14 best travel backpacks in 2025, tried and tested over thousands of miles

This is the backpack of my dreams. After a recent shoulder injury (caused, ironically, by lugging an ill-fitting backpack around Cambodia), this is precisely what I needed – a backpack with wide, contoured straps, which did a brilliant job of spreading the load, and easily accessible dual sternum straps to reduce pressure during long hikes.

I was blown away by this bag’s low weight, given how many added extras there are – from the mesh pockets incorporated into the shoulder straps, the carrying fixtures for hiking poles, and the supersized pockets to the internal water-bladder pocket.

I also loved the versatility – side compression straps let me reduce the bag’s bulk (this came in especially useful on an airline with particularly stringent cabin baggage policies), while generous use of reflective material ensured I stayed visible, too.

As much as I’d love 365 days a year of sunshine, the odd rain shower is unavoidable, which is where this brilliant backpack comes into its own. If the weather takes a turn for the worse, there’s no backpack I’d rather be wearing. Made from waterproof Cordura ripstop fabric, this bag that will ensure the contents stay dry, while reflective tabs ensure you stay visible.

I also loved the fact that I could hang my bike light from the dedicated light attachment for extra visibility. Its main USP is its compact design – it’s extremely light and squashes up into its very own pouch, but still felt fabulously comfortable, thanks to ergonomically contoured shoulder straps and a hip belt.

On top of all of that, this is the cheapest bag I tested, so it’s a good option if money is tight.

This is one seriously hard-wearing bag. It comes with 1,050-denier recycled nylon shells and extra-thick 1,680-denier recycled nylon bottom panels (in my experience, it’s the base of a backpack that is usually the first area to show signs of wear and tear). It also features reinforcement in unexpected but handy places, such as over the front pocket’s zip.

Despite its streamlined shape, there are plenty of pockets, including two on the side, a padded sunglasses pocket at the top, and an internal laptop sleeve. I also appreciated the numerous internal pockets, which were perfect for separating smaller items such as loose change, keys, and charging cables. Easily adjustable straps and an ultra-breathable back panel did a great job of cranking up the comfort, too.

When I read about this backpack’s “figure-hugging” design, I feared a serious case of sweaty-back syndrome. However, even when filled to its 25l maximum capacity, this bag felt surprisingly light, thanks, in part, to a well-balanced back support system that kept the bag close to my body while still allowing for breathability.

Montane has prioritised adjustability here. It was a breeze to adjust the back support system, harness and straps, and I was especially thankful for the extra-deep side pockets. Breathability is also obviously a key focus – almost the entire rear is covered with breathable mesh. My favourite feature, however, was the easily adjustable chest straps, which were elasticated and could be loosened or tightened in a nanosecond.

I’ll be honest, when I come across backpacks that look this glam, my heart often sinks, simply because they’re often all about style over substance. Thankfully, this wasn’t the case with this beauty, which has a huge interior – I was particularly impressed by the laptop pocket, which had an ultra-soft lining.

It’s another backpack that scores highly for customisation – the wallet-sized pocket at the top was perfect for stashing smaller items such as keys, and I loved the presence of two small handles that mean it can be carried handbag-style. Additionally, these handles clip together, enhancing the minimalistic design.

The bag’s USP is the detachable metro kit, which attaches to the backpack using Monos’s QuickSnap system (a genius invention that allows it to be attached to other bags in the range). This toiletry-bag-sized pouch (which I filled with my favourite moisturisers and serums) came into its own during skin-drying long-haul flights – I simply unclipped the metro kit from the backpack after I’d stashed it in the overhead cabin.

However, the drawback is obvious. £210 is a lot to spend on a backpack.

As travellers constantly try to evade ridiculously stringent restrictions relating to cabin baggage, I’d describe this Vango design as pure genius. Why? It comprises a larger backpack and a smaller 20l backpack, attached via a zip. This was music to my ears, because my first thought, after clapping eyes on this bag, was that there was no way it could double as a backpack for short city strolls, but the smaller backpack (which isn’t immediately obvious) means it does exactly that.

Exterior and interior compression straps will come in handy for reducing its bulk when you’re travelling light, and, despite its relatively compact size, there are still all the added extras I love, including plenty of pockets, an elasticated flight cover, and external hooks for securing items such as water bottles.

This huge bag is surprisingly versatile. You can carry it like a normal backpack, but it can also be carried duffel-style. On top of that, another strap means the bag can be worn over the shoulder, too. The straps are multi-purpose – they clip together using a press stud, compressing the contents and aiding the bag’s compact look, which is impressive considering its massive 30l size.

