Backpacks

Pack as much or as little gear as you need for alpine ascents.

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.

Get your favorite backpack features in an avy pack.

This full-featured backcountry ski and snowboard pack has the best women’s fit of any model we tested.

You can fill this versatile pack up with 50 pounds for an expedition or cinch it down for summit bids.

The low-profile design of this ski pack doesn’t restrict arm swings or high steps.

This is the first Black Diamond ski pack we could use with or without the company’s AvaLung system.

This durable ski pack is exceptionally tough for the weight and price.

Save big on a full-featured ski pack.

No need for fussy rain covers or liners with this waterproof pack.

This pack's light, low-bulk airbag system means less weight on your back and more space for your gear.

Thanks to a form-hugging fit, the Salomon Agile 12 Set is the next best thing to wearing no pack at all.

The unique lumbar reservoir spreads water weight low across the hip shelf for improved stability.

In hot temps, this pack kept us coolest, thanks to max airflow across the back.

A drybag-style closure makes this pack the most functionally waterproof.

Plentiful pockets will please the most obsessive organizers.

A unique strap configuration obliterates pack sway and jiggle. Plus: great price.

The Salomon S-Lab X Alp 20 makes gear-grabbing quick and easy.

Get mega-load comfort, smart organization, and exceptional adjustability for the big and tall.

Smart design maximizes comfort for small and curvy figures

You get sweet features with a sweet price to match

Get one pack for hiking, biking, climbing, skiing, and traveling

This 1-pound pack is tougher than most ultralights.

Get superior waterproofing without a rain cover.

Superior external storage allows the big daypack to carry minimalist weekend loads.

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.

From skiing to mountaineering to snowshoeing, these backpacks can handle the extra gear and rugged conditions winter sports require.

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 loaded with all the winter-specific features we love for big backcountry days.

It’s light, yet full-featured, with excellent freedom of motion for climbing and skiing.

The unique hipbelt closure on this ski-touring pack provides a custom fit.

Its triangular shape creates a snug, lumbar-hugging fit that eliminates all jostling—even while trail-running or mountain biking.

This cavernous top-loader can comfortably handle cold-weather supplies (up to 80 pounds worth!) for a week or two on the trail.

Here's a blast from the past. An external frame that inflicts the least amount of impact on your body.

A bargain pack that doesn't compromise.

A backcountry airbag that you can actually practice using.

This 40-liter, panel-loading pack is only $80.

From ultralight to ultraweatherproof, our testers found the perfect load hauler for every trip and hiker.

A hydration pack made for big days.

Looks like a backpack, protects like a raincoat.

Your stuff disappears into this daypack, and it disappears on your back.

A simple, clean, top-loading rucksack.

Roll these up and stow them in your duffel or big pack for summits or dayhikes.

A breathable pack for sweaty testers.

A low-profile bag that the wily climbers loved.

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 light, low-profile, and “perfect in that there’s nothing left to take away,” according to one tester.

This retro-looking rucksack sports a single, roomy packbag that can easily compress low-volume loads. It’s well-suited for dayhikes, sessions at the crag, or anyone who’s tough on gear.

Use this streamlined chameleon as a stand-alone hydration daypack (it comes with a 2-liter reservoir) or slip it into the sleeve of your big pack and use it for day jaunts or summit sprints from basecamp.

Ultralight, waterproof, and comfortable—the top-loading Alpha FL 30 hits a rare trifecta. Plus, its shape provides unmatched mobility.

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.

This 85-liter behemoth manages the heaviest loads.

The Flash has been a perennial favorite for its low weight and price, and female testers raved about its new women’s suspension system.

This burly, big-volume, well-organized pack boasts a unique system of exterior straps that lend it year-round performance—without adding a lot of weight.

It’s as light as some daypacks, but the Rondane has the muscle to carry weeklong loads.

The Z nails the tester wish list: ventilated trampoline suspension with a super-stable carry; low weight for the capacity; and smart, uncluttered organization.

The South Col proved ideal for mountaineers: comfortable and stable mile after mile with loads up to 60 pounds.