Best Travel Backpack Carry On for Women 2024

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When deciding on the best travel backpack carry on for women for your next holiday, be aware that there are big differences between a hiking backpack, laptop backpack, packable daypack and a carry on luggage backpack. A hiking backpack may be too large to pass for carry on luggage, but more importantly, its top-loading packing style is impractical. A laptop backpack is best for tech warriors who take all their gadgets on a trip and check most of the rest of their belongings. A daypack is great for holding just your essential items for a day out.

The best carry on backpack for women can be versatile enough to perform all these functions quite well but is really a carryall backpack that must fit into the overhead bin in airplanes. It gives you the freedom to weave in and out of crowded airports and train stations and also quickly navigate broken pavements and cobblestones streets. Both your hands are free to do anything else, like eat street food!

These days almost all airlines have strict carry on size allowances, especially if you’re traveling internationally. Gate agents regularly stop bags that don’t comply with the airline’s cabin bag policy, while also charging you exorbitantly for last-minute checking into the hold. There are many carry on bags that are so heavy on their own that just packing them half-full will take you over the weight limit! IATA approved “Cabin OK” bags fall within 21.5 x 13.5 x 7.5 inches (55 x 35 x 20 cm), although some airlines allow a bit more than that, especially in the US.

Other than the overall best travel carry on backpacks, we can guide you when selecting certain other specialized backpacks too. If you’re looking for a backpack mainly for short business trips, there are options that have laptop compartments built in with space for the rest of your tech accessories and only a few other travel essentials. If you can’t handle much of a weight on your back or you’re planning to check in a larger backpack, then choose a rolling backpack to give you a break.

If you want your backpack to double up for long outdoor activities or you plan on carrying heavy items in it, then the best travel backpack should be comfortable enough to carry for extended periods of time, so make sure that it has a frame and hip belt. Ideally, you should be using a hiking backpack in this case and there are a few that will pass as carry on. The best brands make special framed travel backpacks for women to fit your torso correctly.

For certain pickpocket-famous destinations look at how discrete the zippers are. You may even want them to be lockable. This feature is useful in deterring pickpockets. These anti-theft backpacks double down on security and so does the Eagle Creek Deviate Travel Pack.
 

 

Our Picks for Best Backpacking Backpacks for Women

ProductFeatures

Best one bag backpack

Nomatic 40L Travel Bag

Nomatic 40L Travel Bag

  • 9″ x 21″ x 14″

  • 4 lbs

  • TSA-friendly laptop compartment

  • Carry as a backpack, duffel or stacked on top of a trolley bag.

  • Shoulder and waist straps
  • Best overall

    Osprey Fairview 40 Women's Travel Backpack

    Osprey Fairview 40 Women's Travel Backpack

  • Two sizes available - 38 liters - 19.3" X 13.8" X 8" and 40 liters - 21.3" X 13.8" X 9"

  • 3.1 lbs and 3.2 lbs

  • Women's specific fit

  • Carry as a backpack, by the grab handles, or by the shoulder strap.

  • Harness and hip belt

  • Separate laptop compartment
  • Best suitcase-style backpack

    Cotopaxi Allpa Travel Pack

    Cotopaxi Allpa Travel Pack

  • 20" x 12" x 8"

  • 3 lbs 7 ozs

  • Carry as a backpack or by the grab handles

  • Shoulder and waist straps

  • Separate laptop compartment
  • Best budget backpack

    Hynes Eagle 44L Carry on Backpack

    Hynes Eagle 44L Carry on Backpack

  • 20.5" x 13.8" x 9"

  • 2.77 lbs

  • Carry as a backpack, by the grab handles, or stacked over a trolley bag

  • Shoulder straps

  • Separate laptop compartment

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    How to Choose the Best Women’s Backpack for Travel Carry on

    There are three important aspects to consider before buying the best carry on backpack for women – comfort/form, function and aesthetics. The following features and design details should help you:

    Best Travel Backpack Carry on Size and Weight:

    While it may be tempting to buy the roomiest backpack and pack everything you THINK you need into it, that strategy can easily make for a very heavy backpack that may not pass carry on weight limits on some international airlines and can make you very tired and uncomfortable in a short time.

