These are the best backpacks for digital nomads

What are the best backpacks for digital nomads, you ask? When I first started as a nomad, I had all the gear and very much no idea. But the one thing I didn’t have was a decent daily backpack. I had a great big backpack as my hold luggage (this, if you’re interested – have had it two years and highly recommend). But when it came to my carry-on for my laptop, powerbank etc I was using a literal sling beach-bag and my hiking backpack. Really not fit for purpose.

After a while, I realised I needed a proper backpack that’s made for digital nomads, most importantly, with a laptop-sleeve. Probably the most important feature; it keeps your laptop safe and you don’t need to unpack the house every time you just want to grab your iPad or your laptop.

Your backpack is your most important sidekick as a digital nomad. It carries your office, your chargers, your passport, your snacks. Get it wrong, and you’ll be cursing every airport queue and co-living stairwell. Get it right, and you’ll forget it’s even there.

I’ve tested, researched and lived with multiple bags across Latin America, Europe and every in-between. Whether you’re working from a café in Medellín or catching a redeye to Berlin, here’s my 2025 roundup of the best backpacks for digital nomads.

tomtoc Travel Backpack 40L

Overall winner

• Volume: 40L
• Dimensions: 52cm x 34cm x 23cm
• Price: ~£80 / $110
• Features: Water-resistant outer, laptop and tablet compartments, expandable capacity, opens flat for easy packing, luggage strap

This is the clear-cut winner based on: value, features and general market feedback. It’s carry-on size, tech-friendly and somehow still looks sleek. This bag eats packing cubes for breakfast. If you’re doing carry-on only travel (which you should be), this is the goldilocks pick. Based on sizes you’ll be fine for the likes of BA, Iberia, Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, LATAM and many more.

Note that this is for carry-on, not the free “personal item” that some airlines advertise. For the likes of Easyjet and other budget airlines, you’ll need the large cabin bag option.

Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L

Best for photographers & content creators

• Volume: 30L
• Dimensions: 49cm x 33cm x 27cm
• Price: ~£260 / $320
• Features: Padded laptop sleeve up to 16″, dual side access, MagLatch top closure, expandable volume, weatherproof recycled 400D nylon canvas, luggage pass-through

I love anything Peak Design pumps out, really high quality stuff made for photographers. I’ve got their camera clip which allows me to easily attach and detach a camera to my backpack strap (here). The Peak Design Everyday Backpack is a content creator’s dream, camera cubes slide right in and the side access zips mean no more rummaging for your hard drive. It’s overkill for light packers and the most expensive on my list, but if you travel heavy on tech, this is your best bet.

A note on the size, it’s a slightly angular design (I’ve listed the widest dimensions above), so if it’s lightly packed, you’ll get away with the stricter, and free, carry-on sizes for most budget airlines (Ryanair, Easyjet etc)

Osprey Arcane XL Daypack

Best for all-day comfort

• Volume: 30L
• Dimensions: 47cm x 32cm x 30cm
• Price: ~£100 / $125
• Features: Padded laptop sleeve (15″), breathable padded back panel, tough waxed polyester fabric, hidden security pocket

Osprey are definitely the leaders in the hiking field and between them and Deuter, they’re my top-two picks when looking at large packs for long-term travel. And this still holds true for day-packs with their Arcane XL, which is roomy without bulk, ideal for a full workday plus gym gear. The minimalist look suits both city life and travel days, though it’s not waterproof and doesn’t have a suitcase handle passthrough or a side handle.

Antler Discovery Backpack

Best for smart city travel

• Volume: 28L
• Dimensions: 45cm x 31cm x 20cm
• Price: ~£120 / $150
• Features: Weather-resistant recycled polyester, internal organiser and key clip, padded laptop pocket, hidden back zip pocket

Probably the ugliest backpack on the list, but hey, this isn’t a fashion show. But, I will judge you from afar if you buy the Mist Blue colour option. This is on the smaller side compared to others tested, so if you pack lightly and want high quality, this is the bag for you. You can even buy colour-matched packing cubes, how fetch 💅

Mous Day Flap Backpack

Best for style & substance

• Volume: 23L
• Dimensions: 44cm x 30cm x 16cm
• Price: ~£130 / $160
• Features: Water-resistant PU coating, padded laptop sleeve, quick-access top flap, side zip and interior mesh organiser, suitcase handle passthrough

Mous are famous for their bulletproof phone cases, we’ve all seen the adverts on socials of iPhones being yeeted off of skyscrapers, right? They secured investment from Brewdog’s founder a while back and have since ventured into complementary products, including this awesome backpack. It’s feature-rich and I’d say this a cheaper alternative (that still holds up) to the offering from Peak Design.

Xiaomi Urban Lifestyle Backpack

Best value

• Volume: 26L
• Dimensions: 44cm x 30cm x 13cm
• Price: ~£35 / $45
• Features: Water-repellent polyester, laptop compartment (up to 16″ at a squeeze), simple zip-top, lightweight build, luggage strap

You’d never guess this cost under £40. This is actually the bag I use as my daily now. It doesn’t compare to the others on the list based on features, but after 3 months of chucking it around (at the time of writing), it’s still going strong. For the price, it’s excellent value for money. But, if I was to buy new again, I’d get the Tomtoc every time.

FAQs: choosing the right backpack as a digital nomad