10 Best Duffel Backpacks for Travel
Calling all adventure seekers! Whether you need to zigzag through airports, run to catch your train, or hike to your campsite, a duffel backpack makes living life on the go truly effortless. Next time you hit the road, consider ditching the rolling suitcase for one of these top duffel backpacks.
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10 best travel duffel backpacks for women
1. Best overall duffel backpack: Nomatic
From quick weekend trips to a full week away, the Travel Bag 40L from Nomatic can't be beaten when you need a carry-on that’s durable, versatile, and ready for anything. Made out of water-resistant tarpaulin with YKK zippers, this duffel backpack features a patented strap system, allowing you to effortlessly change from duffel to backpack and back again when you need to switch things up for style or comfort. It even comes with a custom laundry bag to organize your dirty clothes, as well as a pocket for your travel water bottle and dedicated compartments for your shoes and tech.
Price: starting at $290
2. Best high-end duffel backpack: Tumi
Whoever said backpacks can’t be chic hasn’t seen the Voyageur Malta Duffel/Backpack from Tumi. Available in classic Black/Gunmetal or a striking Lilac Ombre, this duffel backpack ensures you’ll stand out from the crowd (for all the right reasons) with luxe leather-trimmed carry handles and a monogrammable detachable leather charm. And there’s more to love inside, too. A double-zip entry to the main compartment makes way for a leather card pocket, a key leash, and a bevy of both open and zip pockets to tuck away your travel trinkets in a way that’s both secure and stylish.
Price: starting at $550
3. Best recycled duffel backpack: Patagonia
Patagonia has long been famous for its environmental advocacy—and you can see that dedication to the planet in every stitch of the brand’s Black Hole® Duffel Bag 55L. From the body fabric to the lining to the webbing, everything is made out of 100% recycled fabric. On top of that, the body fabric is certified as bluesign® approved, which means that the textile has been deemed safe for customers, workers, and the environment. AND it’s all Fair Trade Certified™ sewn. Whew! Besides all those impressive certifications, this recycled duffel backpack is also available in nine jaunty colors—what’s not to love?
Price: starting at $169
4. Best rugged duffel backpack: Peak Design
If you’re planning to travel off the beaten path, then you need a carry-on bag that can keep up with whatever you throw at it. For a rugged duffel backpack that you can count on to go the distance, turn to the Travel Duffel from Peak Design. This is no ordinary travel backpack. For one, its weatherproof nylon canvas external shell is DWR-impregnated and double poly-coated for water resistance. It has a 900D waterproof bottom liner. And its hardware is made out of tough-as-nails anodized aluminum and glass-reinforced nylon. In your choice of versatile black or elegant sage, this rugged duffel backpack is a gal’s best sidekick for daring travel adventures.
Price: starting at $140
5. Best convertible duffel backpack: Briggs & Riley
Going hands-free when you travel can be a lifesaver at times, which is why we love backpacks. But keeping your travel docs and valuables within arm’s reach is also important, which is why we love shoulder bags. Enter the Convertible Backpack Duffle from Briggs & Riley—a total slam dunk for women on the go who want to have it all. With this convertible duffel backpack, you can sling this carry-on over your shoulder like a traditional travel duffel bag or sport it as a backpack when you need to go hands-free. Either way, you’ll enjoy dedicated laptop, tablet, and document compartments alongside self-repairing YKK zippers to keep it all secure. Did we mention it also fits under most airplane seats? Win!
Price: starting at $319
6. Best duffel backpack with trolley sleeve: Away
Looking for a smoother ride at the airport? Get yourself a carry-on bag that won’t slow you down, like the F.A.R. Convertible Backpack 45L from Away. Like most multi-functional backpacks, this baby has convertible and removable shoulder straps so you can effortlessly transition from backpack to duffel whenever you want to. Unlike most backpacks, this pick from Away features a trolley sleeve, so you can attach it to your suitcase to lighten your load and keep on rolling with ease. Big enough to fit three to five days’ worth of gear but small enough to count as a carry-on, this duffel backpack with a trolley sleeve will be your new travel bestie.
Price: starting at $220
7. Best sustainable duffel backpack: Topo Designs
There are a lot of brands out there talking about sustainability, but Topo Designs doesn’t just talk the talk—it walks the walk. Their Global Travel Bag 40L is made out of 100% recycled nylon. On top of that, all the fabric used to make this sustainable duffel backpack is from certified dye mills, which ensures the chemical composition of the textiles only consists of safe materials. Plus, their production is Fair Wear certified, which means it meets fair labor standards for the safety, health, and wellness of employees. And this backpack doesn’t just do good—it looks good, too, with adjustable straps, water bottle pockets, and availability in five fresh hues.
Price: starting at $230
8. Best colorful duffel backpack: Calpak
Want to add a fresh pop to dreary early mornings at the airport? Look no further than the Terra 26L Laptop Backpack Duffel from Calpak. Go classic and neutral with standard black (they call it Obsidian) or show off your flair for fun with Juniper green, Glacier blue, Canyon peach, or one of their spicy limited edition shades. With a TPU laminate coating that makes it water-resistant and imparts a sleek sheen, this duffel backpack also gives you a wide clamshell opening for easy access to your gear, a padded pocket for your laptop, and compression straps for peak organization on the go.
Price: starting at $175
9. Best duffel backpack for organization: Mystery Ranch
Do you consider yourself a master organizer? Then your heart will surely skip a beat when you catch a glimpse of the Mission Rover Travel Bag from Mystery Ranch. The brand says they designed this duffel backpack for organization to help you “strategically separate your stuff”—and we have to agree. Internal mono-mesh pockets not only help you organize your gear but also make it easy to spot what you need in a pinch. There’s a padded sleeve for your laptop, a separate compartment for dirty laundry and/or shoes, and two elastic-topped drop pockets for small accessories. Get ready to organize your heart out.
Price: starting at $275
10. Best duffel backpack with carry case: Thule
A duffel backpack is a great piece to take on the road with you—but it may not be the only suitcase you want to bring. If you’re hard-set on having a rolling trolley but still want a little room to grow, then make sure you pack the Chasm Sport Duffel Bag from Thule. This duffel backpack comes with its own mini-me carry case: Use it as an extra accessory pouch or use it to store the duffel backpack itself when not in use. And trust us—you’re going to want to use it. Lockable zipper pulls, weather-resistant tarpaulin, and internal mesh pockets can always come in handy.
Price: starting at $150
Duffel backpack - common FAQs
What size backpack duffel is considered a carry-on?
For most airlines, the standard carry-on size is 22 x 14 x 9 inches. This means most 40L or 45L duffel backpacks are considered carry-ons. Of course, always make sure you verify the specific rules of your chosen airline before flying so you don't get caught with an unpleasant surprise at the airport!
What material and fabric is best for a duffel backpack?
The best material for a duffel backpack is tarpaulin, nylon, or polyester. These fabrics are water-resistant, durable, and made to last, so they’re the perfect travel sidekicks when you want to get adventurous.
How much should I expect to spend on a duffel backpack?
A good-quality duffel backpack should be well-made and weather-resistant—but it doesn’t have to be expensive. Most duffel backpacks will cost between $150 and $250. But you can up the ante for more features and more luxury with duffel backpacks that cost $300+.
