Jeans shopping, shoe shopping, and travel backpack shopping can all fit in the same category: fun, but can easily get frustrating when you can’t find the size and quality you need at a decent price. Enter Amazon, land of shopping opportunity (shopportunity?). While the Amazon marketplace may dominate the landscape – for travel backpacks and most other things in life – there are some products that stand out more than others, thanks to their almost cultish following of positive reviewers.
We’ve taken the hassle out of it by rounding up some of the most highly-reviewed travel backpacks on Amazon, from camera bags to giant camping backpacks – and they’re all under $70.
Do you have a favorite bag, brand, or niche that isn’t mentioned? Tag us on social and let us know!
*Note that there are affiliate links in this post. What this means: when you click on a link, you may be taken to a page where, if you purchase, we’ll get a small payment in return. This has no impact to you, but helps us keep the lights on 🙂 That said, all opinions are our own, and we received no services, items, or discounts in exchange for the reviews expressed here.
Table of Contents
For the hiker or longterm traveler
Teton Sports 55L Scout 3400 Internal Frame Backpack
One review even says, “So far, I have taken this thing on a week long trip through India, where it was strapped to the back of a motorcycle as I rode through the Himalayas (I’m not kidding here). It held up great and the rainfly was very useful and easy to put over it when it poured on us. The pack endured heavy strain as it was packed to the brim and strapped down hard every day and came out without a scratch (I was surprised about that).
“So far I’ve also used it on multiple hikes and hunting trips through thick brush and between 3 deer I’ve packed out over 200 lb of venison in the mountains in Utah and Washington. I’ve thrown it through the washer to clean out all of the blood and it came out like new.
“The only wear I’ve seen on mine is a couple of threads have loose on the bottom where it hides the rain fly, but it doesn’t affect anything serious on the pack. It’s already well outlived its price and It’s got to have at least enough life to redo everything I’ve already done with it based on its current condition.”
So click to pick up the Teton Sports 55L Scout 3400 Internal Frame Backpack
OutdoorMaster Hiking Backpack 50L – Weekend Pack w/Waterproof Rain Cover & Laptop Compartment
Reviewers of this bag particularly love the fact that they can fit a week or two’s worth of belongings in it, but it still manages to carry on to just about any plane without a second thought. Several reviewers used this for hiking once they got to their final destination, and very few had anything less than glowing words of praise.
For the money, at less than $40 and with over two thousand reviews that average out to 4.6 out of 5 stars, you may have found your next travel buddy.
Get the OutdoorMaster Hiking Backpack 50L – Weekend Pack w/Waterproof Rain Cover & Laptop Compartment
For the day-tripper or light traveler
Venture Pal Lightweight Packable Durable Backpack for Travel
And at about $20, you really can’t go wrong. Click through to snag the Venture Pal Lightweight Packable Durable Travel Backpack
Outlander Packable Handy Lightweight Travel Backpack
One of the most upvoted reviews references how the pack “is deceptively large (see pics with the CD case for perspective). I was able to fit a pair of jeans, a t-shirt, cargo shorts, underwear, a packable windbreaker, a pair of hiking shoes (size 15!!!), sunscreen, boonie hat, baseball cap, glasses case, passport, iPhone, charger, socks…basically everything I needed for a day PLUS contingencies (sans towels). It’s super light, and even though I CRAMMED it totally full, the zippers were never an issue. It packs down to about the size of 4 CD’s, and when full, it’s not much smaller than a standard backpack. The incredibly lightweight material feels pretty strong for normal wear and tear, and it’s relatively water resistant.”
Bags like this are the perfect, all-purpose, unisex answer to any travel question. So what are you waiting for! Grab the Outlander Packable Handy Lightweight Travel Backpack
ZOMAKE Ultra Lightweight Packable Water Resistant Travel Backpack
We cannot get enough of these packable travel backpacks! Inexpensive, versatile, and durable, there’s nothing to NOT love about these little carryon stuffers. This brand even suggests using a packable bag like this to avoid checked baggage weight overages!
Peace of mind on your day trip and at the airport is 100% worth the less than $20 for this bag, guys.
