25+ of the Best Backpacks for Travelling
Overview list | Buying guide | Reviews
Whether you’re a serious hiker, budding outdoor photographer or looking for something that will work for your daily commute and weekend trips away, these are the best backpacks and brands to put on your radar.
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Overview for the best travel backpacks
Read on for an in-depth review of the best backpacks on offer in 2025 or use this quick list as a starting point in your research for the perfect travel backpack.
Best overall: Columbia Unisex Atlas Explorer
Best for style: Bellroy Tokyo Totepack
Best lightweight: Osprey Tempest Velocity 30 Backpack
Best for multi-day backpackers: Fjällräven High Coast Rolltop
Best waterproof: Berghaus Arrow Backpack
Best for city dwellers: Columbia Unisex Convey II
Best from independent brands: The Travel Backpack Original by Wayks
Best for strenuous sports: Osprey Tempest Velocity 30 Backpack
Best travel backpacks
1. Columbia Unisex Atlas Explorer™ 16L
Price: from £56.53
Volume: 16 to 30 litres
Purpose: Walking, daily commuting and short breaks away
Available in multiple colours, this travel backpack is versatile, sleek and ideal for walkers. The main compartment can fit a 13-inch laptop, which makes this Columbia pack perfect for commuters, too. Other features include bungee storage at the front, where you can fit an umbrella or extra jacket, two water bottle pockets, and plenty of padding for comfort.
2. Craghoppers Kiwi Classic Backpack 22L
Price: from £32.50
Volume: 22 litres
Purpose: Walking, daily commuting and short breaks away
From Craghoppers Kiwi range, the classic backpack is perfect for walks, commutes and short weekends away. Padded shoulder straps and a back panel keep the pack comfy, and the interior compartments are great for organising your kit. The padded laptop section accommodates a 15” laptop or 12” tablet. There’s a handy zip compartment for smaller items such as headphones or cords. This backpack is made from recycled bottles, so you can boost your eco points with it.
3. Patagonia Refugio Daypack 26L
Price: from £90
Volume: 26 to 30 litres
Purpose: Walking, daily commuting and short breaks away
The Refugio from Patagonia is ideal for hikers. The midsized backpack has two main compartments, is made from recycled materials, and comes in a range of colours for the style-conscious. With a one-size-fits-all design, the adjustable sternum strap and mesh back panel allow for a comfortable fit.
4. The Travel Backpack Original by Wayks
Price: from €289 (note exchange rate)
Volume: 7 to 45 litres
Purpose: Camping, walking and short breaks away
The Berlin-based independent brand Wayks is on the pricier side when it comes to backpacks, but the quality, features, and modern design make it a contender for the best backpacks to purchase. The backpack has 13 detachable sections, including a detachable bottom that can be used for storing items that you do not want touching your other belongings, e.g., muddy shoes, a wet raincoat, or your lunch. Due to the detachable storage features, the storage capacity of this bag can range from 7 to 45 litres. This backpack is ideal for walkers and campers as it is waterproof coated, has a good back support and padded straps, and you can easily access your belongings without tipping the whole bag out.
5. Mammut Trion Spine 50L
Price: from £189.95
Volume: 50 litres
Purpose: Camping, hiking and mountain climbing
From the trusted Swiss brand Mammut, the Trion Spine 50L is ideal for those who need to pack a lot of equipment but want a lightweight pack with plenty of external straps. The large front opening provides easy access to the main compartment, and there’s a useful trekking pole carrier, adjustable suspension system, internal zipper for valuables and plenty of spine support, allowing you to walk comfortably, even with a heavy load. Lateral compression straps help to secure your contents, and the pack is compatible with a hydration system. Overall, this is a good backpack for mountain climbers and those taking on intensive hikes.
6. Berghaus Arrow 30 Travel Rucksack
Price: from £85
Volume: 30 litres
Purpose: camping, hiking and mountain climbing
The Arrow 30 travel rucksack by Berghaus is a sleek backpack for hikers. It has a 30-litre capacity and plenty of storage, including an attachment for your walking poles when you need to go hands-free. This pack also comes with a rain cover and chest strap, so you can carry your belongings with ease and don’t have to be afraid of the unpredictable British weather.
7. Patagonia Black Hole 25L
Price: from £134.99
Volume: 25 litres
Purpose: Daily commuting and hiking
This lightweight option from Patagonia is ideal for anyone looking for enough space to stash daily essentials, whether for everyday life or exploring a new place. This backpack is made from 100% recycled body fabric, has plenty of pockets, and comes in multiple colours.
