How to pick a backpack for travel?
Quick answer: To pick a backpack for travel, match it to your trip. Go for a large, waterproof pack for long off-the-beaten-path journeys, and for city trips choose a lighter, good-looking bag such as a leather, waxed canvas or expandable travel backpack.
A backpack is an essential piece of equipment for most travelers. It carries everything you need for your trip and keeps your hands free, so picking the right backpack for travel is an important part of planning.
How to Pick a Backpack for Travel Based on Your Destination
For most people, a large-capacity backpack seems like the obvious choice because it holds more, such as the Osprey backpack that is favored by many travelers. But I don’t think that’s always right: you should choose a backpack based on where you want to travel.
Long Trips Off the Beaten Path
If you’re going off the beaten path and staying for a long time, you should prepare a large-capacity backpack. You’ll need to carry a lot of survival items, like food, clothes, water, medicine and some tools, and the backpack must be waterproof. For this kind of trip I recommend the Osprey backpack.
City-to-City Travel
If you’re traveling from your city to another city, you have plenty of options. You only need to carry essentials such as your phone, computer, charger, passport, wallet, camera and clothes. Most other things you can buy at your destination, so just bring a little more money.
Once you arrive, you’ll check in to a hotel, rest, and then head out to explore the city, visit attractions and take photos. That’s when you want a good-looking backpack that looks great in your pictures. Most travel backpacks are incredibly functional and practical, but they don’t always look great. Here are 3 types of stylish backpacks I recommend.
| Backpack type | Best for | Key strengths |
|---|---|---|
| Leather backpack | City travel with style | Timeless look, durable, can last 5 years or more |
| Waxed canvas backpack | City travel or hiking | Rugged, vintage look |
| Expandable travel backpack | Overnight stays and weekend trips | Opens like a suitcase, 25L to 45L |
1. Leather Backpack
Leather backpacks are super versatile, and their style is timeless. With time and use they only get more beautiful. A leather backpack doesn’t just look good; it’s durable too, and you’ll get plenty of compliments while carrying it.
Thanks to the quality of the materials, leather backpacks can last 5 years or more, but they are also more expensive than other backpacks. If you want a leather backpack for travel, you can check the list of the best leather backpack for 2022; all of the leather backpacks are made of 100% real cowhide leather.
2. Waxed Canvas Backpack
Waxed canvas was a staple of England and Scotland’s sailing culture. It is made by impregnating canvas fibers with wax, and when you rub the material between your fingers it feels sturdy.
A waxed canvas backpack is very rugged, has a vintage look and makes a great travel backpack for city travel or hiking. If you want one for your trip, you can check the list of waxed canvas backpack.
3. Expandable Travel Backpack
I like expandable travel backpacks very much; wherever you go, they’re a great fit. An expandable backpack opens like a suitcase, so you can easily pack and unpack your things. For people who travel a lot, being able to lay a backpack 180 degrees open on the hotel floor or bed is a real boon.
The expandable travel backpack’s big advantage is that it opens up from 25L to 45L, giving enough room for a full change of clothes for 2 to 5 days plus your entire shower and grooming kit. It works like a trolley case but is lightweight, making it the best solution for overnight stays and weekend trips.
If you want an expandable backpack for travel, you can check the list of Expandable travel backpacks. I’m constantly on the go, including frequent travel for my job, so I bought an expandable travel backpack from the list. It’s sturdy, comfortable and spacious, and it fits nicely under an airplane seat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size backpack should I pick for travel?
For long trips off the beaten path, choose a large-capacity, waterproof backpack. For city-to-city travel, a smaller bag holding just the essentials is enough.
How long does a leather backpack last?
Thanks to the quality of the materials, a leather backpack can last 5 years or more, though it costs more than other types.
What is an expandable travel backpack good for?
It expands from 25L to 45L and opens like a suitcase, making it ideal for overnight stays and weekend trips of 2 to 5 days.
Conclusion
The best way to pick a backpack for travel is to think about where you’re going. Choose a big, waterproof pack for long adventures, and for city trips pick a stylish option like a leather, waxed canvas or expandable travel backpack that’s practical and looks great in your photos.
