Best Roll Top Backpacks

10 Best Roll Top Backpacks in 2023 – Buyer’s Guide

(Last Updated On: February 2, 2023)

Packing up or your everyday life for a road trip needs equipment that can do something. Particularly in the winter months (particularly in a colder climate) may be a tough bag is the best way to continue. So if you’re really searching for one you can’t go wrong with a roll-top backpack that’s practical and sturdy. You will be shocked to find out how many brands take the outdoor-oriented style and turn it into a go-to item for both downtown travelers and weekend adventure warriors and believe us, there’s still plenty on the market. You want one made of rough and tumble material, with features like pockets, storage room, rugged accessories.

Compared to the conventional zipper cover, roll top backpacks have a lot of space to hold your stuff due to a cinch strap that will keep the lid tight if it is rolled down or loaded to the brim. It’s this flexibility that has made the bags especially common among bike messengers in bigger cities, but it’s also the same flexibility the makes them perfect go-to travel pieces or everyday bag for the individual with a varied pack. If you’re searching for something extremely advanced and waterproof or influenced by anything a little more retro, we’ve wrapped you up. Take a scroll through to check out our choices for the 10 best roll top backpacks in the market.

In a Hurry? The test winners after 10 hrs of research

Timbuk2 Spire Backpack

Timbuk2 Spire Backpack – Premium Pick

Why is it better?

  • The build quality is excellent, stitching is strong, materials are extremely durable
  • The velcro + the metal clasp hook work better than I expected
  • Straps are rigid but form beautifully to your back over time
  • The pack can hold a lock on either the hook and loop or bottle holder

JOHNNY URBAN Roll Top Backpack

JOHNNY URBAN Roll Top Backpack – Best Value

Why is it better?

  • Good quality material
  • Eco friendly and is made entirely from plastic bottles
  • Water-resistant
  • Stronger than it looks

Best Roll Top Backpacks – Overview

The appeal of roll-top backpacks among students, tourists, campers, bikers, and hikers has once again increased. Other than the alpine-style pack with lots of flaps, hooks, or zippers. It rolls down like a lunch bag. Despite this, one of the biggest explanations for this revival is the shortage of drawstrings, mesh lining and pockets, and those irritating nylon hooks clap stuff. It can be overwhelming to seek and choose the best out of too many, which is why we plan to make this guide a little simpler. We’ll present the best roll top backpacks for your next adventure.

Roll Top Backpacks Reviews

1. Timbuk2 Spire Backpack – Premium Pick

Timbuk2 Spire Backpack

The Timbuk2 Spire Backpack is a rugged roll-top pack for your laptop and tablet. Front zip pocket fits smartphone, wallet, and shades; Internal organizer for pens, phones, and other small stuff, the large main compartment for books, jacket, and other carry-on essentials. This bag also features a waterproof rolltop plus incognito back zip access; Secure zip pocket for earbuds, stylus, cards, and cash.

There is an on-strap bottle opener for party tricks and quick refreshment, exterior webbing offers an attachment for carabiners or U-lock, elasticized external side pocket for water bottle or U-lock. Other features include a custom-fit strap design for a truer, more comfortable fit, removable sternum strap, and a ventilated back panel to give your back breathing room.

Key Features:

  • Front zip pocket
  • On-strap bottle opener
  • Custom-fit strap design
  • Ventilated back panel 

Specifications:

  • Brand: Timbuk2
  • Dimensions: 18.7″ H x 12.4″ W x 5.12″ D
  • Weight: 2.36 lbs
Pros
  • The build quality is excellent, stitching is strong, materials are extremely durable
  • The velcro + the metal clasp hook work better than I expected
  • Straps are rigid but form beautifully to your back over time
  • The pack can hold a lock on either the hook and loop or bottle holder
Cons
  • Could have a side handle

2. Burton Tinder Roll Top Backpack

Burton Tinder Roll Top Backpack

Vintage rucksack styling plus minimalist design is the top line summary of the Burton Tinder Roll Top Backpack. Digging a bit deeper, this everyday pack features an externally accessible padded laptop compartment and an easy drawstring closure that speeds the task of packing up at work, class, or the coffee shop.

There is a rucksack-style main entry with drawstring closure for convenience, ergonomic shoulder harness with adjustable sternum strap for comfortable carrying. It also has a top accessory pocket and internal zippered mesh pocket for storage, and an externally and internally accessible padded laptop compartment. Our handy guide to the best edc (everyday carry) backpacks features more great products like this.

