Whether you’re heading off on a long-term adventure or hopping between cities, the right carry-on backpack can make travel so much smoother. There is nothing quite like airport anxiety, walking up to the boarding counter, not knowing if your bag will fit into the airline allowance basket. Finding the best backpack for travel is truly a long-term investment. Plus, you can skip the checked baggage queues and get straight to exploring.
The best carry-on backpacks usually sit around the 40-liter mark, big enough for everything you need, small enough to fit airline requirements. Whether you’re searching for a tailored 40L backpack for women or something smaller for day trips, there’s a bag for every travel need in this guide.
If you are looking for the best female travel backpack, designed with slightly shorter torsos, curved straps, and adjustable harnesses for comfort that lasts all day, then we also have a comprehensive guide there, too. So whether you’re navigating airports, train stations, or winding trails, here are our top carry-on backpacks for travel that will serve you a long time. So with that in mind, let’s get into the best carry-on backpack.
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The Best Carry On Backpack at a Glance
- Best Overall: Osprey Men’s Farpoint 40 Backpack
- Best Design Carry-On Backpack: Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack
- Best Compressible Carry On: Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L
- Best for Carry On for Digital Nomads: Tortuga 40L Travel Backpack Pro
- Best Hybrid Carry-On: Osprey Farpoint Wheeled Travel Pack 36L
- Best Overall Female Carry On Backpack: Osprey Fairview 40
- Best for Carry On for City Travel: North Face Borealis Backpack
- Best Carry-On Duffel Bag and Packpack: Patagonia Black Hole 40L
- Best for Everyday Use (Women’s Carry on): The North Face Surge 35L
Best Carry On Backpack
If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel backpack, the Osprey Farpoint 40 is a fantastic choice. Osprey is the gold standard for quality backpacks. All seasoned travellers know you mean business when you have one of these. Built to last, this pack has a lifetime guarantee, ensuring it will be with you for years.
Ideal for minimalist or a shorter term trip, this pack has a 40L capacity. It’s perfect for trips where you want to pack light but still have room for all the essentials. The suitcase-style opening makes it easy to access your belongings, while the padded laptop sleeve keeps your tech safe. If you prefer to keep your backpack as carry-on luggage, this bag is designed to meet most airline size restrictions.
We really love the stowaway harness system, which allows you to zip away the straps for a sleeker, more compact shape when checking in your bag.
Key Specs:
Adjustable AirScape Backpanel
Padded laptop compartment Lockable zippers for security
Stowaway harness and hip belt
Meets carry-on size requirements
The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack is a favourite among minimalist travellers who want durability and function without the fuss. With a suitcase-style, full-wrap zipper opening, this bag makes packing and organisation a breeze. Inside, three mesh pockets help separate clothing, shoes, and tech, while the external stretch mesh water bottle pocket and front zip accessory pocket keep essentials handy on the move.
Designed for both versatility and comfort, the Allpa includes tuckable shoulder straps and a padded hip belt that transfer weight efficiently, so it wears like a backpack but carries like a suitcase. The 15” padded laptop sleeve, lockable zippers, and weather-resistant materials make it perfect for both urban adventures and rugged escapes. It’s one of those bags that truly bridges the gap between travel and everyday carry — simple, smart, and built to last.
Key specs
Weight Lightweight and compact
Capacity 35 litres
Design Suitcase-style with full wrap zip
Laptop sleeve 15-inch padded and fleece lined
Water resistance Water resistant
Extra features Lockable zippers, tuckable straps, 3 grab handles
Built for one-bag travel, the Peak Design 45L Travel Backpack combines elegance and performance in a weatherproof shell that feels as good as it looks. Its flexible 35–45L capacity adapts to your trip — compress it for shorter journeys or expand it to fit a week’s worth of clothes. With access points at the rear, side, and top, you can reach your gear without digging through everything.
The recycled 400D nylon canvas shell, ultra-durable hardware, and reinforced bottom liner make it ready for years of exploration. Tuck-away shoulder straps and hip belts let you streamline the bag for easy handling, while 360° grab handles and hidden external carry straps make travel effortless. For digital nomads, photographers, or frequent flyers who like everything perfectly organised, this backpack is hard to beat.
Key specs
Weight 2.05 kg
Capacity Expandable 35–45 litres
Design Rear, side and top access
Material 400D recycled nylon canvas
Water resistance Weatherproof shell
Laptop sleeve Fits 16-inch device
Extra features Tuck-away straps, luggage pass-through, hidden external straps
Perfect for urban adventures, commutes, and campus life, the Borealis Classic from The North Face is a versatile everyday backpack that balances comfort, organization, and durability. Updated with the brand’s FlexVent suspension system, certified by the American Chiropractic Association, it delivers reliable support with articulated shoulder straps, a rounded back panel, and soft-touch fabric for all-day carry. A removable waist belt and sternum strap with whistle buckle add extra stability, while reflective details improve visibility on the go.
