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Whether hunting for souvenirs, discovering some fashion gems, or hitting the trails, having a packable backpack on hand during your travels will always come in handy, especially if you want to save room in your luggage. Take a look at the best packable backpacks for your next trip!
Best Packable Daypacks for Women
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Packable backpacks are fantastic for all kinds of trips, whether city sightseeing or exploring the great outdoors. They’re handy for long days when you must bring a jacket or extra gear. Plus, you never know when you’ll need to stock up on some must-have souvenirs to bring back home!
Their packable nature means they won’t take up much room in your luggage or purse, making your travels all the more smooth! And when you’re back from your trip, they’re easy to store at home.
To hold your essentials (plus, any extra goodies you’ve picked up throughout the day!), you’ll definitely want a lightweight packable backpack on your must-bring list. Check out these top picks!
Best Packable Daypack for Travel
Shop: Nordstrom | Zappos | Bloomingdale’s
Tumi Packable Backpack
The Tumi stylish packable backpack is perfect for the city traveler, with its sleek and streamlined exterior that’ll look great with all of your chic ensembles. This bag is made of Tumi’s signature nylon that’s ultra-durable but still lightweight and folds down into a flat little pouch for whenever you need it. The spacious interior will hold a day’s essentials or your shopping finds, the front pocket will store smaller items, and the trolley sleeve will come in handy for travel days!
One traveler shares, “I often need an ultralight packable daypack for carrying while sightseeing or when I find some treasures I need to bring home. This bag hits all the high points with its professional styling, excellent construction, roomy and easily accessible interior, and storage pouch. I love that it doesn’t lose its shape, no matter how full it is. It’s so comfortable to wear all day too!”
For more lovely Tumi picks, look at our Tumi review here!
Shop: Amazon
Travelon Packable Backpack
Travelon bags are always a fave among TFG readers, and this anti-theft packable backpack is no exception. This bag is versatile, simple, and designed to carry all you need while keeping your things safe from theft; equipped with locking zippers, an RFID blocking pocket, and slash-resistant fabric. It has multiple pockets to keep things organized (including side mesh pockets for a water bottle), yet another reason to love this backpack!
It’s super lightweight! One user gives her packable backpack review, “Bought for Italy and felt safe with it everywhere. It was small enough to be allowed in landmarks like the Vatican and Colosseum. It held a lot of items and packed down to a large wallet size!”
We’ve rounded up the best anti theft travel bags for women, and our readers have voted for their favorite styles!
Shop: Eddie Bauer | Amazon
Eddie Bauer Packable Backpack
Sporty yet feminine, the Eddie Bauer stowaway backpack will take you from the trails to sightseeing and everywhere in between! The fabric is durable and water-resistant yet as light as can be, and it comes with a host of functional features, from a hydration bladder sleeve to multiple inner and outer pockets! Thanks to its padded back panel, lumbar strap, and wide, adjustable straps, you’ll feel comfortable carrying this bag throughout long days of adventuring!
This 30L is excellent for a full day of gear or a big shopping day, but if you want to keep it a bit lighter, they offer a 20L version, too!
On a packable daypack reviews, a reader shares, “Folds flat, is lightweight, and good for travel city tours as well as hikes and the beach.”
Shop: Away
Away Packable Backpack Waterproof
The Away packable backpack is such a versatile option that offers both function and looks good, with its water-resistant nylon fabric to keep your things protected. It folds up into a teeny zip pouch that’ll easily fit into a purse and expands into a roomy bag that can be packed for a day trip, a beach day, or just brought along for an impromptu shopping trip! This bag is finished off with a secure elastic drawstring, flap buckle closure, and a handy trolley sleeve.
One user says, “I like that it packs down into a small area to go in my luggage. I used it on a recent trip to Switzerland, and it held everything I put in it without fear that it would rip because of the durable material. I clipped the bag it comes in inside the backpack and used it to put smaller items in. Loved it so much!”
