Are you planning a hike, a trek, a mountain trip or simply a longer adventure and looking for the best travel backpacks? Then I’ve put together a comprehensive guide on how to choose the right one, along with 10 picks for the best travel backpacks on the market.
How to Choose a Travel Backpack
Travel backpacks are the most versatile type of backpacks for travelling. They’re suitable for day trips, multi-day hikes, light trekking and even city exploring.
Choosing a hiking backpack is a crucial yet challenging decision that can significantly impact your entire travel experience. A quality backpack provides comfort, support and enough space for all your essentials, while a poorly chosen one can cause discomfort, unnecessary complications and a ruined mood.
Let’s take a look at some of the best backpacking travel backpacks on the market and what you should consider when choosing one.
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Volume
When you start browsing travel backpacks, you’ll notice they come in various sizes measured by volume (in litres) — indicating how much the backpack can hold.
Backpacks can be divided into three main groups based on their capacity:
- 20–30 litres: Smaller backpacks that are ideal for day trips and hikes. They comfortably fit basic gear such as personal items, food, a first aid kit and a few spare layers or a rain jacket.
- 30–50 litres: Medium-sized backpacks are a great choice for shorter multi-day trips or weekend getaways. Compared to smaller packs, they offer more room for clothing, food and basic camping gear. They usually have dedicated pockets and attachment points for a sleeping mat, tent, trekking poles or a water bottle.
- 50 litres and more: Large-volume backpacks with a capacity of 50 litres or more are designed for experienced travellers heading out on longer treks or multi-day wilderness expeditions. They provide plenty of space for all the necessary gear, including a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, stove and more.
Weight
Another factor to consider is the weight of the backpack. Ideally, it should be as light as possible so you can carry it comfortably without unnecessary extra burden. If you’re looking for the best lightweight backpack for travel, pay attention to models made with ultralight materials and streamlined designs.
Storage Compartments
Storage compartments play another significant role when choosing a travel backpack. A backpack is primarily designed to carry your belongings, so it’s important to focus on its internal layout and how it opens, ensuring you can access your things quickly and easily.
For better organisation, internal and external pockets or organisers are practical, allowing you to keep essentials within reach. It’s also worth checking whether the backpack has attachment points for larger gear like sleeping mats or trekking poles, depending on your needs.
Read also: How to Choose a Sleeping Bag
Intended Use
Before buying a travel backpack, think about what you’ll be using it for. You can get a backpack for:
- hiking (all-round),
- urban use,
- cycling,
- expedition,
- climbing,
- ski touring,
- carry-on travel.
Material
The backpack material should be lightweight yet durable against wear and weather conditions. Popular materials for travel backpacks include nylon and polyester. Some models also feature a water-resistant coating or an integrated rain cover, which comes in handy during bad weather.
Safety Features
Travel backpacks are often equipped with various safety features such as reflective elements, hidden pockets, lockable zips, a hydration compartment, a whistle or rain covers.
Gender
You can also choose travel backpacks based on gender. In shops, you’ll find unisex backpacks as well as men’s and women’s models. Women’s travel backpacks are designed to better fit the female body. They have narrower shoulder straps, a shorter back length and a differently shaped hip belt. Men’s models are adapted to the male build.
Brand
Among the most popular travel backpack brands are:
- Osprey,
- Deuter,
- Gregory,
- The North Face,
- Fjällräven,
- Quechua,
- Lowe Alpine.
Price
And last but often most important is the price. The cheapest hiking backpacks can be found from around €40, while more expensive models range from €120 all the way up to €1,200. It all depends on how much you’re willing to invest.
10 Best Travel Backpacks
Picking the right travel backpack can be challenging, but if you consider your needs and the conditions you’ll be using it in, you’ll certainly find a model that suits you. Investing in a quality backpack will pay off with comfortable and carefree hikes, no matter where you go. To help you navigate the options, I’ve put together 10 picks for the best travel backpacks.
