Callaway’s Paradym X driver should be the top choice for any golfer who could benefit from a generously stretched, confidence-inspiring club head shape specially designed to fight a slice!
The Callaway Paradym X driver features a deep blue carbon crown with a framework near the face and back of the head to align tee shots more confidently.
5-grams of rear weight is positioned to increase launch and lower spin for max carry distances (along with a slight draw bias to fight slice spin).
Check out our hands-on review of the Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond Driver here!
Key Features
Extra large driver head creates bigger sweet spot and "forgiving driver" feel
360° carbon head is 43% lighter than titanium
A.I. designed club face enhances speed, launch, spin, and downrange dispersion
Most forgiving Callaway Paradym driver in the line-up
Premium shaft's available from Aldila and True Temper
Just as beautiful as we’ve come to expect from Titleist drivers, the TSR2 is their most forgiving option available in the TSR line-up and so good that many PGA TOUR players are using it.
Designed “for players who make contact across the entire surface of the face,” the TSR2 combines Titleist’s most significant C.G. shift with a multi-variable thickness club face, boosting ball speed and distance on all shots.
Titleist’s beautiful player-preferred shape and design inspire confidence in any golfer, and the TSR2’s SureFit hosel allows for 16 individual adjustments, more than any other driver in the forgiving driver category.
Key Features
High launch - low spin highly-forgiving Titleist driver
Improved speed and accuracy across the entire club face
Confidence-inspiring head shape and looks great in the golf bag
Fits every handicap level of golfer
Premium Shafts from Mitsubishi, True Temper, and Graphite Design
The Srixon ZX5 Mk II is our top selection for golfers who would benefit from added straightness in a larger, confidence-inspiring club head for their aggressive swing speed.
The ZX5 Mk II driver has a large, flattened footprint and an 8-gram rear weight that boosts launch for naturally higher, farther, and straighter drives with a slight draw bias.
Srixon’s famous “Rebound Frame” technology creates two energy transfer zones that generates faster ball speeds and greater distance.
Check out our hands-on review of the Srixon ZX5 Mk II Driver here!
Key Features
Offered with Project X HZRDUS Smoke Red RDX mid trajectory mid spin shaft for golfers with aggressive swings.
Fully adjustable hosel lets golfers dial in face angle and loft
A Rebound Frame creates faster ball speeds and greater energy transfer
Forgiving driver for faster swing speed golfers
Draw bias aids slicers off the tee
Capitalizing on the success of the original TaylorMade Stealth, the Stealth 2 driver features a NEW 60X Carbon Twist Face that is designed to maintain ball speed and accuracy on off-center strikes!
The Stealth 2 features nearly twice the amount of carbon in its design as the original Stealth, allowing redistribution of mass lower and deeper in the head for more forgiveness.
The redesigned Stealth 2 head features a 25-gram weight positioned inside the Asymmetric Inertia Generator that creates a very forgiving driver that increases clubhead speed through its design simultaneously.
Key Features
2x the carbon in the Stealth 2 compared to Original Stealth
New Carbon Face design creates high forgiveness and consistent ball speeds on off-center hits
Superb distance for all swing speeds
Redesigned head shape improves swing speeds and forgiveness
Clean Red and Black intimidating aesthetics
Designed to be “straight, stable, and low spinning,” the Mizuno ST-Z 230 driver is so good that it holds the title as the driver used by the statistically best driver of 2023, Keith Mitchell.
Sitting just behind the club face is Mizuno’s CorTech Chamber, a through slot that creates greater face flex for spin reduction and more distance.
The ST-Z 230 driver head sits lower to the ground and features an evenly balanced mass spread for lower spin rates and a highly stable, straight ball flight.
The Mizuno ST-Z 230 has 30 premium shaft offerings at no additional charge (the most on our list).
Check out our hands-on review of the Mizuno ST-Z 230 Driver here!
Key Features
Used by Kieth Mitchell in 2023, the #1 Driver on the PGA TOUR
Designed to provide a straight, stable, low-spinning ball flight
Adjustable hosel sleeve for precise fine-tuning ability
30 Premium Shaft Offerings
The Wilson Dynapower Carbon driver is an A.I. designed, maximum forgiveness-providing homage to the iconic Dynapower line of over 75 years ago.
The Dynapower driver is powered by 6 lightweight carbon panels across its head that position the center of gravity low and forward for lower spin and neutral ball flight tendencies.
The Dynapower Carbon driver sports a new 6-way one-click adjustable hosel that they say can influence ball flights by up to 14 yards left or 7 yards right for more fairways hit for every player!
Check out our hands-on review of the Wilson Dynapower Carbon Driver here!
Key Features
Carbon design intelligently positions weight for low spin and neutral ball flight bias
High launch and excellent forgiveness on poor strikes
Through our testing, it felt easy to hit straight
The adjustable hosel is easy to use and can finely tune ball flight
The Tour Edge Exotics C723 driver is the perfect choice for the golfer who loves to tinker with their club to make it perform exactly how they want it to.
The Exotics C723 driver combines titanium, tungsten, and carbon within its design to fully optimize weight placement for extreme forgiveness and accuracy.