Samsonite Travel Packable Backpack
Constructed with a highly robust fabric, this Samsonite packable backpack is built to withstand tons of wear and tear and is packed to the brim. The adjustable straps are made of mesh for breathability, and its spacious interior has you covered for everything from souvenir hunting to packing things for an outdoorsy adventure. It’s incredibly lightweight, folds up super small, and makes a perfect companion for any type of trip, not to mention the sleek, streamlined look!
A traveler says, “Thin but durable. Love that it’s packable. I took it everywhere as an extra bag to carry all the gifts we bought back home!”
To help you avoid overweight baggage fees, we’ve rounded up the best lightweight luggage!
Osprey Packable Backpack
The adventure-ready design of the Osprey Ultralight packable backpack offers two side water bottle pockets, a key clip, and super comfy carrying. It’s amazingly lightweight yet tough, with a roomy interior that wearers love to pack up for a day on the trails, but the simple design makes it work for casual travel days in town, too. The straps are padded, plus it comes with an adjustable sternum strap for added support, so it’s a great packable daypack for backpacking.
A TFG says of her Osprey packable daypack, “It packs down so small and light. It travels inside my Osprey Fairview 40 bag and my small crossbody purse. That gives me multiple day bag options, and I also use it when I hike or bike while traveling.”
Shop: Zappos | Amazon | Moosejaw
Fjallraven Waterproof Packable Backpack
Fjallraven’s High Coast packable backpack tote is here to offer you the utmost in versatility, with padded backpack straps, an adjustable crossbody strap, and top handles for however you want to carry it, all packing down into its front pocket for when you don’t! Despite the awesome added features like side pockets, interior pockets, and a padded laptop sleeve, it is super lightweight. Plus, it’s water-resistant!
A reader shares, “Lightweight, has padded straps, and can fold into its own pocket! I’m looking forward to using it on our upcoming trip to Mexico.”
Columbia Packable Backpack
Practical with a stylish edge, Columbia’s packable backpack is decked out with inner and outer pockets and an internal dividing sleeve for great organization while you’re on the road. With a classic silhouette and adorable print (also offered in other patterns and colors), it provides some extra packing space on your trip and a cute accessory to complement both sporty and polished outfits! Wearers also highlight the backpack’s lightweight, superb craftsmanship, and convenience.
One says, “Great quality, and despite it being lightweight, it’s resilient. Unfolding the backpack is super quick. We always have it with us for family trips and use it often. Highly recommend!”
From large travel tote bags to totes with multiple compartments, you can use one of these versatile, spacious bags on the plane or while sightseeing!
Herschel Packable Daypack
Made of a sturdy, ripstop fabric, you can rest assured that this packable daypack Herschel makes will hold up like a champ and always be there for any and all of your carrying needs! Its heavy-duty construction has a truly weightless feel, which means you can pack it full with all the goodies. Minimalist yet classic, this bag is equipped with a roomy front pocket, wide, adjustable straps, and an interior pouch that it packs into for easy storage.
One user says, “This Herschel packable backpack is very lightweight and packs well for travel. Used it daily on a two-week trip in Europe to carry various small, lightweight items. Packed well in a carry-on, too.”
Shop: Patagonia | REI | Backcountry
Patagonia Packable Backpack
This packable backpack Patagonia offers has a sporty-chic appeal and is sustainably made from recycled ripstop nylon that’s not only tough as can be but also extremely light and water-resistant! Keeping your items organized will be easy with its wide opening, internal zip pocket and key clip, external pocket, and two side water bottle pockets. You can carry it in hand, as a tote, or as a backpack, and it’ll stuff into its own pocket when not in use!
A reader raves, “I LOVE this bag – I have two, and they have gone on every vacation with me. Sturdy, fit an epic ton, and I can throw in the wash when I get home!”
Shop: Amazon | Vera Bradley
Vera Bradley Packable Backpack
No matter where the day takes you, you’ll be stylishly set with Vera Bradley’s waterproof packable daypack. This cutie is made from a ripstop fabric that’s tough and water-resistant, keeping your items safe and sound without adding extra weight. Adjustable straps, an outer and inner pocket, and a range of playful prints add to the charm!
