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The Best Wheeled Backpack for Travel

If you are looking to get into the realm of traveling light, then let’s face it, a wheeled backpack for travel is the way to go. 

These bags are the perfect mix of convenience and function to help ensure that you have exactly what you need for your trip.

A carry-on backpack with wheels allows you to carry the bag when needed, but the wheels are there to give you a break from carrying as well. 

The dual functionality of these bags allows you to have the best of both worlds (and give your back a break once in a while).

It is no secret that Marty and I love to travel with only a backpack

We have been doing this for years and have even researched the best travel backpack for Europe and given you our recommendations.

I must admit though, the older we get, the harder it becomes to lug that backpack around for hours on end while transitioning between cities. 

That is exactly what prompted us to write this post and research the best wheeled backpack for travel.

Why Choose a Wheeled Backpack for Travel?

Let’s face it, there are advantages and disadvantages to both the backpack and the wheeled luggage bag. 

That is where a wheeled backpack for travel comes in; it is like combining the best of both worlds!

There will be times when you need to carry your backpack, well, like a backpack. 

Trust us on this one. 

It was extremely useful when we were hoofing it to our hotel in Venice while crossing numerous bridges and maneuvering on cobblestone streets.

And then, of course, there are times that a bag with wheels is ever so useful as well. 

I mean, as we mentioned above, you get tired of lugging around a backpack through the airport. 

Not only that, but I hate walking into a nice hotel with a backpack on my back. LOL!

This is where the wheeled backpack comes in.  It is useful in both situations!

Now, let’s get to it and look at some of the best carry-on backpacks with wheels.

Best Carry-on Backpack With Wheels

Jansport Driver 8 Wheeled Travel Bag

The Jansport Driver 8 Wheeled Travel Bag is a popular choice for sure!

Why, you might ask?

Well, probably because Jansport is one of the most trusted names in backpacks!

That could be because they have such a great guarantee on their products. 

If you break your backpack, they will replace or repair it for you!

Like most wheeled backpacks for travel, this bag easily converts from a wheeled bag to a backpack. 

All you have to do is get out the tuck-away shoulder straps.

This bag features a 15-inch padded laptop sleeve, side water bottle holders, and a front pocket for extra storage. 

Add to that the variety of fun colors, and you can easily see why the Jansport Driver 8 is such a popular choice.

Samsonite Spinner Backpack

If you prefer a four-wheeled rolling bag, then you might want to consider the Samsonite Spinner Backpack.  

Samsonite has been a trusted name in the travel luggage industry, so it just makes sense that they would offer up a great wheeled backpack for travel as well.

The bag is made from 100 percent polyester, making it durable, water-resistant, and easy to clean.

It has a large capacity interior and a large padded compartment that can accommodate up to a 17″ laptop. 

In addition, it has zippered water bottle holders and two front pockets to store small items.

We also love that this backpack has a quick change back panel, allowing easy access to the backpack shoulder straps. 

In addition, the four wheels make it easy not to navigate when using the rolling features.

High Sierra XBT

The High Sierra XBT is a versatile bag that is also lightweight, weighing in at only 4 pounds.  

The wheeled backpack for travel has everything you need and a large storage capacity. 

This bag will hold up to a 17-inch laptop and protect it using a tech-weave Duralite fabric covered in a water-resistant coating to keep your valuables extra safe.

The telescoping handle tucks away nicely but has a soft grip for when it is in use. 

The extra storage compartments include side and front zip accessory pockets to make organizing your belongings a breeze.

When using it as a backpack, the High Sierra XBT has an ergonomically designed shoulder strap that evenly distributes the weight to ensure comfort.

Consumers love the storage capacity of the bag and rave that it is the best part!

Matein Rolling Backpack for Travel

The Matein rolling backpack has a large capacity and several compartments for storage, including a padded laptop compartment that will hold up to a 15.6-inch laptop.

We especially love the U-Zip main compartment that gives you separate space for storing your laptop, clothes, and other essentials.

Not only that, but the front pocket has multiple small pockets for organizing your smaller items as well.

The Matein has a heavy-duty, water-resistant fabric that is durable and looks great.

The backpack straps are easily stored under a Velcro panel when unused.

When using a backpack, there is a fold-away cover that covers the wheels to prevent them from getting your clothes dirty while you are carrying it.

In addition, the retractable handle easily stores away under a zippered cover to help prevent it from telescoping unnecessarily.

Ambor

The Ambor Wheeled Backpack is one of the more economical choices in our post today. 

Don’t let that stop you from checking it out, though, as it is still a great option for a wheeled backpack for travel.

The main compartment opens up wide to allow you maximum storage in this area. 

It also houses a padded laptop sleeve that will keep up to a 15-inch laptop or tablet nice and safe.  Not only that, but the rip-resistant fabric is also water-resistant. 

They have even reinforced the edges of this backpack to help prevent wear and tear in these areas.

