A great pack is essential for life’s adventures. After all, everyone needs a way to carry their stuff around. We’ve outlined our favorite picks across styles, from school and commuter packs to travel backpacks and tech-focused bags.
Our gear experts have tested hundreds of backpacks since 2010, putting each through real-world scenarios like school, work, travel, and hiking.
The best general-use backpack we tested is Osprey Nebula. This is a comfortable and spacious pack that is at home just about anywhere: school, the gym, airplane travel, weekend trips.
A great low-cost option is the Volher Travel, which carries 30 liters of stuff and has sufficient padding.
Those seeking a simple daypack for use on the trail or for gym gear might like the lightweight REI Co-op Flash 22, which is an affordable minimalist pack.
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Who this is best for: The Osprey Nebula 32 offers a sleek, supportive fit and practical features, seamlessly transitioning from school or work to weekend adventures. This is a jack-of-all-trades pack, versatile enough for students or commuters with its ample storage and pockets, or for travel with its 17″ TSA-approved clamshell laptop compartment that offers easy access in class or at airports. One tester said, “I love how it handles my daily grind and still feels ready for a spontaneous trip.”
Why we love it: Osprey is known for packs with great suspension, and the Nebula 32 is no exception. This pack’s sturdy frame offers enough structure and padding for all-day comfort. Its water-resistant exterior means it can handle a bit of weather, and it’s robust enough to withstand getting tossed around in a school setting or going on outdoor excursions. You can also swap your laptop for a hydration pack via the neck pass-through, making it adaptable for various activities.
Should you buy it? The Nebula 32’s comfort, protection, and versatility make it worth its high price for daily use, but cost-conscious buyers may opt for cheaper alternatives that perform well. Its bulky, versatile design doesn’t fit easily under airline seats when loaded and prioritizes durability over a fast, light feel.
Volume: 32 L | Electronic Storage: 17″ laptop compartment with sleeve
Who this is best for: The North Face Recon is ideal for travelers, commuters, students, or just anyone seeking a versatile, organized backpack for everyday carry. Its 30-liter capacity fits a 16-inch laptop, with smart pockets for office, airport, or library organization. Designed for longer torsos and all-day comfort, outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate features like reflective loops, a sternum whistle, and a water hose port for adventures.
Why we love it: Our testers raved about its padded back and straps, which provide lasting comfort, and its ability to stand upright on the ground, with one reviewer noting, “It stands up anywhere—super handy.” The pack’s clever organization and larger size make it ideal for bringing everything for both work and play, for the day or the weekend.
Should you buy it? This feature-rich backpack is a great value for commuting or travel, with excellent ergonomics and organization. It’s a third of the price of many premium laptop packs in our review. However, cyclists take note: the unpadded center panel can be uncomfortable on the spine when bent forward on a bicycle. We also noticed that the roomy third pocket can crowd the main compartment if overfilled, and the water bottle pockets are stiff and hard to access without adjusting the bag. Its versatility and size make it less nimble than sleeker packs, and it’s harder to slide under a plane seat when fully loaded.
Volume: 30 L | Electronic Storage: 16″ laptop and small tablet
Read more: The North Face Recon review
Who this is best for: The Volher Travel is an affordable, tech-savvy daypack ideal for commutes, airport travel, or classroom use. Its versatility suits gym trips, carrying a 15″ laptop, or even serving as a diaper bag. With 30 liters, cushioned padding, and smart pockets, it’s packed with features for students, professionals, or parents on the go. “This is a backpack built for people on the move,” our reviewer stated, highlighting its transit-friendly design with USB and headphone ports, a velcro-secured laptop sleeve, lockable zippers, a thick grab handle, and a back strap for suitcase attachment.
Why we love it: It stands out for its low cost and featured design, offering ample padding and thoughtful additions like USB and headphone ports, lockable zippers, and a suitcase attachment strap. Its 30-liter capacity and velcro-secured laptop sleeve provide organized storage for daily essentials or travel needs. Despite its budget-friendly price, it delivers a transit-ready setup that competes with pricier options, making it a compelling choice for those prioritizing affordability and convenience.
Should you buy it? We’ve tested a lot of backpacks, and we wouldn’t rate this as the most durable or comfortable pack we’ve seen, but it has a lot of great features for a low price. It will get less comfortable with heavy loads, and we definitely don’t recommend choosing this bag for the USB port feature, because ours arrived broken. However, for everything the Volher does right, we think it’s a steal for the price.
