Best 10 Hiking Backpacks Of 2024

A very good hiking backpack can definitely help conserve energy and prevent injuries. There was a time when my back would hurt whenever I go hiking. It is for this reason that I had to get a hiking backpack. After getting one, my back didn’t hurt anymore. Hiking backpacks also have lots of features that normal backpacks don’t have like hydration bladder compartment, sleeping bag compartment, hiking stick straps and so on. I am recommending a few amazing hiking backpacks that I know of. A great deal of effort are put into the development of the items below which is why I think that you will be happy with one of the backpacks I listed.

Best Hiking Backpacks – Quick Chart

How To Choose A Hiking Backpack

Types Of Outdoor Backpacks

Here are some common outdoor backpacks that people use for hiking and backpacking.

Packable Daypacks

Packable daypacks are very lightweight, and very compact. These daypacks can be folded down to a pocket sized item. These are great for everyday activities, school, gym, and more. These can also be used for hiking, travel and other activities.

Hiking Daypacks

Hiking daypacks are great for hiking. These will often have pockets and features meant for a hiking backpack. These will often have a hydration bladder compartment, made out of water repellent material, padded shoulders and a hip belt. These often weigh around one pound to two pounds.

Camping And Backpacking

These are meant to carry gear that will keep a person alive for multiple days. These backpacks have a very big capacity, and lots of room for camping gear like sleeping bags, tents, cookware, tableware and so on. These will often have the same features as a hiking daypack but these will be bigger with a bigger main compartment to store and protect different types of camping equipment.

Tactical Backpacks

Tactical backpacks are suitable for camping, hiking and other outdoor activities. These backpacks will often have MOLLE webbings. We can add additional pouches or pockets to the backpack. We can also take them away.

Outdoor Photography Backpacks

These are very similar to hiking daypacks. These will have the same features and same look and feel. These will have additional features though like a place to put the tripod, extra zippers so that the user can easily take out the camera and more.

Travel Backpacks

Travel backpacks are meant for travel. These backpacks are meant to be carried to the airport. Some will have wheels and a carrying handle so that the backpack will be easy to pull along or carry. These items are meant to carry a lot of items as well. They are often as big as a hiking backpack or school book bag.

Three Frame Types To Choose From

Most of the outdoor backpacks that you will see are internal frame type. This basically means that the support rods are hidden from plain view. They are integrated inside the outdoor backpack. The external frame types have the supporting rods outside. There aren’t much of these anymore since the internal frame types are a lot better and look much more cooler. I highly recommend going for the internal frame types also. External frame types put the weight on the top part of the body. This can cause unevenness and sluggishness. The body will have a harder time moving because of it.

Internal Frame Type

Internal frame type backpacks are very popular. The frames are inside the backpack on the back side. The frames keep the backpacks shape and provide support. The back will often have padding to let sweat evaporate.

External Frame Type

External frame types are not that popular. Hardly anyone uses this type of backpack. These backpacks will often have aluminum frames on the outside. The frames are often in a rectangular shape.

No Frame Type

No frame types are very lightweight. These are often used by minimalist backpackers or ultralight backpackers. These backpacks do not have frames since frames have weight. By taking out the frames, the weight is taken out also. Since there are no frames, the shape of the backpack tends to conform to the items inside the backpack.

Here Are Things You Need To Think About When Getting A Backpack

Get The Right Outdoor Backpack Based On Your Needs And Specification

One of the easiest ways to figure out the right pack for you is to know how long your trip is going to be. The amount of items that you may want to carry depends a lot on the trip length. A simple day trip will not require a lot of items but a trip that can last for a week may require items such as tents, sleeping bags, foods, extra clothing, and other necessities. Another way is to find out what kind of activity and items are going to be stored in your backpack.

Capacity

The capacity of the backpack is very important. Backpacks with a very large capacity like around 70 liters are often very big and very bulky. They are meant for outdoor camping trips and not meant for everyday use. Backpacks with a capacity of 20 or 30 are meant for everyday use.

Material Of A Good Pack

Backpacks come in many different types of material. The material of your pack can also influence its weight and durability. However, the most important thing to consider is whether the material is water resistant or not. The outdoor backpack does not need to be 100% waterproof but it has to somewhat resist water. A bag that soaks in water can be very detrimental to the items are inside it and the water will also add a lot of additional weight to the pack.

The material of the backpack is very important. The material will add the most weight to the backpack. Canvas, oxford and leather will often create very heavy backpacks. While polyester and nylon will often create lightweight backpacks. This is really a matter of preference. You can choose whatever material you like.

