16 Best Hiking Backpacks in 2023  | By Hiking Expert

Osprey is the number one choice for many outdoor lovers who tend to spend days out in nature. Whether you are planning on biking across the country or hopping on the hiking trail adventure across the ocean, they have got a wide array of backpacks to choose from. The Aether AG 60 hiking backpack is designed for thru-hikes and alpine expeditions that require sufficient preparation and plenty of essentials for everyone willing to partake.

The brand ensured the Aether backpack to have side compression straps for the proportionate weight distribution along with zippered heat-moldable hip-belt pockets to keep the necessities at hand at all times. The backpack is endowed with an anti-gravity suspension and a back panel to eliminate the possibility of backaches.

You will find an internal hydration reservoir sleeve and a sleeping bag compartment that provides you with the ultimate level of comfort. What’s more, this hiking backpack has a removable top lid that converts into a backpack that can be worn during the day.

A hiking backpack is central to that a positive trekking experience and Gregory has been offering some really solid options. The Gregory Zulu is a 55 liter pack made for backcountry trekking.

It’s got all the basic features you’ll need to survive in the outdoors and stay organized.

A hiking backpack is like a pair of shoes or a car though. In that respect, they all have unique designs that can complement your style, cause friction or maybe enhance the whole experience.

We tested and reviewed Gregory Zulu 55 Backpack to help you decide which one of these scenarios might fit your trek.

Want a reasonably priced yet stylish hiking backpack you can carry around the city and take on a weekend holiday trip? Jack Wolf Skin Highland Trail 55 Backpack might be the ideal bag for you.

Jack Wolfskin made its mark as a company innovating cross-over products. The German company makes gear for the great outdoors and urban life with a quality to be respected and at a price not to be dismissed.

They pledge to provide you with a nylon backpack you can equally use while strolling city centers and also take the middle of the wilderness.

It’s a 2-in-1 performance deal that has proven quite compelling to a segment of casual outdoor enthusiasts these last few years?

To confirm these expectations with reality, we put this Jack Wolfskin backpack to the test.

Here’s our verdict.

It’s fair to say that Gregory is brand for more serious outdoor activities. They tend to have more technical qualities and a higher price tag. But that’s exactly why more experienced hikers and campers choose better gear.

The Gregory Paragon 58 aimed to demonstrate its quality with the aptly named Paragon. This 58 Liter pack is designed for men’s bodies to carry some serious weight over technically challenging terrain.

With a proprietary suspension system to make this all more comfortable, the Paragon raises expectations for a hiking backpack that enhances the journey and makes the staying in a tent somewhere in the wilderness more comfortable. The design aspects of the bags organization–including side-loading–are in fact impressive.

We tested this bag for durability and resistance to the elements. We did this while having high expectations for how well the Paragon fit to the contours of our back as we stepped and scrambled over diverse landscapes. Read our review to see how it fared.

Not wanting to shell out a lot of cash for a good hiking backpack? Want to try out the backpacking lifestyle without breaking your bank? The TETON Sports Scout 3400 Backpack might interest you.

This 55-liter large backpack from TETON is a minimalist rucksack that provides all the basics of a travel/hiking bag: lots of storage, some organization, good enough comfort, and durability.

The TETON Sports Scout 3400 might appeal to you if you’re on a smaller budget but need a backpack. It may also be a good companion for your once-a-year hiking trip or a comfortable bag for a weekend escapade.

But is it even worth it, or maybe it would be wiser to invest in a backpack with a better brand?

We’ve put the TETON Sports Scout 3400 Backpack to the test, comparing it to better known brands too, and here’s our honest appraisal of what this hiking backpack does and what it can’t do.

You are your most mobile with an Arc’teryx Bora AR 63 hiking backpack that is built to carry your load for you. From RotoGlide hip-belts to GridLock shoulder straps, your balance is bound to be improved when your backpack is on. While the hip-belts can rotate for a natural stride and shoulder straps can be adjusted in height and width, the ventilated back panel keeps your back feeling cool even after hours of hiking.

The backpack is made from 420- and 630-Denier Nylon and is further supplied with waterproof AC fabric to prevent rain or snow from permeating into it. The pack is created to be top-loading, meaning that you fill it up from the top down. This is usually a downside, although this model has side zippers that allow you to reach the gear you placed in the bottom at any point.

