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Best Minimalist Backpacks for Travel (Carry-On Size)
Finding the perfect minimalist backpack for travel, one that fits everything you need is no easy task. I know because I’ve been there, trying out many different backpacks. And even though I have found a few I really like, I by far haven’t tried all the great backpacks out there.
That’s why I asked a bunch of frequent travelers about their favorite minimalist backpacks so you have an amazing selection of the best minimal backpacks to find the right one for you.
Remember with a few simple minimalist packing tips and tricks you can make your limited space last longer, so even though some travelers only use their favorite backpacks for shorter trips, a true minimalist can come far with the smallest of backpacks.
Overview of the Best Minimalist Travel Backpacks
| Size | Weight | Water Bottle Pocket | Laptop Sleeve | Hip Belt | Price | Availability | |
| Knack Pack Expandable | 24L/ 35L | 1.36kg (3lbs) | zip-away pocket | āļø | ā³ (separately available) | $$$ | Check |
| Patagonia Black Hole | 25L | 0.64kg (1.4lbs) | āļø | āļø | ā³ | $$ | Check |
| Tortuga Travel Backpack | 30L | 1.8kg (4lbs) | āļø | āļø | āļø | $$$ | Check |
| Osprey Daylite Expendable Travel Pack | 26L/ 32L | 0.9kg (2lbs) | āļø | āļø | ā³ | $ | Check |
| Cabin Max Travel Hack | 20L | 0.6kg (1.3lbs) | āļø | ā³ | ā³ | $ | Check |
| Lowepro Flipside BP 300 | 30L | 1.4kg (3lbs) | āļø | āļø | āļø (not padded) | $$ | Check |
| Lovevook Viola | 24L/ 27L | 0.9kg (2lbs) | āļø | āļø | ā³ | $ | Check |
| D__b__ Hugger Base | 20L | 1.03kg (2.3lbs) | ā³ | āļø | ā³ | $$$ | Check |
| OIWAS Travel Rolling Backpack | 30L | 2kg (4.4lbs) | ā³ | āļø | ā³ | $ | Check |
| ITIWIT IPX6 | 30L | 0.9kg (2lbs) | ā³ | ā³ | ā³ | $ | Check |
Best Minimalist Backpacks Recommended by Travelers
1. Knack Pack Expandable
The Knack minimalist laptop backpack is a true all-rounder. It features a separate laptop compartment, a main compartment that opens like a suitcase, a front compartment with multiple pockets for organization, and a hidden pocket for valuables.
The best part about the Knack Pack is that it’s expandable, so you don’t need different sizes of backpacks for different trips, you can simply expand the 24L by opening up a zipper and you get a 35L backpack.
Even the unextended 24L version of the backpack feels very spacious because of the amazing design. I can fit everything I need for my trips.
On my last minimalist spring trip, I layered up due to the chilly weather, packing all essentials in this compact backpack. By my return, temperatures had risen, allowing me to extend the backpack and pack away the warmer layers I no longer needed.
Sounds interesting? Read my full Knack Pack review.
2. Patagonia Black Hole
The Patagonia Black Hole backpack is pretty basic to be completely honest, but I love how lightweight it is. And very often a lightweight, durable, basic backpack is all you need.
The Black Hole 25L backpack has one main compartment with a padded laptop sleeve inside, two side pockets for a reusable water bottle, one front compartment, and a small pocket on top. It’s made out of 100% recycled materials and it’s produced in a fair trade factory.
It packs everything I need for a month-long trip when I follow my minimalist packing list, proving that simplicity often trumps fancy features. You don’t need a backpack bristling with compartments and gadgets to explore the world.
Sometimes, all it takes is something as uncomplicated and reliable as the Patagonia Black Hole to accompany you on your adventures. It’s the ultimate example of minimalism meeting functionality.
If you’re intrigued by Patagonia but not quite sold on the Black Hole, I’ve also put the Black Hole head-to-head with Patagonia’s Refugio backpack for comparison and wrote a full review on the Refugio to help you decide if it’s a better fit for your travels.
š The Patagonia Black Hole is the right backpack for me!
3. Tortuga Travel Backpack
Now, if you’re someone who loves having a spot for everything and loves the convenience of a suitcase-style opening, then the Tortuga Travel Backpack should be right up your alley.
I tested the Tortuga 30L travel backpack, and I’ve got to say its organization is on point. There are so many compartments and pockets, I couldn’t even fill them all!
However, while the spaciousness and the orderliness it brings to packing are big pluses, there’s a flip side ā its weight. Even when empty, it weighs 1.8 kg, which ultimately made me stick with my simple Patagonia backpack.
