In that case, I recommend the 35-liter carry-on bag from Standard Luggage. Nevertheless, it is my obvious top choice for all you travelers out there who arent ready to fully commit to a backpack yet. While this bag is significantly heavier than your average backpack, the rollers should be taking this weight the vast majority of the time. Upgrade your adventure today, and sign up to receive the best gear, tips and tricks weve got, straight to your inbox, totally free. Another thing I love is the unique hidden smart tracker pocket where you can stash an Airtag or Tile device to help locate your bag if it goes missing. Everything about this bag is designed with optimal comfort in mind, and it works really, really well. Tropicfeel SHELL Backpack: Best Expandable Carry-On Backpack, 8. Theres tons of pockets and compartments to keep you well organized too, including a well-padded laptop sleeve for your devices up to 17. This system both prevents them from impacting the ground if you drop your bag and keeps the weight perfectly distributed. But when the harness is needed, Im very impressed by its support and comfort for such a bulky load. Lets start with the obvious: electronics space. But consider this: The backpacks themselves can vary drastically when it comes to weight, and some may feel like youve already packed a brick or two, even when empty. EDITORS NOTE: I own and occasionally travel with this pack. My only beef with this bag is that I dont find the A-Frame particularly attractive. Check out my full Cotopaxi Allpa review here. It converts into a duffel bag and has a dedicated laptop pocket. Weight: 4.5 LBS (2 KG)Capacity: 30-45 LitersLoad Range: 20-40 LBSColors: Black, SageBest For: Carry-On TravelPrice: Click Here For Latest Price. Which means that youve got more choices than toppings on a build-your-own pizza menu. While I wouldnt recommend it for extreme hiking, this is still the best one bag travel bag on my list for general travel. The innovative 3-in-1 adaptable design converts the bag into three different sizes: 22L (Daily), 30L (Weekend), and 40L (Adventure). Please also note that, at 35 liters, its a little on the small side compared to other backpacks on this list, so youll have to pack very meticulously. From price, quality, material and function, the 17 aforementioned bags boast everything and anything youll need on your next adventure. Well start with the maximum sizes that you could possibly pick, based on airlines. This helps avoid sore shoulders and back pain, especially when wearing it for long periods of time. But what the sailcloth boasts in durability it lacks in rigidity. ThePacsafe Venturesafe X40is LOADED with features, particularly on the security front. They are often presented with a weatherproofing treatment for better protection. Stylishly designed, intuitively organized and thoughtfully furnished, youll find a spot for just about everything you need for a successful trip in the Aer Travel Pack 3. While its expensive, their attention to detail is unrivaled. How To Choose The Perfect Travel Backpack, Quick Answer: Best Travel Backpacks Of 2022. The bag also features a dedicated compartment full of pockets for other electronics. The bag material itself is also designed for durability and its ripstop nylon should hold up to everything from airport jostling to rocky adventures, and still look good for your occasional city visits. There are so many to choose from! And, once you reach your destination, you can simply unload your gear, zip up the internal compression zipper and, viola, you have a sleek 26-liter bag for day to day excursions. The intuitive organization, however, overshadows this handicap as there seems to be a custom spot for just about every piece of gear, including your laptop. Besides keeping you from sweating so much, backing support can also help to distribute the weight more evenly on your back. Every now and then a new travel backpack catches my eye simply for its unique and innovative design. Anything smaller is a regular backpack; anything larger you will likely have to check. Maybe they like to hitchhike, and prefer visiting more remote destinations where they may not have a roof to sleep under. Heading inside, the Ruckpack features a rather unique opening method where the top of the bag zips open, but the zippers continue down the whole back length of the bag to fully expose its innards. All these features work together to make a very stable platform to take all that weight off your shoulders. Traveling with a laptop is a necessity for some and for those people, having a simple, safe and secure way to keep your laptop with you at all times can be tricky. But, if you like to play it safe, thats fair enough. And youll feel a heck of a lot better when youre not carrying around a bunch of unnecessary items that you have to sift through every time you need to find anything. Why? Compression straps are also present in this portion of the bag to keep the