If you’re searching for the “best backpack for air travel,” then you’re planning to make your travel more streamlined and efficient with a top-rated, carry-on compatible backpack.
The market is flooded with backpacks of various brands, styles, and features, making it a daunting task to pick the perfect one for air travel. As an experienced traveler and luggage enthusiast, I’ve personally tested and reviewed countless backpacks, simplifying the selection process for you.
Whether you’re a frequent flyer, a digital nomad, or embarking on a vacation, this roundup of top backpacks is designed to fit your air travel needs.
Let’s embark on this journey to discover your ideal travel companion – a backpack that’s reliable, stylish, and perfectly suited for the skies. Ready to elevate your travel game? Let’s go!
Quick Overview Of The Best Backpack For Air Travel (Updated List)
| Preview | Product | More Details |
|---|---|---|
  | Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack Best For Comfort Best Backpack For Air Travel | Shop Amazon |
 | Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack Best Almost Perfect Best Backpack For Air Travel | Shop Amazon Shop Backcountry |
 | NOMATIC Travel Bag Best Overall Backpack Best Backpack For Air Travel | Shop Amazon |
 | Samsonite SILHOUETTE 17 BACKPACK Best For Business Best Backpack For Air Travel | Shop Samsonite Shop Macy’s |
 | eBags Mother Lode Travel Backpack Best On The Budget Best Backpack For Air Travel | Shop Amazon Shop eBags |
Benefits Of The Best Backpack For Air Travel
Let’s look at three benefits these top 5 backpacks will have for hassle-free travel.
Improved Organization and Accessibility
A well-designed carry on backpack offers various compartments and pockets to keep your belongings organized and easily accessible. This feature allows you to quickly retrieve essential items during your journey. You can have all your travel documents, electronic devices, or snacks at your fingertips.
Enhanced Comfort and Support
The best backpack for air travel offers peace of mind. They come equipped with padded shoulder straps, hip belts, and ergonomic back panels that provide support and distribute weight evenly across your body. This feature ensures you remain comfortable during your travels, even when carrying a heavy load.
Durability and Weather Resistance
Investing in a high-quality best backpack for air travel ensures it can withstand the wear and tear of frequent travel. In addition, the top 5 carry on backpacks will have durable materials that afford excellent protection from the elements, keeping your belongings safe and secure throughout your journey.
Product Reviews Of The Best Backpack For Air Travel
Now, let’s dive into the best backpack for air travel.
Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack – Best For Comfort
Best For Comfort
Best Backpack For Air Travel
When comfort is your top priority, the Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack comes into its own. Renowned for its impressive ergonomics, let’s dive into the features, benefits, and one minor shortcoming of this comfort-first travel backpack.
Features and Benefits
- Ergonomic Design: The Farpoint 40 is designed for comfort with its well-padded back panel, shoulder straps, and hip belt. The backpack’s weight is evenly distributed, reducing strain during long travel days.
- Robust and Durable: Made with durable 210D Nylon Mini Hex Diamond Ripstop, the Farpoint 40 promises long-lasting use, ready to tackle the demands of travel.
- Travel-Friendly Features: The pack has lockable zippers, a stowaway back panel, shoulder straps, and hip belt, a laptop sleeve, and dual front compression straps, all designed to make your travel easier and more secure.
- Versatile Storage Options: The Farpoint 40 offers multiple compartments for easy organization and quick access to your essentials.
Benefits
- Comfort-Driven Design: The standout benefit of the Farpoint 40 is its focus on comfort. The fully adjustable and well-padded straps and belt, combined with a suspension system, make for a comfortable wearing experience, even when the backpack is fully loaded.
- Lightweight: Despite its sturdy construction and array of features, the Farpoint 40 remains lightweight, enhancing comfort and usability.
- Lifetime Warranty: Osprey offers a lifetime warranty for their products, assuring you of their confidence in the Farpoint 40’s quality and durability.
- Dimensions – 24′ x 15′ x 5″
- Weight – 3.4 lbs
Drawbacks
- No Dedicated Water Bottle: While the Osprey Farpoint 40 shines in many areas, it lacks a dedicated water bottle pocket. For travelers who prefer to keep their hydration close at hand, this might be an inconvenience.
