Whether you’re planning on heading out for a day hike of a multi-day trip, it’s essential that you have the best hiking gear, and the type of hiking backpack you use is quite possibly the most important choice you can make before setting out on your next adventure. The type of backpack you select can either make or break your trip.
Top 5 Best Hiking Backpacks For 2023
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Osprey Atmos AG 65
Beautifully made, well featured and comfortable, making this our Best Overall Backpack
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Teton Sports Scout 3400
Tough and inexpensive, with all the necessary basics makes this our Best Budget Hiking Backpack
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Osprey Aether AG 70
Everything you could need for a long time on the trail makes this our Best Heavy Duty Thru-Hiking Backpack
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Gregory Deva 60
Beautifully constructed with a woman’s frame in mind makes this our Best Hiking BackPack for Women
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Gregory Optic 48
Missing a few features, but weighs an unbelievable 2.5lbs making this our Best Ultralight Pack
What To Consider When Buying A Backpack For Hiking
Choose the best gear that is suited for the intended activity and climate, and you’re sure to have a comfy, well-ventilated and well-balanced experience out on the trail. Choose the wrong backpack, and 2 hours into your unbelievably sweaty hike, your back and shoulders begin to ache. This is why choosing the best daypack is fundamental before setting out on an all-day or multi-day trip.
All of the outdoor gear in our reviews today have both a male and female option, with the exception of the Teton Sports 3400 unisex packs. The major differences between the male and female hiking gear on our list are the capacity, and the cut of the shoulder straps and hip belt.
Women’s packs are generally smaller in size by a few liters, and the shoulder straps and hip belts are shaped differently to better conform to the contour of a woman’s curves. The length of the backpack is also shorter to best fit a woman’s torso.
To help aid you in your hunt for the best hiking backpack, we’ve researched the ins and out of dozens of hiking backpacks, read countless gear reviews, and have selected what we found to be the top 5 best hiking backpacks around. We hope these gear reviews of our top recommendations will help you to make an informed decision when choosing the best backpack for hiking.
There are seemingly endless options of backpacks for hiking to pick from, and it can be a bit overwhelming to try and figure out which one to choose. Many of them may look similar in appearance, but when you take a peek inside, you’ll see that there are many between them. Picking the right backpack is an important part of planning your hike.
If you go for a pack that is too large, you’ll end up carrying around an unnecessarily bulky bag and added weight. Choose a pack that is too small, and you’ll find yourself overstuffing it and attaching anything you can to every available hook and strap to accommodate all of your gear, leaving it exposed to the elements (rain, snow, etc.) To save you a bit of grief and prevent that from happening, we’ve compiled a list of four questions you should ask yourself to make sure you select the best hiking backpack for you:
- Capacity: Is there enough storage space to carry all of my gear?
- Features: What type of frame, or compartment access works best for me? Is there a hydration bladder or side pockets for water bottles?
- Fit:Does the pack feature adjustable torso lengths and hip sizes?
- Climate:Will I primarily use this daypack in hot and humid, or cold conditions?
Capacity
Although the size and type of pockets and compartments vary from pack to pack, capacity and storage are pretty straightforward. There is a large main compartment and outer pockets, and lash points for holding additional gear and water bottles. Some of the more technical packs have pockets and additional storage stashed within the main compartment for better organizing your supplies.
The capacity of hiking backpacks tends to be a bit larger than daypacks, as they are generally used for all-day or overnight adventures. Even still, the capacity can vary widely, so it would be wise to make a checklist of all of the essentials and extras you plan to carry on your hike. You should also be sure to select a bag that will allow you to comfortably carry the amount of weight you plan to carry.
Use these descriptions to help gauge what size hiking backpack is best for you:
36 to 50 Liters: Most day packs aren’t large enough to accommodate all of your gear for a long trek or overnight trip, but packs in the 36-liter to 50-liter range are. In general, they are an ideal choice to accommodate sleeping pad and enough clothing and food for a 1 to 3-day hike.
51 to 75 Liters: Packs of this size are perfect for a multi-day trip. These packs provide you ample space for enough food and clothing for 3 to 5 nights. Hiking packs of this size are able to accommodate a sleeping bag or tent and may offer more technical features that are specialized for the specific climate you’ll be hiking in.
76 Liters and beyond: These backpacks are massive and provide you with enough storage to last 5 days or more out in the wild. They’re designed to hold an insane amount of food and gear, and they are usually used for professionally guided trips, or by hardcore, experienced hikers.
Features
When out for a day hike, an overly technical, bulky bag isn’t necessarily. The goal should be to find a pack with the right amount of space and storage to best suit your needs for an afternoon of exploring, not an entire weekend. An ideal daypack for hiking should be lightweight and compact enough that it won’t weigh you down, but still has enough technical features to make your trip as comfortable as possible.
