lightweight travel backpack purse

The Best Convertible Backpack Purse for Travel as Recommended by Readers

FASHION , Handbags , Travel Accessories

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When sightseeing or navigating an airport or train station, toting around a purse backpack combo affords a lot of flexibility since they can be worn multiple ways which makes them highly versatile and the different wearing options can help avoid shoulder pain as well! See these reader recommendations for the best women’s convertible backpack purse !

Convertible Purse Backpack Ideas

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Multi-use bags that can be converted into a backpack, tote, or crossbody make an awesome addition to your capsule wardrobe !

They not only offer different carrying options which can alleviate discomfort on the shoulders and lower back but also provide variety in outfit looks—from casual to elevated—check out these top reader picks for a functional and cute convertible travel backpack that could be gracing your adventures soon!

Reader Recommendations for Best Backpack Convertible Purse

Fjallraven Kanken Tote Backpack

Top Reader Pick: Fjallraven Kanken Backpack Tote Combo (With 13” Laptop Sleeve)

The Fjallraven Kanken was voted as the ​​ best convertible tote backpack by readers and is an all-time top seller! So versatile and functional, the webbed straps can be worn over the shoulder or use the two straps to wear as a typical backpack.

Made of sturdy fabric, this puppy is dirt and water-resistant, and easy to clean—just wipe it down! A top loader, you can fit a 13” laptop or tablet in a padded sleeve and there are side and front pockets to organize all your essentials.

One reader proclaims this as her go-to, “ I’ve owned my Kanken for two years now. I love it; it’s my only bag for weekend getaways and my personal item for every type of trip I go on.” While another TFG community member shares her family’s experience with it, “My daughter had hers all over Italy, France, and England. She had no problems carrying it and it’s super cute too.” Buy it here!

The Sak Ventura II Convertible Backpack

The Sak Ventura II Backpack Crossbody Purse (With 13” Laptop Sleeve)

Readers time and again recommend The Sak Ventura as a stellar backpack crossbody bag for it’s luxe look and different ways to wear it, either as a across the shoulder or slung on your back. Travelers say this is great for European museums, since backpacks are prohibited most of the time! A reader also highlights its safety features, “ Cute bag, and someone mentioned recently that the top fold over bags are a little more secure against pickpockets.”

With the antique silver hardware and lots of pockets for organization, you can also use this as a business travel bag as it fits a 13” laptop as well. There’s even a cute pocket to store pens (who doesn’t need one in the border check line?). Another TFGer describes its usability, “ The Sak Ventura backpack is great. Converts to cross body, very roomy but not overwhelming.” Buy it here!

Sakroots Eco-Twill Loyola Convertible Backpack

Sakroots Loyola Convertible Crossbody Backpack Purse (With Laptop Compartment)

One reader who visited New York City explains why she adores this backpack crossbody convertible purse from Sakroots, “ I didn’t want to spend a fortune, wanted it to be somewhat sleek, feel great, be lightweight, not knock people out when maneuvering crowds, have side drink pouches, and a compartment on the back side that would be difficult for a pickpocket to easily access. I saw this one and knew it fit the bill!!”

Made of eco-friendly but durable materials that are stain and water resistant, this has a ton of storage pockets, a laptop compartment, side pockets for water or drinks, and even a back zipper pocket perfect for keeping your passport and boarding pass tucked away. Giving off a boho vibe with the colorful tassles, this is a functional, yet fun bag to carry around! Buy it here!

Travelon Convertible Backpack Crossbody Bag and Tote

Travelon Anti-Theft Convertible Bag Backpack (With RFID Protection)

A highly popular brand with TFG readers as one sa ys, “ Love Travelon… have four of their bags!” And we tend to agree, they make amazing bags for travel! This cute and polished convertible handbag has slash-proof mesh panels and straps, as well as RFID blocking inside pockets and compartments that lock, making this a must-get for travel in Europe!

It also has numerous ways to organize, with zippered and slip pockets and it also has a strap to slip over luggage. But the main attraction is how many ways you can wear this bag—three to be exact—as a tote, backpack, or crossbody!

Another reader echoes her love for these, “ I have several Travelon bags and really like them because of how the zippers lock. Gives me peace of mind when I’m someplace new.” Buy it here!

We’ve rounded up the best anti theft travel bags for women , and our readers have voted for their favorite styles!

PacSafe Citysafe CX 17L Anti Theft Backpack

Pacsafe Citysafe Anti-Theft Convertible Laptop Backpack (With 16” Laptop Sleeve)

Long-time readers and female travelers adore Pacsafe for producing stylish yet excellent anti-theft bags. The Citysafe 17L convertible laptop bag is definitely a contender in both looks and functionality with slash-proof material and padded shoulder straps which can be secured to a table leg to keep it anchored down. The interlocking zippers, laptop padded sleeve (can fit a 16” Macbook Pro), RFID blocking pockets, and expandable compartments for an umbrella or water bottle make this an anti-theft and organizational dream!

Top it off with the carrying options via the top handles, lengthen the strap into a crossbody or sling, or use it as a backpack, along with the handy luggage sleeve, as well as the sleek look and gold hardware means you’ll look good and navigate easily through security or walking the streets of Paris.

A TFG reader shares, “ It was great for my SE Asia trip. I used it in backpack mode for touring and crossbody mode at night.” While another says, “I used it in Greece and Italy and it was great. In purse mode, I got into all museums except the Borghese Gallery as no purses were allowed at all in there.” Buy it here!

Osprey Arcane Tote Backpack

Osprey Arcane Convertible Backpack Tote (With 15” Laptop Sleeve)

If you’ve been a reader of TFG for a while, you may have noticed I’m incredibly brand loyal. Osprey is a brand that first impressed me on my 9-month round-the-world trip with the Aura 65L , and it’s been my go-to travel and outdoor gear brand ever since! I’ve also had the I had the 55L Farpoint and used it constantly.

So, it’s amazing to see readers hopping on the bandwagon with the Osprey Arcane tote backpack convertible bag ! One TFG reader says about this, “ It makes a great carry-on and laptop bag, and it has a lot of structure.” This is a top loader that folds over so offers a bit more security, with front pockets and interior ones to hold your essentials. It can also hold a 15” laptop in its padded sleeve.

The top handles can be slung over the shoulder or tucked away when not in use. Marketed as an outdoor bag, it could be fine for light hikes but likely nothing hardcore. However, it’s still made with the brand’s signature durable fabric and has a DWR finish to repel water. Buy it here!

Sherpani Soleil Anti Theft Backpack

Sherpani Soleil Anti-Theft Nylon Convertible Backpack (With 15” Laptop Sleeve)

In recent years, the Sherpani Soleil 3 in 1convertible backpack has become a reader favorite! One exclaims, “ I used it for four weeks in Europe this summer. Loved it!” This durable and water-resistant bag has numerous compartments to hold anything from a phone to a water bottle, or a small makeup bag, and there’s a laptop sleeve as well as a luggage sleeve.

More budget-oriented than some Pacsafe products, this comes loaded with anti-theft features that include anti-slash fabric, zip locks, RFID blocking protection, and a looping lock system for chairs or table legs. The 3 in 1 function means you can wear it as a crossbody, use it as a tote, or backpack, making it super versatile!

And the way it looks? This TFG reader doesn’t hold back, “Wow! It’s beautiful, versatile, and affordable!” Buy it here!

Find out what our readers have to say about their Sherpani bags in this review !

Baggallini 3-in-1 Convertible Backpack With RFID Phone Wristlet

Baggallini Convertible Tote Bag Backpack Crossbody – 3 In 1 (With RFID Wristlet)

Known for making durable, sleek, and timeless luggage options, Baggalini has been a long-time reader favorite. Made of water-resistant fabric, this cute and unique backpack purse can be organized easily with multiple side, exterior, and interior pockets, and you’ll have tons of wearing options, from a chic tote, practical cross-body, or a hands-free backpack.

One TFG reader share a travel experience, “ I just took it on a trip from the USA to Scotland. If held a change of clothes, Kindle, snacks, a 16 oz water bottle, some toiletries, and more! It fit perfectly under the seat on all my planes and was easy to get around with. It has lots of nice pockets.” And as a bonus, the bag comes with an adorably matching wristlet that can be a purse organizer or an evening bag for a night out. Buy it here!

Vera Bradley Convertible Handbag Backpack

Vera Bradley Convertible Backpack Handbag

As one reader announces, “I have loved Vera Bradley for years!” The Vera Bradley convertible bags can go over one shoulder, act as a tote, or be a backpack and make an excellent option for a personal item or carry on backpack.

There are so many pockets (zip, cargo, and more!) to store your items and there’s even a shoe compartment. This bag features 2 slip and 1 zip pocket on the exterior along with 2 slip and 1 zip pocket on the inside – keeping you perfectly organized. A TFG reader says she “loves this bag and used it as a personal item many times!” Buy it here!

Lo & Sons The Rowledge

Lo & Sons Rowledge Travel Tote Backpack (With 13-14” Laptop Sleeve)

While its price is higher than other bags, the Lo & Sons Rowledge tote backpack laptop option is specially designed for travel, especially for business travelers. Many readers adore their O.G. 2.0 travel weekender tote bag , but if you’re looking for a convertible option, this could fit the bill in quality and functionality.

One reader says, “I find that it fits my needs really well for a versatile work and travel option, and I love the style!” The Rowledge is a durable, yet sleek-looking nylon fabric with water-resistant zippers and it has multiple pockets to make it easy to organize pens, phonoes, wallet, and keys, including a side pocket for a water bottle. It’s also available in a small and large size, with a few inchies difference between the two. The large size can fit a 14” laptop comfortably, while the smaller size can fit about a 13”.

The Jaquard interior lining is simply luxurious and you can use the trolley sleeve to slide over the handles of your carryon suitcase. One satisfied TFG readers shares their travel experience with this backpack, “It’s structured, but still soft enough to cram things in when I’m flying, and I love the feet on the bottom, keeps it upright and it doesn’t get super dirty. Tthe look is very clean and professional, while still feeling high-end but not overly feminine and it fits well under an airplane seat without taking up leg room.” Buy it here!

Find out why our readers love their Lo & Sons bags in this review !

Best Budget Convertible Backpacks

ECOSUSI Vegan Leather Convertible Backpack Bag

Ecosusi Vegan Leather Convertible Backpack Shoulder Bag (With 14” Laptop Sleeve)

Voted as the best travel purse backpack for its usefulness and budget price , this cute Ecosusi bag can become a tote, backpack, or be worn over the shoulder. Superb as a personal item or business trip bag, it has a main compartment with a padded 14” laptop sleeve and numerous pockets to organize notebooks, pens, makeup, including a secret zippered pocket in the back for a discreet storage spot.

It’s also a terrific eco option as it’s made from vegan leather and the tassel and sleek lines make it a combination of “ great quality, style, and functionality!” One user gives a mini-review, “ I like the comfortable feel of this bag. The inside has plenty of room as the bag is quite deep. The material looks like leather but it’s not. The price was right.” Buy it here!

TFG readers also love the Ecosusi Weekender Bag, though not convertible, it’s great for overnight or short trips; read our review here !

UTO Backpack Purse Leather Vegan With Tassel

UTO Vegan Leather Convertible Shoulder Bag /Backpack (With 13” Laptop Sleeve)

A wonderful budget option that’s said to be an organizer’s happy place, the vegan leather UTO convertible handbags have a plethora of interior and exterior pockets, along with a side one for water, as well as a padded sleeve inside that holds a tablet or laptop.

A TFG reader gives a thorough description of her immediate experience with this bag, “ I did a quick test pack today to see how much it will hold. I squeezed in a ton of toiletries, chargers, and entertainment as well as sandals, a maxi skirt, and tank top. The faux leather is very pliable and there are so many pockets, including a back zipper for my phone and small wallet. The side pockets are super deep and secure.”

For carrying options, it has a top handle, two adjustable back straps, and one shoulder strap, so there are many ways to use it—a very chic and practical must-have! Buy it here!

LXY Vegan Leather Vintage Backpack Purse

LXY Faux Leather Convertible Backpack Laptop Bag (With 14” Laptop Sleeve)

For some of the best backpack purses , the LXY laptop backpack is a popular choice. It has six compartments that include a laptop sleeve (14”) and two anti-theft pockets hidden nicely away (one in the back and one in front flap). You can adjust the straps up to 45” to wear like a shoulder bag, too!

And a cool feature, you can adjust the width with a hidden button, so if you’re not carrying much, you can compact it. One traveler says, “ I’m a huge backpack lover and didn’t want to drop a ton of money on something that’s going to get tossed around. I seriously love this bag. I love the way it looks and the utility of it, especially the zip pocket on the inside—I’d feel safe keeping my passport in there. ”

With its vintage look and sleek hardware, considering this is a no-brainer! Buy it here!

CLUCI Backpack Purse Faux Leather

CLUCI Faux Leather Stylish Backpack Purse

If you don’t do a lot of business travel or prefer to travel with a tablet instead of a laptop, the CLUCI is a backpack and purse in one and is the very image of luxe (and practical)! With a huge main compartment and lots of zippered areas, you can store everything from a hotel room keycard, umbrella, cell phone, water bottle, and tablet. This also has an anti-theft design, as the closure is in the back and the back zipper has a function to keep pickpockets at bay.

One adventurer says this is perfect for exploring new places with peace of mind, “ I got this bag for traveling after someone tried to unzip my other backpack in Paris. It’s stylish and keeps my things safe since the zipper is against my back. I like the removable strap so I can throw it over my shoulder when needed. I love this bag!”

And it’s durable—as droplets of water don’t affect it much and the chic hardware is anti-corrosion. Buy it here!

Read how to choose the best  travel purse !

BOYATU Purse Backpack Bag With Reinforced Straps

BOYATU High-Quality PU Leather Backpack Purse Convertible Style

This BOYATU convertible travel backpack closes in clever and safe ways with a pull rope and a magnetic buckle. Super soft, but full of tons of organizational compartments, including a side, back, and interior pockets to keep everything in its place.

The strap can be adjusted to 33” so you can wear it over the shoulder. One user mentions the biggest plus about this backpack, “ My favorite thing about this bag is the fact that it has so many pockets and compartments. On top of it, It has a high-quality feel to it, while the price was right.” 

Zocilor Convertible Backpack Purse Travel Bag

Zocilor Convertible Travel Bag (With Multi Pockets)

For a chic and fun purse and backpack combo , the Zocilor Travel Bag  has a sleek m ultipurpose design that easily converts handbag to backpack purse and shoulder bag , so secure and stylish, along with numerous interior and exterior pockets for lots of organizational options. Adjustable backpack straps and detachable shoulder strap.

An economical way to look elevated without paying a ton, this is wonderful for travel or daily use. Buy it here!

Best Leather Convertible Backpack Purse

The Sak Loyola Mini Backpack

Sak Loyola Convertible Leather Backpack Purse

An excellent leather option for under $100, the Sak Loyola offers popular backpack purses that have style and function in one. Able to be a crossbody as well, it has multiple pockets inside and outside to store small essentials.

While not something for business travel, this is ideal for a personal onboard item or a terrific for a sightseeing bag. This user is very happy with her find, “ The convertible backpack/crossbody design is genius! It’s super well made and fits everything I need. It’s so comfortable as a backpack I forget it’s on. Then say I’m in a crowded place and want to keep it closer, boom it’s a crossbody within my sight. Amazing!” Buy it here!

Fossil Camilla Convertible Backpack

Fossil Camilla Soft Leather Convertible Backpack Purse

A reader favorite, this 100% leather Fossil laptop tote backpack has a back zipper to safely stow something as well as lots of other pocket options to organize, as well as room for a 13” laptop.

A traveler gives a short review, “I purchased this bag for an upcoming vacation, and now that I’m back, I can easily say this bag made all the difference. It’s large enough to hold a 32 oz water bottle, rain coat, umbrella, batteries, reusable shopping bags, Kindle, and a slew of other things. Not to mention I LOVE the back pocket which is easily accessible while it’s on, and I kept my wallet and phone in there without even feeling it.”

This pictured color (henna) is loved by readers, in case you’re looking for color ideas! This is a quality bag that can be worn on the shoulder or as a tote as well and it will last for years. Buy it here!

If you need the  best packable tote , read our list!

Cuyana Backpack Purse

Cuyana Leather Convertible Leather Backpack (With 13”-16” Laptop Sleeve)

If you’re a purveyor of fine Italian products, the convertible backpack purse designer Cuyana has crafted is an elegant, classig design that can fit all your essentials, as well as a dedicated laptop compartment that accommodates 13”-16” size laptops.

It has nice, wide straps, easy to use magnetic closures, and you can carry as a tote or over the shoulder. Cuyana is LWG certified, which means that the leather is tanned responsibly. Buy it here!

Ili RFID Leather Convertible Backpacks (With 13” Laptop Sleeve)

A high-quality pick, the Ili convertible leather bag offers everything a traveler wants, boasting RFID blocking technology, multiple pockets, and a 13” padded laptop compartment.

With a sleek hardware and shape, this would be ideal for more fashionable cities like New York and also European travel. Buy it here!

Traveling with a laptop? Check out these  business backpacks!

Womens Convertible Bag Product Comparison Chart

What’s your favorite women’s convertible laptop backpack ? Please comment below!

For more tips and ideas on travel bags, please read:

• Top Anti-Theft Travel Bags for Women – Best Sellers!
• What are the Best Travel Bags with Trolley Sleeve?
• Best Messenger Bags: Functional and Adorable Options
• Cross Body Purses: The Best Travel Shoulder Bags for Women

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13 comments.

I ended up buying the Sak Loyola based on this post and found it on sale this weekend. I mostly wanted something purse-like and sleek to fit my laptop in between the office and home, but I think it will be really helpful for my underseat item for traveling too!

Great list! I have The Sak Ventura 2 bag in tobacco. I took it to my local leather shop and had a matching 8” grab handle added to the top rings. This allows me to slip the bag onto my wrist or carry it by this short handle. This makes the bag incredibly versatile. Because of the unique suspension system, I can also carry it as a backpack, backpack with the flap turned against my back, shoulder bag, or crossbody. The bag well-made and nicely lined. Naturally cut resistant. I sewed some attachment points into the lining for my wallet and phone tethers, keys, etc. It’s big enough for a full day out, including a jacket (in a small packing cube), bottle of water and snacks, but the flat shape keeps it from becoming bulky. I can hold it in my lap during meals and transit. I appreciate the carrying options, because I like to use a backpack for my main bag, with a medium size handbag for my personal item and day bag.

I am on a search for the right one for me!

I have an older Travelon convertible backpack that we used when sightseeing in Europe.

Just purchased a Sherpani sojourn to use as my under seat bag for an upcoming trip to Europe. Can’t wait to give it a try.

I have a different version of the Sherpani (mine is a Sojourn) and love it! I’m going to have to try and get my hands on one of the teal Soleils. I also have a different verion of the Pixie Mood (mine is the Cora), which I haven’t used as much. I’ll have to consider it more often.

Thank you for sharing your love of the Sherpani backpacks with us Cheri! 🙂

I have the exact Sakroots bag shown. It’s a good idea, but the patterned version of it is not stiff enough or structured enough. It collapses on itself all the time and the adjustable straps never stay put. The bag ends up at my knees in crossbody mode. This bag will only drive you crazy. The concept is good, but doesn’t function like it should.

Good to know, thanks!

I have the same bag. I agree 100% with your comment. Hence, my search for a new convertible backpacks begins.

I have one too and I agree with J.C and Elle. I now use the Tumi Jackie convertible bag, it’s way better than this one!

I love the Henri Bendel Convertible Backpack. It is super cute, comes in many colors, and is very versatile.

I would love to know what the bag is in the top, title picture for this article.

The image used is a stock photo, however the bag is similar to item 2 on the list 🙂

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The 9 Best Travel Backpacks for Keeping Your Stuff Safe and Secure

These bags are versatile enough to suit your style, whether you’re a minimalist or tend to overpack.

These packs are easy to carry, fit comfortably in overhead bins on planes, and many of them even pack down when you aren’t using them. Some have wheels and work as rolling duffel bags or light-duty hiking packs . A good travel pack will strike this balance nicely, providing enough storage space and protection for your belongings while remaining easy to pick up and go. And this doesn’t mean they’re bare-bones sacks. May have internal sleeves for water bottles to prevent them from rolling around, a laptop sleeve separate from the main compartment, small zip pockets to store smaller items like wallets or phones, and even small tethered latches to hook your keys on.

For your outdoor adventures or weekend trips to the city, check out our picks for the best travel backpacks.

The Best Travel Backpacks

• Best Overall: Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack
• Best Value: REI Co-op Ruckpack 60+ Recycled Travel Pack
• Best Suitcase-Style: Thule Landmark 40L Travel Pack
• Best Waterproof: Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack
• Best Weekender: Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L

What to Consider

How we selected, our full travel backpack reviews, .css-zjsofe{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;background-color:#ffffff;border:0;border-bottom:none;border-top:thin solid #cdcdcd;color:#000;cursor:pointer;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;padding-bottom:0.3125rem;padding-top:0.3125rem;scroll-margin-top:0rem;text-align:left;width:100%;}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-zjsofe{scroll-margin-top:3.375rem;}} .css-jtmji2{border-radius:50%;width:1.875rem;border:thin solid #6f6f6f;height:1.875rem;padding:0.4rem;margin-right:0.625rem;} .css-jlx6sx{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;width:0.9375rem;height:0.9375rem;margin-right:0.625rem;-webkit-transform:rotate(90deg);-moz-transform:rotate(90deg);-ms-transform:rotate(90deg);transform:rotate(90deg);-webkit-transition:-webkit-transform 250ms ease-in-out;transition:transform 250ms ease-in-out;} what size travel backpack do i need.

Large travel backpacks, or those with a capacity of around 35 to 60 liters, are ideal for trips where you want to be as prepared as possible, like thru-hiking or long-term backpacking.

If you plan on camping for multiple days or don’t mind checking your bag on a flight, the added storage space means you don’t need a fanny pack or shoulder bag with you too.

Small bags are easier to carry, store, and use as carry-ons for flights. These options are better for weekend getaways or day packs where lightweight convenience is paramount. While backpacks with less than 35 liters in capacity will work best as day packs, with some clever packing and maybe the help of a few packing cubes , they can serve as your primary luggage on short trips.

Especially for outdoor travel and camping, hardiness is key. The travel backpacks we recommend are made of sturdy materials that hold up well to drops, scratches, and long-term wear-and-tear. 

Nylon and recycled polyester are lightweight and more weather-resistant than canvas or leather. Choose nylon or polyester for adventures where you’ll be out in the elements. 

You can tell the density of nylon and polyester material by its denier rating. Essentially, the higher the number, the denser the fabric. This doesn’t directly translate to durability, but it worth keeping in mind when considering materials.

Canvas and leather are sturdier (but much heavier) options that prevent snags or tears on sharp objects. While the bags are less practical in outdoor settings where their weight and lower tolerance to weather reduce their practicality, these backpacks are often built with fashion in mind as much as function.

Ripstop nylon or polyester is about as durable as leather and canvas, though slightly more expensive than regular nylon exteriors. Ripstop fabrics are made with integrated synthetic threads that stops a small snag spreading further on the material. For those traveling in big cities, ripstop nylon and polyester are also a great preventive measure against thieves who may try to slash your backpack open.

Even if the material isn’t naturally water resistant, it is sometimes treated with Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating. This coating causes moisture from light splashing or rain to bead up and roll off, protecting your backpack from water damage. Just now that DWR will wear off, and you may need to reapply it in time.

A good travel backpack should last you for 10 years or more. Beyond choosing quality materials, taking care of your backpack can extend its lifespan even further. Store the backpack away from direct sunlight, clean the exterior occasionally with a mild soap, and make sure to dust or vacuum away any sand or dirt that accumulates near the zippers.

Fit and Style

While most travel backpacks are generally rectangular, there is a variety of styles. Many bags have a long, tall shape to them, sometimes going past your hips or above your neckline. This makes them great for stacking lots of items, like clothes or books, on top of one another. Bags with a wider construction, oftentimes reaching or even surpassing the width of your shoulders, are better suited for carrying larger items.

It’s worth going to a physical store and trying on backpacks you’re interested in to see how they fit your body, especially as you start looking at higher capacity choices.

The variance in shape means their capacity is utilized differently. Two bags could each have an identical 40-liter capacity yet fit a disparate selection of items. This can affect how you pack, especially if you want to bring oddly shaped items like your camera or a pair of hiking boots .

Most of the travel bags we recommend, like our top pick, the Osprey Farpoint 40 , are backpack-style. A few of our recommendations convert to duffels, often with a dedicated place to tuck in the backpack straps when you aren’t using them, while others come with zip-off day bags for carrying just the essentials.

Travel backpacks designed to take on heavy loads often come with sternum straps that connect the shoulder straps together or hip belts or straps to disperse the weight and reduce the strain on your shoulders.

Some also have thick cushioning on the shoulder straps and hip belts, which prevents them from digging into your skin as you walk. Load lifters (supplemental strips of webbing that connect to the shoulder straps) pull some of the weight off your shoulders and disperse it throughout the rest of the backpack; they’re also relatively common.

While adequate weight distribution features and shoulder strap cushioning are great no matter how heavy your bag is, load lifters and hip belts will only really be necessary if you are carrying some serious weight.

Storage and Safety

Common storage features to keep in mind include sleeves for your laptop or tablet, side pockets for umbrellas or water bottles, and included packing cubes or dividers. Some backpacks have dedicated pockets for holding glasses or zip storage for passports with an RFID-blocking liner to prevent identity theft.

