10 Best Expandable Backpacks For Travel [2025]
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Finding the perfect expandable backpack for travel can often feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. With countless options on the market, each boasting unique features and functionalities, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the choices available. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler, a weekend adventurer, or someone who simply needs a reliable bag for daily commutes, the quest for the right backpack can quickly become a daunting task. Balancing factors such as size, comfort, durability, and price only adds to the complexity, making it challenging to pinpoint which product truly meets your needs.
To help streamline this process, we have meticulously researched and shortlisted the ten best expandable backpacks for travel. Our selection criteria involved thorough evaluations of customer reviews, expert recommendations, and practical testing to ensure we highlight only the most reliable and versatile options. By presenting this curated list, we aim to save you both time and hassle, allowing you to focus on what really matters—planning your next adventure. Dive into our guide and discover the ideal backpack that aligns perfectly with your travel requirements.
Top 10 Expandable Backpacks For Travel In The Market
Best Expandable Backpacks For Travel Review
Bestseller No. 1
MATEIN Carry on Backpack, Extra Large Travel Backpack Expandable Airplane...
- Expandable & Large Capacity: This extra large travel backpack with expandable feature offers you more packing capacity. Unzipping to get 45L storage then can easily hold packing cubes, make-up bag, outfits, camera bag and gear, etc. It fits overhead bin while on state of standard carry on size, is suitable for men, women, weekend traveler, or occasional vacationer. This versatile luggage backpack also meets airline carry-on requirements for airlines such as Easy Jet, Spirit, Jet Blue
- Convertible Design: Dimensions 19*13*8inch, Lightweight 1Kg(2.2lb) The carry on backpack is designed with hideaway padded shoulder straps which can be easily stored away in zippered back panel, transforming this vacation backpack from carry-on duffle to briefcase style and provide you a more flexible carrying experience. A luggage strap on the back is designed to fit on luggage/suitcase, for easier carry on international travel or cruise
- Easy to Carry: The luggage backpack is light to carry due to its adjustable shoulder straps, comfortable air-mesh ventilated back panel. 2 padded grab handles are set on the top and the side of the travel backpack, making it easily to take the bag from an overhead bin. The gift choice for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, New Year, Valentine's Day, also available as travelers gifts
- Built for Travel: Front compartment is for little gear such as phone, earphone. The large inside pocket has internal compression elastic straps. The padded straps include a sternum strap that can be adjusted upward or downward, set to go across your chest, relieving the weight from your shoulder. 4 external compression straps keep contents from sloshing around and can get an inch or 2 more of vertical space also reduced stress on the zippers
- Heavy-duty: This large travel backpack is made of water resistant lightweight polyester with lockable zipper heads. Could be survived in different temperatures. With sturdy zippers and decent stitching, this backpack won't show any defects when on the go, ensuring you an unforgettable weekend getaway. Does your partner like to travel? It's also a practical Christmas and New Years gift for your parents, traveler
Bestseller No. 2
BAGSMART Compression Travel Backpack, 40L Expandable Airline Approved Carry On...
- Airline Approved: Travel backpack size - 18.5 x 12.2 x 10.23 inches, maximum capacity - 40L. The carry-on backpack meets the standard required by almost all major airlines and fits in the overhead compartment and under the seat. The lie-flat opening design helps you get through security quickly. This travel backpack is perfect for weekend trips, business trips, hiking, and camping, etc
- Keep Everything Organized: The most important thing about traveling is having fun, not being tied up in chores. The Weekender backpack comes with 2-piece clothes storage bags and 1 shoe bag. Different sizes can be used for different packing purposes, allowing you to store your clothes more conveniently and in an organized manner, The most important thing about traveling is having fun, not being tied up in chores. shoe bag fits 1-2 pair of shoes or it can be a laundry bag.