Here is a list of a few common features of most daypacks:
Frame or Frameless
- Most hiking backpacks have an internal frame made of aluminum or other durable materials. These are best for making the pack a bit sturdier for supporting heavier loads. Other packs include plastic frames just to add structure to the bag, but packs with an aluminum frame tend to weigh more than ones with plastic frames, or frame-less ones.
- Frameless backpacks are usually found in smaller capacity hiking packs and are best suited for the minimalist hiker looking for lightweight storage for their hike. The lack of frame makes these packs less than ideal for heavy loads because they offer no support in taking the weight of the pack off of your back. Carrying a heavy frameless pack will make for an uncomfortable and possibly painful hike over time.
Waist belt
A load-bearing, padded waist belt is part of an advanced suspension system included on many daypacks, and it is meant to carry most of your pack’s weight. It also helps to stabilize your pack and hold it in place while hiking or climbing. By transferring the load to your hips, the waist belt provides comfort and relieves your shoulders from the majority of the weight, allowing your stronger leg muscles to do the heavy lifting. Waist belts are generally found on packs 25 liters and up.
Sternum Straps
Another important of the suspension system when searching for the best day pack, are the sternum straps. Like waistbelts, they also disperse the weight of the pack, preventing your shoulders from getting too overworked and sore. The sternum straps snap together in the center of your chest to keep the shoulder straps in place so that they don’t slide off of your shoulders.
Hydration
- Staying properly adequately hydrated is key to your comfort and performance while on a strenuous hike. You need to replace the fluids your body is expelling through your sweat. Inadequate hydration can lower your energy, cause dizziness or headaches.
- Just about all daypacks include one or two pockets to accommodate water bottles, and many of them also come with a hydration reservoir or have a hydration sleeve to add a reservoir. Hydration reservoirs are plastic or rubber bladders that can be filled with water. The water is easily accessible without having to stop and remove your pack, via a long tube that is connected to the shoulder strap on your pack. Hydration bladders are a convenient feature to have if you prefer to not fiddle water bottles inside, or on the sides of your pack.
Storage
- Regardless of what size pack you choose, make sure there is plenty of storage for any gear, hydration or food you may need on your hike. A great pack should offer several different storage solutions, zippered and mesh pockets, and lash points for attaching gear. In addition to the main compartment and pockets, there should also be external storage, allowing you quick access to any frequently used items like water bottles, a map or trekking poles.
Mesh Ventilation
- Many daypacks have a ventilated back panel made of mesh that helps to promote airflow and keep your back nice and cool while out on the trail. This panel allows the pack to float a few inches off of your back to prevent sweating, which usually happens when a pack rides directly against your back.
Rain cover
- Some daypacks include or have an optional rain cover to help protect your bag from the elements. Many hiking packs are also made from water-resistant materials.
Fit
Most hiking packs are unisex, but there are also models specific to men and women’s frames. Women’s packs have a shorter torso range, and the hip belts and shoulder straps are contoured to fit a woman’s frame. Women’s packs also have a slightly smaller capacity and are available in brighter colors. Many of these packs come in various sizes and have adjustable straps and hip widths to ensure the comfortable fit possible. The waist belt should sit slightly above the center of your hips, and be tightened for a snug fit. The shoulder straps should be tightened until there is no gap between your shoulders and the pack.
Climate
You should also consider the type of conditions that you’ll primarily be exposing your outdoor gear to. Hot and humid, or cold and snowy? A lot of packs are constructed out of certain materials and include features based on the intended use and climate they’ll be exposed to.
For hot and humid weather, you’ll most certainly prioritize finding a pack with a comfortable mesh back panel to keep you cool and comfortable. When hiking in cold weather, your focus should be on finding a pack made of water-resistant materials, or one that includes a rain cover.
Best Hiking BackPack Reviews
Now you know what to look for and the criteria we have gone into more detail below on our picks.
So, without further ado, let’s get to it!
Best Hiking BackPack for Women – Gregory Deva 60
The award-winning Gregory Deva 60 and it’s male counterpart the Gregory Baltoro 65, are some of the best packs for carrying heavy loads on a long weekend adventure. They allow you to carry up to 50 pounds of weight comfortably, and both the Gregory Deva 60 and Gregory Baltoro 65 have enough features to impress even the most seasoned hiker.
The Deva 60 has long been one of the best hiking backpacks for weekend getaways and expeditions. Constructed with a woman’s frame in mind, the harness and hip belt on this piece of gear are pre-curved. The moisture-wicking, air mesh back panel, and shoulder straps are well padded for maximum comfort, but a downside to all of the padding is the added weight it gives the pack.
The A3 suspension system on this gea