8. Columbia Unisex Convey III 27L Rolltop Backpack
Price: from £80
Volume: 27 litres
Purpose: Hiking, commuting, and travelling
The versatile backpack is great for travelling, whether it be a short trip or a long getaway. It has a roll-top closure, is padded with a fleece-lined laptop sleeve that can fit a 15-inch laptop, has two water bottle pockets, an external zipped pocket for easy-to-grab items, adjustable straps, and more handy features.
9. Craghoppers Kiwi Classic Rolltop Backpack 20L
Price: from £35
Volume: 20 litres
Purpose: Commuting, walking and camping
Smart in style and functionality, the Kiwi Classic Rolltop Backpack by Craghoppers is a great all-rounder. With a 20L capacity and sleek design, you can use this to carry your essentials to work during the week and then for hitting the trails on weekends. Made from recycled materials, this pack is mainly polyester with a PU coating for water resistance. The RFID pocket is perfect for storing credit/debit cards, and the rolltop is secured with a sturdy strap for security. Padded straps protect your shoulders, and the padded compartment will fit a 16” laptop.
10. Fjällräven Kaipak 28L
Price: from £150
Volume: 28 litres
Purpose: day trips and short hikes
Fjällräven describes the Kaipak as rugged, robust and timeless, which rings true. There are several colours on offer in the streamlined design, all with the same 28L capacity. This pack is made from G-1000 HeavyDuty Eco in recycled polyester and organic cotton, and it can be coated with Greenland Wax for extra water resistance and durability. The trekking pole fasteners, side pockets, compression straps, rain cover and chest strap, make this a great backpack for hikers.
11. Berghaus 24/7 20 Rucsac
Price: from £33
Volume: 20 litres
Purpose: Travelling and everyday commuting
The sleek 24/7 pack by Berghaus is perfect for storing essentials on short walks. It’s lightweight and comfortable, and it can easily carry your walking equipment. With its laptop sleeve and compact size, this travelling backpack can also be transformed into a day bag, making it great for every occasion.
12. The North Face Base Camp Fuse Box 30L
Price: from £105
Volume: 30 litres
Purpose: City exploring and weekend breaks
Visually, the Base Camp Fuse Box from The North Face is like no other backpack on this list. The top-opening zip bag is perfect for city explorers. The zipped laptop sleeve and hidden smartphone pocket offer a little bit of security while on the move. To keep this backpack sleek in design, the water bottle holder can be found in the main compartment, along with zipped pockets and an easy-to-access key clip. If you’re one to fill your pack, on the sides, you’ll find handy compression straps to keep your kit secure.
13. Bellroy Tokyo Totepack 20L
Price: from £185
Volume: 20 litres
Purpose: Daily commuting
The Bellroy Tokyo range is designed to adapt to your day-to-day life, so this pack works just as well for your daily commute as it does for time spent exploring the coast and countryside. The stylish backpack has padded straps that unclip and fold away to transform into a handheld tote. You can fit a 16” laptop into the padded compartment, and all of the interior pockets make organising your kit easy. Bellroy ensures all materials are created and sourced sustainably and that the leather features have been tanned under gold environmental protocols.
14. Eastpak Tecum Top 23L
Price: from £105
Volume: 23 litres
Purpose: Daily commuting
For city lovers who carry tech, the Eastpak Tecum might be a great backpack option. The 23L pack has a padded sleeve to fit a 15-inch laptop and a padded tablet sleeve. The padded back panel, straps and adjustable chest strap are all designed to keep you comfy while carrying your gadgets around.
15. The North Face Borealis Classic Backpack 29L
Price: from £115
Volume: 29 litres
Purpose: Daily commuting, hiking and short trips
The North Face Borealis Classic can hold a 13” device and has a 29L capacity, so it can hold plenty of hiking equipment and gadgets. Some handy features include, two water bottle pockets, a front zip pocket and internal compartments to easily organise your belongings. A removable chest strap, winged hip belt and moulded straps with extra padding are useful if you are filling your pack to capacity. This is a hard-wearing all-rounder from a trusted brand.
16. Fjällräven High Coast Rolltop Backpack 26L
Price: from £115
Volume: 26 litres
Purpose: Camping and short breaks
If you’re after a lightweight, waterproof pack, look no further. The High Coast Rolltop Backpack is made from 100% recycled nylon and has taped seams making the main compartment waterproof. With adjustable chest and waist straps, this functions perfectly as a camping backpack but can be packed down to store when needed, given its lightweight fabric.