- Iterative Update: The expandable design and large capacity (25L-40L) can store 3-5 days of clothes as you need. The travel backpack carry on flight approved also has a built-in elastic band, which can compress clothes, preventing them from falling, maximizing the use of the carry on backpack for airplanes storage space, and saving an additional 10% of capacity
- Designed for Travel: Comfortable airflow back design with thick and soft padding, effective back pressure relief, while equipped with adjustable chest buckle, so you can hike more easily. The computer backpack is made of durable polyester material, providing more secure protection for your belongings.
- Multipurpose: Its chic look makes it as a college backpack, travel backpack, computer backpack, bookbag, work backpack. The airline approved carry-on can be fitted overhead and under-seat, is ideal for a weekend trip, business trip and travel. This large backpack is perfect for college, work, daily use, outdoor activities, or even perfect as a gift to friends, family, women, for birthday.
Bestseller No. 3
Rcrirth Carry On Travel Backpack for Airplanes | 40L Suitcase Backpack Luggage...
- ✈️ Our Product: from the product video, it can be seen that travel carry on backpack is very nice. this is because he has excellent workmanship, but more importantly, the materials used are very good and thick. there are many other details that we exclusively customize.
- ✈️ Design Concept: a simple and elegant business weekender backpack with 17.3 inch laptop compartments and waterproof compartments. the main compartment is equivalent to a 40l suitcase. a private pocket on the back of 40l backpack for storing passports and change.
- ✈️ Expandable Space: opening the zipper (increase backpack suitcase width by 2 inches) , can provide more storage space. more importantly, under normal circumstances, there is no difference in size compared to laptop bags, and they can be used daily.
- ✈️ TSA Design: this 40l travel backpack size complies with the airline's carry on regulations and can be opened 180 degrees, making it very easy and fast to pass airport security checks. this carry on luggage backpack can also be transformed from a backpack to a suitcase style.
- ✈️ Widely Used: carry on backpack for airplanes are perfect for weekend vacations, travel, nursing schools, and daily use. he is also a great gift for friends, very suitable as a back to school gift, birthday gift, holiday gift, etc.
Bestseller No. 4
42L Travel Laptop Backpack, Expandable Carry-on Luggage, Anti-Theft Business...
- ✈【Large Capacity & Multi-Compartment Design】: This 42L travel backpack features 4 spacious compartments to meet all your travel and daily needs. The main compartment can hold 5-8 clothing items, shoes, books, and more. A separate, padded laptop compartment offers EVA foam protection for a 17" laptop and 12.9" iPad. The front compartment includes multiple pockets to keep your essentials organized.
- ✈【Airline Approved Personal Item】: With dimensions of 14 x 18.5 x 7.5 inches (expandable to 9.5 inches in width), this carry-on backpack meets IATA airline size standards. It fits perfectly in overhead compartments or under the seat, making it ideal for airlines like Spirit, Frontier, EasyJet, JetBlue, and more. The backpack opens 90-180 degrees for easy airport security checks.
- ✈【Packing Cubes & Wet/Dry Separation】: Includes 3 packing cubes (2 for clothing and accessories, 1 for shoes up to 16.5 inches in length). A high-density waterproof pocket keeps toiletries or wet clothes separated, maintaining cleanliness and order during your trip. The shoe bag ensures your footwear stays organized and separate.
- ✈【Comfortable & Durable】: Equipped with YKK double-way zippers and reinforced stitching, this backpack is built to last. The thick, breathable mesh shoulder straps reduce shoulder pressure, providing comfort for long trips. Perfect for weekend getaways, hiking, business trips, and daily commuting.
- ✈【Versatile & Practical Design】: This large travel backpack features top and side handles for easy carrying. It also functions as a hybrid bag—backpack, duffel bag, shoulder bag, or travel bag. A side pocket fits a water bottle or umbrella, and the luggage strap allows the backpack to slide onto your luggage handle for convenient travel.
Bestseller No. 5
Sinaliy Large Travel Backpack for Women Men, Expandable 40L Carry On Backpack,...