bulk of your gear nice and secure. Here in Europe quite a few airlines have tightened up on weight. Your email address will not be published. I hope you enjoyed my guide on the best travel backpacks! Large Travel Backpack Women, Carry On Backpack,Hiking Backpack Waterproof Outdoor Sports Rucksack Casual Daypack School Bag, Matein Travel Laptop Backpack, Business Anti Theft Slim Durable Laptops Backpack with USB Charging Port, Water Resistant College School Computer Bag Gifts for Men & Women Fits 15.6 Inch Notebook, Grey, FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon, Anime Backpack 3D Printing Casual Travel Backpack Lightweight Bookbag Teens Boys Girls, Laptop Backpack for Women Laptop Backpacks for 15.6 Notebook Casual Computer Bag Stylish Stitch Pattern LIGHT FLIGHT Daypack for Work Travel Business College Large Black, Extra Large 52L Travel Laptop Backpack with USB Charging Port Fit 17 Inch Laptops for Men Women, Travel Backpack, Extra Large 50L Laptop Backpacks for Men Women, Water Resistant College School Bookbag Airline Approved Business Work Bag with USB Charging Port Fits 17 Inch Computer, Black, Large Travel Backpack Women, Carry On Backpack,Hiking Backpack Waterproof Outdoor Sports Rucksack Casual Daypack School Bag Fit 14 Inch Laptop with USB Charging Port Shoes Compartment, Travel Laptop Backpack,TSA Large Travel Backpack for Women Men, 17 Inch Business Flight Approved Carry On Backpack with USB Charger Port and Luggage Sleeve, MATEIN Durable College School Bookbag,Grey, Matein Carry on Backpack, Extra Large Travel Backpack Expandable Airplane Approved Weekender Bag for Men and Women, Water Resistant Lightweight Daypack for Flight 40L, Black, 35L Travel Backpack,Flight Approved Carry On Backpack for International Travel Bag, Water Resistant Durable 17-inch Laptop Backpacks,Large Daypack Business Weekender Luggage Backpack for Men Women , Laptop Backpack for Women, Travel Backpack for School with USB Charging Port Fit 15.6 Inch Laptop, College Backpack Water Resistant School Bookbag Bag for Office/Teacher/Students/Nurse/Work, Grey. As for security, the zippers to the main and laptop compartment are partially hidden to prevent easy access to your valuables. Easily unclip the backpack straps, and stow them in a dedicated pocket. The roll top can be used with or without the velcro and with or without the Duraflex strap. The zippered 17 laptop compartment is external, so youll never have to dig again. Ospreys incredibly comfortable mesh shoulder and hip belt make toting this bag over pavement or dusty trails simple, and the hip belt even has its own stash pocket when needed. The Matador SEG42 Travel Pack is the lightest backpack here, and built out for segmentation of your gear into different areas. The front-loader main compartment makes this Tortuga backpack pack just like a suitcase, and it has plenty of open space for all the clothes you could possibly need for a successful one bag adventure travel jaunt. A large clam-shell opening for storing dirty/wet clothes or shoes, multiple zippered compartments, plus a padded laptop pocket. Of course, many carry-on bag brands tout themselves as the be all end all. This means you can pack in a more organized manner, so your clothes will be easier to access and have, in theory, fewer wrinkles. Minaal Carry-On 2.0: Best Minimalist Carry-On Backpack, 14. Yes, this is the same material ships sails are made from, so you can certainly appreciate the battering they must withstand. I generally recommend a 50-liter backpack for international travel. Theres also a model specifically for women here. Its extremely rugged and very comfortable. And more importantly, can lie flat in my suitcase if I dont need to check both. This means big wheels for a smoother ride and improved clearance, a fiberglass base to trim some weight, and a telescopic handle. Here are my favorite camera backpacks. ZIPPERS I prefer large, easy to use zippers on a backpack. There are two additional zippered mesh pockets, a key/wallet clip, and extra pouches in the front compartment. We already know that the more you cram into a backpack, the more its going to weigh you down while you dash through the airport. For you ounce-counter travelers out there, this Travel Bag from Topo Designs may be just what you need in the best carry on backpack for one bag travel that wont break your back. To a lesser extent, materials also play a role here where, once again, the more durable, water-resistant and long-lasting constructions are, typically, slightly heavier. The previous 10 kilo limit has dropped to 8 kilos. Im a big fan of their products because theyre designed really well, the bags are durable, and guaranteed for life! Once inside the suitcase-style zippered bag, youll find a main zippered mesh compartment for your larger items (clothes), as well as several smaller zippered mesh pockets on the opposite side for all your additional gear. Or just unzip the entire front panel and pack it