What is the Best Backpacks for Hiking? – 3 Reasonable Choices Reviewed!

Last Updated on January 27, 2024 by Jeremy

In deciding on the next outdoor activity to take with your family, going for a hike to get exercise should be front and center on that camping trip list!

Checking your camping list checklist, you should see that somewhere on there are hiking poles, hiking boots and backpacks. Perhaps you forgot them this time around, or you simply need an upgrade.

So what is the best backpacks for hiking, you may ask. That answer to this question depends on how much gear you anticipate on carrying, and what type of hike you plan to do.

For example: If its a day hike – consider a lightweight backpack with not a lot of features. Or, if you decide on a muiltiple-day excursion and plan an over-nighter, then perhaps your options are to find a backpack that’s designed for larger amounts of gear to be carried, and that has multiple compartments and zippers for storage / better organization of said gear.

Below, let’s look at the top 3 best backpacks for hiking, camping and everything in between. As well, an extra 2 for good measure.

OSPREY ATMOS AG 65

What was built for a multi-day excursion, the Atmos AG 65 was designed for backpackers keeping comfort and ventilation as the number one priority. Featuring an anti-gravity suspension, harness, and back panel, plus a hip belt, this backpack deserves its title as “Best Seller”.

Direct from the Osprey website, this pack features an included rain cover, curved zip access on each side panel, floating top lid with lash points, and a fabric reinforced front shove-it pocket.

It also features:

• -Tall dual-access side water bottle pockets
• -Dual zippered hip belt pockets
• -Dual ice axe loops with compression strap
• -Zippered sleeping bag compartment w/ removable divider
• -Stow on-the-go trekking pole attachment system
• -+ More!

As far as the anti-gravity features go, the suspension aspect gives you an easy to access & operate cam-lock torso adjustment system, while allowing you to frame size the pack to fit a his or hers style.

The anti-gravity harness allows a fit on the fly style as it uses “die-cut foam” for the lower area and “mesh ExoForm wrap” in the upper parts. The back panel has a 2-tone spacer mesh which adds strength as well as silicone print in the lumbar zone.

To carry this backpack comfortably, the hip belt has a revolutionary system which extends the tensioned back panel into the hip belt. This also means its design pulls the weight of the pack into the lumbar when the hip belt is tightened.

Having an “ALL MIGHTY GUARANTEE”, this backpack is available in Blue, Green and Black, has a size & fit option and can be yours for 4-interest free payments directly from the Osprey website.

DEUTER FUTURA PRO 42 EL

This one colored Black-Graphite 42L hiking backpack is designed for those that have a back length of up to 22 inches and body height of over 6′ tall.

It is your ultimate companion to take on hiking & trekking trips first, before taking it traveling, mountain climbing, or just straight climbing. This lightweight backpack is Extra Long, hence EL, which guarantees the perfect carrying comfort for tall people, such as myself.

The top features of this specific Deuter backpack include:

• -Organization – Clean compartment lid, zippered bellows pockets at the side, separate bottom compartment from main compartment

• -Energy – Airy mesh back system maximizes airflow across the back and lets warm air & moisture vapor evaporate quickly

• -Comfort – Mobile hip fins, pivoting shoulder straps, enable medium-sized loads to be carried in comfort, enabling Zero load-wobble.

Made from 50% recycled materials, this backpack is also free of PFC’s and is considered a “plain summer backpack for heavy loads” from Trekking Magazin.

GREGORY BALTORO 65

This backpack, ideally fit for men (also comes available to fit for women) comes in 3 different colors.

• -Ferrous Orange (pictured below)
• -Onyx Black
• -Dusk Blue

The Baltoro 65 offers plenty of room and space should you consider a long weekend type of trek. With a 3D foam, breathable back panel, comfort grip custom molded loop zipper pullers & dual layer bottom panel for added availability, this product runs for a fair price according to the Gregory website.

