How Much Weight Can Popular Backpacks Handle? This Is How We Test.
The Outside Lab at CU Denver uses sensors, weights, and mannequins to figure out how different backpacks carry loads and how much each can handle.
Backpacks
Find the best backpack for your next outdoor hiking adventure, whether it be a multi-day hike or only a day trip. Our expert gear testers have reviewed all the best backpacks on the market to help you decide.
The Best Daypacks for Every Kind of Hiker (2025)
Level-up your carrying comfort with these top-performing daypacks.
Latest in Backpacks
These 10 Backpacks Weigh Less than Two Pounds But Carry Serious Loads
Lighten your load with these minimalist-minded multiday packs.
We Hauled Dozens of Backpacking Packs on Trails Across the Globe. These 9 Carried Their Weight Like a Champ
Our favorite packs were comfortable against our bodies, lifted the load right off our shoulders, and had the features we reached for over thousands of miles.
Deal of the Week: This Lightweight Backpack Can Handle Serious Loads
Thanks to its space-age materials, the Editors' Choice-winning Mystery Ranch Radix 57 carries serious weight while coming in at a pound less than similar haulers.
Deal of the Week: Our Ultralight Columnist’s Top Budget Pack
The Granite Gear Virga 2 is an affordable frameless pack, and right now it's on sale for 30 percent off.
Can This Plastic Frame Fix Sweaty Ultralight Packs?
The Vaucluse ventilation frame is an inexpensive add-on for airflow.
Deal of the Week: Grab a Classic Ultralight Pack at a Discount Right Now
The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Junction 55 is a trail-tested, reliable ultralight pack, and right now you can snatch it for under retail.
Meet Our New Favorite Summer Backpacking Pack
Smart updates to the Gregory Paragon/Maven make this previous Editors’ Choice Award Winner comfier than we thought possible.
Osprey’s 33-Liter Daypack is the Best We’ve Ever Tested
Extreme adjustability and a cushy ride made the Talon/Tempest 33 our favorite day hiking pack of 2025
Deal of the Week: Grab a Lightweight, Load-Hauling Backpack for Half-Off
It may be featherweight, but the Granite Gear Blaze 60L can handle up to 50 pounds of gear comfortably.
Deal of the Week: Grab This Light-and-Fast Vest Pack for 75% Off
With a stable, body-hugging design and enough room for your water, snacks, and layers, the Ultimate Direction Adventure Vest 5.0 is an ideal pack for trail runners and fast-moving hikers alike.
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First Look: deuter Speed Lite Pro Series
When it comes to fast and light hiking, deuter’s Speed Lite Pro series leads the pack—again
Deal of the Week: An Indestructable Ultralight Backpack at a Discount
The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Junction can take anything the trail can dish out.
Is 3FUL’s New Tianshan 45 the Best Budget Ultralight Pack?
We put the Chinese brand’s $164 Zpacks lookalike to the test.
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Shopping for an Adventurer? A Pack That Lasts Will Keep On Giving.
Consider your holiday shopping complete with a new Osprey pack to fit any skier, snowboarder, hiker, backpacker, jetsetter, or day-tripper on your list
Should I Buy the Durston Kakwa 55 or Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60?
Two of the most popular ultralight brands make very similar packs—at least on paper. Our side-by-side test reveals the winner.
The Best Ultralight Packs for Hunting, Packrafting, and Guiding
Using lightweight materials and modern construction, these rucksacks are meant for seriously heavy loads.
Meet the Ultralight Maker Determined to End “Boring Backpacks”
With artist prints and thoughtful design, Wild Brush gear stands out for all the right reasons.
Review: NEMO’s Resolve is One Step Closer to a Truly Sustainable Backpack
It’s pretty dang comfy to hike in, too.
This Lightweight Hauler Can Handle 50-Pound Loads
Mystery Ranch’s Radix carries serious cargo without a weight penalty.
What We’re Testing Now: A 30-Liter Pack You Can Actually Overnight With
Meet the pack sleek enough to turn our backpacking princess into an ultralight convert.
4 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Use a Frameless Pack
Used correctly, frameless packs can be a great tool for ultralighters. Used incorrectly? Welcome to Shoulder Pain City, baby.
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First Look: The deuter Trail Series
Versatility meets inclusive sizing meets next-level support in this new pack series
Ultralight Packs Are Getting a Running Vest-Inspired Makeover
Vest-style straps can make frameless packs carry better than ever.
This Lightweight Daypack Can Handle a Dunk in the Ocean
The frameless Mustang Survival Highwater 22L is the best of frameless backpacks and drybags in one slick package.
Patagonia’s New Fast-And-Light Vest Pack Is Best in Class
For carrying weight while moving quickly in the mountains, the Slope Runner Exploration 18L is our new favorite vest-pack hybrid
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A Thirst for Change
By some measures, Jenny Bruso’s advocacy for body inclusivity in the outdoors has been a wild success. But she says the fight has barely begun.
