After Testing Over 20 of the Best Hiking Backpacks, We’re Still Using These 17

Best Overall

Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack

4.2

View On Amazon View On Dick's View On Dick's

Sleek, easy to pack, and comfortable, Osprey’s Daylite Plus Pack was our favorite bag that we tested. We couldn’t believe how lightweight and effortless it felt to wear. After loading it up and sliding a full stainless steel water bottle into each side pocket, the backpack distributed the weight of our gear so well that we didn’t feel any discomfort in our back or shoulders while hiking. 

The shoulder straps, sternum strap, and hip belt are completely adjustable, so finding a snug and secure fit was easy. We also noticed that the bag felt hefty and durable—the recycled nylon and polyester construction didn’t show any signs of wear and tear during our test. 

You should note that this backpack doesn’t come with a hydration reservoir, so you’ll have to use your own. We did appreciate that there’s a designated sleeve to stash your reservoir, but we found that the backpack makes pulling your hydration valves out to drink a bit of a challenge. 

Despite the fact that other bags on our list, like Sea to Summit’s Ultra-Sil Day Pack, are more budget-friendly, we feel that this backpack offers excellent value. We were pleasantly surprised by how well it performed, given the price, and found that we’d happily pay more for this tough, spacious pack. 

Price at time of publication: $75

^{Key Specs:
Weight: 1 pound, 5 ounces | Storage Capacity: 20 liters | Water-Resistant: Yes, water-repellent coating | Pockets: 5 exterior, 1 interior | Materials: Recycled nylon, recycled polyester, mesh, foam | Adjustable Straps: Adjustable padded shoulder straps, sternum strap, and hip belt}

Best Women’s-Specific

Gregory Mountain Products Women's Jade 28 Backpack

5

View On Curated.com View On Outlandusa.com View On Publiclands.com

Designed for smaller frames, Gregory’s Jade 28 backpack is a reliable choice for commutes, hikes, and long-distance travels. We conveniently stuffed this bag with enough gear for two people. And we were delighted to find that it also holds enough clothes for a three-day trip. Still, the bag never felt heavy and it helped transfer weight from our shoulders to our hips so we could trek comfortably. 

Mesh fabric on the back side of the back helps to prevent sweat build up. The hip belt, which features two pockets and an adjustable buckle, felt supportive without dragging the waist of our pants down. And we also liked the sunglasses holder on the pack’s shoulder harness, to keep our shades close by and scratch-free.  

Loaded with useful design features, the Jade 28 has a whistle for safety and a clip for attaching your keys. Seven exterior pockets provide easy access to snacks and energy gels. Plus, we found that this backpack is solid and durable—after filling it with towels and blasting it with our garden hose, we quickly wiped the water off and retrieved our (dry) linens with ease. 

It’s worth noting that the bag is more expensive than others on our list and the main compartment doesn’t open very wide, which can make packing a bit of a challenge. But we still love this women-specific option for all your adventures. 

Price at time of publication: $170

^{Key Specs:
Weight: 2 pounds, 9 ounces | Storage Capacity: 28 liters | Water-Resistant: Yes, built-in rain cover | Pockets: 7 exterior, 1 interior | Materials: Nylon, polyester, alloy steel, fiberglass, foam | Adjustable Straps: Adjustable padded shoulder straps, sternum strap, and hip belt}

Best Men’s-Specific

Arc'teryx Aerios 30 Pack

4.8

View On Amazon View On Zappos View On Arcteryx.com

We recommend Arc’teryx’s Aerios 30 Backpack for hikers with a larger frame who are always out on the trail. This is one of the largest bags on our list, with a 30-liter capacity that we found can hold three pairs of rainboots and three water bottles at once. We also like that it’s completely adjustable, so you can tailor the shoulder straps, sternum strap, and hip belt for a precise fit. 

One of our favorite details are the bungee cords across the chest, which connect the shoulder straps to prevent them from sliding off—a handy feature to keep you focused while bushwhacking. We also enjoyed the cooling effect that this backpack’s mesh layer offers. But it’s worth noting that this bag is more expensive than most others on our list. 

We found that the Aerios 30 is fairly complicated, lacking the interior pockets and compartments that can make organizing your essentials easier. But if you’re a regular hiker who has to carry lots of large gear, we think you’ll appreciate its rugged construction and high-tech materials. A 15-liter size is also available for shorter trips. 

