The 8 Best Packable Backpacks, Tested and Reviewed

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You never know when you’ll need an extra bag on your travels.

In This Article

Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao

The classic backpack might not be for every traveler — some people prefer suitcases, others prefer duffels — but a packable backpack is a tool everyone should have in their luggage arsenal. In most cases, packable backpacks are used as secondary, “just in case” bags. They’re portable, functional travel accessories that you can pack flat to use later on if you need an extra bag to bring to the beach, on a hike, or a way to tote the extra souvenirs you picked up on your journey. Plus, when they’re empty, they hardly use up any of your precious suitcase real estate — some even fold into teeny, tiny squares.

Some portable backpack styles outrank others, though, and to find the very best ones, our Travel + Leisure team tested 13 different products. Starting in our New York City lab, we evaluated each style on capacity, organization, design, portability, durability, and overall value. From there, we were able to pinpoint the clear winner (hint: it’s spacious, well-padded, and under $100). Below, see which packable backpacks came out on top.

This style pairs organization with simplicity; the inside features several handy compartments and pouches while the outside maintains a classic, uncomplicated design.

It would benefit from a roomier water bottle holder.

The title of best overall packable backpack goes to none other than the Bellroy Lite Daypack. It stood out among its competition thanks to its sleek design, high-quality materials, and thoughtful design details including an Apple AirTag pocket and fully recyclable materials. Upon initial examination, we found that it could fit the entire test packing list (see our testing process below for more details) — and then some. The main compartment even features a convenient divider with pockets, and there’s a separate laptop compartment to keep your electronic device safe and protected.

The backpack’s comfort and security were two other areas of importance for our team. Thanks to the adjustable sternum strap, breathable mesh back panels, and contoured shoulder straps, you can wear it for extended periods of time or for a variety of activities. We tested this out in our lab, and T+L testing editor Jackie Cucco has owned this backpack for more than six months, so she can confirm the durability and practicality. “I wore this on a rainy trip to Mexico City and didn't have to worry about it getting wet at all because of the water-resistant fabric and zippers,” she says. “It was also lightweight and comfortable to wear.”

While you can certainly use the Bellroy Lite Daypack as your primary day pack, it’s also easy to fold flat and place it into a larger bag without any issues. If we had to change anything, we’d add more pockets and make the water bottle holder a little larger.

The Details: 18.9 x 10.6 x 7 inches | 12.4 ounces | 23 liters | Dura Lite nylon | Water-resistant

This budget-friendly backpack is extremely light (only 5.2 ounces) and pliable, but it’s still designed with durability in mind.

With an 18-liter capacity, it runs a bit smaller than some of the other styles we tested.

The Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack is an excellent choice for anyone who needs a grab-and-go, high-performance backpack. We found during testing that its limited pockets and lack of padding or structure give the style its unparalleled foldability, packing down into an itty-bitty square that will take up no room at all when you pack this bag away for later use. This characteristic, along with the lightweight feel, is especially impressive when you consider the fact that the backpack still has several organizational elements — including a larger main compartment, a small zippered pouch, and two stretchy slip pockets on the outside. It is lacking in structure, so we suggest not hauling anything too heavy for an extended amount of time. Instead, opt for just the essentials, like a jacket, wallet, sunscreen, and a small water bottle.

The Details: 2 x 6 x 5 inches | 5.3 ounces | 18 liters | 40D high-tenacity nylon

It comes with all sizes and types of pockets — there’s a dedicated compartment for all of your essentials.

It’s a bulkier style and may require additional effort to get it to lay flat in your suitcase.

L.L.Bean is no stranger to well-made travel bags, and the Stowaway Day Pack is proof. Designed to help even the most unorganized traveler keep their items together and orderly, this packable backpack has pockets for all of the most important things a short trip or commute would require: technology, water bottles, a jacket, headphones, and more.

"I normally don't expect packable backpacks to have a ton of pockets, but this one has seven, which was so great for packing purposes,” says associate editor Anna Popp. “I love all the versatile features for commuting, traveling, or hiking. It's equipped for all types of adventures, which can be hard to come across in a backpack.” Pack it as tightly as you want, too. Together with the padded straps and back panel, the chest and weight straps provide plenty of support and will ensure the weight is evenly distributed. It does not come with any sort of pouch to pack it into, but we were still able to fold it up relatively small.

The Details: 19 x 10 x 7 inches | 14 ounces | 22 liters | 75D recycled polyester ripstop

It’s more sleek and substantial than a lot of other packable backpacks.

There’s no padding or dedicated laptop sleeve.

Upon first glance, you might not realize the Tumi Voyageur Just In Case Packable Backpack is, well, packable. In classic Tumi style, the sleek bag definitely falls into the chic category. The clean lines, solid color, and metallic details give off a quiet luxury look, even if the $150 price tag is a bit more digestible than other Tumi luggage. The impressive characteristics don’t end at its looks, though. The backpack is designed to fold into the zip pouch it comes with (we confirmed it’s an easy transition), which you can then snap inside the backpack as an interior pocket. It might be a backpack by nature, but the bag also comes with a top handle, so you can tote it around as you wish. Other features travelers will love include a luggage sleeve, adjustable backpack straps, and a front zip pocket.

