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You are here: Home / Travel Gear / Best Wheeled Backpacks

Best Wheeled Backpacks

Travel Gear Last Updated · Jan 14th, 2022

Looking for the best-wheeled backpack to carry on your travels?

best wheeled backpacks for travel

When taking a trip it’s important that you prepare yourself properly. While that might include making sure you’ve got the appropriate clothing, solutions, and seasonal ideas for places to visit.


Quick Answer: The Best Wheeled Backpack for Travel

  • A Versitile All-Time Favourite – The Perfect Companion
  • The Best Detachable Backpack – Boasts High-Quality Design
  • Best Tamper-Proof Backpack – Equipped with Tamper-Proof Zips
  • Flight Approved Backpack – Anti-Tear and Anti-Tamper design
  • Travel Buyers Guide – Best Wheeled Backpack for Travel

You also need to be able to get around without too much issue and that’s why a backpack with wheels makes the perfect solution.

When working out how you’ll get all the awesome items you need when traveling stored away, you should consider wheeled backpacks.

Why use wheeled backpacks?

But why consider using the best-wheeled backpack luggage?

When traveling, it’s important to look after yourself and your body.

It’s hard to do this normally!

But when traveling around you should almost certainly look to use a wheeled backpack. The duffel bag kind are one of my favorite styles.

Allow me to elaborate on the why….

  • Mobility: For one, roller backpacks offer some much-needed mobility. This is just one of the key features that these travel backpacks with wheels can offer you. Mobility matters a great deal, and it can have a transformative impact on your quality of life when traveling around.
  • Access: Access, too, is very important. If you can use this kind of backpack, then you will likely find it a touch easier to get around and find what you need.
  • Comfort: Add in the fact they are nice and ergonomic, too, and it’s easy to see why so many people use them; they just give you a more variable comfortable means of travel.

So, which of these top wheeled backpacks will you choose?

Let’s take a look at some of the backpacks that I have used or considered using whilst backpacking around South America.

Best Wheeled Backpack

If like me you like the idea of traveling light then you’ll find these styles of wheeled backpacks for travel perfect for you.

Antler Urbanite

the best wheeled backpacks

Plus Points:

  • Classy and methodical design style
  • High quality TSA combination padlock
  • Multiple lockable compartments provided

This Antler wheeled backpack for me is one of the best all-rounders on the list. Quality and consistency matter when buying a backpack. This does more than enough of a good job for you to work with on a daily basis.

When reviewing these as the best-wheeled backpacks, I put this to the top of the list because it’s the backpack I currently using for my travels.

The antler urbanite backpack is a great leisure backpack, with the solid materials used and the high-quality nature of the strapping making it very easy indeed for you to get a much more consistent luggage experience. Currently the best-wheeled backpack in my opinion for all-around travel.

It is so solid and secure it could be in the same category as some tamper-proof backpacks. The carry straps are nice and durable, too, making it easy for you to balance out the weight and find comfort as you go.

However, if you’re looking for a lightweight backpack with wheels this is probably not your best option.

Price via Amazon


Dakine One Size Glisan

the best wheeled backpacks

Plus Points:

  • High quality polyester finish
  • Zip closures always work
  • Rolling travel back with versatile function

If you want a bag that makes it nice and easy for you to get around, this is the one for you.

Maybe a touch large for some people, the more vertically enamored types should find it very easy indeed to get around with this high-quality material.

A fine bag to go for. The strong material makes sure that you are left with a very comfortable means of keeping your equipment in one place.

Price Via Amazon


Patagonia Black Hole Wheeled Duffel

the best wheeled backpacks

Plus Points:

  • 40l of storage space
  • Durable, modern wheel design
  • Made using recycled material

For an eco-friendly wheeled backpack that you can use any way that you wish, pick this up.

It’s made from durable material like recycled polyester to ensure that it can be used time and time again whenever you wish to go. Perfect for long trips. A great lightweight rolling backpack option for any traveler.

Price Via REI


Osprey Soujourn

the best wheeled backpacks

Plus Points:

  • Really high quality compression straps
  • Tube extended handle is fantastic
  • Great for long-distance hauls

When looking for the best backpack with wheels, strength in a bag is something to consider. This bag is more akin to a military backpack than a travel case.

It’s strong and secure, with every seam double-tested to ensure that you are getting a bag that can handle itself without any issues at all.

The aluminum peripheral framing of the compression straps only helps to add a sense of comfort and security when you use this. It’s lightweight and easy to move around, and the space inside makes it excellent for souvenir collectors.

