We’ve reviewed hundreds of the best travel bags throughout the years – from the best hiking backpacks to the best laptop bags, we know bags.
This article is fTravel or you if you don’t know where to start when it comes to travel bags. Are you a dedicated backpacker, a fan of the duffel bag, or maybe a devotee of the wheelie suitcase? Perhaps you’re not sure which type of travel bag you should buy or if you should make a switch.
Whether you’re a newbie or looking to upgrade and replace your existing travel bag, choosing from the best travel bags can be something of a minefield.
How on earth do you choose? The best way is to simply read on!
Keep scrolling and you’ll discover a wealth of detailed information on all the latest travel bags – backpacks, duffel bags, carry-ons, backpacks with wheels, and anti-theft bags; the list goes on!Quick Answer: The Best Travel Bags of 2022Best Travel Backpack – Nomatic 40L Travel BagBest Travel Backpack Runner-Up – AER Travel pack 2Best Travel Daypack – Tortuga Outbreaker DaypackBest Leather Travel Pack – MAHI Leather Overnight BagBest Eco Luggage – Monarc Brand SettraBest Travel Luggage with Wheels – Osprey Meridian Wheeled Convertible LuggageBest Carry on Travel Bag – Tortuga Set OutBest Anti-Theft Travel Backpack – Pacsafe Vibe 25Best Foldable Travel Bag – Wandrd Veer 18LBest Travel Duffel Bag – Osprey Transporter Expedition DuffelBest Laptop Travel Bag – AER City Messenger Bag
OVERALL BEST TRAVEL BACKPACK
OVERALL BEST TRAVEL BACKPACKNOMATIC 40L TRAVEL BAGPrice > $$ > Lifetime Warranty > Full of unique storage features
BEST TRAVEL BACKPACK RUNNER UP
BEST TRAVEL BACKPACK RUNNER UPAER Travel Pack 2Price: > $$ > Carry on friendly > Sleek, minimalist design
BEST TRAVEL DAYPACK
BEST TRAVEL DAYPACKTortuga Outbreaker DaypackPrice: > $$ > Laptop and tablet sleeves > Made with water proof sailcloth
BEST TRAVEL LUGGAGE WITH WHEELS
BEST TRAVEL LUGGAGE WITH WHEELSOsprey Meridian Wheeled Convertible LuggagePrice: > $$$ > Carry on size > Detachable day pack
BEST CARRY ON TRAVEL BAG
BEST CARRY ON TRAVEL BAGTortuga Setout BackpackPrice: > $$ > Book-style opening > Dedicated laptop and tablet sleeves
BEST ANTI-THEFT TRAVEL BACKPACK
BEST ANTI-THEFT TRAVEL BACKPACKPacsafe Vibe 25Price: > $ > RFID-blocking pouch > Interlocking zips
BEST FOLDABLE TRAVEL BAG
BEST FOLDABLE TRAVEL BAGWANRD Veer 18LPrice: > $ > Lightweight > Multiple pockets
BEST TRAVEL DUFFEL BAG
BEST TRAVEL DUFFEL BAGOsprey Transporter Expedition DuffelPrice: > $$ > Excellent all-round duffel bag > Protected pocket for tech
BEST LAPTOP TRAVEL BAG
BEST LAPTOP TRAVEL BAGAER City Messenger BagPrice: > $$ > Durable > LightweightHow to Choose the Best Travel Bag
When deciding between all of these great travel bags, how do you choose the best bag for travel? Here are some pointers…Size
One of the easiest ways to narrow down the choices is to consider the size of bag you require. If you’re searching for a bag that will see you through the daily commute you’re almost certainly going to need a smaller travel bag than if you’re heading off vacation away from home.
Generally, good travel bags of somewhere between 30 and 45-liters, unless you plan to use air travel check-in. If you have a lot of electronics, camera gear, camping equipment, or clothes (we’ve all been there!), then a larger bag makes much more sense.Style
If you have a travel bag you’re looking to replace or upgrade, ask yourself what sort of style it is – and whether of course, you like that style!
If you’re comfortable with a backpack-style travel bag, then focus your search on the same; whereas, if you prefer the ease of a duffel bag or wheelie suitcase, that’s the way you should be leaning.Weight
Will you be carrying your travel bag for long distances? Because if so, every gram (or ounce) of excess weight matters. While wheelie suitcases are a great idea for city movement, wheels always add weight to a bag and are a pain if you are heading off-road (or even onto the cobbles of a city like Paris).
Also, remember that weight is often a trade-off for durability, especially when it comes to travel and hiking backpacks. The more durable a bag, the more it tends to weigh. Understand how you plan to use your bag before buying the lightest or most heavy-duty pack!Are you traveling with Tech?
Are you traveling with tech? These days you probably are, whether you’re traveling for pleasure or for work.
In which case, do you want a rigid travel bag that provides protection, or perhaps a padded laptop sleeve or compartment? We have an entire section dedicated to good travel bags for laptops.
If this is the case, make sure the sleeve is large enough for your particular laptop or tablet too!Are you Hiking?
While some of the best travel bags are geared for travel, they’re often not designed for hiking. Some backpacks are designed for both travel AND hiking, but that usually means it’s not the best at either, just manageable.
If you want a backpack that you can take on the trails, then pay attention to how the backpack holds its weight, the suspension system (if it even has one), the shoulder straps, and waist strap comfort.
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For those who need a larger, more convential backpack that can handle all sorts of trips. These come in all shapes and sizes though our top choices are around 40 liters.
For more information on these sorts of bags, visit our IN-DEPTH guide on how to choose a travel backpack.Looking to Find Your Tribe?Networking or Digital Nomad-ing – all possible at Tribal!
Introducing Tribal, Bali’s first purpose designed co-working hostel!
A unique coworking and co-living hostel for those that want to travel the world while working from their laptops. Make use of the massive open-air coworking spaces and sip on delicious coffee.
Network with other like-minded travellers all day and if you need a quick screen break, just take a refreshing dip in the infinity pool or go grab a drink at the bar.#1 Nomatic 40-Liter Travel Bag
Nomatic bags have 20 innovative features to make your travels all the easier, such as a dedicated shoe pocket that keeps dirty soles away from the rest of your luggage, and a fleece-lined RFID-blocking pocket that will keep your electronic data and passports safe from illegitimate scanning by scammers. Pretty much it is the only travel bag under 40 liters you will ever need; which is why we chose it as your top pick.
This bag also incorporates a dedicated laptop sleeve, and is carry on approved for a plethora of international airlines!
We have so much to say about this bag that we wrote an entire Nomatic Travel Bag review.
ProsPerfect carry-on sizeTons of features for the modern travelerRFID-blocking pocketsLaptop sleeve
ConsPriceWeight is a tad heavy for some (1.8 kg)Soft frameHip belt must be bought separately#2 Aer Travel Pack 2
The AER Travel Bag 2 is one of the best travel bags, ever. We have no doubts about that. Pound for pound, we consider the AER Travel Pack to be as good as the Nomatic Travel Bag. They’ve designed and engineered a built-in solution to all of the previous problems we’ve had with travel bags.
This bag is great for digital nomads, backpackers, and business travelers alike. It is designed with your laptop and organization in mind. It’s 33 liters of backpacker perfection.
Use this bag as a daypack, a carry on, or both. You’ll appreciate the many pockets and storage features. Wear it around town to camp on your laptop at your favorite coffee shop or bring it on a plane without needing to check your bag.
For more details about the Aer Travel Pack 2, read our Aer Travel Pack 2 review.