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What are the best carry on backpacks for travel that hold at least 30L?

25

Options
Considered

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Aug 5, 2023

Last
Updated

Here’s the Deal

25 Options Considered

Best carry on backpacks for travel that hold at least 30L	Price	Weight	Capacity
84 Tortuga Travel Backpack	$199	3.65 lbs	44L
-- Minaal Carry-on 2.0 Bag	$269	?	35L
-- Osprey Farpoint 40	$160	S/M = 3.11 lbs M/L = 3.17 lbs	S/M = 38L M/L = 40L
-- REI Trail 40 Pack	$109	2 lbs. 14 oz.	40L
-- Kelty Women's Redwing 40	$124.95	2 lbs 10 oz	40L

Tortuga Travel Backpack

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Top Pro

Extremely durable

This pack can be taken on year-long trips around the world. It can face an unimaginable number of different environments and take a huge amount of abuse. After all that, it can still be used actively and works just as well as a new bag. See More

Top Con

Not great for shorter people

The torso fit for the Tortuga is 18"+, there is currently no version available for those with a shorter torso. See More

Specs

Weight:3.65 lbs

Dimensions:2 x 14 x 9 in

Torso Fit:18+ in.

Top Pro

Lockable zippers for security

The zippers on the main compartment are lockable to help keep your belongings safe. See More

Top Con

Unattractive design

The Tortuga is only available in one color and has a boxy shape that some people find unattractive. See More

Top Pro

Front pockets for quick access

There are two zippered pockets on the hip belt for easy access to money, tickets, etc.. See More

Top Pro

Can handle larger laptops

The separate laptop compartment fits up to a 17" laptop. See More

Top Pro

Easily fits under seats

The boxy design of the Tortuga means it can be easily stored under train or bus seats while traveling. See More

Top Pro

Two carry handles for navigating busy areas

There are two padded carry handles, one at the top and another at the side. This makes it easy to carry the pack when you're navigating a tight place, like cramped aisles or busy subways. See More

Minaal Carry-on 2.0 Bag

Top Pro

Includes raincover

A raincover comes with the pack. See More

Top Con

Hip belt sold separately

There is a hipbelt available for the Minaal, but it will be sold separately. See More

Specs

Dimensions:21.7 x 13.8 x 7.9 in

Top Pro

Lockable zippers for security

There are locking zippers on both the main compartment and laptop compartment. The zippers are close enough together that you can use the same lock for both. See More

Top Pro

Straps can be stowed away

The straps can be zipped away, giving the bag a slimmer profile (more suitcase-like), and protects the straps from damage. See More

Top Pro

Three-dimensional zippered pockets for organization

Two pockets inside the main compartment are three dimensional, acting as built-in packing cubes. See More

Osprey Farpoint 40

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Top Con

Laptop compartment located at the front

Because the laptop compartment is located at the front of the pack rather than against your back, it can make the bag feel heavier. The laptop compartment can also curve if you pack is full, which can cause the laptop screen to crack. See More

Top Pro

Extremely durable

Osprey is known for creating long-lasting, strong and well designed packs. See More

Specs

Weight:S/M = 3.11 lbs M/L = 3.17 lbs

Capacity:S/M = 38L M/L = 40L

Dimensions:S/M = 20 x 14 x 9 in M/L = 22 x 14 x 9 in

Top Con

Front mesh pockets unusable

Not good for a water bottle or much else really. See More

Top Pro

Fits up to a 17" laptop

The separate laptop compartment fits up to a 17" laptop. See More

Top Con

Limited number of pockets

There isn't much in the way of pockets for organization. There are small mesh pockets inside the main compartment, and one external pocket for papers and such. See More

Top Pro

Available in two torso lengths

The pack is available in two torso lengths (Small/Medium and Medium/Large). This gives you more options for getting the best fit. See More

REI Trail 40 Pack

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Top Pro

Women-specific version available

There is a women-specific version of the REI Trail 40 available, which has a slightly smaller torso fit range. See More

Top Con

Pocket for hydration reservoir is difficult to access

The pocket for the hydration reservoir is external, located right behind the back panel. There is very little room, making it hard to access and can only fit a small amount of water (around 1.5L). See More

Specs

Weight:2 lbs. 14 oz.

Dimensions:21.625 x 13.125 x 10.5 in

Torso fit:M = 17 - 19 in; L = 18 - 20 in

Top Pro

Pockets on the hip belt for easy access

The hip belt has two zippered pockets which lets you store things for easy access (such as papers, money or snacks). See More

Top Con

Internal bungee compression system can get in the way

The internal compression straps are a bungee system, which does not unclip the way most do. When your pack is full, this can make it a very tight squeeze if you want to access something in the back. See More

Top Pro

Four zipper access to easily get to your belongings

The pack is front load with four zipper access, allowing you to unzip from either the top or bottom. This is great if you want to grab something from the bottom of your pack without opening it completely. See More

Top Pro

Includes raincover

The pack comes with a rain cover that stows away in it's own zip pocket. See More

Kelty Women's Redwing 40

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Top Pro

Lots of external storage

The Redwing 40 has loops at the front for hanging things off of, and mesh pockets for holding anything that may need to dry out. It has large pockets on both sides for water bottles, and a compartment at the front with lots of internal pockets for organizing. See More

