The Best Backpacks For Backpacking Europe

Finding the best backpack for your backpacking Europe adventure is one of the most essential things you can do before you set out on your adventure. There are countless different options to choose from that it can seem overwhelming and impossible to choose the right one for you!

What size do you get? Should you purchase a top-loader or a front-loader? Should you get one with wheels as well? In general, it really depends on what kind of trip you’re after & what you plan on doing in Europe to figure out which kind of backpack will suit your needs best.

If you’re searching for a backpack for your trip, these are some great options to have you packing your bags in no time!

Want a quick answer? My overall choice for the best travel backpack for Europe is the Osprey Farpoint 55 for men (also available on REI) or the Fairview 55 for women (also available on REI).

Travel Backpack Comparison

How to Choose the Best Backpack

Top-Loading Backpacks

Some of the benefits of top-loading backpacks are that they are designed to be worn for long periods of time, so they can be very comfortable even if you’re carrying upwards of 15 kilos of weight.

They have advanced suspension systems so you can easily adjust them to your body type and you can ensure that the weight is evenly distributed across your back.

They’re also built to be very durable, as they’re typically designed for hikers and not European urban adventurers. This means that they’ll hold up for years on end. They also generally come with a lot of pockets and straps where you can easily stash a number of smaller items without them getting lost.

Want a quick answer? My choice for the best top-loading backpack for Europe is the Osprey Kestrel 48 for men or the Osprey Kyte 46 for women.

Another benefit to hiking backpacks is that if you intend to spend a portion of your Euro trip hiking or camping, these bags make it a lot easier to transition between urban and rural travel.

However, especially if you don’t really plan to stray away from cities or towns, top-loaders do come with some setbacks. The first setback is the fact that they’re, well, top-loading.

If you’re using this kind of backpack for its original intended use, the top-loading function is really more of an advantage; however, for backpacking through Europe, it can be a drawback.

It can be very difficult to find your belongings in a top-loader and you almost always need to empty the entire contents of the bag to find the thing you need.

They also have a ton of straps hanging off of them and the suspensions system can’t zip away, which makes checking them on a plane can be a bit of a pain. When we’ve travelled with a top-loader, it almost always ends up in the “oversized luggage” area and is consistently the last bag that comes out on the conveyor belt.

The other inconvenience about hiking backpacks is that they’re not overly secure. You’re normally only able to close them with a drawstring, which makes it nearly impossible to effectively lock them, which can be a setback if your hostel locker is too small to hold your entire backpack.

Travel Backpacks

While many travel backpacks do have some shortcomings (nothing is perfect, unfortunately), and there are not many backpacks on the market that can easily transition between urban travelling and long-term hiking/backpacking — the Osprey Farpoint Trek being one of the exceptions.

The most distinguishing feature of travel backpacks is the fact that they open like a suitcase instead of loading from the top. This function makes moving from place to place a lot easier and allows you to organise your items more effectively while travelling.

The second good feature of travel backpacks is that you can zip away the straps, making checking baggage a lot easier.

It also is a good function if you maybe want to stay in a nicer hotel and feel awkward walking in with a massive pack on your back. With the harness zipped away, travel backpacks tend to look more like duffel bags.

The addition of the main zipped compartment having a zipper also means that you can put a lock on your bag to keep your items secure. This is a really great function, especially if you’re staying in hostels or want to deter thieves while walking through train stations and busy city centres.

There are also some drawbacks to travel packs, however. For one, many don’t have as advanced a suspension system as top-loading backpacks have which means they can be a bit more uncomfortable to wear for a longer period of time.

Prefer Wheeled Backpacks? Check out our guide to the best wheeled backpacks for Europe!

Also, due to their design, it can be a bit more difficult to effectively distribute the weight in a travel backpack than in a top-loader. This, again, can take away from the all over long-term comfort of the bag.

Because of these shortcomings, travel backpacks aren’t great to take with you if you intend on doing a lot of hiking and camping.

On the whole, however, I would recommend opting for a travel pack when backpacking Europe rather than a top-loader. They are absolutely ideal for urban travelling and some will do well for a couple of days of hiking if you take the time to pack it correctly.

Best Backpacks For Travelling Europe

Osprey Farpoint 55 / Osprey Fairview 55

The Osprey Farpoint (also available on REI) is probably the most popular travel backpack for Europe. While it was originally created as a unisex backpack, it is now marketed exclusively as a travel backpack for men.

The Osprey Fairview is the women’s version (also available on REI) and both are one of the best travel backpacks for a trip around Europe. They are perfect for both shorter, two-week trips and months-long backpacking tours.

The Farpoint comes in four different sizes: 40 litre, 55 litre, 70 litre, and 80 litre. For most backpacking trips, I would recommend the 55-litre option. The main pack itself includes one single compartment with a 40-litre capacity.

There are also compression straps to keep your items smashed down and secure. The great benefit of the Farpoint 55 is the detachable 15-litre daypack. 

The daypack zips onto the back of the pack, however, I have never actually used this function while travelling. It is much easier to wear the daypack in from of you like a kangaroo.

The pack, like all Osprey products, is incredibly durable and comes with a lifetime warranty. I’ve used my pack quite extensive for more than two years, and besides some marks and blemishes. it looks and functions as if it’s brand new and I don’t see that changing any time in the future.

The main frame, hip belt and harness are also quite comfortable and fully adjustable, and the suspension is about as good as you’ll get in a travel backpack.

If adjusted properly and if it’s not too heavy, you can comfortably wear the pack for a few hours without getting a sore back or shoulders. It also fully zips away to make airline check-in a breeze.

Both the 55-litre and the 70-litre options come with the 15-litre daypack, but the 40 and 80-litre options do not.

