The best backpacks for men help you move from one activity to the next without having to stop to swap out gear.
Because let’s face it, our lives are getting busier and busier, from board meetings and business trips to sneaking in a quick workout before meeting friends for a drink. Whether you’re looking for a professional backpack for the office or a comfortable option to wear when traveling or hiking, we’ve rounded up the best backpacks for men across 11 categories.
- Best Backpack For Men Overall: Matador SEG28 Backpack
- Best Sling Bag For Men: Chrome Citizen Messenger Bag
- Best Laptop Backpack For Men: Thule Crossover 2 Laptop Backpack
- Best Work Backpack For Men: Solo Grand Travel TSA Backpack
- Best Stylish Backpack For Men: Peak Design Travel Pack 45L
- Best Waterproof Backpack For Men: Exped Typhoon 25 Pack
- Best Hiking Backpack For Men: Osprey Talon Pro 30L Backpack
- Best Leather Backpack For Men: Cole Han Triboro Backpack
- Best Travel Backpack For Men: Matador GlobeRider45 Travel Backpack
- Best Small Travel Backpack For Men: Eddie Bauer Voyager 3.0
- Best Gym Backpack For Men: Nike Brasilia Medium Training Duffel Bag
Best Backpack For Men Overall
A Sustainable Pack That’s Versatile And Rugged
Matador SEG28 Backpack
Dimensions: 20 x 12 x 9.5 inches | Weight: 3.2 pounds | Capacity: 28 liters | Waterproof: Yes | Hipbelt: Yes
If you’re looking for a sturdy, stylish backpack that works just as well as a travel bag as it does as an everyday pack, we highly recommend the Matador SEG28. This 28-liter pack is made with recycled materials that meet the Bluesign sustainability criteria, including reinforced ripstop nylon and PU waterproofing that keeps your belongings dry regardless of the weather. A top-access laptop compartment, water bottle sleeve and multiple gear and gadget compartments make this a great everyday travel bag, too. Meanwhile, clever features like segmented sections work like built-in packing cubes and a pass-through sleeve allows the pack to slide over a suitcase handle for a handy travel option.
Best Sling Bag For Men
Easy On, Easy Off And Ready To Go
Chrome Industries Citizen Messenger Bag
Dimensions: 13 x 12 x 7 inches | Weight: 2.8 pounds | Capacity: 24 liters | Waterproof: Yes | Hipbelt: No
Chrome’s Citizen Messenger bag is a bestseller thanks to its simplicity, durability and undeniable elegance. Because Chrome bags are designed for bike messengers who spend hours upon hours riding through the rough, rugged and weather-beaten streets of the world’s biggest cities, their products are guaranteed to be tough. Military-grade nylon ensures the bag can stand up to the elements, while an easy-release buckle closure makes the pack quick to get on and off. Multiple compartments help organize items, including a larger main pocket with separate wet and dry compartments and space for a 15-inch laptop.
Best Laptop Backpack For Men
Well-Made, Durable And Versatile
Thule Crossover 2 Laptop
Dimensions: 12.6 x 9.4 x 18.5 inches | Weight: 2.95 pounds | Capacity: 30 liters | Waterproof: No | Hipbelt: No
The Thule Crossover 2 has a thoughtful design that offers plenty of versatility, but most importantly, it keeps your laptop safe while in transit. A padded laptop sleeve accommodates devices up to 15.6 inches while an RFID-blocking pocket keeps your personal info secure. In addition to being waterproof and durable, other helpful features include a crush-resistant interior pocket, a front pouch with a built-in cable organizer and a set of convenient top and side handles. Convertibility wise, you can tuck away the backpack straps and attach the padded shoulder strap to transform it into a messenger bag. Headed to the an airport? The luggage strap on the back of the pack allows you to secure it to your rolling suitcase handle with ease.
Best Work Backpack For Men
A Stylish, Professional Bag For The Office And Beyond
Solo Grand Travel TSA Backpack
Dimensions: 18 x 13 x 10 inches | Weight: 2.53 pounds | Capacity: 14 liters | Waterproof: No | Hipbelt: No
Don’t let the name fool you because this so-called “Travel TSA Backpack” is actually an amazing option for professionals. Not only is it sleek and stylish but the fully padded (and very generous) 17.3-inch laptop compartment mean your computer will stay safely stored away during your commute. Padded back and back straps keep the bag is comfortable to carry and multiple handles mean you could wear it like a traditional backpack or hold it like a duffle or suitcase. Side mesh compartments store your water bottle while front pockets are perfect for phones, external batteries, business cards, pens and other items. Should you need to travel, the bag’s checkpoint-friendly design, including a back panel sleeve that slides over a luggage handle, allows you to pass through security faster.
