry-on luggage has the ability to hold everything you need for a short vacation.

Travelpro Platinum Elite Hardside Expandable Spinner

Travelpro is a pilot-founded brand that you've likely seen used by flight crews. Travel stress-free with the Travelpro hardside carry-on luggage that effortlessly fits in the overhead bins of major domestic airlines, thanks to rigorous sizer bin testing and enhanced packing capacity. The PrecisionGlide System delivers impeccable control and a seamless rolling experience, so you can get through the airport with ease.

$370   $314

Samsonite Underseat Carry-On Spinner with USB Port

Compact and convenient, this soft-sided luggage can slide smoothly under the seat in front of you or be tucked away in an overhead bin. The bag's main compartment can fit several outfits and a spare pair of shoes. Interior pockets lining the compartment will keep your toiletries organized. The telescoping handle and rolling wheels make this bag easy to navigate around a crowded airport, making it a great choice for the frequent flyer looking to pack light.

$145   $100

Monos Carry-On

Traveling is a breeze with the minimalist Monos carry-on, designed to fit in the overheard bin of almost any flight.

Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Expandable Luggage

This Travelpro Maxlite softside luggage has spinner wheels and is lightweight, making it easy to maneuver airport terminals and your flight's overhead storage bins. 

The Best Travel Backpacks and Totes for 2024 

Samsonite detour travel backpack.

Built to protect your belongings from the elements, the Detour Travel Backpack has enough capacity for your business, overnight or weekend trips.

$150   $105

Béis Travel Tote

The Beis Travel Tote, from Shay Mitchell's baggage line, can conveniently slot into place atop a suitcase with its trolley sleeve, but can also be carried on its own with a detachable shoulder strap, and top handles designed to rest comfortably on your shoulder. This bag boasts a bottom zip shoe compartment, padded tech sleeve and multiple exterior and interior pockets. 

Calpak Luka Backpack

With multiple storage compartments including a separate laptop sleeve and a space to store your shoes that has its own exterior access, this lightweight Luka backpack will help you stay organized on the go.

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack

This travel backpack comes with a weight-distributing, low-profile harness system and a 35L capacity, making it suitable for carry-on use. It is designed with a full-wrap zipper opening on the main compartment, along with large and subdivided zippered mesh compartments on the sides, providing convenient packing options. Additionally, its attractive design ensures you can easily identify your bag wherever you go.

Troubadour Featherweight Tote

A modern classic and easy-access bag. This Featherweight Tote features a light and waterproof fabric with vegan leather handles, and is perfect for gym trips or a day out!

Dagne Dover Jemi Puff Tote

Whether you're traveling to work or a weekend getaway, this lightweight tote is perfect with pockets for days to keep all your belongings organized. 

The Best Weekender Bags for 2024 

Lululemon go getter bag 2.0.

This sleek, modern bag looks like a tote and duffel rolled into one. There's also a little strap in the back that you can attach to your luggage. 

Away The Everywhere Bag

Away Travel's The Everywhere Bag lives up to its name: you can take it everywhere from work to the gym to a weekend away. It also pairs nicely with The Carry-On and The Bigger Carry-On.

Calpak Stevyn Duffel

Enjoy the benefits of a large bottom compartment, ideal for stowing shoes or enhancing the organization of your items.The roomy main compartment comes with interior pockets, ensuring you have plenty of space to store your belongings in a well-arranged manner.

SwissGear Apex Travel Duffle Bag

This duffle bag will come in handy during your next vacation. You can wear it multiple ways and it has reinforced sides to keep your belonging secure.

Dagne Dover Landon Carryall Bag

For weekends away, this extra-large duffle includes a laptop sleeve, shoe bag and plenty of space for all your essentials.

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