Snag the ZOMAKE Ultra Lightweight Packable Water Resistant Travel Backpack
For the business traveler
Anti-theft laptop travel backpack by Mancro
Anyone who travels for work (or just likes to watch movies on something larger than a phone screen) knows the importance of a solid laptop travel backpack. This particular one has a USB port (with rechargeable battery), anti-slash material, a combination lock on the main zippered compartment, and more. While it doesn’t open to lay flat for its trip through TSA, it still keeps your computer where you can easily get to it.
One review says, “Great backpack for travel. I can comfortably fit my 15″ laptop, water bottle, small pair of flat shoes, a course reader and a bunch of other little things (agenda, iPad, journal, pens and pencils, iPhone.) Really an awesome backpack that looks professional, clean and holds a LOT. I use it for my frequent travel (airplane) and it fits perfectly under the seat.”
Sold? Grab this anti-theft, water-resistant laptop travel backpack by Mancro
Kopack 17 inch laptop travel backpack
“We travel quite a bit on our motorcycles so easy transport once we get to our destination is important. The laptop fits perfectly in the padded rear pocket, close to the body which is good for weight distribution (I have an ASUS 15.6” laptop – standard size). The straps are contoured (important for comfort) not just popping out of the top of the bag. I also love all of the pockets – 4 exterior zippered compartments.
“There is the ability to lock it with a TSA lock for air travel. I can pack away not only my laptop but also my tablet, my phone and any other peripheral and personal items. I’m sure one could pack a day’s worth of clothes in it! It’s very classy looking.”
If you’re in the market, definitely nab the affordable Kopack 17 inch laptop travel backpack
For the photographer
AmazonBasics Backpack for SLR/DSLR Cameras and Accessories
Every experience we’ve ever had with AmazonBasics has been positive. Seriously. Their budget-friendly products usually outpace many better-known brands for quality and undercut them all for price. Just ask the AmazonBasics tripod I’ve been using for the last 6 years!
When it comes to this backpack, it seems like a great all-purpose bag. One review says, “I wanted a smaller, easy bag to carry my grab and go social media kit, and this backpack exceeds every expectation. For the $$, not sure how it could be a better value. It holds my A6300 body, 2 lenses, flash and accessories, tripod, head, boom mic, my 13″ laptop, personal stuff, batts, memory cards, chargers. There is still a slot available for a small LED video light!”
It’s worth mentioning that this isn’t a hardcore, super-padded travel bag meant for tons of camera equipment in rough circumstances – this is meant to get your stuff from A to B in one piece and with some added comfort for you in normal, daily circumstances.
Ready to drop very little coin for a whole lot of camera carrying power? Grab the AmazonBasics Backpack for SLR/DSLR Cameras and Accessories
The Great Explorer DSLR Camera Backpack Bag by Altura Photo
This guy looks plain, but it’s quite literally what’s inside that counts. This bag (along with its smaller cousins) has nearly 1,700 glowingly positive Amazon reviews.
“You won’t go wrong purchasing this camera bag. It is truly perfect for my needs. It holds more than I anticipated. I brought it on vacation and fit a DSLR with a 150-600mm lens attached along with 2 other cameras (1 mirrorless & 1 Bridge camera) 4 extra lenses, batteries, 2 battery chargers, and other accessories.
“I brought it on on boat trip where we got soaked, and the waterproof cover certainly came in handy and did its job. The removable inserts are very adjustable to accommodate whatever you have to put in there. There is also compartments on the front and side of this bag with a clever holder for a tripod. I haven’t used it all that much, but it seems to be really sturdy. I had a lot of weight in this bag and the handles held up fine. The thing I like the most about this bag is that is was able to fit my 150-600mm lens inside the bag while it was still attached to the camera.”
If you’re as sold as we are, pick up the The Great Explorer DSLR Camera Backpack Bag by Altura Photo
Bonus! For the (literal) adventure hound: Outward Hound DayPak Dog Travel Backpack
So, I think the real question is, who DOESN’T want a travel backpack for their trail buddy? Especially when it’s the best Our lifestyle isn’t quite conducive to having a furry trail friend, but well over a thousand very positive reviews on Amazon can’t be wrong.
So, click to grab the Outward Hound DayPak Dog Backpack
Forgetting is the worst… so don’t! 🙂 Pin this for later!
Wildlife of Belize: From beach to jungle, and howler monkeys to geckos
