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Best backpacks for travel and days out
Backpacks are an everyday essential for hikers and holidaymakers alike, as well as commuters up and down the country.
We test the best travel backpacks for comfort, durability and ease of packing. We also measure how much usable space each bag has in the main compartment compared to manufacturer claims.
As well as our rigorous tests at Which? HQ, we take each backpack on trips across London to see how they fare when out and about.
Our three Best Buy backpack recommendations stand out from others at the back of the pack – including one cheaper backpack that we've named our Great Value pick.
How our tests find you the best
Size
How do we determine the packable space of a backpack? Hundreds of ping pong balls. Bags of the same litreage can vary wildly on space in the main pocket.
Durability
We load the backpacks up with heavy weights and leave them to hang by their straps. The best had no damage while the worst emerged with rips and tears.
Water resistance
If a bag can't handle a shower soaking, a downpour in the woods is out of the question. Our water resistance test reveals which keeps your stuff dry.
We also test...
How comfortable the bag is to wear and walk with. Also, how easy it is to pack with everything needed for a short getaway.
The best backpacks for travel and days out
Only logged-in Which? members can view the backpack test results below.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.
| Backpack | Price | Score | Comfort | Ease of packing | Durability | Size (litres) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sign up to reveal Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations. Unlock tableFirst month £5, then £11.99 per month, cancel at any time Already a member? Log in | 87% | |||||
| 86% | ||||||
| 84% | ||||||
| 78% | ||||||
| 75% | ||||||
| 74% | ||||||
| 71% | ||||||
| 69% | ||||||
| 69% | ||||||
| 50% |
Sign up to reveal
Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations.
Unlock tableFirst month £5, then £11.99 per month, cancel at any time
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Date tested: April 2024. Page last checked: May 2025. We are not able to show every retailer and cheaper prices may be available.
The backpacks we tested
All the backpacks we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view the best backpacks from our tests.
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Berghaus Unisex Trailbyte 30
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Capacity 30 litres
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Need to know 46 x 32 x 18cm (HxWxD), chest strap, padded laptop and phone pockets, two side pockets, top loading
Fjallraven Travel Pack
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Available from Fjallraven (£220)
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Capacity 35 litres
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Need to know 49 x 33 x 20cm (HxWxD), interior packing cube style, 15" laptop pocket, padded leather handle, clamshell loading
Herschel Kaslo Backpack Tech 30L
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Available from Herschel Supply Co (£140), John Lewis (£140) (Only available in store)
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Capacity 30 litres
Capacity of main compartment our tests revealed Log in now or join Which? to unlock our test results
Need to know 49 x 36 x 18cm (HxWxD), two side pockets, felt-lined 15/16" laptop pocket, chest strap, luggage trolley sleeve, clamshell loading
Mountain Warehouse Legion Laptop Bag 35L
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Capacity 35 litres
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Need to know 52 x 30 x 23cm (HxWxD), rain cover, padded 15" laptop pocket, chest and waist straps, clamshell loading
North Face Recon Day Backpack
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Capacity 30 litres
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Need to know 49 x 29 x 19cm (HxWxD), laptop pocket, two external side pockets, chest strap and removable waist belt, top loading
Planning an outdoor adventure? Take a look at our recommendations for the best tents and best sleeping bags.
Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Pack
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Capacity 40 litres
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Need to know 56 x 32 x 23cm (HxWxD), stowaway harness and hip belt, padded top and side handles, compatible with Farpoint daypack, whistle on chest strap, clamshell loading
Patagonia Black Hole Pack 32L
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Available from Patagonia (£155)
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Capacity 32 litres
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Need to know 51 x 27 x 21cm (HxWxD), padded 15" laptop pocket, two external side pockets, chest strap, top loading
Quechua NH Escape 500 (32L)
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Available from Decathlon (£44.99)
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Capacity 32 litres
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Need to know 50 x 28 x 23cm (HxWxD), 17" laptop and 15" tablet pockets, 6.8" phone pocket, two external side pockets, strap to connect to suitcase, chest and waist straps, clamshell loading
Check out the best walking boots and waterproof jacket brands.
Stubble & Co: The Adventure Bag
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Available from Stubble & Co (£210)
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Capacity 42 litres
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Need to know 53 x 36 x 24cm (HxWxD), interior packing cube style, rain cover, 16" laptop pocket, side handle, clamshell loading
Trespass 30L Multi Function Backpack Albus
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Available from Argos (£20)
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Capacity 30 litres
Capacity of main compartment our tests revealed Log in now or join Which? to unlock our test results
Need to know 45 x 30 x 20cm (HxWxD), two exterior side pockets, chest strap, top loading
How we test backpacks
We select the most popular backpacks from UK retailers and put them through a series of tests. We buy all the products we test so you know our reviews aren't influenced by freebies. We regularly revisit the backpacks on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing - and when we find them we do.