Price at time of publication: $190

^{Key Specs:
Weight: 2 pounds, 0.1 ounces | Storage Capacity: 30 liters | Water-Resistant: Not listed | Pockets: 7 external, 1 internal | Materials: Nylon, mesh | Adjustable Straps: Adjustable shoulder straps, sternum strap, and hip belt}

Best Budget

Sea to Summit Ultra-sil Travel Day Pack

4.8

View On Amazon View On REI View On Seatosummit.com

Budget-friendly and convenient, Sea to Summit’s Ultra-Sil Day Pack is our pick for a bag that’s easy on your back and your wallet. Weighing just over 2 ounces, it’s incredibly lightweight. And we love that it folds up into a small cylinder the size of an egg, so you can take it anywhere (or even bring it along as a spare). 

Made from water-resistant nylon, this sleek bag has a simple design that keeps everything dry and in place. Although we wish it had pockets for better organization, we were able to successfully fit everything we needed for a windy-day hike inside. 

This streamlined pack features wide shoulder straps that sat comfortably on our shoulders. But while the straps are adjustable, there’s no sternum strap or hip belt, so the fit isn’t as customizable as other options, like Osprey’s Daylite Plus Pack. There also isn’t a dedicated space to store your water bottle, so make sure yours is leakproof. Despite these drawbacks, the featherweight Ultra-Sil is our top pick for a minimal hiking backpack that’s highly functional, at a lower cost.

Price at time of publication: $45

^{Key Specs:
Weight: 2.5 ounces | Storage Capacity: 20 liters | Water-Resistant: Yes, material is waterproof but water may get in through the seams and zipper | Pockets: None | Materials: Nylon | Adjustable Straps: Adjustable shoulder straps}

Best Lightweight

L.L.Bean Stowaway Day Pack

5

View On Zappos View On L.L.Bean

We love L.L.Bean’s Stowaway Pack because it weighs just over 1 pound, but still has all the practical features we look for in a high-quality hiking backpack. Although it isn’t waterproof, we found that the tough fabric held up well throughout each hike, with no signs of wear or tear after testing. 

This stylish pack has a sizable 22-liter storage capacity. It fit everything we needed for a rainy, snowy hike, including ice cleats, a raincoat, and a hat. We also love that the side pockets can stretch to fit a 32-ounce water bottle—or, you can use the dedicated interior compartment to hold a hydration bladder. 

Comfortable padded shoulder straps, a sternum strap, and a hip belt make the Stowaway Pack supportive and easy to wear. We found that the straps helped take some weight off of our shoulders, allowing us to hike longer distances without any discomfort. But while the interior pocket makes it easy to separate your gear, you can’t use it for storage if you’re also packing a hydration bladder (we found that any extra items will block the hole for the bladder’s drinking tube). 

Price at time of publication: $60

^{Key Specs:
Weight: 1 pound, 2 ounces | Storage Capacity: 22 liters | Water-Resistant: Not listed | Pockets: 3 exterior, 1 interior | Materials: Recycled polyester made from plastic bottles, foam, mesh | Adjustable Straps: Adjustable padded shoulder straps, sternum strap, and hip belt}

Most Comfortable

Gregory Mountain Products Maya 15 Backpack

4.9

View On Amazon View On Gregorypacks.com View On Sunnysports.com

If you’ve ever had to offload your backpack to your hiking buddy, you know the feeling all too well. Gregory’s Maya 15 is one of our favorite hiking backpacks because its compact design allows you to carry plenty of gear without putting strain on your shoulders or back. 

The Maya’s design prioritizes comfort, with wide, padded shoulder straps that never dug into our shoulders and a main compartment that sat high up on our back to prevent discomfort. The hip belt is also cushioned, to the point we forgot we were wearing it while hiking. Even when we tucked the hip belt away while commuting to the office, this bag still did the hard work for us. 

With 15 liters of storage, it’s ideal for shorter, half-day hikes. We also found that it worked well for commuting, with enough space for a laptop, lunch, insulated tumbler, and water bottle. On the trail, it can fit snacks, water, a camera, and an extra layer—plus smaller essentials in its many exterior pockets. 

While walking around on a rainy day, we were pleased to find that the Maya 15 kept our belongings safe and dry inside. However, we wish it had more interior pockets for better organization, like Black Diamond’s Nitro 26 Pack. 

Price at time of publication: $120

^{Key Specs:
Weight: 1 pound, 13 ounces | Storage Capacity: 15 liters | Water-Resistant: Yes, water-repellent coating | Pockets: 6 exterior, 1 interior | Materials: Nylon, recycled nylon, recycled polyester, foam | Adjustable Straps: Adjustable padded shoulder straps, sternum strap, and hip belt}

Best Investment

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Daybreak 17L Backpack

4.8

View On Backcountry.com View On Hyperlitemountaingear.com

New to hiking? An experienced trekkie? Either way, you may want to invest in a top-quality bag if you plan to hit the trails often. We recommend Hyperlite’s Daybreak Ultralight Daypack because, while it costs more than the other bags on our list, it has a slew of impressive features that will come in handy while you’re off-roading. 

