8 Exceptional Travel Backpacks You Should Buy Right Now

When it comes to the best travel backpacks, there are a few non-negotiable factors to keep in mind. For starters, you’ll want something that’s made with a durable, weather-resistant material. Your bag should be able to take a beating and literally weather the storm, keeping all your belongings safe in any condition. Secondly, organizational features are important. No matter how minimalist of a packer you are, you’ll inevitably have at least a couple of small accessories or, at the very least, identification and forms of payment, and you’ll need somewhere to put them without getting lost in a cavernous abyss. Comfort is another key element, especially if you only want to bring one bag on your journeys. From there on, everything else—like expandability, fleece-lined pockets, hidden smart tracker stashes—is just a bonus, although oftentimes incredibly useful bonuses. With all that in mind, here are some of the best travel backpacks to buy right now.

It’s no coincidence that you’ll find Peak Design frequently topping lists of this nature and that’s because the company makes one of the best backpacks on the market. The Travel Backpack comes in two sizes, 30 and 45 liters, with the latter being a personal favorite for its larger size, additional compartment and extra organizational pockets that makes it perfect for one-bag travel. The spacious, no-frills main cavity is kept simple so that you can use it however you like while the slimmer second compartment features multiple zippered stashes and organizational elements for tech and smaller knickknacks. You’ll also find a padded laptop sleeve at the back along with a quick-grab, zippered stash at the front along with two expandable side pockets that are ideal for water bottles, a tripod, and other accessories. Straps are easily tuckable when you want to carry it by any of its five grab handles and there’s even side access if you need want to quickly grab gear while on the move. To top it all off, the high-quality, 400D nylon shell is weatherproof and made to last. But if you opt for the latest colorway, Coyote, you’ll benefit from an even more durable X-Pac fabric that’s also sustainable, made entirely from recycled fishing nets. And, of course, it’s backed by the company’s lifetime warranty.

Another beloved travel brand, San Francisco–based Aer is known for its high-quality materials (backed by a lifetime warranty) and thoughtful design. With the Aer Travel Pack 3, you’ll get a 35-liter bag that boasts three sections: one large main cavity, a slot in the back with a padded and suspended laptop sleeve, and a panel in the front with a myriad of organizational pockets unlike anything you’ve seen before. Additional clever features include a hidden slot for smart trackers, quick-access top (lined, perfect for eyewear) and side pockets, lockable zippers, and compression straps with easy-to-use magnetic fasteners. The company celebrated its 10th anniversary this year with a new Ultra collection, introducing a new lightweight material that’s both durable and water-resistant, with pops of mint green liner for a touch of fun.

Combining some of the best aspects of a suitcase with the convenience of a backpack, it’s no wonder Tortuga’s flagship bag receives multiple accolades year after year. The spacious, no-frills main compartment has a clamshell opening with nothing more than a large mesh pocket, reminiscent of most roller bags. However, at the back and front sections, you’ll find brilliant frameworks for organizing all your accessories and extras. This includes padded, fleece-lined sleeves for laptops and tablets, zippered stashes, and exterior pockets for easy access to items you’ll frequently need. It also sports theft-deterrent, lockable zippers and the thick, padded shoulder straps and back panel provide extra comfort. There’s also a removable hip belt—complete with zippered pockets—to disperse weight for heavier loads. Plus, the backpack is built to last with its durable, waterproof fabric, backed by the company’s “worldwide warranty.”

More often than not, travel backpacks tend to be on the heftier side thanks to large sizes and durable fabrics that promise to withstand the toughest situations. And don’t get me wrong, we’re thankful for that made-to-last guarantee, but sometimes you don’t necessarily need that metaphorical bulletproof vest. That’s not to say Bellroy’s new Lite Travel Pack won’t stand up to time—it’s backed by a three-year warranty, after all—but rather that they’re changing the landscape for travelers who want something that could be seen as a more user-friendly, everyday option while still being able to enjoy all the fancy features that usually come with the best travel backpacks. Ideal for city jaunts and even the occasional moderate adventure, this bag lives up to its name, weighing just a little over two pounds for both of its spacious sizes, 30 and 38 liters. Its lightweight nylon fabric is made from recycled materials that makes it naturally resistant to water, further reinforced by coated zippers to keep the elements out. It has a clamshell opening with a large zippered compartment on one side and split storage on the other. Two additional pockets are found at the front, including a quick-access stash with a key loop, along with a rear zip-up pocket for a laptop. The backpack also has a luggage passthrough, multiple attachment points, and the ability to tuck away shoulder straps should you prefer to hold it by one of its two carry handles.

If you’re in search of a mid-size backpack for weekend trips or as a personal item for flights, Thule’s Subterra 2 is a strong contender. The water-resistant, 26-liter bag features one main compartment with a back panel that boasts padded laptop and tablet sleeves and multiple organizational pockets. It opens completely flat for easy packing, but you can also access your belongings from the top. Zippered side pockets are spacious enough for water bottles, umbrellas, and other similarly sized accessories, while a zippered stash at the back is ideal for a passport or wallet. Bonus points are given out for the included compression packing cube and the ability to expand the backpack to 32 liters.

Peak Design has ventured into the adventure space with its brand new Outdoor Backpack. To start, this lightweight, internally framed bag is covered in a weather-resistant ripstop fabric made from recycled materials. There are plenty of pockets accessible from the outside, with some hidden while others are much more convenient, like those built into the ultra-comfortable shoulder straps. The backpack’s main compartment is accessible from both the back—where you’ll find a sleeve that’s suitable for either a laptop or hydration bladder—and top via the magnetic rolltop closure while a second smaller section is hidden behind the PU-coated flap. You’ll also find multiple attachment points on the exterior, which work best with the provided cords. And in true Peak Design fashion, it’s compatible with several of the company’s accessories, including the camera cubes, Capture clips, ultralight packing cubes, and the new slings from the Outdoor line. The backpack comes in three colors and two sizes, 25 and 45 liters, with the latter boasting additional features such as load lifters, a ladder system, and a hip belt.

For the third iteration of its signature travel bag, Minaal pulled out all the stops. The Carry-On 3.0 is a multi-purpose bag that can be used as a backpack, briefcase, or duffle (shoulder sling sold separately). It has a capacity of 35 liters and is split into two compartments, both of which open completely flat for easy packing. At the back there’s a double device sleeve, a passport pocket, document sleeve, and pen loop. The primary section boasts 3-D zippered pockets on one side and nothing put free space on the other. Around the bag you’ll also find several useful features like lockable zippers, compression straps, and a discreet pocket integrated into the padded back panel. The Picton fabric made from recycled yarn is tougher and more water-resistant than ever, but should you ever get caught in torrential downpour, the included rain cover adds extra protection.

Most packable backpacks have little to no shape at all—that’s what makes them packable. But with Waterfield’s version, you get a little more structure while still having something that can fold into its own pocket. The small knapsack is made from a lightweight, technical material with a water-resistant coating and anti-wrinkle properties to maintain a more professional look. Organizational pockets are kept simple, with a zippered pouch inside, an exterior pocket with a key loop, and two pockets, ideal for water bottles, on either side. It’s also large enough to hold up to a 16-inch laptop, a rarity when it comes to packable options, but it’s recommended that devices are stored in their own sleeve when placed in the backpack.