Volume: 30 L | Electronic Storage: 15″ laptop sleeve
Who this is best for: The Timbuk2 Authority Deluxe is ideal for office workers and commuters who prioritize laptop protection. It’s designed for those carrying tech daily, with a dedicated padded rear pocket for a 17-inch (or smaller) laptop and an additional padded sleeve in the main compartment. Its sleek design and premium build make it a great fit for professionals who value both style and function, especially those with lighter loads of flat items like folders and notebooks.
Why we love it: We appreciated the thoughtful organization system and its comfort more than anything else. The cushioned back and straps provide excellent support, even when fully loaded, and promote airflow to keep you cool. Testers rave about its reliability, with one noting, “It’s my go-to – keeps my laptop safe and my back happy.” The water-resistant exterior and waterproof bottom add durability, protecting your gear from wet surfaces. It’s a premium choice for laptop safety and everyday practicality.
Should you buy it? If you’re looking for a great pack for work or your personal item for a plane, we think the Authority Deluxe is a top-notch backpack. However, it’s too short on space to be your only pack for a weekend trip, and we wish the exterior pocket could accommodate more than a slim water bottle (it’s too small for something like a Nalgene). Overall, this is a great daily pack for transporting your tech, and we think it’s worth the steeper price tag.
Volume: 20 L | Electronic Storage: 17″ laptop & tablet
Read more: Timbuk2 Authority Deluxe review
Who this is best for: The Incase Icon is ideal for tech-savvy professionals, students, or travelers who need a backpack to protect and organize multiple devices. With a 17-liter capacity, it features a laptop pocket, an embedded sleeve for a second laptop, and a separate tablet pocket, making it perfect for those carrying extensive tech gear. Its wide array of auxiliary pockets ensures work essentials stay neatly arranged, excelling at keeping gadgets organized during commutes, work, or travel.
Why we love it: The Icon earns top marks for its exceptional organization and protection, offering three separate compartments to keep large items orderly. The dedicated laptop pocket, second laptop sleeve, and tablet pocket provide robust device security, while numerous auxiliary pockets accommodate other necessities. Its thoughtful, tech-focused design makes it a standout for anyone needing a reliable, organized way to carry multiple gadgets without sacrificing accessibility or safety.
Should you buy it? The Icon’s specialized, compartmentalized design is perfect for tech-focused users, but it’s not great for those looking to tote bulky gear around, since the central compartment is not super large and it has a smaller overall capacity than other packs we’ve tested. But if you need a backpack tailored for multiple devices and don’t mind the structured layout, the Icon is a great investment.
Volume: 17 L | Electronic Storage: 15″ laptop, second laptop, & tablet
Read more: Incase Icon review
Who this is best for: The REI Co-op Flash 22 is ideal for budget-conscious hikers, commuters, travelers, or backpackers seeking a lightweight daypack. Weighing just 0.8 lb, this minimalist 22-liter pack suits quick trail hikes, running, or daily use, with updated pockets, side water bottle pockets, an ice axe loop, and external lashing options. “I’ve even used this pack for running,” our tester remarked, noting its versatility for those prioritizing a featherweight, affordable option for short adventures or errands.
Why we love it: The Flash 22 impresses with its unbeatable value and surprising comfort for an ultralight pack. Its thin foam pad and ripstop nylon construction keep it durable yet easy to patch, while new pockets and lashing options enhance functionality. It weighs under a pound and is a great option for minimalist hikers or commuters who value simplicity and portability. “After a decade of use, the latest Flash sets the bar for affordable, featherweight daypacks,” our tester says. It’s a reliable choice for various activities.
Should you buy it? If you’re looking for a great value in a simple daypack, the Flash 22 is a great bag. However, we don’t recommend it as a pack for toting a laptop around. Its material is thin, and it doesn’t feature nearly the suspension or comfort of more beefed-up backpacks, so it works best with lighter loads. However, if you’re looking for an affordable, ultralight daypack for hiking, the gym, or travel and don’t mind minimal padding, the Flash 22 is a great buy; otherwise, explore sturdier alternatives.
Volume: 23 L | Weight: 0.8 lb
Read more: REI Co-op Flash 22 review
Who this is best for: If you frequently find yourself taking quick trips and don’t want to break out the heavy luggage, the Allpa is an amazing travel companion. We love this bag for long weekend trips by car, plane, or train, and if you’re a savvy packer, you can get away with longer trips with this bag. If you travel by plane frequently, there is a padded compartment for your laptop (up to 15 inches) that you can easily access when going through TSA.
