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The Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks

By Kit Dillon

Kit Dillon is a writer focused on bags and travel gear. He has worked for Wirecutter for a decade and lost count of the number of bags he has tested.

When you open your favorite carry-on travel backpack, it should feel like you’re opening the door to a well-organized closet or sitting down at a clean desk, with everything in the right place and easy to reach.

This is your moment to center yourself, no matter how chaotic the journey.

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack Del Dia and the larger Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L offer the best combination of features, quality, and durability. Both bags are exemplary carry-on travel backpacks that are designed for comfort, durability, and organization. Though these backpacks are great as companion bags for any trip, they’re designed to replace all of your other luggage and become your exclusive bag as you travel.

This style of packing is not for everyone, but once some people try it, they’re forever hooked. Finding the right bag is a personal choice, though, and no single bag appeals to everyone. That’s why we also have picks that are great for people who travel for work , others that are designed to be carried over long distances , and a bag that’s basically luggage on your back .

What we considered

A 45-liter bag maximizes overhead space but can get heavy when fully packed; a 35-liter bag tends to be more manageable.

A bag with a clamshell design opens like a book and is easier to pack, but a bag that opens traditionally usually has more structure.

Ideally, a travel backpack has handles on all sides—especially the bottom—so you can pull it out of overhead bins or from under seats.

Some internal pockets are useful, but major organizing is better managed with packing cubes.

The research

Why you should trust us, who this is for, should you get a 45- or 35-liter bag, best small carry-on travel backpack for most situations: cotopaxi allpa 35l travel pack del dia, best large carry-on travel backpack for most situations: peak design travel backpack 45l, best backpack for working out of: patagonia black hole mlc 45l, best backpack for long journeys on foot: osprey farpoint 40 and fairview 40, best backpack for dedicated single-bag travelers: tortuga travel backpack pro 40l, other carry-on travel backpacks worth considering, how we picked and tested, the competition, what to look forward to.

I've been covering aspects of luggage and travel bag design for Wirecutter for nearly a decade, and I have personally researched, tested, and compared hundreds of bags in that time. I try to do most of my travel with a single backpack, whenever possible. I spent nine months roaming around Hawaii with not much more than that, and I spent another six months nomadically couch-surfing in New York City.

Over the years, for this guide:

• We’ve spoken or emailed with writers and travelers who carry everything they need in a single bag: Eytan Levy, the owner and operator of the Snarky Nomad travel website; James Feess, founder of The Savvy Backpacker ; and Sharon Gourlay, of the Where’s Sharon? travel website. I also spoke with moderators of Reddit’s r/onebag and r/heronebag forums, as well as with Chase Reeves, bag fanatic, reviewer, and owner of Matterful .
• I’ve personally adopted these bags for my travel about 90% of the time that I travel anywhere from Hawaii, putting in several thousand miles of air travel and road travel with all our picks.
• Like all Wirecutter journalists, I review and test products with complete editorial independence. I’m never made aware of any business implications of my editorial recommendations. Read more about our editorial standards .

I researched and tested bags designed for people who want to travel light and stay flexible while flying, without the burden of checking luggage. For some travelers, the challenge of cutting down a packing list is intimidating. But if you can get past that initial hurdle, traveling with a single bag is a revelation: With fewer items, you have more time to concentrate on and appreciate the journey.

• When you’re not loaded down by heavy luggage, it’s easy to remain more mobile. And it’s easier to adjust your plans midtrip. If you’re willing to do laundry on the road, one bag is all you need to travel indefinitely. At its heart, one-bag travel allows you to discover more—not just about the places you’re going but also about yourself and what you really need day to day.
• Size and weight still matter. If you desire more creature comforts or more gear, or if you plan to be away for a long time across multiple climates, you should choose a bigger travel backpack . Those larger bags tend not to be carry-on-friendly, however, especially in Europe, so be prepared to check them.
• No single backpack is perfect for everyone. Before you make any purchase, consider some basic points. How much can you carry? Where do you usually visit: the city or the outback? Travel gear should feel like a welcome companion, there to support you when you need it but unobtrusive when you don’t.

For the most part, carry-on travel backpacks come in two standard sizes: the allowable-overhead-space-maximizing 45 liters and the slightly more diminutive but (for many people) more practical 35 liters. I selected picks in both sizes, as well as one that expands when necessary .

I personally choose a 35-liter bag for most trips lasting around a week, but for heavier packers or people making longer trips, a 45-liter bag may be preferable.

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack Del Dia

Best small carry-on travel backpack for most situations.

This durable bag’s clamshell design makes organizing your stuff easy. And its strap design allows you to wear it on your back or carry it in your hand while you’re on the move.

Buying Options

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack Del Dia is an easy-to-organize, comfortable-to-carry bag for getaways lasting just a few days or a whole week.

It’s one bag that can do it all. This is a great all-around bag for any traveler who’s dedicated to packing light, or for a smaller person who wants less to carry. This bag has handles on three sides, so it’s easy to grab no matter where you’ve stowed it; a handle pass-through lets you attach it to carry-on luggage , as well. It’s also protected by a full lifetime warranty, and it has the build quality to back that up. After more than six years of testing, I’ve found that this single backpack (plus a personal item ) has replaced nearly every travel bag or piece of luggage I use.

It comes in various sizes, but the middle-of-the-road version is the best. Cotopaxi also makes the Allpa in 28-liter and 42-liter sizes. But for us, the 35-liter bag is the best option. The 42-liter version became heavy for our testers to carry when fully packed, and we’d prefer to see a more-robust hip belt on that bag. The 28-liter bag was a touch small for our testers, and its internal organization seemed a little much for shorter trips, such as an overnight jaunt. Cotopaxi also makes a hip pack that’s designed to fit snugly into the Allpa bag’s front top compartment. It’s a neat little addition to the bag, and it’s worth getting if you like wearing fanny packs while you travel.

Its materials are strong. The Allpa pack is made with 100% recycled 840-denier ripstop nylon. (Denier is a measure of a fabric’s fiber thickness.) The material feels similar to a strong canvas, but it has a more prominent weave. This is the type of bag that’s as easy to slide into an overhead compartment as it is to toss into the back of a rusty pickup truck. It also comes with a rain fly, a unique feature in this category.

Cotopaxi makes the Allpa pack with either a TPU (nylon bonded with a water-resistant polyurethane membrane) or classic nylon construction on the back of the bag. We’ve tested both styles over the years. Although TPU provides additional water resistance, we found over time that the original TPU-coated fabric that Cotopaxi used had a tendency to break down. When we tested the updated version in 2024, Cotopaxi had changed the fabric to address this issue. We’re continuing to test the new bags to see how they last.

It’s organized. The Allpa bag has a clamshell design, so it opens like a hard-sided suitcase—a large YKK zipper (the industry leader) runs around three sides of the bag, allowing it to fall open into two halves when you unzip it. On the right side is a deep compartment that’s spacious enough for two large packing cubes or half a suitcase’s worth of clothing, which you access through a mesh zippered flap. On the left, you’ll find space for one more medium-size packing cube behind a zippered flap. Above that are two smaller pockets with high-visibility backing—useful when you’re looking for hard-to-differentiate personal items. Cotopaxi has added a stretch mesh pocket for a water bottle up to 1 liter.

