We Tested 15 of the Best Travel Backpacks for Women. Here’s What We Found.
The best travel backpacks for women need to be organized, stylish, and (most importantly) comfortable to wear.
Even if you’re new to travel, you likely already know that having a good backpack is crucial. And while it may seem convenient to lug around that old-school bag you’ve been using since the 8th grade, it’s not always the most practical choice. In my experience, a good travel backpack makes your travels a lot smoother.
There’s lots to consider. For example, security is a standard in good backpacks nowadays—does yours have anti-theft measures built-in? Does it fit comfortably? Is it ideal for hiking?
When I first started traveling I had no idea what I was doing, and ending up wasting money on the wrong backpacks for the wrong adventures. This list of the best travel backpacks for women will help you avoid the same mistakes.
Here are my top picks for the best travel backpacks for women, from weekend travel bags to one-bag travel carry-ons.
- Our Top Picks
- Best Women's Travel Backpack Overall: Cotopaxi Allpa 35L
- Best Budget Travel Backpack for Women: REI Co-op Ruckpack 40 Recycled Pack
- Best Carry-On Backpack for Women: Aer Travel Pack 3 Small
- Most Large Travel Backpack for Women: Timbuk2 Impulse Travel Duffel Backpack
- Best Travel Laptop Backpack for Women: NOMATIC Travel Pack
- Most Stylish Backpack for Women: Monos Metro Backpack
- Best Anti-Theft Backpack for Women: Pacsafe Venturesafe Travel Pack 45L
- Best Leather Backpack for Women: Kodiak Leather Katmai
- Best Digital Nomad Backpack for Women: Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L
- Best Carry-On Hiking Backpack for Women: Osprey Fairview 40
- Best Digital Nomad Travel Backpack for Women: Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L
- Best Backpacking Backpack for Women: Osprey Aura AG 65
- Best Hiking Backpack for Women: Osprey Kyte 48
- Best Photography Backpack for Women: WANDRD PRVKE
- Best Daypack for Women: Patagonia Black Hole 25L
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L: Best Women's Travel Backpack Overall
While it isn’t specifically designed as a women’s backpack, the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L is a popular choice for women looking for a good carry-on backpack for travel. It’s durable, stylish, and impressively functional.
This versatile backpack features a clamshell opening that makes it super easy to access anything in the main compartment without needing to dig. There are several zippered mesh compartments inside to keep everything organized. I’ve found I don’t really need packing cubes in this well-organized travel backpack.
The Cotopaxi Allpa is also impressively durable. It’s made from a burly 1000D polyester with a thick TPU coating that adds water and abrasion resistance. The YKK zippers are beefy and confidence-inspiring. I expect this to last much longer than a traditional backpack.
I love the external laptop pocket which makes it super easy to pull out my device for airport security. I hate having to dig through the main compartment to get to my laptop, so this is a welcome feature in this travel backpack.
The Allpa is also surprisingly comfortable with its padded hip belt, generously curved shoulder straps, and air mesh back panel.
I think the 35L size is perfect for most trips, and it’s especially good if you’re on the short side and need a backpack with a smaller torso length. If you need extra space, there’s a slightly larger 42L size. On the other end of the spectrum, the 28L version is perfect for super light packers and is small enough to fit under an airplane seat and count as your personal item on most flights.
While it isn’t specifically designed as a women’s backpack, the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L is a popular choice for women looking for a good carry-on backpack for travel. It’s durable, stylish, and impressively functional.
This versatile backpack features a clamshell opening that makes it super easy to access anything in the main compartment without needing to dig. There are several zippered mesh compartments inside to keep everything organized. I’ve found I don’t really need packing cubes in this well-organized travel backpack.
The Cotopaxi Allpa is also impressively durable. It’s made from a burly 1000D polyester with a thick TPU coating that adds water and abrasion resistance. The YKK zippers are beefy and confidence-inspiring. I expect this to last much longer than a traditional backpack.
I love the external laptop pocket which makes it super easy to pull out my device for airport security. I hate having to dig through the main compartment to get to my laptop, so this is a welcome feature in this travel backpack.
The Allpa is also surprisingly comfortable with its padded hip belt, generously curved shoulder straps, and air mesh back panel.
