The traditional backpack certainly has its place, but for savvy travelers, a Foldable Travel Backpack is an indispensable addition to any luggage collection. Unlike standard backpacks, foldable versions are designed to be lightweight and easily packed away when not needed, making them the perfect secondary bag for various travel scenarios. Whether you need an extra tote for beach trips, hiking excursions, or carrying souvenirs picked up along the way, a foldable travel backpack offers unparalleled convenience. When empty, these ingenious bags take up minimal space in your luggage – some can even collapse into pocket-sized squares.
However, not all foldable backpacks are created equal. To help you choose the best option, the expert team at Family Circle Travel rigorously tested 13 different models. Our evaluation, conducted in a controlled lab environment, focused on key factors such as capacity, organization, design, portability, durability, and overall value. Below, we present our top recommendations for foldable travel backpacks that truly stand out.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall: Bellroy Lite Daypack
Most Foldable: Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack
Best Organization: L.L.Bean Stowaway Day Pack
Most Stylish: Tumi Voyageur Travel Backpack
Best Waterproof: Matador Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack
Best Mini: Paravel Mini Fold-up Backpack
Best With Laptop Pocket: Athleta All About Backpack
Best Large: Gregory Alpaca Duffel 60L
Best Overall
Bellroy Lite Daypack
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PHOTO: Nordstrom
Why We Recommend It: The Bellroy Lite Daypack excels by seamlessly blending organizational features with a sleek, minimalist aesthetic. Its interior boasts intelligently designed compartments and pockets, while the exterior maintains a classic, uncluttered appeal.
Things to Consider: A slightly larger water bottle holder would enhance its functionality.
The Bellroy Lite Daypack earned the coveted title of best overall foldable travel backpack in our tests. Its winning combination of refined design, premium materials, and thoughtful details set it apart from the competition. Notable features include a dedicated pocket for an Apple AirTag and construction from fully recyclable materials, appealing to the eco-conscious traveler. In our initial assessment, we were impressed by its capacity, comfortably accommodating our entire test packing list with room to spare. The main compartment features a practical divider with built-in pockets, and a separate padded laptop compartment provides secure protection for electronic devices.
Comfort and security were paramount in our evaluation, and the Bellroy Lite Daypack excelled in these areas as well. The adjustable sternum strap, breathable mesh back panels, and contoured shoulder straps ensure comfortable wear even for extended periods and during various activities. Our rigorous lab testing, combined with long-term use by T+L testing editor Jackie Cucco over six months, confirmed its exceptional durability and practicality. “I used this backpack during a rainy trip to Mexico City and was completely confident about my belongings staying dry thanks to the water-resistant fabric and zippers,” Jackie shared. “It was also remarkably lightweight and comfortable to carry.”
While the Bellroy Lite Daypack is perfectly suited as your primary daypack, its foldable design allows it to easily flatten and stow away in larger luggage. If we could suggest improvements, we would recommend adding a few more pockets and increasing the size of the water bottle holder.
Key Features: Dimensions: 18.9 x 10.6 x 7 inches | Weight: 12.4 ounces | Capacity: 23 liters | Material: Dura Lite nylon | Water Resistance: Water-resistant
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure
Alt text: Close-up of a hand placing a smartphone into the small, dedicated pocket of the best overall foldable travel backpack, the Bellroy Lite Daypack.
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure
Alt text: Detail shot of adjustable shoulder straps and sternum strap on the Bellroy Lite Daypack, highlighting the comfort features of this foldable backpack.
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Alt text: The Bellroy Lite Daypack, a top-rated foldable travel backpack, easily folds flat to be packed inside a suitcase, demonstrating its packability.
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Alt text: Hands packing various travel essentials, such as a notebook, headphones, and a water bottle, into the spacious main compartment of the Bellroy Lite Daypack.
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Alt text: A person comfortably wearing the lightweight and stylish Bellroy Lite Daypack, showcasing its suitability as a travel daypack.
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Alt text: A scale displaying the lightweight nature of the Bellroy Lite Daypack, emphasizing its portability as a foldable travel backpack.
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Alt text: Close-up of headphones being placed into one of the interior pockets of the Bellroy Lite Daypack, demonstrating its organizational features.
