Deep Dive Review: Gregory Focal 58 and Facet 55
A beginner friendly backpacking pack with everything you need—and nothing you don’t
Sometimes the most remote locations are the most beautiful. Find the perfect multi-day pack to comfortably fit your frame and backpacking gear essentials with expert advice from Backpacker Magazine.
A beginner friendly backpacking pack with everything you need—and nothing you don’t
From the backcountry to the airport, this pack has you covered
A reliable workhorse that will last for years
The Mountainsmith Cona 65 makes easy work out of heavy loads.
The PCT pack combines the best of both worlds.
Got a gear-heavy trip coming up? These packs have got your back.
Best value large backpack
Most durable large backpack
Best organization of any large pack
Most versatile large pack
Most eco-friendly large pack
Best suspension of any large pack
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.
The most comfortable backpack of 2021
The biggest backpack of 2021
The best bargain backpack of 2021
The most durable backpack of 2021
The best all-around backpack of 2021
Get all the bells and whistles with this luxury pack
A first-look review of the Thule Stir Alpine 40L
This winter-ready pack lets you grab your gear quickly.
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.
Most comfortable ultralight pack
Most durable ultralight backpack
Best value ultralight pack
Lightest backpack
Best all-around
Most breathable pack
Best pack for expeditions
Most comfortable pack
Best pack for big loads
Most versatile pack
This all-around performer is perfect for weekend trips, and it's one of the winners of our 2020 Editors' Choice Awards.
Its our favorite pared down, long-trail-ready hauler, and its one of our 2020 Editors' Choice Award winners.
Most durable
Best access
Most comfortable
Lightest
Best value
Best all-around
Best feature set
Best for big loads
Best ventilation
This lightweight hauler just keeps getting better.
Check out Liz "Snorkel" Thomas's author page.
Check out Laurel "Lollygag" Reisman's author page.
Check out Amanda "Zuul" Jameson's author page.
Check out Aaron H. Bible's author page.
Check out Nancy Bouchard's author page.
Check out Nancy Bouchard's author page.
Check out Nancy Bouchard's author page.
Check out Nancy Bouchard's author page.
Check out Nancy Bouchard's author page.
No more sweat stains with this pack: High-use areas detach for washing.
You can fill this versatile pack up with 50 pounds for an expedition or cinch it down for summit bids.
No need for fussy rain covers or liners with this waterproof pack.
Get mega-load comfort, smart organization, and exceptional adjustability for the big and tall.
Neat freaks can keep this pack squeaky clean.
The pack deftly handles a huge variety of trips-from gear intensive dayhikes to winter overnights. And it fits almost everybody
Best for mountaineers and backpackers who want a low-profile, big-load hauler with on-the-fly adjustability
Best for those who want excellent stability and best-of-class shock absorption.
The ultradurable packbag fabric has ecocred with no tradeoffs
It's rare to find a pack this large that's so light and supportive.
This cavernous pack keeps everything at your fingertips.
Haul a full pack into basecamp, then strip it and cinch it down into a summit pack.
One of the best packs gets better.
This pack raises the bar for big-load ventilation.
The 85-liter Terraplane may be the last load-hauler you’ll ever buy.
Capable of carrying heavy loads on a weeklong trip, it also strips cleanly down for light-and-fast summit bids.
This no-frills top-loader has everything you need for skiing and mountaineering, plus a bargain-basement price.
It’s light, yet full-featured, with excellent freedom of motion for climbing and skiing.
This cavernous top-loader can comfortably handle cold-weather supplies (up to 80 pounds worth!) for a week or two on the trail.
A bargain pack that doesn't compromise.
This 40-liter, panel-loading pack is only $80.
This versatile pack works equally well for big dayhikes and whirlwind travel.
A look back at the packs we've loved for years that are still at the top of their class.
It’s ideal for newbies who need some packing guidance and type As who like to have a precise spot for every little thing.
A breathable, stable trampoline-style multiday pack.
This top-loader is big-load friendly, built like a tank, and has great access.