I think the 35L size is perfect for most trips, and it’s especially good if you’re on the short side and need a backpack with a smaller torso length. If you need extra space, there’s a slightly larger 42L size. On the other end of the spectrum, the 28L version is perfect for super light packers and is small enough to fit under an airplane seat and count as your personal item on most flights.
- Easy packing with clamshell opening.
- Great internal organization.
- Impressive durability
- Not many external pockets.
- A bit small for extended trips (the Allpa 42L will be better for some)
REI Co-op Ruckpack 40 Recycled Pack: Best Budget Travel Backpack for Women
REI is well known for its affordable yet awesome gear, and the REI Co-op Ruckpack Recycled Pack is no exception.
The design of this bag is built to fit women, with narrower straps and a larger hip belt for distributing weight better. Compression straps help pack down your gear and lift the load off your back more easily. The sternum strap even has a whistle for your extra security.
The REI Co-op Recycled Pack is versatile: it can function as a backpacking bag or as an outdoor backpack. There’s a daisy chain to attach more items, as well as trekking pole attachments and two water bottle holders. The padded hip belt and shoulder straps make for great comfort while hiking. This bag is way more versatile than most travel packs!
One thing it does lack is a well-padded laptop compartment, so keep this in mind if you’re planning to work on the road.
For a 40L, the price tag on this one is more than reasonable. Not only are you getting the best bang for your buck, but the REI Co-op Ruckpack Recycled Pack is also eco-friendly: it’s made with recycled materials that are bluesign® approved, helping you cut down on waste.
- Designed for a women’s fit.
- Eco-friendly recycled materials.
- Great weight distribution .
- Comfortable shoulder straps.
- Side pockets keep water bottles and snacks accessible.
- Enough space for one-bag travel or trekking
- The laptop sleeve lacks padding.
- Doesn't have many inner pockets.
- Less stylish than many travel packs
Aer Travel Pack 3 Small: Best Carry-On Backpack for Women
This is a bag jam-packed with organizational features that pair well with your busy day-to-day life, but is also perfect for taking along as a carry-on bag. It’s incredibly durable, great for keeping your belongings neat and tidy, and it counts as a personal item on most flights while still providing enough space for a week-long trip, as long as you travel light.
The design team created the Aer Travel Pack with the best of the best materials, like ballistic nylon. The material on this travel backpack is guaranteed to stand up to the test of time.
You can squeeze quite a few items into this bag for its small 28L capacity. The main compartment can lie flat when opened completely, which you’ll find very useful for quickly finding small items. Easy access is key for travel backpacks, and this little backpack definitely excels over a more traditional backpack design.
Other nifty organizational features include the easy-access laptop compartment and shoe pocket (that fits up to a men’s size 13). This bag is also chocked full of nifty storage pockets for your accessories, and the padded shoulder and side straps do a good job of easing the weight of the bag.
One downside to this bag: it has a whole lot of compression straps, which makes the bag quite bulky. There is a hip belt, but you have to buy it separately. That’s a small price to pay, though. Even at full capacity, the Aer Travel Pack 2 is ideal as a carry-on.
For more information check out our full Aer Travel Pack review or see our top picks for the best carry-on backpacks.
- Easy access pockets and a main storage compartment that lies flat.
- Can handle 3-7 days worth of packing .
- Ultra-durable materials.
- Well-padded shoulder straps
- Lots of straps .
- Hip belt is separate.
- Heavy
Timbuk2 Impulse Travel Duffel Backpack: Most Large Travel Backpack for Women
The designers at Timbuk2 made the Impulse Travel Duffel Backpack with road warriors in mind—this bag is meant to endure a lot. It’s water resistant, made with incredibly durable materials, and can switch between a duffel and a backpack within seconds.
You can easily store or locate all your tech items thanks to the clever storage system and clamshell shape of the bag. It has a plethora of pockets and storage compartments for your accessories and there is a dedicated padded laptop compartment too. Interior compression straps help pack down your clothing so you can fit more in.
This bag is great if you want to save on baggage fees because you can pack everything you need for a long weekend in it. You can even turn it into a duffel bag for when you’re going to be gone for extended periods of time.
There’s an impressive harness system too, making it easy to carry long distances if necessary.