17. Vango Mica 25L
Price: from £36
Volume: 25 litres
Purpose: Daily commuting and walking
Part of the Earth collection, the Vango Mica 25 is made from recycled plastic bottles. This pack reduces waste without compromising on performance, as it has an adjustable harness for comfort, a breathable back system and highly durable grid patterned fabric. Zipped front and side pockets and a padded laptop sleeve make this a versatile option for lovers of the outdoors.
18. Vango Hex Rolltop 25L Backpack
Price: from £40
Volume: 25 litres
Purpose: Daily commuting, walking and short trips
A lightweight and comfortable backpack which is perfect for everyday activities. The Vango’s Hex Rolltop backpack has a roll-top design, allowing for more or less storage. It is made from tear-resistant recycled materials and has multiple compartments, including a padded laptop sleeve for a 15” laptop. Internal slip pockets can also store a 500ml water bottle, and the external bungee compression system is good for holding umbrellas or waterproof layers.
19. Craghoppers Prolite Packaway Backpack
Price: from £26.95
Volume: 20 litres
Purpose: Travelling, hiking and short trips
This versatile, lightweight travelling rucksack is perfect for short holidays or daily commutes. It has plenty of storage and cool features, such as a detachable zipped RFID pocket to protect your cards. You’ll also find that it has a detachable pouch, which can turn into a bumbag using the removable waist belt, making it perfect for travelling with a lighter load. If you’re utilising the whole backpack, you can easily carry heavy equipment as the adjustable shoulder and waist straps keep the bag secure on your back.
20. Jack Wolfskin Wandermood Roll Top 30 Backpack
Price: from £140
Size: 30 litres
Purpose: Travelling, hiking, camping and daily commuting
The Jack Wolfskin Wandermood Rolltop travelling backpack is worth the investment if you’re looking for a stylish everyday bag that can also be used for hiking, exploring the great outdoors and camping. With plenty of storage, this backpack has space for two water bottles, a smaller pocket at the front for important and easy-to-grab essentials, and an external cord to hold a jacket or umbrella. There is space for a hydration bladder, so you can stay hydrated on those challenging walks, and the backpack has great back support, padded straps as well as a waist and body support strap for heavy loads. You’ll be glad to know that this rucksack is also waterproof for those unpredictable British weather moments.
21. Berghaus Unisex 3D Freeflow 30+5L Rucksack
Price: from £180
Volume: 30 +5 litres
Purpose: Hiking, travelling and camping
The Berghaus Unisex 3D Freeflow rucksack is more than your average travelling rucksack. It’s specifically designed for different adventures in mind. Its top benefits include an adjustable length so you can be strapped in and hold your load comfortably, a 3D-printed lumbar for extra back support, and an airframe suspension to keep you cooler on hot and sweaty journeys.
You’ll also find features such as an expansion zip for more storage, zip pockets, a large front pocket and two deep side pockets, foam shoulder pads for comfort, a whistle for safety, walking pole holders, gear loops to attach extra kit and a water bladder.
22. Roxy Tribute 23L Snow Backpack
Price: from £80
Volume: 23 litres
Purpose: Snow sports activities and hiking
If you plan on hitting the slopes on your next trip, this backpack might be the one for you. Like most, it comes with multiple pockets for storing your belongings and water bottles, but the unique feature that makes the Roxy Tribute 23L Snow backpack stand out is its vertical ski and snowboard carry system. As a bonus, this backpack comes in a variety of great colours.
23. Osprey Downburst™ Mens 26 Backpack
Price: from £275
Volume: 26 litres
Purpose: Walking and outdoor adventures
Made with 100% recycled nylon, this backpack is both environmentally conscious and perfect for outdoor activities. It’s waterproof, has plenty of storage, an external hydration reservoir sleeve, space for trekking poles, and a chest and waist strap to ensure the pack is tightly and comfortably fastened.
24. Olpro 44L Travel Backpack
Price: from £52
Volume: 44 litres
Purpose: Travelling
The OLPRO travel backpack is a good bag for travelling. It features a large main section separated by mesh panels to keep your belongings safe and organised. The two front pockets are good for items that require easy access, and there's a padded section that can fit a laptop. The adjustable straps are good for even weight distribution, or you can change the bag from a backpack to a holder bag by using the side carry handles.
25. Fjallraven Abisko Hike 35 Backpack
Price: from £205
Volume: 35 litres
Purpose: Trekking
Available in multiple colours, the Fjallraven Abisko Hike 35 backpack is good for hikers. It’s lightweight, made from 100% recycled polyamide, has good ventilation, and is comfortable to carry heavy loads. In addition to its good storage, it has an attachment for trekking poles or an ice axe.
