As a frequent traveler, I opted for suitcase luggage until I found the perfect travel backpack.
A backpack that maximizes storage while minimizing friction. It prevents heavy jackets, shoes, and accessories from causing shoulder and back pain, and lets you pack more of your travel clothes. It’s weatherproof or water-resistant so you can get away with getting wet in the rain, and it’s guaranteed to be a breeze on cobbles and trains that roller suitcases can’t handle. This is the gold standard in travel backpacks, and we’ve found 13 backpacks that are perfect for this purpose.
Whether you prefer a tried-and-true laptop backpack for holiday weekends or a standard bag for longer trips, read on for the best travel backpacks picked by editors, travelers, and shoppers.
Best Travel Backpacks Under $75
Matein Travel Backpack
Amazon
With over 80,000 5-star reviews, this backpack is praised for its storage and organization, including a laptop pocket, front pocket, hidden anti-theft pocket for your passport and other essentials, and a spacious interior. Memory foam padding provides comfort throughout the straps, top handle and back panel. Plus, a built-in USB charger and cable give you easy access to your tech.
“I took this on a weekend trip and it fit my clothes, toiletries, tablet, and everything else so I didn’t have to pack it in another bag,” one shopper wrote. “It’s durable and the straps are thick so it’s really comfortable to wear.”
material: Polyester, Metal | size: 12 x 18 x 7.8 inches | color: twenty three
Kalpak Kaya Mini Backpack
Kalpak
Instead of a traditional travel bag, consider this stylish mini Calpak backpack for day trips and outings. Its synthetic leather exterior, contoured stitching details, and attractive hardware give it a sleek look, and it’s roomy enough for your belongings for days away from your luggage. It also has an adjustable strap and trolley sleeve for airport or train days. Some shoppers also praise it for being functional for everyday use, like commuting to the coffee shop or office without having to lug around a bulky laptop bag.
material: Faux Leather | size: 10.65 x 8.5 x 4.25 inches | color: 6
Aloha Keep It Right Hanahou Backpack
Aloha
PEOPLE’s Associate Shopping Director Erin Johnson lives in Hawaii, so she relies on waterproof bags for a variety of day trips. “The Aloha Keep It Right Hana Hou Backpack is perfect for traveling because it has a laptop sleeve for those who just can’t live without their laptop, and its waterproof fabric makes it a great beach or pool bag,” Johnson says.
Available in three whimsical prints or basic black, this lightweight ripstop backpack holds everything without weighing you down, with a side pocket for a water bottle, a front storage zip pocket and a handy trolley sleeve.
Editor’s comments
“This recently released waterproof nylon backpack has become my new go-to item (seriously, I’ve been using it almost every day since it arrived).”—Erin Johnson, Associate Shopping Director
material: Ripstop nylon | size: 12 x 5.5 x 16.5 inches | color: Four
BagSmart Quick Access Carry-On
Bag Smart
For those who pack most of their belongings into one backpack, this machine washable item will meet most needs for under $100. The 180-degree flat computer compartment has multiple organizers for tech cords and more, with multiple straps and six exterior pockets. Internal and external compression straps allow you to fill the bag while still meeting most airline personal item requirements. Compartments also hold shoes, laundry, and more separately, making it ideal for longer trips.
material: Nylon | size: 12.2 x 16.5 x 10.2 inches | color: 3
Best Travel Backpacks Under $150
Base the Backpack
Bass
“Shay Mitchell really thought of everything when designing this bag,” says People magazine shopping writer Alyssa Brashear. The new travel show host is clearly serious about making her luggage look good. Brashear used the backpack for three years before early retirement after a zipper malfunctioned.
That said, she plans to buy another one, and she especially recommends it for people who tend to overpack. It has a full zip, so you have full visibility rather than having to hunt through the top opening, and of course, a trolley sleeve. There’s also a key leash in the front pocket.
Editor’s comments
“This bag is understated yet extremely roomy. I can fit everything I need for a week’s beach trip, including shoes, makeup, hair tools, and more, into this one bag (an incredible feat for someone like me who likes to overpack!).—Alicia Brascia, Shopping Writer
material: Cotton body, PVC trim, polyester lining | size: 13 x 19 x 5.5 inches | color: 8
Patagonia 26L Refugio Daypack
Backcountry
Entertainment Shopping Director Laura Gurfein swears by the Patagonia brand, and the handy features on this Refugio daypack make it clear why: It also comes with a hydration hanger, pass-through access, a ventilated back panel and a bike-light clip point.
Made from 100% recycled polyester, this durable backpack features a removable, padded laptop sleeve, making it perfect for hiking or commuting. One shopper praised its versatility: “I use it for work during the week and switch it up as a day/diaper/hiking bag on the weekends.”
material: Recycled polyester | size: (26L) 18 x 12 x 6.5 inches, (30L) 19 x 12 x 6.5 inches | color: 6
Calpak Luka 15″ Laptop Backpack
Kalpak
For remote workers and digital nomads, a dedicated laptop backpack is a must-have to protect your technology and give you peace of mind while on vacation or traveling to another city. The Calpak Luka collection combines safety with a little style. This backpack’s trendy, plush exterior is lightweight and scratch-resistant, and it comes with a padded laptop pocket, water bottle pockets, and a shoe compartment for your commute or weekend getaway.
