The 20 Best Travel Backpacks
Choosing the best travel backpack for your needs is not an easy thing to do, and it shouldn't be done carelessly. There are many different types of backpacks you can choose from. What you need to care about most, we believe, is to have enough comfort and space.
If you are minimalist or only go for weekend trips, a size of around 20-25 liters will suffice, while for larger adventures, you will need a 40-55 liter bag. An ideal traveling bag has the following features: a 90- or 180-degree opening for ease of access, a waist strap to distribute the load evenly and keep the stress off your shoulders, and a compartment for electronics. It should also be carry-on sized to avoid additional luggage fees (meaning 40 liters of space or less) if you're planning to take in through the airways, and made out of rain-resistant material if you plan to take it outdoors.
This list varies wildly depending on your price range and the storage space needed, but the quality and comfort of every bag are above average. Here is a list of the best 20 travel bags currently on the market.
Osprey Packs Farpoint 40
The Farpoint 40 is another medium-sized travel backpack. The 40 indicates the number of pounds you can carry with it. Once inside, your load will be secured with two internal compression straps that are quite strong. This backpack made out of nylon and is constructed to meet airline requirements. As such, it offers a 180-degree opening.
On the front side, we have dual mesh pockets that are scratch-free. The Farpoint 40 also has an internal LightWire frame that is designed to transfer the load from harness to hip belt for your protection. Another plus is a back panel that can be stowed or zipped away while on the road. All of these reasons add up to one of the most comfortable backpacks on the market.
Hynes Eagle Travel 40L
With its capacity of 40 liters, Hynes designed a backpack that gives you the maximum size allowed for an overhead compartment on a flight. The height on this model can easily be adjusted with multiple exterior compression straps, or you could just convert the backpack to a duffel in a few seconds.
The Eagle backpack has three main parts: a front pocket that contains multiple smaller ones for organization purposes, a second pocket in which you can easily fit a 15.6-inch laptop, and the largest main compartment in which you can store most of your travel kit. It also features a side pocket in which you can put a bottle or an umbrella.
There is also a more expensive variant of this backpack that comes with packing cubes that will definitely suit you if you are a world-wide traveler.
NOMATIC Travel Pack 30 L
As a smaller brother of the NOMATIC 40, this backpack lives up to the brand's reputation. Its basic storage of 20 liters can easily expand to 30 liters through the simple expansion process. The dimensions of this bag are 18.5 x 6 x 12 inches.
The bag is ultra flexible and features zippers that are waterproof and can be locked. It also has an RFID pocket. Your electronics are separated from other everyday items by the mesh divider. All the pockets have a path for a charging cable, which is an excellent plus.
The people at NOMATIC pay attention to the smallest details with a magnetic snap bottle pocket and a retractable key leash. You can also unsnap the back panel to carry your bag like a briefcase if you want, making it suitable for a more professional setting too.
This travel backpack successfully toes the line of practicality and comfort.
Matein's Travel Laptop Backpack
Matein's backpack features a separate compartment that can hold a laptop that's up to 15.6 inches wide. It is both comfortable and sturdy with ventilated padding designed specifically to give you maximum back support. The top handle is padded with foam, which is another plus when it comes to comfort.
If you have plenty of items to carry and feel overwhelmed, you can always use the luggage strap to free up your hands. There is an anti-theft pocket on the back, so you can further protect your most valuable items. This model also has a built-in USB charger and charging cable, which makes it quite convenient to use. The polyester material from which this backpack is made is both water-resistant and durable. This backpack is geared more towards lighter travel, and as such, will satisfy most low-adventure customers.
Swissgear 1900 Scansmart
"Boy, do these Swiss make lousy backpacks,"said no one ever! This model is made of 1,200-denier ballistic polyester, which makes it an ideal candidate for use in harsher climates. ScanSmart stands for its lay-flat technology, which will help you pass through airport security a lot quicker with its 180-degree opening.
Packed with multiple compartments for books, a laptop, and other electronics, it is an organizer's dream come true. On the comfort side, you have easily adjustable compression straps and a back panel with ventilation. It comes in one size (19").