The rear Flight Tuning System sliding weight has 5 positions to influence your ball flight (Draw, Neutral, Fade), and additional weights can be swapped to adjust spin, launch, and feeling at impact to match your personal preferences perfectly.
Check out our hands-on review of the Tour Edge Exotics C723 Driver here!
Key Features
Cool, new-age driver head look with carbon fiber everywhere
Most adjustable driver on the market through sliding weight, adjustable weights, and hosel sleeve
Diamond variable thickness face creates high ball speed on off-center strikes
Higher launch and carry distance
Premium shafts available from Fujikura and Mitsubishi
The COBRA AEROJET MAX driver features a smaller, tighter, more symmetrical rear head shaping with streamlined aerodynamics, providing golfers with slower to moderate swing speeds and more carry distance.
Adjustable back and heel weights allow golfers to finely tune their level of draw bias for a more consistent ball flight and launch angle.
The internal structure of the AEROJET MAX features forward weight positioning designed to unleash maximum energy transfer at impact for faster ball speeds.
Key Features
High launch, mid-low spin, draw bias AEROJET driver
Designed to increase ball speeds through aerodynamics
Slower swing speed golfer's dream club to increase club head speed
Clean carbon fiber and blue/white accented club head
Purchase makes you eligible for free Arccos Smart Sensors
Stix clubs are equally cost-efficient as they are stunning, with all their clubs featuring a unique, black-on-black minimalistic design.
Built for “99%” of golfers (explicitly focused on slower swing speeds), the Stix Perform Series driver is incredibly lightweight and sits with a naturally slightly closed club face to promote straight-to-draw ball flights.
For 1/4 of the price of premium competitors, you can choose a custom length and stiffness of premium graphite shaft, something many modern drivers charge the high handicap golfer an arm and a leg for!
Check out our hands-on Stix Golf Club Set & Bag review here!
Key Features
Incredibly affordable price
Perfect intro driver for high handicappers and beginners
"Designed for 99% of Golfers"
Sleek, black-on-black minimalistic design club head inspires confidence
You can choose custom shaft length and stiffness
Every pick on our list of the most forgiving drivers of 2024 is 460cc (the largest legal driver head size), but not every head shape, look, or design will inspire the same confidence in every golfer.
When choosing a driver, you should absolutely mimic hitting drives with each selection you’re deciding between to make sure you love its shape and look when it’s time to tee off.
Most drivers on the market today are adjustable through the hosel. Still, some of our list’s most forgiving golf drivers can exhibit extra draw bias through additional adjustable weights for even more ball flight fine-tuning.
A draw-biased driver is a cheat code for slicers off the tee!
Every golfer reading this has a slightly different shape, height, or athletic ability, meaning that not every shaft will be a perfect fit.
For this reason, nearly every pick on our list of the most forgiving drivers of 2024 offers shaft length and stiffness customization for ideal performance.
Ladies Flex (L) – Generally, if < 75 mph
Senior Flex (“Senior” or M or A) – For 75 – 85 mph
Regular Flex (R) – For 85 – 95 mph
Stiff Flex (S) – For fast swing speed, generally 95 – 110 mph
Tour / Extra Stiff (X.S.) – For very fast swing speed, typically> 110 mph
In our personal opinion, the PING G430 MAX is the perfect driver for nearly every player, average golfer included.
It’s one of the more adjustable golf drivers on the market with its sliding back-weight and hosel sleeve. It increases swing speed through its aerodynamics and is highly forgiving to poor contact quality.
Are you struggling to choose from our list of forgiving drivers? If your golf swing is in a consistent enough place, consider checking out a custom fitting through your local club fitting experts.
Your club fitting specialist will provide definitive answers as to what is genuinely the best driver for your golf swing and give you peace of mind that you’re spending your money wisely!
The liberation of one-bag travel transforms every journey.
With your essentials perfectly organized and always within reach, you'll discover a new level of mobility that traditional luggage simply can't match.
This streamlined approach eliminates excess while ensuring you have exactly what you need—nothing more, nothing less.
Finding your perfect travel backpack demands careful consideration.
Our testing team has evaluated hundreds of models across vastly different environments and scenarios.
We've discovered that the overwhelming variety of options—each with unique features, durability levels, and price points—can make selection challenging.
Click to learn more about why we love these top picks.
See all reviews: Travel Backpacks
There’s something so freeing about traveling with only one bag. All of your important stuff is within arm’s reach, and it forces you to cut down on many of life’s seemingly necessary consumer goods that you can probably live without. With one bag, you easily glide from location to location, always having just enough but never too much.
Aer Travel Pack 3 in Thailand
Choosing the perfect travel backpack for one bag travel can be a challenging endeavor. There are so many brands and models to choose from with varying degrees of durability, price, and try-on-ability (we made this word up for trying something out before buying it online). Add varying views and opinions into the mix from folks with different values, needs, and body types—and you’ve got a veritable clusterf\*ck of options to wade through. Whether you’re a new traveler gearing up for your first trip, a digital nomad going through a “sell-all-my-stuff-and-put-it-in-a-backpack” phase, or somewhere in between, it’s essential to have the best travel backpack that works for you.
