The Best Mini Backpacks of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
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Keep your hands free and valuables handy with our top picks
TripSavvy / Lecia Landis
Mini backpacks can be the niche fashion accessory you need to complete your outfit. They can also serve a specific purpose at home and on your travels. Heading out on a sightseeing tour and need a way to carry the essentials without being weighed down by a larger backpack? Want to keep your phone, e-reader, and maybe a snack or two handy on the plane without having to unload your carry-on from the overhead bin every time you need something? These are just two scenarios where a mini backpack is a perfect solution.
When choosing yours, things to look for include the right balance between compact size and useful capacity, pockets and pouches to keep your belongings organized, adjustable straps that fit comfortably, and, of course, the right colors and materials to go well with the rest of your wardrobe. To help you narrow down the many options out there, our travel experts tested 21 mini backpack brands in the laboratory and in real life. We scored each for design, capacity, comfort, durability, and value.
Our overall winner was the lightweight yet spacious, attractively convenient Paravel Mini Fold-Up Backpack. The other mini backpacks we tested and rated highly are listed below.
Best Overall: Paravel Mini Fold-Up Backpack
Folds into a zippered pouch
Deceptively spacious
Optional monogramming
Nothing!
Receiving perfect scores across the board from both of our testers, Paravel’s Mini Fold-Up Backpack features water-resistant Negative Nylon (recycling up to ten plastic bottles per bag). The material is extra durable, resulting in zero signs of wear and tear at the end of our test period. It’s also ultra-lightweight, a factor that combined with the backpack’s super soft straps to make it very comfortable to wear—even on bare skin. We loved the capacity and were able to fit everything on our list with space to spare.
We also loved that despite its small size, the backpack offers a secret interior pocket (great for keeping valuables such as keys or your wallet within easy reach) and an exterior pocket that’s roomy enough for a large-model cell phone. One of our favorite features was that the backpack folds flat and zips together into a tiny pouch, making it ideal for packing into a larger bag for “just in case.” It’s the ideal travel companion, whether you’re attending an event across town or packing for your next vacation.
Finally, there are six bold colors, including Safari Green, Scuba Navy, and Canyon Yellow. And, with optional monogramming available in a choice of more than ten complementary colors, personalizing your purchase couldn’t be easier.
Price at time of publication: $55
Dimensions: 10 x 12 x 6 inches | Weight: 0.44 pounds | Materials: Recycled nylon
Best Overall, Runner-Up: AOTIAN Mini Nylon Women Backpacks
What We Like
Multiple interior and exterior pockets
The rear zippered pocket conceals valuables
Padded straps are easy to adjust
What We Don't Like
Some may prefer a more luxurious fabric
Made of sturdy nylon with a polyester lining, the AOTIAN Mini Backpack is an ideal everyday choice with padded straps that are easy to adjust, even on the go. We found it very comfortable to wear for extended periods. We loved the oversized, smooth-pulling zippers and the backpack’s surprisingly large capacity. We could fit everything on our list with space to spare for at least a few extra shirts or a water bottle—while tablets or iPads of up to 9.7 inches are easily compatible.
The multiple zippered and non-zippered interior and exterior pockets were a particular highlight for us, making organization simple and keeping essentials within easy reach. We especially loved the rear zippered pocket, which is excellent for concealing valuables, and the elasticated side pockets for your water bottle or umbrella. After the test period, the backpack showed no signs of wear and tear. It comes in six colors, from Deep Blue to Hot Pink, to suit every style preference.
Price at time of publication: $21
Dimensions: 9.4 x 12 x 4 inches | Weight: 0.68 pounds | Materials: Nylon and polyester
Tripsavvy / Tamara Staples
Best Budget: Madison & Dakota Canvas Mini Backpack
What We Like
Minimalist style
Comfortable, easily adjustable fit
Choice of beautiful colors
What We Don't Like
No interior organization
Retailing for approximately a fifth of the price of our overall winner, the Madison & Dakota Mini Backpack offers a simple yet stylish and functional design. It features strong polyester with a padded back panel and padded straps. We found it easy to adjust the fit and comfortable, although the backpack rode a little too high for our liking. Other features include top carry handles and easy-grip dual zippers.
