If you’re looking for a backpack to use on your next flight but want something that won’t take up too much space, then this post is for you. We’ve gone through the best under seat backpacks and what makes them great. The best backpack for air travel is the one that is small and light enough to fit in the space in front of you, but also large enough to carry all your essentials for the trip.
What is the Best Under Seat Backpack?
We could say that we traveled the world to find for you the Best Under Seat Backpack and it’s partially true – we’ve been on the road since 2011 after all.
More importantly, we have done a very thorough research online and have gone through most of the available backpacks that fit under plane seats that you can buy today. We read the comments left by people who bought and used these under seat backpacks.
We also wrote a brief under seat backpacks Buying Guide and FAQ sections to address most questions you may have.
Without further ado, here’s the list of top 8 backpacks that fit under plane seats based on their pricing, specs and ratings by real users.
1. XD Design Elle Fashion Anti-Theft Backpack
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Capacity: 6.5 liters Weight: 1.32 pounds (0.6 kg) Size: 12 x 9.1 x 4.3 inches (30.5 x 23 x 11 cm) Material: Faux Leather Wheels: No Water Resistant: Yes Waterproof: No |
This versatile travel backpack is well designed with hidden, high-end zippers and strategically placed hidden pockets to ensure your valuables stay safe while giving you easy access to smaller items, such as your phone and cards. It is made of lightweight water-resistant material that is also cut-proof. The size of the XD Design Elle Fashion Anti Theft Backpack makes it perfect to carry as a personal item when you travel, meaning you can have an additional carry-on bag. This travel backpack for women is available in various gorgeous colors to suit every woman’s style preferences.
Pros
- Gorgeous faux leather design for a stylish look,
- Adjustable straps to accommodate different users,
- Has plenty of pockets and a water bottle holder
2. J World New York Sunrise Wheeled Backpack
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Capacity: 34.5 liters Weight: 4.5 pounds (2 kg) Size: 18 x 13 x 9 inches (46 x 32 x 22 cm) Wheels: Yes Water Resistant: Yes Waterproof: No |
The optimal wheeled travel rucksack for backpacking trips, both long and short. You’ll find enough space for everything you need and it still fits as a carry-on in the overhead compartment and under the airplane seat.
Pros
- Water-resistant to protect your electronics,
- Sturdy finish able to handle heavy loads,
- Carry-on sized fitting under plane seat
3. Bago Water Resistant Travel and Hiking Daypack
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Capacity: 25 liters Weight: 0.8 pounds (0.36 kg) Size: 16.5 x 7.1 x 11.8 inches (41.9 x 18 x 30 cm) Material: Nylon Water Resistant: No |
The Bago Water Resistant Travel and Hiking Daypack is made of honeycomb polyester fabric which is tear-resistant and lightweight to reduce any strain on your back while on the move. It comes with a generous main compartment with an inner zip pocket for valuables and multiple external pockets. This pack features a 25L capacity which is a small size for travel, but it is excellent as a carry-on bag for excess luggage. It is also suitable for use on day hikes and everyday carry, and you can fold it into a compact pouch storage.Since the fabric protects against moisture, it is great for carrying camping equipment, tactical and survival gear. This is an ideal daypack for both men and women and comes in a variety of colors to choose from.
Pros
- It can be folded into a pouch for portability,
- The 2-way corded zippers for easy closure,
- Multiple pockets for organization,
- Made with high-quality water-resistant material
Cons
- There is no back padding,The front mesh wears out quickly
4. KOPACK Anti Theft Laptop Backpack
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.9 pounds (0.9 kg) Size: 17.7 x 11.8 x 5.5 inches (45 x 30 x 14 cm) Material: Nylon Wheels: No Water Resistant: Yes Waterproof: No |
This backpack is a great carry-on for travel. With many hidden pockets and security features as well as some easily accessible pockets to hold your travel essentials, this is the perfect anti-theft backpack to take on your trip. It has a luggage belt at the back to keep your backpack well attached to rolling luggage. It also has an external USB port with a built-in cable as well as shock support that protects your laptop and other electronics. 2 reflective stripes in the front keep you noticeable as you walk/cycle at night.
Pros
- Built-in rain cover to ensure it is water-resistant,
- Shockproof inner container to provide protection from accidental impact damage, Convenient Card slot on the shoulder strap to keep transport/credit cards
5. Everest Deluxe Rolling Backpack
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Capacity: 27.9 liters Weight: 5.25 pounds (2.4 kg) Size: 18.5 x 13.5 x 7 inches (47 x 34 x 18 cm) Material: 600 Denier Polyester Wheels: Yes Water Resistant: Yes Waterproof: No |
Optimal rucksack for short trips without checked-in luggage. This carry-on travel backpack with wheels is lightweight while providing enough space and pockets for easy packing.
Pros
- Carry-on size that fits under the airplane seat,
- 10 compartments for easy packing,
- Quiet wheels when rolling
6. Osprey Daypack Daylite Plus
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Capacity: 20 liters Weight: 1.19 pounds (0.54 kg) Size: 18 x 10 x 9 inches (45.7 x 25.4 x 22.9 cm) |
The small carry-on backpack offers you all-around use for international traveling with easy to load main compartment and access to inside content. For hiking, it is perfect with the multi-function sleeve on the inside to use with a hydration bladder, plus you get a front shove-it pocket for stashing smaller items and a light rain shell. You never know when you may need it. I chose it as the absolute best small backpack because it’s so lightweight and versatile.
