The Best Carry-on Backpacks That Survived Our Testers' Travels
Pack everything you need — conveniently on your back.
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A good carry-on travel backpack can hold up to a week's worth of clothes, allowing you to travel hands-free and skip long waits to check a suitcase. Featuring lumbar support, well-organized interiors and multiple pockets, the best carry-on backpacks are designed to be comfortable and adhere to carry-on restrictions for most airlines.
I am the associate director of the Textiles Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where my team of fiber scientists and I test all types of luggage and backpacks. To determine our top picks, we assess fabric durability, packing ease, comfort, weight and more. To date, we’ve tested over 50 backpacks using specialized lab equipment and feedback from consumer testers who used these packs on real trips.
Pros
- Designated tech storage area
- Comfortable straps with lumbar support
- Made with recycled materials
Cons
- Boxy shape
Patagonia has been selling durable outdoor gear since 1973 with a deep commitment to sustainability. In our tests, we continue to be impressed by the Black Hole line for its smart designs that fit everything you need (and more), while staying in great shape long term.
We tested the 45-liter size, which is great to use as a carry-on backpack, but there is also a 30-liter size available. The backpack straps can tuck away to convert it into a duffel bag and there's a convenient trolly sleeve so this backpack can rest comfortably on top of rolling luggage. The grab handles on the side and top are helpful when bringing this pack through airport security too.
It has a large tech storage area in the back with a designated laptop sleeve. It can accommodate laptops up to 15 inches, according to the brand (in our tests, the laptop compartment fit a 17-inch laptop). There are multiple pouches to store chargers and other tech accessories.
We were especially surprised with how comfortable this pack was to wear when fully packed. It has large, padded shoulder straps and a wide help belt for excellent lumbar support. You can adjust the height of the chest strap for optimal support. Not all analysts liked this bag's boxy look with one who said it felt "bulky" on her petite frame.
It's made with recycled high-denier polyester with a recycled TPU-film laminate, making this a more sustainable purchase. We like that Patagonia will repair damaged products (for a charge based on damage) to keep products out of landfills. Patagonia also has a used section on its site where you can shop secondhand gear from the brand.
Capacity: 45L | Weight: 3 lbs 9.7 oz | Dimensions: 22" x 14.5" x 7.6" | Outer material: 300-denier 100% post-consumer recycled polyester ripstop with a post-industrial recycled TPU-film laminate | Packing style: Clamshell | Laptop compartment size: 15 in.
BAGSMART Travel Laptop Backpack
Pros
- Lightweight
- Includes packing cubes
- Great organizational pockets, including a laptop sleeve
Cons
- Material not designed for outdoor use
Most carry-on backpacks cost hundreds of dollars, but this affordable Bagsmart bag outperformed pricey styles and costs under $45. It features an expandable design, so it'll have either a 30-liter or 40-liter capacity. There are compression straps inside the bag to hold your clothes in place and on the outside to compress the whole bag as well. There is also an option for built-in wheels, but we tested the version without.
This bag boasts impressive organizational features with tons of zippered compartments on the exterior and interior of the bag to keep small items neatly sorted. It includes two packing cubes and a pouch for shoes too. There's a padded laptop compartment that can accommodate a 17-inch computer.
When using a similar bag from the company, testers appreciated the lightweight feel and comfortable fit. "I absolutely loved how many things I could pack in this and how comfortable it felt to carry," reported one GH analyst who tested a similar model. "[It's] super lightweight compared to other travel backpacks I've owned, but still feels sturdy."
Compared to other bags we tested, the material isn't as durable as other backpacks. If you plan to use your backpack on hikes or trails, we'd recommend a option designed for outdoor use, but this pack should be suitable for most travelers.
Capacity: 40L | Weight: 2 lbs 3.4 oz | Dimensions: 18.5" x 12.2" x 10.23" | Outer material: Polyester | Packing style: Front-loading | Laptop compartment size: 17 in.
Peak Design Travel Backpack 45 L
Pros
- Compresses from 45L to 35L bag
- Side-access compartment
- Straps tuck away, so you can use this pick as a duffel bag
Cons
- Less organized interior
Pack confidently for any type of trip with this spacious backpack with clever design features from Peak Design. The roomy 45L pack converts to a 35-liter bag with compression straps, transitioning from one type of trip to the next with ease. Because of its adaptable size, the bag is especially great for long trips — it's big enough to fit everything you need for the entire stay, and then once at your destination, you can compress it down to use as a daypack.