Organization is another strong point of the Borealis. The front compartment includes a padded tablet sleeve and secure zip pockets, while an external fleece-lined pocket keeps electronics or small essentials safe. Dual water bottle pockets double as multi-use storage, and the dedicated laptop sleeve makes it a dependable choice for commuting, school, or weekend travel. At 28 liters, it’s compact yet highly functional.
Key Specs
Volume 28 liters
Weight 2 lbs 5 oz
Back system FlexVent suspension (ACA-certified)
Laptop sleeve 13.75″ x 11.25″
Access Top zip main compartment
Pockets Dual side water bottle pockets, padded tablet sleeve, fleece-lined front pocket
Dimensions 12″ x 6.5″ x 19.5″
Compact yet rugged, the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 40L is designed for travellers who need a durable and lightweight bag. Made from 100% recycled polyester ripstop with a TPU-film laminate, it resists abrasions and repels water, making it an excellent pack for unpredictable conditions. The padded, removable shoulder straps provide a comfortable carry option, while reinforced haul handles ensure durability. A zippered side pocket offers quick access to essentials, and an internal mesh compartment helps with organisation. When not in use, this duffel conveniently stuffs into its own pocket for easy storage. Pretty practical right?
Key Specs:
40-litre capacity
Made from 100% recycled materials
Water- and abrasion-resistant polyester ripstop
Padded, removable shoulder straps for versatile carrying
Compact storage within its own pocket
The Tortuga 40L Travel Backpack Pro is a smartly designed, carry-on-sized travel bag made for those who prefer to skip checked luggage. With a front-loading, suitcase-style opening, you can pack it like a case but carry it like a backpack — ideal for longer trips and digital nomads who value efficiency. It features multiple compartments, including laptop and tablet sleeves, mesh accessory pockets, two water bottle holders, and hip belt pockets for on-the-go convenience.
Built with waterproof sailcloth and YKK zippers, it’s durable enough to handle years of travel while still maintaining a sleek, minimalist look. Adjustable shoulder straps, thick padding, and a supportive hip belt ensure comfort over long distances. For both men and women looking for the perfect combination of structure and flexibility, this backpack nails it.
Key specs
Weight 1.55 kg
Capacity 40 litres
Design Front-loading suitcase style
Material Waterproof sailcloth with YKK zippers
Water resistance Water resistant
Laptop sleeve Fits 15-inch device
Extra features Height-adjustable suspension, hip belt pockets, two water bottle holders
For travellers who can’t decide between a backpack and a suitcase, the Osprey Farpoint Wheeled 36L offers the best of both worlds. With rugged wheels and a telescopic handle, it glides effortlessly through airports — but when terrain gets rough, simply convert it into a backpack using the stowable shoulder straps and padded hip belt. The adjustable torso fit and ventilated suspension system make it comfortable enough for full days on the move.
Inside, the Farpoint features a spacious main compartment with compression straps, plus zippered organiser pockets for smaller items. The bluesign®-approved, 100% recycled high-tenacity nylon ensures it’s as eco-conscious as it is tough. Whether you’re hopping between cities or heading on a short backpacking trip, this is a brilliantly practical, durable, and versatile carry-on.
Key specs
Weight 3.0 kg
Capacity 36 litres
Design Convertible wheeled backpack
Material 100% recycled high-tenacity nylon
Water resistance Weather resistant
Extra features Adjustable torso fit, telescopic handle, tuckaway straps, internal compression straps
Fit Unisex
Best Carry On Backpack for Women
This Osprey 40L backpack is one of the best travel-friendly backpacks for women. It features a women-specific fit, excellent ventilation, and a carry-on-compliant size. The Osprey Fairview 40 Women’s Travel Backpack is a much loved pack. It’s so practical and very well thought out that you will think, how did I travel before this bag. If you take lots of flights, city breaks or just want your luggage on board a flight the Fairview 40L backpack is top notch. It is great for summer travel or to hot climates as the space is limited but your load will be light. If you are going to a colder climate, or plan on going hiking or need more versatility, a 40L backpack may be on the tighter side.
If you are a looking for a backpack for anywhere between a weekend break to a month or two this is an exceptional pack. It opens like a suitcase and is easy to pack and unpack. There are adjustable features that make is customisable and comfortable as well as a laptop sleeve inside to keep everything secure. It’s a great value pack and we highly recommend it.
