Duffel Bag vs Travel Backpack: What's Right for You?

The choice between travel gear often comes down to a duffel bag vs travel backpack. 

After years of dragging a wheeled suitcase across cobblestones, subway stairs, and narrow hostel halls, I finally learned what most frequent travelers come to realize: suitcases are great at getting clothes from point A to point B, and terrible at everything else. You can’t sling them over your shoulder, bring them on a hike, or tuck them under a café table. And squeezing one into an overhead bin? A nightmare.

That’s why more and more #OneBagLife travelers (myself included) are ditching traditional luggage for something more versatile. When you strip travel down to its essentials, you’re left with two real contenders: the travel backpack and the duffel bag.

Originally written by Elisa Hane on October 3, 2022 - Updated December 2, 2025 by Adam Marland

Ever wonder the key differences between a duffel bag and a travel backpack? What to look for in each, and how to decide which one best fits your travel needs. In this article, we'll break down exactly this. 

And if by the end of this article, you still can't decide between choosing a duffel bag or a travel backpack, we'll be sure to go over one of our favorite solutions—our Convertible Duffel, a duffel/travel backpack/everyday laptop bag that marries the best of all three bags in one. 

Travel Backpack vs Duffel: Key Differences

A good travel backpack should feel like your most reliable travel partner - ready for work trips, long road trips, or a spontaneous weekend getaway alike.

While any backpack you take on the road can technically be called a “travel” backpack, the best ones are designed with travel in mind. They feature thoughtful organization, durable zippers, and compartments designed to separate your laptop from your dirty laundry or your shoes from your shirts. The right model offers plenty of room and smart design details that make life on the go easier.

On the other hand, a duffel bag keeps things simple. They typically have a long zip opening at the top, limited pockets, and a single spacious compartment. Most have a single shoulder strap or handles designed to be carried over your shoulder rather than on your back. Built-in organization is sacrificed in exchange for more usable space.

So if you’re comparing a travel backpack to a traditional duffel, think about how much structure and organization you want versus how much you value simplicity and toss-and-go convenience. Both have their place; it just depends on the kind of adventure you’re packing for.

Duffel Bag vs Travel Backpack Visual Comparison

When to Choose a Travel Backpack

If your travels involve frequent movement, such as road trips, train rides, or a quick weekend trip, a travel backpack is the most practical choice. It keeps you balanced, organized, and hands-free through airports, streets, and stations.

Advantages of Travel Backpacks:

The best travel backpacks are filled with smart features like hidden compartments, padded laptop sleeves, and secure zippered pockets for your passport and wallet. My current pack has traveled thousands of miles, and I’ve come to appreciate how thoughtful organizational features make all the difference in real-world travel. 

Additionally, two shoulder straps make long walks through airports and train stations so much easier. A good backpack distributes weight evenly, leaving you with enough energy to actually enjoy the adventure ahead. 

Disadvantages of Travel Backpacks:

If you pack heavy, a backpack might not offer enough room compared to larger duffels. Multiple compartments help with organization, but aren’t ideal for those who prefer one big space. If that’s you, a travel backpack duffel hybrid, such as the Knack Convertible Duffel, might be your perfect middle ground.

What to look for in a Travel Backpack:

• Organization: Multiple compartments and padded tech pockets keep small items from disappearing to the bottom of the bag.
  

• Design: Go for a clean style and minimal external straps so your bag blends in anywhere, from the café to the conference room.
  

• Comfort: Padded, adjustable shoulder straps and sternum support make heavy loads manageable.
  

• Tuck-Away Straps: Keep your straps out of the way during flights or check-in.
  

• Handles: Reinforced side and top handles make grabbing your bag from bins or trunks easy.
  

Choose a Travel Backpack If:

You value mobility, organization, and comfort. Backpacks are better for travelers who move often, work on the go, and want that #OneBagLife to travel seamlessly from airport terminals to boardroom meetings, to alpine trails, and beyond.