Inside, it’s pretty minimal, with a large central compartment and a laptop pocket. Despite the bag’s relative simplicity, it’s got everything I need – the easily accessible pocket on the front is great for items such as passports, and I was pleasantly surprised by the shoulder straps. On lightweight bags, the shoulder straps are often flimsy, but Fjällräven’s had enough padding and width to keep any shoulder pain at bay.

This is a brilliant option for a weekend away – especially if you like to separate all your essentials. I loved the two large pockets on the front of the bag, as well as the duffel-style opening – the bag unzips on three sides and opens up to reveal a single central compartment (although a mesh divider allows this space to be divided in two).

This bag’s all about portability – both the sternum and shoulder straps are easy to adjust, and there are side and top carry handles, too. I also appreciated the roller bag handle slot on the rear, which meant that I could easily slip it over the extendable handle on my spinner suitcase.

Backpacks that double as duffels make me nervous because they’re rarely comfortable or practical. This base camp bag, however, is my favourite exception to the rule. As its name suggests, it will serve you well if you’re hiking to a remote mountain, but it’s also great for weekend city breaks, thanks to its generous 50l capacity and the ridiculously tough material (1,000-denier polyester material with an 840-denier reinforced bottom layer).

The ergonomic straps were surprisingly comfortable, and I was able to remove them in a flash on occasions when I carried the bag duffel-style. The interior is simple but roomy – one supersized compartment with more than enough room for everything I needed for a (long) weekend away.

This is another huge backpack – I was sceptical about its suitability for a trek through a national park, but it didn’t let me down. The generously sized handle on the top came in useful when dragging it out of overhead compartments on planes, and the logical layout of the interior, with its padded laptop pocket, made it easy to separate essentials – I used the main compartment for tech, the padded pocket for my laptop and the internal organiser for pens and notebooks.

I loved the quick access pocket at the top (as a traveller prone to losing keys, the presence of a key hook was hugely appreciated), and the adjustable straps on the sides meant that I could reduce its bulk whenever space was at a premium, such as travelling on planes or local transport.

A backpack that pretty much does everything except cook campfire cuisine at the end of the day, Berghaus’s bag is a true workhorse but it doesn’t come with the bulk or weight I’d associate with this type of backpack.

The easily accessible bivi system (a waterproof hood that can be unfurled over the backpack) meant it was easy to add another layer of protection when the weather took a turn for the worse, and the side compression straps took this bag’s customisation capabilities to new heights. I loved how I could access the contents not only through the top but through size zippers, too.

I was also impressed by the backboard – these can be a godsend when designed correctly, as this one was, providing just enough to create space between my back and the bag, but without adding too much extra weight.

An essential for organised travellers, Jack Wolfskin’s traveltopia weekender is also exceptionally stylish. On the rear of the pack, a large pocket unzips on three sides to reveal two separate mesh pockets in the lid and a built-in laptop/tablet sleeve. The main compartment – accessible through one zip in the centre of the pack’s front (sounds weird, but it works) – is enormous, and the bag’s stiffer sides meant I was perfectly happy stashing more delicate items in the weekender.

It’s got great sustainability credentials, too – the pack is made from recycled polyester and has a water-repellent and scratch-resistant coating made from natural beeswax. The neutral grey design makes this perfect for work trips around the country or abroad.

There aren’t many 55l backpacks I’d be happy to wear for significant periods, but this one’s the exception. Everything is designed with comfort in mind, from the ridiculously low weight and the wide, load-bearing straps to the generous patch of breathable mesh on the straps and the rear of the bag.

What really impressed me were the opportunities for customisation. With lighter bags, these are often in short supply, but favourite features included the removable lid, designed to provide extra protection in rainy weather (when removed, the opening can still be sealed with an internal cover), internal compression straps and plenty of clips from which to hang items such as water bottles. However, all this capacity comes at a cost. This is the priciest bag I tested.

Full disclosure – Fjällräven is the reason I embraced the concept of fold-closure bags. This type of design feature has to be done right, and Fjällräven is an expert in the field. I loved that I could easily tweak the tightness of the closure, using the adjustable strap, as well as the way in which the strap could be tucked neatly out of the way, by slipping it under the pack’s bungee cord strapping.

In the case of this bag, which has an incredibly tough build, there’s also an internal zip closure for extra protection. I appreciated the generous areas of breathable mesh on the straps and the rear, and the fact that both the chest and hip straps were removable.

The main compartment and side pockets both have toggles, which, when combined with the fold-closure design feature, make this an incredibly versatile bag. Tighten the side pockets and add extra folds when travelling light, or loosen the toggles when you’re carrying more weight.