The 6 Best Carry-On Backpacks, Tested by Travel Experts
Our top-tested picks for every type of traveler.
Tested by Grace WuSenior Analyst
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Traveling hands-free through a busy airport is a game changer. A carry-on backpack can hold as much as a traditional carry-on suitcase while offering the comfort and convenience of a backpack.
At the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, we’ve tested all types of luggage and backpacks in the Lab and on the road. After testing more than 60 backpacks, our favorite is the Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L because it packs like a suitcase, feels comfortable even when full, and easily converts into a duffel when needed.
Our top picks:
- Best overall: Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L
- Best value: Bagsmart Travel Laptop Backpack
- Best for long trips: Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L
- Best lumbar support: Osprey Fairpoint 40L Travel Backpack
- Best for over-packers: Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Backpack
- Best personal item: Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack
Best Deal
Pros
- Designated easy-access tech storage area
- Comfortable straps with lumbar support
- Made with durable recycled materials
Cons
- Boxy shape can feel bulky for every day
If you're looking for a carry-on backpack that can handle everything from long weekends to week-long trips, I'd recommend this one. You can comfortably wear it on your back: It’s got padded shoulder straps, a supportive hip belt, and an adjustable chest strap that helps evenly distribute the weight.
It also easily converts to a duffel or slides onto rolling luggage. Grab any of the handles to lift into overhead bins or the trunk of your car.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS:
✔️Packs like a suitcase: This bag opens up clamshell style with sectioned compartments. You can also fully unzip the second half to reveal sleeves for your laptop and tablet plus pouches for chargers and other accessories. While Patagonia says it can fit laptops up to 15 inches, we were able to fit a 17-inch laptop in our tests.
✔️Comfortable and supportive: We were especially surprised with how comfortable this pack was to wear when fully packed. One consumer tester preferred it over every other travel backpack he'd recently used. Not all GH analysts liked this bag's boxy look though; one said it felt "bulky" on her petite frame, so it isn't the best choice if you also want an everyday commuter bag.
✔️Mindfully designed: It's made with durable recycled materials. We like that Patagonia will repair damaged products (for a charge based on damage) to keep products out of landfills. Patagonia also has a used section on its site where you can shop secondhand gear from the brand.
| Dimensions | 22" x 14.5" x 7.6" |
| Capacity | 45L |
| Weight | 3 lbs 9.7 oz |
| Laptop compartment size | 15 in. |
| Packing style | Clamshell |
| Outer material | 300-denier 100% post-consumer recycled polyester ripstop with a post-industrial recycled TPU-film laminate |
Pros
- Lightweight
- Includes packing cubes
- Great organizational pockets, including a laptop sleeve
Cons
- Material not designed for outdoor use
Our testers preferred this versatile Bagsmart backpack over several (pricier) travel backpacks we tested. Use it as a personal item for shorter trips or expand it to its full 40-liter capacity for a true carry-on. Internal and external compression straps help keep everything secure, whether you're packing light or maximizing your space.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS:
✔️ Thoughtful organization: This bag can fit a lot, and it’s designed to keep you organized. There are tons of zippered compartments both inside and outside the bag for small items. It also includes two packing cubes, a pouch for shoes, and a padded 17-inch laptop compartment.
✔️ Comfortable to carry: This was one of the lightest backpacks we tested, which our testers—especially overpackers—appreciated. One consumer tester said, "I absolutely loved how many things I could pack in this and how comfortable it felt to carry. It's super lightweight compared to other travel backpacks I've owned, but still feels sturdy."
✔️ Best for leisure travel: The material isn't as durable as some of the other bags we tested. If you plan to use your backpack on hikes or trails, we'd recommend an option designed for outdoor use, but our testers found it great on flights, road trips, and everyday use.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Bagsmart Travel Backpack
| Dimensions | 18.5" x 12.2" x 10.23" |
| Capacity | 40L |
| Laptop compartment size | 17 in. |
| Weight | 2 lbs 3.4 oz |
| Packing style | Front-loading |
| Outer material | Polyester |
Pros
- Compresses from 45L to 35L
- Quick side-access compartment
- Straps tuck away to use as duffel
Cons
- Less organized interior
You can expand this backpack to 45 liters when you need extra packing space for a week-long vacation, then compress it to 35 liters when you arrive for a slimmer, easier-to-carry daypack for sightseeing. You can also tuck away the shoulder straps to carry it as a duffel.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS:
✔️ Adapts to your trip: Our consumer testers loved how quickly they could expand or compress the backpack using the magnetic closures on the exterior. In our packing tests, the expanded bag easily fit everything we needed for a week-long trip with room to spare, while the compressed size felt much more manageable for exploring once we reached our destination.
✔️ Easy access on the go: The side access pockets were a favorite amongst our testers: "[I like that] I don't have to open the entire bag if I want to quickly throw something in." While the bag has a few zippered stash pockets on the exterior, there aren't many compartments inside, so we recommend pairing this pick with packing cubes.