Key Features:

  • Laptop compartment
  • External accessory pocket
  • Ergonomic shoulder straps
  • Internal zippered mesh pocket

Specifications:

  • Brand: Burton
  • Dimensions: 22.8″ H x 15″ W x 2″ D
  • Weight: 1.46 lbs
Pros
  • The comfort of this backpack is really nice
  • The outside material is water resistant
  • It is minimalist in its approach to zippers and straps
  • Great durability
Cons
  • Could be better divided, but for large amounts of stuff this works great

3. Victorinox Altmont 3.0 Flapover Laptop Backpack

Victorinox Altmont 3.0 Flapover Laptop Backpack

The Victorinox Altmont 3.0 Flapover Laptop Backpack is made with a slim design and an expandable main compartment make this laptop backpack the perfect companion whether you need extra space or are just carrying a few items. Padded laptop compartment holds up to a 15.6-inch laptop. There is also a 10-inch padded portable device pocket to protect an iPad, Kindle, tablet, or other e-readers.

Interior organization includes a zippered mesh pocket. Exterior organization includes a flapover main compartment with buckle closures, a vertical-zip, gusseted front pocket, two hidden front pockets, and webbing loops. Expands .5 inch for extra capacity on demand. Adjustable, padded shoulder straps, a padded back panel, and a haul handle for easy carrying. A webbing loop on the shoulder strap conveniently holds a pair of sunglasses. Love backpacks? Check out our review of the best laptop backpacks for travel for our top picks.

Key Features:

  • Durable Versatek main body fabric with abrasion-resistant Isynetic ballistic nylon base
  • Holds up to a 15.6” laptop
  • 10″ padded portable electronics pocket
  • Adjustable, padded shoulder straps
  • Expands .5″ for extra capacity on demand

Specifications:

  • Brand: Victorinox
  • Capacity: 13L
  • Dimensions: 17″ H x 12″ W x 4″ D
  • Weight: 2 lbs
Pros
  • The flap over feature really seems capable of keeping the rain out
  • The zipper for extending the size of the main compartment
  • Comfortable shoulder straps and pads
  • The surprise outer pocket with lots of room
Cons
  • Not a lot of external pockets

4. JOHNNY URBAN Roll Top Backpack – Best Value

JOHNNY URBAN Roll Top Backpack

The JOHNNY URBAN Roll Top Backpack is your perfect everyday companion. Do you need more space than expected? Just unroll the top and you are good to go. Aaron’s size and flexibility make it perfect for the city, university, or office.

Both outside & inside material is made 100% from recycled plastic bottles. The shoulder straps, back & bottom of the bag are padded with high-quality rubber to offer wearing comfort & protect your belongings. The 15.6-inch laptop compartment is fully padded to reliably protect your laptop.

Key Features:

  • No strap ends hanging around
  • Comfortably light, but still fits almost anything
  • Only the most necessary compartments
  • Secure zipper closure
  • Impregnated showerproof material

Specifications:

  • Brand: JOHNNY URBAN
  • Capacity: 18L
  • Dimensions: 17.7″ H x 11.8″ W x 5.11″ D
  • Weight: 2 lbs
Pros
  • Good quality material
  • Eco friendly and is made entirely from plastic bottles
  • Water-resistant
  • Stronger than it looks
Cons
  • The opening is pretty narrow as well, making it tough to nicely squeeze clothing inside

5. Thule Covert DSLR Rolltop Backpack

Thule Covert DSLR Rolltop Backpack

The Thule Covert DSLR Rolltop Backpack is the ideal bag for adventurers who take all of their gear with them. Wide mouth access easily loads helmets, boots, and other essentials while rugged wheels and handles ensure easy transportation. Fits up to prosumer DSLR body with attached ultra-wide-angle lens plus a drone and accessories. Ergonomic design provides the perfect balance of support and cushioning.

Custom-fit and protection, thanks to origami-inspired divider system that folds around the smallest to largest pieces of gear. Spacious rolltop compartment stores personal items and expands when the camera pod is removed. Front pockets provide plenty of organization and quick-stash storage for accessories. Find more great products like this by checking out our guide to the best DSLR camera bags for travel.

Key Features:

  • Quick side pockets
  • Removable pod system
  • Custom-fit dividers
  • Ergonomic chassis system
  • Laptop storage

Specifications:

  • Brand: Thule
  • Dimensions: 21.3″ H x 17.7″ W x 7.9″ D
  • Weight: 4.97 lbs
Pros
  • Straps are comfortable
  • Enough smaller organizer pockets
  • Separate large laptop slot (for easier security screening, etc)
  • Large camera compartment
Cons
  • With the style of plastic buckles used, they are hard to open and close

6. Osprey Transporter Roll Top Laptop Backpack

Osprey Transporter Roll Top Laptop Backpack

The Osprey Transporter Roll Top Laptop Backpack is built to get you from point A to point B and handle everything in between. Built from a durable and weather-resistant nylon TPU-coated fabric that delivers reliable protection from the elements on your commute. This bag has all the organization you need with a padded laptop sleeve that can fit a 15-inch laptop. It also features a magazine/document sleeve with an additional organization in the main compartment for your pens, business cards, and other small items.

