Best Backpacks for Any Travel Situation

Heading out on a trip? Before you even think about packing, consider swapping your tired old rucksack for a state-of-the-art backpack—because picking a pack that’s tailored to your specific needs will maximize efficiency, performance, comfortability and style while you travel. Whether your itinerary includes scaling mountains or exploring museums, we can recommend a backpack for every adventure.

Backpacking: Osprey Atmos 65 AG – $260

Trying on a backpack at the outdoor store is a whole lot different from actually carrying it around on your back for weeks at a time. Luckily, we have the folks at Outdoor Gear Lab to do that for us—they test gear for 5 months in the field, so when they recommend the Osprey Atmos 65 AG as the best backpacking pack around, you can take their word for it.

Just the Essentials: Fjallraven Kanken Mini – $65

The Fjallraven Kanken Mini backpack is perfect for when you’re going out on a day trip and just need to stash essentials. A cult favorite, this Swedish canvas pack converts into an over-the-shoulder bag, comes in a rainbow of his and hers colors, and even contains a removable seat pad for an impromptu picnic.

Waterproof: Adventure Lion Sea Lion 10L – $23.77

Traveling during monsoon season? You’re going to want a dry bag to keep your stuff from getting soggy. Enter the super-popular Adventure Lion Sea Lion 10L waterproof floating bag, which will protect your clothes, camera, and passport even in the middle of the ocean.

Carry-On: Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 – $280

A lot of backpacks for travel are so capacious, you have no choice but to check them at the gate. But for carry-on convenience, the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 gives you maximum storage that can still fit into the overhead bins. Convertible straps allow you to carry it as a soft duffel, backpack or shoulder bag, and its many compartments mean you can stuff it to the gills without sacrificing organization.

City Chic: PAVA Ingrid Tassel Leather Backpack – $285

This tasseled backpack in on-trend leather is so chic you’ll want to use it even when you’re not traveling. For globe-trekking fashionistas, the PAVA Ingrid Tassel Leather Backpack’s convenient size and comfortable straps provide a happy medium between a daypack and a purse. The design is sleek and classic, so your look won’t scream “tourist” in even the most stylish of cities.

Gadget-Conscious: AMPL Smart Backpack – $239

Designed specifically with protecting and charging your gadgets in mind, this backpack is perfect for those planning to work remotely. AMPL’s Smart Backpack manages to integrate impact-absorbing materials and rapid-charge technology for up to seven devices without looking clunky. Travel + Leisure says you’ll “never fight for an airport outlet again” with AMPL’s bag. You will, though, have to wait—this wonder bag comes out Fall 2015. (In the meantime, check out the Incase EO Travel Backpack to keep your gear safe.)

Hydration: Geigerrig Rig 1210 – $195

Toting a water bottle everywhere can be cumbersome, so for adventure travel when you need to bring your own H2O, consider a hydration pack. Gear Patrol named the Geigerrig Rig 1210 their best hydration pack, praising its ability to spray water (perfect for when you need to cool off), in-line filtration system, and washable bladder.

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