The Ultimate Guide to the Best Travel Backpack for Europe

Embarking on a European adventure demands the best travel backpack for Europe. Discover the beauty and diversity of the continent with our expertly curated selection of top-rated travel backpacks.

Designed for comfort, style, and functionality, these backpacks will ensure you travel with ease and sophistication. Whether wandering through historic cities or exploring picturesque countryside, our ultimate guide will help you find the best travel backpack for Europe that suits your needs and enhances your journey.

Let’s dive in and find the perfect companion for your European escapade.

Top 5 Travel Backpacks for Europe

1. Osprey Farpoint 40: Lightweight, carry-on friendly, with essential features for travel.
2. Deuter ACT Lite 50+10: Ideal for adventurous treks, offering expandability and breathability.
3. Tortuga Setout: Practical for city travel with a front-loading design.
4. Kelty Redwing 44: Adaptable hybrid loading system for flexibility.
5. Nomatic Travel Bag: Luxury option with ample internal compartments.

Diverse Styles for Diverse Travelers

Europe’s rich tapestry of landscapes, from the rugged Scottish Highlands to the sun-kissed Greek islands, demands a travel pack that’s versatile, robust, and stylish.

Whether you’re a city hopper or an outdoor adventurer, we’ve got you covered.

 

Detailed Reviews of the Best Travel Backpack For Europe

Osprey Farpoint 40: Crafted for Comfort

Venture into the horizon with the Farpoint Family, expertly designed for adventurous nomads keen on experiencing the thrill of undiscovered terrains. Despite their impressively lightweight, these men’s packs don’t compromise on features, assimilating the essential attributes from our technically advanced backpacks. They offer adjustable torso settings, weight-distributing LightWire frames, and breathable harnesses, and hip belts, all blended seamlessly with pragmatic travel functionality.

Internally, the design and organization are tailored to meet travel demands, while robust compression straps ensure a stable and secure carry, whether your pack is bursting at the seams or streamlined for local explorations. The Osprey Farpoint 40 adheres to most domestic carry-on size specifications, positioning it as the go-to pack for simplified, hassle-free travel.

An easily accessible laptop/tablet sleeve safeguards devices up to 16″, and an external pocket for toiletries speeds up your journey through security checkpoints. Further enhance your traveling experience with its compatibility with the Farpoint/Fairview® Travel Daypack, offering increased flexibility upon reaching your destination.

Deuter ACT Lite 50+10: Built for Adventure

Embrace the spirit of adventure with the Deuter ACT Lite 50+10. Whether you’re climbing the Alps or traversing the Scandinavian wilderness, this pack’s state-of-the-art, adjustable back system ensures maximum breathability and comfort. The ACT Lite also offers an expandable volume, stretching to 60 liters, accommodating extra gear for those longer trips.

The Deuter ACT Lite 50 + 10 pack is equipped with the Variquick harness adjustment system, allowing you to achieve the perfect fit swiftly and easily. The design features contoured, padded shoulder straps with a 3D air mesh lining, ensuring breathability while stabilizer straps ensure the pack’s optimal positioning. The bi-laminate foam hip belt incorporates a soft inner foam for comfort and a stiff outer foam for effective weight transfer and control of lateral movements. Moreover, the Deuter Aircontact Lite suspension uses a unique hollow foam that creates a pump effect, expelling warm air and drawing in cool air.

 

Structurally, the hollow-core aluminum X-frame ensures torsional rigidity, flexibility for body movements, and efficient weight transfer. The pack’s top- and front-loading main compartment provide ample space for your gear, and two side stretch-mesh pockets conveniently store water bottles and snacks. The lid incorporates two pockets for quick access to essentials like maps, headlamps, first aid kits, sunscreen, and multi-tools. The hydration-compatible design has a reservoir pocket and drink tube exit port for hydration on the go (reservoir sold separately). A separate bottom compartment accommodates your sleeping bag or other lightweight, bulky items. Side compression straps enable you to secure your load for a jostle-free carry, while dual ice axe loops and a front elastic cord provide additional gear-securing options.

Tortuga Setout: The City Navigator

The Tortuga Setout is your perfect companion for city hopping. This carry-on-sized pack embodies practicality with its front-loading design, enabling easy access to your items. Its spacious 45-liter capacity can accommodate all your city travel essentials, while its sleek design won’t look out of place in the chicest European metropolises.

Kelty Redwing 44: Compact and Flexible

Compact yet highly adaptable, the Kelty Redwing 44 is a boon for travelers seeking flexibility. With its hybrid loading system, the Redwing 44 offers the best of both top-loading and panel-loading designs. Its advanced HEX ventilation system ensures comfort, while the pass-through side pockets are perfect for storing longer items.

This versatile backpack boasts a multitude of pockets for optimized storage – two side pockets for quick access items, a front stash pocket with a closure hook for secure storage, an organized front pocket, a top stash pocket for small essentials, and dedicated water-bottle pockets. Further enhancing its functionality, the pack includes a dual-use sleeve which can house either a laptop or a hydration reservoir (sold separately).

For better load management, side compression straps have been incorporated, along with a hideaway daisy chain and handle, plus loops for ice axes or trekking poles. The pack’s structure features an HDPE framesheet reinforced with a single LightBeam aluminum stay. Comfort is also prioritized with hexagonal mesh shoulder straps, a removable hipbelt, and a ventilated, padded back panel. The pack is finished with a sternum strap and load lifter straps, providing additional support and balance when on the move.

