The world is open. Holidays and long weekend breaks are back on the schedule, and we’re excited to explore places, food and people beyond the island we call home.
For some, this post-pandemic world could present the first opportunity to do some real travelling in years, whether it’s finally pressing go on a stalled gap year, making the decision to go on a career break or dreaming of a sabbatical in the sun. This coming summer may be the first time you go to a festival.
If you’re planning to do some long-term travelling or cram in many destinations over a short period, there are some things you’ll need before you hit the road.
Top of the list? A decent backpack that can hold all your possessions comfortably (with space for a few choice souvenirs of course) as you crisscross continents or green fields.
What size backpack is best for backpacking?
Anywhere between 60 - 70L is a decent volume for backpacking, giving you enough space for a trimmed-down travel wardrobe, an extra pair of trainers and some creature comforts to make life while you’re away from home more enjoyable. If you’re going in the winter, you might want to up that number to account for the bulkier and heavier clothing you’ll need.
What to look for in a good backpack
- Whether you’re travelling by plane, train or automobile, you’ll want a bag that’s comfortable to carry for long periods, so look for wide padded straps and make sure you know how to adjust it before you set off. Strapping it on correctly using the hip belt - with the bulk of the weight firmly on your hips - will ease the pressure off your shoulders.
- Compartments are your new best friend. Look for a design with a few exterior pockets to make reaching for essentials like your passport, tickets and travel tech easy. They will also help organise your bag so you don’t have to upend the entire contents when you need something specific.
- Look for something that offers easy access to the main compartment, like a main zip that goes all the way around or one that lets you access things from the bottom so you don’t have to root through to find your things. Packing cubes are also helpful to keep similar items - pants, tops, shorts - in one place.
- A backpack with a smaller bag attached to it is a useful extra and means you’ll have an option for day trips once you’ve reached your main destination.
Choose wisely and you’ll have a backpacking backpack that will last many years and many miles.
To help you find the one, we’ve put together a list of the possible contenders.
Shop the best backpacker rucksacks below
Best mini underseat cabin bags that fit beneath an airline chair
Best packing cubes to organise and make the most of suitcase space
Best luxury luggage brands: Stylish suitcases for weekends away or longer trips
Best e-readers 2023: From Kindle to Kobo
Best portable photo printers to use on the go that are compatible with smart phones
Best backpacks for hiking and camping that are ideal for days spent outdoors
Mountain Warehouse Nevis Extreme 65 + 15 Litre Rucksack
With a wide zipped entry into the main compartment, this backpack is perfect for travel, allowing you full access without having to dig your stuff out of the bottom. The 65L main bag comes with a 15L mini day back attached, boosting capacity when you need it and also acting as an extra backpack for day trips.
Both feature plenty of pockets and straps to store and secure the design to you, making it as easy as possible to cart around. We like the fact that the side of the main bag features handles, making it easier to grab out of a luggage rack. The rip-stop fabric works to stop minor nicks and cuts from ruining the entire design and there’s even built-in cable access to plug in your headphones when your device is securely packed away.
If you’re remote working while you’re travelling a dedicated laptop sleeve will keep your tech safe until the next shift. Comes with a rain cover.
Buy now £99.99, Mountain Warehouse
Lixada Hiking Backpack 60L
There’s no danger of missing this backpack on the luggage carousel: the bright orange will scream for attention from miles away.
The large capacity backpack is light at 1.12kg empty, leaving more space for all your stuff, but it’s a strong bag too with details like breathable mesh padding, a wide hip belt with zipped pockets and adjustable straps to keep things comfortable when you’re on the move.
There are zips and pockets galore, with the one on the top able to expand overall capacity. There’s even a rain cover to protect your things in case of a downpour. As well as backpacking, it’s an excellent option for camping, hiking and festivals too.
Also available in the less exciting colours of black, blue and green.