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Alt text: The Bellroy Lite Daypack fitting easily into an airplane overhead compartment, illustrating its suitable size for air travel.
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Alt text: The compact Bellroy Lite Daypack fitting comfortably under an airplane seat, showcasing its convenience as a personal item.
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Alt text: A person wearing the Bellroy Lite Daypack in an outdoor setting, highlighting its versatility for various travel activities.
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Alt text: The Bellroy Lite Daypack held up to showcase its overall design, emphasizing its sleek and functional aesthetic as a foldable travel backpack.
Most Foldable
Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack
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PHOTO: Amazon
Why We Recommend It: This exceptionally budget-friendly backpack is incredibly lightweight at just 5.2 ounces and remarkably pliable, yet engineered for impressive durability.
Things to Consider: With an 18-liter capacity, it is slightly smaller than some other models we tested.
The Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack stands out as an excellent choice for travelers seeking a highly portable, high-performance foldable travel backpack that’s ready for anything. Our testing revealed that its minimalist pocket design and lack of substantial padding are key to its unparalleled foldability. It compresses into an incredibly small square, occupying virtually no space when packed away for later use. This exceptional packability, combined with its feather-light weight, is particularly impressive considering it still incorporates several organizational features, including a spacious main compartment, a small zippered pocket, and two stretchable slip pockets on the exterior. While it lacks robust structure, we recommend it for carrying lighter essentials like a jacket, wallet, sunscreen, and a small water bottle, rather than heavy items for extended periods.
Key Features: Packed Dimensions: 2 x 6 x 5 inches | Weight: 5.3 ounces | Capacity: 18 liters | Material: 40D high-tenacity nylon
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure
Alt text: A hand holding up the incredibly compact and folded Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack, emphasizing its exceptional foldability for travel.
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Alt text: A person wearing the ultra-lightweight Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack, demonstrating its functionality as a travel daypack despite its packability.
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Alt text: The Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack, folded into its compact size, fitting easily into the outer pocket of a larger backpack, showcasing its space-saving design.
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Alt text: A water bottle and other items inside the Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack placed in an overhead compartment, demonstrating its practical size for travel essentials.
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Alt text: The folded Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack taking up minimal space inside a suitcase, highlighting its primary benefit as a foldable travel backpack.
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Alt text: A person wearing the Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack while traveling, showcasing its convenience and lightweight design for on-the-go use.
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Alt text: Hands placing travel items into the Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack, illustrating its capacity for carrying essential travel gear despite its foldable nature.
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Alt text: Side view of a person wearing the Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack, highlighting its sleek profile and lightweight design as a foldable travel backpack.
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Alt text: A scale showing the extremely light weight of the Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack, emphasizing its key feature as an ultra-foldable and lightweight travel backpack.
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure
Alt text: Front view of a person wearing the Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack, demonstrating its comfortable fit and streamlined design as a foldable travel backpack.
Best Organization
L.L.Bean Stowaway Day Pack
PHOTO: L.L. Bean
Why We Recommend It: Equipped with a variety of pocket sizes and types, this backpack offers dedicated compartments for all your essential items, ensuring superior organization.
Things to Consider: Being a bulkier style, folding it into its internal pocket may require some effort.
L.L.Bean is renowned for crafting durable and practical travel bags, and the Stowaway Day Pack perfectly exemplifies this reputation. Specifically designed to aid even the most disorganized traveler in keeping their belongings neatly arranged, this foldable travel backpack boasts pockets for every essential item required for short trips or daily commutes. It accommodates technology, water bottles, jackets, headphones, and much more, making it a versatile organizational powerhouse.
“I typically don’t expect packable backpacks to offer many pockets, but this one has an impressive seven, which was incredibly useful for packing,” notes associate editor Anna Popp. “I appreciate its versatile features for commuting, travel, or hiking. It’s truly equipped for all types of adventures, a rare find in a packable backpack.” Feel free to pack it as full as you need; the padded straps and back panel, combined with chest and waist straps, provide ample support and ensure balanced weight distribution. For storage, it conveniently packs into an internal pocket.
Key Features: Dimensions: 19 x 10 x 7 inches | Weight: 14 ounces | Capacity: 22 liters | Material: 75D recycled polyester ripstop
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure
Alt text: A person lifting the L.L.Bean Stowaway Day Pack to demonstrate its lightweight design and manageable size for a foldable travel backpack.
