Carry-on Travel Backpacks

Spacious, reliable, competent and comfortable — a good travel bag helps us get away for reals.

How to make your Decision

1

Price Expectations

Expect to pay $100-400 for thoughtful designs + legit materials.

2

Look & Feel

Click on the bags you like below to watch the video  and get an informed look.

3

Keep Notes

Note which bags interest you and what you like/dislike to help you make your final decision.

COMPARISON VIDEO

Here’s a recent overview of several of our favorite bags.
Roller Luggage
Most of my friends travel with roller luggage. I try to keep myself hands free.

Shimoda Carry-On Roller

Durable. Classy.

Shimoda Carry-On Roller

My personal favorite roller bag due to its solid durability, weather resistance and doctor-bag style opening. more


Eagle Creek 130L Cargo Hauler

Massive. Built tough.

Eagle Creek 130L Cargo Hauler

Excellent build and materials for a MASSIVE roller. We have an older version of this bag we’ve used for years. more

Eagle Creek International Roller Backpack

Roller + Backpack

Eagle Creek International Roller Backpack

A mix of both roller luggage and backpack in an international carry-on friendly size. Does it all and really well built. more


American Tourister Hard Luggage

Hard. Cheap.

American Tourister Hard Luggage

This is basically the most affordable well-reviewed hard luggage out there in an international carry-on size. more

Maximum Carry-on Size Backpacks
Nothing beats hands-free travel through cobblestone streets, packed concourses and sandy beaches.
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Pakt Travel Backpack

Modern Classic

Pakt Travel Backpack

After the success of their killer duffel bag, Pakt partnered with Chase Reeves to design a modern travel backpack for both pro travelers and weekend warriors alike. more


Trakke Storr Travel Backpack

Hip, boxy and old-world

Trakke Storr Travel Backpack

The Storr backpack from Trakke is a lovely 30L pack for travel and gear moving. more


Tortuga Travel Backpack

Padded. Protected. Bulky.

Tortuga Travel Backpack

Durable sailcloth, super comfortable straps and back panel, maximum carry-on size. Available in 40L and 30L versions. more

Nomatic Navigator Travel Backpack

Sturdy. Sleek. Spendy.

Nomatic Navigator Travel Backpack

A very solid travel backpack with nice looks, a structured shell, expandable capacity and comfortable straps. more


Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack

Soft & Durable

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack

The Allpa 35L travel pack from Cotopaxi is a well designed carry-on backpack with security features, solid organization and durable materials. more


Boundary Supply Arris Travel Pack

Sleek. Sophisticated. Comfy.

Boundary Supply Arris Travel Pack

The Arris from Boundary Supply boasts durable, sleek materials, sophisticated design and a badass harness system. more

Peak Design Travel Bag

Intelligent Design.

Peak Design Travel Bag

The Travel Bag from Peak Designs is an extremely well designed, quality bag for modern carry-on adventure, business travel and large camera carry. more


Gravel Travel 3-in-1 System

Clean. Bento Boxy.

Gravel Travel 3-in-1 System

A highly capable system of three bags: 42L backpack, 11L daily carry and 2L hip-belt-sling combo. Nice organization throughout. Lived out of the travel bag and sling successfully on the road. more


Wandrd Hexad Access Duffel

Burly. Compartmentalized.

Wandrd Hexad Access Duffel

The Hexad Access Duffel from Wandrd is a highly organized bag with multiple large compartments that’s great for anyone traveling with a serious camera setup. more


Topo Travel Bag (30 + 40L)

Durable. Organized. Playful.

Topo Travel Bag (30 + 40L)

The Topo Travel bag has a playful style, which I like a lot, but it is very serious about being a great travel bag. This is a classic. more


Zpacks Arc Air 50L Ultralight Pack

Ultra Light. Ultra Load.

Zpacks Arc Air 50L Ultralight Pack

It’s an ultralight pack (as in “doesn’t weigh much”) with a durable external material and a solid frame for comfort on long treks and breathability on the back panel. Fits everything. Quite a look. Quite a performance (for a particular kind of travel). more

Aer Travel Pack 2.0

Organized. All black.

Aer Travel Pack 2.0

A very well designed, stylish travel bag for one-bag travel with enough pockets, organization and access to make travel smooth. more


Nomatic 40L Travel Bag

Weatherproof. Organized.

Nomatic 40L Travel Bag

The Travel Bag from Nomatic is a solid offering in one bag travel. more


Kathmandu Litehaul 38 Travel Backpack

Light & Capable

Kathmandu Litehaul 38 Travel Backpack

The Litehaul 38 from Kathmandu is capable, stylish, boasts a very interesting pocket configuration and a more comfortable than normal harness system. more


Matador SEG42 Travel Pack

Ultralight. Capable.

