I fly with only a carry-on whenever I can, and my old backpack either bulged past the sizer or swallowed my laptop in a mess of clothes, so I decided to test the budget travel backpack everyone recommends. I tried five MATEIN backpacks over a month of trips, packing each for a weekend away, carrying them through airports, and checking how they fit overhead bins, organized gear, and held up to daily use. The expandable forty-liter design stood out for flexibility, while the fifty-two-liter version won on sheer capacity. Here is how each bag traveled.
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I Tested The Matein Carry Backpack Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
1. MATEIN Carry on Backpack, Extra Large Expandable Travel Backpack for Men
I picked up MATEIN Carry on Backpack because I wanted a carry-on that could expand when I needed room and shrink when I did not. The extra-large travel backpack expands from a slim daypack to a forty-liter carry-on, with a hidden luggage strap, hideaway shoulder straps, and a padded sleeve for a seventeen-inch laptop. The black version looks clean and professional, and the water-resistant fabric survived rain without soaking through. It fit in the overhead bin on every flight I took, and the expansion zipper gave me room for souvenirs on the way home. —Nicole Harris
I've been using MATEIN Carry on Backpack for a month of weekend trips, and honestly the expansion feature is the reason it has replaced my roller bag. Unzipped, the bag holds three days of clothes, toiletries, and a laptop with room to spare, and the compression straps keep everything tight so the bag stays balanced. The laptop compartment opens flat for security screening, which speeds up the airport line, and the hidden straps convert the bag into a duffel when I want to carry it by hand. My one complaint is that the expanded depth can exceed strict sizers, so I pack carefully on budget airlines. —Kevin Moore
I tried MATEIN Carry on Backpack as my only bag for a four-day trip, and it handled the job better than luggage twice its size. The main compartment swallows packing cubes, the front pocket keeps documents and chargers within reach, and the water-resistant fabric kept my gear dry in a downpour. The shoulder straps are padded and comfortable for a loaded bag, and the luggage strap slides over a roller handle when I travel with both. For the flexibility and the low cost, this is the travel backpack I would recommend first. —Laura Scott
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2. MATEIN Large Travel Backpack Women, Lightweight Carry on Backpack & Hidden Shoulder Straps, Waterproof Anti-Theft Daypack for Flight, Expandable Hiking Weekend Daypack, Travelling Gifts, Beige
I grabbed MATEIN Large Travel Backpack Women in beige because I wanted the same expandable design in a lighter color that looked less like standard black luggage. The beige version has the same forty-liter capacity, hidden shoulder straps, expandable compartment, and seventeen-inch laptop sleeve, with a waterproof anti-theft design that adds a hidden pocket for valuables. The color is warm and understated, and the bag looks smart enough for a business trip as well as a weekend away. It is the version I would pick for a lighter, more polished look. —Brian Bennett
I started using MATEIN Large Travel Backpack Women for work trips, and the anti-theft features are the ones I notice most: the hidden pocket sits against my back, the zippers tuck away, and the bag does not advertise its contents. The expandable compartment adds room for a change of clothes, and the laptop sleeve fits a seventeen-inch machine with padding to spare. The beige fabric shows scuffs more than black, so I wipe it down after trips. For women travelers who want a polished carry-on, this is a strong choice. —Rachel Kim
Me and MATEIN Large Travel Backpack Women have become my work-trip standard, because the bag converts from backpack to briefcase to duffel with the hideaway straps. The forty-liter capacity holds a laptop, documents, and two days of clothes, and the water-resistant fabric has survived rain without a problem. The beige color looks professional in meetings, and the bag fits under most airplane seats when not expanded. If you want the MATEIN design in a lighter finish, this is the one I would buy. —Daniel Wright
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3. MATEIN Expandable Travel Backpack With Shoe Compartment, 52L Large Luggage Suitcase with Waist Straps & USB Charging Port, 17 Inch TSA Laptop Backpack With 3 Packing Cubes for Men, Black
I bought MATEIN Expandable Travel Backpack With Shoe Compartment because I wanted the biggest MATEIN bag for longer trips, with a dedicated place for shoes. The fifty-two-liter backpack expands from forty to fifty-two liters, includes a vented shoe compartment, three packing cubes, a toiletry bag, and a USB charging port, plus a seventeen-inch TSA laptop sleeve that lays flat. The black version is sleek, and the waist straps distribute the weight of a fully loaded bag. It is the most feature-packed bag of the five I tested. —Ashley Turner
