Best Backpack Under $50: Affordable Quality

Osprey Daylite Backpack

The Daylite pack by Osprey is easily one of the best bags you can buy when looking for backpacks under $50. It is made from 210D nylon fabric, for excellent durability and helping make it water-resistant. The material has a really good tear and abrasion resistance, so this pack can easily survive years of daily use.

It’s very comfortable to carry, thanks to the mesh-covered backpanel with slotted foam. It feels soft against your body, while the breathable mesh keeps you cool and dry even in really hot weather. Additionally, the pack features both a sternum strap and a (removable) hip belt, so you can easily get the perfect fit.

There are three compartments total on the Osprey Daylite. The main compartment is the largest, and it features a wide opening for easy access to its contents. The front compartment is much smaller, and it has a couple of slip pockets inside, as well as a key clip, for easy organization of the smaller stuff.

And there’s also a hidden compartment behind the backpanel, which is designed to hold a hydration bladder. This is a very convenient feature that makes the Daylite even more versatile – not only is it suitable for day-to-day adventures and travel, but it also makes a pretty good outdoor backpack.

This pack has two stretchy side pockets that can easily hold water bottles of all sizes. There are also compression straps on the sides that will help stabilize the load of the pack, especially when it is not at full capacity. And you can also use this to keep bigger and bulkier stuff in the side pockets – the compression strap will easily hold a tripod in place here.

By the way, be sure to check out the Daylite Plus as well if you want a roomier pack. It’s often discounted, so you might just be able to grab it for under $50!

Hynes Eagle Travel Backpack

The Hynes Eagle backpack is without a doubt the best travel option for backpacks under $50. It has a capacity of 40 liters, which is more than most carry-on suitcases have. This means that you will actually be able to pack more in this bag while staying perfectly organized.

That’s an amazing advantage that backpacks have over traditional suitcases – the abundance of internal and external compartments lets you find a dedicated spot for everything, as opposed to being limited to just two sides of a suitcase.

This bag is made from water-repellant polyester, which means it’s reasonably water-resistant. It also has a pretty good tear and abrasion resistance, although it is not as durable as nylon. Nylon bags tend to be more expensive, and they’re not so easy to find in a backpack under $50.

Also, one reason why nylon fabric is the better choice is its water resistance even without extra coating – a feature you already have on the Hynes Eagle backpack.

However, it won’t be the most comfortable backpack to carry, especially because of the large capacity. The backpanel and harness are padded, but only the adjustable shoulder straps are covered with breathable mesh.

However, you do get a sternum strap and a hip belt, which will help transfer the load away from your shoulders and back. So, at least you won’t feel the entire weight of the bag, even if you might be a bit sweaty.

There are three external compartments on this pack. The main compartment is the roomiest, and it features internal compression straps and pockets. Then there’s the large front compartment, with sleeves for your laptop, tablet, and enough room for the most important accessories.

Last but not least, the smaller front compartment features organization panels for the items you want easily accessible – phone, wallet, passport, etc. In addition to all that, this travel backpack also features an expandable side pocket (great for water bottles), stowable, padded shoulder straps, and external compression straps.

Nubily Laptop Backpack

The Nubily pack is an excellent choice if you are primarily looking for a laptop backpack under $50. This can easily hold even the thickest 17” devices, and it retails for about $30. There is even an option that can hold laptops up to 18.4”, but that one is a bit pricier – it’s still under $50 though!

This backpack is actually really versatile, thanks to the variety of compartments and pockets. The actual laptop compartment is TSA friendly, which makes the Nubily a really good option for travel as well. Especially since it has a capacity of 40 liters, which is what you usually get from a standard carry-on bag.

The pack is made from water-resistant polyester, and it features reinforced stitches for improved durability. It might not be the toughest laptop backpack out there, but it certainly is the best bag you can get at such an affordable price point.

And it’s very comfortable to wear, thanks to the thick padding and breathable mesh on the harness and backpanel. This side of the backpack also features a convenient luggage strap, a hidden pocket in the lower half of the backpanel, and a tiny zippered pocket on one of the shoulder straps.

In addition to that, the backpack has another four zippered pockets on the front. And the spacious main compartment can fit all of your EDC items, or even enough clothes for a weekend away. There are also two stretchy side pockets that can hold water bottles, as well as side compression straps that will help stabilize the load.

Loowoko Hiking Backpack

If you’re looking for a high-capacity hiking backpack under $50, you’ll be glad to know that there are some really great options for less than $50. One of those is the Loowoko pack; a ripstop nylon fabric backpack with a capacity of 50 liters.