Pros
- Multi-function interior sleeve for a hydration bladder,
- Comfortable back panel,
- Roomy main compartment,
- Lightweight for hours of carrying,
- Durable design,
- Perfect size for day travels
Cons
- Water bottle pocket not deep enough,The Grab handle may rub against the lower neck
7. Pacsafe Venturesafe GII Anti Theft Daypack
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Capacity: 25 liters Weight: 1.9 pounds (0.86 kg) Size: 19.7 x 11.4 x 7.9 inches (50 x 29 x 20.1 cm) Material: 210D Nylon Water Resistant: No |
The Pacsafe Venturesafe GII Anti-Theft Daypack is made of 3-line ripstop 210D nylon material with a polyester lining. Although it features high-quality construction, it is also quite heavy at 1.9 pounds for its 25L capacity, compared to the larger 40L G4Free daypack that weighs 0.79 pounds. It is the premium option in my list and also the only dedicated anti-theft daypack reviewed here.This daypack comes with a padded internal sleeve to fit a 15-inch laptop and two external bottle pockets to keep you hydrated. It also features padded shoulder straps, a sternum strap, and an adjustable waist strap to ensure a comfortable and secure fit. The travel daypack fits the carry-on size for most airlines and is ideal for both men and women. It has a professional design that makes it attractive to business travelers and versatile for everyday use.
Pros
- It features turn and lock security hooks to prevent snatching,
- Wire reinforced straps prevent slash and theft,
- It has RFID blocking pockets,
- Padded internal sleeve for a laptop
Cons
- Straps are too long for women,Does not distribute its weight evenly
8. Bopai Smart Business Rucksack
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Capacity: 23 liters Weight: 2.8 pounds (1.3 kg) Size: 17.8 x 11.5 x 6.3 inches (45 x 29 x 16 cm) Material: Microfiber Leather, Ballistic Nylon Wheels: No Water Resistant: Yes Waterproof: No |
This sleek backpack has a slim business-casual designer that fits perfectly into either a professional or casual setting. It is made of water-resistant microfiber leather and has a large capacity. It also has an enlarge function that gives you 40% more space for when you’re traveling. You can convert this travel pack into a briefcase for your more professional settings by simply detaching the shoulder straps. The BOPAI smart backpack is great for travel as it is carry-on sized.
Pros
- Isolated rapid-access laptop compartment suitable for 15.6-inch computer,
- Hidden zipper pocket to ensure the safety of your valuables,
- Great design for students, professionals and travelers alike
Verdict
TLDR: Quick summary of our findings as to what can be considered the Best Under Seat Backpack is below:
Overall best under seat backpack out there: XD Design Elle Fashion Anti-Theft Backpack
Premium Pick if money is not much of an issue: J World New York Sunrise Wheeled Backpack
Budget Choice – there’s no shame in spending prudently: Bago Water Resistant Travel and Hiking Daypack
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
What You Should Know Before Buying under seat backpacks
Backpack size that fits under an airplane seat
This will largely depend on the airline, but a typical carry-on bag size is usually around 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm) or smaller. Some airlines are stricter than others. If you’re opting for a softshell design backpack, it will be much easier to fit it under the seat of an airplane, even when the actual space is a little tighter.
Balance and Weight
You might have a lot of stuff to carry in your backpack, so you don’t need the extra weight from the bag itself. However, it is not all about the fabric and frame. How well the backpack is balanced and comfortable plays a massive part in how heavy it will feel.
Other than that, women sizes backpacks tend to be lighter than men’s, so take advantage of this and go for ladies rucksacks to save some pounds. Lightweight backpacks will typically weigh less than four pounds.
Backpack Frame
If you want an ultralight backpack, then the frame needs to be simple and adequate to carry what you need. There are different types made from polypropylene, and some are metallic made from aluminum. Ultra Lightweight backpacks usually have the option of removing the frame to make your load even lighter to carry.
Fabric
The material used in making the backpack will determine how heavy it will be. If a dense fabric is used in the construction, then it will be heavier. Nylon propylene and polyester are the most common types of fabric used in a lightweight backpack.
The thickness of fabric also matters in determining durability. Manufacturers use deniers to measure this. The higher the deniers, the thicker the fabric. Lightweight backpacks have a lower denier rating of between 100D to 420D.
How to pack and what to bring in a carry-on backpack
It’s difficult to predict what you’ll need for your trip, so it’s best not to overpack. When deciding on what to bring, you should think of packing for the worst-case scenario. In other words, if your checked-in luggage should be lost or delayed upon arrival at your destination, how would this affect your experience? Keep all important documents and electronics with you which can come in handy when going through customs or taking a long flight. Unforeseeable situations arise where people forget their adapter plug or don’t have one available for the country they’re visiting and it will be essential that these items are packed in light weight carry-ons where necessary.
Not a must as such, but very useful, are collapsible water bottles. Keep your folded as you go through security, then refill it at a water fountain and you’re ready for your flight!
Questions and Answers About under seat backpacks
Can a backpack go under an airplane seat?
It depends on the airline and on backpack size. Generally, most airlines allow people to put a backpack under their seat, but it is best to check the baggage policies with the airline. If you plan ahead and are mindful of your bag’s size, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Can I take two backpacks as a carry-on?
Usually, you can take two rucksacks on a plane as long as one is considered carry-on luggage, and the other one is small enough to be a personal carry-on item. The baggage needs to fulfill the airline’s specified size restriction to fit in the overhead bin or the space under the seat. Please check with your airline.