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7 best backpacks with wheels for a smooth ride, tried and tested
From long-haul adventures to office commutes, these hybrid bags will take the weight off your shoulders. We rolled each bag over a few miles to see how they fared.
Our Top Picks
- Best overall: Osprey Farpoint (Review, £176)
- Best budget buy: Mountain Warehouse Voyager Wheelie 35 (Review, £55)
- Best larger option: Mountain Warehouse Voyager Wheelie 50 + 20 (Review, £105)
- Best roomy option: Eastpak Strapverz (Review, £150)
- Best compact option: Kipling Giorno (Review, £176)
- Best for photographers: Vanguard Veo Select (Review, £280)
- Best for kids: Smiggle Epic Adventures Trolley (Review, £35)
Whether you are catching a flight, taking the train, or heading off the beaten track, the right backpack with wheels can make all the difference. Roll it effortlessly through airports, then sling it over your shoulders when tackling rougher ground. Most backpacks are cabin-friendly as well, making them ideal if you are packing for shorter trips.
If you are looking for more luggage for your trips, we have also rounded up the best travel backpacks, best carry-on luggage, the best check-in suitcases, and our best overall luggage brands.
Before you buy, think about what you need from your wheeled backpack. Are you a frequent flyer looking for smooth airport navigation? A student needing space for a laptop? Or an outdoor adventurer after a rugged, all-terrain option with room for hiking or climbing gear?
Just be aware that airline rules on cabin bag size vary. Most stick to a maximum of 56cm x 45cm x 25cm, but always double-check before you travel. Capacity matters too – 30-40 litres is usually enough for a short trip. We also provide advice on the best bags for EasyJet flights, as well as reviewing the best bag choice for Ryanair flights. Comfort is key when you are not rolling your bag. Look for padded shoulder straps and a breathable back panel. Some models have a stowaway harness system, letting you tuck the straps away when using the wheels. Speaking of wheels, they are often the first thing to break on cheaper cases, so investing in a solid option is worth it. Expect to pay around £100 or more for a reliable, cabin-sized backpack with wheels.
How we tested
We stuffed each of the backpacks with wheels to capacity, then checked their dimensions and looked for useful pockets, comfortable straps, good-quality wheels, and a durable handle. We also tested how comfortable they were to roll and to carry over a few miles.
The best backpacks with wheels for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Osprey Farpoint: £175.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best budget buy – Mountain Warehouse Voyager Wheelie 35: £54.99, Mountainwarehouse.com
- Best roomy option – Eastpak Strapverz: £150, Eastpak.com
- Best compact option – Kipling Giorno: £175.90, Amazon.co.uk
1. Osprey Farpoint
Best Overall
- Capacity: 36 litres
- Laptop compatible: No
- Dimensions: 21.5in x 14in x 9in
- Suitable as a cabin bag: Yes for Ryanair, British Airways, Emirates, Tui Airways, Virgin Atlantic, easyJet, Jet2, Swiss Airlines, Wizz Air, and Qatar Airways
- Why we love it: Roomy, top quality, handy hip belt
- Take note: Pricey
All the Osprey backpacks we have tested have performed brilliantly, and this rucksack/wheelie bag hybrid is no different. With a 36-litre capacity, it is super roomy and will take plenty of clothing or sports kit but should still squeeze within cabin bag restrictions with most airlines. The hardware is great quality, and the comfortable handle and rugged wheels feel like they should last for years. The shoulder straps are as good as a standalone backpack's and there is also a hip belt to help with heavy loads. It is pricey but worth the spend. £176 from Amazon.co.uk. Prices may vary.
2. Mountain Warehouse Voyager Wheelie 35
Best Budget Buy
- Capacity: 35 litres
- Laptop compatible: Yes
- Dimensions: 55cm x 37cm x 31cm
- Suitable as a cabin bag: No
- Why we love it: Versatile, tough ripstop fabric
This dinkier version of the Mountain Warehouse Voyager (also included in this round-up) is our top pick if you are travelling on a budget. The Voyager bag is simple but made of tough ripstop fabric and sports a good laptop pocket. In plain black, it is smart enough to pack for business trips or commuting, as well as for your travels. The rucksack straps can be zipped inside the bag quickly to create a wheelie bag – it is a fuss-free choice. £55 from Mountainwarehouse.com. Prices may vary.