If you happen to catch a heavy rain or snow and your gear becomes wet, there is a large outer pocket for you to store your soaked belongings in. Basically, every single scenario is foreseen for your soundness.

The premium build Mystery Ranch Glacier hiking backpack is a tough competitor on the hiking equipment market for a reason – it is built from the rigid Nylon and equipped with a composite internal frame for that longevity. You won’t have to replace it even after years of rigorous use due to the backpack’s unique composition.

There will be no need for extra accessories for the storage of your essentials either – the Glacier has got you covered with its 2 vertical torpedo pockets and a Speedzip compartment that gives you quick and easy access to your stuff including the sleeping bag.

The floating lid is a feature that makes it stand out in the crowd – you can easily transform it into a daytime backpack that has two massive pockets. As per usual, there are a water bottle pocket and trekking pole loops for you to use whenever you plan on climbing mountains or hills.

The ‘minimalist overnighter’ is the perfect name for the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Southwest hiking backpack. It is perfect for exploring canyons, hiking through challenging trails and climbing up the hilly mountains without too much weight on your shoulders. The Dyneema fabric makes it super lightweight yet sturdy to withstand long and demanding hikes. Its construction includes a mesh foam at the waist belt and shoulder straps that hold your load proportionately.

There is a removable aluminum stays that helps to customize the load if needed. You will most likely not need to replace your hiking backpack anytime soon as it is built from the same materials used for catching the climbers when they fall.

The Southwest model was given taped seams and a roll-top closure that work well together to prevent your stuff from getting wet when it starts raining or snowing. Bring a bottle of water and place it in the hydration-compatible sleeve, stuff your waist belt pockets with the essentials and you are ready to venture out.

The Granite Gear Blaze hiking backpack presents the excellent blend of comfort, construction and durability. The Air Current frame is the relatively new feature that allows you to align the load with your torso’s size and fit it snugly. This is particularly essential for times when the load is big and the hike is long.

The Re-Fit hip-belt along with the molded foam back panel makes it easy for you to pack up to 50 pounds of stuff without worrying about jam-packing your backpack to the brim and ruining it. The high-abrasion fabric known as Robic Nylon equips the bag with unheard-of durability that exceeds any other hiking backpack’s longevity.

You will find a cinch and roll closure system that gives you the possibility to quickly access your stuff while also preventing it from getting wet. The lif of the backpack is completely removable, which means that you can use it as a chest bag that stores all of your essentials.

A hiking backpack that takes on the challenges that lie ahead of you is what Osprey’s Xena 85-liters is all about. Wild expeditions that require long hours of exploration are what the manufacturer had in mind when designing a tenacious backpack with adjustable BioForm torso harness and an AirSpace back panel that provides you with comfort and ventilation.

The Stow-on-the-go feature is unique to this model and is handy for quickly attaching trekking poles to the pack. The customizable Bioform CM hip-belt allows you to proportionately distribute the weight while also providing you with enough storage. You will find a lower base compartment zips and dual side-zips that give you direct access to your stuff without having to open the backpack from the top.

We found these features to be helpful when you are out and about with zero time to waste. Make use of the Powermesh pockets located on the front and by the sides of the backpack and stuff them with things like water bottle/insulated wine tumbler, sunscreen and electronic gear of your choice.

Comfortable and breathable back panel, floating lid, molded hip-belt, zippered side entry – these are just some of the features of The North Face Terra hiking backpack. This sleek-looking hiking companion will quickly find its place in your closet alongside other backpacking essentials due to its user-friendly design and an abundance of organizational storage.

It has got the OPTFIT suspension system that guarantees a secure and snug fit and padded shoulder straps that foster the highest level of comfort possible. The hip belt is designed to store all of your essentials at your fingertips while also being built from the softest air-mesh fabric. This is particularly important for prolonged hikes that cannot handle digging-into-the-hips feeling for too long.

The access to your stuff is granted to you by the spacious zippered side entry and the bottom pocket that stores your sleeping bag.

