15 Travel Backpacks to Help Streamline Your Next Trip

I have a confession to make: I am, in fact, quite biased on the subject of bags. In my humble—also professional, might I add—opinion, backpacks are the superior form of bag. Think of your posture! Hands-free? All the time, please and thank you. Totes and duffles have their time and place, sure, but nine times out of 10, I’m going to choose a backpack.

That said, I know a good backpack when I see one. A good travel backpack will have pockets and organization. It should be durable, ideally even waterproof. It should be capacious while adhering to airline carry-on restrictions. And it should be comfortable to wear, of course. The best bags will provide you with a feature you didn’t even know you needed (hanging organizer, anyone?).

I’ve gathered my own research and combined it with that of the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute to bring you the definitive guide to the best travel backpacks. When I tell you that the GHK testers have literal doctorate degrees, I’m not being facetious.

Whether you’re packing a weekender bag or spying the hottest spring bag trends, here are 15 of the best travel backpacks.