Choosing the perfect travel backpack can be overwhelming with so many options available. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just planning your first adventure, finding a backpack that suits your needs is essential. Here, we’ve rounded up the best travel backpacks of 2024, featuring a mix of durability, comfort, and style.
Best Travel Backpacks:
- Cotopaxi Allpa 35 L
- Peak Design Travel
- Osprey Farpoint 40
- Nomatic Travel Pack
- North Face Borealis Commuter
Cotopaxi Allpa 35 L
Best for: Versatile Travelers
The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L is a standout choice for those who need versatility on the go. Its compact size makes it perfect for carry-on, yet it’s spacious enough to store all your essentials for a short trip. The Allpa is known for its rugged durability, thanks to its bombproof TPU-coated 1000D polyester and 840D ballistic nylon paneling. The suitcase-style opening allows for easy packing and organization, with internal mesh compartments and a dedicated laptop sleeve.
Why It’s Great:
- Weather-resistant and durable materials
- Comfortable harness system for long wear
- Easy access and organization
Peak Design Backpack 45L
Best for: Organized Travelers
For those who need a bit more space and love to stay organized, the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is a fantastic choice. This backpack is designed with photographers and creatives in mind but is versatile enough for any traveler. The bag’s innovative design features customizable internal dividers, allowing you to tailor the storage space to your specific needs. Its sleek, weatherproof construction and thoughtful touches, like hidden pockets and a dedicated laptop compartment, make it a traveler’s dream.
Why It’s Great:
- Customizable organization
- Weatherproof design
- Expandable capacity (35L to 45L)
Osprey Farpoint 40
Best for: Long-Term Travel
The Osprey Farpoint 40 is a favorite among long-term travelers, and for good reason. It’s the perfect balance of size, comfort, and durability, making it ideal for extended trips. The Farpoint 40 features a comfortable suspension system, allowing you to carry heavier loads with ease. Its lockable zippers, multiple compartments, and a padded laptop sleeve add to its practicality. Plus, the bag’s compact design ensures it meets most airline carry-on requirements.
Why It’s Great:
- Comfortable suspension system
- Lockable zippers for security
- Meets most carry-on size limits
Nomatic Travel Pack 20L
Best for: Business Travelers
The Nomatic Travel Pack is designed with the modern business traveler in mind. This sleek and functional backpack is perfect for those who need to transition seamlessly from the office to the airport. With a minimalist design, it doesn’t sacrifice functionality, offering features like a quick-access laptop compartment, expandable storage, and a magnetic water bottle pocket.
The Nomatic Pack’s smart organization, including RFID-safe pockets and a dedicated tech compartment, ensures that all your gadgets and documents are secure and easily accessible.
Why It’s Great:
- Sleek, minimalist design
- Smart organization for business essentials
- Expandable storage for flexibility
North Face Borealis Commuter
I’ve been using the Borealis Commuter for about four months now as my daily carry to work and for weekend trips, and honestly it’s become my go-to for pretty much everything. The 28L capacity is perfect if you’re not trying to overstuff it, and the 16″ laptop sleeve keeps my machine safe even when I toss the bag around. The FlexVent system isn’t just marketing fluff either—the padded back and shoulder straps genuinely make a difference on days where you’re carrying a full load. The organization is solid too.
You get a padded tablet pocket, a bunch of smaller compartments for cables and stuff, and the two side water bottle pockets are stretchy enough to hold actual bottles without feeling cheap. The external fleece pocket is kind of pointless imo but doesn’t hurt anything, and the compression straps help when you’re not filling it completely.
The water-resistant material has been tested against actual rain and holds up, though I wouldn’t count on it in a downpour without some extra protection. Build quality feels legit—no loose threads or anything falling apart despite me treating it pretty rough. The only real downside is if you’re on the smaller side, you might need to crank the straps to get a proper fit, and the bag itself is pretty wide so it doesn’t look super sleek when packed light. At the price point it usually goes for though, you’re getting way better durability and functionality than most competing commuter packs. It works whether you’re biking to the office, hiking on the weekend, or just need something that doesn’t look completely dorky for travel.