Pack Smart: The Best Travel Backpacks of 2021

Durable, comfortable to wear, and designed to keep all your belongings organized and secure, the Nixon Hauler 35L Backpack is, hands down, one of the best backpacks for travel. With 35L capacity and 16” laptop storage, it can take practically anything you throw at it, and then some.

Tested by our senior editor who took it on his two-week trip through South America, this handsome travelers backpack is as versatile as it gets – perfect both for jungle treks and schlepping through the airport. It comes with a cavernous main compartment that has lots of organization features, including internal organizers and zippered shoe or towel compartment, so you don’t have to waste your time fishing for your earbuds. As a bonus, it’s constructed with REPREVE recycled plastics, meaning plastic waste from the ocean. Read the in-depth review here.

The Farpoint 40 is the perfect weekend travel bag that can really step it up for a trip off the beaten track. Osprey doesn’t disappoint with this 40L pack, bringing its outdoor tech to an urban-cool rucksack that’s equally at home in the wilderness. Mesh back panels, dual compression straps and just enough attachment points to hook on extra gear, and the Farpoint 40 provides a sufficiently comfortable ride.

With a deceptively large inner space and lots of internal protection for your gadgets, the Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack is also small enough to use as a carry-on bag for plane travel. Throw in a stowaway system that can turn it into a super streamlined duffel and you’ll find navigating airport security and baggage reclaim a breeze.

The Hynes Eagle Travel Backpack is a great little space-saver that’s deceptive in size – you’ll be amazed how much you can stash away and still use it as a smart-looking carry-on for short business trips and weekends away.

It revels in its role as the bag around town, transforming from travel-savvy luggage to city-ready duffel in seconds, and in a choice of over 20 colors and colorways, you’ll be able to either fit in with or stand out in a crowd. Lightweight and uncomplicated, the Hynes Eagle Travel Backpack is also surprisingly sturdy and will take you from arrivals lounge to business – or social – meeting in no time.

For day-to-day use or a quick overnighter, then the Outlander offers exceptional value. This lighter than lightweight backpack is made from water-resistant nylon and at under ½ a pound, can work what seems like a miracle, packing away a supersized 33L of essentials.

Yes, its packable structure means it is a tad on the shapeless side and with its lack of internal padding you could probably feel a toothbrush poking you in the back but where it loses in comfort it more than makes up with versatility. And when not escorting you and your gear on your casual travels, it can be packed away into an inner pocket, shrinking to the size of a ‘generously sized hamburger’. All for under $2 – what’s not to like? Be sure to also check out our list of the best Patagonia Backpacks for more great items like this.

The Extra-Large TSA Friendly Travel Backpack is made from premium quality polyester material with nylon lining for extra durability. With a 45L capacity, it takes on even more than your average travel backpack sporting a convenient and functional design. It features a USB port and a headphone hole perfect for charging devices on the go and listening to music respectively. This works via the built-in charging port that works when a power bank is connected from the inside. Travelling can get exhausting and boring especially if you’re traveling alone. The headphone hole will help you relax during long transit periods listening to calming or upbeat music.

There’s also a large compartment that suitably accommodates laptops ranging from 13 to 17 inches in size. With up to 3 zippered pockets in the front, there’s enough space to store vital documents and accessories for easy access on demand. Gadgets, stationeries, wallets, and the likes can be arranged neatly in the front pockets while the side pockets hold a needful water bottle. The main compartments fold flat for easy screening when passing check-in points with the laptop splayed in a convenient position that prevents slipping or any damage. Going back to the design, it’s well ventilated with the help of a mesh design included in strategic areas for maximum airflow. An ergonomic design ensures the bag properly contours your back preventing unnecessary strain or pain.

Mere looking at this fashionable, spacious travel bag, there’s no denying its quality and durability. The WITZMAN Men Travel Backpack Canvas Duffel Bag is made with quality cotton canvas and leather trimmings delivering a high fashion outlook on every side. With 2 front zipper pockets, keep stationery materials, small devices and necessary documentation well organized for easy access. The larger pocket contains laptops that are sized from 12- 16 inches as well as tablets in a well-padded and conducive environment. There are breathable sleeves these devices can be slipped into for maximum protection and ventilation. The buckles at the side keep the bag in tight form, preventing it from sagging due to the contents inside.

