tests the 10 best carry-on travel backpacks.
Tortuga created this backpack to be the best carry-on for urban travelers. It’s perfect for anyone who wants a lightweight, easy to carry backpack that can be used on any trip. It’s ideal for city travel, but you can really take it anywhere.
Even when I was carrying a lot of weight, the Tortuga Travel Backpack felt comfortable and evenly distributed. This backpack scored 9.2, which is the highest score for comfort of any urban travel pack we tested. I really liked the external laptop sleeve, which made it easy to remove my computer for TSA inspections. The backpack scored 9.5 for its build quality. The fabric feels tough and the zippers, which are large YKK models feel durable. It feels heavy at 4.5 pounds. The added comfort and support make up for the extra weight. However, if you are looking for lightweight luggage, then this is not a great option. The durable construction and clever design are worth the price, but this backpack is not for someone who travels only occasionally. The Tortuga Travel Backpack will be a great investment for you if you are looking for a bag with a lot of capacity that can be carried comfortably through airports and city streets. This backpack is not the best option if you are a frequent traveler or are worried about cost. Tortuga also offers the Travel Backpack Light if you prefer the Tortuga Backpack Pro, but are looking for something lighter and cheaper. The Travel Backpack Lite has a similar design but is made from a cheaper 630D nylon. It is also less rigid/structured, less water resistant, does not have adjustable torso, and weighs one pound less.
