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These spacious and comfortable carry-on backpacks can easily replace a suitcase.

Person wearing Away The Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L near airplane seats and overhead bins

Credit:Travel + Leisure

It’s also generally easier to maneuver through an airport than a suitcase with wheels.

At nearly 22 inches tall, this pack may be too long for those with shorter torsos.

You’ll be surprised by just how spacious this backpack is.

Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack

Credit: Cotopaxi

Plus, the convenient duffel handles allow you to switch up your carrying style if you do grow fatigued.

After six months of use, the bag is scuffed up with noticeable scratches.

The backpack comes with threedifferent packing cubesin small, medium, and large.

A person wears the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

We also like that this backpack includes both a suitcase strap and a handle to hold it horizontally.

The backpack itself also features straps inside and a laptop sleeve to easily hold down items and pack electronics.

However, a bigger adjustment range for the chest strap would have been ideal.

A person adjusts the waist strap on the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack

During our durability tests, the backpack didnt scuff or show signs of damage.

Some of the pockets feel unnecessary.

Some of the features were difficult to figure out how to use.

A person places the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack into an overhead compartment

After recentlytesting anti-theft backpacks, we picked this one from Pacsafe as our favorite carry-on option.

There are plenty of pockets inside for organization, but the safety features are what really stood out.

The outside of the backpack is made from recycled polyester with a water-repellent coating.

A person prepares to pack the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack

We were not able to slash through the backpack straps.

The handle on the top of the bag wasnt as comfortable to hold onto as we hoped.

We love this backpacks thoughtful features geared toward all types of travelers.

A person packs clothing into the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack

After regularly using the bag for six months, we found it to be incredibly sturdy and durable.

The Shell Backpack didnt show any signs of damage throughout testing, and the material is weatherproof.

If you need an all-in-one backpack, we think this backpacks versatility makes it well worth the higher cost.

A person opens the pocket on the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack

After six months of use, we noticed the bag can feel quite heavy if packed full.

The 100 percent recycled nylon material felt durable and would likely stay in good condition over time.

Weighing over 4 pounds, the bag can feel a bit heavy to carry when its fully packed.

A person places a laptop into the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack

The glossy material tends to collect scuff marks.

This is one of the most expensive and heaviest backpacks on our list.

Designed with photographers in mind, this backpack functionssimilarly to a camera bag.

A person places a water bottle into the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack

There is a padded laptop sleeve and stretchy side pockets for water bottles or a camera tripod.

Its easy to adjust all of the straps to prevent weight imbalances and pinching.

The materials feel a little lower in quality than other backpacks we tried.

A person adjusts the straps on the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack

We wish the interior capacity was a bit larger and that it had more pockets.

We recommend usingpacking cubeswith this bag to help maximize space.

All zippers work smoothly, and we like the squeeze-to-adjust handle that adds some extra security to the bag.

A person secures a strap on the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack

We also found that the wheels rolled well on different terrains without any sticking.

This duffel backpack hybrid isnt the most stylish bag in the world, but its impressively durable and functional.

The exterior fabric is also water resistant, which makes it great for outdoor use or more rugged environments.

A person wears the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack

It also comes with awaterproof phone casethat kept our phone dry when submerged underwater.

We have been updating this article with long-term testing insights as soon as they become available.

Next, we put on the backpacks and walked around for 10 minutes to evaluate comfortability.

A person adjusts the waist strap on the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack

The best backpacks were exceptionally enjoyable to wear, with the weight evenly distributed on the shoulders or hips.

For those traveling by foot, a smaller, lightweight backpack would be better for portability and comfort.

Manybackpacks come with a laptop compartment, but youll want to confirm that feature is included before purchasing yours.

A person places the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack into an overhead compartment

You should also check the size of the laptop pocket to confirm it will hold your unit properly.

We also recommend usingcompression packing cubesif you want to fit even more inside your carry-on.

Carry-onsize restrictionsvary by airline, and its possible for a carry-on backpack to not fit within some limits.