The backpack is small yet mighty, with plenty of storage space. We fit everything on our list with ease. The only drawback is the main compartment is unstructured, which makes it difficult to keep things organized. A roomy front pocket was the backpack’s saving grace in this respect. Finally, we really liked the bag’s aesthetic, especially given its rock-bottom price. There are nine rustic shades, including Peach, Sangria, Almond, and Kale, all with zippers and a diamond-shaped lash tab in contrasting leather.
Price at time of publication: $12
Dimensions: 4 x 10 x 13.5 inches | Weight: 0.66 pounds | Materials: Polyester
Best for Hikes: The North Face Borealis Mini Backpack
What We Like
Durable, water-resistant material
Superb interior and exterior organization
Padded back panel and straps
What We Don't Like
Perhaps a little too structured for casual use
The ideal companion for days out on the trail, the Borealis Mini Backpack from The North Face fits well and is comfortable even when fully loaded, thanks to easily adjustable padded straps and a padded back panel lined with breathable, sweat-wicking mesh. It features recycled ripstop nylon and polyester, with a non-PFC durable water-repellent finish that helps to protect your belongings if you get caught in the rain. The backpack survived our test period without visible wear and tear.
We loved the organization options, which include a zippered interior mesh pocket, a spacious front zippered pocket, external water bottle holders, and a quick-draw smartphone pocket. You can also use the adjustable front bungee system to attach larger items—an extra layer, perhaps, or a hydration system. With a place for everything, we never had to waste time rummaging around for what we needed. The backpack has attractive two-tone colorways, including Lunar Slate/Lime Cream and Black Heather/Burnt Coral.
Price at time of publication: $59
Dimensions: 8.65 x 4.15 x 13.5 inches | Weight: 0.75 pounds | Materials: Recycled ripstop nylon and polyester with DWR finish
Tripsavvy / Tamara Staples
Best for Travel: Dakine Mini Backpack
What We Like
Padded, easily adjustable straps
Dedicated tablet sleeve
Impressive capacity
No water bottle holder
The Dakine 365 Mini 12L Backpack is an excellent low-volume, unisex choice made from bluesign-approved recycled polyester and nylon. It features a water-repellent finish and is durable enough to look brand new at the end of our test period. We liked that the lightly padded shoulder straps can be made both super long and very short for added comfort—so much so that we barely noticed the backpack even after wearing it for extended periods.
We also appreciated the thoughtful organization options. These include a dedicated tablet sleeve in the main compartment (which features a padded bottom panel for added protection), a zippered front compartment for smaller essentials, and a small, concealed zippered pocket on the back of the backpack. The overall capacity was impressive—we could fit multiple shirts, a water bottle, a phone, a wallet, keys, sanitizer, and more. Finally, colorways range from solid to two-tone and patterned, with reflective accents for nighttime safety.
Price at time of publication: $17
Dimensions: 15 x 11 x 7 inches | Weight: 0.61 pounds | Materials: Recycled nylon and polyester
Tripsavvy / Tamara Staples
Best for Commutes: Topo Designs Rover Pack Mini Backpack
What We Like
Simultaneously compact and spacious
Comfy, lightweight fit
Stylish design and color choices
What We Don't Like
No small interior pocket
Available in professional Black or Cocoa and several more eye-catching colorways (think Bone White/Coral or Sage), the Rover Pack Mini from Topo Designs is our favorite pick for commuters. We love that it has water-resistant, recycled nylons ideal for bad weather days, with a cinch-top closure that helps to keep everything inside dry. It’s super adjustable in terms of its compression straps, buckle closures, and shoulder straps, with sturdy buckles and zippers that are both high quality and easy to operate.
We found the padded straps and adjustable fit made it comfortable to wear for hours on end. It’s also a very versatile choice: small enough for when you just want to carry the essentials, but also with plenty of space for longer days. The backpack’s compactness made it easy to wear on the subway or bus without impacting other commuters. Regarding organization, it boasts a zippered front pocket and a top flap pocket for smaller items, side slip pockets, and an integrated tablet sleeve in the main compartment.