Many travel packs also come with shock-absorbing cushioning for more sensitive items like cameras and electronics. You might see this felt-like material on the laptop sleeve in your bag, for instance. Good packs also have water-resistant or fully waterproof pockets or exteriors. Some even come with water-resistant zippers and sliders to prevent any moisture from entering.

If you’re worried about safety, pay attention to some of the emergency features on some of the backpacks. These include an emergency whistle attached to the shoulder strap, high-visibility reflective material on the exterior, designated water pouch sleeves, or even a detachable rain cover.

In determining the best travel backpacks, we relied on the ample previous firsthand experience of our team here at Popular Mechanics as well as testing we did for this article. We wanted to get the general impression of how each pack performed over a typical week of use in travel. That included aspects like user-friendliness, how easy it was to pack common travel items, the comfort level when carrying or on our backs when the pack was full, and durability. We also took into account if the pack had internal organization or additional pockets for small items.

We also researched more than a dozen expert sources and thousands of consumer reviews to select the top travel backpacks. In our research, we considered the size, capacity, added features, material, and price point, among other factors.

Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack

With enough space to fit gear for anywhere from a week to a month, this travel backpack from Osprey is a do-it-all bag. Its frame suspension moves weight from your shoulders to your hips, and its mesh back panel prevents your shirt from getting soaked with sweat during hot days. Large, smooth zippers open to the main compartment, while interior mesh pockets keep your gear organized. A laptop sleeve located on the front of the pack’s interior lets you take your work with you (if you can’t escape it).

The Farpoint also converts easily to a duffel. The hip belt and shoulder straps stow underneath a zip-up back panel during rough travel, like in the cargo hold of a plane. And if you opt for one of the larger sizes, the zip-off day pack makes the Farpoint more like two adventure bags in one.

REI Co-op Ruckpack 60+ Recycled Travel Pack

At once one of the most spacious and affordable options, the REI Co-op Ruckpack also stands as an incredibly versatile choice. The main bag has 60 liters worth of space and comes with several purpose-built pockets, including space for a water pouch.

The Ruckpack also comes with an included 20-liter daypack that fits neatly inside, even if completely packed. Fill your backpack with everything you need for your trip, and then as you head out for the day, leave the big bag behind and take out your compact day pack with just the essentials.

The bag is packed full of features, from a sternum buckle that doubles as a safety whistle to trekking pole latches to a secret sunglasses pouch. The combined 80 liters of storage between the two bags should serve as more than enough for any adventure.

Thule Landmark 40L Travel Pack

Thule has long been a major name in packing—we love the company’s packing cubes as well as its car roof storage. The Landmark travel backpack continues that legacy, emphasizing organization and durability above all else.

The front of this backpack opens like a traditional suitcase for easier packing, or you can open it from the top for easy access to items throughout the day. It comes in three different sizes, each designed to handle trips of varying lengths. Each bag comes with a shallow protective pocket at the top to quickly and easily store valuables. The bag also has a hidden sleeve for cash, passports, and other essentials to protect your items while traveling abroad.

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack

Made from durable polyester and ballistic nylon, this bag is ready to take a beating. The hiking-style shoulder straps, sternum strap, and padded hip belt mean it carries super comfortably, and you can quickly deploy the included, high-visibility rain cover should the sky open up.

Inside, the bag is all suitcase. It even unzips and opens up like one. A large, zippered mesh compartment on the right side is ready for all your big things, and divided mesh pockets on the left keep you from losing the small stuff.

This functionality combines with a minimalist style that would be in place with your curated streetwear outfit and piled in with your outdoor camping gear alike. Choose from 11 distinct color combinations to fit your taste without sacrificing storage space.

Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L

Topo Designs has a distinct aesthetic, and this pack is a prime example of its geometric, pocket-heavy construction. If you like organizing and separating your gear, this travel backpack is a great fit. The interior is broken up into a slew of zippered compartments, which are easy to access because the main zipper runs from one far bottom corner of the bag to the other, allowing it to flip wide open. There’s also a laptop sleeve.

Carrying is easy with the shoulder straps and hip belt, both of which can detach and store inside a designated back panel on the backpack. Or use the longer strap, which also stows away, to carry the bag like a duffel.

Uncommon on smaller travel packs, this backpack has load lifters on the shoulder straps that help you pull the weight tighter to your back for a more comfortable fit. The bag still fits in airline overhead bins—Topo created it specifically to be carry-on compliant.

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45

Peak Design is known for making intuitive tech peripherals like phone cases, camera straps, and tripods, so it’s no surprise that its travel backpack is just as handy and organized. The thing is big—45 liters isn’t outlandish among this lineup, but the pack extends far out from the back, which can weigh you down if you’ve loaded it with lots of heavy stuff.

But with that size comes a main compartment spacious enough to Tetris a lot of gear into. There’s not much in the way of internal organization, though you can get into the compartment from the main back panel, front panel, and side panels for quick access. Peak Design also sells packing cubes separately if you want to keep your items organized inside the main pocket. There is a laptop sleeve inside the back panel, too.

External organization is excellent, with several small compartments for essentials and bottle sleeves on the sides. Two straps deploy to form an X across the front of the pack for securing a tripod. A trick (and probably our favorite feature) is the pair of flaps on the back panel. These flaps open on each side of the pack to stow away your shoulder straps and waist belt, preventing them from any unwanted snags.

These flaps stay flat courtesy of magnets, so there are no zippers to fuss with. And if you do buy this pack, rest assured that your expensive photo equipment will stay scuff-free and dry encased in the 400-denier nylon canvas and polyurethane treated with DWR.

Samsonite Virtuosa Carry-On Travel Backpack

For air travel and city trekking, this sleek companion from Samsonite is an ideal day pack. With a strap to slide directly on top of a suitcase handle and a compact size that fits under airline seats, it impressed us with its usefulness on a flight.

Once you’re on the ground, the backpack becomes a convenient item for exploring. The modern design is sharp. And its internal compartments are great for your essentials: a laptop sleeve, two internal storage pockets, and even a sleeve to slide your water bottle into let you walk from place to place with your hands free. That said, the feature that impressed us the most was the semi-hidden front sleeve. Perfect for storing passports and wallets, this has a zipper and a magnetic latch keeping it secure. It also has a tethered clip inside to hook your keys onto.

It’s worth noting that this backpack is smaller than the other options on this list, and isn’t suited for carrying heavy loads or as a solo pack for a weekend trip.

Mystery Ranch Mission Rover Travel Backpack

There are few bags that offer the sort of versatility that the Mission Rover from Mystery Ranch does. Made of Cordura—a thin, durable nylon fabric blend—this travel backpack will stand up to snags, drops, or scratches.

The Mission Rover has dedicated mesh pockets for easy organization inside, and a front pocket for smaller accessories, as well as a laptop sleeve. On larger versions, the backpack even comes with a specific compartment for shoes and one to keep your dirty laundry separate from your clean clothes.

You can carry the pack in three configurations to fit your needs or preference. These include a traditional backpack style with both straps, a sort of briefcase look by grabbing the side handle, and a shoulder strap to serve as a makeshift duffel bag.

Able Carry Max Backpack

A favorite of our reviews editor and frequent adventurer Kevin Cortez , this travel backpack from Able Carry has the versatility and storage space for a full trip.

Calling it the “smartest designed bag I’ve ever used,” Cortez says, “It has a pocket for just about anything I need, and I’ve traveled plenty of times with it to know that I can fit at least two size-12 shoes in its massive second compartment—and still have room to spare. I particularly love its laptop compartment and its sleek protective sleeve. Plus, it features a zippered area with four smaller pockets that can neatly fit all of my folded charging cables for my 2023 MacBook Pro, iPhone 15, and Playdate (yeah, I have one of those), and my chapstick, without bulking it up.”

It also comes with a side pocket that fits a full-size water bottle and a top pocket for your wallet, keys, or passport. The main storage pocket zips all the way down for easier packing.

Tom Price is an Associate Editor of Reviews for Popular Mechanics, and also contributes to Runner's World, and Bicycling . He has previously covered product reviews, startup news, and even professional wrestling. In his free time, he enjoys watching pretentious TV, low-brow movies, and exercising for beauty, not health. If you are interested in exploring more of his work, check out his website .

James Lynch is Popular Mechanic’s Field Editor looking for stories across the U.S. about those building a better America. He’s passionate about the Erie Canal and the Apollo Space Program. 

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The Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks

Opening up your favorite carry-on travel backpack—with all of your stuff in the right place and easy to reach—should feel like you’re opening the door to a well-organized closet or sitting down at a clean desk.

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

What we considered

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

Clamshell designs open like a book and are easiest to pack, but bags that open traditionally tend to have more structure.

Ideally, a travel backpack has handles on all sides, especially the bottom, for pulling it out of overhead bins or from under seats.

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

We spent six months testing 22 bags and flying across the country with all of our picks.

In the end, we chose two as our top picks: the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L (for most trips) and the larger Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L . 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 is not a style of packing that’s for everyone, but once some people try it , they’re forever hooked. However, finding the right bag is a personal choice, and no single bag will appeal to everyone.

That’s why we have picks that are great for people traveling for work , others designed to be carried over long distances , picks for maximizing your packing space , and budget options for travelers who want to give the one-bag strategy a try.

The research

Why you should trust us, best small carry-on bag for most situations: cotopaxi allpa 35l, best large bag for most situations: peak design travel backpack 45l, best bag for document organization: topo designs global travel bag 30l, 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 40l, best affordable large backpack: ebags tls mother lode weekender, other good carry-on travel backpacks, who this is for, how we picked and tested, what to look forward to, the competition.

I’ve been covering aspects of luggage and travel bag design for Wirecutter for nearly a decade and have personally researched, tested, and compared hundreds of bags in that time. And as members of a remote organization, our editors and writers travel a lot and are continually testing the gear we recommend—our travel gear guide remains a perennial favorite among staff members. 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 another six months nomadically couch-surfing in New York City.

In addition to documenting our own experiences, I reached out to experts and writers who specialize in traveling the world carrying everything they need in a single bag. Eytan Levy is the owner and operator of the Snarky Nomad travel website, which combines travel guides and tips with in-depth gear reviews. James Feess is the founder of The Savvy Backpacker and author of The Savvy Backpacker’s Guide to Europe on a Budget . And Sharon Gourlay is the writer 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 .

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L

A versatile small pack for a week or a weekend.

The Allpa’s clamshell design makes organizing your things simple. The strap design lets you easily wear this durable bag on your back or carry it in your hand while you’re on the move.

Buying Options

Get this if: You want an easy-to-organize, comfortable-to-carry bag with a rainfly for downpours or you want to support a B-corp and its related social and sustainable missions .

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L features an easy-to-pack clamshell design and highly adjustable straps that make it a great all-around bag for any traveler who’s dedicated to packing light, or for a smaller person who wants less to carry. Handles on all four sides of this bag make it easy to grab no matter where you’ve stowed it. It’s also protected by a full lifetime warranty and 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.

Cotopaxi also makes the Allpa in 28 - and 42 -liter sizes. But the 35 liter is, for us, the best. At 42 liters, this bag becomes heavy for most people to carry when its fully packed, and for a bag that big, 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 any shorter trip, such as an overnight. Cotopaxi also makes a hip pack that’s designed to fit snugly into the Allpa’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.

The Allpa has a clamshell design, which means it opens like a hard-sided suitcase: A large YKK zipper runs around three sides of the bag, letting it 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 clothes (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 are two smaller pockets with high-visibility backing—useful when you’re looking for hard-to-differentiate personal items.

The Allpa’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 is decently comfortable 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, unlike the shoulder straps on our other picks, the Allpa’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 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.

The Allpa is made with 1680-denier ballistic nylon, similar to the Topo Designs Global Travel Bag or the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 . This feels similar to a strong canvas, but it has a more prominent weave. The Allpa is the kind of bag you can toss as easily into an overhead compartment as you can into the back of a rusty pickup truck. Uniquely in this category, the Allpa also includes a rainfly.

Flaws but not dealbreakers The Allpa 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.

Cotopaxi does enjoy playing around with fabrics and colors. Sometimes the company has released the Allpa without the TPU-lined front panel. The TPU panel improves water resistance, but we’ve found after many years of travel with our bag that the TPU layering can begin to flake in spots. We’d love to see the all-nylon option return at some point, for people who prefer the added robustness and don’t mind sacrificing a bit of rain coverage.

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, but 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.

Get this if: You travel often with expensive camera gear and need easy access and many storage pockets, or you just prefer a backpack-based packing system with plenty of adaptability and customization.

Some bags in this category are built to do one thing extremely well—be luggage 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. Not so with the Peak Design: It looks just as good fully packed at 45 liters as it does compressed to a 30-liter daypack.

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 that 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. It will still feel larger than a normal daypack in this configuration, 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 400D nylon and polyester fabrics. It feels tough, but not as tough as some other bags we’ve tested, such as the Cotopaxi Allpa .

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 comfortable. The hip belt isn’t quite as plush as the one on the Tortuga ; still, even when the Peak Design is fully loaded, the belt doesn’t pinch or dig into the body.

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 three 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 (the 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.”

Peak Design also makes a line of ultralight packing cubes . They’re good cubes, and they compare well to the ultralight Eagle Creek Pack-It Isolate Cube set, our pick for light packers . However, the Peak Design cubes are sized specifically for this bag and fit just so inside it, especially when combined with other Peak Design gear cubes and accessories, like the toiletry bag . (Chase Reeves has done an in-depth video review of these cubes; it’s a good resource for anyone who’s on the fence about buying them.) After testing the cubes (and this is not a mark against the Eagle Creek or the Peak Design ultralight cubes, both of which are excellent), I personally still prefer the more-rigid Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal set, one of our longtime picks .

Flaws but not dealbreakers The Travel Backpack has few flaws. It is expensive—especially if you commit to the entire system of packing and camera cubes. 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 instead.

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

Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L

Combines more organization with a simple interior.

This bag’s open interior makes packing easy. Those who travel for work will appreciate the Topo’s accessible front pockets and holders for organizing books, papers, and assorted miscellaneous items.

Get this if: You travel often for work and prefer a bag that’s much easier to work out of than most of our other picks. The front panel and assorted pockets are like a small traveling office space.

Of all the bags we recommend, the Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L comes closest to the style of an everyday carry backpack, due to its small size and minimal external features. This bag is perfect if you have to travel to a work event, get off the plane, and then use it as a daily backpack without drawing too much attention to yourself. Topo also includes built-in attachment clips, if you want to piggyback a smaller daily-carry backpack to your Travel Bag. I know people who love to do this. I personally do not. But it’s a good feature, especially if you’re committed to Topo gear in general. However, given its basic strap system and flat nylon back, the Topo is not built as well as our other picks for longer hikes.

The Travel Bag is one of the simplest bags we tested, with a main compartment and some basic document organization in the front pocket. This bag is a front-panel loader (which we find very easy to pack), organized around a main pocket that can fit two large packing cubes. Inside, the lid of the bag also has two mesh dividers, for a small amount of organization. Outside, the bag has two small zippered pockets for travel accessories (such as earbuds and a passport) and a larger organizer pocket for books, tickets, and snacks. The Topo is constructed with heavy YKK zippers and, similar to the Cotopaxi Allpa, has built-in zipper security loops (strong loops of fabric that secure your zippers when the bag is shut), if you want a touch more security.

Similar to our other picks, the Travel Bag is backed by an excellent lifetime warranty and repair program from Topo. However, Topo’s gear is made from 1000D nylon (a dense and very tough fabric) and built like a tank; it has rigid padding throughout, and there is an attention to detail (particularly in the stitching around the zippers and handles) that’s a mark of quality to any savvy bag enthusiast. The point is, you would really have to get into some trouble to need the repair program. But it’s there if you do need it.

If you want to carry as much as possible, the Travel Bag also comes in a 40L model . It’s a fine bag at that size, and it does include a small yet stowable waist belt to help carry the weight. But we prefer our larger picks, like the Tortuga (more carrying capacity) or the eBags TLS Mother Lode (less expensive).

The Travel Bag has a built-in laptop compartment that fits most 15-inch laptops and is situated close to your back; this protects the computer and keeps its weight closer to your body. The Topo is well padded on all sides, and it is stitched in a way that keeps the edge of your computer from the bottom of the bag and should protect your computer from all but the worst drops. This bag, like most of Topo’s gear, is designed to work with Topo dopp bags , accessory bags , and packing cubes . Fully packed, it can carry two large packing cubes, two medium accessory bags, and a dopp kit.

Flaws but not dealbreakers Despite its travel-document organization, the Topo bag lacks the large internal pockets of our other picks, and the bag’s main compartment isn’t quite as spacious as that of our other picks. People who like a deeper main compartment might prefer the Cotopaxi or Tortuga bags. The Topo bag’s compartment is a little tight for large laptops, so it isn’t the best when going through security. We’d love to see a little more attention paid to the back contouring and straps of this bag, to make longer walks more comfortable.

Capacity: 30 liters Weight: 2 pounds, 10 ounces Main compartment access: front-panel loader Style: retro Colors: Navy, Black, Clay, Charcoal, Olive

Osprey Farpoint 40

For long distances on foot.

A great starter option for one-bag travel, the Farpoint is easy to pack, adaptable to most situations, and sturdy enough to take with you as you travel the world. And it’s backed by a lifetime warranty.

Osprey Fairview 40

For smaller torsos.

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

May be out of stock

Get this if: You’re starting out with one-bag travel and aren’t sure which style of bag is best for you, but you want one that’s easy to carry over long distances.

The Osprey Farpoint 40 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 applies to the Fairview as well.) Osprey makes excellent backpacks for hauling around, and its lifetime warranty is renowned within the industry . The Farpoint also has an optional messenger bag–style strap, which offers some flexibility when you’re maneuvering tight spaces like subways or crowded city centers.

If you’re just starting out with one-bag travel, or you aren’t sure what type of travel bag best suits your needs, the Farpoint is an excellent first choice.

The Farpoint is easy to pack. Opening the bag reveals a clamshell design; it’s deep enough to accommodate most large items, without your having to fumble awkwardly with zippers once it’s time to close up the bag. The feeling you get is not unlike packing a bit of sturdy luggage, which is something we love about bags like this—especially when you pack with packing cubes . Osprey says this bag, when fully packed, can carry 40 liters. But after using the Farpoint 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 available space in the Farpoint is closer to—but still less than—that of the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L .

Like all Osprey bags, the Farpoint has very comfortable shoulder straps. The years of design and consideration that Osprey has put into its line of hiking backpacks are quite evident in the Farpoint. After more than six years of long-term testing this bag, we’re still surprised by how great it feels to put on when it’s fully packed. Crucially, the straps of the Farpoint 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 is more flexible and lets you hide the waist straps while the bag is on your back.

As some reviewers have pointed out, smaller individuals may appreciate the lighter weight and more-compact design of the Farpoint or the Fairview (which basically have the same design, but the Fairview is made for someone with a more-diminutive torso). 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.

Flaws but not dealbreakers For a smaller carry-on travel backpack, this one has little not to 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): Gopher Green, Tunnel Vision Grey, Muted Space Blue, Black Colors (Fairview): Winter Night Blue, Zircon Red, Night Jungle Blue, Black

Tortuga Travel Backpack 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.

Get this if: You want to maximize your packing space in a bag that’s durable, customizable to fit most torso lengths (there’s also a 30L version ), and water-resistant, and that has organizational features to suit any digital nomad.

The Tortuga Travel Backpack 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.

When it comes to packing, the Tortuga 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 bag (the max space for a carry-on bag), which we tested, along with the 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 .

However, the Tortuga is the most adjustable bag we’ve tested five years in a row, 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. This design (with its included load-adjuster straps at the top, to prevent the bag’s weight from sagging toward your lumbar region) is the best of those we’ve tested at distributing the weight of the bag (4.5 pounds when empty—roughly a pound and a half 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.

Flaws but not dealbreakers Some people, especially those who are hard on their gear, may consider not being able to remove or stow the Tortuga’s 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. Personally, it still makes me nervous to see the Tortuga traveling on the luggage belt toward mysterious machines and conveyors beneath the airport—all of which, in my imagination, are waiting to tear the hip belt from the bag or slice open the sailcloth exterior. But the Tortuga appears to shrug it all off with ease. 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 Travel Backpack .

We’ve also fielded complaints from some testers 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 4.5 pounds, the new Tortuga 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 . But if you feel like you would struggle carrying this model, we strenuously encourage you to consider one of our more-manageable picks, like the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L .

Capacity: 40 liters Weight: 4.5 pounds Main compartment access: clamshell opening Style: minimal, with a rigid construction Color: black

eBags TLS Mother Lode Weekender

Affordable capacity and organization.

The Mother Lode offers the organizational features most travelers want, at an affordable price. However, it’s not as comfortable to carry as pricier options, and it can expand well past the limits of most overhead bins.

Get this if: You want an affordable bag with a traditional look, to carry as much as you can—potentially more than you’re allowed by airlines.

If you like the concept of the large Tortuga Travel Backpack but not its price, the eBags TLS Mother Lode Weekender is a great option for infrequent travelers who are willing to give up some features, such as a decent hip belt. It’s not comfortable enough for trekking long distances on foot, but there are plenty of external pockets for organization, a laptop sleeve that holds the weight of your computer high up on your shoulders, and an easy-to-access main compartment. This bag also has the largest capacity of any of those we tested, expanding to 65 liters—well beyond any airline’s regulated 45-liter limit. However, the bag’s more-casual looks might not be to everyone’s taste.

The Mother Lode is a good suitcase built around a basic (if slightly underwhelming) backpack. That’s the tradeoff you make for its low price, which is less than half that of other models. Unlike our other picks, the Mother Lode is not for carrying over long distances, especially when it’s full. If you know you’re going to be walking long distances (say, over a mile or so) with your pack on, you might want to consider one of our other picks. That said, if you’re carrying your bag only from a taxi to the airport security line but you want to avoid checked-item fees, the Mother Lode might be the bag for you.

The best part of the Mother Lode is the interior layout: It is easy to pack, and it’s smartly organized but still adaptable enough to mold to your preferred style of packing (meaning you can find what you need when you need it). However, the intense design focus that’s evident in the interior of the bag seems to have slipped a bit when it came to the exterior. Compared with those of several other picks in this size, this bag’s slim straps and barely there hip belt are noticeably lacking, especially if you’ve maxed out the bag’s ludicrous capacity.

The clamshell opening of the Mother Lode is similar to the Tortuga’s or the Cotopaxi Allpa’s. This space is augmented by a separate front compartment and organization panel for quick access to mid-size items like a toiletry kit; a top compartment for keys, small books, or sunglasses; and a front pocket organizer for smaller flat items, like travel documents and wallets. The laptop pocket is large and well protected, and it has a strap to help secure and position your laptop’s weight higher up your back if you wish.

Flaws but not dealbreakers There are plenty of flaws with this bag, if you choose to see them as flaws instead of the necessary consequences of the Mother Lode’s inexpensive price. During testing, we packed as much into the Mother Lode as we did in the Tortuga (more, if we expanded the Mother Lode past strict carry-on dimensions). The problem with that much capacity? It becomes an absolute bear to carry. And the flimsy waist belt is almost useless at distributing weight across your hips. Several times during testing I considered just cutting it away. This is a shame, since the bag could go from “decent for the price” to “fantastic, especially at this price” with just a few upgrades.

Capacity: 45 liters (expandable to 65 liters) Weight: 4 pounds Main compartment access: clamshell opening Style: casual Colors: Eggplant, Garnet, Slate Blue, Heathered Graphite, Pine Green

If you want to travel like a backpacker but fit in at a board meeting (and have the budget to do so): Consider the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 —its 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 $33 internal frame , the $33 hip belt , and (if you’re traveling with a suit or jacket) the $33 shoulder strap (all prices at the time of writing). This all adds up on a bag that already costs $330. Even though everything about the Tom Bihn (the fabric, the zippers, the quality of construction) feels like an upgrade from other bags, 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 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.

Anyone who wants to travel light and stay flexible should seriously consider using a carry-on travel backpack. 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. It’s easy to remain more mobile when you’re not loaded down by heavy luggage and easier still 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. And as airlines charge more and more for checking baggage, traveling with just a carry-on bag (frequently referred to as one-bag travel ) is becoming less of a lifestyle choice and more of a survival skill. At its heart, one-bag travel allows you to discover more—not just about the places you’re going but about yourself and what you really need day to day.

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 are not carry-on-friendly, though, especially in Europe, so be prepared to check them. We also have a guide to wheeled carry-on bags , which are designed to hold a lot of stuff while remaining easy to maneuver around airports. However, wheels, retractable handles, and frames subtract from precious packing space and add weight, and can make a bag difficult to manage on busy city streets.

There’s no single backpack that is perfect for everyone. Before you make any purchase, consider some basic points. How much can you carry? And where do you usually visit: city or outback? Travel gear should feel like a welcome companion—there to support you when you need it, but unobtrusive when you do not. The best bags are built to survive a lifetime of use and, if cared for properly, should be something you develop a bond with over time.

To compile our list of possible models, we scoured the world of travel blogs and product reviews (most driven by a similar affiliate revenue model to ours), including The Savvy Backpacker , Snarky Nomad , The Travel Hack , Nomadic Matt , The Travel Tester , Where’s Sharon? , Y Travel Blog , Lengthy Travel , and GearLab . Additionally, we lurked on Reddit’s r/onebag  and r/heronebag forums, and emailed and had phone interviews with the moderators of those subreddits, Addison Ryan and Lindsay Lorraine Calderón, respectively. Additionally, we spoke with the prolific travel bag reviewer Chase Reeves to get his thoughts on what most great bags have in common. We ended up with a list of 60 candidates and then narrowed this list down to 22 finalists using the following criteria: capacity, compartment design, aesthetics, reviews, and reported comfort.

