For years, I have tested and traveled with all types of luggage. For men on the go, whether on the trail or at the terminal, a smart travel backpack can save you from chaos instead of leaving you in it. With airlines becoming more strict with their baggage policies, regular travelers (that’s 80%+ of us) are now packing only what can be taken as carry-on, so as to avoid checking bags. A great travel pack should be comfortable, organized, durable, and stylish. I’ve personally dog-walked with these bags, stowed my shoes in them while traveling, and even searched thousands of shopper reviews to find out what works best.
All the backpacks listed here are carry-on sized or slightly larger (35–45 liters), made from durable, recycled materials, and feature amenities such as padded laptop sleeves and lockable zippers. They’re hybrid packs, useful for both travel and hiking. Many cost more than $100, due to their high-quality construction and sustainable fabrics. Each listing includes awards, a combined true score out of 100 (derived from expert tests and consumer ratings), pros and cons, and detailed specifications to help you make an informed decision.
Note: If you purchase something through the links in this article, we may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you). Let’s take a closer look and discover which one is best to help you tackle the next challenge.
Our Top Picks
Top Travel Backpacks for Men:
1. Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack Del Día – Best for Organized Packing
The Allpa 35L Del Día is the perfect carry-on-only travel sweet spot. Packing is a breeze with the suitcase-style clamshell opening, and the interior organization ensures you won’t be searching for that one elusive item among your gear. This Del Día version adds a sustainability edge – each bag is one of a kind, made from repurposed deadstock fabric.
Cotopaxi optimized the weight support and shoulder padding, ensuring that this pack remains comfortable even when fully loaded. Air-mesh shoulder straps minimize fatigue, and the three grab handles facilitate easy airport transfers. It’s designed for urban travel, flights, and digital nomad life – not the Appalachian Trail.
If you’re looking for an eminently packable, carry-on-compliant travel backpack that’s both organized and comfortable, as well as environmentally responsible, the Allpa 35L Del Día is it. It’s not budget gear – but it is built to last and be useful, and definitely won’t get lost in the shuffle at baggage claim.
2. Thule Subterra Convertible Carry-On 40L – Best for Tech & Flexibility
The Subterra 40L’s core foundation is flexibility. It converts neatly between backpack and shoulder-bag modes, so it’s perfect for travelers who manage to pass through the airport, take a taxi to their hotel, and navigate city streets for a day or two all in one trip. The suitcase-style opening of the structured body ensures packing remains hassle-free and organized.
It’s carryable in backpack mode for short to medium distances, especially in cities. It really shines in shoulder-bag mode – with a sleek profile, a business-friendly appearance, and easy-to-grab essentials. 800D water-resistant nylon shrugs off daily abuse, scuffs, and light rain.
This is perfect for anyone who needs a one-bag that will do it all, from staying organized to keeping you flexible (on the ground only; it’s not exactly easy to pack), and looking professional while doing so. The Subterra 40L does all of this, and more. It’s not inexpensive – and it’s not for hiking – but for frequent fliers and business travelers, it can be a good long-term investment.
3. Patagonia Refugio Day Pack 30L – Best for Eco-Conscious Durability
The Refugio’s 30L capacity leans more toward daily usability and away from travel gimmicks. Without getting too tactical or overbuilt, the clean lines, smart pocketing, and comfortable carry are perfect for work, school, and light trips, allowing you to go unnoticed.
It weighs approximately 1.7 pounds, making it comfortable to wear throughout the day. The organization is pragmatic rather than convoluted – enough pockets to keep track of, but nothing that will slow you down. It especially works well as a commuter bag and personal item on flights.
If you’re looking for a reliable everyday backpack that handles tech accessories neatly and lasts for years, the Refugio 30L is the way to go. It’s not meant for intense travel – but for everyday life with the occasional getaway, it does exactly what it should.
4. Osprey Sojourn Porter 46L – Best for Adventure & Comfort
The Sojourn Porter 46L is designed for the type of traveler they are, when airlines allow. At the maximum carry-on limit, it still feels manageable, in part due to Osprey’s StraightJacket compression, which compresses the bag down when you have only a partial load.
The AirScape ventilated backpanel means you won’t get as hot while carrying your load, and the pack will stay tight on your back even when fully loaded. When not in “backpack mode,” the harness and hip belt neatly tuck away, converting the bag into structured luggage. It’s built for movement, not aesthetics.
For the most carry-on room with zero drama, the Sojourn Porter 46L is a beast. It’s not sleek or lightweight, but for long trips and heavy loads, it does precisely what serious travelers expect.
5. Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L – Best for Digital Nomads
The Tortuga Pro is designed in a way that’s more like real outdoor gear, not lifestyle luggage. The load transfer is remarkable, and the adjustable suspension system is what sets it apart from almost every other travel pack in this class.
The Tortuga Pro’s unfair advantage is its comfort. An adjustable torso height and a padded, structured hip belt help distribute much of the weight away from your shoulders. Packing is easy with the suitcase-style setup, and it’s also made easier by well-zoned internal pockets.
If you’re willing to spend twice the price for comfort, this is one of the best ever made in one-bag travel backpacks. It’s expensive, it’s heavy, and it’s technical, but damn, does it work well for long, gear-heavy trips!
6. Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L – Best for Photographers & Innovators
This bag was designed to be a jack of all trades, not a master of one. Hiking, travel, or camera carry – it shape-shifts through Peak Design’s modular system. Instead of a fixed capacity, the roll-top Ultra Cinch design adjusts the volume as you load.
The vest-like straps distribute the weight evenly and prevent fatigue in your shoulders if you need to wear it for extended periods. Its internal frame provides structure without bulk, alleviating stress on the shoulder. Its padded back and weight shift system improve comfort while commuting, in airports, on city streets, and more.