It has a key clip to make sure you keep your keys in a safe spot. The Transporter Roll Top features a front panel vertical zip pocket for stowing small items. It can also be used as a bike commuter pack with the blinker light attachment for riding safely at night. On the backside of this pack is a mesh-covered ridged foam back panel that provides a soft and comfortable feel. Lastly, the sternum strap is adjustable and doubles as a safety whistle.

Key Features:

  • Laptop storage Roll top style closure
  • Inset water bottle pocket with external zip access
  • Blinker light attachment
  • Adjustable webbing closure system with aluminum buckle

Specifications:

  • Brand: Osprey
  • Dimensions: 20″ H x 12″ W x 7″ D
  • Weight: 2.15 lbs
Pros
  • Two discreet side pockets
  • Perfect dimensions for photography equipment, weekend travels and office comute
  • Lightweight
  • The straps are very comfortable for longer commutes
Cons
  • The laptop sleeve takes some space in the main compartment

7. Acer Predator Gaming Rolltop Backpack

Acer Predator Gaming Rolltop Backpack

The Acer Predator Gaming Rolltop Backpack is designed for adventurous gaming experiences. It’s built with versatile access and lifespan durability to switch between your active lifestyle and gaming worlds. The wide opening top and roll-up design offer flexibility from compact to ample for storing your precious gear. Dedicated compartments are constructed with thick padding and scratch-proof interior to safeguard your Predator Gaming Headphone and 15” Predator Gaming Notebook.

The lightweight yet reinforced exterior is fully water-repellent down to the zippers. The military-grade coating on the front of the bag helps you defend against the rain and mud on road trips. Ventilated back panels and soft padded shoulder straps with an adjustable chest buckle give you the most comfort and functionality possible without sacrificing the Predator style. Make sure you also check our selection of the best gaming backpacks.

Key Features:

  • Water-repellent & padded interior pockets
  • Dedicated headset pocket & interior headset strap
  • Bottom pocket for power adapter brick and personal belongings
  • Roll-up flexibility for Easy Storage

Specifications:

  • Brand: Acer
  • Capacity: 35.5L
  • Dimensions: 26″ H x 17″ W x 6″ D
  • Weight: 2.9 lbs
Pros
  • The buckles and components are metal
  • Really sturdy
  • The stitches are done well
  • Fairly well protected against bumps and bangs
Cons
  • Won’t fit very large laptops

8. Samurai Tactical Ronin Day Backpack

Samurai Tactical Ronin Day Backpack

This Samurai Tactical Ronin Day Backpack comes with Velcro and molle to attach all your gear. Inside the pack, you will find a laptop sleeve, on the outside, there is a front flat accessory pocket and two water bottle holders on the sides. The Ronin tactical backpack also comes molle ready for your gear and the padded mesh panel in the back and in the shoulder straps allow you to be more comfortable in your adventure!

Other features include heavy-duty zippers and utility-style cord pulls, load compression system on both sides, top carry handle, Velcro patch holder, ventilated mesh padded back area & shoulder strap, breathable and comfortable. It has a lot of compartments to provide superior storage capacity and organization without slowing you down. Our guide to the best tactical backpacks offers more great products like this.

Key Features:

  • MOLLE webbing
  • Heavy-duty zippers
  • Velcro patch holder
  • Ventilated mesh padded back area & shoulder strap

Specifications:

  • Brand: Samurai Tactical
  • Capacity: 27L
  • Dimensions: 17.3″ H x 11.1″ W x 5.7″ D
  • Weight: 1.8 lbs
Pros
  • The top opening is rolled over itself and a single cinch strap holds it closed
  • There are two side pockets, each on the lower end on each side
  • The tactical mesh is pretty nice
  • The roll up pocket is nice due to its simplicity
Cons
  • It’d be great if the sides had an additional row of molle webbing

9. BAGSMART Laptop Roll Top Backpack

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Want a stylish and large everyday backpack to hold your laptops and other accessories. The BAGSMART Laptop Roll Top Backpack provides multiple compartments and mesh padded back to securely hold your laptops and accessories all comfortably and without stressing your shoulders and back. Unique roll-top closure gives you easy access to the roomy main compartment so you can easily grab your book or laptop when you need it.

