Everyone needs one of the best backpacks for durability, versatility and style – whether you're carrying your laptop to work or heading off on a cheeky weekend getaway. With laptops and tablets getting slimmer and lighter, they’ve become essential (and expensive) investments worth protecting. Whilst a sleeve or cover can offer some protection, nothing beats the all-around safety and convenience of a good backpack or laptop bag.
You may be after a high-end designer piece or a rugged, water-resistant rucksack, but either way, there's a backpack out there for you. Our current top pick has to be the Troubadour Apex Compact Backpack 3.0, but don’t worry, there are still plenty of other options to choose from.
In this guide, we’re focusing on daypacks, but if you're after something bigger or more specific, check out our guide to the best carry on luggage or the best hiking backpacks if that's more your bag. For just laptops, we've also got a guide to the best laptop bags, if you're after something a little more slim and streamlined.
Oh, and one last thing – don’t miss T3’s Outdoor and Travel Month for more luggage-inspired news and reviews.
The top three
The best backpack overall
The Troubadour Apex Backpack 3.0 is our favourite backpack overall, striking a perfect balance between design, comfort and practicality.
The best affordable backpack
Most of the options in this list are on the premium side, but the Fjallraven Kanken Outlong sets itself apart with a reasonable price tag.
The best premium backpack
The Harber London Classic is one of the most luxurious backpacks you can buy today – and if you're a fan of premium quality, it doesn't get much better than this brand.
Lizzie is T3's Home Living Staff Writer, which means she also covers style. From the best electric shavers to luxury fountain pens, she knows what makes a premium item – and you’ll find her favourite high-end backpacks listed below.
We’ve refreshed our best backpack guide with new premium and budget-friendly picks, and we’re currently in the process of adding a number of recent reviews.
Best backpacks 2025
The best backpack overall
The Troubadour Apex Backpack 3.0 stands out as a premium everyday carry option, combining refined aesthetics with practical functionality. Crafted from waterproof recycled polyester and accented with vegan leather, it offers a sophisticated design suitable for professional settings. Its structured build ensures the bag maintains its shape, providing easy access to contents, while the thoughtfully designed compartments and comfortable straps enhance usability.
Whilst it comes at a higher price point and offers limited colour choices, its durability and smart features make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking a blend of style and substance in their daily commute or travel gear – hence why it's our overall favourite.
The best affordable backpack
The Fjällräven Kånken Outlong reimagines the classic Kånken backpack with enhanced functionality, making it a versatile choice for both urban commuting and light outdoor adventures. Its spacious 18L capacity, durable Vinylon F fabric, and six well-organised pockets, including a laptop sleeve and expandable bottom compartment, cater to modern needs.
It's unfortunately not fully waterproof, but the Outlong's lightweight design and breathable mesh straps offer comfort during extended use. It's also a lot more affordable than a lot of other options in this list, and whilst we wouldn't necessarily call it 'cheap' – it's still a great price.
The best premium backpack
The Harber London Classic Rucksack offers a refined blend of timeless design and luxury craftsmanship, placing it as our favourite premium option. Handmade in Spain, it features full-grain leather and recycled materials, with a 17.4L capacity and compartments for a 16" laptop and 13" tablet.
The lack of a suspended laptop compartment and absence of waist or sternum straps may limit comfort during heavy loads or long cycles, but it's still a stylish and functional investment for those seeking a sophisticated everyday backpack
The best accessible backpack
The Mous Day Backpack offers a stylish, minimalistic design whilst remaining highly functional. It has a 20-litre capacity with nine compartments, including a laptop sleeve, zipped pocket, slip pockets and a water bottle pocket. There's also a handy central zip design which allows you to open up the entire bag to locate your belongings – no more time-consuming rummaging!
Our reviewer did wish there were two side pockets instead of one, and the straps did grow uncomfortable after a number of hours. However, if you wear your backpack for a limited amount of time and only one side pocket works for you, we'd strongly recommend it.
The best small backpack
The Stubble & Co Classic Backpack 15L offers a minimalist yet elegant design, making it an ideal choice for daily commutes or short trips due to its size. Crafted from durable, water-resistant British Millerain Tekwax canvas, it features a padded laptop sleeve accommodating up to 16-inch devices, a discreet side water bottle holder, and a spacious front pocket for essentials.
It's important to note that the canvas material tends to attract dust and pet hair, and some may find its £110 price point a bit steep for its simplicity. Nonetheless, its timeless aesthetic and practical features make it a stylish and functional everyday companion.
The best large backpack
For luxury and practicality, the Carl Friedrik Day-to-Day backpack is one of the best backpacks you can buy today. Made from quality leather, the Carl Friedrik Day-to-Day backpack feels and looks premium, and comes with multiple internal and external pockets for plenty of storage and space.
The best part of the Carl Friedrik Day-to-Day backpack is its folding capabilities, so you can maximise or minimise its size depending on what you're using it for. It carries everything you could possibly need and it feels surprisingly lightweight even when it's filled to the brim.
The best travel backpack
The Mous Optimal Travel Backpack is a premium carry-on solution designed for tech-savvy travellers seeking durability and organisation. With a 40L capacity expandable to 45L, it offers ample space for up to 14 days' worth of gear while remaining compliant with most airline cabin size restrictions.