Why we love it: The clamshell design opens all the way up to reveal mesh compartments that zip closed, allowing you to skip the packing cubes and still stay organized during your trip. It’s comfortable to carry, with a removable padded hip belt, and features a water bottle pocket on the side that can hold a 32-ounce Nalgene. There are also small pockets for keeping little travel accessories organized. And, though it’s not listed as fully waterproof, it did well in our water resistance tests.
Should you buy it? If you like the idea of quickly darting through an airport with everything you need perched (comfortably) on your back — no baggage claim required — the Allpa is your bag. If you’re more of a roller bag traveler, check out our favorite wheeled carry-ons.
Available Sizes: 20L, 28L, 35L, 42L | Pockets with Exterior Access: 4
Read more: Cotopaxi Allpa 35L review
Who this is best for: The Gregory Zulu 24 LT is a great pack for hikers seeking a super comfortable way to carry their things. We had no problem fitting a day’s worth of gear into it, and it has a great frame offering support for heavier loads. We also think this pack is great for toting stuff around town, to the gym, or even to work (it will fit a laptop, though there is not a dedicated compartment for it). It’s also a great pack if you already own a Gregory brand bladder, since the clip in the pack is designed for it.
Why we love it: This pack took the crown for its comfort in our daypack review. It has great padding on the shoulder straps, a wire mesh frame, and has a suspended mesh back panel that allows airflow between the pack and your back, so you don’t get as sweaty. We like its U-shaped zipper opening and its large hip belt pockets, which are easy to access.
Should you buy it? If you’re in the market for a new daypack and looking for one that’s super comfy, this is our top recommendation. On the other hand, if you’re looking for an ultralight daypack, this isn’t it. The great suspension and comfort features weigh a bit more. However, we think the extra weight is canceled out by the comfort this pack offers.
Volume: 24 L | Weight: 2.3 lbs
Read more: Gregory Zulu 24 review
Over the years here at GearLab, we’ve tested more backpacks than we can count. We tested packs on the trails, on our bikes, at school, at the airport, during our daily commutes, at the crag… You name it, and we’ve been there. Additionally, we take empirical and quantitative measurements like volume, weight, and size to compare models side by side in each category. For example, we have purchased thousands of ping pong balls to measure volume: we don’t just take the manufacturer’s word for it, as we find many companies measure volume differently.
For this review, we compiled test results from over 300 different models in total, all purchased at retail prices from many of the same popular merchants you likely shop at. You see more details of how we test in each of our backpack reviews. For example, see how we test travel backpacks.
To lead the extensive testing for this review, we have several contributors well-versed in the world of backpacks. Our team includes a host of experts who use different styles of backpacks for international travel, backpacking trips, and during their day-to-day commutes; each one maintains an eye for meticulous evaluation when putting these bags to the test.
Myrha Colt lends her experience from a lifetime of travel. Having lived on 6 continents, working, playing, and studying, Myrha knows the value of being prepared for whatever the day brings and rarely leaves home without a backpack. She leads our school backpack testing and offers valuable insights into testing for other types of packs as well.
Hale Milano has lived life on the road as both a weekend warrior, global traveler, and weekday business traveler. He’s logged hours in airports, trains, and other types of travel carrying gear on his back in everything from a satchel to a 100-liter duffel bag, to dedicated hiking backpacks and specialized travel backpacks.
Ben Applebaum-Bauch is an outdoor guide and student and has used backpacks for everything from daily school and work commutes to thru-hiking trails in northern New England.
Our teams tested and rated all these backpacks for different qualities depending on the pack type and its intended use. We tested for durability, comfort, weight, features, volume, ease of use, water resistance, style, accessibility, and more. We repeatedly packed and unpacked them all. We hiked, biked, and went through airport security with them. We loaded up our precious laptops and tablets in them and shoved them in overhead bins and below airline seats. In short, we put all these backpacks through the wringer to find the best of the best.
In order to pick the right pack, it’s important to assess your needs. Do you carry heavy gear? Do you like to be organized to the nines? We all want a pack that fits comfortably. While backpacks can overlap in use, the best design ensures quick access, weather protection, and comfort. We’ll guide you through pack types to match your priorities.
