The 9 Best Travel Day Bags For Every Occasion

We all know that not all travel day bags are created equal.

From the look, to build, colors/sizes, and purpose.

You may need one to do them all, and you may want one specific backpack such as for hiking, and another one for taking Instagram photos of you facing a monument or a breathtaking view of the city.

Hey, no judgment!

There are different travel day bags for every occasion, and if you’re in search of one to fit your travel needs and purpose, then you’ve stumbled onto the right post!

Let’s check out the different occasions that you may run into while traveling, and some of your best options for the best travel day bags for each occasion.

And also, don’t forget to check out my list of Travel Day Bag Essentials Checklist – the list with all the essentials you don’t want to pack up and leave your Airbnb without for a day of activities.

Yours for free.

Ok, let’s get onto the travel day bags!

A Day in the City travel day bags (stylish)

Imagine it’s the first morning of the first full day of your trip.

You’re excited, well-rested, and so ready to start exploring the city you’re visiting after a long-haul flight and months of anticipation – you’re here!

But what kind of backpack should one get if one wants one that matches most of one’s outfits?

This will vary from everyone’s style, which is why I am going to show you some of the ones I would recommend based on the minimalistic look of the backpack (somewhat universal and adaptable to your personal style) that is sure to be more on the stylish, aesthetically pleasing side.

1. Fjallraven Kanken Backpack

I have to mention the Kanken backpack because it has been my favorite bag to take with me on many trips for the last few years or so. I have the medium size (there’s a smaller one), which measures 14 in. x 11 in.

The spaciousness for its size, overall look, and flexibility to combine with different outfits have to be some of the key reasons why I love traveling with this backpack.

It’s also water-resistant; you can fit a laptop or iPad in there, a water bottle in the side pocket (or a collapsable umbrella like I pack sometimes) making this backpack even more favorable and easy to use as a travel day bag or carry-on/personal item.

🎒BUY the Kanken Backpack

>> Read more: 18 SUPER Useful Things To Pack For Your Next Trip

2. Open Story Commuter Backpack

Target is also offering some really aesthetically pleasing travel day bags with the brand Open Story.

You may have seen these bags on your trips to Target in the last year, which is when I noticed this line of really cute, quality travel bags, suitcases, wallets, and other accessories.

This is their commuter bag, which I think is a good size for a day of exploring your destination.

This backpack measures 16in. x 12in. and has an internal capacity of 19 liters. It’s water-resistant, durable, and big enough to fit a 15-inch laptop!

It also comes at a lower price point if you’re looking for something reasonably priced but still cute.

🎒 BUY the Open Story Commuter Backpack

3. The Béis Expandable Backpack

The Béis Expandable backpack is my current travel backpack, and in the two years I’ve been using it, I have to say that I’ve really enjoyed all its features.

I love the 2 interior pockets for easy access to small things that can get lost, the key hook is so helpful to clasp my AirPods and easily grab them every time, and I’m really love the collapsable water bottle holder.

When I’m not using it to hold my water bottle, I turn it into a portable battery holder.

It fits perfectly under the seat in front of you in flights, the zipper goes all around the backpack, making it easy to open fully and take things in and out, and of course, it’s expandable! Even when it’s not expanded, the amount of things I can fit into it is quite amazing.

The Béis Expandable backpack is my current favorite travel backpack, and I cannot recommend it anymore.

🎒 BUY the Béis Expandable Backpack

Peace-of-mind and anti-theft travel day bags

Though we like to think that we are immune to pickpocketing, losing our things in crowds of people, and getting scammed while traveling, a travel day bag that has a concealed zipper, hard-to-puncture fabric, and RFID material is sometimes the best bet!

Below, I’ll show you some of what I like to call “peace of mind” travel day bags!

4. Citysafe CX Anti-Theft Convertible Backpack

Ok, we love a good convertible travel day bag like this one that works as both a crossbody and backpack, yes!

The Citysafe CX Anti-Theft convertible backpack is not only flexible but also made of RFID materials that are composed of special, strong material that is “anti-slash” and so much more.

The bag also comes with security hooks to hook onto a chair or table in case you find yourself in a busy and crowded cafe, as well as special locking zippers to keep your belongings even safer.

You can definitely rest assured that your items will be safe with this bag!

🎒BUY the Citysafe CX Anti-Theft Convertible Bag

5. XD Design Elle Fashion Anti-Theft Backpack

Another amazing option for keeping all your belongings safe while you’re traveling and exploring is this travel day bag by XD Design, which has a sleek, modern look.