Osprey advertises that the Farpoint 40L backpack is suitable as a carry-on backpack in the EU, however, if filled to capacity, the dimensions are slightly larger than those set by Ryanair.

Therefore, it may not be the best bag to take if you’re planning on travelling carry-on only. The frame is also not flexible at all, so it’s not possible to smash down the size of the bag even if it’s not packed to the brim.

The only other main drawback of the Farpoint is the fact that there is only one main compartment, so it can be tricky to organise your items.

This isn’t really a problem for me, as I travel with packing cubes, which have proved to be an invaluable space-saving and organisation addition to my packing habits.

Thule Landmark 60L Travel Backpack

With a total capacity of 60 litres in capacity, the Thule Landmark 60L backpack is made up of a 40-litre main bag along with a 20-litre detachable daypack. It’s sturdy, convenient and absolutely perfect for a backpacking adventure.

When the day pack is detached, the main backpack is suitable to be used as a carry-on for most airlines – perfect for budget travellers wanting to ensure they’re not paying high checked luggage fees!

The day pack is equipped with a padded sleeve that can accommodate a 16-inch laptop. It also has plenty of internal and external organisation pockets.

The main bag has a few internal zippered compartments to keep things organised, along with compression straps to keep your things secured and tacked down. There’s also a wide panel opening that allows easy access to belongings along with a comfortable harness with chest and hip straps.

Both the main backpack and the daypack are made of durable polyester material and have lockable zippers, as well. It comes in three colours – hazy green, blue and deep khaki.

Osprey Kestrel 48 / Osprey Kyte 46

If you’re set on travelling with a traditional backpack, then you can’t go wrong with the Osprey Kestrel for men (also available on REI) or the Osprey Kyte for women (also available on REI).

I would really only recommend travelling with a top loader if you plan to hike and camp either as much or more than you plan on travelling in cities, but these two packs are great options.

Both bags have incredibly advanced suspension systems and, if you distribute your weight well, they can be worn comfortably for hours on end. They are also only as wide as your torso, making navigating both winding staircases and European mountainsides a breeze.

They have a lot of extra pouches and compartments aside from the main one for you to stash some belongings and also some straps to attach items to the outside of the pack.

Because of their length, they don’t meet any carry-on size requirements, so you will have to check the bag in on flights. There is also no daypack attached and no option to zip away the harness or any straps. It is also closed with a drawstring, so it is a lot less secure as there is no way to lock it.

Thule Subterra 40L Convertible Carry-On Backpack

If you’re travelling carry-on only but want a convenient backpack that can convert into a duffle, then I highly recommend the Thule Subterra 40L Backpack.

With a roomy 40-litre capacity and an incredibly durable design, this backpack can seamlessly convert into a duffel bag should you want one!

The back harness tucks away out of sight and there is a detachable shoulder strap that can be used instead. 

Inside, the backpack is roomy and has a fold-flat divider that helps organise all of your items. You can also find a hidden pocket behind the back panel where you can stash valuables, along with some side pockets, perfect for a water bottle or an umbrella. 

The backpack has a sleek design and comes in a range of colours, including black, vetiver gray and dark slate. 

Osprey Transporter 40

If you want to easily transition between a duffel bag and a backpack and only want a carry on bag, then the Osprey Transporter (also available on REI here) is for you!

This 40-litre bag has no main frame, so it can pack down very small. It also has a backpack harness, complete with a chest strap, that can be easily zipped away and also a shoulder strap if you’d like to treat it more like a duffel bag.

This probably isn’t the best bag to take if you’re planning on hiking a lot or if you’re travelling with a lot of gear, but it is a fantastic option if you’re packing light or only going on a short trip.

Like all Osprey items, it is extremely durable and comes with a lifetime warranty. For a minimalist person who is looking to travel light, this bag is a great option!

Thule Aion 40L Carry-On Backpack

The Thule Aion 40L Backpack is the perfect all-rounder backpack for carry-on travel. It has a cool, stylish design and it comes in three colours – black, nutria and dark slate.

This backpack doesn’t convert into something else but it really doesn’t need to. It has a large, panel opening (like a traditional suitcase) that allows extremely easy access to all fo your belongings.

Internally, you’ll find some zippered organisation pockets to keep smaller items contained. There are also compression straps so you can pack down and secure your items.

The backpack also comes with a removable TPU pouch that’s perfect for stashing things like a pair of dirty shoes or damp or dirty clothes – the wipeable material prevents transfer of moisture and odours.

There are also smaller zippered pockets externally – perfect for stashing smaller items – along with side pockets for a water bottle or umbrella. The padded shoulder straps are sturdy, adjustable and comfortable to wear.

Peak Design Travel Line 45L Backpack

If you’re looking to combine both style and practicality, then the Peak Design Travel Backpack (also available direct from Peak Design) is a great option.

This bag is on the higher end of budgets, but it offers a stylish and practical design that many other backpacks do not offer. This is a 45-litre pack at its maximum size and has all of the main features of the previous travel backpacks covered, but it doesn’t come with a detachable daypack.

It does however, compress down to 30L or 35L making it ideal if you’re looking for a travel backpack that is carry-on compliant, as it meets even the most stringent of airline requirements. It is also water-resistant, which is a great feature to have in any travel bag.

The main bag opens in the front like a suitcase, has a divided section inside and also has a laptop sleeve within the main bag, which is a big selling point for many people.

This is probably the best-looking bag on this list and you won’t stick out like a sore thumb while walking through European cities.

Finding the perfect backpack can be extremely difficult. It’s always a good idea to weigh the options available, evaluate your travel style, and figure out how much space you’ll need. 

Are you looking for a backpack to take on your trip to Europe? Have any questions? Let us know in the comments!