12 Best Travel Backpacks for Every Trip in 2025

Nomatic's Navigator Travel Backpack offers a roomy 32L main compartment that expands to 41L, and in our testing its dedicated laptop sleeve fit a 17-inch laptop securely. We found the water-resistant materials and anti-theft features provide solid protection in varied conditions, but the bag’s 5.2 lb empty weight and tall, rigid profile felt cumbersome during extended carries. At $419.99 it’s a premium buy: scored 7.5/10, it’s best for travelers who favor durability and organization over ultralight gear.

Peak Design’s Travel Backpack impressed us with its sheer convenience: in our testing the multiple access points — top, side, front, and rear — made grabbing gear on the go effortless and kept packing flexible. During our review we noticed the bag’s 4.5-pound weight and the loose sternum strap (which isn’t fixed to the pack) reduced its comfort for long stints. Built from water-resistant materials with solid organizational pockets and laptop protection, it scored 7/10 and suits photographers and commuters who prioritize access over ultralight weight.

Osprey’s Farpoint 40 Travel Pack earned one of our highest marks — a 9/10 — thanks to durable fabric, zippers, and stitching plus very comfortable shoulder straps and a supportive waist harness. In testing we appreciated how well it carries load for airport-to-city travel, but during our review the front-located laptop sleeve left devices more exposed and the limited external pockets (and tricky water bottle access while wearing) reduced quick-access convenience. If you want reliability, comfort, and great value at about $138, this pack is hard to beat.

Topo Designs’ Global Travel Bag 30L is a versatile everyday travel companion — in our testing the recycled nylon build felt durable and the 3-way carry system (backpack straps, shoulder strap, grab handles) made transitions effortless. During our review we liked the easy-access laptop compartment for most 15-inch machines, but we found the lack of water-resistant zippers and a main compartment not deep enough for camera cubes limiting for gear-heavy trips. It scored 7/10 and is best for city travelers who value versatility and rugged materials over heavy-duty gear hauling.

Cotopaxi’s Allpa 35L impressed us during testing with superb internal organization — multiple compartments and zippered mesh pockets made gear sorting simple — and a weatherproof exterior that stands up to wet conditions. Our experience shows the suspension system carries weight comfortably for city-to-trail transitions, but we found the laptop compartment can feel tight when straps are stowed and external pockets lack locking mechanisms for valuables. Scoring 8/10, it’s a dependable, travel-friendly pack if you don’t need to cram in oversized or overly bulky items.

Deuter’s Aircontact Lite 50 + 10 earned high marks in our testing for long treks — its lightweight build, adjustable torso settings, and effective load lifters gave a personalized, comfortable carry and helped it reach an 8.5/10. Our experience shows the suspension excels on multi-day hikes, but the small hip pockets and side-compression straps positioned beneath the water bottle pockets can make quick access awkward. Durable and water-resistant, it’s a great choice for backpackers who want comfort and flexibility without extra bulk.

Patagonia’s Black Hole Pack 32L earns points for sustainability — in our testing the 100% recycled materials felt rugged and eco-friendly — making it a solid urban travel choice. During our review we found the pack comfortable for daily city use, but the laptop compartment access is awkwardly obstructed by shoulder straps and it lacks a hip belt, which makes longer carries less comfortable. Scoring 6.5/10, it’s best for environmentally minded commuters who prioritize durability and simplicity over long-haul comfort and advanced organization.

Matador's SEG45 stands out for organization — in our testing the segmented design made separating clothes, tech, and toiletries effortless, and the bag scored 8/10 for its thoughtful layout. We found the pack comfortable on short hauls thanks to its shoulder system, but during our review it became slouchy when not fully packed and the minimally padded hip belt offered limited support on longer treks. It’s durable and water-resistant, so it’s great for photographers or business travelers who value compartmentalized packing over rigid structure.

Pacsafe’s EXP45 is security-first travel gear — in our testing its lockable zippers and RFID-blocking pockets were excellent at protecting valuables and the durable, water-resistant construction felt reassuring. We found the multiple tuck-away straps useful for switching between backpack, duffle, or suitcase carry, but during our review the front-located laptop compartment hurt optimal weight distribution and the security hardware adds a bit of heft. Scoring 7.5/10, it’s a smart pick for safety-conscious travelers, though color choices remain limited to neutral tones.

In our testing the Tropicfeel Shell Backpack (score 7.5/10) shines for versatility — its expandable 22–40L capacity easily switches from daily commutes to short trips while the water‑resistant shell and anti‑theft features help keep valuables secure. We found the integrated wardrobe system is clever for organizing outfits, but it’s heavy for the bag’s size and the oddly shaped compartments can make packing cumbersome. The downside for longer carries is comfort: shoulder straps lack padding when fully loaded, so expect less support on long walks.

Able Carry’s Max Backpack impressed us in testing with rugged Dimension Polyant X50 fabric and densely padded shoulder straps that keep heavy loads comfortable. During our review we found the lack of a hip belt made long carries less efficient at weight distribution, and the dark interior made locating items tricky in low light. The water-resistant build is reassuring, but the expandable water bottle pocket intruding into the main compartment can eat into packing space. Overall it scored 7.5/10 — sturdy and comfy, but not ideal for extended treks.

Bellroy’s Lite Travel Pack 30L earned an 8/10 in our testing by pairing featherweight construction with durable, water‑resistant materials and eco‑minded fabrics, making it a strong choice for travelers who prioritize lightness and sustainability. We found it stays comfortable even when fully loaded, and the laptop compartment plus side and front pockets cover basic organization, but our experience shows the internal layout is minimal and side access to the laptop can be awkward in tight spaces. Also note there’s no dedicated water bottle holder, which may bother day‑trippers.