Best Stylish Backpack For Men
A Fashionable And Functional Pack That Can Go Anywhere
Peak Design Travel Pack 45 L
Dimensions: 21 x 15 x 5.75 inches | Weight: 4.5 pounds | Capacity: 45 liters | Waterproof: No, water-resistant | Hipbelt: No
Who said you have to sacrifice function for fashion? Peak Design is known for its stylishly rugged, thoughtfully-designed backpacks. While this water-resistant backpack can hold up to 45 liters, compression snaps allow you to press out enough air to knock it down to 30 liters for days you prefer to carry a smaller bag. Should you be traveling, use the back handle to slide the bag over a luggage handle and know that (when compressed down to 30-35 liters), the backpack meets international carry-on standards. Side pockets allow easy access to gear and goodies, while a top-access laptop compartment allows you to grab your computer without having to unpack the bag.
Best Waterproof Backpack For Men
A Simple, Straightforward Backpack That Is Fully Waterproof
Exped Typhoon 25 Pack
Dimensions: 19 x 11.5 x 8 inches | Weight: 1 pound | Capacity: 25 liters | Waterproof: Yes | Hipbelt: Yes
Water-resistant gear is great for light sprinkles, but if you get caught in a downpour, you run the risk of your belongings getting soaked. Exped excels at fully waterproof gear, including their Typhoon 25 pack, which has a roll-top construction and fully seam-taped liner to prevent even the tiniest drop of water from getting inside and ruining your day. Adjustable padded straps are anatomically curved for comfort and the sternum strap can be adjusted with one hand, making it easy to find the right fit without a struggle. Considering the bag only weighs a pound, you could even roll it up and stash it in a larger backpack or suitcase to have on hand for a rainy day.
Best Hiking Backpack For Men
For Trails, Tough Terrain and Travel
Osprey Talon Pro 30L Backpack
Dimensions: S/M (24 x 11.42 inches) to L/XL (24.41 x 11.42) | Weight: S/M (2.5 pounds) to L/XL (2.6 pounds) | Capacity: 30 liters | Waterproof: Yes, with rain cover | Hipbelt: Yes
Osprey is one of the most respected names in the backpack industry in large part due to their extremely sturdy, practical and highly technical hiking backpacks. In addition to generally helpful features like water bottle pockets, compression straps and top panel zippered stash pockets, this pack has features that make it especially well-suited for hiking adventures. An external hydration reservoir sleeve means you could slide in a 3-liter water bladder for easy sipping, while a blinker attachment provides added safety. The backpack is made with Bluesign-approved recycled fabric, it’s water-repellent (waterproof with rain cover) and, at only 2.5 pounds, it’s ultralight.
What really sets this pack apart from the rest, however, is just how comfortable it is. An injection-molded back panel, flexible harness and continuous lumbar-to-hipbelt wrap move right along with you, keeping the pack close to your body while allowing your back to breathe. The result is an extremely comfortable pack that keeps you cool and distributes the weight to help avoid fatigue when carrying heavy loads. While this particular pack is a respectable 30 liters, it’s also available in 20 liters.
Best Leather Backpack For Men
A Luxurious Leather Bag With A Sense Of Sophistication
Cole Haan Triboro Backpack in Navy
Dimensions: 11 x 6 x 18 inches | Weight: 2.78 pounds | Capacity: 17.60 liters | Waterproof: No | Hipbelt: No
From its comfortable padded shoulder straps to its interior 15-inch laptop sleeve, this Triboro backpack from Cole Haan was specifically designed to go from home to office to airplane in style. Part of its sophisticated style comes from the fact that there are no external pockets, pouches or compartments. Instead of stuffing or stashing pens, paper, books and bottles along the exterior, all of these fit neatly into hidden interior storage compartments. The result? A smooth and uninterrupted exterior of luxurious leather. While this makes for a great day bag around town or to the office, it also has an exterior trolley pass-through handle on the back to slip onto luggage handles.
