When planning international travel, you want your journey to be as smooth as possible. No surprises of lost items or the backpack being too small for all the items you will pack during the travel.
Getting the best travel backpack for men can save you from all these hustles. You will be surprised by the amount of space you get, the design, the feel and even the way it smells. Pure bliss! It will be enough to carry all your essentials from suits, shirts, boxers, phones, shoes, toiletries, snacks, and even your laptop.
As you transit from one location to another, you will be relaxed knowing that all your essentials are well secured and nothing is at risk of getting lost on the way.
With that in mind, your selection process for the best backpack for travel, whether business or international leisure travel, needs to be carefully thought to make sure you end up with only the best.
We spent 50 hours testing and evaluating over 18 travel packs for men to determine the best picks that you can get at the best prices. We considered multiple factors such as durability, design, material, amount of space, number of compartments for different types of products, price, popularity, and customer reviews.
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Top Picks
10 Best Travel Backpack for Men [Top Picks]
- Osprey Packs Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack
- eBags TLS Mother Lode Weekender Convertible (Heathered Graphite)
- Cabin Max Metz Backpack
- Ibagbar Canvas Backpack Travel bag
- AmazonBasics Carry-on Travel Backpack
- Hynes Eagle Travel Backpack
- Oakley Mens Kitchen Sink Backpack
- Roamm Nomad 65 +15 Backpack
- Venture Pal Lightweight Travel Backpack
- Outlander Packable Travel Backpack
1. Osprey Packs Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack
No products found.This Osprey Farpoint 40 backpack is made to meet most airlines’ requirements when traveling by air. It is therefore ideal for a short holiday getaway.
When traveling, you can opt to zip away the hip belt and harness it for a slimmer profile for better check-in at the airport with the osprey farpoint carry on backpack. It has a suspension system of a light-wire frame that makes it easy to convert it from a backpack to hip belt bag.
It has ample internal storage which has two straps that compress and secure your load in place. It is with this kind of parking that you can carry a big load of up to 40 pounds. Also, it has compression straps at the front which gives it stability when worn as a backpack.
The side and the top handles are padded for softer handling when hoisting it to your back.
The travel bag is made from nylon ripstop fabric making it an excellent waterproof backpack. You will be able to stash in all your essentials due to its many compartments. You can also carry your laptop and your tablet along in their lockable secure and padded laptop compartment.
No products found.
2. eBags TLS Mother Lode Weekender Convertible (Heathered Graphite)
The eBags TLS is designed to carry all your requirements for your weekend adventure. With its twisted polyester fabric, it is sturdy and durable to endure many of such weekend outings.
The compartments of this backpack are well organized to give you an organized packing. It includes the special laptop compartment for your laptops and tablets.
It has inner straps to secure your content from shifting and hold them in place. Also for your small accessories, there is a special snap-out pocket where you can stash them so that you can quickly get them whenever you need them.
The backpack shoulder straps are well padded to give you a comfortable carry without them cutting through your shoulders even when the backpack is heavy.
It has a full expansion zipper that adds some more packing space of over 10% for your added items along with your adventure.
- KEY FEATURES: Padded laptop sleeve fits up to 19", zip expansion for an extra 1.5" and stowable backpack straps
3. Cabin Max Metz Backpack
The Cabin Max is an approved carry-on backpack for many airlines. It easily fits the overhead locker in an airplane because of its compact size of 22 x 14 x 9 inches.
This original backpack does not compromise its unique design with cheap imitations, and therefore you are sure to get good quality from it. Made from 600D polyester, it is of high strength composite for durability and sturdiness.
It is a lightweight backpack of 1.5 pounds but with a large capacity giving you some extra weight allowance for your belongings. It features 5 zippered compartments – 3 primary lockable compartments and 2 internal.
It has the best carrying handles in case you want to lift it, adjustable shoulder and side straps for adjusting to the proper size.
The backpack comes with 3 years manufacturer warranty.
- ✔️ DIMENSIONS - Carry on luggage 22x14x9 inches - Perfectly sized backpack for multiple airlines including; American Airlines, Southwest Airlines,...
4. Ibagbar Canvas Backpack Travel bag
No products found.Even though the cotton canvas material always looks used and old, you are assured that this Ibagbar Canvas Backpack is 100% brand new.
