GoLite Ion
This all-purpose weekend pack is comfortable and light.
Gear Reviews
Gear Reviews
Find the best backpacking gear with help from our expert reviewers and gear testers at Backpacker. We review the best backpacking gear on the market, from sleeping bags, to cookware, to backpacks, to the best hiking boots, in the most rigorous trail conditions imaginable so you can find the perfect setup for all your adventures.
At Backpacker, we take our responsibility to provide readers with fair and accurate gear advice seriously. When you make a purchase through our site, we may earn a commission.
Find the best backpacking gear with help from our expert reviewers and gear testers at Backpacker. We review the best backpacking gear on the market, from sleeping bags, to cookware, to backpacks, to the best hiking boots, in the most rigorous trail conditions imaginable so you can find the perfect setup for all your adventures. At Backpacker, we take our responsibility to provide readers with fair and accurate gear advice seriously. When you make a purchase through our site, we may earn a commission.
Mountainsmith Circuit 3.0
Here's high-performance proof that a big pack can have a small footprint.
The North Face Spire 32
This stable pack has tons of padding and support.
Granite Gear Vapor Flash Ki
Scramble around the trail with Granite Gear's ultralight and stable Vapor Flash backpack.
The North Face Megamouth
Want a one-pack quiver? Get this versatile lightweight.
Black Diamond Black Diamond Bbee
Pack up the weekend toys for your outdoor activity of choice in Marmot's ultralight–and ultra cheap–Alpha 25 backpack.
ARC'TERYX Khazri 55
With removable support, the Arc'teryx Khazri 55 backpack lets you choose between stability or a lighter load.
Equinox Ltd Ultralite Katahdin Pack
Wenger's Zernez 50L pack has mountains of features including a built-in raincover and clear map flap.
Lowe Alpine TFX Appalachian 65+15
A convertible travel pack that can carry big loads.
Osprey Argon 85
Strap on the comfortable Osprey Argon 85 pack for those long treks with heavy loads.
JanSport Klamath 68
Strap on the comfortable Osprey Argon 85 pack for those long treks with heavy loads.
JanSport Odyssey
This best all-around pack offers plenty of easy to access pockets and compartments, making organization a cinch.
Bergans of Norway Rondane 85
Don't judge a pack by its price: this pack's a loaded bargain.
Montbell North America Versalite Pack 50
A convertible travel pack that can carry big loads.
Mountain Hardwear Bebop
Pack up the weekend toys for your outdoor activity of choice in Marmot's ultralight–and ultra cheap–Alpha 25 backpack.
The North Face Primero 70
This stable pack has tons of padding and support.
Lafuma Naia 35
Scramble up anything with the North Face's climber-oriented Spire 40 backpack.
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) Flash 65
Want a one-pack quiver? Get this versatile lightweight.
Eagle Creek Truist 45L
Light weight and load-bearing: Try this clean-design, ultralight pack.
Gregory Mountain Products Z35-R
A 60-liter ultralight frameless rucksack perfect for long weekends
Mammut Adina 22
Run, climb or ski with the low profile Black Diamond RPM pack.
Vaude Hard Rock 32 + 15
Don't judge a pack by its price: this pack's a loaded bargain.
GoLite VO24
This all-purpose weekend pack is comfortable and light. A 100-liter pack that provides excellent load transfer and customlike comfort
Gregory Mountain Products Petit Dru 85
A single compartment backpack that hauls big loads.
Mountainsmith Eclipse 55
The Tahoma wins out as a high country favorite.
The Coleman Company, Inc. Kwanzan(TM) X40 WMS
Wenger's Zernez 50L pack has mountains of features including a built-in raincover and clear map flap.
The North Face Skareb 50
This pack moves with you.
Lafuma Kailas 50 + 10
Scramble up anything with the North Face's climber-oriented Spire 40 backpack.
The North Face Prophet 45
Scramble up anything with the North Face's climber-oriented Spire 40 backpack.
ARC'TERYX Arrakis 65
Scramble around the trail with Granite Gear's ultralight and stable Vapor Flash backpack.
Columbia Sportswear Company Fast N Light Half Day
Carry up to 100 ounces of hydration power with this comfortable daypack.
Kelty Course 82
A 100-liter pack that provides excellent load transfer and customlike comfort
Montbell North America Expedition Pack 65
A convertible travel pack that can carry big loads.
Osprey Variant 28
The durable Lowe Alpine Airzone Centro 45+10 backpack is full of handy pockets and bungees for the organized trekker.
Lafuma Droite 23
For the price, the Lafuma Manang 65+20 packs a hard punch with superb padding and durability.
Vaude Bavella 40
You won't find a better pack at a cheaper price than Vaude's Astra 55+10.
DEUTER USA Aircontact Lite 40+10
Don't judge a pack by its price: this pack's a loaded bargain.
Jandd Mountaineering Mayim Lite Packer
Ski mountaineers will love both climbing and cruising in this pack from our <a href="https://www.backpacker.com/april_2009_table_of_contents_gear_guide_issue/articles/12859">2009 Gear Guide</a>.
ARC'TERYX Naos 85
With removable support, the Arc'teryx Khazri 55 backpack lets you choose between stability or a lighter load.
