Satchel vs. Backpack — What's the Difference?

A satchel is a bag with a strap, traditionally used for carrying books. The strap is often worn so that it diagonally crosses the body, with the bag hanging on the opposite hip, rather than hanging directly down from the shoulder.

A backpack—also called knapsack, rucksack, rucksac, pack, sackpack, booksack, bookbag or backsack—is, in its simplest frameless form, a fabric sack carried on one's back and secured with two straps that go over the shoulders, but it can have an external frame, internal frame, and there are bodypacks. Backpacks are commonly used by hikers and students, and are often preferred to handbags for carrying heavy loads or carrying any sort of equipment, because of the limited capacity to carry heavy weights for long periods of time in the hands.

A small, sturdy bag, often made of leather and having a shoulder strap

A sturdy bag designed for carrying articles on a person's back, having shoulder straps and often mounted on a lightweight frame.

A woman's handbag that typically has an interior frame, a rectangular shape, a flat bottom, double handles, and a hinged or zippered opening.

A piece of equipment, often containing life-support devices, designed to be used while being carried on the back

A bag or case with one or two shoulder straps, especially used to carry books etc.

To hike or travel while carrying a backpack.

A little sack or bag for carrying papers, books, or small articles of wearing apparel; a hand bag.

To carry in a backpack.

Luggage consisting of a small case with a flat bottom and (usually) a shoulder strap

A knapsack, sometimes mounted on a light frame, but always supported by straps, worn on a person’s back for the purpose of carrying things, especially when hiking, or on a student's back when carrying books.

A similarly placed item containing a parachute or other life-support equipment.

(intransitive) To hike and camp overnight in backcountry with one's gear carried in a backpack.

(intransitive) To engage in low-cost, generally urban, travel with minimal luggage and frugal accommodation.

To place or carry (an item or items) in a backpack.

A bag carried on the back, supported by straps looped over the shoulders.

To hike while carrying a backpack; - often used in the form go backpacking; as, to backpack through the forest.

A bag carried by a strap on your back or shoulder

Hike with a backpack;