5 Best Travel Backpacks for Europe (Aesthetic & Durable)

When it comes to exploring abroad this summer, you’ll want to make sure you have the best travel backpacks for Europe that can comfortably fit all of your essentials.

You’ve finally made the decision to take that dream trip to Europe this summer, soaking in the history, culture, food, and natural beauty across the continent and it’s now time to find the right travel backpack for your day trips!

These five versatile, stylish and high-quality backpacks are perfect for exploring the cobblestone streets of Europe in comfort and style.

Whether you’re trekking through the Swiss Alps, beach-hopping along the Mediterranean, or museum-hopping in Paris, any one of these backpacks will be your trusted travel companion for your unforgettable European adventure.

These are the best travel backpacks for Europe this summer that are high quality, durable and aesthetically pleasing.

The Best Travel Backpacks for Europe (At a Glance)

  1. Tropicfeel Shell Travel Backpack (20-42L)
  2. Tropic Feel Nest Travel Backpack
  3. Salkan Backpacker
  4. Osprey Farpoint (40L)
  5. COR Surf Island Hopping Travel Backpack (28L)
Our top Pick
Tropicfeel Shell Backpack

Tropicfeel Shell Travel Backpack

Specifically curated for the ‘on the go’ traveler, Tropicfeel have created one of the most versatile, modular backpacks in the world! Beautifully designed and completely functional. Check out the full range of colors & designs.

1. Tropicfeel Shell Backpack (20-42L)

Best travel backpacks for Europe

There’s a reason why Tropicfeel is fast becoming the ‘go-to’ travel pack company in the world.

They produce high-quality, made-to-last products. For that reason alone, it’s getting our top recommended spot for must have travel backpacks for Europe this year.

Tropicfeel Shell Backpack

The Tropicfeel Shell backpack is a stylish yet practical choice for your European adventure.

This versatile pack transitions easily from city streets to mountain trails while keeping your essentials organized and secure.

Features

  • Expandable Capacity: The backpack features an expandable design, allowing you to adjust its capacity according to your needs. It can be expanded from a 20L daypack to a 42L travel backpack.

  • Water-Resistant Material: The backpack is made from water-resistant materials, providing protection against light rain and splashes. This helps keep your belongings dry and safe.

  • Ergonomic and Comfortable: The backpack is designed with comfort in mind. It features ergonomic shoulder straps and a padded back panel, ensuring comfortable wear even for extended periods.

  • Carry-On Bag Friendly: The backpack is designed to meet carry-on size restrictions for most airlines, making it convenient for air travel.

  • Padded, adjustable straps make it comfortable to carry, even when fully loaded. The sternum strap adds extra support.

  • RFID-Protected Pocket: There is an RFID-protected pocket available, designed to keep your sensitive information and electronic devices safe from unauthorized scanning or theft.

Overall, the Tropicfeel Shell backpack offers an ideal balance of form and function for navigating Europe’s cities and natural wonders.

This versatile, lightweight pack transitions seamlessly from city to mountain and back again. With spacious, intelligently designed storage, durable and water-resistant material, and a stylish look, the Tropicfeel Shell backpack is without a doubt the best travel backpack for Europe this year.

Pricing

From $249 USD or $339 AUD

Our top Pick
Tropicfeel Shell Backpack

Tropicfeel Shell Travel Backpack

Specifically curated for the ‘on the go’ traveler, Tropicfeel have created one of the most versatile, modular backpacks in the world! Beautifully designed and completely functional. Check out the full range of colors & designs.

We totally get it! A couple of hundred bucks for a backpack seems like a stretch! But these are the highest quality and most durable packs on the market.

Not to mention they’re specifically designed to compartmentalize your travel items, making sure your packing troubles are limited.

Tropicfeel also has a range of other small packs available here.

2. Tropicfeel Nest Backpack

best travel backpacks for europe

The Tropicfeel Nest backpack is a stylish and durable option for travelling around Europe. With its minimalist yet functional design, this backpack can carry all your essentials while maintaining a slim profile.

Features

  • Compact and Lightweight: The Nest Travel Backpacks are designed to be compact and lightweight, making it an ideal choice for travelers or everyday commuters seeking a portable and convenient backpack.

  • Modular Design: This backpack features a modular design with removable components, allowing you to customize the backpack based on your specific needs and preferences.

  • Multiple Access Points: The Nest Backpack offers multiple access points, including a full clamshell opening and quick-access pockets, making it easy to reach your belongings and stay organized.

  • Water-Resistant: It is constructed with water-resistant materials to protect your belongings from light rain or splashes, ensuring that your items stay dry and safe.

Tropicfeel Nest Travel Backpack

To summarise, the Tropicfeel Nest backpack offers a great combination of style, durability and practicality for summer vacations in Europe.

Its organizational features, lightweight design and expandable capacity make it an ideal choice to carry everything you need without compromising on looks.

