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It goes without saying but traveling during any time of the year is a hassle. Between delays, unpredictable weather, TSA lines, the person sitting next to you, and risk of losing luggage (pro tip: do yourself a favor and pack a carry-on instead), these are things that are often out of our control. There are, however, certain things you can do to minimize your airport stress levels, like packing a smart personal item bag. Carry-on backpacks make for a great in-flight companion because they're conveniently designed to be super spacious with pockets galore and a hands-free way to carry your belongings on your back.
When choosing the best knapsack, there are many factors to keep in mind, such as fabrication, size, and style. Maybe you're often traveling for work and looking for a bag with laptop sleeve, or maybe you're guilty of overpacking and need an option that can expand or lay flat like a suitcase. Or very simply, perhaps you just want one that you can throw over your shoulder long after your trip is over. The options are endless... which can also mean deciding on the right bag suited to your needs can be overwhelming. Fret not! Here, find some of the best carry-on backpacks that can go the distance.
3
Best Simple Backpack
Fjallraven Kanken Water Resistant Backpack
3
Best Simple Backpack
Fjallraven Kanken Water Resistant Backpack
These Scandinavian bags have been tested, tried and true since the 1970s. They don't offer a lot of frills or features, but they are as practical and reliable as they come. Cute enough to be your day bag but spacious enough to fit all your carry-on essentials, this bag is two-for-one. Plus, there's no shortage of color options!
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For the packer who's serious about one-bag travel, a Tortuga pack is a great option. The 35-liter size is designed to be as large as regulations allow for the overhead bin on international flights, so you can make the most of every nook and cranny. It's waterproof with lockable zippers, making it ready for whatever adventure you embark on.
Calpak is known for creating travel bags and accessories with smart engineering in mind, and this backpack is an incredibly popular pick for obvious reasons. Thanks to its many compartments, it can hold a ton—shoes, notebooks, bottles, you name it—and is designed to protect a 15-inch laptop in one of the inner sleeves. Even better, it comes in a variety of pretty colors, such as this rose gold hue.
The unique feature on this pack from Monos is the detachable, interchangeable pouch that fixes to the front of the bag. This smaller bag is the perfect spot to keep the items you need quick and easy access to, like your passport, headphones, keys, and charging cables.
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7
Most Comfortable Backpack
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack
7
Most Comfortable Backpack
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack
Those who are often guilty of overpacking will get a kick out of this pick. No matter how much you stuff inside of it, the bag is extremely lightweight to carry day in and day out. It's made of a blend of tough, TPU-coated polyester and durable nylon paneling, and has padded shoulder straps which add to the comfort. Also notable is its harness feature that distributes weight and prevents you from suffering from any back or shoulder pain later on.
8
Best for Adventure Travel
Patagonia Refugio Daypack 30L
8
Best for Adventure Travel
Patagonia Refugio Daypack 30L
For the adventurous traveler who needs a bag with more function than flair, Patagonia's largest daypack is perfect for work trips and long hikes alike. Built to serve you, it's full of organizational features and compartments.
At last, your very own Mary Poppins bag. Well, not quite, but it might as well be. Don't be fooled by this bag's streamlined look—it can fit a lot. Yet, its dimensions qualify as a personal item, meaning it fits perfectly under the seat in front of you.
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10
Best Lightweight Backpack
Dagne Dover Dakota Neoprene Backpack
10
Best Lightweight Backpack
Dagne Dover Dakota Neoprene Backpack
First of all, this bag is made with 23 recycled water bottles! So it's already a winner. Water-resistant and roomy, it comes with a zippered pouch that can be used as a shoe bag, or for any other essentials you want easy access to. We also love its sleek look—how could you not?
A true traveler's bag, the main compartment of this backpack lays open flat, so you can pack it like a regular suitcase. It has designated laptop and organizational compartments, plus multiple additional pockets for all your other must-haves. The zippers are also lockable, and there's a pocket just for your AirTag!
Tumi is one of the most trusted names in luggage, so you can be sure this bag is of high quality. It has lots of pockets and compartments, but the best feature has to be the Tumi Tracer, which will allow you to track and locate your bag should you misplace it.
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13
Best Leather Backpack
Shinola Detroit The Runwell Backpack
13
Best Leather Backpack
Shinola Detroit The Runwell Backpack
If you're looking to invest in a bag that can really go the distance, it's gotta be high-quality leather. You can trust that this will hold up, and best of all, it'll only look better as it wears in during all your trips to come.
This top-loading backpack not only features a main inner section with a ton of clever pockets, but there's also a 3D top pocket for easy access to your toiletries, a dedicated space for shoes, and a separate padded compartment for a laptop. Even better: It doubles as a duffle carrier for days when you'd prefer carrying your things as a crossbody.
15
Best Expandable
Beis Travel The Expandable Backpack
15
Best Expandable
Beis Travel The Expandable Backpack
With pockets and compartments galore, the Beis backpack has endless room for all your essentials. And once it's all filled up? You can unzip the expandable zipper for even more space! Never thought you'd be so excited about a backpack? We get it.
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16
Best Versatile Backpack
Away The Everywhere Zip Backpack
16
Best Versatile Backpack
Away The Everywhere Zip Backpack
Known for the suitcases everybody can't get enough of, Away also offers a range of backpacks that feature the same intelligent designs and user-friendly features. The aptly-named Everywhere knapsack is made with water-resistant nylon and features a wrap-around zipper for extra access in the main compartment.
17
Best All-in-One Backpack
Vera Bradley Lay Flat Travel Backpack
17
Best All-in-One Backpack
Vera Bradley Lay Flat Travel Backpack
Known for its beloved bright prints and colorful designs, Vera Bradley offers a range of convenient styles for traveling—including this carry-all. What makes this one stand out is its lay-flat feature: it unzips on three sides and opens like a suitcase for easy accessibility and ultra-organized packing. Oh, and this floral print will stand out in a crowded airport full of black and gray backpacks.
Meg Donohue
Associate Fashion Commerce Editor
Meg is the Associate Fashion Commerce Editor at ELLE.com where she researches trends, tests products, and looks for answers to all your burning questions. She also co-writes a monthly column, Same Same But Different. Meg has previously written for Cosmopolitan and . Her passions include travel, buffalo sauce, and sustainability. She will never stop hoping for a One Direction reunion tour.
Sophie Dweck
Sophie Dweck is the associate shopping editor for Town & Country, where she covers beauty, fashion, home and décor, and more.