| Backpack 🎒 | Ranking 🪜 | Typical Price 💰 |
| Gregory Baltoro 65 | 🥇1st place | €270 |
| Fjällräven Kajka 55 | 🥈2nd place | €320 |
| Lowe Alpine Airzone Trek ND 43:50 | 🥉3rd place | €170 |
| Fjällräven Abisko Hike 35 | 4th place | €190 |
| Zulu Summit 55l | 5th place | €65 |
| Pinguin Explorer 60 | 6th place | €140 |
| Osprey Tempest Pro 33 | 7th place | €145 |
| Deuter Speed Lite 23 SL | 8th place | €110 |
| Zulu Sandstone 35 | 9th place | €50 |
| Quechua MH 500 | 10th place | €72 |
1) Zulu Sandstone 35 (small)
The Zulu Sandstone 35 hiking backpack is an ideal choice for day trips and everyday use. Thanks to its ventilated back system with a mesh construction, it provides comfort even during hot summer days. The backpack features a large main compartment with space for a hydration bladder, a front pocket with an organiser and key loop, plus a small pocket for bits and bobs and a loop for trekking poles. Reflective elements ensure good visibility in poor conditions, while the adjustable chest strap with a whistle adds safety and comfort.
2) Deuter Speed Lite 23 SL (small)
The Deuter Speed Lite 23 SL hiking backpack is perfect for hiking and trail running. With its deuter’s Lite back system, the backpack is lightweight and sustainable, made from 100% recycled, bluesign® certified fabric. Perforated shoulder straps, flexible hip fins and a precisely adjustable chest strap ensure maximum comfort while wearing.
Side compression straps, designed for fast hiking and trail running, minimise load sway and allow a full range of movement. A practical pocket on the shoulder straps offers space for everything you need on the trail. This is one of the best lightweight backpacks for travel — functional and environmentally friendly.
Deuter Speed Lite 23 SL
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Ideal for shorter hikes and running
3) Lowe Alpine Airzone Trek (medium)
The women’s trekking backpack AirZone Trek ND 43:50 from Lowe Alpine is designed with women’s specific needs in mind. It excels with a comfortable and fully adjustable Centro Adjust AirZone back system that ensures optimal ventilation thanks to minimal contact between the backpack and your back. This means even during demanding climbs on hot summer days, your back stays dry.
The backpack features a hip belt with Adaptive Fit technology, which guarantees stable and even weight distribution even during strenuous movement. The upper part is protected with Ripstop fabric that resists tearing. Practical pocket layout and special attachment loops for gear like trekking poles or an ice axe make this backpack an ideal choice for multi-day treks. It’s one of the top travel backpacks for women on the market.
4) Fjällräven Kajka 55 (medium)
The Kajka 55 from Fjällräven is an updated version of the beloved hiking backpack, boasting an improved design, lower weight and the use of recycled materials for the lining and reinforced sections.
The backpack features the Perfect Fit Adjustment System back panel with a unique wooden frame that allows precise adjustment of back length and even distribution of heavy loads. Ergonomic shoulder straps and a padded hip belt ensure comfort even during extended wear.
With a 55-litre volume, the backpack provides ample space for multi-day treks and international trips. Besides the main compartment, it offers an additional 10 pockets for well-organised storage.
The backpack also features attachment points for trekking poles and an ice axe, an integrated rain cover, hydration bladder compatibility and compression straps. The removable lid can be easily converted into a hip pack or shoulder bag. For added safety and comfort, the pack comes with a chest strap with whistle and an option to secure shoulder straps across the chest — useful when carrying valuables or a camera.
Fjällräven Kajka 55
- Robust, ergonomic and superbly equipped
- Ideal for multi-day treks
5) Pinguin Explorer 60 (large)
The Pinguin Explorer 60 hiking backpack offers excellent flexibility and organisation thanks to its dual-compartment design, which allows you to separate gear by frequency of use or merge them into one by unzipping the divider. This travel backpack 60l is a solid choice for extended expeditions.
The innovative 4WE (four way entry) system provides four different access points into the backpack. The spacious lid is easily detachable and can be used as a hip pack or shoulder bag.
The backpack features a height-adjustable ABS back system with pads covered in breathable 3D mesh fabric, which effectively ventilates the back while ensuring optimal load distribution. The back panel is reinforced with aluminium stays and an HDPE plate, helping to evenly distribute weight and minimise pressure on your back.
Pinguin Explorer 60
- Flexible backpack with good ventilation
- Great weight distribution
6) Gregory Baltoro 65 (large)
The Gregory Baltoro 65 hiking and expedition backpack is designed to reliably accompany you on multi-day mountain traverses.
