Buying guide
Carry-On Backpacks
Updated How we research
Bags that pass the gate and hold a whole trip. The page is split into four sections (Best carry-on travel backpacks; Packable backpacks for extras; Foldaway daypacks; Soft weekender alternatives), followed by every pick ranked by our score so you can compare them in one place.
The short version
We compared 16 picks. Our scores range from 6.9 to 8.6 out of 10, across $$, $$$, See on Amazon price bands.
- Best overall:NOMATIC 40L Convertible Duffel Backpack. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.6/10.
- Also great value:HOTOR Travel Duffel Bag for Women. Value score of 9/10, overall 7.3/10.
- Solid build:Osprey Farpoint 40L Men's Travel Backpack. Build and materials score of 9/10, overall 8.4/10.
- Feature-rich:Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack, Fatigue. Features score of 8/10, overall 8.0/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Best carry-on travel backpacks
- NOMATIC 40L Convertible Duffel BackpackOur score8.6/10
- Osprey Farpoint 40L Men's Travel BackpackOur score8.4/10
- Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack, FatigueOur score8.0/10
- Osprey Fairview 40L Women's Travel BackpackOur score8.0/10
Packable backpacks for extras
- WATERFLY Small Lightweight Packable Backpack: 20l Hiking Daypack Man Woman | 20L,Recycled nylon material,Multi-compartment storage,Water-resistant,Everyday carry,Ultra Light Foldable Travel Day PackOur score7.8/10
- G4Free 20L Packable Hiking BackpackOur score7.8/10
- Travel Lite Packable Daypack Backpack, NavyOur score7.1/10
- MIYCOO Ultra Lightweight Packable Backpack, GreenOur score7.1/10
Foldaway daypacks
- Herschel Little America Laptop Backpack 17LOur score7.2/10
- Nordace Siena Smart Backpack, 19L, KhakiOur score7.0/10
- Herschel Little America Laptop Backpack 25LOur score6.9/10
- Fjallraven Kanken 15in Laptop BackpackOur score6.9/10
Soft weekender alternatives
- CLOKARS Wide Open Travel Duffle Bag for WomenOur score7.6/10
- Women's Travel Duffle Bag, 35LOur score7.4/10
- HOTOR Travel Duffel Bag for WomenOur score7.3/10
- Topbag Waterproof Travel Duffle BagOur score7.2/10
All 16 picks, ranked by our score
Every product from the sections above, listed once. Sort by the criterion you care about most, or tick up to three to compare.
NOMATIC's 40L travel bag that converts between duffel and backpack carry, aimed at one-bag trips with a lot of organization.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Converts from duffel to backpack, so you can grab it by the handle or wear it through long terminals
- + 40L volume hits the usual carry-on ceiling, enough for a week of clothes with careful packing
- + NOMATIC is known for heavily organized bags, which helps travelers who like everything in its place
- - Convertible designs add straps and panels, so the bag is heavier empty than a simple pack
- - At full 40L it may exceed strict budget airline sizers, so check your carrier before flying
Osprey Farpoint 40L men's travel backpack with a stowaway harness and hipbelt, a direct-zip 3-1-1 pocket, laptop sleeve and WingJacket compression, sized for carry-on.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Listing says it meets most carry-on size limits, and the 40L size fits a one-bag trip
- + Direct-zip 3-1-1 pocket, front pocket, water bottle pockets and internal compression straps keep gear sorted
- + Stowaway harness and hipbelt can be tucked away in transit, with an adjustable torso length for a men's fit
- - A premium-brand pack, so it sits at the higher end of 40L carry-on backpacks, and the price on Amazon changes
- - Men's-specific fit may not suit smaller frames, and the listing advises checking airline rules for size
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L travel pack with a full-wrap suitcase-style opening, a padded 15-inch laptop sleeve, lockable zippers and a pass-through handle for roller bags.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Suitcase-style full-wrap zipper opening gives access to the whole main space, with 1 large, 1 medium and 1 small internal pocket
- + 15-inch padded, fleece-lined laptop sleeve, stretch mesh bottle pocket and lockable zippers cover daily travel needs
- + Tuckable shoulder straps and a hip belt help move weight off the shoulders, and 3 grab handles ease handling
