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Wait, how much does it cost to check your bag in? Yeah, you're better off toting one of the best travel backpacks because your airline already charged you an arm and a leg for a plane seat that can barely fit your arm or leg. As we've clocked more and more miles by land, sea, and air, we've managed to haul a small airport's worth of bags, from carry-ons to briefcases to humble tote bags. Whether you're a frequent traveler or you want to be inspired to book more trips just by having a bag that you can't wait to use, an excellent, tough-as-nails travel backpack will get you from point A to point B—and everywhere else in between—without causing you any undo stress.
We strapped on some of the best travel packs to test for you—a seemingly never-ending process as new bags are constantly coming through baggage claim, er, our mailboxes—to find the best, rugged, and not-at-all ugly travel backpacks that you'll want to take wherever you go. And don't worry: You won't look like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle as you're booking it through the terminal. Now, grab your bag, pack it up, and get going, jet-setters.
The Best Travel Backpacks, According to GQ
- Best Travel Backpack, Overall: Evergoods Civic Travel Bag, $349
- Best Minimalist Travel Backpack: Cotopaxi Allpa 35L, $200
- Best Rugged Travel Backpack: Goruck GR2 Backpack 40L, $425
- Best Eye-Catching Travel Backpack: Baboon to the Moon Go-Bag Mini 32L, $159
- Best Budget Travel Backpack: The North Face Basecamp Voyager 32L, $125
- Best Leather Travel Backpack: Nex Explorer, $290
- Best Patagonia Travel Backpack: Patagonia Black Hole Backpack 32L, $169
- Best Trail-Ready Travel Backpack: Osprey Fairpoint Travel Backpack 40L, $185
- Best Packable Travel Backpack: Away Packable Backpack, $75
Best Travel Backpack, Overall: Evergoods Civic Travel Bag
Overall dimensions: 20.5” x 8 .75” x 14” | Volume: 35L | Weight: 4.0 pounds | Warranty: Lifetime
Founded by a former head of product at GoRuck and a former Patagonia R&D designer, Evergoods certainly has pedigree. And luckily, they've got the goods to prove it. Evergoods makes seemingly simple but incredibly utilitarian bags and accessories, and the brand built the Civic Travel Bag for durability inside and out. It's available in two different sizes, but we recommend the 35-liter version, which should cover most travel needs.
The exterior features water-repellant nylon for weather-resistance. Internally, a curved aluminum stay and HDPE frame provide structure. And to keep you comfortable, the bag has curved ergonomic shoulder straps. The back panel is comfortable as well, making this a damn near perfect travel backpack.
When traveling on a two-week trip through Asia, GQ associate commerce director Michael Nolledo says the bag was worth the investment. “I used it as my secondary bag, but I could've done the whole trip with it as my primary one,” he says. “The main compartment is massive, and I love that it fully unzips on three sides for loading like a suitcase.” The Civic Travel Bag's organization powers he says, is why it's the best-in-class: “Everywhere you look, there's a pocket—my favorite one being the top pocket, which is perfect for everything I need accessible, like a passport, glasses case, and wallet.”
Best Rugged Travel Backpack: Goruck GR2 Backpack
Overall dimensions: 12.5" x 22” x 9” | Volume: 40L | Weight: 4.5 pounds | Warranty: Lifetime
We love this freaking bag. That may not be our most eloquent summary, but after testing the smaller 26L version for this guide, it’s the honest truth. If you aren’t afraid of a thicc bag, we think you’ll love this dependable pack, too. Developed by a former Green Beret, GoRuck’s collection is known for its grit in extreme conditions. The GR2 uses an ultra-durable Cordura fabric, and the result is a rugged travel bag that’s deadly serious. Unlike other backpacks we tested (looking at you, Patagonia), it perfectly holds its boxy shape and stands up on its own. And even the smaller bag we tested easily fit multiple changes of clothes plus books, a 14-inch MacBook, and large Dopp kit. Unlike other open-flat backpacks, it has two main compartments instead of one, which we found made it easier to organize clothing and gear.
The brand claims the padded laptop compartment is bomb-proof, which we can’t verify without risking the no-fly list. Still, this bag easily stood up to the abuse we threw at it. (We were able to rip the fabric, but unless you get into a lot of knife fights, you won’t have an issue.) The extra-tough fabric and plethora of pockets means it’s on the bulky side, though. The padded straps were comfortable in the terminal and on long subway rides, but they weren’t always easy to swing on and off in a hurry. Because of the boxy shape, it’s not as comfortable as bags with better weight distribution. Lastly, multiple daisy-chain straps provide a nice aesthetic touch, which carabiner freaks will appreciate. You may want to clip on a water bottle, as this is one of the only packs here without a bottle holder pocket.
