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40 Liter Backpacks
You don't want the cost and hassle of checking luggage. But you still want to max out your packing space.Â
The best size of backpack for the most packing space and still being allowed as a carry on is 40 liters.Â
How big is a 40L backpack?
A 40L backpack measures about 22 x 14 x 8 inches (55 x 35 x 20 cm). At this size, you can use your backpack as a carry on, even on budget airlines and when flying internationally. Most airlines allow 40L bags in the overhead bin.Â
The US max is 45 liters, but you might have to check that bag when you travel abroad.
A 40L travel bag will fit a week's worth of clothes, toiletries, accessories, and a computer. That's everything you need for your next big trip.
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Bundle and Save
Save up to $100 on a full travel kit. Bundle a travel pack with all the accessories you'll need for your next big trip.Â
Already have a backpack? No problem. You can bundle just the accessories. You'll save up to $20 per accessory when you do. Discount automatically applied at check out.
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Bundle and Save
Save up to $100 on a full travel kit. Bundle a travel pack with all the accessories you'll need for your next big trip.Â
Already have a backpack? No problem. You can bundle just the accessories. You'll save up to $20 per accessory when you do. Discount automatically applied at check out.
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Bundle and Save (Backpack + Packing Cubes)
Save up to $100 on a full travel kit. Bundle a travel pack with all the accessories you'll need for your next big trip.Â
Already have a backpack? No problem. You can bundle just the accessories. You'll save up to $20 per accessory when you do. Discount automatically applied at check out.
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Bundle and Save (Backpack + Packing Cubes)
Save up to $100 on a full travel kit. Bundle a travel pack with all the accessories you'll need for your next big trip.Â
Already have a backpack? No problem. You can bundle just the accessories. You'll save up to $20 per accessory when you do. Discount automatically applied at check out.
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Bundle and Save (Two Backpacks)
Save up to $100 on a full travel kit. Bundle a travel pack with all the accessories you'll need for your next big trip.Â
Already have a backpack? No problem. You can bundle just the accessories. You'll save up to $20 per accessory when you do. Discount automatically applied at check out.
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Bundle and Save (Two Backpacks)
Save up to $100 on a full travel kit. Bundle a travel pack with all the accessories you'll need for your next big trip.Â
Already have a backpack? No problem. You can bundle just the accessories. You'll save up to $20 per accessory when you do. Discount automatically applied at check out.
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Carry On Backpacks
Experienced travelers fly carry-on-only. They always bring their bag on the plane and never pay to check luggage.Â
Carry on backpacks let you travel fast and light. You'll have less to carry and less to worry about. You'll land, walk right past baggage claim, and get your trip started. Plus, you'll save $50 or more on every roundtrip flight.Â
When shopping for a carry on bag, make sure it has these four features:
- Carry-On-Sized: Your carry on must meet your airline's rules for cabin luggage. A 40L bag should always fit, even on stricter budget, European, and Asian airlines. But always check with your airline before flying.Â
- Comfortable to Carry:Â If you're going to carry your bag, it must be comfortable. Choose a pack with a weight-bearing hip belt and padded shoulder straps. The hip belt will help you carry the bag with your legs instead of your shoulders to prevent neck and shoulder pain.
- Easy to Pack:Â The ideal carry on is made for travel. Your bag should carry like a backpack but open like a suitcase for easy packing, access, and organization.
- Built for the Road:Â Finally, your bag should be tough enough to handle all of the adventures you'll be taking it on. Invest in the best.
Shop Tortuga's award-winning carry on travel backpacks above.
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Front-Loading Backpacks
A good travel backpack should carry like a backpack but pack like a suitcase. Your travel bag should be front-loading like a suitcase and open side-to-side like a book.
Most travelers start off with a hiking backpack because that's what they've seen "backpackers" carrying. I made the same mistake on my first backpacking trip.
But hiking bags don't work for travel because they're top-loading like a garbage bag. Every time you need something from the middle of your bag, you have to dump out everything above it, get what you need, then repack your whole bag.
You shouldn't be unpacking and repacking your entire bag every day of your trip.