Nomatic Travel Bag: The Luxury Option

Luxury and practicality converge in the Nomatic Travel Bag. With a wealth of internal compartments, this 40-liter pack can accommodate a surprising amount of gear while maintaining a sleek, compact profile. Plus, the water-resistant material safeguards your possessions against the unpredictable European weather.

Additional Recommendations

COR Surf Island Hopper Travel Backpack

When it comes to finding the best travel backpack for Europe, the original COR Island Hopper travel backpack stands unrivaled. This exceptional piece of gear is more than just a backpack—it’s a trusted companion that will effortlessly carry your essentials and accompany you through countless journeys. Its intelligent design strikes the perfect balance between comfort, functionality, and style, proving itself to be the last backpack you’ll ever need to buy.

**READ OUR FULL REVIEW**

Experience Comfort Beyond Compare

The Island Hopper is meticulously designed with a keen emphasis on comfort. Long travel hours can be exhausting, but the Island Hopper ensures you’re well-equipped for the journey. Its ergonomically-designed shoulder straps and back panel provide the support you need, taking the strain off your back, so you can explore to your heart’s content.

Capacity That Amazes

A backpack isn’t just about carrying your gear—it’s about managing your space efficiently. The Island Hopper doesn’t disappoint, offering the perfect amount of space for all your travel essentials. Whether it’s your clothes, camera, toiletries, or computer, this backpack accommodates it all seamlessly. Plus, its dedicated compartments ensure your belongings remain organized and easily accessible throughout your trip.

The New Island Hopper 38L: More Room for Adventure

For those seeking more space for their adventures, we introduce the Island Hopper 38L. This larger variant retains all the features and style of its sibling but offers extra room for those who desire it.

SITKA Gear Drifter Travel Pack

The Sitka Gear Drifter Travel Pack emerges as an essential ally for the European traveler, designed to navigate the diverse terrains and cultures of the continent. Whether you’re wandering the streets of Paris, embarking on a scenic train journey through the Swiss Alps, strolling along the historic avenues of Rome, or diving deep into the vibrant nightlife of Barcelona, this pack is tailored for every European adventure.

Crafted from a sturdy 450-denier nylon ripstop, the pack exudes durability complemented by its TPU-lamination. This reinforcement not only bolsters the pack’s resilience but also bestows it with a chic and sleek appearance that’s perfect for Europe’s fashion-forward locales. A notable feature is the pack’s dual water resistance, both inside and out. This ensures that whether you’re caught in London’s unexpected drizzles or Venice’s high tides, your essentials remain protected.

Detailing in the Drifter Travel Pack’s design aligns seamlessly with the needs of the European voyager. The padded top and side handles offer ease during transit across bustling train stations or quaint town streets. The ergonomic shoulder straps, enhanced with ample padding, ensure comfort even as you traverse cobbled pathways or hike up to ancient castles. Moreover, a dedicated, zip-secure laptop sleeve is integrated into the pack for those documenting their journey or working on the go. This ensures your gadgets are not only safeguarded but also within easy reach.

The Sitka Gear Drifter Travel Pack is the quintessential blend of European elegance and practicality. No matter which part of the continent beckons you, this travel pack ensures you journey with style, comfort, and confidence, making every European adventure a memorable one.

Selecting the Best Travel Backpack For Europe: Key Considerations

While all these packs are top of their class, your unique needs will dictate which is best for you. Consider factors such as:

• Trip Length: A larger capacity pack like the Deuter ACT Lite is more suitable for extended journeys.
• Activities: Robust packs like the Kelty Redwing are recommended for adventurous treks, while compact and sleek options like the Tortuga Setout are better suited for city explorations.
• Carry-on requirements: If you’re flying frequently, a carry-on-friendly pack like the Osprey Farpoint or the Nomatic Travel Bag can save time and money.

Packing Tips

• Layering is Key: Europe’s weather can be varied, so pack versatile layers that can be added or removed as necessary.
• Versatile Shoes: Consider packing a pair each of walking shoes, formal shoes, and sandals/flip-flops.
• Laundry: Plan on doing laundry once a week. Many European cities have easily accessible laundromats.
• Limit Bulky Items: Instead of packing bulky coats or boots, wear them during your flights to save space.

FAQ

What size backpack is best for traveling Europe?

• 40 liters: Ideal for minimalist travelers or those on short trips.
• 45 liters: Middle-ground option, suitable for multi-week trips.
• 50 liters: Best for extended trips or packing extra items.

Should you bring a suitcase or backpack to Europe?

• Backpack Advantages: Easier mobility, flexibility, compact, and versatile.
• Backpack Disadvantages: Limited space, comfort issues, security concerns.
• Suitcase Advantages: Better organization, protection, and convenience.
• Suitcase Disadvantages: Difficult terrain, size restrictions, and durability concerns.

How big of a bag do I need for 3 weeks in Europe?

• 40-45 liters: Suitable for light packers.
• 50 liters: Offers a balance between size and storage.
• 55-60 liters: Ideal for more clothing or larger purchases.

Conclusion

Armed with the best travel backpack for Europe, your European journey can be as comfortable and stylish as an unforgettable one. Explore the continent’s diverse landscapes and cultures with the perfect travel companion on your back.