The one carry-on item travel experts always fly with on holiday

A super-chic travel backpack for women in a warm, neutral hue, this style from Everlane comes with all the pockets, eco credentials and functionality. There's an exterior laptop pocket, a pocket for your passport and keys, another for your water bottle and a space to zip up your phone and AirPods, too. It's also water resistant and we love that it's made from 100% recycled material.

Briggs & Riley's Large Cargo Backpack is the ultimate travel companion. Whether you're travelling for work or leisure, it will help you stay organised on your journey. Crafted from a durable and sustainable nylon fabric (made from 32 recycled bottles), the brand promises this bag will resist wear and last a lifetime. It's got plenty of internal and external pockets, with a 17” laptop compartment, too. The classic backpack also features an antibacterial, breathable mesh backing and a slip pocket to easily slide over the handles of your suitcase. What's more, it can be personalised with your initials. A great travel gift for the globetrotter in your life.

It may look like your average bag but this travel backpack for women comes with a clever feature - it's made from anti-theft material that protects your credit card details from being stolen and safety zips so pickpockets can't get in. One happy traveller says: "I loved using this backpack for our first trip to Europe... I had no safety issues with my belongings and felt comfortable in the subways and crowded attractions. I especially loved the fact that I could attach my purse and lock it to chairs, fence posts and my bike!"

Taking you from work-to-weekend adventures, Antler's rolltop bag is shower-proof, with a zipped and padded 15” laptop compartment and plenty of pockets for easy access to your essentials. The durable fabric makes it ideal for carrying on a city break or an adventurous getaway, and the handy bungee cords allow you to attach your rain jacket, yoga mat or other bulky gear. There's a pocket for everything too: your water bottle, laptop and travel documents.

For a true case of contemporary design meeting practicality, look to this sleek nylon twill backpack from cool-girl, LA-inspired brand, Varley. It's water-resistant, has a laptop compartment and effortlessly attaches to any wheelie suitcase, making it a great travel companion. It comes in black or 'coffee bean' brown, and features a cute draw-string closure that is as convenient as it is sporty-chic.

Lightweight, durable and versatile, Away's F.A.R design has everything we love in a travel backpack. There's enough space to fit around five days' clothing and while it's made for adventures, we'll happily pack it for carry-on only European city breaks. The brilliant interior compression system helps you pack more in and the thoughtful pockets help you stay organised.

Not only does this chocolate leather backpack look incredibly chic, it can be altered to fit around your day. Its fold-down design adjusts the capacity depending on what you need to carry, while the collapsible construction reduces bulk when you're storing it. It features padded mesh shoulders to protect you and keep things comfortable, as well as an interior laptop to keep your tech safe.

You can't go wrong with luggage from Antler, and this Chelsea Backpack is the brand's Dayback reimagined with even more space and improved functionality. There's an array of zipped internal and external pockets for seamless packing and easy access. Plus, there's a removable pocket inside to pack your clothes or shoes. What's more, it's available in eight colours from sleek black to baby pink.

From the makers of the world's most famous folded bag, Le Pliage Energy is a travel backpack as stylish as Longchamp's iconic shoulder bags. The incredibly lightweight bag has adjustable shoulder straps and is ideal for popping your airport essentials in one place. The signature inner pocket is perfect for smaller items.

For a travel backpack for women you can use for work, the gym and a mini-break, this minimal black style from Lululemon has all the goods. It's stylish yet durable, has plenty of storage including an interior pocket designed to hold your water bottle and there are quick-access zippered pockets on the hood for storing valuables.

Whether you're going on a hike or need something stylish to carry while exploring a new city, Tumi's Nathan Backpack is a trusty style to consider. Made from lightweight and drizzle-proof material, it keeps everything, from your portable charger to your favourite book, safe from rainy weather. Inside, it's roomy and there's enough space for your laptop, water bottle, a waterproof jacket and other essentials.

Available in nylon or vegan leather in a range of colours, this sleek backpack is the ultimate multi-purpose companion. It's great for travelling, with a laptop sleeve and easily accessible compartments that make rushing from departure lounge to gate a breeze. It also features a built-in sleeve so it can slip seamlessly onto the handle of a wheeled suitcase.

In true Ganni style, this utilitarian backpack has a chic eco twist. The padded shell is made from 100% recycled material with adjustable and padded shoulder straps, a top handle, buckle fastenings and front pockets – complete with the iconic Ganni logo. Inside, there's plenty of room for packing in your essentials, whether you're off to work or on a European city break.

For a travel backpack you can rely on, look no further than Hunter's sustainable Explorer style. It's sturdy and made from 100 per cent recycled material, as well as featuring adjustable shoulder straps and an adjustable waist strap to keep you comfortable throughout your adventures. There are two slip pockets at the sides and loops at the front to attach essentials, such as your water bottle.

This olive-hued travel backpack for women is water-resistant, made from vegan materials and features smart protective compartments for your tech and other valuables, with space for a laptop up to 15”. There's a hidden back pocket for your travel essentials, too. What's more, it's available in four other colours including classic black and pastel blue.

From Scandi brand Db this chic beige backpack is ideal for commuters going from gym-to-the-office or for those on a hand luggage-only city break. It's lightweight yet sturdy with plenty of pouches and zip pockets inside to keep your belongings organised. There's an additional sleeve for your laptop and other tech, plus a hidden passport or wallet security pocket. Genius!

We love the rectangular body of this waterproof Rains backpack, with its symmetrical side pockets and signature buckle closure for all three compartments. Constructed from the brand's famous waterproof PU, this one is worth considering if you're heading somewhere with unpredictable weather. There's ample space inside and extra snap closure to keep the contents dry.

For a carry-on backpack, try Bellroy's travel bag that is accepted as hand luggage by many airlines and features a quick access 16-inch laptop pocket. The invisible external pockets are ideal for storing your passport and phone, and the black Transit Backpack has a softer lined sunglasses pocket, too. The bag is designed with your comfort in mind, so you'll also find padded shoulder straps and contoured back panel.

Need a mini backpack for holding just the essentials? Check out Kipling's City Pack Mini. Ideal for city breaks, it's sleek and stylish with easy-to-reach pockets for carefree storage and instant access. We love the chic rose hue, but you'll also find this backpack in 11 other colours and prints if Tender Rose isn't your style.

From Insta-famous luggage brand Beis, this stylish backpack for women is made from cotton and faux leather exterior with water-resistant poly lining. It's got plenty of interior zip pockets and pouches for packing for a weekend getaway. Plus, there's a zipped interior sleeve for your laptop, and two outer pouches to store water bottles or an umbrella.