8 Best Backpacks for Travel, According to Experts and SELF Editors | 2024 Picks | SELF

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The bag you travel with needs to function as your on-the-road closet, medicine cabinet, and vanity. For your next road trip or vacation abroad, consider using a travel backpack to keep your belongings within reach (carry-on queens know what we’re talking about). A good one can fit all of your essentials—plus some of the nice-to-haves that make you feel a little bit more at home, even while you’re thousands of miles away.

Of course, anything you lug around on your back needs to be comfy first and foremost. That’s why we asked experts how to look for the best backpacks for travel; we’re talking ones that won’t tug on your shoulders or strain your back, even when you’re hauling heavy stuff. Our top picks include backpacks we’ve tested and loved, along with top-rated options that reviewers swear by.

Here’s what to keep in mind as you browse to find a bag that’ll fit everything you need and feel comfortable on your back.

Materials

Your backpack will be heavy enough once you load it up, so you should choose one made of a light (but still sturdy) material that won’t add too much extra weight, Evan Johnson, DPT, director of Och Spine Care Outpatient Physical Therapy at NewYork-Presbyterian, tells SELF—think nylon and polyester.

If you plan to wear your bag while sightseeing or hiking, a waterproof (or water-resistant) fabric will come in handy, just in case it rains. Water-resistant backpacks are generally easier to clean too—a nice feature if you’re a chronic coffee spiller.

Weight

“Carrying weight can be a good thing!” Taemin Oh, neurological spine surgeon at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, tells SELF. “Weights can help you engage your core muscles, develop better posture, and increase bone density.” However, carrying an uncomfortable bag over long periods of time can do a number on your body. The heavier your bag, the more your body will overcompensate by leaning forward, which strains your neck, Dr. Oh says.

To avoid aches and pains, Johnson recommends looking for a backpack with wide, adjustable straps that tighten to bring the bag in closer to your body. Having the weight further out “increases the force of the pull on your body,” he says—think of how holding a dumbbell close to you is easier than holding it with your arms outstretched. Wearing a chest and/or hip strap can also help distribute the weight of your backpack better because it puts more of the load on your pelvis (as opposed to your back and shoulders), he says.

Features

Don’t underestimate the importance of pockets, water bottle sleeves, key rings, compression straps, and all of the other helpful design details backpacks can have. If you’re packing a whole drawer's worth of clothes for a long trip, look for compression straps that’ll squeeze your outfits tighter to make your bag more compact. Meanwhile, an exterior water bottle sleeve comes in handy on a long hike, and pockets or a key ring can really help you feel organized while you’re on-the-go.

Patagonia

REI

Patagonia

“I've never had or heard of a backpack that's as durable as the Black Hole Pack,” SELF’s senior commerce writer says. “I can fit so much stuff in its main compartment: At least three pairs of shoes, a sack filled with mid-layers, a laptop, snacks, you name it. The top compartment is perfect for essentials like my wallet, keys, phone, earbuds, and lip balm.”

This bag can accompany you on hikes, act as a work bag for your commute, or fit all of your necessities on a weekend trip. It’ll hold up through all of that and more: “I’ve had this backpack for eight years and don’t feel like I need to replace it any time soon,” she says. “It’s still weather-resistant and it hasn’t ripped anywhere on its main body, despite the countless times I’ve dragged it along rocks, shoved it inside a crash pad, or used it as a literal footrest.”

Product specs

Material: Polyester | Weight: 1.7 lbs | Dimensions: 18.8 x 11 x 5.9 inches | Colors: 6

Athleta

Athleta

This pack really embodies the phrase “sporty-chic,” with its slick polyester fabric that has an ever-so-slight sheen and its simple design (even the water bottle sleeve is hidden inside!). “The size is deceiving—it’s pretty small, but I can fit a ton of stuff inside,” SELF’s senior commerce editor says, adding that the external zipper pocket is perfect for holding smaller stuff that might get lost in the main compartment. “It can be tough to find a backpack that doesn’t give middle school, but this one is simple and stylish.” For a quick day trip, what else do you need?

Product specs

Material: Polyester | Weight: N/A | Dimensions: 13 x 5.75 x 17.25 inches | Colors: 5

Dagne Dover

Nordstrom

Dagne Dover

If you’re one of those people who prefers when everything has its own place, you’re going to love this Dagne Dover backpack’s 10 (yes, 10!) pockets. Without being big or bulky, it manages to hold a ton and keep it all organized. It even comes with a small pouch and a shoe bag.

