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Need a Backpack? These 6 are THE BEST We’ve EVER tested!

I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

After years of using the same backpack over and over again, it finally failed me, which set me on the journey to find a good replacement! Of course, as a gear reviewer, that means being a deep diver into all of the options on the market today and, of course, wanting to test them out in person, not only to find the right ones for me but also to help you (the reader) find the right backpack for you as well.

The list of backpacks below are my all-time favorite backpacks (not joined by packs that my team have also tested), ranked by which we’d buy first to last! Of course, every backpack does something a bit different, so I’ll make sure to call out why you might want one over a pack higher on the list, so don’t just stop at the first one.

Quick Note: Every pack on this list was sent out to us by the respective brand free of charge for testing! That said, I never guarantee coverage, and all opinions are my own.

1. Able Carry Thirteen Daybag

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4.8
Pros:
  • It’s the right, compact size for a daily bag
  • The magnetic chest strap is awesome
  • I enjoyed the internal water bottle pocket
  • The included rear pocket makes a lot of sense
Cons:
  • It’s definitely a smaller backpack
  • Dirt and dust show really well
Specifications:
  • Capacity: 13 Liters
  • Materials: Cordura, YKK Zippers, Duraflex Hardware
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I’ll be honest, I didn’t have high hopes for this 13L backpack from a brand I hadn’t heard of before stumbling upon them for these reviews, however it has quickly become my all-time favorite backpack for everyday usage. It’s small profile is amazing for taking everything you need for the day with you, but its size makes it stay out of the way!

They have thought about everything, including placement of your water bottles! The brand did away with the water bottle slots on the exterior of most bags, and with minimalism in mind, including two water bottle slots right on the inside of the zipper! This means they no longer fall out, or cause bulk.

The straps were well thought out and comfortable, with the chest strap standing out as my favorite feature (Paid Link)! It’s a magnetic clasp, that clicks itself into place, and doesn’t let go until you are ready (not to mention is infinitely adjustable).

However, every great backpack still has its downsides. Dirt and dust seem to adhere to this day bag much more so than the competition, which results in a dirty-looking backpack. The other big issue is that this backpack’s versatility ends when you need to store items for more than one day’s worth of usage. The thirteen-liter capacity makes it hard to handle changing clothes and toiletries. Instead, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

Want to read the full review of this Able Carry Thirteen Daybag? You can read that right here!

2. Alpaka Elements Pro Backpack

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4.8
Pros:
  • It's just the right size!
  • The contrasting fabric looks awesome
  • Lots of easy-to-use and find pockets
Cons:
  • The accessories are a bit too expensive.
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Adam has had quite a few backpacks over the years, and so far this Elements Pro that the brand gave us is his favorite! This isn’t a day-bag by any means like the Able Carry above, but its the perfect size for him! He very much appreciate the contrasting fabrics between the interior and exterior, as it makes finding items on the inside of the bag easy.

Speaking of pockets, he found that there were plenty of them throughout the bag (Paid Link), without there being too many! He also liked the 27L capacity, as it allows for a bit more than a standard day bag and can be used for a variety of things.

He really stretched to find something he didn’t like about this bag, and the only thing he could find was that the additional accessories that you could purchase were considerably more expensive than he thought they should be.

3. Alpaka Metro Pro Backpack

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4.4
Pros:
  • Just the right size for airlines
  • The secret sleeve was perfect.
  • I like the quick-access pocket.
  • It stands up!
  • The magnetic sternum strap is perfect.
Cons:
  • The backpack snags on things
  • It lacks an external water bottle sleeve.
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While Adam may have gotten the Elements backpack from Alpaka, Luke was given the Metro backpack by the brand to test out! Much like the Elements, he found this one to be an awesome backpack as well. He took this bag on an international trip and came back impressed!

It fit extremely well underneath airline seats, its rear quick access pocket meant he didn’t have to worry about his belonging’s security, and the fact that a small pack like this is able to stand up on its own stood out to him.

While he didn’t put it in his review, I also know (just like me) that he appreciates the green color! The final thing that stood out to him was its magnetic sternum strap, which makes latching and unlatching an easy task (just like I found with the Able Carry at the top of this list).