But if weight isn’t an issue for you, then the Tortuga backpack is definitely worth checking out. Plus, it also has a removable hip belt, making it easier to carry on your back for longer periods of time.
š I want the best backpack for organization!
4. Osprey Daylite Expendable Travel Pack
Recommended by Helen from Helen on her Holidays
The Osprey Daylite 26+6 is my favourite backpack for trips of up to 5 days, especially when I know Iāll be moving around a lot and changing hotels. I bought it ahead of my trip to Switzerland and northern Italy on the Bernina railway and it was absolutely perfect.
The Daylite 26+6 is a 26-litre backpack that can expand if needed to 32 litres. The thing I like most about it is that it opens clamshell-style, like a suitcase, so itās easy to pack and easy to stay organized, especially if you use packing cubes as I do.
The backpack is fairly rectangular so it looks a little boxy, but it means thereās no wasted space in the corners.
The straps are lightweight but comfortable, and there are two side pockets which I love, and a sternum strap. Iād prefer it to have a hip strap too, but itās so small that it doesnāt really ever get too heavy.
The Osprey Daylite 26+6 is very slightly too large to count as an under-seat bag on some budget airlines but I tend to take my chances and Iāve never been challenged at the gate.
š This expandable backpack is perfect for me!
5. Cabin Max Travel Hack
Recommended by Paulina from the UK Every Day
When I decided to travel more frequently without check-in luggage, I knew I needed to find a backpack that not only looked stylish but also had enough space to fit all essential travel accessories for women.
That’s when I came across the Cabin Max Travel Hack and it was love at first sight.
Despite its compact appearance, this backpack has the incredible ability to hold enough items for a 2-3 day trip, making it perfect for my short city breaks.
What sets this backpack apart from others is its clever design. It opens up like a suitcase, allowing for easy packing and unpacking of all my belongings. I can simply lay the backpack flat and neatly organize my clothes, toiletries, and other essentials without any hassle.
However, I must mention that there is one minor drawback to this otherwise fantastic backpack. The adjustable backpack straps could be a bit longer. As a taller person, I sometimes find that the straps don’t provide enough length for a comfortable fit, especially when I’m wearing thick winter jackets.
It would be great if the straps were a little more adjustable to cater to different body types and clothing choices. Nonetheless, this small inconvenience doesn’t overshadow the overall practicality of this minimalist backpack.
š I want Paulina’s favorite backpack!
6. Lowepro Flipside BP 300
Recommended by Meredith from Counting Her Travels
The Lowepro Flipside BP 300 is the backpack I use in all of my travels!
It is durable with water-resistant material and can fit under a plane seat. These features make it good for both casual travel and hiking! Not only can I use it as a carry on, but I can also pack all of my camera equipment safely and comfortably.
The first time I used this backpack on a trip, I was amazed at how comfortable it felt. The padded straps and back panel make a huge difference on long travel days.
I think this is the best minimalist backpack overall because of its adaptability and unique features. Because it has adjustable compartments, you can customize it to fit your needs.
I often adjust the Velcro compartments inside to keep my camera equipment secure and store a jacket and other essentials. This backpack also has a laptop sleeve inside for those who want to work on the go!
The backpack’s main zipper compartment is against your back when wearing it, making it more secure. As someone who carries expensive camera gear while traveling, I really appreciate the extra layer of security.
While I do wish that the Lowepro Flipside came in more colors, it doesn’t make me stand out. This is great for keeping a low profile while traveling!
I think this backpack is perfect for anyone looking for a versatile and comfortable bag on their travels. It’s not just for photographers, but this bag is helpful if you carry a laptop or heavy camera. If you try the Lowepro Flipside BP 300 backpack, you may never need to try another!
š I want the best backpack for camera gear!
7. Lovevook Viola
Recommended by Anya from Stop Going to Paris
Out of the dozen travel bags Iāve tried, the Lovevook is my absolute favorite. When comes the time to pack and choose among all the bags I own (and I own a substantial amount), if I know I need to travel light, itās always the clear winner.
It fits all my immediate needs: itās sturdy, has lots of space and quite literally dozens of pockets. Top of my head, here are some of them: separate pockets for my laptop, my laptop accessories, my pens, my bottles and power banks, my keys and other miscellaneous objects, and many more.
It also offers a luggage strap for convenience and a USB charging port.
What I especially love is that it doubles as a travel bag and a normal one, that I can take with me everywhere – I leave the clothes and toiletries in the hotel and then wander around in the city or hike with the very same bag I took on the plane.
True story, I even use that bag in the office – it has a convenient handle that makes the conversion from backpack to office bag super easy. Itās also much prettier than most travel bags!