It’s secure but still accessible. The Allpa pack has two side-access zippers, which are great for on-the-go access, especially when the bag is hanging from your shoulder. One of them reveals a flat computer pocket with a padded false bottom, so if you drop the bag, it won’t land on the corner of your computer. The other reveals a “secret” pocket with a hidden zipper and access to the main compartment. All of the main-compartment zippers are protected by security loops, which you thread the zipper through at the end of its run; doing so prevents anyone from subtly or quickly grabbing a zipper and opening your bag when you aren’t paying attention.

It’s comfortable to carry. The Allpa bag’s hip belt—which you can stow while the bag is on your back—is good enough that it’s comfortable to wear when you need it. With or without the hip belt, the Allpa bag is comfortable to carry over long distances. However, folks who have longer torsos (over 19 inches) may find that the waist belt sits a little high off the hips, unless you fully extend the shoulder straps. Speaking of shoulder straps, unlike the ones on our other picks, the Allpa bag’s straps are contoured to fit both people who have large chests and those with small chests. It isn’t a specifically gendered design, but our female tester noticed the improvement right away.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• Though this pack is well organized for packing, it’s less ideal as a mobile office. The Allpa pack has a minimal amount of administrative organization—places to keep pens and papers, spaces to hold tickets, and so forth. This is where a good personal item comes in handy. However, if you want to travel with just this one bag, it has a few nooks you can hide things in. And the front organizer is deep enough that you can fit several small organizing pouches, if you want, or the aforementioned fanny pack.

Capacity: 35 liters Weight: 2 pounds 7 ounces Main-compartment access: clamshell opening Colors: assorted

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

Best large carry-on travel backpack for most situations.

This bag was built with photographers in mind, yet most travelers will appreciate its easy accessibility, its clever tuck-away straps, and the elegant way it expands and contracts. The accessory cubes cost extra, though.

The Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is a good choice if you carry more or have expensive gear—especially camera gear.

One bag provides many configurations. Some bags in this category are built to do one thing extremely well: be carried on your back. But the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is built to adapt. It’s the Swiss Army knife of backpacks—it’s adjustable, customizable, and (if you spring for the extra cubes and organizers) an almost perfect system for a photographer or gearhead on the move. Most bags’ expanding mechanisms aren’t worth the extra zipper they’re built on, and they look about as attractive as a boiled ham splitting out of its plastic packaging. That’s not the case with this Peak Design bag, which looks just as good fully packed at 45 liters as it does compressed to a 30-liter daypack.

It’s expandable, with clever folds and zippers. You can access the bag through a back panel, which doubles as a computer and tablet pouch, as well as a front one (if you unzip the pass-through divider). You can also get into the main compartment via two wing-like trapezoidal flaps, which run along each side of the pack. In its natural shape, the Travel Backpack holds 35 liters, but an expansion zipper allows the bag to swell to 45 liters. If you want to use the bag as a daypack, you fold in the top corners and snap them down, reducing the bag’s volume to a slim 30 liters; in this configuration, it still feels larger than a normal daypack, but we think that’s a small compromise for the ability to use one backpack as both your travel bag and your daily explorer. The bag itself consists of 400-denier nylon and polyester fabrics. It feels tough but not as tough as some other bags we’ve tested, such as the Cotopaxi Allpa pack .

It has fold-away straps for easier storage. You can tuck the shoulder and hip straps away when you’re not using them. But unlike any other bag we’ve ever tested, this pack has magnetic flaps on the back panel that open and close with an almost magical snap. Once you’ve played with them, you’ll wonder why every backpack doesn’t have something similar. (A small, childish part of me still gets excited about tucking away the straps when I put the Peak Design bag into an overhead bin.) Although the straps are thin, they’re still comfortable. The hip belt isn’t quite as plush as the one on the Tortuga pack; still, even when the Peak Design bag is fully loaded, the belt doesn’t pinch or dig into the body.

It’s great for carrying expensive gear. If you travel with a camera, you don’t have to use Peak Design’s Camera Cubes , but they do make carrying that gear a whole lot easier. The cubes come in five sizes, and if you situate them properly in the bag with the provided clips, they line up with the Travel Backpack’s side-access flaps for quick access. Caleigh Waldman (a photographer for this guide and, full disclosure, my spouse) took this bag across the country for a wedding shoot. “I want this backpack,” she said after three weeks of travel. “I want to travel with it everywhere. With my cameras. Without my cameras. It doesn’t matter. I want to travel with it.”

• It’s expensive. That’s especially true if you commit to Peak Design’s entire system of packing and camera cubes.
• More complexity means more things that can break. The bag’s adjustable design and multiple zippers certainly add complexity, and complexity adds potential weaknesses. Peak Design covers all of its bags with a lifetime warranty , which should alleviate most people’s concerns. But if you’re particularly hard on your gear and still need to carry as much as possible, you might consider the Tortuga bag instead.

Capacity: 45 liters Weight: 4 pounds 8 ounces Main-compartment access: back-panel loader Color: black, sage

Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L

Best backpack for working out of.

This bag’s split interior makes organizing easy. If you travel for work, you’ll appreciate this bag’s dedicated panels for organizing tech, books, papers, and assorted miscellaneous items.

If you travel often for business and prefer a bag that’s much easier to work out of than most of our other picks, you may like the Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L . This bag has a front panel and assorted pockets that make it feel like a small traveling office.

It’s built like luggage but organized like your office. Of all the bags we recommend, the Black Hole MLC (short for Maximum Legal Carry) comes closest to being a suitcase on your back, due to its large size, simple interior, and minimal external features. The Black Hole MLC is also one of the simplest bags we tested, divided into two (imagine a book with only one page), with a main compartment for packing and a second compartment for document organization and tech storage. The Black Hole MLC has a built-in laptop compartment that fits 17-inch laptops and is situated close to your back to protect the computer and keep its weight closer to your body.

Despite its size, it’s comfortable enough to carry. Most carry-on backpacks of this size, without frames, become somewhat unwieldy when fully packed. Thankfully, the Black Hole MLC, like the Cotopaxi Allpa , is a welcome exception to this rule. The Black Hole MLC has two shoulder straps, a hip belt, and an optional shoulder strap for easy carrying. When the straps are not in use, or when you’re checking your bag, you can stow them away easily. In my experience, when the bag was fully loaded, it was pleasant to carry—not as comfortable as the Peak Design bag or the Osprey pack, but decent enough. I wouldn’t want to carry it all day across a city, but I wouldn’t mind carrying it through an airport to a car and to a hotel.

It’s built from high-quality materials, with durability in mind. This pack is made from recycled polyester, and the fabric is woven in a cross-weave that’s similar to what Patagonia uses in its long-lasting Black Hole series of duffle bags . This is a material I’ve come across a bunch with Patagonia gear, and I’ve tested it thoroughly; it’s very tough. The front of the bag is coated in a weather-resistant TPU for extra protection from the elements. The bag has large YKK zippers and smaller YKK zippers throughout. Unlike the Cotopaxi Allpa pack, this Patagonia bag has no security loops.