- EXPANDABLE & LARGE CAPACITY: This extra large travel backpack with expandable feature offers you more packing capacity(Size: 17.32*12.2*6.7+1.57inch). Unzipping to get 40L storage then can easily hold packing cubes, make-up bag, outfits, camera bag and gear, which is ideal for men, women, weekend traveler, or occasional vacationer. This versatile travel bag meets airline personal-item requirements
- LOTS OF POCKETS & 17.3 INCH LAPTOP AVAILABLE: Sinaliy travel backpack for men and women has a large laptop compartment with good thick cushion, which can protect your 17.3 inch laptop well. This backpack for travel owns large storage space with many hidden pockets. It also comes with two toiletry bags to carry your hair and bath products
- WITH LUGGAGE BELT & ANTI-THEFT POCKET: Featuring the luggage belt on its back, business traveler could fit this traveling backpack right on the luggage suitcase, easier carrying. A hidden anti-theft pocket located on the lower back protects your valuable items, such as wallet, passport, ID card from thieves when traveling or lining up
- LONG USING LIFE: Sinaliy mens travel backpack is made of lightweight water-resistant polyester and anti-scratch material, which can provide protection on drizzle days with good air permeability and heat dissipation. With sturdy zippers and decent stitching, this personal item backpack won't show any defects when on the go, ensuring you an unforgettable weekend getaway
- CONVERTIBLE DESIGN: The carry on backpack is designed with hideaway padded shoulder straps which can be easily stored away in zippered back panel, transforming this personal item bag from carry-on duffel to briefcase style and provide you a more flexible carrying experience by using the side handle
Bestseller No. 6
LOVEVOOK Carry on Backpack, 45L Extra Large Travel Backpack for Men & Women...
- [45L EXPANDABLE TRAVEL BACKPACK] This versatile backpack expands from 35L to an impressive 45+L, perfect for 3-7 days of travel. It fits 3-4 sets of clothes, shoes (with a separate bag), and daily essentials, plus a 17.3-inch laptop. It is an ideal travel backpack for men and women! NOTE: This backpack is larger in size, so we recommend considering your needs before purchasing.
- [AIRLINE APPROVED] Weight: about 4 lbs. This carry on backpack the size before expansion is 20*14*7 Inces, and the size after expansion is 20*14*9 Inces, which conforms to the size (22*14*9 Inces ) regulations of most airlines for carry on baggage, such as Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines. It’s a carry on backpack airline approved and 180-degree zipper closure to get you through security quickly
- [EXTRA 4 PACKING CUBES] Travel backpack with four packing cubes. large cube for sweaters, jackets, pants. Medium cube for shirts, shorts. Small cube for toiletries such as makeup, cleanser, etc, there's also a shoe pocket. Keeping your belongings neater and more organized. without a doubt it’s a large travel backpack. If your clothes get wet, don't worry, there is a wet pocket at the top of the large compartment, which can hold 2 T-shirts or towels
- [FOR TRAVEL] This carry on backpack is flight approved, you can travel anywhere you want, it has a side handle, it can be turned into a suitcase backpack, and there is a luggage strap on the back, which can be placed on the luggage, it's very convenient to carry. Breathable sponge mesh design on the backside and shoulder straps help for the air convection, ventilation, and heat elimination and help relieve the stress from your shoulder. It’s a nice personal item backpack
- [WORRY-FREE QUALITY]Discover our weekend backpack,engineered for durability with tear-resistant,waterproof canvas,and featuring breathable,foam-padded shoulder straps for added comfort.Reinforced straps and buckles around the pack ensure robustness for travel,camping,or any weekend adventure.LOVEVOOK PERFECT SERVICE-Our sellers attach much importance to our customer's shopping experience,Any questions,please feel free to contact us.LOVEVOOK backpack will provide you with 24-hour customer service
Bestseller No. 7
MOLNIA 50L Expandable Travel Backpack for Men Women, Carry On Backpack Airline...
