You’re heading to the airport,
wheelie bag
When you’re trailing behind, your mind starts racing over case-related stress. Have I forgotten to settle the bill for my luggage? Are there going to be stairs that I’ll struggle carrying it up and down? Could it exceed the weight limit at check-in? What if it doesn’t show up upon landing?
These concerns could become obsolete with the minimal investment in travel.
backpack
Frequently providing as much room as a suitcase, plus the advantage of being able to wear it on your back when the ground becomes challenging—think stairs, grass, and cobblestones—it offers an easy solution to eliminate every luggage hassle during travels in one go.
The perfect travel buddy – no matter where your trip takes you, backpacks can be easily tucked into storage on trains, placed in the overhead bin during flights, or positioned at your feet when riding coaches. They’ll remain with you whether you’re flying off for vacation, trekking up mountains, or enjoying a staycation within the UK.
You won’t need several bags to keep your carry-on items like clothes and toiletries apart anymore since everything can be stored in a single, easily accessible space. Plus, with various pockets, sleeves, and compartments, organization remains top-notch without sacrificing convenience.
Keep an eye out for practical design features such as cushioned straps, a waterproof exterior, and special compartments for items like
tablets
and
laptops
. Some, such as those from Eastpak and Away, completely change their form—turning into a wheeled suitcase and a duffel bag, respectively. If you aren’t prepared for this transformation,
fully
Pack into your backpack; here are the styles to keep an eye on in our selection.
We spoke with Niklas and Mattis Oppermann, the founders of premium luggage brand Carl Friedrik, to get their best advice regarding travel backpacks—and we’ve highlighted some of our favorite recommendations below.
Is a backpack a suitable option for travel?
A significant advantage of traveling with a backpack is the hands-free convenience it provides. This can be particularly beneficial during long trips involving several flights or extended periods of walking, as you won’t need to haul a cumbersome suitcase. Additionally, high-quality backpacks help balance the load evenly over your back, minimizing physical stress. Furthermore, because these packs stay close to you for the duration of your trip, they reduce the risk of losing or having your luggage misplaced or stolen.
What qualities define an excellent travel backpack?
Accessibility is understandably crucial for travel backpacks, and we prioritize functionality at every step of their design. It’s often challenging to access items within backpacks when traveling, so we emphasize having numerous compartments and pockets to facilitate easy storage and quick retrieval of your belongings.
Consider features like cushioned sections for laptops, slots for water bottles, and hidden pouches for cash or passports. These details can prevent you from desperately rummaging around in your bag searching for hard-to-find items.
Which material works best for a travel backpack?
A high-quality leather backpack is always a safe choice. It offers outstanding longevity when contrasted with other materials, and its robust nature allows it to withstand various weather conditions. Beyond being durable, an excellent leather backpack also brings classic sophistication to your travel attire. With proper care, certain types might even acquire an appealing aged look known as a patina.
Could you share your best advice for filling up a travel backpack?
Space comes at a premium, hence it’s beneficial to invest some time perfecting your packing technique. Primarily, rolling garments has been shown to be far more space-effective compared to folding them. Additionally, ensure that your commonly accessed items are placed on top, preventing the necessity to rummage through everything just to find essentials such as passports or IDs.
headphones
.
Is there anything extra we could add to maximize the space?
Packing cubes
Are the perfect addition for anyone aiming to optimize space and add organization to their backpacks or suitcases. These cubes enable you to efficiently layer and reduce the volume of clothes, fitting them into compartments that slot together like pieces of a Tetris puzzle. This not only helps conserve room but also ensures that with proper packing, your garments will reach your destination free from creases and perfectly pressed.
Explore top-rated travel backpacks designed for men
Rains Rolltop Rucksack
Best for:
Scandi design
If you’re seeking something distinctive, check out the offerings from the Danish firm Rains. Known as an excellent choice for cyclists, the
Rolltop Rucksack
is typically Scandinavian: straightforward, eye-catching, and distinctly chilled.
Rains is recognized for its water-resistant design, making it an excellent choice if you’re venturing out during a rainy season. The bag features a roll-top closure, allowing you to customize the capacity based on your load. However, this means sacrificing some advanced closures and additional compartments found in other luggage options.
