The 12 Most Durable Backpacks for Every Adventure, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Kühl Eskape 25

$269 at Kuhl.com

The Kühl Eskape 25 Backpack is not only incredibly durable, it’s also spacious with top-tier organizational features. The main compartment is perfect for storing shoes or gear, while the back pocket unzips like a clamshell suitcase for easy access to all of your items. It also features a padded laptop sleeve, small internal pockets (including fleece-lined pockets to protect sunglasses), and water bottle pockets on both sides of the outer frame. When it comes to adjustability, we love that you can move the sternum strap up or down to comfortably fit any chest size, and you can tighten it to keep the backpack secure.

Overall, this is a very sturdy backpack with great weight distribution. There is also a luggage sleeve that makes it a great personal item for flights and a plush side handle that is the perfect size for grabbing to place the bag in the overhead bin. At 20.5 inches tall, this pack is on the longer side, so shorter people may find it less comfortable to wear for long periods of time depending on their back length and preferences.

During testing, we threw this bag off a counter multiple times, and though it picked up some dirt, it didn’t suffer from any scuffing or scratches. As a waterproof and weatherproof bag, we found its outer nylon to be incredibly durable and all of the hardware to be high-quality. Plus, it also has water-resistant zippers. The thick, well-constructed design; number of storage options; and additional features show that a true understanding of traveler needs went into the design of this backpack.

The Details: 9.5 x 12.5 x 20.5 inches | 25-liter capacity | TPU-laminated nylon | Waterproof

Best for Hiking

Gregory Women's Swift 22 H20 Backpack

$130 at Amazon $130 at REI $130 at Backcountry

For a durable hiking pack, you can’t go wrong with the Gregory Swift 22 H20 Backpack fitted with a 2-liter hydration pack that connects to a straw that’s easy to use midhike (though the hydration pack isn't the easiest to clean). With a 22-liter capacity, the size is perfect for a long day or even weekend on the trail. The Swift 22 is lightweight yet sturdy with plenty of padding for comfort. We also tested this backpack on three different body types, and each person was able to adjust the shoulder, chest, and hip straps so the bag fit comfortably for long periods of time. In addition to taking the pack out on long hikes in the snow, we tested the backpack over a period of three months, and there are still no rips, stains, tears, or snags in the outer fabric.

The Details: 18 x 11 x 8 inches | 2.2 pounds | 22-liter capacity | Includes 2-liter hydration pack | Nylon

Best for Camping

Yeti Panga 28L Backpack

$400 at Amazon $300 at REI $300 at Backcountry

Yeti is one of the best brands out there making heavy-duty gear that can stand up to the outdoor elements, so it's no surprise that this Panga pack is our favorite option for camping. With a 28-liter capacity, it's a large backpack that reminded us of a soft cooler in terms of its structure, which we thought would be great for holding bulky camping gear. This backpack is made of a flexible, fully waterproof material, so you can fold the front all the way open when you're loading stuff inside.

It has a hefty, airtight zipper that is a little hard to open and close, but we think that's a good thing because you can tell it's really strong and is going to keep water out (it even comes with a zipper lubricant). As our Travel + Leisure testing editor, Jackie Cucco, put it, "I think you could wear this in a monsoon and not a single drop of water would make it through to the inside." Its large capacity and waterproof abilities makes it a great option for camping trips when you'll be spending time outdoors.

The Details: 19.7 x 12.5 x 7 inches | 4 pounds | 28-liter capacity | Nylon, TPU lamination | Waterproof

Best for Commuters

Solo Re:Define Backpack

$83 $43 at Amazon $43 at Walmart View on Solo-ny.com

This backpack may look small and unassuming, but we found this to be similar to Mary Poppins’ magic bag when packing — all items from our packing list fit easily as though this were a much higher-capacity backpack, but it's nice and compact for a daily commute. We fit a laptop and tablet in the back panel sleeve; a pair of shoes, a large toiletry bag, a shirt, a pair of pants, and a quarter zip in the main compartment; and a book, wallet, keys, lotion, and headphones in the front zippered compartment. We also love that there are two additional water bottle pockets on each side of the backpack as well as a battery pack pocket that allows you to feed the charging cable to a USB port on the outside of the bag for on-the-go charging, so your phone will never run out of juice on your way to work. Plus, the bag is made of recycled PET bottles for a durable, water-repellent exterior.

