The 8 Best Rolling Backpacks for Savvy Travelers

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Rolling backpacks are an ideal luggage item for those who travel light, have back problems, or need to be able to carry their bag at some point during the trip. Equal parts function and convenience, these eight rolling backpacks stand up to busy travel days.

The Best Backpacks with Wheels for All Types of Travelers

Rolling backpacks tend to be more of a cult-favorite luggage type, but I think they’re underutilized in the broader travel community. This style takes the standout features from both rolling and backpack styles of luggage, which come together for a multi-functional masterpiece.

Osprey Farpoint & Fairview Wheeled Travel Pack 36

Osprey has earned its devoted following by consistently creating great backpacks. That expertise translates well into rolling-carry-on form with its Fairview Wheeled Travel Pack for women and Farpoint Wheeled Travel Pack for men. Ultralight at just 5.29 for the 36-liter carry-on model, these bags still manage to pack in plenty of features. The interior has a zippered door-panel pocket and large compression handles, while the exterior is designed with a roomy top and front pockets, a single-tube telescoping handle, and two large wheels that navigate tight spaces easily. Convert the rolling bag to a backpack with just a few zips, and you’ll be treated to Osprey’s signature backpack experience. A tensioned mesh back panel, padded shoulder straps, and a padded hip belt make it ultra-comfortable to carry.

Osprey bags are also finalists in the carry-on category of this year’s Editors’ Choice Awards.

Dimensions: 21.5 inches x 14 inches x 9 inches

Weight: 5.29 pounds

Capacity: Capacity: 36 liters

Samsonite Modern Utility Convertible Wheeled Backpack

Samonsite’s Modern Utility Convertible Wheeled Backpack looks like a soft sided carry-on, but has stealthy stowaway shoulder straps that turn it into a backpack. It has all the features you love in a backpack—water bottle pocket, laptop sleeve, organizational pockets, easy-access pockets—and easily glides on its dual inboard wheels for when you don’t want to carry it on your back.

Dimensions: 19 inches x 13 inches x 9 inches

Weight: 4.85 pounds

Kipling Sanaa Metallic Rolling Backpack (Large)

This stylish rolling backpack from Kipling holds more than you’d think. With two outer pockets, a water bottle pocket, and interior organization, you can easily use this as a weekender bag. This rolling backpack is also monogram-able and made of a coated nylon material that’s water resistant.

Dimensions: 18.5 inches x 12.5 inches x 10.75 inches

Weight: 4.2 pounds

Eagle Creek Expanse Convertible International Carry-on

Eagle Creek’s best-selling wheeled backpack holds up to rougher terrain with bumper protection, side compression straps, treaded wheels, and heavy-duty wheel housing. The bag’s security features include zipper that lock and have attached toggles. Organizational features like a secondary compartment for gear, interior compression straps, and a large interior zippered pocket make packing a breeze.

Dimensions: 21.25 inches x 13.75 inches x 8 inches

Weight: 6.1 pounds

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High Sierra Endeavor Business Wheeled Backpack

High Sierra’s Endeavor wheeled backpack is made with the business traveler in mind. Features like a separate laptop compartment, side water bottle holder, tablet pocket, and plenty of exterior organizational pockets make accessing your essentials easy. Plus, the inline skate wheels allow for stress-free maneuvering. Padded shoulder straps and a retractable handle add to this bag’s top-notch qualities.

Dimensions: 21 inches x 14.25 inches x 9.5 inches

Weight: 4 pounds

Capacity: 46.6 liters

High Sierra AT7 Outdoor Rolling Backpack

The standout feature of the High Sierra AT7 Outdoor Rolling Backpack is that it’s three bags in one: a day pack, a wheeled bag, and a backpack. Other notable features include inline skate wheels, hidden backpack straps, and interior compression straps.

Dimensions: 22 inches x 14 inches x 8 inches

Weight: 7.5 pounds

Capacity: 50 liters

Kathmandu Hybrid 50L Trolley

Kathmandu’s Hybrid Trolley rolling backpack has comfortable carrying features like a fold out harness and padded straps. The bag also earns points for being durable and lightweight, plus it’s compatible with Kathmandu’s Gluon Beyond pack. Lockable zippers, interior pockets, sleek design, and compression straps add even more value.

It’s also available in a smaller, carry-on size (32-liter) or larger (70-liter) bag.

Dimensions: 27.5 inches x 11.8 inches x 14.6 inches

Weight: 6.9 pounds

Capacity: 50 liters

More from SmarterTravel:

• 7 Modern Travel Backpacks That Will Update the Way You Travel
• 10 Best Personal Items for Spirit Airlines’ Baggage Limit
• 6 Hybrid Duffel Backpacks That Will Change the Way You Pack

Ashley Rossi is always ready for her next trip. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram for travel tips, destination ideas, and off the beaten path spots.

Some review products are sent to us free of charge and with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions, positive and negative, and will never accept compensation to review a product.

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