Each backpack is assessed on the following:
Comfort
A panel of testers of different genders try out all the backpacks and rate them on how comfortable they feel on their back and shoulders, how well they stay in place while walking, and how easy they are to adjust.
Durability
We use weights to stress-test the handles and straps, as well as putting the zips and straps through repeat usage, before checking for signs of damage.
Ease of packing
We pack each with the same checklist of items including clothes, shoes, books, gadgets and chargers to see how easy they are to pack.
Water resistance
We shower each backpack with water to simulate getting caught in rain to assess how well they keep your belongings dry.
Size
We individually count ping pong balls into each bag until full to measure how much ‘usable’ space you have in the main compartment compared with the manufacturer’s claimed litre size.
Why you can trust us: at Which? we're free from manufacturer and retailer influence. Find out more about our impartiality and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent.
20L, 30L, 40L or more? What size backpack do I need?
You may ask: what size backpack should I take travelling?
Backpack capacity is measured in litres, and typically varies from 20 litres to 80 litres. It’s hard to visualise ‘litres of space’, but as a general guide:
- 20-30L: sometimes called daypacks, 20 litre backpacks are suitable for day trips where you’ll only be carrying lightweight clothing, some lunch and a couple of drinks. It's a good size for a commuter’s backpack – especially if it includes a laptop pocket.
- 30-40L: a better size for a long weekend away or a day trip where you need to bring more with you.
- 40-50L backpacks and bigger: more suitable for longer camping trips, expeditions or extended holidays
Start planning better holidays using the expert tips in our free monthly travel newsletter.
Best backpack features to look out for
Adjustable or fixed frames
Adjustable frames allow you to lengthen or shorten the back. They tend to be heavier, but the upside is you can adjust them to your torso length until you get the perfect fit. And you can share one pack between two people simply by adjusting the frame depending on whose turn it is to do the carrying.
If you’re buying a fixed-frame backpack, it’s even more essential that you try the pack on, load it with a few heavy items and walk about to see how it feels before you buy. Some retailers will be happy for you to do this in the shop. If you’re buying online, don’t remove the tags or throw away the packaging until you’re sure it feels right.
Women may find they get a better fit from a women’s backpack that’s designed to fit the female hip-to-torso ratio more effectively.
Hip belts for support
For larger backpacks, a well-fitting hip belt (that sits on the hips, not around your waist) is the key to minimising the strain on your spine and shoulder muscles.
Padding
A padded hip belt and shoulder straps can go a long way to reducing discomfort on a long hike with a heavy pack. Even in summer with a lightweight pack, check that the strapping fabric isn’t too rough, as you may be able to feel it rubbing through lightweight clothing.
Ventilation
If you tend to build up a sweat, look for a backpack with a specially designed ventilation mesh or shaping that allows air to circulate between your back and the pack.
Waterproofing
It can be annoying enough if you get caught out in a downpour without the added hassle of all your gear getting soaked. Some backpacks are made of waterproof fabric, which can help to keep the worst of the weather off - but to make extra sure you might want to look for one with an integral rain cover.
Pockets and clips
Easy-to-reach mesh pockets for water bottles, secure pockets for your phone, and clips or straps for fixing items such as walking poles, are all useful features, depending on your needs.
What is the best backpack to take on a plane?
Many budget airlines like Ryanair and easyJet are quite restrictive with their baggage allowances and baggage allowances vary, so check an airline's baggage policy before deciding on the best backpack for travelling.
Check the dimensions of the bag (both when you buy it and when you've packed it). Size is what the airline will take into account. Two backpacks of the same litre capacity can be significantly different in size. Remember that how much stuff you cram into all the pockets in a backpack can affect the overall dimensions
Underseat storage - the backpacks we've tested are most likely too big to fit as underseat luggage. For this you’ll probably need a backpack smaller than 30 litres – or one that has been specially designed for underseat storage.
Cabin bags - all the bags we tested will be suitable as cabin bags on at least some airlines. We tested 30 and 40 litre backpacks. However, as it's about dimensions when it comes to assessing airline baggage, this doesn't mean all backpacks of the same litrage would also be suitable.
Be wary of backpacks that market themselves as ‘cabin-sized’ or similar, as there is so much variation - and some airlines' size limits are much smaller than you might think.
Check out the best suitcase and best cabin suitcase brands for alternatives.