The Best Day Packs of 2022
These bags redefine carrying comfort
Deep Dive Review: Gregory Focal 58 and Facet 55
A beginner friendly backpacking pack with everything you need—and nothing you don’t
Deep Dive Review: Mountainsmith Apex 60
From the backcountry to the airport, this pack has you covered
Deep Dive Review: Mystery Ranch Bridger 65
A reliable workhorse that will last for years
The Best Hydration Vests of 2022
Carryall solutions for every kind of run
The Best Backpacking Packs of 2022
Shoulder the load and make miles with these trail-ready rucksacks
The 6 Best New Daypacks for Every Kind of Hiker
From short hikes to long runs that push the definition of a dayhike, these six packs will be your constant companions.
The 12 Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2022
A comfortable carry comes down to finding your perfect rucksack.
The 5 Best Ultralight Backpacks for Hiking Fast and Far
Pare down your kit weight, but not your comfort, with these minimalist load-haulers.
Pack Showdown: Osprey Aether 65/Ariel 65 vs. Gregory Baltoro 65/Deva 60
Two heavyweights of the pack world go head to head.
The 4 Best Packs for Backcountry Skiing
These models have you covered no matter the terrain or mission length.
Outside Gear Spotlight: Osprey Talon 22
Check out BACKPACKER Editors and Contributors's author page.
Weekly Obsession: This Saucony Trail Running Pack Is Spacious and Stable
The Haul Lite Pack will have you thinking like a maximalist—trail runner, that is.
Deal of the Week: Mystery Ranch Patrol 35
Get ready for the backcountry with a deal on this capable snow pack.
What We’re Testing Now: A Weight-Eating Pack That Doesn’t Skimp on Comfort
The Mountainsmith Cona 65 makes easy work out of heavy loads.
Finally, Backpacks Actually Designed for Plus-Sized Hikers
Gregory’s new line is a step in the right direction.
Unleash Your Inner Neat Freak With This Ultralight, Ultra-Organizable Pack
A lot of ultralight packs skimp on organizing features to save weight. Not the Six Moon Designs Flight 30 Ultra.
Deal of the Week: Gregory Zulu 65 / Jade 63
Save a bunch on two standout all-around multiday packs.
First Look: This New Mountain Hardwear Pack Blends Support and Breathability
The PCT pack combines the best of both worlds.
The 6 Best Backpacks for Hauling Heavy Loads
Got a gear-heavy trip coming up? These packs have got your back.
Kelty Coyote 65 / Coyote 60
Best value large backpack
Deuter Aircontact Pro 70+15 / Aircontact Pro 65+15 SL
Most durable large backpack
Helly Hansen Capacitor
Best organization of any large pack
REI Co-op Traverse 60
Most versatile large pack
Fjällräven Kajka 65
Most eco-friendly large pack
Mystery Ranch Terraframe 65
Best suspension of any large pack
These 6 Waterproof Packs Will Keep Your Gear Dry on The Trail
Don’t let a little rain ruin your hike. These waterproof packs will keep your gear safe and dry, mile after mile.
This Load-Eating Pack Helped Me Thru-Hike in Comfort
It may not be the lightest pack on the market, but the Gregory Baltoro 65 kept me pain-free and making miles even on the longest hikes of my life.
Deal of the Week: Osprey Kamber 42/Kresta 40
Get a jump on rounding out next winter's kit with this near-perfect pack.
Deal of the Week: Granite Gear Blaze 60
Get into spring trekking by saving big on one of our favorite load-haulers.
Deal of the Week: Deuter Guide Lite 24 / Guide Lite 22 SL
It may look minimalist, but this pack has everything you need for a day exploring the alpine.
The North Face Flight Training Pack 12
The best backpack for trail running of 2021
Matador Beast18
The most packable backpack of 2021.
Arc’teryx Aerios 30
The best backpack for organization of 2021.
Exped Verglas 30
The most weatherproof backpack of 2021
Mountain Laurel Designs Hell 27
The lightest backpack of 2021
Patagonia Altvia Pack 36
The most eco-friendly backpack of 2021
Gregory Katmai 65/Kalmia 60
The most comfortable backpack of 2021
Granite Gear Perimeter 50
The best backpack for big and tall backpackers of 2021
Deuter Futura Air Trek 60+10/Futura Air Trek 55+10 SL
The biggest backpack of 2021
Kelty Asher 55
The best bargain backpack of 2021
Lowe Alpine Cholatse 52:57 /Cholatse ND 50:55
The most durable backpack of 2021
Osprey Talon Pro 30/Tempest Pro 28
The best all-around backpack of 2021
Editors’ Choice 2021: Osprey Aether 55 / Ariel 55
Get all the bells and whistles with this luxury pack
What We’re Testing Now: Thule Stir Alpine 40L
A first-look review of the Thule Stir Alpine 40L
Deal of the Week: Gregory Paragon 48/Maven 45
Score the best deal we’ve seen yet on one of our favorite packs of 2020.
Deal of the Week: Osprey Talon 22/Tempest 20
These light, comfortable daypacks will feel even better at this price.
Scott Patrol E1 30 Backpack
Full-featured airbag pack
The 4 Best Packs of Winter 2020
Winter activities can take a lot of gear, from avalanche equipment to heavy sleeping bags. But that doesn't mean you have to weigh yourself down. These four bags keep it light while still leaving you enough room to carry your necessities.
Gregory Targhee FastTrack 45
Most versatile winter backpack
Ortovox Haute Route 40 / Haute Route 38 S
Best organization in a winter pack
Osprey Soelden 32 / Sopris 30
Most comfortable winter backpack