The Details: 16.9 x 2.7 x 12.6 inches | 1.43 pounds | 14-liter capacity | Recycled PET polyester | Water-repellent

Best Convertible

Away The Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L

$220 at Away Travel

This bag may look compact, but we were surprised at just how spacious it was during testing. It easily fit our entire packing list and extra items, and we still felt like we could've stuffed more inside — making this an ideal convertible backpack for anyone who loves souvenir shopping. The backpack features multiple large compartments, compression straps, and small pockets that are ideal for organizing clothes, gear, and accessories. The additional laptop sleeve is also very well padded, and our tester laptop sustained zero damage after throwing the backpack off a ledge three times.

While the backpack is rather long, it sports well-cushioned shoulder straps that makes carrying a breeze, even when walking for long periods of time. You can also remove the backpack straps and attach the included, adjustable shoulder strap if you'd prefer to carry it a different way. You can also use the side handle to carry it like a duffel bag.

The Details: 21.7 x 13.6 x 9.5 inches | 3.32 pounds | 45-liter capacity | Recycled polyester

Best Splurge

Tortuga Travel Backpack

$350 at Tortugabackpacks.com

When it comes to durability, the Tortuga Travel Backpack is built to last no matter how you use it. We tested this bag over a period of four months, including on multiple camping trips, and it’s still in perfect condition. We carried this pack through everything from intense sunlight to stormy rain and even dropped it in the mud, and it kept all items protected and dry and was easy to clean with just a wet cloth. The inside is spacious, and the main compartment opens up like a clamshell suitcase for easy access — it even fit a tent, a camping pillow, and a sweatshirt all in the one main compartment, while the built-in compression pocket kept base layers organized and away from dirty gear. The bag itself is quite heavy, but the adjustable hip and sternum straps help take the weight off your back so you can comfortably wear this backpack hiking, camping, or on an airplane and never worry about fatigue.

The Details: 21.7 x 13.8 x 7.9 inches | 4.5 pounds | 40-liter capacity | Shell200 | Waterproof

Best Sustainable

Troubadour Orbis 1-pocket Backpack

View on Troubadourgoods.com

Part of Troubador’s Circular Collection, this backpack is made of recycled materials and is itself recyclable. We absolutely love the plush, padded straps and back panel that resemble the comfort of a high-quality hiking pack while still looking like a designer laptop bag. It features 11 pockets inside and outside of the backpack for peak organization. We especially love the water bottle sleeve that fits up to 24-ounce bottles and the padded tech compartment that is large enough to fit 17-inch laptops. After we dropped it seven times during tests, the backpack looks good as new without any scuff marks or damage. The thick padding did a great job of absorbing all of our tosses, and we’re confident it will remain durable whether you’re using it as a travel bag or commuter pack.

The Details: 11.8 x 16.5 x 5.5 inches | 3.3 pounds | 18-liter capacity | Recycled polyester | Waterproof

Best Waterproof

Earth Pak Summit Dry Bag Backpack

$84 $65 at Amazon View on Earthpak.com

You don't have to go camping to want a waterproof bag, and we think this one is a great pick if you want to keep your stuff dry but don't need the heft and weight of a Yeti pack. Weighing in at just 2.5 pounds with a 35-liter capacity, this bag from Earth Pak can keep a lot of things dry without weighing you down. It's a great bag for kayaking, sailing, or fishing, which is why we awarded it our favorite option for water activities in our waterproof backpacks test. In addition to backpack straps for carrying, it comes with a looping system that allows you to strap it securely to your boat. If it does fall into the water, the bag floats and even has a reflective coating to make it easy to spot. The roll-top closure and 500-denier PVC material solidify its ability to keep your things bone-dry, even in a downpour or after being submerged in water (we even doused it in water showers to confirm this). Bonus: it also comes with a waterproof phone pouch, which we also tested by dunking it in a small pool full of water.