The Lowe Alpine AirZone Trek+ hiking backpack is great for hiking in warmer climates – its tensioned mesh system along with the large open area between your back and the backpack works great at ventilating your back and keeping you cool for long hours.

There is a sternum strap with whistle, an adjustable chest strap and a spacious hip-belt with a harness that joined their forces to keep the load close to your back and move with you. The side pockets, a stretchable front pocket and a zippered internal pocket provide you with enough space to store your rain jacket, snacks, water bottle and/or wine tumbler, and electronic gear.

If you still need more room – the lid of the backpack can be extended to increase the storage and allow you to pack ten more liters worth of stuff. Isn’t that impressive? Not only do you get a piece of insulated and water-resistant equipment made of mini-ripstop Nylon and Polyester, but also a phone harness and a rain cover to ensure your safety no matter what circumstances you find yourself in in the midst of a hike.

It’s possible that you don’t need a hiking backpack that is half of your height size – a smaller pack with the same qualities of a massive one can be just as suitable for week-long treks. Osprey Levity ultralight hiking backpack is right up this alley. It is made from an ultra-high-molecular ripstop and Cordura Nylon that feels like a feather on your back.

The 3.5mm Lightwire frame helps to distribute the load proportionately through the entire spine of yours without making you exhausted after a few hours of the uphill climb. Every little detail from the cushioned ExoForm harness to the seamless layered mesh provides you with the utmost comfort and convenience that is needed for withstanding tough hiking trails.

The 3D mesh back panel fosters the ventilation of your back so that no sweat drops fall down your back. The top lid compartment is zippered and easily accessible for you to be able to quickly reach your snacks, flashlight or a knife. The All-Mighty Osprey’s guarantee makes your experience even better as it makes you recognize the value you get.

Do you like to have your stuff neatly organized in pockets and compartments of all shapes and sizes? Then Berghaus Ridgeway 65+10L hiking backpack is exactly what you need. Made from the durable Polyester, it has got plenty of storage for you to stock up on maps, snack and other essentials that will help you along the way.

Besides, you are given the opportunity to expand the side pockets and give yourself 10 more liters of space to store things like electronic gadgets, a few sets of clothes, your wine tumbler, and a technical and lightweight tent. Apart from having zippers all throughout, the hiking backpack has got a BioFit system that ensures the optimal comfort of wear regardless of your body’s size and shape.

You can further adjust the fit with the height and chest harnesses and a hip-belt that has even more pockets for you to make use of. The backpack is designed to provide you with the hydration system so that you never find yourself dehydrated and willing to give up on the expedition. There is also a rain cover for you to use if rain happens to make an appearance.

If you are planning on hiking in wet weather conditions or cross rivers, Kelty Coyote 65 hiking backpack is just what will complete your adventure. This fully-loaded with features hauler is made for weekend backcountry trips with your friends and family and is able to store up to 65 pounds of weight. This is quite a lot if you consider packing a sleeping bag, a few clothing changes and other smaller-scale items.

The PerfectFit suspension straps allow you to adjust the fit of your backpack according to your body shape, which is already a win-win. The LightBeam aluminum stays along with the sturdy shoulder straps and a spacious hip-belt makes it a reliable piece of equipment that will last you at least a few years of continuous use.

There are side pockets for you to store the essentials and side zippers for you to access the main compartment without undoing the lid. Speaking about the lid – it can easily be converted into a sling pack that you can carry during the day while your big bag is waiting for you at the campsite.

All-in-one hiking backpack is what Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor can be described as. It features a unique pending gusset system that allows you to pack fast and expand the pack from 40 to 60 liters with a few strap adjustments. The backpack doesn’t expand up as others do – rather, its perimeter expands, which provides you with quick and easy access to your load. This means that you can pick up or lose gear as you go.

There are side zippers for you to make use of when on the go as well as side pockets with adjustable volume. Stuff them with your hiking essentials like a water bottle, wine tumbler (if you’re doing some glamping), snacks and sunglasses. The hip-belt is made from EVA foam, and so are the shoulder straps – the manufacturer ensured your ultimate comfort when designing the backpack.

The compression straps along with the belt stabilizer and load lifter straps are of big help when loading your backpack with lots of things that have to be worn for long hours. The trip works together to help you stabilize the load and distribute it proportionately.