At 1 pound, 5 ounces, this backpack’s streamlined construction made it easy for us to carry loads of gear without feeling weighed down. During testing, we noticed it had lots of small, technical details: A bungee cord for attaching shoes or a blanket, angled side pockets with drainage holes, and waterproof zippers. 

Since this backpack is fully waterproof, you won’t need to purchase a rain cover later on. A whistle on the sternum strap is another convenient component that can save you some more cash. However, the bag may be too tall for some users—we found that the top buckle can feel uncomfortable against some shorter wearers’ necks. 

It’s also not as ventilated as other backpacks on our list, and we noticed a buildup of sweat while wearing the Daybreak Daypack for long periods of time. Still, we think these are small drawbacks that don’t take away from the rest of the bag’s stellar aspects. 

Price at time of publication: $229

^{Key Specs:
Weight: 1 pound, 5 ounces | Storage Capacity: 17 liters | Water-Resistant: Yes, waterproof zippers and exterior | Pockets: 3 exterior, 1 interior | Materials: Dyneema | Adjustable Straps: Adjustable padded shoulder straps, sternum strap, and hip belt}

Best Water-Resistant

Osprey Women's Tempest 20 Pack

4.8

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Dick's

Made from recycled nylon stretched over a polyurethane frame, Osprey’s Tempest 20 Pack is both sustainable and durable. We love that it’s fully water-resistant, even without a rain cover, to keep your supplies dry and protected. 

We appreciate the consideration that went into designing each of the bag’s four sizes—its capacity ranges from 18 to 20 liters and its weight varies from 1 pound, 12.5 ounces, to 2 pounds, 3 ounces, depending on which one you choose. It also has an impressive seven exterior pockets for keeping your phone, headphones, snacks, and more close by. And as for hydration, we found that the interior compartment is large enough for most hydration bladders, while the exterior side pockets can fit wide bottles. 

Need to bring along larger gear, like ice axes, trekking poles, or a bike helmet? Use one of the Tempest’s many bungee cords and attachment points to round out your kit. We were impressed by just how many features this bag packs into its lightweight, seemingly simple construction. 

The only feature we missed was a magnet to secure our hydration bladder’s valve. If this is a must-have for you, we recommend Gregory’s Swift 22 H2O backpack. 

Price at time of publication: $160

^{Key Specs:
Weight: 1 pound, 12.5 ounces to 2 pounds, 3 ounces | Storage Capacity: 18 or 20 liters | Water-Resistant: Yes, made with water-resistant materials | Pockets: 7 exterior, 1 interior | Materials: Recycled nylon, mesh, polyurethane | Adjustable Straps: Adjustable shoulder straps, sternum strap, and hip belt}

Best Adjustable

Mystery Ranch Coulee 20 Backpack

4.9

View On Amazon View On Dick's View On Backcountry.com

Mystery Ranch’s Coulee 25 Pack stood out for its distinctive design and stellar adjustability. The brand’s yoke system allowed us to completely customize the pack’s fit. With just a few tweaks, we could control how high or low the pack sat and how far away from our back it rested. We immediately noticed how comfortable this made the bag, allowing us to tailor the fit and support to our frames. 

Three waterproof zippers create a Y-shape, and we love this because it provides instant access to the entire main compartment—almost splitting the bag in half when completely unzipped. And the four spacious exterior pockets are for stashing any essentials you’ll want to grab quickly, like your speaker or water bottle. 

While this bag is more expensive than most of our other recommendations, we think the innovative construction and superior fit are well worth the additional cost. A trusty companion on the trail, to the park, and around town, the Coulee quickly earned a spot in our regular rotations. Just note that it doesn’t have many interior pockets, so you may want to pack smaller items in separate bags to keep yourself organized. 

Price at time of publication: $210

^{Key Specs:
Weight: 2 pounds, 10 ounces | Storage Capacity: 25 liters | Water-Resistant: Yes, made with water-resistant materials | Pockets: 4 exterior, 1 interior | Materials: Recycled nylon | Adjustable Straps: Adjustable padded shoulder straps, sternum straps, and hip belt}

Best with Pockets

CamelBak Rim Runner X 20 Hydration Pack

5

View On Amazon View On Camelbak.com View On Gearx.com

Nothing’s worse than stopping mid-hike to feel around in the dark, seemingly endless chasm of your backpack’s main compartment. If convenient, functional storage is your top priority, we recommend CamelBak’s Rim Runner bag. 