“I admittedly own the Tumi just-in-case folding duffel and tote already and love them both. This is equally sleek and looks so much more high-end than other foldable backpacks,” says T+L associate editor director Morgan Ashley Parker, who tested this in the lab. “While this is lightweight and fairly thin in material, it feels much more substantial than other folding backpacks.”

The Details: 15.5 x 12.3 x 4.5 inches | 9.6 ounces | Nylon

The roll-top closure is designed to cut down on bulk by compressing the contents of the backpack, keeping everything tight and secure.

It has a very obvious activewear look and might appear out of place in a city or workplace environment.

The Matador Freerain 22 Waterproof Packable Backpack is a compact, foldable backpack that all outdoor adventurers should have on hand when traveling. Its key feature is its waterproof construction, which our team tested in our lab by spraying it with multiple showerheads. “Water beaded off the material, and when I reached inside, my hand wasn't wet at all. The fabric did an excellent job at repelling water,” confirms Anna Popp.

We were also thoroughly impressed with the space in the main compartment. If you brought this on a day hike, you’d have plenty of room for all of your trail essentials — snacks, water, bear spray, layers, sunscreen, and more — though without many pockets. The exterior shock cords provide a space for hiking poles or an ice axe, if you’re doing advanced hiking or backpacking. Finally, the zippable roll-top closure is the true MVP of this backpack, helping to compress everything inside. It provides unwavering security, and the roll-down functionality removes any excess fabric that could get in your way while on the go. Lastly, you can easily pack it into its own pocket to make it as small as possible.

The Details: 19.5 x 10.5 x 7 inches | 7.9 ounces | 22 liters | 100D recycled nylon | Waterproof

The water-resistant nylon material is made of recycled plastic bottles, and, as with most Paravel luggage, you have the option to add a monogram.

This is more of a quick day trip or a gym bag; it’s not designed for strenuous hiking or other outdoor activities.

Looking for a tough, 100 percent waterproof backpack that can still be packed down into a compact carry size? The Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack is a third-generation packable backpack that is built on the principle of performance to support outdoor adventurers. Waterproof features include interior sealed seams, a roll top closure, PU-waterproofed Robic nylon, and sealing zippers. Even the front exterior pocket has sealing zippers and is considered water-resistant. There are many well-thought-out design details, but we especially appreciate the inverted V-shaped body that helps with the weight distribution of heavier items, built-in gear loops, and oversized compression pockets on each side. Just note that this bag rolls down for storage in a mesh compression sack instead of folding down into a carry pouch.

The Details: 19.5 x 10.5 x 7 inches (opened), 3.75 x 3.75 x 5.75 inches (packed) | 0.66 pounds | 22L | Ripstop Robic nylon

The fabric is water-repellant, keeping the contents of the backpack (including your laptop) protected from light precipitation.

The water bottle sleeve is located on the inside of the bag, which could potentially result in spillage.

Though it doesn’t fold into a compact square like some other backpacks we tested, we loved the structure of the Athleta All About Backpack, which performed well across several categories, including capacity, durability, and organization. We loved that it has several pockets, including an easy-access front pocket and a lightly padded laptop sleeve. It’s not the most heavy-duty laptop compartment on the market, but it gets the job done if you’re traveling lightly on a day trip or even commuting to work. The key leash is a nice touch, too, and the range of neutral colorways will appeal to most shoppers. It’s not as foldable as other options on this list, but that means you get more padding on the straps and back, which makes it comfortable to wear and prevents it from sagging. It still works great as a packable backpack if you lay it flat at the bottom of your suitcase or fold it in half and place it in a weekender.

The Details: 13 x 5.75 x 17.25 inches | 1.08 pounds | Polyester and recycled polyester | Water-repellent

It comes with a packing cube to fold it into, and you can remove the backpack straps to use it as a duffel instead.

Even though it folds down easily, it still weighs nearly 3 pounds.

Some travel scenarios, like camping, require a heavy-duty, fit-it-all kind of packable backpack. If that’s what you’re looking for, you need this Gregory Alpaca Duffel. Constructed from waterproof, recycled polyester ripstop fabric, the 60-liter style is designed to haul larger loads — though, as T+L outdoor gear editor Taylor Fox found during the testing process, it gets heavy quickly and is “probably better for lugging gear as opposed to using on a flight.” (In fact, you would probably need to check this bag unless you fly with it packed away.)

Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao

One of the coolest features is that this bag comes with its own packing cube; if you want to pack it inside your suitcase to have a spacious backpack/duffel on hand, just fold it up and place it inside. You can also choose whether you want to carry it as a backpack or a duffel by tucking the straps away. Furthermore, this convertible bag is outfitted with several features that keep organization and comfort top of mind. There’s an expandable end zippered pocket — ideal for keeping dirty or damp clothes separate — as well as interior zippered mesh pocketing for smaller items. The main compartment opens as a clamshell, so you’ll pack your belongings while the bag is lying down in its primary form, and close it up with the oversized T-grip zipper pullers.

