Dec 15, 2017

These Travel Backpacks Will (Actually) Hold All Your Stuff

by Anna LaPlaca

Photo:

Collage Vintage

It’s just over two weeks until the end of the year, meaning that holiday travel is on everyone’s mind. We know you likely have all your luggage organized and sorted for those quick weekend jaunts and longer trips back home (and not to worry if you don’t—we have you covered). But checked luggage aside, the one piece that so often makes or breaks our travel experience—and this is especially true when flying—is our carry-on bag. While tote bags and duffels have a higher capacity to hold all our essentials and then some, we’re looking at the chicest backpacks to get us through the most hectic of holiday travel. For obvious reasons, swapping out our tote for a sleek backpack can save us so much time when going through security and racing to your gate (here’s hoping that won’t be our reality).

With the plethora of miniature backpacks we saw this year, it’s no surprise that you might overlook the bag as a travel-ready essential. But we dare you not to reconsider after witnessing the following 20 incredibly stylish options. From leather drawstring backpacks to whimsical faux fur and festive metallic versions, you’ll find every cool backpack worth traveling with here.

Click through to shop our picks.

New backpack

The ultimate fusion of fashion and function.

Keely Croc-effect Glossed-leather And Shell Backpack

Elizabeth and James

Keely Croc-Effect Glossed-Leather and Shell Backpack

Sized to hold a laptop, paperback, and a few more essentials, this Elizabeth and James backpack is perfect for your commute.

Pebble Leather Backpack in Off White

Pebble Leather Backpack in Off White

To all our minimalist readers out there, this backpack's for you.

Leather Backpack

Leather Backpack

The sleekest backpack we've seen in a while.

Disclaimer: It may take you a disproportionately long time to choose from all the colors this bag comes in.

Mini Macta Backpack in Honey

Mini Macta Backpack in Honey

Solange is a fan of this accessories brand. Just saying.

Watson Lane Hartley Backpack

Kate Spade New York

Watson Lane Hartley Backpack

BRB, putting this velvet backpack on our holiday wish list.

Faux Fur Backpack

You didn't think you needed a faux-fur backpack until you saw this one, did you?

gold handle backpack

Gold Handle Backpack

The brand's signature "needle" handle allows this carrier to double as a cool handbag.

Clean lines and modern details are what makes this leather backpack so special.

Rebecca Minkoff

Julian Satin Nylon Backpack

Nail athleisure vibes in this backpack.

Front lapel backpack

Front Lapel Backpack

Metal piercing details make this bag feel a bit more forward than most.

Go Go Mini Backpack

3.1 Phillip Lim

Go Go Mini Backpack

You can't tell from the picture, but those laces are velvet.

Small fox-fur trimmed nylon backpack

Small Fox-Fur Trimmed Nylon Backpack

Do you also immediately think of that scene from 10 Things I Hate About You at the sight of this Prada backpack? Just checking.

Backpack

We adore the rugged vibe of this one. And who doesn't love black?

x Shopbop Backpack

Deux Lux x Shopbop

This will look so cool with a leather moto jacket and sneakers.

City velvet backpack

City Velvet Backpack

In rich burgundy velvet, this is an ideal bag for holiday travel.

Kane Backpack

Shamelessly making all our purchase decisions based on whether or not we can use the KiraKira+ app with them.

School Backpack in Fawn

School Backpack in Fawn

This nylon backpack may surprise you with how lightweight it is.

And these aren't just for travel. You'll love how celebrities are carrying a backpack instead of a handbag.

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