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Alt text: The L.L.Bean Stowaway Day Pack fitting comfortably in an airplane seat, showing its suitable size for use as a personal item during air travel.
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Alt text: Close-up of hands tightening the compression straps on the front of the L.L.Bean Stowaway Day Pack, highlighting its features for secure packing.
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Alt text: The L.L.Bean Stowaway Day Pack being folded and packed into its own internal pocket, illustrating its packable design for easy storage.
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Alt text: The L.L.Bean Stowaway Day Pack displayed on a shelf, showcasing its design and features as a highly organized foldable travel backpack.
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Alt text: A person comfortably wearing the L.L.Bean Stowaway Day Pack, demonstrating its suitability for everyday use and travel.
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Alt text: A laptop being inserted into a dedicated sleeve within the L.L.Bean Stowaway Day Pack, highlighting its organizational features for technology.
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Alt text: A person holding up the L.L.Bean Stowaway Day Pack in its folded state, demonstrating its packability and compact form for travel.
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Alt text: Close-up of the zipper closure on the L.L.Bean Stowaway Day Pack, emphasizing the secure and reliable construction of this foldable travel backpack.
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Alt text: The L.L.Bean Stowaway Day Pack being packed flat inside a suitcase, illustrating its packability for travelers needing an extra bag.
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Alt text: Side view of a person wearing the L.L.Bean Stowaway Day Pack, showcasing its comfortable and ergonomic design as a foldable travel backpack.
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Alt text: Close-up of travel items being organized into the various pockets of the L.L.Bean Stowaway Day Pack, emphasizing its excellent organizational features.
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure
Alt text: The L.L.Bean Stowaway Day Pack fitting into an airplane overhead compartment, demonstrating its travel-friendly size and convenient storage.
Most Stylish
Tumi Voyageur Travel Backpack
PHOTO: Zappos
Why We Recommend It: This foldable backpack offers a more refined and substantial feel compared to many other packable options, making it a stylish travel accessory.
Things to Consider: It lacks padding and a dedicated laptop sleeve, prioritizing style and packability over heavy-duty protection.
At first glance, the Tumi Voyageur Just In Case Packable Backpack might not immediately reveal its packable nature. Embodying classic Tumi design aesthetics, this sleek bag undeniably falls into the chic category. Its clean lines, solid color palette, and metallic accents exude an understated luxury look, even though its $150 price point is more accessible than some other Tumi luggage pieces. However, its appeal goes beyond mere aesthetics. This backpack is ingeniously designed to fold neatly into its included zippered pouch (a process we confirmed is effortlessly easy), which can then be snapped inside the backpack to serve as an interior pocket. While fundamentally a backpack, it also features a top handle for versatile carrying options. Additional traveler-friendly features include a luggage sleeve for easy attachment to rolling luggage, adjustable backpack straps, and a front zip pocket for quick access items. While the bag has proven durable over six months of testing, we noted that the backpack straps have softened slightly, losing some of their initial rigidity. However, this has arguably enhanced their comfort, as they felt somewhat stiff when brand new.
“I already own and love the Tumi just-in-case folding duffel and tote, and this backpack is equally sleek and looks significantly more high-end than other foldable backpacks,” remarks T+L associate editor director Morgan Ashley Parker, who tested this model in our lab. “Although lightweight and made of fairly thin material, it feels much more substantial than typical folding backpacks.”
Key Features: Dimensions: 15.5 x 12.3 x 4.5 inches | Weight: 9.6 ounces | Material: Nylon
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure
Alt text: The stylish Tumi Voyageur Travel Backpack fitting easily into an airplane overhead compartment, showcasing its travel-friendly size and design.
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure
Alt text: The Tumi Voyageur Travel Backpack folded compactly and placed inside a suitcase, highlighting its packability for stylish travelers.
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Alt text: A person wearing the Tumi Voyageur Travel Backpack, showcasing its sleek and stylish design as a fashionable travel accessory.
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Alt text: A person using the Tumi Voyageur Travel Backpack on an airplane, highlighting its convenience and style for air travel.
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Alt text: A laptop being placed inside the main compartment of the Tumi Voyageur Travel Backpack, demonstrating its capacity for carrying tech essentials.