Best Budget Travel Backpack: The North Face Basecamp Voyager
Overall dimensions: 18.8" x 11" x 5.9" | Volume: 32L | Weight: 1.41 pounds | Warranty: None
We didn’t expect to like this budget bag as much as we did. It surprised our testers with its generous capacity, versatility, and solid construction, though it’s hardly indestructible. (No lifetime warranties here.) Almost all of the bags in this guide have multiple handles, but the Voyager is particularly easy to pick up and carry in multiple ways. It’s a true convertible duffel backpack, and thus will be easy to stow in overhead compartments. It would also work well as a gym bag or hiking backpack. The bottom is made from water-repellant nylon, while the body of the bag is covered in TPU-coated polyester for water resistance. The entire bag also packs down into a small pouch. The D-shaped opening makes it easy to pack for weekends away, while exterior pockets keep a laptop, travel documents, chargers, and keys at the ready.
The handles, stitching, and hardware are strong and dependable. Even the plastic components feel solid and well built. Unfortunately, the material isn’t as rip-proof as the bags we tested from Goruck or Patagonia. We also wish the shoulder straps had a bit more padding. However, we found that it was a lot easier to pack than the Patagonia Black Hole backpack, which lacks the open-flat main compartment you’ll find here. Finally, the excessive “The North Face” branding may be a pro or con depending on your associations with the brand.
Best Leather Travel Backpack: Nex Explorer
Overall dimensions: 12.4" x 16.7" x 7" | Volume: 23L | Weight: 2.83 pounds | Warranty: None
Nex is a new luggage brand on the scene, and we'll give it props for its great suitcases, but we think its standout product might just be its travel backpack. While the other bags we've highlighted here are more on the technical side, Nex's leather joint is great for adding a touch more distinction to your travel kit. The bag is tricked out with pockets, each with its own purpose. Hell, there's even a small pouch to put your luggage tracker in case your bag decides to go off on its own vacay. The Explorer is big enough to accommodate a 15-inch laptop, which has its own compartment decked out in a protective cotton lining. Because there are so many pockets, you might end up forgetting where exactly you placed that one specific item you packed. Although the bag doesn't fully open up, the zipper does extend far beyond where most other bags would end so that you can more easily get into the pack and find what you need.
Our tester used this bag for a five-day trip, stuffing it with overflow that he couldn't put into his carry-on. He loved how the bag had a trolley sleeve so that it could slip onto the handle of his rolling bag, and it made it so he came back from his vacation without any back pain since the Explorer almost never left its place atop the carry-on.
Best Convertible Travel Backpack Duffle: Baboon to the Moon Go-Bag Mini
Overall dimensions: 9.5” x 18.5” x 12” | Volume: 32L | Weight: 3.2 pounds | Warranty: Lifetime
If you miss the glossy exterior of vintage Patagonia Black Hole bags, then this classic travel bag is a stylish and colorful alternative. It’s a slimmed down version of the brand's famous duffel bag, ideally sized for weekend trips. More lightweight than similarly sized backpacks, it won’t slow you down sprinting between terminals. The Go-Bag also has plenty of pockets without totally overloading the main compartment, which is spacious enough for up to three days of clothing—if you pack light. The D-shaped opening makes it easy to pack, while quick-access pockets and wraparound daisy chain webbing let you keep EDC items close at hand.
Best Patagonia Travel Backpack: Patagonia Black Hole Backpack
Overall dimensions: 18.8" x 11" x 5.9" | Volume:25L | Weight: 1.41 pounds | Warranty: Patagonia’s ‘Ironclad Guarantee’
We went back and forth on whether to include Patagonia’s Black Hole Backpack or one of the brand’s larger duffel bags, which also come with backpack straps. Ultimately, we opted to include both for different reasons. The backpack edition of this iconic bag doesn’t open flat, and a relatively small main compartment opening at the top will make it harder to pack for weekend trips. However, we love the slick look, durability, and feature set of the backpack enough to give it the edge. It’s also surprisingly spacious given its size and slim look. As you can see in the pictures below, the Black Hole backpack has a streamlined aesthetic, and even when it’s stuffed full you won’t look like a kindergartner with a too-big backpack. (Speaking of aesthetics, we do miss the glossy exterior of vintage Black Hole bags.)
For outdoor trips, this bag has a sternum strap (which can be tricky to remove) and a TPU-coated polyester material for weather resistance. Strips of daisy chains on the straps and front panel can be used to clip on extra gear as well. We found the padded straps and back panel to be comfortable and breathable during extended use. The weight balance also impressed us. We didn’t find it to be quite as durable as the Black Hole duffels we’ve tested, but it’s tough enough to use outdoors or as your daily commuting bag. In fact, of all the bags featured here, it’s the only one we’d use on a daily basis.
Best Minimalist Travel Backpack: Cotopaxi Allpa
Overall dimensions: 19” x 12” x 9" | Volume: 28L | Weight: 2.62 pounds | Warranty: Lifetime Warranty
For an under $200 bag, the Allpa has a lot of impressive features.It has a suitcase-style zipper compartment, yet the back straps, sternum strap, and waist straps make it easy to carry hands-free. Like similar outdoor bags, it’s covered in a TPU-coated polyester lining. However, unlike the Voyager or Black Hole packs, Cotopaxi includes a rain cover (and a compartment to store it), a simple feature that makes a major difference if you’re actually using it outdoors. Sturdy handles on the top, bottom, and sides make it easy to pick up and stow. On the inside, mesh compartments let you organize plenty of gear and clothing (and prevent said items from falling out when you unzip). The exterior top pocket is more conveniently placed than on some other bags as well.
Cotopaxi also won us over with its colorful designs. As much as we like the all-black version, we love the color combinations available even more. Style wise, we definitely give it the edge over The North Face and Patagonia bags. We also love that the back straps and waist straps stow away. We should note that travelers with larger laptops may want to look elsewhere, as its padded laptop compartment maxes out at 13-inches. If you want something with more space than a traditional backpack but don’t want a duffel-sized bag weighing you down, the Allpa is a versatile and attractive unisex pick.
Best Trail-Ready Travel Backpack: Osprey Fairpoint Travel Backpack
Overall dimensions: 14” x 22” x 9” | Volume: 40L | Weight: 3.49 pounds | Warranty: Lifetime
Osprey's Fairpoint backpack feels a little over-designed in places, but it's definitely ready for hitting the trails (just check out that built-in emergency whistle on the sternum strap). The attractive and streamlined convertible bag is surprisingly lightweight and comfortable, featuring padded, extra-ventilated straps and back panel, making it great for long-haul treks. A lightweight frame distributes weight and holds the bag’s shape, which is ideal for ergonomics and weight distribution but stops the bag from standing up when you set it down.
The first time you use this pack, you’ll notice it has maybe too many straps. Most of these are functional, like compression straps, sternum straps, padded waist straps, load lifter straps, adjustment straps, with a bunch of others made, presumably, to attach even more Osprey products. We do wish the bag were water-resistant, but it's overall a comfy, light, and easy to pack travel bag. For travelers with a lot of heavy gear to haul, it’s a reliable solution.
6 More Travel Backpacks We Love
What to Look For in a Travel Backpack
Most large travel backpacks come in a standard 40L size, which lets you just squeeze by carry-on restrictions. However, 40L bags can also get unwieldy when you’re on the move, which makes this 35L travel bag a true goldilocks pick (and GQ staff favorite). It’s still big enough that you can pack and open it like a suitcase, and there’s a pocket or mesh compartment everywhere you want one to be. You can easily fit a large water bottle, large laptop (up to 17 inches), dopp kit, and several days of clothing inside.
How We Tested
GQ has been testing and reviewing men’s backpacks for years, and we’re currently conducting in-depth testing on the top travel packs. We’ll continue to update our selections in this guide as we pack, carry on, and rack up air miles with these bags. So far, we’ve tested about half of the bags in this guide in the field. When evaluating a travel backpack, we first consider durability. Does the bag have durable fabric, internal frames, or waterproofing? Next, we consider how easily the bag packs up, and how much gear can be stored inside. Access is also important, and we check to see how easily we can reach our items from the various pockets and compartments.
When we go hands on, we load up the backpacks with gear to see how comfortable they are during long walks. We hate back sweat as much as any traveler, and we’re looking for bags with generous and comfy padding in all the right places. Finally, we check to see how much wear and tear the bag sustains. We subjected the bags to rip tests to see if the material will hold up to abuse on the mountain or in the overhead compartment. Whenever possible, we used the bags as carry-ons during air travel to see how travel friendly they really are.
Since this is GQ, there’s one final test: the fit test. We want to see which bags earn unsolicited compliments and look best on our backs. Call us vain if you like, but we believe looking your best is a sign of self-respect and its own reward.
About the Author: Timothy Beck Werth is an experienced journalist, editor, and product reviewer based in Brooklyn, New York. He has been reviewing bags and backpacks since 2019, and as a full-time freelancer, he regularly travels throughout the year. He uses some type of backpack almost every day and prefers bags that are comfortable and long-lasting. For GQ, Tim primarily covers home goods, smart home products, and men’s accessories and grooming essentials.