8 Handy Carry On Travel Backpacks | The Best Of The Best 2019

A backpack so great you can fit half the house in it, that should be the tagline on some of these products, for their robustness and space truly give off the feeling of being capable of fitting most of everything you could imagine and sitting comfortably on your back meanwhile.

Your very best options on such carry-on backpacks are here on this list.

#1 Osprey Packs Porter 46 Travel Backpack

Personal Contribution: An ideal travel backpack. Compact, decently priced, carry-on compatible, and has a great warranty. Could I possibly ask for more? Why yes, it also looks fantastic and sturdy at the same time. My husband – predictably – prefers the black one, but I’m in love with Diablo Red.

#2 Pacsafe Citysafe CX Anti-Theft 17L Backpack

Part of the Pacsafe® Citysafe™ Collection. From the mountains to the coasts, you’ll be prepared for any situation with the Pacsafe Citysafe CX Backpack. Made of durable 100D Nylon twill with 75D polyester lining. Top carry haul handle. Adjustable, padded shoulder straps with Carrysafe® slashguard technology.

Slashguard anchor strap and Roobar™ anti-theft anchor lock help keep your belongings safe. eXomesh® slashguard panels protect against knives and blades. Quick-access, front zip pockets with RFID protection. Two low-profile, expandable side pockets are ideal for water bottles and compact umbrellas.

Passport and phone pockets, zippered mesh pocket, and 4 card slots feature RFID-blocking technology that blocks identity scanners from retrieving personal information found in RFID chips in I.D. and credit cards. Padded computer compartment holds up to a 13 inch Apple Macbook® or similarly-sized laptop.

Smart zipper security™ keeps wandering hands from entering your bag. Interlocking zipper pulls.

#3 Thule Subterra Travel Backpack 34L

The main reason why I really like this backpack is because of the side zipper. Traveling with our young family, we always need to quickly reach for items in the backpack, and this side zipper makes ALL the difference: everything in the backpack is easily accessible. On the contrary, when the backpack has a bottom zipper, only the items at the bottom are easily to reach. This backpack is also full of pockets to keep everything organized, it is roomy and very sturdy.

#4 Maxpedition Entity 27 Backpack

With a lockable main compartment and external pockets, packed with organising features, and 11 trolley handle pass-through, Maxpedition Entity 27 is the ultimate carry on backpack. It also comes with a secure and padded laptop pocket, ports for headphones and charger cables, and tuckable magnetic wings for temporary opening when you need quick access to your stuff on the go.

Its shoulder straps are padded and anatomically designed; there are also a chest strap and adjustable waist belt, and dual side grab handles. Made of 500D Kodra fabric with all stress points either bartacked or Box-and-X stitched, this bag is travel-proof and water-resistant.

#5 Recon Backpack

Personal Contribution: I travel a lot for work as my company, RunRepeat, is 100% remote. Our team is also staffed with a bunch of athletic-minded folks who like to run, hike and enjoy the outdoors. This backpack is great because it is all I need for travel.

I like to avoid checking a bag, and I can fit everything I inside, including my laptop, and the handy straps help distribute the weight so I don’t get a neck or back ache walking through the airport. When I arrive, I can empty the bag in my room, and the use it for hiking. Its a highly versatile bag for anyone who travels a lot, and a bonus for those who like to hike.

#6 Kosan Travel Pack System

The Kosan Travel Pack System is the world’s most comprehensive travelling system. A counter balanced, 5-in-1 detachable carrying system designed specifically for travellers, this incredibly durable two-bag system will change the way you travel, making your journey easier, safer and more comfortable than ever. It is water resistant, abrasion resistant and backed by a lifetime warranty!

#7 Alice Backpack

Business Contribution: Eila Chérie is a women’s lifestyle brand that empowers women to live boldly and affect change for others. We believe that empowered women can transform societies and have built a business model around that. We donate 10% of every sale to a nonprofit that benefits women. For 2019 we are partnered with the Global Fund for Women.

The unique part about our model is it is not based on profits, our donation is based on sales. As you know, as a start up, many businesses do not turn a profit in the first 5 years. With our model even if we are not profitable, we will still be making a donation.

#8 Solo New York Weekender Duffle Backpack

This backpack/duffel hybrid made for a weekend away. It’s hybrid design allows this backpack to have a large carrying space, but also be compact enough to carry on the plane without a hassle. It has a fully padded 15.6” laptop compartment, internal iPad/ tablet pocket, separate shoe compartment, large side zippered pocket and padded back and backpack straps for added comfort.

The recommendations of products and books within this article where sourced from industry experts. Their names and websites are listed below.