As much as I love to travel with full-sized beauty products and enough space in my luggage to fill it with souvenirs and thrift finds, there is no better feeling than having everything you need on your back and not having to lug around a heavy suitcase.
From city breaks to island hopping, the best travel backpack will suit whatever trip you’re planning. Whether you have to fit your whole life in a small bag that adheres to Wizz Air’s and Ryanair’s strict bag allowance policies, you need a waterproof design for some fun outdoor adventures, you want a product that works as a day bag, or you want something spacious to hold everything you need – there is a travel backpack on the market that is perfect for you.
As I love a multi-destination trip, I am always looking for luggage that will make my life easier, and travelling with one of the best travel backpacks definitely makes running to catch a train or walking around cobbled streets a lot less complicated. Here are my top tried-and-tested picks.
Read more: Best packing cubes, tested
The best travel backpacks for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Bellroy lite travel pack: £185, Bellroy.com
- Best budget buy – Trail Aspen 30l day pack backpack: £15.29, Trail.co.uk
- Best XL design – Antler discovery backpack, 60l: £190, Antler.co.uk
- Best for budget airlines – Cabin Zero classic tech backpack: £65, Cabinzero.com
Read more: Best carry-on luggage, tested
Bellroy lite travel pack
Rating: 5/5
Best: travel backpack overall
Why we love it
- Light
- Easy to pack
- Plenty of pockets
- Sturdy and durable
Take note
- Slightly too big for some budget airlines
There are several reasons why Bellroy’s lite travel pack is the best travel backpack I’ve tested. The quality is fabulous and, after trying quite a few products from the brand, I know it will last many trip. It’s light and can be squashed and folded if necessary; it has plenty of pockets; zips, shell and internal materials are all excellent quality; and it’s easy to pack thanks to the flat opening (I have tried stuffing it with packing cubes and it held up perfectly).
The backpack has a zip-up pocket that fits a 16in laptop, which also makes it a good option for commuters. I used it on a very long train trip where I had to pack a lot in, and I was impressed that it fit a medium set of two packing cubes by Pastael and I still had plenty of space for more clothes and accessories.
Of course, you can find cheaper bags if you only travel occasionally, but if you’d like a product that is well-designed, sturdy and that you will be able to use for a long time, this Bellroy option is what I would go for.
Key specifications
Buy now £185, Bellroy.com
Trail Aspen day pack backpack
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: budget travel backpack
Why we love it
- Budget-friendly
- Lightweight
- Squashes down easily
Take note
- Not as sturdy as other options
Luggage is expensive, so £30 for a backpack is already a great price (it often drops to £15 in the sale). Technically, it’s slightly too big for budget airlines like Wizz Air, but it squashes down, so you’re unlikely to have issues at the gate – although, of course, that extra 7cm is still a risk.
The backpack features lots of pockets and plenty of room to fit your travel essentials. I used this during a weekend away to a seaside town, where the only things on the programme were spending time at the beach, easy walks and reading sessions under the trees. If you are a light packer, you can definitely fit everything you need for a long weekend in it, and at this price, the value for money is undeniable.
Key specifications
Buy now £15.29, Trail.co.uk
Cabin Zero classic tech backpack
Rating: 5/5
Best: travel backpack for budget airlines
Why we love it
- Budget airline-friendly
- Versatile
- Handy extra pockets
- Spacious
Take note
- Doesn’t open flat for easier packing
This classic tech backpack from Cabin Zero is perfect if you need a bag that will fit budget airlines’ strict sizing policies, but can also be used on your commute, for going to the gym or any other daily activity. The price sits in the mid-range and it’s far from the bargain option provided by Trail, but the fact that this backpack can be used as an everyday tech bag as well as hand luggage on pretty much all airlines, means it offers great value for money.
The laptop compartment is separate and padded, so your tech will be snug and safe. The main pocket doesn’t open flat but it’s still fairly easy to pack and fits quite a lot considering its size. There are a few handy pockets to store your documents and travel essentials you might need during your flight and, of course, space for a water bottle, plus a trolley sleeve to secure it to your carry-on.
