Best Backpacking Backpacks

KEY CONSIDERATIONS

Volume 

Hiking backpack volume is typically measured in liters and can vary from 18 liters all the way to 90 or more. That’s a massive range of potential sizes! Therefore, let’s take a look at the general use you can get from different backpack sizes. 

Day Hiking 

When you’re heading out for just a day on the trail and plan to be back at your campsite or car that evening, then you’ll only need a small daypack. These packs are typically around 20 liters or less and will have enough space for plenty of snacks, water, layers, and a medkit. 

As we’re focusing exclusively on backpacking in this article, our recommendations below do not include any day packs. 

1-2 Nights of Backpacking 

A 30-50 liter pack will typically offer plenty of space for all your storage needs for these shorter backpacking trips. It certainly takes practice and discipline to fit all your gear into a pack on the smaller side of the spectrum, but it will also keep you from overpacking! 

3-5 Nights of Backpacking 

Packs in the 50-70 liter range will offer ample space for several nights out in the backcountry. The exact size that works for you will depend on your gear, packing proficiency, and culinary choices. If you’re newer to backpacking, an option in the 60-70 liter range will likely suit you perfectly. 

Gear organization becomes a critical factor with these larger packs. Therefore, the best backpacking backpacks will often include more pockets and storage options to help keep you organized. 

5+ Nights of Backpacking 

Extended trips often require more supplies, food, and fuel. Therefore, the best backpacking packs for this category will be 65+ liters. Grizzled veterans of the backpacking world can make do with less, but 65 or more liters will offer plenty of space to accommodate your standard hiking and camping gear. 

Storage and Organization  

Perhaps the most challenging part of backpacking is keeping your gear organized. But the best backpacking backpacks will make it much easier for you. With that in mind, here are a few storage and organization features to keep an eye on. 

Main Compartment Access

Your main compartment is the vast central space where you’ll store the majority of your gear. Most packs are top-loading, where you’ll have access to the main compartment through a large opening on the top of the bag. However, some backpacks will also feature a zipper on the bottom – and sometimes the side – to offer more access points so you can get at your gear. 

These additional access points are beneficial for getting at your gear without pulling everything out. Additionally, they help ensure that your packing is efficient and not leaving any unused pockets of space in your pack. 

External Storage Compartments

Many backpacking packs will offer additional storage pockets to help keep your gear compartmentalized. A large exterior mesh pocket is common, offering a good spot for quick access to layers or rain gear. Additional zippered pockets also offer more organization options to keep your gear organized.

Lastly, almost all backpacking backpacks feature a top lid – or brain – that closes over the main compartment access point. These top lids offer varying levels of storage, and additional zippered pockets here are perfect for snacks, a headlamp, maps, and other small gear. 

Backpack Fit 

Finding a properly sized pack is crucial to enjoying your adventures. Too large or too small, and you’ll be feeling the consequences in your hips, back, and shoulders. 

Most backpacks – but not all – come in men’s and women’s versions with Small, Medium, and Large sizes. These sizes are based on your torso and hip measurements, so take the time to measure yourself before purchasing! These sizes can often differ from your usual clothing sizing because they’re not using the same metrics, so don’t make any assumptions about your size before measuring. Manufacturer websites will include instructions for measuring yourself accurately. 

Material

Hiking packs take a lot of abuse on the trail. Trees, rocks, dirt, rain, and errant hiking poles are just a few of the many adversaries that our backpacks face. Therefore, your choice should include tough and durable materials that can stand up to many seasons’ use of adventure.

Material thickness is measured in deniers. The higher this number, the thicker the material and more durable it is. Nylon and polyester blends are the most common choices among backpack manufacturers. However, high-strength and low-weight Dyneema is also an impressive material choice that offers superb durability but is much more expensive than more common nylon and polyester.

Weight 

As backpackers, we care about our pack weight. Spending days on the trail means we don’t want to be toting unnecessary pounds. While backpack weights don’t vary by a vast range, it’s still worth considering your pack’s bulk if you’re worried about weight for your backpacking trip.