    You should aim for a pack that gets the balance between packing capacity and weight right. That means the sweet spot will be between 35 liters and 45 liters for most people. However, the lightest load doesn’t necessarily mean the most comfortable to carry. A well-designed travel backpack will let you pack quite a lot and still feel very comfortable on your back and shoulders. If you stay under 45 liters you can even get away with one bag travel and never have to check in a bag again.

    That being said, sometimes the true packing capacity may be a bit less than stated. If you’re looking for backpacks with lots of space, one that’s built like a rectangular suitcase will be able to hold more than one that tapers towards the top. Too many pockets and compartments can eat away from the space too.

    Also keep in mind that a slim profile is easier to travel with because your center of gravity will be closer to you and you’ll be less likely to knock someone out when you turn in a crowded space.

     

    Top Loading Vs. Front Loading Travel Backpack

    Most regular backpacks are top loading – you unzip from the top to bottom or lift a top flap and pack your items by inserting them into the pack and stacking your things from bottom to top. This is fine if you’re talking about a backpack for books, laptop or hiking essentials but if you need to pack clothes, toiletries, underwear and electronics, it’s impractical.

    Regular top opening packs that are deep can be a pain to dig through when you’re searching for something. You’ll either make a mess feeling around in the dark cavernous interior or you’ll have to remove your clothes and other items from the top to finally reach the item. In your hotel, you’ll have to unpack your top-loading backpack completely just to be able to access everything even if you’re only away for a day or two.

    That’s why a front-loading, AKA panel-loading backpack is almost always better for travel. This is a backpack that opens like a suitcase, either via a front panel where the main compartment is the majority of the packing space, or like a clam in a hardside suitcase where the space is divided in half.

    This is much easier to pack and unpack because you can see everything at once and only take out what you need without disturbing the rest of your belongings. This type of pack often includes interior compression straps or a divider panel to help create more packing space and keep everything in place.

    A front-loading backpack is like a convertible backpack suitcase because you can either carry it by the backpack straps or use a side carry handle that it will almost always have.

     

    Backpacks that are Good for your Back

    Even a half-packed backpack can give you a sore back and shoulders if it’s not designed well for comfort and if you can’t make adjustments to the fit. Whether you have a long walk from the train station to your hotel, or from security to your gate, or waiting in a long line at immigration, a well-designed backpack for comfort will make your trip much more pleasant. After all, the reason you’d choose a backpack over a messenger bag or tote bag is because it is a more ergonomic option.

    In general, the shoulder straps should be well-padded and adjustable so that you can wear the backpack higher up your back. A padded and adjustable hip belt helps even redistribute the weight away from your shoulders and to your hips. Even though some sweating is inevitable while wearing a backpack for a long time, a ventilated back panel can help make it a bit easier to handle. A nice-to-have feature that’s usually only present on hiking backpacks is load lifters. These are present at the top of the shoulder straps and helps reduce the strain of a heavy backpack. For those that find backpack straps routinely slipping of your shoulders, a sternum strap is also a nice feature to keep them fastened together in the front.

    Many backpacks have a one-size-fits-all harness for people of different body sizes, but a few brands make some tweaks to their popular backpacks to make ones that fit women’s bodies much better. The shoulder straps are a bit shorter to help lift the pack higher up the back, which is helpful for women with short torsos. The straps are usually a little bit narrower and curved too, as a woman’s frame is narrower than a man’s. The hip belt is smaller and more contoured to sit correctly on the hips.

     


     

    Organization Features

    These features can vary between backpacks and what you choose will largely depend on your packing style. A minimalist travel backpack will have just a large main compartment and very few pockets or dividers inside to separate your belongings and keep things neat. This type is quite versatile to use for different kinds of trips and you can even pack a large souvenir if you need to. However, we suggest that you use a few packing cubes or other travel organizers to keep some semblance of order in the backpack. A small zippered pocket for cash and a pen loop wouldn’t hurt so that you don’t lose these items amongst your things.

    Many travel backpacks are designed specifically for the neat freak so if you’re one of them then this type of pack won’t require too many packing organizers other than a toiletry bag or cord organizer. Just remember that the more organizational features added to a backpack, the heavier it becomes on its own.

    If you travel with various devices that tend to run low on battery, you may want to carry a power bank with you so that you can charge the devices on the go. A travel backpack with a USB charging port let’s you keep the battery pack inside while it’s charging your phone outside with cables connected to the port.

    Look for backpacks that can be expanded for when you’re not using it as a carry on for air travel or if you plan to check it in. External and internal compression straps also allow you to pack a little bit extra with the knowledge that the pack can be squeezed closed using them. However, keep in mind that many carry on backpacks for planes can get too heavy when they’re stuffed to the gills. Not only can it become too heavy to carry but some airline staff may also stop you from boarding with it if they weigh it and it’s heavier than the weight allowance.

     

    Security

    Backpacks are known to be magnets for pickpockets because you can’t keep an eye on it behind you. For peace of mind, certain security features can prevent theft of your valuables or at least deter pickpockets from trying. Some smaller backpacks come with anti-theft zippers where the movable zipper heads can be locked against a fixed loop on the bag so that no one can tamper with it. There may also be lockable anchor straps and RFID-blocking pockets.

    A travel backpack should at least have lockable zipper heads on at least the main compartment or wherever your gadgets go so that you can use your own TSA lock on it. The rest of the zippers should ideally be hidden beneath flaps or you can choose a backpack with a zip against your back.

     

    Style of Backpack

    The look of a travel backpack depends on your personal style but should also depend on the type of trip you usually take. If you do a mix of business and leisure trips or if you don’t want to scream “tourist” in a crowded city, then there are several discreet options in plain black and a streamlined design.

    If you only travel for leisure and you want your travel backpack to be comfortable enough to carry through multiple changes of destination where you have to walk a lot, then there’s the backpacking backpack that’s middle of the road in terms of style. While there will be a black one in the lineup, there are usually some colorful ones too. These combine comfort with sporty looks and function and are the most popular amongst backpackers. They work well for a variety of trips.

    Hiking backpacks are the most rugged-looking and are usually large and bulky. They’re all about comfort for long hikes and camping and rarely work well in an urban setting. Most are top-loading packs and come in combination colors. For most travelers, the extra features can be overkill unless you’re incorporating some long hikes in your itinerary.

     

    Durability and Materials Used

    Sometimes this is where the difference in price shows. If you invest in a good quality durable backpack made out of strong materials, it will last for years. Everything from the zippers to the handles to the seams matters. In general, a higher denier rip-stop nylon shell, YKK zippers, and double stitching are ideal.

    Backpack straps and buckles are prone to getting torn off during transit, so a good pack should give you the ability to tuck them safely into a compartment when not in use.

    Your backpack should also be water-resistant. A few minutes on the tarmac in the rain shouldn’t damage your laptop. A light drizzle while getting from place to place is also OK. This is different from waterproof luggage, which is better if you’re spending a lot of time in rainy weather or if there’s a chance that your luggage will fall overboard from a boat. If you’re trying to decide between a nylon or polyester backpack, read our guide on the differences between the two materials.

     

    Best Backpack for Laptop and Clothes

    Osprey Porter 46 Travel Backpack

    Osprey Porter 46 Travel Backpack
    If you’re looking for a simple duffel-style backpack that’s specifically meant for hotel/hostel travel and casual city exploring, you can’t go wrong with this popular Osprey Porter 46 Gear travel backpack, which is an updated version. It’s great looking in that it does not look like a normal adventure traveler’s pack. The design is sleek, light and compact, and very suited to a woman’s body even though it is a unisex pack. It measures 9 x 14 x 21.5 inches and weighs just 3.26 lbs, making it possibly the best backpack for airline travel carry on even for travel around Europe or Asia. While this is a 46L pack, the same is also available in 30L and 65L. You can also attach an Osprey Daylite Pack using the reinforced cord loops. The durable nylon hex rip construction makes it long-lasting as well.

    This lightweight carry on travel bag with backpack straps has structured side walls and a front opening panel with both zippers going all the way down the front, so it’s very easy to pack. A zippered organizer pocket on the front allows you to store pens, keys, gadget cords and power banks. You could also store your toiletries bag in this compartment.

    An easy-access side-loading lockable zipped compartment behind the main compartment is where the padded laptop and tablet sleeve is. You can easily fit a 15″ or even slightly larger laptop in there.

    The main compartment’s zippers are also lockable. Inside are two side pockets and dual compression straps.

    This new model has been upgraded to include a stow-away shoulder harness with a sternum strap and load-lifter straps, a whistle, a tuck-away waist belt, and a patented StraightJacket compression strap system to keep the bag compact. These features make carrying the bag very comfortable, and in addition to the padded top and side grab handles, they make it able to withstand rough baggage handling.

    If you want to take this with you as a daypack, it can fold down into a compact bundle using the StraightJacket straps, so you can pack it into another carry on if you wish. It also comes with D-ring addons if you want to purchase the Osprey shoulder strap for toting the bag over your shoulder.

    There is no water bottle pocket on this pack but if you have a bottle that can clip on with a carabiner, you can use the d-rings.

    Choose from 4 colors.

    Pros:

  • Very good laptop storage and protection.
  • Good organizational pockets.
  • All zippers can be locked.
  • Lots of packing space.
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    Cons:

  • The waist straps have minimal padding and may not be comfortable for extended periods of use.
  • No water bottle pocket.
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    Osprey Fairview 40 Women’s Travel Backpack

    Osprey Fairview 40 Women's Travel BackpackWhile the Osprey Porter 46 is a unisex pack and is ideal mainly for packing clothes and accessories travel for a hotel or hostel stay, the Osprey Fairview 40 Women’s Travel Backpack can easily do double duty for travel and light backpacking. This pack has more features that make it extra comfortable for women doing some city exploring or hiking, so we pick this as the best women’s carry on backpack for travel.

    Available in 3 colors, this nylon ripstop backpack comes in two sizes – X-Small/Small and Small/Medium. The larger one holds 40 liters, weighs 3.2 lbs, and measures 21.3 X 13.8 X 9 inches. The smaller one is a touch shorter and shallower with a 38L capacity. Most women will find the larger model quite comfortable, while petite women can choose the smaller model. Because it is so light and easy to carry for long distances, it is also our pick for the best international travel carry on backpack, especially in Europe and Asia.

    This pack has an adjustable women-specific harness system, including a well-padded hip belt and light peripheral frame that transfers a good deal of the weight to the padded hip belt, so it’s comfortable to carry even when heavy. It defers from the men’s model in that the harness is 2 inches shorter and the backpack straps are set a little closer together to fit slim shoulders better.

    The back panel features spacer mesh to promote airflow, and a zippered rear flap that keeps the harness system tucked away and protected if you want to check this bag or carry it like a suitcase using the side or top carry handles. The D-rings and included shoulder strap also allow you to carry it like a duffel.

    There are also multiple features to keep your belongings secure – outer compression straps to keep the bag compact and your things from being jostled around, a lockable zippered panel for the main compartment, a zippered pocket on the front, a lockable top-loading 15″ padded laptop sleeve inside the back wall of the main compartment, a lined protective pocket on top for sunglasses, and two mesh pockets on the front for water bottles. All the straps are well padded.

    Pros:

  • Increased comfort while carrying because of the frame and suspension system and the tall and slim design.
  • The waist belt and suspension system really helps with load distribution even when the pack is really heavy.
  • You can pack a lot.
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    Cons:

  • Can get very heavy if overstuffed.
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    Thule Landmark Women’s Travel Pack

    Thule Landmark Women's Travel Pack
    If you don’t like the top to bottom opening panel of the Osprey packs above but like the backpack form and functionality, then consider the Thule Landmark Women’s Travel Pack. This Swedish brand’s travel backpack measures 9.8 x 13 x 21.5 inches and weighs 3.17 lbs. Made to fit a woman’s torso and shoulders, this 40L pack is available in two colors – dark red and dark blue. The material is ripstop polyester.