Padded Hip Belt

The waist size is also very important as it will have most of the weight of your pack. There are many packs that have a hip belt. They are designed so that people will have an easier time carrying their items. A lot of the weight will be around the hips so having a padded belt to support the weight can make everything more comfortable. The weight of the bag is very important. The more the body can easily move, the more fun and less fatigue people will feel while on a trip.

Hip belts put the weight on the hip rather than on the back or shoulder. Hip belts will often have padding so that pressure and friction will not hurt the hip of the user. Some will have pockets while others will have straps for other hiking or camping gear.

Multiple Compartments

Multiple compartments are often very nice. You may want some lash-on capabilities also if you would like to put external tools like camping lamps, ice axe, tripod and so on. You may also want 2 compartments for a water bottle or space for your hydration pack. I love lots of compartments in the front because I have lots of gadgets. I often bring my camera equipment, extra batteries for my camera, extra batteries for my phone, and etc. I often bring first aid kits also and pain relievers. It is important for me that my stuff are very organized. This is one of the reasons I like lots of compartments on my outdoor backpack.

Backpacks meant for ultralight backpackers will have very little compartments. Some will only have a main compartment. The more compartments, the heavier the backpack is going to be. Some hiking backpacks will have a lot of compartments but they will also be heavier than others.

Contoured Back / Torso Size

In order to get the best outdoor backpack for your needs, you need to take into account your height and body type. The packbag should be a snug fit to your body. In order for this to happen, you need to take into account your torso length and waist size. Torso length is very important because if the pack is too big for your body, it will be harder to carry. Luckily, a lot of packs come in many sizes. You can get small packs to big ones. One thing to remember also is that women and kids have different torso length. They should get backpacks that they will be comfortable with.

An outdoor backpack that is shaped to fit your lower spine is great for distributing the weight evenly. The person becomes more comfortable as the weight isn’t focused on one point. A person’s pack often carries the essentials for a day of canoeing, biking or urban exploring. We need to be very comfortable when carrying items especially when they weight a lot.

You have to find the right torso size because the more form fitting the backpack, the better it will be or the easier it will be to carry. Women will often have a smaller torso size than men. Men will often have a bigger torso size. It is important to know your torso size.

Padded Shoulder Straps

The weight will often be pushing down on our shoulders and hips. It is important that these places are padded if we are carrying lots of weight and going to be walking a couple of miles. The pads will put less pressure and friction on the shoulders, making the person more comfortable in moving around. This will cause less chance of injury and wounds. Padded shoulder straps take away pressure and friction on the shoulders. These are very good for people that carry a lot of stuff or a lot of weight. Padding will often deter friction from happening and they deter pressure from getting to the shoulder as well.

Padded Back

Padded back helps deter pressure and friction from happening to the back of the user. A padded back will often have ventilation points to allow sweat from the back to evaporate. No frame backpacks will not have any padding at all.

Attachment Points

Attachment points are used to for hiking sticks, crampons, backpacking axes, ice axes and so on. Attachment points are great for carrying very large gear that do not fit inside main compartment of the backpack.

Hydration Bladder Compartment

Hydration bladder compartments are often found in hiking backpacks. There will often be a place to hang the hydration bladder and a hole for the hose to get out.

Sleeping Bag Compartment

The sleeping bag compartment are often found on the bottom of a camping backpack. There will be a zipper at the bottom so that people can take out the sleeping bag with ease or put it back in.

Outdoor Backpack Accessories

There are certain accessories that you may want to check out. One is a raincover for your pack. While a lot of packs are water resistant, they are are not fully 100% waterproof. A raincover can help prevent the packbag from getting wet and from getting the gadgets inside the pack to be destroyed. Water can also seep through zippers and and seams. A light weight raincover is important in protecting your valuables.

Hydration Reservoir is also something you may think about. Water is very important. Water bottles are just not that good sometimes. It is easier to carry hydration reservoir that can carry more water than anything else.

Paracord Survival Bracelets are also a good addition as people can use them to secure external items and they can also be used in an emergency.

Best Hiking Backpacks

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1. Osprey Hikelite 18 Hiking Backpack

Technical Specs
Weight: 1.49 Pounds
Capacity: 18L
Dimensions: 18.11″ X 9.45″ X 10.83″
Hydration Compartment: Yes
Feature Summary: Ventilated airspeed mesh backpanel with side vents maintain a comfortable fit and keep your back cool, integrated raincover keeps your pack and gear dry in inclement weather, scratch resistant organization pocket for sunglasses and electronics

Short Review: This backpacks for hiking is impressive and I really like it. Osprey backpacks often just scream high quality. This features ventilated AirSpeed Mesh back panel with side vents maintain a comfortable fit and keep your back cool and integrated raincover keeps your pack and gear dry in inclement weather. The material feels good yet feels different from other backpacks. This is a good backpack for day hikes as it is rather small and can only hold a few items. The space is definitely enough and plenty for a day hike and I could even bring my camera gear along. The material feels very durable and very tear resistant which is a must for hiking deep in the woods. It comes with a hydration compartment and the backpack itself looks very beautiful.