Gregory Mountain Products Z35
This pack from our <a href="https://www.backpacker.com/april_2009_table_of_contents_gear_guide_issue/articles/12859">2009 Gear Guide</a> won't buckle under even the heaviest loads.
Lowe Alpine TFX Ridge ND65+15
A convertible travel pack that can carry big loads.
Granite Gear Vapor Flash
Scramble around the trail with Granite Gear's ultralight and stable Vapor Flash backpack.
Lowe Alpine Airzone Centro 45+10
The durable Lowe Alpine Airzone Centro 45+10 backpack is full of handy pockets and bungees for the organized trekker.
Jandd Mountaineering Noah Tec Pac
Ski mountaineers will love both climbing and cruising in this pack from our <a href="https://www.backpacker.com/april_2009_table_of_contents_gear_guide_issue/articles/12859">2009 Gear Guide</a>.
Lowe Alpine TFX Summit ND 65+15
A convertible travel pack that can carry big loads.
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) Venturi 30 Womens
Bring along your winter toys— L.L. Bean's Mountain Guide pack can carry anything from ice climbing gear to skis.
Gregory Mountain Products Navarino
A 60-liter ultralight frameless rucksack perfect for long weekends
Lafuma Sakya 25
Scramble up anything with the North Face's climber-oriented Spire 40 backpack.
Deuter USA ACT Trail 32
Find out why this "near-perfect" daypack won Best All Around in our <a href="https://www.backpacker.com/april_2009_table_of_contents_gear_guide_issue/articles/12859">2009 Gear Guide</a>. Don't judge a pack by its price: this pack's a loaded bargain.
The Coleman Company, Inc. Scurry(TM) X15
Wenger's Zernez 50L pack has mountains of features including a built-in raincover and clear map flap.
Lowe Alpine Arizone Centro 27
A convertible travel pack that can carry big loads.
CamelBak® Aventura
Carry up to 100 ounces of hydration power with this comfortable daypack.
DEUTER USA Guide 30+10SL
Don't judge a pack by its price: this pack's a loaded bargain.
Bergans of Norway Rondane 55
Don't judge a pack by its price: this pack's a loaded bargain.
The North Face Ligero 35
This pack moves with you.
Gregory Mountain Products Makalu Pro 70
A single compartment backpack that hauls big loads.
The North Face Catalyst 60
This stable pack has tons of padding and support.
Granite Gear Arete
With removable support, the Arc'teryx Khazri 55 backpack lets you choose between stability or a lighter load.
Montbell North America Balance Light 20
A convertible travel pack that can carry big loads.
Vaude Tofana 28
You won't find a better pack at a cheaper price than Vaude's Astra 55+10.
Lowe Alpine Alpine Ascent Pro ND35+10
A convertible travel pack that can carry big loads.
Lowe Alpine ARGON 25
A convertible travel pack that can carry big loads.
Mountainsmith Trillium
Here's high-performance proof that a big pack can have a small footprint.
ALPS Mountaineering Denali 5500
The durable Lowe Alpine Airzone Centro 45+10 backpack is full of handy pockets and bungees for the organized trekker.
Bergans of Norway Rask Lady 50
Don't judge a pack by its price: this pack's a loaded bargain.
Granite Gear Stratus Access FZ 4500
With removable support, the Arc'teryx Khazri 55 backpack lets you choose between stability or a lighter load.
Mountainsmith Scarlet
Here's high-performance proof that a big pack can have a small footprint.
Jandd Mountaineering Goliath Expedition
Ski mountaineers will love both climbing and cruising in this pack from our <a href="https://www.backpacker.com/april_2009_table_of_contents_gear_guide_issue/articles/12859">2009 Gear Guide</a>.
Mammut Face 22
Ski mountaineers will love both climbing and cruising in this pack from our <a href="https://www.backpacker.com/april_2009_table_of_contents_gear_guide_issue/articles/12859">2009 Gear Guide</a>.
Vaude Brenta 26
Don't judge a pack by its price: this pack's a loaded bargain.
ARC'TERYX Bora 35
Scramble around the trail with Granite Gear's ultralight and stable Vapor Flash backpack.
DEUTER USA Aircontact Lite 45+10SL
Don't judge a pack by its price: this pack's a loaded bargain.
ARC'TERYX Arro 22
With removable support, the Arc'teryx Khazri 55 backpack lets you choose between stability or a lighter load.
Lowe Alpine TFX Summit 75+20
A convertible travel pack that can carry big loads.
Vaude Tacora 20 + 4
Don't judge a pack by its price: this pack's a loaded bargain.
Bergans of Norway Viking II
Don't judge a pack by its price: this pack's a loaded bargain.
Mountain Laurel Designs EXODUS
A 60-liter ultralight frameless rucksack perfect for long weekends
Wenger Zernez 50L
Wenger's Zernez 50L pack has mountains of features including a built-in raincover and clear map flap.
Vaude Gallery Air 30 + 5
You won't find a better pack at a cheaper price than Vaude's Astra 55+10.
GoLite Lite-Speed
This all-purpose weekend pack is comfortable and light. A 100-liter pack that provides excellent load transfer and customlike comfort