Ruck Up! The Best Traveling Backpacks

Whether you need a suitable backpack to travel with you through the great outdoors or want a reliable bag that will see you through countless years of international holidays, safely carrying all your belongings, from your vape prescription and vaping pen to your valuable documents and expensive gadgets, there is an ideal travel backpack to suit every need.

Best Overall

Cotopaxi, an outdoor gear brand in Salt Lake City, is known for manufacturing brightly colored clothing and accessories to stand the test of time. The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel pack is one of the best backpacks, ideally suited for every situation and preference.

While the bag may lack the unstructured style of many of its counterparts, its high capacity makes it ideal for wedging clothes into every corner of the clamshell-style compartments. The bag's shell is made from a TPU-coated 1000D polyester material, and while it may feel water-resistant, it does come with a rain cover.

Furthermore, the bag is equipped with handles on all four sides, making it easy to carry and lift into overhead bins from any angle.

Waterproof Qualities

If you are traveling to a destination with a rainy climate, you will want to ensure your carry-on travel backpack is fit to withstand the harsh weather. The Tortuga travel backpack, made with 100% recycled and waterproof materials, will protect your belongings and prevent bad weather from ruining your trip.

The spacious bag has 40L of interior space, allowing you to easily fit a week’s worth of clothing between the two clamshell compartments. The split-style design allows for seamless packing, as you can keep track of available space on either side. Should you run out of interior space, you can use the top, front, and side exterior pockets for items you want on hand.

Hike-Worthy

When embarking on the ultimate outdoor adventure, having a rugged and versatile backpack that can withstand harsh environmental conditions while still effortlessly carrying everything you will need for a weekend in nature is imperative. 

The Kühl Eskape 25 is a small and durable backpack ideal for a weekend trip outdoors. It is designed with a variety of additional features to benefit hikers, including a stowaway hip belt for extra support and load-lifting shoulder straps. The backpack is made with durable TPU-laminated nylon. While it may take some time to adjust all the strapping perfectly for the ideal fit, once you have found the perfect combination, you can ensure a comfortable carry for hours on end.

Budget Friendly

For those looking for a budget-friendly backpack option without compromising on quality and style, the Asenlin 40L Travel Backpack will impress you with its packing features and comfortable fit. Made with interior and exterior compression compartments for added packing space, the bag comes with three different packing cubes, available in small, medium, and large sizes.

The backpack is equipped with a suitcase strap and a handle to hold it horizontally, should you choose to carry it. It also has interior straps and a laptop sleeve to keep everything strapped down while being used.

Fit for Foot Travel

The Osprey Fairview will be a prime backpack selection for travelers moving primarily on foot. Its spacious interior and comfortable fit, with padded shoulder straps and back, allow you to carry all of your belongings effortlessly without the uncomfortable fit that inevitably comes with wearing a backpack for too long.

The bag is designed to effectively distribute the weight of items throughout the various compartments, making your bag feel lighter than it really is. While the bags come in the same storage capacity and general design, the women’s backpacks are specially designed to fit a smaller torso, with waist and chest harnesses positioned at slightly different angles compared to the men’s.

Trusted & Traditional

The Samsonite Silhouette 17 backpack is ideal for anyone who likes the sleek, structured look of a traditional suitcase but wants the modern portability of a stylish backpack. Designed to open like a clamshell suitcase, it makes all your belongings easily accessible at a moment's notice. They are safely stored in compression-strapped main compartments or a zippered pocket on the inside of the front flap.

When needed, the bag can be converted to a duffle bag or briefcase, with a rear strap made to place on a rolling suitcase for added convenience. The straps are easy to adjust, and the weight of your belongings is nicely distributed thanks to its structured style.

Cool & Customizable

Customizable luggage is difficult to find, but Roam’s The Continental backpack offers you the opportunity to build the travel backpack of your dreams. The bags' front, back, sides, and straps are available in four colors, including black, blue, red, and green, and can be selected in any combination you may want.

The bag is made from lightweight, water-repellent fabric and YKK zippers, allowing it to effectively withstand any temperamental weather you may encounter while traveling. Alongside a large interior compartment, the bag is equipped with a laptop pocket and various exterior pockets, perfect for storing water bottles, headphones, chargers, and snacks.