How Big is a 30 Liter Backpack? Visual 30L Backpack Size Guide
Whether you are looking for a backpack for school, work or travel - finding the right size is an important part of in choosing the best backpack for your needs.
In this guide we will take a deep dive to explore how big a 30 liter backpack is and what fits inside using real examples.
If you would like to compare different backpack sizes we highly recommend you check out our backpack size guide. Our visual guides can be a big help in determining the best size backpack for your next purchase.
The North Face Recon 30L Backpack (left) and the Able Carry Max 30L Backpack (right)
How Big Is a 30L Backpack?
Determining the size of a 30 liter backpack depends on many factors such as the internal dimensions, external dimensions, materials and the overall backpack shape and design. We will go step-by-step to help you get a better idea of how big a 30 liter backpack is with real examples.
How big is a liter?
One liter is equal to .001 cubic meter. Determining the liter size of an area involves quite a bit of math but the formula is simple once you get it down. Read more to learn about the formula in-depth.
Read more measuring backpack sizes in liters
Here is the two step process:
Find out your volume in cubic meters
Multiple your cubic meters by 1,000 to determine liters
Step 1 - Find out your volume in cubic meters
Liters are a unit of measure in the metric system to determine volume so for these measurements we are going to going to be using meters.
Determine the measurements in meters of a given area by measuring the width, length and depth in meters. The width, length and depth measurements are then multiplied together. This number is your volume in cubic meters.
Example: .38 Width x .4 Height x .2 Depth = .04 cubic meters
Step 2 - Convert your cubic meters to Liters
Since there are 1,000 liters in a cubic meter, converting your cubic meters to liters is as simple as multiplying by 1,000.
Example: .04 cubic meters x 1,000 = 30.4 Liters
Here are some common Liter conversions to help you compare volume sizes:
1 Liter = .001 Cubic meter
1 Liter = .0353 Cubic foot
1 Liter = .264 US liquid gallon
1 Cubit meter = 1,000 Liter
1 Cubic foot = 28.316 Liter
1 US liquid gallon = 3.785 Liter
30L Backpack Size and Dimensions
The volume of a 30 liter backpack is usually reserved for the size of the backpack’s main compartment or the combination of multiple internal compartments. The main compartment is the largest compartment in the bag where you will hold the bulk of your storage.
As a result when we refer to a “30 liter backpack” it’s safe to assume that we are talking about a backpack that has a 30 liter main compartment or multiple compartments that make up 30 liters total.
The internal dimensions of a main compartment are different from the overall dimensions of a backpack. Although main compartment measurements may be similar, the overall dimensions of a 30 liter backpack can differ greatly depending on the outside pockets, additional compartments and overall design.
Read more about 30 Liter Backpack Dimensions
Internal Dimensions of a 30 liter main compartment
For our 30L backpack examples we have The North Face Recon and Able Carry Max backpacks. We used inches to determine the measurements of the inside of each main compartment. Note that both of these are 30L backpacks!
The North Face Recon main compartment dimensions: 19” Height x 12” Width x 8” Depth
Able Carry Max main compartment dimensions: 20” Height x 12” Width x 5.25” Depth
External Dimensions of a 30 liter backpack
The overall dimensions are the measurements of a backpack from the outside. This includes all pockets and compartments and takes account of the thickness of materials.
The North Face Recon overall dimensions: 20” Height x 15” Width x 9” Depth
Able Carry Max overall dimensions: 20.5” Height x 12.5” Width x 8” Depth
Going with liter size alone isn’t always the best way to determine if a backpack will be too big or too small.
As you can see from the measurements above, no two 30 liter backpack dimensions will be the same. If you are trying to determine if a 30-liter backpack is the right size for your needs then it’s best to refer to the overall dimensions of the backpack to make that determination.
How much does 30L backpack weigh?
The weight of a 30 liter backpack depends on the materials used, back panel and shoulder strap cushioning, and additional pockets that the backpack may have. As a result no two 30 liter backpacks weigh the same.
Here are the weights of a few different 30 liter backpacks:
The North Face Recon 30L: 2.37 lbs
Able Carry Max 30L: 3.79 lbs
Osprey Porter Carry-On 30L: 2.822 lbs
Patagonia Refugio 30L: 1.75 lbs
As you can see from the examples above, although each backpack has a capacity of 30 liters, they all have different weights. As a general rule, you can expect a 30 liter backpack to weigh on average between 2 and 3 pounds. Again, the weight depends on the materials used but we have found that most 30 liter backpack weigh in that general range.
