There are quite a few things to consider when picking what is the best backpack for travel for you. An important thing to note is that just because a pack was the best travel pack for your friend/sister/colleague, don’t assume that it will also be the best pick for you. Some of my mistakes were following others’ recommendations and borrowing their packs. Your needs and size will most probably be different so it is important to work it out for yourself.
These are the aspects I recommend considering when picking your travel backpack…
1. Type
There are many types of packs so think about what type is best for your needs. For example, do you want a large travel backpack to carry everything for multiple seasons?? Carry on sized backpack? Day pack? One for your laptop, camera, etc. Are you not sure? (in which case keep reading!)
2. Size
The size of the pack is the MOST important aspect of picking the best backpack for travel. It’s really REALLY important that you pick a backpack that you can carry comfortably. I am not just talking about whether the pack is big or small or how many liters it is, but the size, shape and how it fits on your back.
On my first backpacking trip to Europe, I borrowed a pack from a tall male friend. BIG mistake! It was taller than me when I was wearing it and would nearly topple me over even though it wasn’t that heavy. This is an extreme example of why you need a backpack that fits you well, but even being not quite right for your back can cause issues over time.
That experience was so much different to my next trip to Europe where I spent a decent amount of money on a high quality backpack which was made especially for women. I barely felt like I was wearing a pack and I took just as many things.
On the issue of the number of liters, my advice in general is to pick something that is only slightly bigger than you need. If you a huge shopper when travelling and this is important to you, then you can ignore this advice. However if you are like me and like to travel light, then a smaller pack is the way to go. In my experience, if there is space in a pack then I want to fill it! Better to avoid the temptation.
3. Straps
Straps are also a very important element in the best backpacks for travel – after all these are what will be touching you. Good straps will help ensure a comfortable fit. If the straps are no good then it doesn’t matter what size your backpack is, it will still be uncomfortable (and possibly painful). This is what I look for:
There are three options – none, external and internal frames. If the pack has an external frame, you will see big poles sticking out – avoid these! They tend to be heavier and are just not necessary. Internal, lightweight frames are what you should be looking for in the best travelling backpack 2016. However, if you are choosing a small backpack or day pack then a frame may not be necessary at all.
5. Compartments
Another thing to look for in the best backpacks for travel 2016 is mutiple compartments. Just one compartment can be annoying. For one reason because there are always items you need to be able to access quickly that you don’t want swallowed up by the rest of your bag.
However, too many compartments is also a bad thing. I am sure most of us have traveled at some point with someone who has a backpack with many different compartments and then they can never find anything!
I find 3-5 compartments are ideal and at least one should be lockable.
6. Material
Generally, the best backpacks for travel are made with water resistant material. This is essential! It does not have to be fully waterproof but you should be able to get caught in rain without all your belongings getting wet. Look for material which is good quality – thick but lightweight. You should be able to spill some water on your pack without any water getting inside.
Similarly, you also want material that will dry quickly if it is caught in rain. No one wants to be stuck with a wet pack.
7. Access
It’s also important to consider how you can access the compartments in your backpack. I find the biggest problem can be with top loading backpacks where you can only get things in and out from the top. If you are considering this style of backpack, think about whether that will frustrate you.
My favorites are backpacks with a U zip – this is a zip which goes around three sides of the backpack which can give as good as access to your belongings as a suitcase. This makes it far easier and quicker to access everything.
These are the aspects I recommend considering when picking your travel backpack…
1. Type
There are many types of packs so think about what type is best for your needs. For example, do you want a large travel backpack to carry everything for multiple seasons?? Carry on sized backpack? Day pack? One for your laptop, camera, etc. Are you not sure? (in which case keep reading!)
2. Size
The size of the pack is the MOST important aspect of picking the best backpack for travel. It’s really REALLY important that you pick a backpack that you can carry comfortably. I am not just talking about whether the pack is big or small or how many liters it is, but the size, shape and how it fits on your back.
On my first backpacking trip to Europe, I borrowed a pack from a tall male friend. BIG mistake! It was taller than me when I was wearing it and would nearly topple me over even though it wasn’t that heavy. This is an extreme example of why you need a backpack that fits you well, but even being not quite right for your back can cause issues over time.
That experience was so much different to my next trip to Europe where I spent a decent amount of money on a high quality backpack which was made especially for women. I barely felt like I was wearing a pack and I took just as many things.
On the issue of the number of liters, my advice in general is to pick something that is only slightly bigger than you need. If you a huge shopper when travelling and this is important to you, then you can ignore this advice. However if you are like me and like to travel light, then a smaller pack is the way to go. In my experience, if there is space in a pack then I want to fill it! Better to avoid the temptation.
3. Straps
Straps are also a very important element in the best backpacks for travel – after all these are what will be touching you. Good straps will help ensure a comfortable fit. If the straps are no good then it doesn’t matter what size your backpack is, it will still be uncomfortable (and possibly painful). This is what I look for:
- Padded hip strap. This is absolutely essential for spreading the weight over your body and is why I put it in bold. I find this essential in both the best backpacking backpacks and carry on sized backpacks. This is because a good hip strap makes a huge difference as to whether the backpack is easy to carry or digs into your shoulders and painful. Any hip strap is better than none but padding helps to make it more comfortable on your hips.
- Padded shoulder straps. As with the hip strap, this will make it much more comfortable on your shoulders and less likely to cause bruising (unfortunately, I have received bruises from a pack in the past). Make sure the padding is thick.
- A strap that connects across your chest between the two shoulder straps. This helps distribute the weight more evenly. There is no need for this strap to be padded as it does not sit on you.
- A carry strap is a nice to have. Sometimes it is convenient to carry a backpack like a shoulder bag, or even just to be able to pick it up quickly to move it somewhere and this enables that. It is even more important to have some type of strap if you have a backpack where the main straps have a cover which can be zipped over them for plane trips (something else which is also a nice to have).
There are three options – none, external and internal frames. If the pack has an external frame, you will see big poles sticking out – avoid these! They tend to be heavier and are just not necessary. Internal, lightweight frames are what you should be looking for in the best travelling backpack 2016. However, if you are choosing a small backpack or day pack then a frame may not be necessary at all.
5. Compartments
Another thing to look for in the best backpacks for travel 2016 is mutiple compartments. Just one compartment can be annoying. For one reason because there are always items you need to be able to access quickly that you don’t want swallowed up by the rest of your bag.
However, too many compartments is also a bad thing. I am sure most of us have traveled at some point with someone who has a backpack with many different compartments and then they can never find anything!
I find 3-5 compartments are ideal and at least one should be lockable.
6. Material
Generally, the best backpacks for travel are made with water resistant material. This is essential! It does not have to be fully waterproof but you should be able to get caught in rain without all your belongings getting wet. Look for material which is good quality – thick but lightweight. You should be able to spill some water on your pack without any water getting inside.
Similarly, you also want material that will dry quickly if it is caught in rain. No one wants to be stuck with a wet pack.
7. Access
It’s also important to consider how you can access the compartments in your backpack. I find the biggest problem can be with top loading backpacks where you can only get things in and out from the top. If you are considering this style of backpack, think about whether that will frustrate you.
My favorites are backpacks with a U zip – this is a zip which goes around three sides of the backpack which can give as good as access to your belongings as a suitcase. This makes it far easier and quicker to access everything.