When traveling, you’re sure to see people rolling their luggage, whether through the airport, train station, or down the street to a hotel. After all, wheeled luggage provides the convenience of not having to carry the entire weight of the bag but instead to easily pull it along with you using one hand. However, when you need your hands to be free, or need to walk through crowded terminals or aisles, or up and down steps, it’s so convenient to be able to carry your luggage on your back, backpack style. Wheeled backpacks for travel solve this dilemma by providing the best of both worlds in a single bag.
Some of the characteristics to look for when choosing the best wheeled backpacks for travel include being lightweight (under 9 lbs), have backpack straps that can be stored away when not needed (into a pocket or zippered area), and have the capacity you need for your style of travel (carry-on vs large bag). Some even have a separate removable daypack for even more versatile use. We’ve identified some of the most highly rated bags for you to review to help you find the one that best meets your personal travel needs.
Osprey Meridian Wheeled Backpack
Since their founding in 1974, Osprey has long been recognized and praised for offering exceptional backpacks with innovative features and a commitment to quality. The Osprey Meridian rolling pack is an excellent example, receiving top ratings from users around the globe.
Standout Features
- Hideaway Shoulder Harness – Backpack straps can be quickly accessed out of a zippered compartment on the rear panel. Then when not in use, they zip neatly away into the rear compartment.
- Removable Daypack – A Meridian daypack is attached to the front of your Meridian wheeled bag, providing lots of flexibility for use. This separate daypack includes a 15″ padded laptop sleeve, padded tablet sleeve, an internal organizer and two twin external mesh pockets.
- Highroad Chassis – Osprey’s patented chassis features extra large, sturdy wheels designed to smoothly roll over most any surface, from cobblestone streets to icy sidewalks to carpeted terminals.
Choose from this compact 22-inch/60 liter size (external dimensions 22″h x 14″w x 9″d; weight 6.92 lbs.), or the spacious 28-inch/75-liter Osprey Meridian (external dimensions 28″h x 14″w x 13″d; weight 7.61 lbs.).
Both sizes offer the same robust characteristics that earn them a place on our list of the best wheeled backpacks for travel, including detachable daypack, and multiple interior and exterior compartments. Choose the smaller wheeled backpack for shorter trips or as a second bag. Choose the larger bag for longer trips or roomier packing needs. Both are available in 3 color choices: rusted red, patina green, or metal grey.
High Sierra Ultimate Access 2.0 Carry-On Wheeled Backpack
The 3-bags in one Ultimate Access Carry-On Wheeled Backpack from High Sierra is a brilliantly designed combination of a daypack, backpack, and wheeled carry-on bag.
Standout Features
- Removable Daypack – The front half of this wheeled backpack zips off to reveal a separate small daypack that’s great for exploring around town or heading on a hike.
- Full Suitcase Style Opening – Roomy main compartment is easy to get into, and includes clothing hold down straps .
- Stow Away Backpack Straps – When not in use, adjustable padded backpack straps can be stored inside back panel.
- Oversized Skate Wheels – 2 large inline skate wheels provide smooth gliding and are integrated into secure corner housings to prevent damage.
Available in 3 color options: black/blue trim (pictured), charcoal/yellow trim, or red/silver trim.
Dimensions: 20″h x 13.5″w x 9″d (Main Bag); 16.5″h x 12″w x 5.75″d (Daypack): total weight is 6.25 lbs.
Samsonite Luggage MVS Carry-on Spinner Backpack
Luggage leader Samsonite makes our list of the best wheeled backpacks for travel with their MVS Carry-On Spinner Backpack. This clever carry-on size rolling backpack easily holds all you need for an overnight or week-end vacation getaway or business trip.
Standout Features
- 4 Spinner Wheels – 360 degree multi-directional wheels allow you to push or pull your bag in an upright position, reducing arm strain or fatigue.
- Padded Backpack Straps – Quick change back panel technology allows for fast and easy access to comfortable shoulder straps.