With a front-opening design, the large open interior fit everything in our packing tests. There aren't many compartments inside, so we recommend pairing this pick with packing cubes. A side access pocket makes it easy to grab must-need items when on the go, while small zippered pockets on the outside keep smaller items within reach.
The padded shoulder straps and adjustable chest and hip straps provide proper support. All of the straps tuck away, so that you can use this pick as a duffel bag too. There are spacious water bottle holders on each side and loops on the front to hook gear onto.
Capacity: 45L | Weight: 4.5 lb | Dimensions: 22" x 13" x 11" | Outer material: 100% recycled 400D nylon canvas with DWR finish | Packing style: Front-opening | Laptop compartment size: 16 in.
Pros
- Uses recycled materials
- Updated model includes a trolley sleeve and water bottle holder
- Spacious, well-designed interior
Cons
- Slouches over when not fully packed
Avoid schlepping around extra pounds on your trip with this lightweight pack from Cotopaxi. The 840-denier polyester exterior and mesh interior help keep this pack from weighing you down. It opens clamshell-style with packing space on both sides: one side has a large open space while the other has two compartments. In our packing tests, we were blown away by the spacious interior — it fit more than some carry-on suitcases we've tested.
In the newest iteration of this bag, there are two smaller zippered compartments in the front for essentials, a trolley sleeve in the back to place this bag on top of a suitcase and a stretchy water bottle holder. These upgrades make this backpack more versatile for all types of vacations, whether you're using it on its own or with other luggage.
The backpack features a chest strap and a hip strap for better weight distribution. Then you can tuck in the straps to turn it into a duffel. The back compartment is designed to hold a 15-inch laptop and a tablet. We appreciate that this pack is made with 100% recycled materials for a more sustainable buy.
Because of its lightweight design, the bag lacks structure. Some testers wished it would better maintain its shape when not fully packed.
Capacity: 42L | Weight: 3 lbs. 2 oz | Dimensions: 22" x 14" x 11" | Outer material: 100% recycled 840-denier TPU-coated nylon | Packing style: Clamshell | Laptop compartment size: 15 in.
Pros
- Trendy look with bright color options
- A lot of exterior zippered pockets
- Separate shoe compartment
Cons
- Bulky shape
When some travelers are looking for a carry-on backpack, they are really shopping for a backpack that works as a personal item alongside a carry-on suitcase. This 26-liter backpack from Calpak fits the dimensions of a personal item for most airlines.
It touts many organizational features, including a slew of pockets in every shape and size. This backpack unzips all around the front for easy packing and it also has a separate top zipper to access items in the pack without unzipping the whole bag. There is a roomy back compartment for a laptop too.
This is my go-to weekender bag whenever I am traveling because it can hold enough clothes for a 2-to-3 day trip while looking much more stylish than your average backpack (I have this pack in Dragonfruit, a fun bright pink shade!). I love to overpack and this bag fits everything I want to bring with room to spare for souvenirs too. I especially like the shoe compartment to keep dirty footwear separate.
The mesh padding on the back and straps help make this bag more comfortable to carry. There are compression straps on the side of the pack, so you can compress the bag if it's not full. Its square shape and heavier weight (compared to its size) make it a bit bulky to carry however.
Capacity: 26L | Weight: 2 lbs 14.4 oz | Dimensions: 18" x 12" x 7.5" | Outer material: Recycled ripstop polyester w/ TPU coating | Packing style: Front-opening | Laptop compartment size: 17 in.
Osprey Farpoint 40L Travel Backpack
Pros
- Wide hip belt and chest straps
- Padding on the back and shoulder straps
- Front compression straps
Cons
- No water bottle holder
Chest straps and hip straps can help distribute the pack's weight to prevent shoulder pain. This pack from Osprey has a wide, removable hip belt with padding for excellent lumbar support. Its rounded shape stands out compared to the boxiness of other carry-on backpacks, making it more comfortable to carry.
It opens in the front with a large packing space and compression straps to hold everything in place. The back compartment can hold a 16-inch computer or a water pouch. Inside are organizational pockets, including a large mesh pocket that's great for storing toiletries.
The straps and back of the pack feature padding covered in mesh to allow ample airflow when wearing the pack in hot climates. This bag has many smart design features, like loops to hook on additional bags, front compression straps to hold a sweatshirt and zipper pulls that accommodate locks — it even has a built-in whistle to use when hiking. This pack lacks a side water bottle holder though. We recommend hooking a water bottle to the loops on the outside of the bag.
