The Best Travel Bags in 2022
Related Gear:
The 15 Best Laptop Bags [Find the Right Bag For You]
11 Best Bug Out Bags in 2023
The 20 Best Sling Bags in 2023
Whether you’re going on a family trip or traveling solo through another country, a good travel backpack can go a long way. But airline baggage fees can add up in a hurry, and while rolling luggage is great for finding your way through airports they’re not so practical once you get to your destination. Which is why if you’re going to be traveling, it might be a good idea to look into getting one travel bag that can do it all. The idea behind onebag travel is to find one bag that fits what you need, is comfortable to carry, and doesn’t need to be checked. That way you can hop off the plane, skip the baggage counter, and get right to exploring your destination. In this guide we’ll look at some of the best travel bags you should check out whether you’re a frequent flyer, first-time adventurer, or looking to travel the world without a ton of luggage.
Peak Design Travel Duffel 35L
PurchaseKey Features
Water-resistant
Versatile duffel, backpack, and sling carry options
Lifetime warranty
Specifications
Capacity
35 liters
Weight
1.98 lbs
Materials
600D recycled nylon shell
Peak Design's 35 liter travel duffel is sized just right for your trips, whether they be to parts unknown or down the street to your local gym. Its smart design offers a variety of carry options, from standard duffle carry in your hands, to backpack style, and finally sling carry if you prefer. It features a rip-resistant and weatherproof 100% recycled 600D nylon canvas shell that'll stand up to the elements and the nicks and scratches of daily use. The generous padding makes it more protective of the gear you place inside, which is especially great if you need to pack sensitive electronics or expensive camera gear. It's built to last you more than one trip, but if anything goes wrong you can rest easy because Peak Design stands by their lifetime warranty and they'll make it right for you in the end.
Aer Travel Pack 2 X-Pac
PurchaseKey Features
Fits a 15.6" laptop
High-visibility, easy-access interior
Waterproof exterior
Specifications
Capacity
33 liters
Weight
3.7 lbs
Materials
VX-42 X-Pac sailcloth
Aer’s Travel Pack line has been a community favorite for a while now, and its latest iteration has been newly-enhanced with technical X-Pac material. What you get is an extremely lightweight yet durable sailcloth construction that’s laminated across four layers to give you serious waterproofing and resilience. The YKK AquaGuard zippers featured on all external compartments further helps keep the elements out. The rest of what makes the Travel Pack 2 a great choice for EDC when you’re on the go remains the same: a generous carry-on compliant 33 liter capacity, high visibility interior, space for your 15.6" laptop, and lay-flat accessible design.
Osprey Transporter Global Carry On
PurchaseKey Features
Global carry-on compatible
Luggage pass-through
Lifetime warranty
Specifications
Capacity
36 liters
Weight
4.38 lbs
Materials
400D nylon double-coated TPU
When you travel abroad for the first time, you might be shocked to find out that carry-on size and weight allowances differ from what TSA and domestic airlines let you take on a plane here in the United States. The Osprey Transporter Global Carry On shoulder bag, true to its name, conforms to the size limitations of carry on bags worldwide, letting you pack your gear with the confidence that you’re less likely to be forced to check it at the gate at the most inopportune times. And with 36 liters of space, you’ll be able to carry what you need for both long and short trips just fine.
Topo Designs Travel Bag 30L
PurchaseKey Features
3-way carry: backpack, shoulder bag, briefcase
Dedicated 15.6" laptop compartment at the rear
Luggage pass-through
Specifications
Capacity
30 liters
Weight
2.65 lbs
Materials
1000D/400D nylon exterior with water-repellent finish
When you have shorter trips in mind or you don't want to lug around a bag that goes to the maximum carry-on size, you can pick the slimmer Topo Designs 30L travel bag instead. Its lively design doesn't stick out like a sore thumb to mark you as a tourist when you're away from home. It's not all looks though, and you'll appreciate its dedicated rear laptop sleeve, lay-flat main compartment for easy-access, and its ability to hook up to other Topo Design bags you might have on hand for your convenience.
PacSafe Venturesafe EXP45 Econyl Travel Pack
PurchaseKey Features
TSA carry-on compliant
Theft-resistant features
Honeycomb rear padding for comfort
Specifications
Capacity
45 liters
Weight
3.81 lbs
Materials
Econyl recycled nylon/polyester exterior with cut-resistant steel mesh
Security is the name of the game when it comes to this PacSafe backpack, and it’s fully featured in that regard. It starts with the rip-and-tear resistant recycled nylon fabric exterior that’s further reinforced with a lightweight steel mesh to guard against cut and slash attacks. The water-repellent and TSA lock compatible zippers and comfortable shoulder straps also use this anti-theft cut-resistant technology, making it hard for thieves to make you part from your gear without you knowing it. And with a generous 45 liter capacity, you’ll be able to tote around all the essentials you need for an extended trip without having to check a bag.