Price at time of publication: $69
Dimensions: 13.5 x 8.5 x 3.75 inches | Weight: Not published | Materials: Recycled nylon
Best Classic: Bellroy Classic Backpack Compact
What We Like
Thoughtful organization
Padded laptop and tablet sleeves
Comfortable, contoured shoulder straps
What We Don't Like
Considerable price tag
The Bellroy Classic Backpack Compact is certainly not a budget choice, but its higher price tag is justified by its durable recycled nylon construction (which survived our testing unscathed) and its versatility. After all, it is one of only a very few mini backpacks that can fit a laptop. We loved its thoughtful, purpose-built organization features, including padded laptop and tablet sleeves, an internal zippered mesh pocket, and a front zippered pocket with a built-in key clip. There’s even a soft-lined pocket for sunglasses on top.
Overall, it offered plenty of room for everything on our list. At the same time, it was wonderfully compact and comfortable to carry even when fully loaded, thanks to the contoured, rolled-edge shoulder straps. The padded back panel provides additional lumbar support. You can choose from six stylish colors, including Bronze, Navy, and Ranger Green. Two options (Saltbrush and Limestone) are leather-free, while the others have sustainable leather accents.
Price at time of publication: $139
Dimensions: 15.7 x 10.2 x 7 inches | Weight: 1.1 pounds | Materials: Recycled nylon, optional leather accents
Best Anti-Theft: Cheruty Women's Backpack Purse
What We Like
Cute, vegan leather aesthetic
Very spacious
The rear opening affords peace of mind
What We Don't Like
A little larger than the average mini backpack
If you’re looking for an option that comes with peace of mind included, the CHERUTY Anti-Theft Mini Backpack is a great pick. Made of water-resistant vegan leather in a rainbow of color choices (from Burgundy to Tan or Blue), its unique main compartment opens at the back to protect it from potential thieves by your body when worn. It’s a very effective tactic, although we did find that it made it slightly less convenient to get things out in a hurry. With adjustable, removable straps, the bag can also be worn as a tote or shoulder purse.
We found it super comfortable, even without padded straps. It fit nicely on our tester’s back and was so light that it was barely noticeable. It’s also incredibly spacious, with space for a 9.7-inch tablet and everything on our list with room left over. Organization features include two interior slip pockets, a zippered interior pocket, two exterior side pockets, and a front zippered pocket. Overall, the backpack’s functionality, safety, and chic style made it well worth the very reasonable cost.
Price at time of publication: $37
Dimensions: 12.6 x 5.9 x 12.6 inches | Weight: 1 pound | Materials: PU vegan leather
Tripsavvy / Tamara Staples
Best Splurge: Dagne Dover Small Dakota Neoprene Backpack
What We Like
Luxe yet functional aesthetic
Amazingly varied organizational options
Lightweight, padded comfort for all-day wear
What We Don't Like
Material is a little too casual to dress up
Dagne Dover’s Small Dakota Neoprene Backpack may cost roughly three times the price of our overall winner, but we feel that it’s made to last and more than justifies its cost by offering the perfect balance of style and substance. The neoprene material is vegan, water-resistant, and hand-washable, with a Repreve lining made from recycled plastic bottles. It stood up impeccably to our durability tests and felt so lightweight that it was barely noticeable even after hours of wear. The straps are easy to adjust and lightly padded.
Where this backpack particularly excels is in its organization features. The main compartment features an air mesh tablet sleeve, two mesh pockets, and a front panel with three integrated zippered sections perfect for small items (think chapstick or headphones). There are two zippered side pockets, a front pocket with D-ring and elastic loops, and a detachable key leash. The backpack is also much more spacious than it appears, making it incredibly functional. Six colors include Heather Grey, Dark Moss, and Camel.
Price at time of publication: $155
Dimensions: 9.5 x 5 x 13 inches | Weight: 1.8 pounds | Materials: Neoprene, recycled plastic fabric
Tripsavvy / Tamara Staples
TripSavvy’s Picks
Our favorite was the Paravel Mini Fold-Up Backpack, which we loved for its durable lightness, intelligent storage options, and foldable design. If you’re looking for a budget alternative, consider the Madison & Dakota Mini Backpack.