    The suspension is ideal for women traveling between destinations or walking a long way to their accommodation. The shoulder straps are contoured and have load lifter straps, and they along with the adjustable hip belt can be tucked away when not in use. There’s a discreet whistle built into the sternum strap. This backpack for carry on is proven to be a rugged choice that is comfortable to carry, as it is specially designed to fit the female body and evenly distribute weight.

    Four side compression belts keep your belongings secure and there’s a convenient carry handle right above the backpack straps. There’s a top grab handle just above the shoulder straps.

    The roomy main compartment opens duffel-style via a full d-shaped zippered panel. There’s a hidden stash pocket inside one end where you can safely keep some cash or your passport. The inside of the opening panel houses a large zippered mesh pocket for your toiletries and there’s another smaller zippered pocket inside of that.

    You can keep items like sunglasses, a phone and other valuables in the external top zippered pocket. There are overlapping zippered mesh pockets here to allow you to store things of differing sizes. This pocket is reinforced to protect the items from damage. There’s a vertical zippered pocket on one side that reveals a mesh elastic top holder for a water bottle. If you have more gear that can be attached with carabiner clips or a piggyback strap, there are 4 lash points on each front corner of the pack.

    Finally, there’s a well padded rear compartment with a zippered side opening that can hold a 15″ laptop as well as a tablet.

    The dual zippers of both the main and top compartments can be secured to loop locks to deter thieves from trying to get into them. For more security, the zipper pulls can be locked with any luggage lock.

    Pros:

  • Roomy yet compact.
  • Good security features.
  • Comfortable even for short women.
  • Very lightweight.
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    Cons:

  • There’s only one haul handle.
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    Eagle Creek Global Companion Women’s Ergonomic Travel Backpack

    Eagle Creek Global Companion Women's Ergonomic Travel BackpackThe Eagle Creek Global Companion Women’s Ergonomic Travel Backpack is the female’s version of the regular Global Companion. This version fits a shorter torso, slimmer shoulders and curvier hips.

    The shell is made of ripstop polyester with a nylon lining and it weighs 3 lbs 8 oz and measures 13.75 x 21.5 x 8 in.

    This carry on backpack for air travel is a good pick if you like to be well organized and have a robust suspension system for long walks while carrying your luggage.

    The bag has a proper backpack form but opens from the side and the lid lays flat like that of a suitcase. The two packing sections are large and covered by zippered mesh dividers. There are no restraining straps, so it’s best if you use packing cubes to prevent clothes from falling to the bottom when you carry it upright. This compartment opens via dual zippers with zipper heads that can be locked with a TSA-approved luggage lock. The heads can be moved and locked to the central metal locking point on the top for extra security.

    This interior space also features separate compartments for your 17″ laptop at the back of the bag and a shoe compartment at the bottom. Both these compartments can be accessed either from the inside or from exterior zippered openings. The padded laptop compartment from the top exterior at the back and the shoe compartment from the bottom exterior on the front. The shoe compartment would also work well as a separate space for dirty clothes.

    The front exterior of the pack features two vertical zippered organizer pockets with a key leash and mesh pockets in one and pen loops and mesh and fabric pockets in the other. You could also use one of these pockets for a water bottle. There’s a small zippered compartment at the top of the pack where you can keep your sunglasses or small stash of snacks.

    For carrying options, you have a grab handle along one long side and on the top, padded adjustable backpack straps with a sternum strap with a whistle, and a thick curved waist strap. One side of the waist strap has a small zippered pocket where you can stash some cash or keys. All these straps are adjustable for comfort suited to anyone’s shape and form but they cannot be tucked away if you have to check the bag in. The cushioned back panel also features air mesh to keep you cool enough on hot days.

