Rate this post

Overview

If you're traveling anywhere, a well-designed travel backpack can make your journey more comfortable and organized. The important factors to consider include whether it meets the carry-on requirements for air travel has enough space to store your belongings, weighs the right amount, and has the organizational features you prefer. In this article, we provide a list of the best travel backpacks of 2024, with options for short and long trips. You can also find a detailed comparison table and buying advice below our picks.
 

Buying Guides

Size and Capacity

When it comes to selecting a travel backpack, the primary aspect to consider is the amount of capacity one requires. The backpacks showcased in the article exhibit a considerable range in size, ranging from 30 liters for the more petite options to 80 liters for the larger ones that come with a detachable daypack. Nonetheless, for most travelers, the sweet spot lies between 40 to 45 liters since these sizes comply with the regulations for carry-on luggage on airplanes. As a result, the majority of the backpacks featured in the article fall within this size range.

Dimension

When it comes to choosing a travel backpack, dimensions are an important factor to consider, particularly for travelers going overseas. Therefore, we have provided the length, width, and height measurements for each backpack in both our write-ups and comparison table. Upon closer inspection, you may observe that travel packs of similar sizes have relatively similar dimensions. This is mainly due to carry-on size limitations, which we delve into more deeply below.

Organization

All the travel backpacks listed in the article have well-designed organizational layouts and pockets to keep belongings organized. However, the level of functionality and organization varies based on the intended use of the backpack. For example, the Peak Design Travel Backpack and Nomatic Travel Pack are ideal for those who need to carry and organize electronics, while backpacking-inspired options like the Osprey Farpoint 40 and Porter 46 are better for adventure travel. The article details various organizational components, such as laptop and tablet sleeves, water bottle storage, and pack opening styles.

Comfort

The comfort of travel backpacks is a subjective matter, but several features can make some packs more comfortable than others. These features include shoulder straps and hip belts with thick padding and good adjustability, as well as sternum and load-lifter straps for effectively distributing weight. Osprey is a brand that stands out in this area, and one of their best options for carrying heavy loads over long distances is the Porter 46, which has thick cushioning and good adjustability at the shoulders and waist belt, as well as load lifters.

Conclusion

On the other hand, there are those who may opt to utilize a regular backpacking pack. This is a suitable choice if you plan to go hiking, backpacking, or engage in other outdoor activities and want to use the same backpack for both travel and outdoor purposes upon arrival.

Nevertheless, these backpacks may not have the same level of travel-specific features and organization capabilities, which could make packing your items efficiently more challenging. Ultimately, if you travel frequently by air, whether domestically or internationally, it would be advisable to invest in a dedicated travel backpack.