Finding the perfect travel backpack for men can make all the difference, regardless of whether you’re heading away for a weekend city break or setting off on a year-long round-the-world adventure. You may not realise it yet, but the right backpack is your secret weapon when it comes to keeping your gear organised, comfortable, and ready for anything.
Men’s travel backpacks are designed with features that focus on durability, capacity, and a fit that works well for larger frames. In this guide, we’ll help you find the best backpack for your next trip - no matter where you’re going!
Why Trust Our Recommendations?
When it comes to recommending a good travel backpack for men, we knew we needed to get the experts involved. That’s why this post is a collaboration between Ella, our writer and resident travel expert, and Adam, the founder of Moonsand.
Ella has spent the last two years backpacking solo across multiple continents, gaining firsthand knowledge of what makes a backpack truly comfortable, practical, and durable.
Meanwhile, Adam has put countless packs to the test, solo-travelling through Europe and the Middle East, staying in hostels and pushing each backpack to its limits. Plus, as a man, he’s definitely best placed to advise on what makes a good travel backpack for men, what to look out for, and what to avoid.
Together, their combined expertise means that this guide includes only the very best, expert-vetted travel backpacks.
What to Look for in a Men’s Travel Backpack
So, what’s the difference between men’s and women’s backpacks? While they might look similar, men’s backpacks have a few distinct features that make them ideal for male travellers. Here’s what to consider when choosing your perfect travel backpack:
- Durability: You want a pack that can handle rough handling, so you should look for materials like nylon, polyester, or even canvas for heavy-duty use. If you’re headed somewhere outdoorsy, look for weather-resistant options that can take a bit of rain and mud.
- Capacity: For a short trip, 25-30L is usually enough, and is the perfect hand-luggage size for budget airlines. If you’re packing for a longer adventure, a 40-45L backpack should cover it. Consider what you’re bringing along to ensure you’ve got room without going overboard.
- Comfort: A backpack that’s comfortable for hours on end is key. Look for padded shoulder straps, a ventilated back panel, and a good fit - this can be the difference between a relaxed trip and an achy back.
- Organisation: Compartments are your best friend when you’re on the move. A great men’s travel backpack will have spots for tech gear, a water bottle, and your essentials, keeping everything easy to access.
- Style: Function doesn’t have to mean sacrificing form. These days, there are plenty of stylish travel backpacks that’ll look just as good in a city café as they do on a mountain trail.
- Budget: A well-made backpack is an investment, but you don’t need to break the bank. Look for quality and durability that fit within your budget - the deciding factor should be something that’ll last, not just look good.
The Best Travel Backpacks for Men
1. Osprey Farpoint 40L
%2520(1).webp)
The Osprey Farpoint 40L is the original in Osprey’s lineup of carry-on-sized travel packs, and it was such a hit that they later released a women-specific version, the Fairview. For men, though, the Farpoint is still best thanks to its durable build and comfortable fit for long stretches of wear. It’s designed to withstand the toughest conditions, so you can count on it for years of travel, giving you serious value for your money.
So, it kind of goes without saying that this is our top pick when it comes to the best male backpack for travelling.
The clamshell opening makes packing and unpacking easy, especially if you also use packing cubes to keep everything organised. While we love this feature, the bag’s external laptop and small-item compartments can throw off weight distribution, making it feel a bit front-heavy.
Accessing the main compartment also feels slightly awkward, as the pack doesn’t open as seamlessly as some others on this list. And though it’s versatile enough to carry like a shoulder bag, this option can feel bulky and uncomfortable when worn crossbody.
Durability: Osprey bags are built to last, and the Fairpoint is no exception. With reinforced stitching, high-quality zips, and a design meant to withstand wear and tear, this pack is ready for anything.
View the Osprey Fairpoint 40L here
2. Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L
The Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is a well-thought-out bag with 45 litres of space, meaning this pack is large enough to fit all your essentials and even includes an expandable front pocket, allowing you to add extra capacity when needed. Its clamshell opening makes packing and unpacking easy as can be, giving you easy access to everything without the hassle of digging around. It’s also our top pick for a lightweight men's backpack for travel.
One of the bag’s standout features is its flexibility: you can expand it for max storage or compress it down for lighter trips. The main compartment opens up into one big space, giving you the freedom to pack as you like, and the front divider can be zipped away if you want a single large compartment. While the backpack has dedicated pockets for organisation, it keeps a minimalist, streamlined look with clean lines and subtle attachment loops.
The side water bottle pockets are spacious enough to fit a 1L bottle and come with hidden zips for securing small valuables. The harness system, which includes a tuckable hip belt, helps distribute weight when you’re loaded up, though the backpack’s heavier build may make it less comfortable on extended treks. For city travel, though, it’s durable and convenient, designed to withstand years of frequent use.