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Alt text: The Tumi Voyageur Travel Backpack fitting under an airplane seat, showcasing its size suitability as a personal item for air travel.
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Alt text: A scale showing the lightweight nature of the Tumi Voyageur Travel Backpack, highlighting its portability as a foldable travel option.
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Alt text: Angled view of the Tumi Voyageur Travel Backpack under an airplane seat, further demonstrating its compact size and travel convenience.
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Alt text: Hands placing various travel items into the Tumi Voyageur Travel Backpack, showcasing its capacity and usability for travel essentials.
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Alt text: Close-up of a pocket on the Tumi Voyageur Travel Backpack showing travel items inside, highlighting its organizational features despite being a foldable design.
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure
Alt text: Close-up of a zippered pocket on the Tumi Voyageur Travel Backpack, emphasizing the secure and stylish design details of this foldable travel backpack.
Best Waterproof
Matador Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack
PHOTO: Backcountry
Why We Recommend It: The roll-top closure is expertly designed to minimize bulk by compressing the backpack’s contents, ensuring everything stays secure and compact.
Things to Consider: Its distinctly sporty aesthetic may appear out of place in formal city settings or professional work environments.
The Matador Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack is a compact, foldable backpack that is an essential companion for any adventure-seeking traveler. Its standout feature is its fully waterproof construction, rigorously tested by our team in a lab setting using multiple showerheads. “Water simply beaded off the material, and upon reaching inside, my hand remained completely dry. The fabric demonstrated exceptional water repellency,” confirmed Anna Popp.
We were also thoroughly impressed by the spaciousness of its main compartment. Ideal for day hikes, it offers ample room for all trail essentials – snacks, water, bear spray, extra layers, sunscreen, and more – albeit with limited pocket organization. Exterior shock cords provide convenient storage for hiking poles or an ice axe, catering to more advanced hiking or backpacking pursuits. The zippable roll-top closure truly sets this backpack apart, effectively compressing the contents and providing unwavering security. The roll-down functionality also eliminates excess fabric that could otherwise be cumbersome on the go. Finally, it easily packs into its own pocket for maximum portability.
Key Features: Dimensions: 19.5 x 10.5 x 7 inches | Weight: 7.9 ounces | Capacity: 22 liters | Material: 100D recycled nylon | Waterproofing: Waterproof
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure
Alt text: The Matador Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack being weighed on a scale, highlighting its lightweight construction for a waterproof travel backpack.
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Alt text: A person holding up the Matador Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack, showcasing its compact and foldable design when not in use.
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Alt text: The Matador Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack being folded and packed into its integrated storage pocket, demonstrating its packability.
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Alt text: A notebook being placed inside the Matador Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack, illustrating its capacity for carrying travel essentials.
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Alt text: The Matador Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack undergoing a water test, demonstrating its waterproof capabilities for outdoor adventures.
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Alt text: A person wearing the Matador Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack, showcasing its suitability for outdoor activities and travel in wet conditions.
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Alt text: A water bottle placed in the side pocket of the Matador Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack, demonstrating its practical features for outdoor use.
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Alt text: Hands rolling down the top closure of the Matador Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack, highlighting its waterproof roll-top design.
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Alt text: Hands unrolling the top closure of the Matador Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack, showcasing the roll-top mechanism and accessing the main compartment.
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Alt text: Hands rolling up the top of the Matador Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack tightly, demonstrating how the roll-top closure enhances water resistance.
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Alt text: The Matador Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack fitting into an airplane overhead compartment, showing its suitable size for carry-on travel.
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Alt text: Close-up of the Matador Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack being sprayed with water, clearly demonstrating its waterproof material and construction.
Best Mini
Paravel Mini Fold-up Backpack
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PHOTO: Paravel
Why We Recommend It: The water-resistant nylon material is crafted from recycled plastic bottles, and like most Paravel luggage, it offers the option for personalized monogramming.
Things to Consider: Better suited for quick day trips or gym use, it is not designed for rigorous hiking or intense outdoor activities.