like a suitcaseyour style, your choice. The Tropicfeel SHELL Backpack is definitely that bag. If youre planning a backpacking trip though Europe, and want to know which bag to get, it will depend on the type of traveler you are. REI Co-op Ruckpack 40: Best Hiking Crossover Carry-On Backpack, 17. Or perhaps youre about to embark on your first trip, and youre determined to travel the world with carry-on luggage only to relieve some of the nerves. Simply unzip the perimeter restrictors and an extra 10 liters is yours for the taking. A technical hiking pack more than a travel one. Don't subscribe In essence, one bag travel is all about traveling light. Osprey sets the gold-standard when it comes to hiking backpacks, and their Farpoint bag is a prime example of it. I own a few travel backpacks but only use them for specific situations, like weekend-trips, or overnight trekking. Sorry to break it to you, folks, but you do need to pay attention to zippers. Also accessible is the laptop sleeve, complete with a dedicated tablet pocket to make those security screenings as easy as possible. To be honest, its almost overkill! Now the list of potential backpack materials is about as long as my arm, so lets take a minute to break them down and label whats good, how its good and what to steer clear of. Or better yet, look for backpacks that utilize a harness and, ideally, boast mesh backing to lift the pack itself off your back. Not one carry-on bag and a backpack but, rather, one bag for everything. But contradicting this plus is the strange design decision to include a hip belt for such a small, slim, bag and, at the same time, exclude weatherproof zippers. Peak Design Travel Backpack My amazing airplane carry-on camera & laptop backpack. Basically an over-designed, packable, water-resistant tote bag that zips shut. A nifty fold-down divider can aid in organization, while the opposite side of the bag also offers mesh pockets for storage. Aer already proved their bag design prowess in the original travel pack, and have truly outdone themselves to bring you this third-generation gem. Some backpacks need a special rain-cover, others have rain-resistance built right in. Top subscription boxes right to your door, 1996-2022, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Backpack straps can all be hidden super fast, which is awesome. Great question! Going on a trip out of state or out of the country can be an excellent way to unwind. When youre rolling, youll have Ospreys highroad chassis. The backpacks listed below have enough space to accommodate a sleeping bag, tent, and cooking equipment needed for typical trekking and overnight camping adventures, as well as your travel gear. Traveling carry-on only (aka One Bag) isnt for everyone. From modular to minimalist, Ive compiled the best carry-on backpacks for one bag travel on the market today. Osprey Sojourn: Best Rolling Carry-On Backpack with Wheels. While all this protection does add to the overall weight, youve got a practically bombproof bag. No overt bulging pockets and no unnecessary straps whipping to and fro. This sturdy little bag is sure to stand up to even the roughest treatment, and the interior is meticulously organized, making it easy to pack. Zippers are zippers, you dont have to worry about those, right? Tortuga Outbreaker: Best Carry-On Backpack for International Travel, 5. While I initially began my nomadic career with a backpack, as Ive grown older, I now prefer a rolling duffel bag for most trips. This has absolutely no effect on our recommendations or evaluations. So, first of all, make sure youre looking at a pack thats designed for you. TravelFreak is reader supported. Whatever the case, sifting through the mountain of options out there is no easy task. Your torso length is more important than your height. There are situations in which either of these options is optimal. Once you have a size, one of the more important items here is the opening style. The external side compression straps and stowable straps keep this bag sleek and tidy. Ive been to some hairy places around the world and the only time I ever experienced danger was one block from my friends house in a gentrified suburb in Australia. One bag travel refers to traveling with just one bag. Nevertheless, this occurs very rarely and is just a minor annoyance compared to all the awesome features packed in here. There are plenty of compartments for organizing your stuff. The Farpoints proclivity for excellence continues with regards to space and organization. So my best advice? Peak Design Travel Bag, 35-liter carry-on bag from Standard Luggage, The Ultimate NOMATIC Peter McKinnon Camera Bag Review, WANDRD FERNWEH Backpack: An Adventure Photographers Complete Review, 15 Best Travel Backpacks for Women in 2022, 100% Recycled Nylon and 60% Recycled Polyester, Comfortable and stash-able shoulder and hip belts, Stylish enough for the trail or city travel, Practically identical bag available