Deep Dive Review: Gregory Focal 58 and Facet 55
A beginner friendly backpacking pack with everything you need—and nothing you don’t
Multiday Packs
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.
Ultralight Packs Are Getting a Running Vest-Inspired Makeover
Vest-style straps can make frameless packs carry better than ever.
Latest in Multiday Packs
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
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.
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
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.
Gregory Katmai 65/Kalmia 60
The most comfortable backpack 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: Eddie Bauer Alpine Sisu 50L
This winter-ready pack lets you grab your gear quickly.
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
Mammut Ducan Spine 50-60
Most breathable pack
Mountain Hardwear AMG 105
Best pack for expeditions
Lowe Alpine AirZone Trek 45:55 / AirZone Trek ND 43:50
Most comfortable pack
Thule Versant 60l
Best pack for big loads
ALPS Mountaineering Peak 45
Most versatile pack
Gregory Paragon 48 / Maven 45
This all-around performer is perfect for weekend trips, and it's one of the winners of our 2020 Editors' Choice Awards.
Mountainsmith Zerk 40
Its our favorite pared down, long-trail-ready hauler, and its one of our 2020 Editors' Choice Award winners.
Mystery Ranch Gallatin Peak 40
Most durable
Eddie Bauer Alpine Sisu 50
Best access
Marmot Eiger 42
Most comfortable
REI Co-op Flash 45
Lightest
Osprey Rook / Renn 50
Best value
Gregory Zulu 65 / Jade 63
Best all-around
The North Face Banchee 65
Best feature set
Mystery Ranch Glacier
Best for big loads
Kelty Zyro 68
Best ventilation
Granite Gear Blaze 60
This lightweight hauler just keeps getting better.
Osprey Atmos AG 65
Check out Liz "Snorkel" Thomas's author page.
ZPacks Arc Blast
Check out Laurel "Lollygag" Reisman's author page.
ULA Circuit
Check out Amanda "Zuul" Jameson's author page.
Mountain Laurel Designs 38L BURN
Check out Aaron H. Bible's author page.
Mountainsmith Mayhem 45
Check out Nancy Bouchard's author page.
Deuter Rise Tour 45+
Check out Nancy Bouchard's author page.
Granite Gear Lutsen 55
Check out Nancy Bouchard's author page.
Osprey Viva 50
Check out Nancy Bouchard's author page.
Bergans of Norway Skarstind 48
Check out Nancy Bouchard's author page.
High Sierra Karadon 55 Backpack
No more sweat stains with this pack: High-use areas detach for washing.
Mystery Ranch Big Mountain Backpack
You can fill this versatile pack up with 50 pounds for an expedition or cinch it down for summit bids.
Mountain Hardwear Ozonic 65 OutDry
No need for fussy rain covers or liners with this waterproof pack.
Thule Guidepost 65L
Get mega-load comfort, smart organization, and exceptional adjustability for the big and tall.
Millet Venom 40
Neat freaks can keep this pack squeaky clean.
Vaude Simony 40+8
The pack deftly handles a huge variety of trips-from gear intensive dayhikes to winter overnights. And it fits almost everybody
Lowe Alpine Zephyr 55:65
Best for mountaineers and backpackers who want a low-profile, big-load hauler with on-the-fly adjustability
Bergans of Norway Trollhetta 55
Best for those who want excellent stability and best-of-class shock absorption.
Fjällräven Kaipak 58
The ultradurable packbag fabric has ecocred with no tradeoffs
Six Moon Designs Fusion 65
It's rare to find a pack this large that's so light and supportive.
Exped Thunder 70
This cavernous pack keeps everything at your fingertips.
The North Face Cobra 60
Haul a full pack into basecamp, then strip it and cinch it down into a summit pack.
2015 Editors' Choice Gold: Gregory Baltoro / Deva
One of the best packs gets better.
Editors' Choice: Osprey Atmos AG/Aura AG
This pack raises the bar for big-load ventilation.
Mystery Ranch Terraplane
The 85-liter Terraplane may be the last load-hauler you’ll ever buy.
Osprey Variant 52
Capable of carrying heavy loads on a weeklong trip, it also strips cleanly down for light-and-fast summit bids.
Lowe Alpine Peak Attack 42
This no-frills top-loader has everything you need for skiing and mountaineering, plus a bargain-basement price.
Mammut Spindrift Light 30
It’s light, yet full-featured, with excellent freedom of motion for climbing and skiing.
Gregory Denali 100
This cavernous top-loader can comfortably handle cold-weather supplies (up to 80 pounds worth!) for a week or two on the trail.
Editors' Choice Snow 2014: JanSport Klamath 55, 65, 75 Backpacks
A bargain pack that doesn't compromise.
High Sierra Ascender 40 Backpack
This 40-liter, panel-loading pack is only $80.
Editors' Choice: L.L.Bean Day Trekker 25 Backpack Review
This versatile pack works equally well for big dayhikes and whirlwind travel.
The Backpacker Gear Hall Of Fame: Packs
A look back at the packs we've loved for years that are still at the top of their class.
Kelty TraiLogic PK 50 Multiday Review
It’s ideal for newbies who need some packing guidance and type As who like to have a precise spot for every little thing.
Fjällraven Friluft 55 Multiday Pack Review
A breathable, stable trampoline-style multiday pack.
Marmot Apollo 60 Multiday Backpack Review
This top-loader is big-load friendly, built like a tank, and has great access.