As someone that is very stressed about hand luggage measurements whenever I have to take a budget flight, I love the piece of mind that this bag brings me. It’s always the bag I reach for when packing for a Wizz Air or Ryanair flight. Considering the size, this backpack also fits quite a lot in it, so I rarely find myself having to get an extra carry-on for short trips.
Key specifications
Buy now £65, Cabinzero.com
Rains texel tote backpack
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: waterproof travel backpack
Why we love it
- Waterproof
- Handy extra pockets
- Backpack and tote in one bag
Take note
- Not as spacious as other options
There is a reason why, when we think about waterproof gear, our minds often go to Rains, which has built its reputation as the go-to for waterproof outerwear and accessories. The brand has many waterproof bag options from mini backpacks to weekenders, but my personal favourite is the Texel tote backpack. I get a lot of use out of it as hand luggage when travelling, especially in the wetter months, and as an everyday bag when I have to run around in the often wet British weather.
The backpack can also be used as a tote and looks quite sleek, which is a nice perk when using it as a work bag. The main compartment features a padded pocket for a laptop, a few smaller pockets and enough space to fit a medium-sized packing cube filled with essentials. There are also two extra pockets on the front for miscellaneous items like chargers, cables and documents.
The texel tote also features a trolley sleeve and a little secret pocket on the back for the small but important things, like your passport. This is not a bag I would bring to a camping trip, but it was great during a long city workation as it’s waterproof and protected all my tech while walking around.
Key specifications
Buy now £139, Rains.com
Antler discovery backpack
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: extra-large travel backpack
Why we love it
- Spacious
- Sturdy
- Handy pocket for tech
- Supportive adjustable chest strap
Take note
- If flying, this would be considered a carry-on
While I’m all for only carrying a small backpack when going away for a weekend, especially in the summer, there are times when I want to travel with only what fits on my back, just in an extra-large version. The Antler discovery is a proper carry-on bag that can be used as a duffle or as a backpack: it has a secure, easy-to-access pocket for all your tech, an adjustable chest strap for extra support when carrying it for long stretches of time, and plenty of space for all your belongings.
I usually prefer carrying a small bag with all my travel essentials like laptop, chargers and snacks and keep it under my seat for super easy access. But if you are only travelling with this bigger backpack as a carry-on, you’ll still be able to access your things easily thanks to the spacious pocket located on the back.
The bag is perfect for longer trips when you want to carry more than just the essentials, and want to make sure you have some space for souvenirs, all while only carrying a backpack.
Key specifications
Buy now £190, Antler.co.uk
Stubble & Co motion sling
Rating: 4/5
Best: best sling travel backpack
Why we love it
- Small and lightweight
- Comfortable to wear
- Can fit a 14in laptop
Take note
- It’s smaller than an average backpack
Although it’s technically a sling rather than a backpack, I think this bag from Stubble & Co is perfect for those who want something that’s small enough to fit budget airline sizing, can be used as a comfortable everyday bag, and is smaller and lighter than a classic backpack.
The sling has one padded strap and an extra smaller, non-padded, strap that goes under one arm to keep the bag in place even when on the go. Whether you’re cycling to work or running for a train in Italy, this bag doesn’t do that annoying bouncing you often get with sling bags. It’s small and perfect for fitting under the seat on a plane, but has enough space for a laptop and all your tech, which makes it very useful as a work bag.
The motion sling was an extremely convenient and comfortable bag to have during a work trip, where I spent my days exploring, but also had to carry my laptop around. I know I will get a lot of use from it both while travelling and in my everyday life.
Key specifications
Buy now £85, Stubbleandco.com
The North Face base camp voyager pro
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: customisable travel backpack
Why we love it
- Can attach other smaller bags from the range
- Sturdy
- Spacious
Take note
- Too big for hand luggage on budget airlines
When it comes to the best travel backpack, it’s not easy to find one that you can customise with add-ons depending on your needs, so that was the first thing that I loved about The North Face base camp voyager pro. The modular design allows you to add quite a few gadgets to your luggage.