in 35L and 45L, Intuitively organized pockets and sleeves, Plenty of open space for clothing storage, Wonderfully organized - practically packs itself, 4 exterior attachment points for Mission Workshop's Arkiv accessories, Entire harness system can be zipped up and stored for easy loading in airplane bins, Very adjustable and comfortable harness system, Compression straps to keep things tight and compact, Easy conversion from backpack to shoulder bag to briefcase and bag, At home in either urban or hiking environments, Fold down shelf in main compartment for additional compartmentalization, Very large, suspended, laptop compartment accommodating up to 19" computer, Convertible between backpack, duffel, and briefcase, Bag style is capsule-like and an acquired taste, Over organizing may limit the amount of gear, as opposed to an open cavern bag design, Exclusively designed for urban travelnot a suitable hiking bag, Doesnt have a dedicated shoe compartment, Much fewer internal pockets than competitors, Can easily expand beyond official carry-on size restrictions with a lot of gear stuffing, Packable laundry bag RFID blocking pocket, Back panel utilizes material that is not weather proof, Good organization, especially in the front pocket, The outer zip pocket needs to open wider its hard to access everything, Unique wardrobe system to keep items separated, A hip belt is a little overkill for such a small bag, Wonderfully organizedpractically packs itself, Hip belt seems to be an afterthought and is minimally useful, 4 exterior attachment points for Mission Workshops Arkiv accessories, Very adjustable and comfortable harness system Large laptop compartment, Harness cover needs to be meticulously packed to avoid uncomfortable pressure on your back, Exterior laptop compartment for easier access, No dedicated shoulder strap for duffel mode, Shoulder harness straps in backpack mode have finicky attach point that sometimes comes undone, Literally looks like youre carrying a suitcase on your back in backpack mode, Laptop compartment is unpadded and offers minimal protection, Bit of an oddball opening/packing method that takes some finesse, External pockets can cut into available space in the main compartment, Very large, suspended, laptop compartment accommodating up to 19 computer, Material is a little thin and frail feeling. Your email address will not be published. Recently I was looking for a backpack. All the more reason to get yourself the best carry-on bag for comfort and fit to mitigate that extra burden. Again, however, the con is that over-compartmentalization can complicate packing. WEIGHT Obviously you want the lightest travel backpack you can find thats also comfortable, because this will save your body from fatigue. But it really depends on your travel style. The majority of airlines carry-on bags range from 30 to 45 liters and, trust me, thats plenty of space for the coveted one bag travel. Please dont underestimate the importance of picking a bag that fits you properly. You can also try out this backpack for 14 days. Tortuga Outbreaker vs. SIZE & CAPACITY Backpack sizes are usually quoted in liters of volume they can hold. Are you a photographer looking for the perfect camera bag to pack all your gear? That said, within your one bag, you should always stuff another packable daypack like the Cotopaxi Batac 16L, Arcteryx Index or the Tortuga Setout Packable Daypack. For carry-on only travel, Id recommend the Osprey Farpoint 40. You can convert this backpack to duffle or to a briefcase, too, for the ultimate one bag travel experience. But the big draw is how comfortable it is due to a really good suspension system and straps. Theres something magical about traveling to new countries while living out of a backpack. But it also has new load lifters for your comfort and to balance the weight on your back, and an improved compressed design so you can better access the main compartment while on the go. Also, once fully loaded, youll need to be careful how you open the bag or you risk spilling gear. And other than all those fun highlights, youll find that the Tropicfeel SHELL Backpack still has all the features that come standard with a great pack, including weatherproof material, an adjustable sternum strap, a hip belt, and a straps holder to help tuck away stray straps. If you want to travel light, a women's travel backpack is the way to go. Taking cues from their famous anti-gravity system, you have a breathable and comfortable mesh backing that partners perfectly with the mesh hip belt to distribute all the extra weight. But I used a different S word. Most airlines will allow for one carry-on and one personal item, though this is not always the case for budget airlines that sometimes charge. Thank you for supporting our mission! This will mostly depend on your body type/size, and what kind of packer you are. Still, while the overall design is a little boxy, this backpack will hold its shape and