Updated December 8, 2022
When you head out on the trail you need to consider all you should bring along to make it a fruitful experience. This includes shelter, sleeping gear, clothes, food and water, and food prep equipment. The longer the time out, the heavier the load you’ll need to bear.
Backpack design has developed rapidly recently and places emphasis on efficiency and minimalism to decrease weight, and still provides the best options for transporting your gear with a comfortable, effective fit.
For the purpose of this backpacking backpack review, some of the best that give you the option for extended forays have been selected as an introduction. To begin there is a comparison table, followed by descriptions, key features, specifications, photos, videos, and a buying guide.
If you have any questions or concerns, please use the comments section at the bottom. I’d love to know your thoughts.
For more information on camping gear, please check out these reviews:
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Best Backpacking Backpacks in 2023
- Osprey Atmos AG 65
- Granite Gear Crown 2 60
- Arc’teryx Bora AR 63
- Teton Sports Scout 3400
- Gregory Baltoro 75
- Osprey Exos 58
- Deuter Aircontact Lite 50+10
- Gregory Optic 58
Best Backpacking Backpacks Comparison Table
| Photo | Backpack | Weight | Volume | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Osprey Atmos AG 65 | 4.56 lbs (Medium) | 65 liters | 4.9 | $$$ |
  | Granite Gear Crown 2 60 | 2.12 lbs (Regular) | 60 liters | 4.4 | $$ |
  | Arc'teryx Bora AR 63 | 5 lbs (Regular) | 63 liters | 4.8 | $$$$$ |
  | Teton Sports Scout 3400 | 4.5 lbs | 55 liters | 4.2 | $ |
  | Gregory Baltoro 75 | 4.96 lbs (Medium) | 75 liters | 4.9 | $$$ |
  | Osprey Exos 58 | 2.68 lbs (Medium) | 58 liters | 4.7 | $$ |
  | Deuter Aircontact Lite 50+10 | 3.875 lbs | 60 Liters | 4.5 | $$ |
  | Gregory Optic 58 | 2.52 lbs (Medium) | 58 liters | 4.7 | $$ |
| Photo | Backpack | Weight | Volume | Rating | Price |
With more padding than ultralight packs, the AG suspension gives you the feeling you are carrying less weight as it seamlessly wraps comfortably around your body.
Durable with a light wire internal frame and several grades of nylon fabric, it offers numerous storage options including front mesh and zippered hip-belt pockets, trekking pole attachment, and bungee tie-offs.
Currently available in 3 colors, the pricing is high but it comes with a lifetime warranty.
- Sizes: S, M, L
- Weight: 4.56 lbs (M)
- Volume: 65 liters (M)
- Recommended Load Range: 30-50 lbs
- Frame: light wire internal frame
- Fabric: 100D, 210D, and 420HD nylon
- Hydration Compatible: yes
- Other Features: AG (anti-gravity) suspension, adjustable harness with a fit-on-the-fly hip belt, front mesh stretch pocket, 2 zippered hip-belt pockets, trekking pole attachment, ice tool loops with bungee tie-offs, integrated flap jacket flap protects gear when the lid is removed, lower sleeping bag compartment, removable sleeping pad straps, sternum strap with safety whistle
- Colors: abyss grey, rugby red, unity blue
- Warranty: limited lifetime warranty
- Rating: 4.9
- Price: $$$
Women’s Version: Osprey Aura AG 65
It employs a lightweight polypropylene frame and relatively thin padding to achieve this along with durable ripstop nylon.
The molded foam back panel and adjustable hip belt in a choice of 3 torso sizes enable a fairly comfortable precise fit.
Included in the design are a convenient zippered hip belt and stretch-mesh front pockets, a roll-top closure, and a removable zippered lid.