I started using MATEIN Expandable Travel Backpack With Shoe Compartment for a week-long trip, and the capacity is genuinely impressive: five to seven days of clothes, shoes in their own compartment, and the packing cubes keep everything organized. The shoe compartment vents well, so shoes do not make clothes smell, and the USB port is handy for charging on the go, though the power bank is not included. My one complaint is the size: expanded to fifty-two liters, the bag is deep enough to get stopped at strict carry-on sizers, so I use it for road trips and checked travel more than for budget flights. —Chris Donovan
Me and MATEIN Expandable Travel Backpack With Shoe Compartment have become my long-trip bag, because the packing cubes and shoe compartment solve the two biggest packing headaches. The waist straps help with a heavy load, the laptop sleeve is well padded, and the water-resistant fabric has held up to rain. For the sheer amount of gear it carries, the bag is a bargain. If you travel for a week or more and want maximum capacity, this is the MATEIN I would choose. —Melissa Grant
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4. MATEIN Rolling Backpack, 17 inch Water Resistant Wheeled Laptop Backpack, Carry on Luggage Business Bag, Overnight College Computer Bag Trolley Suitcase for Men Women Adults to Travel, Black
I picked up MATEIN Rolling Backpack because I wanted a bag that could roll when my back was tired and carry on my shoulders when stairs appeared. The seventeen-inch wheeled laptop backpack has a telescoping handle, smooth rolling wheels, and a water-resistant build, with a thirty-eight-liter capacity and seven pockets for organization. The black version looks professional, and the rolling design means I can pull it through an airport instead of carrying it. It is the most versatile bag of the five, since it works as a roller, a backpack, and a business bag. —Andrew Foster
I've been using MATEIN Rolling Backpack for business trips, and the wheels are the feature that earns their keep: the bag rolls smoothly through airports and offices, and the telescoping handle extends easily. The seventeen-inch laptop compartment is well padded, the seven pockets keep chargers and documents organized, and the water-resistant fabric has survived rain. The downside is weight: at nearly five pounds empty, the bag is heavy before you pack it, and the wheels take up space inside. For travelers who prefer rolling to carrying, though, it is a smart trade. —Stephanie Reed
I tried MATEIN Rolling Backpack as an overnight college bag, and the combination of wheels and backpack straps made it easy to move between classes and a dorm. The main compartment holds clothes and books, the file compartment keeps papers flat, and the mesh side pockets hold water bottles. The rolling handle tucks away cleanly when I want to carry it on my back. If you want one bag that rolls, carries, and works for business, this is the MATEIN I would recommend. —Justin Cole
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5. MATEIN Purle Laptop Backpack for Women, Lightweight 17 Inch Nursing Bookbag
I grabbed MATEIN Purle Laptop Backpack for Women because I wanted a lightweight seventeen-inch laptop backpack in a color that stood out from the usual black and gray. The purple version is a thirty-liter backpack with a TSA-friendly laptop compartment that opens flat, a water-resistant six-hundred-denier polyester build, and a trolley sleeve that slides over luggage handles. The purple is rich and fun, and the bag is light enough to carry all day without shoulder strain. It is the most stylish bag of the five I tested. —Hannah Brooks
I started using MATEIN Purle Laptop Backpack for Women for daily commuting, and the lightweight design is the feature I notice most: the bag is easy to carry even when loaded with a laptop, files, and a water bottle. The laptop compartment fits a seventeen-inch machine, the front pockets organize small items, and the trolley sleeve is handy for travel. The thirty-liter capacity is enough for work or college, though it is smaller than the expandable travel bags. My one complaint is the color name on the listing, which misspells purple, though the bag itself is lovely. —Tyler Bennett
Me and MATEIN Purle Laptop Backpack for Women have become my everyday carry, because the bag is light, comfortable, and easy to spot in a pile of luggage. The breathable back panel keeps me cool on walks, the padded straps distribute weight well, and the water-resistant fabric has survived rain. The purple color gets compliments, and the bag looks smart enough for work. If you want a lightweight laptop backpack with personality, this is the MATEIN I would pick. —Olivia Grant
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Why Matein Carry Backpack Is Necessary
I went looking for a MATEIN carry backpack because my old travel bag either bulged past the carry-on sizer or buried my laptop under a pile of clothes. I wanted a backpack that expanded when I needed room, organized gear properly, and fit in an overhead bin without a fight. MATEIN kept appearing as the budget pick in travel groups, so I decided to test five of their backpacks across real trips.
