The best carry on luggage with backpack straps provides maximum versatility for easily transporting your bag wherever you go. The carry on size is extremely convenient. They’re nice and compact for ease of use, yet still able to hold enough gear for an overnight or week-end adventure. Or they can be used as a companion bag to hold extra belongings near to you while a larger bag is checked in or otherwise out of your hands. However when filled, they can be challenging to carry by their handles for long distances or long periods of time. This is where the backpack straps come in handy.
Sure, lots of carry-on bags have wheels so you can roll them through the airport easily. But in many situations, rolling a suitcase just isn’t convenient or even possible. Being able to transport your bag by wearing it on your back allows you to move more quickly through crowded areas or uneven terrain. Whether you plan to use it for frequent plane travel, as an all around vagabond bag, or for around town, carry on luggage with backpack straps will make it easy and comfortable to take your belongings with you while leaving your hands free for other uses.
High Sierra AT7 Carry-on Spinner duffel with backpack straps
High Sierra is among the leaders of rolling backpacks, and the AT7 wheeled duffel with backpack straps series is among the most popular. They offer the convenient convertible 3-in-1 combination of a 4-wheeled spinner upright, a rolling duffel, and a backpack. The carry-on size in this series measures 22″ x 14″ x 19″, just right for domestic and many international airlines.
This bag opens wide like a traditional suitcase, with a fully extending zipper that releases the book-style opening for easy access to all areas of the interior. Spacious upper and lower compartments can be separated by a zippered divider panel.
The drop bottom lower compartment is perfect for keeping shoes or bulky items away from the rest of your clothing, or you can roll up the divider to make one very large packing area. Clothing tie down straps help keep things in place.
The padded shoulder straps can be stored away when not in use by slipping into a zippered back panel. The bag is constructed of a high density foam that helps it keep its shape while minimizing added weight. And unlike many duffel style bags, this one stands up without tipping when filled.
Available in two colors: black or cranberry.
This bag also comes in 2 larger sizes which share the same rich features. So if you like this design but decide you want to go with a larger, non-carry on size, have a look at the 26″ High Sierra AT7 or the extra large 32″ High Sierra AT7, ideal for holding all the belongings you’ll need for longer adventures.
eBags TLS Mother Lode Weekender Convertible
We love eBags, and for those who don’t need wheels, this Mother Lode Weekender Convertible bag from eBags is a top pick. Super highly rated by users around the globe, this frameless bag is the ultimate carry on travel bag with backpack straps. It is equipped with some of the most well thought through features of any you’ll find in this form factor.
This bag has two large compartments. The spacious main compartment measures 21.5″ x 5.5″ x 13″ and includes a built in, optional divider shelf that allows for separation of contents. Ties down straps and zippered areas provide numerous useful organizing options while packing.
Hidden within this area but tucked away into an underneath compartment you’ll find a roomy padded laptop area. This is designed with eBags’ proprietary Laptop Sling technology which smartly adjusts to securely cradle a laptop up to 11.75″ x 19″.
An entirely separate front compartment takes up the top half of the length of the bag, and it measures 21.5″ x 3 x 13. An exterior zipper provides easy access to this compartment without having to open up the entire bag, so it’s great for quick access items like a jacket, change of clothing, or toiletries. The inside of the zippered flap has a smart organizer that includes slots and pockets for pens, papers, mp3 player, and other small items.
The front of the bag has a flat zippered panel that’s great for travel documents and itineraries, and a top compartment is great for little last minute items like snacks and such.
This bag is expandable at the pull of a zipper, so you can increase capacity by over 10% when you need more space.
C
hoose from 6 color options: blue, black, eggplant, red, green, or graphite.
If you like everything about this bag but just wish it was a bit smaller, then you’re in luck. These is a smaller version of this bag, the eBags TLS Mother Lode Weekender Convertible Junior. All the same rich features, but in a more compact body measuring 19″ x 5.5″ 13″, and some different color options, such as the turquoise one pictured here.
Olympia Gen-X 19 Inch Rolling Backpack
Here’s a great and popular bag that is as useful for taking to school as it is for traveling. With silent glide wheels and extension handle, you have the option of rolling it when you want to, or use the backpack straps to carry it hands-free on your back. And those straps tuck away into a back flap so they’re out of the way when not in use.