It has pockets everywhere you might need them—inside, outside, and on every strap. But what we love the most is that each pocket is in exactly the right spot for intuitive organization, meaning you’ll always know where your most-used items are. 

Adjustable shoulder straps, a sternum strap, and a hip belt helped us find the right fit and distributed the weight of our pack for comfortable carrying. And unlike other backpacks on our list, this one comes with a hydration bladder that can hold 2 liters of water. While the bladder valve doesn’t have a cap to prevent dirt from getting in, we found that it was easy to use and never leaked. 

One feature we missed? Exterior loops or straps for securing walking poles or an extra jacket. If this is a dealbreaker for you, try Osprey’s Tempest 20 Pack.

Price at time of publication: $100

^{Key Specs:
Weight: 1 pound, 11 ounces | Storage Capacity: 20 liters of gear, 2.5 liters of water | Water-Resistant: Yes, made with water-resistant materials | Pockets: 6 exterior, 2 interior | Materials: Polyester, nylon | Adjustable Straps: Adjustable shoulder straps, sternum strap, and hip belt}

Best with Hydration Bladder

Gregory Women's Swift 22 H20 Backpack

5

View On Amazon View On Basspro.com View On Campsaver.com

Like CamelBak’s Rim Runner Hydration Pack, Gregory’s Swift 22 H2O comes with a 2-liter hydration bladder. However, the Swift also has a magnetic sternum buckle and a clip to keep the easy-to-use valve on your shoulder, making it our top pick in this category. 

With a 22-liter capacity for carrying gear, the Swift is on the larger end of daypacks on our list. But this bag was comfortable to wear even when we filled it up, thanks to the thick, soft padding on its adjustable straps. We also found that it was surprisingly durable—after tossing it around and throwing it into snowdrifts, the bag didn’t show any signs of damage and our things stayed safe inside. 

Although we found that the hydration bladder wasn’t simple to clean and took a while to dry in between uses, we still think the Swift is a solid choice for hikers who don’t want to invest in a separate hydration bladder. Given that this bag and bladder set costs less than some standalone backpacks on our list, we think it’s an excellent value. 

Price at time of publication: $130

^{Key Specs:
Weight: 1 pound 10 ounces | Storage Capacity: 22 liters of gear, 2 liters of water | Water-Resistant: Yes, made with water-resistant materials | Pockets: 5 exterior | Materials: Nylon, recycled polyester, foam | Adjustable Straps: Adjustable shoulder straps, sternum strap, and hip belt}

Best for Everyday Use

Gregory Mountain Products Nano 18 Backpack

4.8

View On Amazon View On Basspro.com View On Campsaver.com

For a backpack you can wear from the trail to the office, we recommend Gregory’s Nano 18. Weighing just 1 pound, this 18-liter bag is an ideal size for everyday wear and has thick, padded straps for comfort. We like that it comes with a removable hydration bladder, that (while not as convenient as some of our other picks) is easy to use while you’re on the go.

This bag also has a water-repellent coating to keep your electronics dry, whether you’re traipsing through the woods or waiting for the bus. Just note that it doesn’t have a rain cover for torrential downpours. 

Adjustable shoulder straps, a sternum strap, and a hip belt enable you to customize the Nano’s fit to your frame. It’s also durable, with a tough nylon and recycled polyester exterior that didn’t snag or tear during our test. Plenty of pockets make this bag a reliable choice for commutes, hikes, travel, and more. 

Price at time of publication: $60

^{Key Specs:
Weight: 1 pound | Storage Capacity: 18 liters | Water-Resistant: Yes, water-repellent coating | Pockets: 5 exterior | Materials: Nylon, recycled polyester, foam | Adjustable Straps: Adjustable padded shoulder straps, sternum strap, and hip belt}

Best for Warm Weather

Black Diamond Equipment Nitro 26 Pack

4.8

View On Campsaver.com View On Gearx.com View On Moosejaw.com

When hiking in warm temperatures, you need a breathable pack that will carry its fair share of the load, like Black Diamond’s Nitro 26 Pack. One of the larger bags on our list, we found that this pack can be filled with more than enough gear for a day hike. 

Light mesh allows air to circulate between your back and the bag, preventing sweat from building up while you hike. During testing, we found that the difference was noticeable—our shirts stayed dry, and we thought the added mesh on the inside of the hip belt was a nice detail. 

