Discover the best carry on backpacks with this handy guide. I’ve rated and reviewed the best carry on backpacks to help you plan the perfect trip.
Planning on travelling but want to avoid the fees and the fuss? The perfect carry on backpack is a practical piece of travel gear and a convenient way of lightening the load.
But with so many on the market, how do you know which ones are best? That’s where I come in – I’ve tested a fair few in my time and I’ve got the art of choosing a perfect carry on backpack down.
Read on to disover my top picks.
Best Carry on Backpacks: At a Glance
| Best Carry on Backpack For… | Top Pick |
| Best Overall Carry on Backpack | Osprey Farpoint 40L |
| Most Stylish Carry on Backpack | North Face Borealis 28L |
| Best Budget-Friendly Carry on Backpack | AmazonBasics Carry on Backpack |
| Best Lightweight Carry on Backpack | Patagonia Chacabuco |
| Best Carry on Backpack for International Travel | Deuter Aviant |
Best Carry on Travel Backpack: My Top Picks
The North Face Borealis 28L – Most Stylish Carry on Backpack
££
When it comes to swanky (and practical AF) backpacks, nobody can quite compete with The North Face – and the Borealis is the best of the bunch.
Why is this one of the best carry on travel backpacks on the market RN? Well for starters, the main compartment features a padded laptop sleeve, while the front section is ideal for storing tablets.
As expected from a brand as high quality as TNF, it’s no suprise that the backpack is full of mod cons and additions that mean it’s as comfy to wear as it is cool.
The FlexVent suspension system has a flexible yoke built from custom injection-molded shoulder straps. Add to this the padded mesh back panel and it’s no wonder it’s one of my favourite backpacks of all time.
The external bungee cord is helpful for tacking on extra gear, too. Have I mentioned that there are plenty of fun colourways to choose between?
The North Face Borealis Backpack – Pros
- Comfortable to wear
- Lots of protection for electronics
- Different colourways
The North Face Borealis Backpack – Cons
- Bungee on outside is a love/hate feature
- On the pricier side
A real all-rounder – if you’re struggling to choose between backpacks, this is a solid option.
Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack – Best 40l Backpack
££
The Osprey Farpoint 40 is a long-time favourite of mine – it gets my vote as the best 40l backpack any and every day.
The Farpoint 40 backpack is great for anyone wanting to explore the great outdoors as it has the space, durability and comfort that you’ll need whilst on the road.
Even if you aren’t planning on adventuring much, it’s a close contender for the overall title of best carry on travel backpack thanks to its superior comfort and durability.
The Osprey Farpoint 40 has a nifty featured known as a LightWire Frame Suspension which allows the weight to be transferred from your harness to your hip belt, taking a huge load off your shoulders.
One of the most irritating things when backpacking is having loose straps flying all over the place. The last thing you need when exerting yourself is to be tangled in your backpack straps.
Tangled backpack straps are the bane of many a backpacker’s life and Osprey are well aware of this. That’s why the Farpoint 40 features a storage compartment to stash loose straps and buckles when you’re not using them.
The Farpoint boasts a roomy main compartment, which opens like a suitcase, making packing easier. It also has lockable sliders to keep your belongings safe.
These backpacks are designed to withstand rough travel so feel free to release your inner Bear Grylls! Even so, it’s surprisingly lightweight, Osprey’s lightest backpack in fact.
40l is the largest carry on backpack size that you can get away with on most airlines, so the Farpoint 40 is a great choice if you are travelling for a longer period of time but don’t want the hassle (or the cost) of checking in bags.
Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack – Pros
- Comfortable
- Lightweight
- Great durability for outdoor activities
Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack – Cons
- Some have said that the back sits too high for them
- There’s no extra padding on the straps which can be strenuous on the shoulders after a while
The Matein 40L Weekender – Best Sleek Carry on Travel Backpack
££
The Matein is an excellent carry on backpack with plenty of space: the perfect combination.
When it comes to organisation, the Matein 40L is the perfect carry on backpack. Not only does it have a handy and safe laptop compartment, there are a number of dividers and straps to hold your items in place on those bumpy journeys.
I particularly like the ease of portability of the Matein 40: Weekender. With handles at the top and a luggage strap on the back, it’s easy to transport around.
The shoe compartment at the bottom is genius – separate your dirty shoes from your belongings inside the main compartment. Just be sure to check that the bag will still fit into your airline’s carry on dimensions once expanded.
The Matein 40L – Pros
- Plenty of storage space
- Great compartments for organization
- Durable
- Handy shoe compartment
The Matein 40L – Cons
- Slightly stiff
Overall, the Matein 40L is a great all-rounder at a reasonable price.
