The Best Travel Backpacks for Men
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The backpack is a fantastic bag for traveling, full stop. Whether walking down a cobblestone street (that would batter even the toughest suitcase wheels) or navigating a crowded plaza (where carrying a duffel would mean slow going), the back-mounted yet accessible style of a backpack is the best way to carry stuff on a trip.
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Today’s travel backpacks for men are as stylish and functional as any other bag, which might partially explain why one analysis projects that the category’s global market size will nearly double between 2022 and 2030. The best travel backpacks have plenty of thoughtfully divided storage space, are durable enough to survive wear and tear, and have a stylish design. Generally, they’re priced anywhere from the low triple digits to around $400; the higher-priced ones tend to be worth it for more premium materials and more robust manufacturer guarantees.
What the Experts Say
Sources within the travel and luggage industries say that depending on a backpack is actually a great way to travel. For this story, SPY interviewed travel writers Art Dobrucki of The Places Where We Go and Shelley Marmor of Travel Blogging 101, as well as other travel experts, to help sort through the best travel backpacks available now.
“It’s impractical to wheel around suitcases when you want to experience flexible and in-the-moment travel,” says Dobrucki, a veteran of multiple backpacking trips. “Not only do we not have to worry about lugging around unnecessary luggage, but we can craft an itinerary that is on-the-go as much as possible.”
Of course, not every backpack is a great backpack for travel. As an inexperienced traveler, Marmor carried “a backpack the size of a small mountain” that inhibited her mobility on the tight, winding streets of Rome. Now, she carries a backpack “compact enough to sneak past those tricky airline restrictions, yet spacious enough for all your necessities.”
BEST OVERALL
Tortuga 40L Travel Backpack
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Forty liters is a pretty standard size for a travel backpack, but where this backpack excels, in particular, is how it uses that volume. Travel writer Kevin Groh says that its front-loading design, which allows access to packed items without the need to search through from the top, is a valuable time-saver.
It’s also a great backpack for someone used to a rolling suitcase, as unzipping the long middle zipper makes the bag fall open like such a suitcase. There’s also a mesh bag for dirty clothes — a standard feature in rolling suitcases that’s an added bonus here.
Further, the included detachable hip belt, sternum strap, and foam-padded shoulder straps make it comfortable to carry over long distances. Marmor said that the Outbreaker, a previous version of this backpack, struck “the perfect balance of comfort and function,” and we’re happy to report that Tortuga hasn’t lost this magic touch.
BEST FOR SAFETY
Pacsafe Venturasafe EXP45
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Made For: Traveling safely. Getting robbed always sucks, but getting robbed while traveling really sucks. Enter the Pacsafe Venturasafe EXP45, a backpack with a bevy of features, including a self-locking zipper, built-in steel mesh to prevent slashing, an RFID-blocking pocket, and a clip that makes it easy to lock the bag to a secure object.
ROI: Every backpack can hold stuff, but not every backpack can make the wearer feel better. Travel writer Christen Thomas says that while he was exploring the narrow alleys of Barcelona, the peace of mind this backpack provided him was “invaluable.” It’s well worth the $260 price tag, in other words.
BEST COMPACT
Osprey Stratos 24 Men's Hiking Backpack
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Made For: Light packers. Dobrucki says he’s fit enough clothes in his Stratos to last three weeks, which is honestly an impressive feat. Most will likely want something a bit bigger for a trip of that length, but this pack is ideal for shorter trips.
Coolest Feature: Osprey says its Airspeed Ventilation System includes a 3D-suspended mesh foam back panel instead of a thicker material that, while cushioned, can lead to a sweaty back. The tautness of the mesh also helps distribute the load more evenly. Dobrucki adds that the “adjustable suspension system allows for a customizable fit that makes carrying the backpacks easy.”
BEST LARGE
Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L
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Made For: Business-minded backpackers. “Its smart pocket layout and excellent accessories give it a sleek appearance while still being enormously practical,” Thomas says. Case in point: There’s a layer of ultra-light padded foam around the bag that gives it more structure, resulting in a polished look that also helps protect its contents. It’s one reason Thomas says that this backpack is “a favorite among many of my business traveler clients.”
ROI: It’s compatible with an array of Peak Design accessories, including packing cubes, special bags for camera equipment, and a hip belt accessory (so it can easily transition from commuter backpack to travel backpack). Buying this bag means buying into an ecosystem that can make buying additional bags for additional purposes unnecessary.
BEST STYLE
Sandqvist Bernt
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Why It Stands Out: There are lots of leather bags and lots of Cordura bags, but not many that combine the luxurious natural material and the tough-as-nails synthetic fiber. The end result is a backpack that’s rugged, stylish, and what Nate Axvig, owner of Scandinavian retailer Aktiv, calls “a sophistication that is as at home on the trail as it is in a corporate setting.”
Coolest Feature: “The roll-top construction is secure while also easy to use,” says Axvig. “When the roll is opened, the entire backpack opens up and is easily accessible.” We’d add that unrolling (but still clasping) the top means that there’s room to fit souvenirs to bring home, while an emptier bag can be tightened to save space — something the side straps also help with.
BEST FOR BACKPACKING
Osprey Farpoint
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Made For: Backpackers (as opposed to those who just carry backpacks). As a pastime, backpacking means living out of what’s in the backpack, typically over a long period of time. Hans Mast of Golden Rule Travel says that this one “boasts a sturdy and adjustable suspension system, ensuring a comfortable fit and weight distribution, even during long hikes or treks.”
Coolest Feature: Osprey incorporates serious technical features — like fine torso adjustments and breathable harnesses — into this backpack, but Mast calls the detachable daypack a game-changer: “It facilitates seamless exploration during city visits,” he says. In other ways, leaving the main pack behind in a secure hotel room or hostel is literally a load off one’s shoulders, but having the daypack to bring along means one doesn’t have to explore without the essentials.
Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Backpacks
Who should use a travel backpack?
Anyone who can wear a backpack comfortably should consider a travel backpack (instead of a rolling suitcase or duffel bag) because it’s so nice to have one’s hands free while traveling, whether devouring a recently purchased book at the airport or using a phone to look up directions in a strange city.
Are there backpacks I definitely shouldn’t buy for travel?
Yes — among them are the undersized backpacks that have been en vogue in recent years. These might be well-suited for walking around town, but their minimal storage space makes them ill-suited for trips to anywhere besides a nudist colony.
Can’t I just use the backpack I had in high school?
First off, kudos for keeping the old Jansport around. It’s probably not big enough for a long trip, but if wearing it doesn’t unlock awkward memories of your teenage years, feel free to use it as a retro carry-on on your next trip.
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