A person prepares to pack the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack

It depends on the airline, where you’re flying, and the kind of flight class you purchase.

A person packs clothing into the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack

A person opens the pocket on the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack

A person places a laptop into the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack

A person places a water bottle into the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack

A person adjusts the straps on the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack

A person secures a strap on the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack

Away The Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L

Credit: Away

A person places the Away F.A.R. Convertible Backpack 45L into an overhead compartment

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

A person places the Away F.A.R. Convertible Backpack 45L under a seat

A person wears the Away The Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L next to airplane seats

A person carries the Away The Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L by the shoulder strap

A person looks in the pocket of the Away The Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L

A person places the Away F.A.R. Convertible Backpack 45L into an overhead compartment

A person places the Away F.A.R. Convertible Backpack 45L under a seat

A person wears the Away The Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L next to airplane seats

A person carries the Away The Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L by the shoulder strap

A person looks in the pocket of the Away The Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L

Asenlin 40L Travel Backpack

Credit: Amazon

Asenlin 40L Travel Backpack

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Asenlin 40L Travel Backpack

Asenlin 40L Travel Backpack

Asenlin 40L Travel Backpack

Asenlin 40L Travel Backpack

Asenlin 40L Travel Backpack

Asenlin 40L Travel Backpack

Asenlin 40L Travel Backpack

Nomatic Travel Pack Laptop Bag 20L

Credit: Amazon

Close up of Nomatic Travel Pack Laptop Bag 20L

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao

Person opening zipper to Nomatic Travel Pack Laptop Bag 20L

Person putting sunglasses in Nomatic Travel Pack Laptop Bag 20L

Person putting laptop in sleeve of Nomatic Travel Pack Laptop Bag 20L

Person adding clothes to Nomatic Travel Pack Laptop Bag 20L

Person holding the Nomatic Travel Pack Laptop Bag 20L by the handle displayed on a red leather surface

Close up of Nomatic Travel Pack Laptop Bag 20L

Person opening zipper to Nomatic Travel Pack Laptop Bag 20L

Person putting sunglasses in Nomatic Travel Pack Laptop Bag 20L

Person putting laptop in sleeve of Nomatic Travel Pack Laptop Bag 20L

Person adding clothes to Nomatic Travel Pack Laptop Bag 20L

Person holding the Nomatic Travel Pack Laptop Bag 20L by the handle displayed on a red leather surface

Pacsafe Exp45 Anti-theft Carry-on Travel Pack

Credit: Pacsafe

A person wears the Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 Anti-Theft Carry-On Travel Pack

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao

A person lifts up the strap on the Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 Anti-Theft Carry-On Travel Pack

A person adjusts a lock on the Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 Anti-Theft Carry-On Travel Pack

A person cuts the strap on the Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 Anti-Theft Carry-On Travel Pack with a box cutter

A person secures travel items in the Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 Anti-Theft Carry-On Travel Pack

A person slices the Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 Anti-Theft Carry-On Travel Pack with a box cutter

A person points to a RFID Safe tag on the Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 Anti-Theft Carry-On Travel Pack

A person places a tablet into the Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 Anti-Theft Carry-On Travel Pack

A person places a wallet into the Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 Anti-Theft Carry-On Travel Pack

A person places a water bottle into the Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 Anti-Theft Carry-On Travel Pack

A person tightens the waist strap on the Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 Anti-Theft Carry-On Travel Pack

A person wears the Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 Anti-Theft Carry-On Travel Pack

A person lifts up the strap on the Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 Anti-Theft Carry-On Travel Pack

A person adjusts a lock on the Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 Anti-Theft Carry-On Travel Pack

A person cuts the strap on the Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 Anti-Theft Carry-On Travel Pack with a box cutter

A person secures travel items in the Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 Anti-Theft Carry-On Travel Pack

A person slices the Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 Anti-Theft Carry-On Travel Pack with a box cutter

A person points to a RFID Safe tag on the Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 Anti-Theft Carry-On Travel Pack

A person places a tablet into the Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 Anti-Theft Carry-On Travel Pack

A person places a wallet into the Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 Anti-Theft Carry-On Travel Pack