It comes with one of the best repair programs and a lifetime warranty. Similar to our other picks, the Black Hole MLC is backed by an excellent lifetime warranty . And we’ve always found that Patagonia’s repair program goes above and beyond those of other, comparable companies.

• Its 45-liter capacity may be intimidating for some people. And there is no alternative. We wish this bag (despite its “Maximum Legal Carry” name) came in a few more sizes.

Capacity: 45 liters Weight: 3 pounds 10 ounces Main-compartment access: clamshell Colors: tan, black, olive, green

Osprey Farpoint 40

Best backpack for long journeys on foot.

A great starter option for one-bag travel, this bag is easy to pack, adaptable to most situations, and sturdy enough to take with you as you travel the world.

Osprey Fairview 40

Best backpack for long journeys and smaller torsos.

A scaled-down version of the Farpoint, this bag has shoulder straps that are slightly lower to keep the bag’s bulk more aligned with smaller torsos.

Updated in 2023, the Osprey Farpoint 40 and Osprey Fairview 40 packs are both built around a hiking backpack frame that’s easy to carry over long distances. (For simplicity’s sake, everything we say here about the Farpoint bag also applies to the Fairview bag.)

It’s built for travel but designed for hiking. The Farpoint bag is well made, easy to pack, and comfortable to carry over most midlength distances, such as when you’re walking across a city for an afternoon. Osprey makes excellent backpacks for hauling around, and its lifetime warranty is renowned within the industry . The pack also has an optional messenger-bag-style strap, which offers some flexibility when you’re maneuvering tight spaces like subways or crowded city centers.

It’s simple to pack, but not as spacious as it seems. Opening the bag reveals a clamshell design; it’s deep enough to accommodate most large items, yet you won’t have to fumble awkwardly with zippers once you need to close up the bag. The experience is not unlike when you’re packing a bit of sturdy luggage, and that’s something we love about bags like this one—especially when you use packing cubes . Osprey says that this bag, fully packed, can carry 40 liters. But after using the Farpoint pack for a few years, we’ve decided that its rounded shape seems to cut into that theoretical packable space more than in other bags; in practice, the Farpoint’s available space is closer to, but still less than, that of the Cotopaxi Allpa .

It’s the easiest bag to carry among our picks. Like all Osprey bags, the Farpoint 40 has notably comfortable shoulder straps. The years of design and consideration that Osprey has invested into its hiking backpacks are quite evident in the Farpoint 40. After more than seven years of long-term testing this bag, we’re still surprised by how great it feels to wear when fully packed. Crucially, the straps stow away neatly behind a zippered panel. However, when you’re using the shoulder straps, the design forces you to also use the hip straps. Though this isn’t a huge issue, if you prefer a sleeker look or would rather have the option of using shoulder straps without hip straps, the Cotopaxi Allpa is more flexible, and it lets you hide the waist straps while the bag is on your back.

The Fairview 40 has the same features, in a scaled-down size. Although the Farpoint 40 and the Fairview 40 basically have the same design, the Fairview pack is made for someone with a more-diminutive torso. It’s also slightly lighter. It has all the features and durability of the Farpoint bag, and it also has the same hip belt and adjustability. On both models, the chest-strap clip is equipped with a small security whistle that’s surprisingly loud; it’s a handy feature for anyone traveling in unfamiliar environments.

• Its sleek look cuts into the interior space. For a smaller carry-on travel backpack, this one has little to dislike. However, we do wish Osprey would trade some of the sleeker contours for a little more interior space.

Capacity: 35 liters Weight, Farpoint: 3 pounds 3 ounces Weight, Fairview: 3 pounds 2 ounces Main-compartment access: front-panel loader Colors, Farpoint: green (Gopher), gray (Tunnel Vision), blue (Muted Space), black Colors, Fairview: blue (Winter Night), green-blue (Night Jungle), red (Zircon), black

Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L

Best backpack for dedicated single-bag travelers.

For dedicated single-bag travelers, this water-resistant, durable bag is easy to pack and to travel with. And it’s comfortable to wear over endless miles—as long as you don’t mind the heavier weight.

The Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L maximizes packing space in a bag that’s durable, water-resistant, and customizable to fit most torso lengths, with plenty of organizational features to suit any digital nomad.

It’s like a suitcase, with backpack straps. This Tortuga bag is a nearly perfect blend of backpack and luggage. On the outside, its tear-resistant sailcloth and sealed zippers provide ample protection from sharp objects and the elements. Opening the main clamshell zipper reveals a cavernous interior and a few organizational features that make the bag a cinch to pack. The front panel is a particular standout, great for keeping track of electronics and chargers. Of all the bags we tested, this Tortuga pack strikes the closest balance between the carrying comfort of a hiking backpack and the space and organization of a piece of luggage. (Tortuga also makes a lighter model called the Travel Backpack Lite 40L , but we prefer the robustness of the Travel Backpack Pro.)

It’s as easy to pack as luggage. When it comes to packing, the Tortuga pack has a soothingly minimal interior, as any good suitcase should. In addition to the bag’s cavernous main pocket, its interior lid has a large vented panel. The panel is too narrow to hold additional packing cubes, but it’s great for holding light jackets, say, or doubling as a dirty-laundry bag (if you’re especially committed to one-bag travel). This pack is available in a 40-liter version (the maximum capacity for a carry-on bag), which we tested; Tortuga also sells a 30-liter version, which is compliant with some intra-European flights. The more-diminutive version is a decent choice for weekend travel or for minimalist travelers—but for those situations, we prefer the space-saving profile and extra internal organization of the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L .

It’s very customizable. The Tortuga pack is the most adjustable model we tested, thanks to its adjustable torso length, shoulder straps, and waist-belt system. The adjustable strap system lets you manipulate the location of the shoulder straps (video) to fit a wider variety of body sizes, on both the 30- and 40-liter versions. Of the packs we’ve tested, this one (with its included load-adjuster straps at the top, to prevent the bag’s weight from sagging toward your lumbar region) is the best at distributing its weight (4.5 pounds when empty—roughly 1.5 pounds more than most of our other picks, except the Peak Design pack). You can remove the hip straps if you need to, but the shoulder straps are not stowable.

• Its straps don’t stow away. Some people, especially those who are hard on their gear, may consider the inability to remove or stow the shoulder straps (in contrast to the option on our other picks, such as the Cotopaxi Allpa) a disqualifying factor. After years of testing, traveling with, and occasionally checking our Tortuga bag, we haven’t had an issue. However, if the mysterious path of your bag through the airport once you’ve checked it also makes you nervous, you might prefer one of our picks with easy-to-stow straps, such as the Peak Design pack.
• It's heavy. We’ve fielded complaints from some testers who said that older models of this bag were too heavy for them to carry, even with the padded hip belt and adjustable straps. That extra padding does add weight. At 4.5 pounds, the latest Tortuga bag is more than half a pound lighter than previous versions—the difference is noticeable—and it weighs the same as the equally large Peak Design pack. If you think you would struggle carrying the Tortuga pack, we strenuously encourage you to consider one of our more-manageable picks, such as the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L.

