Best Travel Backpack for Men Carry on

Packing for a short trip with one carry-on and no patience for checking a bag, the Patagonia Black Hole® Mini MLC® 30L makes sense because it can move between backpack, duffel, and briefcase without getting bulky. We would take it over the Patagonia Black Hole® MLC® 45L when the trip is short, because 30 liters stays more compact, and over the Nomatic Backpack when conversion matters more than a compartment-heavy layout. It also uses recycled materials. You give up room, plain and simple. If you need more than 30 liters, the 45L is the better call.

Heading out for a longer trip, the Patagonia Black Hole® MLC® 45L gives you the extra packing space the 30L and 22L do not. It is a soft-sided suitcase with convertible backpack straps, so it still gives you more than one way to carry it, and it is made from 100% recycled fabric with a TPU laminate. We would choose it over the Patagonia Black Hole® Mini MLC® 30L when more room matters most. It loses to the 30L and the Patagonia Black Hole® Micro MLC® 22L when you want a more compact bag. If you want a compact design, this one will feel like more bag than you need.

On a flight where under-seat space matters more than packing for every scenario, the Patagonia Black Hole® Micro MLC® 22L earns its spot. Its compact 22-liter size is designed for strict travel requirements and under-seat spaces, and it still keeps the convertible format that makes the larger Patagonia bags handy. It is also made with recycled materials. We would take it over the Patagonia Black Hole® Mini MLC® 30L when you want the smallest travel bag here, not the most room. It gives up packing space to both the 30L and the Patagonia Black Hole® MLC® 45L. If your travel is more extensive, 22 liters runs out fast.

When your charger, passport, earbuds, and pens all need their own place, the Nomatic Backpack leans into organization more than the Patagonia bags do. Its minimalist design keeps the outside clean, while multiple compartments make essentials easy to reach during a flight or in a hotel lobby. We would choose it over the Patagonia Black Hole® Mini MLC® 30L if pocket layout matters more than switching between backpack, duffel, and briefcase, and over the Patagonia Black Hole® Micro MLC® 22L if under-seat focus is not your main concern. If you prefer a more traditional backpack look, this sleek style may not click.