3. Mountain Warehouse Voyager Wheelie 50 + 20
Best Larger Option
- Capacity: 50 litres plus 20 litres
- Laptop compatible: No
- Dimensions: 75cm x 35cm x 23cm
- Suitable as a cabin bag: No
- Why we love it: Versatile, padded straps, good value for money
- Take note: Retractable handle is not the most robust
Get two bags for the price of one with Mountain Warehouse's Voyager, which takes a massive 50 litres of kit and has a removable 20-litre daysack you can use for day trips. Both bags have padded shoulder straps, and the larger pack has good wheels that felt durable during testing. The retractable handle is a bit flimsy compared with more expensive models, but we still think this is a bargainous combination of check-in and cabin luggage for less than £100. £105 from Mountainwarehouse.com. Prices may vary.
4. Eastpak Strapverz
Best Roomy Option
- Capacity: 42 litres
- Laptop compatible: No
- Dimensions: 51cm x 32.5cm x 24cm
- Suitable as a cabin bag: Yes, for British Airways and Jet2
- Why we love it: Biggest capacity of all the bags we tried, a smooth ride
- Take note: Straps could be more supportive
A generous 42 litres of space makes Eastpak's Strapverz the roomiest pack we tested that still meets cabin bag restrictions. So, if you are keen to pack in as much as possible without paying for a check-in bag, the Strapverz will do you proud. What stood out during testing was the quality of the wheels and handle – you are in for a smooth ride through passport control. The padded straps are fine but do not offer loads of back support if you are carrying a full load, so they are better used for quickly hoisting the bag rather than an actual hike. £150 from Eastpak.com. Prices may vary.
5. Kipling Giorno
Best Compact Option
- Capacity: 21 litres
- Laptop compatible: Yes
- Dimensions: 41cm x 38cm x 24cm
- Suitable as a cabin bag: Yes, for British Airways, Jet2
- Why we love it: Plenty of compartments, fun colourways, high quality design
The clue is in the name – “giorno” means “day” in Italian, and this smaller backpack with wheels is ideal for day or weekend use. Inside, there is a surprisingly roomy 25-litre space divided into handy compartments and pockets, including a good laptop sleeve and a handy external zipped pocket for paperwork. Choose from bright colourways that are fun for kids as well as neutral navy and grey. The whole thing feels great quality and should withstand daily use. £176 from Amazon.co.uk. Prices may vary.
6. Vanguard Veo Select
Best for Photographers
- Capacity: 10 litres
- Laptop compatible: Yes
- Dimensions: 36cm x 22cm x 56cm
- Suitable as a cabin bag: Yes, for British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Jet2
- Why we love it: Removable divider for camera gear, durable
Whether you are a professional photographer or a keen amateur snapper, you are likely to be travelling with a wide array of camera bodies and lenses, and this protective wheeled backpack is the best we have tested when it comes to transporting such kit safely. Inside the bag, there is a removable divider for your camera bodies and lenses – keep it in for photography trips or swap it out for clothing and toiletries for weekends away. The outside of the Vanguard Veo is pleasingly tough and does not show stains, and the handle was one of the sturdiest during testing. Importantly, it also meets most carry-on restrictions. £280 from Vanguardworld.co.uk. Prices may vary.
7. Smiggle Epic Adventures Trolley
Best for Kids
- Capacity: 18.6 litres
- Laptop compatible: Yes
- Dimensions: 60cm x 41.5cm
- Suitable as a cabin bag: No
- Why we love it: Light-up wheels, compartments for school supplies, sturdy
- Take note: Could do with a sternum or waist strap
Bright designs and motion-detected light-up wheels make Smiggle's trolley a fun choice for little explorers. Plentiful pockets, including a laptop compartment, make these bags ideal for transporting school stuff as well as for packing for a family holiday – kids are likely to get loads of use out of them. The wheels and trolley handle feel sturdy, and the shoulder straps are nicely padded, but we would have liked a sternum or waist strap for when kids are carrying a heavier load. £35 from Selfridges.com. Prices may vary.
The verdict: Backpacks with wheels
Our best on test is Osprey's high-performing Farpoint owing to its roominess, high quality, and comfort when carried. Photographers will find Vanguard's Veo ideal for carrying camera kit. Meanwhile, mini travellers will love using Smiggle's Epic Adventures Trolley for school and trips away. For more inspiration, check out our guide to the best travel backpacks for every adventure.