Matador SEG42 Travel Pack

A very lightweight, weather resistant shell on a 42L capacity bag with several optional 6-12 liter segments. more


Trakke Storr Travel Backpack

Hip, boxy and old-world

Trakke Storr Travel Backpack

The Storr backpack from Trakke is a lovely 30L pack for travel and gear moving. more


GoRuck GR3 Backpack

Roomy. Ballistic.

GoRuck GR3 Backpack

Maximum carry-on size backpack with burly materials, a tight (and long) front pocket, a very protective laptop pocket and a massive main compartment. GoRuck shoulder straps are a personal favorite. more

Minimal Travel Bags
There’s nothing like the ease of travel that comes when you can fit it under the seat in front of you on the airplane

The Knack Pack

Solid. Suit-able. Will travel.

The Knack Pack

A very solid backpack for business environments that expands for travel and larger loads. The updated Series 2 design is even better than the first. more


GoRuck GR2 Backpack

Rugged. Forever.

GoRuck GR2 Backpack

The GR2 from GoRuck will last your entire life, features a segmented main compartment, is extensible with pouches and accessories and boasts a very rugged, handsome look. more


Heimplanet Transit Travel Pack

Heimplanet Transit Travel Pack

A really solid feeling bag with lots of pockets both inside and outside the bag and enough capacity for the minimal traveler. more

Minaal Carry On Backpack

Tight & Sleek

Minaal Carry On Backpack

This is the bag that started it all for me. The Carry On backpack from Minaal is one of the professional traveler’s best friends with its sleek design, killer materials and medium sized capacity for minimal travel. more


Bellroy Transit Backpack

Calming Capabilities

Bellroy Transit Backpack

The 28L Transit Backpack from Bellroy is nicely sized and well organized for big commutes, business travel and regular ol’ adventure travel. Innovative and classy bag. more

Arcido Akra Backpack

Tighter & Sleeker

Arcido Akra Backpack

The Akra backpack from Arcido is designed to be a minimal travel bag with clean looks and plenty of organization and pockets. more


Wayks One Transformable Backpack

Innovative.

Wayks One Transformable Backpack

A very functional eco-friendly bag, the Wayks One expands and compresses into multiple different functions, making it a great bag for daily and travel use. more

Duffel Bags
Duffel bags can make you look like a pauper or a king. Here’s my favorites. 

Peak Design 35L Travel Duffel

Simple, Techy Capacity

Peak Design 35L Travel Duffel

The Travel Duffel from Peak Design is a simple travel companion with some very useful features like weatherproof materials and killer external access pockets. Handles can be a little fiddly. more


Aer Travel Duffel

Solid. Organized. Techy.

Aer Travel Duffel

The Travel Duffel from Aer is an excellent “trunk style” duffel bag, but with a whole smattering of modern travel tools like laptop storage, water bottle storage, and tech organization. more


Pakt Anywhere 25L Duffel

Organized & Classy

Pakt Anywhere 25L Duffel

Great for short trips and shines as a daily carry brief/messenger due to all the organization, quality materials and thoughtful design. more

Pakt One Travel Bag

The Professional

Pakt One Travel Bag

The Pakt One travel bag is a stylish and extremely well thought through duffel bag for conscientious travelers. more


Boundary Supply Aegis Duffel Pack

Simple yet Sophisticated

Boundary Supply Aegis Duffel Pack

The Aegis from Boundary Supply is a killer duffel with excellent materials, thoughtful design, and just the right amount of pocketing. Bluesign certified. more


Bellroy Weekender

Big & Classy

Bellroy Weekender

A large shoulder bag/briefcase with casual style, premium materials and enough capacity for light travel or heavy everyday carry. more

Bellroy Venture Duffel 40L

Simple & Elegant

Bellroy Venture Duffel 40L

Simple, large opening, excellent materials. An instant favorite for the simple, solid duffel along with the Peak. more


Everlane Mover Pack Duffel

Affordable Killer.

Everlane Mover Pack Duffel

The Mover Pack is an affordable duffel with simple backpack straps, solid materials and a few solid pockets for organization. more


Peak Design Travel Duffelpack (65L)

Everything but Carry-on

Peak Design Travel Duffelpack (65L)

The Duffelpack from Peak Design expands from 45L to 65L (a little too large for carry-on on most airlines), has backpack straps that hide away, is made of weatherproof material and is a durable and organized companion for LOTS of different kinds of adventures. more