There isn’t one perfect bag to please everyone, but there are tools you can use to find what’s best for you. We did a lot of our own research to compare models of travel bags, but r/onebag moderator /u/-Nepherim created one of the best product-comparison spreadsheets we’ve seen . If you want to keep researching your own pick, this spreadsheet is a great place to start.

Even if you aren’t convinced by our picks, we do think we can help you figure out what parameters are best for travel bags of any size. We’ve narrowed down our specifications to the following list of features, ordered from most to least relevant.

• Panel-loading or clamshell opening for the main compartment: As with any good piece of luggage, with these bags, you want to be able to open them and see everything you’ve packed. A panel-loading or clamshell design—rather than a traditional top-opening design—lets you pack and unpack these bags 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, 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.
• 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.
• 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 such exotic, light, and strong materials 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 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, while others may find that feature constricting and unadaptable. We prioritized simple designs that guided our packing without constraining us.

During testing, we flew with these bags across the country, 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.

The Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L has an updated design featuring a new hip belt, which brings it back into class with many of its competitors in this category. In the past, the MLC’s straps were too slim and unsupported for the bag’s 45-liter capacity. Also, its lack of any framing gave the bag a soft and unsettling feeling if it was anything but fully packed. We’re looking at the newest model to see if some of these problems have been corrected and if a former champion travel backpack can regain the spotlight.

Asenlin 40L Travel Backpack : This mind-bendingly inexpensive bag (which includes three packing cubes, all for $45 at time of publication) is a remarkable testament to the cutthroat logic and efficiency of a globalized free market. Is it attractive? No. Is it comfortable to carry? Not particularly. Is it durable enough to withstand years of travel? Unlikely. Is it $45? Yes! If you want the absolute least expensive carry-on travel backpack we’ve ever seen, this is it. But you’ll get more with the TLS Motherlode , which, although double the price, is still very affordable.

Away F.A.R. Convertible Backpack 45L : A rare miss from the Away team. This bag is resoundingly average for the price. Admittedly made of 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.

Cabin Max Metz (and the nearly identical AmazonBasics Carry-On ): This cheap, no-frills bag is enticing for the price. But after comparing these bags to the TLS Mother Lode, we think you’re better off paying twice the price for way more than twice the value. The Mother Lode is more reliable and built from stronger materials, and it will hold more stuff comfortably than either of these bags.

GeniusPack Travel Backpack: The GeniusPack is the only model we came across that tried to fit a suit into a travel backpack. Though some people might need this, 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 has a version 2 of this bag, but our conclusion hasn’t changed.)

Goruck GR2 : I’m a big fan of Goruck bags, and I use the GR1 regularly as my daily work and travel bag. These bags will last a lifetime. However, the GR2 is too expensive and too large (its 40L size is a true 40L) for many people, especially since none of the three sizes (26L, 34L, and 40L) comes with a hip belt. We wish the GR2 had a removable hip belt, something similar to what’s on the GR3. That said, this bag is simple, sturdy, and stoic. There is a lot to love about it. And if you don’t mind the high cost, this bag will probably outlast your corporeal self.

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

Kelty Redwing 44 : When we got our hands on the Redwing, we realized that it was closer to a top-loading light camping backpack than to the panel-loading packs we tested. It didn’t quite fit the scope of this review because of its design.

Hynes Eagle 40L Flight Approved Carry-on : This pack is very similar pack to the eBags TLS Mother Lode and the Cabin Max Metz models. It might be useful as a weekend traveler, but we don’t think it would hold up for longer trips.

MEI Voyageur : There’s a lot to like about this bag, especially for the price. It features 1000D Cordura nylon and YKK zippers, and it has a spacious design and decent shoulder straps. But we’re still on the fence about recommending it. The lack of recent reputable reviews gives us pause, along with the sparse Shopify website, which, the last time we checked, in 2024, wasn’t operational. (The company now appears to be selling directly via PayPal.)

Minaal Carry-on 2.0: This bag was designed to be the absolute best travel backpack for business people. But if you’re a business person, you’re probably wearing at least a blazer, so you wouldn’t use a backpack in any case. Even so, 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, you should know that many travel writers have spoken highly of this bag, despite its high price. This does look to be a well-thought-out pack, but we think our picks are more versatile for world travel. (Minaal has since introduced a 3.0 version ; our thoughts about it remain the same.)

Osprey Porter 46: This was a slightly larger sibling of the Farpoint 40 . It’s about 2 inches longer, and it pushes right up to most airline limits. If you don’t mind possibly having to gate-check your bag at the last minute, this would have been an excellent alternative to the Farpoint 40. (It has since been replaced by the Osprey Sojourn Porter 46 ; we may take a look at it.)

Trakke Storr Carryon : Travel-bag enthusiast Chase Reeves used to list this bag as one of his top picks for a medium-size carry-on bag, and it looks very well built . But at $500, plus shipping from Scotland, it is simply too expensive for most people.

We also tested and dismissed The North Face Overhaul 40, which has since been discontinued.

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.

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.

I Took 5 Trips in 6 Months. My Go-To Weekender Bag Was This Surprisingly Spacious Backpack.

by Elissa Sanci

Struggling to pack for your weekend away? The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L fits so much more than you’d expect.

The Best Travel Backpacks of 2024

Whether weekend road-tripping or jet-setting around the world, you’re going to need a pack to toss over your shoulder. Here are the best travel backpacks for every adventure.

There are a lot of great travel backpacks out there, but not all of them are created equal. A travel pack needs to be comfortable to carry, easy to organize, and durable enough to withstand being toted from place to place.

From hitting the road for the weekend to spending months traveling abroad, we’ve put nearly 30 different travel backpacks through the wringer. We tallied our airline miles, punched our tickets, and put our tray tables in the upright and locked position for close to half a decade now, taking domestic and international flights to as far as Iceland and as close as 30-minute island hops. And while there isn’t a single pack that suits every traveler, we’ve highlighted a variety of designs and price points to help you find the perfect travel backpack.

Choosing a travel backpack can be a dizzying experience, and we’ve shaken down the best to sort through the static. Each pack has seen its time on the baggage carousel, hostel luggage cart, and we’ve even had a few go missing for the full experience. We fully pack and live out of these bags to test them, and in the end, we’re confident that the 15 packs collected here are the best travel backpacks available today. Check in and check them out.

For all your travel pack questions, consult our buyer’s guide , where we’ve laid bare all the essentials. Compare each of the packs using our handy comparison chart , and if you’ve still got questions, check out our FAQ section.

Editor’s Note: We updated our travel backpack guide on March 20, 2024 to add the Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 24L — a supremely nice commuter-style travel pack, as well as the Thule Aion 40L and Osprey Archeon 30L .

• Best Overall Travel Backpack: Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L
• Best Budget Travel Backpack: Dakine Campus 33L Backpack
• Best Carrying Travel Backpack: Osprey Farpoint & Fairview 40 Travel Packs
• Best Organization in a Travel Backpack: Matador SEG45 Travel Pack
• Best Shoulder Bag: Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L
• Best Commuter-Style Travel Backpack: Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 24L
• Best Personal Item Travel Pack: TimBuk2 Never Check Expandable Backpack

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

• Capacity 45 L (collapses to 35 L)
• Weight 4 lbs., 8 oz.
• Dimensions 22" x 13" x 9.5" standard, 22" x 13" x 11" expanded
• Compartment access Back panel clamshell design with #10 zipper
• Material Weatherproof, 100% recycled 400-denier nylon canvas shell; 900-denier waterproof bottom

• Compresses down to maximum airline carry-on size, and then expands once you’ve hit your destination
• Burly construction
• No details are overlooked in the design
• Side-carry handles are offset in an awkward position

Perfect is a dirty word in product design, but we’re about stumped when it comes to drumming up a quibble about the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45 L ($300). This redeye-ready clamshell design is made to the highest of standards.

It’s made of quality materials, utilizing aluminum hardware and a burly 400-denier nylon canvas — and it easily ticks all our boxes for the best overall travel backpack. The interior of the bag is split into two compartments: a larger main area for storing the majority of your kit and a secondary sleeve at the front of the bag with five zippered pockets. The main pocket also sports a foam-padded laptop sleeve and three more pockets.

One of the more impressive aspects we discovered along the bag’s inaugural leg from Seattle to Anchorage was how easily the straps of the Travel Backpack stow away into the bag. Two foam panels on the back of the bag flip away to secure them and then close with a magnetic closure — very slick. This was our favorite strap-stowage system, with the zippered panels of the Matador GlobeRider45 coming in a close second. We find the Peak Design bag compresses smaller.

Then there are the little details. An ID-size sleeve on the back panel provides all the information should your bag get separated from you. Zipper pulls thread through one another to keep what’s yours safe. And a collapsible system adjusts the bag from a full 45 to 35 liters.

In our review, there’s little about the Peak Design pack that misses the mark. The company leans heavily toward the camera-toting travelers among us, but the 45 L Travel Backpack makes no compromises and works just as well for any user group. The high price is undeniable, but for the scope of the travel pack, it’s a buy-once-cry-once purchase we would make again.

Also available in a 30L size , the range of Travel Backpacks from Peak Design is so well-thought-out that you can practically see the cogs turning in their creators’ heads. We think they make the best travel backpacks on the market.

Dakine Campus 33L Backpack

• Capacity 33 L
• Weight 1 lb., 10.6 oz.
• Dimensions 20.5" x 13" x 8"
• Compartment access Zippered top access
• Material Depending on print type, can be 600-denier recycled polyester, 420-denier recycled nylon, 630-denier recycled nylon, or 1,200-denier recycled polyester

• Cheap price
• Available in many different fabric prints
• Unique insulated cooler pocket
• Not many travel-specific features
• Straps don’t pack away

Even at the regular price, the Dakine Campus 33L Backpack ($75) is a great deal. And considering you can grab one on sale for $45, it’s a must-have budget travel backpack.

It has everything you need to keep your travels organized, without getting too big or complicated. This design has a padded laptop sleeve and a fleece-lined top pocket to keep your sunglasses safe. There’s an organizer pocket that’s perfect for pens, a phone, and easy-access essentials. We love pockets, and this backpack has plenty.

And if that weren’t enough, it also has an insulated cooler pocket to keep your snacks fresh on the go, plus double side pockets keep drinks handy. We found the straps comfortable during long travel days. Be sure to use the sternum strap when carrying a heavy load for the best fit.

While this bag does excellent at travel, it isn’t quite what the bag was designed for, thus it’s missing a few travel niceties like a compression system or the ability to pack away the straps. We didn’t find that we missed them desperately, but they would have been nice for a few instances. For similar-sized backpacks with more of a travel bend to them, look to the sleek Timbuk2 Never Check, or the uber-customizable Tom Bihn Synapse 25. But prepare to shell out some more for them.

If you’re looking for a sub-$100 backpack (under $60 during sales!) that does the basics, then the Dakine Campus Backpack is for you. It comes in a variety of colors and is also available in a 25L capacity .

Osprey Farpoint & Fairview 40 Travel Packs

• Capacity 40 L
• Weight 3 lbs., 7.6 oz.
• Dimensions 22" x 14" x 9"
• Compartment access Zippered back panel clamshell design
• Material Bluesign-approved 450-denier recycled polyester

• Supreme suspension system offers the best carry of any pack we tried
• External compression straps limit the volume well
• Comfortably padded grab handles
• Not much internal organization

No stranger to producing supremely comfortable suspension systems, Osprey injected a good bit of its tech into the Farpoint and Fairview packs ($185), which both sport LightWire frames, load lifters, and breathable framesheet and suspension straps. Our Farpoint pack was easily the best load carrier of any we tested and a close contender for the best travel backpack overall.

Far beyond what any of the other travel packs offer, the pack even allows you to adjust the torso length — unheard of in the typical travel pack. Newly updated, these packs have been tweaked to ride the line between traditional backpacks and functional luggage, a claim we can substantiate.

The 40-liter capacity is just about the sweet spot for domestic carry-on luggage limits, and these packs make good use of the space. We could easily pack away a long weekend’s worth of travel essentials into the bag with a little space to spare.

Whereas many other travel packs stash straps away into the body of the pack, the Farpoint and Fairview move in the opposite direction with a deployable strap cover that neatly seals in the suspension for safekeeping when checked. This produces a clean profile that’s ready to be slung around, but it’s not quite as easy and quick as the magnetic panels of the Peak Design Travel Backpacks, as you need to unclip straps to tuck them away.

The interior of the pack is rather spartan, incorporating only one zippered pocket, a laptop sleeve, and two internal compression straps. We would have rather seen a bit more organizational features involved like those that the Matador GlobeRider and Topo Designs Global Travel bags incorporate, but for those who stuff more than pack, the Farpoint and  Fairview may very well punch the ticket.

With one foot on the platform and one on the trail, these packs from Osprey will get you where you’re going and carry a trip’s worth of kit with ease.

Matador SEG45 Travel Pack

• Capacity 45 L
• Weight 2 lbs., 8 oz.
• Dimensions 22" x 13.4" x 10.2"
• Compartment access Full clamshell interior, additional front zippered access
• Material 420-denier nylon exterior, 100-denier Robic Dynatec interior

• Excellent storage organization options
• High-quality, strong, and lightweight construction
• No frame to speak of
• Shoulder straps don’t pack away

Aiming to do more with less, the Matador SEG45 Segmented Backpack ($200) proposes a future free of packing cubes and splits up the bag for you, making the organization of your travel pack a breeze.

The full 45 liters of volume is shared among the five segments (6, 9, 15, 9, and 6 L) and trades volume between the full clamshell compartment and the segments. Each of these segments is accessible via its own water-resistant zippers and can be collapsed as your needs change.

We found organizing by clothing type made the most sense in our own packing, but you could even pack based on the day of the week or the use. The clamshell-accessed main compartment was ideal for holding larger items like spare shoes or quarantining spent outfits.

Known for its overbuilt but lightweight bags, Matador didn’t spare the SEG45, utilizing 420D UHMWPE-reinforced nylon in the pack body, as well as 100D Robic Dynatec weave on the interior. It should be noted that this travel backpack doesn’t have any kind of frame and will rely on being packed well to carry correctly. Because of this, this pack won’t carry as well as bags like the Osprey Farpoint/Fairview, so consider packing mostly clothing in the SEG45.

Our testers felt this bag excelled as a travel bag you might deploy once you’ve hit your destination, as it packs away into larger bags so well. Unfortunately, however, the shoulder straps don’t pack away into the bag itself, so you’ll have to wrangle them into place to keep things tidy.

No matter what you’re up to, everything has got a spot to live in the SEG45 . Need a bit less space? Matador offers the SEG28 ($250) for that.

Read Review: Dresser in a Backpack: Matador SEG42 Review

Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L

• Weight 3 lbs., 10.3 oz.
• Dimensions 22.8" x 8.6" x 14.5"
• Compartment access Back panel zippered clamshell design
• Material 900-denier recycled polyester ripstop with a TPU laminate

• Multiple ways to carry the pack
• Many different storage and internal organization options
• Burly external fabric
• Doesn’t carry the best as a backpack

Looking to squeeze out every last liter of allowed space? Patagonia named this pack in honor of the cause: the Patagonia Black Hole Maximum Legal Carry-On 45 L ($239). This bag can be carried in a number of different ways, but we found it shined during travel as a shoulder bag.

Borrowing fabric from Patagonia’s line of burly Black Hole Duffels , the MLC 45 is made for the long haul. The 900-denier polyester ripstop is coated in a TPU laminate and feels ready to take on the surliest baggage carrier. We certainly felt no remorse in tossing the bag around.

At 45 L, the MLC is certainly right at the cusp of the maximum allowed size, but thankfully that space is well divided up inside the pack. Inside the main clamshell-accessed compartment is a blizzard of zippers and mesh pockets and dividers. Anything we tossed inside was well-stabilized.

Because there isn’t much of a frame to speak of, the Black Hole MLC doesn’t carry the best when slung over both shoulders and can sag when not entirely full. But over a shoulder with the included shoulder strap, this pack feels great and can be easily accessed on the go. This is one of the only packs in our testing to feature a shoulder strap (the other being the Topo Designs Global Travel Bag).

On top of all this, we greatly appreciate that the Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45 L is made with 100% recycled body fabric, lining, and webbing. Perfect for grabbing and going, this pack is ready to move.

Read Review: Patagonia Black Hole MLC Bag Review: An Organized, Carry-On-Size Wonder

Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 24L

• Capacity 24 L
• Weight 3 lbs., 1.6 oz.
• Dimensions 18" x 7: x 11.5"
• Compartment access Zippered clamshell
• Material 840D ballistic nylon 6, 420D HT nylon

• Functions as both a laptop backpack and suitcase
• Well-structured and protected
• Full panel loading access
• Limited colorways

With an understated look that betrays the truly impressive fit and functionality inside, the Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 24L ($279) doesn’t need to brag — it knows it’ll tote your kit through the worst of your travel or everyday commutes without missing a beat. This bag is our newly anointed best commuter-style travel backpack.

From a fabrics and materials standpoint, it’s clear that someone at Evergoods truly nerded out when they brewed up this bindle. The 840D ballistic nylon 6 that makes up the exterior of the pack is burly (errantly spilled coffee wipes right off), and compliments the thick #10 zippers and spacer-mesh back panel. Even the Evergoods logo is low-key: a simple 2×2” patch on the front of the bag with a slash. That’s it — and we dig it.

Bar none, the Civic Panel Loader has the best laptop sleeve we’ve ever encountered in a backpack, and that’s saying something. The side-accessed zippered aperture can hold a 17” Macbook Pro, and nestles into a fully padded space at the rear of the pack. This sleeve is suspended from the bottom of the bag, as we’ve seen in many forward-thinking bags, but goes a step further and protects the laptop from the side with an aluminum stay — the primary functionality of which is to support the side handle on the bag. Genius.

The high-polish finish on the CPL24 feels reminiscent of the attention to detail we loved about the Tom Bihn Synapse 25, but we ended up enjoying this pack even more for a simple reason: side carry. The broad handle on the side of the pack is reinforced by that aluminum stay, and it creates a perfectly supported carry for jostling through crowded terminals.

On the interior of the pack, two large pockets are subdivided with a few smaller sleeves and pockets, which are oriented to be accessed with the bag on its side. We carried this pack for a month straight of remote work, lugging it to coffee shops and co-working spaces, and it supplanted all other packs we’ve used previously. “It’s hard not to love a pack that makes your life easier,” says Senior Editor Nick Belcaster. “This pack does that. Laptop, headphones, notebooks — a whole lot goes into the pack without a care.”

Up there with Nomatic, GORUCK, and Tom Bihn, Evergoods is certainly among the pack-makers that put intelligent design and smart material choice above all else. The Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 24L is the final word when it comes to a travel pack you can carry every day. We certainly do.

Timbuk2 Never Check Expandable Backpack

• Capacity 27.5 L
• Weight 2 lbs., 9 oz.
• Dimensions 18.9" x 11.4" x 5.9"
• Material 420x2000D Cordura nylon, 135D polyester

• Dang good looking
• High-quality trim and details, including anodized G hooks and supple webbing
• Supper cushioned back panel
• Exterior expandable water bottle pocket is a bit slim
• Pack straps don't stow away.

Pulling off a good expandable backpack can be a tough task, with fabric accordion folds often taking up valuable real estate on the interior when collapsed in lesser bags. Not so with the TimBuk2 Never Check ($209), which takes a simple backpack shape and elevates it with premium materials and design to create one of our favorite travel backpacks for tucking under an airliner seat.

Unlike a lot of the pure-function rectangular bags in our lineup, the Never Check is a real looker — easily one of the best styled in our testing so far, and we’d have no qualms about bringing it along as a business bag. Small details like rubber-covered zipper pulls, anodized G hooks, and supple webbing keep it looking sharp. The 27.5-liter size is just about dead-on for most airline ‘personal item’ size requirements, and this bag easily slides under a seat.

The main compartment is accessed through a clamshell zipper on the front of the bag, which is gusseted to hang open while you’re loading it up. During the few national and international flights our Senior Editor Nick Belcaster deployed the bag on, this was easily enough space for everything you might want during a plane ride. And for everything else, a front pocket is lined with multiple drop and zip pockets for organizing small gadgets like chargers or keys.

The back panel of the Never Check is a plush ½ inch of comfortable foam, and combined with the equally padded shoulder straps made for a very nice carrying bag. The straps unfortunately do not stow away, but on a lower volume pack such as this, it’s a much less useable feature in our opinions.  And finally, one of our favorite features: the wide laptop sleeve. This 15” opening is generous enough to accommodate the larger laptops of today, and is suspended from the bottom of the backpack to ensure bumps don’t turn into bruises.

Just like the name suggests, the Never Check Expandable Backpack provides a svelte solution to bringing a bag with you during airline travel — or even just to the office. Its clean profile and attention to detail impressed us, and it would make an excellent work-to-weekend bag.

Matador GlobeRider45 Travel Pack

• Dimensions 22" x 12.8" x 11"
• Compartment access Zippered clamshell design
• Material 420D UHMWPE-reinforced ripstop nylon, 100D Robic nylon mini-ripstop

• Incredible density of pockets and sleeves
• Tough UHMWPE outer fabric can be tossed around
• Shoulder straps tuck away in a novel and smart manner
• Laptop sleeve opening is a bit tight
• Price is up there

With a pocket or sleeve for pretty much everything, the new Matador GlobeRider 45 ($350) gives the Peak Design Travel Pack a run for its money when it comes to the best overall travel pack. 

Our Managing Editor raved about the GlobeRider after serious testing where she pretty much lived out of it for 3 months: “If you travel often and look for crucial components like internal and external pockets, laptop storage, and backpack and hip straps, consider the Matador GlobeRider 45. It’s a unique design in that the [pack] seems to have it all — every feature I’ve needed so far, both living out of it and in my travels — in a pretty packable size.”

What impressed us most was the way the GlobeRider was able to balance both an eye-watering amount of organization and versatility, and burly durability that ensures that this pack won’t shy away from tough travel conditions. In total (and we double-counted) there are 19 individual pockets on the pack, in all types of stretch mesh, zippered, and collapsible configurations. When good organization is key, the GlobeRider reigns. 

On the back panel of the GlobeRider, one of the more novel stowage systems we’ve seen packs away the shoulder straps and hip belt for when you want to slim down the pack. Two zippered panels — similar to the structure of the Peak Design packs, save for the closure — envelop the straps when not in use, and provide a lump-free panel for toting around. 

When it comes to downsides, the GlobeRider doesn’t miss much. The laptop sleeve aperture is a bit small at 9.5”, which in today’s age of mondo-screened computers may be limiting to some with larger devices. There also is no ability to convert the pack to a shoulder bag like the Patagonia MLC does, which can be handy when moving quickly through the airport.

Dang-near the top of the list, the Matador GlobeRider 45 would be an excellent choice for anyone who practices one-bag travel, or desires to have a place for everything in their journeys. The price does sting a bit, but based on the long-term testing we’ve completed so far, we’ve seen no indications that this pack will fade away anytime soon.

Read Review: I Lived Out of This Backpack for 3-Plus Months: Matador Globerider45 Review

Thule Aion 40L

• Weight 3 lbs., 3 oz.
• Dimensions 13" x 9.1" x 20.5"
• Material Waxed P600 polyester canvas

• Maxes out on carry-on-compliant space
• Internal roll-top TPU bag separates the clean from the to-do laundry
• Waxed canvas exterior has a classy look
• Centered side handle carries well
• Well-cushioned back panel
• No shoulder strap stowage option
• No hipbelt on a 40L is pushing it

Better known for their roof boxes and racks, it’s fair to say that Thule knows travel, and the addition of smart, organized, and comfortable travel packs like the Thule Aion 40L ($200) makes all the sense in the world to us. This pack is a finely-honed bag for international and local travel alike, and is decked out in some high-class materials.

Like the Patagonia Black Hole MLC pack, the Aion 40L aims to go for the maximum allowed capacity, and at our measurements (21.5” x 15” x 8”) the pack slides in just half an inch less than the normal 45 linear inches typically allowed. That’s efficient. The space is split up into two main compartments and a laptop sleeve, with the larger opening with a full clamshell zip.

This inner compartment hosts a few zippered pockets and internal compression straps, but the star of the show here is the integrated TPU rolltop bag. This sack can be used to cordon off your liquids (and easily presented for inspection), as well as separate your pile of ‘to-do’ laundry. This reminds us of the ActiveShield compartment in the Gregory Border Traveler pack, but we enjoy the removable aspect here even more. 

Round the back of the pack, the spacer-mesh swaddled laptop sleeve rivals the Evergoods Civic Panel Loader , and has an additional sleeve for items like tablets, notebooks, or chargers. The back panel itself is impressively cushioned (one of the more luxe in our testing) and that extends to the shoulder straps. 

Unfortunately, there’s no shoulder strap-stowage system here, so you’ll have to wrangle those yourself, and while we typically enjoy the lack of a hip belt in smaller travel packs, the absence in a 40-liter pack is a little puzzling. Fully loaded, the Aion could certainly benefit from one, and while a separate sling bag can be added to function as one, you’ll need to fork over $50 for it.

Ranking high up there with your Peak Designs and your Ospreys, the Thule Aion 40L nails the style and material departments, and with a full 40 liters of space on board, has all the room to pack for your week-long trips — no roof box required.

