Best European Travel Backpack: Best Bags for Everyone Including Wheelchair Users
So many backpacks! How do you choose what’s best for you?
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Best Backpacks For Traveling in Europe
So you’re planning a trip to Europe. How do you choose the best European travel backpack? Easy. You use my handy guide to finding the best-traveling backpack for Europe! This selection will give you tons of options to shop for the best bag to fit your travel needs, whether you need a hiking backpack, a simple carry-on, or a bag that fits a wheelchair, I’ve got you covered when it comes to backpacking Europe or traveling to any other destination you have your heart set on.
I’ve done a lot of research when it comes to travel backpacks and read a ton of reviews. I’ve even owned a few of these bags and road-tested them myself. But if you don’t believe me, you can always check out their glowing reviews on Amazon, links provided below.
Swiss Alps, Switzerland
Best Overall Backpack For Traveling In Europe - It’s a Tie
Osprey makes two of the best backpacks for backpacking Europe. First, the Osprey Porter 46 L Travel Backpack bag, is a super durable bag that holds up to even the toughest wear and tear. The Porter features shoulder straps and a waistband for easier carrying. It’s also a great carry-on bag and can be carried like a duffle bag when the straps are tucked away. It has one large front-loading compartment which provides easy access to all your personal items. It also features compression straps to help keep a smaller profile when used as a carry-on. One of the best features of any Osprey bag is the lifetime guarantee. Osprey promises to repair any bag they make for any reason. You can’t beat that!
The second Osprey bag, the Osprey Farpoint Fairview Travel Daypack is another one of the best backpacks for traveling abroad. At 55 L it’s a great option for travelers who need extra space. It features a hip belt to help you comfortably carry that extra weight. One word of caution, this bag is so popular with European backpackers that you’ll see tons of them when traveling. Be sure to tag yours so you can easily recognize it. Again, it’s backed by Osprey’s lifetime guarantee.
Bag With The Best Organization For Traveling Europe
Nomatic’s Travel Pack is an excellent backpack for traveling to Europe. It’s also a favorite of digital nomads the world over. It has dozens of features for even the most obsessive organizers. The full perimeter zipper allows you to access your bag’s contents from all sides.
Some of the other features include an RFID safe pocket, a notebook pocket, a hidden magnetic water bottle pocket, a luggage strap, a 16” padded laptop sleeve, a retractable key leash, and a charging cord. The inside compartment features 2 mesh pockets, a zipper pocket, and 2 pen pockets. The front of the bag offers a quick-access pocket for small items like your wallet, glasses, and keys. This bag has a dedicated space for everything you could possibly need. best of all, it’s waterproof and super durable.
Lisbon, Portugal
Best Backpack for Security
Pacsafe is the clear leader when it comes to anti-theft backpacks thanks to its eXomesh Slashguard technology which houses a hidden stainless steel slash-proof mesh, RFID pocket, and security zippers that self-lock. The bag’s ECONYL fiber is made from recycled fishnets for a reduced carbon footprint.
If you opt to check this bag it comes with a stowaway strap system, converting it into a perfect travel duffle. Because of its awesome security features it’s a top choice among solo travelers who want that peace of mind when securing their personal belongings.
Prague, Czech Republic
Best Wheelchair Backpacks
If you’re a regular wheelchair user you know how difficult it can be to schlep your items through the airport and around your destination. Sure, many wheelchairs allow you the ability to put a regular backpack under the seat, but a lot of travelers would really benefit from backpacks for wheelchairs. These are specifically designed to allow you the mobility you need, while not getting in your way. And most importantly they won’t slip off your chair, falling to the ground.
Wheelchair bags, unlike traditional backpacks, are designed to be placed on the handles of your wheelchair. The straps are perpendicular to the body of the backpack to fit nicely and securely on your chair. A wheelchair backpack is especially good if you use wheelchair ramps, as they keep the bag from sliding out from underneath your seat. The more attachment points a bag has the better security it offers.
