Best Backpack for Travel? Need Real Advice

The best way to choose is to visit REI, where you can try on backpacks with expert help to fit it to your body. Also, they have weights they can put it the pack so you can get a feel for how the bag will actually work for you. If you don't live near an REI store, they have an excellent return policy. Another great source for bags is Sierra, which has far fewer stores (I'm lucky to have one in my little city, and they also have weights you can put in the bags to test their comfort), but also a very good return policy. REI also has videos of how to measure yourself for bag fit. If you need to order bags, you can test the fit by actually packing them with the real stuff you intend to bring. Rick Steves suggests packing up and going for a walk around your city center, maybe getting there by bus.
All of that said, one of the best lines of bags is the Osprey Fairview line. The smallest bag is 40L, which is pretty big. Other good brands are REI, Cotopaxi, Eagle Creek, Deuter, Topo Designs, The North Face (black hole series) and Gregory.
Here's a great deal on a 40L pack from Sierra (only available in S/M): https://www.sierra.com/eagle-creek-tour-travel-40-l-backpack-small-medium-black~p~7gkhd/?filterString=backpacks~d~9669%2Fcotopaxi~b~36230%2C4061%2C5040%2C7155%2C10092%2C33546%2F

I purchased a 28L Cotopaxi Allpa several months ago for my frequent two nighters to San Francisco after reading several people on here raving about the brand. I couldn’t be happier. My daughter has the 35L for longer trips and is extremely happy with it. But as mentioned above, the best advice is to go to REI, load some up and see how they feel!

Do you want a backpack for use as a suitcase or are you looking for a smaller backpack to use when you are out and about during the day?

You need to decide what you are looking for in a backpack. If you want one that is not available in a local store, see if it's available on Amazon because of their easy returns.

Expect many responses here. Need to set criteria for yourself as opposed to item promoted on social media. Important questions: torso size/height and ability. Male or female? Underseat bag (28 liters), overhead bin bag (35 - 45 liters), checked bag? Type of travel: easy going strolls, rainy weather, African safari with wild warthogs playing with your bag? Ease of packing. (Use packing cubes!). Minimalist or maximalist? Airline dimensions. Weight of bag. Computer or no computer?

Look at major players that back their luggage. Examples: Rick Steves, Osprey, Patagonia, Tom Bihn, Samsonite, etc.. These companies have been in the travel business for a while and understand materials and design. Have fun and good luck!

I forgot about Tom Binh. If money is no object, by all means, get a bag from Tom Binh.
I'm pretty sure Samsonite doesn't make a backpack, but if they do, it probably weighs 5 pounds.

“ a solid travel backpack.”

Take a look at Tom Bihn, Red Ox and Cotopaxi. Also, look at Sarah Murdoch’s website for a lot of discussion on packing and bags. Her website is: https://adventureswithsarah.net/. She was a long time guide and writer for Rick.

Don’t be afraid of cheap backpacks like ecohub on Amazon.com - just as long as it meets your criteria. Unless you are savage with your bags, even cheapo bags can provide good service for a while. Nylon and polyester fabrics are good for water and wear resistance.

You've gotten good advice I will only add that if you are looking for a backpack to use as your primary suitcase then make sure you find one that has a hip belt, padded shoulder straps and a sternum strap. The hip belt transfers the weight of the bag to your hips, lessening the strain on your shoulders. The sternum strap keeps the shoulder straps from slipping. Because you want to transfer the weight to your hips the fit of a bag is important. If it's too long or short it won't be comfortable to carry for more than a 1/2 mile. Also be mindful of how much the bag weighs and how much total weight you can carry.

Osprey Daylite Series is a good place to start to get ideas about what you need. Osprey has been around a long time and understands materials, design, and construction. Granted - there are many brands out there. No need to limit yourself. But, Osprey Daylite bags make a good starting point for comparisons.

Rick Steve bags - I like and use his smaller bags (civita and Appenzell) and I use one of his rolling suitcases. I don’t think I would buy his carry-on backpack compared to other bags on the market.
Osprey makes backpacking gear and uses this know how in their travel bags.

I'll second the recommendation for Ecohub bags. I bought mine on Amazon in July 2024 and have taken it on two trips to Europe and numerous trips within the United States. It has held us very well and is very comfortable, as long as you don't overload it (but that seems to be the case with most backpacks in my opinion). I have an Osprey Porter 30L and I like the Ecohub far better.

The current sale at REI has some great deals on the backpacks mentioned in this post.
The Osprey Fairview 40L is $138
The REI Ruckpack 40L is $111 (but be careful, as the stated dimensions for this bag exceed US carryon 22x14x9)
The smaller Ruckpack 30L is $76 (I have this bag with the plus-size shoulder straps, used it for a 6-day trip to Maui)
A couple of good-looking bags from Sherpani around the $140-$150 price point.