Osprey Archeon 30L

• Capacity 30 L
• Weight 3 lbs.
• Dimensions 20.5" x 13" x 11.4"
• Compartment access Zippered top-access
• Material 840D ballistic polyester with carbonate coating

• Extra-tough exterior fabric with carbonate coating
• High-polish details such as seatbelt webbing straps
• Mini-wing hipbelt tucks away easily when not needed
• Smart internal storage pockets that lay flat when not needed
• Laptop sleeve opening is a bit too snug
• Compression straps lay over the main zipper

First off, one word: Rugged. The Osprey Archeon 30L ($250) is a high-end build that spares little in the material department, and looks dang good while it’s at it. The 30-liter size makes this bag weekend travel-ready, and we greatly appreciated the fit and finish.

The overall design of the Archeon reminds us a good bit of the Peak Design Travel Bag (certainly the all-waterproof exterior zippers and curved side-entry pockets), but it’s the exterior fabric that really impressed. The 840D ballistic polyester is coated with a carbonate polyurethane coating, a bolstered recipe that increases durability by a magnitude over traditional PU coatings. In testing, we wore out before putting a dent in it.

The pack itself breaks down into two main compartments, with the main pocket opening behind a curved clamshell zip (we did have a little trouble with the zipper passing behind the exterior straps. Removing them fixed that). Inside, three expandable tech pockets tuck away all of your small kit, and do a good job of keeping things tidy on the interior.

On the exterior, Osprey doesn’t disappoint when it comes to suspension straps, which are comfortable, adjustable, and stashable. The mini wing-style hip belt earns special praise on packed flights, where we find traditional hip belts to be a hassle to store, and combined with the slick shoulder-strap stash pocket, the Archeon converts to minimal mode in under a minute.

Something the Archeon certainly could use, however, is a slightly larger aperture into the laptop/tech compartment. As-is, the zipper doesn’t quite extend down far enough to truly open up the pocket, and as such it can feel a bit like rummaging around in the dark looking for cords and chargers in the bottom of the pack. Extending these zippers down to the middle of the pack would seem to fix the issue, and we hope a later iteration might address this.

Nonetheless, we were still impressed by the Osprey Archeon 30L . There’s also a 40-liter version if you’re looking for a max-capacity carry-on, and even a smaller 24-liter for kicking around coffee shops day-to-day.

Read Review: Hack Carry-On Rules: Osprey Archeon Kit Gives Power Back to Passengers

Arc’teryx Granville 25 Backpack

• Capacity 25 L
• Weight 1 lb., 14.5 oz.
• Dimensions 22" x 12" x 9"
• Compartment access Drawstring top-entry
• Material N400r-AC² nylon ripstop

• Tough and waterproof exterior fabric
• White interior for easy viewing
• Floating laptop sleeve
• Not very much interior organization
• Simple webbing waistbelt

Made for moving through the city over the concourse, the commute-ready Arc’teryx Granville 25 ($220) takes travel backpacks to the streets in a sleek and tough design that we couldn’t keep from grabbing every day.

Crafted from the same N400r-AC² nylon ripstop as Arc’teryx’s high-end climbing packs, the mountain DNA is strong in the Granville, with fully taped seams that make the pack highly weather-resistant. In our impromptu “rain” test, a garden hose fired directly at the pack wasn’t able to get a drop past the tough exterior.

On the front of the pack, a single water-resistant zippered pocket was practically made for your keys, and could accommodate a few other essentials for when you’re on the go. Tossing back the shaped lid, a single drawstring entry leads to the interior space, which is mainly one large pocket, with a few zippered and drop pockets to separate smaller items. If you’re looking for the same style pack, but with a bit more organization built-in, the Tom Bihn Synapse 25 divides up its space well.

The padded interior laptop sleeve will accommodate up to a 16” laptop, and is suspended within the main compartment in a way that leaves us feeling confident in slinging our computer across a shoulder. Compared to other more airline-focused travel packs, the Granville 25 has its feet more firmly planted on the ground, and excels at bus, bike, or foot travel.

Whether your commute is just across town or across the country, the Arc’teryx Granville 25 makes for a good-looking carry-all that’s bound to be around for a while.

Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 40L

• Weight 3 lbs., 10.4 oz.
• Dimensions 22.5" x 14" x 7.5"
• Material 1000D recycled nylon, 400D recycled nylon, 210D recycled nylon, 1680D recycled ballistic nylon

• Overbuilt design with tough materials and chunky zippers
• Plenty of organizational pockets
• Bright interior
• Not the cleanest strap stowage

Chunky zippers, an overhead-savvy profile, and multiple ways to sling it over your shoulder: The Topo Designs Global Travel Pack ($229) has honed in on much of what we love in a travel backpack.

During a recent trip from Seattle to Southern California we were heavily saddled with the maximum the airline would allow. But this pack made use of every inch of space and reached the allowance of what we could check as our carry-on. The 40 liters of internal capacity is broken down into a series of dividers and pockets, which made condoning off things like electronics from the rest of our kit easy. And the interior of this pack is a cheery canary yellow, which helps with ease and visibility.

On the exterior of this pack, three separate carry styles are available to get you through the concourse in whatever way you choose. We found the full-featured backpack straps to be our go-to, which even sport load-lifters for a comfy carry. This suspension system does tuck away for when you might want to check the bag, though we found the hipbelt to be a bit tricky to fully retract.

Rounding out this travel-ready backpack is a tough build that makes use of 1000D recycled nylon and heavy-duty zippers, and we had no qualms with tossing this bag around during our trip. Perfect for anyone who subscribes to the one-bag travel ethos, the Global Travel Pack from Topo Designs makes the grade for those who want the most out of their carry-on.

And if you’re only going to be away for a short trip, the Global Travel pack is also available in a 30L capacity .

Cotopaxi Allpa 28L Travel Pack

• Capacity 28 L
• Weight 3 lbs., 4 oz.
• Dimensions 19" x 12" x 9"
• Material TPU-coated 1,000-denier polyester, 840-denier nylon paneling

• Burly exterior material holds up for the long run
• Plenty of zippered mesh storage pockets
• On the heavier side
• TPU-coated nylon can feel grabby

The Allpa 28L Travel Pack ($170) will change the way you travel. It’s sleek, durable, and able to fit an incredible amount of stuff in a small space. The zippered mesh pockets keep clothes organized. And the compression straps maximize what you can pack.

The tough polyester and nylon construction can take a beating without any signs of wear. And we appreciate that the externally accessed, padded laptop sleeve makes pulling out your electronics at security checkpoints a breeze. There’s also a small outer compartment to keep essentials at hand.

You can completely tuck away the backpack straps and carry the pack like a briefcase, or wear it comfortably as a backpack. We’ve stuffed this pack to the gills countless times and have never had a problem with the zippers. Light rain showers or spills roll right off the TPU-coated exterior, but for legit rainstorms, just pull out the included rain cover.

The Allpa also comes in 35L, 42L, 50L, and 70L capacities. As our editor noted in the 42L review , “Building on its fun and functional ethos, Cotopaxi beefs up its bestselling product. The Allpa Travel Pack earns big points for clever design, clean aesthetic, and a surprising number of handy — and hidden — features.”

Yes, the Cotopaxi Allpa packs are an investment, but anyone who travels regularly will find it a worthy one. These powerhouse travel backpacks are sturdy, versatile, and built to last.

Tom Bihn Synapse 25

• Weight 1 lb., 13 oz.
• Dimensions 13.4" x 20" x 9.1"
• Material 400-denier Halcyon, 420-denier nylon ripstop

• Many different fabrics and color schemes are available
• Built to last design and materials
• Removable webbing hip belt
• Suspension doesn’t pack away
• Side wing pockets are a little awkward to access

Refined and clean-looking, the Tom Bihn Synapse 25 ($243) is a high-end travel backpack we just can’t stop staring at. It just looks that good. Made of burly textiles and zippers, this pack was built to stand the test of tough travel and come out shining on the other side.

The Synapse 25 is the larger version of Tom Bihn’s Synapse 19 , a popular backpack made for daily carry. The bump in volume is appreciated in this travel-oriented version and is doled out in one large compartment as well as a set of pockets on the front of the pack.

We found all the pockets easily accessible, save for the side wing pockets. While these were excellent for the organization of smaller bits and bobs, the openings were a bit awkward to jump into.

Topped off by a cushioned suspension (the foam is a half-inch of supple EV50), this travel backpack didn’t weigh us down on long days of travel when fully packed. And when we wanted to go light, even the webbing hip belt was removable. In terms of the ability to bop around town as a daily driver, this pack is up there with the TimBuk2 Never Check and Arc’teryx Granville packs (we liked the back panel on this pack the most).

Along with being carry-on compliant, the Synapse is also one of the few bags on our list that are compact enough to fit under most airline seats without hogging too much precious legroom.

Osprey Nebula 32 Daypack

• Capacity 32 L
• Weight 2 lbs., 1.7 oz.
• Dimensions 19.2" x 12.2" x 11.4"
• Material 420-denier recycled nylon

• TSA-compliant laptop sleeve
• Many options for organization
• Water bottle pockets fit 32 oz. bottles
• Need to release two buckles in order to unzip the main pocket all the way

When it comes to backpacks, Osprey has put in the time — and it shows. The Nebula 32 ($140) feels like it’s all the brand’s most popular packs morphed into one. Most of all, we love how it seamlessly goes from city streets to trails.

This backpack can do it all, whether you’re hauling your laptop and books around town; water, food, and layers on an easy hike; or all of the above and then some for a weekend away.

The internal storage pockets are great for organizing all of your things for easy access. And while the Nebula 32 is top-loading, the main pocket opens up wide enough so you won’t have to unload everything to get to the one thing you want at the bottom. The sternum strap and hip belt are comfortable as well, especially when carrying a heavy load.

On smaller volume packs like this, sometimes design concessions need to be made to accommodate all the functionality, and on the Nebula it’s in the side compression straps. Like on the Osprey Farpoint/Fairview, the compression system of the pack overlays across the main compartment zipper, meaning you’ll need to undo some straps before rifling around in the storage area. Not a deal breaker, but a little annoying when the TSA line starts to back up behind you.

Overall, the Nebula 32 won’t disappoint if you make it your go-to smaller-volume travel backpack.

Travel Backpack Comparison Chart

How We Tested Travel Backpacks

The staff of GearJunkie is a hot-footed bunch, restlessly plodding across the country or around the globe in search of adventure and whatever else comes our way. And we have a lot of stuff, which necessitates having a travel bag or four in the stable.

Surely any old bindle will do in carrying your kit around, but having a travel backpack that is dialed into the needs of travel can turn a stressful situation into a manageable one. We’ve been testing travel backpacks since 2019 and have put the market slice through the wringer on thousands of miles of travel to weed out the best of the best.

Senior Editor Nick Belcaster has a zeal for international travel, and he leads up our current travel pack testing, logging almost 10,000 flying miles in the last year alone. From Iceland to Utah, Belcaster has carried these packs and lived out of them for weeks, relying on them to support back-to-back travel excursions. In testing, we looked for a number of features in our travel backpacks, including overall capacity, carry style, durability, and aesthetics. It’s important to think about how you’ll use your travel pack, and as such, every pack on our list is carry-on compliant for the worst-case scenario.

We know no trip will be like the next, so we took a broad swath of the travel backpacks on the market in order to create a list that will suit many different travelers. Packs in hand, over our shoulders, or on our backs, we hit the four corners and tested the best travel backpacks of 2024.

Curious about what we pack in our travel backpacks? We’ve penned up a list for both domestic and international trips .

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Travel Backpack

Travel backpack user profiles.

The International Jet-Setter: The term ‘One Bag Travel’ is no stranger to you, and you’ve just about got your life distilled down into 45 liters of space. If international travel is your bag, then a backpack that’s up to the task will be essential to see you through to further time zones. Efficiency will be the name of the game here, and going with a pack that is dang-near the carry-on maximums for international flights will mean you can make it through without checking a bag. Look for near to 45-liter packs with plenty of organization baked in, as well as a comfortable (and stashable) carry system.

For international travel, the bag we reach for most often had to be the Peak Design Travel Backpack , with a razor-thin second place going to the Matador GlobeRider45 Travel Pack . For an emphasis on organization, the Matador SEG45 splits up the volume well, and if you’ll be schlepping bags around a long way, the Osprey Farpoint & Fairview Packs have all the Osprey suspension we love.

The Weekend-Warrior: Maybe it’s a work trip, and maybe it’s just for fun, but it’s only going to take 2-3 days total, and you’ll need a bag that can pack it in. For weekend excursions, we find packs in the 25-35 liter range work well for the minimalists among us, and the 30-40 liter range for those who like a bit more options.

The Tom Bihn Synapse 25 is easily one of the most stylish packs in our review, only slightly edged out by the Timbuk2 Never Check , and both make the grade for a single overnighter in a foreign locale. For a bit more space, you can’t go wrong with the Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 40L , a fun pack that is a lot tougher than the multi-colored exterior would let on.

The Commuter: No flight involved! Duty calls, and sometimes you’ll need to lug around a bit more kit than the old briefcase can allow for. Commuting with a travel backpack is a great way to stay comfortable on longer rides, as shoulder and handbags are cumbersome over the long run. Focus on a bag with a more traditional backpack shape that puts an emphasis on ease-of-access, and is in the 20-30 liter range.

For bumping around town, we’ve come to love the Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 24 , which not only lugs our remote office around with ease, but also looks pretty slick doing it. The drawstring opening here is a huge boon for quickly stashing a jacket, and the tough exterior fears no weather forecast. For a budget just-get-it-done choice, the Dakine Campus 33L will make it happen for less.

The right size pack for you depends on a few things. First, where are you going? And, how long do you plan to stay? Winter travel often comes with more gear, so you’ll need to pack extra layers. Longer trips often require larger bags.

That said, your personal packing style will be the most important factor. We know minimalists who happily travel for months with only a single backpack in tow and others who want the largest travel backpack possible in addition to a totally stuffed duffel bag . One method isn’t better than the other, but knowing your style is helpful when choosing a bag.

In general, we’ve found that something in the 28-45 liter range is ideal for comfort and packability. Many packs will also offer a compression system to allow you to limit the overall volume of the backpack. We’ve seen many different ways to accomplish this, but the most effective by far were the button snaps and expanding zipper of the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L . Packs toward the 40-45 liter range will be your carry-on bags of choice, and the 45-liter Peak Design, Patagonia MLC , and Matador GlobeRider are perfect for maxing out your allowed space. The 40-liter Osprey Farpoint/Fairview packs give up a little internal room for the luxe suspension system they’re carried with.

Packs in the smaller end of the range, from around 25-30 liters, make better personal items, and the TimBuk2 Never Check , Tom Bihn Synapse , and Patagonia Black Hole backpacks all fit snuggly underneath an airliner seat. These small bags move through a city gracefully and look more like everyday carry backpacks than traditional luggage.

What good would a bag be if you couldn’t get into it? From a simple drawstring to a thicket of Velcro and zippers, there are plenty of ways to keep your bag closed while you’re on the go, but not every one will be amenable to travel.

Zippered Clamshells: Most travel backpacks will use a clamshell-style design that opens up the backpack like a suitcase, allowing you to pack intentionally as opposed to stuffing things in. Oftentimes, an internal strap system will help keep your items contained while you’re on the move.

Packs with this clamshell design may also opt to add internal dividers to the main storage area, and make these dividers removable — should you need the entire storage area uninhibited. For packs without internal dividers or straps, consider adding a few packing cubes to keep your items organized.

In addition to the rear entry, some backpacks will offer additional entry points through the top or front of the pack. This can be helpful when you need to quickly retrieve something like a passport from your bag, without the need to totally spill the contents. The majority of packs in our review close in this clamshell manner, and a few of our favorites are the Peak Design Travel Backpack , Osprey Farpoint & Fairview 40 Travel Packs , and Matador GlobeRider45 Travel Pack .

Zippered Top-Access: Much like many traditional backpacks, zippered top-access packs load and unload from the topside, and generally only offer one point of entry/egress into the pack. For this reason, packs of this flavor are generally left packed during travel, as digging around for something at the bottom can be a hassle.

Bags of this stripe, including the uber-nice Tom Bihn Synapse 25 and expandable Timbuk2 Never Check , most often make better personal items over carry-ons, as their smaller volumes make for easier searching within.

Drawstring Top-Entry: While not quite as common as a zippered clamshell or top-access pack, drawstring top-entry packs can make for very quick and easy access to your kit if you’re on the move. These packs will integrate an extended fabric collar to the top of the storage area, which can be compressed when needed, or overstuffed with bulky items like jackets.

Commuters will find drawstring entry bags the most appealing, and the Arc’teryx Granville 25 has become one of our dedicated laptop toters for everything from remote work stints at the coffee shop to jumping on a ferry for work.

Carrying Options

There are plenty of ways to lug your kit to your boarding gate, but not all of them will be comfortable for everything. Over-shoulder backpack straps can support a good bit of weight but typically will need some type of frame to truly be supportive. The Osprey Farpoint/Fairview packs were the best-carrying packs in our testing, owed largely to the wire frame and Airscape mesh back panels, but we also enjoyed the carry of the aluminum frame stays on the Matador GlobeRider.

A shoulder strap travel backpack, like the Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L , can be slung across your body and provide a great amount of accessibility on the go. Don’t expect to carry too much weight this way, however.

And then there’s the classic suitcase style, easily towed anywhere. It’s good to note many travel backpacks will have stowable straps to better streamline the pack for a trip through an X-ray machine or stowed under a seat. The strap storage design of the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L impressed us most of all, utilizing magnetic closure flaps to pack away the shoulder and hip straps neatly.

Pockets & Organization

There’s an organizational saying: “A place for everything and everything in its place.” And we couldn’t agree more. Keeping track of everything while you travel is key for organization. And while more pockets always seem better, there is a threshold where having too many simply becomes more places to misplace things. Instead, we recommend packs with three to six pockets.

The Cotopaxi Allpa and Topo Designs Global Travel Bags both have ingenious inner organization systems complete with large zipping “pockets.” It has just enough space to find room for everything but not so many compartments that you’ll be hunting all day for your misplaced passport. For even more organization, the Matador SEG45 splits into five different segments that are accessible from the exterior of the pack.

Bringing along a laptop is a necessary evil for some travelers, and having an incorporated laptop sleeve in your travel backpack can keep it safe during travel. Most laptop sleeves will be padded with some type of foam and nestle in close to the back for maximum protection. In order to be TSA-compliant, a laptop sleeve will need to fold entirely flat away from the pack to be scanned.

Because flying with liquids over 3.4 ounces is prohibited in the U.S., carrying all of these items in a separate toiletry bag can make your foray into the screening line a breeze. Many of the packs on our list incorporate many external pockets where such a bag could be stashed and produced when needed.

Travel luggage takes a beating, so durability is a top concern. Luckily, gear manufacturers realize this and are making increasingly burly yet portable packs. The fan-favorite Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L pack is made with a 900-denier ripstop nylon outer with a TPU laminate for extra durability. It’s nearly indestructible, water-resistant, and versatile.

If you’re traveling somewhere with inclement weather or if your pack needs to double as a climbing bag or hiking pack, durability is extra important. And it’s worth paying more for a backpack that is water-resistant.

Space Efficiency & Carry-On Compliance

Astute observers will note many of the packs in our review sport a rectangular shape, which is certainly due to designers aspiring to create a more space-efficient pack. This isn’t to say that more shapely packs won’t make it happen, but when you’re struggling to make every liter of space count, maximizing dimensions matters.

Carry-on luggage is any bag that you plan on bringing into an airplane and storing in the overhead bins. Because space is limited, airlines dictate the maximum size that any carry-on can be. In the U.S., the most common size is 22 inches x 14 inches x 9 inches, or 45 linear inches (length + width + height). However, this is just a rough guideline; some airlines differ from these dimensions, and you should refer to their information directly.

In general, these dimensions provide a travel backpack with around 40-45 liters of internal volume, so buying a pack that’s as close to that as possible will provide the most space allowed. Many of the packs on our list have the ability to compress to a smaller size, such as the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L .

Be mindful as well, that any protrusions from your travel pack such as shoulder straps or handles will also need to fall within the maximum allowed size. Many travel backpacks today incorporate some type of strap-stowing ability, such as the magnetic panels of the Peak Design packs, the zippered cover of the Osprey Farpoint/Fairview, and the hybrid zipper/panel of the Matador GlobeRider 45. All of these provide a more streamlined profile that should both hit the mark, and fit better into overhead bins.

Travel backpacks run the gamut of prices — from affordable to downright pricey. There are a number of factors that play into what you get for the money.

Budget-Minded Travel Packs

Travel backpacks, as a category, are generally a bit pricer than your average luggage, as they incorporate tough materials that can put up with extensive wear over the lifespan. Travel is tough on bags, so it’s unsurprising that even budget travel backpacks will cost you around $100-150. These packs often will incorporate more traditional architectures such as a zippered top access, as opposed to the more complicated (and spendy) full-zip clamshell designs. For example, the Dakine Campus ($75) is pretty much your average school bag.

Volumes, too, will be a bit limited in this price range — added material adds cost. The 32-liter Osprey Nebula ($140) is about the best price-to-volume ratio you can get.

Mid-Range Travel Packs

Mid-range packs make up the bread and butter of travel packs, and can be had for around $150 to $200. These designs are often more of the full carry-on variety, and aim to capitalize on permitted volume as much as possible. The 45-liter Matador SEG45 ($200), Patagonia Black Hole MLC ($239), 40-liter Osprey Farpoint/Fairview ($185), and Topo Designs Global Travel Bag ($229) all shoehorn in just about as much space as a friendly gate agent will let you get away with.

For the price, you also get a good variety of functionality that makes travel easier, such as stowable pack straps, interior segmented pockets and sleeves (done excellently on the $170 Cotopaxi Allpa ), and an external compression system that limits the space your bag takes up. Some packs, like the TimBuk2 Never Check ($209), don’t exactly hit these parameters, but instead make up for it in high-quality design and materials.

Premium Travel Packs

Above $250, you’re likely paying for premium materials or a to-the-hilt design that leaves absolutely nothing on the cutting room floor. The Peak Design Travel Backpack ($300) is a great example, and utilizes super high-quality nylon canvas, custom aluminum hardware, and supple seatbelt material webbing in its build, as well as fitting in just about every conceivable feature you could want in a travel pack. The same can be said of the Matador GlobeRider 45 ($350), which uses high-tech UHMPWE-reinforced materials and sports a total of 19 pockets.

The Tom Bihn Synapse 25 ($243) is a bit of an outlier, as it commands a high dollar amount not for the extreme amount of space it offers or amount of features, but for being a hyper-customizable, hand-made bag that uses the nicest textiles available, as well as the best zippers, webbing, and foam in its design. If you’re a fan of the finest materials, this is your daily driver pack.

What Is One Bag Travel?

The ‘One Bag Travel’ ethos and travel backpacks go hand-in-hand. Simply put, to travel in one-bag style is to be minimalist in your luggage choices, and only take what you can carry onto the plane/train/pack animal. Not only does this do away with the fuss of deciding what exactly to bring along with you, but it also allows for breezing through airports — skipping the need to check baggage, wait at baggage claim, or fear for lost luggage.

In order to most effectively travel with one bag, be sure to read up on exactly the baggage size allowances provided by your transportation. This can affect both overall size and weight, and having an expandable pack is a large benefit here. In this way, you can carry just enough to skirt through under the limit, and then expand the bag when you’ve hit your destination for more breathing room. If you aim for a 35-40 liter backpack, you’ll be right on the money for one-bag travel.

Finally, remember that this bag is going to be the only item of luggage you’ve got, so ensure it’ll be comfortable enough for the long haul. Look for padded back panels and hip belts that’ll transfer the load correctly, and if they stash away — all the better.

Our team unanimously agrees that the best travel backpack is the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L . It’s extremely durable, and it offers plenty of organizational pockets to stash your kit away in. The clamshell opening makes packing a breeze, and we really appreciated the unique shoulder strap storage options available to turn the pack into a stripped-down bag that would slide into any overhead compartment.

The best size bag for traveling depends largely on your travel itinerary and mode of transport. The Cotopaxi Allpa packs range from 28 to 42 liters.

The 28-liter option makes for a compact and comfortable backpack that easily fits in overhead airplane compartments. The 42-liter option is a bit more like carrying a duffel bag on your back, but it still manages to fit in overhead compartments. It’s a great option for maximizing carry-on capacity in backpack form.

While both have their place in travel, a backpack can offer some advantages over a suitcase. Since they’re much more portable, backpacks can be brought to many more places where a suitcase won’t work. Suitcases can be your large load carriers, but a good travel backpack gives you the freedom to strike out on daily adventures.

Travel backpacks absolutely can be carry-on luggage, given they meet the size requirements. In the U.S., the most common maximum size is 22 inches x 14 inches x 9 inches, or 45 linear inches (length + width + height). But this is only a common size, and different airlines will have different specifics. Consult with your airline specifically to determine what they allow.

While different body types will find different travel packs comfortable, we can all agree that a good support system and ample foam make for a comfortable carry. In our own testing, we found the Osprey Farpoint 40 and Fairview 40 Travel Packs were by far the most comfortable due to their plush suspension systems.

Because many different airlines operate a slate of different planes, there isn’t a standard under-seat luggage size, although there is an average: 16 inches x 12 inches x 6 inches. Some airlines allow personal items larger than this, but you should consult with their customer service for specifics. Our favorite personal item-sized travel pack was the Timbuk2 Never Check Expandable Backpack , which at 24 liters compressed easily slides under a seat.

The Best Laptop Backpacks of 2024

Whether you’re headed to the office, class, or even the trailhead, here’s our top picks for the best laptop backpacks of 2024.

The Best Daypacks of 2024

We tested the best daypacks of 2024 with options for every budget. Top picks include Osprey, Cotopaxi, and more.

