Best Hiking Backpacks – Top Picks and Reviews

Your hiking style and the length of your trips significantly influence your backpack needs. Consider which of these profiles best describes you:

• The Day Hiker: You need a lightweight, comfortable backpack for short to moderate hikes. Look for a capacity of around 20-35 liters, with features like hydration compatibility and comfortable shoulder straps. A well-ventilated back panel is also a plus for warmer hikes.
• The Weekend Backpacker: You need a larger backpack with ample storage for overnight trips. Aim for a 40-60 liter capacity, with plenty of compartments for organizing your sleeping bag, tent, food, and other camping gear. A robust suspension system is essential for comfortably distributing the weight.
• The Thru-Hiker: You demand a durable, high-capacity backpack for extended treks lasting weeks or months. Look for backpacks in the 60-80+ liter range, built with extremely durable materials and a highly adjustable suspension system. Weight distribution and comfort are paramount for long-distance hiking.
• The Ultralight Hiker: You prioritize minimizing weight and carrying only essential gear. Look for backpacks made from lightweight materials like Dyneema or Cuben Fiber, with a streamlined design and minimal features. Depending on your specific gear list, capacity can range from 30-50 liters.
• The Family Hiker: You need a backpack with adjustable features, possibly kid-friendly compartments, or the ability to attach a child carrier. Consider comfort and weight distribution, as you might be carrying extra gear for your children. A separate compartment for snacks and drinks is often very helpful.
• The Photographer/Videographer Hiker: You need a backpack with specialized compartments for camera gear. Look for padded dividers, quick-access pockets, and weather-resistant materials to protect your valuable equipment. Consider a backpack accommodating hiking essentials like water, food, and extra layers.

Different hiking styles require different features and capacities:

• Day Hiking: Focus on lightweight and comfortable backpacks with hydration compatibility. A 20-35 liter capacity is usually sufficient for carrying water, snacks, extra layers, and essentials. Good ventilation and comfortable straps are key for shorter hikes.
• Overnight Backpacking: Prioritize larger backpacks with ample storage for camping gear. You’ll need space for a tent, sleeping bag, cooking equipment, food, and clothing, typically requiring a 40-60 liter capacity. A well-designed suspension system is essential for carrying heavier loads.
• Multi-Day Trekking: Look for durable, high-capacity backpacks with robust suspension systems. These backpacks (60-80+ liters) must withstand rugged conditions and carry everything you need for multiple days on the trail. Comfort, durability, and efficient weight distribution are paramount.
• Alpine Hiking: Choose backpacks with ice axe loops, crampon attachments, and weather resistance. These features are essential for safety and functionality in mountainous, snowy, or icy environments. Durability and water resistance are also critical.
• Trail Running: Select lightweight and form-fitting backpacks with hydration compatibility. These packs (often under 20 liters) are designed to minimize bounce and maximize running comfort. They typically have space for water, snacks, and essential items.

The environment you’ll be hiking in significantly impacts the features you’ll need:

• Hot Climates: Choose backpacks with breathable materials and ventilation systems. Look for mesh back panels and shoulder straps that allow airflow and prevent overheating. Hydration compatibility is also crucial in hot weather.
• Cold Climates: Choose backpacks with insulated compartments and durable, weather-resistant materials. These will protect your gear from freezing temperatures and moisture. You might also want a backpack that’s easy to use with gloves.
• Mountainous Terrain: Prioritize backpacks with robust suspension systems and load-bearing capabilities. You’ll need a backpack that can comfortably carry heavy loads over uneven terrain. Features like a sternum strap and hip belt are essential for stability.
• Forest Trails: Look for backpacks with durable materials and snag-resistant designs. Branches and undergrowth can easily snag on or tear less durable fabrics. Consider a streamlined design to minimize the risk of getting caught in vegetation.
• Desert Environments: Select backpacks with ample hydration capacity and sun protection features. Carrying enough water is crucial in the desert, so look for backpacks with large reservoir sleeves or multiple water bottle pockets. Consider a light-colored backpack to reflect sunlight and stay cooler.