My husband and I used the Rick Steves Travel backpacks (convertible carryon version) for a few years. We travel carryon only, and that is our main bag which is put in the overhead bin on airplanes. I didn’t think it was particularly comfortable to carry, but the size was good for me.
We both upgraded to new backpacks this year. I got the Osprey Fairview and he got the Cotopaxi Alpa. We are both really happy with the new bags. They are 100% more comfortable than the RS Bags, and they pack better too. To decide, we visited our local REI Store and tried on several models with the weights that REI provides. The return policy of REI also gives confidence.

Whatever you’re considering, be sure to check it out with the amount of weight you’re planning to carry. Personally, I love the features of my Cotopaxi 35L (easy to pack & retrieve items) and use it on a lot of trips. But, I wouldn’t like it if I was trying to carry 20 pounds in it. (Mine is packed at 13 pounds.) It has a nice hip/waist belt.

Here I go again.
Osprey.com
Daylite 35 liter Travel Pack. = $120.
There is, also, a smaller 26 liter version for $100.
My only “issue” is I wish there were other colors. But, basic black and blue exists with one weird color combination called something like alkaline.
This travel pack checks a lot of boxes for ease of use, simplicity, lightweight, durable, cost effective, and I assume (never have used) comfort.
Note: I do use a different Osprey pack and the comfort and function is there.

I love my Hynes Eagle backpack. It is a "cheap" backpack but mine is tough as nails. It opens like a suitcase a holds plenty. I spent 4 weeks in Europe with it as my only luggage.

If you tend to travel with a "heavier" Backpack, it's extremely important to buy a backpack with a waist belt, that allows for torso length adjustment. If you have to carry a heavier backpack for any distance, you'll really appreciate the waist belt!!! This explains the concept - https://www.gregory.com/fit-guide.html .

Some of the things to look for when choosing.....

• the aforementioned waist belt
• top load or panel load design (with zippers). Panel load is often preferred for travel purposes as it's easier to access the contents.
• do you want a detachable day pack? Those are sometimes handy for use as a carry-on or for city touring.
• stowable harness system (harness straps can be zipped inside a panel so they don't get caught on airport conveyor systems.

There are probably a few things I've forgotten to mention. Some of the brands you could check out.....

• Eagle Creek (they don't seem to have much of a selection anymore?)
• Gregory - https://www.gregory.com/shop-by-volume.html
• Osprey - https://www.osprey.com/travel/travel-backpacks (they seem to have a really good selection of travel packs)

Good luck!

Hello, on this same thread... I am going to Ireland for 19 days leaving on 9/29/25. I keep debating on whether or not to use my hiking backpacks. I am considering using the REI trail 40 instead of my small roller luggage. For those of you who have both hiking packs and travel packs which did you like better for travel? I will be taking public transport at the beginning and end of my trip with my bags and was thinking the backpack might be easier... thanks

cjm4140, check the measurements carefully to make sure your backpack fits the carry-on dimensions of your airline. With straps that don't stow away, you don't want to be forced to check the bag and risk it catching on something. Otherwise, I don't see a downside to using that bag if you're comfortable carrying it.

@cjm4140
I use both hiking packs and travel packs. I pack each differently. I find a travel bag is best for how it is designed. Positives: urban look (not so strappy), ease of opening and packing, pocket arrangement can make accessing documents and 3-1-1 kit easier, etc.. Also, more square and less bulgy means fits airline sizers and underseat space better. May even have a computer compartment, if that is important to you.
Hiking packs can certainly be used. Just understand the dimensions and airline requirements. You can test pack what you have.

Great advice on here already. My add is : 1) find out how much the backpack weighs when empty; 2) think really hard about how you like to travel; 3) consider water resistant fabric.

I have a G4Free with a cinchtop. Love it but they dont make that version anymore. I love its simplicity & durability but it doesn’t open clamshell. I like clamshell so I can see & access everything easily. You may also want to consider how you like to travel & what reduces your stress when traveling. For me its being super organized, easy access & ultra lightweight.

I got a Pakt travel backpack to accommodate my clamshell preference. I LOVE the organization & access of my Pakt but it weighs 4 pounds empty which is way too much in my opinion. And the shoulder straps are a bit thick for my frame. So, I use it for local travel but not international or any trip where I think I may have to walk a long way with it at full weight.

Pakt has just come out with a new, much lighter pack but you may only like if if you’re an ultralight packer. Worth checking out though.

Good luck! Would love to hear what you decided on.

neither the original poster from August, for whom this was their one and only post, nor the hitchhiker from 2 weeks ago ahv ever come back with feedback - I don't think they will.