If you’re in the market for a duffel, check out our full round-up of carry-on duffel bags.
- Fits a 17″ laptop.
- Clever organization.
- Can turn into a duffel bag with a clamshell opening.
- Built-in shoe compartment keeps your dirty shoes separate
- Doesn’t have a traditional shoulder strap.
- Zippers tend to be sticky and hard to maneuver
NOMATIC Travel Pack: Best Travel Laptop Backpack for Women
The design team at NOMATIC named this backpack the “most functional travel pack ever.” I agree, and that’s why it’s my top pick for the best laptop backpack for women.
When you are using this bag as a carry-on, effortlessly slip the pass-thru shoulder straps onto your main luggage handle and wheel it along. The organization is fantastic. There’s a quick-access laptop compartment that also has space for a tablet. Then there is the main compartment, which you can compress by 50% when you don’t need to pack much.
The NOMATIC Travel Pack is also made with weather-resistant material, and the zippers are waterproof. This bag will keep out rain much better than most travel backpacks.
The one downside to this bag? The straps aren’t as padded as many other travel backpacks. They don’t have sufficient padding to make a long journey with this bag on your back comfortable, particularly in the 30L size.
Our NOMATIC Backpack review has more info.
- Great functionality features, including pass-thru straps to attach to your wheeled luggage.
- Weather-resistant.
- More organized than most laptop backpacks
- Not enough padding in the shoulder straps.
- Small for a travel backpack
Monos Metro Backpack: Most Stylish Backpack for Women
The Monos Metro backpack is a real eye-catcher—its sleek, minimalistic design makes it one of the best stylish backpacks on the market.
This backpack has two options when it comes to materials: nylon twill with vegan leather accents or full ultra-microfibre vegan leather. The nylon twill and vegan leather are water-repellent and scratch-resistant.
My favorite thing about this backpack is the storage system. The Monos Metro’s clamshell design allows the main compartment to open and lie completely flat. No more fishing for loose socks at the bottom of your bag!
There is also a dedicated compartment for your laptop (maximum of 15”). The location of the laptop sleeve in the middle of the pack is great —it distributes the weight evenly throughout the bag. It’s also sandwiched between water-repellent and waterproof materials, so your gear stays good and protected.
Monos Metro bags come standard with the new QuickSnap™ Modular Kit System. This is a magnetic system that fixes the interchangeable Metro Kit to the backpack, which allows for fast detachment and easy re-attachment. This means you can store all your day-to-day essentials in there and grab them quickly when you’re on the go. Need to brush your teeth in-flight? Just unsnap the Metro Kit and go.
- Water-repellent & scratch-resistant.
- Storage space opens up completely.
- Quicksnap system is included
- Expensive.
- Not much padding in the shoulder straps
Pacsafe Venturesafe Travel Pack 45L: Best Anti-Theft Backpack for Women
If you’re anything like me, safety is a top priority when it comes to traveling. Luckily, the team who designed the Pacsafe Venturesafe Travel Pack took most travel safety concerns into account. It’s one of the TravelFreak top picks for anti-theft backpacks. Seriously, this is the bank vault of travel backpacks.
Firstly, there’s the eXomesh Slashguard technology that protects the contents of your travel backpack’s front pocket. It’s basically a stainless steel wire mesh frame to stop flyby attacks (otherwise known as cut-and-runs).
There is also a Roobar Deluxe locking system in place, which is appealing for anyone who travels with lots of gear. This system allows you to secure your zips and anchor cable on a single lockdown point.
Other safety features of this travel backpack include ToughZip zippers, which are puncture-resistant and prevent luggage tampering, and a locking cable to attach your bag to a fixture.
The storage system is nifty and organizes your stuff well. It boasts a 45L capacity, which is more than enough for a carry-on. Its dimensions are also small enough to fit onto most planes as a carry-on.
You can use this bag on your everyday commute and not worry about your belongings. If you are looking for a long-lasting, versatile bag, then the Venturesafe Travel Pack 45L is your best bet.
- Plenty of safety features to prevent theft .
- Effective storage system.
- Durable materials
- When packed to the brim, it can be difficult to fit on your shoulders.
- Expensive.