“This bag fits so much—I usually stash my liquids and toiletries, a change of clothes (or two), snacks, a Kindle, laptop, and more inside when I travel,” SELF’s commerce director says. “I think the neoprene material is a big part of why it can hold so much stuff: The bag has some stretch to it, so I can really cram everything in. My favorite part is the back zipper pocket, which I use to store my passport case; that way, it stays close to my body but is still easy for me—and not pickpockets—to access.”

Product specs

Material: Neoprene, polyester | Weight: 2.12 lbs | Dimensions: 13.25 x 5.25 x 17.5 inches | Colors: 9 (but not all are available at every retailer)

Calpak

Calpak

This backpack is well under the max dimensions that most airlines allow for a personal item, so that’ll be one less thing to worry about when you’re jet-setting (er—chilling in Economy). It has a stylish square shape, sleek gold hardware, and a cool cut-out design on the front. Plus, it comes in a bunch of colors and even some metallic finishes.

The backpack will fit your laptop and any other must-haves, but is still on the smaller side. “It’s nice and compact, so it can go under the seat in front of you on a plane or easily fit in a car without taking up too much space,” one SELF staffer says. “And you look cute wearing it!”

Product specs

Material: Faux leather | Weight: 3 lbs | Dimensions: 15.5 x 11.5 x 4.25 inches | Colors: 26

Peak Design

Amazon

Backcountry

If you’re carrying lots of tech, outdoor equipment, or other bulky items, opt for this extra spacious bag. It can expand to give you 45 liters of space to play with instead of 35, and the top compresses to bring the volume down to 30 liters. Plus, the entire panel that presses against your back unzips, so you can neatly organize your stuff inside without shoving everything through a tiny top compartment.

“While it seems like a normal bag, the inside is full of features that really make it a great functional bag: The camera cube integration, as well as all of the organizers, make sure all of my stuff is safe and sound,” one Peak Design reviewer wrote. “The straps are thick and comfy, and the hardware everywhere is super nice. On top of all that, I ride a motorcycle every day and find it comfy on rides from 10 minutes to three hours.”

Product specs

Material: Nylon | Weight: 4.5 lbs | Dimensions: 22 x 13 x 9.5 inches | Colors: 4 (but not all are available at every retailer)

Embark

Target

Mary Poppins would be amazed by how much fits in this backpack, which comes recommended by flight attendant and content creator Jazmin Monaè. “I’m using this bag for longer trips when I’m not traveling with a suitcase,” she says. “I was able to fit everything I needed for a two-week vacation [inside].”

It has several handy pockets and zipper compartments, so you can separate dirty shoes from clean clothes and tuck liquid toiletries away from your laptop. Pro tip: Monaè stacks packing cubes inside the bag to better optimize the space.

Product specs

Material: Polyester | Weight: 3.1 lbs | Dimensions: 21 x 13.5 x 9 inches | Colors: 2

Fjallraven

Amazon

REI

Fjallraven

Looking for something a little more versatile that you can wear crossbody or on your back? Without fiddling with any buttons or zippers, you can switch this from a tote bag to a backpack. It’s a nice option for bopping around a city, where you might want your bag on your hip for easy access to your wallet (or to avoid accidentally knocking into people on a crowded train).

One Fjallraven reviewer says they’ll use it for years to come after bringing it on a trip: “I used it as my personal item on the plane and it was great for taking to the airport with all of my essentials,” they wrote. “I used it as my everyday bag on a cruise and at all the ports. I walked so much carrying this bag and even rode an E-bike wearing it on my back.”

Product specs

Material: Polyamide | Weight: 0.9 lbs | Dimensions: 15.7 x 12.2 x 5.5 inches | Colors: 9 (but not all are available at every retailer)

Osprey

Amazon

Exploring trails on your next trip? This backpack will be your best friend. It has four compression straps (two inside and two outside) to help you fit everything on your packing list, plus external attachment loops to hold any other gear you need.

Unlike other bags on our list, the Farpoint also has a whistle attached to the chest strap and a mesh pocket on the hip strap to keep your phone close by, in case you’ll be venturing out alone. One Amazon reviewer can’t recommend it enough: “I was able to pack for multiple climates for our three week Europe trip,” they wrote. “The quality is top-notch, and the waist and chest straps are game-changers!”

Product specs

Material: Polyester | Weight: 3.5 lbs | Dimensions: 9 x 14 x 22 inches | Colors: 4 (but not all are available at every retailer)

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