Numerous zippered pockets allow you to organize all of your belongings easily.

This bag hides the shoulder straps behind the back pocket, allowing for an easy transition between the backpack and the rolling bag. 

In addition, the telescoping handle allows you to roll the bag when desired easily.

Yorepek

The Yorepek wheeled backpack is another economical choice.

Like the other backpacks in this post, the Yorepek has a large interior compartment and several other compartments to ensure you can easily organize your belongings. 

It also has a compartment that can hold laptops less than 17 inches.

We love that this bag has a breathable back area and shoulder straps that can easily be tucked away when unused. 

In addition, the water-resistant material helps to ensure all of your items stay nice and dry.

There is also a kickplate and corner guards to help protect against wear and tear. 

The telescoping handle stores away in a zippered compartment when not in use.

This bag also has an external USB charging port with a built-in charging cable. 

All you have to do is attach it to a power pack (not included).

AOKing 20/22″

The AOKing 20/22″ wheeled backpack for travel is a great investment.

This bag boasts a large capacity that will easily hold all of your travel essentials. 

The fully padded computer sleeve area will hold up to a 17-inch laptop or tablet, keeping it nice and safe during your travels.

In addition, the nylon water-resistant and tear-resistant fabric ensures you can use this bag even on rainy days.

The four wheels on this bag ensure easy maneuverability and a 360-degree turn with ease. 

The wheels are rubber, giving it a quiet ride and shock absorption.

Like the other bags, the telescoping handle and the backpack straps can be easily stored when not in use.

Final Thoughts on Wheeled Backpack for Travel

Hopefully, we have given you some great choices for choosing your own wheeled backpack for travel. 

We love the ease and convenience of traveling with only a backpack but understand that sometimes it is better to have a roller bag.

That is what makes these backpacks so great. They are truly the best of both worlds!

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Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight:

We love using CheapOAir, Kayak, and Kiwi to search for the best flight prices. We love using these search engines because they search the web for airlines worldwide to ensure you get the best deal! In addition to flights, you can also find great hotel prices on Kayak and Kiwi.

Book Your Vacation Package:

If you want to book an entire vacation package, we suggest using Expedia. We love how easy Expedia is to use, and we always find good deals on entire vacation packages on their site.

Another great site for vacation packages is BookVIP. BookVIP offers super cheap vacation packages to incredible destinations. You are sure to save money using their site!

For full guided vacations, including hotels, some meals, transportation, and guides, then we book with Trafalgar. Trafalgar is a trusted tour company that will meet all your needs while ensuring a great experience.

Trip.com allows you to book flights, hotels, train tickets, rental cars, airport transfers, tours, and more all on one site. Owned by the parent company that also owns Skyscanner, this is a trusted resource for travel booking and a great “one-stop shop.”

Book Your Accommodations:

We always begin our search by checking out honest reviews on TripAdvisor hotels. This allows us to narrow our search for specific properties once we are ready to book. Of course, you can also book directly on the TripAdvisor site!

There are several accommodation sites that we like to use. One of our favorites is Booking.com because it offers a wide variety of hotels and guesthouses at a good price.

Another “go-to” hotel booking site for us is Hotels.com. We love their loyalty program that allows you to earn free nights, and their “secret prices” for members are fabulous deals!

HotelsCombined is another cool site. They allow you to compare all the top travel sites with one search to ensure you find the best deal out there. Kayak works in this way as well.

If you want a luxurious all-inclusive vacation, consider checking out the Sandals/Beaches properties. Sandals properties are for couples only and Beaches are for families. We have visited Sandals in the past and absolutely love the attention to detail and the service they provide.

Tour Companies We Trust:

We love taking guided tours when visiting new places. Our go-to tour companies are Viator.com and Get Your Guide. Both of these companies have been in business for years and provide excellent customer service. You can trust booking tours from their sites for sure!

For a guided city tour, check out City Sightseeing and BigBus Tours. These bus tours are so much fun and easy to hop on and hop off at top attractions in cities around the world.

CityPass is a great way to save money when visiting large cities. CityPass allows you to get free admission to major attractions once you buy their pass. The savings add up quickly with this pass, often saving 50% with combined admissions.

Another great pass to save money in larger cities is the Sightseeing Pass. This pass allows you to save valuable time and money by combining admissions to major attractions. They also have a handy app that keeps everything you need at your fingertips.

Looking to Save Time and Money?

Check out our resource page for all of our favorite vendors. These companies help us to save time and money on our travels!

Michelle Snell-Founder That Texas Couple

About the Author

Michelle Snell is a travel writer, history buff, wine lover, and enthusiast of different cultures. Michelle enjoys bringing places to life through creative content creation and her informative writing style on her blogs, That Texas Couple and Totally Texas Travel and accompanying social media accounts.  She is happiest sipping wine in Italy or chilling on a beach with her husband, Marty.