Here’s the bottom line: There is no “best” backpack that is perfect for every traveler in every scenario. However, we believe everyone can find a pack that’s perfect for their unique needs. In this guide, we’ll break down the factors we think are most important when choosing the ideal one-bag travel backpack for you.
This guide is written and informed by Pack Hacker staff, many of whom are frequent travelers and digital nomads. That means we’re using and testing these products every day to better understand what’s available out there and how each bag may appeal to different types of travelers.
If you’d rather skip all this info and get straight to the backpacks we’ve reviewed, you can take a look at our list of highest-rated travel backpack in the next section, or all of our Travel Backpack Reviews. We’re constantly updating this list as we review and rate new bags frequently.
We’ve found that backpacks give you much greater mobility. You can breeze through airports. You’ll never stand around a baggage carousel after a long haul again. And as long as your pack is carry-on size compliant, you’ll never lose your luggage, ever. Depending on your travel style and what you’re hauling, it comes down to your personal preference—both roller bags and backpacks can be good options. If none of that sounds ideal and you prefer carry on luggage instead, we won’t judge (we review those, too). However, in this guide, we’ll focus on travel backpacks for a couple of reasons:
You’ve got both of your hands-free, and you’re not constantly dragging something behind you. No matter what terrain you’re walking on, you’ll never have the annoyance of loud or unsteady wheels behind you from standard travel luggage. Sure, roller bags work like a charm on smooth airport and hotel floors, but how about the winding cobblestone roads of Paris or a sandy beach in Ko Pha Ngan? You can traverse almost any terrain when you’re wearing a backpack.
Best Travel Backpack | Traveling with the Osprey Farpoint 40 in India.
If you pack light enough, you can comfortably have all of your belongings with you at once. Did you arrive earlier than your hotel or Airbnb check in? No problem, just take your pack around with you for the day—no need to stop by and drop your luggage off. Versatility at its finest.
Weight is about more than just your gear, too. While we can’t guarantee the pack will be lightweight if you fill it up with a bunch of heavy stuff (like a camera kit), it’s surprising how much you can fit into a travel backpack before it starts to hurt your back. Plus, with budget airlines cracking down on weight limits all over the world, you don’t have to worry about an 8-pound piece of luggage taking up half of your allowance, as travel backpacks often only weigh two to four pounds.
You’ll take up less room on the airplane or in public transit. You’ll generally feel more agile vs needing to drag around rolly luggage, with the added benefit of not looking like an out-of-place tourist. It caters to a more adventurous lifestyle by always being ready to go. And, you can easily catch that train that’s about to depart without awkwardly side-running with a roller bag or two.
Best Travel Backpack | Heimplanet Travel Pack 28L (V2) in Cambridgeshire, England.
In this guide, we’re going for travel versatility. We want you to look good carrying these bags around in an urban environment and have the flexibility to head out on a hike for a couple of days of camping without having your backpack ruined by the elements. If you’ve got a piece of roller luggage, it’s going to be hard to do that spontaneous half-day trek on the trail to the neighboring city you’ve been wanting to check out. Likewise, if you’re going to post up at a coffee shop for a day of office work, you’re going to look out of place with a bulky, multi-colored hiking bag. The packs mentioned in this article will blend into most city environments and are durable enough to withstand the abuse of longer excursions.
Best Travel Backpack | We’ve tested our fair share of backpacks.
Our team is comprised of seasoned one-bag travelers who have been testing and reviewing travel backpacks since 2017. Each person has experience living out of a single bag while traveling the world, some for years at a time as digital nomads. When testing gear, we evaluate each backpack for a minimum of two weeks, putting it through the wringer on flights and commutes to our Detroit HQ alike. Each bag is then rated using our objective scale that allows us to compare its performance to other bags on the market.
November 1, 2024: We narrowed down our list of the best travel backpacks at the top of this guide to include a range of top picks that satisfy different needs. We also added more details to the guide, such as how to find your torso length and which bag features enhance your carry comfort.
May 22, 2024: We removed the ULA Equipment Dragonfly from our Top Picks, as they released a new version that’s often out of stock and, therefore, isn’t as accessible.
Aer Travel Pack 3
The Aer Travel Pack 3 takes some of our favorite travel backpack features and puts them into one bag: helpful load lifters, easy-to-engage compression straps, and easy access to different compartments. It has Aer’s sleek signature style and is made with quality materials like CORDURA® ballistic nylon and YKK zippers, which add a ton of durability and make this a reliable bag that can withstand extended travel. In fact, this is one of our highest-rated bags and a Pack Hacker Pick because of how it’s held up on trips across the U.S., Thailand, South Korea, and more.
The organization is streamlined for easy packing, and it even includes a hidden pocket where you can tuck a smart tracker—a great feature for keeping track of your bag if it’s stolen or gets lost in transit. The harness system is super comfortable even when the bag is fully loaded and includes wide, cushioned shoulder straps with keepers to cut down on dangling. We also like that there’s an option to add a hip belt because it helps take a ton of weight off your shoulders when the bag is loaded. If you don’t need as much liter space, we recommend the Aer Travel Pack 3 Small because it takes key features from its bigger sibling and puts them in a smaller package built for shorter trips and smaller frames.