With that in mind, here are some bags that are clingier than my college boyfriend, and unlike my high school boyfriend these will keep your life from becoming a complete mess.
The Vive Wheelchair Bag comes in 10 different color designs, offers 3 outside pockets, two adjustable straps, and a fold-over top covering the large inner pocket which measures 19” x 14”. It fits all standard wheelchairs and it’s super affordable. It’s able to hold drinks, documents, cell phone, eyeglasses, electronic devices, medical supplies and more. It also offers you the option of wearing it with an adjustable shoulder strap.
The Vive travel bag is made of nylon and machine washable.
The Issy bag provides a large 16” x 16” storage compartment. The size expands another 6 inches when filled. Aside from the main compartment, it features one outside pocket and three inside pockets. The bag has a padded sponge lining making it more durable than other wheelchair bags on the market. This pack allows you to carry heavier items like books, a laptop, or an oxygen cylinder. The bag also features reflective straps which come in handy if you’re traveling at night.
The Samdew Wheelchair backpack is a hybrid backpack making it perfect for wheelchair use or use as a regular backpack. It’s a great travel bag with an insulated thermal pocket perfect for carrying medicine.
The main compartment features a 15.6-inch padded laptop storage layer, a zipper pocket, a large elastic pocket, and 2 side pockets, to keep all your travel essentials perfectly organized. It also comes with an adjustable webbing strap on both sides, so you can hang the backpack on the handle grips. The bottom of the shoulder straps is detachable allowing it to cross the armrest to be fixed on the chair back. It’s a little pricier than the first two models on this list, but it offers more versatility and is still moderately priced.
The iMedic Deluxe Wheelchair bag comes with three outside pockets to store your smaller items like travel documents, cell phone, and wallet. It’s waterproof, making it one of your must-have wheelchair accessories. It has two loops to fit on the back of your wheelchair as well as a standard carry handle. This bag’s main compartment offers tons of storage and convenience at a reasonable price. It comes in two color options, grey and black.
I saved the best for last. One of the best backpacks for wheelchairs, the Scooter Wheelchair backpack is a great option for both manual and power wheelchair users as well as electric scooter users. It has the most specialty compartments of any bag on my list, even offering an insulated compartment for a medicine travel case, a lunch box, and an outside pouch for an umbrella, tumbler, or water bottle. It really is the perfect backpack for wheelchair users.
Though it is one of the pricier options in this section, it features more compartments and can fit onto a wider variety of chairs and scooters. The extra large size storage bag is able to carry large two water bottles and one 30 oz tumbler. The insulated compartment is perfect for carrying a lunch box and the water bottle pocket provides easy access to your water bottle or tumbler. The medicine travel case allows you to keep diabetic medications and/ or pens cool. It also features a red Medical Alert Symbol on the outside of the pocket to alert responders to your medical records and medications in case of an emergency.
London, England
Most Durable Bag to Travel Europe
Peak Design’s Travel Line Backpack features a hip belt, laptop sleeve, multiple carry handles, lockable zippers, an expandable front pocket, two stash pockets, two hidden external pockets, mesh internal organization, and a soft pocket. It’s a super high-quality bag with a sleek professional look, tons of accessories, a great organization system, and top-notch carry handles.
If you want to step up from budget backpacker looks, Peak Design is your bag. It has a great inner pocket layout that doesn’t overtake the bag’s roomy interior. The main compartment pairs well with Peak Design’s packing and camera cubes which lock into the bag’s interior loops. The interior laptop pocket is padded and sits closest to your back, creating a comfortable, secure, and balanced bag.
Other features include theft deterrent zippers, a hidden luggage tag, a lined pocket, stowaway straps, compression straps, two external zip pockets, and a luggage pass-through that allows you to easily attach it to your roller bag.