In conclusion, the Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel, best backpack for air travel, is an exceptional choice for comfort-focused travelers. Although the absence of a water bottle pocket is a minor drawback, its superior comfort features, coupled with a robust design and lifetime warranty, make it a fantastic choice for your travel adventures.
| Dimensions | 24′ x 15′ x 5″ |
| Weight | 3.4 lbs |
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack – Best Almost Perfect
Best Almost Perfect
Best Backpack For Air Travel
As your trusted travel and luggage expert, I recently got my hands on the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack, a backpack that many travelers tout as ‘almost perfect.’ Let’s dive into the features, benefits, and even a slight drawback of this highly-rated travel pack.
Features and Benefits
- Size and Organization: The Allpa 35L hits the sweet spot between spaciousness and portability, making it an excellent choice for air travel. Its design promotes efficient organization, with zippered mesh compartments that ensure your belongings aren’t a jumbled mess upon arrival.
- Durable and Weather-Resistant Material: Constructed from a blend of tough, TPU-coated 1000D polyester and 840D ballistic nylon paneling, the Allpa is built to withstand the rigors of travel. Its weather-resistant finish adds an extra layer of protection for your items.
- Comfortable and Adjustable: The weight distribution in this best backpack for air travel is superb, thanks to the low-profile shoulder straps and hip belt. Both are adjustable and stowable, adding to your carrying comfort.
- Security: The Allpa has YKK security zippers that keep your belongings secure. Its suitcase-style, full-wrap zipper opening allows for easy packing and unpacking but is also designed in a way that deters pickpockets.
Benefits
- Versatile Carry Options: The Allpa is designed to be carried as a backpack but can also be carried as a suitcase or shoulder bag, making it a versatile choice for all kinds of travelers.
- Included Rain Cover: An often overlooked but essential feature, the included rain cover adds an extra layer of protection against unpredictable weather.
- Lifetime Warranty: Cotopaxi offers a lifetime warranty on all their products, including the Allpa 35L best backpack for air travel. This commitment to quality and customer satisfaction gives you peace of mind with your purchase.
- Dimensions – 20′ x 12′ x 8″
- Weight – 3.7 lbs
Drawbacks
- No Water Bottle Holder: Despite the many positives, the Allpa 35L best backpack for air travel is not without its imperfections. The main drawback of this best backpack for air travel is the lack of an external water bottle pocket. For travelers who like to keep hydration within easy reach, this might be a slight inconvenience.
In conclusion, the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack is a durable, versatile, and thoughtfully designed backpack that almost touches the pinnacle of perfection. Its array of features and benefits makes it a solid investment for any traveler, though hydration enthusiasts might find the lack of a water bottle pocket a little off-putting.
NOMATIC Travel Bag – Best Overall Backpack
Best Overall Backpack
Best Backpack For Air Travel
When it comes to all-round performance, few can match the NOMATIC Travel Bag. Packed with a host of features and offering unparalleled versatility, let’s dive into the details of why this backpack earns the title ‘Best Overall Backpack.’
Features and Benefits
- Innovative Design: The NOMATIC Travel Bag is a marvel of innovative design, offering over 20 features that cater to every travel need. From a shoe compartment to a laundry bag, this backpack has thought of it all.
- Durability: Crafted with strong, water-resistant materials, the NOMATIC Travel Bag is built to last, providing excellent value for your investment.
- Carry Options: The NOMATIC Travel Bag stands out for its versatility, offering three distinct carry options: as a backpack, shoulder bag, or hand-held, accommodating your preference and convenience.
- Optimal Organization: The backpack offers a variety of compartments, including specific spaces for your laptop, tablet, notebooks, and even water bottles, ensuring optimal organization.
Benefits
- Versatility: This bag’s standout benefit is its exceptional versatility. It caters to every travel scenario, from business trips to adventure journeys, ensuring you always have what you need.
- Excellent Storage: The bag offers a substantial 40L capacity, with a host of pockets and compartments for efficient organization and easy access to your essentials.
- Lifetime Warranty: Demonstrating the brand’s confidence in their product, NOMATIC offers a lifetime warranty on their Travel Bag.
