Backpacks

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

This big-load pack carries heavy weight with ease.

87 tips for making your next family trip easy, fun, and comfortable

A realistic, hassle-free handbook for taking kids outdoors

For all-day epics, fast-and-light summit bids, and even minimalist overnights, reach for one of these versatile load haulers.

Shop smarter, hike farther with this guide to the guts of today's lightest load haulers.

We want your stories! Your photos! Your best trips and tips and all-time favorite gear! For this special edition of our Readers' Choice Awards, we're using your best stuff to create our January 2010 issue.

Heading out for a long haul? With these backpacks, you'll have the room you need for long trail comfort.

From this year's Editors' Choice winner to the ultimate organizational wonder, these weekend packs are perfect for heading to the hills Friday to Sunday.

Heading out for the day? We have your can-do ultimate daypack. From the best bargain to the lightest on the market, these packs have everything you need.

Want a one-pack quiver? Get this versatile lightweight.

This all-purpose weekend pack is comfortable and light.

How do we know this year's packs are lighter and more comfortable than ever? We spent the last 12 months lugging loads from Denali to the 'Daks to bring you the 32 best.

Conquer all the fourteeners and beyond with this stable and well-ventilated pack.

Climb, scramble, and mountaineer with the stable Variant pack.

No rips, tears, or fraying here: The Peuterey is one rugged pack.

Make the Eclipse your go-to pack for long treks and backcountry bushwhacks.

Learn how to fix snagging zippers, re-waterproof material, deal with frayed fabric, and more.

Vaude created a simple, no-frills pack high on stability with the Versametric Ultralight 60+10.

Scramble over rocks and hike in a downpour with the stable and weather-resistant Skareb 65 pack by The North Face.

Strap on the comfortable Osprey Argon 85 pack for those long treks with heavy loads.

The customizable Intention 75 pack by Mountain Hardwear accommodates large loads and day hikes alike.

For the price, the Lafuma Manang 65+20 packs a hard punch with superb padding and durability.

For large loads and great support, check out the lightweight Gregory Z65 backpack.

If you want ultralight, look no further than Deuter's tough and roomy ACT Zero 60+10 pack.

The comfortable Arc'teryx Arrakis 65 is the perfect waterproof pack for heavier loads.

Wenger's Zernez 50L pack has mountains of features including a built-in raincover and clear map flap.

You won't find a better pack at a cheaper price than Vaude's Astra 55+10.

The ultralight Osprey Exos 58 backpack is high in stability and smart features.

Reach for snacks and extra layers with ease while wearing Mountain Hardware's Koa 55 backpack.

Tackle trails, boulder fields, and steep peaks with the climber-geared Marmot Eiger 48 backpack.

The durable Lowe Alpine Airzone Centro 45+10 backpack is full of handy pockets and bungees for the organized trekker.

Bring along your winter toys— L.L. Bean's Mountain Guide pack can carry anything from ice climbing gear to skis.

Kelty's practical Pawnee backpack offers heavy load comfort for a good price.

Scramble around the trail with Granite Gear's ultralight and stable Vapor Flash backpack.

Take Black Diamond's practical Predator 50 with you on any trail, anytime.

With removable support, the Arc'teryx Khazri 55 backpack lets you choose between stability or a lighter load.

The Vaude Cross Ultralight Comfort 35 is the ideal lightweight bargain pack for dayhikes or weeklong treks.

Scramble up anything with the North Face's climber-oriented Spire 40 backpack.

The Millet Elevation 30 has everything you want in a pack—stabilty, support, and even wrist loops.

Pack up the weekend toys for your outdoor activity of choice in Marmot's ultralight–and ultra cheap–Alpha 25 backpack.

For dayhikes and light overnights, strap on the simple and smartly configured Deuter Speed Lite 30 pack.

Want rugged? Go for the Crumpler Bumper Issue, a rough and tough pack that takes on narrow slot canyons and unforgiving brush fields.

Run, climb or ski with the low profile Black Diamond RPM pack.

Check out The Backpacker Editors's author page.

Ski mountaineers will love both climbing and cruising in this pack from our 2009 Gear Guide.

Looking for a pack that's both wallet- and eco-friendly? You can't go wrong with the Traverse, from our 2009 Gear Guide.

This pack from our 2009 Gear Guide won't buckle under even the heaviest loads.

This top ultralight from our 2009 Gear Guide is perfect for hikers who need to travel light, fast, and far.

Find out why this "near-perfect" daypack won Best All Around in our 2009 Gear Guide.