9 Best Travel Backpacks for Women in 2026, Tested by Editors

Credit: Florence Sullivan for Women's HealthProsMade from rip-proof fabric that’s extremely durableBungee system in the front compresses to hold extra items Laptop compartment sits above bottom of the bag to protect computer dropsConsStraps and clips can easily snag onto other items The North Face Borealis is a classic backpack that’s been around for decades—25 years to be exact, and many people who own the cult-favorite bag will tell you they’ve had one for years. The Borealis was originally designed to be used on the trails, but it’s so spacious and easy to organize that it has gained a reputation as a commuter and travel backpack as well.Assistant social media editor Isabel McMahon says she’s been personally using this bag for years because it’s so comfortable and durable. “The padded back is essential for a long travel day,” she says. McMahon also says the bag’s internal laptop compartment (which fits a computer up to 16 inches) is “next-level,” as it sits a few inches above the bottom of the bag to protect your electronics from accidental drops. The inside also features other small pockets for a phone, documents, and other tiny valuables.We particularly love that this backpack is designed from a recycled nylon and polyester fabric blend that’s both water-repellent and hard to rip. That’s one of the reasons the bag is so durable—it can truly last decades when cared for. The iconic bungee cord system in the front adds a stylish note that makes this backpack stand apart from other options, but the cords are also functional, too. These can be tightened to hold other essentials, like a water bottle, travel blanket, or jacket.McMahon’s only complaint about this bag is that there are a lot of straps and clips, which can sometimes get in the way and accidentally snag onto other items, she says. Still, she raves that it makes the perfect bag for a weekend trip at 27 liters.Another cool feature of this bag is that it’s made with North Face’s FlexVent system, certified by the American Chiropractic Association. This means the shoulder straps and back panel are designed to contour to the curvature of your spine, so that the bag is easier to hold and there’s less of a chance of you experiencing soreness or fatigue.Read More: Best Travel Essentials for WomenLiters27LCompartments And SupportPadded back panel, suspended laptop compartment, reflective light look, panel of small pockets on the inside for storing valuablesClosure SystemU-shaped openingProsWater-repellent fabricComfortable on your back and shouldersThree separate compartments for easy access to essentialsConsSome reviews say it’s not durableAs denoted by its name, the Triple-Zip Backpack has three main zipper compartments. The main center compartment, the large front pocket, and an external padded laptop pocket that can fit up to a 16-inch laptop. Each pocket is strategically placed, so you have easy access to your laptop, hydration, and any small essentials without having to dig into the main compartment.Lululemon’s Tech Canvas material features reflective details and is made from recycled polyester, which is water-repellent, making this backpack a great choice for travel. It also has a trolley-compatible sleeve to slip over your luggage while making your way through the airport.We love the attention to detail built into the thick padded straps—they sit closer together on the back to evenly distribute the load and have an adjustable sternum strap. Plus, load-lifter straps secure the bag to your upper body and the cushy back panel provides lumbar support.Liters28LCompartments and SupportSide water bottle pockets, exterior laptop pocket, trolley-compatible sleeve, thick padded strap, lumbar support back panelClosure SystemU-shaped openingAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowCredit: Florence Sullivan for Women's HealthProsHidden pocket with ventilation holes for dirty clothes or shoes Extra padding in the section that rests against your lower backExtra luggage strap for attaching to your luggageConsCould benefit from a sternum strapLong-term durability might not be as good as other pricier optionsMost of the best travel backpacks will cost you at least $100—and sometimes more. But the Matein Carry-On Travel Backpack is the exception. This bag is designed with the same features as the other backpacks in this guide for a fraction of the price—under $40. It has more than seven compartments, including a hidden pocket with two ventilation holes that can be used to store shoes up to a size 12 or dirty laundry.Inside you’ll find a padded neoprene pocket that can fit laptops up to 17 inches. The pocket closes with two zippers that meet, allowing you to add a lock to that particular compartment if you want to deter thieves. One feature we particularly love (in addition to its multiple compartments) is that it’s designed with comfort in mind. The part of the backpack that lies on your lower back when worn is made with extra padding to avoid discomfort, and its straps are padded, too.A chest strap with a buckle closure would have made this backpack perfect to help distribute some of its weight (40 liters can feel quite heavy to some!), but it does come with a luggage strap you can use to rest it on your carry-on or check-in luggage while you’re on your way to your destination.We also love the hidden pocket in the back to store your most valuable items, like