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From sporty to sleek, these are the best backpack brands for every occasion. Kid School Bag Backpack
Whether you’re a frequent flyer, an outdoor enthusiast, a student, or a commuter, a reliable backpack will serve you well. These bags offer hands-free carrying convenience, and can be especially useful for travel, thanks to large capacities and numerous zippered compartments. Some styles even boast moisture-wicking, quick-drying materials that are great for active pursuits like hiking and climbing.
We tested well over 150 backpacks so we feel confident recommending our favorite brands to suit any traveler’s style and needs, with options for those who prefer sleek designs, ample pockets, handy tech features, and more. When evaluating standout picks from our top brands, we kept durability, capacity, design, comfort, and overall value in mind with our top recommendations. We will update this article as we test even more backpacks to reflect our findings.
Herschel boasts a huge range of retro backpack styles, from packable day bags to roomy weekenders — all with ample pockets and comfortable straps.
Most of the bags feature prominent branding.
Herschel earns our pick for top backpack brand thanks to the wide range of styles and sizes, all crafted from high-quality materials that are designed to last a lifetime. From slick, weather-resistant weekenders to compact everyday bags made from recycled plastic, there’s something for everyone with a size range of five to 30 liters.
As you shop the various silhouettes, you’ll spot a variety of vintage-inspired designs — the brand is instantly recognizable for its signature front straps with magnetic buckle closures — as well as more modern styles. The Kaslo Backpack Tech is our favorite of the bunch, thanks to its impressive capacity. We found that it fits a few days’ worth of clothing, as well as multiple laptops, toiletries, and a small camera. It’s perfect for travel days, as it slips right onto your carry-on via a luggage trolley sleeve, plus it has three compartments to help with organization and ensure your passport and other airport essentials stay within reach.
The Details: 30-day return policy | Limited lifetime warranty
Gregory offers an extended size range from youth to 6XL.
The bags aren’t machine-washable, so you'll need to spot-clean them or hand-wash them.
For over 40 years, Gregory has been one of the leading names in outdoor gear, producing rugged and lightweight bags for day hikes or months-long backpacking trips — several of which make our list of ideal packs for backpacking. What sets the brand apart — beyond high-performance material that’s moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and ventilated for maximum breathability — is its size-inclusive range of backpacks, which runs up to 6XL. These bags feature extended padding, easier access to pockets, and larger hip belts for additional comfort.
Gregory is also a favorite for sports enthusiasts thanks to revolutionary Hydro Tanks. Designed for hikers and cyclists, these 3D reservoirs make it easier than ever to hydrate on the go, without stopping to take off your backpack, and they also dry quickly and easily. When done, you can slip them into a dedicated pocket that doubles as a small laptop or tablet sleeve. The Swift 22 H2O was one of our favorite Gregory backpacks that we've tested, featuring ample padding and custom-fit straps that make it an extremely comfortable pick for hikers of all levels and body types.
The Details: 14-day return policy | Limited lifetime warranty
Samsonite brings the same innovation and durability to its travel-ready backpacks — and some even come with wheels.
Multiple external pockets and zippered compartments make most of the brand’s pieces more functional than fashionable.
Samsonite is a legacy brand that has been making its mark on the luggage industry for over 100 years, crafting some of the most durable and functional pieces on the market — a reputation which extends to its backpacks as well. Whether you’re looking at a rolltop or a convertible leather bag, it’s bound to have ample compartments for all of your belongings, from a protected laptop sleeve to easy-access external pockets for travel essentials like a passport and boarding pass.
We’re big fans of the Samsonite Elevation Plus Backpack, which has the perfect amount of pockets for organization and a sneakily large capacity thanks to the expandable zipper that adds extra space. It has everything a traveler would want in a functional backpack, and it looks nice, too. We appreciated that the front pocket has a magnetic flap over the zipper to make it more secure, and we loved how easy it was to It was adjust the backpack straps (which is not always the case). There is also a ton of padding on the back of the bag and on the shoulder straps, making it comfortable to carry on long travel days.
The Details: 60-day return policy | Limited 10-year global warranty
Cotopaxi stands out for its vibrant, multi-colored designs that are also eco-friendly.
The bags don’t offer the same structure as a standard backpack.
Known for brightly colored outdoor gear prominently emblazoned with a llama, Cotopaxi strives to make a positive impact on the planet through a number of sustainability initiatives. Ninety-four percent of the carbon-neutral company’s products are crafted from recycled, repurposed, or responsible (GOTS-certified) materials at factory partners with exceptionally high codes of conduct. Through the Cotopaxi Foundation nonprofit, the brand is able to allocate one percent of its annual profits to support communities in need, providing health care and education to underserved areas in Latin America.