Durability: The materials and build quality are top-notch, with heavy-duty zips, water resistance, and reinforced stitching. It’s designed to endure all kinds of travel conditions, making it a reliable option for those who prioritise longevity.
Browse the 45L Peak Design Travel Backpack
<!-- Pulse Newsletter -->
Receive updates, latest posts & cheap flight prices directly to your inbox. With no spam.
3. Cotopaxi Allpa 35L
The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L is a unisex backpack that stands out with its sleek design and a ton of compartments, making it a great choice for city travel. Unlike the Osprey Farpoint, which has a more rugged harness system, the Allpa’s design is streamlined and geared toward short urban trips, where comfort is important but you don’t need an over-engineered setup.
Just like in our female backpacks roundup, this wins our award for the most stylish men's backpack for travel!
Inside, the roomy interior allows for more packing space, and the multiple compartments make it easy to stay organised and access your essentials without digging around. The front has a large catch-all pocket that’s perfect for storing items you might need to grab on the go.
While it’s comfortable for most trips, you might feel it on your shoulders during extended walks, as the support isn’t quite as robust as the Farpoint.
One downside is the lack of a dedicated water bottle holder, which can be a bit inconvenient if you’re always on the move. But for urban travel, the Cotopaxi’s stylish look and compartment-heavy design make it a fantastic choice when it comes to men’s travel backpacks.
Durability: Built tough, the Cotopaxi Allpa is ready for daily use and city adventures. It’s well-suited to withstand frequent handling without sacrificing style, but wouldn’t be our go-to men’s backpack for hiking.
4. Patagonia Black Hole 45L
The Patagonia Black Hole 45L is a rugged, flexible pack designed for travellers who need a bit more space than a standard carry-on. Built with a minimalist structure and reliable materials, this backpack is equally suited for city trips or multi-day adventures, making it the ideal all-rounder if you’re looking for durability without added bulk.
The main compartment is an open, single space, allowing you to customise your packing setup. It’s ideal for packing cubes, and if you’re carrying bulkier or oddly shaped items like binoculars or even a small scope for birdwatching enthusiasts, there’s plenty of room.
The front document pocket is perfect for packing travel essentials within reach, while a flat internal pocket securely holds important documents without taking up precious space. The separate laptop sleeve is a huge plus, making it easy to grab your device quickly at the airport or on the train.
Patagonia also designed the Black Hole 45L for convenience on the go. An easy-access top pocket lets you stow items like a hat or an extra layer without opening the main compartment, and the bag’s narrow frame means it can slide under airline seats or fit comfortably in overhead bins. With a water bottle holder on the side, you’ll be all set for long travel days.
Durability: Patagonia’s commitment to quality shows in the Black Hole’s weather-resistant materials and rugged construction. This bag can handle the demands of frequent travel, ensuring your belongings stay safe no matter where you go.
View the Patagonia Black Hole 45L
{{CTA-CompareBlock="/subscribed"}}
5. Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L
.webp)
The Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L is all about structure and organisation, making it your new favourite if you like to keep things orderly on the road. This pack’s clamshell design keeps its shape even when fully loaded, ensuring that packing is stress-free and that you can still take it as a carry-on.
With a thickly padded harness system and adjustable straps, this bag is made to keep you comfortable, even with a full load. The detachable hip belt also adds extra support, which is ideal for long days on the move.
For some built-in segmentation, a mesh pocket along the main compartment is a great spot for a layer or two of clothing or other small items.
Durability: Tortuga’s rugged materials hold up well over time, keeping the backpack looking clean and structured trip after trip. Though it weighs around 1.8kg/4lbs empty, the weight is distributed well thanks to the sturdy harness system and padded back panel.
Get your Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L
To conclude:
Using Adam & Ella's combined travel experience, and extensive bag testing, we found the Osprey Fairpoint 40 to be our best ranked men's travel backpack for it's durable design, comfortable feel and ease of use when packing.
We also found travel backpacks with dedicated water bottle holders are a real benefit for those longer trips or travel days.
All five of the listed backpacks have modern and neat designs, with flexible or changable compartments. Perfect for all types of travellers.
To recap here are the top 5 mens travel backpacks in order from our testing: 1. Osprey Farpoint 40L, 2. Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L, 3. Cotopaxi Allpa 35L, 4. Patagonia Black Hole 45L, 5. Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Moonsand receives a commission if you decide to make a purchase through one of our trusted affiliate partners, at no extra cost to yourself.
Recommended
Share this blog:
