The Edit — Travel
Travel Backpacks 2026: Carry-On Size, Laptop Sleeve
6 travel backpacks, from Osprey's under-seat Daylite to 40 and 44 liter packs that replace a carry-on case. Which fit under the seat, which open flat for the laptop scan, and which only fit the bin when squeezed.
This guide is research-led: we have not handled these units ourselves. If you buy through our links we may earn a commission — it never changes a pick.Research-led, nothing handled. We may earn from links; it never changes a pick. How we choose
The 6 packs here are ranked by how Amazon shoppers rate them, then compared on what each maker states about size, capacity, laptop sleeves and security scans, as How we choose describes. Nothing here was handled or tested.
Best for One bag, no checked case
Watch for Needs bin space
Best for Under the seat
Watch for Small for a week
Best for A week in one bag
Watch for Compress to fit
Best for Pockets and a shoe bag
Watch for No liters stated
Best for A 17-inch laptop
Watch for Light on clothes
Best for Laptop plus clothes
Watch for No size in inches
The MATEIN 40L fits the usual carry-on limit with room to spare
Most US airlines cap a carry-on at 22 x 14 x 9 inches, and a soft pack has to sit inside that. The MATEIN 40L carry-on backpack is 19 x 13 x 8 inches and 2.2 lbs, and unzips from 40 to 45 liters. Its shoulder straps tuck into the back panel so it can be carried like a case, and the zips can be locked. MATEIN calls the polyester water resistant.
MATEIN Carry on Backpack, Expandable Travel Backpack, 40L
A 40L pack that expands to 45L, 19 x 13 x 8 inches and 2.2 lbs, with straps that tuck away.
Current price shown on Amazon. We may earn a commission.
| Capacity | 40L, expands to 45L |
|---|---|
| Size | 19 x 13 x 8 in |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs |
A 40 to 45 liter pack inside the carry-on limit, for a weekend with no checked bag.
Buy it if
- A long weekend with no checked bag
Don't buy it if
- A basic fare with no bin space
Osprey’s Daylite 26+6 is the one to put under the seat
A basic economy fare often allows only a personal item, the bag that goes under the seat in front. Osprey sizes its Daylite 26+6 for most major airlines’ personal item dimensions, at 16.9 x 13 x 6.3 inches and 1.85 lbs. Its main compartment expands 2 inches to add 6 liters. It has 2 stretch bottle pockets, a tech sleeve and a sleeve to slide over a suitcase handle.
Osprey Daylite Expandable 26+6 Travel Pack
A 26L pack that expands by 6L, sized by Osprey as a personal item for most major airlines.
Current price shown on Amazon. We may earn a commission.
| Capacity | 26L, expands 6L |
|---|---|
| Size | 16.9 x 13 x 6.3 in |
| Weight | 1.85 lbs |
A light under-seat pack that expands by 6 liters, for basic fares.
Buy it if
- Basic economy, where only the under-seat bag is free
Don't buy it if
- A week's clothes
The Osprey Daylite 44L is carry-on size only once compressed
The largest pack here is honest about its limit. The Daylite 44L is 21.7 x 14.2 x 9.1 inches, a fraction over 14 and 9, and Osprey says it meets most airline carry-on limits when compressed. It opens fully like a suitcase, with lockable zips, a padded laptop sleeve, an outside toiletry pocket and straps that tuck away. At 2.34 lbs it is the heaviest pack on this page.
Osprey Daylite 44L Carry-On Travel Pack
A 44L clamshell pack with lockable zips, carry-on size when compressed, Osprey says.
Current price shown on Amazon. We may earn a commission.
| Capacity | 44L |
|---|---|
| Size | 21.7 x 14.2 x 9.1 in |
| Weight | 2.34 lbs |
The most room here, for a week in one bag, packed with care.
Buy it if
- A week away with one bag
Don't buy it if
- Packing it full: it must be compressed for the bin
Taygeer’s pack has the most pockets and a separate shoe bag
Some travellers want a place for everything. The Taygeer travel backpack has 3 main compartments and 9 inner and side pockets, plus a bonus shoe bag and a wet pocket. It is 16.8 x 11 x 7 inches and 1.74 lbs, fits a 15.6-inch laptop, and has a 180-degree zip for the security check. Taygeer states no capacity in liters.
Taygeer Travel Backpack for Women, TSA Carry On, 15.6 in Laptop
A 16.8 x 11 x 7 inch pack with 3 main compartments, 9 pockets, a shoe bag and a wet pocket.
Current price shown on Amazon. We may earn a commission.
| Size | 16.8 x 11 x 7 in |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1.74 lbs |
| Laptop | 15.6 in |
A small, organised pack with a shoe bag, for work trips and shift bags.
Buy it if
- Organising a work trip or a nurse's shift bag
Don't buy it if
- Anyone who wants a stated capacity in liters
2 packs let the laptop stay in the bag at security
Taking a computer out in the security line is the step these 2 packs are built to skip. The SwissGear 1900 ScanSmart has a lay-flat compartment for a laptop up to 17 inches, a padded tablet pocket and an RFID-protected organiser, in 31 liters. The tomtoc 40L travel backpack has a laptop section that opens 90 to 180 degrees, takes up to 17.3 inches, and is made of recycled PET fabric with YKK zips.
SwissGear 1900 ScanSmart Laptop Backpack, 17-Inch, 31L
A 31L laptop pack with a lay-flat ScanSmart compartment for a 17-inch laptop and an RFID organiser.
Current price shown on Amazon. We may earn a commission.
| Capacity | 31L |
|---|---|
| Laptop | Up to 17 in |
| Security | Lay-flat ScanSmart |
A lay-flat laptop pack, for business trips with a big screen.
Buy it if
- A business trip with a big laptop
Don't buy it if
- Clothes for more than a night or 2
tomtoc Travel Backpack 40L, TSA Carry On, 17.3 Inch Laptop
A 40L clamshell pack in recycled PET fabric with YKK zips and a laptop section that opens 90 to 180 degrees.
Current price shown on Amazon. We may earn a commission.
| Capacity | 40L |
|---|---|
| Laptop | Up to 17.3 in |
| Fabric | Recycled PET, PFAS free |
A 40 liter clamshell with a laptop section, for one-bag trips with a computer.
Buy it if
- A one-bag trip with a laptop
Don't buy it if
- Anyone who wants a stated size in inches
| Pack | Capacity | Size stated | Weight stated |
|---|---|---|---|
| MATEIN 40L | 40 to 45L | 19 x 13 x 8 in | 2.2 lbs |
| Osprey Daylite 26+6 | 26 to 32L | 16.9 x 13 x 6.3 in | 1.85 lbs |
| Osprey Daylite 44L | 44L | 21.7 x 14.2 x 9.1 in | 2.34 lbs |
| Taygeer | No liters given | 16.8 x 11 x 7 in | 1.74 lbs |
| SwissGear 1900 ScanSmart | 31L | 18.5 in tall | Not on the listing |
| tomtoc 40L | 40L | Meets most airlines, per tomtoc | Not given |
Check the airline before you pack
Carry-on and personal-item limits vary by airline and by fare, and a gate sizer is the final word. The carry-on size guide explains 22 x 14 x 9 and how bags are measured. For a wheeled case instead, the carry-on luggage guide compares the hard and soft options, and packing cubes help a 40 liter pack hold more.
Prices, savings and deal badges are Amazon's own, read from Amazon within the last hour. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Best carry-on backpack
MATEIN Carry on Backpack, Expandable Travel Backpack, 40L