Available in 2 color combinations, the pricing is moderate and it is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
- Sizes: Short, Regular, Long
- Weight: 2.12 lbs (Regular)
- Volume: 60 liters
- Recommended Maximum Load: 35 lbs
- Frame: lightweight polypropylene frame sheet
- Fabric: 100D, 210D nylon
- Hydration Compatible: yes
- Other Features: molded foam back panel, stretch-mesh front pocket, large zippered hip-belt pockets, adjustable Re-Fit hip belt for a dialed-in fit, dual-density shoulder harness, roll-top closure, removable zippered lid, side, and front compression straps
- Colors: highland peat/black, black/red rock
- Warranty: limited lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship
- Rating: 4.4
- Price: $$
It employs sturdy 420D and 630D nylon, double waterproofed in areas that have maximum potential exposure to rain or snow.
Their RotoGlide™ hip belt system provides a custom fit that rotates up and down and side to side to adjust to your stride, improves balance, and reduces chafing.
A ventilated back panel adds to the comfort and shoulder straps that are width and height adjustable further enhance the fit.
Backed by a limited lifetime warranty, all this performance comes at a very high price.
- Sizes: Regular, Tall
- Weight: 5 lbs (Regular)
- Volume: 63 liters
- Recommended Maximum Load: not reported
- Frame: thermo-molded Tegris® frame sheet with aluminum stays
- Fabric: extra sturdy 420D and 630D nylon, double waterproofing on exposed areas
- Hydration Compatible: yes
- Other Features: RotoGlide™ hip belt that adjusts to different back lengths, width and height-adjustable shoulder straps, removable/extendable lid with a zippered compartment, ventilated back panel, side and mesh hip-belt pockets
- Colors: titanium
- Warranty: limited lifetime warranty
- Rating: 4.8
- Price: $$$$$
It employs an internal frame and a durable 600D ripstop and Oxford canvas shell with a padded and ventilated back panel for comfortable and aerated support and comes in one size with adjustable torso length and multi-directional compression straps to suit a range of sizes.
It has a sewn-in rainfly and a variety of storage options including side pockets, bungees, and a sleeping bag compartment.
Available in 4 color combinations and backed by a lifetime warranty, it has by far the lowest price of any of the backpacks reviewed here.
- Sizes: one only
- Weight: 4.5 lbs
- Volume: 55 liters
- Recommended Maximum Load: not reported
- Frame: internal frame
- Fabric: extra sturdy 600D ripstop and Oxford canvas shell
- Hydration Compatible: yes
- Other Features: torso length adjustment, padded back panel with ventilation, sleeping bag compartment, multi-directional compression straps, multiple compartments and pockets, gear loops, bungee storage, integrated rainfly
- Colors: black, coyote tan, hunter green, Mecca orange
- Warranty: limited lifetime warranty
- Rating: 4.2
- Price: $
Constructed of high-quality 630D nylon and a sturdy, lightweight aluminum wishbone internal frame, a removable EVA shim provides comfortable contouring for the lumbar area.
Gregory’s Response A3 suspension emphasizes a balanced, comfortable carry, and the Baltoro is equipped with ergonomically tapered shoulder harness straps and a hip belt for an easy-change custom fit.
Sporting an integrated rain cover, it has numerous storage options including 2 side-mounted zippered pockets, a bottle holster, and convenient U-shaped front zip for access to the primary contents of the pack.
One of the best backpacks in this category, the pricing is a little high but most users find that it is worth it.
- Sizes: S, M, L
- Weight: 4.96 lbs (M)
- Volume: 75 liters
- Recommended Maximum Load: not reported
- Frame: wishbone internal aluminum frame
- Fabric: extra sturdy 630D nylon, EVA foam
- Hydration Compatible: yes, the removable hydration sleeve can be used as a daypack
- Other Features: Response A3 technology for a balanced carry, removable EVA shim for contouring the lumbar area, sleeping bag compartment, 2 side-mounted zippered pockets, integrated rain cover, front U-zip for easy access to contents, swappable 3D hip belt, and shoulder harness for precise fitting, side-mounted bottle holster
- Colors: ferrous orange, dusk blue
- Warranty: limited lifetime warranty
- Rating: 4.9
- Price: $$$
Women’s Version: Gregory Deva 70
The comfortable design is based around the AirSpeed 3D tensioned breathable mesh back panel and exoform harness and hip belt.
