10 Bags That Prove Travel Backpacks Are Better Than Suitcases

Water-resistant and made with built-in organization, this North Face option is one of the best out there. It’s not so large you’ll feel like you’re carrying a house on your back, and it opens like a clamshell so you can easily access everything you have inside. There are thoughtfully placed handles on the outside to make hauling it into the overhead bin or car trunk a breeze, and the padded straps make it rather comfortable to wear.

Pros:

• Clamshell opening
• Water-resistant material
• Padded straps
• Chest strap
• Luggage pass-through
• Exterior water bottle pocket
• Laptop pocket

Cons:

• Zippers aren’t waterproof
• Some say the bottle pocket is too small
• Over $100

For under $30, this cleverly made pack is perfect for a quick weekend trip or for use as a personal item on a plane. It also has a clamshell opening for easy packing and unpacking, a padded laptop compartment, and plenty of pockets to keep things organized. Inside, there’s a wet pocket for things like swimsuits or toiletries, which protects the rest of your bag from gnarly spills.

Pros: 

• Under $40
• Clamshell opening
• Luggage pass-through
• Chest strap
• Padded laptop compartment
• Water-resistant pocket

Cons: 

• Straps become uncomfortable after long periods of wear
• Reviewers say the material doesn’t feel that durable

Part-tote, part-backpack, this is the personal item of our dreams. Sure, it’s not going to see us through a weekend of hiking, but it’s a stylish companion for a brief small town or city escape. The convertible straps allow you to wear it on your shoulder or as a regular backpack, while three exterior pockets make it easy to grab things without having to rifle through the main compartment. When not in use, it packs nearly flat and takes up little space. 

Pros: 

• Water-resistant exterior
• Convertible straps allow you to wear it as tote or backpack
• Interior water bottle pocket
• Packs flat for easy storage
• Good size for personal item

Cons:

• No organization of the main compartment makes reaching items at bottom difficult
• Too small to function as main travel bag

I am a travel backpack enthusiast, and this one from Calpak is my latest obsession. I’ve tried probably 10 backpacks over the years, all of them close to perfect, but still missing something, that is, until I found this one. Not only does it have a clamshell opening, but there are internal and external compression straps, which is a must for making this bag fit under the airplane seat if it’s overpacked. The waterproof exterior has seen me through rain and snow, and the plethora of pockets keep all my things neatly tucked away and easy to find.

Pros: 

• Water-resistant exterior
• Padded, convertible straps
• Exterior water bottle pocket
• Clamshell opening 
• Luggage pass-through
• Padded laptop pocket
• Exterior water bottle pocket

Cons: 

• Heavier than some packs
• Can be hard to fit under budget airline seats
• Interior compression straps are long

Thousands of reviewers can’t get enough of this under-$40 bag, and chances are you’ve seen someone toting it around before. Like others we’ve mentioned, this opens all the way for easy organization, there are compression straps on the outside to keep everything in place, and there’s even a built-in USB port so you can charge your phone while wearing the bag. Some reviewers say it’s hard to zip or access the outside pockets if it’s overstuffed, though, so take that into consideration if you tend to push your travel bags to the limit. 

Pros: 

• Water-resistant exterior
• Padded straps
• Exterior water bottle pocket
• Clamshell opening 
• Luggage pass-through
• Padded laptop pocket

Cons: 

• Interior pockets lack zippers
• Outside pockets hard to access when bag is packed
• Some reviewers report trouble with USB port working

For a simple, waterproof backpack that will last for years, go for this one. It opens similarly to a suitcase, allowing you to see what’s inside easily, and the straps are removable and adjustable, so it can be used as a messenger bag or traditional backpack. The main downside? No built-in laptop pocket or water bottle sleeves, so you have to open the entire bag to fish those things out. 

Pros: 

• Clamshell opening
• Padded, convertible straps
• Water-resistant exterior
• Multiple inside pockets (zippered and non-zippered)

Cons: 

• No laptop pocket
• No luggage pass-through
• No exterior water bottle pocket

Favored by hikers and roadtrippers, this water-resistant has a wide opening that leads to zippered storage compartments on both sides for maximum organization. The straps are padded and have chest and hip buckles to help distribute the weight of heavy loads, easing the strain on your back while you carry it. There’s a padded laptop compartment and an exterior water bottle pocket, making the essentials easy to access without opening up the entire bag. 

Pros: 

• Clamshell opening
• Padded straps with hip and chest buckles
• Water-resistant exterior
• Multiple inside pockets (zippered and non-zippered)
• Water bottle pocket
• Luggage pass-through

Cons: 

• No compression straps
• May not fit under airline seats
• Lack of exterior pockets

If you bring your bag with you while you explore a city, it’s best to get one that’s decked-out in anti-theft features. Puncture-resistant zippers and cut-resistant straps make this nearly impossible for thieves to cut through, and there’s even a built-in anchor strap should you want to secure your bag to a table or chair when you’re not wearing it. The clamshell opening means it’s easy to pack, and there’s a padded laptop compartment inside.

Pros: 

• Clamshell opening
• Padded straps with hip and chest buckles
• Water-resistant exterior
• Multiple inside pockets (zippered and non-zippered)
• Water bottle pocket
• Luggage pass-through
• Tons of anti-theft features built in
• Zippers can be locked

Cons: 

• Expensive 
• Some reviewers say the straps begin to pinch during long periods of wear
• Lack of exterior pockets
• Laptop pocket cannot be accessed from the outside

Need a little more room for bringing home new clothes or trinkets? An expandable bag will become your best friend. This one unzips to reveal a section that gives you 10 percent more room inside, and it has an easy-to-access laptop pocket that makes going through security a breeze. 

Pros: 

• Clamshell opening
• Padded, convertible straps
• Water-resistant exterior
• Expandable design
• Luggage pass-through

Cons: 

• No water bottle pocket
• Some reviewers say the padding irritates neck
• Some fear it’s not heavy-duty enough to withstand frequent use

For longer trips, this backpack is about the size of your average carry-on suitcase. Water-repellant material ensures all your belongings stay dry inside, and a dedicated quick-access laptop pocket makes it easy to access electronics for security checks. Clearly we’re partial to clamshell openings (which this one has), and we love that there are four zippered compartments (one with compression straps) on the inside to keep everything in place. 

Pros: 

• Water-resistant exterior
• Padded straps with chest buckle
• Clamshell opening Clamshell opening
• Luggage pass-through
• Large enough for days-long trips
• Padded laptop pocket

Cons: 

• Heavy when empty (3 pounds)
• No exterior water bottle pocket
• No exterior compression straps
• Too big to fit under most airline seats