Skip the stress of checking a bag or dragging a suitcase through crowded airports. A carry-on backpack can be a total game-changer. It’s practical, easy to carry, and can hold up to a week’s worth of clothes—depending on how you pack. Whether you’re heading off to explore Europe or planning a weekend getaway, a carry-on backpack makes traveling simpler and more enjoyable.
To find the best ones, we tested 90 different carry-on backpacks through seven rounds of testing in our New York City lab. We even used an airplane setup with real seats and overhead bins to see how well they fit. After that, we took the bags out into the real world and tested them on trips over six months. These are the ones that stood out.
⭐ Our Top Picks
🏆 Best Overall: Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack
Why We Love It
This backpack is roomy, water-resistant, super tough, and comfortable—even when it’s packed full.
Something to Consider
It’s one of the biggest bags on this list, so it probably won’t fit under the seat—only in the overhead bin.
What You Should Know
Cotopaxi is known for its eco-friendly approach and colorful outdoor gear. We’ve loved their Allpa 35L for a while, but now the updated 42L version takes the crown. Why? It’s got more space and some thoughtful upgrades. Released in August 2024, the new version comes with stronger materials, better weight balance, and new features like breathable shoulder straps, a strap to slide over luggage handles, and an outside pocket for a water bottle.
I personally tested this backpack in the Travel + Leisure lab and found the upgrades made a big difference. It’s definitely bigger and might be a bit much for some people, but I found it easy to carry thanks to the supportive straps and the new hip belt. It’s also way easier to move through airports than rolling luggage. I do wish there were a few more pockets inside, but I still managed to pack enough for a five-day trip—and had space left.
It opens like a suitcase (clamshell-style) with one big mesh pocket and two smaller ones inside. There’s a medium-sized zip pocket on the front and a smaller one that’s perfect for your phone or passport. It also has a padded laptop section at the back that can fit more than one device. While it’s not an everyday bag, it’s great for flights, business trips, road trips, camping—you name it.
Quick Details
Capacity: 42L
Size: 22 x 14 x 11 inches
Weight: 3.1 lbs
Material: TPU-coated 1000D polyester, 840D ballistic nylon
Laptop Sleeve: Fits up to 15-inch laptop
Water-Resistant: Yes
Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack
Also Read: What are the Top‐Rated Adventure Backpacks for Camping?
🎒 Best With Packing Cubes: Asenlin 40L Travel Backpack
Why We Love It
It’s super spacious and comes with three handy packing cubes to keep things organized.
Something to Consider
After using it for six months, the fabric showed some noticeable scratches.
What You Should Know
If you’re on a budget, the Asenlin 40L is a great option. We loved how easy it was to stay organized, thanks to the compression straps and the included packing cubes (small, medium, and large). It also comes with a suitcase strap and a side handle, so you can carry it like a briefcase if you prefer.
Inside, it has straps to hold your things down and a laptop sleeve to keep your tech safe. While the design isn’t as fancy as some pricier brands, it gets the job done. We also liked how versatile it is—you can wear it as a backpack, carry it like a briefcase, or slide it onto your suitcase handle.
One small downside? We wish the chest strap adjusted a bit more. But it held up great in our durability tests and didn’t get scuffed during our six months of testing. Overall, this is a solid, affordable option if you want a reliable, roomy backpack for travel.
Quick Details
Capacity: 40L
Size: 18.5 x 12.5 x 9.5 inches
Weight: 2.7 lbs
Material: Polyester
Laptop Sleeve: Fits up to 17-inch laptop
Asenlin 40L Travel Backpack for Women Men
Also Read: What are the Best Travel Bags for Mountain Trekking?
✈️ Best Expandable: Nomatic Travel Pack
Why We Love It
The zippers let you expand the bag by 3.5 inches, giving you up to 30 liters of space.
Something to Consider
Some of the many pockets felt a bit unnecessary.
What You Should Know
If you love keeping everything in its place, the Nomatic Travel Pack is for you. With expandable zippers, it can go from 20L to 30L, which makes it great for both short trips and long weekends. There are tons of pockets and compartments to organize clothes, shoes, tech, and travel essentials.
At first, all the pockets can feel like a lot. But if you like to stay organized, you’ll appreciate features like a padded laptop sleeve, a sunglasses case, a hidden passport pocket, and several zipped and slip pockets inside.
It’s comfortable to carry, thanks to padded straps and solid handles. And even after four months of tough travel—including being stuffed under plane seats—it still looks brand new.
NOMATIC Backpack- Travel Carry On Backpack
Also Read: How do I Pack My Backpack Efficiently for Overnight Adventures?
Quick Details
Capacity: 20L (expands to 30L)
Size: 18.5 x 12 x 6–9.5 inches
Weight: 4.16 lbs
Material: Nylon and polyester
Laptop Sleeve: Fits up to 14-inch laptop
