Backpack Guide 

A great backpack gives you the freedom to travel your way. 

Whether you're catching a flight, commuting to work, heading away for the weekend or exploring a new city, the right backpack keeps your essentials organised, secure and comfortable to carry. 

From dedicated laptop compartments and smart organisation to cabin-friendly sizes, the right choice can make travelling simpler from start to finish.

This guide explains the different types of backpacks, who they're best suited to and how to choose the right one for the way you travel.
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Shop Backpacks
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What Is a Backpack?

A backpack is designed to make carrying your essentials comfortable, organised and convenient. Whether you're travelling, commuting to work, heading to university or exploring a new city, the right backpack helps keep everything within easy reach.

 

Modern backpacks come in a wide range of styles, from business and laptop backpacks to travel backpacks, underseater backpacks and everyday daypacks. Many also include features such as:

  • Padded laptop compartments
  • Organised internal pockets
  • Secure zip closures
  • Durable materials designed for everyday use and travel
  • Cabin-friendly sizing on selected models

Many backpacks can also be used as cabin luggage or personal items, depending on their size and your airline's baggage allowance.

 

For airline limits, see our Airline Underseater Regulations and Airline Cabin Regulations guides.
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Who Are Backpacks Best For?

Backpacks are a practical choice for anyone who wants to travel comfortably while keeping their essentials close at hand. Whether you're commuting every day, flying for work or heading away for a weekend, the right backpack offers flexibility without compromising on organisation.

 

Backpacks are ideal if you:

  • Prefer hands-free travel
  • Move frequently between locations
  • Carry a laptop, tablet or other tech
  • Use public transport or walk long distances
  • Want flexibility instead of the structure of a suitcase

They're especially popular with commuters, business travellers, weekend travellers, students and anyone combining work with leisure travel.
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Backpack vs Underseater vs Cabin Luggage

A backpack is often the better choice if you value flexibility and mobility over maximum packing capacity. 

They're ideal when you:

  • Prefer hands-free travel
  • Expect to walk between stations, airports or hotels
  • Are travelling light for one to three nights
  • Use public transport or navigate uneven streets
  • Want one bag that works for both travel and everyday life

A suitcase may be the better option if you prefer wheels, a more structured packing space or need extra capacity for longer trips.

 

Not sure which type of luggage is right for you? Explore our Cabin Luggage Guide if you're looking for a suitcase that fits most airline cabin allowances, or our Underseat Luggage Guide if you want a compact bag that fits beneath the seat in front of you.

Case insight: Many customers switch to a backpack for short trips because it's easier to carry through cities, on public transport and in hotels where space is limited.

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Find the Right Backpack for Your Travel Style

The best backpack isn't always the biggest or the most expensive. It depends on how you travel, what you carry and where you're going.

Whether you're commuting to the office, catching regular flights or planning weekend getaways, choosing a backpack that suits your routine will make every journey more comfortable and organised.

Here's how to find the right backpack for the way you travel.

Business and Corporate Travellers

If you regularly travel for meetings, conferences or business trips, your backpack should look professional while keeping everything organised. A structured backpack with dedicated compartments helps protect your laptop, documents and everyday essentials, making it easy to move from the airport to the office.

 

Look for:

  • Padded laptop compartment
  • Organised internal storage
  • Smart sleeve to attach to a suitcase
  • Durable materials for daily use
  • Easy-access pockets for travel documents

Backpacks from Tumi, Carl Friedrik, Briggs & Riley and Samsonite are excellent choices for business travel, offering premium organisation and a smart, professional finish.

Case insight: Many of our customers who travel for work choose structured backpacks with dedicated tech compartments and smart sleeves. They make moving between airports, meetings and hotels much easier while keeping everything organised.

Carl Friedrik
Ayrton Backpack - Sonder

Best for: Business travel, consultants, hybrid workers and frequent flyers.

