Osprey Skarab 24 / Skimmer 22
This roomy option is a sweet deal for bargain hunters.
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.
Columbia Shadow Falls
This all-around pack performed well in every category.
Gregory Citro 30 / Juno 30
The biggest pack in the test also has one of the best-performing hydration systems.
Platypus Duthie A.M. 15
A taut, trampoline-style backpanel provides best-in-test ventilation.
Cotopaxi Veloz 6
The test’s best trail running pack boasts smart pocket design.
Hydration through Hell: How the CamelBak changed the way we drink
Thanks to a 100-degree bike ride and some innovation push from desert-stationed soldiers, the CamelBak permanently changed the course of hydration history.
The 13 Best Backpacks of 2017
Find just the right blend of comfort, organization and durability with the best backpacks of the year.
Exped Skyline 15
Most Versatile
Mountain Hardwear Ozonic 70
Weather Champ
Osprey Aether AG 85 (w’s Ariel AG 75)
Best for Big Loads
Mystery Ranch Stein 62
Most Organized
Granite Gear Crown 2 60L
Lightest
The North Face Alpine 50
Light and Tough
REI Co-op Flash 45
Best Women's Fit
Fjällräven Abisko Friluft 45
Most Eco-Friendly
Columbia Trail Pursuit 40L
Do-It-All Workhorse
Patagonia Lightweight Black Hole 26L
Most Versatile
Black Diamond Blitz 20
Most Stable
Arc’teryx Bora AR
Banish sore hips and pack sway with a new hipbelt that moves with you in all directions.
Gregory Baltoro 65/Deva 60
No load is too heavy for this comfy suspension system.
Mammut Trion Light 38+
Pack as much or as little gear as you need for alpine ascents.
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.
Backcountry Access Float 32 Airbag Pack
Get your favorite backpack features in an avy pack.
Dakine Women's Heli Pro DLX 24 Backpack
This full-featured backcountry ski and snowboard pack has the best women’s fit of any model we tested.
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.
Grivel Zen 40 Backpack
The low-profile design of this ski pack doesn’t restrict arm swings or high steps.
Black Diamond Dawn Patrol 32 Backpack
This is the first Black Diamond ski pack we could use with or without the company’s AvaLung system.
L.L. Bean Snowfield 30 Backpack
This durable ski pack is exceptionally tough for the weight and price.
High Sierra Symmetry 18
Save big on a full-featured ski pack.
Mountain Hardwear Ozonic 65 OutDry
No need for fussy rain covers or liners with this waterproof pack.
SCOTT Air Free Alpride Pack
This pack's light, low-bulk airbag system means less weight on your back and more space for your gear.
Salomon Agile 12 Set
Thanks to a form-hugging fit, the Salomon Agile 12 Set is the next best thing to wearing no pack at all.
CamelBak Pursuit 24 LR
The unique lumbar reservoir spreads water weight low across the hip shelf for improved stability.
Osprey Syncro 15
In hot temps, this pack kept us coolest, thanks to max airflow across the back.
Marmot Aquifer 22
A drybag-style closure makes this pack the most functionally waterproof.
Dakine Drafter 12L
Plentiful pockets will please the most obsessive organizers.
Bergans of Norway Rondane 12
A unique strap configuration obliterates pack sway and jiggle. Plus: great price.
Salomon S-Lab X Alp 20
The Salomon S-Lab X Alp 20 makes gear-grabbing quick and easy.
Thule Guidepost 65L
Get mega-load comfort, smart organization, and exceptional adjustability for the big and tall.
Montane Habu 22
Smart design maximizes comfort for small and curvy figures
Kelty Capture 25
You get sweet features with a sweet price to match
Columbia Trail Pursuit 30L
Get one pack for hiking, biking, climbing, skiing, and traveling
Granite Gear Virga 26
This 1-pound pack is tougher than most ultralights.
Mountain Hardwear Scrambler 30 OutDry
Get superior waterproofing without a rain cover.
High Sierra Lightning 35
Superior external storage allows the big daypack to carry minimalist weekend loads.
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.
The 7 Best Backpacks for Winter
From skiing to mountaineering to snowshoeing, these backpacks can handle the extra gear and rugged conditions winter sports require.
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.
Dakine Blade 38L
It’s loaded with all the winter-specific features we love for big backcountry days.
Mammut Spindrift Light 30
It’s light, yet full-featured, with excellent freedom of motion for climbing and skiing.
Bergans of Norway Istinden 26L
The unique hipbelt closure on this ski-touring pack provides a custom fit.
Arc’teryx Chilcotin 20
Its triangular shape creates a snug, lumbar-hugging fit that eliminates all jostling—even while trail-running or mountain biking.
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.
Vargo Outdoor Ti-Arc Packbag
Here's a blast from the past. An external frame that inflicts the least amount of impact on your body.
Editors' Choice Snow 2014: JanSport Klamath 55, 65, 75 Backpacks
A bargain pack that doesn't compromise.
Editors' Choice Snow 2014: Black Diamond JetForce Technology Airbag
A backcountry airbag that you can actually practice using.
High Sierra Ascender 40 Backpack
This 40-liter, panel-loading pack is only $80.
Field Test: Daypacks
From ultralight to ultraweatherproof, our testers found the perfect load hauler for every trip and hiker.
CamelBak Fourteener 24 Daypack Review
A hydration pack made for big days.
Granite Gear Superior Daypack Review
Looks like a backpack, protects like a raincoat.