Deuter Aviant Backpack – Best Carry on Backpack for International Travel
£££
The Deuter Aviant is ideal for those longer international trips, which is why I’ve chosen it as the best carry on backpack for international travel.
The combination of the lightweight pack, great suspension and ventilated air straps means that it’s a perfect travel bag.
Ease of portability was clearly at the top of Deuter’s list when they created this bag. The Deuter Aviant’s lightweight body makes it a lot easier to carry items in for long periods of time.
The ventilated air straps are a real blessing when it comes to keeping cool in hot climates. They also go a significant way to helping prevent huge sweat patches under your straps (we’ve all been there, it’s not a good look).
The Deuter Aviant features two roomy compartments, one ideal for clothes and one that’s perfect for work or more delicate items.
Better yet, the bag comes in two colours: A cool blue and an intense maroon. Who said that practical had to be boring?
Despite its spacious layout, it fits easily under your seat on flights. Though some might find the 28 Liters too small.
Deuter Transit Backpack – Pros
- Comfortable and easy on the shoulders
- Very adaptable for your travel needs
Deuter Transit Backpack- Cons
- No laptop compartment
- Small (28L)
In summary, the Deuter Aviant is a comfortable and lightweight pack that is ideal for international travel.
High Sierra AT3 Carry on Wheeled Backpack- Best Carry On Backpack with Wheels
££
Much as we all love a backpack for their easy portability, there are times when we’d all prefer not to be lugging our lives on our back right?
If you want a slightly more flexible option, the High Sierra AT3 is the best carry on wheeled backpack I’ve tried. This three-in-one option is a backpack, daypack and a wheeled bag – practical for pretty much every situation.
I’m a big believer in front-loading backpacks, after having struggled with top loading ones for far too long. You’ll never understand the difficulty of finding a pair of socks until you have to pull out every single item from the tiny opening in the top of your pack to find them.
No such problems with the High Sierra AT3. The main compartment of the bag opens up fully allowing easy access to your items. It also features securing straps to ensure the contents of your bag are held in place.
The padded shoulder straps ensure comfort, even over long periods of time. The High Sierra AT3 also features a retractable handle and separate side handles to make it easier to lift the luggage whilst your travelling.
If you’re planning on roughing it, this backpack can withstand the elements with its strong, durable and sturdy wheels.
So what’s the downside? While the High Sierra AT3 may be strong, it’s also a little heavy. Not ideal if you are trying to pack as light as possible. There have also been complaints of faulty zippers breaking very easily, though this isn’t something that I’ve experienced.
High Sierra AT3 Carry on Wheeled Backpack – Pros
- Wheeled backpack
- Front-loading backpack
- One of the most flexible carry on bags you can find
High Sierra AT3 Carry on Wheeled Backpack – Cons
- Heavy
- Zippers can be unreliable
Overall, the High Sierra AT3 is the best carry on backpack with wheels and a great alternative to give your back a rest while you are on the road.
Zomake Ultra Lightweight Travel Handy Backpack – Best Minimalist Travel Backpack For Shorter Trips
Sometimes it’s important to stay true to our old pal Baloo and stick to the bare necessities. On some trips, there’s just no need for those extra five tops that may never get worn.
The Zomake Ultra Lightweight Backpack is the best minimalist travel backpack. The 20 litre capacity is ideal for days out and short trips, or for those searching for an affordable minimalist travel backpack.
At 20l, you are going to have to be a packing ninja to use this as an overnight bag. It’s tough but totally possible.
Whilst it may be small, the Zomake Ultra Lightweight Travel Backpack can definitely hold its own. The tear and water-resistant nylon material provides durability and protection from the elements. It’s even abrasion resistant.
The backpack features three compartments. You need to be super organised when you are travelling light, and there’s enough bells and whistles on the Zomake to help you do just that. Laptops might be a problem as there’s no padding or protection within the bag – not necessarily the best option for pricey electrical gear.
The true benefit of this backpack is the fact that it’s extremely lightweight and can be packed away really easily if you need to fold it up and store it anywhere.
The Zomake Ultra Lightweight Travel Backpack backpack comes in an array of colours so there’ll be no issue in finding one that suits your taste.
It may be the best minimalist travel backpack but you can buy it in some pretty flashy colours. Minimalist doesn’t have to mean understated after all.
Zomake Ultra Lightweight Travel Handy Backpack – Pros
- Extremely lightweight
- Durable
- Packs down very small
- Very affordable
Zomake Ultra Lightweight Travel Handy Backpack – Cons
- No padding
- Not suitable for longer trips.
Sometimes less is more, which is more than true for this compact backpack.
Patagonia 30l Chacabuco – Best Ultralight Travel Backpack
££
The Patagonia Chacabuco backpack is the best ultralight travel backpack if you’re keen to keep the weight down on your pack.