Price Via Amazon


Lowe Alpine AT Roll-On

the best wheeled backpacks

Plus Points:

  • High quality internal-loaded compression straps
  • Tamper-proof zips are outstanding
  • Detachable harness is very useful

For the traveler who is going to be going around and about the place without any real concern for terrain, this is a good starting point. It’s strong and durable enough to fit just about every need that you could possibly have.

At the same time, the lowe alpine wheeled backpack offers the kind of wonderfully luxurious experience that should make it very simple indeed for you to engage in a whole new kind of experience.

For that reason, this backpack is excellent for wide-reaching travelers.

Price Via Amazon


Cabin Max Lyon

the best wheeled backpacks

Plus Points:

  • Impressive quality of design overall
  • 600D water resistance and material
  • Anti-tear and anti-tamper design

Want a roller backpack as a travel companion that can give you a total sense of comfort, peace of mind and simplicity when traveling? This is it.

The sizeable nature of it is useful, while the handle offers a comfortable way to move around something of such considerable size.

If you are looking for a travel companion that has plenty of space and shows no signs of damage and/or wear and tear, this might just be the best place for you to start with moving forward.

Price Via Amazon


Osprey Ozone

the best wheeled backpacks

Plus Points:

  • 210D nylon shadow box design
  • High road chassis is impressive
  • Great detachable backpack feature provided

The best-wheeled backpack is one that you can get on and off with the minimum of fuss, this makes a very useful starting point.

Not only is it the kind of high-quality design that keeps everything in place as you go, but the fact it can be worn as a normal bag is wonderfully useful. This is a prime feature of any convertible rolling backpack.

Known as the ultimate backpackers backpack with wheels! The Osprey Ozone makes the perfect choice for anyone who wants to do a lot of traveling and may need to change it up depending on the kind of terrain that they come across.

Price Via Amazon


Kathmandu Hybrid Trolley 50L

the best wheeled backpacks

Plus Points:

  • Up to 50l of space within
  • One main compartment when needed
  • Made with nylon and polyester

When you want something that is easy to use and comes with a very impressive set of compression straps for mix/match carrying, start here.

It’s a great choice of luggage holder, with a breathable fold-out harness that ensures easy carrying even as a backpack. Exceeding all expectations if looking for a big backpack with wheels. It’s also got the perfect material make-up to ensure that this can survive with you on many a trip.

Price Via REI


Eagle Creek Exploration

the best wheeled backpacks

Plus Points:

  • Impressive quality of space within
  • Ideal for writers on the go
  • High quality adjustable suspension provided

When you think of getting hold of the best travel backpack with wheels, you’ll probably think of a backpack that makes it easy for you to get around. The Eagle Creek Exploration is perfect for this.

It stays close to the body at all times, making it easy for you to keep everything attached and in the one place as you go.

It has ample space for hardware, making it easy to bring your laptop/PC with you as you go. The various carry options make getting around so much simpler, too.

Price Via Amazon


Olympia Cascade Upright Carry-on

best rolling backpack

Plus Points:

  • Easy to move around
  • Constructed from durable, weather-resistant materials
  • Great for long-term travel

When looking at wheeled backpacks, this one should catch your eye quite soon. It’s a good quality model that is very easy to use and offers you plenty of functionality.

A high-quality choice thanks to the padded backpack straps, making it easy to carry in more or less any way that you feel you wish; an excellent choice for easy carrying around rougher terrain.

Price Via Amazon


Rolling Travel Wheeled Backpack

the best wheeled backpacks

Plus Points:

  • Resistant to wear-and-tear damage
  • Plenty of space inside
  • Self-designed wheeled backpack

Pretty much the ideal choice for a backpack that you can carry or walk around with as you please. Not ideal though if you’re looking for a rolling backpack with hidden wheels.

This is the perfect choice for a wheeled backpack that is going to keep everything inside free from damage, with plenty of pocket space for compartmentalizing and adjusting accordingly.

Price Via Amazon


High Sierra Powerglide Wheeled Backpack

the best wheeled backpacks

Plus Points:

  • High quality, multi-compartment design
  • Smooth rolling with corner-mounted wheels
  • Perfect for carrying around

Thanks to the little key fob that ensures you can easily organize and protect everything inside with ease, you can ensure that you always have access to a luggage solution that has many compartments.

A fine choice for just about any trip that needs a variety of items brought along. For me though this is probably the best business backpack with wheels I have seen thus far.