    Four exterior compression straps help reduce strain on the zippers and help keep the pack compact. If you have some gear that can’t fit into the pack but has a clip or loop to hang from, there’s a handy metal loop on the front of the bag for this purpose.

    There is an attached zip-up rain fly that comes in handy on rainy days.

    Pros:

  • Lots of organization.
  • Robust suspension system with good waist strap for comfortable back carrying.
  • Versatile enough for airport travel to digital nomad lifestyle to car camping trips.
  • Spacious but compact.
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    Cons:

  • Suspension system cannot be tucked away for check in and waist strap cannot be removed if you don’t use it.
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    Cotopaxi Allpa Travel Pack

    Cotopaxi Allpa Travel PackWhile all of the above travel backpacks look like backpacks and are relatively unstructured, you may find that packing a more rectangular and structured bag easier as long as you can carry it as a backpack most of the time.

    The Cotopaxi Allpa Travel Pack is the best of the best when it comes to quality construction and an abundance of features. The shell is made of TPU-coated polyester, which keeps everything inside from getting wet in a downpour, while the paneling is in ballistic nylon. This carry on travel backpack measures 20 x 12 x 8 inches and weighs 3 lbs 7 ozs. You can choose from a few different colors. It also comes with a high visibility rain cover.

    This new 35 liter pack is ideal for women, as the suspension system is shortened to fit short to medium height people. This is made up of contoured shoulder straps, an adjustable sternum strap, and a removable padded hip belt, all of which can be stowed away in their own back panel pocket. The back panel features a flexible air mesh layer for breathability. There are four reinforced haul handles to allow you to carry the pack in a number of different ways other than by the shoulder straps. There are 4 lash points if you have more gear that can be attached to the outside of the pack with the help of carabiner clips. Use one of them to clip a water bottle on.

    The main compartment opens suitcase-style into two packing sections. The right section comprises a large, zippered mesh divider while the left section is subdivided into 3 by zippered mesh compartments on the left. These compartments are easy to organize for packing and even if you overstuff them the gusseted zippers provide compression when being closed.

    There are padded laptop and tablet sleeves on the back that are accessible via a vertical exterior side zipper. On the other side, there’s an easy-access zipper that opens into the main internal compartment, so you don’t always have to take the pack off your back. An organizer-type compartment on the top is great for keeping some essentials.

    A good anti-theft feature on this pack is that all the zippers have theft-proof webbing placed across the openings. This deters anyone from getting into any of the compartments quickly.

    There’s another option that’s slightly larger – the 42L Allpa Travel Pack. This would work well for longer torsos, although the hip belt on that pack is not very well designed.

    Pros:

  • Great organization and packing capacity.
  • Completely water resistant.
  • Sturdy construction.
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    Cons:

  • The rain fly is unnecessary.
  • No water bottle holder.
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    eBags Mother Lode Jr. Travel Backpack

    eBags Mother Lode Jr. Travel Backpack
    The eBags Mother Lode Jr. Travel Backpack used to be rated one of the most popular and best carry on backpacks for traveling and it is still a very good option. It is made of durable polyester and has many innovative design features, like the book-style suitcase opening for the main compartment. This carry on travel backpack measures 9 x 19.5 x 14 inches and weighs 3 lbs 5 ozs. The interior nylon lining is orange, while you can choose from 7 different colors for the exterior.

    There’s a laptop pocket that is discretely placed on the top and back of the bag and is lockable, which is padded with thick foam on the outside and cushioned on the inside by your clothes. It can hold a laptop upto 15”, which is easily inserted and removed while going through airport security.

    The main compartment is expandable to add up to 10% more packing capacity and features a fold down fabric shelf that splits the compartment in half. The tie-down straps can be adjusted for cinching to also help minimize the shifting of your things.

    The inside of the main compartment’s lid contains a mesh zippered panel for added organization, while the front of the bag features a travel organizer zippered compartment with various pockets and a key leash. Both compartments taper slightly towards the top for a less bulky look.