The main opening on the top of the backpack is secured by the press button, enable easy and quick access to your inside laptop or accessories. This roll-top backpack includes an iPad pocket next to the laptop compartment for your iPad and kindle fire. Padded shoulder straps and back padding offer extra back support and comfort. Be sure to also check out our list of tech backpacks for more great items like this.

Key Features:

  • Padded shoulder straps
  • Has a hidden zipper and invisible pocket at the back
  • Mesh padded back support
  • Back luggage strap

Specifications:

  • Brand: BAGSMART
  • Dimensions: 16″ H x 11″ W x 5.5″ D
  • Weight: 1.5 lbs
Pros
  • The stitching is clean, though not double stitched
  • There are a ton of pockets that you can utilize
  • Zippers feel strong and of quality material and make
  • The bag has a foldable cloth top portion
Cons
  • Velcro strap inside bag feels more like a hindrance than a useful feature

10. CamelBak Pivot Roll Top Backpack

CamelBak Pivot Roll Top Backpack

Lightweight and versatile, the CamelBak Pivot Roll Top Backpack makes for a great everyday commuter backpack. The reservoir is compatible to convert into an easy hike or festival daypack. Weighing in at just 12 oz., there’s space for everything you need for a day out in the city, from a secure zippered essentials pocket to an expandable bottle pocket.

Made from 50% repurposed materials, removing single-use plastics out of waste streams and giving them new life. Other features include an easy-access roll top with magnetic closure buckle, breathable air mesh straps, and an expandable bottle pocket.

Key Features:

  • Easy access roll top with magnetic closure Buckle
  • Breathable air mesh straps
  • Expandable bottle pocket
  • Secure essentials pocket

Specifications:

  • Brand: CamelBak
  • Dimensions: 20.1″ H x 8.7″ W x 7.9″ D
  • Weight: 0.73 lbs
Pros
  • The bag is very light and seems to be durable
  • The bag offers 3 outside pockets and 1 main pocket with 2 internal pockets
  • The buckle also has a super cool magnet on it
  • 2 side pockets for a water bottle
Cons
  • The shoulder straps are thin and can dig in when fully loaded

Buying Guide

Comfort

The straps would be the most crucial aspect of this because they need to follow a few different requirements One of them is that they ought to provide adequate support to be comfortable to wear for the entire day and you will want to test if they are extremely flexible as well to guarantee a perfect match. You can have two other main straps which are both important on heavier bags. They are the sternum and waist straps that will be able to distribute more weight equally on your back and shoulders. Another significant attribute about comfort is that the backpack would be breathable. Usually, this is done over mesh.

Materials

One thing which should be tested is the material’s denier level. This is an indication of how dense it is and you would ideally like to have the number as high as possible. This will indicate the bag will have a high resistance to tears. You’ll still want to test whether the item is waterproof or not. There are some materials such as PVC but there are other basic materials such as nylon which will simply have a water-resistant coating on them. If waterproofing is essential to you then make sure to search for a suitable item.

Pockets

Using multiple compartments is a convenient means of holding your items securely and you can provide quick access. Many such bags have different sections for certain things including a laptop. This will give them a safe place to sit in while you’re on the go. This is great because you will be able to keep your electronics safe, for instance. It is always a smart thing to include pockets at the outside of the bag. Even if they’re unlikely to be waterproof, this is a decent place to store important things you want to turn over quickly. Getting water bottle holders, particularly for those planning for a hiking expedition, would also be really useful.

Size

If you’re going to stay somewhere for a couple of days then you’re going to want a little more space than that and you’re going to want to take something a little bigger with more options for storage. If you consider that occasionally you may like a big bag and at other times a smaller one, it’s useful to search for a bag that will fold up and probably have compression straps. It’s also worth remembering, for example, that a tightly packed 40L bag would be quite large. If you’re buying a backpack at this level you ‘re going to want to make sure you’ve got padded shoulder straps, waist, and sternum straps as well as back protection as well.

Purpose

It’s important to know precisely how you would be utilizing it before you purchase every piece. Such bags come in all the various shapes and sizes, with features such as waterproofing that do not extend to all the standard roll top bags. Waterproofing is a perfect example, because if you are performing an activity like kayaking then you’re going to want to make sure that the contents are protected before you step into the water. Having the best dry bag is another choice for that as well. There are also some roll top backpacks made specifically for your camera gear.

Frequently Ask Questions

Are roll top backpacks good?

Simplicity and ease of use are their key benefits, as they tend to have less webbing ties cluttering the exterior of the pack and are easier to open and close than a more conventional backpack with a top lid pocket.

Conclusion

We hope this guide was helpful for finding the best roll top backpacks as well as our guide on features to look for in a roll top backpack. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this guide, feel free to let us know in the comments section.