Top 5 Best Carry On Backpack of 2022

By Alice Ross | BACKPACKS & SUITCASES

Sep 15
best carry on backpack 2022

Are you planning to fly soon? Perhaps, you’re worried about packing what you need and what you don’t in order to save space and weight on your baggage so you don’t have to check in your luggage. If this thing is stressing you out, you are lucky as we give you our list of best carry on backpack…

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**Below, you'll find more detailed reviews, but you can also click links above to check current prices and read customer's reviews on Amazon.

When it comes to carry-on baggage, there are now many forbidden items that you are not allowed bring with you. These items have been alarming with after the devastating attack of 9/11 that has forced most airports to have more strict security measures and how well they certify everyone’s safety. However, before the attack, there has already been a lot of prohibited stuff that wasn't allowed during your flight. It was just when the attack took place when more rules began to be implemented.

best carry on backpack

But What Really Is a Carry-On Backpack?

By definition, carry on is a little piece of baggage that you are able to take with you on the plane. Every passenger is allowed to one carry-on bag along with an extra personal item such as a purse, laptop computer, briefcase, or a camera bag. Regardless of the fact that your bag is going to be screened by the airport security staffs through an x-ray, it’s still your baggage size restrictions of a particular airport that will decide if your bag passes as a carry-on luggage.

Choosing the Best Carry-On Backpack

best carry on backpack

Today, more people who travel prefer using backpacks over wheeled luggage bags for their portability. If you would like to travel by bus you must need a convenient backpack that doesn’t require a great amount of space. You have to keep important items and leave off the ones you wouldn’t really need.

The best carry on backpack is also very ideal for those who are traveling by plane. The reason for this is that they can fit in the overhead bin or even under the seat of the person sitting in front of you. Through this, you can keep your eyes on your belongings during the trip. Now, you don’t have to worry about anything. Furthermore, you are also able to get anything conveniently when you need them on your trip. This is going to help you to get an access whenever you would like to use any vague item or you would like to eat something.

best carry on backpack

However, what you need to keep in mind is that while you’re on the road, so must need enough backpack that might fulfill everything you need. Obviously, if you’re going to stay in a station, having good clothing, form of entertainments like a laptop, and other accessories to make your trip comfortable and fun would be necessary. So, ensure that your backpack is wide enough to achieve all these requirements. It should have big storage space to ease all essential items.

There are some people who prefer little handbags with bigger backpacks when going on a trip. This makes sense as going this way would be more convenient for people. These items could be kept easily in bag’s external pockets that are normally available in most types of backpacks. On the other hand, if you would like to be hands-free and easier, you must have a pack that is large enough that can satisfy everything you need.

Choosing the right size for the best carry on backpack shouldn’t be difficult. A backpack that is too large tends to be heavier, while a bag that is too small may give you limit on how much stuff you can only put in them. It is also important that the backpack is made of good materials, in order for you to be comfortable and for them to last. The best carry-on backpack is should give you nothing but comfort for our trip.

Features to Look For

backpack

There are some points you have to keep in mind while hunting for the best carry on backpack, here are those things:

Water resistant material - A hard-wearing backpack should be made of waterproof material in order to keep your stuff from getting wet. There are many brands that offer backpack with a rain cover that can be cover the bag if ever it rains all of a sudden.

Lockable zippers - It is best to choose backpacks that have compartments that come with two zippers so you are able to lock them together. This will make sure that all your stuff is secured.

Compartments - A reliable backpack should have enough compartments to accommodate your stuff. It makes things easier for you to pack as you are able to divide your things into smaller sections and consecutively becomes easier to get. It can save you time as you do not need to take out everything to find what you need.

hiking backpack

Internal frame - Most backpack today have an internal frame, which is useful to give body support to the wearer. On top of this, they also make the bag look better visually. They are also light so it doesn’t really add any weight to the bag.

Straps - One of the downsides for choosing backpack traveling is that it can hurt your shoulders; however, with a good set of shoulder straps, you can avoid this. You may want to invest in a bag that padded and adjustable and offer stabilization on shoulder straps that can help in ideal positioning which makes it more comfortable and also ease off the pressure on the lower back.

Back-friendly - In order to protect your back while wearing the backpack, go find a backpack with a breathable padding and contoured frame. It gives a more natural arch in order to make sure no you don’t experience a backache while which also allows air to get on the back for to avoid sweating.

Size matters - A great backpack has to be proportional to the body. If its size is not right, the weight wouldn’t be balanced correctly and will lead to back pain or perhaps even make you fall over.

5 Best Carry-On Backpacks

Below, we listed down our top five favorite carry-on backpacks ideal for travel…

The Cabin Max Metz Backpack was made specifically for carry-on luggage ideal for flights. It's perfect size can fit in any airlines overhead bin compartment and if not filled, you can even put them under the seat.
In terms of traveling, there are people prefer to take everything they can bring with them. Not everyone would like to be carrying around multiple bags or a huge suitcase with a bag too. For us, this is one of the best backpacks out there if you are looking for one that you can bring with you on the plane.