Top Con

Better suited for use with packing cubes/bags

There are no internal straps in the main apartment to keep clothes from moving around. And due to the fact the top of the pack zips away, you are left with the main compartment having 3 walls instead of 4 when unzipped. Combined, it's hard to keep your clothes and other belongings where you want them if not using bags or packing cubes. See More

Specs

Weight:2 lbs 10 oz

Dimensions:23 x 14 x 12 in

Torso fit:14.5 - 18.5 in

Top Pro

Front or top loading

You can either use this pack as a top-load, or a front load. See More

Top Con

No laptop compartment

There is no compartment specifically designed for a laptop, so the only option is putting it in the main compartment. See More

Top Pro

Women-specific

Women, especially on the shorter side, often have trouble finding suitable backpacks as the torso fit is often too long. The Redwing solves that issue, with a range from 14.5"-18.5". See More

Top Con

Women-specific

The suspension system is built specifically for women, with a shorter torso fit range than many backpacks. See More

Top Pro

Beautiful design

Travel backpacks aren't exactly known for their beauty. However, appearance was a consideration when the Redwing was designed, and it shows. See More

Osprey Porter 30

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Top Con

Only one external pocket

The only external pocket is the front panel organizational compartment for papers, tablets and a laptop. There are no pockets for food or anything else you may want quick access to. See More

Top Pro

Padded carry handles

There are two padded grab handles, one at the top and the other at the side. See More

Specs

Weight:2.49 lbs

Dimensions:21 x 15 x 11 in

Top Con

Minimal support makes it uncomfortable to wear for long periods

The padding on both the shoulder straps and hip belt is quite light. Especially when heavy, the straps can dig into your shoulders and become uncomfortable. See More

Top Pro

Attachments for a daypack

Reinforced loops allow you to attach a daypack to the front of the Porter (designed specifically for the Daylite Pack). See More

Top Con

No internal compression straps

There are no straps in the main compartment to help secure your belongings, so they may shift while traveling. See More

Top Pro

Stowaway harness

They quickly hide away in a zippered pouch to protect that harness when stowed, or to keep them out of the way when navigating tight places. See More

Pacsafe Venturesafe 45L

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Top Pro

Both compartments can be locked with the same lock

The Roobar design allows the zippers of both compartments to be locked with a single cable lock. See More

Top Con

Laptop compartment is at the front of the pack

Heavy items should be closest to your back. However with the laptop compartment located at the front of the pack, the weight can throw off your balance and make the bag feel heavier. See More

Specs

Weight:3 lbs 7.4 oz

Dimensions:22 x 14 x 9.1 in

Top Pro

Anti-theft fabric

A stainless steel wire mesh is embedded in the fabric, making the pack much more difficult to cut open. See More

Top Con

Laptop compartment only unzips on one side

The laptop compartment only unzips on a single side, making it hard to access. See More

Top Pro

Stowaway straps

The shoulder straps and hip belt can be tucked behind the back panel. See More

TLS Mother Lode Weekender Convertible

Top Pro

Fits in all but the smallest of Air shuttle planes.

Top Con

Not water resistant

The material is not water resistant, so even a small amount of rain can get to your belongings. See More

Specs

Weight:3 lbs 15 oz

Dimensions:22 x 14 x 9 in

Top Pro

Lots of pockets

It's very easy to keep the pack organized thanks to all the pockets on both the inside and outside. See More

Top Con

Minimal waist strap

The waist strap is only a single strap with no padding, so it doesn't offer much support. See More

Top Pro

Stowaway shoulder straps

The shoulder straps quickly zip into their own compartment, keeping them out of the way when storing or using as a duffle bag. See More

Top Pro

Variety of colors available

There is more choice than is usually available with travel packs. The TLS Mother Lode Weekender is available in 6 colors currently. See More

Top Pro

Can be carried as a duffle

It's a convertible pack, so you're not limited to wearing it only as a backpack. The bag includes a shoulder strap so can be carried as a duffle or a suitcase. See More

Top Pro

Lifetime Warranty

The bag has a lifetime warranty. See More

Gregory J38

Top Pro

Integrated rain cover

The pack includes a color-matched, quick-attach rain cover. See More

Top Con

Short torso fit

This is a women's backpack, with a torso fit range on the smaller side (16-18"). See More

Specs

Weight:S = 2 lbs 12 oz M = 2 lbs 15 oz

Capacity:S = 38L M = 40L

Torso fit:S = 16 - 18 in M = 18 - 20 in

Torso Fit:S = 16 - 18 in M = 18 - 20 in

Top Pro

Very well built

Gregory is known for their very durable and well designed bags. See More

Top Con

Not specifically designed for travel

The J38 is a versatile pack, but not specifically designed for travel. It has some features you may not have a use for (such a pole loops) and is lacking in features you may find helpful (like a laptop sleeve). The shape is not ideal for storage (under seats, or in the overhead). See More

Top Pro

Great option for shorter backpackers

the J38 is designed with a shorter torso fit due to it being a women's pack (16-18"). See More

Eagle Creek Deviate Travel Pack

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