The solution is a front-loading travel backpack. With a front-loader, you can open up your bag and see everything at once just like in a suitcase. Every item of clothing is right at your fingertips. By opening to the side, your bag will be easy to open and pack on a bed or luggage stand.
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Large Travel Backpacks
Like most travelers, you probably want to maximize your packing space. But you also don't want to check a bag. The solution is a large carry on backpack.
The best size to maximize your packing space while staying compliant with budget and European airlines is just under 22 x 14 x 8 inches (55 x 35 x 20 cm). These dimensions add up to just under 40 liters in volume.
In the US, you can have carry ons up to 22 x 14 x 9 inches or 45 liters. But that size of bag will only work in the US. To make sure you won't have to check your bag when flying internationally, keep it under 40 liters.
A 40L travel backpack will still be big enough to fit a week's worth of clothes, toiletries, and a laptop.
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Lightweight Travel Backpacks
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Lite Collection
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Packable Backpacks
A packable backpack is a small, collapsible bag for exploring a new destination. When you're in transit, you can carry it as your personal item or pack it into your luggage for easy, one bag travel.Â
- Packable Backpack: The smallest and lightest bag with less structure and organization. Packs into a pouch.
- Daypack Pro: The lightly structured bag that carries your laptop. Packs flat in your luggage.
Weight and packability are important in a foldable bag. But don't just choose the smallest, lightest pack. The smallest packable bags are uncomfortable and hot because they don't have any padding on the shoulder straps or back panel.Â
Instead, look for a packable that balances weight and size with comfort and durability.Â
At Tortuga, comfort is our top priority. We only use premium materials and best-in-class hardware. We specialize in carry ons but never overlook personal items or accessories.
View collectionPacking Cubes
Packing cubes keep your clothes organized when you travel.Â
The problem with most packing cubes is that they're treated as commodities. Companies make the cheapest possible cubes with flimsy materials and weak zippers. They're made to be generic, so they "sort of" work but are never a perfect fit for your bag.Â
Most brands treat packing cubes as an afterthought. Not Tortuga.
As avid travelers, we know that packing cubes are an essential part of your gear.
When we surveyed travelers about packing cubes, their number one concern was quality. They wanted cubes that were durable yet lightweight and with high-quality zippers that wouldn't break if they overpacked.
At Tortuga, we make our packing cubes with the same best-in-class materials and zippers as our award-winning backpacks. Tortuga packing cubes are built for the road and will last as long as your luggage.
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Personal Item Backpacks
Personal items often get overlooked. Travelers invest in high-quality luggage and then carry whatever old bag they already have as their personal item. But frequent travelers should care just as much about their personal item as their carry on or checked bag.
- Size:Â The size allowance for personal items varies by airline. There's no rule of thumb here, like with carry ons. Most importantly, your bag must fit under the seat in front of you.Â
- Type: The type of bag you're carrying also matters. Think "bag," not "luggage." Small backpacks, duffels, tote bags, or slings can all be personal items. Don't try to bring a suitcase, even a small one.
- Features: Your underseat bag should have space and easy-to-reach pockets for everything you need during your flight. That includes a computer or tablet, jacket, snacks, toiletries, and medications. You should never have to get up and open your carry on luggage during the flight.
Shop Tortuga's personal item backpacks and slings above.
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Pro Collection
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Small Travel Backpacks
For weekend trips, you want to pack light. You don't need to drag around a heavy suitcase just to carry a few changes of clothes. Instead, choose a small travel backpack. You'll have enough space to pack everything you need for 2-3 nights without having to check a bag.
A weekender backpack should be between 20-35 liters in volume. Smaller, shallower bags can fit under the seat in front of you and qualify as a personal item. You don't even have to put it in the overhead bin.
If you can fit everything in a small backpack that fits under the seat, you can even save money by buying a Basic Economy ticket which allows you a free personal item but not a carry on.
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Suitcase Backpacks
When traveling abroad, you need a backpack that opens and packs like a suitcase, not a backpack with wheels and a handle. Those backpack/suitcase hybrids are the worst of both worlds. They're heavy, uncomfortable, and waste your packing space. The wheels and handle use 20-40% of your carry on weight limit and eat into your bag's packing space.Â
The solution is a backpack-suitcase hybrid. These made-for-travel bags pack like a suitcase but carry like a backpack.Â
Packs like a suitcase. Opens to the side, like a suitcase or a book, so you can easily see, reach, and organize all your stuff.