- - Positioned as a premium pack, so it costs more than basic carry-on backpacks, and the exact price changes on Amazon
- - 35L is a mid-size capacity for a carry-on pack, so it suits lighter packers more than heavy packers
Osprey Fairview 40L women's travel backpack, the women's fit counterpart to the Farpoint, with a stowaway harness and hipbelt, 3-1-1 pocket and WingJacket compression.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Women's-specific fit with an adjustable torso length, giving a different fit choice from the men's pack
- + Listing says it meets most carry-on size limits, and the 40L capacity suits a one-bag trip
- + Direct-zip 3-1-1 pocket, bottle pockets and compression straps keep quick-access items organized
- - A premium-brand pack, so it sits at the higher end of 40L carry-on backpacks, and the price on Amazon changes
- - Shares its design with the men's Farpoint, so it adds a fit option rather than a different style of pack
WATERFLY 20L packable backpack in recycled nylon, 10.2 oz, folding to 8.7 x 6.3 in. A small day bag that stows in a suitcase.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Folds to 8.7 x 6.3 in and weighs 10.2 oz, small enough to stash in a carry-on
- + Recycled nylon body with polyester lining and SBS zippers, per the listing
- + 20L capacity with a main pocket, two front pockets and a removable zip pocket
- - Water resistant, not waterproof, and the listing gives no exact rating
- - At 10.2 oz it is heavier than the ultralight sub-4 oz packable bags, and the 20L space is limited
A 20L packable daypack from G4Free that weighs 0.64 lbs and folds into its own inner pocket at about 6.3 x 7.1 inches. Water-repellent Taslan nylon and a chest strap make it a simple day bag to stash inside a carry-on.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Folds down to roughly 6.3 x 7.1 inches and weighs 0.64 lbs, small enough to live in a corner of a carry-on until needed
- + More organization than most packables: inner zip and slip pockets, a front zip pocket, two side pockets and a front bungee cord
- + Adjustable mesh shoulder straps with a sliding chest strap, plus a zippered phone pocket on the left strap
- - Taslan nylon is described as water-repellent against light rain only, so it is not a bag for heavy downpours
- - No padded back panel or laptop sleeve is listed, so it carries soft loads better than electronics
A quilted weekender with a 180-degree wide opening, a ventilated bottom shoe compartment, a wet/dry pocket and a trolley sleeve. It comes with a clear toiletry bag and is listed as fitting the overhead bin or under the seat.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + Opens a full 180 degrees so the whole main compartment is visible, unlike a top-zip duffel you have to dig through
- + Separate ventilated bottom compartment keeps shoes or laundry away from clean clothes, and a wet/dry pocket handles damp items
- + Built-in sleeve slides over a suitcase handle, and a clear toiletry bag is included
- - About 20.9 inches long, so it fits under a seat only when lightly packed and may count as a full carry-on on strict airlines
- - CLOKARS is a lesser-known brand, and the quilted soft-sided body has no rigid structure to protect fragile items
A 35L weekender measuring 20.5 x 8.5 x 12.7 inches and weighing 2.1 lbs, with a flat bottom shoe compartment and a PVC-lined wet pocket. A toiletry bag is included and the padded shoulder strap detaches.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + Separate flat bottom compartment holds shoes or worn clothes away from the main compartment
- + Light at 2.1 lbs for a 20.5 inch bag, with one main compartment, two front compartments and two side pockets
- + Waterproof PVC-lined pocket separates wet items, and a toiletry bag comes with it
- - At 8.5 inches deep and 35L it holds less than boxier weekenders: 3 to 5 days of essentials by the listing's own estimate
- - LUOCIP is a lesser-known brand, so long-term durability is harder to judge than with an established luggage maker
A light 1.2 lb weekender in quilted water-resistant Oxford fabric with a wide-opening main compartment and a separate shoe compartment for up to two pairs. A budget pick for an overnight or personal-item-size trip.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + Weighs just 1.2 lbs, so more of an airline weight allowance goes to what you pack rather than the bag