The backpack features AiroFoam technology in its dedicated tech compartment, providing impact-absorbing protection for laptops and tablets. Its 25 thoughtfully designed pockets and compartments are more than enough, and optional modular accessories like a compression wardrobe enhance its versatility.
Whilst its robust build contributes to a heavier weight when empty, the Mous Optimal Travel Backpack stands out as a well-engineered alternative to traditional wheeled luggage, ideal for business trips and minimalist travel.
The best comfortable backpack
Not only does the Harber London Office Backpack look great, but its impressive amount of pockets and zipped compartments make it the perfect day-to-day backpack. Its straps are designed to swivel to avoid any painful twisting, making it extremely comfortable, and there's a pocket on either side.
A level of waterproofing would have been a nice, and it is certainly on the pricier side, but its other features certainly make up for this.
The best commuter backpack
The Antler Discovery Backpack offers a generous 28L packing capacity, making it a great option if you carry a lot of kit with you. It also has a streamlined back-sleeve which slots over your suitcase handle for hands-free carrying. The spacious front pocket allows for organised packing, and the dedicated rear compartment offers a protective pocket for laptops up to 16.5 inches.
Our reviewer did find that the zip chipped easily after a few weeks of use, but if you're not overly fussy, it's a great choice to go with.
The best durable backpack
The YETI Ranchero 27L Backpack is a rugged, overbuilt commuter pack that excels in durability and smart design. Its standout feature is the innovative RipZip Opening, offering quick and full access to the main compartment without unpacking everything.
Constructed from abrasion-resistant TuffSkin nylon, it includes ample storage, a separate laptop sleeve, and stands upright even when empty. Whilst its substantial build may feel bulky for some, especially in tight spaces, it’s a top-tier choice for those seeking a versatile backpack that seamlessly transitions from daily commutes to weekend adventures.
How to choose the best backpack
Whether you're looking for a new satchel for work or starting a new school term, choosing the right backpack is essential. Not only should it look good, but it needs to be comfortable, and, of course, be big enough to carry all of your stuff.
Let's start off with size. Generally, a small backpack is around 6-15 litres, which are great for children, days out and sportswear. A medium-sized daypack is around 10-30 litres, ideal for commuting. Over 35-litres and you're looking at overnight camping trips and backpacking expeditions.
Next, you need to decide the type of protection you need. If you walk to work, come rain or shine, you'll most likely need a fully waterproof 'option.
Finally, comfort. If you're going to be lugging this thing around all day, you're going to want padded straps. Other comfort features to look out for are waist and chest straps, proving to be especially helpful when taking the strain off your shoulders. That said, all these straps are no good if they're not adjusted correctly – here's how to fit a backpack to distribute the weight properly.
How we test the best backpacks
We spend a lot of time reviewing the best backpacks, so when it comes to recommending what backpack to buy, you can be safe in the knowledge that we'll recommend the best options for you.
We'll usually spend a week or longer testing new backpacks, and the review process is fairly straightforward – we use them to travel, commute, and generally carry our stuff everywhere. This helps us see how comfortable and practical they are.
Once the initial review period is complete, we'll publish a full review, give the backpack a star rating, and add an abridged review to this guide. If it's really good then we'll also continue using the backpack, and update our recommendation if we discover anything interesting after extended use.
Best backpack FAQs
Are waterproof and water-resistant backpacks the same?
No – waterproof backpacks completely block water, whilst water-resistant ones only repel light rain. If you're frequently outdoors or commuting in unpredictable weather, go for waterproof or use a rain cover.
Can a backpack be used as carry-on luggage?
Yes – most 20-40L backpacks fit within airline carry-on size limits. That said, always check your airline’s specific dimensions, especially for budget carriers.
How do I clean my backpack without damaging it?
Empty the backpack and shake out debris, then spot clean with mild soap and warm water using a sponge or soft brush. For deeper cleaning, hand wash or use a gentle cycle in a laundry bag (if the label allows).
You should then air dry it only – never use a tumble dryer, as heat can damage zippers, coatings and fabrics.
Reviewer Panel
Lizzie is T3’s Home Living Writer, with a sharp eye for style and everyday essentials. Whether she's heading into the office or off on a press trip, she’s often road-testing one of the best backpacks on the market.
Alistair is a freelance automotive and technology journalist whose style reviews are a hit on T3. From watches to laptop cases, he covers it all – and his backpack insights are always thoughtful and practical.
Matt is T3’s Active Editor and has reviewed his fair share of backpacks. Whilst he typically focuses on travel and adventure gear, he’s also weighed in on a few stylish everyday picks.
Bethan is T3’s Home Living Editor and knows what makes a great backpack. One of her favourite reviews in 2023 was the Carl Friedrik Day-to-Day, which she still uses regularly.
Paul is the former Global Editor-in-Chief of T3 and reviewed countless products during his time at the helm. Harber London remains one of his go-to brands for premium backpacks.
Max is T3’s Tech Writer, and often reviews backpacks to accommodate his daily haul of gadgets. His perspective ensures that every bag gets a proper tech-stress test.
Jamie is a seasoned freelance writer who has contributed many reviews to T3, including our favourite travel backpack. His expert insights are always helpful and well-informed.
Emily is T3’s Social Media Editor. Like Max, she tests backpacks to carry her filming kit. She doesn’t write reviews often, but when she does, you can trust they’re worth reading.