Capacity: 40 liters Weight : 4 pounds 8 ounces Main-compartment access: clamshell opening Color: black

If you want to travel like a backpacker but also fit in at a board meeting (and you have the budget for it): Consider the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 . This bag’s reputation for durability, adaptability, and a low-key aesthetic make it a favorite among many dedicated one-bag travelers. After testing it, we think it’s a great bag too. That said, for this bag to really stand out against other backpacks—and for you to take full advantage of its carrying adaptability—you need to buy the internal frame , the hip belt , and (if you’re traveling with a suit or jacket) the shoulder strap as well. For a bag that already costs $340 on its own, all of that adds up. Everything about the Tom Bihn bag (the fabric, the zippers, the quality of construction) feels like an upgrade from other bags, but it’s simply too pricey, and its design is too rarified and specific for most people. The biggest flaw—apart from the price—is that the Tom Bihn bag lacks a dedicated laptop pocket. In its place, the company sells a laptop sleeve (a fine version if you don’t have one) that clips into the bag’s central compartment. Not everyone needs a dedicated laptop pocket, but we prefer the more secure feeling of bags that do.

We’ve narrowed our specifications for a great carry-on travel backpack to the following list of features, ordered from most relevant to least:

Front- or back-panel loader or clamshell opening for the main compartment: As with any good piece of luggage, with this type of bag, you should be able to open it and see everything you’ve packed. When you have a bag with a panel-loading or clamshell design—rather than a traditional, top-opening design—you can pack it and unpack it just as you would a suitcase.

• Backpack strap comfort and design: You never know when you’ll be walking farther with your bag than you’d intended. The more comfortable and well designed the straps are, the easier traveling is. “Ideally, you want a bag’s shoulder straps to adjust to the angle of your shoulders,” said Eytan Levy of Snarky Nomad. “Good shoulder straps are the difference between an easy trip and a hard trip.”
• Hip-belt comfort and design: A hip belt transfers heavy loads from your back and shoulders onto your hips, letting your legs—not your back—bear the brunt of the weight. Just having a waist belt is a plus, but having a padded and sculpted one—especially on bags with over 40 liters of volume—makes a world of difference.
• Material quality: Durability is critical for any type of luggage, but especially for a backpack that will be your only bag. Most bags worth considering are made of nylon, which resists abrasion more than polyester fabrics of similar density. Spending more, however, can get you exotic, light, and strong materials, such as Dyneema or sailcloth.
• Weight: Once the bags arrived, we weighed each one ourselves. Most of the bags weighed within a few pounds of one another. But unless you’re very strict with yourself, by the time you’ve packed for a two-week journey, all bags feel equally massive, even if one is just 2 pounds heavier than another when empty.
• Stowable straps: These are nice to have, but they aren’t absolutely necessary. “The more often you need to check a bag, the more often you need to hide away the straps,” Levy said. “But if the straps are tough enough, it doesn’t matter.”
• Accessory pocket layout and design: Some people love an accessory pocket that has a specific space for everything; others find that feature constricting and unadaptable. We prioritized bags with simple designs that guided our packing without constraining us.
• Style: This element is purely subjective. We preferred bags that had a minimalist exterior style, but not all of our picks will please everyone. Most of the people we spoke with, however, preferred not to stick out like a tourist wearing a large, colorful backpack, if they could avoid it.

During testing, we flew across the country with these bags, took weekend trips to nearby cities, lived out of them on extended trips, and tried them locally in our daily routines. We also packed and unpacked each bag, using a standardized set of weeklong travel necessities and accessories, to see how well the internal organizational features (or lack thereof) aided or impeded efficient packing.

This is not a comprehensive list of all of the carry-on travel backpacks we have tested. We have removed any models that have been discontinued or that no longer meet our criteria.

The Away Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L is resoundingly average for the price. Although it’s made from excellent materials, the bag is let down by its overall design, which lacks any kind of structure or attention to comfort. You have better options.

The cheap, no-frills Cabin Max Metz bag is intriguing for the price. Any bag costing so little should almost be considered disposable. That said, if you need a simple bag that costs less than a seat upgrade, this model might be the way to go.

The GeniusPack Carry On Backpack is the only model we came across that was intended to fit a suit into a travel backpack. Though some people might need that, we think that anyone who has to travel with a suit (or any clothes that require pressing) would be better off with a piece of carry-on luggage . GeniusPack now offers a second version of this bag, but our conclusion hasn’t changed.

For certain people, the GoRuck GR3 is almost worth the steep cost. It’s strong and simple and covered by an iron-clad repair guarantee. The removable hip belt is comfortable to wear, and it’s good at displacing the weight of this 45-liter backpack. This is a decent bag. While testing it, however, we weren’t thrilled with the internal Velcro lining for compatible Velcro packing cubes. Velcro isn’t great: It wears out, it’s difficult to keep clean, and it clings to dirt. That might seem like a small thing, but for the price, this bag should feel perfect.

The Minaal Carry-On 2.0 was designed to be a backpack for businesspeople. But if you’re carrying it for business, you’re probably wearing at least a blazer, so you wouldn’t use a backpack in any case. If you’re a business traveler who falls more on the casual end of the business-casual spectrum, and you’re not on a budget, this is a well-thought-out pack. But our picks are more versatile for world travel, and they come at a better price. Minaal has since introduced a 3.0 version of this bag ; our thoughts about it remain the same.

The Osprey Sojourn Porter 46L is a slightly larger sibling of the Farpoint and Fairview packs . The Sojourn Porter is about 2 inches longer, and it pushes right up to most airline limits. If you don’t mind possibly having to check your bag at the last minute, this model is an excellent alternative to the Farpoint pack.

We’ve added the Matador GlobeRider45 Travel Backpack to our testing list. Matador consistently makes interesting high-end gear, which is why we’ve included the company’s products in several of our other bag guides over the years. The GlobeRider45 seems thoughtfully laid out with decent organization and extra weather resistance, making it a possible choice for very rainy or rugged travel.

Salkan is a newer brand dedicated to making true “buy-it-for-life” gear with a sturdy warranty and repair program , such as The Carry-On 35L . It’s rare to see bags with these kinds of classic looks.

This article was edited by Ria Misra and Christine Ryan.

Chase Reeves, Matterful.co , phone interview , October 10, 2018

Addison Ryan, moderator, r/onebag , email interview , September 8, 2018

Lindsay Lorraine Calderón, moderator, r/heronebag , phone interview , September 28, 2018

Meet your guide

Kit Dillon is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter. He was previously an app developer, oil derrick inspector, public-radio archivist, and sandwich shop owner. He has written for Popular Science, The Awl, and the New York Observer, among others. When called on, he can still make a mean sandwich.

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by Zoe Vanderweide

A great laptop backpack protects your tech, is comfortable to carry, and looks good, too. These five bags are our favorites for wrangling your workday gear.

The Best Travel Organizers for Every Type of Trip

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Packing for a trip requires organization. And there's no better way to keep toiletries, makeup, digital gear, jewelry, and other small travel essentials safe during transit than with the right bag. Whether you're headed on a two-week vacation or a short weekend getaway, durable travel bags, pouches, and cases will always come in handy. We've rounded up a comprehensive list of the best travel organizers for every type of traveler, whether you need a sturdy cosmetic case for makeup products or a smart tech kit for cords and chargers. Below, our tried-and-true travel organizers, from waterproof pouches to essential packing cubes.

