Gear Review: REI Venturi 45 Backpack
Check out the Venturi 45 for its significant space and plentiful pockets.
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.
Gear Review: Osprey Hornet 46 Backpack
If you're going light, choose the Osprey Hornet 46, which is durable despite its minimal weight.
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Kanza 55/Tadita 50 Backpack
Stability is good in relationships and backpacks. It's guaranteed in the Mountain Hardwear's Kanza 55/Tadita 50 with its ability to flex to fit any spine position.
Gear Review: Deuter ACT Zero 50+15/45+15 Backpack
Beefy and adaptable, the Deuter ACT Zero shrinks sizes from week-long adventurer to afternoon excursioner without compromising comfort.
Gear Review: Black Diamond Epic 45 Backpack
The dynamic suspension system of the Black Diamond Epic makes carrying loads up to 45 pounds a walk in the park.
Gear Review: Black Diamond Epic 45 Backpack
A perfect weekend pack for mountaineer and ice climbers.
Gear Guide 2011: Weeklong Packs
For big hauls these packs deliver.
Gear Review: High Peak Everest 75+10
Its design is a mash-up of features we like in luggage and a trail-ready backpack.
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Molimo 70
The Molimo fit everyone from beanpoles to fireplugs.
Gear Review: The North Face Zealot 70
Rain, mud, rocks, snow, crampons. Some packs need to be coddled when faced with the wet, rough, and sharp. Not the Zealot.
Gear Review: MontBell Super Expedition 90
The payload-to-weight-to-price of this pack is in a class by itself.
Gear Review: Black Diamond Mission 75
Its high-and-slim, alpine-style design easily kept 45 pounds close and stable as a tester scrambled up steep slopes and across tightrope-thin ridges.
Gear Review: GoLite Terrono 70
This load monster's suspension is so dialed, it can induce a pleasant form of trail amnesia.
Gear Guide 2011: Backpacks
Whether you're loading for a local dayhike, a weekend in the wilderness, or a once-in-a-lifetime thru-hike, this year's class of packs redefines comfort.
Mother's Day Gift Guide: Granite Gear Nimbus Trace Ki
An ideal weekend pack for women
Mother's Day Gift Guide: REI Traverse 30 Daypack
Perfectly sized and organized for done-in-a-day outings
Mother's Day Gift Guide: Kelty Diaper Daypack
An everyday diaper pack that goes from trail to train with ease
Gear Review: Flip An Zip Zipper Repair Kit
This kit makes zipper repair a DIY project.
Gear Review: Granite Gear Uberlight eVent Stuffsack
These Cuben Fiber stuffsacks are light and tough.
Gear Guide 2011: Weekend Packs
These packs will comfortably hold all your Friday-Sunday needs.
Gear Guide: Lowe Alpine Alpine Attack 45 Weekend Pack
This pack is thousand-foot glissades and crampon/ice axe friendly.
Gear Review: Granite Gear Nimbus Trace 62 Weekend Pack
A weekend pack that can handle overtime.
Gear Review: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider Weekend Pack
If you travel light and fast, this is your weekend pack.
Gear Review: Gregory Baltoro 65 Weekend Pack
An updated version of a previous Editors' Choice Awards winner.
Gear Review: REI Passage 65 Weekend Pack
Just $149 can buy you a great pack.
Gear Review: Sierra Designs Revival 65/Jubilee 65 Weekend Pack
If you're an organizer, this is the pack for you.
Gear Review: REI's Tarn 18 Pack
A kid-size mileage logging pack.
Gear Guide 2011: Daypacks
For a day outside, grab one of these trail-tested packs.
Gear Review: Osprey Sirrus 24 Women's Daypack
The fit and comfort of this pack scored high with all our female testers.
Gear Review: Deuter Speed Lite 15
A 15 liter daypack that's small, light, and tough.
Gear Review: Black Diamond Axis 33 Daypack
A tough pack made for climbing rock.
Gear Review: Mammut Creon Light 32 Daypack
If you only want one daypack, ever, this is your pack.
Gear Review: CamelBak Highwire 25 Daypack
A 100-ounce reservoir makes this hydration pack the best of the bunch.