The backpack features the FreeFloat A3 back system, which allows the hip belt, shoulder straps and lower back panel to adapt to your body shape. This patented system and automatically rotating shoulder straps ensure stability without the need to constantly re-adjust your centre of gravity, saving energy with every step.
The AirCushion rear panel, made from patented 3D-structured mesh, offers over 90% open air space, ensuring outstanding breathability, minimising pressure points and providing cooling properties that wick away moisture.
The rubberised ComfortGrip lower hip pad prevents the backpack from slipping, allowing comfortable carrying without needing to over-tighten the hip belt.
The backpack offers extensive storage with a main compartment and a bottom compartment separated by a removable divider. The main compartment is accessible via the lid and a wide front opening. On the front of the backpack, there are two spacious zippered pockets and an elastic pocket for quick access.
Another elastic pocket is located on one side of the pack, while the other side features a bottle mesh that can be easily used without removing the backpack. The hip belt has two zippered pockets for small items, along with practical pockets on top and inside the lid where the rain cover is stored.
Gregory Baltoro 65
- Excellent back system
- Stability and comfort even during extended wear
- Superbly equipped
7) Fjällräven Abisko Hike 35 (small)
The Abisko Hike 35 is a versatile hiking backpack ideal for treks and shorter trips. It offers an adjustable back length system and breathable mesh on the back panel, shoulder straps and hip belt for maximum comfort. The backpack has a spacious main compartment with top loading and front access, a top lid with a drawcord and two zippered pockets.
Inside the main compartment, there are two pockets and one zippered pocket, accessible from the front or top. Two larger side pockets are ideal for storing bottles, while two additional pockets on the hip belt provide extra storage options.
On the front of the backpack, there are attachment points for trekking poles or an ice axe, and the pack is compatible with a hydration system. A rain cover is also included, providing protection in adverse weather conditions.
Fjällräven Abisko Hike 35
- Versatile and comfortable backpack
- Suitable for shorter trips
- Good breathability
8) Quechua MH 500 (medium)
The Quechua MH 500 backpack with a 40-litre capacity offers high carrying comfort thanks to a shaped hip belt, adjustable padded straps and thumb loops. Well-ventilated back with tensioned mesh (AirCooling) ensures effective air circulation. The backpack dimensions are 66 cm × 30 cm × 26 cm, making it suitable as a carry-on travel backpack.
The backpack has nine pockets, including two for bottles, a hydration bladder pocket and two large hip belt pockets. It’s made from water-repellent fabric with a coating, and a rain cover is stored in the bottom pocket to protect the contents. Easy use is enabled by side zip opening for quick access to the main compartment. The backpack weighs only 1,260 g in size S and 1,390 g in size L and comes with a 10-year guarantee.
9) Osprey Tempest Pro 33 (small)
The Osprey Tempest Pro 33 hiking backpack offers a thoughtfully designed height-adjustable AirScape™ back panel with profiled foam for optimal ventilation and comfort.
The backpack features clever trekking pole attachment, ice axe loops, compression straps and hydration bladder compatibility. It has numerous pockets, including two small ones on the hip belt — ideal for your phone or energy bars — and a large front pocket for storing a fleece or jacket.
It also has stretch side pockets for bottles, a stretch pocket on the shoulder strap and side compression straps to adjust the volume. Reflective safety elements and the option to attach a blinker light improve visibility.
An external hydration bladder pocket allows easy water refills without opening the backpack. The Osprey Tempest Pro 33 has a 33-litre volume, weighs 910 g and measures 30 × 62 × 29 cm.
Osprey Tempest Pro 33
- Lightweight
- Well-ventilated with clever features
- Best suited for shorter hikes
10) Zulu Summit 55l (large)
The Zulu Summit 55l hiking backpack offers a comfortable and breathable back system with ergonomically shaped shoulder straps that ensure comfort even during extended carrying.
The hip belt features two small pockets, ideal for energy bars, a mobile phone or other small items you want to keep within reach. The backpack lid contains one internal and one external pocket for documents, keys and other essentials.
The backpack features a practical suitcase-style front opening, which makes accessing your gear a breeze. Two side elastic pockets are designed for bottles, while the front pocket is ideal for a jacket or fleece. A rain cover tucked into the lid pocket protects against bad weather.