98
/100

Editor's Rating: 98/100

Price On Amazon: from $8.99


Pros

  • It has organized compartments which allow you to keep big and small stuff in the first compartment of the bag which allows for easy access 
  • It is available in different colors and designs; there are more than 20 different colors and patterns so you can surely find one that is suitable for your personality
  • Its size is just perfect for the carry on while giving you enough space for all your essentials 
  • It is made of waterproof material you can ensure that your staff is going to be dry despite an unpredictable weather
  • It is lightweight so you don’t have to worry about it hurting your back even after a long wearing

Cons

  • There is no compartment for laptops so it’s not very ideal for techy travelers

Hynes Eagle carry-on backpack is another model that we like. It is made of premium quality polyester and is a convertible backpacks design for travel. It is durable and has a big capacity perfect for carrying all your travel essentials and even a laptop.
This backpack is lightweight but big enough for you to put everything you need. It is a real hands-free carry on backpack. You can convert this backpack to duffel in an instant. It contains a small in front for you little items, a compartment for perfect for a laptop, and the large one for all other stuff.

97
/100

Editor's Rating: 97/100

Price On Amazon: from $64.99


Pros

  • This bag is easily able to be adjusted to either a backpack or duffel, so, making it dual purpose
  • There are compartments and other attributes that allow carrying different types of things in an easy and safe way
  • The interior straps let the users to even accommodate some things within the bag
  • This bag is made of a high-quality material that doesn’t allow to get inside 
  • The shoulder straps of this bag are easily
  • It’s accepted by most airlines as carry-on baggage
  • This bag looks very elegant so it’s also good for business trips

Cons

  • The straps could be better
  • The bag may not fit in the under the airplane seat

High Sierra AT7 Spinner is a duffel style bag and is one of the well-made and best designed rolling backpack available in the market today. If you are looking for the best carry on backpack, this one will not disappoint.
It has a versatile style and ideal for a carry-on, as you are able to carry it in three different ways – by its dual handles, by rolling wheels, or by carrying it on your shoulder. So, it’s a great option if you would like to use it for any types of trips.

95
/100

Editor's Rating: 95/100

Price On Amazon: from $87.86


Pros

  • This has structural capabilities of an upright suitcase
  • This could be carried easily in different ways ideal for different terrains
  • This is very stylish and looks sporty

Cons

  • This doesn’t have a side handle which would make it a lot easier to lift when putting into an overhead bin

The Farpoint 40 liter has a perfect carry on dimensions in order for you to place it with you in the cabin on most carriers. You should not have any problems while traveling this backpack on most flights but it is always practical to check. This is a great choice for international trips as you can take it as carry-on baggage for any airlines in the world.
Our favorite thing about this carry on is that it’s a little smaller than the maximum size for carry-on luggage. I know many people believe that the maximum dimension is best, however, it is not. If you’re carrying this pack on your back, it is essentially a great thing to have some restrictions. Osprey has struck a great balance with its good size.

93
/100

Editor's Rating: 93/100

Price On Amazon: from $160.00


Pros

  • This is very comfortable to wear even though you put a lot of stuff in it
  • This offers good suspension for great adjustments
  • This backpack offers large capacity
  • This is lightweight

Cons

  • This could be better if there were more compartments to put your stuff in

Last in our list is G4Free Large 40L Backpack. This is an amazing backpack that is extremely versatile because of its foldable design that allows it to be folded in a little pouch that can fit into your pocket. It doesn’t matter if you are planning to go on a short or long trip, this would be a great option. It is extremely lightweight and made of hardwearing materials that are able to hold about 40 liters so you are able to make room for a lot of essential things. The whole backpack is waterproof as it is made of the water resistant fabric that keeps all your stuff inside dry.
There are a lot of pockets and compartments included to provide a room with all your stuff and there are also several straps that allow you attach bigger items such as a mat or a sleeping bag. However, it is not the best-organized rucksack you can have, but still, it would still be a great choice.

90
/100

Editor's Rating: 90/100

Price On Amazon: from $18.99


Pros

  • This is made from water resistant nylon fabric material 
  • This is very lightweight
  • This is very compact and can be turned into a small pouch
  • This has an extremely large capacity
  • This has a lot of pockets and compartments which make organizing your stuff easier

Cons

  • This backpack doesn’t have waist straps
  • The fabric used is not the best and prone to tearing
  • The zippers could be better

Conclusion

yellow backpack

As you can see, there are a lot of choices you when looking for the best carry on backpack, now it is up to you which one suits your needs and budget best. Whether you are looking for one that is versatile and can be turned into different kinds of bag, one that is easily foldable into a pouch, or one that can protect your stuff from unexpected change of weather, there surely is one ideal for you. Now, it’s all up to you which one you want.

What do you think of this list? Let us know in the comment below!

Rating: 4.5 (6 votes)

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Alice Ross, a long-term traveler who left the corporate world to travel the world. I chose to live life on my own phase and live day by day while immersing myself in new experiences, new knowledge, and new people in a different walk of life I met along the way.

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