Whether you’re going on a 2-month backpacking trip through Southeast Asia or taking a weekend trip to the local mountains, you’ll need a travel backpack that’s designed for the purpose of traveling. The best travel backpacks are comfortable, durable, lightweight, and functional.
There are two main travel backpack styles: front loading and top loading. Front loading packs open like a suitcase while top loading backpacks open like a traditional hiking pack. I usually recommend people travel with a front loading backpack because it’s easier to pack and unpack your things and quickly access items that you might need in the airport or on the road.
It’s also important to note that there are many different sizes of travel backpacks available ranging from small bags meant for day trips all the way up to large 85L+ bags for long-term travelers. Most travelers will be happiest with a bag in the 40-60 liter range which is large enough to fit everything you’ll need but not so big that it becomes heavy when full (as long as you’re not going somewhere cold where you need to bring lots of extra clothes).
The following is a guide to some of the best travel backpacks along with some tips and tricks on how to choose the best one for your needs.
In this guide we’ll look at the best travel backpacks for any type of adventure. Before we dive into choosing the best travel backpack for you, we need to talk about what is a travel backpack and what isn’t.
A lot of people think “oh I have a perfectly good backpack from high school that I can take with me on my travels” but those are usually not going to be suitable for long term travel.
To start things off, let’s talk about external frame packs. These are by far the least popular packs used by travelers. They are designed for hiking in rough terrain and carrying heavy loads (50lbs/23kg +). This is not how most travelers roll so it’s best to avoid these unless you like being uncomfortable, having a sore back and looking like a dork.
The next style of pack is the traditional top loading pack. While some of them can be used as a carry-on, they also tend to be quite bulky and not very comfortable when carried on your back over long distances. If you’re looking for a comfortable pack to use for extended periods of time, these aren’t it.
A backpack is an essential piece of gear for any outdoor adventure, but it’s especially important for travel. A good pack will keep you organized, comfortable, and efficient.
A backpack is an essential piece of gear for any outdoor adventure, but it’s especially important for travel. A good pack will keep you organized, comfortable, and efficient.
The following guide details the best backpacks for travel based on trip length and activity (day hiking, backpacking or climbing). We also highlight some key features to look for when shopping and give tips on how to choose a pack that will work best for you.
For more background information on choosing a travel pack see our comparison table and buying advice below the picks. You can find more hiking daypack recommendations in our separate article.
I’ve been traveling with backpacks since I first started traveling, and I can tell you that there is a big difference between using a backpack designed for hiking and using one designed for travel, especially in terms of comfort.
If you’re thinking of bringing your hiking backpack, or any backpack really, on your next trip, think again. You see, when it comes to backpacks and their many uses, one size definitely doesn’t fit all!
When I first started traveling I was young and didn’t know any better. Like most people I started out with a hiking backpack. I had just come from a long stint as a professional hiker in California so it only seemed natural to pack up my Osprey Aether 70-liter and head for the hills…or rather the plains of the midwest!
The thing about hiking backpacks is that they are designed for movement – forward motion to be exact. They are meant to be worn while walking and not sitting at bus stations or lounging on trains. They don’t have hip support so if you have something heavy in them, the weight will be transferred directly to your shoulders creating an incredibly uncomfortable experience.
If you haven’t experienced this yet and
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