This bag features a very comfortable harness with thick padding and breathable mesh all around. The hip belt is also very comfortable, and it will hug your waist nicely so that you don’t feel the actual weight of the backpack. This is a very handy feature, considering that the bag can hold up to 88 lbs of gear.

Thanks to the variety of different compartments, you should have no issues keeping all of your gear organized. The pack even has a dedicated shoe compartment, in addition to the spacious main compartment and an abundance of external pockets.

On top of that, there are also lots of external attachment points for all your bulkier gear. The side compression straps can easily hold sleeping pads and sleeping bags, but also other bulky items. There are even dedicated attachment points for hiking poles, as well as multiple webbing straps that allow you to attach a carabiner.

Additionally, the backpack also features stretchy side pockets that can easily hold water bottles and the top-loading main compartment that has more than enough space for your most important gear. The exterior of the backpack is water-resistant, but you will also get a rain cover that guarantees all your stuff stays dry even in really heavy rain.

Monoki Military Tactical Backpack

If you’re looking for a rugged EDC backpack, the Monoki Military pack is an excellent option. This multi-functional backpack is made from rugged 900D oxford and nylon, for excellent performance even in really harsh conditions. It has a water-resistant exterior that will protect the contents in light rain, but it is not entirely waterproof so try to find shelter in heavy downpours.

This backpack features multiple MOLLE panels on the front and sides of the bag, for easy attachment of bulky items. You even get a couple of attachment points on the adjustable shoulder straps, for stuff that you want to have handy at all times.

And you can easily organize all the usual EDC stuff inside the two main compartments of the bag. They are both extra roomy, with internal pockets and sleeves for your laptop and tablet. In addition to that, the bag also has two zippered front pockets, for easy organization of all your smaller EDC items.

This pack features compression straps on the sides and the bottom, which help stabilize the load, but also let you attach even more stuff to the exterior of the bag.

The Monoki tactical survival backpack will be very comfortable to wear, thanks to the padded and ventilated backpanel and harness. Your back will be able to breathe, which means no sweating even during really hot days. And the hip belt and sternum strap will transfer the load away from your shoulders so that you don’t actually feel the weight of the backpack.

Another thing worth mentioning is that this pack features a hidden sleeve behind the backpanel. It’s a great spot for a hydration bladder because of the easy access you have to it, but also just for items, you want to keep extra secure.

AMBOR 17.3inch Travel Laptop Backpack

The Ambor backpack is a great affordable option for you who need a 17” laptop backpack. This pack can fit even the bulkiest devices in the dedicated TSA-friendly compartment. And it is carry-on sized, so it’s also one of the best travel backpacks under $50 to get.

One thing I really love about this backpack is the backpanel. With thick padding and breathable mesh all over it, the Ambor backpack will be very comfortable to wear regardless of the temperature outside. There’s also a sternum strap that will hold the adjustable shoulder straps in place, and help keep the load away from your torso.

Additionally, this backpack features an anti-theft design, which is really great for travel bags. The dual zipper opening of the main compartment allows you to lock the zippers so that no one can open the bag without the appropriate key. And there are side compression straps that go over these zippers, which protects the bag from sneaky thieves even more.

The main compartment of the pack is very roomy, and it features a large zippered pocket inside. The laptop compartment in the back has dedicated sleeves for your laptop and tablet, and it unzips to lie flat, for speedy passing through TSA checkpoints. The bag also features a dedicated compartment for your wet clothes, as well as a special shoe compartment.

And on top of all that, there are also several hidden pockets on the bag – some are on the front panel, and one is cleverly integrated into the backpanel. They’re great for stuff you want to have handy at all times, especially because the zippers are hidden and others won’t even notice that the pockets exist – let alone that you put your wallet in there.

AmazonBasics Laptop Computer Backpack

The AmazonBasics backpack is a good option if you’re looking for a laptop backpack. It has a dedicated computer sleeve that can fit even thick 17” laptops, so you will be able to take your device anywhere. And with multiple internal and external pockets, you can also organize all of your cables, chargers, and other must-have items.

This backpack features thick padding in the backpanel and shoulder straps, so it will be quite comfortable to wear. Especially since there are also ventilated inserts, which allow your body to breathe. However, it does not have a sternum strap or a hip belt, which might be an issue considering just how heavy it can get when full.

There’s no information on the exact capacity of the backpack, but judging by its size and amount of compartments, I’d say that it is more than enough for everyday use.