How We Tested
We tested each backpack in our testing lab and in the real world. First, we evaluated how easy it was to fit a list of essentials, including a phone, wallet, and keys. Then, we wore the backpack a minimum of seven times throughout a two-week test period for many activities ranging from running errands to walks around the city. We scored each on a five-point scale for design, capacity, comfort, durability, and value. Overall scores determined our category winners.
What to Look for in a Mini Backpack
Activity
Before choosing a mini backpack, consider the activity you will most likely use it for. Are you wearing it in the city for casual strolls or dates with friends? If so, the primary concern could be a fashionable aesthetic that complements your style. Do you need it for traveling? An anti-theft design could give you peace of mind while exploring. For commuters, a slim profile that won’t be too bulky on the subway is a plus, as is some level of weather-proofing, whereas hikers may prioritize durability and a little more space for snacks or extra layers.
Material
Mini backpacks can feature many different materials. Two of the most popular are nylon and polyester, chosen for their blend of lightness and durability. If you’re often out in all weathers, opt for one with a water-repellent coating; or one made of naturally water-resistant material like neoprene or leather. Leather is a top choice for fashion backpacks since it is classically stylish and can easily be dressed up or down. For a more ethical alternative, consider vegan leather. Recycled and responsibly sourced materials also score sustainability points.
Style
The basic premise of a mini backpack is simple: it’s a regular backpack but smaller. However, specific style details can vary quite a bit. Some have removable straps that convert them into a tote or shoulder bag. Others have a standard zippered opening, while others use a roll-top and buckles (or a drawstring and flap top) to protect contents from the elements. Shapes differ, too, from streamlined rectangles to boxy, statement-making squares or classic, curved profiles with functional exterior pockets. Some mini backpacks even open via a zipper at the back to protect your valuables from thieves.
Pockets and Other Features
Mini backpacks can be super minimalist, with very little organization at all. This unstructured style suits some travelers, allowing them to pack the bag however they wish, but for others, at least a few designated pouches and pockets are preferable. Options to look out for include a zippered front or side pocket to provide easy access to smaller items like your metro card, side water bottle, or umbrella pouches and interior zippered pockets for keeping your valuables secure. If you plan on packing your tablet, a padded electronics sleeve is a bonus. Many people also like the idea of a key leash to prevent unnecessary fumbling at the door.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a mini backpack, and how is it different from a backpack?
A mini backpack is much smaller than a traditional backpack, typically ranging in capacity from 5 to 15 liters. They have space for your phone, wallet, keys, and perhaps an extra layer or make-up items, but not much more. For some people, they’re as much a fashion accessory as a practical purchase; others simply prefer their compact size. This could be because they find regular backpacks too bulky for a petite frame or because they have limited items to carry but prefer the freedom of movement offered by a backpack versus a small purse or tote.
Does a mini backpack count as a carry-on?
Luggage rules and restrictions vary from one company to the next, so it’s impossible to guarantee how an individual airline will classify your mini backpack. But, more often than not, small backpacks are considered personal items alongside purses, laptop bags, and briefcases. This means you can take them onboard with you for free, in addition to your carry-on luggage. A good rule of thumb is that personal items should fit beneath the seat in front of you. This is especially true on budget airlines which often charge for space in the overhead luggage compartment.
What are the best uses for a mini backpack?
Mini backpacks are great for any situation where you might want to keep essentials handy without carrying much more, for example, on a casual trail hike or city sightseeing tour while on vacation, running errands, or going out for a meal back home. They make a useful addition to a larger carry-on bag when traveling since they can be stowed beneath the seat in front of you or kept on your lap for easy access. They’re also lighter than regular backpacks, making them a good choice for petite people or those with back or shoulder pain. For commuters, they take up less space on crowded transport and streets.
Why Trust TripSavvy
Jessica Macdonald is TripSavvy’s Africa travel expert and a regular contributor of commerce articles relating to adventure and family travel. Having visited more than 50 countries worldwide for everything from scientific research trips to city breaks with friends, she is well versed in the benefits of a great backpack, big or small. This article is supported by the results of real-life and laboratory testing carried out by the TripSavvy team.