Types of Travel Backpacks

Once you’ve decided that a travel backpack is the way to go, the next challenge is sorting through the endless options. Spend five minutes searching online and you’ll find everything from ultralight hiking packs to sleek urban commuters, all promising to be the “perfect” travel companion. 

The trick is knowing what kind of traveler you are. Are you packing for a quick weekend trip, heading out on a cross-country road trip, or planning to work remotely while hopping between cities? Your answer will help narrow things down.

Here are the main types of backpacks that work well for travel:

Hiking backpacks 

These are designed to carry everything that you need to survive in the wilderness, while being durable and weather-resistant. Think multi-day hikes through Patagonia or to Everest Base Camp. Their features, such as adjustable waist straps, chest clips, and ventilated back panels, are all about comfort and balance when you’re hauling heavy loads. You’ll also find plenty of external loops and pockets for water bottles, trekking poles, or some trail snacks. They’re ideal for outdoor enthusiasts but can feel like overkill if you’re mainly navigating airports instead of alpine passes.

Dedicated travel backpack

Dedicated travel backpacks are essentially a suitcase that you carry on your back. They’re large enough to hold all of your clothes and toiletries, but they’re too big to carry around with you on day trips once you reach your destination. Because of this, you have to take a secondary day pack, such as another backpack, sling, tote, or briefcase, with you on your trip.

Multi-functional backpack 

If versatility is your top priority, this is the ideal option. As the name suggests, a multi-functional backpack transitions seamlessly from the office to the airport to a weekend dinner. These bags blend business and travel style, often featuring padded laptop sleeves, hidden expandable compartments, and internal organization that makes a separate daypack unnecessary. 

When to Choose a Duffel Bag

While a travel backpack prioritizes organization, a duffel bag prioritizes space. If, like me, you want to fit more in your bag and are already good at organizing with packing cubes, then a duffel can be a great option.

Advantages of Duffels:

Duffels are all about space and simplicity. With one large compartment and minimal pockets, finding something can actually be much easier than an over-organized backpack! The wide top opening makes it easy to grab what you need without unpacking the whole bag.

If you pack light, they’re easy to sling over your shoulder and go. I’ve tossed mine in the trunk for countless last-minute weekend trips; there’s something freeing about not having to think too hard about where everything fits.

Disadvantages of Duffels:

That same simplicity can quickly turn into chaos. Without internal organization, small items can have a habit of disappearing into the bottom like socks into a dryer. And if you’ve packed it full, carrying it without backpack straps or wheels can be brutal on your shoulders. Duffels also aren’t typically ideal for everyday carry; they’re made for travel, not errands around town.

What to Look for in a Duffel

• Capacity: Go big, but not too big. Around 40 liters is the sweet spot, enough space for a long weekend but still carry-on compliant.
  

• Comfortable Shoulder Strap: Look for generous padding and a long, adjustable strap you can wear crossbody. A removable strap is handy if you ever need to check the bag.

• Durable Material: A duffel spends most of its life on the floor, so choose one made from a lightweight, abrasion- and tear-resistant fabric, such as nylon or polyester. Canvas and leather look great, but they add serious weight when the bag’s full.
  

Choose a Duffel Bag If

You want a no-fuss hauler that can swallow your entire packing list and still have room for souvenirs. Duffels are ideal for road trips and weekend getaways where organization isn’t your top concern, just throw in your clothes, zip it up, and hit the road.

Types of Duffels

Duffels come in fewer variations than backpacks, but there are still a few features that differentiate one from another. Here are a few types worth keeping in mind when choosing the right bag for your next trip:

Traditional Duffel Bags
The classic duffel is all about simplicity and has few bells or whistles. One large main compartment, a sturdy pair of handles, and maybe a shoulder strap, that’s it. Traditional duffels are designed to fit a lot, but you’ll also have to carry the bag over one shoulder or in one hand, regardless of the weight.

Expandable Duffels

If you’re the kind of person who always seems to bring home more than you left with (it happens to the best of us), an expandable duffel can be a lifesaver. A zipper lets you adjust the main compartment size to fit your load, just don’t expect a lot of internal organization. It’s the kind of practical little detail that can make packing feel less like a chore.