You can attach a lightweight backpack for longer trips, which you can also use as hand luggage on budget airlines. A sling bag and a small crossbody bag from the range, ideal for keeping your essentials safe when travelling, can also be attached to the main backpack.
If you like a multifunctional set and you mainly travel light, this option is great while also being sturdy, spacious and water-repellent. I attached the crossbody bag to the backpack for a train trip in Italy and then had a little bag to carry around all my everyday essentials during my time in the mountains.
Key specifications
Buy now £235, Thenorthface.com
Peak Performance vertical duffle
Rating: 4/5
Best: duffel-to-backpack for travel
Why we love it
- Versatile as duffel and backpack
- Sturdy
- Comfortable for short periods
Take note
- Too big for hand luggage on budget airlines
This bag from Peak Performance opens fully like a normal carry-on, is comfortable to carry as a duffel, and transforms into a backpack in seconds. There is a padded outer pocket that fits a 16in laptop, for both safety and easy access. The bag opens flat, which makes it very easy to pack, especially if you use packing cubes. Plus, it can hold a lot of clothes and travel essentials – on one side, there is a zipped mesh compartment to separate some items, like dirty clothes or personal hygiene products.
The straps might not be as padded as some of the traditional backpacks, but they are comfortable and easy to set up. I wouldn’t choose this bag if I knew I had to spend hours carrying it on my back, but for traditional travelling – whether on a train, a flight or by car – this was a very handy option.
I tested it during one of my train journeys in Europe and it was a great companion going up and down the stairs catching train connections. Overall, this is a good choice if you are looking for a duffel-style bag that can transform into a backpack, while also being spacious, comfortable and sleek-looking.
Key specifications
Buy now £190, Peakperformance.com
Helly Hansen transistor backpack recco
Rating: 5/5
Best: travel backpack for hiking
Why we love it
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- Spacious
Take note
- Too big for hand luggage on budget airlines
- Laptop compartment isn't the most padded
I took this Helly Hansen backpack for a spin during a hiking trip in Italy and I was impressed with its performance. Even in the scorching summer heat, the backpack was comfortable to carry and it wasn’t adding to the general overheating due to this year’s crazy temperatures. I used it many times to go on river walks in the south of Italy, desperately trying to escape the heat, and it proved to be a perfect product for these types of hikes.
I was particularly impressed by how extremely light the bag is, so much so that I used my luggage scale to make sure the information was correct on Helly Hansen’s website. The backpack is quite spacious and has plenty of room to be used as a carry-on on your trips, especially if you are planning to do a lot of activities.
There is a laptop pocket, but it’s not as padded as I would like, so it’s probably not the bag I would use to carry my tech, but other than that, it’s a fantastic option that comes at a reasonable price.
Key specifications
Buy now £150, Hellyhansen.com
Osprey x Danner fairview 40 travel backpack
Rating: 4/5
Best: for backpacking trips
Why we love it
- Adjustable padded straps and belt
- Sturdy
Take note
- Too big for hand luggage on budget airlines
If you are a woman and you have tried to find the perfect adventure bag, you will know that a lot of what’s available on the market is often not built with women’s needs in mind. Of course, the best brands now carry options created specifically for women, but it’s rare to find a hiking-style bag that is as comfortable and spacious as this one from Osprey x Danner.
The backpack is very spacious, it has a separate space for shoes (which fits hiking shoes), two compression straps in the main compartment, and a pocket that fits a 16in laptop. A big plus: the straps and the belt are adjustable and padded, which makes the bag very comfortable for particularly active trips, such as backpacking adventures.
There is also a men’s version with the same features but a male-specific fit. I loved this one as a comfortable, spacious and durable companion for a packed backpacking trip. When you are spending a few weeks jumping from one place to the next you have to optimise your luggage and it was great to have a backpack that could do it all – from acting as luggage, to performing well on nature excursions.