A fan says, “The print is gorgeous, and the material is sturdy and durable. It’s great to take on a vacation for use on day trips. When I travel to Europe, I often take sightseeing trips into the city for the day and take this backpack for carrying some snacks, a jacket, an umbrella, and anything I buy while there. It easily opens and can be easily put back into a pouch.”
These women’s sling bag styles will keep your must-have essentials close at hand as you embark on your exciting trips!
Shop: Zappos | Amazon | Moosejaw
Mystery Ranch Packable Daypack
If some rugged adventures are on the itinerary, you’ll want this Mystery Ranch packable backpack in your luggage. Perfect for everything from hikes to beach days, it features a hydration reservoir pocket, multiple pockets including a water bottle pocket, contoured shoulder straps, and a sternum strap. The fabric has high abrasion and tear resistance, making it quite sturdy, given its light weight and packability!
One user gives a stellar review, “Folded up, it’s absolutely tiny and fits anywhere. It has outer straps and loops galore. I managed to fit snorkel gear, five days of clothing and toiletries, sneakers, a speaker, plus a handful of other things, and I still had space for a bunch of souvenirs on the way back.”
Shop: Amazon
Gonex Small Packable Backpack
From waterfall hikes to drizzly days in town, this Gonex packable backpack has durability, water resistance, and functional features to make your travels a breeze. This sporty bag is tear and abrasion resistant, so it’s a great option for the active traveler (or for stuffing it full of souvenirs)! In addition to giving you plenty of space in a functional, compact size, it has padded, adjustable straps and feels totally weightless.
One traveler shares, “Great lightweight and compact backpack. Bought it for a Caribbean cruise and kept it in a larger backpack when going ashore to bring back things we bought or our wet towels/clothing. The material is thin and lightweight yet durable.”
If you’re looking for something bigger and a bit more heavy-duty, look at Gonex’s 60L water-repellent packable backpack that doubles as a duffle bag!
Here’s a round-up of what the readers have chosen as their all time favorite cross body purses for travel!
Shop: Amazon
4Monster Nylon Packable Backpack
Your belongings will be safe and sound inside the 4Monster packable backpack, which is constructed with tear-resistant and water-resistant nylon. Easy and convenient, this portable bag stuffs down into a teeny pouch and opens into a roomy yet light-as-air bag whenever needed. An interior pocket and side water bottle pockets will help keep things organized, and it has breathable and shock-absorbing straps so you can tote it around with comfort!
A user says, “Tough and convenient little backpack! I used it almost all day, every day, on a 16-day trip to Italy. It put up with constant zipping and unzipping and lots of pulling water bottles out of the side pockets. I was also surprised by how much it could hold!”
Packable Travel Backpack Comparison Chart
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What do you think is the best lightweight packable backpack? Share with us in the comments!
For more travel backpacks for women, please read:
- Best Backpacks With a Trolley Sleeve
- Best Convertible Backpack Purse
- Cute Backpacks for Travel
- The Best Ultralight Backpacks
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Thank you so much for this! I just ordered two of them and will decide which to bring on
my trip to Istanbul when they arrive.
Great list!
Next time you review luggage, adding dimensions in the chart would be super helpful! I know it’s probably not practical to also include what airlines these satisfy the personal item requirements but a girl can dream. ❤️
This is the best blog!! I’m a sucker for backpacks and am looking for the best light weight one to take on our trip to Ireland. I want to get them all!!! Thank you for helping narrow down the best options!! Still want them all 😊
I love this site ! It is so helpful and especially the links provided to purchase things . I have been following it for a while and enjoy all the tips. I am a horrible packer because I can’t make decisions. I always over pack and over think . The lists really help. Thank you .
I didn’t have the Away on my list but I’m in love! I like the concept of a package backpack and using my longchamp as my personal item.
Great info on backpacks