Hailing from the hemlocks and hanging mosses of Washington State, Senior Editor Nick Belcaster is an adventure journalist following threads of stories across the West. Cruelly stolen from the alpine swales of rural Wisconsin at a young age, Nick made do ascending the snows and granite of the North Cascades while completing a journalism degree. A long stint on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2018 codified a life bent on sleeping on minor slopes and picking devil’s club out of his shoes.

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18 Best Travel Backpacks For Women Of 2024, Per A Travel Expert, Editors, And Reviews

Leave your bulky suitcase at home.

If you haven't yet mastered the art of minimalist packing, you know what might help? A travel backpack. The best travel backpacks for women are designed with several pockets to organize all your clothing, toiletries, tech, and more in one place without requiring you to rummage through it to find that one thing you need.

See some of the best travel backpacks for women below:

Most Budget-Friendly Travel Backpack For Women

Kroser laptop backpack.

Most Comfy To Hold Travel Backpack For Women

The north face borealis backpack.

Most Lightweight Travel Backpack For Women

Baboon to the moon go-bag.

Most Fashionable Travel Backpack For Women

Everlane the renew transit backpack.

Best Tear-Resistant Travel Bag For Women

Ugrace vintage laptop backpack.

Cult-Favorite Travel Backpack

Cuyana leather backpack.

Best Travel Backpack For Women With Storage Compartments

Lululemon wunderlust backpack.

Best Travel Backpack For People With Limited Mobility

Jansport central adaptive backpack.

Best Travel Backpack For Women With Wheels

J world new york sundance rolling backpack.

Best Waterproof Travel Backpack For Women

Rains trail cargo backpack.

That being said, there are times when a suitcase is necessary , especially if you're going on a longer trip. On those occasions, travel backpacks for women come in handy for things you need to access quickly, like your passport during international travel, a laptop, or a light jacket if you're prone to feeling cold while flying.

To find the best backpacks for every kind of traveler, Women's Health curated this list using feedback from a travel expert and our own lifestyle editors. See below for the best travel backpacks for women you can buy in 2023, according to editors, experts, and reviews.

This laptop-friendly backpack has more than 19,700 reviews and five stars on Amazon, but it's under $40—talk about a steal. It's designed with padded straps to help you avoid shoulder fatigue, and a wide-mouth frame that allows you to open up the bag to see all your belongings easily at a glance.

Dubakova likes this backpack because it has an aqua blue inner lining that's more unique than the usual basic black or brown. "That pop of color makes it so much easier to spot my stuff inside the bag," she says. "I'm always digging around to find things, so having that brighter interior sounds super handy." On the downside, she doesn't love that the zippers are bulky and visible, since they make the pockets an easy target for thieves.

Rave Review: "I waited nine months to post this review because I wanted to see how this backpack held up. It has surpassed my every expectation. I can cram tons of stuff into it, it’s durable, and has held up to a ton of abuse on my part. It also has all the right compartments to keep my stuff organized and the price just can’t be beat."

With over 2,900 positive reviews and five stars on Amazon, this backpack gets tons of customer love. It has a top handle and highly-padded straps for optimal comfort when it's on your back. With pockets galore and a fleece-lined laptop sleeve, you'll be able to easily and comfortably store all your essentials in it. It also has a bungee strap front system for slipping in a sweatshirt or a water bottle.

Isabel McMahon, a Women's Health social media editor who's always on-the-go, says that this bag is so comfortable and durable, she's been using it for years. "The laptop sleeve is next-level, and the padded back is essential for a long travel day." She also says it’s perfect for an office-to-gym bag, or as a weekend trip carry-on. On the other hand, her only complaint is that there are a lot of straps and clips hanging off of the bag, which can sometimes get in the way, she says.

Rave Review: "This bag fits very comfortably on the back and the chest strap doesn't crowd the boobs like other packs do. It is compact, but can also manage to comfortably hold a couple binders, notebooks, and a laptop. The padding for the laptop is very nice, especially with the rigid back. So, if you have a thin laptop you don't have to worry about unnecessary torque."

This go-bag, which comes in a bunch of vibrant colors, fits about three to five days worth of clothing and other essentials. It's TSA-approved as a carry-on item, and also comes with adjustable straps so that you can carry it like a backpack or a duffel—whatever suits your needs.

Reviewers say they love how spacious this bag is and that the zipper is located in the back, so it's not exposed while you're wearing it, making it hard for others to open it. Customers also say that they like that the travel backpack is waterproof and durable, though they wish it had more interior and exterior pockets. When the bag isn't filled to the brim, it loses structure, so it can look a little lumpy.

Rave Review: "This is the perfect bag. I've struggled to carry my bags through the airport and on to the plane in the past. This bag is a dream come true. It’s lightweight (even when crammed full, it holds so much) and so ergonomically-friendly!"

This bag is so popular that it has sold out multiple times. It's made with an exterior laptop pocket for easy access when you're heading through security, as well as multiple catch-all compartments for tickets, passports, and the like. The flap remains closed with an invisible magnet to keep the design super sleek, and there's even a pass-through strap at the back for slipping it over your rolling luggage handle.

Reviewers say that they like that this bag is clean and chic, and pretty roomy inside, though it could have more organizational pockets. Some customers also report that the color of the actual bag may be slightly different in person than what's pictured on site, so that's something to keep in mind. Overall, reviewers love that the bag is easy to access, water-resistant, and easy to clean.

Note: Certain colors are out of stock, but can be preordered.

Rave Review: "I am obsessed with my new backpack. I was pleasantly surprised by how much it can fit without looking bulky on my back. The fabric and make looks and feels high-quality. The bag has granted me many compliments while out and about already. LOVE!"

This backpack made from durable material that supposedly doesn't tear has more than 4,500 positive ratings on Amazon for plenty of reasons. It's made with a USB port attached to the bag that allows you to charge your tech pretty much anywhere. The main pocket is also extra large, meaning you can pack clothes, slippers, and toiletries with ease.

Customers who have used this backpack say it is sturdy with plenty of pockets and that it's easy to hold. They also say that the fabric is pretty durable, and that the straps are thick which make it comfy on the shoulders. However, some users said that they wished the bag was a little roomier, as it appears bigger than what it actually is.

Rave Review: "I bought this backpack as a carry-on for a long international flight. I was able to fit so much inside and was extremely impressed at how well it held up. I kept the electronics and valuables in the biggest pouch, and I used the smaller pouch for things like my passport and chargers that I would need to access quickly."

This leather bag—believe it or not—actually fits a 13-inch laptop. It features a zippered compartment for your valuables, slots for your phone and keys, and straps that allow you to carry it on your shoulder as a purse or backpack. Grab it in your choice of three colors.

Though this one doesn't have online reviews, this editor-approved pick is a cult-favorite thanks to its sleek Italian leather design, adjustable notches, and wide back straps.

Built with plenty of storage compartments, this Lululemon backpack was designed for someone who's always on the move. It features side pockets for items you want to frequently reach with ease, adjustable exterior straps to hold a jacket or yoga mat with, and buckle closures that keep your items secure.

Rave Review: "The bag is so spacious and sturdy. This is exactly what I was looking for to use on my upcoming international trip with my baby...It looks classy, too—though, a little bit boxy."

Designed for use by disabled people or people with limited mobility, this Jansport backpack can fit on to a variety of mobility devices. It's also designed with tangle-proof shoulder straps, fumble-free release buckles, and a shorter height than other bags to make accessing the bottom of it a little easier.

Rave Review: "This bag has such a great design. I love how it comes with two straps (short and long). The lining is water-resistant, which is great for spillage."

If you prefer a rolling backpack, this 20-inch bag with an adjustable handlebar (and over 6,000 positive ratings!) is for you. It's kind of a steal when you can catch it on sale, and its fully padded interior includes two large compartments along with several internal pockets. (Plus, there are three exterior zipper pockets to store smaller things like snacks, your phone, and the like).

Rave Review: "This backpack is sturdy, beautifully-organized, and can hold a lot. It can stand up alone and I can leave pockets open as I pull things in and out as I work. The sturdy wheels [can] handle terribly bumpy parking lots. The colors are vivid and cheerful."

If you're looking for a backpack that's sleek and minimalistic, this one's for you. Aside from how stylish it is, this bag's main feature is that it has a totally waterproof exterior—meaning you can store all your tech inside and rest easy knowing everything will remain unaffected by the elements.

Rave Review: "The minimalist look of the bag was my first attraction. There are two interior pockets to hold a computer and other gear securely with enough [extra] room for what I need to take with me. I was looking for something that didn't scream 'backpack.' This has been a great purchase."

Matein Travel Backpack

Do you stuff your backpack to the brim every time you travel? If that's a "yes," you'll definitely appreciate that this bag has 40 whole liters of space. It has a place to hold your shoes, laptop, power bank, and all the toiletries you usually bring along. You'll also love that it's extra large, but still TSA-approved.

Rave Review: "This is an excellent bookbag. It has a bunch of different compartments and it’s very spacious. Also, it’s lightweight and the material is very durable."

Monos Metro Backpack

Monos' Metro Backpack isn't just nice to look at, it's also plenty functional. The travel bag is designed with a detachable pouch, known as a Metro Kit , which you can use to house your valuables, and a built-in trolley sleeve so you can attach it to any Monos suitcase .

Rave Review: " I LOVE this bag. I was worried that the bag might look too big on me (I'm five-foot-two), but it's perfect. I love how easy it is to stay organized. The separate zipper access to the laptop sleeve is the BEST ever for flying!"

Bago Backpack Duffle Bag

If you're looking for a more lightweight but spacious option, this is it. Adjust the straps to use this as a backpack or hold the straps on each side like a duffel. In its huge main compartment, this bag can store a week's worth of stuff.

Rave Review: "I just received this bag today and upon first impression—it's brilliant! Seriously, the way you can just fold this bag up when it's not in use is a great feature I haven't personally seen on other duffel bags and it holds a good amount."

Asenlin Travel Backpack

With more than 2,400 positive ratings on Amazon, this under-$100 travel backpack opens up like a duffel to reveal tons of packing space. The bag also comes with three packing cubes, which make it easier to organize and store your items, since you can divide them into sections.

Rave Review: "I bought this backpack to use as my personal item when we travel by air...It is perfect for this use, as it fits under the airplane seat and has a strap that fits over my carry-on. The best feature I love about this backpack is that it opens up like a suitcase! It's easy to pack, and has a thick, sturdy handle at the top of the [bag] as well."

Dagne Dover Dakota Neoprene Backpack

This simple but chic backpack has an internal laptop sleeve that's easily accessible, as well as two side pockets for slipping in water bottles or other necessities. Plus, there's also a catch-all front pocket and mini compartment in the back for storing valuables.

Rave Review: "I took [the bag] with me on a flight to California, and it fit well under the seat. I also used it to hold my beach essentials when I went to the beach and for bike rides around the bay. It’s cute and functional."

Carhartt Legacy Hybrid Convertible Backpack

Customers say this Carhartt backpack is smaller than other bags, but very much multi-functional. It can be worn as a backpack or carried as a duffel-esque tote.

The bag is made from heavy-duty fabric so that it can withstand rain and cold, and features extra pockets, like a padded laptop sleeve and side compartments, for optimal storage opportunities.

Rave Review: "I love the versatility of this bag. It's very well-made and easy to use. The size is perfect—big enough to hold a laptop plus other items, but small enough that it's not in the way. Great travel bag."

Away F.A.R. Convertible Backpack

Able to hold a whopping 45 liters, this Away backpack can pretty much do it all. Thanks to its removable straps, it can convert from a backpack to a duffel. The bag can also handle any weather or environment. It's made with abrasion and weather-resistant recycled materials, which—yep—means it's sustainably-designed, too.

Rave Review: "I am pleasantly surprised with how much stuff I could put in this bag! I took it on a weekend trip and was able to fit everything I needed. I love that it has several pockets to store small things that you want to keep handy. I've been a fan of Away luggage for years and I'm glad I get to add this bag to my collection."

Cotopaxi Allpa Travel Pack

If you prefer travel backpacks that open up like a suitcase, this Cotopaxi bag is your pick. It's built with a full wrap-around zipper, so you can plop it open on your bed for a bird's-eye view of what you've packed. It also comes with a padded laptop and tablet sleeve, making it ideal for work trips.

Rave Review: "I can fit a week's worth of clothing in this bag and it fits on every airplane. If you really stuff it full, it still fits under the seat in the smaller airplanes and up top on the larger ones. If you travel frequently by air, this is a great alternative to a roller bag."

How our team chose the best travel backpacks for women

For the past few months, Women's Health editors, including commerce editor Jasmine Gomez, have been researching the best travel backpacks for women to buy online. WH consulted travel expert Alexandra Dubakova and our lifestyle editors, and also vetted thousands of expert reviews to find the very best options available online.

What should I look for in a travel backpack for women?

There's an endless selection of travel backpacks for women for you to load up on, but here are a few things you should look out for to find the best ones.

Lugging a backpack through airports, tossing it into overheads on trains and buses, or folding it down for storage will put your travel bag through the wringer, so it's important you grab something that's durable. "A durable backpack is more cost-effective because it provides greater longevity and offers value for your money," Dubakova says. You can get a sense of a bag's durability by looking at the bag's seams, she explains. Make sure it doesn't have loose threads or inconsistent stitching.

When it comes to the most durable fabrics, Dubakova recommends cordura. "It is resistant to abrasion, weather-resistant, and more rugged compared to nylon," she says. She also recommends compromising between the bag's heaviness and durability. "For example, canvas bags are sturdy, and the material is durable, but it is considerably heavy," Dubakova says.

You'll know whether a bag is supportive depending on how comfortable you are, and since you may wear your backpack for quite a while, you definitely want something that feels good to throw on. "A comfortable backpack will evenly distribute the weight of its contents to avoid pain and pressure on the shoulder or back and any injuries," Dubakova says.

To find a backpack that will be as comfortable as possible, Dubakova recommends looking for ones with adjustable shoulder straps, padded backs, and adjustable hip belts. This will allow you to toy around with it to get the perfect fit.

When it comes to design, you should consider how your bag will make the experience of traveling better. For example, Dubakova recommends bags with mesh back panels, since they can ensure there's enough airflow to prevent you from heating up and sweating when you're on-the-go. Other special features someone might enjoy include pockets of different sizes, individual storage bags to accompany the bag, or even a sleeve to store your laptop.

Finally, you should get something you think is cute or aesthetically-pleasing. Travel backpacks come in different sizes, color schemes, and prices, so choose something that works for you.

Jasmine Gomez is the Commerce Editor at Women’s Health, where she cover the best product recommendations across beauty, health, lifestyle, fitness, and more. When she's not shopping for a living, she enjoys karaoke and dining out more than she cares to admit. Follow her @JazzeGomez .  

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• People Tested

The 16 Best Travel Purses of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Our top pick is the Cheruty Backpack Purse that's under $40 at Amazon

Elizabeth Marino is a freelance commerce writer for PEOPLE, focusing on home products. A lover of all things home and family, she is thrilled to help consumers find the perfect products to fit their domestic needs. In her spare time you can find her traveling to any and all historic sites and museums – and food spots – throughout the country. You can read some of her history-based writing on the Smithsonian Ocean Portal. She holds a BA in American Studies and History from Columbia University.

In This Article

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• Our top picks

Our Verdict

• Things to Consider

How We Tested

Why trust people, what is people tested.

People / Marcus Millan

Whether you’re off to the beach, Europe, or headed out on business and want to put your most professional foot forward, a good travel purse can make your next travel experience easier. What do we mean by a travel purse? Any easy-to-carry purse, belt bag, tote, backpack, crossbody, or sling bag that's small enough to count as your personal item or underseat bag on an airplane. With a seemingly endless collection of different styles, sizes, and materials on the market, finding the right travel purse, tote, or backpack to take on your trip can be an overwhelming task. 

We tested popular travel bags on planes, trains, and, yes, automobile rides, and asked our team members to share their favorites. After reviewing 30 different travel purses on their capacity, portability, ease of use, design features, durability, and value, we put together this list of the top 16 travel bags, tested by real people.

Best Overall

Cheruty backpack purse.

• Capacity 5 /5
• Portability 5 /5
• Ease of Use 5 /5

It has a large main pouch with a wide zipper-flap for easy access.

The opening is on the back (next to your body) to keep your items safe.

There are two sizes and more than 25 colors available, so you can get exactly what you’re looking for.

There isn’t an easy way to make it stay on top of your rolling luggage.

Earning perfect scores across the board , this elegant travel backpack from Cheruty was our favorite. Featuring water bottle pouches, small interior and exterior pockets for passports and small devices, and soft, adjustable straps, this travel backpack has it all. Our favorite part, though, features a cavernous main pouch (with access only from the back, keeping your items extremely secure!) with a giant flap zipper opening, allowing you to easily pack your bag with all your items, small or large. Plus, it’s made with vegan leather that’s been coated with polyurethane, making it water-resistant . It also comes in two sizes and more than 25 colors .

It doesn’t include a sleeve to keep it on top of rolling carry-on luggage , but you can keep it strapped on your back while you maneuver your luggage through the airport. While it’s not a name brand, this backpack’s combination of capacity and features for a great price make it a truly fantastic option for a travel bag.

Size: Medium: 12.6 x 12.6 x 5.9 inches, large: 13.7 x 14.7 x 6.3 inches | Body Material: Vegan polyurethane leather | Available Colors: 26 colors and patterns

Best Overall, Runner Up

Dagne dover landon carryall bag.

Dagne Dover

This bag has a super spacious interior with tons of pockets.

It folds up compactly, which makes for easy storage.

It includes convenient features like a key leash and a shoe bag.

It doesn’t contain any main interior dividers, so it can be easy to lose your things inside.

This duffel tote from Dagne Dover also earned perfect scores in all of our categories . Featuring a long zipper offering an easily accessible wide top opening, a cavernous interior, and various straps that allow you to carry it or wear it on your shoulder or crossbody, this bag has it all. It’s super lightweight and folds into itself, making for efficient storage.

While it doesn’t have interior dividers in the main section, it has a ton of pockets — including an interior laptop sleeve, four small interior side pockets, an exterior phone pocket, and a luggage handle sleeve — and it comes with a key leash, a small mesh pouch, and a shoe bag. Plus, it cleans super well — it looked as good as new after we washed it! We absolutely loved this well-made, well-designed travel duffel for any and all travel.

Size: 16.5 x 11 x 9 inches | Body Material: Neoprene | Available Colors: Neoprene: storm, onyx, heather gray, dune, camel, dark moss, air mesh: onyx, dark moss, warm dust

People / Nick Kova

People / Conor Ralph

The Spruce / Nick Kova

Best Budget

Uniqlo round mini shoulder bag.

• Capacity 2 /5

It has a large capacity despite its small size.

The style is trendy, and it comes in a wide array of colors.

It doesn’t have any exterior pouches for easy access to frequently-used items.

If you’re looking for something more compact that will still hold a lot of items, this trendy crossbody or shoulder bag from Uniqlo is a great option. While only 11 inches by 6.7 inches at its widest points, the side pleats enable it to open up to almost 4 inches at the bottom, allowing you to fit a surprising amount inside . Plus, it’s wide enough to hold a small device like an iPad mini or a small notebook — ideal for travel purposes.

Although it doesn’t have exterior pouches, it also features flat pouches inside to help you keep your items organized. And with an adjustable strap and a wide array of fun, water-repellent colors , we know can make it suit any outfit.

Size: 11 x 6.7 x 3.9 inches | Body Material: Polyester | Available Colors: Black, pink, natural, beige, yellow, green, blue, navy

Best Belt Bag

Lululemon all night festival bag micro.

• Capacity 3 /5
• Ease of Use 4 /5

It’s a durable, high-quality bag.

It has a versatile design and can be worn in several ways.

It has convenient zip pockets in different sizes.

We wish it included slots to organize credit cards.

This small Lululemon belt bag is the ideal bag for anyone looking to keep their important items accessible and organized without the bag getting in the way. This affordable and high-quality travel purse features a thoughtful design with multiple zip pockets of different shapes and sizes, making it great for many different uses. The front zip pocket is the ideal size for money, a couple of credit cards, and a phone, so you can easily access the things you need in a jiff. (We just wish it had slots to organize the credit cards.) Plus, it’s made of water-repellent nylon (which is super easy to spot clean!) and has held up remarkably well over the year our tester has had it.

This bag’s small size makes it a fantastic option if you’re looking to keep your heavy-use items organized and accessible, and it can easily be tossed into a larger bag during travel. It has a versatile design and can be worn as a shoulder bag, crossbody, or fanny pack.

Size: 5.5 x 5.1 x 2 inches | Body Material: Nylon | Available Colors: Spiced chai, white opal/silver, black/silver, black/gold

Best Crossbody

Kavu sydney satchel.

• Capacity 4 /5

It’s a sturdy and well-constructed bag that's easy to clean.

It comes in fun colors and prints.

It is spacious enough to hold a sweatshirt.

The style and prints may not be super professional.

This fantastic crossbody satchel from Kavu can accompany you on any trip. With enough capacity to hold even a bulky sweatshirt, this cotton purse is great for any time you want to bring along some belongings without it feeling unwieldy or heavy. It’s super easy to clean and quite sturdy and well-made, so it’s great for trips where you might be doing rough outdoor activities, like hiking or enjoying an amusement park. With a large exterior zip pocket, an interior zip pocket, and two small interior flat pockets, this bag is great for keeping your items organized while remaining easily accessible.

Plus, it has a long, adjustable strap and comes in 16 fun colors and prints, so you can find one right up your alley. The prints are rather bold, so this satchel might not be ideal if you need a more professional-looking bag.

Size: 15 x 13 x 1.5 inches | Body Material: Cotton | Available Colors: 16

Best Medium-Sized

Baggu nylon crescent bag.

• Comfort 5 /5
• Value 4.8 /5

This bag is lightweight so you can pack everything you might want without it becoming cumbersome to carry.

It’s machine-washable.

It comes in a bunch of fun colors and patterns.

It has two pockets but no interior separators.

If you’re looking for a travel purse that’s not too big or too small, is easy to clean, and is super durable, the Medium Nylon Crescent Bag from Baggu may be the ideal fit. Made of durable heavyweight nylon (which is machine-washable and super easy to spot clean), this stylish bag featuring a variety of funky colors will hold all of your important items, and you can keep the most essential ones like keys and credit cards out of the fray in the interior zippered pouch. It doesn’t have any interior separators, but the pockets can keep most things organized.

Plus, it's lightweight , so it won't be cumbersome to carry even if it's full. And since it isn’t too big, your items won’t get all mixed up and lost in a dark corner, either. It also has an adjustable strap , allowing you to hold it close to your body, and it zips shut and has no exterior pockets, so you can rest assured your items will be safe while you wander the airport, the beach, or the streets of Europe. And, if you’re looking for something a bit bigger, Baggu has released a large version as well.

Size: 13.75 x 8 x 4 inches | Body Material: Recycled heavyweight nylon | Available Colors: 14

Best with Multiple Pockets

Multisac lorraine crossbody bag.

• Portability 4 /5

It’s a great price for such a well-designed vegan leather purse.

It has a sleek style that's appropriate for more formal settings.

It’s the ideal size: not too large, not too small.

The narrow top opening can make it hard to find your belongings quickly.

This well-designed vegan leather travel purse from MultiSac is the ideal option if you’re looking to keep many different items organized throughout your travels. It features four exterior pockets — three on the front (two flat, one gusseted) and one on the back (which is extremely secure and can even be a bit difficult to access oneself) — as well as three interior pockets (two small gusseted ones, and one big enough for a small device like a tablet). With this variety of pocket shapes and sizes, you’ll definitely be able to keep all your important documents organized and accessible. 

Plus, it comes in various colors and prints , and the adjustable strap allows you to wear the purse crossbody or on your shoulder. It also has a sleek style that's appropriate for more formal settings. This affordable purse is the ideal size for traveling — it’s not too large or too small. One small drawback: The narrow top opening of the purse can make it challenging to find and access your belongings quickly.

Size: 11 x 12 x 2.5 inches | Body Material: Vegan leather | Available Colors: Beach glass flowers, black (heirloom), gingham/hazelnut, margate floral, tropicana floral

Best Foldable

Away the packable carryall.

It has a large capacity and is super lightweight.

The bag includes a storage pouch with a loop, so you can clip it wherever you need.

It includes a trolley sleeve to attach to your luggage.

It doesn’t contain any interior organizing compartments.

If you’re looking for a bag that will hold a lot but can be easily stored throughout your trip or while you’re home (or is a great “just in case” bag), you can’t do better than this foldable carryall from Away. Made of water-resistant nylon , this bag folds up into a tiny 6 by 4-inch storage pouch with a loop that can easily be tossed anywhere.

While it doesn’t feature organizing compartments, it has one flat exterior pocket, one zipped interior pocket, and a whole bunch of capacity — ideal for any trip where you want to fit it all in one bag. It also features a trolley sleeve for easy transport in the airport, and it comes in a variety of beautiful, fun colors.

Size: 19.7 x 15 x 9 inches | Body Material: Recycled nylon | Available Colors: Jet black, navy blue, cayenne

Best with Shoe Compartment

Minkars weekender bag.

It has a dedicated padded laptop sleeve.

It features a USB charging port to use with a portable charger.

It has a wide opening and a sturdy design that holds its shape while you fill it.

There are not a ton of color options.

With a spacious and easily accessible shoe compartment at the bottom, this travel tote by Minkars is great for any weekend trip. It looks a lot like a piece of Béis luggage but at half the price. It has a super wide opening and a sturdy design that holds its shape while you fill it, so you’ll have an easy time packing, unpacking, and accessing items in this bag. Plus, the shoe compartment is super spacious and easy to access.