For those seeking a compact yet dependable foldable travel backpack, the Paravel Mini Fold-up Backpack is an excellent choice. It’s constructed from durable, water-resistant nylon derived from recycled plastic bottles, appealing to environmentally conscious travelers. This mini backpack is perfectly sized for day trips, errands, or as a lightweight gym bag. Paravel’s signature monogramming option adds a personal touch, making it a stylish and unique travel accessory. While compact, it still offers enough space for essentials like a water bottle, snacks, and a light jacket. However, its smaller size and simpler construction make it less suitable for demanding outdoor adventures or carrying heavy loads.
Key Features: Material: Recycled, water-resistant nylon
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure
Alt text: Back view of a person wearing the Paravel Mini Fold-Up Backpack, showcasing its small size and lightweight design as a mini foldable travel backpack.
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure
Alt text: A person unfolding the Paravel Mini Fold-Up Backpack on a table, demonstrating its easy transition from packed to ready-to-use.
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure
Alt text: Close-up of a person unfolding the Paravel Mini Fold-Up Backpack, highlighting its compact folded form and quick deployment for use.
Best With Laptop Pocket
Athleta All About Backpack
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PHOTO: Athleta
Why We Recommend It: The water-repellent fabric provides protection for the backpack’s contents, including your laptop, from light rain and spills.
Things to Consider: The internal water bottle sleeve design may increase the risk of spills inside the bag.
While not as compactly foldable as some backpacks we tested, the Athleta All About Backpack impressed us with its structured design, performing well across capacity, durability, and organization metrics. We appreciated its multiple pockets, including a conveniently accessible front pocket and a lightly padded laptop sleeve. While not the most robust laptop compartment available, it adequately protects devices for day trips or commuting. A key leash adds a thoughtful touch, and the available neutral color options appeal to a wide range of users. “I find this to be an excellent everyday backpack,” commented T+L testing editor Jackie Cucco after six months of use. “It’s lightweight, straightforward to use, and avoids unnecessary bulk or complexity.”
Although less foldable than other options on our list, this translates to enhanced padding on the straps and back panel, resulting in comfortable wear and preventing sagging. It remains sufficiently packable by laying flat at the bottom of a suitcase or folding in half for placement in a weekender bag.
Key Features: Dimensions: 13 x 5.75 x 17.25 inches | Weight: 1.08 pounds | Material: Polyester and recycled polyester | Water Resistance: Water-repellent
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure
Alt text: The Athleta All About Backpack being weighed on a scale, highlighting its relatively lightweight design for a backpack with a laptop pocket.
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Alt text: Angled view of the Athleta All About Backpack fitting into an airplane overhead storage compartment, demonstrating its suitable size for carry-on travel.
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Alt text: A person wearing the Athleta All About Backpack, showcasing its comfortable and everyday-appropriate design as a foldable laptop backpack.
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Alt text: Front view of the Athleta All About Backpack in an airplane overhead compartment, highlighting its compact size and ease of storage during travel.
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Alt text: Side view of a person wearing the Athleta All About Backpack, demonstrating its comfortable fit and practical design for daily use and travel.
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Alt text: Front view of a person wearing the Athleta All About Backpack outdoors, showcasing its versatility for various activities and travel scenarios.
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Alt text: The Athleta All About Backpack fitting under an airplane seat, showing its compact size and convenience as a personal item during flights.
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Alt text: Side view of the Athleta All About Backpack in an airplane overhead compartment, emphasizing its practical size for carry-on travel and storage.
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Alt text: A water bottle being placed into the internal water bottle sleeve of the Athleta All About Backpack, demonstrating its features for carrying hydration.
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Alt text: The Athleta All About Backpack being packed with travel items, illustrating its capacity and organizational features for daily essentials and travel gear.
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure
Alt text: Close-up of travel items placed in the front pocket of the Athleta All About Backpack, highlighting its accessible storage and organizational design.
Best Large
Gregory Alpaca Duffel 60L
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PHOTO: REI
Why We Recommend It: It includes a packing cube for compact folding and offers removable backpack straps, allowing it to be used as a duffel bag as well.
Things to Consider: Despite its foldable design, it still weighs nearly 3 pounds, which is heavier than other packable options.
