We love a hands-free life. From automatic doors to voice-activated everything, we’ve spent a surprising amount of time figuring out how to do things without having to touch or hold anything. And there’s arguably no product more enduring in its pursuit of hands-free convenience than the mighty backpack – well, except maybe the mini version, which offers the same convenience in a lighter, more travel-friendly package.
I recently returned from a hiking trip through the Dolomites where the medium version of the Janji Revy Pack was the workhorse of my six-hour days (a claim my very sore legs would like to have a word with). The lighter pack kept me moving freely without the bulk of a traditional backpack weighing me down, allowing me to reserve my energy for the trail ahead. Since then, I’ve found myself reaching for even smaller backpacks more often, particularly for travel days and as the perfect in-flight carry-on for my toddler. These mini packs give you the practicality of a regular backpack without the temptation of carrying more than you may actually use, striking that sweet spot between packing what you need and what you want just in case.
Here are nine of the best mini backpacks for travel, from creatively bold designs to minimalist-chic options, all offering a balance of organisation and comfort that keep your essentials close and your hands free.
The best mini backpacks at-a-glance
Nordace Ellie mini
JanSport Half Pint mini backpack
Revy Pack
Best for: trail running
Thanks to its supportive four-point adjustable system, Janji's Revy Pack is my go-to when I need a comfortable backpack for long days outdoors. It fits more like a vest, sitting high on the chest and staying almost immune to jostling, so it’s especially ideal for adventure travellers hitting the trails or those looking to clock serious cycling miles. With a breadth of external and internal pockets – including a large pocket on each of the chest straps that I love for easy access to my mobile phone and water bottle – you don’t have to trade storage for size. And because safety always matters when you’re spending time outdoors, the bag’s high-contrast visibility strip helps ensure you’re easy to spot wherever your adventures take you.
Everywhere backpack mini
Best for: a minimalist aesthetic
Forget leggings, this backpack is going to be your new favourite Lululemon essential. A minimalist’s dream, the water-repellent nylon looks both sleek and simple, making it effortlessly stylish. Three exterior pockets offer you easy access to small items like your water bottle and sunscreen, while interior organisation keeps more personal items neatly in place. Adjustable straps let you customise the fit, and you can feel good about your purchase knowing that 100 per cent of the polyester and nylon used in the bag is recycled.
City Pocket small backpack
Best for: everyday organisation
With a colourway to match any style, this bag is proof that practical doesn’t have to mean boring. Thanks to the multiple zipped compartments, including an anti-theft back pocket and two external pockets, your essentials will stay organised and accessible. The adjustable straps let you fine-tune the fit for maximum comfort and the two water bottle pouches ensure you’ll always stay hydrated on the go. And because Kipling is a brand inspired by The Jungle Book, all bags come with a monkey keyring – including this one.
Mini backpack
Best for: weatherproof commuting
Style meets comfort meets function with this puffer mini backpack. Available in a variety of prints and colours (including the adorable cherry design shown above), the cushioned bag will surprise you with all the items it can hold. A built-in padded divider fits an 11-inch iPad or a Kindle, two stretchy side pockets are perfect for a 568 ml water bottle or a compact umbrella, and a smaller front pocket makes it easy to access necessities like sunglasses or your favourite lip balm. Its quilted polyester material is water-resistant, making it a particularly handy companion for commutes and travel days when the weather doesn’t want to cooperate.
Dakota Neoprene backpack
Best for: weekend escapes
The Dakota backpack (in size small) puts a polished spin on the classic everyday mini. Made from premium neoprene, the bag is water-resistant and hand washable, making it equally suited to busy days exploring a new city and low-key weekend escapes. For its size, there’s a shockingly large amount of pockets, including a zipped front pocket, two exterior slip pockets, an air mesh tablet sleeve, and two back anti-theft pockets. Adjustable padded shoulder straps make it comfortable to carry, and it comes in a variety of colours and textures, including a clear version.
Small clear backpack
Best for: stadium events
While the requirement for a clear bag at a stadium event is more typical in America than the UK, I've been at a few large concert events recently that had a clear bag requirement in London, hence I've made the investment. This inexpensive purchase from Amazon is designed to comply with most stadium bag policies, featuring an external water bottle sleeve and an internal pocket perfect for stashing your most prized essentials. And if the person next to you spills a beer, you don’t need to stress: The wipe-clean recycled material means your backpack can take the hit and live to see another day.
Ellie mini
Best for: tech-savvy transit days
There is a lot to love about the mini Ellie. Perfect for travellers looking for a blend of style and function, the bag combines a chic, quilted nylon design with thoughtful organisation, safety, and tech-forward features. One of my favourite details is the integrated USB charging port that makes sure your devices are always charged on the road. For more sensitive items, like your passport or credit cards, the bag’s hidden back pocket helps keep them safely tucked away and close to you, offering you a little extra peace of mind when navigating busy airports or crowded city streets. And for my fellow key-fishers, the keyring lets you clip your keys in place, meaning no more digging around in the bottom of your bag.
Borealis mini backpack
Best for: outdoor day trips
Long a trusted brand among adventure travellers, The North Face’s mini version of its iconic Borealis backpack is a must-grab for a lighter, shorter day outdoors. Sure, like most bags on this list, it has an impressive amount of organisational and storage options given its size, including two external side pockets ideal for water bottles or quick-draw access to a favourite item. But its best functional feature is the front bungee compression system, which offers you a convenient spot to stash bulkier or damp items outside of the main compartment.
Half Pint mini backpack
Best for: nostalgic casual wear
Throw it back to your secondary school days with this JanSport mini backpack. Featuring adjustable straps and a signature shape, it comes with a small exterior zipped pocket and a secondary slip pocket perfect for speedy access. Though it doesn’t have some of the other features of the bags on this list – multiple interior pockets or dedicated water bottle pouches – it doesn’t matter. What this bag lacks in extra function, it makes up for in nostalgia.
How we test the best travel backpacks
As you might expect, our editors and contributors travel all around the world on a regular basis, so we’ve had loads of opportunities to put these backpacks through their paces. We’ve packed them to the brim for long and short haul trips, checked out how organised they can help us be, rated them on how they feel on our shoulders and back and of course, judged whether or not we love the style. Features like pockets (particularly specialty pockets), sternum straps and laptop sleeves all get bonus points, as do any unique, useful quirks and additions. Every travel backpack on this list has made it here for good reason – now it’s up to you to choose which of them you like the most.
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A selection of backpacks awaiting testing in the Traveller office
Louis DelbarreMore tried-and-tested luggage our editors rate
How much should a backpack weigh when carrying?
As a general rule, a fully loaded backpack should weigh no more than 10 per cent to 20 per cent of your body weight. For back-country hiking or trekking, cap your pack weight at 20 per cent of your body weight. For daily travel, commuting, or light day trips, aim for a lighter limit of 10 to 15 per cent.
Keep in mind that fit matters as much as weight: keep heavy items packed low and close to your spine, and use chest and hip straps to distribute the load evenly across your hips rather than pulling on your shoulders.
How often should you wash a backpack?
Most travel and daily backpacks only need a thorough cleaning once or twice a year, though a quick spot-clean with a damp cloth after trips or heavy commutes works well to keep grime at bay. If you use your bag for sweaty gym sessions, outdoor hikes, or daily commutes, aim to wash it every three to six months. Always check the care label first, and stick to hand washing in lukewarm water with a gentle detergent – machine washing can degrade protective coatings and weaken seams. See our guide on how to clean a suitcase.