Struggling to find the perfect travel rucksack? Feeling overwhelmed by all the options?
Hey, you’re not the only one. Backpacks are more popular than ever, with 63% of travellers preferring to use a backpack for their next holiday. And with literally thousands of options out there, it’s no surprise many of us feel completely lost when it’s time to buy.
Don’t make the same mistake as most people…
Arriving home from that first epic trip of a lifetime with painful shoulders, broken zippers, regret, and a long list of “features” that should have had on that “perfect” bag…
Want to be a step ahead of everyone else?
Read on…
Contents:
- The Travel Rucksack Buying Revolution
- Wrong Questions vs The Right Questions
- Size: Bigger Isn’t Always Better
- Materials: Cheaper Isn’t Always Cheaper
- Organization Features: Bunch Of Nonsense
- Comfort Is Not Optional
- Security Features You Can’t Ignore
- Weather Protection You Can Count On
- Budget: Real Value vs Overspending
- The Final Word
The Travel Rucksack Buying Revolution
Before we dive in, something you might not know…
The travel rucksack market is booming. We’re talking huge growth from $18.78 billion in 2023 to an expected $32.29 billion by 2030. If you follow backpacking or travel forums you’ll know this is a hot topic.
But more choice doesn’t mean better choice. It just means more confusion, and more expensive mistakes.
The good news?
Focus on the travel features that really matter to your holiday experience, not the marketing fluff that’s pushed on your by salespeople and websites who just want your money.
Wrong Questions vs The Right Questions
The biggest mistake when it comes to finding the perfect travel rucksack? Asking the wrong questions.
Let’s break down the most common wrong questions, then the right ones you should be asking…
Size: Bigger Isn’t Always Better
Wrong question: “Should I get a 35L or 45L?”
Right question: “Will this be carry-on size for all the airlines I’ll be flying?”
Size is the biggest obsession with travel backpacks. Liter capacity takes on a life of its own and we all fall for the “oh, I’ll just squeeze in a couple more things in that extra 10L” trap.
Except, life’s never that easy.
And that 45L carry-on compliant travel rucksack may not actually fit as carry-on luggage. Airlines are tightening their rules all the time, and that “margin” you think you have for going slightly over the size limit will probably be gone.
Quick comparison chart:
- 35-40L: Perfect for most trips
- 40-45L: Maximum carry-on, check sizes
- 50L+: Checking bag, extra fees
Sweet spot: 35L. Enough room to fit most stuff without being restricted by size limits.
Materials: Cheaper Isn’t Always Cheaper
Wrong question: “Is £50 good value?”
Right question: “Can it handle 6 years of abuse?”
Cheap materials = cheap backpack. Period.
You’ll know when you feel that scratchy fabric or when the lining feels like its made out of plastic bags. That is a budget backpack with a limited lifespan.
Premium bags use materials designed to last for decades.
Ripstop nylon? Ballistic nylon? Woven canvas? Recycled everything? Don’t get caught up in the materials hype (there’s always a new buzzword in rucksack materials).
The important point? Strong fabrics that won’t tear, fade, or fail when you least expect it.
Organization Features: Bunch Of Nonsense
Wrong question: “What organization features does it have?”
Right question: “Can I easily find things inside?”
Oh, the poor, sad, state of travel backpacks organization-wise.
We all love pretty bags with loads of pockets. I get it. But when was the last time you unpacked a backpack to search for that tiny little pocket with your earphones in?
90% of travel backpacks are purely aesthetic when it comes to organization. Zero practicality.
When you’re exploring different destinations, you’ll find there’s a decent choice of types of rucksacks & bags designed for various travel and camping needs, but the key is finding one with smart, functional organization.
The best travel backpacks with the perfect amount of organization features:
- Clamshell opening: full access to contents
- Laptop compartment: not a sleeve in the main area
- Quick-access pockets: for passport, boarding pass, and phone
- Compression straps: to keep everything tight
Comfort Is Not Optional
Wrong question: “Does it have padded straps?”
Right question: “Can I wear this for hours without pain?”
Comfort isn’t optional.
The average carry-on backpack has a surprisingly low weight (especially when empty) of 3.4 lbs (1.5 kg), and so it can take a few paces (or hundred mile backpacking trips) before the strap padding becomes a problem. Depending on what you carry in your bag the weight could increase up to 15-20 lbs (7-9 kg).
Long gone are the days of being ultra minimalist (hobo-style) with your backpack. It’s important you find a pack that fits correctly with a shoulder straps padding of at least 1-2 inches wide, a chest strap to evenly distribute weight, a hip belt (even if you’re not a fan of wearing one or don’t think you’ll need it), and a breathable back panel to prevent sweat build-up.
Security Features You Can’t Ignore
Wrong question: “Are there hidden pockets?”
Right question: “Will this help keep my stuff safe?”
Travel security is something that’s changing all the time.
Thieves these days know all about those “hidden” pockets and secret compartments in travel bags. What you need are features that make it harder for people to quickly open your bag and make a grab.
Lockable zippers (not the pull-on ones that look secure), cut-resistant straps, RFID blocking pockets for cards and passports, hidden zippers that no one would notice.
But the biggest security tip?
Don’t look like a target. The most secure bag is the one that doesn’t scream “expensive gear inside.”
Weather Protection You Can Count On
Wrong question: “Will it protect me against the elements?”
Right question: “Can it at least handle rain?”
Weather protection? Most backpacks fall into one of two categories.
Water-resistant vs waterproof.
Water-resistant is what you want for day-to-day rain and splashes, and waterproof means it can actually be submerged (but is usually heavier and more expensive).
Water-resistant is the sweet spot for most travel rucksacks, but you should still consider a rain cover for heavy downpours.
Budget: Real Value vs Overspending
Wrong question: “Is this rucksack cheap/expensive?”
Right question: “Does it provide the best value for money?”
Ah, the age-old debate.
You can spend literally anything from £30 to £500+ on a travel rucksack. The questions is where’s the real value?
- Budget range, £30-£80: Good for occasional travel, basic features
- Mid-range £80-£200: Ideal for most travellers, solid materials and good features with reasonable durability
- Premium, £200+: Professional-grade materials and construction, lifetime warranties, every feature you could want
My advice? Mid-range. You can always trade up if you find yourself a serious traveller or take multiple holidays per year.
The Final Word
OK, so you’ve read the article, but before you go and buy that perfect travel rucksack, here’s a final checklist of features you must have:
- Clamshell opening with full access to contents
- Laptop sleeve, not a main compartment sleeve
- Quick-access pockets for passport, boarding pass, phone
- Compression straps to keep things tight
- Water-resistant (not just ‘stylish’)
- Padded shoulder straps (minimum 2 inches wide)
- Chest strap and hip belt for comfort
- Breathable back panel
- Cost effective and offers good value
Final travel rucksack buyer tip: before you purchase that dream travel bag…
Can you put it on, fully loaded and carry it around for 30 minutes without pain?
Will this meet airline carry-on restrictions for your entire trip?
Can you easily access all your essentials without having to empty the entire backpack to find what you’re looking for?
If you answer “no” to any of those, keep shopping.
Wrapping It All Up
Travel rucksacks are one of those markets where the average consumer is completely overwhelmed by options, most of which are just the same as everyone else. Marketing hype takes over from providing customers with real value.
Stick to the travel features and real benefits. Ignore all the fancy features and focus on what matters for your trip. I’m talking about the basics, like size, comfort, and security. Every backpacker must know those features if they want to spend the money wisely.
Your back (and bank account) will thank you.