- ✈50L Extra Large EXPANDABLE & FLIGHT APPROVED: Only Simply unzip, you could get 2 inches of expansion space, Molnia travel backpack offers you more packing capacity up to 50L, for your 3-7 days of travel gear. Without expansion, our carry on backpack meets the maximum size allowed for most IATA flights and also fits in the overhead compartment and under the seat in flight.
- ✈ADDITIONAL 3 PACKING CUBES & 1 SHOE BAG: The large cube can hold jackets, sweaters and pants; the medium cube can hold shirts, shorts and blouses, and the small waterproof cube has a transparent side for clear visibility of toiletries. The drawstring shoe bag can hold one or two pairs of shoes. Serve you well as professional carry on backpack, weekender travel bag.
- ✈3 COMPARTMENTS & 12 POCKETS: Dimensions: 21.3*7.87（+2）*13.8 inches, Weight: 3.3lbs. Molnia travel backpack for women has 3 main large compartments and 15 allocated interior and side pockets, as well as a cup pocket. Keeps your items organized and easier to find. The College bag with laptop compartment can hold both a 17.3-inch laptop and a 12.9-inch iPad.
- ✈COMFORTABLE & PRACTICAL: Made of water-repellent polyester fabric, the travel bag ensure safe and long-lasting use. With multi-surface airflow design, Molnia travel laptop backpack offers honeycomb back pad and adjustable shoulder straps for breathability. The anti-theft zipper pocket on the back of the bag and the luminous strip on the shoulder straps provide you with a sense of security when traveling.
- ✈A HANDBAG & BACKPACK: Simply stow the shoulder straps into the zippered back panel, and you could transforming this travel backpack from a carry-on to a duffel bag style, providing you with a more flexible carrying experience. A luggage strap can be used to fix the backpack on the suitcase and slide onto the luggage vertical handle tube for easy carrying. THIS ITEM IS INTENDED FOR USE BY ADULTS.
Bestseller No. 8
coofay Carry on Backpack Travel Backpack, Olive Green-expandable
- 【Extra Large Expandable Design】The everyday clothing pockets can hold 6-8 lightweight tops or pants. This travel bag also features an expandable capacity space for placing more clothes, along with clothing straps, catering to the needs of a family's short trips. The separate laptop compartment can accommodate a maximum 15.6" laptop, meeting your work or daily leisure requirements.
- 【Separate Shoes Compartment and Wet Pocket】The shoes compartment can hold a pair of slippers or low-top sneakers, allowing you to switch freely in different states of travel, business trips and outdoor sports; the wet pocket is made of high-density waterproof material, which can be used with to store wet items, making your stay in a hotel or apartment more convenient.
- 【USB Port Design】This backpack has a USB charging port, which can be connected to a power bank inside the bag, and a cell phone connected to the outside of the bag through a data cable, allowing you to charge your cell phone or iPad while walking, reducing the burden on your hands and avoiding miss information. Please note that the backpack does not come with a power bank and data cable, it is only for the convenience of mobile phone charging.
- 【Approved By Most Flights】External dimensions are 18.5×12.6×8.6 inches (H×W×D), 2.8lbs weight (manual measurement, for reference only, subject to actual measurement). This backpack meets the boarding requirements and can be opened and folded 180 degrees like a suitcase, which can quickly pass through airport security and is specially designed for plane travel.
- 【Comfort and Safety】 Comfortable airflow back design, thick and soft multi-panel ventilated padding provides back support. Breathable, adjustable shoulder straps and a chest buckle to relieve shoulder pressure. This backpack can be slipped on the trolley of the suitcase to make traveling easier. Hidden anti-theft zipper pocket on the back of the backpack to prevent your valuables from being stolen.
Bestseller No. 9
ECOHUB Carry On Travel Backpack, Expandable Airlines Personal Item Bag 18x14x8,...