This would be one of our recommendations for a new travel backpack for Europe this year.

Pricing

From $209 USD or $289 AUD

Tropic Feel Nest Backpack
Tropicfeel Nest Travel Backpack

Tropicfeel Nest Travel Backpack

While it’s slightly smaller in size than the Shell Pack by Tropicfeel, this might just be the perfect pack for day trips on your European adventures. The Nest is a brilliant choice with affordability to match.

3. The Salkan Backpacker

Salkan Backpack

If there’s one thing Salkan know how to do, it’s create incredibly high-quality travel backpacks that are functional, and looks the part!

The Salkan Backpacker backpack is a stylish yet practical choice for your European adventure.

Best travel backpack for Europe

This versatile pack has a sleek design with padded shoulder straps and a back panel so you can comfortably trek through cities and the countryside.

Features

  • Spacious Capacity: The Backpacker offers a generous storage capacity, allowing you to pack all your essentials and gear for your outdoor adventures or travel needs.

  • Adjustable Suspension System: The backpack is equipped with an adjustable suspension system, including padded shoulder straps and a supportive hip belt, enabling you to customize the fit and distribute the weight evenly for maximum comfort.

  • Multiple Access Points: This backpack features multiple access points, such as a top-loading design, a front zipper panel, and side pockets, offering convenient and quick access to your belongings without the need to unpack everything.

  • Durable and Weather-Resistant: The Backpacker is crafted with durable materials that are built to withstand rugged outdoor conditions. It also provides weather-resistant features, protecting your belongings from light rain or splashes.

  • Organizational Features: The backpack includes various organizational features like multiple compartments, pockets, and attachment points. These enable efficient organization of your gear, making it easy to find and access your items when needed.

  • Color Range: Available in muted, earthy tones like olive, navy and charcoal that pair well with any outfit.
best travel backpacks for europe

You’ll love how the Salkan Backpacker distributes weight evenly and molds to your body for all-day wearability. Adjustable straps customize the fit for your height and the detachable sternum strap provides extra stability.

Whether you’re navigating the London Underground or hiking the Swiss Alps, The Salkan Backpacker has your back. This backpack is a smart, stylish solution for any European adventure.

Pricing

$350 USD or $560 AUD

Salkan Backpacker
Salkan Backpacker

Salkan Backpacker Travel Pack

Made with the ultimate functionality and design in mind, you quite simply can’t go past the Salkan Backpacker. Technically 2 packs in 1, this is for the traveler who’s a space saver & wants to travel light!

Again, the quality here is unmatched! Salkan know how to create incredible packs that are worth every penny.

Alternatively, check out the Salkan Day pack. It’s a little more affordable and will certainly do the trick for your Europe trip this summer.

4. Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack

The Osprey Farpoint 40L is a front-loading travel backpack that’s ideal for both urban exploring and outdoor adventures in Europe. Its sleek yet rugged design lets you blend in seamlessly with city crowds while still holding up to the elements.

Osprey Farpoint 40L

Features

  • Made of high-quality nylon, the Farpoint 40 is lightweight & durable. Padded shoulder straps and a mesh back panel keep you comfortable even when trekking between destinations.

  • The Farpoint 40 offers versatile carry options. It can be carried like a backpack with its stowable harness and hip belt, or like a duffel bag using the top and side grab handles.

  • The main compartment opens like a suitcase for easy packing and access to your belongings. Interior pockets help keep everything organized.

  • A zippered front panel pocket is perfect for stashing snacks, maps, chargers and other items you want to grab quickly. Side pockets hold water bottles or umbrellas.

  • Compression straps cinch down your load for a balanced feel. Padded hip belt transfers weight to your hips for all-day comfort.

  • Meets most airline carry-on size requirements so you can skip baggage claim. But its 40L capacity still fits everything you need for a summer in Europe.

Overall, the Osprey Farpoint 40 expertly combines fashion and function. Its stylish yet practical design makes it the perfect companion for both city breaks and outdoor getaways in Europe.

For a backpack that will take you from the cafes of Paris to the trails of the Swiss Alps, look no further than the Farpoint 40. You’ll wonder how you ever traveled without it!

best travel backpacks for europe

Pricing

$180 USD or $250 AUD

osprey farpoint 40L
Osprey Farpoint 40L

Osprey Farpoint 40L

This is a brilliant all-around pack that will suit the traveler who wants the best everything. Osprey have the Farpoint pack available for men, and the Fairview pack available for women.

5. COR Surf Island Hopper Travel Backpack 28L

COR Surf Backpack

This versatile pack transitions easily from islands to the hustle & bustle.

The sturdy canvas material is water-resistant, and the zippered front pocket keeps essentials like your phone, wallet and passport easily accessible but secure. Perfect for those island destinations.

best travel backpacks for europe

Its sleek, minimalist design features padded shoulder straps and back panel so you can comfortably carry it all day. This is a great low-cost option when researching the best travel backpacks for Europe.

