Going travelling this year? You’ll want a good backpack. Trust me.
A travel backpack gives you freedom to really enjoy your travels. After two years of intermittent travelling, my biggest regret was that I didn’t invest in a decent travel backpack sooner.
With a backpack, there’s no need to worry about trying to wheel that suitcase over muddy ground or lug it up stairs. And a good travel pack, unlike the standard hiking one I used for a while, tends to be panel loaded (read “open from the front”) making it so much easier to organise your belongings and access things when you need them. It also helps you travel light. Like so many travellers, on my adventures I quickly realised you don’t need as much stuff as you think, and when you’re carrying less – well, you’re carrying less.
It doesn’t matter if you’re going for a weekend, a week, or something a bit longer: you want your belongings to stay safe and to be comfortable carrying them around. With travel becoming ever-more accessible, travel accessories are getting classier and classier all the time.
Tips for choosing a travel backpack
- Look for something light and versatile. Extra weight matters.
- Keep in mind carry on luggage size for those budget planes. If you can save on check in luggage costs you can save some money and use it to enjoy your destination more. Most budget airlines have a max size of 55 x 40 x 23 cm and 10kg (or 22 x 16 x 9 inches and 22 pounds).
- A 35-45 liter pack is a good size for most people and this will sometimes still fit into carry on compartments. Less than 30 liters may work only for the lightest packers, depending on how long you’re travelling. Any more than 60 liters and you’re heading into camping territory.
- Know what you’re taking with you, from how much you actually need to take to whether you’re bringing a laptop.
- If you’ll be walking a lot, consider something with a hip belt. Always look for comfortable shoulder straps. You’ll be grateful for them.
- Check if your pack’s water resistant or comes with a rain cover.
- Consider panel loading vs top loading. While top loading packs can sometimes be more water resistant and have fewer zippers to break, they’re harder to get pack and unpack and you’ll need to come up with your own system of organization (like packing cubes).
- You can sometimes lock zippers together for extra security.
- Brand does sometimes matter. Look up reviews before you buy.
On that note, I’ve found the best travel backpacks for 2018 from three popular brands.
North Face
North Face takes its name from the coldest side of a mountain. They started off supplying gear to help hikers and travelers explore it.
The company’s been running since 1966 and was started by two enthusiastic hikers as a mountaineering store in San Francisco. Over the years they’ve maintained that love of the outdoors and a sense of adventure and expanded globally, creating high quality outdoor gear that will go the distance. They have footwear, apparel, and equipment – including an impressive range of backpacks for all occasions.
What’s also great is their commitment to social and environmental responsibility. They’re committed to ensuring suppliers meet social, ethical, and environmental standards, and they’re also involved in projects to help promote conservation and raise awareness of the natural world they love so much.
North Face’s top travel backpacks
North Face Jester (26 L)
This pack just keeps coming up again and again as one of the top travel packs across the board. At 26 liters it’s not huge, but it’s ideal for shorter trips and lighter travelers. It has two main compartments and some extra pockets, including space for a laptop or tablet.
The bungee cord on the front is great for extra bits and pieces (or attaching your wet raincoat to keep it separate from everything else). It also has comfortable shoulder straps and a soft back panel, so if you need to carry it around for a while you should be fine. Finally, in case you like a bit of variation, it comes in a range of colors.
- Size: 50 x 34 x 19 cm (19.7” x 13.4” x 7.5”)
- Weight: 0.82 kg (1.8 lbs)
- Panel loading with pockets, including space for laptop
- Comfortable shoulder straps and a soft back panel
North Face Borealis (28 L)
Slightly larger than the Jester, this is another pack that a lot of travelers love for weekends away. It has mesh pockets at the side for water bottles, good abrasion resistant material, and pockets with good padding for your laptop. With a few extra features like adjustable side compression straps and a small hip belt, it’s a tiny upgrade from the Jester pack. It also has some mellower colors than the Jester.
- Size: 19.5″ x 13.75″ x 8.5″
- Weight. 1.26 kg (2 lbs 12.45 oz)
- Space for laptop
- Basic detachable hip belt
Overhaul (40 L)
This 40-liter backpack offers more space for travelers who have a few extra things to take with them, and it has the pockets to keep them organized. It has a back panel for a tablet and a 15” laptop, padded nicely to keep your gear secure, and a load of other little organizing pockets and zipped compartments.
It does have an adjustable hip belt, making it easier to carry, but its size and suspension mean it’s not the best option for pure hiking. However, its comfortable shoulder straps should take you quite far. It has a smooth and simple design that makes it stylish enough for urban environments, so you won’t stand out too much as a traveler.
- Size: 53 x 30 x 18cm (21″ x 12″ x 7″)
- Weight: 1.45 kg (3 lbs. 3 oz)
- Panel loading with compartments and pockets, including laptop compartment
- Adjustable hip belt and comfortable shoulder straps
Osprey
Osprey is probably one of the most recognized brands when it comes to outdoor gear. I’ve seen the brand everywhere from Budapest to Bangkok. And there’s a reason it’s so popular.
