Travelpro Altitude review: A travel backpack that works equally well as a carry-on and a day pack

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I live out of my backpack for many months of the year and understand firsthand how important it is to bring the right one with you. After all, my backpack functions as my wardrobe, pantry, office drawer, and so much more when I'm on the road or taking to the skies. The best travel backpacks use every inch of space, feature enough room to fit clothes for all potential weather scenarios, and have organizer pockets to slip in my various tech, travel docs, toothbrush, and other essential supplies. My go-to travel backpack is the Travelpro Altitude Backpack, which hits all these features and more.

The Travelpro Altitude Backpack isn't just an excellent backpack for when I arrive at my destination; it's also one of the best carry-on bags that I've ever owned, thanks to being durable enough to withstand the rigors of air travel, easy to pack (and unpack again), and compact enough to fit snugly on both domestic and international flights. Here's why my Travelpro Altitude Backpack is a frequent flyer like me.

Design and specs

The Travelpro Altitude Backpack is like the Tardis — it's far bigger than it looks. I opted for the slim option, but the zippered expansion on all three sizes gives you four extra liters of room to expand your packing options along with the bag. I love that the ECOFAB (made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic) material is water- and stain-resistant, just in case of any spillages of airline food while you're getting your laptop out. The full-grain leather touchpoints are built to last and look classy, too.

This well-thought-out backpack features a small zippered pocket at the front, a large main expandable compartment, and a laptop and tablet compartment with a sleeve to separate your tech at the back. Outside the main compartment are two zippered pockets and one zippered pocket on the inside to keep things organized and separated. Additionally, you have the convenience of the QuickSlip pocket with magnetic closure for easy phone access, and an ID TheftBlock pocket, which uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to prevent your passport or credit cards from being read by data thieves. The bag's exterior features dual water bottle holders and a super convenient handle to carry the backpack when you don't want to put it back on at security.

The slim version weighs 3.7 pounds, which is heavier than your average laptop backpack. However, the additional features and sturdy materials used — like airline-grade aluminum hardware — are worth the weight for their added durability.

What it's like to use

I've been using the Travelpro Altitude Backpack since it arrived on the scene last year. The first domestic flight I used it on was a direct trip to New York. I was only staying for a few days and didn't want to pay to check a bag. I could fit everything I needed for my stay into the main compartment (with some expert rolling techniques I found on TikTok).

I took it everywhere as I toured the city in taxis, subways, and on foot. The dual water bottle holders meant I could refill a couple of them and didn't have to pay for extra hydration as I explored. I felt pretty secure with all my essential documents safely secured inside the ID TheftBlock pocket. I liked the additional handle during rush hour when I was on a packed subway and needed to remove the bag from my back to save space behind me. I just took the backpack off and held it like a traditional laptop bag. I slipped my Kindle into a separate section of the laptop pocket, and it was easy to retrieve whenever I had a spare moment to read.

Since my first outing, I have used the bag on an international flight to Ireland with a couple of layovers. The sleek design made it super easy to maneuver between airplanes, and I was never worried about finding a place for it in the overhead storage compartment, even when the plane was full to capacity.

What makes it stand out?

Anybody who has spent time researching travel backpacks will know that there are many options. What the Travelpro Altitude Backpack does better than the rest is how much it fits into a small space. It's designed for digital nomads and people on the go who want to make use of every inch of space. Made with materials including ECOFAB, full-grain leather, and airline-grade aluminum, it's super durable and will not wear and tear like other brands.

If you want even more organization, you can opt for the organizer kit as an add-on. This handy bag-within-a-bag secures nicely with clips inside and is a great place to store smaller items like travel documents or toiletries.

I also love TravelPro's warranty on the Altitude. The brand offers limited lifetime coverage on the zippers and handles and may even repair or replace the bag, depending on the situation. For the first year, you have the bag, TravelPro will also cover damage caused by an airline or other carrier, including the shipping costs to send the bag to Travelpro's repair facility.

Finally, Travelpro is one of the best luggage brands in the business. The company was founded by a former pilot and is the brand of choice for airline staff and frequent fliers. The brand's Platinum Elite bag tops our list of the best carry-on bags. (Read more in our Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On review.) After years of experience with Travelpro, we've come to associate its bags with high-quality materials, thoughtful design, and great customer service — the Altitude backpack is no exception.

Cons to consider

The main issue I have with the slim version of this backpack is the gusset in the main compartment, which prevents the bag from opening all the way. Some may consider this a pro because items are less likely to slip out when you unzip the bag. However, removing the gusset would allow more items to be stuffed inside the bag. The large option is the only one that features a removable gusset to expand the space even further. However, I solved this problem myself with a pair of scissors.

The bag's weight may take some getting used to if you usually carry a bag made with lighter or less durable materials. However, the airflow and design make the Altitude backpack comfortable regardless.

What are your alternatives?

While it is my go-to and has served me well, the Travelpro Altitude Backpack isn't the only travel backpack that can comfortably and efficiently get you and your belongings from A to B. The Travel Backpack Pro 40L from Tortuga has a bigger capacity than the Travelpro, a highly adjustable harness system, multiple utilitarian organizer pockets, and a four-to-five-day packing capacity. For a duffle-style backpack, check out the Timbuk2 Impulse Travel Backpack. This option weighs the same as the slim Travelpro but has a bigger capacity than the Tortuga. Both are picks in our guide to the best travel backpacks.

The bottom line

Overall, this travel backpack is suited perfectly for long and short trips in the air and beyond. I love how stylish it is, but it's also super durable and functional.