This bag also comes with a matching toiletry case and a detachable crossbody strap , so you can carry it however works best for you. This thoughtfully designed bag also has a padded sleeve for your laptop, a trolley sleeve for hands-free rolling through the airport, and a USB charging port that’s available when you need it. This bag is a great value with leather detailing, a thoughtful design, and three elegant color options.

Our team member who has this bag absolutely loves it. She shared, “It truly holds a lot, and it has the quality of more expensive bags that it's a dupe of (specifically the Beis Weekender one). The leather details make it feel more expensive than it actually is. I spent a lot of time scrolling through Amazon and Béis's website trying to compare bags, and I found this one seemed to look the most well-made for the price tag.”

Size: 17 x 16 x 8 inches | Body Material: Waterproof | Available Colors: Beige, black, pink

Best Sling Bag

Patagonia atom sling bag.

It’s made of durable, easy-to-clean, water-repellent material.

It’s ideal if you want to keep your items close to your body.

This bag features several pockets and pouches to keep your belongings organized and accessible.

It’s a casual bag, so it doesn’t have a professional look.

Another travel bag that earned top scores, this crossbody sling bag from Patagonia is excellent for anyone looking to comfortably free up their hands without sacrificing capacity. The bag itself rides on the wearer's back (close to your body), keeping your items safely out of the way without swinging everywhere and becoming a nuisance. Plus, the adjustable strap is padded and designed for comfort — and our favorite part: It features a small zipper pouch on the front for important or heavy-use items like a phone or keys.

We love how spacious this bag is and the fact that it’s water-repellent and easy to clean. The pockets and pouches in this bag are thoughtfully designed. In addition to the strap pouch, the bag features an exterior zip pouch along with the main zip pouch (and inside, there is a separator to keep your items organized), plus straps for carrying something bulkier like a yoga mat. This bag is casual, so it may not be the first choice if you’re looking for something more professional.

Size: 13.5 x 9 x 3 inches | Body Material: Water-repellent recycled polyester | Available Colors: 6

Best Lightweight

Longchamp le pliage filet mesh bag.

This bag can be scrunched up into a really small bundle or folded up, which makes it easy to travel with and store.

It has more capacity than it may seem.

It includes long straps to wear on your shoulder and handles to carry as a handbag.

The contents of the bag are always visible.

If you’re looking for something unique, versatile, and stylish, this mesh bag from Longchamp (in collaboration with FILT) is the ideal option. With a surprisingly high capacity (think towel, sweater, book, sunglasses, water bottle , and more ), this scrunch-upable purse is great for any time you may need an impromptu bag — especially at the beach; no sand getting stuck in the bottom here! And don’t be concerned about your items falling out — we had no issue with this throughout our use. Keep in mind that everything is visible with this bag. It also has both the iconic Le Pliage flap and snap closure and handles as well as a longer set of straps, so you can wear it however works best for you.

Size: 15 x 12.2 inches | Body Material: Cotton | Available Colors: Ecru, tobacco, black, pink, green, lilac

Best Versatility

Longchamp le pliage expandable travel bag.

• Design 5 /5
• Durability 5 /5

This bag features a zipper expander, so you can easily switch between a medium and large size tote.

It features Longchamp’s signature Le Pliage foldover closure that allows you to fold your bag up into a small rectangle for easy storage and transport.

The polyamide canvas material is incredibly easy to clean.

There are no interior organizational compartments.

Another one of the travel bags on our list that earned high ratings, Longchamp’s expandable travel bag is great for so many uses. Even without opening the expansion, this bag already has quite the capacity, but if you’d like some extra space, just zip open the expansion and you’re good to go. Plus, this bag comes with both Longchamp’s iconic leather flap and snap closure and handle, as well as a detachable strap for on-the-shoulder wear. And, like most of Longchamp’s Le Pliage bags, this tote is designed to be folded up into a compact little rectangle , making this the ideal bag for tossing into your suitcase “just in case,” or hiding away in your checked luggage when not in use. It doesn’t feature interior organizational pockets, which would be helpful.

One of our testers shared that she considers this Longchamp “the everything bag.” She uses it as her daily purse and fills it with her wallet, keys, phone, and water bottle, but she also uses it for weekend trips. “I can use it as my laptop carrier on my way to work or on the airplane, and the material makes it so easy to clean up if I spill water, coffee, or food inside."

Size: 17.7 x 13.8 x 9.1 inches | Body Material: Recycled polyamide canvas | Available Colors: Black, navy, steel, sage, graphite, cognac, ebony

Portland Leather Leather Tote Bag

This bag is made of high-quality materials and comes in a wide array of beautiful colors.

It’s also available in four sizes, each with an open-top and zipper-top option, so you can get exactly the bag you need.

It has a professional and sophisticated look.

It doesn’t have any zippered interior pockets for added safety.

Tote bag lovers, rejoice: This beautiful leather tote from Portland is a wonderful option for those seeking a travel bag that’s easily accessible while also looking professional and sophisticated. Although it has minimal interior organization , with a deep, wide interior , you can fit so much into this bag (we tested the large size). We wish this tote included an interior zippered pocket for added safety.

We were easily able to fit a laptop, a wallet, a book, a Kindle, and keys (especially easy thanks to the snap-open key loop), and had room for more. Plus, each size and color also comes in open-top and zipper-top options, so you can achieve the level of ease or security you desire. Our favorite part, though: The thick, sturdy, genuine leather doesn’t slouch and has shown no signs of wear in over two years of use, even on the straps and rivets.

Size: Small: 13 x 11 x 4.5 inches, medium: 15 x 12 x 5.5 inches, large: 18 x 12 x 6 inches, oversized: 13.5-21 x 13 x 6 inches | Body Material: Leather (or suede) | Available Colors: Nutmeg, cold brew, honey, cognac, pebbled black, black, grizzly, Dakota, storm-tan

Best Backpack

Longchamp le pliage original backpack.

It’s super secure with zippers that close tightly.

It's lightweight and water resistant.

It has a great capacity with plenty of room for a backpack, sweater, and water bottle.

It only has one flat interior pocket.

Another one of our bags that earned high ratings, this elegant Longchamp is great for anyone who prefers a backpack for traveling — and wants to know their belongings are safe. With a zipper closure as well as Longchamp’s famed Le Pliage foldover snap closure, you can rest assured your items will be secure. It also folds down to a portable size that’s easy for storage and traveling.

While it only comes with one flat interior pocket and doesn’t include organizational pockets or compartments, we were impressed by how much capacity this backpack has — we’ve fit a laptop, makeup, a sweater, a couple of water bottles, and snacks with no issue. Plus, it comes in several bright, fun colors , and it's lightweight and water-resistant . This Longchamp is a sophisticated way to wear a backpack, wherever you’re headed.

Size: 10.2 x 11 x 3.9 inches | Body Material: Recycled polyamide canvas | Available Colors: 7

Best Leather

Portland leather camera bag purse.

This bag comes in a variety of fun colors in pebbled and smooth scales.

Given this bag’s compact size, it holds a lot of stuff.

It has a classic, long-lasting style.

It only has one interior and one exterior pocket.

For those looking for a small bag that’s both sophisticated and timeless , look no further. This beautiful leather crossbody bag from Portland Leather comes in two sizes and is super spacious . The bag has one interior and one exterior pocket and will hold all of your essential belongings without becoming a nuisance. With a squared-off design that’s made to hold its form and a zipper that extends an inch or two down the sides, you can fill this belt bag up and still be able to access your items with ease.

It’s available in a variety of colors and finishes , including pebbled and smooth scales. Plus, with an adjustable strap , you can wear it as a crossbody or a shoulder bag — whichever you prefer. This elegant bag is a quality product with a timeless design and is a great choice.

Size: Small: 5 x 7.5 x 2 inches, large: 9.25 x 6 x 2.5 inches | Body Material: Leather | Available Colors: 16

Best Investment

Lo & sons o.g. 2.

Lo & Sons

It has super spacious and well-thought-out pockets that allow you to keep your items organized.

There are different strap options, so you can wear it whichever way works best for you.

It comes in several sophisticated but fun color options — all of which come with gold or silver accents.

We couldn’t find any!

Another product with high scores, this sophisticated, functional, and versatile tote from Lo & Sons is ideal for any trip. With more pouches, pockets, and padding than we could imagine, this overnight bag can hold so much — and keep it organized. “Having a way to secure your travel bag on top of your roller luggage is a game changer, along with having secure but easy-to-access pockets for your passport and important items,” Jan Lo, cofounder and CEO of Lo & Sons shares.

This particular bag features a laptop sleeve, a flat exterior pouch, a shoe compartment, interior water bottle holders, small interior flat pouches, and a suitcase handle sleeve, plus a key leash and a detachable crossbody strap, allowing you to carry or wear it however you like. We also love that the nylon material makes it super easy to clean and that the bag has barely shown any signs of wear after over four years of use (just some slight fraying along the strap). Even better, it comes in a wide array of colors .

Size: Medium: 16.5 x 13.75  x 6.75 inches, large: 16.5 x 14.75 x 6.75 inches | Body Material: Nylon | Available Colors: 8

After considering all of our surveyed results of avid traveler members of our team, the Cheruty Travel Backpack is our favorite, thanks to its low price tag, durable material, and clever design. Coming in a close second is the Dagne Dover Landon Carryall Bag which comes in five sizes and includes a laptop sleeve and a luggage handle.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Travel Purse

“Look for a bag that maximizes the space inside of the bag while not getting too big for the under-seat compartment," says Lo. Also, take into account what you may be using it for, as different types of trips may require different sizes of bags. For example, if you travel by plane often, you'll want to take note of your favorite airline's specific size constraints, whereas weeklong road trips allow for a little more flexibility.

With many different kinds of travel purses, what style will work best for you is worth considering before hitting the stores (online or in person). Our favorites? Backpacks, totes, and small purses, each of which offer different benefits. Backpacks , like the Longchamp Le Pliage Original Backpack and the Cheruty Backpack Purse , can be great for staying organized as they often have many pouches and pockets of different shapes and sizes.

Totes are best for holding a lot of items and are a great option, especially if you’re trying to get away with taking just one big bag for your trip. We especially love the Away The Packable Carryall and the Dagne Dover Landon Large Carryall Bag because they can hold a lot but are super easy to store (both at home or during your trip).

Finally, small purses , like the Lululemon All Night Festival Bag Micro 2L , are great if you have just a few important/heavy-use items that you want to keep easily accessible (like your phone, wallet, keys, passport, etc.). Smaller crossbody bags, like the Kavu Sydney Satchel , are also great for trips where you may be hiking or going to amusement parks.

Heavily impacting both a travel bag’s style and its functionality is the material the bag is made of. Leather is going to look professional but be hard to clean. Cotton is going to be durable and easy to clean. Nylon is both professional and easy to clean. In terms of durability, stylist Lindsay Albanese tells us her favorites are leather (we like the Portland Leather Tote Bag ), nylon, or even patent leather, adding that she loves a good print to hide stains or dirt.

Just like with luggage and travel makeup bags , travel purses can run the gamut when it comes to price: For this article, we tested bags at every price point, ranging from as low as $15 to as high as $400. It’s important to take your budget into account when shopping and try to find a well-made travel bag without being unduly pricey. We believe all of the options on our list are great choices when it comes to value.

To find the best travel purses, we surveyed our team on their favorite travel bags, asking them all about their experience traveling with different products. 

• Recommendations: Each travel purse submitted for recommendation had to have been used for six months or more. We received a list of 30 favorite bags to consider for the best travel purse.
• Evaluation: We then had our team rate their favorite travel purse on capacity, portability, ease of use, durability, design features, and value.

This truly depends on what you hope to carry: backpacks are great for keeping many different items organized and out of the way, whereas purses are best for carrying just a few things like your important documents, wallet, and keys.

While this really comes down to personal preference, both Lo and Albanese shared that they prefer to travel with backpacks. Lo shared that, with more compartments, backpacks can hold more contents and are more comfortable and convenient. Albanese said she prefers backpacks for traveling because they’re the most functional kind of travel bag, with many different pouches to keep your items separated and organized.

The best way to keep your valuables safe while traveling is to make sure your bag is fully enclosed and wear it close to your front. Lo suggests a crossbody bag (we like the MultiSac Lorraine Women's Crossbody Bag and the Baggu Medium Nylon Crescent Bag ) to achieve both of these. Lo says that if you need something bigger, choose a fully enclosing tote (which you can keep to your front in crowds) instead of a backpack. (In fact, the reason Lo & Sons originally designed the brand’s Waverley 2 was because their mom’s wallet had been stolen from a backpack while traveling.)

Carry-ons are what go in the overhead compartment (and are usually rollaboards), whereas personal items must fit under the seat in front of you. If your purse is small enough to fit under the seat, it will not count as a carry-on, and you can bring a rollaboard as well. The personal item dimension limits are generally around 16 x 13 x 7 inches, but be sure to check your air carrier’s specific rules.

Larger bags like the Lo & Sons O.G. 2 and the Cheruty Backpack Purse count as personal items (not carry-ons) and are a great choice if you’re hoping to use your travel bag to carry a lot of your stuff. 

In addition, you can also bring a smaller purse, like the Baggu Medium Nylon Crescent Bag , Lululemon All Night Festival Bag Micro 2L , or Kavu Sydney Satchel , to carry important items and documents, which you can easily throw into a larger bag to get around bag number limits — which is one of Albanese’s favorite travel hacks.

Elizabeth Marino is a freelance commerce writer for PEOPLE, focusing on home products. A lover of all things home and family, she loves to help consumers find the best products to fit their domestic needs. In her spare time, you can find her traveling to historic sites and museums — and food spots — throughout the country. She holds a BA in American Studies and History from Columbia University.

• Lindsay Albanese is a fashion stylist and entrepreneur.
• Jan Lo is the cofounder and CEO of Lo & Sons.

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

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Reader's Digest

The 7 Best Travel Backpacks of 2023, According to Travel Experts

Posted: March 12, 2024 | Last updated: March 13, 2024

Best overall travel backpack

Caraa studio bag.

Caraa is loved for its chic convertible bags, and its Studio design will be a new favorite travel companion. It earns our best travel backpack spot for its superior versatility, fashionable and luxurious finishes and functional design details. Luxury water-resistant nylon and Italian leather accents are made to last, and a secure turn-lock main compartment, padded zippered back pocket and external easy-to-grab side pocket make packing a piece of cake. Thoughtful details—like breathing vents in the main compartment, a waterproof and antimicrobial lining and a moisture-wicking mesh back—make this bag worth the splurge. It also comes with a waterproof wet clothes bag and a waterproof shoe pouch.

"I LOVE LOVE LOVE this bag. And it never ceases to amaze me. I've had mine for a year and it still looks brand new—despite being used every day," writes Tatiana, a verified reviewer.

• Three carrying modes
• Moisture-wicking backpack straps
• Anti-slip rubberized crossbody strap
• Dedicated 13-inch laptop pocket
• Available in two sizes and multiple colors

Best value travel backpack

Matein travel backpack.

This wildly popular travel backpack has more than 2,100 five-star ratings on Amazon. Here's why: The storage is exceptional. The two front organizer sections have spots for stashing keys, a wallet and a phone. The main compartment is roomy and ideal for daily essentials, and there's a separate padded space for laptops and other small tech devices. It's one of the best wallet-friendly Amazon carry-on luggage pieces.

" I travel 48 out of 52 weeks of the year and was looking for an inexpensive backpack that would be up for my travel challenges! Here it is! It’s perfect for my everyday tosses and bumps and being shoved into overhead bins on a plane. Fits nicely under the seat in front of me as long as I don’t pack it too full," shares five-star reviewer, Emily C .

• Budget-friendly
• Durable water-resistant and anti-scratch fabric
• Hidden anti-theft back zippered pocket
• Multi-panel ventilated padded back provides support
• Separate padded laptop compartment
• Includes a charging port, but not a portable charger

Best lightweight travel backpack

Jansport superbreak one backpack.

Since 1967, JanSport has continued to churn out some of the best backpacks for a reason: The durable construction is meant to last, and the affordable price point can't be beat. This lightweight best travel backpack only weighs 10.6 ounces and is simple, yet sturdy. The classic design of this JanSport backpack boasts spacious storage in the main compartment, a front utility pocket with a built-in organizer, a coated interior, a web haul handle and padded shoulder straps.

"...[I] have taken it hiking, camping, traveled to multiple countries with it, subjected it many times to being stuffed to bursting and weighed down probably to 20+ pounds, and four years later, the only sign of significant wear that it shows is one tiny hole along one of the seams on the back," writes verified purchaser, Katharine Hogan . For another great pick, check out the fold-up Paravel Backpack .

• Only weighs 10.6 ounces
• Water-repellent and abrasion-resistant fabric
• Available in 20 colors and prints
• Padded back panel and shoulder straps
• Main compartment doesn't have much organization

Best large travel backpack

Victorinox vx sport evo two-in-one backpack/duffel.

From the brand that created the original Swiss Army Knife, Victorinox brings the same ingenuity and clever functionality to its range of travel gear. A trusty duffle bag gets an upgrade with this convertible carryall that we're calling the best large backpack for travel. With a focus on practicality, durability and comfort, this two-in-one backpack/duffel is an indispensable companion for navigating any journey, near or far.

Hidden straps convert the duffle into a backpack and allow for hands-free cruising, whether you're racing for a flight or meandering on an outdoor expedition. Crafted from extra-tough polyester, it holds up on outdoor adventures. Plus, handy multipurpose pockets offer versatile storage solutions to avoid packing mistakes , including a separate space for shoes and compartments for electronics. It's a smart bag to have in your collection.

• 57-liter capacity
• Convertible multipurpose bag
• Adjustable padded backpack straps stow away when not in use
• Made of water-repellent fabric
• Has airflow channels in the padded back panels
• Only two colors available

Best travel backpack for organization

Béis the hanging backpack.

Actress Shay Mitchell's brand Béis (pronounced "base") churns out fashionable and functional bags for stylish jet-setters with wanderlust. The Hanging Backpack looks like an ordinary carryall, but features an innovative interior to keep all your gear contained. With a sleek shape, water-repellent exterior and built-in organizational system, it's the best travel backpack for weekend getaways or weeklong excursions. Pop open the snaps to reveal a removable shelving system. The accordion design allows for easy access and perfectly displays your belongings. It's the best solution for anyone who hates unpacking, and a smart alternative to packing cubes , too.

"When I travel, I am all about being completely organized, and this bag from Béis is my go-to as my personal item," says our shopping editor, Stephanie Hope . "I love that it slides easily over my carry-on luggage and can hold a few days' worth of clothing and essentials."

• Removable, compressible shelving system
• Lots of pockets for organization
• Adjustable padded straps
• Water-repellent fabric
• Laptop compartment
• Only one color option

Best travel backpack for business

Samsonite mobile solution convertible backpack.

A good backpack should keep up with you, notes Luo, which is why he loves convertible styles. "It's common to be on the move from morning until night," he says, "and a backpack should be able to easily adjust from the office to a workout to a dinner date." Samsonite, known for its superior luggage line, designed a convertible backpack that does just that. Using or removing the adjustable strap allows you to carry the bag in five unique ways: as a backpack, crossbody, over-the-shoulder bag, handheld bag or as an oversized clutch.

The multipurpose aspect of this quality luggage makes this one of the best business travel backpack options, allowing to seamlessly adapt the carrier for a range of occasions. Made with a sleek and sturdy nylon fabric with vinyl trim, it's both boardroom-appropriate and chic enough to sport every day. As an added benefit, there's a retractable "SmartSleeve" located in the exterior back zippered pocket, which fits over luggage handles for easy mobility when traveling.

• Convertible for business and beyond
• Water-resistant coating
• Interior padded tech sleeve
• Fits over luggage handles
• Only weighs 1.3 pounds
• Smaller capacity, so not suitable as the only bag for longer trips

Best travel backpack for kids

Pottery barn teen gear-up rainbow backpack.

Kids' backpacks get heavy —fast. But there's a smart solution to counter this problem. "Look for a very padded vented back, padded straps and a sternum strap for support," advises Renee Silverman, president of Irv's Luggage. This stylish number does the trick. Available in dozens of funky prints and five sizes (including a roller version), it has four roomy exterior compartments, a front zipper pocket with a cell phone holder, two D-rings in the front and back and a cinch mesh pocket on each side.

Even better? You'll feel extra good about this kids' travel backpack knowing it's eco-friendly: The rugged, water-resistant recycled polyester is made from more than 12 recycled plastic bottles. In fact, the brand has kept 66 million plastic bottles out of landfills to date, thanks to their recycled designs.

• Variety of fun prints that appeal to kids
• Five size options
• Easy-to-clean, water-resistant material
• Made of recycled material
• Customization available
• Personalized items not eligible for returns

What to consider when buying a travel backpack

Backpacks come in all shapes and sizes. There are duffle backpacks, rolling backpacks, mini backpacks, laptop backpacks and more. The style you should choose largely depends on the activity and the duration of the trip.

"You want something that looks fantastic in any scenario, from the airport to exploring a new city, but also has all the function to hold your stuff and keep you organized," says Adeela Hussain Johnson, president of Béis. If the backpack is essentially replacing a roller, then look for an option a bit bigger that has built-in packing functionality to fit everything you need to travel , like clothes, travel accessories , makeup and a laptop, says Johnson. But you also want a design with smart organization and dedicated compartments to make packing easier and keep small items, like jewelry and power cords, safe and secure.

If you're looking for stylish travel backpacks that work as a personal item for a flight, or need something more for everyday use, then go for a smaller versatile bag, suggests Johnson. (She loves expandable options, like this one from Béis .) "What if you decide to go shopping or go crazy in duty-free before the flight—easily expand it by unzipping it and then collapse it again when you don't need that space. It's all about options."

For Luo, he says the best travel backpack should be hyper-lightweight with a dedicated luggage sleeve to fly through the airport with ease. "Pick padded straps that support the back for days when you've packed everything but the kitchen sink," he advises.

If you plan to check your luggage , straps that tuck or hide away—so they don't get caught in conveyor belts or drag on the ground—will make the voyage run more smoothly. Lau shares another hack for flying , "I like to have a TSA-approved laptop and tablet sleeve, so I don't have to completely remove my laptop from the bag."

How we found the best travel backpacks

As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we're only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product's quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.

Is it better to travel with a backpack or suitcase?

The best travel backpack is a versatile carry-on bag that allows you to easily maneuver—hands-free—through busy airports and crowded towns. If you're backpacking or traveling by foot, portability is paramount, so backpacks are usually the best bet. But, if you're going on a longer trip and need to pack more items, a roller suitcase or hard shell luggage might be a better option.

What size travel backpack do I need?

It depends on the length of the trip. Small knapsacks may be suitable for overnight getaways while you'll want a larger, more substantial size for weekend trips. For vacations longer than a week, check out the top luggage brands and best luggage sets . And if you're on a budget, scope out the best luggage deals for major discounts.

How much can fit in a carry-on backpack?

The best carry-on backpack should be able to hold at least a couple of days' worth of clothes, accessories, shoes and toiletries . Using packing cubes and compression bags and rolling clothes help maximize space in the backpack. But the exact amount of stuff that fits will vary depending on the style and design of the bag.

Most airlines allow a carry-on with a maximum size of 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches and a weight of 22 pounds (although, many domestic airlines don't have weight restrictions). But remember, just because a backpack can carry a ton, doesn't mean it should, especially when it's a kid doing the carrying. To prevent injury and backaches , the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that a child's backpack weigh no more than 10 to 15% of their body weight.

Are all carry-on backpacks airline-approved?

Do you plan to put the carry-on backpack in the overhead bin of the plane or under the seat? Every airline has different size restrictions for each, so double-check with the carrier to avoid unwanted baggage fees.

• Aaron Luo, CEO of Caraa
• Kevin Lau, retail sales specialist at Rei
• Renee Silverman, president of Irv's Luggage
• Adeela Hussain Johnson, president of Béis

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In the aftermath of the Moscow concert hall attack, is a harsher era under Putin in the works?

Associated Press

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

FILE - Saidakrami Murodali Rachabalizoda, a suspect in the Crocus City Hall shootings, is escorted by police and FSB officers in Basmanny District Court in Moscow, Russia, on March 24, 2024. The attack on the Moscow concert hall, the bloodiest assault on Russian soil in two decades, appears to be setting the stage for an increasingly harsh response by President Vladimir Putin. Four suspects in the attack appeared in court showing signs of brutal treatment while in custody. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)

Video and photos of suspects in a mass shooting show them apparently being brutalized by Russian security forces — without any rebuke from authorities. A top Kremlin official urges that hit squads be sent to assassinate Ukrainian officials. Senior lawmakers call for restoring capital punishment, abolished decades ago.

The aftermath of the Moscow concert hall attack that killed 145 people in the bloodiest assault in Russia in two decades seems to be setting the stage for even harsher rule by President Vladimir Putin following his highly orchestrated electoral landslide last month.

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Putin vowed to hunt down the masterminds of the March 22 attack that he linked to Ukraine despite Kyiv's vehement denials and a claim of responsibility by an offshoot of the Islamic State group. He warned ominously that terrorism is a “double-edged weapon.”

Putin lieutenant Dmitry Medvedev declared that if Ukrainian involvement is proven, Moscow should respond by deploying hit men to kill the country's leaders “in Kyiv or any other convenient place.”

The attack dealt a heavy blow to Putin less than a week after the vote that extended his rule for another six-years. It marked a major failure by his security agencies that were given an advance warning by the U.S. that extremists were planning an imminent attack.

Critics of the Kremlin argue that security forces are so focused on conducting the harshest crackdown on dissent since Soviet times that they are distracted from tackling real threats.