This backpack’s 26-liter capacity makes it one of our larger picks, perfect for long day hikes or holding extra warm weather necessities, like a cooling towel. Multiple exterior pockets allowed us to keep our most-used items nearby, while the interior pockets have zippers and fleece linings to protect phones, cameras, and binoculars. 

Note that this bag is one of the heavier options on our list, and that it doesn’t come with a separate rain cover. However, it’s water-repellent and does include a dedicated compartment for a rain cover, if you already have one. 

Price at time of publication: $145

^{Key Specs:
Weight: 2 pounds, 1 ounces or 2 pounds, 2 ounces | Storage Capacity: 24 or 26 liters | Water-Resistant: Yes, water-repellent | Pockets: 4 exterior, 2 interior | Materials: Ripstop, mesh, fleece | Adjustable Straps: Adjustable shoulder straps, sternum strap, and hip belt}

Best for Short Hikes

Black Diamond Trail Blitz 16 Pack

4.8

View On Backcountry.com View On Blackdiamondequipment.com View On Campsaver.com

Also from Black Diamond, the Trail Blitz 16 Pack is our favorite backpack for short hikes. Although it’s small, it’s on the less expensive side and has plenty of features we enjoyed in other larger, more expensive bags. 

For one, this compact bag can be rolled up and tucked away when empty or attached to another bag when full using the four connection loops on the back panel. We also found that it has an impressive number of pockets dedicated to carrying specific gear: From the umbrella pocket to the sleeves for trekking poles and a headlamp, there’s a place for everything in this pack. 

Weighing just 9 ounces, this lightweight bag won’t add much to your load. But it lacks padding on the straps and a hip belt that some hikers may miss. Also, keep in mind that the bag closes via a drawstring—it doesn’t have any exterior zippers. 

Price at time of publication: $60

^{Key Specs:
Weight: 9 ounces | Storage Capacity: 16 liters | Water-Resistant: Yes, made with water-resistant material | Pockets: 3 exterior, 1 interior | Materials: Nylon | Adjustable Straps: Adjustable shoulder straps and sternum strap}

Best for Commuters

REI Co-op Trail 25 Pack

4.8

View On REI

We love REI Co-op’s Trail 25 Pack for commuters because it has the functionality of a hiking pack in a sleek silhouette that won’t be out of place at the office. We especially like the removable hip belt, which can be detached Monday through Friday and reattached on the weekends to help you carry all of your gear. 

The included rain cover provides an additional layer of protection, shielding your belongings from rain and snow whether you’re slogging through snow in the city or in a park. And thick padding on the bag’s straps and back panel made it comfortable to wear, even when we filled to the brim with essentials. 

While we appreciated this backpack’s functional details (including a lined pocket for our sunglasses, a zippered pocket for the rain cover, and attachments for walking poles), we noticed that it only has two interior pockets. Also, we found that the sternum and hip straps aren’t very long, so they may not fit taller or larger wearers. 

Price at time of publication: $80

^{Key Specs:
Weight: 2 pounds | Storage Capacity: 25 liters | Water-Resistant: Yes, comes with a rain cover | Pockets: 5 exterior, 2 interior | Materials: Recycled nylon, recycled ripstop nylon, mesh | Adjustable Straps: Adjustable, padded shoulder straps, sternum strap, and hip strap}

Best for Travel

Matador Beast18 Ultralight Technical Backpack

4.9

View On Campsaver.com View On Matadorup.com View On Moosejaw.com

Planning on hiking while you’re on vacation? We recommend packing Matador’s Beast 18. Light and frameless, it folds up easily and can be stashed in your suitcase or carry-on without a second thought. 

While wearing this backpack, we were impressed by how well it distributed the weight inside. We used it while hiking, carrying groceries, and more. Our tester, who was on crutches during the testing period, found that she was able to move around easily while wearing it without a sore neck or shoulders. 

We also found that the bag is tough and durable. Even after being dropped in dirt and sand, the Beast 18 still cleaned up well. It’s also waterproof, so your phone and other valuables will stay safe from rain, wind, and snow inside. 

We only wish the main compartment was easier to access while we wore the bag. The zipper extends all the way down one side but stops short on the other, so it can be difficult to access the contents inside while wearing it from certain angles. 

Price at time of publication: $135

^{Key Specs:
Weight: 1 pound, 5 ounces | Storage Capacity: 18 liters | Water-Resistant: Yes, waterproof coating | Pockets: 3 exterior, 2 interior | Materials: Nylon, foam, steel | Adjustable Straps: Adjustable padded shoulder straps, sternum strap, and hip belt}