Buy now £35.99, Amazon
Forclaz Women’s Symbium 50 + 10L Rucksack
Make the decision to travel light and you’ll be rewarded with less stuff to lug around on your voyage. This pale blue backpack is loaded with zip entries and pockets with extra storage in the hip belt to keep necessities close to hand. It’s originally designed for female trekkers but there’s no reason it wouldn’t work for longer-term backpacking too. The carrying system makes it easier to bear heavy loads when you’re getting from A to B.
Buy now £139.99, Decathlon
OEX Vallo 70 Rucksack
This design is made for long-haul backpacking adventures with up to 70L of precious space to make use of. The lightweight pack splits its capacity with a 10L pocket at the top and the rest in the main compartment, safe under a durable and water-resistant shell that can handle short showers (for serious downpours, reach for the integrated rain cover).
This blue whale has all the bells and whistles that you could hope for in a serious backpack, from spongey straps and an adjustable harness system to u-shaped zip pullers that are easy to use even if you’re wearing gloves.
Buy now £85.00, Go Outdoors
Osprey Women’s Renn 65 Rucksack
A seasoned backpacker’s essential, Osprey delivers innovative and ergonomic technology in every product. The Renn 65 has been crafted to contour the body with the help of a sophisticated, adjustable and breathable mesh back panel. Complete with side ventilation and suspension which evenly distributes the weight of your load, it’s made from 100 per cent recycled polyester and has a 60 litre/ 14-18kg capacity.
What’s more, the backpack is equipped with dual hip belt pockets and a large top lid pocket for easy access to essential equipment. Plus, it comes with an integrated rain cover. The male equivalent is the Rook 65, which is equally as trim and stylish.
Buy now £180.00, Cotswold Outdoor
Doshwin 70L Backpack
It’s a case of access to all areas with this backpack from Doshwin. Store the bulk of your clothes in the drawstring-close main compartment, and use the top, side and side mesh pockets to stash important documents, and water bottles and keep currency close to hand. There’s even a dedicated pocket to hold shoes, perfect to stop them from dirtying the rest of your clothes. The overall capacity is 70L, a good option for up to six months travelling with careful and considered packing.
Buy now £48.98, Amazon
Patagonia Altvia Backpack 28L
This is one of the most versatile backpacks we’ve come across. It’s got a 28L capacity, but if you’re travelling light, its drawstring closure means it’s easy to tuck any excess fabric away. This was one of our favourite features. By plumping for a drawstring opening, Patagonia has reduced the chances of dirt and damp working its way inside the bag when it’s placed on the ground.
It also feels incredibly secure, something which is often a higher priority on camping trips, especially if there might be moments when backpacks are left unwatched in tents for short periods of time. Add an ultra-breathable back panel and strap cushioning where we need it most, and this might just be the most comfortable backpack we’ve come across.
Buy now £139.95, Alpine Trek
Eagle Creek Migrate Duffel 60 - Luggage
There are multiple ways to carry this 29 x 59-84 x 28cm brightly coloured duffel bag/ backpack from Eagle Creek, something your future self will thank you for if your shoulders start aching from the weight.
It can carry a maximum of 66L all in one central compartment, although there is a slim side pocket to hold papers, tickets and cash, lending itself well as a top candidate for your travel adventures.
In fact, the makers are so confident it will go the distance, this bag comes with a lifetime warranty. Another plus: it’s made from recycled polyester, a much better choice for the planet.
Buy now £111.95, Alpine Trek
Best smaller travel bags for day trips, weekend breaks and festivals
Red Adventure Waterproof Backpack 30L
True adventurers need a solid, weatherproof backpack. This life-proof day and overnight pack has an impressive 30-litre capacity and will take you from commuting to the Duke of Edinburgh-style campaign with ease. It’s crafted from Armour Tech recycled fabric and features a handy roll-top closure to keep your precious belongings safe and sound at all times.
