The best carry-on backpacks are spacious (sometimes even more than hard-sided luggage), easy to tote around the airport, and can be used as a daypack (or fold up to be stowed away) once you reach your destination. They toe the line between a straightforward backpack and a suitcase, allowing you to keep your travel gadgets organized while leaving ample space for a few days’ worth of clothes and shoes.
What to Consider
Size Compliance
This is arguably the most crucial factor. Airlines impose specific size limits for carry-on luggage, and exceeding these limits can lead to the inconvenience of checking your bag and paying checked-bag fees. Always check out your airline’s website for their exact dimensions and carefully measure your backpack before you fly.
Storage Capacity/How It Packs (Clamshell, Traditional, etc.)
Consider how much you need to pack and how long you’ll be traveling. A larger capacity bag (around 40L) is ideal for longer trips or if you tend to overpack, while a smaller bag (about 30L) may be sufficient for shorter trips and minimalist packers. Also, think about your preferred packing style. Clamshell-style backpacks open fully like a suitcase, providing easy access to everything, while traditional top-loading backpacks may require more digging.
Organization
A well-organized backpack can greatly enhance your travel experience. Look for features such as multiple compartments, pockets for smaller items, and designated spaces for electronics or shoes. Effective organization maximizes space and ensures you can easily locate what you need without unpacking everything.
Handles/Straps
Since you’ll be carrying this backpack more often than not, comfort is key. Look for padded shoulder straps and a hip belt to distribute weight evenly. Adjustable straps allow you to customize the fit, and sturdy handles make it easier to grab your bag like a duffel from overhead bins or to carry it short distances.
Durability
Travel, especially air travel, can be tough on luggage—we’ve all seen videos of bags getting tossed around. Make sure to choose a backpack made from durable materials that can withstand bumps, scrapes, and weather (think nylon, ripstop nylon, and canvas). Reinforced seams, water-resistant fabric, and sturdy zippers are all essential features to look for.
How We Selected
For the past couple of years, we consulted with Men’s Health editors and travel-savvy writers on the best carry-on backpacks. Our experts—including our Senior Gear and Commerce Editor Ryan Brower and contributor Will Porter—put a handful of carry-on packs to the test and evaluated their storage capacity, organization features, durability, weight, and price. While using these bags to destinations like Los Angeles, London, Scotland, and beyond, we paid close attention to comfort, ease of carrying, how they fit in overhead compartments, and whether they could handle the rigors of every type of travel.
The list below represents our top picks for the best carry-on backpacks in 2025.
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Runner Up
Cotopaxi Allpa Duo 50L Duffel Bag
Despite being just over a decade into existence, Cotopaxi gear competes with the heavyweights in the outdoor world. And the Allpa Duo 50L is a perfect example of the brand’s ingenuity, quality craftsmanship, and low footprint. Featuring multiple pockets and compartments, along with a spacious main compartment, our testers found this bag to be one of our favorites for keeping everything organized. We especially love the separate compartment for dirty laundry—which is a nice-to-have on longer trips where doing laundry might not be an option.
The padded shoulder straps are more comfortable than most others and the sturdy grab handles on either end make it very easy to grab off a luggage carousel or overhead compartment, even when fully loaded. Our testers have used this one on trips to Los Angeles and internationally, and found every time that it’s the ideal capacity and never a burden to be carrying. While the backpack straps are placed in a little awkward spot, they do fully remove if you need them to. And like all Cotopaxi products, the Allpa Duo is made with recycled materials, making less of an impact on the environment and minimizing waste.
| Volume | 50L |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 23″ x 13″ x 12″ |
Best for the Outdoors
Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 40L
Pros
- Sleek, close-to-the-body fit is comfortable even when heavy
- Easy to keep organized
- Compartments open far enough to pack the bag like a suitcase
Cons
- Not a good shape for bulky items
Our tester has used this bag on three trips just this year, putting it through the wringer on multiple flights. He’s carried it on with great success—its low-profile and boxy design make it the ideal bag to stow in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front, even if it’s packed full.
With a bevy of different compartments, with the main one being a large clamshell, this bag can be packed in a variety of ways. Having this sort of versatility means you’ll get plenty of use out of it. And it’s also got handles and straps galore for any sort of need: Two very ergonomic backpack straps (with a waist strap), a side handle, a top handle, and a detachable shoulder strap.
We know this is a carry-on recommendation, but our tester was extra smitten when he checked the bag and saw absolutely no damage to the contents, even with all of the straps out. The material is durable, the compartments open wide for easy packing, the zippers are extremely sturdy, and we could fit a full three days’ worth of gear in it at one time.
| Volume | 40L (can expand to 45L when fully packed) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 14″ x 22.5″ x 7.5″ |
Best Lightweight
Bellroy Lite Travel Pack
Pros
- Folds out flat for easy packing
- Barely weighs 2 pounds when empty
Cons
- No waist strap to compensate for heavy loads
If you want to keep things light when you travel, this is the pack for you. While it gives off a normal backpack vibe, the side handle, tuck-away backpack straps, and luggage pass-through features show this bag is meant for long-hauls. The 30L model only weighs 33.5oz when empty, but myriad pockets and internal organization will let you pack it full of gear when you’re ready to leave town (what Bellroy is really known for). The laptop sleeve holds laptops up to 16 inches, and a solid six-year warranty means you can feel good about throwing it around without repercussions.
| Volume | 30L or 38L |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 19.6″ x 14.17″ x 4.7″ |
Best Roller Backpack
Tumi International 2 Wheeled Duffel Backpack Carry-On
The only bag on this list with wheels, the Tumi International 2-Wheeled Duffel is one of the most versatile pieces of luggage you can buy. The duffel-style opening makes packing it to the brim a breeze, and the wheels and telescopic handle come in handy if you like to stuff your bag full. A luggage pass-through makes it easy to load onto a larger bag when walking through the airport, while backpack straps give you a comfortable carry option when you are lugging your bag down a cobblestone street in Europe.
| Volume | 40L |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 21.8″ X 14.0″ X 9.0″ |
What Are the Size Restrictions for Carry-On Backpacks?
This is a crucial question (and perhaps the most crucial question) since airlines can vary significantly in their allowed dimensions. It’s essential to check your specific airline’s website beforehand. You don’t want to arrive at the gate only to discover that your trusty pack is too large and needs to be checked, which could incur those pesky fees you were trying to avoid in the first place.
Can I Bring a Laptop in My Carry-On Backpack?
Yes, most airlines allow laptops in carry-on backpacks, but be prepared to remove them from your bag and place them in a separate bin during security screening. Try to find a bag with a laptop sleeve to make this process easier.
How Should I Prioritize Packing My Carry-On Backpack?
Essential items like medications, electronics, chargers, and valuables should always be the first thing you stow away in your carry-on. We also like to keep a change of clothes and some snacks, which can be lifesavers if your checked luggage gets delayed or you get stuck in a random airport trying to make a connection.
Ryan Brower is the Senior Gear and Commerce Editor at Men’s Health, where he tests the best products in outdoor gear and tech. Baseball, surfing, and camping occupied most of his time growing up.
He also trained in martial arts for 12 years and holds a third degree black belt. He has written about the outdoors for nearly two decades and was previously the Managing Editor, Content Performance at Gear Patrol. He is also a Certified Beer Server and previously covered the craft beer industry. Ryan currently lives on the water in New Jersey with his wife and their dog.
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