Editor’s comments
“Despite the luxurious look, the materials are incredibly durable. These bags have lots of compartments for storage and are fairly lightweight. I’m a big fan of everything from the Calpak Luka collection and this bag is no exception!”—Madison Yauger, Shopping Editor
material: Polyester | size: 16 x 12 x 7 inches | color: twenty three
Best Travel Backpacks Under $200
Lululemon Wanderlust Backpack
Lululemon
PEOPLE’s senior shopping editor, Erica Rials, praised this Lululemon offering for its aesthetic and functionality: As a frequent traveler, she was immediately intrigued by details like the water-repellent fabric, zippered pockets, and adjustable exterior straps (for a yoga mat, jacket, etc.).
A buckle closure keeps your contents secure, while a top drawstring keeps things easily accessible. This backpack has the bulky, utilitarian feel of traditional backpacking brands in a smaller size, but with a sophisticated Lululemon touch.
material: Polyester, Nylon | size: 14.2 x 6.1 x 20.1 inches | color: 2
Dagne Dover Dakota Backpack
Dagne Dover
Dagne Dover is known for its unique neoprene material, bold colors, and reliable durability, so it’s no wonder their backpacks are so popular. Details like a key leash and air mesh tablet sleeve help with basic organization, but this backpack is perfect for anyone looking for simplicity and striking design. Available in three sizes, it can hold anything from the bare essentials to a day’s worth of gear.
Editor’s comments
“I’ve had this backpack for two years now, and the neoprene material is a game changer. It’s waterproof, cushioned, and sturdy enough to hold heavy items like a laptop or an insulated bottle. It doesn’t have a lot of storage space, but it’s very durable.”Madison Yauger
material: Neoprene | size: (S) 9.5 x 5 x 13 inches, (M) 11.5 x 5 x 17 inches, (L) 13.25 x 5.25 x 17.5 inches | color: 13
Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffle Backpack
Kalpak
I’ve tried dozens of bags, but the Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack stole my heart. The clamshell opening makes it easy to pack for a week-long trip or a one-day jaunt, and the numerous pockets let you store dozens of gadgets and gadgets separately, just the way you like.
The padded straps are great for preventing pain during hours of standing in border customs lines and minimizing the physical impact of overpacking, while the compression sleeves make it easy to store under the seat. It never fits under an airplane seat. It’s now my go-to item and I get compliments all the time on its beautiful icy blue color. Did I mention it’s waterproof? It protected my books, sketchbooks, and other valuable and fragile items from getting wet in the rain.
material: Ripstop polyester, TPU laminate | size: 18 x 12 x 7.5 inches | color: Ten
Away Outdoor 25L Convertible Backpack
Away
Similarly, for longer trips, I often opt for this convertible backpack, which functions as both a backpack and a duffel bag. Years later, I still use the Away Carry-On for most of my trips, and the backpacks from the brand’s outdoor line epitomize durability and style. The fabric is water-resistant and abrasion-resistant, yet lightweight and has a mysteriously beautiful sheen.
The design is protective but not as structured as other backpacks. Although it does have plenty of pockets and organizers and compression straps, the 25-liter bag is more flexible, making it appealing to shoppers looking for a lightweight, low-profile backpack. It folds flat and is the most comfortable we’ve tried.
material: 100% polyester | size: 13 x 17 x 7.6 inches | color: 2
The best travel backpacks you can splurge on
Yeti Crossroads 27L Backpack
Yeti
Yeti is not just for coolers and water bottles. Like all of the brand’s products, this everyday backpack is simple yet sturdy. Inspired by bike gear, this backpack is designed to withstand heavy use. Yes, it can fit a tumbler, too. Multiple access points make it easy to reach what you need quickly. A full zipper allows the bag to be expanded greatly.
PEOPLE Shopping Editor Kayla Kitt has taken this Yeti Backpack on many adventures, “from local festivals and days at the park to weekend getaways and plane trips,” and she loves that the exterior is incredibly durable and wipe-clean, and the interior is packed with organizational features and compartments.
Editor’s comments
“I recently took this bag to a music festival and packed it with a 10-by-9-foot outdoor blanket, two water bottles, and a Yeti Daytrip Lunch Box filled with various toys, books, and snacks. I’ve even carried a soccer ball to the park.”—Kayla Kitt, Shopping Editor
material: Toughskin nylon exterior with PU coated base | size: 12.2 x 9.4 x 20.3 inches | color: Four
Cotopaxi Alpa 42L Travel Pack
Cotopaxi
For long trips lasting several weeks Adventure travelers who prefer trips of weeks rather than days swear by Cotopaxi’s sustainable, durable backpacks made from surplus fabrics. The brand’s funky mix of unique fabrics is distinctive and perfect for any adventure. The bag’s clamshell opening is perfect for suitcase-like packing, and the divided interior pockets and anti-theft zippers help keep everything in place when it’s time to catch a bus or plane or make a last-minute change of itinerary.
Most importantly, this backpack is built to withstand rain and bad weather and even comes with a protective rain cover so you don’t have to worry about sacrificing your belongings. The lifting straps and mesh suspension system make this bag comfortable in any situation while traveling.
material: TPU coated polyester, ballistic nylon panels | size: 22 x 14 x 11 inches | color: Five
Why trust people?
As a contributing travel and shopping writer and hotel critic, Grace Smith spends as much time on the go in various destinations as possible. She’s moved every few months for years and is used to living out of a suitcase or backpack. And, yes, she’s an overpacker, so finding the right bag for short trips, endless flights, and extended stays was mission critical. With PEOPLE editors’ picks, shopping insights, and her own globetrotting experiences in mind, Grace compiled a list of the best travel backpacks for any destination in 2024.