Best Travel Backpack For Men
A Reliable Travel Pack, Regardless Of The Journey
GlobeRider45 Travel Backpack – Matador
Dimensions: 22 x 12.8 x 11 inches | Weight: 4.5 pounds | Capacity: 45 liters | Waterproof: Yes | Hipbelt: Yes
Matador is an industry leader in the backpack and outdoor space, making some of the most sophisticated and highly-technical gear that also manages to be extremely attractive. Their new GlobeRider45 travel backpack is a Forbes favorite (read our full review here). Cushioned straps and a padded, breathable hip belt make the pack comfortable to wear and the ability to remove or store these straps create the bag perfect for travel. By safely storing the straps (and relying on cargo handles) when checking a bag, you avoid the risk of them getting snagged or torn on luggage carriers. An exterior laptop compartment allows you to retrieve your computer without having to unpack everything, while multiple zippers and pockets provide access to your belongings from various angles. Meanwhile, the hidden “smugglers pocket” stores money and a passport while remaining hidden from potential thieves.
Best Small Travel Backpack For Men
An Attractive Travel Pack For Short Trips
Eddie Bauer Voyager 3.0 Backpack 30L
Dimensions: 18.88 x 9.88 x 11.75 inches | Weight: 2.65 pounds | Capacity: 30 liters | Waterproof: No, water-resistant | Hipbelt: No
When it comes to building a great travel pack, Eddie Bauer seems to have mastered the task. This efficiency-minded pack offers plenty of pockets and storage solutions. You can access the main compartment by the front-hidden zip or through the back-panel zip and quickly grab your laptop or tablet without having to unload the entire bag. Side panels offer additional organizational pockets (one zip, one foldover), while a trolley pass-through on the back panel allows the bag to attach to the handle of rolling suitcases. The pack doesn’t have a waist strap, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing because the relatively small size is intended for lighter loads and shorter trips.
Best Gym Backpack For Men
A Gym Bag That’s A Classic For A Reason
Nike Brasilia Training Duffel Bag
Dimensions: 23.6 x 9.45 x 11.8 inches | Weight: N/A | Capacity: 60 liters | Waterproof: No, water-resistant | Hipbelt: No
Nike’s Brasilia Training Duffel Bag is a classic carryall that refuses to go out of style. Simple in its design, the bag features a zip closure on the top along with multiple exterior pockets to hold odds and end items like keys, bandanas or sweat rags. A separate storage compartment keeps dirty kicks away from clean (or at least less-dirty) gym clothes. The main compartment is large enough to stuff in football and basketball equipment but works just as well holding clothing, yoga mats and tennis gear. A padded shoulder strap provides a bit of comfort while the water-resistant coated bottom of the bag offers some protection from rain and liquids.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Here at Forbes Vetted, we know how time-consuming it can be to sift through online reviews and recommendations so our goal is to do the heavy lifting for you. Whether you’re looking for the best messenger bags or the best casual shoes for men, we’re here to help you make that decision.
In addition to being fashion writers and editors, we are also consumers with very high standards about how we shop and what we buy. We like to think our readers benefit from our pickiness and obsessive tendencies and to ensure broad and diverse content, we also consult with experts with decades of experience in the field.
Our fashion knowledge comes from testing out many trusted brands and top products. Here, we pinpointed the best backpacks for men, depending on a variety of different needs in terms of sizes, materials and organizational structure. This story is regularly updated for accuracy and was last edited in July, 2023.
How We Chose The Best Backpacks For Men
To compile a list of the best backpacks for men, I started by looking at top-rated brands, including some Forbes Vetted staff favorites. As a very frequent traveler (both for business and personal) and having significant hiking and backpacking experience myself, I was eager to include several unisex and men’s backpacks that my family and I have tested ourselves.
When narrowing down selections, I considered factors like the strength of materials, durability and whether the pack is waterproof or has a comfortable hip belt. I also looked at the sort of organizational style it had, including exterior and interior pockets, laptop sleeves, hydration pack sleeves and whether it was possible to stash away straps and handles for travel.
Finally, I understand that comfort and style is subjective, so I prioritized backpacks that accommodate various body types, that are versatile in their design and that could work for a wide range of users. Regardless of your budget or how you intend to use the backpack, I strove to include options that would work for all readers.
