Gone are the days whilst backpacking consisted of strapping on a big external frame and lumbering through the forest with an aching body. Trends in backpacks nowadays err in the direction of minimalism and thoughtful, ergonomic layout. Below are our favourite backpacking backpacks for 2022, from ultralight bags for minimalists and through-hikers to comfort-oriented alternatives for weekend warriors and extended journeys. For heritage statistics, see our backpack comparison desk and buying advice beneath the selections.
Our Team's Backpacking Backpack Picks
- Best Overall Backpacking Backpack: Osprey Atmos AG sixty five/Aura AG 65
- Best Ultralight Backpacking Backpack: Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest
- Most Comfortable Pack for Heavy Loads: Gregory Baltoro 75/Deva 70
- Best Budget Backpacking Backpack: Osprey Rook 65/Renn 65
Best Overall Backpacking Backpack1. Osprey Atmos AG 65 ($270)
Weight: four lbs. nine ounces.
Fabric: Nylon (100D x 630D)
Capacities: 50, 65L
What we love: Close match and extremely good back ventilation.
What we don’t: Fairly heavy at over 4.5 pounds.
The Atmos AG is our top backpacking backpack for 2022 by way of deftly balancing consolation, enterprise, and durability. The interest grabber is the suspended “Anti-Gravity” backpanel, but we like the Atmos as it’s loads greater than just an development in % ventilation. We’ve located it clean to dial in an amazing healthy, the pocket layout is thoughtfully laid out with lots of options to divvy up gear, and the materials are all pinnacle-notch and keep up properly to tough treatment. Overall, the Atmos is an incredibly properly-rounded construct that works exceptional for anything from brief overnight journeys to extended jaunts into the backcountry.
As cited above, the maximum prominent function at the Atmos AG is its mesh backpanel. Bucking the fashion of sticking out foam that contacts your lower back in sure regions—returned, lumbar, and hips—the Atmos AG has a single large ventilated panel that covers the whole returned and hipbelt. The result is excellent-in-elegance ventilation, and the bendy mesh conforms for your lower back and waist very well. Impressively, the layout manages to carry heavy tools simply—we’ve had it loaded with over 45 pounds on a couple of occasion. Those trying to shave weight without a doubt can accomplish that with one of the lighter models beneath, but it’s difficult to beat the function set and build excellent of the Atmos AG... Read in-depth evaluate
See the Men's Osprey Atmos AG 65 See the Women's Osprey Aura AG 65Best Ultralight Backpacking Backpack2. Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest ($355)
Weight: 2 lbs. zero.6 oz..
Fabric: Dyneema (50D & 150D)
Capacities: 40, fifty five, 70L
What we like: Impressively mild however sturdy and may bring a complete load.
What we don’t: Expensive and minimum agency.
A variety of ultralight packs are designed for via-hikers and minimalists, however our top pick out is the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest. What sets the Southwest apart is its absolutely Dyneema construction, which gives amazing energy and water resistance at a very low weight. Ounce-counters received’t discover a extra streamlined but hardwearing design, and compared to the Zpacks Arc Blast underneath (any other famous UL %), the thicker body fabric (5.0 ouncessqyd vs. three.1 ouncessqyd) offers notably greater durability. Tack on a company foam backpanel and aluminum stays, and the Southwest handles heavy loads with relative ease. For the complete enchilada at only a smidge over 2 pounds, it’s no wonder it’s one of the most popular UL packs at the trail. And Hyperlite offers a variety of different alternatives, with the number one difference being the outside pocket material—the Windrider, as an example, has mesh wallet and is a first rate desire for those who want to dry tools out at the pass.
At 55 liters, the 3400 (for 3400 cubic inches) has the capability to take on critically long journeys and has grow to be a cross-to percent for through-hikers. In our hands, it has visible responsibility as an overnight and multi-day backpacking p.c. as well as a packrafting dry bag. To be clean, the layout is undeniably basic, with best the primary compartment and a few outside wallet for organisation (substantially, the hipbelt pockets at the moment are larger and get in touch with-friendly). And due to the fact Dyneema isn’t particularly breathable, the Southwest isn’t our pinnacle select for warm-weather hiking. But it’s nevertheless one of the maximum uncompromised options available, and there’s no denying the path style you get with that top class Dyneema-white... Read in-depth evaluate
See the Hyperlite 3400 SouthwestMost Comfortable Pack for Heavy Loads3. Gregory Baltoro 75 ($350)
Weight: four lbs. 15.7 oz.
