Best Backpacks To Travel The World With – From short weekend getaways to far-flung international adventures, our top travel packages make organizing and transporting your essentials easy and comfortable.
Whether you’re traveling around the world or heading out for a quick weekend getaway, a well-designed travel package can help you stay comfortable and organized while on the go. Key considerations include compatibility for air transport, adequate capacity to conceal your belongings, pack weight, and storage preferences and organizational setup. Below we break down the best travel backpacks of 2023, from minimalist options for a few overnight trips to larger bags and detachable backpacks for extended trips. For more background information, see our detailed comparison chart and selected buying tips below.
Best Backpacks To Travel The World With
When we compiled our list of the best travel packs, we prioritized functional organization, easy on-the-go access, durable materials, and carry-on compatibility. The Allpa 35L travel pack from Cotopaxi checks all these boxes with emphasis, making it our top spot for 2023. Along with the vibrant style and multi-color patterns the brand is known for, the Allpa is exceptionally durable and a combination of 1,000 denarii. , TPU coated polyester and 840 denier ballistic nylon panels. In use, I found the Allpa remarkably tough and very water resistant, and the pack also comes with a storable rain cover for really bad weather. We also like the dual access to the main compartment, including a full wraparound zipper and secondary side zipper on the back panel to easily retrieve items on the go. And the e-case is big enough to handle both a laptop and a tablet at the same time, which is not often the case. Overall, the Allpa is well designed, stylish and very well equipped for travel.
The 12 Best Carry On Backpacks Of 2023
What’s not to like about Cotopaxi Allpa? While the 35-liter version here is sized well for long weekend trips or shorter overseas getaways, it’s smaller than competitors like the Peak Design Travel Backpack, the Osprey Porter 46 and many other carry-on-friendly models from below (Cotopaxi sells a larger. 42L version for $220 that still meets most airline requirements). Additionally, while overall wear comfort is good, there are no load-lifting straps to bring the pack close to the body. In addition, the inner pockets are a bit strangely sized, and the lack of external compression straps makes it difficult to secure the most bulky loads. One final omission is water bottle storage, though it’s not an essential feature for most and doesn’t dampen our enthusiasm for an otherwise well-rounded, nice-looking bag.
Peak Design’s travel backpack may look relatively unassuming on the outside, but don’t be fooled: this bag is packed with thoughtful travel-ready features. First and foremost is the expandable design, which allows you to alternate between 35 and 45 liters by simply opening the zipper or front zipper. Access is another highlight, including top, side, front and rear entry points to easily retrieve items from almost anywhere in the pack. Storage is also excellent, with padded laptop and tablet sleeves, a divisible main compartment, large double elasticated side pockets (not common in travel packs) and several interior pockets. And it’s all wrapped in a thick nylon fabric box that’s durable, simple, and very modern.
What complaints do we have about the Peak Design Travel Backpack? The price is the most glaring drawback: At $300, it’s one of the most expensive models on our list (along with the $300 Nomatic Travel Pack and $349 Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L below). And while the bag is undeniably stylish, it’s quite utilitarian and less everyday-friendly than more vibrant options like the Cotopaxi Allpa above and the Topo Designs Global Travel Bag below. It’s also tied for the heaviest option on our list at 4 pounds 8 ounces (along with the Tortuga), which isn’t unreasonable, but adds considerable weight compared to many competitors. Finally, the travel backpack isn’t technically carry-on-friendly when expanded, measuring 22 x 13 x 11 inches (the standard US carry-on limit is 22 x 14 x 9 inches). But it works in a compressed size of 35L (or the smaller option of 30L), and photographers in particular will like the shape, which nicely accommodates several camera cubes, lenses and other accessories.
Osprey is a market leader in backpacking packs and much of this technology and expertise has flowed well into their collection of travel packs. The Porter 46 is a case in point, combining the impressive wearing comfort the brand is known for with a practical, easy-to-wear construction and a range of travel-friendly features. Starting on the outside, you find a solid frame with well-cushioned shoulder and hip straps reminiscent of Osprey backpack designs, a handy compression system to secure things effectively, zip closure for the main compartment and laptop sleeve with a padded sleeve . on the side that functions as a passage point for stacking on a rolling suitcase. The interior is a similar story, with ample pockets in various sizes, compression traps to keep clothes organized, and side walls to help protect valuables during travel.
Of The Best Travel Backpacks For Global Adventures
Despite offering 11 liters more capacity than the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L ($15 less), the Porter 46 is still carry-on compatible, making it the top option here that still meets most domestic and international airline restrictions. It’s also impressively strong and durable, and includes reinforced cable loops to attach to Osprey’s well-built Daylight Daypack (sold separately). Some women may find the shoulder straps a bit stiff and a bit supportive to comfortably carry a full load, but unisex sizing is standard in the travel market (the Osprey Farpoint / Fairview below is one of the few models available in a model). separate models from women). Finally, if it’s a good fit for you, the Porter offers a hard-to-beat mix of capabilities, features and comfort for the price, making it our go-to option for longer, gear-intensive adventures.
Topo Designs flies a bit under the radar compared to well-known brands like Cotopaxi and Osprey, but don’t let that put you off: this company makes exceptional, good-looking packs for everything from touring and hiking to more technical activities like climbing. bike and rock climbing. The Global 30L Travel Bag is a shining example of our favorite weekend design of the year. What immediately stood out about this pack was the sheer number of pockets and attachment points, from the vertical daisy chain strap in the front to the expandable side water bottle pockets, ample storage zippers inside and outside, a laptop sleeve on the panel behind and several. interior mesh pocket. Like the Cotopaxi Allpa above, the Global Travel Bag is also well-equipped for rugged use, including a mix of 1,000 and 1,680 denier ballistic nylon that gives the pack a bulky, confidence-inspiring feel – at a very high level. manage 2 pounds 10 ounces to start.
That said, the extensive feature set adds some complexity when it comes to organization. We like the large flap opening in the main compartment, but we had to reorganize to get everything to fit in the various compartments (they’re optimized for Topo Designs’ PackFast modular accessories, which are smaller than our standard packing cube). The tall, slim shape is also better suited for clothing rather than bulky gear, which can be limiting for outdoor adventures involving camping or backpacking. We also wished there was a little more padding on the straps and hip belt while walking in the airport with a complete package, but it distributes the load very well (and the hip belt can be hidden then when not in use) . Ultimately, no pack is perfect, but the Global Travel Bag 30L is a well-built, durable, and stylish option for overnight stays, short weekend getaways, and even minimalist adventures abroad. For those embarking on longer journeys, it is also sold in a larger 40 liter variant for $229.
Travel packs are an expensive bunch, but Amazon offers an affordable yet amazing option in travel backpacks. We’ll start with the good news: As the name suggests, the bag is carry-on compatible and comes with most of the standard features we look for in a practical travel pack. These include a zipped carry handle, internal and external compression straps, easy access pockets for travel documents and good organization in the main compartment. Like the Peak Design Travel Backpack above, the Amazon Basics can also be expanded to increase packing space while still complying with carry-on restrictions. And at just about $50 at the time of publication (color models vary on Amazon), the 45-liter travel backpack is a great value for what you get, undercutting similar-sized models on this list by $100 or more.
Best Packable Backpacks For Travelers [2023 Guide]
Now for the bad news: this Amazon Basics package is far less capable than many of the choices here at carrying a full load. The shoulder straps are lightly padded, while the hip belt is a thin and basic design that will not feel comfortable under the weight of a full pack. The rest of the design has a cheaper feel too, including a shiny and dated exterior, lots of plastic (read: broken) components and standard non-blocking zippers. You