Dopp kits for women

Dopp kits for men, makeup bags, packing cubes, jewelry cases, hanging toiletry bags, water-resistant pouches.

Every traveler needs a go-to Dopp kit that will keep small toiletries like contact solution, moisturizer, and sunscreen organized in one place. These roomy and reliable bags also ensure your clothes and other personal items will be protected against any accidental leaks while traveling. The best Dopp kits for women offer enough space for your essentials while still being compact enough to fit in an already-stuffed carry-on or weekender .

Read more : The Best Dopp Kits for Women

There are plenty of great Dopp kits for men on the market—Dagne Dover, Herschel, Rains, and Bagsmart make some of our favorite travel-friendly (and budget-friendly) bags. These options make skincare and grooming products easy to find and easy to pack in your suitcase. No matter where you're headed on your next getaway, a trusty Dopp kit is essential. (Any of these sleek bags would also make a great gift for the travel-loving man in your life, too.)

Read more : The Best Dopp Kits for Men

We've all been there: You're sitting in a small, cramped seat in economy hopelessly searching for your iPhone charger in your under-seat bag. The solution to never-ending bag searching and tangled cords: A smart tech organizer that keeps all of your digital gear neat and tidy. These organizers are a true game changer when it comes packing cords, portable chargers, AirPods, and any other tech essentials you're toting around.

Read more : The Best Travel Tech Organizers

I've ruined a few tote bags by throwing a lipstick or loose powder inside and hoping for the best. You can't always be gentle with your personal item or carry-on while in transit, so a durable cosmetic bag helps protect your makeup products and everything around it. If you want to make getting ready in a hotel bathroom even speedier, opt for a clear cosmetic case or the Lay-n-Go drawstring bag that makes finding all of your products easier than ever.

Read more : The Best Travel Makeup Bags

If you're not already using packing cubes, let this be your sign to start. Our editors swear by packing cubes to keep clothes organized and compressed—meaning you can fit a whole lot more in your suitcase with these. Packing cubes also help you separate clean clothes from dirty ones and help protect special items like dresses and suits from any spilled liquids in your carry-on. Paravel and Calpak make some of our favorite packing cubes, but we also love the more budget-friendly options you can find on Amazon from Bagail and Alameda.

Read more : The Best Packing Cubes

The last thing you need upon arriving to your destination is to find all of your necklaces and bracelets tangled. Or worse, discover that you lost a special (or expensive) piece of jewelry while in transit. A sturdy jewelry case ensures your favorite pieces will be safe and protected from being squashed or broken. And if you're in need of a thoughtful gift , a well-made and sleek jewelry case will be much appreciated.

Toiletries can quickly create a cluttered bathroom counter. The next time you stay at a hotel or Airbnb, consider placing a hanging toiletry bag on the back of the bathroom door. It will help you see all of your products at a glance and limits the need to unpack and repack at the end of your trip. Use these to store anything from skincare and beauty products to jewelry and hair tools .

Sometimes, you need a water-resistant pouch or an extra bag, just in case . Options like the Aloha Collection pouches and Baggu set can hold wet bathing suits, dirty clothes, or sand-filled beach items, making it safe to toss them back in your tote or backpack . These types of bags can also keep your phone and other electronics safe if you're lounging by the pool.

The Ideal Bag for Super Organized Travelers | Essential Features

• January 6, 2024
• John William

The Ideal Bag for Super Organized Travelers? Tumi’s duffel with multiple compartments and two wheels allows you to pack for business and leisure without surpassing airline weight limits.

The perfect bag for meticulous travelers prioritizes organization, boasting multiple compartments, dividers, and specialized pockets to accommodate essentials systematically. Built with durable, high-quality materials, it withstands travel rigors while remaining lightweight and portable. 

Accessibility features like well-designed zippers and easy-to-reach compartments ensure swift access to belongings. Its adaptable design suits various travel needs, making it the ideal bag for super-organized travelers, integrating modern tech features for convenience. Comfort-focused elements, ergonomic straps, and a stylish aesthetic round out the ideal bag. Finding this perfect travel companion elevates the journey for super-organized travelers, offering efficiency without compromising style or functionality.

Introduction to the Perfect Travel Bag

It introduces the concept of the ideal travel bag, emphasizing its role in enhancing travel experiences, especially for highly organized travelers who value efficiency and convenience.

The Ideal Bag for Super Organized Travelers? Embarking on a journey, especially for meticulous travelers, necessitates the perfect travel bag – an essential companion designed to meet the exacting standards of organization, functionality, and convenience. 

This article delves into the realm of the ideal travel bag, illuminating its significance in elevating travel experiences for those who value meticulous planning and seamless efficiency.

 A perfect travel bag embodies an amalgamation of features, including versatile compartments, durable construction, ergonomic design, and innovative elements, all meticulously crafted to cater to super-organized travelers seeking an impeccable blend of style and functionality in their travel gear.

Essential Features for Organization

The hallmark of the ideal travel bag for super-organized travelers lies in its array of essential features meticulously crafted to facilitate organization. These features encompass an assortment of compartments, dividers, and specialized pockets strategically integrated within the bag’s design.

 Each compartment serves a purpose, accommodating various items – from electronics to clothing and toiletries – ensuring everything has its dedicated place. Customizable sections and dividers offer flexibility, allowing travelers to arrange and access their belongings easily. 

These organizational elements collectively transform the travel bag into a meticulously structured system, enabling travelers to navigate their essentials easily and efficiently throughout their journey.

Durability and Material Quality

Durability and material quality are pivotal aspects defining the ideal travel bag for super-organized travelers. A robust bag constructed from high-quality materials withstands the rigors of travel, ensuring longevity and protection for belongings.

 Materials like durable nylon reinforced stitching and water-resistant coatings enhance resilience against wear and tear, safeguarding items from unexpected weather conditions or rough handling. 

Superior material quality fortifies the bag’s longevity. It assures travelers of the bag’s reliability, allowing them to traverse diverse terrains with confidence while ensuring their organized essentials remain secure and intact throughout their travels.

Size and Portability

Exploring the balance between size and portability, focusing on the bag’s capacity to hold essentials without being cumbersome during travel.

Selecting the ideal travel bag for super-organized travelers involves carefully balancing size and portability. The bag should offer ample space to accommodate essentials without being excessively bulky or cumbersome.

 The optimal size meets airline carry-on requirements while offering enough room for belongings. Additionally, portability factors, such as lightweight construction and ergonomic design, contribute to ease of handling during travel. 

The Ideal Bag for Super Organized Travelers? A well-proportioned bag that strikes the right balance between size and portability ensures that super-organized travelers can pack efficiently without compromising comfort or mobility during their journeys.

Accessibility and Ease of Use

We emphasize the importance of easy access to items within the bag, evaluating factors like accessibility to pockets, zippers, and compartments for seamless retrieval of belongings.

A paramount attribute of the ideal travel bag is its accessibility and user-friendly design. It incorporates well-designed compartments, zippers, and pockets, ensuring effortless access to essentials. 

Easy-to-reach sections and intuitive organization facilitate quick retrieval of items, enhancing convenience for super-organized travelers on the move.

Versatility for Various Travel Needs

Highlighting the bag’s adaptability for different travel purposes, including business trips, vacations, or outdoor adventures, and its ability to accommodate diverse items accordingly.