Backpacks are what Osprey specialize in. The company’s story starts in Oregon where Osprey’s founder created his first custom-fitted backpack at 16. The company started selling wholesale in 1987 and today still have an emphasis on a great fit for individuals. Their packs have a range of adjustable features and come in different sizes. Some dealers are even certified to custom mold features of the packs to your body, so if you often have difficulty finding something comfortable this could be a good brand choice.
They’re also dedicated to fair labor and using sustainable products as much as possible. And their products come with a lifetime guarantee.
Osprey’s top travel backpacks
Daylite (13 L)
I’m only bringing this one up because sometimes it’s good to have an extra small bag. While it’s not good on it’s own (unless you’re a super-light traveler who really knows how to make the most of a mere 13 liters) it does attach to some of the other backpacks with reinforced cord loops. Simple but useful.
- Size: 45 x 23 x 23cm (18” x 9” x 9”)
- Weight: (1 lb)
- Basic design with two compartments
- Attaches to other packs (including Porter and Farpoint 80)
Porter (30 L)
This is a great mid-range pack with a minimalist design that makes it versatile. The panel loading gives you easy access to your belongings, including your laptop, and it has a nice array of dedicated pockets for those super-organized travelers.
It features a nice padded handle at the side to give you an alternative way to carry it rather than just on your pack and the padding helps it stand upright when you set it down. Sturdy and made from quality nylon, it also has a hip belt to allow you to carry heavier weights. And it’s compatible with the Daylite pack, just in case you want a little something extra.
- Size: 50.8 x 33 x 20 cm (20” x 13” x 8”)
- Weight: 1.2 kg (2.6 lbs)
- Panel loading with laptop sleeve
- Handle on the side and padded sidewalls
- Adjustable hip belt and shoulder straps
Farpoint 40 (40 L)
The Farpoint is my favorite and has excellent reviews as an all-rounder pack and it’s very popular with backpackers. It’s a little too big for everyday use but ideal for longer trips. It has great shoulder straps, a wide padded hip belt, and a frame suspension that helps distribute the weight. As such, it can deal with longer walks and outdoor adventures but it’s also great for wandering around cities.
It has a main compartment and a specific compartment for a laptop and tablet, although it does lack some of the clever storage spaces of other packs (you could consider using packing cubes). The Farpoint 40 can be turned into a duffle bag by removing its shoulder straps and hiding the hip belt away behind the flaps, making it a versatile choice. You can also pack it away small when it’s not full, and the zippers can be locked for more security if you have a travel lock.
- Size: 35 x 54 x 37 cm (14” x 21” x 15” )
- Weight; 1.44 kg (3 lbs )
- Panel loading with a compartment for your laptop
- Can be made into a duffle bag and folds down when unpacked
- Adjustable hip belt and comfortable straps
Patagonia
Patagonia was started by a climber who spent his time exploring the mountains in North America and the Alps. He began making his own equipment, then selling it, and the demand became large enough to start up a company that eventually grew into the well-recognized, high quality brand it is today. You can expect high quality, clever gear from Patagonia, which includes their range of backpacks.
Patagonia are big on corporate responsibility, aware of their supply chain and the impact their company might have on people and the environment. They also teamed up with one of our other brands, North Face, to co-found the Conservation Alliance in 1989, making contributions to grassroots conservation organizations. Another company that really values where it’s come from.
Patagonia’s top travel backpacks
Refugio (28 L)
The Refugio is another great all-rounder. With a pocket that zips down at the front as well as compartments, organizing pockets, and two outside pockets for water bottles, you can fit quite a lot in there. This is a great choice as a daypack as well as a travel pack. At 28 liters you won’t fit a lot in there for longer trips, but it’s a more traditional style than the Black Hole MLC below.
- Size: 48 x 30 x 20cm (19” x 12” x 8”)
- Weight: 666 g (1 lb 7.5 oz)
- Compartments, including for laptop or tablet
- Adjustable straps
Black Hole MLC (45 L)
The MLC stands for Maximum Legal Carry-on. This is a unique choice, fits into luggage compartments perfectly, and is great for both urban and city travel. Although you can wear it like a backpack, it looks more like a soft sided suitcase. Its convertible straps make it easy to change up, and it also has side and top carry handles for extra grabability.
It doesn’t have a hip belt and the straps are basic, so if you’re planning on doing a lot of walking this is not the pack you are looking for. It has a main compartment and a few extra pockets for documents and other odds and ends. It’s also perfectly sized for carry on luggage. If you’re after a hybrid travel bag, or something that will help you blend into a city environment, this could be an excellent choice for you.
- Size: 69 x 17 x 45cm (22.75” x 6.75” x 18”)
- Weight: 1.5kg (3 lb. 5.1 oz.)
- Can be worn over the shoulder or as a backpack
- No hip belt and basic straps
Well, there you have a few of our favourite options. We would love to know what you think and if you have some other suggestions for great backpacks. This is not an all encompassing list, so please let us know what you think in the comments below.
**FYI – At no extra cost to you, there are affiliate links on this page. This means that if you do purchase a backpack through amazon after clicking on the link on our page, we will receive an affiliate commission. This has not influenced the recommendations on this page. Thanks and safe travels.
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