Best Carry On Backpack for Travel

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.