Features

  • Easy access with a luggage-style opening.
  • Shock-resistant padded laptop side pocket (up to 16″).

  • Convenient TSA clearance.

  • Additional pocket for documents, Kindle, etc., next to the laptop sleeve.

  • 28L capacity with dimensions of 19″ x 11.5″ x 9″.

  • Wide, padded, ergonomic shoulder straps with air-vented mesh for sweat-wicking and even load distribution.

  • Adjustable chest strap.

  • Well within carry-on size allowance.

  • Splash-resistant zippers and extra-large zipper buckles for easy handling.

  • Weather-resistant TPU exterior.

This backpack hits the sweet spot between fashion and function. Its thoughtful, user-friendly design anticipates the needs of an experienced traveler while maintaining a minimal, upscale look.

Pricing

Varies from $99.99 USD or $185.95 AUD

COR Surf travel pack

COR Surf Travel Backpack 28L

The Cor Surf travel backpacks are perfect for the traveler that’s hopping between island destinations, lazing around by the beach or adventuring abroad. It’s a great size, perfect for carry-on and super versatile.

Whether you’re visiting major cities like Paris, Barcelona and Rome or escaping to the coves & beaches of the Mediterranean, this pack will carry all you need in style.

Make your summer trip to Europe effortless with a versatile, lightweight backpack that transitions seamlessly from day to night. The COR Surf Travel Backpack is a stylish yet practical choice for navigating cobblestone streets and seaside towns.

Discover Europe with ease this summer with the COR Surf Travel Backpack.

What are the Best Travel Backpacks for Europe in 2023

Your choice of travel backpack for Europe is going to come down to personal preference.

  1. Do you like to travel light?
  2. Are you comfortable travelling with carry on baggage only?
  3. Do you prefer to travel with carry on and checked in luggage?
  4. Will you be hiking or backpacking?
  5. How much are you willing to spend on quality?

Final Thoughts

Summer is just around the corner and Europe is calling your name. Any of these versatile and stylish backpacks will make the perfect travel companion for your European adventure.

They have the space for all your essentials but won’t weigh you down with the comfort & functionality for long days exploring.

Whether you’re trekking through the Swiss Alps, lazing around the beaches on the Italian coastline, or museum hopping in Paris, one of these backpacks will carry the memories of your summer for years to come.

FAQ’s

What Bag Should I Travel Europe With?

This is a very personal decision and one you’re going to have to weigh up according to your own travel style.

Are you needing a hiking backpack or a travel backpack that covers multiple uses?

Is your trip specifically focused on a backpacking trip or will you be staying in one location most of the time?

Does your ideal bag need to suit carry on luggage requirements?

Ideally, if you’re travelling on a budget, and want the perfect backpack that covers all angles, a durable bag that allows you the versatility to travel light and pack all the essentials is a good bet.

For that reason, we’d recommend the range of packs from Tropic Feel.

Can I Travel to Europe with a Backpack?

You absolutely can!

In fact, more and more people are saving the excessive checked-in luggage fees and purchasing travel backpacks that have modular designs. The ability to utilise packing cubes help keep everything packed tightly and allowing for more space.

How Big Should My Backpack be for Backpacking Europe?

Ideally, a 40L carry on backpack should do the trick.

It’s big enough to spend your days walking between villages and towns, or by the beachside and yet small enough to travel as carry on for your flights.

What Size Backpack Should I Take for Carry-on in Europe?

If you like to travel light, or you’d like to experience the ease of travelling with just one or 2 small backpacks, we’d recommend the 40L travel backpacks.

Our favourites are:

  1. Tropicfeel Shell Backpack 40L
  2. Tropic Feel Nest Backpack
  3. The Salkan Backpack

Is a 40L Backpack Enough for Europe?

If you’re prepared to make some small sacrifices on the creature comforts, absolutely! Travelling with a 40L backpack for Europe can be a great way to save space and make your travelling experience a little simpler.

Our recommendation for the best travel backpacks for Europe this summer is the Tropic Feel Shell backpack (20-42L) & the Tropicfeel Nest.

They have everything and more, including the below features:

  • Comfortable shoulder straps

  • Modular wardrobe system & design

  • Laptop sleeve & laptop compartment

  • Water bottle pocket

  • Expandable design

It’s one of our favorite hiking backpacks that doubles as the perfect option for travel in Europe.

Disclaimer: These are my experiences, honest opinions and stories. We are proud to partner with many beautiful digital education & travel products and services as an affiliate. On some occasions, we may benefit from a commission when you make a purchase with these links. This commission helps to support the ongoing publication of free and readily available content designed for those who wish to get started in the online business and creator space. This is not financial advice.

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