Gear Review: Clik Elite Access Pack
A light and streamlined chest camera pack.
Gear Review: Solar Powered Backpacking Gear
Five of our favorite solar items to make your next trip brighter, safer, and less stinky
Gear Guide 2011 Table of Contents
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Tent TLC: Tips on Cleaning, Buying, and Mending Your Tent
Keep your favorite shelter in tip-top shape with this advice.
Sleeping Bags TLC: Tips on Cleaning, Fitting, and Mending Your Sleeping Bag
Your sleeping bag is critical to backcountry enjoyment - keep it happy.
Backpack TLC: Tips on Cleaning, Fitting, and Mending Your Pack
Proper fit and care will keep your backpack comfortable and functioning.
Boot TLC: Tips on Cleaning, Buying, and Mending Your Hiking Boots
Your boots will last longer, fit better, and hike farther if you give them a little TLC.
Gear Guide 2011: Extra Online Chart Reviews
Read all the full-text reviews of the gear we didn't have room to dish about in the 2011 Gear Guide charts.
Gear Review: Granite Gear Blaze AC 60 Pack
We liked this pack so much, we upgraded it to an Editors' Choice award winner.
Gear Guide 2011: Online Backpack Reviews
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Reader Rated: The Ultralighter
Cut weight, not comfort, in three core categories.
Gear Review: Platypus Insulator Hydration System
An all-in-one lightweight hydration system for snow lovers.
Reader Rated: Family Camping Gear
Get great gear without breaking into the college fund.
Reader Rated: Weekend Warrior Gear
Get comfort and convenience with these four well-priced picks.
How-To Slideshow: Fitting a Backpack
In this step-by-step guide, we'll show you exactly how to fit a pack for optimum comfort and stability on the trail.
Gear Review: Mountain Laurel Designs Exodus Backpack
A 60-liter ultralight frameless rucksack perfect for long weekends
Gear Review: Deuter Aircontact 75+10 Backpack
Stays comfortable and stable with loads up to 70 pounds
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear BMG Backpack
A 100-liter pack that provides excellent load transfer and customlike comfort
Gear Review: Mountainsmith Falcon 55 Backpack
Great suspension and easily accommodates a 50-pound load
Gear Review: Gregory Serrac 45 Backpack
Perfect dayhike hauler that can handle gear-heavy multi-day trips
Holiday Gift Guide 2010: Over $150
If you're looking to splurge on your favorite outdoorsperson, here are the gifts to do it with.
Best of BACKPACKER: Time-Tested Gear
Over the years we've tested a lot of gear, and learned a lot of lessons.
Time-Tested Gear: Backpacks
You can't be a backpacker...without a backpack.
ARC'TERYX Cierzo 18
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
ARC'TERYX Cierzo 25
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ARC'TERYX Cierzo 35
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ARC'TERYX Spear 25
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ARC'TERYX Spear 20
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Sierra Designs Ministry
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Gear Review: Zerogoo Fuel Injector System
A gel/water system for those hard efforts when stopping and refueling isn't an option.
Holiday Gift Guide 2010: REI Flash 65 Backpack
Whether your loved one is into fast-and-light weekend trips, long-and-overloaded weeks, or a combination of the two, this pack is up for the job.
Gossamer Gear RikSak Hyperlight Daypack
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Gossamer Gear Gorilla Ultralight Backpack
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Gossamer Gear Mariposa Plus Ultralight Backpack
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Gossamer Gear G4 Ultralight Backpack
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Gossamer Gear Murmur Hyperlight Backpack
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Jandd Mountaineering Mayim Lite Packer
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Jandd Mountaineering Har Lit Packer
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Jandd Mountaineering Mogen Daypack
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Jandd Mountaineering Tozi Kletter Sac
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Jandd Mountaineering Keshet Alpinist
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Jandd Mountaineering Masah Day Sac
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Jandd Mountaineering Noah Tec Pac
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Jandd Mountaineering Selah Approach Pack
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Jandd Mountaineering Zoor Alpinist
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Jandd Mountaineering Goliath Expedition
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Jandd Mountaineering Barad Backpack
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