sit upright even when empty, which can be a pro or con depending on your travel style. Youll also find specific features and details to pay extra close attention to while making the decision thats right for you. Most backpacks may look very similar to one another but, trust me, they are almost all built for very specific and very different functions. As a professional backpacker, I get many questions about whats the best travel backpack. Scroll down to see what we picked out. This is because it limits the amount of stuff you have to lug around, which can be a huge (and literal) pain if youre on the road for quite some time. Be sure to note what type of harness system the backpack uses, along with the overall weight of the bag. EDITORS NOTE: I own this, as well as Peak Designs Everyday Camera Backpack. FRONT LOADING Hiking backpacks are usually top-loading, meaning you need to dig through them from the top to find your stuff. You also have a quick access pocket, perfect for everything from plane tickets to snacks, that also has another mesh pocket inside for even more. Youll be able to wear this for hours on end and never feel burdened. Heres a great backpack fitting guide. The expanded 34-liter space is divided between the main compartment, additional organizational pockets and a 15 max laptop sleeve. And, in the same vein, not every carry-on is going to be the best carry-on bag for you. The straps are nice, stuff stayed dry in a down pour and I use it a lot. 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They often need to check a bag because they tend to over-pack. Notice all the zippers? You can bet the backpacks made from this material are, therefore, just on this side of indestructible and weatherproof. Its ideal for those who like to pack light. In general, Ive found that reliable brands that incorporate a sturdy and supportive harness system typically produce slightly heavier bags. Some travel backpacks also have padded grab-handles or a duffel-bag strap which is nice. Itkeeps a lot of your stuff inside the backpack itself. One bag travel is arguably always preferable if possible. Best Carry-On Backpack for International Travel, Best Rolling Carry-On Backpack with Wheels. You can store your belongings into different compartments of the wardrobe system, and then simply hang the bag in your hotel closet or on your bed. Now that I often travel with my family, plus camera gear, I can no longer live out of just a backpack. If you want to learn more about this bag, read the full Nomatic Backpack Travel Bag Review! The Tropicfeel team wanted to combine the ergonomics of a large hiking pack with the portability and lightness of an everyday backpack. Apart from the back panel for stashing straps, youll also have two separate YKK zippered pockets where you can stash travel books, tickets or anything else you need readily accessible. And if 40L isnt enough, their 55L version comes with a 15L detachable daypack for additional space. (Notice that most of our bags are well over 1000D in material thickness.). CARRY-ON FRIENDLY Airlines are getting stricter about the size and weight of your carry-on bag. What about other suggestions? The dedicated laptop pocket can fit up to a 15 computer, and the security pockets are great for passports and other important documents. The interlocking zip sliders are also puncture-resistant, and the anti-theft anchor lock and cable allows you to lock down your zippers and straps to a secure fixture. The Pacsafe Venturesafe X40 might be thebest anti-theft backpackfor you. Just how durable does this carry-on backpack really need to be? The suitcase style full-perimeter zip opening reveals an excellent spacious compartment, complete with straps for compression. We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases. Wasting time at baggage claim as the lighter travelers zip away. This keeps your backpack from inducing shoulder and back pains that you certainly dont need when youre already cramped up from sleeping on planes and buses all the time. The clean and uncluttered approach continues inside the main clamshell opening where you have completely open space to play within one half, and two large mesh pockets for organization in the other half, and thats all. This is also the lightest backpack of the bunch because it was designed as a hiking day-pack and overnight travel bag. Nomatic Travel Bag: Best Carry-On Laptop Backpack, 6. Timbuk2 Impulse Travel Backpack Duffel: Best Carry-On Duffel Backpack, 15. Plus, the nearly indestructible sailcloth exterior will stand up to all the rigors of international travel. Getting lost in foreign cities, meeting new people, breaking out of your comfort zone, discovering different cultures, and having life-changing travel experiences is just part of backpacking. Enter: the REI Co-op Ruckpack 40. Whether youre traveling for 2-weeks or 2-months. . The bag comes with padded, adjustable straps, and a sturdy waist belt and sternum strap.