As for downsides, due to its minimalist design, he didn’t care much about the internal water bottle sleeves (even if they did help keep the bottles from falling out on the airline). He also found that the bag’s main zipper liked to get caught on the fabric that was above it (which is meant to keep rain out of the zipper in rainstorms).

4. Vessi Astoria Backpack

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4.3
Pros:
  • I really like its styling.
  • It’s very comfortable.
Cons:
  • The backpack’s material seems to get dirty.
  • It has a lack of smaller pockets.
  • The rubber on the zippers is falling apart.
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Adam reviewed this one, and he had about the same concerns and positive comments as I did with its main competitor from our tests, the Able Carry at the top of this list! He very much enjoyed the styling of this pack and thought it was incredibly comfortable.

As for drawbacks, it is easy to find concerns about the loss of pockets in these smaller 13L packs, as they are minimalist by nature. He also found that it got dirty easily, and after only a month or so of usage, the rubber nubs at the end of the zippers started to fall apart.

Outside of those concerns, though, it’s a fantastic choice (you can buy it here at this paid link) and I personally think this pack may look better than my Thirteen Daybag.

You can find the full review of the bag here!

5. Cotopaxi Torre 24L Bucket Pack

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4.5
Pros:
  • The bright colors are awesome
  • Incredibly comfortable straps
  • Expandable main compartment
  • The pack’s lid is the most usable I’ve ever used
  • Just the right size pack for longer travel, but not too big
Cons:
  • The material feels cheap (even though it isn’t)
  • It definitely isn’t minimalist
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I’ve long been a fan of Cotopaxi, but had never had a chance to fully test one of their products until this Torre 24L Bucket Pack! In fact, I tested it so much, I used it for a ten day trip across the world, and I have to say, as long as you aren’t a minimalist, this backpack can do just about anything!

I’m a huge fan of the orange color my backpack came in (Paid Link); it’s bright, but not too bright! However, colors aside, this pack is seriously well thought out. The main compartment can be cinched down or loosened up, depending on how much stuff you need to keep in the pack (meaning it isn’t always huge), and the lid has not only a zippered compartment on the top exterior but a whole other on the inside (perfect for things like wallets, that need to be secure, but also easy to access).

To top all of this off, it by far is the most comfortable backpack I have ever owned! Huge props to the brand for making that happen.

Now for the downsides. The backpack struggles with the material side of things; while the materials are incredibly high quality, they just don’t feel that way. The pack’s water-resistant coating leaves it a cheap feeling. The other downside is that this pack sticks out of the crowd! If you are a minimalist or want a backpack that just blends in, this one isn’t it!

Want to learn more about this Cotopaxi backpack? I have that full review here!

6. KNKG Edge Backpack

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4.6
Pros:
  • It’s overbuilt, and that’s refreshing.
  • Spills and forgetfulness are not an issue with the top quick-access pocket.
  • I very much enjoy the shoe compartment
  • It Carries It All
Cons:
  • Unnecessary two-step opening process, anyone?
  • The front compartment only zips halfway down
  • The Fidlock quick-release buckles unlock opposite directions
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The ONLY reason this bag is so far down on this list is because it is just SO INTENSE, leaving it a more niche bag (which is why we are so glad the brand gave it to us)! Luke (who reviewed it over here) very much enjoyed it, especially considering his past as a gym owner. He found that it did a fantastic job at being an all-arounder bag, as it can be luggage, a backpack, or a gym bag all in one.

The leather is high quality (he says it’s overbuilt), its quick access pocket in the front kept things very well organized, and the shoe compartment is awesome for keeping everything clean.

The main thing he didn’t like about this versatile bag was its buckles! While the buckles are cool (I mean, they have magnets, people), they are required to be unbuckled (all four of them) every time you need to get into your backpack. This is made more inconvenient, as they use the same buckle on both sides, meaning they unlatch opposite of each other.

All of that said, this is one of his favorite bags, even if it does have its compromises! In fact, he might have converted a friend of his who saw this bag at the gym during his testing.

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