What Makes The Best Travel backpack?

November 20, 2017

1. Size

Size is a personal choice and the best travel backpack has no definitive size. If you are a traveler who needs more space for lots of trinkets or you pack everything but the kitchen sink; then a sixty litre plus backpack will suit your travels. Larger backpacks however mean, checked baggage fees and you are less likely to be able to take your backpack into the bus with you, instead of having to strap it to the roof and hope it doesn’t rain! The smaller your travel bag of course means the less you can take, but the bonus; no checked bag fees. If you can keep your backpack below fifty litres you will save a fortune when flying. Think carefully about the size of your pack and what’s best for you, the best backpacks for travel is different for everyone – personally, I travel with a seventy litre pack as I am often carrying camping gear.

2. Straps

Carrying everything you need to travel the world on your back doesn’t come lightly… even when you pack light! Wandering lost, trying to find a hostel in the heat of the day with a travel bag is not fun, even the lightest packers will agree. So how do you combat this? Well the best travel backpacks will have some pretty awesome straps to help turn that heavy backpack into a ~~feather~~fairly light backpack. The aim of the game is to take weight off your shoulders so look for hip and chest straps to help distribute the weight. A hip strap for me, is what makes the best travel backpack, without hip straps, even the best backpack can turn into a nightmare. Some backpacks (cough, Osprey, cough) have heat molded custom made hip belts that are definitely a gimmick but comfortable none the less.

3. Pockets

Well organised travel bags make the best travel backpacks. There’s nothing more annoying than a typical backpack which only opens from the top. Meaning each and every time you need something you’ll be pulling literally, everything else but that, out. Pockets alleviate this problem; allowing you to assign certain segments of your travel backpack to particular items (e.g. clothes, toiletries, passport and money) for easier access. The best pocket is a U Shaped opening pocket is what turns a regular backpack into one of the best backpacks for travel.

4. Weight

The best travel backpacks are those which are as light as a feather, right? Sadly these don’t really exist and instead, you need to consider the best weight for what you’ll be doing. Backpacks themselves are not weightless, the heavier the frame, the more weight you have to start with. So choosing a travel backpack means thinking about where you’re taking it. If you’ll be hiking with it then you need a pack that weighs you down as little as possible. If you’re just moving from one airport to another, not too much of a big deal. Metal frames offer a bit more support and keep the backpack nice and rigid, which is not ideal for hiking.

5. Comfort

Your travel backpack will become your new best friend, it’s where you will store all of your shit, it will basically become your home; therefore you need to choose a decent travel backpack that is comfortable. You’ll find the best travel pack by trying it on in the store before buying. When trying it on, load it up with some weight to take it for a proper test drive. You want an even distribution of weight across your hips, shoulders and chest, and to make sure there are no pressure points that may cause the bag to rub or pinch as you walk. Cushioned shoulder pads and padded hip straps are always a winner my friends… The better your hip belt, the better your pack will sit upon your body and the more comfortable it will be.

6. Material

So it’s raining and you’re still trying to find your hostel? Or you can see your backpack from the plane window waiting to be loaded and it’s sitting in the rain?

Water-resistant material is essential when travelling! Your travel bag will be exposed to rain, puddles or leaks at some point. There’s nothing worse than opening the bag to find your clothes soaked and stinking. The best travel backpacks are made from strong, durable, stretchy, waterproof material.

So look out for a material that will last for years – the last thing you want is a ripped bag halfway through your travels!