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The Best Backpacking Backpacks to Carry Your Gear On Every Trek
To test out the absolute best backpacking backpacks for every camper, thru-hiker, and traveler, we tested a variety of packs of different sizes from top brands including REI, Osprey, Gregory, and more. Heading out on camping trips across the country and abroad, we evaluated the packs to find the best backpacking backpacks for all needs.
Credit: REI
I've been traveling with REI packs since 2015. From backpacking across Europe to a big move to Indonesia, I love REI's reliable and durable backpacking packs. The Traverse is the latest REI backpack I've tried, and right away I was blown away by all of the thoughtful features. Not only does it have a built-in rainfly that stores away in its own pocket and a three-sided zipper into the main compartment that allows you to open the pack like a clamshell suitcase, but it also has a removable hood that converts into a day pack for shorter treks.
The hip, chest, and shoulders are all adjustable and can be shifted on the go. The frame itself is also adjustable and the easiest system I've ever seen thanks to a well-labeled size chart and sturdy clips. The shoulders and back paneling are well-padded for comfort, although we found the cushioning to absorb sweat a bit more than we would have liked. After an overnight camping trip that included a train ride to get out of New York City, the pack still looks good as new with only minor dirt marks that easily wiped away with a spot cleaner.
The Details: 4.5 pounds for L/XL | 60-liter capacity for L/XL | 15-18-inch torso length for L/XL | Bluesign-approved nylon and recycled polyester | Water-repellent Credit: Travel + Leisure
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Credit: REI View on Amazon View on REI View on Backcountry
If you're looking for a reliable pack that will stay strong for years to come, this 55-liter Gregory pack is a great choice. The shoulder, arm, and chest straps are all easy to adjust with standard pull-cords, and the frame is adjustable and fits up to 22-inch torsos (one of the longest frames we tested). The capacity works well for overnight and weekend camping trips, and while the main compartment doesn't have a clamshell opening, the zippers span the length of the pack so you can easily access your items.
The bag may have a somewhat basic design, but it still features essentials like a hydration sleeve with hose clip at the shoulder, trekking pole latch, and side water bottle pocket that you can tuck away into a stow pouch when not in use. The back panel and shoulder straps feature webbed cushioned padding that allows for optimal airflow, and the exterior nylon is thick and durable. While we tested the men's version, you can find a similar Gregory Kalmia for women.
The Details: 4.7 pounds for M/L | 55-liter capacity for M/L | 18-22-inch torso length for M/L | Recycled nylon and nylon | Water-repellent Credit: Travel + Leisure
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Credit: Gossamer Gear
This backpack is small, but mighty. While the Robic nylon is durable, it keeps the pack lightweight enough that you can fill it to its full 60-liter capacity without feeling weighed down. We wore this on a 3-to-4-hour hike to our campsite and didn't have any issues or discomfort. The straps are all easy to adjust, even while wearing. And the newly designed load lifters were helpful in adjusting the weight throughout our long hikes.
Although it doesn't have a bottom compartment, we appreciated the large side pockets that were big enough to even fit a small tent. We also enjoyed the two small hip pockets for storing phones and other small accessories.
The Details: 2 pounds for small | 60-liter capacity for small | 16-18-inch torso length for small | Recycled Robic nylon Credit: Travel + Leisure
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Credit: Osprey $290 at Amazon View on REI $290 at Backcountry
While this pack has an adjustable ladder system to get the frame height right, it fit right off the bat thanks to the curved design that kept the weight off our back and on our hips. The hip, shoulder, and chest straps are all adjustable, and we found it useful to adjust them along the trail as our balance (and the pack's weight) shifted. After an all day hike that ended in tent camping, we didn't feel sore at all, and our backs felt fine the next day.
The small hip pockets were handy for carrying snacks, and there were two deep side pockets for water bottles, though we couldn't quite reach the bottles while wearing the pack. Since the pack comes with a hydration sleeve, we recommend using a water bladder to ensure you're staying hydrated on the go. The tall frame features an antigravity suspension system that helps distribute the weight, and the pack itself expands quite large so you can pack it full with everything you need.