Price Via Amazon


Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler Rolling Duffel

the best wheeled backpacks

Plus Points:

  • Comes with 4x carry options
  •  U-shaped lid for access
  • Lockable zippers offer weather-protection

When it comes to picking up a durable and weather-resistant duffel bag, this is a good place to start.

These wheeled backpacks are just what you are looking for when you want something that is smooth, easy to move around, and perfect for handling rough weather and terrain.

Price Via Amazon


Eagle Creek National Geographic Series

the best wheeled backpacks

Plus Points:

  • High quality 4l storage
  • Made from weather-proof material
  • Up to 2440g of luggage space

Make sure you never need to leave anything behind with the help of this high-end solution.

The zip-away backpack straps mean that you can carry it as you normally would, while you can quickly turn it into a mobile luggage solution without much effort.

Price Via REI


Choosing a Wheeled Travel Backpack

When you’re looking for a new backpack as a traveler you want to make sure that you have something you can really count on.

Not to mention, you need something that is convenient to carry.

Things to Consider

That’s where the best-wheeled backpack for travel comes into the picture and we’re going to take a look at what you need to know.

Wheeled Backpacks: The Good Points

Know what the best things are about wheeled backpacks? Or at least, what to look for when looking for the best wheeled backpack for travel that you want to choose?

Well, there are a whole bunch of things that you want to take into consideration:

  • Rolling Style – You’re going to want to look around at different types of rolling bags. Some are only able to roll forward and back. Others, however, have the ability to roll in any direction. These newer bags are definitely a great way to travel easier and move around more quickly.
  • Overall Size – You want something that’s large enough to hold everything you’re going to need but small enough that you can easily carry it if you need to. You don’t want to be completely reliant on the fact that your backpack rolls. You also want to be able to pick it up when necessary.
  • Variety of Pockets – Make sure you have several different pockets and different ways that you can organize your belongings. These pockets are going to make it easier for you to stay on track and keep everything you need right where you need it in your best-wheeled backpack for travel.

Wheeled Backpacks: The Bad Points

Now, when it comes to the downside of these types of bags there are a few things that you might want to take into consideration.

When looking for a backpack with wheels for travel, you want to make sure that you have and one that doesn’t end up with the following problems:

  • Too Large – It’s easy to fall into the trap of getting a bag that’s too large because you’re thinking that you can just roll it. Remember that you want to travel and that means you may not always be able to drag your bag around.
  • Take Up Space – When you are dragging your bag around behind you it’s going to result in some problems because you take up more space. Keep an eye on where that bag is and how you’re pulling it along so you don’t hit anyone or anything.
  • Too Heavy – Some of these bags can be quite heavy because they actually have wheels and a framework built into them. That means they tend to be difficult to carry when you need to even if you don’t have a whole lot of stuff in them. You’ll need to watch the starting/empty weight.

No matter what you’re looking for there are plenty of different backpacks out there for your next trip.

Whether you decide you’re looking for a wheeled backpack or you want something to sling over your shoulder, you won’t have a problem finding the right one.

Backpack with Wheels (Final Words)

Now that you know what to look out for in a backpack on wheels and why it’s so much easier to travel light and free.

You should almost certainly look to make an intelligent investment based on what you find when looking around this tremendous part of the world.

The less you need to haul around with you, the better. So, make the conscious decision to invest in a high-quality wheeled backpack.

You should notice that getting around just became a whole lot less arduous than it may have once appeared.

So, now you know the best-wheeled backpacks for travel, which of the above will you invest in?

Like this article? Pin it…

best wheeled backpacks
best wheeled backpacks
Do you have a wheeled backpack, or thinking of buying one?

Need More Packing Inspiration?

Hopefully, you’ve found a leather travel jacket for your journey.

Feel like you need more travel gear for your trip?

  • Wheeled Duffel Bags – Easily fit your items in these bags.
  • Roll Top Backpacks – Stylish roll-top designed backpacks.
  • Leather Laptop Bags – Keep your laptop safe and stylish.
  • Rolling Laptop Bag – Rolling bags designed for laptops.
  • Leather Duffel Bag – Leather holdall bags for travelers.

Or, maybe you’re considering buying a gift for a fellow traveler? See this best travel gear page for even more ideas on what to shop for.


“Dear friend! Some links in this post contain affiliate links. Meaning, if you click through and make a purchase, book a hostel or sign up for a tour, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your support means a lot and helps me to keep traveling and maintaining the quality of this site for you.”

Filed Under: Travel Gear

Daniel James

Helping thousands of people worldwide with backpacking in Latin America. Layer Culture means to dig deeper into the ideas, customs, and behavior of a group of people.

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