Dear Reader, Imagine walking through an airport terminal this holiday season with both hands free. With no bag in hand, I scan my ticket, double text with my thumb, and grab a disappointing $15 sandwich. A passing flash mob bursts into the “YMCA” and you join in, unobstructed arms swinging jauntily in the air. This is the liberating power of an in-flight backpack.
Seriously, the carry-on travel backpack is a strong contender for the best hack to up your frequent flyer game this year. You’ll be amazed at how much gear you can carry comfortably on your back. And your tired arms will thank you for it.
Check out our favorite carry-on backpacks from Amazon and other retailers.
1. Best Budget Portable Travel Backpack
Amazon Basics Carry-on Travel Backpack
Amazon Basics has emerged as a significant competitor compared to other popular companies. This carry-on travel backpack exemplifies what makes the house brand so attractive. A simple and straightforward product, perfectly designed to meet consumer needs at an affordable price.
That said, Amazon Basic’s Carry-On pack is still a budget bag that ticks all the important boxes. It has a carrying capacity of approximately 45 liters and is well balanced on padded backpack straps and removable sternum and waist straps. Expandable storage space features a variety of compartments, including a padded interior laptop pocket and ID pocket. This backpack includes shoulder straps and side handles so you can use it like a travel bag whenever you need it.
size: 21.5(h) x 15.75(w) x 8.25(d) inches
price: $41.32 on Amazon
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2. Best portable backpack with wheels
BANGE Weekender carry-on backpack
Sometimes you just want to give your shoulders a break and let the ground help carry the load. Our favorite rolling backpack right now is the Weekender Carry-On, an expandable waterproof bag that’s ergonomic on the shoulder and rolls smoothly on the floor.
Weekender is designed around the core needs of jetsetters. Expandable storage space from 25 liters to 45 liters, shock-resistant laptop compartment and multiple carrying handles. But with features like an internal waterproof pouch and a built-in USB charging port, this bag is also a versatile bag. We mean this figuratively. and Literally — there’s an emergency whistle on the chest buckle!
Dimensions: 19.5(h) x 13(w) x 6.8(d) inches
price: $71.99 on Amazon
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3. Best Compressed Portable Backpack
osprey daylight
Carry-on Travel Pack 44L
Carry-on Travel Pack 44L
A constant concern for all air travelers is packing as much stuff as possible into the minimum amount of space. The Osprey Daylite answers these questions with external sidewall Straitjacket compression straps that pack up to 44 liters of gear into a sturdier package.
The Daylite is a great carry backpack in its own right. Features a large, portable U-zip access main compartment, toting handle, and laptop carrying sleeve. Made from durable, padded material, it further protects your luggage from impacts and drops with the help of side wall straps.
size: 21.5(h)
price: $140 at osprey.com
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4. The most versatile portable backpack
KAKA travel backpack
Available in three muted colors: olive green, navy blue, and black, the KAKA Travel Backpack is classic adventure gear style carry-on luggage. The boxy backpack boasts a carrying capacity of 40 liters and a total of 10 pockets to keep your items organized.
What really makes this bag stand out is its versatility. You can carry it in your hand like a suitcase or wear it over your shoulder like a duffel. While other carry-on backpacks have similar shoulder straps and carrying handles, KAKA’s bag seems to have been designed with convertibility in mind, with its well-proportioned rectangular shape. This is a very comfortable backpack no matter how you carry it.
size: 6.7(l) x 12(w) x 20.5(h) inches
price: $69.99 on Amazon
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5. The most durable portable backpack
Nomatic Travel Bag
Given the rugged nature of air travel, investing in a durable bag can save frequent travelers many headaches. Nomatic’s 40-liter travel bag is made from durable, water-resistant tarpaulin material so it can withstand years of use and abuse in always unfavorable skies.
In addition to its sturdy construction, this backpack is a feature-rich dream for the organizing compulsive. Nomatic boasts that their bags have “pockets for everything,” which seems to be an accurate advertisement. Features include an RFID secure pocket for credit cards and passports, a fleece-lined pocket for electronics, separate laptop and tablet pockets, and shoe storage.
size: 22(h) x 14(w) x 9(d) inches
price: $289.99 on Amazon
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6. Best low profile portable backpack
SwissGear 1900 ScanSmart Backpack
Travel backpacks can have a slightly bulky look that may not appeal to everyone. If you’re looking for a carry-on bag that actually looks like a backpack but has airline-friendly features, we recommend the Swissgear 1900 Scansmart Backpack.
As the name suggests, the Swiss Gear 1900 Scansmart Backpack focuses on the technical aspects of travel. The backpack features a padded tablet pocket and a zippered compartment that can hold up to a 17-inch laptop, both of which lie flat to comply with TSA requirements. With a capacity of 31 liters and multiple internal and side compartments, this is a great backpack for carrying general gear.
size: 19(h) x 14(w) x 9(d) inches
price: $71.99 at Amazon (originally $89.99)
buy now
7. The best carry-on backpack for short trips
Topo Designs Global Travel Bag
Maybe you’re not in the market for ultra-capacity luggage, but you still want a backpack designed with the traveler in mind. With a total capacity of 30 liters, the Global Travel Bag has a not significantly shorter packaging space than its peers, but has a slimmer profile. The bag also boasts multiple separate compartments for water bottles, laptops, documents, and more, so you don’t sacrifice organization.
The Global Travel Bag is a more versatile day trip bag that omits some of the features specific to air travel, and is a backpack that will feel just as at home on the hiking trail as it does in the terminal. The trendy color scheme and simple design make the Global Travel Bag from Topo Designs a great choice if you’re looking to balance function and fashion. Most carry-on backpacks are more practical than pretty, but Topo Designs manages to walk the fine line in between.
size: 20(h) x 12.5(w) x 7(d) inches
price: $199 and Topo
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What makes a backpack ‘portable’?
Carry-on backpacks are typically multi-compartment, high-capacity backpacks designed specifically for air travel. Although most backpacks can be brought on an airplane as a “personal item,” carry-on backpacks are designed to function as your only carry-on baggage.
What to look for in an in-flight travel backpack
The perfect travel companion for you will depend on your specific needs, including length of trip, personal style, and budget. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind when shopping for your carry-on backpack list:
volume
Backpacks typically measure capacity in liters. The more liters you have, the more stuff you can hold. It may be tempting to travel in the maximum size your airline allows, but keep in mind that large bags can get quite heavy when fully loaded.
comfortable
With that said, remember that you will often be carrying around the backpack you purchase for several hours. Look for key comfort features like padded straps and waist/chest buckles. Rolling wheels or carrying handles can sometimes give your back a break.
Airline Restrictions
Most carry-on backpacks take airline size requirements into account, and these restrictions don’t vary much from company to company. That said, doing a little research before your flight and checking the specific baggage size requirements of the airline you’re traveling with will save you a headache.
The post 7 Nifty Carry-On Backpacks for Jet-Setters and Go-Getters appeared first on The Real Deal on RetailMeNot.