- + Separate shoe compartment is listed as holding up to two pairs of women's shoes in sizes 7 to 12
- + Water-resistant quilted Oxford fabric with two-way zippers and reinforced stitching, per the listing
- - Sized as a personal item bag, so it holds less than the 35L to 40L weekenders here and suits overnight trips best
- - A 1.2 lb quilted fabric bag has little structure, so it is not the place for a laptop or fragile items
Herschel's Little America 17L laptop backpack, a smaller version of the classic mountaineering-style daypack for city days.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + 17L size keeps it light and slim for walking a city after dropping luggage
- + Classic drawstring and flap design has a timeless look that works with most outfits
- + Padded laptop sleeve lets it double as a work bag on business trips
- - Not packable, so it takes up real space inside your main travel bag
- - Magnetic flap and drawstring are slower to open than a simple zip top
The TOPBAG waterproof travel duffle, a weekender carry-on tote with a trolley sleeve for quick trips and gym use.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Waterproof fabric keeps clothes dry when caught out in rain
- + Tote-style handles make it easy to carry in and out of cars
- + Trolley sleeve attaches it to rolling luggage for longer transfers
- - Tote layout has fewer internal organizers than structured weekenders
- - Lesser-known brand, so long-term durability is uncertain
The Travel Lite foldable packable travel backpack in navy blue, a lightweight, water-resistant daypack that stows small.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + Folds into a compact pouch, so it hides in a suitcase until needed
- + Water-resistant fabric handles light showers on day trips
- + Navy blue is subtle enough for city use and outdoor walks
- - Thin straps with little padding can dig in under heavy loads
- - Check the liter capacity before buying to compare with other daypacks
MIYCOO's ultra lightweight packable backpack in army green, a waterproof foldable daypack for travel and camping.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + Waterproof fabric suits camping trips and rainy destinations
- + Army green color hides dirt on outdoor adventures
- + Ultra lightweight and folds small for minimalist packers
- - Check the liter capacity before buying to confirm it holds what you need
- - Lightweight fabric may snag on branches or rough surfaces
Nordace's Siena 19L smart backpack in khaki with a USB charging port, a compact daypack for travelers who live on their phones.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + USB charging port lets you top up your phone from a power bank stored inside
- + 19L size is compact enough for daily sightseeing without feeling oversized
- + Khaki color looks smart enough for dinners and business meetings
- - USB port needs your own power bank, since the bag itself has no battery
- - Not a packable design, so it does not fold into a larger bag
The Herschel Little America 25L laptop backpack, the full-size version of the heritage daypack with more room for layers.
Fit for the job 6/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + 25L holds a jacket, water bottle and snacks for full days of sightseeing
- + Padded laptop sleeve makes it a solid work bag as well as a travel daypack
- + Iconic styling and many color choices suit travelers who care about looks
- - Bulky and structured, so it cannot fold away inside a carry-on
- - Few external pockets, so small items tend to sink to the bottom
The Fjallraven Kanken 15in laptop backpack, a boxy, iconic daypack with a padded sleeve for everyday travel and work.
Fit for the job 6/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Fits a 15in laptop in a padded sleeve for work trips and cafe days
- + Durable Vinylon fabric typical of Kanken bags shrugs off light rain and dirt
- + Distinctive look and wide color range make it easy to spot and personalize
- - Thin straps get uncomfortable with heavy loads on long walking days
- - Rigid shape does not pack down, so it adds bulk to a one-bag kit
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One Bag Picks curates picks for US shoppers. Scores are our editorial assessment. We may earn a commission from links on this page.