Tired of dragging a heavy suitcase through the airport or worrying about checked baggage fees? A carry-on backpack might be your new best friend. These bags are practical, easy to carry, and can hold up to a week’s worth of clothes—depending on how smart you pack. Whether you’re backpacking across Europe or heading out for a quick weekend trip, the right carry-on backpack can make your travels smoother and more enjoyable.
We tested 90 different carry-on backpacks in our New York City lab, putting them through seven rigorous tests. We even used a replica airplane setup with real plane seats and overhead bins to see how well they fit. After that, we took each one on real trips for at least six months to see how they performed in the real world. Here are our top picks:
Best Overall: Cotopaxi Travel Pack
⭐ Why We Love It
- Super durable, spacious, and water-resistant
- Comfortable to wear, even when fully packed
⚠️ What to Keep in Mind
- It’s on the larger side and won’t fit under an airplane seat—only in the overhead bin
The Breakdown
Cotopaxi is known for making colorful, eco-friendly outdoor gear, and we’ve been huge fans of the Allpa 35L Travel Pack for a while. But now, the upgraded 42L Travel Pack has taken the top spot as our favorite carry-on backpack. Cotopaxi updated the Allpa line in August 2024 with tougher materials, better weight distribution, and new features like breathable mesh shoulder straps, a luggage pass-through strap, and a stretch pocket for your water bottle.
I personally tested this backpack in the Travel + Leisure lab, and I have to say, it’s even better than the 35L version. It’s roomy, well-designed, and easy to carry thanks to its padded straps and hip belt. While it’s a bit big for some people, I found it much easier to maneuver through the airport compared to a rolling suitcase. I wish it had a few more internal pockets, but I still managed to fit enough clothes for a five-day trip with space left over.
It features a clamshell opening for easy packing, a padded laptop compartment, and multiple zippered pockets for organizing smaller items like your passport and phone. It’s probably too big for everyday use, but it’s an excellent choice for flights, road trips, and even camping.
📏 Specs: 42L | 22 x 14 x 11 inches | 3.1 lbs | Water-resistant polyester and ballistic nylon | Fits a 15-inch laptop
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack, Rusty
Best for Packing Cubes: Asenlin 40L Travel Backpack
⭐ Why We Love It
- Comes with three packing cubes to keep things organized
- Spacious yet compact enough to work as a carry-on
⚠️ What to Keep in Mind
- After six months of use, it showed some noticeable scratches
The Breakdown
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly travel backpack, the Asenlin 40L is a fantastic choice. It offers great organization, thanks to its compression straps and included packing cubes (small, medium, and large). We also love that it has both a suitcase strap and a side handle, so you can carry it like a briefcase when needed.
While it’s not as sleek as some higher-end brands, it still has useful features like a laptop sleeve and water bottle holder. You can wear it as a backpack, carry it like a briefcase, or slide it onto a rolling suitcase handle. The only thing we wish it had? A better chest strap for extra support.
During our durability tests, this backpack held up well, though after six months, we did notice some scuff marks. But for the price, it’s an excellent choice if you need something durable, comfortable, and spacious without breaking the bank.
📏 Specs: 40L | 18.5 x 12.5 x 9.5 inches | 2.7 lbs | Polyester | Fits a 17-inch laptop
Asenlin 40L Travel Backpack for Women Men
Also Read: What are the Top‐Rated Adventure Backpacks for Camping?
Best Expandable: Nomatic Travel Pack
⭐ Why We Love It
- Expands by 3.5 inches, increasing its capacity to 30L
- Plenty of compartments to keep things organized
⚠️ What to Keep in Mind
- Some of the pockets feel unnecessary
The Breakdown
If you love having extra space, the Nomatic Travel Pack is the bag for you. Thanks to its expandable zippers, it can go from 20L to 30L in an instant—perfect for a quick overnight trip or a long weekend getaway.
This backpack is packed with thoughtful features, including a padded laptop sleeve, sunglasses case, hidden passport pocket, and multiple zippered compartments for organizing everything from clothes to tech gadgets. At first, we found the number of pockets a bit overwhelming, but for travelers who love organization, it’s a dream come true.
The padded straps and sturdy handles make it comfortable to carry, and despite months of heavy use—including being crammed under airplane seats—it still looks brand new.
📏 Specs: 20L (expands to 30L) | 18.5 x 12 x 6-9.5 inches | 4.16 lbs | Nylon and polyester | Fits a 14-inch laptop
NOMATIC Backpack
Also Read: How do I Pack My Backpack Efficiently for Overnight Adventures?
Final Thoughts
A good carry-on backpack makes travel so much easier—no more struggling with bulky luggage or paying extra fees. Whether you need something rugged and spacious (Cotopaxi 42L), budget-friendly and organized (Asenlin 40L), or compact but expandable (Nomatic Travel Pack), there’s an option for every traveler. Happy travels!