Cotopaxi produces everything from barely-there drawstring bags to 42-liter packs that can fit everything you’d need for an extended trip. Our favorite Cotopaxi backpack is the Allpa 35L Travel Pack, which is so comfortable and loaded with handy features, like a hidden external laptop sleeve (so there’s no need to open up your entire bag in the TSA line). There’s also an easy-access zip pocket for your passport and keys, and four interior zippered sections to keep everything organized. Anti-theft zippers and a built-in rain cover are the cherry on top for this bag, which can easily replace your carry-on for long weekend trips, too.
The Details: 60-day return policy | Lifetime warranty
It genuinely doesn’t get more classic or convenient than an L.L.Bean backpack.
The designs of the school and hiking backpacks all skew rather sporty.
One of the most trusted names in outdoor gear since 1911, L.L.Bean has been innovating on classic forms for over a century. The brand’s school book packs in particular are the prototype for so many dupes on the market, thanks to their lightweight yet ultra-hardy material and features like padded straps and ample pockets of various sizes.
For younger kids in particular, the L.L.Bean Deluxe 32-liter Book Pack is a game changer in terms of staying organized and not feeling weighed down. The weatherproof, capacious bag has enough pockets to keep small belongings safe without losing track of them and space to comfortably fit several folders and binders, a textbook, some library books, a water bottle, and a snack — plus, we found that there’s even room to stuff a packable winter coat inside.
The Details: 1-year return policy | 1-year warranty
Monos crafts sleek pieces for travelers who need the organization and portability of a backpack but typically struggle to find one stylish enough to suit them.
The brand only has one backpack style and size.
A favorite brand among travel editors and celebrities alike, Monos is a fairly young luggage label that makes some of the most streamlined silhouettes on the market. The minimalist pieces are easy to mix and match, and the Metro Collection in particular features durable nylon or vegan leather accessories designed to enhance any trip.
While there is only one backpack available, it’s sure to please the more style-conscious jetsetter in your life. The Metro Backpack is perfect to use solo for weekend trips or as a personal item (in addition to a carry-on) for longer getaways. We found the clamshell design makes it super easy to pack, and it comes with a detachable Metro Classic Kit, which functions as a portable dopp kit where you can store all your in-flight essentials within easy reach.
The Details: 30-day return policy | 2-year limited warranty
Many of the brand’s backpacks can be attached to other bags so you can customize your total capacity.
Several features are geared toward advanced outdoorsmen, like built-in whistles and attachments for trekking poles or ice axes.
Launched in 1974, Osprey has earned its reputation as one of the most trusted backpack brands on the market thanks to its enormous selection of styles, which are tailored to all sorts of activities. Whether you’re a cyclist, climber, hiker, winter sports enthusiast, or world traveler, there’s a backpack made to suit your style. Osprey’s bags range in size from nine to 70 liters and are mostly compatible as attachments, so you can mix and match sizes to find your perfect fit. The environmentally conscious brand also strives to minimize waste, preferring to repair rather than replace applicable warranty products.
For both day hikers and travelers looking for a small personal item, the Osprey Daylite Plus Pack is one of our top picks thanks to a number of features that can be interpreted based on your desired usage. A padded laptop sleeve doubles as space for an hydration reservoir, while a removable webbed hip belt allows for a custom fit. The best part about this water-repellent bag is how lightweight it is — just 1.3 pounds — and how evenly it distributes weight across your back.
The Details: 30-day return policy | Limited lifetime warranty
City-dwellers will love the utilitarian design of these unisex backpacks, which are shockingly spacious for how compact they appear when empty.
The features are best suited for everyday commuters or those traveling with multiple tech devices as the backpacks aren’t as breathable for outdoor pursuits.
Solo New York has a range of travel-ready backpacks that are designed to make city living and commuting easier, thanks to their sleek designs and an impressive number of compartments and zippered closures to offer additional security. While these aren’t the best choice for serious hikers — they’re not quite as breathable as other lightweight bags designed for more active outdoor use — they’re ideal for anyone looking to stay organized on the go.
For daily use and on shorter trips, we love the Solo Re:Define Backpack for its deceptively slim design and exceptional storage capacity. There are plenty of zippered pockets to keep your valuables organized, plus modern details like an external USB port, a headphone jack, an RFID-blocking pouch, and a laptop compartment with lockable zippers.
The Details: 30-day return policy | 5-year warranty
You can customize any Paravel piece with a monogram.
There aren’t many bells and whistles on the two sizes available of the pared-down backpack.
