Deal of the Week: Eddie Bauer Alpine Sisu 50L
This winter-ready pack lets you grab your gear quickly.
Backpacks
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.
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.
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
Deuter Guide Lite 24 / Guide Lite 22 SL
Pack with best comfort-to-weight
CamelBak Octane 25
Best pack for organization
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
Osprey Archeon 30
Most durable pack
ALPS Mountaineering Peak 45
Most versatile pack
Ultimate Direction Signature Series Adventure Vest 5.0
Most customizable 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.
Black Diamond Trail Zip 14
Lightest pack
Deal of the Week: Osprey Poco AG Plus Child Carrier
Get this full-featured kid transporter at a discount.
Black Diamond JetForce Tour 26L
Easy avalanche pack
Ultralight Adventure Equipment Ohm 2.0
Pack animal
The North Face Forecaster 35
Best for mountaineering
Mystery Ranch Gallatin Peak 40
Most durable
Eddie Bauer Alpine Sisu 50
Best access
BCA Stash 30
Best fit
3 All-Purpose Daypacks for Any Trail Adventure
A good daypack makes or breaks an outing. These three perform.
What We’re Testing Now: Mammut Ducan Spine 50-60
This pack’s suspension helps the load move with you.
Newsletter Exclusive Deal: Patagonia Nine Trails 28L/26L
Hit the trail with this versatile daypack.
How to Choose the Right Backpack
Finding the right backpack isn’t always a quick or easy process, but you’ll thank yourself later for investing the time now.
The 9 Best Mother's Day Gifts for Hikers
Forget the flowers: Show Mom you care with a gift that helps her hit the trail (and recover from it).
The 7 Best Daypacks for Every Kind of Hike
From quick jaunts to the biggest days, these packs will keep you comfortable no matter how heavy (or light) your load.
Deuter Trail Pro 36 / 34 SL
Most versatile
Mystery Ranch Scree 32
Best access
JanSport Tahoma 27
Best value
Hydro Flask Journey Series 20L
Best hydration pack
Black Diamond Distance 15
Best for peakbagging
Gregory Miwok 12 /Â Maya 10
Best fit
Thule Rail 8L
Best hydration pack
Cotopaxi Allpa 28L Travel Pack
Best travel pack
EXPED Whiteout 30
Best for mountaineering
Mountain Equipment Ogre 33+
Most versatile
Arc’teryx Alpha AR 35
Most durable
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.
Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil 18L Nano Daypack
Editors' Choice update
Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L
Convenient carry-on
Gregory Baltoro 65 / Deva 60
Carry anything, anywhere.
The 5 Best Backpacks of Winter 2019-2020
Bring everything you need with these five perfect packs.
Truce Drop Liner 24L
Sailcloth makes this everyday bag nearly indestructible.
Lowepro Photo Sport BP 300 AW II
This photo pack is ready for an adventure.
The Best Ultralight Packs of 2018
Cut weight, not comfort, with the year's best new lightweight packs.
The Best Hydration Packs for Backpackers
Keep your H20 handy with these handy water carriers.
Mystery Ranch Saddle Peak
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Bavarian Backpacks: Deuter Does It Again With Its New Aircomfort Sensic System
With the Futura, you can marvel endlessly at natural wonders along the trail without feeling like you need to rush on or drop your pack.
The 12 Best Backpacks of 2018
From light daypacks to heavy load haulers, these packs keep your essentials close at hand—and makes carrying them less of a chore.
Backcountry Access Float 27 Speed
This intuitive avalanche pack gets an upgrade.
Outdoor Research Dry Summit Pack HD
Best weather protection
Lowe Alpine Descent 35
Most versatile
Dakine Poacher 14
Best for day missions
Mystery Ranch Patrol 45
Largest capacity
CamelBak Franconia LR 24 / Sundowner LR 22
This full-featured pack let us carry big loads in comfort.