2. Teton Sports Oasis 1100 2 Liter Hydration Backpack

Technical Specs
Weight: 1.9 lbs
Capacity: 18 L
Dimensions: 16″ x 10″ x 2″
Hydration Compartment: No
Feature Summary: Free hydration bladder: 2-liter; durable, kink-free sip tube and push-lock cushioned bite valve, adjusts to fit all frames comfortably, notched foam stabilizer and mesh covering means you can wear this pack for hours

Short Review: I really like this outdoor backpack. The interior has a huge capacity and can carry lots of stuff. This comes with a 2-liter hydration bladder comes with your backpack. You get a complete system that is lightweight, durable, kink-free sip tube and innovative push-lock cushioned bite valve. I love Teton when it comes to backpacks specifically made for hiking and backpacking. The material is rather thick and feels very durable compared to other backpacks. This amazing company continues to develop outstanding items such as this one which is the reason why I continue to recommend items that this company creates. This is a pretty high quality daypack that has plenty of room for most of your hiking necessities.

3. Sunhiker Cycling Hiking Backpack

Technical Specs
Weight: 12.3 oz
Capacity: 15 L
Dimensions: 15.7 x 9.1 x 5.9in.
Hydration Compartment: Yes
Feature Summary: Suitable for those people who do not want a big size and just need to take necessity when doing outdoors sports, highly tear resistant nylon, water-resistant, lightweight, scratch-resistant, durable & comfortable

Short Review: This outdoor backpack that you are going to consider is extremely good. This is a very small and very lightweight backpack that works well for hiking, travel and other outdoor activities such as hiking and fishing. The shoulders straps are very padded so they feel good to wear even if people are carrying heavy items. The material is very durable and the backpack has enough room for a lot of items. A very good backpack for a day hike since it is very lightweight and this item is also very affordable.

4. Venture Pal Hiking Backpack Daypack

Technical Specs
Weight: 11.2 Ounces
Capacity: 40 Liters
Dimensions: 12.5″ x 6.3″ x 19.3″
Hydration Compartment: No
Feature Summary: Backpack is made of high quality tear and water resistant nylon fabric, heavy duty metal zippers and enhanced by bar-tacks at major stress points provide long-lasting durability, breathable mesh shoulder straps with plentiful sponge padding

Short Review: This outdoor backpack is incredible and it is also very affordable. This is constructed out of high quality tear and water resistant nylon fabric. This also comes with heavy duty metal zippers and enhanced by bar-tacks at major stress points provide long-lasting durability against daily activities. This item has a great deal of high quality materials while remaining to be low-priced. This is possible due to the fact the company did a good job. This is one of the finest and that’s why this has a whole lot of positive customer reviews. The main compartment is known to have a huge capacity and can carry lots of stuff. The shoulders are padded and the material is somewhat water resistant which makes it good for the outdoors. This is a very multi-purpose item that works well for outdoor adventures and travel.

5. The North Face Borealis Backpack

Technical Specs
Weight: 2.469 Pounds
Capacity: 28 L
Dimensions: 19.75″ x 13.25″ x 9.75″
Hydration Compartment: No
Feature Summary: 28l backpack is updated with easy-to-access pockets, an overhauled suspension system and front elastic bungee system, two extended mesh water bottle pockets double as multi-use pockets, external fleece-lined pocket stores small items or electronics

Short Review: You will definitely like this outdoor bag considering that it is amazing. The North Face is an amazing company that creates high quality outdoor items. This comes with FlexVent suspension system features a flexible yoke built from custom injection-molded shoulder straps, a padded mesh back panel and a breathable lumbar panel for comfortable, ventilated support. This is a great backpack for travel but it is also multipurpose and durable enough that I don’t mind recommending it for hiking. This works well that its no wonder that I find this to be one of the most satisfying items that I have ever tried. The durability of this item is very good and it also has a lot of usefulness. This looks very beautiful also. This is made by a very good company and I love it.