See Full Review & Buying Options
Check Price at Aer Check Price at Huckberry
GORUCK GR2 (40L)
If you’re looking for a durable pack that can handle any adventure you throw at it, look no further than the GORUCK GR2. It’s a little on the heavier side (courtesy of the CORDURA® Nylon and beefy YKK zippers), though we think the durability is worth the weight sacrifice. Plus, it now comes in a few lighter materials if that’s a dealbreaker. We’ve fit its boxy shape under the seat in front of us on some budget airlines, which is great if you’re trying to avoid fees while you travel the world (who isn’t?). In fact, this is the bag that Pack Hacker’s founder Tom used to travel the world for over 2 years.
Though the organization inside is simple, there’s still plenty of room for packing cubes and pouches. It’s covered in PALS webbing, which we use to attach MOLLE accessories like pouches that we fill with items we want quick access to on the plane or while exploring. The customization options mean you can make the pack fit your specific needs, whether it’s Digital Nomad travel or a weekend fishing trip with your family. Plus, GORUCK has one of the best lifetime warranties in the business and a killer repair program, so if you have any issues, contact their customer service.
See Full Review & Buying Options
Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L
Since this is a bag from Peak Design, it has some great camera features. There are plenty of attachment points inside and out for your photography gear. However, it’s an excellent travel backpack even if you don’t take a DSLR on every trip, thanks to its clean lines and clever design.
The main compartment has well-structured sides and opens clamshell to make it easy to pack, although we’ve noticed that anything we store on the bottom blocks built-in mesh pockets, so you’ll have to choose between gear storage or smooth access. They’re useful for gear you won’t need until you reach your destination, and side pockets help you get to things that you need as you travel, like your passport. There’s a well-padded sleeve for your laptop, and the front pocket has organizational features for tiny gear, which is great for getting to your essentials while sitting in your airplane seat or waiting at the gate. For times when you’re not packing as much, the compression system does an excellent job at holding gear in place.
If you find that 30L isn’t enough space or you want bring more of your photo kit, we recommend the Peak Design Travel Backpack, which has the same great features and added room for your gear. It expands to 45 liters if needed and has compression snaps to lock it down if you want to use it as a daypack.
See Full Review & Buying Options
Check Price at Peak Design Check Price at Huckberry Check Price at Moment Check Price at Amazon
TOM BIHN Synik 30
Going with a lower-capacity pack reduces size and weight, meaning you can even use it as a daypack once you arrive at your destination. However, that doesn’t mean it has to be short on features. Enter the TOM BIHN Synik 30. It’s a smaller version of the Synapse and features the same top-notch and customizable organization we’re used to seeing from TOM BIHN. That means it has multiple exterior pockets for storing gear and numerous attachment points on the interior for attaching modular pouches. While we like the ballistic nylon options because they’re sleek and durable, you can opt for a different material if you want (TOM BIHN has a ton to choose from).
The style won’t be for everyone, and its round shape can make it more challenging to pack some packing cubes and pouches, causing you to lose out on some storage space in the corners (or lack thereof). However, once you’re used to the internal organization, this is one of the smartest-designed internal layouts we’ve seen in a travel backpack.
See Full Review & Buying Options
Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L
The Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L has a thickly padded harness system, from the shoulder straps to the hip belt and the back panel, along with vertical height adjustment and load lifters for extra support. All of these features together make for a comfortable carry even when the backpack is completely full. There are plenty of places to pack your gear, including water bottle pockets on each side, a top pocket for small items like keys, a front pocket for wide but flat items, and smaller pockets on the hip belt. You can stash your tech accessories in a well-organized admin panel, and there’s a dedicated laptop compartment as well. It includes a zippered pocket for accessories, which we love for the trips where we don’t need to bring a separate tech pouch.
The large bucket space of the main compartment is simple, with no dividers to get in the way. This means you can pack however you please, whether you load up on packing cubes or fold your clothing into neat piles—though we recommend packing cubes so that things don’t get too jostled. If you’re vehemently against cubes (an interesting hill to die on, but we get it), a mesh compartment hinges along the main compartment opening for some built-in segmentation and is deep enough to hold a single layer of thick clothing or a couple layers of thinner items.
The liberation of one-bag travel transforms every journey.
With your essentials perfectly organized and always within reach, you'll discover a new level of mobility that traditional luggage simply can't match.
This streamlined approach eliminates excess while ensuring you have exactly what you need—nothing more, nothing less.
Testing the Aer Travel Pack 3 through Thailand's diverse landscapes
Finding your perfect travel backpack demands careful consideration.
Our testing team has evaluated hundreds of models across vastly different environments and scenarios.
We've discovered that the overwhelming variety of options—each with unique features, durability levels, and price points—can make selection challenging.
Factor in the diverse needs of different travelers, varying body types, and distinct travel styles, and the choice becomes even more complex.
Whether you're planning your first extended journey, transitioning to a location-independent lifestyle, or simply seeking to upgrade your travel gear, selecting the right backpack is crucial.
Here's our expert insight: While no single backpack perfectly suits every traveler in every situation, there's definitely an ideal pack for your specific needs and travel style.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll break down the essential factors our team has identified through years of hands-on testing.
The Travel Gear Collective team brings together perspectives from gear designers, professional photographers, adventure guides, and sustainable travel experts.
