You’re on your way to the airport, wheelie bag in tow, and your mind is already spinning with case-related anxiety. Did I forget to pay for baggage? Will there be stairs I have to lug it up and down? Will it be overweight at check-in? What if it doesn’t turn up when I land?
These worries can be a thing of the past with the simple investment of a travel backpack. Often offering as much space as a suitcase, with the added bonus that you can sling it on your back whenever the terrain underfoot gets tricky - stairs, grass and cobbles included - it’s a simple and effective way to quash all of your bag-related travel woes in one fell swoop.
The ultimate travel companion - whatever the journey, backpacks are easy to stow away on a train, pop in the overhead compartment on a flight or even have at your feet on a coach, they will stay by your side regardless of whether you’re jetting off on holiday, hiking to elevated peaks or planning a staycation right here in the UK.
You’ll no longer need multiple bags to separate your carry-on essentials from your clothes and toiletries because all of your belongings will exist in one easy-to-access place. And, thanks to multiple pockets, sleeves and compartments, you won’t compromise on organisation, either.
Look out for functional design details like padded straps, a water-resistant outer and specific sleeves for the likes of tablets and laptops. Some, like Eastpak’s and Away’s designs, transform into a different type of bag altogether - a wheeled suitcase and duffel bag respectively. If you’re not ready to fully commit to the rucksack, it’s these styles to look out for in our edit.
We caught up with Niklas and Mattis Oppermann, co-founders of luxury luggage label Carl Friedrik, to find out their top tips when it comes to travel backpacks - and cherry-picked our favourites below.
Is a backpack a good choice of bag for travelling?
One of the major benefits of travelling with a backpack is that offers a hands-free experience. So if your journey is lengthy with multiple flights or a lot of time on foot, it pays to not have to drag around a heavy suitcase. In fact, well-designed backpacks also distribute weight evenly across your body, reducing physical strain. Another pro is that they tend to remain by your side throughout the entirety of your journey, thereby eliminating the chance of baggage being lost or stolen.
What makes a good travel backpack?
Accessibility is a natural concern for travel backpacks and we make every effort to ensure that functionality comes first when we design all of our products. It can be difficult to remove items from backpacks while you’re on the go, which makes it important to have multiple compartments and pockets where goods can be stored and promptly retrieved.
Think padded laptop compartments, water bottle pockets, concealed pockets for money or passports and so on. This will save you frantically digging through your backpack for that elusive item.
What fabric is best for a travel backpack?
You can’t go wrong with a premium leather backpack. You’ll experience a superior shelf-life compared to other fabrics and the toughness of leather means they can handle exposure to the elements. As well as durability, a top-tier leather backpack promises to add traditional elegance to your travel wardrobe. Depending on the treatment, some may even develop a rich patina over time.
What are your top tips for packing a travel backpack?
Space is at a premium, so it pays to take the time to nail your packing method. First of all, rolling clothes is a method proven to be much more space-efficient than folding. Then, it’s important to position your most frequently used items at the top, so you don’t have to dig through the entire contents to access things like passports or headphones.
Are there any extras that would maximise space?
Packing cubes are the ultimate travel accessory for those looking to maximise space and bring organisation to their backpacks or suitcases. They allow you to neatly stack and compress clothing in lightweight cubes that can be easily stored in a Tetris-like fashion. Not only will you save on space, but if packed correctly, clothing will arrive at your destination crisp and without wrinkles, too.
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Rains Rolltop Rucksack
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
Carl Friedrik Day-to-Day Backpack
Offering luxury and functionality in one well-designed package, Carl Friedrik’s day-to-day backpack is crafted using premium leather and features a padded laptop compartment as well as a collapsible construction to allow for extra space for longer trips. Even better, two open fabric pockets and two pen slots make up the interior so you’ll be organised from start to finish.
Buy now £395.00, Carl Friedrik
Antler Bamburgh roll top backpack in navy
Gorpcore is an enduring trend that’s been around since the term was coined by The Cut back in 2017. Six years on, and it’s not too late to give your wardrobe a gorpy makeover by making Antler’s Bamburgh backpack perfect for your 2023 travels.
Made using a weather-resistant ripstop, featuring a versatile bungee cord, two side pockets, a front zipped pocket and multiple on the inside, it offers ample space for a weekend away. There’s a padded laptop sleeve, too, so you can head to the airport the moment you switch your ‘out of office’ on.
Buy now £72.00, Antler
Away F.A.R Convertible Backpack 45L
Boasting the same space as a carry-on suitcase, Away’s F.A.R backpack is perfect for outdoor excursions - whether you’re camping in Cornwall or exploring the Scottish Highlands.
Crafted with space in mind, it features dual interior and exterior compression systems that help you pack as much in as possible, as well as multiple accessible pockets for valuables. And, if you ever get tired of having it on your back, it transforms into a duffel bag so you can carry it on your shoulder instead.
Buy now £200.00, Away
Eastpak Strapverz S Black
You’d be forgiven for assuming this is just your average suitcase. Quite the opposite in fact. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to hear it features tuck-away shoulder straps for carrying on your back.
Offering all of the benefits of Eastpak’s well-designed cases but with added portability, it’s the perfect bag for trips that involve lots of time travelling on foot - whether that’s across a muddy field or smooth pavement. The best part? It’s cabin-sized, too.
Buy now £150.00, Eastpak
Sandqvist Axel Backpack
Balancing practicality with both sustainability and aesthetics, Sandqvist’s luggage ticks all of the boxes - as proven by this backpack. Not only is the outer constructed using 100 per cent recycled polyester, but it can carry up to 34L - including your laptop in a safe inner compartment - and it’s brimming with the minimal Scandi sensibility that we all know and love.
Buy now £169.00, Sandqvist
July Volume+ Backpack
A celebrity-endorsed brand, July’s suitcases have been spotted travelling with the likes of Harry Styles, Chrissy Teigen and Apple Martin. Now, it’s time to shine the spotlight on their backpacks, instead.
The largest in their offering, the Volume+ features an expandable zip so you can take the capacity from 21L to 26L in an instant. Even if you fill it to the brim, the padded straps and back mean you won’t have to compromise on comfort with extra weight.
Buy now £175.00, July
Briggs & Riley Travel Backpack
Functionality is at the heart of Briggs & Riley’s designs. From the 180-degree opening for a luggage-style packing experience to the super-soft lining, the multiple padded sleeves for electronics to the power pocket for on-the-go charging, the brand has included everything the discerning traveller could possibly need. And all in a neat and tidy sleek black package. What’s not to love?
Buy now £299.00, Briggs & Riley
Horizn Studios SoFo Travel Backpack
Since its inception in 2015, Berlin-based label Horizn Studios has built a reputation for its thoughtfully designed, innovative designs - and this bag is no exception. With a recycled canvas outer, expandable panels for lengthy trips, a waterproof lining and an internal laptop sleeve, all of your weekend-away needs will be taken care of - even if you get caught in the rain.
Buy now £275.00, Matches