If you’re seeking a single backpack for travel, hiking, and photography, this is it. It’s not inexpensive, and it’s not quick to pack – though few bags are this versatile without compromising on quality.
7. Osprey Farpoint 40L – Best Hybrid Travel/Hiking Pack
The Farpoint 40L no doubt wins on price-to-performance. You get an actual suspension system, carry-on dimensions, and long-term durability at a cost that undercuts nearly every competitor.
Osprey’s internal frame and harness keep the weight clean for airports, cities, and light trails. The stowaway harness and hip belt ensure everything stays neat when checking or carrying, like luggage.
If you want the safest buy when it comes to travel backpacks, this is it. Not flashy. Not premium. Just brutally reliable – and unbeatable at its price.
Buying Guides and Gear Tips
If you want some ideas on what to expect when looking for the best men’s carry-on travel bag, here is a list of products alongside detailed information about each one.
Weight & Material: There is a great deal of variability in the price of a travel backpack you buy on impulse, ranging from cheap, which can be around $100, to dear, or approximately $350. If you’re on a budget, the Osprey Farpoint 40L (now $110-$140 in sale prices) is comfortable and durable enough for most travelers. More expensive backpacks, such as the Tortuga Pro and the Peak Design Travel Bag, might have nicer suspension systems and materials that will hold up better over time. Think of it sort of like shopping for an office chair: the $20 one is okay if you’re not a professional who actually works; ultimately, your back will thank you if you buy the nicer one.
Capacity Match (Don’t Overpack): With men’s and travel backpacks, 35L-45L is usually the sweet spot. For smaller bags (30-35L), precision packing is required, but they are more air-friendly in terms of dimensions. In contrast, larger bags (45L plus) can become more challenging to meet airline restrictions, and will naturally encourage you to pack a little too much. And if you travel frequently, adherence to the carry-on luggage rules has saved me hundreds of dollars in fees at airports and online with various airlines.
Style Matters: Pack bags that can be opened all the way (not just the top) to become a neat clamshell suitcase pack are also so much better for travel, you will pack and unpack in half the time – seeing everything instantly when opening – even inside your hotel room or in a hostel. A roll-top bag is more versatile and weatherproof, but it also has a slower access point if you’re taking items in and out of your bag dozens of times a day.
Don’t Skimp on Comfort: A backpack can be stylish, yes, but if it carries horribly, you’re going to be in trouble. Cushioning and weight distribution are important, but so is support (especially when you’re lugging 8-10 kg of luggage around). Straps, the curve of the back panel, and hip support are a higher priority than how a pack looks after long travel days.
The C2 also contains a postural feature that promotes an upright posture. And search for great padding, intelligent placement, and easy access for airport security personnel. Bad laptop sleeves can definitely add a new cause of anguish to your trip (years of which you travel already may just be a hassle), and these models improve the odds that something will go terribly awry.
Weight & Material: Especially, an empty weight is more impactful than most think. 4 lbs (1.8 kg) is definitely my ceiling; it would have to be the most comfortable thing I have ever worn in my life, or a work of art of palace-build quality to outweigh more than 4 pounds (1.8 kg). For the most part, materials that sound rough and ready (400D-800D nylon or something like sailcloth), along with good-quality zippers, suggest a backpack not built for a couple of trips but rather to endure through years.
Returns and Real-World Testing: For any one of these you buy off the internet, think about what sort of return policy is available. Fill the bag completely full, but don’t let that deter you from even heavier lifts if you feel you’re ready for them. Bring it upstairs and let it sit for a while — 20 to 30 minutes, say. The pain sets in right away, and they learn before the first time, not halfway through the trip.
Read more about our top 7 hiking boots for men herePro Tip: If you can’t decide between two packs, pick the one that carries well over the one that looks cool. By the second or third day on the road, you’re just looking for comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best travel backpack for men’s size?
A: I recommend a small backpack with a capacity of 35-45L, most experts agree, and other bloggers do too. This is generally considered carry-on approved, although it’s not ideal for longer trips (such as a weekend). It’s airline-compliant and comes with a week’s worth of gear inside. However, less than 30L is possible, but it may be too small for long trips, and over 45L won’t fit into overhead bins. Be sure to check your airline’s carry-on size restrictions.
Q: What to consider while buying travel backpacks for men?
A: It matters, all right. Comfort (adjustable and padded straps), durability (reinforced fabrics, heavy-duty zippers), and organization (a padded laptop sleeve, multiple pockets) are key to avoiding the need to replace your backpack every year. Also, be sure to keep an eye out for amenities like lockable zippers and a luggage pass-through strap for trolley handles.
Q: Does it seem worth spending a good bit of money (I was thinking over a hundred) on the backpack?
A: Generally, yes. At the higher end, bags are made from more durable materials (e.g., 900D nylon, special coatings) and come with genuine warranties (e.g., Osprey’s All Mighty Guarantee, Patagonia’s Ironclad Warranty). They last for years. Expensive to make, high-denier recycled nylon, like that found in bags from Patagonia, will last many times longer than cheaper packs, GearJunkie reports.
Q: How can I be more eco-conscious with my travel backpack?
A: Choose a pack made from recycled or upcycled materials (like Patagonia and Cotopaxi’s 100 percent recycled fabrics). By flying only occasionally, you also reduce the volume of fuel burned during flights. A well-maintained backpack can last a decade or more and is thus the greenest option.
Q: Can I use these travel backpacks for hiking?
A: Some hybrid travel packs (like certain Osprey Farpoint or Sojourn models) have hiking-style frames and belts, so they can be used for light trekking or urban hikes. For something more serious, you might be better off with a bona fide hiking pack that includes a true frame and a hydration system. However, many of the bags mentioned, such as the Allpa or Farpoint, perform well off-road when packed correctly.