Fabric: Nylon (210D & 420D)
Capacities: sixty five, 75L
What we like: Heavy hauling comfort with a notable feature set.
What we don’t: Pretty heavy and overkill for minimalists.
Gregory has earned a popularity for comfort through the years, and their flagship guys’s Baltoro and women’s Deva packs keep on the lifestyle. These bags are meant to haul heavy loads with sturdy suspensions, firm but supportive padding, and fantastic agency. With a completely mesh backpanel, the maximum recent model is the nice-ventilated iteration but, and the hip-hugging suspension and pivoting shoulder straps hold the p.c. solid while hiking over uneven terrain. We additionally respect the generous storage format for shuttling multi-day hundreds, inclusive of nine outdoors pockets, U-shaped the front access to the main compartment, and huge hipbelt wallet (made even large inside the today's update) that effortlessly swallow a large smartphone.
We these days tested the revamped Baltoro 75 at the same time as hiking in Patagonia, and the p.c. stayed authentic to its intentions as one of the most snug and function-rich designs on the market. Along with the changes mentioned above, the new edition also includes a tremendously customizable hipbelt and shoulder straps (wonderful for reaching an excellent fit), drops the built-in Sidekick daypack (not a massive loss, in our eyes), and uses extra recycled materials. But as before, the Baltoro’s largest drawback is its weight: The 75-liter version clocks in round 5 kilos, which is ready two times the heft of the 70-liter Hyperlite Southwest referred to above. In quick, in case you intention to maintain matters mild and easy on a backpacking experience, this probably isn’t the % for you. But if you plan to carry 50 kilos or more, the Baltoro will shoulder the weight higher than maximum—and probabilities are you received’t word the more pound or ... Read in-intensity review
See the Men's Gregory Baltoro seventy five See the Women's Gregory Deva 70Best Budget Backpacking Backpack4. Osprey Rook 65 ($a hundred sixty five)
Weight: 3 lbs. 8.3 ounces.
Fabric: Nylon (600D & 1000D)
Capacities: 50, 65L
What we love: Cheap, nicely-constructed, and reasonably light.
What we don’t: Lacking in consolation whilst weighed down; constrained company.
The extensive majority of satisfactory backpacking packs value upwards of $2 hundred or greater, but in case you’re inclined to sacrifice some in phrases of comfort and capabilities, you could store with a layout just like the Osprey Rook. At $one hundred sixty five, the Rook is the maximum low-priced version at the listing and takes place to be made through the enterprise’s main backpack producer, which is pretty a combination. In addition, it has a fundamental suspended backpanel for air flow, is nicely-built, and is extraordinarily tough: the 600D and 1000D materials are by a ways the thickest we’ve examined, even beating out the 6-plus-pound Mystery Ranch Glacier beneath. Last however now not least, the Rook manages to weigh in at an affordable 3-and-a-1/2 pounds. On paper, it’s one heckuva deal.
What are the shortcomings of the Osprey Rook? When shouldering a heavy load, sporting consolation takes a massive hit. We wore the Rook down into the Grand Canyon on a multi-day backpacking journey and usually have been quite glad to take if off whilst arriving at camp (that’s regularly the case with packs, however even extra so with this one). On the flipside, if you can control to maintain it mild (within the 25-pound variety or much less), the simple padding and suspension device can do the trick. Other issues are that the percent has minimum company, lacks a front shove-it pocket, and is simplest made in a single length (with 4 degrees of torso adjustability). Despite those proceedings, the Rook is thoughtfully designed and built to ultimate, making it a top notch alternative for finances consumers or first-time backpackers carrying especially light hundreds... Read in-depth overview
See the Men's Osprey Rook sixty five See the Women's Osprey Renn 65Best of the Rest5. Granite Gear Blaze 60 ($270)
Weight: 3 lbs.
Fabric: Robic nylon (100D & 210D)
Capacity: 60L
What we adore: Excellent blend of sporting consolation, organization, and weight.
What we don’t: Durability and returned air flow can’t in shape the Atmos AG above.