Travel plans may be in full swing, but being prepared for a fabulous trip starts with taking what you need in the right way. Travel backpacks have been booming in popularity in recent years as people travel lighter and try to avoid additional check-in baggage fees. As a woman, finding the perfect travel backpack can be tricky. A backpack that is too small will only be able to hold some of your essentials, while one that is too big will be cumbersome to carry around. A well-designed travel backpack will keep you organized, comfortable, and stress-free no matter the trip.
How To Choose The Right Travel Backpack
There are different factors to consider when purchasing something you hope to have for years to come. Features like adjustable straps, padded back panels, and hip belts ensure comfortable to wear while multiple compartments and pockets keep your belongings easily accessible. Durable materials with reinforced stitching and strong zippers can withstand the wear and tear of all kinds of travel. Choose a style that complements your travel destination and your personal taste.
To choose the right travel backpack for your needs, be mindful of travel-friendly size, multipurpose features, organizational capabilities and high-quality, durable materials too. With my own travel experiences and researching personal reviews, here are the 10 best travel backpacks for women that will make you want to book another trip ASAP!
Best Travel Backpacks For Women:
- Béis – The Expandable Backpack
- Monos – Metro Backpack
- PopFlex Active – Cora Backpack
- Nordace – Siena Smart Backpack
- Peak Design – Travel Backpack 45L
- Dagne Dover – Dakota Neoprene Backpack
- Samsonite – Mobile Solution Deluxe Backpack
- Hp hope – Smart Backpack with USB Charging Port
- Calpak – Terra 26L Laptop Backpack Duffel
- Lululemon – Wunderlust Backpack 25L
The BÉIS Expandable Backpack is an excellent choice for women who prefer versatile and sustainable travel backpacks. Made of recycled plastic water bottles, this one is eco-friendly and durable, with an expandable gusset of up to 2 inches, allowing for more storage (essential toiletries and extra souvenirs). The padded laptop zipper pocket fits up to a 15-inch laptop, and a hidden water bottle pocket pops out of the side, while the inside pocket keeps everything organized. You’ll stay hands-free with a pass-through trolley sleeve on the back makes airport luggage hauls easier and front pockets give you safe access to your passport, phone, keys and even jewelry. The BÉIS front corner logo lays nicely on black or beige colors for a classy minimalistic look.
From personal experience, I must say that my Monos Backpack withstood lots of long-distance air travel last year and still looks brand new. Monos has been making its rounds online because of its beautifully constructed materials and cohesive style throughout its luggage sets. For a durable and chic backpack, you can choose a premium nylon twill or ultra-microfiber vegan leather finish. The hidden back compartment can carry up to a 15-inch laptop, while the small opening at the back has a magnetic closure for easy (and safe) access for your passport and other small valuables. It even has a privacy compartment for gym clothes or a wet rain jacket. There are seven original colors to choose from. Still, Monos’ recent partnership with New York City-based Magnolia Bakery adds two new gorgeous limited edition colors — Purple Icing and Banana Pudding — that will make you want to get a new backpack for every trip.
The PopFlex Active Cora Backpack is a smaller backpack with plenty of storage for quick trips. Made from luxuriously soft and waterproof neoprene fabric, this backpack combines practicality with a feminine design like an outer box pleat zipper and daintily ruffled pockets. The waterproof zippable secret shoe compartment and hidden yoga mat holder underneath add to the functionality. Multiple pockets for organization include two easy-access outer ruffle pockets with an adjustable bungee cord, an inner zippered pocket, two inner side pockets with elastic X-straps to secure water bottles, an inner key ring clip, and a 13.5-inch diagonally measured laptop pocket secured with velcro straps. The whimsical magnolia design on the inner lining is a lovely complement to the six colors you can choose from!
The Nordace Siena Smart Backpack has a modern square silhouette that keeps its shape, whether full or empty, combining a sleek style with straightforward functionality. The backpack has ergonomic shoulder straps that cushion during long-haul trips, while the anti-theft pocket at the back allows you to stow your wallet, passport and other essentials safely. You’ll enjoy easy transport with the luggage strap for the top of your suitcase handle, and the built-in USB charging port is convenient for keeping your phone charged wherever you go. The backpack has a padded sleeve to protect your laptop from damage, a fleece-lined pocket to keep your sunglasses scratch-free, a water bottle pocket, and a handy side pocket that can be used to store an umbrella. The spacious main compartment has plenty of organizational pockets to hold all your daily essentials, and it comes in nine colors to match your vacation vibe.
The Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L comes in two colors — Black and Sage — but allows you to pack much more. If you’re a woman who prefers to travel with one carry-on backpack for everything, this may be the choice for you. Peak Design began as a creative traveler’s dream, focusing on ruggedness, accessibility and versatility. It can expand from a compact 35L day bag to a robust 45L gear-hauler with quick-access pockets, a divisible main cavity, padded laptop and tablet sleeves, and organizational pockets for travel essentials like your keys, glasses, camera and passport. The 100% recycled nylon canvas shell and the bottom liner are sleek and weatherproof for durability and eco-friendliness. You’ll also enjoy abnormally convenient 360-degree grab handles, cleverly concealed external carry straps, tuck-away shoulder straps and hip belts for the ultimate convenient one-and-done travel backpack.
The Dagne Dover Dakota Neoprene Backpack is the perfect companion for women travelers who plan to explore but still want to stay organized. It’s ideal for short travel trips and weekend getaways, with ample space to pack more, including extra shoes, gym clothes and outfits. The laptop sleeve fits most 16-inch laptops if you need to work while you travel and features a neoprene luggage-handle sleeve, making it easy to carry around. This vegan backpack is made with 100% premium neoprene high-tech fabric that is water-resistant and hand washable. The lining, shoe bag and dust bag are made from Repreve® recycled polyester to protect your stuff while you roam wherever your heart leads you. The often sold-out colors include Heather Grey and Camel, with other options like Onyx, Dune, Storm and Dark Moss.
Samsonite is a well-known luggage brand, and their Mobile Solution Deluxe Backpack is probably one of several reasons why. The backpack’s durable nylon fabric with vinyl trim and water-resistant coating ensures it can withstand rigorous travel. The interior padded tech panel protects laptops up to 15.6 inches and tablets up to 9.7 inches. The organizational features include an exterior front pocket with two slip pockets with a pen sleeve, two interior zippered pockets, and exterior side pockets for secure and accessible storage. The proprietary SmartSleeve™ allows you to fit the backpack over most upright luggage handles, and the double zippers lock together for extra anti-theft security. Choose one of three sleek colors — Black, Navy Blue, or Silver Shadow — to enhance your luxury vacation vibes.
This HP Hope Smart Backpack has a USB charging port and set-in charging cable built into its design for convenient charging. Designed with a woman’s travel needs in mind, this smart backpack features ergonomic padding throughout the shoulder straps that can be adjusted to fit any body type. In addition to the smart features, this travel bag protects your belongings with a reinforced padded sleeve for up to a 15.6-inch laptop or iPad and 360-degree triple-layer memory foam protection. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, this backpack can help you stay organized and protected.
The Terra 26L Laptop Backpack Duffel by Calpak has an eco-friendly composition of 27 recycled plastic bottles — trendy meets sustainability in action. The dual-convertible design from backpack to duffel is convenient when switching up your carrying style. It weighs a light 2.7 pounds to start and comes with detachable and adjustable padded shoulder and sternum straps so you can comfortably travel without the bulk. Multiple integrated pockets and a 17-inch padded laptop pocket make this travel backpack ideal when you also need ample space for work travel essentials. You have five color options to match your travel style with Canyon (peach), Glacier (blue), Juniper (sage green), Obsidian (black) and the limited edition Amethyst (light purple).
The water-repellent rain-proof fabric on the Lululemon Wunderlust Backpack 25L ensures that your belongings stay dry in any weather. The drawstring opening gives you easy access to stow and finds your items while the buckle closures keep your bag secure. Adjustable exterior straps make it easy to hold your yoga mat or jacket in a pinch. The trolley-compatible sleeve and zippered exterior pockets make airport travel a breeze. The exterior padded pocket fits up to a 16-inch laptop, and the interior pockets keep all kinds of gear separate and organized. Side pockets provide quick access to your water bottle and other small items you might need. Each of the three colors — True Navy/Black, Black and Raw Linen — give this backpack a clean and smooth upscale look.