We've subjected these bags to rigorous testing through daily use, ensuring our recommendations come from authentic experience.
For those eager to dive straight into specific reviews, explore our top-rated picks above or browse our complete Travel Backpack Reviews.
We continuously update our recommendations as we thoroughly evaluate new models.
Our extensive testing reveals that backpacks offer superior mobility across diverse environments.
You'll move effortlessly through airports, bypass baggage claim entirely, and—with carry-on compliant dimensions—eliminate the risk of lost luggage.
While both options have merit depending on your needs, here's why we consistently recommend travel backpacks:
Your arms remain completely unencumbered, liberating you from the burden of pulling any baggage in your wake.
Regardless of the surface beneath your feet, you'll never experience the frustration of noisy or wobbling wheels trailing behind you like traditional suitcases do.
While wheeled luggage performs admirably on the polished floors of airports and hotel lobbies, imagine navigating the serpentine cobbled streets of Parisian neighborhoods or trekking across the powdery sands of Thailand's Ko Pha Ngan beaches.
With a backpack secured to your shoulders, virtually no landscape poses an obstacle to your journey.
Best Travel Backpack | Putting the Osprey Farpoint 40 through its paces in India's varied terrain.
When packed thoughtfully, you'll have everything you need comfortably accessible.
Early check-in issues vanish—your pack becomes your companion for impromptu exploration rather than a burden requiring storage.
The weight advantage extends beyond just gear capacity.
Even fully loaded with professional camera equipment, our testing shows that properly fitted travel backpacks distribute weight remarkably well.
In an era of increasingly stringent airline weight restrictions, the typical 2-4 pound weight of a travel backpack preserves precious cargo allowance compared to 8+ pound rolling cases.
Travel backpacks enable you to maximize space efficiency whether you're navigating cramped airplane cabins or crowded public transit.
This design promotes an adventurous spirit, keeping you ready for unexpected opportunities.
When that final boarding call echoes through the terminal, you'll appreciate the ability to sprint unencumbered rather than awkwardly maneuvering rolling luggage through the concourse.
Field testing the Heimplanet Travel Pack 28L (V2) across England's diverse landscapes
Our testing philosophy centers on multi-environment performance.
Through extensive field evaluation, we've identified bags that excel in both urban settings and outdoor adventures.
These packs maintain professional aesthetics for client meetings in Tokyo while possessing the durability to handle impromptu treks through Costa Rican rainforests.
Traditional roller luggage restricts your ability to pivot when opportunities arise—that spontaneous hiking trail between villages becomes an impossibility.
Similarly, traditional hiking packs, with their technical appearance and specialized features, often feel out of place in professional urban environments.
The travel backpacks featured in our testing strike that crucial balance.
They seamlessly integrate into metropolitan landscapes while possessing the robustness to endure extended outdoor excursions.
Our gear testing lab showcases just a fraction of the backpacks we've evaluated
The Travel Gear Collective team brings together decades of combined experience in one-bag travel testing.
Since 2017, we've maintained a rigorous evaluation protocol for every travel backpack that enters our testing program.
Our team includes members who have lived exclusively out of single bags while circumnavigating the globe, some maintaining this lifestyle for multiple years as digital nomads.
Our testing methodology demands a minimum two-week evaluation period for each backpack.
During this time, we subject each pack to intense scrutiny—from rushed airport sprints to daily commutes at our Detroit headquarters.
We evaluate durability, comfort, organization, and overall performance across diverse scenarios and weather conditions.
Each backpack receives a detailed rating based on our comprehensive objective scale, enabling precise comparisons against other models in the market.
November 1, 2024: We've refined our top recommendations to better reflect diverse traveler needs.
This update includes expanded guidance on torso measurement and specific features that enhance carrying comfort based on our latest testing data.
May 22, 2024: The ULA Equipment Dragonfly has been removed from our top picks due to persistent availability issues with their newest version.
The Aer Travel Pack 3 exemplifies thoughtful design integration, earning its position as our highest-rated travel backpack through rigorous real-world testing.
After subjecting this pack to extensive use across three continents, we've found it excels in combining essential features with practical functionality.
The strategic implementation of load lifters, easily-engaged compression straps, and intuitive compartment access sets this bag apart from its competitors.
Aer's signature minimalist aesthetic doesn't compromise on durability—the CORDURA® ballistic nylon construction and YKK zippers have proven their resilience through our demanding testing regiment.
This combination of style and durability has earned the Travel Pack 3 our prestigious Pack Hacker Pick designation.
The pack's organization system demonstrates exceptional efficiency in real-world use.
A standout feature includes the discrete pocket designed for smart trackers—a feature we've found invaluable for security during international travel.
Our extended testing revealed superior comfort even at full capacity, thanks to the robust harness system featuring wide, padded shoulder straps with integrated keepers that eliminate strap dangle.
The optional hip belt proves essential for load distribution during extended wear.
For travelers requiring less volume, we've thoroughly tested the Aer Travel Pack 3 Small.
This compact variant maintains the core features that make its larger sibling exceptional, scaled perfectly for shorter trips and smaller frames.