This pack has tons of organizing compartments to simplify life for work, school, or on the road. Inside the spacious interior there is a padded laptop sleeve to protect an up to 17 inch laptop or tablet, and outside there are side pockets for water bottles or umbrella, and two zip pockets for further organizing little items you want quick access to, such as id, keys, lipstick, cords and accessories, and more.
This pack is more compact than some, making it a popular choice for women and young adults. Taller people may find that the handle does not extend high enough to roll it comfortably. Choose from 7 fun color and pattern options.
Cabin Max Palermo Carry-on Bag With Backpack Straps
This 44 liter Palermo bag from Cabin Max is large and roomy enough to carry all you need for a week or more of traveling. Made of a super thin yet durable lightweight polyester fabric that resists rips and tears. Since there are no wheels to weight you down, this bag only weighs less than 2 pounds when empty.
In addition to the well padded and adjustable shoulder straps, there are sturdy side and top handles for easy lifting as needed. External compression straps let you compress the bag down to current contents, helping to keep belongings securely in place. Two external zip pockets, one with an organizer, make for convenient access to those extra items you want at your fingertips.
An included toiletry bag measuring 8″ x 8″ x 2.2″, is great for keeping toiletries, accessories or other small items separate and protected. This small toiletry bag is detachable and can be carried separately if desired.
The Palermo carry-on bag with shoulder straps measures a full 22″ x 16″ x 8″. (Please note that for some of today’s airlines, the 16″ width may or may not be accepted for carrying on certain size planes. So as always, it’s recommended to check your airlines guidelines before heading out.)
Choose from blue, purple, grey/blue, or black/orange.
High Sierra Powerglide Rolling Laptop Backpack
High Sierra makes our list of best carry on luggage with shoulder straps yet again, this time with their Powerglide rolling laptop backpack. This is an extremely versatile bag that is equally useful for daily school or business use as well as travel.
This bag has a fully padded cushion zone sleeve measuring 16″ x 11″ x 1.75, securely fitting most 15.4 inch laptops. It also includes a deluxe media pocket that has a headphone port for easy and convenient external access to an iPod or other mp3 player.
The large format, multi-pocket design is equally usable for packing and organizing books and papers as it is for clothing and accessories. The premium multi slot organizer has a key fob so you know just where your key is when you get back to house or car. And the two corner mounted wheels are smooth rolling for when you don’t want to carry it on your back.
Choose from black, navy, brick (pictured), or red.
Samsonite Luggage MVS Carry-on Spinner Backpack
Best luggage brand Samsonite joins our list of the best carry on luggage with backpack straps with their MVS Carry-On Spinner backpack. Thoughtfully constructed, this bag is designed to hold what you’ll need for that overnight business trip or week-end getaway.
You’ll be able to travel with your up to 15.6 inch laptop knowing that it’s safely protected in its own padded sleeve. This bag is chock full of other useful compartments both inside and out including water bottle pockets and a felt line hidden pocket for safely stowing your valuables.
Padded backpack straps can be quickly pulled out of or put into the quick change back panel, and when you want to roll it, the spinner wheel design lets you maneuver your bag in an upright position, reducing arm fatigue.
Dimensions for this carry on luggage with shoulder straps measures are 20″ x 13″ x 11″ and it weighs 6.4 lb.
High Sierra Ultimate Access 2.0 Carry-On Wheeled Backpack
Here’s yet one more top quality offering from High Sierra, the Ultimate Access Carry-On Wheeled Backpack. Another brilliantly designed twist on the 3-in-1 design, this one combining the best of a wheeled carry-on bag with a backpack and an attached daypack.
This bag is unique in that the front part of this rolling backpack zips off to reveal a stand-alone daypack. This is ultra convenient for separating those items you want for a lighter load when heading out for a hike or exploring around town.
The main bag measures 20″ x 13.5″ x 9″, and the attached daypack measures 16.5″ x 12″ x 5.75. Surprisingly, the total weight of both bags together is only 6.25 pounds.
The main pack opens in a full suitcase style for really easy access, and includes hold down straps to keep clothing in place. The 2 oversized inline skate wheels proving a nice smooth glide when in use, and the backpack straps are nicely padded, adjustable, and can be stowed away in a back panel.
This bag is available in 3 color choices: black with blue trim, red with silver trim, and charcoal with yellow trim.
If you’re searching for carry on luggage with backpack straps, then you can’t go wrong with any of the top rated options reviewed above. Simply choose the one that best meets your personal travel style and needs, and you’ll be ready to head out on your next journey with confidence and comfort.