In our evaluations, the 40-liter size is the most versatile and great to use as a carry-on, but this pack is also available in 55-, 70- and 80-liter sizes for backpacking trips. Note that this Farpoint style is designed for men, but Osprey designed the Fairview style for women.
Capacity: 40L | Weight: 3 lbs 7.8 oz | Dimensions: 22" x 14" x 9" | Outer material: 450D recycled twist dobby polyester with DWR finish | Packing style: Front-opening | Laptop compartment size: 16 in.
Other carry-on backpacks we tested:
- While we generally are fans of Away's travel gear, the Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L wasn't a top performer. The zippers came undone in our tests and the backpack wasn't as comfortable to wear as other styles.
- The Fjallraven High Cost Duffel can be used as a backpack, but it's truly designed as a duffel. We found it less comfortable to wear as a backpack because the straps lacked padding and there are no chest or hip straps.
- Best suited for overnight trips or daily use, the Monos Metro Backpack isn't truly carry-on backpack due to its small capacity (18 liters). Our testers did like that it kept its shape when not fully packed.
How we test carry-on backpacks
The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab has been evaluating backpacks, luggage and other travel products for decades.
We assess fabric durability by using a specialized abrasion tester (pictured). Swatches of fabric are cut out and then placed in the abrasion tester to rate how well the material resists abrasion to ensure the backpack can hold up to use.
Using a standard packing load, we evaluate each backpack's packing space and organizational features. The load varies from a weekend trip to a multi-week getaway, depending on the bag's size. We rate how easy it is to load and unload the bag.
To ensure the bag will be comfortable to wear, we analyze the bag's construction, looking at the strap design, packing style and lumbar support features.
Finally, we have consumer testers use the bag on their own vacations, weekend getaways and work trips to give feedback on comfort when wearing, ease of packing and unloading, appearance and more. Testers wore these packs on trips to Mexico, Italy, California and more!
What to look for when shopping for a carry-on backpack
✔️ Size and capacity: Carry-on backpacks can refer to backpacks in a wide range of sizes. Before purchasing, make sure to consider the bag's dimensions and internal capacity to ensure it'll work for your travels. Most airline's carry-on size limit is 22" x 14" x 9", but it can vary by an inch or two depending on the airline. Confirm the airline's bag-size restrictions before arriving at the airport. As for the capacity, carry-on backpacks are sized in liters:
- Under 20L: This is a good everyday backpack that works well as a personal item, great for commuting to hold your lunch, laptop, water bottle and a change of clothes.
- 20–30L: This size is best suited for weekend trips. Some backpacks in this range may qualify as a personal item.
- 30–40L: These backpacks are designed for about a week-long trip. Because these packs can get quite heavy, make sure they have supportive features like a chest and hip strap. This range is the most common for carry-on backpacks.
- 40+L: Designed for multi-week trips, these large bags tend to get heavy, especially 70–80-liter packs. We only recommend traveling with this size bag if you are prepared to carry the weight long term. Bags larger than 45 liters tend to not fit within carry-on dimensions and must be checked when flying.
✔️ Packing style: When packing clothes, you want to be able to see everything you have packed for easier loading and unloading. We recommend opting for a clamshell or front-loading style carry-on backpack.
- Clamshell backpacks open like a book with packing space on both sides.
- Front-loading backpacks unzip all around the front panel for one large packing space.
✔️ Material: Look for durable materials like nylon or high-denier polyester to ensure the pack can withstand consistent use and heavy loads. If you plan to use the pack backpacking, opt for styles with water-resistant or waterproof finishes.
✔️ Weight: Check the weight of the backpack and avoid heavy designs. Extra straps, pockets and organizational details can add weight to a pack.
✔️ Organizational features: Living out of a backpack requires excellent organization. Look for helpful features like a padded laptop sleeve, easily accessible front pockets, water bottle holders and interior pockets.
✔️ Strap design: Padded shoulder straps are key to avoid back pain when traveling with a heavy pack. Some styles have backpack straps that unhook and stow away, so you can carry the backpack as a duffel bag too.
✔️ Lumbar support: If you suffer from back, neck or shoulder pain, look for a backpack that comes with chest and hip straps to help distribute the weight. Some backpacks allow you to adjust the height of these straps to better suit your frame.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Emma Seymour is the associate director of the Textiles Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she has been testing products since 2018. She has tested all types of backpacks and bags, including the best backpacks for college students, travel backpacks, weekender bags and fanny packs. Seymour graduated from Cornell University with a Fiber Science and Apparel Design degree.
Emma Seymour (she/her) is the associate director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.
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