Want to compare your options? Read our How To Choose The Best Backpack For Business blog to compare features and find the right backpack for work. If you're building a complete commuting or business travel setup, explore our Back to Work & Travel Essentials guide for backpacks, cabin luggage and everyday travel accessories.

Osprey
Expandable Travel Backpack 26+6 - Daylite

Weekend and Short Break Travellers

For one to three-night trips, a backpack can often replace a cabin suitcase. The right backpack provides enough space for clothing, toiletries and travel essentials while remaining comfortable to carry through airports, train stations and city streets.

Look for:

  • Cabin-friendly dimensions
  • Clamshell opening for easy packing
  • Lightweight construction
  • Internal organisation or compression straps
  • Comfortable shoulder straps

Backpacks from Osprey, Samsonite, and Tumi are popular choices for short breaks, offering cabin-friendly designs with practical organisation and comfortable carrying.

Best for: Weekend breaks, city breaks and overnight stays.

Case insight: Many customers choose travel backpacks for weekend breaks because they pack like a suitcase but are much easier to carry through busy stations, hotels and city centres.

Planning a short trip? Our How To Choose The Best Cabin Bag For Air Travel blog explains what to look for in cabin luggage, while How to Pack Like a Pro: Carry-On Tips from Frequent Flyers is packed with practical packing advice to help you make the most of your backpack.

Budget Airline Travellers

If you regularly fly with airlines that have strict baggage allowances, choosing an underseat-friendly backpack can help you avoid unnecessary baggage fees. Compact backpacks are designed to make the most of your personal item allowance while keeping your travel essentials close at hand.

Look for:

  • Underseat-friendly dimensions
  • Lightweight materials
  • Flexible construction
  • Slim profile without bulky external pockets
  • Well-organised interior

Compact backpacks from Samsonite, Bric's, Joules and Roka are ideal for travellers looking to maximise their personal item allowance while travelling light.

Case insight: We often recommend compact backpacks to customers flying short European routes. Choosing the right size allows you to maximise your packing space while staying within many airline personal item limits.

Best for: Budget airlines, light packers and one to two-night trips.

Joules

Travel Backpack Small - Coast Softside Gold

Before you fly, check our Best Ryanair Cabin Bags 2026, What is Ryanair Hand Luggage Allowance? and What is the Hand Luggage Size for easyJet? blogs to make sure your backpack meets the latest airline requirements.

Samsonite Luggage 
15.6" Day Trip Backpack - Biz 2 Go

Daily Commuters

If your backpack comes with you every day, comfort and organisation become just as important as capacity. Whether you're commuting to work, heading to university or travelling around the city, a well-designed backpack keeps your daily essentials organised without feeling bulky.

 

Look for:

  • Padded back panel
  • Adjustable shoulder straps
  • Dedicated laptop compartment
  • Secure zipped pockets
  • Easy-access compartments for everyday essentials

Backpacks from Samsonite, Tumi, and Mous are popular choices for commuters, combining comfort, organisation and durability for everyday use.

Case insight: Many of our customers choose one backpack that works just as well during the working week as it does on weekend trips. A versatile design offers the flexibility to move between work, commuting and short breaks with ease.

Best for: Commuting, university, hybrid working and everyday travel.

Looking for a complete everyday travel setup? Explore our Back to Work & Travel Essentials guide for our favourite backpacks, cabin luggage and travel accessories designed for commuting, work and everyday journeys.

Tech Travellers

If you travel with a laptop, tablet, chargers and other devices, staying organised is essential. A dedicated tech backpack helps protect your equipment while making it easier to access everything during airport security and throughout your journey.

Look for:

  • Padded laptop and tablet compartments
  • Organised cable and accessory pockets
  • Quick-access sections
  • Lockable zip designs
  • Durable, protective materials

The Tumi Alpha Bravo and Samsonite Pro-DLX ranges are particularly well suited to travellers who carry technology every day.