✔️ Comfortable padding: Even when full, the padded shoulder straps felt comfortable. The adjustable chest and hip straps also helped provide proper support.
| Dimensions | 22" x 13" x 9.5" (standard) or 22" x 13" x 11" (expanded) |
| Capacity | 35L to 45L |
| Laptop compartment size | 4.5 lb |
| Weight | 16 in. |
| Packing style | Front-opening |
| Outer material | 100% recycled 400D nylon canvas with DWR finish |
Pros
- Ergonomic wide hip belt and chest straps
- Padding on the back and shoulder straps
- Front compression straps can hold a sweatshirt or jacket
Cons
- No water bottle holder
If comfort is your top priority, I’d recommend this backpack from Osprey. Its wide, padded hip belt and ergonomic chest and hip straps help distribute weight comfortably, making it more comfortable to carry than other packs we’ve tested. Plus, the rounded shape stands out compared to the boxiness of other carry-on backpacks.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS:
✔️Travel-ready features: I was impressed by the different design features, like loops to hook on additional bags, front compression straps to hold a sweatshirt, and zipper pulls that accommodate locks—it even has a built-in whistle to use when hiking. There are compression straps throughout the bag to help make the contents more compact. Still, it lacks a water bottle holder on the side, so I'd recommend hooking your bottle onto the one of the outer loops.
✔️Built for all-day wear: There's mesh padding along the straps and back, which allows for ample airflow—a must when wearing the pack in hot weather. When we tried on the pack, we were impressed by how comfortable and balanced it felt to carry.
✔️Multiple sizes: I’d recommend the 40-liter version to use as a carry-on, but Osprey also offers larger capacities for backpacking trips, though you’ll need to check them when flying. Note that the Farpoint style is designed for men, but Osprey designed the Fairview style for women.
| Dimensions | 22" x 14" x 9" |
| Capacity | 40L |
| Weight | 3 lbs 7.8 oz |
| Laptop compartment size | 16 in. |
| Packing style | Front-opening |
| Outer material | 450D recycled twist dobby polyester with DWR finish |
Pros
- Uses recycled materials
- Updated model includes a trolley sleeve and water bottle holder
- Spacious, well-designed interior
Cons
- Slouches over when not fully packed
This backpack fit more than most carry-on suitcases we tested. It opens clamshell-style with built-in compartments for easy organization and features padded shoulder straps, a chest strap, and a hip belt for added comfort. And despite its large capacity, it was one of the lightest styles we tested, plus it’s made from recycled materials.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS:
✔️ Excellent organization: In our packing tests, we were blown away by the spacious interior of the smaller 35L style—it fit more than some carry-on suitcases we've tested—and appreciated the built-in sections for easy organization. Cotopaxi recently upgraded this bag to add a zippered pocket on the outside for quick-access essentials, which has made all the difference for on-the-go convenience in our tests.
✔️ Versatile design: You can tuck in the straps to turn this bag into a duffel or slip it on top of a suitcase with the trolley sleeve for all kinds of trips. We also like that the back compartment is designed to hold both a 15-inch laptop and a tablet.
✔️ Lightweight nature: While the bag earned praise for its lightweight feel, some of our consumer testers noticed it lacked structure. One wished it would better maintain its shape when not fully packed and not slouch over.
| Dimensions | 22" x 14" x 11" |
| Capacity | 42L |
| Laptop compartment size | 15 in. |
| Outer material | 100% recycled 840-denier TPU-coated nylon |
| Packing style | Clamshell |
| Weight | 3 lbs. 2 oz |
Pros
- Trendy look with fun colors
- A lot of exterior zippered pockets
- Separate shoe compartment
Cons
- Bulky when fully packed
This 26-liter Calpak bag is my go-to personal item because it fits under the seat on most airlines without sacrificing packing space. It comfortably holds everything I need for a two-to-three-day trip, and I've even used it as my only bag on several international trips.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS:
✔️ Easy to pack: It unzips completely around the front for convenient packing, but there’s also a separate top zipper that lets you grab essentials without fully opening the bag. Inside, you'll find plenty of pockets plus dedicated compartments for a laptop and tablet, plus a shoe compartment.
✔️ Surprisingly roomy: This is my go-to weekender bag whenever I am traveling because it can hold enough clothes for a two-to-three-day trip while looking much more stylish than your average backpack—it comes in 18 trendy colors. I love to overpack and this bag fits everything I want to bring with room to spare for souvenirs.
✔️ Comfortable to carry: The mesh padding on the back and shoulder straps add comfort, while the compression straps on the side help with stability. The downside is that when the bag is completely full, the boxy shape can feel bulky, and it’s more difficult to secure the luggage sleeve onto a rolling suitcase.
| Dimensions | 18" x 12" x 7.5" |
| Capacity | 26L |
| Laptop compartment size | 17 in. |
| Outer material | Recycled ripstop polyester w/ TPU coating |
| Packing style | Front-opening |
| Weight | 2 lbs 14.4 oz |
The competition
- While we generally are fans of Away's travel gear, the Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L wasn't a top performer. The zippers came undone in our tests and the backpack wasn't as comfortable to wear as other styles.
- The Fjallraven High Coast Duffel can be used as a backpack, but it's truly designed as a duffel. We found it less comfortable to wear as a backpack because the straps lacked padding and there are no chest or hip straps.