Certain travel scenarios, such as camping expeditions, demand a robust, high-capacity foldable travel backpack. For these situations, the Gregory Alpaca Duffel 60L is the ideal solution. Constructed from waterproof, recycled polyester ripstop fabric, this 60-liter powerhouse is engineered to handle substantial loads. However, as T+L outdoor gear editor Taylor Fox noted during testing, it can become heavy quickly and is “better suited for hauling gear than for use on a flight.” (In fact, it would likely need to be checked luggage unless transported when packed away).
A standout feature is the included packing cube, facilitating compact storage when folded. For travelers needing a spacious backpack/duffel on arrival, it conveniently folds into this cube for suitcase packing. Versatility is key; straps can be tucked away for duffel-style carry, or deployed for backpack mode. Thoughtful design extends to organization and comfort, featuring an expandable zippered end pocket for separating damp or dirty items, and interior zippered mesh pockets for smaller belongings. The clamshell-style main compartment allows for flat packing, secured with oversized T-grip zipper pullers. After six months of testing, its durability and easy convertibility remain impressive.
Key Features: Dimensions: 27.5 x 15 x 12.8 inches | Weight: 2.91 pounds | Capacity: 60 liters | Material: 900D polyester diamond ripstop with TPU coating, 630D HD nylon | Waterproofing: Waterproof
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure
Alt text: A person folding up the large Gregory Alpaca Duffel 60L, demonstrating its ability to be packed down despite its large capacity.
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Alt text: Close-up of the zipper closure on the Gregory Alpaca Duffel 60L, highlighting the robust construction of this large foldable travel backpack.
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Alt text: A person carrying the large Gregory Alpaca Duffel 60L as a backpack, demonstrating its carrying capacity and backpack mode.
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Alt text: Clothing items being placed inside the spacious Gregory Alpaca Duffel 60L, illustrating its large capacity for extended travel or gear-heavy trips.
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Alt text: The Gregory Alpaca Duffel 60L being folded and packed into its included packing cube, demonstrating its packability for storage and transport.
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Alt text: Close-up of items being placed inside the Gregory Alpaca Duffel 60L, highlighting its large main compartment and capacity for travel gear.
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Alt text: A water bottle placed in the side pocket of the Gregory Alpaca Duffel 60L, demonstrating its external storage features and practical design.
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Alt text: Angled view of the Gregory Alpaca Duffel 60L fitting into an airplane overhead compartment, demonstrating its travel-friendly size despite its large capacity.
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Alt text: Front view of the Gregory Alpaca Duffel 60L in an airplane overhead compartment, emphasizing its size and suitability for air travel even as a large foldable duffel.
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Alt text: The Gregory Alpaca Duffel 60L packed in its cube and placed inside a suitcase, highlighting its packability for travelers needing extra luggage capacity.
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Alt text: Side view of travel items being placed inside the Gregory Alpaca Duffel 60L, demonstrating its large capacity and practical design for gear organization.
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Alt text: The Gregory Alpaca Duffel 60L being weighed on a scale, indicating its weight as a large and robust foldable travel duffel backpack.
Other Packable Backpacks We Liked
While the following packable backpacks didn’t secure a top spot in our main categories during testing, they still possess commendable qualities worth considering:
Tom Bihn Daylight Backpack: For those seeking a minimalist and exceptionally lightweight foldable travel backpack, the Tom Bihn Daylight Backpack is a strong contender. Its unpadded design (except for the shoulder straps) allows for excellent compressibility. However, the price point may be considered somewhat high for a bag with limited capacity and basic features.
Lululemon Packable Backpack: Travelers prone to overpacking, even for short excursions, may appreciate the generous capacity of the Lululemon Packable Backpack. However, we found repacking it into its travel tote to be a somewhat cumbersome process, which some users might find inconvenient.
Matador ReFraction Packable Backpack: This backpack earned our approval for its spaciousness and packability. While we had no issues with its capacity, we desired more organizational features, specifically interior pockets or pouches. Ultimately, we favored the Matador Freerain22, which secured a place in our main list.
Our Testing Process
To ensure our foldable travel backpack recommendations are reliable and accurate, Family Circle Travel editors employ a comprehensive testing methodology for each model. Initially, each backpack undergoes thorough examination in our dedicated lab to assess its capacity, organizational features, and overall design. We meticulously weigh each bag to verify manufacturer specifications and evaluate its packability by folding it as compactly as possible to determine ease of packing, final packed size, and inclusion of any supplementary stuff sacks.