The variance in backpack weight is determined by a few factors. Below we go over some of the most common differences that would cause two similarly sized 30 liter backpacks weigh differently.
Backpack Hardware
Backpack hardware refers to zippers, buckles and adjusters. Most backpack hardware is made of either plastic or metal and as a general rule plastic is lighter than metal. Zippers can be made out of all metal or plastic.
Buckles and adjusters can also either be made of plastic or metal. Metal such as brass and steel are much heavier than aluminum or plastic. Paying attention to what material a backpack uses for its hardware and you’ll have a better understanding of where some of its overall weight comes from.
Fabrics and materials
Since a 30 liter backpack is larger than a 15L or 20L backpack, it is safe to say that it will also use more materials and therefore be heavier.
As a general rule thicker fabrics are usually heavier than flimsier fabrics. Heavy weight fabrics include leather, high density polyester, Cordura Nylon and Ballistic nylon or polyester. These heavy-duty fabrics are know for being puncture resistant, less prone to tears and are rugged enough to be used and abused over time. But they are heavy!
Fabrics and materials that are known for their light weight include lower denier polyester or nylon, XPAC, Nylon Ripstop, and recycled polyester. These fabrics are often used for their lighter weight and strength. Another quick tip: synthetic vegan leather is usually lighter than real leather.
Materials that help keep the weight down include mesh pockets, thin polyester lining, and lightweight foam padding.
Overall shape and design of a 30L backpack
The backpack’s shape and pocket design also heavily determines the overall weight of a 30 liter backpack. If a backpack has a large 30 liter main compartment as well as multiple extra pockets and compartments then it’s going to weigh a lot more than a backpack with less additions.
What fits in a 30L Backpack?
Now that we have determined how big a 30 liter backpack is, let’s find out what fits inside using the most common use cases; school, work, travel and the gym. These examples feature the 30 liter Able Carry Max backpack.
30 liter backpack for school and work
School and work items include a laptop, tablet, pens, and notebooks. Many students also pack large and bulky items such as textbooks, binders, food and a change of clothes. It’s with the latter where 30 liter backpacks really shine.
What fits inside a 30L backpack for school and work?
15.6” Laptop
Camera Cube (7.5” x 8” x 4”)
Pencil Case
Large Headphones
2x 1” Binders
21 Oz Water Bottle
Large 3 subject notebook
Sweater
Is a 30L backpack big enough for school?
We recommend a 30L backpack for school if you plan on carrying a lot of bulkier items. This includes textbooks, binders, clothing and sports equipment, shoes or a lunch. A 30 liter backpack may be too large for students who only carry a few notebooks and a laptop.
Should I get a 30 liter backpack for high school or college?
Students who plan on carrying lots of textbooks, notebooks and binders would benefit in getting a 30 liter backpack for high school. High school students with heavy work loads will often find themselves having to carry multiple classes worth of items at once. This is where a larger capacity backpack shines.
30 liter backpacks are also great for high school or college students who want one bag for both their class items and items for extra-curricular activities such as clubs and sports.
Is a 30 liter backpack the right size for work?
A 30L backpack for work is best suited for people with busy schedules or those who plan to carry multiple bulkier items such as a binders, paperwork, food and beverages, sweaters, jackets or even gym clothes and shoes for after work.
If your daily carry is minimalist with just a laptop, a few office items and water bottle then you’ll most likely find a 30L backpack to be too large.
Those who prefer sleeker professional backpacks for work may also find the size of a 30 liter backpack to be too large and bulky. We recommend you take a look at our favorite business casual backpacks for options in smaller sizes. At the end of the day it depends on what you need to carry daily and if a 30 liter backpack will fit your needs.
30 Liter Backpack for TRavel
A 30L backpack for travel is usually considered a small to mid-size travel bag. In general, you can expect to fit up to a week’s worth of items inside a 30 liter backpack. Note that travel backpacks and bags can go up to 45, 50 or even 70 liters!
What fits inside a 30L travel bag?
