How to Choose the Right Travel Backpack

Choosing a travel backpack doesn’t need to be complicated.

The easiest way to narrow it down is to answer five questions:

1. What do you need it for?
2. What size do you need?
3. Do you need waterproof or water resistant?
4. Would a backpack actually suit your trip better than a suitcase?
5. What should you check before buying?

Start there and you’ll avoid most of the usual buying mistakes.

What do you need it for?

This is the best place to start. The right backpack for commuting isn’t the same as one for a week away.

A simple rule: buy for the trips you take most often, not the trip you might take one day.

What size backpack do you need?

For most people, 30L to 40L is the best place to start.

It’s big enough for weekend breaks and short trips, but still comfortable to carry and practical to use.

What affects the size you need?

• How you pack – light packers can get away with less
• Time of year – winter clothes take up more room
• Whether you’re taking a laptop – tech soon eats into space
• Whether you’re moving around – smaller is often easier if you’re carrying it a lot
• Cabin luggage rules – always check actual dimensions, not just litre size

Bigger isn’t always better. In most cases, you’re better off choosing the smallest backpack that comfortably fits what you actually take.

Do you need waterproof or water resistant?

Not always.

A lot of people hear “waterproof” and assume it’s automatically better. Sometimes it is. Sometimes it’s more than you need.

Water resistant is usually enough if you mainly use your backpack for:

• commuting
• holidays
• weekend trips
• everyday use

Waterproof is worth considering if you:

• spend a lot of time outdoors
• carry cameras, laptops or expensive gear in bad weather
• are around water regularly
• want the best protection from heavy rain

One thing to watch: a backpack can use waterproof fabric but still let water in through the zip or seams. If waterproofing matters, check how the whole backpack is built, not just the headline claim.

Backpack or suitcase?

Neither is better. They’re just better for different types of trip.

In simple terms:
If you’re flying to a city, using trains, walking to hotels and moving around, a backpack is usually easier.

If you’re driving to a hotel for a week and unpacking once, a suitcase may make more sense.

What should you actually look for in a travel backpack?

You don’t need loads of features. You just need the right ones.

Start with these five things

1. The right amount of space
Not the biggest backpack. The right one for your trips.

2. Comfortable straps
If the straps are poor, you’ll notice it quickly once the bag is full.

3. A layout that makes sense
You don’t need loads of pockets. You do need a backpack that’s easy to pack and easy to use.

4. The right weather protection
No point paying for serious waterproofing if the backpack is only going from car to office.

5. Decent build quality
Strong zips, solid stitching and materials that feel built for regular use.

Features worth having if you’ll use them

• clamshell opening
• laptop compartment
• water bottle pocket
• expandable storage
• hidden pockets for valuables

Before you buy

If you’re stuck between two backpacks, ask yourself these five questions:

• What will I use it for most often?
• Do I actually need this much space?
• Will I use these features on most trips?
• Does it suit how I travel?
• Would the simpler option do the job just as well?

Common mistakes to avoid

• buying bigger than you need
• choosing looks over comfort
• paying for features you’ll never use
• assuming waterproof and water resistant mean the same thing
• ignoring airline cabin luggage dimensions
• trying to buy one backpack for every possible situation

Common questions

What size backpack do I need for 3 days?

For most people, 30L to 40L is a good starting point.

Is a 40L backpack too big for carry on?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Always check the actual dimensions against your airline’s rules.

Is waterproof the same as water resistant?

No. Water resistant is usually fine for light rain. Waterproof is better for heavier rain and wet conditions.

Can I use one backpack for work and travel?

Yes, if the size and layout suit both. A good backpack can work well for commuting and short trips.

Is a bigger backpack better?

Usually not. Bigger often means heavier, less organised and easier to overpack.

Final thought

The best travel backpack isn’t the one with the most features.

It’s the one that suits the way you travel.

If you start with what you need it for, choose the right size and ignore features you won’t actually use, you’ll narrow things down much faster and avoid most of the usual buying mistakes.