In an apparent attempt to divert attention from the security lapse and rally support for the war in Ukraine, Putin and his lieutenants alleged — without evidence — that the arrest of the four suspects near Ukraine indicated Kyiv’s likely involvement.

The four, all citizens of Tajikistan, were detained by security forces in a forest about 140 kilometers (86 miles) from the Ukrainian border.

Video confessions of their involvement in the attack were released by Russian news outlets, but the veracity of those statements has been called into question because the men seemed to have been severely beaten and bore other signs of brutality when they appeared in court.

One had a heavily bandaged ear -– reportedly cut off during interrogation. Another had pieces of a plastic bag on his neck, a possible sign of attempts at suffocation. A third was in a wheelchair, barely conscious, accompanied by medical personnel.

Russian police and other security agencies have long been accused of torture, but many incidents also brought official condemnation, dismissals of those involved and criminal prosecutions.

In stark contrast, authorities refused to comment on the grisly video that emerged or the signs of maltreatment seen in court.

One video showed a man in combat fatigues cutting off part of one of the suspects' ear and forcing it into his mouth while threatening to do the same with his genitals. Another suspect was seen with his trousers pulled down and wires attached to his genitals.

The Associated Press was unable to verify the authenticity of the images, but Human Rights Watch said it determined the men in the photos and videos were the same as those in court for their pretrial hearings.

“The rapid and widespread sharing of these videos appears to be no accident but rather some kind of appalling boast by the Putin government of its brazen disregard for basic rights, fundamental humanity, and the rule of law,” said Tanya Lokshina, HRW's associate director for Europe and Central Asia.

Kremlin propagandists sought to cast their treatment as a proper response to the massacre.

Margarita Simonyan, head of state-funded broadcaster RT, dismissed criticism and said the law enforcement personnel involved shouldn’t face any punishment.

“Imagine yourself in place of our guys who were chasing those ghouls who just mowed down many, many of our fellow citizens,” Simonyan said. “What were they supposed to do? Serve them some warm porridge and yogurt?”

Many observers saw the tacit endorsement of such brutality as an ominous sign of more to come.

“All that serves a double function -– a show of terror as a mechanism of intimidation and rallying hatred,” political analyst Kirill Rogov said in a commentary. “It normalizes hatred as a response, including to those who have questions and disagreements.”

Medvedev, deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, who served as liberal-minded placeholder president in 2008-12, when term limits forced Putin to shift to the premier's seat, has turned recently into one of the harsher voices from the Kremlin.

In a commentary on his messaging app channel this week, he called for the extrajudicial killings of Ukrainian officials, arguing Russia should follow in the Soviet practice in the last century of assassinations, like those of Ukrainian nationalists Yevhen Konovalets and Stepan Bandera.

“What should we do? Simply crush the Banderite swine as the Soviet MGB did after the war," Medvedev wrote, referring to a forerunner of the KGB, "and liquidate their leaders on convenient occasions -- like Konovalets and Bandera -– in Kyiv or any other convenient places.”

The concert hall attack also brought demands from hawks and some senior lawmakers to reinstate the death penalty, which has been suspended since 1996 when Russia joined the Council of Europe, the continent’s leading human rights organization.

Calls for its restoration have circulated often, particularly after attacks blamed on insurgents from the region of Chechnya and other militant extremists. They increased after Moscow left the Council of Europe after its invasion of Ukraine.

Vladimir Vasilyev, head of the parliamentary faction of United Russia, the main Kremlin party, said the lower house would review restoring the death penalty, taking into account "society’s mood and expectations.”

Some Kremlin-connected lawmakers and others oppose the move, in an apparent sign of Putin's hesitation.

Andrei Klishas, the influential head of the constitutional affairs committee in the upper house of parliament, argued its restoration is impossible unless Russia approves a new constitution.

Andrei Medvedev, the deputy speaker of the Moscow City Council, said Russia should never bring back capital punishment because of its troubled history in the Soviet era.

“Regrettably, our judicial system isn’t ideal and isn’t immune from mistakes,” he wrote in a commentary. “The country that saw repressions, Red Terror ... and executions of those who believed in God must forget about the death penalty once and for all.”

Lidiya Mikheyeva, the secretary of the Public Chamber, a Kremlin-controlled advisory board, also spoke against reinstatement and reverting "to the times of savagery and barbarity.”

“The abolition of the death penalty is one of our country’s major historic achievements,” she added.

Dmitry Kiselyov, a Russian state TV commentator, also hinted that Putin doesn’t support its reinstatement. “It’s good that Russia is led by Putin, for whom the life of each of our citizens is priceless,” he said.

Despite those apparent doubts, many observers say the official tolerance of the harsh treatment of the suspects and calls for killing Russia's enemies herald an even more ruthless era.

Net Freedoms, a Russian group focusing on freedom of speech, noted that harsh statements from Putin and Medvedev coming amid “the backdrop of demonstrative torture effectively sanction extrajudicial executions and give law enforcement agencies a directive on how to treat the enemies.”

“We are seeing the possible beginning of the new Great Terror,” the group said, referring to the purges by Soviet dictator Josef Stalin of the 1930s. “There must be no illusions — the developments follow a very bad scenario and the slide is rapidly accelerating.”

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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Home » Europe » Moscow

EPIC MOSCOW Itinerary! (2024)

Moscow is the heart of Mother Russia. Just the mention of this city conjures images of colorful bulbous pointed domes, crisp temperatures, and a uniquely original spirit!

Moscow has an incredibly turbulent history, a seemingly resilient culture, and a unique enchantment that pulls countless tourists to the city each year! Although the warmer months make exploring Moscow’s attractions more favorable, there’s just something about a fresh snowfall that only enhances the appearance of the city’s iconic sites!

If you’re a first-time visitor to Moscow, or simply wanting to see as much of the city as possible, this Moscow itinerary will help you do just that!

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Best Time To Visit Moscow

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Here is a quick look at the seasons so you can decide when to visit Moscow!

The summer months (June-August) are a great time to travel to Moscow to take advantage of the enjoyable mild temperatures. This is considered peak travel season. Bear in mind that hotel prices rise along with the temperatures!

If you’re planning a trip to Moscow during fall (September-November) try to plan for early fall. This way the temperatures will still be pleasant and winter won’t be threatening.

Russian winters (December-February) are not for the faint of heart as Napoleon learned to his peril. Some days the sun will be out for less than an hour, and snow is guaranteed. Although winters are exceptionally cold, this is when you’ll get a true glimpse of the Moscow experience!

The best time to visit Moscow is during spring  (March-May). The temperatures will begin to creep up and the sun begins to shine for significant portions of the day. Hotel rates will also have yet to skyrocket into peak ranges!

With a Moscow City Pass , you can experience the best of Moscow at the CHEAPEST prices. Discounts, attractions, tickets, and even public transport are all standards in any good city pass – be sure invest now and save them $$$ when you arrive!

Moscow is a large city with many accommodation options to choose from. Staying in a location that fits with your travel plans will only enhance your Moscow itinerary. Here is a brief introduction to a few great areas of the city we recommend checking out!

The best place to stay in Moscow to be close to all the action is Kitay-Gorod. This charming neighborhood will put you within walking distance to Moscow’s famous Red Square, thus cutting down on travel time. This will allow you to see more of the city in a shorter amount of time!

It’s surrounded by restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops. If you’re a first-time visitor to Moscow, or just planning a quick weekend in Moscow, then this area is perfect for you!

Another great area to consider is the Zamoskvorechye district. This area of the city offers a blend of new and old Moscow. It has an artsy vibe and there are plenty of fun sites you can explore outside of the main touristy areas of Moscow.

Of course, as in all areas of Moscow, it’s close to public transportation that will quickly connect you with the rest of the city and make your Moscow itinerary super accessible!

Best Airbnb in Moscow – Exclusive Apartment in Old Moscow

Modern and cozy, this apartment is in the heart of Old Moscow. Bordering the Basmanny and Kitay-Gorod districts, this two-bedroom flat is walking distance to the Kremlin and Red Square. Safe, quiet, and comfortable, this is the best Airbnb in Moscow, no question!

Best Budget Hotel in Moscow – Izmailovo Alfa Hotel

The Izmailovo Alfa Hotel is a very highly rated accommodation that provides all the components necessary for a comfortable trip to Moscow. There is an on-site restaurant, bar, fitness center, and an airport shuttle service. The rooms are modern and spacious and are equipped with a TV, heating/air conditioning, minibar, and more!

Best Luxury Hotel in Moscow – Crowne Plaza Moscow World Trade Centre

If you’re touring Moscow in luxury, the Crowne Plaza Moscow World Trade Centre is the hotel for you! Elegantly furnished rooms are equipped with a minibar, flat-screen TV,  in-room safes, as well as tea and coffee making facilities! Bathrooms come with bathrobes, slippers, and free toiletries. There is also an onsite restaurant, bar, and fitness center.

Best Hostel in Moscow – Godzillas Hostel

Godzillas Hostel is located in the center of Moscow, just a short walk from all the major tourist attractions and the metro station. Guests will enjoy all the usual hostel perks such as self-catering facilities, 24-hour reception, Free Wi-Fi, and security lockers. This is one of the best hostels in Moscow and its wonderful social atmosphere and will make your vacation in Moscow extra special!

Godzillas Hostel is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

An important aspect of planning any trip is figuring out the transportation situation. You’re probably wondering how you’re going to get to all of your Moscow points of interest right? Luckily, this sprawling city has an excellent network of public transportation that will make traveling a breeze!

The underground metro system is the quickest and most efficient way to travel around Moscow. Most visitors rely exclusively on this super-efficient transportation system, which allows you to get to pretty much anywhere in the city! It’s also a great option if you’re planning a Moscow itinerary during the colder months, as you’ll be sheltered from the snow and freezing temperatures!

If you prefer above-ground transportation, buses, trams, and trolleybuses, run throughout the city and provide a rather comfortable alternative to the metro.

Moscow’s metro, buses, trams, and trolleybuses are all accessible with a ‘Troika’ card. This card can be topped up with any sum of money at a metro cash desk. The ticket is simple, convenient, and even refundable upon return to a cashier!

No matter which method you choose, you’ll never find yourself without an easy means of getting from point A to point B!

Red Square | Moscow Kremlin | Lenin’s Mausoleum | St. Basil’s Cathedral  | GUM Department Store

Spend the first day of your itinerary taking your own self guided Moscow walking tour around the historic Red Square! This is Moscow’s compact city center and every stop on this list is within easy walking distance to the next! Get ready to see all of the top Moscow landmarks!

Day 1 / Stop 1 – The Red Square

• Why it’s awesome: The Red Square is the most recognizable area in Moscow, it has mesmerizing architecture and centuries worth of history attached to its name.
• Cost: Free to walk around, individual attractions in the square have separate fees. 
• Food nearby: Check out Bar BQ Cafe for friendly service and good food in a great location! The atmosphere is upbeat and they’re open 24/7!

The Red Square is Moscow’s historic fortress and the center of the Russian government. The origins of the square date back to the late 15th century, when Ivan the Great decided to expand the Kremlin to reflect Moscow’s growing power and prestige!

During the 20th century, the square became famous as the site for demonstrations designed to showcase Soviet strength. Visiting the Red Square today, you’ll find it teeming with tourists, who come to witness its magical architecture up close!

The square is the picture postcard of Russian tourism, so make sure to bring your camera when you visit! No matter the season, or the time of day, it’s delightfully photogenic! 

It’s also home to some of Russia’s most distinguishing and important landmarks, which we’ve made sure to include further down in this itinerary. It’s an important center of Russia’s cultural life and one of the top places to visit in Moscow!

In 1990, UNESCO designated Russia’s Red Square as a World Heritage site. Visiting this historic site is a true bucket-list event and essential addition to your itinerary for Moscow!

Day 1 / Stop 2 – The Moscow Kremlin

• Why it’s awesome: The Moscow Kremlin complex includes several palaces and cathedrals and is surrounded by the Kremlin wall. It also houses the principal museum of Russia (the Kremlin Armory).
• Cost: USD $15.00
• Food nearby: Bosco Cafe is a charming place to grat a casual bite to eat. They have excellent coffee and wonderful views of the Red Square and the Moscow Kremlin!

The iconic Moscow Kremlin , also known as the Kremlin museum complex, sits on Borovitsky Hill, rising above the Moscow River. It is a fortified complex in the center of the city, overlooking several iconic buildings in the Red Square!

It’s the best known of the Russian Kremlins – citadels or fortress’ protecting and dominating a city. During the early decades of the Soviet era, the Kremlin was a private enclave where the state’s governing elite lived and worked.

The Kremlin is outlined by an irregularly shaped triangular wall that encloses an area of 68 acres! The existing walls and towers were built from 1485 to 1495. Inside the Kremlin museum complex, there are five palaces, four cathedrals, and the enclosing Kremlin Wall with Kremlin towers.

The Armoury Chamber is a part of the Grand Kremlin Palace’s complex and is one of the oldest museums of Moscow, established in 1851. It showcases Russian history and displays many cherished relics. Definitely make sure to check out this museum while you’re here!

The churches inside the Moscow Kremlin are the Cathedral of the Dormition, Church of the Archangel, Church of the Annunciation, and the bell tower of Ivan Veliki (a church tower).

The five-domed Cathedral of the Dormition is considered the most famous. It was built from 1475–1479 by an Italian architect and has served as a wedding and coronation place for great princes, tsars, and emperors of Russia. Church services are given in the Kremlin’s numerous cathedrals on a regular basis.

The Grand Kremlin Palace was the former Tsar’s Moscow residence and today it serves as the official workplace of the President of the Russian Federation (Vladimir Putin seems to have bagged that title for life) .

Insider Tip: The Kremlin is closed every Thursday! Make sure to plan this stop on your Moscow itinerary for any other day of the week!

Day 1 / Stop 3 – Lenin’s Mausoleum

• Why it’s awesome: The mausoleum displays the preserved body of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin .
• Cost: Free!
• Food nearby: Khinkal’naya is a charming Georgian restaurant with vaulted ceilings and exposed brick. It’s a popular place with locals and right next to the Red Square!

Lenin’s Mausoleum, also known as Lenin’s Tomb, is the modernist mausoleum for the revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin. It’s located within the Red Square and serves as the resting place for the Soviet leader! His preserved body has been on public display since shortly after his death in 1924.

It’s located just a few steps away from the Kremlin Wall and is one of the most controversial yet popular Moscow attractions!

Admission is free for everyone, you’ll only need to pay if you need to check a bag. Before visitors are allowed to enter the mausoleum, they have to go through a metal detector first. No metal objects, liquids, or large bags are allowed in the mausoleum!

Expect a line to enter the building, and while you’re inside the building, you’ll be constantly moving in line with other visitors. This means you won’t be able to spend as long as you’d like viewing the mausoleum, but you’ll still be able to get a good look. Pictures and filming while inside the building are strictly prohibited, and security guards will stop you if they see you breaking this rule.

The mausoleum is only open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday – unless it’s a public holiday or a day scheduled for maintenance. The hours it’s open for each day are limited, make sure to check online before you visit to make sure you can fit this into your Moscow itinerary for that day!

Insider Tip: The Lenin’s Museum is there for people to pay their respect; remember to keep silent and move along quickly, it’s not intended for people to congregate around. Also, men are not allowed to wear hats and everyone must take their hands out of their pockets when inside the building.

Day 1 / Stop 4 – St. Basil’s Cathedral

• Why it’s awesome: A dazzling designed cathedral that showcases Russia’s unique architecture. This cathedral is one of the most recognizable symbols of the country!
• Cost: USD $8.00
• Food nearby: Moskovskiy Chaynyy Klub is a cozy cafe serving food items and pipping hot tea; it’s the perfect place to go if you’re visiting Moscow during the winter months!

Located in the Red Square, the ornate 16th-century St. Basil’s Cathedral is probably the building you picture when you think of Moscow’s unique architecture. Its colorful onion-shaped domes tower over the Moscow skyline!

The cathedral was built from 1555-1561 by order of Tsar Ivan the Terrible. It was designed with an iconic onion dome facade and enchanting colors that captivate all who see it. Fun fact: If you’re wondering why Russian churches have onion domes, they are popularly believed to symbolize burning candles!

This iconic cathedral has become a symbol of Russia due to its distinguishing architecture and prominent position inside the Red Square. It’s one of the most beautiful, wonderful, and mesmerizing historical cathedrals in the world!

The interior of the church surprises most people when they visit. In contrast to the large exterior, the inside is not so much one large area, but rather a collection of smaller areas, with many corridors and small rooms. There are 9 small chapels and one mausoleum grouped around a central tower.

Visiting the inside is like walking through a maze, there are even small signs all around the cathedral tracing where to walk, and pointing you in the right direction! The walls are meticulously decorated and painted with intricate floral designs and religious themes.

The church rarely holds service and is instead a museum open for the public to visit.

Insider Tip: During the summer months the line to go inside the cathedral can get quite long! Make sure to arrive early or reserve your tickets online to guarantee quick access into the cathedral!

Day 1 / Stop 5 – GUM Department Store

• Why it’s awesome: This is Russia’s most famous shopping mall! It’s designed with elegant and opulent architecture and provides a real sense of nostalgia!
• Cost: Free to enter
• Food nearby: Stolovaya 57 is a cafeteria-style restaurant with a variety of inexpensive Russian cuisine menu items including soups, salads, meat dishes, and desserts. It’s also located inside the GUM department store, making it very easily accessible when you’re shopping!

The enormous GUM Department Store is located within the historic Red Square. It has a whimsical enchantment to it that sets it apart from your typical department store.

A massive domed glass ceiling lines the top of the building and fills the interior with natural sunlight. There are live plants and flowers placed throughout the mall that give the shopping complex a lively and cheerful feel! A playful fountain sits in the center, further adding to the malls inviting a sense of wonder and amusement!

The GUM department store opened on December 2, 1893. Today, it includes local and luxury stores, including Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and many more! There are numerous cafes, restaurants, and even a movie theater inside!

For a special treat, head into Gastronom 1. This 1950s-style shop sells gourmet food items, like wine, freshly-baked pastries, cheese, Russian chocolate, and of course, vodka! Also, be on the lookout for a bicycle pedaling ice cream truck with an employing selling ice cream!

The ambiance is simply amazing, a trip to this idyllic shopping mall is an absolute must on any Moscow itinerary!

Insider Tip: Make sure to carry some small change on you in case you need to use the restroom, you’ll need to pay 50 rubles – or about USD $0.80 to use the bathroom in GUM.

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Novodevichy Convent | Gorky Park | State Tretyakov Gallery | All-Russian Exhibition Center | Bolshoi Theater

On your 2 day itinerary in Moscow, you’ll have a chance to use the city’s excellent public transportation service! You’ll explore a few more of Moscow’s historic highlight as well as some modern attractions. These sites are a little more spread out, but still very easily accessible thanks to the metro!

Day 2 / Stop 1 – Novodevichy Convent

• Why it’s awesome: The Novodevichy Convent is rich in imperial Russian history and contains some of Russia’s best examples of classical architecture!
• Cost: USD $5.00
• Food nearby: Culinary Shop Karavaevs Brothers is a cozy and simple place to have a quick bite, they also have vegetarian options!

The Novodevichy Convent is the best-known and most popular cloister of Moscow. The convent complex is contained within high walls, and there are many attractions this site is known for! 

The six-pillared five-domed Smolensk Cathedral is the main attraction. It was built to resemble the Kremlin’s Assumption Cathedral and its facade boasts beautiful snowy white walls and a pristine golden onion dome as its centerpiece. It’s the oldest structure in the convent, built from 1524 -1525, and is situated in the center of the complex between the two entrance gates.

There are other churches inside the convent as well, all dating back from many centuries past. The convent is filled with an abundance of 16th and 17th-century religious artworks, including numerous large and extravagant frescos!

Just outside the convent’s grounds lies the Novodevichy Cemetery. Here, you can visit the graves of famous Russians, including esteemed authors, composers, and politicians. Probably the most intriguing gravestone belongs to Russian politician Nikita Khruschev!

The Novodevichy Convent is located near the Moscow River and offers a peaceful retreat from the busy city. In 2004, it was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The convent remains remarkably well-preserved and is an outstanding example of Moscow Baroque architecture! 

Insider Tip: To enter the cathedrals inside the complex, women are advised to cover their heads and shoulders, while men should wear long pants.

Day 2 / Stop 2 – Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure

• Why it’s awesome: A large amusement area in the heart of the city offering many attractions!
• Cost: Free! 
• Food nearby: Check out Mepkato, located inside Gorky Central Park for a casual meal in a cozy setting. There are indoor and outdoor seating options and the restaurant is child-friendly!

Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure is a large green space in the heart of Moscow. The park opened in 1928, and it stretches along the scenic embankment of the Moskva River. It covers an area of 300-acres and offers a lovely contrast from the compact city center.

You’ll find all sorts of wonderful attractions, from boat rides to bike rentals to tennis courts and ping-pong tables, and much more! there are an open-air cinema and festive events and concerts scheduled in the summer months.  A wide selection of free fitness classes is also offered on a regular basis, including jogging, roller skating, and dancing!

Although many of the options you’ll find here are more suited for outdoor leisure during the summer, you’ll also a selection of winter attractions, including one of Europe’s largest ice rinks for ice-skating!

If you’re trying to decide what to do in Moscow with kids, the park also offers several venues designed specifically for kids. Check out the year-round Green School which offers hands-on classes in gardening and art! You can also feed the squirrels and birds at the Golitsinsky Ponds!

The park is very well maintained and kept clean and the entrance is free of charge, although most individual attractions cost money. There is also Wi-Fi available throughout the park.

With so many attractions, you could easily spend all day here! If you’re only planning a 2 day itinerary in Moscow, make sure to plan your time accordingly and map out all the areas you want to see beforehand!

Day 2 / Stop 3 – The State Tretyakov Gallery

• Why it’s awesome: The gallery’s collection consists entirely of Russian art made by Russian artists!
• Food nearby : Brothers Tretyakovs is located right across the street from the gallery. It’s a wonderfully atmospheric restaurant serving top quality food and drinks!

The State Tretyakov Gallery was founded in 1856 by influential merchant and collector Pavel Tretyakov.  The gallery is a national treasury of Russian fine art and one of the most important museums in Russia!

It houses the world’s best collection of Russian art and contains more than 130, 000 paintings, sculptures, and graphics! These works have been created throughout the centuries by generations of Russia’s most talented artists!

The exhibits range from mysterious 12th-century images to politically charged canvases. The collection is rich and revealing and offers great insight into the history and attitudes of this long-suffering yet inspired people!

All pictures are also labeled in English. If you plan to take your time and see everything inside the museum it will take a good 3-4 hours, so make sure to plan your Moscow trip itinerary accordingly! This gallery is a must-see stop for art lovers, or anyone wanting to explore the local culture and history of Russia in a creative and insightful manner! 

Insider Tip: When planning your 2 days in Moscow itinerary, keep in mind that most museums in Moscow are closed on Mondays, this includes The State Tretyakov Gallery!

Day 2 / Stop 4 – All-Russian Exhibition Center

• Why it’s awesome: This large exhibition center showcases the achievements of the Soviet Union in several different spheres. 
• Food nearby: Varenichnaya No. 1 serves authentic and homestyle Russian cuisine in an intimate and casual setting.

The All-Russian Exhibition Center is a massive park that presents the glory of the Soviet era! It pays homage to the achievements of Soviet Russia with its many different sites found on the property.

The center was officially opened in 1939 to exhibit the achievements of the Soviet Union. It’s a huge complex of buildings and the largest exhibition center in Moscow. There are several exhibition halls dedicated to different achievements and every year there are more than one hundred and fifty specialized exhibitions!

The Peoples Friendship Fountain was constructed in 1954 and is a highlight of the park. The stunning gold fountain features 16 gilded statues of girls, each representing the former Soviet Union republics. 

The Stone Flower Fountain was also built in 1954 and is worth checking out. The centerpiece of this large fountain is a flower carved from stones from the Ural Mountains! Along the side of the fountain are various bronze sculptures.

You will find many people zipping around on rollerblades and bicycles across the large area that the venue covers. It’s also home to amusement rides and carousels, making it the perfect place to stop with kids on your Moscow itinerary! Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and allow a few hours to explore all the areas that interest you!

Day 2 / Stop 5 – Bolshoi Theater

• Why it’s awesome: The Bolshoi Theater is a historic venue that hosts world-class ballet and opera performances!
• Cost: Prices vary largely between USD $2.00 –  USD $228.00 based on seat location.
• Food nearby: Head to the Russian restaurant, Bolshoi for high-quality food and drinks and excellent service!

The Bolshoi Theater is among the oldest and most renowned ballet and opera companies in the world! It also boasts the world’s biggest ballet company, with more than 200 dancers!

The theater has been rebuilt and renovated several times during its long history. In 2011 it finished its most recent renovation after an extensive six-year restoration that started in 2005. The renovation included an improvement in acoustics and the restoration of the original Imperial decor.

The Bolshoi Theater has put on many of the world’s most famous ballet acts! Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake premiered at the theater in 1877 and other notable performances of the Bolshoi repertoire include Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker!

Today, when you visit the theater, you can expect a magical performance from skilled singers, dancers, and musicians with the highest level of technique!

If you don’t have time to see a show, the theater also provides guided tours on select days of the week. Tours are given in both Russian and English and will provide visitors with a more intimate look at the different areas of the theater!

The stage of this iconic Russian theater has seen many outstanding performances. If you’re a fan of the performing arts, the Bolshoi Theater is one of the greatest and oldest ballet and opera companies in the world, making it a must-see attraction on your Moscow itinerary!

