All NewsMarch 27, 2026

Amazon’s no. 1 bestselling Puma travel backpack was a lifesaver on my Tokyo trip, and it’s on sale for $27

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Why I love this deal

Traveling can be far less stressful if you have the right gear for the trip. This became obvious to me within the first five minutes of boarding my plane for Tokyo. A gentleman was struggling to make his roller suitcase fit into the overhead compartment. I easily slid my slim but spacious Puma backpack into the compartment next to him. As luck would have it, that same bag is currently discounted for Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, and take my word for it, you want this backpack. It’s no surprise that it’s Amazon’s no.1 bestselling backpack. Whether you need a bag for work, school, or globetrotting, you won’t be disappointed, especially at the current price.

The Puma Contender Backpack is available for only $27 at the moment. That’s 34% off the regular price of $40. I spent a full week in Tokyo with this knapsack, and it might be the best travel companion I’ve ever had.

Puma Contender Backpack, $27 (was $40) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

Why it’s a travel must-have

For starters, the bag is gorgeous. It has a pearlescent cream accent color with a black base. In addition to the aforementioned fellow traveler’s envious gaze, I’ve had numerous people compliment the bag on how unique and interesting it looks. Because the design also has a geometric pattern throughout, it keeps dirt and dust at bay and also camouflages any minor stains nicely. That said, the white color of this specific model may ultimately attract stains over the long haul. The lightweight polyester soft-shell construction is durable and tear-resistant, but still looks sophisticated and well-made. It strikes a difficult balance between refinement and ruggedness that I’ve never seen before in a bag from an athletics company.

Puma Contender Backpack (0:13)

On the inside, this bag really shines. With an impressive capacity of 25.3 liters, it can hold more than I ever imagined. Whenever my family and I travel, I’m usually the one tasked with carrying most of our wares on days out. On this most recent trip, for example, I was responsible for taking our travel documents, extra sweaters, my wife’s makeup tote, my son’s Nintendo Switch, and a few snacks. With all of that packed inside, I still had room left for souvenirs from Tokyo Disneyland and the Pokémon store. If that’s not a recipe for a fun time, I don’t know what is.

In addition to the main compartment, the backpack also has a padded laptop sleeve, pen holders, and a hanging key and wallet pouch just inside the zipper. Additionally, there is a full-length secondary compartment, a medium-sized external pocket on the back of the bag, and mesh water bottle sleeves on either side of the exterior. As you might imagine, the water bottle sleeves were immensely convenient throughout the trip as well. The only thing I’d love to see added is a hidden zipper pocket on the bag’s underbelly, which would be great for cash when traveling. 

Related: Amazon is selling a Citizen luxury automatic watch for 45% off

While I own the Alpine Snow colorway of this bag, there are actually a total of 23 variants from which to choose. In my opinion, you can’t really go wrong with any of them. That said, they do vary in price depending on which one you pick, so that might come into your decision-making process as well.

The pros and cons of the Puma Contender Travel Backpack

Pros

  • Capacity: The backpack has a total capacity of 25.3 liters.
  • Computer-ready: You get a padded laptop sleeve so staying connected is easy.
  • Comfort: The straps and underside of the bag are heavily padded for extra comfort.
  • Design: This is an incredibly stylish backpack that can work with just about any outfit.

Cons

  • Stain resistance: The white color variant of this bag may show stains more than other options in the long run.
  • Secret pockets: There’s no hidden zipper pocket on the unexposed backside of the bag, which would be convenient for travelers.

I’m not the only one who fell in love with this backpack. A number of buyers in the reviews voiced their satisfaction with it. One shared, “This backpack is seriously tough and looks amazing…The quality is outstanding, making it a fantastic investment for everyday use. Plus, the design is super chic and versatile.”

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I can’t think of any bag I’d rather tour the world with than the Puma Contender Backpack. At just $27 during the Amazon Big Spring Sale, it’s the perfect buy for homebodies and world travelers alike.