Carries like a backpack. Comfortable to carry thanks to a hiking-style suspension system. Look for cushioned shoulder straps and a weight-bearing hip belt. The belt will take 80% of your bag's weight off your shoulders and put it on your hips. Then you can carry your bag with your stronger leg muscles, no wheels needed.
The perfect suitcase backpack should open wide for easy access and carry comfortably. You don't need to waste your weight or space allowances on plastic wheels and a handle.
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Travel Accessories
A travel backpack is the first step to packing light. But, like most travelers, you'll want to add accessories to organize your luggage plus a day bag for exploring at your destination.
Organize your backpack with these travel accessories:
- Packing cubes to organize and separate all of your clothes. Get a set of 3 for maximum organization or a compression cube to fit more stuff.
- A tech organizer pouch for your chargers, cables, batteries, headphones, and other tech accessories
Once you've arrived, you'll need a bag to carry everything you need for the day. Your luggage is too big for this. Instead, choose a small packable backpack or a sling.
Check out our bundles to make sure you're getting the best deal on your new travel gear. You can even build your own bundle. You'll save up to $20 per accessory when you bundle them together or with a carry on bag.
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Travel Backpacks
Suitcases aren't built for city travel. You need a purpose-built travel backpack for your big trip.
- Carry-On-Sized: Pack as light as possible while still bringing everything you need. Using a carry on means you don't have to pay baggage fees or worry about your bag getting damaged or lost.
- Comfortable to Carry: Unlike a suitcase, a backpack works on any terrain from cobblestone streets to dirt roads to stairs. Choose a bag with a padded, weight-bearing hip belt to prevent pain and fatigue.
- Easy to Pack:Â Keep everything organized and accessible. Travel backpacks open and pack like suitcases, not like messy hiking bags.
- Built to Last:Â Your bag should be as tough as you so you never have to worry about replacing it when you're halfway around the world.
Don't compromise on your luggage. Invest in high-quality gear for your future trips.Â
Shop our Pro and Expandable travel backpacks above. If you aren't sure which one's right for you, take the quiz.
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Travel Backpacks
Suitcases aren't built for city travel. You need a purpose-built travel backpack for your big trip.
- Carry-On-Sized: Pack as light as possible while still bringing everything you need. Using a carry on means you don't have to pay baggage fees or worry about your bag getting damaged or lost.
- Comfortable to Carry: Unlike a suitcase, a backpack works on any terrain from cobblestone streets to dirt roads to stairs. Choose a bag with a padded, weight-bearing hip belt to prevent pain and fatigue.
- Easy to Pack:Â Keep everything organized and accessible. Travel backpacks open and pack like suitcases, not like messy hiking bags.
- Built to Last:Â Your bag should be as tough as you so you never have to worry about replacing it when you're halfway around the world.
Don't compromise on your luggage. Invest in high-quality gear for your future trips.Â
Shop our Pro, Lite, and Expandable travel backpacks above. If you aren't sure which one's right for you, take the quiz.
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Travel Backpacks for Men
Men should prioritize size, comfort, and durability in a travel backpack.
- Size: The best backpack size is carry-on-sized. Choose a 40L backpack to maximize your packing space and stay compliant with international airlines. If you're a light packer, go for an even smaller bag.
- Comfort:Â Your bag must be comfortable to carry. You need adequate padding and a weight-bearing hip belt. The hip belt will take 80% of the weight off of your shoulders so you're carrying your bag with your stronger leg muscles.
- Durability: You need a bag that's as tough as you are. Your bag should be built for the road. At Tortuga, we back our bags with a Worldwide Warranty if anything goes wrong.
To build out your full kit of travel gear, check out the bundles where you can save up to $100 on a backpack and accessories.
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Travel Backpacks for Women
Women should prioritize size, comfort, and ease of packing when choosing a travel backpack.
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Size: First, your travel backpack must be carry-on-sized so that you never have to check a bag. A 40L pack will max out your overhead bin space. If you're a light packer or worried about carrying a large bag, choose a smaller bag.
