Travel Gear Guide · 2026 · 8 min read · HomeandRoam Team
The best travel backpacks available in Australia right now, picked from our full range of in-stock Victorinox and Wenger bags.
At a Glance
Here are the standout picks before you read on:
- Best budget: Wenger Quadma 16" — Swiss-engineered, 22L, 16" laptop, under $50
- Best for commuters: Wenger NEXT Crango — slim, streamlined, airport-ready at $57
- Best for frequent flyers: Wenger Legacy 16" — opens flat for security screening, $113
- Best mid-range: Victorinox VX Sport EVO Compact — 20L, bomber build quality, $126
- Best for business travel: Victorinox Werks Professional Compact — premium organisation, $200
- Best premium: Victorinox Werks Professional Deluxe — roll-top mode, handles everything, $249
In This Guide
- What to Look for in a Travel Backpack
- Best Budget — Under $100
- Best Mid-Range — $100–$175
- Best Premium — $175+
- Victorinox vs Wenger
- Frequently Asked Questions
If you're looking for the best travel backpack in Australia, the options are wider than most people realise — and the quality range is enormous. A $44 backpack and a $373 backpack can both be right depending on how and where you're travelling. We stock the full Victorinox and Wenger ranges, both Swiss brands that have been making travel bags for decades. This guide breaks down the standout models for every type of traveller.
What to Look for in a Travel Backpack
The right bag depends entirely on how you use it. But across the board, a good travel backpack should have:
- Dedicated laptop compartment — Padded and separate from the main compartment. If you're going through airport security, a clamshell-opening bag that lets you pull the laptop out without unpacking everything else is a serious time saver.
- Carry-on friendly dimensions — Most 20–32L bags fit domestic Australian airline requirements. Check before you fly — sizes differ between Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin.
- Water resistance — Not the same as waterproof, but a treated exterior fabric will handle rain and splashes. Important if you're commuting or travelling in variable weather.
- Trolley strap — If you're combining a backpack with a suitcase, a pass-through sleeve on the back that fits over a luggage handle makes navigating airports significantly easier.
- Back panel ventilation — Matters more than people think on long carry days. A mesh or channelled back panel keeps airflow between the bag and your back.
"The difference between a good travel backpack and a great one usually comes down to what happens at airport security. Can you get your laptop out in five seconds without unpacking everything? If not, you'll notice it on every single trip."
— HomeandRoam Team
Best Budget Travel Backpack — Under $100
Wenger Quadma 16" Laptop Backpack
The Quadma is Wenger's most accessible bag and it earns its place without apology. 22L capacity, fits a 16" laptop, padded shoulder straps, and multiple compartments for accessories. At $44, it's the kind of bag you can throw in the overhead bin without anxiety about it getting knocked around. Swiss-engineered doesn't mean expensive — the Quadma proves that.
Best for: Day trips, light commuting, anyone who wants reliable quality on a tight budget.
Wenger NEXT Crango 16" Laptop Backpack
The Crango is from Wenger's NEXT generation range — more considered design, cleaner silhouette, built for people who want a bag that works at the office and the airport without looking like either. Fits a 16" laptop, smart interior organisation, and available in blue. A genuine step up from the Quadma without a big jump in price.
Best for: Commuters, students, weekend travellers who care about how their bag looks.
Best Mid-Range Travel Backpack — $100–$175
Wenger Legacy 16" Laptop Backpack
The Legacy is one of Wenger's most consistent sellers for a good reason — it's designed specifically for air travel. It opens completely flat so you can lift the laptop straight out for security without touching anything else. Triple-protect padding around the laptop compartment, a stabilising base so the bag stands upright on its own, and a trolley strap for attaching to rolling luggage. If you fly regularly, this bag earns its price immediately.
Best for: Frequent domestic and international flyers, business travellers.
Victorinox VX Sport EVO Compact 15"
The VX Sport EVO Compact is where Victorinox quality first becomes obvious. 20L, 15" laptop compartment, multiple organisation pockets, water-resistant outer fabric. It's a bag that will outlast most of the luggage you pair it with — Victorinox builds to a standard, not a price point. Also available in blue and red.