Daypacks are small (typically 10-35 liters) and lightweight backpacks designed for day hikes. They’re ideal for carrying essentials like water, snacks, extra layers of clothing, a first-aid kit, and a map/compass. They usually have comfortable shoulder straps and a simple design. Choose a daypack if you’re planning hikes that are a few hours to a full day in length and don’t require overnight gear.

Backpacking backpacks are much larger (usually 40-80+ liters) and designed for overnight or multi-day trips. They have either internal or external frames to provide support and distribute the weight of heavier loads. These packs have numerous compartments and attachment points for carrying a tent, sleeping bag, cooking equipment, food, and clothing. Comfort and a proper fit are crucial for these larger packs.

Ultralight backpacks are minimalist packs designed to minimize weight. They’re made from lightweight materials like Dyneema or ripstop nylon and often have a streamlined design with fewer pockets and features. These backpacks are ideal for experienced hikers who carefully curate their gear and prioritize speed and efficiency over comfort and extra features. They typically have a capacity of 30 to 50 liters.

Hydration backpacks feature a built-in hydration reservoir (a water bladder) and a drinking tube, allowing you to sip water hands-free while hiking. While not strictly necessary, they are incredibly convenient, especially in hot weather or on longer hikes. Many daypacks and backpacking backpacks are also “hydration compatible,” meaning they have a sleeve to hold a separate reservoir. This allows for easy access to water without stopping and taking off your pack.

Technical backpacks are designed for specialized activities like mountaineering, ice climbing, or ski touring. They feature specific attachment points for gear like ice axes, crampons, ropes, and skis. These packs are typically very durable and weather-resistant and often have a streamlined design to minimize snagging. They are for experienced climbers and mountaineers.

Women’s backpacks are designed to fit the female torso and body shape more comfortably. They typically have shorter torso lengths, narrower shoulder straps contoured to fit a woman’s chest, and a hip belt shaped to fit a woman’s hips. These design differences can significantly improve comfort and weight distribution.

These backpacks are designed in smaller sizes. They have a fun and attractive design and are made from lightweight materials.

Capacity, measured in liters, depends on the length of your trips and the gear you need to carry. Day hikes typically require 20-35 liters, overnight trips 40-60 liters, and multi-day treks 60-80+ liters. Consider the specific gear you’ll need for each type of hike, and choose a capacity that provides enough space without being unnecessarily large.

The backpack’s suspension system transfers weight from the shoulders to the hips. A good suspension system includes padded shoulder straps, a hip belt, a back panel, and often an internal or external frame. Look for an adjustable torso length system to ensure a proper fit, crucial for comfort and efficient weight distribution, especially with heavier loads.

Look for durable, water-resistant, and lightweight materials. Ripstop nylon and polyester are common choices because they balance strength, weight, and water resistance. Consider more specialized materials like Dyneema or Cuben Fiber for extremely demanding conditions or ultralight backpacking.

Hydration compatibility is very important for hiking, especially in warm weather. Choose a backpack with a dedicated hydration sleeve to hold a water reservoir (bladder) or one with side pockets that accommodate water bottles. Easy access to water is crucial for staying hydrated on the trail.

The ideal organization depends on your personal preferences and your hiking type. Consider the number and placement of pockets and compartments. Daypacks often have a main compartment and a few smaller pockets, while backpacks have multiple compartments for organizing gear, food, and clothing.

The weight of the empty backpack adds to the overall weight you’ll be carrying on the trail. Choosing a lightweight backpack helps minimize strain on your back and shoulders, especially on longer hikes or when carrying heavier loads. Even a small difference in weight can significantly impact your comfort and endurance.

Ventilation refers to the airflow between your back and the backpack. Look for a back panel with ventilation channels or a mesh suspension system that circulates air. Good ventilation helps prevent overheating and keeps your back drier and more comfortable, especially in warm weather.

Attachment points are loops, straps, or other features on the backpack’s exterior that allow you to attach gear. These are essential for carrying trekking poles, ice axes, sleeping pads, tents, or other items that don’t fit inside the pack. Consider the specific gear you’ll carry and choose a backpack with the appropriate attachment points.