40 liters is one of the most useful pack sizes: big enough for a weekend, small enough for carry-on. We cover this in more depth in our roundup of the best camera backpacks with tripod holder.
These are the best 40L packs across uses.
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Quick Picks
- Best travel: Osprey Farpoint 40 Men’s
- Best hiking: Osprey Talon Pro 40
- Best clamshell: Osprey Daylite Carry-On 44
- Best laptop: tomtoc Navigator-T66 40L
- Best value hiking: Naturehike Rock 40+5L
- Best budget: Maelstrom 40L Hiking Backpack
Comparison Table
| Product | Best for | Capacity | Standout feature | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osprey Farpoint 40 Men’s | Best travel | 40L | Carry-on ready, load-lifting frame | View |
| Osprey Talon Pro 40 | Best hiking | 40L | NanoFly UHMWPE ripstop | View |
| Osprey Daylite Carry-On 44 | Best clamshell | 44L | Clamshell, lockable zippers | View |
| tomtoc Navigator-T66 40L | Best laptop | 38-40L | Separate laptop compartment, PFAS-free | View |
| Naturehike Rock 40+5L | Best value hiking | 40+5L | Internal frame, hydration-ready | View |
| Maelstrom 40L Hiking Backpack | Best budget | 40L | Rain cover included | View |
Detailed Reviews
1The Farpoint 40 is one of the most recommended one-bag travel packs for good reason. It meets most carry-on size limits, opens wide like a suitcase, and has a real load-lifting frame with a men’s-specific harness.
WingJacket compression straps cinch the pack down when it is not full, a direct-zip 3-1-1 pocket keeps liquids ready for the security line, and front and bottle pockets handle quick-grab items. It is not cheap, but it carries better than most travel backpacks because it borrows its suspension from Osprey’s hiking packs.
Pros & Cons
What we like
- Suitcase-style opening
- Real frame and hip belt
- 3-1-1 liquids pocket for security
Watch out for
- Premium pricing
- Hip belt adds bulk in the overhead bin
Key Specs
- Capacity: 40 liters
- Fit: men’s-specific
- Frame: load-lifting
- Compression: WingJacket
- Carry-on: meets most limits (check your airline)
2The Talon Pro 40 is Osprey’s light, fast multi-sport pack. NanoFly fabric with a triple-grid UHMWPE ripstop gives it strength well beyond its weight, and the stretch pockets are tougher than standard mesh.
It is versatile enough for long day hikes, scrambles, fastpacking and alpine approaches. It has a men’s fit and a hip belt.
Pros & Cons
What we like
- Very strong for its weight
- Durable stretch pockets
- Versatile multi-sport design
Watch out for
- Premium pricing
- Men’s fit only in this listing
Key Specs
- Capacity: 40 liters
- Fabric: NanoFly with UHMWPE ripstop
- Fit: men’s, with hip belt
- Use: hiking, scrambling, fastpacking
3The Daylite Carry-On 44 squeezes the most volume out of a carry-on footprint. Osprey says it meets most airline carry-on limits when compressed, and it opens clamshell-style with lockable zippers.
A padded laptop sleeve and an external toiletry pocket keep security checks fast, and the ventilated back panel is a real upgrade over flat-backed luggage-style bags. It is a smart pick for travelers who want maximum room without paying checked-bag fees, as long as you compress it before you fly.
Pros & Cons
What we like
- 44 liters in a carry-on footprint
- Lockable zippers
- Padded laptop sleeve
Watch out for
- Must be compressed to meet limits
- Minimal hip belt
Key Specs
- Capacity: 44 liters
- Opening: full-zip clamshell
- Laptop: padded sleeve
- Security: lockable zippers
- Toiletries: external pocket
4The tomtoc Navigator-T66 is a structured, carry-on travel backpack with a separate laptop compartment and lots of internal organization. tomtoc lists it at 20.47 x 12.99 x 9 inches, with usable capacity of about 38 to 40 liters depending on how you pack.
It is built for flights and cities, not trails: think airline cabin bag with good straps rather than a hiking pack. The fabric is PFAS-free, and the stiff sides hold their shape so packing cubes slide in and out easily.
Pros & Cons
What we like
- Dedicated laptop compartment
- Structured shape suits packing cubes
- PFAS-free materials
Watch out for
- Not built for hiking
- Heavier than soft travel packs
Key Specs
- Capacity: about 38-40 liters
- Size: 20.47 x 12.99 x 9 in (brand listing)
- Laptop: separate compartment
- Materials: PFAS-free
5Naturehike’s Rock pack combines a 40-liter body with a 5-liter extension, an internal frame, a rain cover and a hydration port. The brand lists it at 22 x 10.2 x 7.1 inches.
Ergonomic shoulder straps and a padded back panel make it a real trekking pack rather than a stretched daypack. Naturehike is a well-known camping brand, and this pack sits between budget no-names and premium Osprey models.