Godzillas Hostel

Godzillas Hostel is located in the center of Moscow, just a short walk from all the major tourist attractions and the metro station.

• Towels Included

Cosmonautics Museum | Alexander Garden | Ostankino Tower | Izmaylovo District | Soviet Arcade Museum

Now that we’ve covered what to do in Moscow in 2 days, if you’re able to spend more time in the city you’re going to need more attractions to fill your time. Here are a few more really cool things to do in Moscow we recommend!

Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics

• Hear the timeline of the ‘space race’ from the Russian perspective
• This museum is fun for both adults and children!
• Admission is USD $4.00

The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics is a museum dedicated to space exploration! The museum explores the history of flight, astronomy, space exploration, space technology, and space in the arts. It houses a large assortment of Soviet and Russian space-related exhibits, and the museum’s collection holds approximately 85,000 different items!

The museum does an excellent job of telling the full story of the exciting space race between the USSR and the US! It highlights the brightest moments in Russian history and humanity and is very interesting and fun for all ages!

If you’re a fan of space or just curious about gaining insight into Russia’s fascinating history of space exploration, make sure to add this to your 3 day itinerary in Moscow!

The Alexander Garden

• A tranquil place to relax near the Red Square
• Green lawns dotted with sculptures and lovely water features
• The park is open every day and has no entrance fee

The Alexander Garden was one of the first urban public parks in Moscow! The garden premiered in 1821 and was built to celebrate Russia’s victory over Napoleon’s forces in 1812!

The park is beautiful and well maintained with paths to walk on and benches to rest on. The park contains three separate gardens: the upper garden, middle garden, and lower garden.

Located in the upper garden, towards the main entrance to the park is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with its eternal flame. This monument was created in 1967 and contains the body of a soldier who fell during the Great Patriotic War!

The park stretches along all the length of the western Kremlin wall for about half a mile. Due to its central location in the city, it’ll be easily accessible when you’re out exploring The Red Square.

It provides a bit of relief from the city’s high-energy city streets. Bring a picnic lunch, go for a walk, or just sit and people watch, this is one of the best Moscow sites to wind-down and relax!

Ostankino Television Tower

• Television and radio tower in Moscow
• Currently the tallest free-standing structure in Europe
• Make sure you bring your passport when you visit, you can’t go up without it!

For spectacular views of the city, make sure to add the Ostankino Television Tower to your itinerary for Moscow! This impressive free-standing structure provides stunning views of the city in every direction. The glass floor at the top also provides great alternative views of the city!

It takes just 58 seconds for visitors to reach the Tower’s observation deck by super fast elevator. The tower is open every day for long hours and is a great site in Moscow to check out! There is even a restaurant at the top where you can enjoy rotating views of the city while you dine on traditional Russian cuisine or European cuisine!

The tower is somewhat of an architectural surprise in a city that is not known for skyscrapers! To see the city from a new perspective, make sure to add this stop to your Moscow itinerary!

Izmaylovo District

• The most popular attractions in this district are the kremlin and the flea market
• Outside of the city center and easy to reach via metro
• Most popular during the summer and on weekends

Travel outside the city center and discover a unique area of the city! The Izmaylovo District is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, and one of the coolest places to see in Moscow! The two main attractions we recommend checking out are the Kremlin and the flea market.

The Izmailovo Kremlin was established as a cultural center and molded after traditional Russian architecture. This colorful complex is home to several single-subject museums, including a Russian folk art museum and a vodka museum!

Next to the Kremlin is the Izmailovo open-air market, which dates back to the 17th century! The market is connected to the Izmailovo Kremlin by a wooden bridge. Pick up all your Russian souvenirs here, including traditional handicrafts, paintings, books, retro toys, and Soviet memorabilia!

You will find many hand-made and hand-painted options available at higher prices, as well as mass-produced souvenir options at lower prices!

Museum of Soviet Arcade Games

• Closed on Mondays
• Filled with old arcade games that visitors get to try out!
• The museum also includes a small cafe and burger shop

For something a little different, check out the Museum of Soviet Arcade Games! The museum features roughly 60 machines from the Soviet era, including video games, pinball machines, and collaborative hockey foosball! The machines inside the museum were produced in the USSR in the mid-1970s.

The best part is, most of the games are still playable! Purchase tickets and try the games out for yourself! The museum also has a neat little screening room that plays old Soviet cartoons and an area with Soviet magazines! This unique attraction is a fun addition to a 3 day itinerary in Moscow, and an attraction that all ages will enjoy! 

Whether you’re spending one day in Moscow, or more, safety is an important thing to keep in mind when traveling to a big city! Overall, Moscow is a very safe place to visit. However, it is always recommended that tourists take certain precautions when traveling to a new destination!

The police in Moscow is extremely effective at making the city a safe place to visit and do their best to patrol all of the top Moscow, Russia tourist attractions. However, tourists can still be a target for pickpockets and scammers.

Moscow has a huge flow of tourists, therefore there is a risk for pickpocketing. Simple precautions will help eliminate your chances of being robbed. Stay vigilant, keep your items close to you at all times, and don’t flash your valuables!

If you’re planning a solo Moscow itinerary, you should have no need to worry, as the city is also considered safe for solo travelers, even women. Stay in the populated areas, try and not travel alone late at night, and never accept rides from strangers or taxis without a meter and correct signage.

The threat of natural disasters in Moscow is low, with the exception of severe winters when the temperature can dip below freezing! Bring a good, warm jacket if you visit in Winter.

However, please note that Russian views on homsexuality are far less accepting than those in Western Europe. Likewise, Non-Caucasian travellers may sadly encounter racism in Russia .

Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance for Moscow

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Now that we’ve covered all the top things to see in Moscow, we thought we’d include some exciting day trips to other areas of the country!

Sergiev Posad (Golden Ring)

On this 7-hour guided tour, you’ll visit several scenic and historic areas of Russia. Start your day with hotel pick-up as you’re transferred by a comfortable car or minivan to Sergiev Posad. Admire the charming Russian countryside on your drive and enjoy a quick stop to visit the Russian village, Rudonezh!

You’ll see the majestic Saint Spring and the Church of Sergiev Radonezh. You’ll also visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, one of the most famous Orthodox sites in Russia!

Lastly, you’ll swing by the local Matreshka market and enjoy a break in a nice Russian restaurant before returning to Moscow!

Day Trip to Vladimir and Suzdal

On this 13-hour trip, you’ll discover old Russia, with its picturesque landscapes and white-stoned beautiful churches! You’ll visit the main towns of the famous Golden Ring of Russia – the name for several cities and smaller towns north-east of Moscow.

Your first stop will be in the town of Vladimir, the ancient capital of all Russian principalities. The city dates back to the 11th century and is one of the oldest and the most important towns along the Ring! Next, you’ll visit Suzdal, a calm ancient Russian town north of Vladimir with only 13,000 inhabitants!

The old-style architecture and buildings of Suzdal are kept wonderfully intact. If you’re spending three days in Moscow, or more, this is a great option for exploring the charming areas outside the city!

Zvenigorod Day Trip and Russian Countryside

On this 9-hour private tour, you’ll explore the ancient town of Zvenigorod, one of the oldest towns in the Moscow region! As you leave Moscow you’ll enjoy the stunning scenery along the Moscow River, and make a few stops at old churches along the way to Zvenigorod.

Upon arrival, you’ll explore the medieval center, including the 14th-century Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery. Next, you’ll take a break for lunch (own expense) where you’ll have the chance to try out the Russian cuisine! Next, you’ll visit the Museum of Russian Dessert and sip on tea at a Russian tea ceremony.

The final stop of the day is at the Ershovo Estate, a gorgeous place to walk around and enjoy nature!

Day Trip to St Petersburg by Train visiting Hermitage & Faberge

On this full-day tour, you’ll enjoy a a full round trip to St Petersburg where you’ll spend an exciting day exploring another popular Russian city! You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Moscow and be transferred to the train station where you’ll ride the high-speed train ‘Sapsan’ to St Petersburg.

Upon arrival, you’ll start the day by touring the Hermitage Museum and the Winter Palace. Next, you’ll visit the Faberge Museum, where you’ll explore the impressive collection of rare Faberge Eggs! In the afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing boat ride and a traditional 3-course Russian lunch.

If you’re spending 3 days in Moscow, or more, this is an excellent trip to take!

Trip to Kolomna – Authentic Cultural Experience from Moscow

On this 10-hour tour, you’ll escape the city and travel to the historic town of Kolomna! First, you’ll visit the 14th-century Kolomna Kremlin, home to the Assumption Cathedral and an abundance of museums!

Next, enjoy lunch at a local cafe (own expense) before embarking on a tour of the Marshmallow Museum – of course, a marshmallow tasting is provided!  Your final stop is the Museum of Forging Settlements, where displays include armor and accessories for fishing and hunting.

Discover this beautiful Russian fairytale city on a private trip, where all of the planning is taken care of for you!

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt  except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

Find out what people want to know when planning their Moscow itinerary.

How many days you need in Moscow?

We recommend that you spend at least two or three days in Moscow to take it all in.

What’s the best month to visit Moscow?

The best time to visit Moscow is over the spring, from March to May as temperatures are mild, crowds are thin and prices are reasonable.

What are some unusual things to do in Moscow?

I mean, queuing up to see an almost 100 year old corpse is pretty unsual! Check out Lenin’s Mausoleum if you fancy it!

What are some fun things to do in Moscow?

The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics is a fun place to explore the famous space race from the perspective of the ‘other side’!

We hope you enjoyed our Moscow itinerary! We’ve made sure to cover all the Moscow must-sees as well as some unique attractions in the city! Our addition of insider tips, favorite food stops, and day trips from Moscow is an added bonus and will guarantee you make the most out of your exciting Russian vacation!

Immerse yourself in the modern and traditional Russian lifestyle! Get lost in museums, witness awe-inspiring architecture, and indulge in Russian cuisine! Spend the day strolling through all of the charming sites of Moscow, admiring the beautiful scenery and discovering the city’s fairytale-like enchantment!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Alya and Campbell

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Small Metal Wall Clock

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3 Year Protection Plan for $8.29

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• The mounting frame gives the illusion of artwork floating on the wall.
• Ultra-gloss coating ensures colors are extra vibrant with light reflection.
• Mounting brackets and instructions are included.
• High-quality digital images are created directly into a glossy aluminum panel, producing a stunning and captivating print in the glossy finish of the metal.
• Looks better than any photo paper and guaranteed to last at least 20 years.
• Available in several sizes.
• Easy to clean with a microfiber cloth.

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The 9 Best Expandable Luggage Pieces of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Pack heavy or light with these suitcases that give you more room to spare.

In This Article

Jump to a Section

• Our top picks

Our Testing Process

• Tips for Buying
• Why Trust T+L

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

Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

If you tend to overpack for trips or like to have extra luggage space for souvenirs and shopping hauls you’ve picked up along the way, expandable luggage might be just the thing. These carry-ons, checked suitcases, and weekender bags unzip to extend the depth by a couple of inches and increase the overall capacity.

We tested hundreds of luggage pieces, a decent portion of which are expandable, to see which are actually worth buying. Each suitcase and bag was tested in our New York City lab and used on multiple trips for at least six months. We pull year-round insights from luggage tests and evaluate each piece based on capacity, organization, maneuverability, durability, and overall value.

Best Overall

Away the carry-on flex.

• Organization 5 /5
• Maneuverability 4.5 /5
• Durability 4.8 /5
• Capacity 5 /5

It’s conveniently compact but unzips to extend the depth by over two inches.

The lighter colors may show scuffs more easily.

Away's Carry-on Flex suitcase is conveniently compact, easily fitting into an airplane overhead bin, and you can unzip it to expand the depth by two and a quarter inches. We fit everything on our packing list without a fuss and had room to spare. Inside are two main compartments: a mesh one with zippered closure and the other with a compression panel and straps, plus a zippered pouch. All zippers run smoothly without snagging. The suitcase is also easy to open and close (even when stuffed full) and lift overhead, thanks to the lightweight design.

We found the Carry-on Flex a breeze to maneuver. The handle worked well, the weight felt evenly distributed, and it rolled effortlessly over carpet, hard floor, and tile. This suitcase also proved durable. Nothing broke when we shoved it off a counter and whacked it with a baseball bat. It did sustain a few scuffs, though, so you might want to choose a darker color to conceal them better.

Considering the high-quality design, compact yet spacious capacity, smooth-gliding spinner wheels, and organizational features, we think the price is fair.

The Details: 21.7 x 13.7 x 9 inches (unexpanded), 21.7 x 13.7 x 11.25 inches (expanded) | 8.9 pounds | 39.8 liters (unexpanded), 46.7 liters (expanded) | Polycarbonate

Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

Best Lightweight

Delsey paris hardside expandable luggage with spinner wheels.

• Design 5 /5
• Maneuverability 4 /5
• Durability 4.7 /5

At 5.3 pounds, this carry-on is easy to lift and compact while still fitting a substantial amount of clothes.

It may be prone to dents, and the expander only adds two centimeters to the depth.

Carry-ons can range from about four to 13 pounds. At just over five pounds, the Delsey Clavel Spinner is the best lightweight option we tested. While this hardside spinner suitcase looks pretty small, it can hold a significant amount of clothes even without expanding it. The expander feature adds two centimeters to the depth. This is a little less than most (which are typically about two inches), but the extra space can go a long way.

This carry-on has a sturdy thermoplastic shell that, for the most part, held up well during our tests. However, swinging a bat at it did cause minor dents. The Clavel maneuvers nicely on different surfaces, even over bumps and cracks, but we wish the handle was a bit longer.

In the end, we think the price is warranted and would recommend this suitcase to those looking for a compact, easy-to-lift carry-on for a short getaway .

The Details: 21.75 x 13.75 x 9.75 inches (unexpanded), 21.75 x 13.75 x 10.5 inches inches (expanded) | 5.3 pounds | 43 liters | Polypropylene

Travel + Leisure / Tamara Staples

Best Checked

Béis large check-in roller.

• Maneuverability 5 /5
• Durability 4.5 /5

This suitcase has lots of organizational features, an enormous capacity, and an expander that adds two inches of depth.

Though it's generally durable, the exterior may develop scuffs.

With a whopping 112-liter capacity, this Béis suitcase is among the biggest we tested. We had enough room to fit twice the stuff on our packing list — and this is without the expander feature that gives you an extra two inches of depth. Besides an enormous capacity, the Large Check-in Roller has zippered compartments, ample internal pockets, a removable compression panel, compression straps, and a laundry bag for dirty clothes.

This checked suitcase is also surprisingly lightweight for how massive it is. After packing it full, we could grab it from a baggage carousel and lift it into a car trunk without a struggle. What's more, the cushioned handle and 360-degree spinner wheels make pushing and pulling very comfortable. Although this bag didn't sustain any scratches or dents from our durability tests, it does scuff easily. That said, superficial marks can be wiped off with a damp cloth as needed, and the darker colors will conceal them better than the lighter hues.

Considering the enormous size and organizational features, we think the price is warranted.

The Details: 31.3 x 19.6 x 12.6 inches (unexpanded), 31.3 x 19.6 x 14.6 inches (expanded) | 11.5 pounds | 112 liters | Polycarbonate

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Travel + Leisure / Vicky Wasik

Best Carry-on

Samsonite freeform carry-on spinner.

• Durability 5 /5

This impressive carry-on has a generous capacity, a durable shell, and smooth-gliding spinner wheels.

It doesn't have a removable bag or designated section for dirty clothes.

Of all the carry-on luggage we tested, Samsonite's Freeform Spinner is our favorite. This thoughtfully designed suitcase has two separate compartments and several interior pockets, plus it expands to add two inches to the depth. We fit enough outfits, shoes, outerwear, and toiletries for a four-day trip without having to use the expander. It would be nice if there was a removable laundry bag or separate section for dirty clothes, but we were otherwise satisfied with the organizational features.

This carry-on maneuvers easily on two or four wheels, rolling smoothly over carpet, hard floors, and concrete. We also appreciate that the telescoping handle extends and locks with the press of a button. Hitting it with a bat and shoving it off a table left virtually no damage. And after using this bag regularly for six months, there were no signs of wear and tear. Beyond that, we love the chic, minimalist aesthetic of the Freeform, which comes in a handful of neutral colors and statement hues.

Considering the durable construction, generous capacity, and reasonable price tag, we think this suitcase is an excellent choice for frequent fliers looking for a high-quality carry-on.

The Details: 23 x 15 x 10 inches (unexpanded), 23 x 15 x 12 inches (expanded) | 5.6 pounds | Polypropylene

Travelpro Hardside Luggage Set

• Capacity 4.9 /5
• Design 4.5 /5
• Value 4.8 /5

These expandable suitcases are remarkably spacious, durable, easy to maneuver, and backed by a lifetime warranty.

You may not save money by buying the suitcases as a set rather than individually.

Travelpro's Platinum Elite luggage line is among the best we tested. This two-piece bundle comes with a hardside checked bag and a matching carry-on, each with spacious capacities that expand by two inches. (If you need more luggage, you can add the Medium Check-in Spinner or the Compact Carry-on .) We fit all items on our list with room to spare and appreciated how the zippered panels, cross straps, and various pockets helped with packing.

The suitcases showed a few superficial marks after being whacked with a bat and shoved off a counter, but there were no dents or scratches. When packed full, we thought the carry-on was a little easier to maneuver on two wheels than four, but other than that, the Platinum Elite collection rolls like a champ.

Just a heads up, purchasing the suitcases as a set may not be more affordable than buying them separately. We still think the price is reasonable, especially considering the lifetime warranty.

The Details: 23 x 14.5 x 9.5 inches (carry-on unexpanded), 23 x 14.5 x 11.5 inches (carry-on expanded), 30 x 18 x 13.5 inches (checked unexpanded), 30 x 18 x 15.5 inches (checked expanded) | 8.1 pounds (carry-on), 12.3 pounds (checked) | 45 liters (carry-on), 108 liters (checked) | Polycarbonate

Best Splurge

Tumi alpha medium trip expandable 4 wheeled packing case.

The high-end, exceptionally durable, and incredibly spacious design expands by more than two inches and has exterior pockets that extend outward.

It's relatively heavy when empty.

The Tumi Alpha Packing Case is undoubtedly worth the price tag. We found the medium checked size spacious, without being too large or awkward to handle. Everything on our packing list fit into just one of the compartments, and the zippered expander adds two and a half inches of depth. There are also multiple front pockets that extend outward, allowing you to fit even more stuff and easily access items when the main compartments are full. The zippers seemed to be very high-quality too.

At 17.6 pounds, this suitcase is relatively heavy when empty, but we didn't find it hard to lift compared to lighter bags. The handle locked confidently, and the 360-degree caster wheels rolled smoothly and turned on a dime. It was ever-so-slightly more cumbersome on carpet, though we wouldn't say it was difficult to maneuver at all. The quality of the Alpha Packing Case is undeniable. It showed resistance to wear and tear during our durability test and is backed by a five-year warranty.

If you're willing to invest in an upscale design and want a suitcase big enough for two people's belongings or to fit purchases from your trips, this suitcase is a stellar choice.

The Details: 29 x 20 x 13 inches (unexpanded), 29 x 20 x 15.5 inches (expanded) | 17.6 pounds | 108 liters | Ballistic nylon

Travel + Leisure / Leticia Almeida

Best Budget

Swisstech softside luggage.

This sizable checked bag has lots of organizational features, including various interior and exterior pockets, and it rolls smoothly on all surfaces.

It's not the most stylish but stands out for practicality.

On a budget? We recommend the SwissTech Executive Upright Suitcase. This large checked bag is notably spacious, with a zippered compartment, compression straps, multiple pockets inside and out, and a removable pouch to keep your things organized. Unzipping the expander adds two inches of extra depth and a lot more packing space.

This suitcase is durable, sustaining almost no visible damage from our bat test. There was just one small smudge on the exterior, which wiped off. It rolled smoothly over carpets and hard flooring and even did pretty well when we pulled it over gravel. The simple, softside design isn't the most fashion-forward — but we wouldn't hesitate to bring it on a trip.

If you're looking for an affordable suitcase with an expander and practical features, you really can't go wrong.

The Details: 29 x 19 x 10.5 inches (unexpanded), 29 x 19 x 12.5 inches (expanded) | 9.1 pounds | 1,680-denier textile

Best Softside

Briggs & riley expandable spinner.

Briggs & Riley

The suitcase feels all-around well made, from the dent-proof exterior to the easy-gliding wheels and sturdy handle.

We wish the built-in garment bag was more intuitive.

The Briggs & Riley Baseline Expandable Spinner is made of soft yet sturdy ballistic nylon that looks sleek without compromising durability. With impact-resistant corners, it withstood several bat hits and falls from a table. The textile exterior was also easy to wipe clean. We love this suitcase's self-repairing YKK zippers, which actually get smoother over time. Not only that, but the sturdy aluminum handle makes it a piece of cake to maneuver over smooth and bumpy surfaces.

We appreciate the interior and exterior pockets and expandable main compartment. The only real drawback is that the built-in folding garment bag isn't very intuitive. Still, we like that this feature stays tucked away if you choose not to use it.

If you can swing the price, you might consider investing in this well-made, luxury piece of luggage — and the lifetime guarantee can give you peace of mind about your purchase.

The Details: 26 x 18 x 12 inches (unexpanded) | 13.3 pounds | 80 liters (unexpanded), 97 liters (expanded) | Ballistic nylon

Best Weekender

Longchamp le pliage expandable travel bag.

• Portability 5 /5

The Le Pliage Bag is lightweight and comfortable to carry, with a seemingly never-ending capacity.

It doesn't have many organizational features.

Longchamp's Le Pliage Travel Bag is the best expandable weekender we tested. With a seemingly never-ending capacity, this carrier effortlessly fit everything on our four-day packing list with room to spare. The expander is easy to use — just unzip the middle to increase the size by more than half. We also like how lightweight it is: less than two pounds when empty.

This bag's biggest downside is the lack of organizational features. It has two small interior pockets big enough for things like a phone, passport, AirPods, or lip balm, but that's it. Depending on your travel plans, you might want to use packing cubes. What makes up for it is the fact that the Le Pliage is made of smooth, durable canvas that repels stains and wipes clean as needed. You can carry it with the two grab handles or the adjustable shoulder strap, which we found comfortable. 

Seeing as Longchamp bags last for years and stand up to wear and tear, we think the price tag is warranted.

The Details: 17.7 x 13.8 x 9.1 inches (unexpanded) | 1.6 pounds | 30 liters (unexpanded), 50 liters (expanded) | Recycled polyamide canvas

Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao

The Travel + Leisure team has tested hundreds of luggage pieces both in our New York City lab and in real-life settings, including a wide range of expandable carry-ons, checked bags, weekenders, and underseat bags. We created an airplane set in the lab to simulate the travel experience. Our comprehensive tests include hitting the luggage with a baseball bat, shoving it off a table, packing it with enough belongings for a trip based on the size, pushing and pulling over different flooring materials and terrains, lifting into a makeshift overhead bin, and placing smaller ones under a seat.

Each piece of luggage was evaluated based on capacity (with and without the expanders), organization, maneuverability, durability, and overall value. Those with the highest scores are featured here.

Tips for Buying Expandable Luggage

Pay attention to the materials.

Luggage can have a hard shell (often made of polycarbonate or aluminum) or a textile exterior, such as ripstop or ballistic nylon. Hardside suitcases can prevent your belongings from getting crushed, but the softside variety can be more flexible and easy to zip closed when packed to the brim. Both are generally easy to wipe clean, though hard shells can be more prone to scuffs.

Besides the exterior material, pay attention to the zippers. They should be strong, smooth, and reliable, especially with an expandable suitcase that unzips to increase the depth.

Check your airline's carry-on size requirements

Carry-on rules and requirements vary, so check your airline's size limit before your trip. The cap for overhead bins on many domestic flights is 24 x 16 x 10 inches, but some airlines are more strict and may set the limit to 22 x 14 x 9 inches. For international flights, carry-ons usually can't be taller/longer than 21 inches.

With this in mind, some carry-on suitcases won't fit when expanded. You may need to check your bag both ways or potentially just on your return flight if you use the expander to fit souvenirs from your trip.

Consider your airline's checked bag policy

While an expandable suitcase will allow you to fit more stuff, you'll want to be conscious of the weight. Filling it to the brim will not only make it heavier and potentially harder to maneuver but also may exceed the airline's weight limit for checked luggage. In many cases, you'll have to pay extra (on top of the standard checked baggage fee) if you go over 50 pounds.

If you're willing to pay the additional fee, the limit may be 80 to 100 pounds. Also, the maximum size for checked bags is often 60 linear inches (meaning the total length, width, and depth). But again, this varies among airlines, so check the rules before heading to the airport.

Unzipping the expander typically adds two inches to the depth of a suitcase, but it can be slightly more or less. While this may not seem like much, it means you can fit another two-inch layer of clothes into the main compartment — potentially more, depending on the material and if there are any compression features.

Expandable hardside suitcases have rigid, crush-resistant exteriors that help protect what's inside (and potentially prevent wrinkles ). They're usually easy to wipe clean, though lighter colors can show more scuffs. Softside luggage, on the other hand, is sometimes lighter-weight and often just as durable. Additionally, a textile suitcase can be easier to zip closed when packed full, which can be good for overpackers . Both can be great options, so it really comes down to personal preference.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

T+L contributors are travel and shopping experts with a keen understanding of today's luggage offerings. For this story, freelance commerce writer Theresa Holland pored over our testing insights, combed through product pages, read the fine print for warranties, and evaluated price ranges to create a comprehensive roundup of the best expandable luggage.

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