- Heavier than many travel backpacks
Kodiak Leather Katmai: Best Leather Backpack for Women
There’s something special about leather travel backpacks. Probably because the materials are organic, and the design ends up being one-of-a-kind (and even looks better with age).
Kodiak uses premium cowhide leather for the Kodiak Leather Katmai, from its base to its reinforced support handle. The inside of the bag features black nylon which gives this travel backpack a smooth look.
This travel backpack boasts a 15” padded laptop pocket at the back, which fits a MacBook Pro very snugly. There are three zippered pockets (small, medium, and large) on the front of the bag. The main large pocket has individual pouches for wallets, phones, and pens.
Apart from the obvious productivity benefits, I like this travel backpack because it just looks great. The leather comes in a variety of stylish colors and adds some edge to your look.
If you’re someone who likes high-quality products that have personality, then the Kodiak Leather Katmai is a great fit for you. If you’re curious about other leather options, check out this round-up of leather backpacks.
- It will last a lifetime if looked after properly .
- Made with high-quality leather.
- Lightweight
- Pricey.
- Not suitable for long periods of travel.
- Lacks padding in the shoulder straps
Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L: Best Digital Nomad Backpack for Women
Travel backpacks are the ideal solution for any busy professional who works while on the road, and the Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L is an excellent travel backpack for anyone who wants to travel with a carry-on only and skip the hassle of baggage claim.
The Tortuga Setout has a sturdy lockable zipper to protect your gear while you’re on the move. If you’re city hopping and doing lots of urban travel, this bag will keep you well organized (and your gear well protected) while you’re in transit.
It’s a compact bag that has a (surprisingly large) main luggage cavity and a few small compartments. The luggage compartment’s simple dividing system makes it easy for you to find items in a pinch. This bag likes to keep things simple, and that’s why I love it. Nothing is overdone. It’s a great balance between a simple rucksack and overly complicated travel backpacks that leave you wondering which pocket you put your passport in.
The shoulder straps are comfortable with plenty of padding as well. This is one of the best carry-on travel backpacks for comfort and support, in my experience. That’s especially helpful if you’re carrying heavier loads for an extended trip.
The Tortuga Travel Backpacks come in two sizes: the 30L and the 40L. 30L is toward the small end for travel packs, so unless you’re a really light packer, I don’t think you can go wrong with the 40L, which fits carry-on size restrictions around the world.
If you’re still not sure if this is the best carry-on backpack option, take a lookat our Tortuga Travel Backpack review. You can also check out more travel packs for carrying your computer on the go in our list of the best laptop backpacks.
- Compact design great for carry-on.
- Simple storage system.
- 17’’ laptop compartment
- Not suitable for outdoor use.
- The 45L bag may not be suitable for international airlines.
- More expensive than most travel packs
Osprey Fairview 40: Best Carry-On Hiking Backpack for Women
The Osprey team created the Osprey Fairview 40 to fit a woman’s frame specifically, creating a hardy travel bag that will last you forever thanks to its durability and handy lifetime guarantee. Unlike many travel backpacks that are tailored for urban use, this one feels right at home on the trail.
This backpack comes in two sizes: XS/S and S/M. Both options are suitable if you’re shorter than six feet, and it has two adjustable front-compression straps to keep it compact against your back. The suspension system keeps the weight of the bag evenly distributed as well.
The Osprey Fairview travel packs come in two standard color schemes: rainforest green and misty grey. I love a darker color scheme because it tends to conceal dirt if you’re doing any trekking, unlike lighter colors.
Apart from looking great, this bag fits great too, and it has better support than most travel backpacks. As soon as you sling this backpack over your shoulders, you’ll notice how lightweight it feels. The straps are nice and narrow and feature a curved design for a comfortable fit.
I love the clamshell opening, padded laptop pocket, and variety of storage pockets, too. All in all, it’s a perfectly well-rounded backpack for any woman on the go.
- Durable materials.
- Functional colors .
- Incognito strap system can be tucked away.
- Great suspension system.
- Works for both travel and hiking
- Not suitable for women taller than six feet.
- Less stylish than more urban-themed travel backpacks
Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L: Best Digital Nomad Travel Backpack for Women
I love this Peak Design Travel Backpack because it does it all: I can proudly carry it with me on work trips, it’s great for multi-day travel, and it’s also super organized for all my gear. It balances business function with a look that’s easy on the eyes. To me, it’s one of the most stylish travel backpacks on the market and will give you an ultra-professional look.