After thousands of miles testing across six continents, here are our expert-selected top performers:
Explore Our Complete Travel Backpack Reviews
The liberation of one-bag travel transforms every journey.
With your essentials perfectly organized and always within reach, you'll discover a new level of mobility that traditional luggage simply can't match.
This streamlined approach eliminates excess while ensuring you have exactly what you need—nothing more, nothing less.
Finding your perfect travel backpack demands careful consideration.
Our testing team has evaluated hundreds of models across vastly different environments and scenarios.
We've discovered that the overwhelming variety of options—each with unique features, durability levels, and price points—can make selection challenging.
Testing the Aer Travel Pack 3 through Thailand's diverse landscapes
Here's our expert insight: While no single backpack perfectly suits every traveler in every situation, there's definitely an ideal pack for your specific needs and travel style.
The Travel Gear Collective team brings together perspectives from gear designers, professional photographers, adventure guides, and sustainable travel experts.
Our extensive testing reveals that backpacks offer superior mobility across diverse environments.
You'll move effortlessly through airports, bypass baggage claim entirely, and—with carry-on compliant dimensions—eliminate the risk of lost luggage.
Your arms remain completely unencumbered, liberating you from the burden of pulling any baggage in your wake.
Regardless of the surface beneath your feet, you'll never experience the frustration of noisy or wobbling wheels trailing behind you like traditional suitcases do.
While wheeled luggage performs admirably on the polished floors of airports and hotel lobbies, imagine navigating the serpentine cobbled streets of Parisian neighborhoods or trekking across the powdery sands of Thailand's Ko Pha Ngan beaches.
When packed thoughtfully, you'll have everything you need comfortably accessible.
Early check-in issues vanish—your pack becomes your companion for impromptu exploration rather than a burden requiring storage.
The weight advantage extends beyond just gear capacity. Even fully loaded with professional camera equipment, our testing shows that properly fitted travel backpacks distribute weight remarkably well.
Field testing the Heimplanet Travel Pack 28L (V2) across England's diverse landscapes
In an era of increasingly stringent airline weight restrictions, the typical 2-4 pound weight of a travel backpack preserves precious cargo allowance compared to 8+ pound rolling cases.
Travel backpacks enable you to maximize space efficiency whether you're navigating cramped airplane cabins or crowded public transit.
This design promotes an adventurous spirit, keeping you ready for unexpected opportunities. When that final boarding call echoes through the terminal, you'll appreciate the ability to sprint unencumbered rather than awkwardly maneuvering rolling luggage through the concourse.
Our gear testing lab showcases just a fraction of the backpacks we've evaluated
The Travel Gear Collective team brings together decades of combined experience in one-bag travel testing.
Since 2017, we've maintained a rigorous evaluation protocol for every travel backpack that enters our testing program.
Our testing methodology demands a minimum two-week evaluation period for each backpack.
November 1, 2024: We've refined our top recommendations to better reflect diverse traveler needs. This update includes expanded guidance on torso measurement and specific features that enhance carrying comfort based on our latest testing data.
May 22, 2024: The ULA Equipment Dragonfly has been removed from our top picks due to persistent availability issues with their newest version.
The Aer Travel Pack 3 exemplifies thoughtful design integration, earning its position as our highest-rated travel backpack through rigorous real-world testing.
After subjecting this pack to extensive use across three continents, we've found it excels in combining essential features with practical functionality.
After thousands of miles testing across six continents, here are our expert-selected top performers:
The liberation of one-bag travel transforms every journey.
With your essentials perfectly organized and always within reach, you'll discover a new level of mobility that traditional luggage simply can't match.
This streamlined approach eliminates excess while ensuring you have exactly what you need—nothing more, nothing less.
Testing the Aer Travel Pack 3 through Thailand's diverse landscapes
Finding your perfect travel backpack demands careful consideration.
Our testing team has evaluated hundreds of models across vastly different environments and scenarios.
We've discovered that the overwhelming variety of options—each with unique features, durability levels, and price points—can make selection challenging.
Factor in the diverse needs of different travelers, varying body types, and distinct travel styles, and the choice becomes even more complex.
Whether you're planning your first extended journey, transitioning to a location-independent lifestyle, or simply seeking to upgrade your travel gear, selecting the right backpack is crucial.
Here's our expert insight: While no single backpack perfectly suits every traveler in every situation, there's definitely an ideal pack for your specific needs and travel style.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll break down the essential factors our team has identified through years of hands-on testing.
The Travel Gear Collective team brings together perspectives from gear designers, professional photographers, adventure guides, and sustainable travel experts.
We've subjected these bags to rigorous testing through daily use, ensuring our recommendations come from authentic experience.
For those eager to dive straight into specific reviews, explore our top-rated picks above or browse our complete Travel Backpack Reviews.
We continuously update our recommendations as we thoroughly evaluate new models.
Our extensive testing reveals that backpacks offer superior mobility across diverse environments.
You'll move effortlessly through airports, bypass baggage claim entirely, and—with carry-on compliant dimensions—eliminate the risk of lost luggage.
While both options have merit depending on your needs, here's why we consistently recommend travel backpacks:
Your arms remain completely unencumbered, liberating you from the burden of pulling any baggage in your wake.