6. Outlander Packable Handy Lightweight Travel Hiking Backpack Daypack

Technical Specs
Weight: 0.5 lbs
Capacity: 20/33 L
Dimensions: 19 x 13 x 8.2 inches
Hydration Compartment: No
Feature Summary: Folds into zippered inner pocket to fit anywhere. Unfolds from pocket to backpack, stress points are reinforced with bar tacking for increased longevity, backpack is made from highly rip and water-resistant nylon fabric

Short Review: I like this packable backpack for hiking purposes. This is a backpack meant for travel but can be used for a lot of other activities as well like hiking. The backpack doesn’t have a lot of pockets but has enough to carry the bare necessities for hiking. I wouldn’t recommend carrying a lot or carrying a heavy backpack because the shoulder pads are not that padded. It is going to hurt people’s shoulder if they carry 15+ pounds of items for hiking. It is a good backpack to use to carry water, wallets, money, and other items but don’t put a lot in it.

7. Osprey Talon 22 Men’s Hiking Backpack

Technical Specs
Weight: 1.98 lbs
Capacity: 22 L
Dimensions: 22.05 x 9.84 x 9.06 inches
Hydration Compartment: Yes
Feature Summary: Adjustable shoulder harness to dial in perfect fit, stretch mesh pockets on both sides of pack provide convenient storage for bottles and smaller items, dual-zippered access to main compartment

Short Review: I am incredibly pleased that I ordered this simply because this is a very outstanding outdoor daypack. This features an external hydration sleeve accommodates up to a 3L reservoir and comes with stretch mesh pockets on both sides of pack provide convenient storage for bottles and smaller items. This is an upgraded version of Talon from Osprey. The first version is pretty good also and it is one of the first hiking backpacks I bought from Osprey. This one is good as well. It is a lot easier to get the items inside compared to the first one. The material feels good like always and this has a hydration bladder compartment also. The price is a little bit expensive but well worth it.

8. ZOMAKE Small Hiking Backpack

Technical Specs
Weight: 0.74 lbs
Capacity: 25 L
Dimensions: 10.6″ x 7.9″ x 16.1″
Hydration Compartment: Yes
Feature Summary: Made of high quality tear and water resistant nylon material, heavy duty sbs metal zippers can adapt to long-term use, 25l capacity with only 0.6lb, spacious enough to carry a day’s worth of necessities

Short Review: This hiking backpack is among the very best that you can get. I recommend this item to anybody. This is constructed out of high quality tear and water resistant nylon material. heavy duty SBS metal zippers can adapt to long-term use. This is definitely one of a kind item that is also pretty inexpensive. No matter how you look at it, the price plays a huge factor why plenty of people acquire this item. This item has a whole lot of positive reviews as well so you can be rest assured that a lot of people are very satisfied with this item. The interior has a huge capacity and can carry lots of stuff. A considerable amount of the materials used to create this item are really high quality which is why this is really resilient.

9. Diamond Candy Waterproof Hiking Backpack

Technical Specs
Weight: 2.43 lbs
Capacity: 40 L
Dimensions: 12.6″ x 7.9″ x 19.7″
Hydration Compartment: Yes
Feature Summary: Waterproof backpack is made of water resistant material, we also give away a rain cover, equip this hiking backpack with hydration system, whistle and many compression straps, perfect as a hiking daypack or travel backpack

Short Review: You will unquestionably like and make use of this hiking backpack on a regular basis. This is a waterproof backpack is made of water resistant material. This is an amazing backpack that can be used for outdoor purposes. This features a hydration system, whistle and many compression straps. It works well and has a hydration compartment. A very versatile item that gives lots of usefulness while in the outdoors. This comes with multiple pockets and the material is very water resistant which makes it great for light rainy days. I love this a good deal. This item is wonderful and the design is amazing. The price is also very reasonable and this has a lot of positive customer feedback.

10. HIKPRO 20L Lightweight Packable Backpack

Technical Specs
Weight: 7.5 oz
Capacity: 20L
Dimensions: 8″ x 14″
Hydration Compartment: No
Feature Summary: Made with high-quality water resistant nylon material, the main pocket is large enough to carry what you daily need, minimalist designed, ultra-lightweight, reduced excess shoulder load, outer smaller pocket great for quick access

Short Review: I am certain that you will love this backpack for hiking mainly because it is fantastic. This features high-quality water resistant nylon material. The amazing water-resistant capability allows the contents of the backpack to be kept dry for 40 minutes – 1 hour in the rain. There are plenty of useful and valuable information that can be discovered if you look at the positive consumer reviews of this item. This is a great item that served me for a long time and the selling price is very good also. This is another lightweight backpack that works well for outdoor purposes. It also can be easily folded into a small sandwich size for easy travel. It is a little small but the shoulders are a little bit padded. This is incredibly resilient and has plenty of space for water and other hiking equipment.