- Dimensions – 22′ x 14′ x 9″
- Weight – 4.05 lbs
Drawbacks
- Premium Price Tag: The main drawback of the NOMATIC Travel Bag is its premium price tag. For travelers on a budget, this bag might be a significant investment. However, its array of features, durability, and lifetime warranty make it a worthwhile investment for frequent travelers.
In conclusion, the NOMATIC Travel Bag secures its position as the ‘Best Overall Backpack’ with its innovative design, impressive versatility, and robust build. While the price might be a consideration for some, the value it offers is unquestionable, making it a worthy companion for all types of travelers.
Samsonite SILHOUETTE 17 BACKPACK – Best For Business
Best For Business
Best Backpack For Air Travel
Business trips demand a unique blend of style, organization, and convenience in a travel backpack. And after spending some time with the Silhouette 17 Backpack, I am convinced that it checks all these boxes, making it the ‘Best for Business.’ Let’s explore its features, benefits, and a minor drawback that you might want to consider.
Features and Benefits
- Business-friendly Design: The Silhouette 17 Backpack is designed with the modern business traveler in mind. Its sleek exterior and thoughtful organization – including a dedicated laptop compartment and plenty of pockets – accommodate all your business essentials without compromising on style.
- Comfort and Adjustability: Its adjustable, padded shoulder straps and ergonomic design ensure comfort, even when the backpack is loaded with your business gadgets and documents.
- Superior Material and Durability: Crafted with premium, high-density ballistic nylon, the Silhouette 17 can withstand rigorous travel schedules. Its water-resistant coating adds an extra layer of protection for your valuables.
- Security Features: With its RFID-blocking pocket, the Silhouette 17 keeps your sensitive information secure. Its lockable zippers provide added peace of mind while you’re on the go.
Benefits
- Smart Sleeve: The backpack features a smart sleeve that allows it to slide over the handle of your rolling luggage, making it perfect for business travelers navigating airports and hotels.
- Efficient Organization: Its multiple pockets, including a removable organizer, ensure your business essentials are neat and easily accessible, saving you valuable time during your business trips.
- Professional Aesthetic: The sleek, professional design of the Silhouette 17 Backpack ensures you make a good impression in any business setting.
- Dimensions – 20′ x 12.5′ x 7″
- Weight – 3.3 lbs
Drawbacks
- Breathability: Though the Silhouette 17 backpack excels in many areas, it falls short when it comes to breathability. Its back panel lacks adequate ventilation, which could lead to discomfort during extended use, especially in warmer climates.
In conclusion, the Silhouette 17 Backpack is an excellent choice for business travelers, offering a harmonious blend of style, organization, and security. However, its lack of a breathable back panel may prove to be a minor inconvenience in hot weather or during prolonged wear. Despite this, it still stands as a compelling option in the realm of business travel backpacks.
eBags Mother Lode Travel Backpack – Best On The Budget
Best On The Budget
Best Backpack For Air Travel
Traveling on a budget doesn’t mean you have to compromise on quality, and the eBags Mother Lode best backpack for air travel, is a prime example. Known for its excellent value, let’s delve into its features, benefits, and a small drawback you may need to consider.
Features and Benefits
- Spacious and Versatile: The eBags Mother Lode offers a generous capacity with multiple compartments, including a fold-down shelf in the main compartment for flexible storage and organization options.
- Durable Material: Made from twisted dobby fabric, this backpack promises robust durability that can endure the wear and tear of travel, offering excellent value for money.
- Travel-Friendly Design: With its adjustable stow away straps and multiple handles, the Mother Lode offers various carrying options. Its dimensions also comply with most airlines’ carry-on size limits.
- Expansion and Compression: This backpack features expansion and compression capabilities, allowing you to maximize storage space and keep your belongings secure and compact.
Benefits
- Budget-Friendly: Without a doubt, one of the biggest benefits of the eBags Mother Lode best backpack for air travel is its affordability. This backpack offers features and durability often found in more expensive models.
- Laptop and Tablet Sleeve: Despite its budget price, it still includes a padded laptop and tablet sleeve, adding protection for your essential electronics.