At 30l, it fits relatively comfortably under your seat – so also wins the gong for the best underseat carry on backpack if you’re on a longer trip.
The bag itself weighs around 650g and is made from extremely lightweight material.
The Patagonia Black Hole is a great backpack for adventurers as its water-resistant exterior protects your contents from extreme weather and also gives it a lovely, shiny finish.
What’s more, the tough exterior, made from polyester ripstop material is also pretty resistant to wear and tear due to its strong fibres.
Inside the backpack, the Patagonia Black Hole features a protective laptop sleeve as well as plenty of other spacious compartments.
Comfort is key with this backpack. As well as padded shoulder straps, it boasts a back panel for cool airflow and an easy securing waistband.
Patagonia as a brand is very environmentally aware, and their products are always made to the highest standard. Eco-friendly, high-quality and comfortable. What more can you ask for?
Patagonia Chacabuco Backpack – Pros
- Durable and waterproof
- Built for comfort
- Extremely lightweight.
Patagonia Chacabuco Backpack – Cons
- Expensive
- Some have reported faulty zippers
Overall, I’ve chosen the Patagonia Chacabuco as the best ultralight backpack. It’s certainly an excellent choice for lightweight and comfortable travel.
AmazonBasics Carry on Travel Backpack – Best Affordable Backpack
££
Whilst ‘basic’ is in the name, the AmazonBasics Carry on Travel Backpack is anything but.
This affordable carry on backpack provides you with all the basic fundamentals you need from a backpack at a reasonable price. Great. But what’s really special is that it doesn’t skimp on quality.
Look, we’ll level with you. This may not be the most stylish carry on backpack, but it’s extremely practical with plenty of capacity and comfort.
Inside, the AmazonBasics Carry On features a front pocket, a large main compartment and a laptop sleeve. Pretty much all you need to get you on the road.
The main compartment features expandable storage space, a handy organizer, water bottle pocket and a few more useful, hidden compartments.
For the price, this backpack is exceptional on comfort, with padded straps that can also be detached so it can be worn as a shoulder bag.
This backpack is also flexible and made from lightweight material, making it very wearable. The material used may not be as durable as some of the pricier ones on the market, but it definitely does the job for shorter trips where you’re not planning on putting it through its paces.
AmazonBasics Carry on Travel Backpack – Pros
- Spacious
- Detachable straps
- Plenty of compartments
- Very affordable
AmazonBasics Carry on Travel Backpack – Cons
- Exterior material not as durable as others
Overall, the AmazonBasics Carry on Travel Backpack is a great budget carry on backpack and a reasonable alternative to the more expensive backpacks around.
Wildcard: Standard Luggage Co. Carry On – Most Versatile Carry On Backpack
Though it’s not strictly a carry on backpack alone, I couldn’t write this review without including the versatile Standard Luggage Co. Carry On Bag.
A backpack, holdall and cross-body all in one, it’s a great option for those who are looking for a smart option for their travels but don’t want to sacrifice the easy portability of a backpack.
Size-wise, it’s pitched perfectly to bring as carry on luggage on all airlines – nothing new there. What really makes the Standard Luggage Co. Carry On Bag stand out is the thought and attention to detail that has gone into each bag.
The bag is split into two main compartments – a larger front one is perfect for carrying up to a week’s worth of clothes and comes with extra storage pockets and compression straps.
The back compartment features a detachable laptop case (perfect for whizzing through airport security), and lots more handy pockets for you to store objects (in my case cables and plugs) of all shapes and sizes.
Read my full review of the Standard Luggage Co. Carry On Backpack.
Things to Consider When Buying a Carry on Backpack
Padding
Comfort is key when travelling; there’s nothing worse than having non padded straps digging into your shoulders. Ensure that you have good quality padding on your bag and plenty of it
Storage
The best carry on backpacks are not necessarily the biggest ones, but the ones with the most practical storage space.
By having things compartmentalised and well organised, you can pack your belongings practically (and ultimately fit more in).
Front Loading Backpack
It’s a real pain to have to dig things out from the bottom of your bag. My advice is to go for one that opens at the front. It’ll save you diving head first into your backpack and getting lost amongst the dirty socks.
Laptop Compartment
If you plan on working or just generally using your laptop, it’s best to consider a bag with a laptop compartment. Most bags can accommodate a laptop but that doesn’t ensure it’s protection.
Security Features
Wherever you go in the world, there’ll always be some bad eggs trying to nab you stuff so make sure your contents are protected. Look out for slash proof material and lockable zips.
Love this? Save and share on Pinterest
Juliette
Friday 15th of June 2018
Great information! Thanks!