A person places a water bottle into the Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 Anti-Theft Carry-On Travel Pack

A person tightens the waist strap on the Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 Anti-Theft Carry-On Travel Pack

Tropicfeel Shell Backpack

Credit: Tropicfeel

Person looking inside the Tropicfeel Shell Backpack

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Carry on Backpacks Tropicfeel Shell Backpack

Carry on Backpacks Tropicfeel Shell Backpack

Carry on Backpacks Tropicfeel Shell Backpack

Carry on Backpacks Tropicfeel Shell Backpack

Tropicfeel Shell Backpack

Person looking inside the Tropicfeel Shell Backpack

Carry on Backpacks Tropicfeel Shell Backpack

Carry on Backpacks Tropicfeel Shell Backpack

Carry on Backpacks Tropicfeel Shell Backpack

Carry on Backpacks Tropicfeel Shell Backpack

Tropicfeel Shell Backpack

Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L

Credit: Topo Designs

Person holding one of the straps on the Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L displayed on a wooden table

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Side-view of a person wearing the Topo Designs Global Travel Pack

Hands adjusting one of the straps on the Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L displayed on a wooden table

Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L displayed on a green couch next to a pair of headphones

Person holding one of the straps on the Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L displayed on a wooden table

Side-view of a person wearing the Topo Designs Global Travel Pack

Hands adjusting one of the straps on the Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L displayed on a wooden table

Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L displayed on a green couch next to a pair of headphones

Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L

Credit: Tortuga

Man wearing the Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L outside

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox

Close up of the Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L on a seat

Close up of Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L on a table outside

Man wearing the Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L outside

Close up of the Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L on a seat

Close up of Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L on a table outside

Calpak Terra Laptop Backpack

Credit: Calpak

A person wears the Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

A person places the Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack into an overhead compartment

A person places a Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack under the seat in front of them

A person attaches a strap to the Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack

A person wears the Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack by the strap

A person places a cell phone into the Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack

A person secures clothing inside the Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack

A person wears the Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack

A person places the Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack into an overhead compartment

A person places a Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack under the seat in front of them

A person attaches a strap to the Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack

A person wears the Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack by the strap

A person places a cell phone into the Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack

A person secures clothing inside the Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

Credit: REI

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph

Peak Design Travel 45L Backpack

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

Peak Design Travel 45L Backpack

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

Matein Travel Backpack 40L

Credit: Amazon

Person putting shoes inside Matein Travel Backpack 40L

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao

Person putting clothes inside Matein Travel Backpack 40L

Person putting laptop inside pocket of Matein Travel Backpack 40L

Person putting charger in front pocket of Matein Travel Backpack 40L

Person putting Matein Travel Backpack 40L on a shelf

Person putting shoes inside Matein Travel Backpack 40L

Person putting clothes inside Matein Travel Backpack 40L

Person putting laptop inside pocket of Matein Travel Backpack 40L

Person putting charger in front pocket of Matein Travel Backpack 40L

Person putting Matein Travel Backpack 40L on a shelf

Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel 40L

Credit: Osprey

A person wearing the Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel 40L on their back

Credit: Travel + Leisure

A person wheeling the Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel 40L through an aisle

A person lifting the Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel 40L by the handle

A person holding the extended handle of the Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel 40L

A person holding the straps of the Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel 40L

Two hands putting items into the Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel 40L

A person placing items into the Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel 40L

Two hands holding a part of the Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel 40L

A person wheeling the Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel 40L on a tile platform

A person hitting the Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel 40L with a bat

A person wearing the Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel 40L on their back

A person wheeling the Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel 40L through an aisle

A person lifting the Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel 40L by the handle

A person holding the extended handle of the Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel 40L

A person holding the straps of the Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel 40L

Two hands putting items into the Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel 40L

A person placing items into the Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel 40L

Two hands holding a part of the Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel 40L

A person wheeling the Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel 40L on a tile platform

A person hitting the Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel 40L with a bat

A person clips the Earth Pak Summit Dry Bag Backpack closed

Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao

Person tossing the Tortuga Outbreaker Backpack 35L into the air

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

A person carries the Away The Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L by the shoulder strap

Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim