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The best travel backpacks for most trips
The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L wins for its comfortable carry and easy-to-use compartments; the tomtoc Navigator T-66 costs much less.
| Best overall | Best value | Cheapest that's still good | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product | Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack | Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Pack | tomtoc Navigator T-66 40L Travel Laptop Backpack |
| Price | about $230 | about $200 | about $96 |
| Why | OutdoorGearLab rated it best overall, and REI also names it its best carry-on travel backpack. Its 35-liter clamshell layout divides clothes and essentials into easy-to-find compartments, with a removable hip belt for walking through airports or cities. | It costs less than the Allpa while earning praise from OutdoorGearLab and Pack Hacker for comfortable support, including when fully loaded. Its adjustable harness and hip belt make it a particularly sensible value for travelers who walk substantial distances with their bag. | OutdoorGearLab recommends it as its best travel backpack under $100, and its current list price is about $96. It offers a roomy 40-liter compartment, a padded laptop sleeve, and a suitcase-style opening for far less than the other picks. |
| Good to know | The laptop sleeve is side-entry and reviewers found it less secure. | It has relatively few organizer pockets and no dedicated bottle pocket. | It lacks a hip belt and can feel floppy when partly packed. |
| See on Amazon | See on Amazon | See on Amazon |
picture by AIOutdoorGearLab rated it best overall, and REI also names it its best carry-on travel backpack. Its 35-liter clamshell layout divides clothes and essentials into easy-to-find compartments, with a removable hip belt for walking through airports or cities.
Good to know: The laptop sleeve is side-entry and reviewers found it less secure.
See on Amazonpicture by AIIt costs less than the Allpa while earning praise from OutdoorGearLab and Pack Hacker for comfortable support, including when fully loaded. Its adjustable harness and hip belt make it a particularly sensible value for travelers who walk substantial distances with their bag.
Good to know: It has relatively few organizer pockets and no dedicated bottle pocket.
See on Amazonpicture by AIOutdoorGearLab recommends it as its best travel backpack under $100, and its current list price is about $96. It offers a roomy 40-liter compartment, a padded laptop sleeve, and a suitcase-style opening for far less than the other picks.
Good to know: It lacks a hip belt and can feel floppy when partly packed.
See on AmazonDanilli may earn a small commission from Amazon when you buy through these buttons. The price is the same for you. Product pictures are made by Danilli's AI to show the product; check the real photos on the store page.
What matters
Choose a size that suits your trip and check your airline’s carry-on limits, since a full bag can exceed them. A supportive harness matters for long walks, while compartments and laptop protection matter if you want quick access to clothes or tech.
Who this is for
These picks are for travelers who want to carry their luggage on their back, from weekenders to one-bag travelers. If you regularly carry heavy loads, prioritize a strong hip belt and try the fit if you can.
The picks, one by one
Best overall: Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack
OutdoorGearLab rated it best overall, and REI also names it its best carry-on travel backpack. Its 35-liter clamshell layout divides clothes and essentials into easy-to-find compartments, with a removable hip belt for walking through airports or cities. OutdoorGearLab assessed storage and protection, comfort and fit, ease of use, and versatility; the Allpa scored especially well for ease of use. Reviewers liked the built-in mesh compartments for separating clothing and toiletries. It has a padded 15-inch laptop sleeve and durable fabric, but its side-entry laptop pocket is less secure than some alternatives. At 35 liters, it should fit many overhead bins, but its depth can exceed some airlines’ limits when packed. Skip it if you carry heavy loads or need lots of quick-access exterior pockets.
Good to know: The laptop sleeve is side-entry and reviewers found it less secure.
See on AmazonBest value: Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Pack
It costs less than the Allpa while earning praise from OutdoorGearLab and Pack Hacker for comfortable support, including when fully loaded. Its adjustable harness and hip belt make it a particularly sensible value for travelers who walk substantial distances with their bag. OutdoorGearLab reports months of travel testing and calls it one of the most comfortable packs for heavier loads. Its 40-liter main compartment opens wide for packing, and the suspension helps transfer weight to your hips. Pack Hacker notes the harness adjusts to torso length; the Fairview 40 is an alternative fit for more petite users. The design is simple and outdoorsy rather than office-formal. Skip it if you want extensive built-in organization or a removable hip belt.
Good to know: It has relatively few organizer pockets and no dedicated bottle pocket.
See on AmazonCheapest that's still good: tomtoc Navigator T-66 40L Travel Laptop Backpack
OutdoorGearLab recommends it as its best travel backpack under $100, and its current list price is about $96. It offers a roomy 40-liter compartment, a padded laptop sleeve, and a suitcase-style opening for far less than the other picks. OutdoorGearLab tested it for storage and protection, comfort and fit, ease of use, and versatility, and found it practical for a week’s worth of clothes. The shoulder straps are wide and well padded, and the laptop compartment fits up to a 17-inch device. The bag compresses for tight spaces, though reviewers found it lacks structure and can sag when partly full. It has no hip belt, so heavy loads put more strain on your shoulders. Choose it for occasional trips and lighter packing; skip it if you travel often with heavy luggage.
Good to know: It lacks a hip belt and can feel floppy when partly packed.
See on AmazonHow we chose
OutdoorGearLab compared carry-on packs using storage and protection, comfort and fit, ease of use, and versatility; its team reports months of real-world travel testing. Pack Hacker says it evaluates recommended packs for at least two weeks, including trips and commutes. Danilli read the reviews and tests listed below and compared current prices; it does not take money from brands to pick a product.
Sources
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Written with Danilli's AI from the sources above and refreshed about once a month; prices change, check Amazon for today's price. Danilli may earn a small commission from Amazon when you buy through these buttons. The price is the same for you. Product pictures are made by Danilli's AI to show the product; check the real photos on the store page.