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.
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 Backpacking Packs of 2023
Our team of testers vetted 20 new rucksacks. These ones came out on top.
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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 ClassÂ
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:Â 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
Mammut Trion Nordwand 28
Best backpack for big miles
Deal of the Week: Eddie Bauer Alpine Sisu 50L
This winter-ready pack lets you grab your gear quickly.
Osprey Hikelite 26
Reliable rucksack
Deal of the Week: Patagonia Planing Roll Top Pack 35L
Keep your gear dry with this waterproof pack.
The 6 Best Daypacks of 2020
Wring extra miles out of long summer afternoons with these weight-conscious daypacks.
Salomon XA 25
Best organization in a daypack
Matador Freerain32
Most weatherproof daypack
Six Moon Designs Daybreaker
Best daypack for overpackers
Black Diamond Trail Blitz 12
Best daypack for big miles
CamelBak Women's Zephyr Vest
Best daypack for women
Montane Mezzo 10
Best value daypack
Member Deal of the Week: The North Face Hydra 26
Save on a comfy pack that's made for long dayhikes.
The 5 Best Ultralight Backpacks for Thru-Hikers (and Everyone Else)
We put the season’s newest featherweight packs through 3,800 total miles of testing. These are the ones that kept our long-distance team cruising along in ultralight bliss.
Six Moon Designs Swift X
Most comfortable ultralight pack
Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Junction
Most durable ultralight backpack
Gossamer Gear G4-20 Ultralight 42
Best value ultralight pack
LiteAF 35L Curve Fast-Track-Pack
Lightest backpack
Mountain Laurel Designs Prophet DCF 48
Best all-around
Member Deal of the Week: Hydro Flask Journey Series 20 Hydration Pack
Score big savings on great pack for hot-weather hikes.
Kelty Redwing 36
Best bargain pack
Mammut Ducan Spine 50-60
Most breathable pack