money, your passport, or other documents. To pack the main compartment, you can open the bag up like a clamshell, which makes it easy to store your clothing and other travel essentials in a way that makes the most out of the space you have.Liters40LCompartments And SupportPadded laptop sleeve, two small zippered pockets in the front, separate shoe compartmentClosure SystemClamshell openingCredit: Florence Sullivan for Women's HealthProsFabric is very durable and easy to clean Comes in unique colorways that makes it super easy to spotHelpful compartments and featuresClamshell opening makes it easy to pack and unpackConsThere may be a learning curve to remembering where all the pockets areHikers or outdoor adventurers will enjoy traveling with Cotopaxi’s Allpa 28L Travel Pack. It’s lightweight, made of rip-proof fabric, and easy to clean. Additionally, it’s waterproof which also makes it a solid choice for those that will face a variety of weather conditions. The Allpa is the backpack I traveled with when I trekked through the Amazon in Ecuador for two days. While there, I regularly had to lay the backpack on the ground for rest and other reasons, so it did get quite dirty. However, I loved that all it took was a good wipe-down to make the bag look brand-new again. I love that it can be easily cleaned using a wet towel, which makes it a solid choice for trips where it can get soiled easily.Even better? The backpack is made with 100 percent recycled fabric, but it doesn’t skimp on durability. This bag was regularly grazed by tree branches during my hikes or dragged across a floor in my quest to unpack it, and it didn’t experience any rips. It’s made with many of the same features as the other backpacks in this guide—different-sized compartments, a water bottle mesh pocket on the side, and a rollerbag sleeve for resting it on luggage—but it also features four webbing loops along each corner of the bag, which are perfect for attaching gear, like a jacket, clip-on speaker, or a flashlight.My only gripe with the backpack is that it has so many compartments I lost track of where I put things sometimes. But now that I’ve used it several times, that’s no longer an issue. It’s something first-time users can definitely experience, though.Liters28LCompartments And SupportThree grab handles, padded laptop sleeve, one large, medium, and small compartments, each with smaller pockets of their ownClosure SystemClamshell openingAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowCredit: Florence SullivanProsMade with a sternum strap that includes a whistle Designed to distribute weight along the entire back and hips Premium durabilityConsThere’s no water bottle holder on the outside, but there’s a gear strap for clipping one on While the Osprey Fairview is a much pricier buy than the Matein, it’s a lot more supportive (and long-term durable), making it well worth the splurge. Meg Wubbenhorst, a travel expert who has traveled to five continents and over 40 countries, says she regularly used the 40-liter backpack during her 20 months of solo travel, even though she originally thought it looked too small.“I was pleasantly surprised at the roominess—I sometimes felt like Mary Poppins when unpacking, with ample room for all of my clothes, shoes (no more than 3 pairs!), and various travel accessories,” she says.From the compression straps on the outside and inside of the bag to the countless mesh compartments and laptop sleeve, this bag makes it easy to get organized, but it’s the backpack’s support features that are impressive. The Osprey bag is made with an adjustable sternum strap that comes with a whistle (particularly useful for adventurers), and a hip belt that helps evenly distribute the bag’s weight to remove strain on your back and shoulders.It’s also built with Osprey’s proprietary suspension system, which is designed to keep the backpack close to your body, while spreading its load across the entire back panel. This prevents the bag’s weight from pulling you back, so that the bag moves with you as you travel and not against you.Additionally, whenever you do get tired of carrying this workhorse on your back, you can use either of the convenient carrying handles on its top and left sides. Wubbenhorst also says that she particularly likes that this bag passes most airlines’ carry-on policy, even when it’s stuffed to the gills.Liters40LCompartments And SupportPadded laptop sleeve, compression straps on the inside and outside, sternum and hip straps, mesh compartmentsClosure SystemClamshell openingCredit: Florence Sullivan for Women's HealthProsInterior blue lining makes it easy to find thingsSteel frame helps the bag retain its shapeMultiple pockets and compartments for easy organizationConsVisible zippers are easy targets for thievesThe Kroser Laptop Backpack is a great option for those looking for a backpack for daily use, or those who regularly go on overnight stays. It’s also a great pick for those who prefer to pack their travel backpack with just the essentials—documents, travel blanket, etc. It only holds 37 liters and features multiple pockets for easy organization, including compartments for a laptop, water bottle, pens, and valuables.Alexandra Dubakova, head of marketing at FreeTour.com, a website for booking local tours, personally likes the Kroser backpack because it’s designed with an aqua blue lining that’s more unique than the usual basic black or brown, and, in her