- 【30L/22.6L, From Travel to Daily】This expandable travel backpack adjusts from 18" x 12.7" x 6" (22.6L) to 18" x 12.7" x 8" (30L), providing flexible storage for your essentials—ideal for 2-4 day trips and daily work. It meets carry-on size requirements for major U.S. airlines like American, Delta, United, and Alaska, letting you travel WITHOUT BAGGAGE FEES. With high-quality SBS zippers, enjoy effortless access and long-lasting durability. (PATENT PENDING)
- 【No Accidental Opening】Built for security and convenience. It features two auto-lock sliders on the main and laptop compartments to prevent accidental openings. An anti-theft pocket on the back keeps your valuables safe, while a side pocket allows for quick access to your passport—perfect for travel. Plus, the water-resistant fabric ensures your essentials stay dry in light rain. Enjoy peace of mind with this anti-theft backpack!
- 【Work-Ready, Stay Organized】Features a 17” laptop compartment that fits thick laptops up to 16" and slim ones up to 17". As a multi-pocket backpack, it includes 12 pockets to keep everything organized. Despite its expandable design, there’s a pocket for water bottles up to 3" wide and a USB slot for convenient charging—making it work-ready! Additionally, a large wet pocket keeps your items dry, and reinforced stitching ensures this backpack is built to last.
- 【3 Ways to Carry, Effortless Packing!】The main compartment of this suitcase backpack opens a full 180 degrees, making packing and unpacking a breeze. The zipper features two sliders for easy access from either side. With padded top and side handles for comfortable carrying and a trolley sleeve on the back to attach it to your luggage, it’s perfect for travel or commuting.
- 【Relieve Pressure, Travel Better】This commuter backpack features adjustable, breathable padded shoulder straps and an ergonomic back pad for ultimate comfort on the go. The padded straps evenly distribute weight to reduce strain on your shoulders, making it perfect for long commutes or trips. Plus, this carryon backpack made from at least 50% recycled materials, with fabric and lining crafted from 34 recycled PET plastic bottles. Travel sustainably and comfortably!
Bestseller No. 10
FENRUIEN Expandable Travel Backpack 15.6 Inch, Water Resistant Backpack with USB...
- EXPANDABLE & ORGANIZED – Accommodates a 15.6” laptop with 3 compartments for office essentials and daily items. Expands from 7.8" to 11" thick — switch from business backpack to weekend backpack in seconds
- ALL-DAY CARRY COMFORT – EVA airflow back panel reduces sweat. Padded shoulder straps and adjustable chest strap stabilize loads on city walks/international travel
- RUGGED & STYLISH – FENRUIEN professional backpack is crafted from 1800D Oxford fabric with metal zippers, survives bumps and knocks in crowded subways, airport luggage carousels, or outdoor adventures
- SEAMLESS AIRPORT EXPERIENC – 180° lay-flat design speeds up TSA security checks, while the luggage strap allows personal item backpack attachment to your suitcases for stress-free airport navigation
- SMART & SECURITY – External Type-C & USB-A ports let you charge your phone without unzipping the tech backpack. Hidden pocket keeps wallet/phone safe in crowded metros
Bottom Line
In conclusion, our curated list of the best expandable backpacks for travel is designed to cater to a variety of needs, preferences, and travel styles. Each of the ten products featured has been meticulously selected based on factors such as functionality, durability, comfort, and user reviews. We took into account the latest trends and innovations in backpack design, ensuring that every option meets the high standards expected by today’s travelers. Whether you’re embarking on a weekend getaway or a month-long adventure, these expandable backpacks offer the versatility and practicality needed to enhance your travel experience.
By following our list of the best expandable backpacks for travel, you can confidently choose a backpack that suits your specific requirements. The right backpack not only provides ample space for your belongings but also ensures comfort during long hours of travel. With features like adjustable straps, multiple compartments, and weather-resistant materials, these backpacks will help you stay organized and prepared for any journey. Elevate your travel experience by selecting an expandable backpack that aligns with your lifestyle, and you’ll find that every adventure becomes a little more enjoyable and stress-free.
