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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.

Light weight and load-bearing: Try this clean-design, ultralight pack.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A pack built for climbers.

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

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

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

This all-purpose weekend pack is comfortable and light.

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

Great for family camping trips, this pack has plenty of useful features that everyone in the family can enjoy. Don't judge a pack by its price: this pack's a loaded bargain.

Find out why this "near-perfect" daypack won Best All Around in our <a href="https://www.backpacker.com/april_2009_table_of_contents_gear_guide_issue/articles/12859">2009 Gear Guide</a>. Don't judge a pack by its price: this pack's a loaded bargain.

Here's high-performance proof that a big pack can have a small footprint.

This all-purpose weekend pack is comfortable and light. A 100-liter pack that provides excellent load transfer and customlike comfort

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

A convertible travel pack that can carry big loads.

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

Don't judge a pack by its price: this pack's a loaded bargain.

This all-purpose weekend pack is comfortable and light. Reach for snacks and extra layers with ease while wearing Mountain Hardware's Koa 55 backpack.

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

A convertible travel pack that can carry big loads.

Just $149 can buy you a great pack.

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

This pack moves with you.

A 100-liter pack that provides excellent load transfer and customlike comfort

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

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

Carry up to 100 ounces of hydration power with this comfortable daypack.

Here's high-performance proof that a big pack can have a small footprint.

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

A convertible travel pack that can carry big loads.

Here's high-performance proof that a big pack can have a small footprint.

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

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

This pack moves with you.

A convertible travel pack that can carry big loads.

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

A convertible travel pack that can carry big loads.

Ski mountaineers will love both climbing and cruising in this pack from our <a href="https://www.backpacker.com/april_2009_table_of_contents_gear_guide_issue/articles/12859">2009 Gear Guide</a>.

Ski mountaineers will love both climbing and cruising in this pack from our <a href="https://www.backpacker.com/april_2009_table_of_contents_gear_guide_issue/articles/12859">2009 Gear Guide</a>.

A convertible travel pack that can carry big loads.

A 60-liter ultralight frameless rucksack perfect for long weekends

Carry up to 100 ounces of hydration power with this comfortable daypack.

This pack moves with you.

A convertible travel pack that can carry big loads.

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

Don't judge a pack by its price: this pack's a loaded bargain.

This all-purpose weekend pack is comfortable and light.

Carry up to 100 ounces of hydration power with this comfortable daypack.

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

Don't judge a pack by its price: this pack's a loaded bargain.

Light, comfortable, and endlessly packable&ndash;this pack really does it all. Reach for snacks and extra layers with ease while wearing Mountain Hardware's Koa 55 backpack.

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