The ideal travel bag for super-organized travelers boasts versatility tailored to diverse travel needs. It adapts effortlessly to various contexts, be it business trips, vacations, or outdoor adventures. 

Its adaptable design and functionality accommodate different items and requirements, catering effectively to the specific demands of each travel situation.

 This versatility ensures that the bag remains a reliable companion for various travel endeavors, accommodating and organizing essentials efficiently for any journey.

Innovative Features and Modern Tech Integration

Exploring innovative features such as built-in chargers, RFID protection, or clever compartments, catering to tech-savvy travelers and enhancing convenience.

Innovative features and modern tech integration characterize the ideal travel bag for super-organized travelers. These enhancements may include built-in chargers, RFID protection, or intelligent compartments. 

Technological advancements enhance convenience, offering functionalities that align with tech-savvy travelers’ needs, ensuring seamless organization and efficient travel experiences.

Ergonomic Design and Comfort

Discussing the significance of ergonomic design elements, padded straps, and back support for carrying comfort, especially during extended travel durations.

An essential aspect of the ideal travel bag is its ergonomic design, prioritizing comfort during travel. Padded straps, back support, the perfect bag for super organized travelers, and weight distribution ensure carrying comfort, especially during prolonged use.

 This ergonomic design reduces strain on the traveler, enhancing comfort and allowing for a more enjoyable travel experience while maintaining organized belongings.

Aesthetics and Style

Touching upon the bag’s aesthetics, style options, and design choices, addressing how appearance complements functionality for a well-rounded travel experience.

The aesthetics and style of the ideal travel bag contribute to its overall appeal. The bag caters to diverse preferences by offering various design options and aesthetic elements, such as color choices or sleek finishes. Balancing functionality with visual appeal ensures that super-organized travelers can select a bag that aligns with their organizational needs and complements their style, enhancing their overall travel experience.

The Ideal Bag For Super Organized Travelers? The perfect travel bag for super-organized travelers embodies a harmonious blend of organization, durability, and convenience. With essential features meticulously crafted for efficiency and accessibility, the ideal bag for super-organized travelers, this bag ensures seamless travel experiences. Its size balances spaciousness and portability, while durability and material quality guarantee longevity and property protection. Incorporating innovative features and versatile design, it adapts to various travel needs. Moreover, its ergonomic build ensures comfort, complemented by aesthetics that align with individual styles. The ideal travel bag becomes an indispensable companion, streamlining journeys and enhancing the travel endeavors of super-organized travelers.

What kind of bag is best for Travelling?

The best bag for traveling depends on the type and duration of your trip. Versatile options like backpacks, wheeled carry-ons, and duffel bags are ideal for super organized travelers or travel backpacks with multiple compartments that suit different travel needs. Choose based on the specifics of your trip, considering factors like convenience, size, and durability.

Which travel bags are best?

Several reputable brands offer quality travel bags, including Osprey, Samsonite, Travelpro, and Eagle Creek. These brands provide a range of durable, functional, and well-designed bags catering to diverse travel preferences and needs.

How do I organize my trip bag?

Organize your trip bag efficiently using packing cubes or compression bags to separate clothing items. Roll clothes to save space and reduce wrinkles. Use compartments or pouches to categorize and store accessories, toiletries, electronics, and documents separately for easy access.

How do I choose a travel bag?

When selecting a travel bag, consider critical aspects such as size (suitable for your trip duration), material durability (resistant to wear and tear), compartments (for organization), portability (ease of carrying or rolling), and specific features that align with your travel needs (e.g., laptop compartments, waterproofing). Choose a bag that suits your travel style and offers convenience.

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• Travel Products

The Best Travel Organizers for Shoes, Jewelry, Tech, and More — Tested and Reviewed

For more efficient traveling, invest in an organizer that can keep toiletries, clothing, beauty products, and more tidy and secure.

In This Article

• Our Top Picks

Our Testing Process

• Tips for Buying

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why Trust T+L

Packing is often seen as a chore — and sure, there’s certainly an element of that. Folding stacks of clothes and gathering piles of assorted things you’ll need isn’t always fun (especially when the contents of your suitcase become one big jumbled mess by day two of a trip anyway.) Though if that’s the case, you’re likely going about it the wrong way.

To pack efficiently , you’ll want to remove the chaos of keeping up with your belongings. Staying organized will enhance your overall experience so you can focus on enjoying your trip instead of wondering where your socks went or whether or not you lost an earring. Travel organizers can be a huge help here. They come in many forms, from packing cubes to toiletry bags and cosmetics cases . Each one is designed to protect specific items from damage and keep everything where you can quickly and easily find it.

To determine the best travel organizers, we tested dozens that are designed for all sorts of products from skincare to jewelry, tech, clothing, and more. We handpicked the top performers based on different T+L tests, following a robust testing period lasting six months long for each. The best travel organizers come from top brands like Away, Beis, Cuyana, and more. These impressive picks will have you wondering why you didn’t upgrade your packing game sooner.

Best Packing Cubes

Bagsmart compression packing cubes.

High quality and well constructed, the zippers won’t strain to compress the cube even when fully packed.

Colors choices in the four-piece set are limited.

There are regular packing cubes and then there are compression packing cubes . The latter is a game changer and this set, available with six or four pieces plus a shoe bag, is one of the best we’ve tried in this category. T+L associate editor Anna Popp packed for a 10-day trip to Greece with these cubes and was able to fit all her clothes without even needing to use five cubes, and still had room left over in her duffel bag.

The heavy-duty zippers are designed to either expand or compress contents so you can still overpack if you wish. They’re also lightweight and high quality, come in small, medium, and large sizes, and are made with polyester and mesh for both airflow and to quickly identify what’s inside. The top handles make it easy to grab what you need and leave the rest neatly packed, and the price is far cheaper than many less impressive competitors.

The Details: 15 x 10.5 x 6 inches (large expanded), 13 x 9 x 5 inches (Medium expanded), 13 x 5 x 5 inches (Small expanded), 21.5 x 12 inches (shoe bag) | Polyester

• PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp

Best Passport Wallet

Leatherology zip around travel wallet.

It eliminates the need to carry multiple items, removing the likelihood that something might go missing.

The size is larger than a traditional wallet or passport holder.

After testing this impressive travel wallet, we’ll never again cross an international border with documents and a regular wallet kept separately. We didn’t even realize how much of a game changer this was until we tried traveling with this fully-zipped travel wallet that has compartments for important documents. It also has sleeves for credit cards, cash, receipts, plus a coin pocket, pen loop, and a transparent window for your ID.

Associate commerce director Morgan Ashley Parker found that it’s roomy enough to also fit a boarding pass, multiple currencies, and even a second passport, and is somehow never bulky. “I also love that there's a slot on the outside for a boarding pass to keep this flat and easily accessible without opening the whole thing,” she says. The soft leather exterior, fabric lining, and nickel hardware are all collectively high quality and sophisticated, and the option to personalize with engraved initials or add RFID blocking is a nice option. It’s available in four shades including classic black, navy, cognac (light brown), and bordeaux (wine red).

The Details: 9 x 4.75 x 1 inches | 7 ounces | Full grain leather

• PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Morgan Ashley Parker

Best Sunglasses Case

Garrett leight collector’s case.