š This versatile everyday and travel backpack is the right one for me!
8. D__b__ Hugger Base
Recommended by Anja from Anja On Adventure
I absolutely love my D__b__ backpack! Which one? Oh, I have 7 of them. From a small 15L one to my biggest 40L one. The two that I use the most are Hugger 30L and Hugger Base 20L backpacks.
But they all fit in a Carry-on baggage, so extra cost for the ticket or waiting in line after landing. They are super durable. I take at least 5 trips per year, and the color and backpack still looks like brand new.
It has been with me to Mexico, USA, Seychelles, Zanzibar and other places. They are back-friendly and very ergonomic and easy to carry.
They hold shape even when completely full!
I can fit in all my clothes, shoes and all the accessories. It has a practical laptop pocket at the back, so it can be easily accessible.
And the one I love the most is the pocket at the top, to keep my stuff neat and easily accessible. All D__b__ backpacks have a Hook-Up Systemā¢ļø, which means you can attach one backpack to another.
If you donāt have one, you are missing out! A Lot!
š Browse the different D__b__ backpacks!
9. OIWAS Travel Rolling Backpack
Recommended by Shar of SightseeingShar
The OIWAS travel rolling backpack was the only piece of luggage I used during my three-month European solo trip, and it was one of my best purchases.
This 30 L roller backpack features a main compartment that zips all the way around to open up like a suitcase, a laptop compartment, and two smaller zipped compartments for quick access. It has both backpack straps and a hideaway locking handle to roll it like a suitcase. It is also only $60 on Amazon!
The biggest pro of this backpack is its ability to both roll and be carried. As someone who packs a lot of luggage into one bag, this feature saved my back countless times during my trip.
However, it also allowed me to use it as a normal backpack when climbing stairs and on pesky cobblestone streets, making it the best of both worlds.
Additionally, the backpack has a large capacity, so I could fit in 10 outfits, 2 pairs of shoes, toiletries, a sweater, my laptop, a tote bag, and more. The zipped compartments also had more capacity than I had anticipated, and I could bring back many small souvenirs from my trip.
The only con of this backpack is that the wheels add a little more weight than in a normal backpack. However, I believe that is a great trade-off since I could roll this backpack most of the time and only had to carry it a few times throughout my travels.
š I want a roller backpack for travel!
10. ITIWIT IPX6
Recommended by Victoria from Guide Your Travel
ITIWIT produces waterproof backpacks designed for kayaking, but they make fantastic travel companions, especially if you are looking for something minimalist thatās reliable and wonāt break the bank.
Since I travel with a lot of electronics such as a laptop, multiple cameras and hard drives, a waterproof backpack is very important to me, especially because Iām often on tours in Indonesia that involve taking a lot of boats.
The interior of this backpack is very minimalist with a laptop sleeve and two smaller zippers. I love that it fits a lot of stuff, but since itās made from waterproof material, itās not super stretchy, so you have to be smart when packing.
I usually use this bag, which has a 30l capacity as a day bag, but Iāve also used it as my main bag since it perfectly fits as cabin luggage.
Iāve had this backpack for two years now and itās incredibly durable, especially considering it only cost around US $60. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a lightweight, foldable option that is 100% waterproof.
I wouldnāt recommend it if youāre looking for something with a lot of interior compartments for organizing your things.
Final Thoughts: Smart Backpacks for Travel
A good backpack is essential for any minimalist traveler. The right backpack can make your trip more comfortable and convenient, while also keeping your belongings safe and organized.
With the variety of smart backpacks available in the market today, it’s important to find one that suits your needs and preferences. Whether you prefer a minimalist design or need something with multiple compartments, there is a smart backpack out there for you.
Don’t be afraid to invest in a high-quality backpack that will last you through your travels and provide both practicality and comfort.
šš What’s your favorite minimalist backpack? Let me know in my Minimalist Travel Facebook Group!
Read More:
- Minimalist Packing Checklist for Women
- Ultimate Minimalist Packing List For Women
- 13 Easy Minimalist Packing Tips for Travel
- Minimalist Packing For Winter For Women
- Best Tips for Minimalist Toiletries for Travelling
- My 13 Favourite Minimalist Travel Accessories
- Best Minimalist Shoes for Travel: Comfortable & Stylish
- Best Minimalist Backpacks for Travel (Carry-On Size)
- Packing List for Europe in Spring (Carry-On Bag Only)
- Honest TrustedHousesitters Review + Tips & Discount Code
- An Honest Suri Toothbrush Review
- Can I Bring A Water Bottle On A Plane? Bring a Reusable One!
- Can You Take an Electric Toothbrush on a Plane? Yes!
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