opinion, a lot more functional, too. “That pop of color makes it so much easier to spot my stuff inside the bag,” she says. “I'm always digging around to find things, so having that brighter interior is super handy.” It also features a collapsible steel frame box opening that can give you a bird’s-eye view of what’s in the bag.On the downside, she doesn’t love that the zippers are bulky and visible, since they make the pockets an easy target for thieves. The bag allows you to secure the two handles with a button once it’s zippered up, though, adding an extra level of security that can provide some extra reassurance that your items will remain safe.Liters37LCompartments and SupportLaptop compartment, small zippered pocket in the front, three sleeves for valuables on the insideClosure SystemTop-loadingAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowCredit: Florence Sullivan for Women's HealthProsMade from rip-proof fabric that’s extremely durableBungee system in the front compresses to hold extra items Can be used as a backpack or a duffelConsStraps and clips can easily snag onto other items What stands out about this Calpak backpack is that it doubles as a duffel bag if you get tired of carrying it on your back. The backpack comes with a removable longer strap you can use to hold the duffel on a shoulder. It also comes with carrying handles—one on the top and one on the side—so you can hold it in whatever orientation that feels most comfortable.Like most of the other backpacks in this guide, it features a ton of pockets, including a zippered water bottle pocket on its left side, a laptop sleeve, an internal mesh pocket, two small zippered compartments in the front of the bag, among several others strategically placed inside the bag. The Terra is designed with a clamshell opening, which makes it relatively easy to pack, and two compression straps in the main compartment designed to hold your contents in place.Because of its 26-liter capacity, on its own, it’s spacious enough for three to four days of travel, but keep in mind that when it’s packed to the brim, we did find that it was a little tough to get its trolley sleeve over a luggage handle. An extra feature we would have loved to see is a waist strap. It does come with a sternum strap, but a waist strap would make this backpack even more comfortable to carry. This bag does get bonus points for being made from 27 recycled plastic bottles. Sustainability is always a plus.Liters26LCompartments And SupportZippered water bottle pocket, laptop sleeve, internal mesh pocket, two compression straps on the insideClosure SystemClamshell openingCredit: Florence Sullivan for Women's HealthProsCan handle all weather conditions Works great as a personal item on a planeHidden pocket is great for storing wallet or other small valuableConsMay be too small for trips longer than three daysIf you’re looking for a backpack that easily fits under your airplane seat, Away’s Active Backpack is a solid choice. It’s also a great option for those that will be taking a backpack on their daily excursions once they arrive at their destination. First, style-wise the bag is very chic. It’s designed for the outdoors, but it’s stylish enough to take along on your metro adventures without fear it’ll clash with your outfit and be an eyesore in photos. It’s also made from abrasion-resistant material that holds up against the elements—so there’s no problem using this one in rain or snow. While on a trip to Boston, I used this bag during an unexpected flurry of snow, and the bag quickly dried without incident to any of my belongings. I also found it to be super lightweight. I wore it on the subway to go catch my bus to Boston from New York and I had no complaints. I packed it with quite a few things—my laptop, some full-sized beauty products, and two days of outfits—and I never felt that the bag was so heavy that I had to put it down to rest. The Away bag features several compartments, but my favorite is the hidden pocket in the back behind the bag’s straps. I tend to get paranoid that my wallet will get swiped, but storing it back there reassured me that even the savviest thief would likely not find it. Its thoughtful design and lightweight feel make it the perfect everyday bag for longer trips, but it can be used on its own for overnight stays or weekend trips.Liters26LCompartments And SupportTwo exterior water pockets, laptop sleeve, hidden pocket for valuables behind the back strapsClosure SystemU-shaped openingSidney Lee is the Editor, Deals and Trends, for Best Products, Popular Mechanics, Runner’s World, Biography, Women’s Health, Men’s Health, and Oprah Daily. She loves keeping up on the latest social media trends and viral pop culture moments to recommend only the best products to readers. Previously, Sidney was the Assistant Home Editor at HGTV Magazine as well as contributing editor at Food Network and The Pioneer Woman Magazines, covering home, food, style, and more. She is based in Manhattan, and outside of work you can find her trying all the latest restaurants the city has to offer.Christian is the Style and Reviews Director at Men's Health and Women’s Health, where he oversees shopping and style content for both brands. He started his magazine career as an accessories assistant at Vogue, and has since held editorial roles at Tatler Asia and The Manual. When he’s not online shopping, you can find him on long walks with his two corgis.