The rugged canvas fabric is robust and durable to withstand any rough handling. It is the best travel backpack for men, and also anyone who wishes to have a carefree kind of traveling can opt for it.
However, besides its rugged canvas, it still maintains its high design qualities. It is a zipper closure making it easy to pack or reach out for something inside it.
It has a large capacity for storing your necessities enough for your few days’ trip. It has a special compartment with inter-layer for your 17-inch laptop in case you want to take it along with you.
The backpack is versatile for many different travels including rough ones such as camping, hiking, college, and more.
You can also change the backpack for other multi-purpose uses such as duffle, suitcase, handbag, and briefcase whichever suits you better. All you need to do is to remove the detachable shoulder strap to change it the way you want it.
Isn’t it amazing the different ways it offers for using it?
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5. AmazonBasics Carry-on Travel Backpack
The AmazonBasics Carry-on Travel Backpack is a great value backpack made of polyester fabric which makes it strong and durable. It is a lightweight backpack and ultra-flexible.
The backpack comes with multiple compartments for organizing your packing. The main interior compartment will offer you enough storage space for your clothes and other essentials. The compartment has straps that compress the content and hold them in place.
It is secured shut by double zip and four compression straps. It has an inside flap with zippered mesh compartment for storage of small items like your toiletries or pens. It has a front double-zippered upper compartment and a pocket at the front.
It is also designed with an internal sleeve for your laptop with a zipper closure in case you would like to have it in your travels. If not, the main compartment will extend further for more storage.
The backpack can be converted to a suitcase by removing the back shoulder straps and carry it with a shoulder strap.
It has a zipper that you can use to expand with an additional 10% more space for storing extra items.
Experience stress-free travel with AmazonBasics Travel Backpack which is the best travel backpack carry-on.
- Carry-on travel backpack with internal, zippered laptop sleeve; ultra-flexible and lightweight; made of durable polyester
6. Hynes Eagle Travel Backpack
The Hynes Eagle Travel Backpack is an excellent value option that is considered among the best backpacks for travelling on The Travel Blogs.
Hynes will give you quick, but complete, travel packing at shorter notice. With the compression straps in the main interior compartment, you will hold your content in place no matter how roughly you have strewn them.
In addition to that, there is a mesh pocket with a zipper for more storage of those small items like pens or toiletries.
The middle compartment is ideal for your computer and tablet since it is padded to secure the devices against any impact. You can use the front pocket which is zippered to store in your travel documents or any other essentials that you need to have them nearby.
The zippered side pocket is ideal for storing your water bottle or any other beverages.
The backpack has two sturdy handles for lifting your bag from your trunk or an overhead compartment in a plane. It also has two strong padded meshed shoulder straps to carry your bag as a backpack and you can hide-away the shoulder straps to carry it as a suitcase, making it the best business travel backpack.
This backpack is stylish at the same time versatile. It is a pack-easy backpack that can complete your adventure at short notice.
One slight drawback is that you should handle the buckles for the inside straps carefully otherwise they break easily.
- Versatile Roomy Compartments, carry on cabin backpack for men women has a large main compartment with tie down straps and inner zipper mesh compartment...
7. Oakley Mens Kitchen Sink Backpack
This backpack is versatile for all kinds of travels whether short trips or extended ones. Made from abrasion-resistant fabric – 69% ballistic nylon and 31% polyester makes the backpack strong and durable.
The backpack has adjustable mesh-lined padded shoulder straps that will give you a comfortable carry no matter how long and no matter how heavy. The pack is sleek blending it with toughness for everyday use.
It has various pockets inside and out for organizing and storing your belongings. It has a compartment for hard media-player reinforced with zip closure and a clip at its top for protective storage.
The front padded sleeve for 17-inch laptop with side zip-access, two side pockets for additional storage. The back panel has compression straps to compress it to the right size. At the bottom of the pack, there is a compartment where you can pack your shoes.
It is a compact backpack with dimensions of 20 x 14 x 8 making it the best travel backpack.
- Versatile backpack featuring padded side-access sleeve for 17" laptop and brushed media pocket at top for protective storage
8. Roamm Nomad 65 +15 Backpack
If you’re looking for a back pack that is ideal for long-term trave, whether city slicking or hiking the PCT, the Roamm Nomad backpack is an outstanding choice.