- Padded Laptop Sleeve – Bring along your up to 15.6″ laptop with confidence in the protection of the well-padded sleeve.
- Multiple Interior and Exterior Pockets – Multiple compartments include external water bottle pockets and felt lined hidden pockets for protecting valuables.
This wheeled backpack for travel measures about 20h” x 13w” x 11d” and weighs 6.4 lb, making it one of the best carry on wheeled backpacks for travel.
High Sierra AT7 26-Inch Wheeled Duffel with Backpack Straps
High Sierra has perfected wheeled duffel bags with backpack straps, and The AT7 series is among the most popular of the many wheeled backpacks that are offered by High Sierra. This roomy 26-inch backpack duffel bag provides the convertible convenience of a wheeled duffel and a large backpack combined into one. It measures 26″h x 15″w x 14.5″d, and weighs 8.83 lbs.
Standout Features
- Spacious Upper and Lower Compartments – A zippered divider panel, separates the upper and lower compartments. The drop bottom lower compartment is great for keeping shoes or other bulky items separated. If you prefer, the divider panel can be rolled up to create one super highly spacious compartment.
- Zippered Book-Style Opening – The Zipper extends around the entire bag, allowing the top to easily flip open for convenient access to all parts of the interior. Clothing hold-down straps help keep items in place during transport.
- Padded Backpack Straps – Backpack shoulder straps stow out of the way behind the main compartment’s zippered back panel.
- Lightweight and Durable – Built-in, high-density foam structure helps maintain the bag’s shape while keeping weight to a minimum.
Choose from two colors: black or cranberry. It also comes in 3 sizes, 22-inch, 26-inch, and 32-inch, all sharing the same features.
If you like this design but are looking for a smaller size, then you might like this High Sierra AT7 22″ wheeled carry-on luggage with backpack straps. The extra large 32″ High Sierra AT7 size is ideal for holding all the belongings you’ll need for longer adventures.
J World New York Sunrise Rolling Backpack
Th Sunrise Rolling Backpack collection from J World New York is a popular choice, mostly among girls and young women. This pack can serve as a great carry-on bag when traveling by air, a stylish overnight or week-end travel bag, or a functional bag for heading to school, shopping at the mall, or visiting a friend.
Standout Features
- Over 35 Colors Options – Choose from a broad variety of fun and fashionable colors and patterns
- Tangle Free Rolling – Shoulder straps conveniently slip into a back pocket when not needed.
- Adjustable Handle – Retracting handle locks at three different places to accommodate users of varying heights
- External Organizer Pockets – Lots of packing and organization options with a convenient side mesh pocket for water bottle or snack, and front zippered pockets with easy access slots for cell phone, lipstick, credit cards, glasses, or other accessories
- Protective Bottom Casing – Molded solid casing with integrated feet provides durable protection to bottom of bag, and is stylishly color matched to the rest of the bag
This rolling backpack measures 18″w x 13″h, making it a favorite as one of the best carry on wheeled backpacks for travel among girls of all ages.
High Sierra 22″ Carry-on Wheeled Backpack with Removable Day Pack
High Sierra makes our list again with this ingenious 22″ Inch Wheeled Backpack with Removable Daypack. Another one of their top rated rolling travel backpacks, this bag offers all the versatility you need whether planning for a short or long trip.
Standout Features
- 22″ Main Compartment – The main bag is spacious with a book style opening, and has interior tie down straps for securing your gear. Backpack straps can be stored into a zipped back panel when not needed.
- Removable Daypack – Unzip the attached daypack from the front of your backpack, for convenient grab and go use at your destination. Or when traveling by air, stow the smaller daypack under your seat for easy access to those items you want to have handy on board.
- Feature Filled Daypack – The daypack has loads of pockets and compartments, including two side pockets for water bottles and other smaller items, a convenient port for headphones, and cell phone pocket integrated onto the padded shoulder strap.
Choose from two color options: graphite/titanium or black.
Thank you for visiting us. And if you ever need a new bag in your future travels, remember we’re here to help you find the best luggage brands and styles for your needs.