In addition to size, you’ll also want to be on the lookout for one that’s lightweight, that’s comfortable to wear and includes clutch design details like suitcase handle sleeves, cord corrals, locked zippers, key clips and durable materials (or, sometimes, cute materials). Whether your travel backpack is carrying a Kindle, laptop, travel snacks and a travel blanket or if you’re using it as a true carry-on, packing it like a suitcase with your trip’s wardrobe and necessities, the key is finding the right one for you. Most travel-appropriate backpacks range from 17 liters (a smaller, slimmer bag) to 45, which is the max we’d recommend for a carry-on. To maximize the backpack’s space, you’ll want to pay attention to its true volume - also known as the amount of usable space within the bag - which is measured in liters. Not only do backpacks allow you to be hands-free as you make your way through airport security and the duty-free shops, but they’re also a bastion of organization, with laptop compartments, battery charging ports and interior and exterior pockets galore, ensuring you’re utterly prepared for the journey ahead.

It’s one of our favorite pieces of carry-on luggage out there, allowing for one-bag travel.

While luggage and packing cubes are certainly important to a traveler’s arsenal, we’re laser-focused on the travel backpack right now - the elusive bag that’s big enough to fit everything you might need while flying but also diminutive enough to comply with the standard size allowance of 22 inches long, 14 inches wide and 9 inches high (including wheels and handles). Your CNN account Log in to your CNN account

Backpack pocketbook