This case protects eyewear, but it could also be used to travel with other valuables like watches and jewelry.

This case is too large and rigid to fit inside small, standard purses.

If you’re traveling somewhere warm, you can’t forget to pack your sunnies. But throwing them in a soft sleeve risks damage, and no one wants to cart around multiple hard cases.

We much prefer this excellent option from Garrett Leight, which is large enough to hold up to four pairs of sunglasses but still slim enough to fit in most carry-ons or personal items . This well-crafted, durable case has four distinct compartments that protected all of our prized eyewear. We tested it with glasses of all sizes, including bulky thick frames, aviator sunglasses, and several other styles, and each fit nicely and didn’t budge at all during our travels. 

We also liked how you could repurpose a slot to pack cleaning cloths or even other small valuables, and that the full-zip closure, soft lining, and embossed logo make for an elegant overall look.

The Details: 7 x 11.8 x 2.2 inches | Vegan leather

• PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jackie Cucco

Best Travel Pouch

Steamline luggage the palm cosmetics set.

A stunning statement piece, this cosmetics set is also sustainably made from recycled bottles.

If you’re transporting liquids or fragile items, consider using another case.

Pack beautifully with this gorgeous, moody palm tree-inspired print set, which comes with three lie-flat pouches of varying sizes. We were impressed with how the smaller ones could even nest inside the larger bags when not in use, and that the biggest case could also double as a stylish clutch purse for an evening out, or to store chargers, AirPods, and other small electronics.

Lightweight with a sleek leather trim and smooth zippers, we love how these pouches have held up to repeat use on multiple trips, as well as everyday storage and commuting. And the print is really a showstopper. The only downside is packing them away in a suitcase rather than showing them off for all to admire.

The Details: 8 x 11.5 inches (Large), 6 x 9 inches (Medium), 3.5 x 8 inches (Small) | Made from recycled water bottles

Best Jewelry Case

Cuyana travel jewelry case.

This case is small enough to fit in a purse but still manages to hold large quantities of jewelry.

The ring and earring straps are detachable, but you cannot buy a replacement if you lose one.

If you’ve invested in expensive or meaningful jewelry, it’s wise to also purchase a safe space to keep them when traveling. Crafted from Italian pebbled leather and lined in soft suede, this case is diminutive in size but packed with a slew of thoughtful features. One strap can hold rings or drape necklaces with an accompanying elastic pocket so nothing gets tangled, while another strap has holes for up to three pairs of earrings, and both are detachable. There’s also an additional pouch for storing larger pieces.

Parker said, “I adore how small and slim it is — it's deceptively roomy!” Despite it being barely bigger than the palm of her hand, she was able to pack nine rings, one bracelet, five pairs of assorted earrings, and three necklaces.

The Details: 1.25 x 5 x 3.5 inches | 0.33 pounds | Leather

• PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
• PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Best Tech Organizer

Peak design tech pouch.

Extremely functional and designed to stay ultra organized, every piece of basic tech has a home inside this pouch.

If you use it for bulky products or try to pack large devices, it may be difficult to close.

No cords will ever go tangled again with this genius organizer designed specifically for tech gadgets and electronics. The interior consists of several intricate pockets, each meant to efficiently store things like chargers, cables, batteries, small devices, SD cards, alongside elastic loops that can keep pens, headphones, and more in place and easy to find.

The nylon pouch is waterproof and also has carry handles, a clamshell-style zipper, and an external pocket with a cable opening for easy device charging. We found it to be study, high-quality, and had more pockets than we’ve ever seen in a travel pouch this size. Our testing also revealed it to be extremely versatile; we tested it with skincare products and liked how it performed, and we could see this working well for medications, too.

The Details: 9.5 x 6 x 4 inches | 10.2 ounces | Nylon, polyester, EVA foam, Hypalon

• PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Awa Dia

Best Toiletry Bag

Away large toiletry bag.

Unlike many toiletry bags, it comes in interesting color choices for added personality.

The price is much steeper than similar options.

Away has already proven themselves as a trusted go-to when it comes to packing essentials like suitcases and packing cubes , and our obsession with the brand easily extends to include this bag as well. Designed to fit all of your travel toiletries, this waterproof case has three interior pockets to keep everything organized, and there’s also an exterior zip pocket and a top handle for easy carrying.

After testing this case extensively, we feel confident that you’ll never have to worry about items coming loose or becoming disorganized inside. We found it roomy enough for a variety of toiletry sizes — even large items like makeup brushes, foundation, and a compact mirror fit inside with room left over to fit even more.

The Details: 10.2 x 3.7 x 5.9 inches | 8.8 ounces | Nylon

• PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Tamara Staples
• PHOTO: People / Tamara Staples
• PHOTO: TripSavvy / Tamara Staples

Best Hanging Toiletry Bag

Away the hanging toiletry bag.

The option to detach the clear bottom section is convenient for airport security lines.

The color choices are limited compared to other Away products, such as their suitcases.

When vanity counters are limited, or if you’re sharing space with others, a hanging toiletry bag is a great option. We’ve tested many toiletry bags over the years, and Away’s version is our favorite hanging one. Made with water-resistant nylon, it has a small hook so you can hang it wherever is convenient and easily access three interior mesh pouches for storing your toiletries and essentials. We especially like that there is also a clear, removable pouch for smaller items or liquid products that is TSA-compliant , and the coated interior is spill-proof should any items leak.

T+L testing editor Jackie Cucco says it’s “the perfect size and shape for toiletries without being overly large or bulky, and the different pouches and sections make it customizable for how much you want to pack.” She adds, “The removable pouch is amazing because it's like you're getting a bonus bag.”                                                                        

The Details: 9.6 x 3.74 x 6.6 inches | 13 ounces | Nylon

Best Cosmetics Bag

Béis the cosmetic case.

The bag comes with a travel mirror, which is a nice addition for the price.

When fully packed, the case may be too large to fit inside a small backpack or personal item.

Available in seven chic faux-leather colors (for the full slate, you have to purchase it directly on Beis ’ website), this case is as innovative as it is attractive. Inside the lined interior is a removable brush holder (we could fit five brushes inside) that has hidden magnets and a flap to protect delicate contents. There is also one long and two small zipped pockets, plus an additional slot for an included mirror that can be safely tucked away.

We were especially impressed by the design, spacious interior, and sturdy construction. In our testing, nothing broke or spilled after shaking and dropping it twice, and the hardware felt luxe and worth the price. We really liked how all the beauty products we packed fit comfortably inside while remaining easily viewable. 

The Details: 9.5 x 7 x 4 inches | 0.93 pounds | Polyurethane and polyester

• PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Leticia Almeida

Best Dopp Kit

Béis the dopp kit.

This kit is functional, easy to access, fits a lot, and keeps contents nice and organized.

If you unzip the top and bottom compartments at the same time, the contents will likely come pouring out.

A dopp kit is a common term for a type of toiletry bag with a top zipper opening. Many travel brands have their own version, but the one from Beis is our top pick for this recognizable style.