Generally speaking, we’ll see most backpacking backpacks fall into the 3 lbs. range. Options on the heavier end of the spectrum will often hover around 4.5 lbs. or even approach 5 lbs. Meanwhile, ultra-light packs can weigh in at less than 3 lbs. So think about if weight is a major concern for your backpacking adventures, and weigh your options accordingly – pun intended.

Price

The best backpacking backpacks often have a hefty price tag to match their tremendous importance in the backcountry. Therefore, it’s important to consider the features, quality, and price point that fits your budget and base your search on these criteria. Top-of-the-line premium packs can run above $300. However, most solid, quality backpacks will be priced in the $200-$300 range. Lastly, if budget is your primary concern and you don’t mind sacrificing some features and comfort for a lower price, you can find budget pack options hovering around $150. 

Osprey Aura AG 65 (women’s) and Atmos ag 65 (men’s)

Runner Up: Best Backpacking Backpack

• MSRP: $340.00
• CAPACITY: ~65 liters – Varies slightly with sizing
• WEIGHT
  • Men’s: 4 lbs 10 oz. (S/M Size)
  • Women’s: 4 lbs. 7 oz. (XS/S Size)
• MATERIAL: 210 denier x 500 denier nylon

PROS: Excellent ventilation – Comfortable suspension – Plenty of pockets and organization options – Solid warranty – High-quality feel

CONS: On the heavy side

CLOSER LOOK: Osprey makes fantastic packs, plain and simple. We’ve never tried an Osprey pack that we didn’t like, but the Aura (Women’s) and Atmos (Men’s) epitomize their dedication to quality and comfort. The “anti-gravity” suspension system features a floating mesh back panel instead of the usual foam, optimizing airflow and comfort even for long days on the trail. We also have functional organization with top and bottom access to the main compartment, a massive exterior mesh pocket flanked by two individual zippered pockets, and a large lid/brain with two zippered pockets. Lastly, it’s a small thing, but we like that Osprey includes a rain cover, as this accessory often needs to be purchased separately. All these features work together to make the Atmos and Aura the best backpacking backpacks for longer stays in the backcountry – both in comfort and gear storage. However, be aware that these packs are a little hefty at over 4 lbs. and are among the more expensive options on our list.

View At Osprey

MEN’S ATMOS 65WOMEN’S AURA 65

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MEN’S ATMOS 65WOMEN’S AURA 65

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MEN’S ATMOS 65WOMEN’S AURA 65

Gregory paragon 48 (men’s) and Maven 45 (women’s)

Best Mid-Sized Backpacking Backpack

• MSRP: $229.95
• CAPACITY: 45-48 liters – Larger options available (see below)
• WEIGHT:
  • Men’s: 3 lbs. 8 oz.
  • Women’s: 3 lbs. 5 oz.
• MATERIAL: Nylon/polyester

PROS: Very comfortable fit – Plenty of organization options – Vertical-length zipper for easy access – Large exterior mesh pockets

CONS: A little heavy for its size

CLOSER LOOK: For tackling a shorter trip in the backcountry, you can’t go wrong with the Gregory Paragon 48 (Men’s version) or Maven 45 (Women’s version). This pack makes the most out of its smaller size to maximize organization and comfort. A removable divider creates a dedicated space in the bottom of the bag – ideal for shoes, a sleeping bag, or perhaps dirty clothes at the end of a trip. The top lid/brain compartment is also surprisingly cavernous, and the shoulder straps and hit belt are perfectly contoured for a cozy fit – and they’re also very adjustable! However, for its relatively small size, the Paragon and Maven weigh a little more than we expect (even more than some 60L packs). But for excellent organization and plush comfort, a few extra ounces are worth it to make the Paragon and Maven the best backpacking backpacks for one to three days in the backcountry.

If you like the look of this pack but would prefer a different size, Gregory also offers larger 58 and 68-liter variations of the men’s Paragon and 55 and 65-liter options for the women’s Maven.

