10 Best Travel Backpacks in 2023, Tested and Reviewed by Gear Experts

The Black Hole Pack is a favorite among Patagonia fans due to its long-term durability and its smart compartment design. The pack holds up to 32L, which is sizable enough for traveling but also small enough for everyday use. To free up the inner compartment, Patagonia designed an external zip-down laptop sleeve that sits on the inside of the backpack (meaning your laptop would be resting directly on your back). Front and top stash pockets are added for storing small goods in ways that do not impact the interior storage either.

You do sacrifice a bit of space by opting for the Black Hole Pack instead of a 40L pack, but the way Patagonia designs its bag creates the most optimized form of getting clothes, shoes, and more inside the main compartment in a neat manner. If you're looking for a bag you can use to pair with a checked bag, or if you're looking for a bag that can double for everyday use and for outdoor use, then you won't find anything more versatile.

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We love the incognito look and simplicity of Peak Design's Travel Backpack. Aside from a top stash pocket, the bag relies on a single zipper that opens out the entire bag. From there, you can add in your clothes and shoes by themselves, or you can grab any of Peak Design's packing cubes and load in your electronics and gear. On the inside of the bag is also a deeply padded laptop sleeve that keeps your devices tightly secured. Our favorite feature of the bag is the theft-proof zippers, which can be looped into each other when closed and help deter pickpocketers from quickly trying to open up your bag when in crowds.

As far as materials used, Peak Design went with 100% recycled 400D nylon canvas thanks to water and abrasion resistance. And in terms of comfort, padded shoulder pads, a generous adjustable strap length, and optional hip belt accessory help limit fatigue through a long day of travel.

Designed to open up like a soft-side suitcase, the Silhouette 17 is a simple travel backpack with a trusted Samsonite build. It holds just under 30L, but thanks to the interior pocket organization the backpack makes it so you can neatly fit all your goods. Not only does the bag have interior compression straps for locking down garments, but it also comes with a removable tech pouch you can put all your cords and chargers inside.

On top of the organizational features, the Silhouette 17 has a fully padded laptop pouch, an expandable water bottle pocket, and a three-way convertible carry design (backpack, shoulder bag, or briefcase). Simply put, this is Samsonite quality at its finest.

Made with water-resistant nylon, this best-selling 40L travel pack promises organization through multiple zippered compartments. Starting from the front of the bag, there are four small zippered pouches, followed by a large zippered compartment for clothes and shoes, then finished with a laptop sleeve compartment.

At under $60, you'd be hard-pressed to find a travel backpack this functional and durable. It's true the bag might not have the longest lifespan as others on this list (the zippered compartment design worries us about pockets potentially getting damaged) but in terms of getting the best bang for your buck, it's a great pick, if not the best.

The Crossroads bags from Yeti are some of the toughest travel bags around. For starters, the outer material of the bag is something you won't see on other travel backpacks. Why? Because the textured Tuffskin nylon used is 700D nylon that's both water-resistant and abrasion resistant. Yeti says it feels more like motorcycle gear, and we agree. Second, the bag's clamshell opening allows for easy access to the laptop sleeve and for the ability to roll your clothes up and bag them down into the bag tightly. And last is the strength of the zippers, which are waterproof and tough as nails from the outer stash pockets to the main compartment zipper.

The only downside some might have is the shoulder pads could be more cushioned, but really we found them to provide just enough cushioning while keeping a streamlined design on the bag. If you're looking for a rugged backpack that's down to go anywhere though, you can't go wrong with the Crossroads.

One of our favorite duffel bags, the North Face Base Camp also works great as a convertible backpack. The straps on the Base Camp might have some of the best paddings you can get, making it that much more comfortable in terms of all-day carry. And as far as the material used, the strong 1000D recycled PVC and water-resistant zippers help repel any and everything.

The only downside to this bag somewhat is how the interior storage configures. It doesn't have any special laptop compartments or unique pocket designs: it's a duffel at the end of the day. But remember, if you ever get tired of carrying this on your back you can carry it by the hand straps or sling it over your shoulder. So you've got options here.

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Talk about a behemoth, the F.A.R Convertible Backpack is equal parts a duffel bag as it is a backpack. It holds a massive 45L, which makes all the difference if you want to add another pair of shoes or bring home souvenirs you pick up. While you don't have a ton of compartments on the inside of this bag it does have interior compression straps, which allow you to clamp down your clothes and keep everything condensed. The bag is made from water-resistant and abrasion-resistant polyester that's strong enough to handle pretty much anywhere unless you're truly planning on getting off the path (like a hiking or camping trip, or a trip to a less developed country).

While the bag can feel a little heavy on your back if packed to the gills, the good news is you can always convert it to duffel carry. You get the best of both worlds here.

Cotopaxi's Allpa is a frequent traveler favorite due to its strong, lightweight material blend of TPU-coated 1,000D polyester and 840D ballistic nylon paneling. Travelers also love the bag due to its booklet opening (like many popular suitcases) and secret laptop compartment on the inside back of the backpack (the laptop sits on your back when carrying). In terms of carrying, the bag has four grab handles so you can move it off your shoulders when you get tired. And to add durability and other cargo add-on options, it comes fitted with YKK zippers, carabiner lash loops, and tuck-away straps.

The Allpa is a do-it-all back for those who truly want to use their travel backpack as their only bag on the road. The cool part is the Allpa comes in fun colors, so it's easy to spot too.

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Designed with a U-shaped opening, the Global Travel Bag is a minimalist travel backpack for those who are experienced in traveling light. It holds up to 30L of goods, so you don't have a ton of room like the 40L bags, but we love how the U-shaped opening and stacked compartments allow for optimized packaging arrangements. You also have a few internal pockets, including a laptop sleeve that fits up to a 15" device.

What this bag provides is a slim and no-frills way of getting from point A to point B. If you aren't the best at traveling light, you might want to opt for a different bag, but if you know the ways of the minimalist packer then you'll find the Global Travel Bag to be one of the best in the game.

The Porter 46 reminds is a lot like a hiking bag in look and in its durable design. It holds a whopping 46L, which can be deceiving thanks to the outer clamp-down straps. On the front of the bag is an easy-access laptop sleeve and on the side are carrying straps for briefcase-like carry if your shoulders get tired. If you want to know our favorite features of the backpack though, it's the U-zip opening design, which allows the user to pack in and access their goods with ease—it's especially easy to get items on the bottom of the bag when the back is laid down and opened.

A couple of qualms include the straps being a bit too narrow, which can cause some discomfort for long periods of carry. The other is there aren't a lot of stash pockets, so if you like to use those for small goods you might want to look for a different backpack design. But if you're looking for a big-time hauler that fits a traditional hiking backpack design, then this is a solid choice.

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