Key specifications
Buy now £190, Osprey.com
Horizn Gion backpack travel
Rating: 4/5
Best: travel backpack to use as a carry-on
Why we love it
- Spacious
- Sturdy
- Lots of useful compartments
Take note
- Too big for hand luggage on budget airlines
This option from Horizn is pretty much a carry-on that you can put on your back. There are plenty of pockets and space for everything you need. On the padded back, there is a zipped pocket for keeping valuables extra safe while travelling. There is also a padded pocket on the back that’s perfect for storing a laptop.
The main pocket opens like a suitcase and has one large compartment with a zipped mesh cover, while on the other side there are two smaller pockets. There is one last pocket on the front, which is large but not very deep and is useful for miscellaneous items like documents, books, headphones or extra clothes.
I choose this bag for stress-free urban travel, when I need some extra clothes but I also don’t want to be carrying too much. It was a perfect backpack to carry for a week in Bologna, enjoying the city with plenty of outfits to spare and no luggage to check-in. If you are looking for a backpack to replace your carry-on, this is a great option.
Key specifications
Buy now £270, Horizn-studios.co.uk
Kapten & Son Åre daypack lite
Rating: 5/5
Best: mini-adventure travel backpack
Why we love it
- Lightweight
- Fits budget airlines’ hand-luggage restrictions
- Chest strap keeps it secure
- Rain cover included
Take note
- Smaller than an average backpack
If you are looking for an adventure-ready backpack that will also pass the strict hand luggage restrictions of budget airlines, the Åre daypack lite from Kapten & Son is perfect for you. This backpack is extremely lightweight, but it’s deceptively spacious and will fit all your travel essentials.
This small backpack is particularly well suited to those planning to have an active holiday, but who don’t need the amount of space offered by the options from Osprey x Danner and Helly Hansen. It’s light and easy to fold or squish, it has a chest strap on the front to keep it securely in place while cycling or hiking and it’s comfortable even when full. A rain cover is also included, so you are prepared for any weather you might encounter.
After trying it in the south of Italy, this is now my official beach exploration backpack as it’s perfect to carry on small hikes when trying to reach secluded beaches in destinations like Ibiza, Sardinia or Marseille.
Key specifications
Buy now £99.9, Kapten-son.com
Katie Loxton Nadia medium backpack
Rating: 4/5
Best: vegan leather travel backpack
Why we love it
- Elegant
- Versatile
- Can be used as hand luggage on budget airlines
- Option to have the bag monogrammed
Take note
- Smaller than an average backpack
If you want the chic leather look for your versatile backpack, but you don’t want it to be real animal leather, this option from Katie Loxton offers a similar look to the options from Carl Friedrik and Oleada, but in a vegan-friendly material.
This bag is on the smaller side, which means you can use it as hand luggage if flying a budget airline like Wizz Air or Ryanair, but its size means that you won’t be able to pack enough for your trip in it, so you’ll probably need a carry-on.
Another positive is that this is a versatile product that can be used for light travel, as a cute accessory to use during your trip for all your travel essentials, and as an everyday bag for work and leisure. I used it as hand luggage on a trip in addition to a check-in bag, as I only needed my travel essentials and a small iPad with me, and it was so nice not having anything to lug through security for once.
I also used it as my everyday bag on the trip and, since it’s small and elegant, I didn’t take any other option with me. Like most Katie Loxton products, it can also be monogrammed on the front, which is a nice extra feature.
Key specifications
Buy now £54.99, Katieloxton.com
Briggs & Riley ZDX large convertible backpack
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: expandable travel backpack
Why we love it
- Expandable
- Durable
- Can be used as duffel bag
Take note
- Pricey compared with other options
After trying many backpacks for both work and pleasure, I can say without a doubt that Briggs & Riley’s quality and durability is among the best in the business – no wonder its guarantee is for life, no questions asked and no proof of purchase needed. Although the ZDX large convertible backpack impressed me with its design, comfort and capacity, I particularly enjoyed its expandability.
