We’ve Tested Thousands of Travel Backpacks, and 10 of Our Favorites Are on Sale for Amazon Prime Big Deal Days

Whether you need a new carry-on backpack for upcoming holiday travel or want an excuse to upgrade your current option, now is a great time to treat yourself. Amazon Prime Big Deal Days are officially here, and the two-day sale, taking place this Tuesday, October 8 through Wednesday, October 9, is offering thousands of incredible deals on travel gear. We’re particularly excited to see so many carry-on backpacks on sale, including several that we’ve tested and reviewed here at Travel + Leisure. 

Although the sale doesn’t technically start until tomorrow, you can already score up to 49 percent off some of the best carry-on backpacks recommended by T+L editors. Some of our favorite deals include the Matein Travel Backpack and the Solo Re:Define Backpack, which are both over 30 percent off during the sale, but there are plenty of options for every kind of traveler. So get to shopping before these deals end, and don’t forget to sign up for an Amazon Prime account to get access to the best deals, benefits, and perks. 

Asenlin 40L Travel Backpack

This Asenlin 40-liter backpack is one of our favorite picks for travelers on a budget, which is even more evident now that it’s on sale. This bag has great organizational features like interior and exterior compression, as well as an included set of packing cubes. These cubes, which come in sizes small, medium, and large, make it easy to keep your items organized, which is especially important if you’re using this backpack as a carry-on luggage piece. It also has a trolley sleeve and a side handle to hold it horizontally. The laptop sleeve inside the backpack keeps computers and other electronics secure and safe. During our durability tests, the Asenlin backpack didn’t show any signs of damage, making us confident that this is one of the best carry-on backpacks you can get without spending a fortune.

Matein Travel Backpack

The Matein Travel Backpack is another great option for travelers on a budget, coming in at just $34 during Amazon Prime Big Deal Days. This backpack is also 40 liters, which offers plenty of space to pack for an overnight trip. During testing, we were impressed with the numerous pockets for keeping clothing, shoes, tech, and accessories organized. We really loved the separate footwear compartment that’s designed to prevent the bottom of your shoes from touching other items in your bag. In addition to the main pocket, the backpack also has a laptop pocket and a large front pocket to hold smaller items and accessories.

Fjällräven Räven 28

For students, commuters, and light packers, we recommend the Fjällräven Räven 28 backpack, which is currently on sale for 20 percent off. The back padding is breathable and supportive, making it ideal for walking through airports and train stations on long travel days. And because it isn’t bulky, we avoided brushing up against people in crowded places during our real-world test. This backpack also has lots of pockets in the main compartment for small essentials, and both sides of the bag have a water bottle slip pocket. While it’s not fully waterproof, it kept computers and wallets safe from the elements during testing.

Vohler Laptop Backpack With Charger

If you’re looking for a solid backpack with a price that can’t be beat, you’ll be happy with the Vohler Laptop Backpack With Charger. At just $24 with the use of an on-site coupon, this backpack offers everything you could want and more without breaking the bank. It’s made from soft but sturdy materials that will protect your things and feel comfortable on your back all day. During testing, we were impressed with the bag’s durable build and protective padding that made our electronics feel ultra-secure inside. The water bottle pockets, USB port, and headphone jack are other features that make this feel like a no-brainer buy.

Earth Pak Summit Dry Bag Backpack

While you don’t usually need a dry bag while walking through the airport, it can be useful to have one as your carry-on if you’re expecting to be caught in the rain during your travels. The Earth Pak Summit Dry Bag Backpack is one of our favorite waterproof backpacks because it will keep its contents from touching a drop of water, even if it falls into the ocean. This bag features durable PVC material and a roll-top closure that provides impressive waterproofing and abrasion resistance — during our testing period, water rolled right off the bag. Give yourself peace of mind while traveling in the rain with this backpack that’s currently on sale for $67. 

Under Armour Adult Hustle 5.0 Backpack

Under Armour is known for making high-quality workout gear, and those high standards translate to the brand’s excellent bags like the Hustle 5.0 Backpack, currently 18 percent off. Although it’s not large enough to replace your carry-on suitcase, it makes a great personal item with plenty of space to fit your under-seat essentials. The soft interior makes it ideal for carrying bulkier items that you don’t want pressing into your back during the day. It also has a shoe pocket at the front bottom of the bag that keeps dirty or wet shoes from touching the rest of your things. During testing, we appreciated the various pockets for staying organized and the overall sturdy structure of the backpack. 

Nike Brasilia Training Gymsack

A good drawstring bag can come in handy while traveling, and it would be hard to find a better option than the Nike Brasilia Training Gymsack. This no-frills bag is lightweight, easy to pack, and can fit a surprising amount of stuff when you need it to. The drawstring design is simple to use and gives you quick access to your belongings. Made with durable water-resistant fabric, this bag will keep your clothes dry if you get caught in light rain. It also has convenient side pockets for safely storing smaller items like credit cards, hotel key cards, and headphones. This also makes a great carry-on bag for kids and teens who don’t want to lug around a large backpack. 

Solo Re:Define Backpack

We fell in love with the Solo Re:Define Backpack during testing, voting it as our favorite commuter backpack. It is spacious and comfortable, allowing us to fit essentials like a laptop, wallet, and other work items, with room to spare. This design also makes it an excellent carry-on backpack in our opinion. The backpack has plenty of pockets for storage and is filled with helpful bonus features like a key leash, a pocket for a portable charger, and a built-in USB port. The exterior of the backpack is designed with water-resistant materials, so you can be confident your items will stay dry if you get caught in a drizzle while walking from the airport to your cab. 

Kroser Laptop Backpack With Charger

The Kroser Laptop Backpack with Charger is currently 10 percent off the already affordable price, and is offering an addition 10 percent off on-site coupon, making it another great budget pick on this list. It’s made with high-quality materials that feel durable on the outside and repel moderate amounts of water. We found the backpack to be extremely comfortable during testing, with thick shoulder straps and a padded back that allowed for plenty of airflow. The backpack also has a trolley sleeve that makes it easy to secure onto your suitcase while rolling through the airport. We were also impressed with the organizational features and capacity of this bag, which are in line with many pricier models. 

Samsonite Classic Leather Backpack

We love Samsonite bags for their durability and fair price point, so we’re excited to see the Classic Leather Backpack on sale for 30 percent off during Prime Big Deal Days. During testing, we found it to be the perfect mix of form and function, designed with professionals in mind but with features any traveler would appreciate. It has several zip pockets, a tablet pocket, and space for two laptops. The bag also has padding on the shoulders and back, which makes it comfortable to carry for long periods of time. It also has a sleek look that will make you feel extra fancy, even if you’re stuck in economy. 

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