One of our favourite features is the detachable padded laptop sleeve which is brilliant for day-to-day use but can be easily removed for extra packing space. The backpack also functions as a portable lifeguard, as it’s complete with reflective detailing and a built-in emergency whistle.
Buy now £114.95, Red
Rains Rolltop Rucksack
Best for: Scandi design
For something unique, take a look at Danish company Rains. Touted as a great option for cycling, the Rolltop Rucksack is classically Scandinavian: simple, striking and uniquely cool.
Rains is known for its splashproof designs so if you’re heading somewhere currently going through a wet season, this is a great option. As the name suggests, it comes with a roll top, so you can adjust the amount of space you need depending on how much stuff you’re carrying but will have to forgo more sophisticated fastening and compartment options available on other bags.
Ultimately, this one is a no-frills option but is practical enough to be worth consideration - it comes with both a front and laptop pocket, back padding and adjustable shoulder and chest straps.
Plus, with its unique design and four earthy colourways to choose from, it’s stylish as well, meaning you’re more likely to get decent use out of it even whilst not travelling. Great for commuters.
Buy now £105.00, Rains
TOPO DESIGNS Mountain Pack 28L Walking backpack
Widely lauded as one of the best carry-on travel backpacks around, the Topo Travel Bag weighs just over 1kg and can carry up to 28 litres, making it one of the lightest fully functional backpacks on offer.
Say hello to ample storage as the main clamshell zipper opens into two main compartments. There are several other organisational pockets too, including one for your laptop (fitting up to a 15-inch screen) and one with a key fob clip inside, ensuring your most valuable items are kept safe.
One of our favourite elements of this one is the heavy-duty YKK zips that come with toggles, making them much easier to open and close than others. The back panel, shoulder and hip straps come with extra padding and with a chest strap included too, this one is well set up for carrying over uncomfortable terrain or longer distances. Including a duffle strap, it can be carried over one shoulder too.
Buy now £130.36, Alpine Trek
Inateck 40L Travel Bag
If you like to keep things simple by just having one do-it-all bag that works for hiking, and longer and shorter trips, the Inateck Backpack checks all the boxes.
If you get to the point where you’ve had enough of carrying it like a rucksack, it can be flipped on its side and carried like a briefcase with multiple handles. With a 40-litre capacity and a built-in toiletries bag, all wrapped in scratch-resistant fabric, even the least conservative packers will find that it can hold enough clothing for a couple of weeks whilst still giving you enough space to store your laptop and other gadgets in the dedicated padded sleeves.
The design is simple but not unappealing - though on the boxy side, it’s sleek enough to be inoffensive and, most importantly, the padded shoulder and chest straps make it comfortable to carry too.
Buy now £45.99, Amazon
Kapten & Son Bergen
Those seeking something more sophisticated will love the Kapten & Son Bergen backpack - a heavenly homage to sleek Scandi-style design. Made from buttery vegan leather in a choice of sandstone or black, it’ll look particularly smart on a city break or business trip.
At just 11 litres and with a 15-inch laptop pocket, this one is on the smaller side, but comes with a special padded laptop compartment as well as two interior pockets and a larger exterior one. With both shoulder straps and carrier handles, it can be used as either a backpack or a tote. Of course, if you opt for the lighter option, it’ll show up dirt more easily but if you’re just planning to use it to explore a new city, you should get away with this - especially as the material can be wiped clean.
What it lacks in practicality it certainly makes up for in style, so if you want something that’ll look good on the ‘Gram, this is the one for you.
Buy now £99.90, Kapten & Son
Eastpak Strapverz S
With a clamshell zip system, two mesh-separated compartments and a handle and wheels, this backpack is a cabin-size suitcase hybrid.
As such, the design makes it easy to pack clothes into and thanks to the canvas-style flexible fabric, can hold enough for a few days away. The compression straps are easy to manoeuvre, so even if you’ve overstuffed it, you can secure the back into a more compact shape with material and zips that feel reassuringly sturdy. It makes you trust that it won’t fall apart in transit.
