Travelling with the wrong backpack can turn an exciting adventure into an unpleasant ordeal. Whether you're a globetrotter, casual hiker, or urban traveller, choosing the ideal backpack comes down to three simple questions: how many litres, for what purpose, and with what level of comfort? This guide answers all three, with a chart for each traveller profile and answers to the most common questions — especially for the carry-on backpack, now the number one companion for low-cost flights.
Criteria for Selecting a Backpack
To choose the right backpack, several factors must be considered to ensure comfort and practicality. A well-suited bag reduces fatigue and optimises storage space. The first step is to identify the type of travel backpack you need — here are the models our travellers choose most.
Size and Capacity
The size of your backpack largely depends on the duration of your trip and what you need to carry. For a long weekend, a bag of 30 to 40 litres will suffice. For trips lasting several weeks or months, consider bags between 50 and 70 litres, or more depending on your specific needs.
- Small capacity bags (20-35 litres): ideal for short hikes or city outings.
- Medium capacity bags (40-60 litres): perfect for week-long stays.
- Large capacity bags (65+ litres): suited for long journeys requiring a lot of gear.
Comfort and Ergonomics
A comfortable backpack relies on the quality of its straps and belt. Look for models with padded, adjustable straps and a belt to distribute the weight evenly around your hips, reducing the load on your shoulders. Another criterion often forgotten in the store but never on the road: the empty weight. Between a 2.5 kg bag and a 1 kg model, it's the difference of a pair of shoes — before you've packed anything.
Different Types of Travel Backpacks
There are various types of backpacks designed specifically for different kinds of trips, from city escapes to outdoor adventures. Knowing these types will help you make an informed choice.
Hiking Backpack
These bags are designed to offer ample storage space while being robust and comfortable. They often include features like compression straps, multiple pockets, and supports for walking sticks. For day hikes, there's no need to carry the house: an ultra-light, foldable model fits into the main luggage and unfolds once on site.
Urban Backpack
Designed for city environments, these bags are compact, lightweight, and often stylish. They feature special compartments for a laptop and other electronic gadgets. In the city, two options dominate: the classic urban bag with structured pockets, and the roll-top whose rolled closure adjusts the volume to the contents while blocking rain — our guide to the best urban backpack compares the two approaches in detail.
Water-Resistant Roll Top Backpack
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Carry-On and Airplane Backpack
This is THE question that comes up the most: which backpack for flying without checking luggage? An airplane backpack is sized for overhead compartments and the space under the seat. Two sizes to remember: about 55 × 40 × 23 cm for standard carry-on luggage, and 40 × 30 × 20 cm for the "personal item" on low-cost airlines — the small bag included in all fares, even the tightest ones. With 35 to 45 litres well organised, you can manage ten days without checked luggage. Also keep in mind the rules that apply to contents: the IATA's official baggage page reminds us that lithium batteries (power banks, laptops) must travel in the cabin, never in the hold. To choose the model itself, our comparison of the best carry-on backpack scrutinises sizes and openings.
Which Backpack for Which Traveller?
Rather than a list of brands, here's the grid we use to guide our clients: start with your travel profile, the right bag almost always follows. The litres make the selection, the details (suitcase-style opening, laptop pocket, waterproofing) make the difference day-to-day.
| Travel profile | Ideal capacity | Priorities | The right choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekend / city break | 20-35 L | lightweight, laptop pocket | waterproof urban bag |
| Plane in cabin-only mode | 35-45 L | airline size, suitcase opening | cabin or expandable bag |
| One to two weeks | 40-60 L | organisation, compression | expandable travel bag + organisers |
| Round the world / backpacking | 50-70 L | adjustable carry, durability | large volume travel backpack |
| Day hike | 15-25 L | featherweight, foldable | ultra-light hiking bag |
One last decision worth mentioning: backpack or classic travel bag? As soon as carrying is limited to the airport-hotel journey, a shoulder bag with compartments does just as well, often for less money. And if you're still hesitating on the format, the video below reviews the best travel backpacks tested in real conditions.
Practical Tips for Organising Your Backpack
Once you've found the bag that suits your needs, it's still essential to know how to organise it efficiently to optimise space and avoid clutter.
Use Packing Cubes
Packing cubes or storage bags allow you to group similar items by category (clothes, accessories, toiletries) and find them easily without rummaging through the entire bag. A set of organisers transforms any backpack into compartmentalised luggage: each category its cube, and the bag's contents stay in order from the first to the last day.
Consider Weight Distribution
Place the heaviest items against your back, at the centre of the bag, to maintain good weight distribution. This technique also helps maintain balance while walking.
Easy Access to Essentials
Keep frequently used items like water, maps, and travel documents within easy reach. Use side or top pockets for these items to minimise stops along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best backpack for travelling? The one that matches your profile: 20-35 L urban for city trips, 35-45 L carry-on for travelling without checked luggage, 50-70 L for long journeys. At equal capacity, decide based on empty weight, strap comfort, and opening (suitcase-style = access to everything without unpacking).
What is the best backpack for flying? A carry-on designed model: size ≤ 55 × 40 × 23 cm, full suitcase-style opening, laptop pocket accessible at security. Expandable models are the most versatile — compact in the cabin on the way out, unzipped in the hold on the way back to bring back souvenirs.
What backpack fits under the airplane seat? The "personal item" on low-cost airlines is around 40 × 30 × 20 cm (variable by airline). An urban bag of 20-25 L fits this size; check your airline's exact dimensions before you leave, as they change regularly.
What is the best carry-on backpack for flying? The decisive criteria: strict size compliance, 35-45 L useful, stowable straps if you check it, and water-repellent fabric. Our dedicated guide to the carry-on backpack compares formats for each airline and trip duration.