While consciously trying to minimize weight it still uses fairly sturdy 100D and 210D nylon and has many of the features of the heavier Osprey Atmos AG65 reviewed above including several mesh pockets, an integrated flap jacket, sternum strap with a safety whistle, ice tool loops, trekking pole attachment, and removable sleeping pad straps.
Also, the Exos is not only more lightweight but also substantially lower in price. It has the same Osprey limited lifetime warranty and comes in tunnel green or black.
- Sizes: S, M, L
- Weight: 2.68 lbs (M)
- Volume: 58 liters (M)
- Recommended Load Range: 20-40 lbs
- Frame: light wire internal frame
- Fabric: 100D and 210D nylon
- Hydration Compatible: yes
- Other Features: 3D tensioned breathable back panel with side ventilation, front mesh stretch pocket, stretch mesh side pockets, integrated flap jacket protects gear when the lid is removed, sternum strap with a safety whistle, trekking pole attachment, ice tool loops with bungee tie-offs, removable sleeping pad straps,
- Colors: tunnel green, blaze black
- Warranty: limited lifetime warranty
- Rating: 4.7
- Price: $$
Women’s Version: Osprey Aja 58
Versatile, the 50-liter volume can be extended with 10 extra liters in the expandable collar and a height-adjustable lid is detachable to be used as a daypack using the front lid straps.
The S-shaped shoulder harness has ergonomic air contact foam padding and breathable 3D mesh lining in combination with easy shoulder harness adjustment, and a comfort-lock hip belt for a body-hugging fit.
Employing PU-coated ripstop polyester fabric, it is durably constructed and has numerous attachment options and pockets for storage.
Available in 3 color combinations, pricing is moderate, and it is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
- Sizes: one size
- Weight: 3.875 lbs
- Volume: 60 liters (including extendable 10-liter pack collar)
- Recommended Load Range: up to 40 lbs
- Frame: aluminum internal X-frame
- Fabric: 600D ripstop polyester with PU coating for water-resistance
- Hydration Compatible: yes
- Other Features: separate bottom compartment with zippered divider, 2 mesh zippered hip pockets, stretch side pockets, side water bottle pockets, external lid pocket, detachable height-adjustable lid, sleeping bag compartment, accessory loops, ice tool/trekking pole attachment loops
- Colors: pinewood forest, black/granite, navy/arctic
- Warranty: limited lifetime warranty
- Rating: 4.5
- Price: $$
Women’s Version: Deuter Aircontact Lite 45+10
Comfortable and well-aerated, it uses Gregory’s AeroSpan support system with a ventilated dual-density shoulder harness and hip belt, and leaf spring lower back padding.
It still maintains many of the storage features like mesh side pockets, hip pockets, and abundant attachment points for a variety of gear. It also has a floating top rain cover and even a place on the shoulder harness to stow sunglasses.
A level less expensive than the Baltoro, it has the same Gregory limited lifetime warranty.
- Sizes: S, M, L
- Weight: 2.52 lbs (M)
- Volume: 58 liters
- Recommended Maximum Load: not reported
- Frame: ultra-light 7001 aluminum perimeter internal frame
- Fabric: 100D and 210D HD nylon body, 135D HD polyester lining
- Hydration Compatible: yes, the removable hydration sleeve can be used as a daypack
- Other Features: AeroSpan support system, moisture-wicking ventilated back panel, dual-zippered hip belt pockets, dual stretch-mesh side pockets, integrated rain cover, multiple attachment loops, shock locks, and gear attachment points, quick-stow spot for sunglasses on the shoulder harness
- Colors: lava grey, beacon blue
- Warranty: limited lifetime warranty
- Rating: 4.7
- Price: $$
Women’s Version: Gregory Octal 55
Backpacking Backpacks Buying Guide
Volume and Capacity
How big a backpack you need is proportional to the number of days you’ll be on the trail with consideration for the season and weather conditions. Obviously, when it is colder you’ll need bulkier gear to accommodate. As a rule of thumb, here are some guidelines:
- 1 to 2-day trips: 50 liters or less
- 3 to 4-day trips: 50+ liters
- 5+ days: 70+ liters
Backpack Weight and Loads
As the duration of your trip increases, the weight of the load and the required weight capacity will increase, and correspondingly the backpack weight will need to increase, as well. Carrying heavier loads requires more rugged durably constructed materials like a beefier frame, heavier fabric, and thicker padding.