- Best suited for overnight trips or daily use, the Monos Metro Backpack isn't really a carry-on backpack due to its small capacity (18 liters). Our testers did like that it kept its shape when not fully packed.
- We’re planning to test Jansport’s Good Latitude Travel Pack 40L, Aer’s Travel Pack 4, and Columbia’s Landroamer 32L Backpack next.
How we test carry-on backpacks
The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab has been evaluating backpacks, luggage, and other travel products for decades.
We assess fabric durability by using a specialized abrasion tester (pictured). Swatches of fabric are cut out and then placed in the abrasion tester to rate how well the material resists abrasion to ensure the backpack can hold up to use.
Using a standard packing load, we evaluate each backpack's packing space and organizational features. The load varies from a weekend trip to a multi-week getaway, depending on the bag's size. We rate how easy it is to load and unload the bag.
To ensure the bag will be comfortable to wear, we analyze the bag's construction, looking at the strap design, packing style, and lumbar support features.
Finally, we have consumer testers use the bag on their own vacations, weekend getaways, and work trips to give feedback on comfort when wearing, ease of packing and unloading, appearance, and more. Testers wore these packs on trips to Mexico, Italy, California, Japan and more!
What to look for when shopping for a carry-on backpack
✔️ Size and capacity: Carry-on backpacks can refer to backpacks in a wide range of sizes. Before purchasing, make sure to consider the bag's dimensions and internal capacity to ensure it'll work for your travels. Most airlines' carry-on size limit is 22" x 14" x 9", but it can vary by an inch or two depending on the airline. Confirm the airline's bag-size restrictions before arriving at the airport. As for the capacity, carry-on backpacks are sized in liters:
- Under 20L: This is a good everyday backpack that works well as a personal item, great for commuting to hold your lunch, laptop, water bottle, and a change of clothes.
- 20–30L: This size is best suited for weekend trips. Some backpacks in this range may qualify as a personal item.
- 30–40L: These backpacks are designed for about a week-long trip. Because these packs can get quite heavy, make sure they have supportive features like a chest and hip strap. This range is the most common for carry-on backpacks.
- 40+L: Designed for multi-week trips, these large bags tend to get heavy, especially 70–80-liter packs. We only recommend traveling with this size bag if you are prepared to carry the weight long term. Bags larger than 45 liters tend to not fit within carry-on dimensions and must be checked when flying.
✔️ Packing style: When packing clothes, you want to be able to see everything you have packed for easier loading and unloading. We recommend opting for a clamshell or front-loading style carry-on backpack.
- Clamshell backpacks open like a book with packing space on both sides.
- Front-loading backpacks unzip all around the front panel for one large packing space.
✔️ Material: Look for durable materials like nylon or high-denier polyester to ensure the pack can withstand consistent use and heavy loads. If you plan to use the pack backpacking, opt for styles with water-resistant or waterproof finishes.
✔️ Weight: Check the weight of the backpack and avoid heavy designs. Extra straps, pockets, and organizational details can add weight to a pack.
✔️ Organizational features: Living out of a backpack requires excellent organization. Look for helpful features like a padded laptop sleeve, easily accessible front pockets, water bottle holders, and interior pockets.
✔️ Strap design: Padded shoulder straps are key to avoid back pain when traveling with a heavy pack. Some styles have backpack straps that unhook and stow away, so you can carry the backpack as a duffel bag too.
✔️ Lumbar support: If you suffer from back, neck, or shoulder pain, look for a backpack that comes with chest and hip straps to help distribute the weight. Some backpacks allow you to adjust the height of these straps to better suit your frame.
What size backpack qualifies as a carry-on?
Most airlines consider a backpack a carry-on if it fits within their overhead bin size limits, which are typically around 22" x 14" x 9". The travel backpacks intended for carry-on wear usually range from 35 to 45 liters in capacity.
However, requirements can vary slightly by airline—especially on budget or international carriers—so it’s always worth checking before you fly. Try to avoid overpacking, as bulging bags might exceed size limits.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Senior Textiles Analyst Grace Wu updated this article with results from our most recent tests. Her go-to travel backpacks are the Calpak Terra and Cotopaxi Allpa.
Wu has tested all kinds of travel bags and surveyed backpack users to learn more about what they look for when shopping. Prior to joining GH, she earned a master of engineering in materials science & engineering and a bachelor of science in fiber science from Cornell University.
Associate Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab Emma Seymour originally wrote this story. Seymour has been testing products since 2018. Her go-to travel backpack is the Calpak Terra (pictured here in the seasonal Dragonfruit colorway).
Seymour has tested all types of backpacks and bags, including the best backpacks for college students, travel backpacks, weekender bags, and fanny packs. She graduated from Cornell University with a degree in fiber science and apparel design.
Grace Wu (she/her) is the senior analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she evaluates fabric-based products using specialized equipment and consumer tester data. Prior to starting at Good Housekeeping in 2022, she earned a master of engineering in materials science and engineering and a bachelor of science in fiber science from Cornell University. While earning her degrees, Grace worked in research laboratories for smart textiles and nanotechnology and held internships at Open Style Lab and Rent the Runway.
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