Looks aside, some of the amazing features are a concealed zipper that goes around the backpack and is opened from the back, sturdy, cut-resistant material that is also waterproof, lightweight, has multiple compartments, and so much more.

This bag really does not play when it comes to the safety of your items, so this is definitely a no-brainer if that is what you’re looking for.

🎒 BUY the XD Design Elle Fashion Anti-Theft Backpack

Sturdy and practical day bag for outdoor activities

So we have the stylish travel day bag and the peace of mind bag, but what about the one for a rugged outdoor activity?

One with sturdiness, built for the weather, that is both spacious and light for all your needs while exploring the nature scene wherever you are – well, I got you!

Check out below some of my picks for the best travel day bags for hiking!

6. REI Co-op Ruckpack 18 Recycled Daypack

Taking the trails with a good backpack is like taking a good suitcase on a flight – it’s beyond necessary and comfortable.

What I love about this travel day bag by REI for hiking is its size. It’s lightweight, made of recyclable materials, comfortable, secure, and has an access port for a water tube!

The dimensions are 18 x 11 x 6 inches and 18 liters, so it’s a little bigger than the other bags, but when you’re hiking, you want something a bit bigger to carry all your belongings and essentials when you’re trekking all the natural beauty around!

🎒 REI CO-OP Ruckpack 18 Recycled Daypack

Speaking of carrying essentials and packing them in your day bags, I have created a FREE Travel Day Bag Essentials Checklist with items that I always travel with and specifically pack in my day bag – from exploring a city to hiking and walking trails abroad.

I recommend everyone carry these items, no matter the situation or occasion. Leave me your name and email below, and I’ll send it right over!

7. The North Face Isabella Backpack 3.0

This backpack is AMAZING! My sister has this backpack and claims how much she loves it.

It’s lightweight, sleek, and slim, yet it fits all the essentials you’d need while hiking. It has different compartments all around, making it easy to access all your things, so it’s very practical and functional for hiking trips.

I especially love how it looks on, as my sister is petite, and this backpack doesn’t look disproportionately large on her. It’s slim, it doesn’t stick out obnoxiously – it’s really a great option.

The bag has a 20-liter capacity and measures 20” x 11.5” x 7”.

Really, it’s super comfortable and very recommended as your next hiking travel day bag!

🎒BUY the North Face Isabella Backpack 3.0

Laptop and other electronics travel day bags

Whether you work from your laptop and you travel, or you’re a study abroad student – you’re going to need to get yourself a backpack that not only has additional sleeve compartments but also has a sturdy body to hold and protect your tech!

I don’t joke around when it comes to my own electronics, so backpacks like the following are ones that I definitely consider and recommend to you if you’re looking for those.

8. Lo and Sons Beacon Day Bag

Can we agree that when we are out and about, whether at the airport or walking in a city, we don’t want something that will make maneuvering difficult?

Especially when it comes to laptops, we want something strong, of quality, with a soft interior, and with security overall.

That’s why I love this Lo and Sons backpack, as it’s all of this and more.

Lo and Sons is a top-quality brand with style, ease, and functionality.

It’s what we all subconsciously want in any luggage (they have some really nice luggage, by the way!), but especially with this laptop bag.

This backpack is designed to carry a 13” Apple MacBook Air and/or MacBook Pro laptop (2019 and above) and tablets.

It also features a variety of small pockets on the exterior, and it’s made of eco-friendly materials and vegan leather and designed with comfort in mind.

🎒BUY the Lo and Sons The Beacon Travel Day Bag

9. Herschel Kaslo Backpack Tech – 20L

Herschel is out here with this sleek, clean, practical, and extremely efficient backpack designed specifically for carrying your laptop and other electronics safely.

It has two compartments for organizing your electronics, including special tech compartments, and it also comes with a helpful trolley sleeve for putting the backpack on top of your suitcase when you’re going from security to your gate.

This is definitely a backpack that is ready for a day at the local cafe near your lodging, working away, or catching a flight to your next destination.

Either way, we love an adaptable backpack like this one, which is ready to go when you are.

The size of this backpack is 16.75″(H) x 11.00″(W) and 5.75″(D) – 20 liters.

🎒BUY the Herschel Kaslo Backpack Tech

---

The Wrap-Up: The 9 Best Travel Day Bags For Every Occasion

I hope you enjoyed this post and that it gave you some good ideas for backpacks that could really serve the purpose you’re looking for.

Sometimes, we want to take the bare minimum, so the best bet is to pick out the right backpack that will be adaptable to all the situations and occasions you’ll encounter on your trip.

Leave me a comment below letting me know what your ride-or-die backpack is and/or what one item you always carry in it!

To more travel moments like these ✨