26. Montane Women's Trailblazer® 30L Backpack
Price: from £150
Volume: 30 litres
Purpose: Travelling and hiking
Made with challenging treks in mind, the Montane Women’s Trailblazer 30l backpack is worth the investment for those who frequently enjoy tough treks. The foam back panels and specifically designed shoulder straps create great support, and the breathable material makes sweaty hikes much more comfortable. This travelling backpack is lightweight, made from recycled materials, and has plenty of storage room.
27. Osprey Poco® with Raincover Backpack
Price: from £350
Purpose: Long walks and hikes with a baby
If you enjoy walks with your baby, you’ll find that a front carrier can be strenuous on long walks or hikes. The Osprey Poco backpack has incredible features to combat this. Although it’s definitely on the more expensive side of it, the features can be worth it. Your baby can sit in an upright position and fully use their arms. If the views aren't keeping them entertained, maybe the toys you can attach to the carrier will. It's easier for the carrier to load and unload the backpack, and there are plenty of storage pockets for your essentials. Other great features include a drool pad, which is machine washable, a rearview mirror so you can check on your little one, and a rain cover and sunshade making it usable all year round.
28. Osprey Tempest Velocity 30 Backpack
Price: from £160
Volume: 30 litres
Purpose: Running, hiking and mountain climbing
If speed is of the essence, check out the Osprey Tempest Velocity 30 backpack. This backpack has a running vest-inspired harness attached to it, a flexible back panel for comfort, and it’s lightweight, allowing you to move effortlessly. There are numerous storage pockets, an external hydration sleeve, an attachment for your walking pole or axe and a pocket to hold a helmet. Whether you’re climbing up a snowy mountain or sprinting through the streets of your city, this bag is perfect for storing your belongings and keeping your hands free.
How to choose the best backpack
Think all you need from a backpack is enough space to store your stuff? Well, pay attention because there are so many features to consider when buying a new pack. From comfort to different materials and finishes, we’ll briefly explain what to look out for.
Backpack size explained
Outdoor brands display the size of a backpack in litres. This measurement is the total capacity of all pockets combined. It’s good to remember that this isn’t the size of the pack in inches. Sometimes, a smaller pack in height and width may have a larger capacity than a pack measuring slightly taller or wider. This is why it’s handy to try a variety of sizes, even if you’re set on a certain capacity. In simple terms, backpack sizes can be defined like this:
Small: 6 – 10 litres. These are the smallest backpacks available. This size includes kids' backpacks in all fun shapes, small daypacks and bags for day trips.
Medium: 10 – 50 litres. These are day backpacks for men and women, walking and hiking backpacks, and those designed for commuting or short breaks.
Large: 50+ litres. This is where we start moving into rucksack territory, packs designed to carry enough for long backpacking trips, camping and expeditions. When you start looking at 70 – 80 litre packs, the size measurements start to become a big focus because a good fit will determine your comfort levels.
Backpack features to consider
All backpacks come with different properties and features you may find useful or even invaluable.
Rain cover - Some backpacks will come with these, or some will have them to buy separately. Rain covers are a good idea to prevent your backpack contents from getting wet – especially if you’re facing the UK weather.
External clips, hooks, and straps—Gear such as walking poles, sleeping mats, and other items you’ll need quick access to can be attached to the outside of your pack using clips. This is an especially handy feature for walkers.
External pockets - Again, handy for quick access items and water bottles.
Internal pockets—Internal compartments and pockets help separate items, keeping them safe and allowing you to grab things quickly because your backpack is more organised. Some bags will have padded sections for tech equipment, while some will have small zipper pockets for easy-to-lose items.
Compression straps—These can be found on larger backpacks and rucksacks. They can be on the top, sides, or front of your pack and help prevent movement by compressing the volume of your contents. Think about how you can squeeze a sleeping bag smaller than it is when rolled; compression straps help to do that.
Type of access—This is how the backpack opens to allow you to retrieve items from its main compartment. Different openings include top access (think large rucksacks), front access (think smaller day packs), and even side access.
Types of fastening—Zips, drawstrings, buckles, and roll tops are all examples of the different closure methods available.
Fitting your backpack
As mentioned above, it’s important when carrying a substantial weight on your back that your backpack fits comfortably. The size of your pack will depend on the length of your back and how much you can physically carry comfortably. On larger rucksacks, you’ll find the backstraps, hip belt (which will carry 70% of the weight), and chest straps are all adjustable. Some rucksacks will have an internal frame to help distribute weight and help you keep a good walking posture. Mountain Warehouse has a useful in-depth guide to fitting your backpack.
For more gear guides and inspiration, view our camping holiday advice.