The pack has a roomy main compartment, a computer compartment, two zippered pockets on the front panel, and two side water bottle pockets. There’s also a scratch-free zippered pocket at the top, which is great for your sunglasses or phone.

In addition to all that, the AmazonBasics pack also features side compression straps that let you cinch in the bag when it is not filled to capacity. This helps stabilize the load and makes it more comfortable to move around with the backpack.

This is a very versatile bag, which can handle both everyday use and the occasional outdoor adventure. If that’s exactly what you were looking to get, then this might just be the bag for you! And it retails for some $30, so it’s well under the $50 budget!

R HORSE Adventure Internal Frame Backpack

If you want a proper outdoor backpack with a large capacity, the R Horse pack is an excellent option. It retails for some $40, which is a really good deal for a 70-liter backpack. It has an internal aluminum frame that helps keep it stable at all loads and ensures that you are comfortable while you’re wearing the bag.

The thick padding in the harness and backpanel also goes a long way towards making you comfy, as do the hip belt and sternum strap. The latter two features help transfer the load of the pack onto your hips so that you don’t actually feel the entire weight of the bag.

In addition to that, both the harness and the backpanel are covered with breathable mesh, for great ventilation during hot and sweaty days.

The backpack is made from 600D ripstop and oxford canvas, for excellent durability in rugged conditions. That’s actually what makes it a great outdoor backpack; it will be able to withstand frequent use in rugged conditions, which is exactly what you want out of a large-capacity hiking backpack.

The exterior of the pack has decent water repellency, and it will protect the items inside from light rain. But it won’t do much in heavy downpours, which is why you also get a rain cover with this backpack.

In terms of different pockets and compartments, this is really similar to other backpacking packs. It has a large top-loading main compartment, stretchy side pockets, a dedicated sleeping bag compartment at the bottom, zippered hip belt pockets, and a variety of external attachment points. Overall, it’s definitely one of the best rugged outdoor backpacks you can buy for under $50!

High Sierra Loop Backpack

The High Sierra Loop backpack is a great option if you want something affordable, functional, and versatile. This backpack is great for most people because it can be a travel bag, an EDC bag, and even an outdoor pack – with so many different features, it’s suitable for pretty much anything you can think of.

This pack has a total of three compartments and a small zippered pocket. It also features two stretchy side pockets that are great for water bottles, but even for bulkier items. There are compression straps just above the pockets, which will keep any long and bulky items secure.

In addition to that, the Loop backpack also features two pairs of compression straps on the bottom front. You can use these to attach extra gear to the backpack (like a sleeping pad), or just to stabilize the load even further. Plus, there’s even a carabiner attachment point on the front panel, which lets you carry even more bulky gear.

The backpanel and S-shaped shoulder straps feature thick padding for excellent carrying comfort,  but only in mild weather. There’s no breathable mesh on the backpanel to ensure that you won’t sweat when it gets really hot outside, and that’s pretty much the only downside of the backpack.

It is also worth noting that the main compartment of the backpack has multiple internal pockets and sleeves, including dedicated storage for a tablet. It does not have a laptop sleeve, but it is roomy enough to fit a laptop inside one of the two larger compartments.

PANS Military Expandable Travel Backpack

The Pans backpack is a great option if you’re looking to get a versatile tactical pack. The rugged exterior of this bag is suitable for any outdoor adventure, while the multiple pockets and compartments allow for easy organization of all your belongings. This is not just a great outdoor backpack; it’s also a good option for travel, EDC items, and even just commute.

And it is a comfortable backpack to wear for long periods of time. The backpanel is padded, and you can’t actually feel any of the items inside poking you in the back. In addition to that, it features a hip belt and a sternum strap that transfer the load of the bag onto your hips, for even better comfort. But it lacks breathable mesh, so you might get a bit sweaty when it is very hot outside.

This is a three-day tactical backpack with a maximum capacity of 64 liters. That is the capacity of the expanded backpack; the non-expanded capacity of the pack is 39 liters, which is still plenty for short trips and overnight stays.

That’s actually what makes this pack a great option for travel – it has the capacity of an average carry-on, and you can expand it to be as big as a medium suitcase. Additionally, the pack also has MOLLE panels, compression straps, and extra attachment points, so you can attach all the bulky stuff to the exterior. And that’s what makes it an awesome outdoor bag.

It has four compartments total, which is equipped with internal pockets and sleeves for easy organization of all your EDC items. This includes dedicating sleeves for a laptop, tablet, smartphone, wallet, and pen organizers, among others.