In the end, this choice is straightforward yet functional enough to warrant attention—it features both a frontal compartment for your laptop along with additional pockets, padded backing, and adjustable shoulder and chest straps.
Moreover, thanks to its distinctive design and four natural color options available, it’s also quite fashionable. This increases the likelihood of you getting plenty of use out of it even when not traveling. It’s perfect for daily commuters.
Buy now
£105.00, Rains
Antler Bamburgh roll top backpack in navy blue
Gorpcore has remained popular since the phrase was first introduced by The Cut in 2017. As we approach six years from when this style emerged, you can still refresh your wardrobe with a gorpy update by choosing Antler’s Bamburgh backpack ideal for your adventures in 2023.
Constructed from weather-resistant ripstop material, this bag includes a flexible bungee cord, two side compartments, one frontal zippered section, and several internal storage areas, providing plenty of room for a short trip. Additionally, it has a cushioned sleeve designed specifically for laptops, allowing you to make travel plans as soon as you activate your ‘away’ message at work.
Buy now
£130.00, Antler
Away Far Convertible Backpack 45L
Offering the same storage capacity as a typical carry-on suitcase, Away’s F.A.R backpack is ideal for outdoor adventures – be it camping in Cornwall or traversing the Scottish Highlands.
Designed with ample storage in consideration, this item includes both internal and external compression mechanisms to maximize packing capacity. It also boasts several easily reachable compartments for safeguarding essentials. Additionally, should you prefer not to wear it on your back, it conveniently converts into a duffel bag allowing for alternative carrying options.
Buy now
£175.00, Away
Eastpak Strapverz S Black
You might think this is simply an ordinary suitcase, but you’d be mistaken. In reality, it has hidden shoulder straps that allow you to carry it on your back comfortably.
Providing all the advantages of Eastpak’s thoughtfully designed luggage, this bag offers enhanced mobility. Ideal for journeys requiring extensive walking—be it through rugged fields or city sidewalks—it also complies with carry-on size regulations.
Buy now
£150.00, Eastpak
Sandqvist Axel Backpack
Striking a balance between functionality and eco-friendliness alongside minimalist design, Sandqvist’s bags prove their worth — take for instance this backpack. It boasts an exterior made entirely from reclaimed polyester and offers ample storage capacity of up to 34 liters, providing a secure spot for your laptop within. Its Scandinavian simplicity adds another layer of appeal that many appreciate.
Buy now
£86.97, Alpine Trek
July Volume+ Backpack
A celebrity-favored brand, July’s luggage has been seen accompanying individuals such as Harry Styles, Chrissy Teigen, and Apple Martin. It’s now the perfect moment to highlight their backpacks instead.
Offering the most space, the Volume+ includes an extendable zipper allowing you to increase its capacity from 21 liters to 26 liters instantly. Despite being fully loaded, the cushioned shoulder straps and back padding ensure that added weight doesn’t affect your comfort level.
Buy now
£122.50, July
Briggs & Riley Traveller Backpack
At the core of Briggs & Riley’s creations lies functionality. With features like the 180-degree opening for an easy packing process similar to handling luggage, ultra-plush linings, numerous cushioned compartments designed specifically for electronic devices, and even a convenient power pocket for charging on the move, this brand ensures every detail meets the needs of the sophisticated traveler. All these elements come packaged neatly within a stylishly minimalist black exterior. Can you really ask for more?
Buy now
£299.00, Briggs & Riley
Horizn Studios SoHo Traveller Backpack
Since launching in 2015, Horizn Studios from Berlin has earned acclaim for their carefully crafted, cutting-edge creations—and this bag exemplifies that commitment. Featuring a shell made from reclaimed fabric, adjustable sections to accommodate longer journeys, water-resistant inner linings, and a pocket specifically for laptops, everything needed for a short getaway is covered—even unexpected downpours.
Buy now
£275.00, Horizn Studios
Sign up today for one of The Standard’s newsletters. Choose from a daily news update, Homes & Property highlights, as well as content on lifestyle, events, exclusive deals, and much more. To get the top stories delivered directly to your mailbox, click here.
here
.