- Comfort:Â Next, your bag must be comfortable. Even a carry on can get heavy when you max out the weight allowance and pack your computer and a pair of shoes. So choose a bag with a weight-bearing hip belt. The belt will take up to 80% of the weight off your shoulders so you can carry it with your strong leg muscles, not your shoulders.
- Ease of Packing: Finally, you want a bag that's easy to pack. This is why top-loading hiking packs don't work well for travel. You want a front-loading bag that opens like a suitcase so you can see all your stuff at once, keep it organized, and grab just what you need.
Build out your full travel kit with a bundle that includes your carry on travel bag plus all the accessories you'll need for your trip. Save up to $100 on Tortuga backpack bundles here.
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Travel Daypacks
A travel daypack should carry everything you need for a day on the road. Look for a small, lightweight day bag that can be carried hands-free.
A packable bag, a laptop bag, or sling are great options depending on what you plan to do that day.
Don't settle for the super cheap bags you can find for under $20 on Amazon or Temu. You deserve a daypack that's durable, comfortable, and designed with the same attention to detail as your full-sized travel backpack or suitcase.
The best daypacks have a balanced set of features. Your bag can be lightweight but still comfortable and durable.
At Tortuga, we prioritize comfort in every bag that we make. We only use premium materials and best-in-class hardware because our accessories are never an afterthought. They're a core part of your travel kit.
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Travel Laptop Backpacks
When most people travel, they buy high-quality luggage but overlook their personal item. They grab whatever backpack they already have in the back of their closet, maybe a free one they got from work.
Serious travelers carry bags made for travel. A laptop bag for travel must be comfortable to carry and protect your computer just like any work bag. To be a great travel bag, it must also fit under the seat in front of you, have plenty of pockets for organization, and have easy access to everything you need in-flight. You shouldn't have to get up and open your luggage during your flight.
Your bag should be lightweight and comfortable but still durable enough to handle life on the road and to protect your valuable electronics.
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Underseat Backpacks
Your carry on luggage has all your clothes and toiletries. Your underseat bag should carry everything you need during your flight so that it's within easy reach.
Personal items are sometimes called underseat luggage because you put them under the seat in front of you when you fly. Since your personal item is already at your seat, you shouldn't have to stand up and open your luggage to get anything during the flight.
Most people bring a backpack as their secondary bag alongside a carry on suitcase or duffel bag.
But some light packers can travel with only a personal item and no carry on bag. That's usually because they're taking a short, weekend trip or because they're flying on a Basic Economy ticket and aren't allowed to bring a carry on.
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Waterproof Backpacks
If you're traveling somewhere tropical like Southeast Asia or rainy like London, you might be shopping for a waterproof backpack.Â
A truly waterproof bag can be submerged underwater without letting in any water. Think of the dry bag you might take on a boat. Those bags are made of a heavy, rubbery material and must be rolled up and clipped closed on the sides.
Dry bags are perfect for keeping your stuff dry when you're on the water. But they're heavy, hard to open, and have zero organization, so they aren't good travel bags.
Instead, you want a water-resistant bag to protect you from the rain that's easy to open and has plenty of organization.
When traveling, weather-proof is more important than waterproof.
The Tortuga Pro collection of backpacks is made of ECOPAK™ EPX200 waterproof sailcloth, originally developed for racing boat sails, with coated, water-resistant YKK zippers. This combination of material and hardware makes for a water-resistant bag that can keep your stuff dry in the rain. Plus, you get the accessibility and organization of a great travel backpack.
Travel + Leisure named Tortuga the Best Waterproof Backpack in their list of most durable backpacks.
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Weekender Backpacks
Pack light for your weekend getaway. You don't need a big checked bag for a few nights away.
For a weekend trip, choose a small travel backpack. A weekender should be between 20 and 35 liters in volume, giving you enough space for everything you need for 2-3 nights. At the larger end of that range, you'll have space for a larger pair of boots or dress shoes plus a laptop.
The best part about a weekender bag is that it fits under the seat in front of you and counts as a personal item, not a carry on. You can save money by flying on a Basic Economy ticket or pair your weekender with a carry on bag for longer trips.Â
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