Case insight: Travellers carrying multiple devices often tell us that organisation matters more than extra capacity. Knowing exactly where your laptop, cables and chargers are makes travelling smoother from check-in to arrival.

Best for: Remote workers, digital nomads, business travellers and frequent flyers.

Tumi
Search Backpack - Alpha Bravo

Need help choosing between leading brands? Read our Tumi Backpacks vs Samsonite Backpacks: Which Is Better for Work and Travel? blog to compare two of the most popular backpack ranges for business and everyday travel.
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Types of Backpacks

Not every backpack is designed for the same purpose. 

Here's a quick guide to the four most common backpack styles, helping you find the right option for the way you travel.

Travel Backpacks

Laptop and Work Backpacks

Underseater Backpacks

Daypacks

Travel Backpacks

Designed for short breaks and cabin travel, travel backpacks offer generous packing space while remaining comfortable to carry. Many feature clamshell openings, structured interiors and cabin-friendly dimensions, making them a practical alternative to a small suitcase.

Best for: 

Short breaks, cabin travel and flexible packing.

Laptop & Work Backpacks

Built for commuting and business travel, these backpacks focus on protecting your tech while keeping everything organised. Dedicated laptop compartments, document sleeves and smart layouts make them ideal for moving between the office, home and the airport.

Best for: 

Business travel, meetings, commuting and hybrid working.

Underseater Backpacks

Compact and designed to fit beneath the seat on many airlines, underseater backpacks make the most of your personal item allowance. They're ideal for travellers who want to pack light while keeping essentials within easy reach.

Best for: 

Budget airlines, light packers and strict personal item allowances.

Daypacks

Lightweight and versatile, daypacks are designed for everyday adventures. They're perfect for sightseeing, commuting, shopping or carrying daily essentials once you've reached your destination.

Best for: 

City breaks, day trips and everyday use.

Case insight: One of the biggest advantages of a backpack is its versatility. Many travellers choose a single backpack that works for commuting during the week, weekend breaks and everyday travel, making it one of the most adaptable pieces of luggage you can own.

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What Fits Inside a Backpack? 

How much you can pack depends on the size and design of your backpack. Whether you're commuting, travelling for work or heading away for a weekend, choosing the right capacity makes all the difference.

 

A typical backpack can hold:

  • A laptop or tablet in a padded compartment
  • Clothing for one to three nights
  • A compact wash bag
  • Chargers, cables and travel accessories
  • A reusable water bottle
  • Passport, travel documents and everyday essentials

Many cabin-friendly backpacks are designed to maximise packing space while remaining within airline size limits, making them ideal for short breaks, business trips and carry-on travel.

As a general guide, smaller backpacks are ideal for everyday use and commuting, while larger travel backpacks offer the extra capacity needed for weekend breaks and cabin travel.

Backpack Type Typical Capacity Ideal For
Daypack 15–25L Everyday use, commuting and sightseeing
Laptop & Work Backpack 20–30L Work, commuting and business travel
Underseater Backpack 20–30L Airline personal item travel
Travel Backpack 30–45L Weekend breaks and cabin travel

Case insight: Packing cubes are one of the simplest ways to stay organised. Many of our customers use them to separate clothing, toiletries and tech, making airport security, hotel check-ins and unpacking much quicker.

Shop Packing Accessories

Looking for more packing tips? Read our How to Pack Like a Pro: Carry-On Tips from Frequent Flyers blog for simple packing techniques that help you get more from your backpack.
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How to Choose the Right Backpack

By now, you should have a good idea of the type of backpack that suits your travel style. Before making your final decision, it's worth considering a few practical features that can make travelling more comfortable and keeping your belongings organised much easier.

 

What to Look For

Whether you're commuting every day or travelling regularly, these features are worth considering:

  • Airline-friendly dimensions if you fly frequently
  • Padded laptop protection
  • Organised internal compartments
  • Lightweight yet durable materials
  • Lockable or secure zip closures
  • Water-resistant fabrics for added protection
  • External pockets for quick access to travel essentials

Comfort and Fit

A comfortable backpack makes all the difference, particularly if you're walking through airports, commuting on public transport or exploring a new city.

