The BEST 11 Backpacks on the Market for Your Hiking Trip
Hiking Backpacks are the most essential tools when on a backpacking trip.
From backpacks that prioritize weight reduction without sacrificing quality or durability, our ultralight options are sure to impress, or ultralight backpacking packs suitable for extended outdoor adventures. Compared to travel bags, Various backpacking backpacks are made for walking down any trail, from high mountains to low roads.
Each type is different from another via use, characteristic, purpose, and designated user.
In this blog post, you will discover top backpacks for hiking and daily use that seamlessly blend style with functionality.
Top Backpacks for Hiking and Daily Use
Discover the best backpacks that cater to various needs, whether a laptop backpack like the Incase Icon or versatile daypacks like the North Face Borealis and Osprey Talon 22. These top picks offer excellent functionality, comfort, and durability for hiking trips and daily use.
Incase Icon: Sleek Design with Laptop Compartment
The Incase Icon is a stylish and technical pack with a dedicated laptop pocket that accommodates laptops up to 15 inches in size. It’s an excellent choice for professionals seeking portability and a stylish travel bag in everyday carry while maintaining a sleek, hiking-inspired design.
North Face Borealis: Padded Laptop Sleeve and Comfortable Shoulder Straps
The North Face Borealis is a great unisex backpack option for student-athletes and fitness enthusiasts. This budget-friendly backpack offers ample storage space in its main compartment and padded sleeves to protect laptops. The comfortable shoulder straps are easy to wear all day without feeling weighed down by heavy loads during overnight hikes, busy days, or weekend trips.
Osprey Talon 22: Versatility for Moderate Loads
The Osprey pack is lightweight with plenty of room within its main compartment to store essential items, making it a perfect backpack for those seeking weekend, day, and overnight hiking.
The Osprey pack offers a comfortable fit with its adjustable hip belt and shoulder straps that can be customized to suit individual preferences, making it an excellent choice as a reliable backpack capable of handling moderate loads.
Key Takeaway: Discover the best backpacks for hiking and daily use, such as the Incase Icon with a dedicated laptop compartment, the North Face Borealis with padded sleeves and comfortable shoulder straps, and the Osprey Talon 22, which offers versatility for moderate loads. These top picks provide excellent functionality, comfort, and durability, suitable for outdoor adventures and everyday commutes.
Women-Specific Backpack Options
We have identified a range of optimal backpack choices for the female form that provides superior fit, comfort, and support around the female state.
Gregory Jade 28: Designed Specifically for Women’s Body Shape
The Gregory Jade 28 is a comfortable and lightweight pack suitable for day hikes, night hikes, and everyday activities. It includes contoured shoulder straps and hip belt pockets designed to fit a woman’s body. Other backpack options are also available, catering exclusively to women’s needs on short- and multi-day backpacking excursions.
Some popular choices worth exploring further include:
- North Face Terra Series: A comfortable women’s pack offering ample storage space and a comfortable suspension system for extended trips.
- Deuter ACT Lite: A durable, lightweight pack, the Deuter ACT Lite has a slim profile and a women-specific fit perfect for weekend getaways or overnight hikes.
- Patagonia Nine Trails: A sleek, minimalist design ideal for day hiking or night hiking, the Patagonia Nine Trails is a comfortable pack that does not sacrifice functionality.
Key Takeaway: Looking for the perfect backpack for your next hiking trip? Check out our top women-specific backpack options designed to provide superior fit, comfort, and support tailored around the female form. Our recommendations include the Gregory Jade 28 for shorter hikes or daily use around town or campus while considering the Osprey Renn 65 or Ariel series for longer journeys requiring more gear storage capacity.
High-Capacity Packs for Extended Trips
Consider investing in high-capacity packs like the Granite Gear Blaze 60 if you plan extended trips with heavier loads. These recommended products can comfortably handle varying load sizes up to about fifty pounds, making them ideal for lengthy journeys with a lot of equipment.
Granite Gear Blaze 60: Comfortably Carries Heavy Loads of up to Fifty Pounds
The Granite Gear Blaze 60 is a durable pack for carrying large gear. Its pack features an adjustable torso length, removable hip belt pockets, and spacious side pockets for water bottles or other essentials. The compression straps aid in load stabilization, and there are loops for attaching trekking poles.