- Lifetime Warranty: The eBags Mother Lode comes with a lifetime warranty, reflecting the company’s confidence in the product’s quality and longevity.
- Dimensions – 22″ X 14″ X 9″
- Weight – 3 lbs
Drawbacks
- No Hip Belt: The main drawback of the eBags Mother Lode is its lack of a hip belt. For travelers who often pack heavy or have to carry their luggage for extended periods, the lack of a hip belt might result in less comfort and more strain on the shoulders.
In conclusion, the eBags Mother Lode Travel Backpack is a fantastic budget-friendly option for travelers. It offers robust features and thoughtful design elements usually found in more expensive models. Although its lack of a hip belt may be a drawback for some, its outstanding value for money makes it a strong contender in the budget backpack category.
What To Consider When Buying The Best Backpack For Air Travel
When selecting the perfect carry on backpack from our top 5 list, it’s important to consider the following factors to ensure it meets your specific travel needs:
Size and Capacity
Choose a backpack with enough capacity to accommodate all your belongings without being too bulky. Make sure the backpack’s dimensions comply with the carry-on size restrictions of the airlines you typically travel with. Keep in mind that some travelers prefer a minimalist approach, while others require more space for their essentials.
TSA standard guidelines for a carry on backpack are 22″ x 14″ x 9″. While the restrictions for a personal item are 18″ x 14″ x 8″. Each airline has its own separate limits, so be sure to check with the airline you will fly for their dimensions.
Comfort and Support
Comfort is crucial when you’re carrying your backpack for extended periods. Look for the best backpack for air travel with padded shoulder straps, adjustable sternum straps, hip belts, and ventilated back panels to ensure the backpack provides adequate support and weight distribution.
Organization and Accessibility
A well-organized backpack can save you time and hassle during your travels. Opt for a backpack with multiple compartments and pockets that cater to your specific needs, such as dedicated laptop compartments, quick-access front pockets, and expandable water bottle pockets.
Durability and Quality
Invest in the best backpack for air travel made from high-quality materials that can withstand the wear and tear of frequent travel. Features such as waterproofing, robust zippers, and reinforced stitching will help protect your belongings and ensure the backpack lasts for many adventures to come.
Considering these factors, you can make a well-informed decision when selecting the best carry on backpack from our top 5 list.
FAQ About The Best Backpack For Air Travel
We have gathered three frequently asked questions regarding the best backpack for air travel.
How do I determine if a carry on backpack meets airline size restrictions?
To determine if a carry-on backpack meets airline size restrictions, first, check the specific airline’s website for its carry-on size limits. These limits can vary between airlines. Next, compare the backpack’s dimensions (height, width, and depth) to the airline’s restrictions. Keep in mind that some backpacks may have compression straps or other features that can help you adjust the size to fit within the limits.
Can I use a carry on backpack as my personal item in addition to a carry on suitcase?
Most airlines will let you bring one carry-on item and one personal item. While the specific dimensions for a personal item vary between airlines, a compact carry-on backpack is accepted as a personal item if it fits under the seat in front of you. However, always check with your airline to confirm their specific personal item requirements.
How can I keep my carry on backpack organized during my trip?
To keep your carry on backpack organized during your trip, consider using lightweight packing cubes, which come in various sizes. Choosing the right carry-on backpack can make all the difference in ensuring a hassle-free and enjoyable travel experience. A well-designed backpack not only keeps your belongings organized but also provides easy access and convenience during your journey.
Is a 40L backpack too big for carry-on?
Usually, a 40L backpack is the perfect size for a carry on. Some 45L and 50L packs will also meet carry on guidelines for individual airlines.
Additional Resources
If you are looking for more tutorials, walkthroughs, and troubleshooting on Luggage, here are some additional posts about Luggage:
Conclusion – Best Backpack For Air Travel
Investing in the right carry-on backpack can enhance your travel experience by providing convenience, organization, and comfort. Our top picks for the best backpack for air travel cater to a range of preferences and needs, ensuring you can find the perfect companion for your next adventure.
No matter which backpack you choose, remember to consider factors such as size, capacity, comfort, and durability to make the best decision for your unique travel requirements.
Happy travels, my friends.