Some of these backpacks highlights include:

• -Custom Fit Suspension
• -Included Daypack
• -Side Winder Bottle Holster

Having an internal frame, 9 external pockets & trekking pole attachments, you can easily make your trip comfortable toting around a maximum 50lbs.

As for some Baltoro backpack features, they include:

• -3D Air hip belts and harness designed with Gregory’s pre-curved technology and multi-density LifeSpan EVA foam construction to eliminate hot spots and relieve pressure in sensitive areas.

• -Wishbone aluminum frame with anti-barreling cross-stay provide structure for the Response A3 system and deliver weight to the ComfortGrip lumbar pad with removable LumbarTune pad to customize fit.

• -Matrix breathable back panel with layered, multi-density foam for the right balance of support, airflow and cushioning.

• -Full body U-Zip main opening on front of bag for easy unloading when you get to camp.

Having quite the impressive customer review rating of 4.8 / 5, this backpack is made from 100% nylon and “performs very well in long trekking excursions, where the hip belt set up, makes it easy to hike long distances in any weather”.

Let’s check out what another customer has to say:

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆5 out of 5 stars.· 5 years ago

More than 6,000 miles and counting!!!

I have backpacked more than 6000 miles with Baltoro 65L pack. That includes a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail and Te Araroa in New Zealand. I have been through 2 upgrades of the Baltoro since my AT hike, and it just keeps improving.

On the updated 2014 version of the Baltoro, I love the new waterproof hip belt pocket to store my camera and SPOT and it truly keeps everything inside dry. Through heavy rain and crossing waist-deep rivers not a drop penetrated the pocket.

The best new feature is the removable sidekick pack that doubles as your reservoir sleeve. During my thru-hike in NZ, I used the sidekick pack all the time while in town instead of carrying around my Baltoro. I love the pockets too.

I like to have my gear in certain areas of my pack and having easy access to it. The lid has such pockets and my rain gear, as well as first aid is easily accessible. The fit of the pack is what keeps me using it for every trip. It feels like an extension of my body.

The hip belt is very comfortable and adjusts quickly and easily. On my 2011 AT thru hike, I lost so much weight over the 4 months, so the flexibility and comfort of the pack was crucial. If I have to pick a downfall, it would be the weight.

It is not the lightest pack on the market, but the features of extra pockets and pure comfort is why I will carry the extra pound or two.

• -+ Pros:
• -Easy To Access Items,
• -Easy To Carry,
• -Easy To Identify,
• -Good Capacity,
• -High Quality,
• -So many pockets!,
• -Stylish

• — Cons:
• -Heavy To Begin With

Recommends this product ✔ Yes

RUNNERS UP

Now that you are aware of what is the best backpacks for hiking, or at least the first 3 reasonable choices, its time to discover what else is available as a reliable, well-designed, perfect for multiple occasions, all terrain hiking backpack.

TETON SPORTS SCOUT 3400

Available in black, tan, or green, this extremely cheaper hiking backpack was designed to help you enjoy the great outdoors. At only 55L, this Scout 3400 backpack is suggested to be used for a 1-3 day excursion as it only has a 3L hydration capacity.

Check out the video and pricing of it below:

KELTY REDWING 50

The Redwing 50 by Kelty is the last best hiking backpack on this list. With a Lifetime warranty, this specific pack is known for its versatility and reliability. What features an advanced perimeter frame, this 50L product was built for play.

Have a look at their product video below, as well as pricing from Amazon.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this extremely informative backpacking article, and I’m certain you’ll take note on which one caught your eye and plan to upgrade to, based on my research and suggestions.

Perhaps you’re more of an extremist where hiking needs to be accompanied with a long mountain bike trip. If that’s the scenario, you’ll want to check out my article on the top rated mountain bikes.

If any of these packs didn’t quite catch your eye, take a gander at some of the options on our online store, for example:

Until then, enjoy your adventure wherever you go, even if it is to one of the many Shuswap Lake campgrounds, where you can take in a breath-taking view of Albas waterfalls.

What’s your go-to backpack? Be sure to chime in with a comment…

Cheers!