We used 3 different sized packing cubes for this example. The packing cube dimensions are:
17.5 x 12.75 x 3.25 inches
13.75 x 9.75 x 3 inches
14 x 5 x 2.8 inches
Inside the packing cubes we managed to fit:
4 pairs of pants
2 sweaters
7 t-shirts
socks and underwear
Is a 30 liter backpack too small too small for travel?
A 30L backpack is the perfect size for short trips or for people who pack light. On average, you can expect to fit a week’s worth of clothing inside a 30 liter main compartment with light packers fitting up to two week’s worth of clothing and gear.
Many weekender backpacks are often around the 30 liter size for this reason. Weekender backpacks are smaller backpacks that open like a suitcase and are only meant for packing for an overnight stay or short weekend trip.
If you worry about how much can fit inside a 30 liter backpack then we recommend with going with a larger 40 or 45 liter travel backpack instead
What’s the advantage of using a 30L travel bag?
When compared to larger travel bags, a 30 liter travel bag can often fit underneath an airline seat and easily fit in overhead compartments. Their dimensions also often fall under the maximum carry on requirements for peace of mind when traveling light. We recommend using a 30 liter backpack carry on as its often just the right size for airline bag requirements.
One-bag and minimalist travelers will appreciate the smaller size of a 30L backpacks when compared with commonly available larger options. 30 liter is definitely a goldilocks volume between being too big and too small.
Does a 30L backpack make a good women’s travel backpack?
Since 30 liter travel backpacks are usually on the smaller side when compared to other larger sizes, we highly recommend a 30 liter travel backpack for women. If you would like to explore your options then we recommend you check out our list of best women’s carry on backpacks that features many 30 liter options.
30 liter backpack for the gym
30 liters is the perfect size for a gym bag due to their larger main compartments that can fit bulkier items like clothing, shoes and training equipment.
What fits inside a 30L gym bag?
Running Shoes (US Men’s Size 12)
Weightlifting Belt
32 Oz Water Bottle
Boxing Gloves
Toiletries Bag
Is a 30L backpack big enough for the gym?
As you can see with our example above, a 30L backpack is large enough for a pair of shoes, a change of clothes and some extra workout gear. We believe that a 30 liter backpack is a great size for people who need a mobile locker to keep all of their gear organized.
Where a 30 liter backpack might struggle is with workouts and sports that require lots of large and bulky gear. Think Boxing, MMA, Hockey and Football. For example, you may be able to fit extra shoes and sparring gloves inside a 30 liter backpack but when you add headgear, shin-guards and other safety equipment - a 30 liter bag will quickly run out of room.
The examples above only show what fits inside the 30L main compartment. They do not account for the extra pockets, laptop compartment and water bottle pockets that are also on the backpack.
Wrap Up
Now that we have given you some real examples of what fits inside a 30L backpack lets discuss who would benefit the most from a backpack this size.
We recommend a 30 Liter Backpack to:
School backpack for students who carry larger items
Commuters who need to pack a day’s worth of items
Medium-sized Gym/Workout bag
Travel bag for weekends or short trips
Our Favorite 30L Backpacks
Db Strøm 30L Backpack
The Db Strøm is currently one of our favorite backpacks for hauling large gear for travel, sports and even the gym. This is thanks to it’s clamshell main compartment that opens fully so you can have easy-access to your gear. Other awesome features include a separate padded laptop compartment, plenty of mesh pockets for organization and Db’s special “rib cage technology” that makes the Strøm incredibly lightweight for its size while offering great protection of delicate cargo.
The North Face Recon
The North Face Recon is a great all-rounder backpack thanks to its roomy 30-liter main compartment, separate laptop compartment and great organizer compartment in the front that can hold a tablet, pens, keys and more. We recommend the North Face Recon for students and commuters who need a reliable 30L backpack for school or work.
Able Carry Max Backpack
Packed with great features for both daily carry and travel, the Able Carry Max backpack was built from the ground up for smart carry. Some of our favorite features include a hidden water bottle pocket, tech compartment and a massive clamshell 30 liter main compartment.
Patagonia Refugio 30L Backpack
The Patagonia Refugio is recommended to anyone who wants one bag to rule them all. The 30 liter Refugio can be used for commuting, school, travel and even hiking thanks to Patagonia’s versatile design that includes features like elastic bungee for attaching oversized items and a removable laptop sleeve.