Regardless of the surface beneath your feet, you'll never experience the frustration of noisy or wobbling wheels trailing behind you like traditional suitcases do.
While wheeled luggage performs admirably on the polished floors of airports and hotel lobbies, imagine navigating the serpentine cobbled streets of Parisian neighborhoods or trekking across the powdery sands of Thailand's Ko Pha Ngan beaches.
With a backpack secured to your shoulders, virtually no landscape poses an obstacle to your journey.
When packed thoughtfully, you'll have everything you need comfortably accessible.
Early check-in issues vanish—your pack becomes your companion for impromptu exploration rather than a burden requiring storage.
The weight advantage extends beyond just gear capacity.
Even fully loaded with professional camera equipment, our testing shows that properly fitted travel backpacks distribute weight remarkably well.
In an era of increasingly stringent airline weight restrictions, the typical 2-4 pound weight of a travel backpack preserves precious cargo allowance compared to 8+ pound rolling cases.
Travel backpacks enable you to maximize space efficiency whether you're navigating cramped airplane cabins or crowded public transit.
This design promotes an adventurous spirit, keeping you ready for unexpected opportunities.
When that final boarding call echoes through the terminal, you'll appreciate the ability to sprint unencumbered rather than awkwardly maneuvering rolling luggage through the concourse.
Field testing the Heimplanet Travel Pack 28L (V2) across England's diverse landscapes
Our testing philosophy centers on multi-environment performance.
Through extensive field evaluation, we've identified bags that excel in both urban settings and outdoor adventures.
These packs maintain professional aesthetics for client meetings in Tokyo while possessing the durability to handle impromptu treks through Costa Rican rainforests.
Traditional roller luggage restricts your ability to pivot when opportunities arise—that spontaneous hiking trail between villages becomes an impossibility.
Similarly, traditional hiking packs, with their technical appearance and specialized features, often feel out of place in professional urban environments.
The travel backpacks featured in our testing strike that crucial balance.
They seamlessly integrate into metropolitan landscapes while possessing the robustness to endure extended outdoor excursions.
Our gear testing lab showcases just a fraction of the backpacks we've evaluated
The Travel Gear Collective team brings together decades of combined experience in one-bag travel testing.
Since 2017, we've maintained a rigorous evaluation protocol for every travel backpack that enters our testing program.
Our team includes members who have lived exclusively out of single bags while circumnavigating the globe, some maintaining this lifestyle for multiple years as digital nomads.
Our testing methodology demands a minimum two-week evaluation period for each backpack.
During this time, we subject each pack to intense scrutiny—from rushed airport sprints to daily commutes at our Detroit headquarters.
We evaluate durability, comfort, organization, and overall performance across diverse scenarios and weather conditions.
Each backpack receives a detailed rating based on our comprehensive objective scale, enabling precise comparisons against other models in the market.
November 1, 2024:
We've refined our top recommendations to better reflect diverse traveler needs.
This update includes expanded guidance on torso measurement and specific features that enhance carrying comfort based on our latest testing data.
May 22, 2024:
The ULA Equipment Dragonfly has been removed from our top picks due to persistent availability issues with their newest version.
The Aer Travel Pack 3 exemplifies thoughtful design integration, earning its position as our highest-rated travel backpack through rigorous real-world testing.
After subjecting this pack to extensive use across three continents, we've found it excels in combining essential features with practical functionality.
The strategic implementation of load lifters, easily-engaged compression straps, and intuitive compartment access sets this bag apart from its competitors.
Aer's signature minimalist aesthetic doesn't compromise on durability—the CORDURA® ballistic nylon construction and YKK zippers have proven their resilience through our demanding testing regiment.
This combination of style and durability has earned the Travel Pack 3 our prestigious Pack Hacker Pick designation.
The pack's organization system demonstrates exceptional efficiency in real-world use.
A standout feature includes the discrete pocket designed for smart trackers—a feature we've found invaluable for security during international travel.
Our extended testing revealed superior comfort even at full capacity, thanks to the robust harness system featuring wide, padded shoulder straps with integrated keepers that eliminate strap dangle.
The optional hip belt proves essential for load distribution during extended wear.
For travelers requiring less volume, we've thoroughly tested the Aer Travel Pack 3 Small.
This compact variant maintains the core features that make its larger sibling exceptional, scaled perfectly for shorter trips and smaller frames.
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Click to learn more about why we love these top picks.
There’s something so freeing about traveling with only one bag. All of your important stuff is within arm’s reach, and it forces you to cut down on many of life’s seemingly necessary consumer goods that you can probably live without. With one bag, you easily glide from location to location, always having just enough but never too much.
Aer Travel Pack 3 in Thailand
Choosing the perfect travel backpack for one bag travel can be a challenging endeavor. There are so many brands and models to choose from with varying degrees of durability, price, and try-on-ability (we made this word up for trying something out before buying it online). Add varying views and opinions into the mix from folks with different values, needs, and body types—and you’ve got a veritable clusterf\*ck of options to wade through. Whether you’re a new traveler gearing up for your first trip, a digital nomad going through a “sell-all-my-stuff-and-put-it-in-a-backpack” phase, or somewhere in between, it’s essential to have the best travel backpack that works for you.