The organization of the Peak Design Travel Backpack is nothing short of genius, and it blows other travel packs out of the water. You can find a compartment for every one of your essentials and they’re all easy to reach via top, side, front, and rear access. Most travel backpacks have good organization, but the Peak Design Travel Backpack puts the rest of them to shame.
The whole bag is also made with a weatherproof nylon canvas shell that’s ideal for protecting your tech gear. The weatherproof zippers on the external storage pockets are another nice touch that give this bag one more advantage over other travel packs.
You can tuck away the shoulder straps for a more streamlined look and then you can grab the side handle to carry it like a briefcase. And, of course, there’s a well-padded laptop sleeve. If you need a bag to keep up with your diverse lifestyle, this is it. Read more about it in the full Peak Design travel bag review.
If you’re a light packer, you may opt for the smaller 30L Travel Backpack. It’s on the small end for travel packs, which is perfect if you don’t need much space.
- Sleek and professional appearance.
- Top, rear, front, and side access.
- Tuckable straps.
- Lifetime guarantee .
- Comes with storage pockets for all your accessories
- Side handle’s placement throws off the weight distribution if you carry sideways
Osprey Aura AG 65: Best Backpacking Backpack for Women
If you’re looking for a backpacking bag that’ll accompany you on your travels for years to come, then the Osprey Aura AG 65 is for you. This is definitely a step up from most travel backpacks in terms of durability and comfort in the outdoors.
You’ll always stay comfortable and dry thanks to this bag’s plush yet breathable shoulder straps, ventilated waist belt, and breezy back panel. If you’re traveling in the summer months or to more tropical environments, you’ll appreciate these extra touches.
The key feature of this backpack is the Anti-Gravity (AG) suspension design. The new AG suspension technology does a great job of distributing the weight of the pack evenly.
This bag also boasts 65L of luggage capacity, which is more than enough for standard backpacking trips. However, its accessibility is what really sets it apart. I love all the large pockets because they allow you to access your essential items quickly and easily.
This bag has a main compartment and also a storage area for other gear, like camping gear. You can even turn this backpack into a daypack by removing the lid and taking away some of the storage space. It’s this versatility that makes it my top pick for a backpacking backpack!
- Anti-Gravity suspension.
- Tons of padding in the shoulder straps.
- Supportive hip belt.
- Great for long backpacking trips.
- Detachable daypack .
- Plenty of storage pockets
- Heavier than other travel packs.
- Too big for carry-on
Osprey Kyte 48: Best Hiking Backpack for Women
Osprey has never let me down when it comes to durability and functionality (it’s by far my favorite brand for outdoor and travel packs), and the same goes for the Osprey Kyte 48.
This bag is a proper workhorse with tons of useful features. It comes with an integrated rain cover that’s very easy to attach and detach. A lot of travel packs don’t include a rain cover, so it’s great to see that this bag has one included.
Other awesome features include trekking poles and sleeping mat/hiking tent attachments, plus lots of pockets and organizational features to make this bag an outstanding bag for hikers.
The LightWire frame suspension system distributes most of the weight to your hips, so it feels very light while you’re walking. However, this bag uses the old-school back panel that fits tightly to your back, which doesn’t allow for great breathability if it’s hot.
This bag does well for overnight hikes of two to four days and it also passes as a carry-on at most airlines. However, if you are looking to pack a lot of food and extras, then you might struggle to fit everything into this pack.
This hiking backpack will be your lifelong hiking partner, thanks to Osprey’s lifetime guarantee. For other options, check out this article on the best hiking backpacks.
- Great organizational features and storage pockets.
- Robust suspension system.
- Built-in rain cover .
- Attachments for sleeping gear and trekking poles.
- Lifetime guarantee.
- Very comfortable shoulder straps
- Not enough room for multi-day hikes.
- The back panel is not very breathable
WANDRD PRVKE: Best Photography Backpack for Women
The WANDRD PRVKE is the ultimate backpack for photographers. It has waterproof Tarpaulin material and ballistic nylon to ensure that the contents of your bag stay dry and safe from abrasions. You won’t have to worry about your camera gear (or any other gear) getting wet while you’re out in the field taking photos.