This is actually a 2 in one bag, so the main one is 65 liters with a detachable 2nd bag of 15. Perfect for exploring on day trips or short summit hikes.
The backpack has fully adjustable shoulder harnesses to ensure that you have a comfortable fit yet the construction of a sturdy lightweight alloy frame means it is still a lightweight bag.
As for pockets, well, there are loads for every little accessory you need to tuck away as well as a reservoir sleeve and hydration ports if you want to pack a bladder (up to 3 liters) for long hikes.
This bag was designed by backpackers for backpackers, so many of the little things have not been overlooked. From easy top, bottom, and side access to the main compartment, plus an adjustable sleeping bag diaphragm to small details like the sunglasses retainer on the sternum strap, there are a lot of features to this backpack.
- ENJOY A COMFORTABLE AND PERFECT FIT with fully adjustable shoulder harnesses + EASILY FIT YOUR OVERSIZED WATER BOTTLE in the mesh side pockets, and the...
9. Venture Pal Lightweight Travel Backpack
The Venture Pal is a sturdy and durable backpack since it is made from nylon fabric which is water, wear, and tear resistant material. It is a versatile backpack that can be used in various ways such as hiking, traveling, college, and many others.
The shoulder straps which are adjustable are well padded with breathable mesh for comfortable carry without exerting pressure on the shoulders. It has chest straps for securing the backpack in place without swaying with the movement.
The backpack has multi compartments to organize your belongings in storage. It has the main interior compartment with a zipper, two side pockets, and two front zipped pockets.
The main compartment has two separators to further help in organizing your belongings. The two side pockets are ideal for water bottles and an umbrella. The two front ones are for other accessories that you need to keep nearby for easy access.
Due to its fabric, you can easily fold it inside one of its pockets to carry it with you for extra baggage when on a return trip.
- DURABLE. Made with high quality material, ultra-light, tear and water resistant .The extra strength provided by double-layer bottom piece, enhanced by...
10. Outlander Packable Travel Backpack
Outlander backpack is constructed from nylon fabric which is water resistant and rip-proof. This fabric on the pack makes it light without compromising on its sturdiness and durability.
The zipper used on this backpack is high-quality metal zipper Abrasion Resistant SBS. The stress points of this backpack like the end of the straps are reinforced by bar-tacking for durability.
The backpack is ultra-light and therefore ideal for extra baggage that might take the extra weight. The fabric is flexible you can stash plenty in it.
It makes a great 2nd back to pack in your main luggage for day trips.
Along with the main compartment, the backpack has outside compartments with zipper for extras and a side mesh pocket for your umbrella or your beverages.
Other added features are a whistle on the chest strap, a carabiner clip to attach things to your backpack, and a buckle to securely lock the pack.
Choosing the Best Travel Backpacks for Men
There has been a dramatic increase in the number of travel packs on the market these days. This only shows manufacturers are trying to respond to demands of travelers like ourselves who want to look to using travel bags that are functional and affordable but comfortable to carry, stylish, and environmentally urban-friendly.
Choosing from this wide selection of travel backpacks can be daunting compared to using a suitcase.
That is why we researched and compiled a comprehensive list of the best travel backpacks. And while there is not one singular backpack best for every traveler in all possible scenarios, we have used our experience and studied customer reviews to come up with a detailed and straightforward guide. This guide helps you narrow down the many features and factors to look out for to pick out the travel companion best for you as a man.
Of course, you would naturally first consider whether you need to use travel packs at all. Using a travel companion other than a travel backpack, like a suitcase, will not grant you nearly as much freedom. Travel backpacks make it easy to travel smart and lightly as the limited space available keeps you focused on necessities, thereby curbing indecisiveness and improvidence in packing. Of course, this can be not easy at first, but your choice of light over heavy load furtherly benefits you in the airport, specifically if your backpack is carry-on-sized. This is as you won’t have to bother with costly checked bag fees or the possibility of your luggage being lost by the airlines.
Choosing the right style
As you go through the plethora of backpacks on the market, you’ll notice a classification into two major types – Top loading or Front loading.