Pros & Cons
What we like
- Internal frame
- 40L plus 5L extension
- Rain cover and hydration port
Watch out for
- Fit range not as adjustable as premium packs
- Fewer reviews than Osprey
Key Specs
- Capacity: 40 + 5 liters
- Size: 22 x 10.2 x 7.1 in (brand listing)
- Frame: internal
- Rain cover: included
- Hydration: compatible
6The Maelstrom 40L is the budget hiking pack we point most first-timers toward. The shell is 210D ripstop nylon, and a rain cover lives in a small pocket under the base, so a surprise shower does not end the day.
It is a frameless daypack-style design, so it carries best below about 20 pounds. Within that range, the padded straps, chest strap and simple hip strap keep it steady on a day hike, a hut trip or a weekend in a city where you walk a lot. Owners mostly praise the pocket count and the value; the main complaint is that the thin hip strap does little to move weight off your shoulders.
Pros & Cons
What we like
- Rain cover stored in a base pocket
- Ripstop nylon resists snags
- Lots of pockets for the money
Watch out for
- Thin hip strap, no frame
- Not for heavy overnight loads
Key Specs
- Capacity: 40 liters
- Fabric: 210D ripstop nylon
- Rain cover: included
- Frame: none (soft back)
- Hydration: bladder-compatible sleeve
How We Chose
We compared capacity, fit range, weight, carry system, materials, pockets and carry-on dimensions across dozens of backpacks, then read verified owner feedback to find comfort and durability problems that spec sheets miss. We did not receive free products, and we do not claim hands-on testing. TOR Scores combine published specs, verified owner feedback and overall value. You may also find our guide to the best 40L camping backpack helpful.
30L or 40L: Which Should You Choose?
Choose closer to 30 liters if you mostly do day hikes, carry little water or hike in warm weather. You will have a lighter, slimmer pack that is less tempting to overfill. Choose 35 to 40 liters if you hike in changing mountain weather, carry gear for kids or a partner, or want the option of a summer overnight. The extra 10 liters mostly add flexibility, and compression straps make a part-full 40L pack carry like a 30L one.
What Fits in a 40L Pack
A 40-liter pack is enough for a fast overnight in summer, a hut trip, or a week of travel if you pack light. A typical summer overnight load looks like this:
- Ultralight one-person tent or hammock (2 to 4 liters packed)
- Compressible sleeping bag rated for the season (5 to 8 liters)
- Inflatable sleeping pad (1 to 2 liters)
- Stove, fuel and small pot (2 liters)
- Food for one to two days (3 to 5 liters)
- Rain jacket, warm layer and spare socks (5 liters)
- Water: 2 to 3 liters in bottles or a bladder
- Ten Essentials: navigation, headlamp, sun protection, first aid, knife, fire, emergency shelter
If your sleeping bag is bulky synthetic, or you hike in shoulder season with heavier layers, step up to a pack with an extension collar or roll-top, like the Naturehike Rock 40+5 or Haimont 40+15. For travel, 40 liters holds about five to seven days of clothes with packing cubes. Related: our shortlist of the best 40L camera backpack.
How to Fit a 40L Backpack
Fit matters more than brand. A 40-liter pack with the wrong torso length will hurt even if it is made from the best fabric. Measure your torso from the bony bump at the base of your neck (the C7 vertebra) down to the top of your hip bones. That number, usually between 15 and 21 inches, tells you which size or adjustment range to choose. If you are comparing options, our guide to the best 40L backpack for travel is worth a look.
Load the pack with about 15 pounds before you adjust it. Then follow this order:
- Hip belt first. Center the padding on your hip bones and tighten until it carries most of the weight.
- Shoulder straps second. Pull them snug so they wrap your shoulders without lifting the hip belt.
- Load lifters third. On framed packs, angle them about 45 degrees to pull the top of the pack toward you.
- Sternum strap last. Clip it about an inch below your collarbones, just tight enough to stop the straps from sliding outward.
If the shoulder straps leave a gap above your shoulders or the hip belt sits on your waist instead of your hips, the torso length is wrong. Packs with adjustable back panels, like the Osprey Kestrel and Kyte, solve that without exchanges.
Related guides: best 40l backpack travel, best 40l backpack hiking, best backpack around 40l. Browse every pick in our Backpacks category.
Sources and further reading: National Park Service: the Ten Essentials, Leave No Trace: the 7 Principles and National Park Service: camping basics. Product specs come from brand listings on Amazon; always check your airline’s current carry-on size rules before you fly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 40L backpack carry-on size?
Many are designed around common carry-on limits, but airlines differ; check dimensions and your airline’s rules.
Is 40L big enough for an overnight trip?
Yes for summer overnights with compact gear; cold-weather trips usually need 50L or more.
How many days of travel can a 40L backpack hold?
With packing cubes and quick-dry clothes, many travelers fit five to seven days.
How do I size a backpack?
Measure your torso from the base of your neck to the top of your hip bones and match it to the pack’s size range.
Are 40L backpacks waterproof?
Most are water resistant; use a rain cover or liner, or choose a roll-top waterproof pack.
Final Verdict
The Osprey Farpoint 40 is the best 40L backpack for travel; the Talon Pro 40 for hiking.
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