The only con, the bag is a bit pricier than some on this list. But if you’re looking for a really high-quality bag with tons of features that will last for years, look no further.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Best Outdoor Backpack
Cotopaxi’s Allpa top-loading bag is one of the best travel bags for Europe if you’re planning a lot of outdoor travel. The bag features a weather-repellant exterior, hip belt, ventilated back panel, top and side handles, shoulder carry strap, padded laptop sleeve, clamshell opening, padded phone sleeve, carabiner lash points, water bottle pocket, and rain cover. It also comes in a wide variety of fun color options.
The Cotopaxi Allpa bag is a super durable travel bag that offers great versatility and a roomy main compartment. The bag also offers a wide variety of ways you can carry it. Four exterior handles make it easy to grab quickly and an over-shoulder strap gives you the option to carry it as a messenger bag. The traditional backpack carry option also features a comfy hip belt and sternum strap.
Rome, Italy
Best Carry On Backpacks
EBags Mother Load bag is another great option for those of you seeking more color options than just black or grey. It features a tablet sleeve, laptop sleeve, clamshell opening, sternum strap, two exterior pockets, compression straps, side handle, top handle, and bottom handle. It’s one of the most affordable bags on the list and offers lots of organization.
It’s not made to for hours of hiking, but then again, neither am I. What it is is a quality bag that makes a great carry-on.
I love the style of this Hershel Little America Laptop backpack. Inspired by the classic mountaineering pack, it features an internal media pocket with a cable outlet and a fleece-lined laptop sleeve as well as an external zippered pocket with a key clip. Its shoulder straps and back panel are padded for a comfier carry.
This backpack is a great option for those seeking a stylish carry-on that comes in a wide variety of colors.
Paris, France
Best Luxury Backpacks
The TUMI Voyager Ruby Laptop bag is a luxurious leather backpack featuring a laptop compartment, water bottle pocket, and several smaller pockets inside and out. I received this bag as a gift and positively adore it. Yes, it’s expensive, but it has the high quality you’ve come to expect from TUMI.
It’s super lightweight and incredibly stylish. The workmanship is impeccable and it has space to carry almost everything you’d need on a trip. I also get tons of compliments on this stylish backpack.
If you’re looking for a quality leather backpack few companies beat FRYE. Their Logan backpack features exterior and interior slip and zip pockets, and padded adjustable shoulder straps. You simply cannot beat the high-quality Italian leather used in this backpack. It’s superbly made and will last you many years. It comes in 3 color options and straps that expand to 35.5”.
The Briggs & Riley cargo backpack features a padded laptop sleeve and space for all your files. Its brilliant lightweight design makes carrying it a breeze. It’s made of ballistic nylon that resists wear, moisture, dirt, and abrasion. It includes a variety of pockets, elastic pen loops, slips for headphones, AirPods, USB cables, and an anti-RFID pocket for microchipped items.
Briggs & Riley offers a lifetime, unconditional guarantee. If your bag ever becomes broken or damaged they will repair it for free, with no proof of purchase needed. You can’t beat that!
Best Backpack For Travel To Europe That Isn’t on Amazon
The Tortuga Outbreaker is another amazing 40L travel backpack, unfortunately, it isn’t available on Amazon.
It’s the maximum size allowable for international carry-on and fits easily in any overhead bin. It features a front-loading clamshell opening, padded laptop and tablet sleeves, a spacious main compartment with mesh pockets and side pockets, a front organizer pocket with a key clip, two external water bottle pockets, and two lay-flat pockets. It’s comfortable to wear, offering a hip belt, sternum strap, and thick padded shoulder straps. The pockets feature lockable, water-resistant zippers and the bag is made of durable waterproof sailcloth that won’t rip or tear.
Venice, Italy
I Hope You’ve Found The Best European Travel Backpack For You
With so many options, it’s easy to become overwhelmed when looking for the best European Travel backpack. But I hope I’ve made your decision-making process a little easier. If you own one of these bags and want to sing its praises drop me a comment in the comments section below.
Happy Travels!