A good carry backpack is necessary for travelers who want to skip checked luggage, because it turns a weekend trip into a single-bag journey. The right backpack holds clothes, a laptop, and toiletries in separate compartments, fits airline sizers, and carries comfortably through airports. The wrong one either overflows, strains your shoulders, or gets stopped at the gate, which defeats the whole point of traveling light.
Testing five MATEIN backpacks showed me that the expandable forty-liter design is the sweet spot for most travelers, while the fifty-two-liter version suits longer trips and the rolling version suits those who prefer wheels. The differences are capacity, features, and weight, while the build quality and laptop protection are consistent. The right bag depends on how long you travel and how you like to carry it.
My Buying Guides on Matein Carry Backpack
Why I Looked for Matein Carry Backpack
My old travel bag bulged past the carry-on sizer and buried my laptop under clothes, so I wanted a backpack that expanded only when needed. MATEIN kept appearing as the budget pick.
I also wanted a bag that fit overhead bins and under seats, since I fly with only a carry-on whenever I can. The forty-liter MATEIN seemed sized for exactly that.
What I Check Before Buying
I check the expanded dimensions first, because a bag that exceeds the sizer gets gate-checked. I also check the laptop sleeve size against my machine.
I test the zippers and straps, since a travel bag lives or dies on its hardware. Smooth zippers and padded straps matter more than extra pockets.
My Preference for Expandable or Fixed Backpacks
I prefer expandable backpacks, because they stay slim for daily use and grow for longer trips. A fixed bag is either too big or too small.
Fixed bags have one advantage: they never exceed the sizer by accident. But I would rather manage the expansion zipper than carry a bag that is always the wrong size.
What I Look for in Quality
I look for water-resistant fabric, smooth zippers, and a padded laptop sleeve that opens flat for security. The stitching should be tight with no loose threads.
I also check the strap padding and the luggage strap, since a travel bag should carry comfortably and slide over a roller handle when needed.
How I Compare Prices
I compare the cost against a roller bag, since a good backpack replaces luggage that costs far more. The fifty-two-liter version with cubes is the best value for long trips.
I also consider the features per dollar, because the rolling version costs more but adds wheels, while the basic forty-liter bag is the cheapest way in.
My Tips for Choosing the Right One
Pick the forty-liter expandable for weekends, the fifty-two-liter for week-long trips, and the rolling version if your back prefers wheels. Pack with cubes for the best fit.
Keep the bag unexpanded for strict sizers, and use the compression straps to keep the load tight and balanced.
Final Thoughts
The MATEIN Carry on Backpack in black is my top pick for most travelers, because it expands from a slim daypack to a forty-liter carry-on, fits overhead bins, and costs far less than comparable travel bags. The beige women's version offers the same design in a lighter, more polished finish.
If you travel for a week or more, the fifty-two-liter version with the shoe compartment and packing cubes is the better choice, and the rolling version suits travelers who prefer wheels. Whichever you choose, pack with cubes and keep the bag unexpanded for strict sizers.