Kelty Coyote Series: Affordable Multi-Day Pack Offerings with Various Capacities
The Kelty Coyote series offers budget-friendly backpacks in various capacities, from smaller-sized bags to large-capacity models suitable for extended trailside adventures. Kelty’s PerfectFIT suspension system ensures a comfortable fit for individuals of different body shapes and sizes, while external pockets provide convenient access to frequently used items during your hike.
- Durable Materials: The Granite Gear Blaze 60 and Kelty Coyote series uses high-quality fabrics that withstand wear and tear from rugged outdoor conditions.
- Adjustable Fit: These packs offer adjustable torso lengths, hip belts, and shoulder straps to ensure a comfortable fit for all body types.
- Ample Storage Space: With multiple compartments, zippered pockets, and side pockets for water bottles or trekking poles, these are recommended products that provide plenty of room for your gear during extended trips.
Key Takeaway: Looking for the best backpacks for your next hiking trip? Consider high-capacity packs like Granite Gear Blaze 60 or Kelty Coyote series, which offer ample storage space while maintaining a comfortable fit. These durable and adjustable backpacks are perfect for multi-day backpacking trips and can handle heavier loads over prolonged periods in rugged outdoor conditions.
Ultralight Backpacking Options
Ultralight backpacks are ideal for avid hikers and backpackers who value lightweight gear. These backpacking backpacks offer quality and durability without the added weight, making them perfect for long hikes, multi-day trips, and as a unisex backpack.
ULA Equipment Paragon 58: Lightweight Backpacking Choice
The ULA Equipment Paragon 58 is a recommended product for experienced hikers due to its minimalistic design and impressive weight-to-capacity ratio. At a mere two pounds, the Paragon 58 provides a unique capacity of 58 liters for keeping your load light.
REI Flash 55: Quality Design for Minimal Weight
The REI Flash 55 is a hiking backpack weighing around three pounds. It is an excellent option among ultralight backpacking packs, boasting a sleek design and innovative pack features such as removable compression straps and hip belt pockets.
Granite Gear Crown Series & Zpacks Arc Blast: Ultralight Construction
- Granite Gear Crown Series: The Granite Gear Crown series, including models like the Crown VC60 or V.C., uses a compression-molded P.E. frame sheet and molded foam back panel for lightweight construction without sacrificing durability. These packs are ideal for those aiming to reduce the weight of their gear.
- Zpacks Arc Blast: The Zpacks Arc Blast is a top choice in ultralight backpacking, weighing only 21 ounces with a 55-liter capacity. The smaller pack’s design incorporates carbon fiber stays for support and flexibility, making it an excellent option for long-distance hikers focused on minimizing weight.
Key Takeaway: This section highlights the best 11 backpacks for hiking trips, focusing on ultralight options that offer durability and functionality without compromising weight. The ULA Equipment Paragon 58 and REI Flash 55 are popular choices in this category, while the Granite Gear Crown Series and Zpacks Arc Blast offer unique designs for maximum weight savings. Incorporating an ultralight backpack into your gear collection can enhance your hiking experience by reducing strain on your body and allowing you to cover more ground quickly.
Versatile Packs for Various Outdoor Scenarios
A versatile pack is essential for various outdoor scenarios and should provide users with all the features for a successful adventure.
Gregory Alpinisto: Ski-Carrying System Feature
The Gregory Alpinisto is a versatile pack for various outdoor excursions in different terrains and conditions. Its larger pack provides ample storage space, extra exterior pockets, compression straps, and trekking pole attachments to meet outdoor exploration needs.
Osprey Aura (Women-Specific): High-Tech Suspension Systems and Ample Storage Compartments
Osprey’s Aura series is designed with women in mind, featuring high-tech suspension systems for optimal comfort during your journey.
The adjustable shoulder straps and hip belt pockets allow female hikers to find their perfect fit without sacrificing style or functionality.
This ultralight pack also offers ample storage, including large side pockets for water bottles and other essentials for longer hikes.
- Durable: Gregory Alpinisto and Osprey Aura are made from high-quality materials designed to withstand wear and tear from extended use.
- Comfortable: These ultralight packs feature adjustable shoulder straps, hip belts, and suspension systems to ensure a comfortable fit for all body types and an affordable price.
- Versatile: With ski-carrying systems, ample storage compartments, and small pockets, these backpacks are perfect for various outdoor scenarios, including day hikes or multi-day backpacking trips, at an affordable price.
Key Takeaway: Looking for a versatile backpack that can adapt to various outdoor scenarios? Consider the Gregory Alpinisto or Osprey Aura, both made from high-quality materials and designed with adjustable shoulder straps, hip belts, and suspension systems for optimal comfort. These packs are perfect for day hikes or multi-day backpacking trips with features like ski-carrying systems and ample storage compartments.