Here’s the bottom line: There is no “best” backpack that is perfect for every traveler in every scenario. However, we believe everyone can find a pack that’s perfect for their unique needs. In this guide, we’ll break down the factors we think are most important when choosing the ideal one-bag travel backpack for you.
This guide is written and informed by Pack Hacker staff, many of whom are frequent travelers and digital nomads. That means we’re using and testing these products every day to better understand what’s available out there and how each bag may appeal to different types of travelers.
If you’d rather skip all this info and get straight to the backpacks we’ve reviewed, you can take a look at our list of highest-rated travel backpack in the next section, or all of our Travel Backpack Reviews. We’re constantly updating this list as we review and rate new bags frequently.
We’ve found that backpacks give you much greater mobility. You can breeze through airports. You’ll never stand around a baggage carousel after a long haul again. And as long as your pack is carry-on size compliant, you’ll never lose your luggage, ever. Depending on your travel style and what you’re hauling, it comes down to your personal preference—both roller bags and backpacks can be good options. If none of that sounds ideal and you prefer carry on luggage instead, we won’t judge (we review those, too). However, in this guide, we’ll focus on travel backpacks for a couple of reasons:
You’ve got both of your hands-free, and you’re not constantly dragging something behind you. No matter what terrain you’re walking on, you’ll never have the annoyance of loud or unsteady wheels behind you from standard travel luggage. Sure, roller bags work like a charm on smooth airport and hotel floors, but how about the winding cobblestone roads of Paris or a sandy beach in Ko Pha Ngan? You can traverse almost any terrain when you’re wearing a backpack.
Best Travel Backpack | Traveling with the Osprey Farpoint 40 in India.
If you pack light enough, you can comfortably have all of your belongings with you at once. Did you arrive earlier than your hotel or Airbnb check in? No problem, just take your pack around with you for the day—no need to stop by and drop your luggage off. Versatility at its finest.
Weight is about more than just your gear, too. While we can’t guarantee the pack will be lightweight if you fill it up with a bunch of heavy stuff (like a camera kit), it’s surprising how much you can fit into a travel backpack before it starts to hurt your back. Plus, with budget airlines cracking down on weight limits all over the world, you don’t have to worry about an 8-pound piece of luggage taking up half of your allowance, as travel backpacks often only weigh two to four pounds.
You’ll take up less room on the airplane or in public transit. You’ll generally feel more agile vs needing to drag around rolly luggage, with the added benefit of not looking like an out-of-place tourist. It caters to a more adventurous lifestyle by always being ready to go. And, you can easily catch that train that’s about to depart without awkwardly side-running with a roller bag or two.
Best Travel Backpack | Heimplanet Travel Pack 28L (V2) in Cambridgeshire, England.
In this guide, we’re going for travel versatility. We want you to look good carrying these bags around in an urban environment and have the flexibility to head out on a hike for a couple of days of camping without having your backpack ruined by the elements. If you’ve got a piece of roller luggage, it’s going to be hard to do that spontaneous half-day trek on the trail to the neighboring city you’ve been wanting to check out. Likewise, if you’re going to post up at a coffee shop for a day of office work, you’re going to look out of place with a bulky, multi-colored hiking bag. The packs mentioned in this article will blend into most city environments and are durable enough to withstand the abuse of longer excursions.
Best Travel Backpack | We’ve tested our fair share of backpacks.
Our team is comprised of seasoned one-bag travelers who have been testing and reviewing travel backpacks since 2017. Each person has experience living out of a single bag while traveling the world, some for years at a time as digital nomads. When testing gear, we evaluate each backpack for a minimum of two weeks, putting it through the wringer on flights and commutes to our Detroit HQ alike. Each bag is then rated using our objective scale that allows us to compare its performance to other bags on the market.
November 1, 2024: We narrowed down our list of the best travel backpacks at the top of this guide to include a range of top picks that satisfy different needs. We also added more details to the guide, such as how to find your torso length and which bag features enhance your carry comfort.
May 22, 2024: We removed the ULA Equipment Dragonfly from our Top Picks, as they released a new version that’s often out of stock and, therefore, isn’t as accessible.
Aer Travel Pack 3
The Aer Travel Pack 3 takes some of our favorite travel backpack features and puts them into one bag: helpful load lifters, easy-to-engage compression straps, and easy access to different compartments. It has Aer’s sleek signature style and is made with quality materials like CORDURA® ballistic nylon and YKK zippers, which add a ton of durability and make this a reliable bag that can withstand extended travel. In fact, this is one of our highest-rated bags and a Pack Hacker Pick because of how it’s held up on trips across the U.S., Thailand, South Korea, and more.
The organization is streamlined for easy packing, and it even includes a hidden pocket where you can tuck a smart tracker—a great feature for keeping track of your bag if it’s stolen or gets lost in transit. The harness system is super comfortable even when the bag is fully loaded and includes wide, cushioned shoulder straps with keepers to cut down on dangling. We also like that there’s an option to add a hip belt because it helps take a ton of weight off your shoulders when the bag is loaded. If you don’t need as much liter space, we recommend the Aer Travel Pack 3 Small because it takes key features from its bigger sibling and puts them in a smaller package built for shorter trips and smaller frames.