Paravel is one of the chicest brands on the market, making it a stylish and lightweight choice for travelers who are looking for a way to tote around just the essentials. The brand, which is famous for its luxurious luggage and coordinating duffel bags, offers two sizes of folding backpacks made from upcycled plastic bottles.
For days when you’re looking to carry a few personal items (think: your phone, wallet, keys, plus sunscreen, a book, and a light sweater), the Paravel Mini Fold-Up Backpack is ideal for stashing your things without weighing you down. We especially love how it folds flat and zips up right into itself to fit into another bag or coat pocket without requiring a separate case.
The Details: 30-day return policy (excluding personalized pieces)
Jansport makes some of the sturdiest student-style backpacks in a wide range of colors and patterns.
The fabric cover on the zippers makes it difficult to open them one-handed.
Jansport is one of the most beloved, well-priced backpack brands for students of all ages, thanks to ultra-durable packs that are structured enough to keep your things safe, yet flexible enough to stuff full without losing their shape. The brand is also famous for its generous warranty policy that will replace your bag under a wide range of circumstances, which only adds to the overall value.
Everyone from travelers to students will appreciate the Jansport Main Campus, which features mesh straps for better breathability, an external water bottle holder, and a cushy laptop sleeve. We especially appreciated how the front zippered pocket comes with an organizer to keep your pens, phone, wallet, and other small essential always close at hand.
The Details: 60-day return policy | Limited lifetime year warranty
The Travel + Leisure team has tested more than 150 backpacks in our New York City testing lab as well as out in the real world. We checked out a wide variety of models from the most reliable, top-rated brands, considering legacy brands as well as newer additions to the market. We evaluated each bag for durability, capacity, design, comfort, and overall value by packing them with clothing; laptops (if they had a designated laptop sleeve); water bottles; and travel essentials like passports, headphones, clothes, and more.
In our lab, we dragged the fully packed bags over various flooring materials, kicked them, and threw them off of tables to test for potential wear and tear and to see if the pockets kept everything in place. To see how they’d perform in real-life environments, we also brought these backpacks on hikes, to classes, and on train and plane trips, noting how they stood up to rugged use outside of the lab. The backpacks with the highest average ratings across categories were selected for this roundup, and we continue to test each bag for a period of six months through our personal travels. We will continue to update this article as we test more bags.
While we’ve provided a brief overview of some of our top-ranked brands here, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with a few brands before selecting a backpack, especially if you need it for specific purposes like outdoor sports and want to get a sense of the special features on offer. You’ll want to pay close attention to the brand’s return policy and warranty, as these can add peace of mind in the event that your backpack arrives damaged or isn’t the right fit for your needs. Some brands, like Jansport, are famous for repairing and replacing warranty-approved items throughout their lifetime, too.
If you’re a commuter looking for a sleek, secure pack that won’t bonk other people on the subway, your backpack is going to look and feel a lot different than an avid climber who needs all sorts of external attachments and pockets. Consider the primary use for your backpack, whether you’re regularly jetsetting on business trips and require carry-on capacity (and the ability to squish your bag under the seat in front of you) or if you need lots of pockets for keeping track of water bottles, layers, snacks and more for outdoor adventures. You're going to want to prioritize durability and weatherproof materials if you plan on using it for hiking, while you may want something more stylish for work or business trips. Deciding if you’d prefer a more sporty or sophisticated look will help you to narrow down brands as well.
A backpack that rips or bursts open while you’re on the go is a nightmare — and so is one that chafes or bumps against your skin all day long. Invest in a backpack made from high-quality materials that are designed to stand the test of time and that feel comfortable enough for all-day wear. Breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics are ideal, as they tend to be more lightweight and will serve you well in a variety of situations. Look for padding on the straps to help make it easier on your shoulders, too.
Whether or not your backpack can be used as a personal item will depend primarily on its size. Generally speaking, most airlines allow for a personal item up to 18 x 14 x 8 inches in size — although budget airlines can sometimes be more particular, so always remember to check with your carrier first. Beyond fitting the size requirement, you’ll want to select a backpack with some give so you can comfortably squish it underneath the seat in front of you or stuff it into an overhead bin. Backpacks with external pockets are also ideal as personal items as they make it easy to access your travel essentials — like a passport, boarding pass, train tickets, laptop, and toiletries for longer flights — without having to open or unpack the entire bag.
For this story, T+L contributor Sophie Dodd researched a variety of backpack brands and poured over testing results in order to select the top backpack brands for every type of traveler, as well as standout products from each one. As a seasoned traveler who’s relied on a number of backpacks over the years, she relied on her vast personal experience, too.
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