Additional features include side compression straps, a bottom entry, external straps for a sleeping mat or tent, and a front pocket for a wet jacket or small items. The backpack dimensions are 70 cm in height and 33 cm in width. This is an excellent extra large backpack for travel at a very attractive price point.
Zulu Summit 55l
- Great storage space for organisation and comfort on trips
- Ergonomic straps and good ventilation
How to Try On a Travel Backpack When Choosing
When choosing a travel backpack, it’s best to try it on to see if it fits you perfectly. Try it on in the shop or as soon as it arrives at home if you’re buying online. Here are the recommended steps for trying on a hiking backpack:
- Load the backpack: Fill the backpack with approximately 10 kg of weight to simulate a real load. Place light and bulky items like a sleeping bag at the bottom, while heavier items should be as close to your back as possible, near your centre of gravity. Pack lighter gear in the upper section.
- Tighten the compression straps: A quality hiking backpack comes with side straps and compression straps that allow you to secure useful items and reduce the pack’s volume at the same time.
- Adjust the back system: Adapt the back system to the length of your back. Taller individuals should set the backpack to maximum length, while shorter people should shorten the back length.
- Adjust the hip belt: The hip belt should sit across the top of your pelvic bones — not across your stomach or too high on your hips. A properly adjusted hip belt relieves overall load and stabilises the pack, preventing it from swaying side to side or tipping forward when you bend over. The belt should be snug, hold firmly and be padded for comfort.
- Tighten the shoulder straps: Make sure the backpack sits snugly against your back and that the shoulder straps aren’t too tight at the neck or slipping off the shoulders. Shoulder straps are one of the most heavily loaded parts of a backpack, so their construction must be of very high quality. When lifting the backpack from the ground, always grab it by both shoulder straps to prevent damage.
- Fasten the chest strap: This strap helps distribute the backpack’s weight more evenly across your back, reducing the load on your shoulders. Most chest straps are height-adjustable and should not restrict breathing or cause discomfort.
- Adjust the load lifter straps: These straps are located above the shoulders, between the shoulder straps and the backpack. They’re especially useful when carrying a fully loaded pack, as they help the upper part of the backpack sit better against your back.
- Put on the rain cover: Try how easily the rain cover fits and check whether it’s stored at the bottom or in the lid of the backpack. Always keep it within reach so you can quickly deploy it in case of a sudden downpour.
Frequently Asked Questions
What capacity should I choose for a multi-day hike?
For multi-day hikes, a backpack with a capacity between 40 and 70 litres is recommended, depending on the length of your trip and the amount of gear you plan to carry. If you expect cold weather or need to carry extra equipment such as a tent or sleeping bag, opt for a larger capacity pack.
How do I properly adjust a backpack for comfort?
Start by adjusting the hip belt, which should sit on your hip bones and carry most of the weight. Then adjust the shoulder straps so the backpack sits snugly against your back without overloading your shoulders. The chest strap helps stabilise the backpack and prevents it from moving while you walk.
What material is best for a hiking backpack?
Nylon and polyester are commonly used materials that are lightweight, durable and long-lasting. A water-resistant coating or integrated rain cover is beneficial if you’re planning hikes in areas with frequent rainfall.
What features should I look for in a travel backpack?
Key features include padded shoulder straps, an adjustable hip belt, good back ventilation, plenty of pockets for organisation and easy access to items inside. Water bottle pockets, hip belt pockets and the ability to access the pack from the side or bottom are additional practical features.
How do I know if a backpack fits properly?
Try the backpack with a load to see how it feels under weight. The backpack should be comfortable, not press on your shoulders or back, and distribute weight evenly. If you feel any pressure or discomfort, try adjusting the strap settings.
How much should I invest in a quality hiking backpack?
Hiking backpack prices can vary considerably. Investing in a quality pack that provides comfort and durability typically ranges from €120 to €280. More expensive models usually offer better construction, more durable materials and additional features.
What is the difference between women’s and men’s hiking backpacks?
Women’s backpacks are designed to better fit the female body. They have narrower shoulder straps, a shorter back length and a differently shaped hip belt. Men’s models are adapted to the male build and often have a larger capacity. When choosing a backpack, it’s important to consider your individual body shape and comfort.
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Don’t Overpay for Flights
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