Packing Tips and Maintenance Advice
Proper packing and maintenance of hiking backpacks are essential to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable outdoor experience. To safeguard your pack’s best possible performance and longevity, please follow these suggestions for the best packing order.
Packing Order Tips: Light Bulky Items First Followed by Mid-Weight Objects
Begin by placing light, bulky items like sleeping bags or clothing at the bottom of your pack to create a stable base for heavier gear on top.
Add mid-weight objects such as cooking equipment or food supplies above the lighter items to distribute weight evenly, maintaining balance during day and night hikes.
Lastly, store heavier gear closer to the opening lid area for easy access when needed; items like tents or trekking poles are suitable for this location to optimize weight distribution and accessibility.
Consider using compression sacks or dry bags to enhance organization within your backpack. These accessories compress clothing and other soft goods into compact bundles, saving space inside your main compartment.
Cleaning Maintenance Advice: Warm Water, Mild Soap Solution, Air-Dry
To keep your hiking backpack clean and well-maintained after each trip:
- Gently brush off any dirt or debris from exterior pockets with a soft-bristled brush before washing;
- Create warm water mixed with mild soap (avoid harsh detergents) in either a bathtub or large sink;
- Submerge your pack in the solution and gently scrub it using a soft sponge or cloth, paying particular attention to heavily soiled areas;
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water until all soap residue is removed;
- Allow your backpack to air dry completely before storing it for future use. Avoid direct sunlight exposure as this may cause fading or damage certain materials.
Key Takeaway: Maximize the efficiency of your hiking backpack by following these packing tips and maintenance advice. Pack light bulky items first, followed by mid-weight objects, and place heavier gear closer to the opening lid area for easy access. To keep your backpack clean after each trip, gently brush off any dirt or debris before washing it with warm water and mild soap solution, then air-dry it thoroughly before storing it away for future use.
FAQs about the Best 11 Backpacks on the Market for Your Next Hiking Trip
What features should I look for in a good hiking backpack?
When searching for quality hiking backpacks, consider these essential features: comfort, fit and adjustability, load capacity, weight distribution systems (like hip belts), ventilation for reduced sweat buildup, durable materials such as high-denier nylon or polyester, water resistance or waterproofing such as rain covers or any pack cover, multiple small pockets for organization, and external attachment points.
How much weight can a hiking backpack typically hold?
Hiking backpacks vary in their weight capacities based on size and design. Daypacks usually have 20-35 liters and can comfortably carry up to 15 pounds. Backpacking packs range from 40-70+ liters and are designed to handle loads between 30-50 pounds.
Are there any special considerations when choosing the right backpack size for my body type?
To select the right-sized hiking backpack for your body type, measure your torso length from the C7 vertebrae (the bump at the base of the neck) down to the iliac crest (the top of the hips). Many manufacturers provide various sizes based on torso measurements.
Additionally, please pay attention to hip belt sizing, which is crucial for proper weight distribution; it should securely wrap around your hips without pinching or leaving gaps.
What materials are best suited to make a durable and lightweight hiking backpack?
The most common materials used in making durable yet lightweight hiking backpacks include ripstop nylon fabric with high denier ratings (>400D), Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF), also known as Cuben Fiber – an ultra-lightweight material that is highly durable and waterproof, and Robic nylon which offers increased tear resistance.
Are there any additional accessories I should purchase with my new hiking backpack?
Consider these accessories for new hiking backpacks: a rain cover to protect from wet conditions, a hydration bladder or water bottle holder for easy access to fluids, trekking pole attachments if needed, a pack liner or dry bags to keep gear organized and protected from moisture, compression straps or accessory zippered pockets for added storage options. For technical packs, there are rain covers, pack covers, or large and small pockets for devices.
Conclusion
Choosing the right backpack for your next hiking trip is essential. With numerous options available, finding one that suits your needs can be overwhelming. However, you’ll better understand available features and designs by reviewing our list of the BEST 11 Backpacks for Your Next Hiking Trip.
This list includes minimalist designs with laptop compartments to ultra-lightweight models without compromising quality for affordable price. We’ve also featured women-specific backpacks and specialized hiking packs with unique features in our top picks.
If you’re ready to invest in a new backpack for your next adventure, explore our selection at Project. Our high-quality backpacks ensure you have everything you need for an enjoyable and comfortable hike.