One metric to observe that will give you an indication of how much weight capacity a backpack has is the weight of the empty backpack. Here are some guidelines for how much of a load a backpack can bear:
- 2 to 3-pound pack weight: 15 to 35 pounds of load
- 3 to 5-pound pack weight: 30 to 50 pounds of load
- 5+ pounds pack weight: 40 to 70 pounds of load
Pack Sizing & Fit
For the backpack to be effective and comfortable, it needs to fit your body. The most important factor in determining this is the torso length that manufacturers use in their sizing guidelines. To find it you need to measure the distance between your C7 vertebra to the top of the hip bones.
You’ll need a tape measure and a friend to assist. When you tilt your head forward, the C7 vertebra is the bony bump that sticks out from the plane at the base of your neck. Place your hands on your hips with thumbs back and forefingers forward in the natural location on the ileac crest. The central point on your spine between your two thumbs is the point to use. From there stand up straight and have your friend measure from the C7 vertebra to the midpoint between the thumbs. This article and video provide a detailed demonstration of torso measurement and other fit and sizing guidelines.
Design Features
Hip Belt – This feature transfers the bulk of the weight of your backpack to your hips decreasing the weight and fatigue on your shoulders. Very important especially when carrying heavy loads, it should fit firmly in position without slippage and feel comfortable. Hip belt pockets provide quick and easy access to small items you may want to use while hiking.
Sternum Strap – This connects the two shoulder straps across your chest providing a more secure feel with less slippage possible. It’s also a good spot to attach an emergency whistle which several manufacturers on our review list have done.
Top Lid or “The Brain” – This feature isn’t always included but when you have one it’s a good spot to carry items you might need to access in a hurry like a flashlight or food. In the interest of weight reduction, some designers use clips, straps, or roll-top closures instead.
Hydration Bladder – Most backpacking backpacks are designed with an integrated sleeve where a hydration bladder has been mounted or can be placed. Using a tube connected to the bladder hikers have the option to have a drink periodically without missing a step. Some think getting a drink from a bottle or canteen is no bother and don’t find hydration bladders important. Many packs have a bottle hoster or other method to conveniently attach a small water supply.
Water Protection – Generally speaking, backpacks are made from durable materials including nylon and polyester that often employ special measures like PU coating for water resistance. This and the secure closure of openings goes a long way toward keeping the contents of your pack dry. For items that are essential to keep dry like clothing, electronics, and your sleeping bag, it is advisable to pack them in waterproof plastic bags or stuff sacks as insurance. Another feature that helps is a rain cover that many models have included or made optional in the design.
Buying Online
Most sellers have fairly liberal return policies and warranties. If you find that your backpack doesn’t fit properly (even after having taken the precautionary measurements advised above) you can probably return an unused item for a replacement in a different size or get a refund. Check the conditions offered in advance of purchase, and if you have sizing questions or other concerns, ask the seller for clarification or look to buyer feedback for views and advice.
For more information on camping gear, please check out these reviews:
Backpacking Tents Backpacking Sleeping Pads Camping Beds Portable Toilets Bivy Sacks Camping Hammocks Backpacking Sleeping Bags Ultralight Tents SUV Tents 4 Season Tents Truck Tents 4 Person Tents Beach Tents
Feedback and Comments
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