The organization of the bag is what really stands out to me compared to most travel backpacks. The optional camera cube fits nicely into the main compartment and you can grab it in a pinch.The laptop sleeve is strategically placed at the back so that, no matter how full it is, you can access your laptop easily too.
There are also pockets upon pockets in this bag so that you can store all your bits and bobs. This bag also comes in three sizes, depending on your luggage needs.Aesthetically, it comes in three stylish colors: black, Wasatch green, and Aegean blue. This bag really stands out from the crowd of same-old same-old travel packs.
The only real downside to this bag is that, at a standard weight of 3.7 pounds for the 41L option, it’s heavy when fully loaded. However, the materials used in this bag are top-quality, so this is a fair trade-off, in my opinion. For a more detailed breakdown, check out the WANDRD PRVKE review.
- Camera-ready features .
- Waterproof and ultra-durable materials.
- Stylish.
- Comfy shoulder straps
- Heavier than other travel packs.
- The camera cube costs extra.
- No hip belt
Patagonia Black Hole 25L: Best Daypack for Women
At first glance, the Patagonia Black Hole 25L doesn’t look like anything special. But it’s a sturdy bag that you can take everywhere with you on day adventures, whether that’s hiking, running errands, or meeting some friends at the park.
This backpack is technically water-resistant and not waterproof. That being said, the materials used in this bag are extremely water-resistant, so unless you drop the bag in the ocean or a giant puddle, your belongings are quite safe here.
The organizational features on this bag are good too. It has a compartment for your laptop and plenty of storage pockets to keep you organized.
If you are looking for a versatile daypack with great functionality without breaking the bank, then this backpack is worth checking out.
- Weather-resistant and durable.
- Great organization.
- Affordable
- The laptop pocket is not easy to access and lacks padding
What to Look for in a Travel Backpack for Women
There isn’t much of a difference between travel backpacks for men and women, so the essential things you look for in a travel bag remain the same (like materials and durability, for example). There are, however, some things that make certain travel bags a better fit for women.
Is it a Good Fit for Women?
There’s more to a travel backpack than design, volume and features. A comfortable fit is absolutely the most important consideration for travel packs. When it comes to fit, you want to consider the shoulder straps and hip belt.
These features are usually designed to fit a women’s body better. The straps will usually have more padding and are narrower at the shoulders. The hip belt is usually larger too, to distribute the bulk of the weight to this area. This keeps the load lighter on your frame.
Is it a Fashionable Backpack for Women?
Fashion essentially boils down to the design and colors of the bag, and your own personal preference. I suggest going for bags that are sleek and low-profile so as not to draw additional attention to yourself, but honestly, I’ve never been caught up in how things look. Functionality is way more important here.
I will say that I much prefer dark colors, though. Colors like black and dark greens or blues are always great options for travel packs because these will show less dirt and scuff marks as you’re on the move.
Final Thoughts on the Best Travel Backpack for Women
I’ve included quite a selection of best women’s travel backpacks here, but now you’re more equipped to choose the right one for you. It really boils down to how you prefer to travel, and what you’ll be spending your time doing. Maybe that means hiking or city-hopping, or doing more work-oriented travel. Whatever the case, take some time to think about it—this bag should last you for a very long time.
The travel backpacks for women listed here are the best of the best. And when you’ve found your personal best women’s backpack for travel, let me know in the comments below!
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Travel Backpacks for Women FAQs
Which backpack is best for traveling women?
The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L is a popular choice for women looking for a good carry-on backpack for travel.
What type of backpack is best for Travelling?
A dedicated carry-on backpack is the best choice for traveling.
What is the best backpack to take on a plane?
If you’re traveling by plane, you’ll be best off with a dedicated carry-on backpack.
How big of a backpack do I need for 2 weeks in Europe?
A 35-45 liter backpack should be sufficient for 2 weeks in Europe as long as you don’t pack the kitchen sink.
Is it better to travel Europe with a backpack or suitcase?
A dedicated carry-on backpack is a much better choice for Europe, where cobblestone streets are unforgiving to suitcase wheels.