The Details: 4.2 pounds for L/XL | 68-liter capacity for L/XL | 21-23-inch torso length for L/XL | Recycled nylon Credit: Travel + Leisure
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Credit: Travel + Leisure/Adam Groffman
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We loaded this backpack up with over 30 pounds of gear for a weekend excursion in Washington. While it can be hard to keep organized when you're putting up and taking down camp multiple days in a row, The North Face Trail Lite has so many pockets and loops, everything we packed had a designated spot that was easy to keep track of.
The backpack itself was comfortable thanks to adjustable straps and an adjustable frame system, so we felt full range of motion while hiking over 14 miles. We felt that it also distributes weight evenly and appreciated the bottom sleeping bag compartment as an added entry point. Although the pack is water-repellent (as opposed to waterproof), it kept all of our gear dry after a bit of rain.
The Details: 4.06 pounds for L/XL | 54-liter capacity for L/XL | Recycled nylon | Water-repellent Credit: Travel + Leisure
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Credit: REI $240 $180 at Amazon View on Publiclands.com
The Osprey Kestrel Backpack (and similar Osprey Kyte pack for women) is one of the most comfortable packs we tested despite its large size and hefty materials. Adjusting the backpack was incredibly easy as the shoulder straps are attached to the frame rail system for added convenience. The hipbelt is also wider than the belts on some other packs, so it carries more weight off the back and shoulders. This pack was even comfortable when rotating what straps we were using (shoulder straps alone, shoulder straps and hip belt, shoulder straps and chest strap) to give other muscles a rest period.
In addition to its comfort, the Kestrel has plenty of compartments and gear loops. There's even a large pocket on the outside in which you can store extra clothing or reading material. The backpack can expand to allow for more storage for longer trips. The pack also comes with a rain cover, but we found the backpack material to be water-resistant enough on its own that you wouldn't need to rush to cover it in light rain.
The Details: 4.9 pounds for L/XL | 58-liter capacity for L/XL | 19-23-inch torso length for L/XL | Bluesign approved nylon | Water-resistant Credit: Travel + Leisure
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Credit: ULA Equipment View on Ula-equipment.com
This ULA pack is the first we've seen where you not only choose your frame and hip size, but you're able to select your shoulder shape as well before purchasing your pack. The Circuit comes with either a traditional J-strap or a contoured S-strap that is designed for those with curved or sloping shoulders. If you're someone who suffers from chafing at the arms or shoulders while hiking, this design may be perfect for you. Once your custom pack arrives, you can still fit it to your body using standard back panel adjustments in addition to shoulder, chest, and hip straps.
In addition to the customized comfort, we loved the capacity of the pack. Since it has a rolltop, it naturally expands or compresses easily depending on how much gear you're hauling. The backpack itself is very light, weighing just over 2 pounds including the metal stay in the back, which helped with structure when loading it up. The back panel was also more breathable than other backpacks we've tried. The pack is water-resistant and kept everything inside dry even after we left it out in the rain. Considering the customizable fit, light weight, and high-capacity, this is a pack even thru-hikers will love.
The Details: 2.4 pounds | 68-liter capacity | 18-21-inch torso length for medium | ULA 400 Robic and UltraStretch mesh | Water-resistant Credit: Travel + Leisure
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Credit: REI $360 $285 at Amazon View on REI View on Gregory.com
Whether you're heading off on a long trek or heading to your local camping site, this bag is the perfect companion. It has room for everything, with individual pockets and storage compartments to keep things in place. For a weekend camping trip, we packed clothing (pants, tops, raincoat, socks, underwear, and extra layers), rain gear, a camping stove with a fuel container, camping utensils, food, toiletries, a water filtration device, a sleeping bag, walkie talkies, a phone, a wallet, a first aid kit, dog food, and small lantern with room to spare. Because the pack has a high-capacity, but is still quite short, it can be a bit more rounded than others we tested when packed full, so be aware of your central point of balance (and be sure you aren't weighing yourself down).
This backpack is also designed with a built-in rain cover, plenty of padding, adjustable straps, trekking pole straps, a water bladder sleeve, and external loops for hanging additional gear. We also loved the external cinch straps that you can tighten once the bag is packed to keep your internal gear from shifting around. Despite its large size, we found it to be comfortable and loved how easy it was to adjust while hiking.
The Details: 4.7 pounds for small | 70-liter capacity for small | 15-18-inch torso length for small | Recycled nylon and recycled polyester | Water-repellent Credit: Travel + Leisure
Credit: Travel + Leisure
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