Vaude Asymmetric 40
You won't find a better pack at a cheaper price than Vaude's Astra 55+10.
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.
Eastern Mountain Sports Trail 70
Run, climb or ski with the low profile Black Diamond RPM pack.
Lafuma Traveller 60
Scramble up anything with the North Face's climber-oriented Spire 40 backpack.
Big Sky International Shadow
Scramble around the trail with Granite Gear's ultralight and stable Vapor Flash backpack.
JanSport Agave
The durable Lowe Alpine Airzone Centro 45+10 backpack is full of handy pockets and bungees for the organized trekker.
Lowe Alpine Crag Attack 40
A convertible travel pack that can carry big loads.
Osprey Aura 50
This best all-around pack offers plenty of easy to access pockets and compartments, making organization a cinch.
Lowe Alpine OXYGEN ND20
A convertible travel pack that can carry big loads.
DEUTER USA Climber
Don't judge a pack by its price: this pack's a loaded bargain.
Mystery Ranch Backpacks Snapdragon
Pack up the weekend toys for your outdoor activity of choice in Marmot's ultralight–and ultra cheap–Alpha 25 backpack.
Terra Nova Equipment Laser 20
A 60-liter ultralight frameless rucksack perfect for long weekends
Mountain Hardwear BMG
A 100-liter pack that provides excellent load transfer and customlike comfort
Montbell North America Expedition Pack 80
A convertible travel pack that can carry big loads.
Bergans of Norway Alpinist Escape
Don't judge a pack by its price: this pack's a loaded bargain.
Equinox Ltd Pamola Ultralite Pack
Wenger's Zernez 50L pack has mountains of features including a built-in raincover and clear map flap.
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) Flash 65 Women's
Want a one-pack quiver? Get this versatile lightweight.
Osprey Exos 58
The ultralight Osprey Exos 58 backpack is high in stability and smart features.
DEUTER USA Futura Zero 30
Don't judge a pack by its price: this pack's a loaded bargain.
Gregory Mountain Products Z20
A 60-liter ultralight frameless rucksack perfect for long weekends
Mountain Hardwear Scrambler
This all-purpose weekend pack is comfortable and light.
Gregory Mountain Products Triconi 60
For large loads and great support, check out the lightweight Gregory Z65 backpack.
ALPS Mountaineering Cascade 4200
The durable Lowe Alpine Airzone Centro 45+10 backpack is full of handy pockets and bungees for the organized trekker.
Gregory Mountain Products Z22
A 60-liter ultralight frameless rucksack perfect for long weekends
The North Face W Primero 65
This stable pack has tons of padding and support.
Gregory Mountain Products Z55
This pack has total load transfer, comfort, and a conveniently laid-out packbag.
JanSport Klamath 75
Strap on the comfortable Osprey Argon 85 pack for those long treks with heavy loads.
GoLite Rush
Light, comfortable, and endlessly packable–this pack really does it all. This all-purpose weekend pack is comfortable and light.
Bergans of Norway Rondane 65
Light weight and load-bearing: Try this clean-design, ultralight pack.
Millet Prolight 27 LD
This pack moves with you.
Lafuma X Raid 40
Scramble up anything with the North Face's climber-oriented Spire 40 backpack.
Deuter USA ACT Lite 65+10
This pared-down pack hauls big loads.
Jandd Mountaineering Keshet Alpinist
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>.
Lafuma Kailas 60 + 10
Scramble up anything with the North Face's climber-oriented Spire 40 backpack.
JanSport Wayfarer
The durable Lowe Alpine Airzone Centro 45+10 backpack is full of handy pockets and bungees for the organized trekker.
GoLite Quest
Light, comfortable, and endlessly packable–this pack really does it all. Reach for snacks and extra layers with ease while wearing Mountain Hardware's Koa 55 backpack.
ARC'TERYX Khazri 35
With removable support, the Arc'teryx Khazri 55 backpack lets you choose between stability or a lighter load.
JanSport Air Vital
The durable Lowe Alpine Airzone Centro 45+10 backpack is full of handy pockets and bungees for the organized trekker.
Lowe Alpine Airzone Active 28
A convertible travel pack that can carry big loads.