Top-Loading Backpacks
As the name implies, these packs only open through the top. That is typically the type of packaging used for hiking, mountaineering, camping, and the likes since you’ll intermittently have to empty your bag. The narrow and long nature of these packs makes them especially good for hiking as they will sit well-centered on your back. Usually, their size is somewhere around 70L, and they also come with loops, straps, and clips that, perfect for strapping on extra travel gear that won’t fit in your bag.
While they’re great as hiking backpacks or other backcountry expeditions, they do not do well for travels. The backpack setup forces you to store things in layers, and eventually, this could turn out as an annoyance. It’s frustrating having to rummage through your bag just to pick out the socks you put at the bottom layer. Besides this, most of anyone would agree to it that top-loading backpacks are simply not ideal for travel.
Front-Loading Backpacks
According to the consensus, the backpack best for traveling is a front-loading/ clamshell pack. They typically open like suitcases, unzipping completely to display all your belongings at once, making it significantly easy to access items from your bag. A good example of front opening packs is the Tortuga Outbreaker/Setout.
The lockable zippers act as an anti-theft mechanism. Similarly, most front loading backpacks provide a safety feature – a back panel where you can stash away the backpack’s harness straps and hip belt, protecting them from damage.
Unlike top-loading counterparts, front opening packs don’t provide as much strap padding or loops to fasten on extra travel gear.
How well does it fit?
The backpack’s comfort is more important than its features, style, or size. More so, while most backpacks are unisex, some travel backpacks are female-specific, and some offer two different fits for both genders, such as the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 40L. The women-focused backpacks typically imply manufacturers designed the shoulder strips, among other things, to fit the female physical framework specifically. These clearly won’t fit well for a man, so ensure this factor before purchasing your travel bag. In any case, certain features will aid proper fitting, no matter your body type.
You can consider hip belts a necessity in backpacks, especially if you carry a heavy load or plan to have your pack on for a long time. The hip belts fundamentally move the travel backpack weight from your shoulders towards your center of gravity, i.e., your hips, hence ‘hip belt.’
A mesh back panel is another feature that furtherly enables the proper fitting of travel backpacks. The airflow system keeps your back warm.
Other features that furtherly ensure your travel bag fits properly is a shoulder strap and a load-lifter strap. You should also make sure the backpack roughly matches your torso length.
What is the ideal size for a travel backpack?
The measurement of travel packs is typically given in liters within the range of 15L to 85L. The reality is, different travelers, different destinations, different backpacks – there is no perfect backpack capacity. However, anywhere between 37 -45 liter for a backpack is usually sufficient, especially if you use the internal organization technique, that is, packing cubes. In the case of a long-term trip, you can adjust the range to a maximum of 65L, but we don’t recommend anything more, except necessary.
Amazon includes backpack size charts for most of their products, so ensure to take a look at that as they accurately narrow down what size would be just right for you. A good example that lies just about at the middle in terms of size is the Aer Travel Pack 2. The Aer Travel Pack 2 is large enough for single backpack adventures around the world and small enough to move about during the day.
What features are optimal?
- Compression straps & gear loops
Compression straps come in handy to tighten standard luggage within your bag, keeping it as small as possible and subsequently improving comfort and overall balance. Some of the best travel packs include several gear loop to attach extras externally.
- Waterproof and slash-proof
Some backpack materials are innately rain-resistant, while others require a special rain cover for weather resistance. Either way is great as you wouldn’t want your luggage getting wet. Some manufacturers offer this rain covers as an accompaniment to the backpack.
- Sternum straps
These not only help to distribute weight away from your shoulders evenly, they also help to secure the other straps. The Eagle Creek Wayfinder 40L does a good job in this regard.
- Carry-on friendly
It would do a great deal of help if your backpack was carry-on sized. However, most airlines have increasingly become critical about the allowed carry-on bag size, so ensure to review your airline regulations on carrying on sizes. Max Legal Carry-on (MLC) size is the designation for the maximum-sized best carry-on backpacks, acceptable on most airlines, and a good example is the Tortuga Outbreaker/Setout Backpack 45L.
- Compartments
From padded laptop compartments to front pockets and extra zippers, a large chief compartment is typical of the best travel backpacks.
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