    If you want to safely store travel documents, the front has a vertical zippered pocket that is hidden. There is also a vertical zippered pocket on one side of the pack for storing a water bottle and a zippered pocket for snacks or other quick access items right on top.

    There are hideaway air mesh padded shoulder straps with webbing, sternum straps, and a hip belt, all of which are adjustable and can be stowed away in the zippered pocket in the back panel. You may find that the hip belt isn’t of much use, as it is minimal and buckles up too high instead of at your waist.

    Four external compression straps reduce the strain on the YKK self-repairing zippers when fully loaded, but help keep your things secure if not.

    All the main zippers have lockable D rings to keep your belongings safe. Two grab handles on the top and side make lifting the bag easy.

    There’s another option from eBags that’s slightly larger – the regular Mother Lode. It may actually be a better option for taller women.

    Pros:

  • Very good value.
  • Works very well with packing cubes.
  • Opens suitcase style.
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    Cons:

  • The waist strap isn’t of much use.
  • The water bottle holder doesn’t hold a taller bottle securely.
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    Hynes Eagle 44L Carry on Backpack

    Hynes Eagle 44L Carry on BackpackThe least expensive backpack on this list is the Hynes Eagle 44L Carry on Backpack. It’s design is more small soft case luggage than true backpack, but if you need to carry it for non-adventure travel, this 20.5 x 13.8 x 9.0 inch 2.8 lb pack is just fine. It is IATA approved for carry on and will work for airlines that have very strict restrictions on what qualifies. Its 4 outer compression straps and expansion zipper can reduce the volume to 38 liters, so it will even fit under the seat.

    You have three ways of carrying it, as it has a side and top grab handle, a back trolley sleeve to allow for secure stacking over your larger wheeled luggage, and adjustable backpack straps with a sternum strap that can be tucked away into the back panel for transit after unclipping the bottom of the straps. There’s also a removable waist strap to keep the pack stable while you walk but don’t expect it to alleviate the weight you carry on your shoulders. The back panel and shoulder straps feature air mesh for breathability.

    This crinkled nylon backpack carry on luggage features storage for clothes as well as a 15.6″ laptop or upto a 17″ ultra-slim laptop. Depending on how and what you pack, you can travel with this bag for up to a week. The laptop goes into a side-loading padded zippered compartment right at the back. The main compartment features dual zippers with metal pulls that can be locked with your own luggage lock. It opens book style. Both the lid side and main side feature zippered mesh divider panels to separate the storage spaces and keep everything in place. The lid side also has dual zippered pockets on the divider panel for packing small items of clothing or accessories.

    There is a large u-shaped zipped organizer pocket in the front and another horizontal zippered pocket for travel documents or a toiletry bag under that. An elastic top pocket on one side will hold a water bottle.

    This airline approved backpack is best used with packing cubes that are available to buy as an option. Without them, whatever you pack in the main space of the main compartment will move to the bottom of the pack because there are no internal restraining straps to keep things in place.

    While short women may find the fit of this backpack a bit uncomfortable, it’s very lightweight and fine for carrying about for a short while.

    Pros:

  • Roomy and functional.
  • Versatility for carrying it.
  • Easy to pack.
  • Inexpensive.
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    Cons:

  • Ineffective waist strap.
  • Needs packing cubes to keep belongings from shifting.
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    Best Digital Nomad Backpack

    Nomatic 40L Travel Bag

    Nomatic 40L Travel BagThe front loading Nomatic 40L Travel Bag is universally loved by people who work while they travel because not only does it offer great organization for clothes and accessories, it also boasts of several tech organization features too. It makes packing easy by giving you compartments for your toiletries, shoes, laptop and other gadgets. No matter how many times you move between destinations or what mode of transport you use, traveling with this bag is easy.

    The Nomatic Travel Bag weighs 4 Lbs and is perfect for a 20 to 40 Lbs load range. Its 40-liter capacity and outer dimensions of 9″H x 21″W x 14″D bring it firmly into that sweet spot as a one bag backpack. The laptop pocket measures 16″ x 10.5″ x 1.5″.