Millet Peuterey 35 Limited
This pack moves with you.
Gregory Mountain Products Z65
For large loads and great support, check out the lightweight Gregory Z65 backpack.
Lafuma Mokka 30 LD
Scramble up anything with the North Face's climber-oriented Spire 40 backpack.
Jandd Mountaineering Tozi Kletter Sac
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>.
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) Ridgeline 65
Bring along your winter toys— L.L. Bean's Mountain Guide pack can carry anything from ice climbing gear to skis.
Jandd Mountaineering Selah Approach Pack
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>.
Kelty Redstart W
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>.
The North Face Solaris 40
This pack moves with you.
Lowe Alpine TRAVEL TREKKER II ND60
A convertible travel pack that can carry big loads.
KEEN Inc Venice Pack
Run, climb or ski with the low profile Black Diamond RPM pack.
Mountain Laurel Designs Prophet
A 60-liter ultralight frameless rucksack perfect for long weekends
Vaude Accept 75 + 10
Vaude created a simple, no-frills pack high on stability with the Versametric Ultralight 60+10.
LL Bean L.L.Bean White Mountain Pack Women's
Bring along your winter toys— L.L. Bean's Mountain Guide pack can carry anything from ice climbing gear to skis.
Bergans of Norway Alpinist I
Don't judge a pack by its price: this pack's a loaded bargain.
Gregory Mountain Products Rufous
A 60-liter ultralight frameless rucksack perfect for long weekends
Vaude Tec Rock 32
Don't judge a pack by its price: this pack's a loaded bargain.
Eastern Mountain Sports Trail 30
Run, climb or ski with the low profile Black Diamond RPM pack.
DEUTER USA Aircontact Zero 60+10
Don't judge a pack by its price: this pack's a loaded bargain.
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) Pinnacle
Just $149 can buy you a great pack.
Lowe Alpine Attack MX 50+10
A convertible travel pack that can carry big loads.
Granite Gear Vapor Ki
Scramble around the trail with Granite Gear's ultralight and stable Vapor Flash backpack.
The North Face Ion 20
The Millet Elevation 30 has everything you want in a pack—stabilty, support, and even wrist loops.
ARC'TERYX Muira 50
With removable support, the Arc'teryx Khazri 55 backpack lets you choose between stability or a lighter load.
Deuter USA ACT Lite 50+10
With incredible load distribution, this pack's easy on the shoulders.
ARC'TERYX Khamsin 70
Scramble around the trail with Granite Gear's ultralight and stable Vapor Flash backpack.
Osprey Aura 65
This best all-around pack offers plenty of easy to access pockets and compartments, making organization a cinch.
The North Face Ligero 50
This pack moves with you.
The North Face Cam 26
The Millet Elevation 30 has everything you want in a pack—stabilty, support, and even wrist loops.
ARC'TERYX Bora 95
Scramble around the trail with Granite Gear's ultralight and stable Vapor Flash backpack.
JanSport Soloist
Strap on the comfortable Osprey Argon 85 pack for those long treks with heavy loads.
Gregory Mountain Products Jade 35
A 60-liter ultralight frameless rucksack perfect for long weekends
Granite Gear Meridian Vapor Ki
Scramble around the trail with Granite Gear's ultralight and stable Vapor Flash backpack.
The North Face Fulcrum 35
The Millet Elevation 30 has everything you want in a pack—stabilty, support, and even wrist loops.
Gregory Mountain Products Drift
Wenger's Zernez 50L pack has mountains of features including a built-in raincover and clear map flap.
Mammut Ice 45
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 Blade 15
With removable support, the Arc'teryx Khazri 55 backpack lets you choose between stability or a lighter load.
Osprey Ace 48
Don't worry, the updates to these tried-and-true packs are worthy.
Deuter USA Futura 28
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 North Face W Mejor 35
This pack moves with you.
Mammut Lithium Z 20
Run, climb or ski with the low profile Black Diamond RPM pack.
ARC'TERYX Bora 50
Scramble around the trail with Granite Gear's ultralight and stable Vapor Flash backpack.
Ultralight Adventure Equipment (ULA) Catalyst
A 60-liter ultralight frameless rucksack perfect for long weekends