Prior to real-world testing on trips and flights, we load each backpack with a standardized packing list: a laptop (dummy), notebook, charger, headphones, water bottle, jacket, and toiletry bag. With these items packed, we wear each backpack for five minutes, evaluating overall comfort (noting any shoulder strap digging), portability, and functional design. We simulate real travel scenarios by placing the backpacks under airplane seats and in overhead bins on our simulated airplane cabin set to assess their practicality as carry-on or personal items. Durability is assessed through a drop test to identify potential damage and general wear and tear. Following lab testing, we extend our evaluation to real-world travel over a six-month period, continuously monitoring performance across all testing categories. Any new data or observations gathered during this long-term use are incorporated to ensure our reviews remain current and accurate.
Tips for Buying a Foldable Travel Backpack
Determine Your Foldability vs. Structure Preference
Foldable travel backpacks vary significantly in size, structure, and intended use, much like standard luggage. When choosing, first decide whether you prioritize a highly foldable bag or one with more structure. For overnight or longer trips where the backpack will be your primary bag, opt for a more structured style to keep contents organized and protected. If the backpack is solely intended as a secondary tote for occasional use during travel, a highly foldable, less bulky option is suitable.
Prioritize Lightweight and Durable Materials
The best foldable travel backpacks combine durability to withstand travel wear and tear with a lightweight design for easy packing and carrying. Ripstop nylon and polyester are common materials that offer a balance of durability and light weight. These synthetic fabrics are more resistant to tearing and abrasion, ensuring longevity. For outdoor use or travel in wet climates, consider water-repellent or waterproof coatings to protect the backpack’s contents from moisture damage.
Assess Your Organization and Capacity Needs
Before purchasing, carefully consider what you’ll carry and how you’ll use the backpack. Foldable backpacks generally have smaller capacities than regular backpacks, typically holding a day’s worth of items primarily in the main compartment. If you require more organization, look for models with additional pockets, sleeves, or pouches to separate smaller or essential items. Our recommendations include options ranging from 18-liter mini backpacks to 60-liter large duffels, so check dimensions to ensure the chosen backpack meets your specific capacity needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What distinguishes a packable backpack from other backpacks?
While packable backpacks can resemble regular backpacks, especially when full, key differences exist. Their material is more flexible, enabling them to fold flat or roll into a compact size for storage within larger luggage. They are also typically lighter, smaller, and have fewer organizational features like pockets, prioritizing packability and lightweight design for use as a spare travel bag.
How do I fold a packable backpack?
While specific folding instructions may accompany some models, generally, you can fold a packable backpack as desired. Begin by emptying the backpack, expel excess air, and either tightly roll the fabric (similar to a yoga mat) or fold it in half repeatedly. Many foldable backpacks include built-in or separate pouches for storage. If using a pouch, carefully place the folded or rolled backpack inside, ensuring the fabric does not snag on zippers during closure.
Can I use my packable backpack as a carry-on or personal item?
Yes, a packable backpack can certainly serve as a carry-on or personal item, provided it meets airline size restrictions (which most do). For carry-on use, verify it fits in overhead compartments. As a personal item, it must fit under the seat in front of you. Always check your airline’s specific size regulations and compare them to the backpack’s dimensions.
Why Trust Family Circle Travel
Lydia Mansel, a seasoned travel writer and founder of the packing website and newsletter Just Packed, brings nearly a decade of professional travel experience. Having used virtually every type of luggage available, while she often prefers classic carry-on luggage for most trips, she regularly includes a packable backpack (Paravel is a favorite) in her luggage, particularly for trips involving active excursions or day trips.
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Edited by Jackie Cucco
Jackie Cucco is a testing editor at Family Circle Travel, overseeing product testing and writing/editing travel product reviews based on in-depth evaluations. Her background includes experience as a travel agent, a journalism degree, and over eight years of product and gift guide coverage. She has made over 100 TV appearances discussing consumer products and shopping trends.
Updated by Asia London Palomba
Asia London Palomba is a trilingual Italian writer from Rome, currently based in Boston. As a writer, Asia specializes in food, travel, and history, covering topics ranging from essential travel products for India trips to medieval judicial duels.