Best for: Travellers who want serious build quality without a premium price tag.
Victorinox Altmont Slim 15.6"
The Altmont Slim is the business travel pick at this price point. No bulging external pockets, no unnecessary volume — just a clean, low-profile bag that fits a 15.6" laptop and tablet and sits flush against your back. Light enough to use as a personal item under the seat, refined enough to take into a meeting. Also available in blue.
Best for: Business travel, professional environments, anyone who wants a bag that doesn't look like a bag.
Best Premium Travel Backpack — $175+
Victorinox Werks Professional Compact
The Werks Professional Compact is a serious bag for serious travellers. This is Victorinox's professional line — designed for people whose backpack goes through airports every week. Dedicated laptop compartment, front-access organisation panel, durable construction that will still look good after years of hard use. When the price of the bag is a small fraction of what's inside it, the Werks makes sense.
Best for: Heavy business travellers, executives, frequent flyers who need professional-grade equipment.
Victorinox Werks Professional Deluxe
The Deluxe adds a roll-top expansion mode that takes the bag from a compact daily carry to a capable weekend bag in seconds. If you need one bag that handles a three-day business trip and a Saturday hike, this is it. More organisation, more capacity when you need it, same Werks build quality throughout.
Best for: Travellers who want one bag that does everything — business trip to weekend adventure without repacking.
Victorinox Victoria Signature Deluxe
The Victoria Signature Deluxe is Victorinox's premium bag designed specifically for women. 15" laptop compartment, 10" tablet pocket, structured interior organisation that doesn't sacrifice capacity. The exterior is refined without being fussy — it reads as a premium carry at a glance. One of the most considered bags in the Victorinox range.
Best for: Female professionals and business travellers who want premium quality and thoughtful design.
Victorinox vs Wenger — Which is Right for You?
Both brands share Swiss heritage — Victorinox acquired Wenger in 2005 — but they've maintained distinct identities in the bag range:
- Victorinox builds toward premium. Better materials, more refined aesthetics, higher price points. The sweet spot is the mid-to-upper range where Victorinox quality becomes most obvious. If you want a bag that works in a boardroom and an airport, Victorinox is the call.
- Wenger delivers exceptional value across every price point. Their NEXT range in particular offers genuine Swiss engineering at prices most travel brands can't match. If you want Swiss quality without the premium price tag, start with Wenger.
Still unsure? Browse the full backpack range to compare side by side.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size backpack is best for carry-on travel in Australia?
Most Australian domestic airlines (Qantas, Virgin, Jetstar) allow a personal item or carry-on bag up to approximately 7kg and 48 x 34 x 23cm. Bags in the 20–32L range typically meet these dimensions. Always check your specific airline's requirements before flying, as limits vary.
Are Victorinox backpacks worth the price?
Yes — Victorinox builds to a quality standard rather than a price point. A Victorinox backpack bought today will still be performing in ten years. The materials, zippers, and stitching are noticeably above what most brands offer at equivalent prices. The higher upfront cost generally works out cheaper long-term than replacing cheaper bags every few years.
What is the difference between Victorinox and Wenger backpacks?
Victorinox and Wenger are both Swiss brands (Victorinox acquired Wenger in 2005) but maintain separate product lines. Victorinox tends toward premium materials and more refined aesthetics. Wenger focuses on excellent value across all price points with a wider range of everyday carry options. Both brands are significantly better quality than most travel bag alternatives at the same price.
Do Wenger backpacks fit a 16-inch laptop?
Yes — most Wenger backpacks in our range are designed to fit 15.6" to 16" laptops. The product listing for each bag specifies the maximum laptop size. The Wenger Quadma, Crango, and Legacy all fit 16" laptops.
Do you offer free shipping on backpacks in Australia?
Yes — HomeandRoam offers free shipping across Australia on all orders over $100. Most backpacks in our range qualify automatically.
Shop All Travel Backpacks
Browse the full range of in-stock travel backpacks at HomeandRoam — Victorinox, Wenger, and more. All orders over $100 ship free across Australia.