For a convenient traveling experience, it can be worn as a backpack, carried in the palm with its side handle, or hung across the shoulders with a long single strap. Unzip the zipper at the back to reveal the extra comfortable, well-padded shoulder straps that can be concealed when not in use. The rectangular shape works great for packing a good amount of load for the road, with generous interior capacity and pockets for wears and accessories. This canvas backpack comes in a small and large size giving you the choice to pick a suitable and convenient bag for hiking, road travels and air travels alike.

Life can get busy and sometimes you don’t know where you’ll be from one day to the next. If this sounds like you, then a ‘grab and go’ travel bag like the Porter 46 Gear Hauler can make things a little bit easier. This bag is like a holdall version of Superman – by day an attractive but business-like duffel bag with everything you need to keep you super organized but when it’s time to head for the hills it transforms into a high-flying travel pack.

At a whopping 46L capacity but with its size still making it carry-on compatible, this is an extremely versatile ultralight backpack/duffel hybrid, with just enough features to take it beyond simple luggage and into short break traveler territory. So, if you’re an overnight or weekend traveler on the go, then this backpack could well be your superhero.

Travelling often throws up unexpected opportunities and a two-in-one travel pack is the perfect companion for those looking to see where the road takes them. The Osprey Farpoint 55 Travel Backpack provides an adequate main bag offering 42L of space while it’s zip-off 13L ‘mini-me’ is a versatile day pack for when the urge to sightsee takes over. Together, they are handy enough to keep your overnight luggage and your day-to-day accessories separate, primed, and ready for whatever the day may bring.

The Farpoint 55 is also durable and contains a wealth of travel-specific features you would expect from Osprey, including a lightweight frame, mesh panels, and padded hip belt and harness, plenty of gear loops as well as lockable compartments and compression straps. A mid-price travel rucksack that gives you a lot for your money, with its comfort, quality, and flexibility justifying the price tag. Love this product? For more quality travel essentials, check out our list of the top smart backpacks. 

Clean-lined and robust, the Osprey Daylite is an ideal lightweight backpack for the time-limited adventurer as well as a smart choice for the man about town. The Daylite may have city slicker looks but it’s also tough enough for a day on the trail, with just enough features to keep you hiking happy.

Less is more with this day pack, and its well-thought-out design gives you ample room for essentials without overcomplicating things. Side mesh pockets securely hold water bottles and there’s also space for an optional water bladder to keep you hydrated when the heat is on. Internal clips to secure small items, breathable back panels, and padded, easily adjustable straps all help to make the Daylite a comfortable ride. And when your travel plans demand more space, this versatile backpack has been designed to attach to several of Osprey’s larger travel packs to keep you on the road. For more great travel items like this check out our guide to best backpacking backpacks.

When it comes to traveling light, a rucksack/duffel hybrid is the way to go and the Osprey Porter 30 is shaping up to be one of the leaders of the (back)pack. With the comfort of a rucksack and the storage simplicity of a duffel, there’s everything to like about this stylish bag. When a duffel isn’t enough and backpacking bags are too much, the Porter comes into its own.

This 30L travel backpack offers ample internal space yet is the perfect size for carry-on luggage.  The main compartment is perhaps too fuss-free, ie. no straps or internal sections, but a few packing cubes and you’ll have this sorted. The Porter also offers a comfortable and secure ride, complete with padded sidewalls and back suspension as well as a stowaway harness to keep things streamlined when needed.

Named for the coldest, moat unforgiving side of a mountain, North Face help explorers from all four corners of the globe to reach new heights every single day. North Face have lightened the load with this Borealis backpack, whilst offering you ample space to head off on adventures with all of your essentials.

You’ll appreciate the comfortable padded and adjustable straps on this North Face backpack, integrated reflective loop, and front stash pocket when you make use of your bag. Furthermore, you can use the bungee cord and mesh side pockets should you need a little extra storage.