Duffels with Backpack Straps
Some duffels now come as a backpack duffel hybrid, offering the best of both worlds. They provide the roomy space of a duffel with the comfort and balance of a backpack. Knack’s Convertible Duffel takes this idea further, with hidden straps that tuck neatly away when not in use, keeping a clean, professional look. On my last airport run, I easily switched from shoulder carry to backpack mode, a lifesaver on stairs and crowded platforms. 

Roller Duffels
When you’ve packed enough gear for a small expedition, a roller duffel is a blessing. The wheels and telescoping handle make travel easy on your back. The downside is that these features add weight and can limit overhead space. Still, for long journeys or gear-heavy trips, it’s hard to beat the convenience.

Meet the Knack Convertible Duffel

When you need the space of a duffel but want the organization and comfort of a travel backpack, choosing between the two can be tough. That’s why we created a true 2-in-1 bag that blends both worlds with the Knack Convertible Duffel. 

Like a traditional duffel, it offers serious capacity. The main compartment expands to 40L, fitting up to a week’s worth of clothes! Inside, you’ll find thoughtful organization with mesh pockets, a fleece-lined tablet pocket, and a padded laptop compartment.

It also adapts to how you travel with three carry options: via removable backpack straps, top and side handles, or a detachable over-the-shoulder strap. 

What really sets it apart is the lightweight compression flap that divides the bag into two sections when expanded, or converts it into a single organized compartment when unexpanded. 

Expanded, it’s a travel-ready duffel. Unexpanded, it’s a sleek everyday laptop backpack. The Convertible Duffel gives you flexibility, style, and structure, all in one bag.

Why Choose Between a Travel Backpack or a Duffel

Ultimately, choosing between a travel backpack and a duffel really comes down to which best fits your travel style. Each has its strengths; backpacks shine in organization and hands-free mobility, while duffels offer simplicity and sheer packing room. 

Consider what you’re packing, the type of trip you’re taking, and how long you’ll have to carry your bag. And if you want the best of both worlds, a hybrid like the Knack Convertible Duffel gives you the flexibility to travel smarter, without compromising on style, comfort, or capability.

Travel Backpack vs. Duffel Bag FAQs

What’s the main difference between a duffel bag and a travel backpack?

The main differences between a duffel bag and a travel backpack are structure, organization, and capacity. A duffel bag has a soft, open design with one large compartment for maximum packing space, while a travel backpack offers more structure, built-in organization, and balanced carry for more comfortable travel.

Is a duffel bag allowed as a carry-on?

Yes! Most standard-sized duffel bags (around 40 liters or smaller) meet airline carry-on requirements. Just make sure to check your airline’s size limits before you go. Some duffels expand a bit when packed full, which can make them a tight fit in overhead bins. Pro tip: Use the Expandable Travel Duffel as your go-to carry on duffel bag, it has so much room and depending on how much you like to pack you can shove it under the seat in front of you or above you in most overhead bins—again, be sure to check your airline's size limits before you go.

Are travel backpack duffels worth it for One Bag travel?

Absolutely. A convertible travel backpack duffel, like the Knack Convertible Duffel, gives you the best of both worlds: structured organization when you need it, and wide-open space when you don’t. It’s ideal for One Bag travelers who want flexibility, comfort, and professional style in a single carry-on.

Is it better to travel with a backpack or a duffel bag?

Whether it’s better to travel with a backpack or a duffel bag depends on your trip. A travel backpack is best for comfort and organization during longer walks or commutes, while a duffel bag offers flexible packing space and quick access for short or casual trips.

Which is better for business trips, a duffel or a travel backpack?

A travel backpack, like the Series 2 Medium Expandable Backpack, is better for business trips because it offers structured organization, a padded laptop sleeve, and comfortable carry for long days. A convertible duffel-backpack is also a great choice if you want a professional look and one bag that works for both work and weekend travel.