    This durable tarpaulin bag is water-resistant and is very versatile to carry, as it is a hybrid duffel backpack. You can switch from using the shoulder straps to duffel straps and back quickly. This is also the best travel backpack with luggage sleeve, as there’s even a roller bag piggyback sleeve at the back if you want to pair it with a checked-in wheeled bag. You also get detachable waist straps to help you with load distribution when carrying it as a backpack.

    When you’re going through security at the airport, you don’t have to take out your laptop and tablet to put them in a bin for scanning. Just unzip the front loading panel to lay it flat open with the laptop and tablet in their respective foam-lined sleeves. The entire TSA-friendly backpack and its contents can go through on the belt this way.

    There are pockets and compartments all along the top, bottom and sides of the bag. An RFID-blocking pocket for your passport and cards as well as stretch top mesh and fleece-lined pockets for several tech items, pockets for small snacks and a paperback book, a waterproof water bottle pocket, fleece-lined pocket for your phone or sunglasses, a large separate compartment for a pair of shoes, and finally one for your toiletry bag. The main compartment will hold the rest of your clothes. You also get a foldable hanging mesh laundry bag to keep your dirty clothes separate from your clean ones inside the main compartment.

    If you need more organizers, you can add any number of ones made by Nomatic to a bundle when you buy this bag.

    Pros:

  • Lots of pockets and compartments and doesn’t really need any other organizers.
  • Easy to carry in a number of ways.
  • Water-resistant.
  • Inconspicuous.
  •  
    Cons:

  • Expensive.
  • The awkward boxiness, when carried as a duffel, makes it only good for hauling it a few steps, as it will hit you in the leg otherwise.
  • Only available in black.
  •  

    Tortuga Outbreaker Carry On Travel Backpacks

    Tortuga Outbreaker Carry On Travel BackpacksThe Tortuga Outbreaker Carry On Travel Backpacks come in two sizes – 35L and 45L. While one is slightly smaller in volume and dimensions, both can be adjusted to fit the torsos of short women and tall men. The 35L is ideal for airline travel where carry on restrictions are strict. It measures 20.3″ x 12.9″ x 8.2″ and weighs 4.6 lbs. The 45L bag is good if you mainly fly on major US airlines with more generous overhead bin sizes. It measures 22″ x 14″ x 9″ and weighs 5.1 lbs. This backpack is made of waterproof sailcloth, which is a tough material. Even the YKK zippers are weather-resistant, so you can be sure that your electronics and clothes will be dry even in a downpour.

    The dynamic suspension system used on this bag doesn’t allow the shoulder straps or hip belts to be tucked away, but they can be detached and stowed inside the bag or in the front pockets when not in use. This system consists of height-adjustable shoulder straps with a sternum strap and thickly padded adjustable hip belts. Both hip belts have an inbuilt zippered pouch for small items that you need easy access to, but it’s best if you don’t keep anything valuable in them as the belts themselves are easily detachable. The back panel features sweat-wicking and non-chafing Ariaprene foam padding.

    If you’re looking for a travel backpack with lots of pockets, there’s no dearth of organizational features on the Outbreaker. There are three locking zippers – for the laptop compartment, the main compartment, and the organization pocket.

    The main compartment opens book-style with the main packing space featuring 4 zippered pockets along the two long sides. The lid compartment features two large zippered mesh compartments.

    This travel backpack is also TSA-friendly, as the laptop compartment at the back opens vertically from top to down and the lid lies flat so that the whole pack along with your gadgets can be passed through security screening without having to take anything out first. The inside of the lid has two padded sleeves for a 17″ Macbook and a 9.7″ tablet that are held in place by a snap button fastener. The other wall of this compartment is divided into one large and two small zippered mesh pockets for all other electronics and cords.

    The front of the bag features a larger organizer compartment with lots of pockets and loops. TWo horizontal single zipper pockets are on the front of that compartment. There are elastic top pockets on both sides of the backpack, so you can carry a water bottle and a travel umbrella.

     
    We hope you have found the best travel backpack carry on for women. If not, tell us why in the comments below.

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