With a clean, minimalist look, this kit has two separate and spacious compartments, one of which has a special pouch to place your toothbrush. There is also a wristlet handle so you can hang the bag from a hook in your hotel bathroom or even loop it onto your carry-on suitcase to keep any essentials at the ready. 

We packed everything from makeup powders to liquid foundation, serums, perfume, blush, highlighters, eye shadow, and brushes in the top portion. On the bottom, we packed lotion, toothpaste, face wash, deodorant, dry shampoo, hairspray, acne patches, and hair ties, and still had room to spare. 

The Details: 6.5 x 11 x 6 inches | 0.88 pounds | Cotton/jute canvas (beige) or poly canvas (black) with polyurethane and polyester

• PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Dera Burreson

Best Toiletry Bottles

Liquisnugs premium silicone travel bottles.

These leak and spill-proof bottles are easily refillable.

The set comes with two 89-milliliter and two 60-milliliter bottles without the option to adjust the sizes, if needed.

When we need to travel with our own favorite toiletries but don’t want to lug full-size containers or worry about carry-on limits, these are the bottles we use to transport our go-to shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer, and other liquid-based products.

The four-piece silicone set is 100 percent leak-proof and TSA-approved. There are two sizes included (two ounce and three ounce bottles) and we thought the wide mouth made them easy to fill with no spillage, as promised. Our testing also revealed them to be strong and durable; they held up well after being tossed, turned and dropped in our suitcases. We also like that they come with adjustable labels and built-in suction cups, which is great for sticking in the shower.

The Details: 7.87 x 1.18 x 7.87 inches | 7.05 ounces | Silicone

• PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao

Best Train Case

Etoile collective duo vanity case.

With a faux leather exterior, silver tone hardware, and leather insert, everything about this case looks and feels posh.

Some of our skincare products were too large to fit upright and had to be placed horizontally on their side.

When it comes to traveling with large cosmetic, beauty, or toiletry collections, we won’t pack them without this train-style case . We love a classic train case, which feels like a nostalgic call back to the heyday of travel when people dressed up glamorously to board an airplane. This particular one upholds that elevated sense of style.

And unlike other cosmetics carriers we tested, this case has interior pouches and a removable divider insert for the bottom portion to keep each item in its designated and easy-to-find place. The top section has additional storage space, as well as an included mirror and an accompanying sleeve to store it when not in use.

The case fit our full skincare, hair, and beauty regimens, including products of all sizes and still had space remaining. We also really liked how smoothly the two-way zippers opened and closed, and that you can opt to remove the leather insert divider in the bottom compartment to potentially pack even more or further customize storage and the case for your own needs. 

The Details: 9.4 x 6.7 x 7.1 inches | Faux leather, nylon

• PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Heer Chaudri

Best Vacuum-Sealed Bags

Hibag space saver bags.

They’re easy to use, highly effective, and made from durable plastic that won’t rip or tear.

We wish there were more bags in the mid-size range, as the jumbo bags are larger than most carry-on suitcases.

When you’ve got a full wardrobe to transport and a limited checked bag allowance, vacuum sealing bags are our secret weapon. This set is our favorite to use.

It comes with a total of 10 bags with a zipper-lock design and includes five different sizes: small, medium, large, jumbo, and carry-on. When vacuumed shut, they can fit everyday clothes like jeans, pants, and tops, as well as big items like sweaters and jackets.

Our testing revealed that the vacuum sealing process easily removed five inches of space, and the included handheld manual pump is lightweight and small enough that it won’t take up much room in your bag. We found the whole kit to be incredibly easy to use and it only took about a minute and a half to compress everything down. Once sealed shut, we noticed very little air leakage over the course of our travels, too.

The Details: 27.56 x 39.37 x 0.2 inches | 11 pounds | Plastic

Our T+L team conducted eight different tests to determine the best travel organizers, including tests for toiletry bags, cosmetic cases, passport wallets, jewelry cases, travel pouches, and packing cubes. 

To see how each organizer would perform in a real-life travel setting, we tested the full capacity of each item and filled each product to the brim to determine how many products it could hold, and whether or not those items remained secure or endured spills or damage. We also considered how portable products were, whether packing cubes, toiletry bags, or dopp kits, and how they would fit inside a variety of suitcases.

We looked at design to select organizers with impressive features that will keep contents neat and tidy, and tested materials and fabrics looking for those that were machine washable or easy to spot treat or clean. The top choices are all sturdy and durable enough to prevent wear and tear through various modes of travel, and feature high-quality materials and luxe design touches for overall sense of quality, as well.

We also looked at ease of use, performance, and value, to ensure every product recommended was priced fairly given the level of materials used, features included, and how it compared to similar competitors. Then, we tested each organizer in real-world travel settings for an additional six months beyond our initial lab tests to make sure they performed just as well in suitcases, carry-ons, and personal items.

Tips for Buying a Travel Organizer

Consider what you’re packing inside.

With any product, consider first your own intended use for it. For example, if you plan to use a train case for medicine as opposed to makeup, it might not be the best choice. First determine what you want to pack, and then look for a product that is designed to not only transport that item but has features built-in to keep that specific thing organized. For example, an overpacker could benefit from compression packing cubes or vacuum-sealed bags to pack as much as possible, while someone with a detailed skin care regimen might like a dopp kit or toiletry case with spaces designed for certain types of products.

Additionally, don’t forget to factor in if you need specific partitioned compartments or sections, and whether that interior should be padded to prevent breakage. If you travel with a lot of liquid products, you may prefer a nylon-lined bag over a suede or leather one that might be more prone to staining. 

Make sure it’s portable enough for your needs

When buying a travel organizer, it’s important to think about portability. For example, ask yourself, will the dimensions of the organizer fit inside your intended travel bag or suitcase? Before purchasing, make sure to check that the dimensions are not too big or too small for the toiletries you want to pack inside. A beautiful cosmetics pouch is great, but if you intend to pack a full-size shampoo bottle in a checked bag and that product exceeds the pouch’s measurements, it will quickly become a waste of money.

You can also look for design features that increase portability, such as handles or hooks. 

Look for durable materials

Traveling can be quite tough on our bags. Baggage carriers aren’t necessarily going to handle every item with care, luggage might shift in transit, and rough weather or conditions can have implications for our belongings. As such, look for organizers made with durable materials that will protect its contents, resist wear and tear, and hold up over time.

Well, that depends. Do you enjoy opening your toiletry bag in your final destination and having to fish through a cluttered mess of bottles to find what you need? Do you mind if your bottles leak and spill all over and waste product? A travel organizer can prevent all of those instances so that what you need is ready while you’re on the go.

Travel organizers are normally placed within your travel bag. Larger organizers or packing cubes are best for checked suitcases, and a small TSA-approved toiletry bag is perfect for a personal item or carry-on. Some dopp kits even come with a wristlet loop to attach it to the outside of a rolling suitcase or carry-on. 

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Travel + Leisure contributor Emily Hochberg is an experienced travel and lifestyle writer and editor who travels frequently, both personally and professionally. She has visited over 35 countries and also has two young children who she routinely packs for. She uses dopp kits, toiletry bags, cosmetics pouches, packing cubes, and more, and also has extensive experience testing and reviewing travel products of all types. For this roundup, she analyzed T+L’s in-house testing insights to create a comprehensive list of the best travel organizers available today.

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