Key specs:
Adjustable AirScape Backpanel
Stretch-mesh hipbelt pocket
Multiple organisation pockets
Straightjacket compression
Direct access laptop sleeve
This North Face 40L backpack provides excellent organisation, comfort, and durability. It’s ideal for commuters, students, and travellers who need a multi-purpose backpack. Its women-specific FlexVent suspension system, featuring ergonomic shoulder straps and a rounded back panel, ensures a comfortable fit. The bag offers excellent organisation with three large zip pockets, a padded laptop sleeve, and multiple external compartments for small items. A removable waist belt and sternum strap provide added stability, while reflective details enhance visibility in low light. Whether you’re navigating the city or heading on a weekend getaway, this backpack is built for convenience and durability.
Key Specs:
31-litre capacity
FlexVent suspension system for ergonomic support
Padded laptop sleeve (fits most 14.5” laptops)
Multiple compartments for organisation
Removable waist belt and sternum strap for stability
What Makes a Great Carry-On Backpack?
When it comes to finding the best carry-on backpack, it’s all about size, comfort, and smart organization. The sweet spot is usually under 22 x 14 x 9 inches — small enough to fit in overhead bins but big enough to store everything you need for a few days (or more). Look for handy compartments to separate clothes from electronics, plus quick-access pockets for passports and chargers.
Comfort is key, too. Padded straps, ventilated back panels, and adjustable harnesses can make all the difference when you’re running through an airport or wandering city streets. Bonus points for weather-resistant fabric and zippers you can lock for extra security.
Understanding Carry-On Size Limits and Airline Restrictions
Airline rules can vary, but most US carriers stick to the 22 x 14 x 9-inch standard — roughly the size of a 40L backpack. This capacity gives you just enough room for clothes, shoes, and travel gear without ever needing to check a bag. It’s ideal for anyone who wants to travel light, fast, and stress-free.
That said, it’s always smart to double-check your airline’s guidelines before you fly. Some budget or international airlines have stricter limits, and you don’t want to be caught off guard at the gate. Thankfully, many modern travel backpacks are now designed to fit perfectly within those cabin-friendly dimensions.
Choosing the Right Capacity: Under 40L vs 45L and Beyond
The best carry-on backpacks typically fall between 35 and 40 liters. That’s the perfect balance of space and portability, whether you’re going away for a few nights or a full week. The best 40L backpack for men or 40L backpack for women will offer enough volume for everything without feeling bulky or oversized.
If you prefer to travel extra light or need something for weekend getaways, a 25–30L pack might do the trick. These small hiking daypacks are great for minimalist travelers or those who prefer a simple, flexible setup. On the flip side, if you’re packing for longer trips, a slightly larger 40L bag can give you just a bit more room while still being manageable.
The Difference Between Carry-On Travel Backpacks and Personal Items?
It’s easy to confuse daypacks and personal items with carry on backpacks — and honestly, many now blur the lines. The best personal item is usually smaller (about 20L). A carry-on travel backpack, meanwhile, is about 35-40L — with suitcase-style openings, compression straps, and padded laptop compartments
If you like versatility, look for hybrid models that work as both. Some even come with detachable daypacks, so you can use one for your flights and the other for exploring once you’ve arrived.
How to Pack a Carry-On Backpack Efficiently
Packing efficiently can completely change the way you travel. Use compression cubes to save space, roll your clothes instead of folding, and keep heavy items close to your back for better balance. Keep your documents, toiletries, and tech gear in the outer pockets for quick access, and stash your laptop in a padded sleeve for protection.
It’s also worth making your pack weatherproof. Go for water-resistant fabrics or add a rain cover if you’re heading somewhere unpredictable. Remember, the lighter you pack, the more freedom you have to move — and that’s what good travel is all about.
FAQs: Best Carry-On Backpack
Is a 40L backpack enough for international travel?
Yes! A 40L bag is usually perfect for one to two weeks abroad. You’ll have space for your clothes, shoes, and travel essentials, and it’ll still fit in the overhead bin. It’s ideal for carry-on-only travel.
What size backpack counts as a carry-on?
Most airlines in the US allow backpacks up to 22 x 14 x 9 inches — roughly a 35–40L capacity. Always double-check with your airline, though, as size restrictions can vary depending on where you’re flying.
Can a carry-on backpack double as a hiking daypack?
Definitely. Many carry-on bags are designed to be versatile enough for both. Choose one that’s lightweight, durable, and includes features like removable straps or hydration sleeves — perfect for switching from airport mode to trail mode in minutes.