Know your plans before picking a backpack. A work or school pack differs in size and shape from a travel one. For hiking, choose small for quick day trips or larger for multi-day treks, or just a hydration pack for carrying some water and basics.
Travel backpacks hold more stuff, generally featuring a spacious main compartment, plenty of pockets for organizing gear, and versatile carrying options like removable straps, slings, and padded handles. Our favorite travel backpacks have great internal organization features, protective electronics pockets, and comfortable harness systems.
These packs are usually streamlined with minimal external features, so they can easily be stuffed into overhead bins, car trunks, or other tight spaces. They are typically moderate in size — somewhere between the size of a daypack and a large backpacking pack — in order to meet airline carry-on size requirements and to maintain a comfortable carrying weight.
Laptop backpacks are typically small to moderate in size and have specific design features meant to carry a laptop and other electronic devices. They usually have a well-padded internal sleeve or multiple sleeves to protect your laptop or tablet. They might have specially designed compartments for things like extra battery packs or charging cords. Because these bags carry delicate cargo, protection is one of the most important and heavily weighted factors we consider in our testing.
Most laptop bags have a sleek and stylish look that fits into an office or urban setting. However, there is a wide range of options available today, and you can find some that look more sporty, techy, or minimalist. Laptop bags are a great option for protecting your valuable electronic equipment, and many have enough extra space for things like textbooks, lunches, gym clothes, a compact umbrella, and other essentials to complete your commute to work or school.
A backpack for school used to be simple — it needed the ability to carry books, folders, and pens/pencils. Today, tech is a huge part of school curricula, so often these packs need to include a way to safely carry a laptop or tablet, too. Look for the ability to comfortably carry heavier loads and enough internal organization for the items you’ll carry daily.
A great daypack usually has a fairly simple and versatile design that makes it ideal for any type of day trip. Those day trips can be on a hike, a bike ride, or even just a stroll around the city. These packs should be comfortable, versatile, and easy to use.
Finding a size balance is important. A daypack should be big enough for snacks, layers, a first aid kit, and more, yet small enough to avoid excess bulk. Ideal for commuters with dual water bottle pockets (one for coffee and one for water!) and space for essentials. Hiking models add technical perks like hydration sleeves, hip belt pockets, and straps for helmets, poles, ice axes, or skis.
Once you’ve figured out the backpack style that best suits your needs, looking at the specific design features of different individual models will help you narrow down the field considerably.
Choosing the right pack size depends on what kind of gear you need to carry and for how long you need to carry it. A bigger pack will obviously be able to hold more gear than a smaller one, but it will almost always weigh more than a smaller pack. This might not be so important if you’re just carrying your pack on the bus or to the office, but it becomes more critical if you’re hauling gear for longer distances or time periods — like around town for a full day, on a long hike, or on a multi-day backpacking trip.
Smaller and lightweight packs usually have more minimalist features for supporting heavier loads and tend to get uncomfortable more quickly once you load them near their full capacity. Conversely, heavier packs with larger capacities, like travel backpacks, might be awkward if they’re only minimally loaded, so you’ll want to select one that is appropriate for the types of trips you plan to take with it.
Depending on your intended use, most packs will fall into these general size ranges:
All backpacks have shoulder straps and a back panel. What sets different packs apart from one another in terms of comfort and fit is the suspension system, which is what distributes the weight of the pack between your shoulders and hips. If a pack has no suspension, then all of its weight will rest squarely on your shoulders. This is okay for lightweight loads, but for heavier loads, it will be a pain in the shoulders.
For larger capacity bags, a suspension system with load lifters on the straps, an internal frame, and a hip belt can help distribute the weight more evenly. We appreciate packs with a supportive and padded pack panel that allows for some ventilation, too. Together, these pieces make for a comfortable pack capable of carrying heavier loads more efficiently.
Make sure you consider what features are important to you. Don’t just buy a pack with a lot of features because it has a lot of features, buy a pack with the specific features you need. These extras are usually simple in design but have a specific intended use.
If you plan to regularly carry a laptop in your backpack, then be sure it has a protective pocket or sleeve for a laptop. If you need to carry multiple drink bottles, get a bag with big, functional water bottle pockets. Or, if you want a pack that carries a hydration bladder, be sure it has a designated sleeve for that. If you want to quickly access a rain jacket or other layers without opening your pack, then get a pack with a big enough outside mesh pocket or bungees.
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