The Details: 27.5 x 15 x 12.8 inches | 2.91 pounds | 60 liters | 900D polyester diamond ripstop with TPU coating, 630D HD nylon | Waterproof

There were a few other packable backpacks we tested that didn’t make the final cutduring testing, but they still exhibited some admirable qualities.

Tom Bihn Daylight Backpack: If you’re looking for a lightweight, simple backpack style, you may gravitate toward this one. It’s unpadded (except for the shoulder straps) and folds up extremely well, but its price tag feels a bit high for a bag with limited space and no special design features.

Lululemon Packable Backpack: If you tend to overpack, even on day trips, you may like this spacious Lululemon style. We did, however, find that it’s difficult to repack the backpack in its travel tote, which some travelers may find irritating.

Matador ReFraction Packable Backpack: This backpack earned our nod of approval thanks to its spaciousness and packability. While we had no complaints about how much it could fit, we did wish it had more organizational features. More specifically, it could use a few interior pockets or pouches. Ultimately, we preferred the other Matador option in our main list.

In order to provide the best and most accurate packable backpack recommendations, T+L editors use a full testing methodology on each style. At the beginning of the process, each bag is carefully examined in our T+L lab to determine its capacity and organizational and design features. We weighed each bag to compare it to the manufacturer weights, and folded the bags up as small as possible to see how easy they were to pack, how compact they got, and if they came with any additional stuff sacks.

Prior to testing the bag on the road and in the air, we packed the backpack with the same packing list formula: a prop laptop, notebook, charger, headphones, water bottle, jacket, and toiletry bag. With all of the assigned items in the bag, we wore each bag for five minutes, noting the overall comfort level — do the shoulder straps dig in? — portability, and functionality of the style. We placed bags under airplane seats in overhead bins on our airplane set to see how portable they felt. Durability is the final in-house step of the testing process, with a drop test for damage and general wear and tear. From there, we bring each bag out in the real world over a six-month period, continuously monitoring performance across testing categories — if any new data or observations arise, we will update this article accordingly.

Like most other luggage, packable backpacks will differ based on size, structure, and intended purpose. When you’re deciding which one to purchase, you’ll first need to figure out if you want a bag that’s more structured or one that’s a bit more foldable. If you plan on traveling overnight or over longer distances with the backpack, opt for a structured style. This will help keep the contents more organized. If you’re just using the backpack as an extra tote on your travels — and not the primary method of transporting your things — feel free to choose a foldable, less bulky style.

The best packable backpacks are ones that will last you for years to come (read: they can hold up to the wear and tear that comes with traveling) but are also relatively lightweight. To receive points in both of those categories, the backpack will typically be made of either ripstop nylon or polyester. These synthetic materials are more likely to stand up to regular use. If you’ll be toting the backpack outdoors, where it could potentially encounter moisture, check to see if the bag has a water-repellent or waterproof coating, which will keep the contents of the backpack safe and free of water damage.

Before you make the final purchase decision, it’s best practice to understand exactly what you’ll be carrying and how you’ll be using the backpack. Packable backpacks tend to run smaller than regular backpacks, but they usually hold at least a day’s worth of items — with most of the contents residing in the main compartment. That said, you may require a packable backpack that has additional organization features, like pockets, sleeves, or pouches that can keep smaller or more important items separate from the rest of your belongings. On our list above, you’ll find smaller options with an 18-liter capacity as well as a larger, 60-liter bag, so check the dimensions before purchasing.

While packable backpacks can look quite similar to regular backpacks, especially when they’re full, they have a few key differences. For starters, the material is more flexible so that you can fold the bag flat or roll it up into a compact size when not in use, allowing you to pack it inside a larger bag to use later on. They’re also typically smaller, more lightweight, and usually have fewer pockets and other organizational features. This simplicity ensures that you can easily stuff the backpack into your luggage to use as a spare bag while traveling.

Some styles may come with specific folding instructions, but for the most part, you’re free to fold it as you see fit. Start by making sure the backpack is empty, push the air out as best you can, and either tightly roll the fabric — like a yoga mat — or fold it in half several times. Foldable backpacks also frequently come with smaller pouches you can stuff them into (sometimes even built into the design of the bag). If that’s the case, place your neatly folded or rolled backpack into the pouch; if the pouch has a zipper, be careful not to catch the backpack’s fabric in the mechanism as you zip it shut.

You can definitely use your packable backpack as a carry-on or a personal item if the size allows (and most do). If it’s the former, you’ll need to confirm it can fit in the airplane’s overhead compartment. If it’s the latter, it’ll need to fit under the seat in front of you. Check the size regulations of your airline and then compare against the product’s dimensions.

Lydia Mansel is an experienced travel writer and the founder of the packing website and biweekly newsletter Just Packed. With nearly a decade of professional traveling under her belt, she’s used nearly every kind of suitcase, duffel bag, and backpack on the market. While she rarely travels with just a backpack — opting instead for classic carry-on luggage — she’ll often tuck a packable backpack (her favorite is from Paravel) into her suitcase, especially if her trip includes active excursions or day trips.

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