Perhaps one of its greatest features, though, is the variety of handle options you can call upon depending on the situation: padded shoulder straps to sling it over your back and an extendable telescopic trolly handle for carrying it like a suitcase. When empty, it also shrinks down to be completely flat, meaning it can easily be stored away without taking up the space of a suitcase.
The bag can hold up to 42L and the TSA lock is great if you’re looking for that extra bit of security.
Buy now £100.48, Amazon
Gandys Black Coated Cotton Bali Backpack
Best for: sustainable shoppers and giving back
Set up by two brothers orphaned in the 2004 Tsunami, this is a London brand with a heart. Every purchase goes towards one of the five kids’ campuses in Sri Lanka, Malawi, Brazil, Nepal and Mongolia, but that’s not the only reason to get involved. The men’s apparel is understated and pared down; both un-gimmicky and stylish. With simple cuts and classic colours, this is the go-to shop for high-quality and stylish outdoor gear.
The Bali is a stylish, sturdy backpack that will set you apart from the crowd. A coated exterior protects against the elements, while buckle detailing and handy pockets are perfect for storing office essentials.
Buy now £99.99, Gandys
Away The Everywhere Zip Backpack
Like all of Away’s luggage, the Everywhere Zip Backpack is sleek and aesthetically pleasing, so if you’re someone who likes your luggage to look as good as it moves, it’s certainly worth considering.
Though relatively small on sight, its capacity is surprising - you can fit a large laptop (which has its own padded interior sleeve), several books, a bag of carry-on liquids, your travel essentials and a water bottle in and still have room to stuff in a jumper (trust us - we’ve tried). A panel on the back allows you to slip it over the hands of a suitcase (though not as wide as others it still does the job well) and also conceals a hidden pocket that’ll fit a wallet, phone and passport, that sits against the back.
Previous iterations didn’t have mesh panels, but this updated design comes complete with a mesh back, which is helpful if you’re visiting a humid country. It’s generously sized for quick and easy packing whilst still being small enough to stow under the seat in front of the plane. Made from nylon, it can be wiped clean, too.
Buy now £155.00, Away
Antler Chelsea daypack in taupe
Those looking for a pack with an air of sophistication can’t go far wrong with the Chelsea backpack - a vision in ergonomic design and sleek black fabric.
It’s made from a premium durable nylon that is both water-resistant and finished in an attractive matte black. With a 12-litre capacity and 37x26x12cm in size, it fits within most airlines’ carry-on specifications and even comes with a backstrap to slot over a suitcase handle, in case you’re planning on carrying more than one piece of hand luggage.
With a padded laptop or iPad pocket (up to 13 inches) as well as three divided compartments, this is well-suited to business trips or for use as a day pack for outings, rather than an all-in-one piece of carry-on luggage.
It gets extra points for being particularly smart to look at and supremely comfortable to carry - even with several gadgets and heavy documents in tow, it didn’t dig into the shoulders at all.
Comes with a lifetime warranty.
Buy now £140.00, Antler
Gomatic Travel Pack 20L - 30L
With a 20L capacity, with the possibility to expand the bag up to 30L, and a padded compartment for a 17-inch laptop, this Gomatic design has a lot to offer - especially for business travellers.
There are pockets galore: a large clamshell opening for storing clothes as well as two inner mesh sections - one containing a transparent washbag. There is also a padded laptop sleeve (though this sits in its own outer zipped compartment - not quite as secure as an inner one) and a hidden pocket that sits flush against the back.
The backpack is made from water-resistant and durable materials and features magnetic water bottle pockets and RFID pockets. Along with the buckled chest straps and padded side and top handles, it’s got a solution for virtually every travel need or scenario.
Buy now £279.99, Amazon
Peak Design Travel Backpack
At the very top end of the price range is the Peak Design Travel Backpack - a longstanding favourite within the backpacking community (if there is such a thing). This one has been made with photographers in mind and has several specially designed compartments for stashing your camera gear.
With a dedicated sleeve for your laptop, passport, water bottle and various other pieces of kit, it’ll help you ensure your most precious items stay safe and easy to find whilst the weatherproof zips and hard-wearing material will ensure it’s all kept dry even in the most aggressive of downpours.
Despite opening in a clamshell style, one of our favourite things about this design is that, even when empty, it’ll hold itself up so if you prefer to pack it from the bottom up, you can do that. The shoulder straps and hip belt can all be stored away and replaced with a duffle-style strap if you prefer.
The only thing this one is really missing is a side strap to make it easier to lift into the overhead cabin.
Buy now £259.99, Amazon
Fjallraven Re-Kånken
You’ve probably heard of – or at least seen – the iconic Swedish Kånken backpack by Fjallraven. Loved by adults and schoolchildren alike, the Kånken is an all-rounder that comes in a variety of styles, prized for its ability to evenly distribute the weight of its contents across both shoulders so that it feels like you’re barely carrying anything.
This special edition Kånken is made entirely from polyester recycled from eleven plastic bottles. Very precise. Utilising the novel SpinDye technology, Fjallraven has drastically reduced the amount of water, energy and chemicals used throughout the production process. Like the Kind Bag, it’s also ready to be recycled again in the very distant future.
For the eco-conscious lot who are always on the move, the Re-Kånken comes with a removable seat pad that is stored in the inside back pocket, which also works to add some extra protection between your back and the contents of the bag.
Buy now £93.95, Amazon
Osprey Osprey Sojourn Porter Pack 30L
Going interrailing or city-hopping around the Continent? You may not need something seriously bulky in that case. Look to Osprey where you can find this duffel/backpack that’s more than up to the job. The shell-like design has a roster of standout features, from a front pocket to keep your passport and tickets in order, a padded slot for your laptop and quick access to the main compartment with lockable zips. StraightJacket straps work like shapewear to compress your bag down to a smaller, compact size.
Buy now £142.97, Amazon
Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack - Del Día
Best for: easy organisation and a weatherproof cover
For colour enthusiasts, this Cotopaxi backpack packs a punch both in terms of style and practicality. Though once again on the pricier side, this travel pack is a top-of-the-range, cabin-approved piece of kit that will serve you for many years of travels to come.
If you’re already a fan of the Cotopaxi range, you might be thinking - isn’t this just their classic Allpa pack? What’s the difference? For the eco-conscious, the Del Día version of the Allpa Travel Pack is made from re-purposed fabrics, making each and every model unique.
What sets this travel pack apart from the crowd for us is the fact that it has a suitcase-like, full-wrapper zipper which covers the entire circumference of the bag. This means that you can open up your backpack like a book, for easy organisation and even easier re-packing if you’re on the move.
With a weight-distributing harness system for pain-free carrying, four reinforced grab handles, padded sleeves for smart devices and laptops, internal mesh compartments, security YKK zippers and so much more - you simply can’t go wrong.
Buy now £200.00, Cotopaxi
Built for Athletes Small Black Gym Backpack
Best for: the capacity to double as a weekend bag
Despite its military-esque exterior, this backpack has been crafted with athletes in mind. Offered in 25L and 45L models, this is about as close as you’ll get capacity-wise to a cross-country backpacker’s kit, only without the cumbersome size.
Featuring two side bottle holders capable of holding 750ml each, this backpack is also equipped with adjustable sternum and waist straps for comfortable carrying when hiking and camping.
The best bit? This backpack opens flat to 180 degrees for speedy packing and unpacking. A great option for commuters, cyclists and travellers, the water-resistant and rip-proof design will keep your belongings safe no matter how far you’ve got to travel.
Buy now £109.99, Built for Athletes
