10 Best Travel Backpacks for Every Type of Trip

You can carry this Bagsmart bag as is for your personal item or expand it to its full 37-liter capacity to use as your carry on. Beyond that, the organizational features are impressive: It's got a slew of zippered pockets throughout the bag and comes with two packing cubes plus a shoe pouch. You can also comfortably fit a 17-inch laptop in the separate tech compartment.

TESTER NOTES: Our testers, especially overpackers, appreciated both how light the backpack felt and how much they could fit in it. "I absolutely loved how many things I could pack in this and how comfortable it felt to carry," said one GH analyst. "[It's] super lightweight compared to other travel backpacks I've owned, but still feels sturdy." Still, in contrast to other bags we tested, the material wasn't as durable, and one tester noticed fraying near the straps after a dozen trips.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Bagsmart Travel Backpack Review

Osprey's packs are known for their ergonomic designs, making them a go-to amongst hiking enthusiasts due to their all-day support. The Farpoint (a unisex style) and Fairview (designed for women) are some of their most popular and come in a few sizes, and the 40-liter model doubles as a carry-on. Its rounded shape makes it more comfortable to carry compared to boxy packs and the compression straps inside and outside the pack help you maximize space.

TESTER NOTES: It measured up to our expectations: I was able to fit enough for a week-long trip, thanks to the compression straps, and was impressed by how balanced it felt to carry. This put less strain on my shoulders and the mesh padding felt more breathable than other packs. GH Senior Analyst Olivia Lipski also took a past iteration of this pack on a two-week backpacking trip to Thailand and highlighted its comfort and practical design. The snag? You'll need to clip your water bottle to the outside as there's no holder.

For personal-item-only travel, this backpack from Calpak is a must for maximizing space. It unzips entirely (like a suitcase) for easy packing, but it also has a separate top zipper (similar to a typical backpack), so you can conveniently access belongings on the go. It's available in a mix of staple and seasonal shades, plus glossy and matte finishes.

TESTER NOTES: This was one of the most impressive bags I tested—from how much I was able to pack in the bag to how well constructed it felt on my back. The layout was intuitive, and I appreciated the zippered pockets for separating small but essential items as well as the generous yet streamlined padding throughout. It won over our testers too, for its generous size and stylish appearance, though it may feel bulky for those with petite frames.

Unlike many bags, Portland Gear's Casacade Backpack stays open and upright: It's structured without feeling stiff, and the wireframe opening makes packing a breeze. You can easily slip it onto a suitcase, thanks to the trolley sleeve, or wear it everyday for a long commute, like GH Commerce Editor Isabella Cavallo. There's also a hidden zippered pocket on the back, and a waterproof coating helps protect your belongings in unpredictable weather.

TESTER NOTES: Our testers were also wowed by just how much they could fit in this bag for its size. One said, “It’s super spacious, and the shape of the top makes it really easy to access everything inside. It also fit perfectly under the airline seat and was easy to grab by the top handle." Still, because of the top-loading nature of this bag and the minimal pockets in the main compartment, some of our testers found it difficult to pack items like earbuds or lip balm for easy access.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Portland Gear Backpack Review

It's hard to find a travel bag that can tackle a long two week trip, but this one manages to do just that. It allows you to access your belongings from the front (like a suitcase), the back (like a top-loading traditional backpack), and the sides. Beyond that, it expands from 30 liters to 35 or 40 liters using magnets. The only challenge comes with packing: While the interior is spacious, there aren't too many separate compartments, so if that's important to you, the brand offers a selection of compatible packing cubes, including protective ones for camera equipment.

TESTER NOTES: When expanded to its full size, it easily fit everything in our packing test with room to spare. Our testers also appreciated the comfortable padded straps and how easy it was to compress or expand the pack as needed for day-to-day use or flying back home. (And the straps are easily hidden if needed.) The side access pockets were another favorite. One tester said, "[I like that] I don't have to open the entire bag if I want to quickly throw something in."

Whether you're backpacking through a new country or flying to a nearby city, this Patagonia pack is up for the adventure. It's made with recycled materials, including a water-resistant film to keep all your stuff protected, and converts from a backpack to a duffel to a briefcase as desired. The 45-liter style is the most popular for maximizing space as a carry-on, and the 22-liter style is perfect for a personal item. All variations also feature a luggage sleeve to secure onto your suitcase and it only comes in three neutral colors.

TESTER NOTES: The bag lived up to its "Black Hole" name, fitting much more than you'd expect, especially when you roll your clothes up. One tester even dubbed it "the backpack to end all backpacks" because of its versatility and smart organization, with multiple compartments and pockets for easy packing. Plus, during our tests, water rolled right off the main fabric of the bag with ease, so you can rest assured it'll protect your belongings even in unpredictable weather.

No one wants an uncomfortable backpack, which is why we love this chic bag from Dagne Dover. It's made of neoprene fabric, which feels soft and squishy instead of stiff like some other bags. There's also a ton of pockets to keep you organized, including an interior one for your bottle, a hidden one on top to stash your phone, plus an interior removable pouch, and a shoe bag. The bag also easily slips onto your suitcase, thanks to your luggage sleeve.

TESTER NOTES: Testers highlighted the elevated, stylish appearance compared to other backpacks they've owned and its comfort. One said, "it's comfortable to wear and doesn't dig into my shoulders when I'm carrying something heavy." It didn't fit as much as other bags did in our packing tests, but we like that it can also be used as an everyday bag for work or school. While you can purchase the small or medium, we recommend the large for traveling.

Take note: We found that if you’re rough with the bag, the neoprene fabric may pill (though pills can easily be removed with a fabric shaver).

Carrying a TUMI backpack is a status symbol no matter where you are—the brand is known for its luxury travel products worldwide, particularly for its long-lasting quality and service. This is their tried-and-true best-selling backpack. It's sleek enough for work but designed with durability in mind, and I can attest to that: I've owned this ballistic nylon backpack for 13 years and counting. The brand also offers a lifetime registration and tracking service for finding lost bags.

TESTER NOTES: I've brought this backpack everywhere over the past few years, from school and work to multiple domestic and international flights. It feels built to last: After 13-plus years and over 50,000 miles of countable travel, it's still just as sturdy, though a little worn and well-loved. While the top-loading configuration isn't ideal, the side gussets make it easy to maximize space. It fit more than typical backpacks in our tests (and feels much nicer), but it can be on the heavy side for its small footprint. Still, the padding is exceptional, the pockets are convenient, and it's easier to slip onto a suitcase than any other backpack I've used.