View on rei.com

MEN’S PARAGON 48WOMEN’S MAVEN 45

MEN’S PARAGON 58WOMEN’S MAVEN 55

MEN’S PARAGON 68WOMEN’S MAVEN 65

View on Backcountry.com

MEN’S PARAGON 48WOMEN’S MAVEN 45

MEN’S PARAGON 58WOMEN’S MAVEN 55

MEN’S PARAGON 68WOMEN’S MAVEN 65

granite gear blaze 60

Runner Up – Best Backpacking Backpack

• MSRP: $299.95
• CAPACITY: 60 liters
• WEIGHT:
  • Men’s: 3 lbs. (Regular size)
  • Women’s: 3 lbs. (Regular Size)
• MATERIAL: 100 denier x 210 denier ROBIC nylon

PROS: Full-length zipper for main compartment – Great suspension for heavy loads – Reasonable weight

CONS: Less back ventilation – Fewer exterior pockets

CLOSER LOOK: Granite Gear has done a tremendous job handpicking all of the best features we like to see on a backpack and combining them into one excellent product, the Blaze 60. First off, the full-vertical zipper for easy access to the entire main compartment is fantastic for organizing your gear and getting at it quickly. The top lid/brain can also be converted into a chest pack to access more gear easily. Multiple compression straps, plushly padded load-lifting shoulder straps, and a comfortable hip belt all work together to make the Blaze 60 a very comfortable pack – even with heavier weights. Our only wishes are for a large exterior mesh stuff pocket and improved back ventilation. But altogether, the Granite Gear Blaze 60 is easily one of the best backpacking backpacks on the market today.

View on rei.com

MEN’S BLAZE 60WOMEN’S BLAZE 60

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MEN’S BLAZE 60WOMEN’S BLAZE 60

Mystery Ranch Bridger 65

• MSRP: $375.00
• CAPACITY
  • Men’s: ~63 Liters (3845 cu. in)
  • Women’s: ~63 Liters (3845 cu. in)
• WEIGHT
  • Men’s: 5 lbs 8 oz
  • Women’s: 5 lbs 8 oz
• MATERIAL: 100 Denier Robic recycled nylon ripstop with 330 Denier Robic nylon on high abrasion resistance

PROS: Bombproof design – High-quality materials – Incredibly comfortable – Fantastic organization

CONS: Expensive – No exterior mesh pocket – Extremely heavy

CLOSER LOOK: Mystery Ranch has almost superpower levels of anonymity where it seems few hikers are aware of the brand, and yet Mystery Ranch maintains an incredibly loyal support base among folks who love their packs. Furthermore, that loyalty is definitely earned thanks to the exceptional build quality, materials, and comfort on display with their new Bridger 65 pack. First off, we have Mystery Ranch’s signature burly build with tough and robust materials that don’t cut any corners when it comes to making the pack last season after season. A cavernous top lid paired with a mostly open main compartment also makes the Brider a solid and easy-to-load backpacking pack. The fully equipped “endurance yoke” comes with plush backpack straps, two upper mesh pockets for hydration, snacks, or a camera, two chest straps to secure the harness, and two large hip pockets – it may be overkill for some, but we can’t argue with the excellent support and comfort it offers!

But where this pack stands apart is organization. Most noticeably, the Bridger has a full-length, zippered pocket on the front of the pack that hides two surprisingly large mesh pockets. This quick-access storage is great for items you want easy access to on the trail, electronics, or any other items that you’d prefer to keep separate from the main compartment (we kept a rain jacket and a puffy layer in there for testing). Additionally, the entire panel housing this pocket can also unzip to reveal direct access to the pack’s main compartment without having to go in through the top. This dual-access feature is incredibly handy for easy unpacking at camp without having to spill all the contents of your pack out in order to get to what you want.

We tested this particular pack among the rugged Norwegian Fjords, and it performed brilliantly. From picking our way through a massive boulder field to tough mountain ascents, the Bridger 65 was remarkably stable, supportive, and offered just the right blend of organizational pockets and open space for packing.

View At Mystery Ranch

MEN’S Bridger 65WOMEN’S Bridger 65

View on Backcountry.com

MEN’S Bridger 65WOMEN’S Bridger 65

 

MORE GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS

Check out our Wildland Gear Guide for more recommendations about hiking, trekking, camping and outdoor gear. We are always adding new products to help our guests and readers make the best choices to outfit their adventures.

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