Arcido Akra Backpack
PurchaseKey Features
Lay-flat clamshell opening
15.4" laptop pocket
Backplate ventilation, sternum and hip strap
Specifications
Capacity
35 liters
Weight
2.4 lbs
Materials
Minimalist durable Kodra fabric exterior
The Arcido Akra cuts a sleek minimalist look that sets it apart from most travel bags precisely by not looking like a travel bag in the first place. It masks its spacious 35L capacity and carry-on size compatibility with a streamlined design that minimizes harsh angles and high contrast for a low-profile option when you’re away from home. What’s more, with its suspension mesh padding combined with the waist and sternum straps, you’ll be able to carry your gear comfortably in whatever activity you find yourself in.
Related Gear:
A Minimalist Way of Keeping Your Money (Best Minimal Wallets in 2023)
The Top 8 Everyday Carry Wallets for Men in 2023 (EDC Wallet)
The 12 Best Flashlights to Add to Your EDC in 2023
Manhattan Portage Hamptons Weekender
PurchaseKey Features
Works as a “personal item” for most airline flights
High-visibility and well-organized divided interior
Comfortable leather carry handle
Specifications
Capacity
32 liters
Weight
2.67 pounds
Materials
1000D nylon
The Manhattan Portage Hamptons Weekender conceals serious 32 liter capacity into a classic duffel bag that fits within most airline’s definition of a “personal bag.” This makes it great for use with a low-cost carrier that’ll charge you for a bigger carry-on item, much less for checking a bag in the first place. It’ll also pair well with another carry-on bag, letting you maximize your non-checked luggage allotment to get in and out of airports quickly. With its 1000D Cordura fabric, the Hamptons Weekender is built tough enough for excursions big and small, and its divided compartment space offers convenient organization for your clothes and gear when you're on the move.
Black Ember Citadel R2
PurchaseKey Features
Dedicated padded laptop slot
Slim, minimalist design
3D-padded shoulder straps for long-term carry
Specifications
Capacity
25 liters
Weight
3 lbs
Materials
800D Microhex 3-layer waterproof textile
The updated slim R2 Black Ember Citadel builds upon the success of their original bag by enlarging the external front pocket to let you fit more gear inside in a more organized fashion. There’s also a magnetic key ring located there for your convenience. The internal laptop sleeve has been upgraded to help your laptop survive rough use. The waterproof 990D Microhex textile exterior makes sure everything inside remains safe and dry when things get wet, and the plethora of access point zippers make it easy to get to your gear when you need it.
Thule Crossover 2 Convertible
PurchaseKey Features
RFID blocking pocket for passports/etc
Convertible backpack/shoulder bag
Crush-resistant compartment
Specifications
Capacity
41 liters
Weight
4.05 lbs
Materials
Nylon exterior
With the Thule Crossover 2 Convertible bag, you can carry your gear on your back or over your shoulder on the way to the airport and then tuck in the straps to keep it from getting tangled up with other luggage en-route to your destination. It features an RFID-blocking pocket to keep your passport, payment cards, and other forms of identification from being compromised by fraudsters trying to steal it over the air. A crush-resistant SafeZone compartment keeps fragile gear safe, while a dedicated padded storage panel holds up to a 15.6" laptop. Finally, a pass-through panel lets you roll it along with traditional wheel luggage for long treks from gate-to-gate.
lululemon Early Embark Duffel
PurchaseKey Features
Briefcase or over the shoulder carry
Fits up to a 15" laptop
Quick access to essential gear and a water bottle
Specifications
Capacity
27 liters
Materials
Water-repellent nylon fabric shell
The Early Embark Duffel is a travel bag that also looks and performs well as a general EDC bag. It hides a full 27 liters of space in a package that’s not too big for everyday carry, whether headed to the office, the gym, or an evening excursion. There’s an exterior padded pocket for up to a 15" laptop, an easy-access water bottle holder for hydration, and a special zippered pocket for your valuables. Its nylon exterior is treated with a water-repellent coating, and cleaning it if it gets a bit dirty is as easy as wiping it down with a damp cloth.
Do you use one bag for traveling? If so, what are you using? Sound off below!
Who Likes This (30)
21 others
Discussion (3 total)