Look for:

  • Adjustable shoulder straps
  • Padded back panels
  • Breathable back support
  • Even weight distribution
  • A comfortable fit that suits your frame

A well-balanced backpack feels lighter to carry and reduces strain during longer journeys.

Security While Travelling

Keeping your belongings secure is just as important as choosing the right size. A few simple habits can help protect your valuables wherever you travel.

We recommend:

  • Using lockable zips where available
  • Keeping passports and valuables in internal compartments
  • Avoiding overfilling external pockets
  • Packing heavier items closest to your back
  • Keeping laptops and tablets in dedicated padded compartments

Case insight: Many of our customers tell us that organisation and comfort become more important than capacity over time. A well-designed backpack with thoughtful compartments is often more practical than a larger bag where everything ends up packed together.
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Common Mistakes When Choosing a Backpack

Choosing the right backpack isn't just about capacity. The best backpack is the one that suits the way you travel and keeps you comfortable throughout your journey.

Choosing a Backpack That's Too Large

A larger backpack isn't always the better option. If you mainly travel for short breaks, commute daily or fly with hand luggage only, a compact backpack is often easier to carry and more practical.

Prioritising Style Over Comfort

A backpack may look great, but if it doesn't fit comfortably, you'll notice the difference quickly. Padded shoulder straps, breathable back panels and good weight distribution all make a big difference.

Not Thinking About Organisation

A single large compartment can make it difficult to separate clothing, toiletries, laptops and accessories. Well-designed internal organisation helps you find what you need more quickly and keeps everything protected.

Forgetting to Check Airline Size Limits

If you plan to use your backpack as cabin luggage or a personal item, always check your airline's size restrictions before you travel. A backpack that's too large when fully packed could incur additional baggage charges.

Case insight: One of the most common mistakes we see is choosing a backpack based on capacity alone. How you pack, what you carry and how often you travel are just as important when finding the right backpack.
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Ready to Find Your Perfect Backpack?

Whether you're travelling for work, heading away for the weekend or commuting every day, the right backpack makes every journey easier.

 

At Case, you'll find backpacks from trusted brands including Tumi, Carl Friedrik, Briggs & Riley   Osprey, Samsonite, Bric's, Mous, Joules and Roka designed for every type of traveller.

 

Browse our collection to find a backpack that suits the way you travel.

Shop Backpacks at Case
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FAQs About Backpack Guide

Can I use a backpack as cabin luggage?

Yes, provided it meets your airline's cabin baggage size limits. Always check the requirements of the airline you're flying with before you travel.

Are backpacks suitable for business travel?

Absolutely. Many backpacks are designed specifically for business travel, with padded laptop compartments, organised storage and professional styling.

What size backpack is best for flying?

That depends on your airline and how you plan to travel. Underseater backpacks are ideal as personal items, while larger travel backpacks are often suitable as cabin luggage.

Can a backpack be used as a personal item?

Yes. Many compact backpacks are designed to fit beneath the seat on most airlines, making them ideal as personal items.

Can I check a backpack into the hold?

Yes, although it's a good idea to remove valuables, secure loose straps and consider using a protective cover to help prevent damage during transit.

Do backpacks count towards my airline baggage allowance?

Yes. Any backpack you take on board usually counts towards your airline's cabin or personal item allowance, so always check the latest baggage rules before you travel.
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Discover More

Continue planning your journey:

 

Suitcase Size Guide
Compare cabin, medium and large suitcase sizes before travelling.

 

Airline Regulations
Understand baggage rules across different airlines.

 

Luggage Care & Maintenance
Get tips to keep your suitcase performing trip after trip.

 

Register Your Bag
Register your product for warranty and support.


Explore spacious, durable suitcases built for longer journeys. Shop at Case.