The Details: 19 x 14 x 9 inches | 2.5 pounds | 35-liter capacity | 500D PVC | Waterproof

Best Expandable

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

$300 at Amazon $300 at REI $300 at Backcountry

For a utilitarian backpack that’s also sleek enough to use off the trail, consider the Peak Design Travel Backpack. This large pack is easy to organize and features multiple zippers that allow you to access your belongings without fully opening the entire bag. You can collapse it into a 35-liter size if you want a smaller bag, or expand it to be a larger, 45-liter backpack as needed.

It had no marks or scuffs from being tossed around during our tests and would be a great investment bag for frequent travelers. We also loved the number of carrying straps featured on the bag. In addition to the adjustable shoulder straps, the bag also has handles on all four main sides of the bag, making it easy to maneuver, especially when putting it in the overhead compartment of an airplane or train.

The Details: 22 x 13 x 9.5 inches | 4.5 pounds | 45-liter capacity when expanded | Recycled nylon canvas | Waterproof

Best for Organization

Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack

View on Calpaktravel.com

If organization is your top priority, this backpack has enough pockets to keep all of your things in line. There are a remarkable amount of pockets inside and outside — a feature the Calpak brand is known for. The main compartment, which you can open either like a clamshell or a regular backpack, is lined with two compression straps and two mesh pockets. There are also sleeve pockets, a hidden passport pocket, a laptop pocket, and a water bottle pocket, among a few more organizational features inside and out.

During testing, we found the padded shoulder straps to be extremely comfortable, and we liked the sternum strap for extra support. The ripstop polyester fabric didn't scuff or scratch during our durability tests and seems like it will hold up through all your travels. It's a plus that the outer material is water-resistant if you happen to land on a rainy day. You can also attach the shoulder strap to carry it across your body instead, though we preferred to carry it on our backs because of all the padding.

The Details: 18 x 12 x 7.5 inches | 2.9 pounds | 26-liter capacity | Recycled ripstop polyester | Water-resistant

Best for Business Trips

Samsonite Elevation Plus Backpack

View on Samsonite

This durable and high-quality backpack was clearly designed with travelers in mind, and we think it has a sleek look that would be right at home on any business trip. It is designed with plenty of pockets including a padded laptop compartment that can easily fit two laptops or a laptop and a tablet. The external water bottle pocket is also one of the most durable we have ever seen and held the water bottle firmly in place even after we threw the whole backpack off of a table. We love that the front pocket has a magnetic flap to conceal the zipper for extra security while traveling as well as the handy luggage sleeve that allows the backpack to slide over standard luggage handles. The backpack itself is lightweight with plenty of padding along the back and shoulders for all-day comfort. Because of it's high capacity, and the fact that it easily fits underneath airplane seats, this would be a perfect personal item when you're traveling with electronics.

The Details: 17.8 x 12 x 6.5 inches | 2.2 pounds | Recyclex RPET

Best Mini

Carhartt Mini Backpack

$43 at Amazon $35 at Dicks Sporting Goods

This light, mini backpack is perfect for day trips. Like most Carhartt bags, it’s designed for long-term use with the outer polyester fabric treated with Rain Defender durable water repellent. The straps are adjustable, and the back of the pack is lightly padded to enhance your comfort. While we love the compact size of this bag for everyday use, it's only 11.75 inches long and won’t fit most laptops. Still, no items were damaged after throwing this backpack off a counter multiple times, and the outside still looked brand new. Going the extra mile for protection, this backpack is designed with a fleece-lined eyewear pocket that protects your lenses and makes it easy to access your favorite shades.

The Details: 8 x 11.75 x 5 inches | 9.6 ouncecs | 5-liter capacity | Polyester | Water-repellent