Its expandable spinner is already one of my most-used carry-on bags – which I have taken everywhere from boats to long-haul flights – but I am known for coming home from a trip with a lot more than I packed. Therefore having a backpack that also expands if needed is a great perk.
I always leave Italy with a lot more than I originally packed, and this year was no different. Having the extra space meant that I could pack all my shopping and some travel-safe food I know I’m otherwise going to miss. If your back gets tired, there is an extra strap so you can use the bag as a duffel.
Key specifications
Buy now £359, Briggs-riley.co.uk
Oleada Marina carryall
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: versatile travel backpack
Why we love it
- Versatile as crossbody, handbag or backpack
- Looks elegant
- Has a handy cup holder
Take note
- The straps are less comfortable than other options
Because I travel a lot for work, I like to have bags that can easily transition from an office-appropriate bag to roomy hand luggage, but also be useful during my trip. Most of Oleada’s bags are designed with travel in mind, and I have a couple of options from the brand that have quickly become some of the most-used bags in my wardrobe, whether I’m just travelling on the Tube or taking a long-haul flight to New York.
The Marina carryall looks elegant and professional, holds everything I need for a day of meetings and work, but also has enough space for my travel essentials. There’s even a cup holder hidden inside.
It can be worn as a crossbody, carried as a handbag or worn as a backpack, and has a luggage strap that secures it to your carry-on. I have used it as hand luggage on my way to Milan and Paris, and then as an everyday bag while in the cities to carry what I needed, including spontaneous souvenirs.
If you are looking for a chic backpack that will also double as a handbag during your trip, this one is for you.
Key specifications
Buy now £531, Oleadanyc.com
Carl Friedrik Ayrton backpack
Rating: 4/5
Best: leather travel backpack
Why we love it
- Elegant
- Excellent quality
- Useful front pocket for travel essentials
Take note
- More expensive than average
A backpack is always a practical choice when travelling, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t choose one that is also elegant and timeless. Carl Friedrik is a travel brand famous for its outstanding quality leather goods, and its Ayrton backpack did not disappoint.
The front pocket is spacious enough for the essentials such as your passport, phone and travel documents, so you can reach them with ease when needed. Inside, there is a pocket that fits a 16in laptop, as well as enough space for a few travel bits such as a change of clothes, a book and a pair of headphones. This bag is small enough to be used as hand luggage on a budget airline, and it’s smart enough to be used as an everyday bag, both while travelling and during your daily life.
I use this bag if I’m travelling for work and I know I will have to look smart at all times, including in the hotel lobby at arrival, and I pair it with its Granville weekender for extra travel elegance. I love the olive green shade, but every colour on offer looks gorgeous in this grained leather.
Key specifications
Buy now £645, Carlfriedrik.com
Your questions about travel backpacks answered
What is the best travel backpack?
As someone who travels frequently for both work and pleasure in a lot of different ways, I have a few backpacks that I use on rotation, but the best I’ve tested is Bellroy’s lite travel pack. It brings home the gold thanks to its smart and sleek design, comfort and durability.
If you’re on a budget the Trail Aspen day pack is lightweight, has plenty of useful pockets and is perfect for a long weekend. While if you need something that adheres to strict baggage rules on budget airlines, the Cabin Zero classic tech backpack is the one I reach for most when flying with Ryanair or Wizz Air.
How I tested travel backpacks
These bags have accompanied me on many trips, for both work and pleasure. Depending on the size and their specific features, I have tested them during several short but intense work trips to Greece and Turkey, as well as a long multi-destination train adventure around Europe, which included everything from truffle hunting excursions, hiking and biking in the Dolomites, lakeside stays and city explorations.
All bags have been tested by being filled with the essentials or more, depending on their size. The backpacks that have been chosen meet very specific needs, and each is a great option for a certain type of traveller and trip.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Alessia Armenise is a travel journalist and reviewer with a wealth of experience. During her travels around the world, she has tested several products for IndyBest, including the best carry-on luggage and the best packing cubes. In each of her reviews, Alessia provides her honest opinions and will only recommend products she believes are worth your money.
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