top-loading

This pack tames the biggest loads.

Serious about backpacking and photography? You’ll love this camera-ready pack.

The 85-liter Terraplane may be the last load-hauler you’ll ever buy.

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.

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 simple, clean, top-loading rucksack.

This versatile pack works equally well for big dayhikes and whirlwind travel.

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.

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.

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