From day hikes to extended treks and high-mountain adventures, a backpack is relied on to keep your gear safe and organized while offering high levels of comfort. Below are our in-depth pack reviews, including high-capacity designs for backpacking, lightweight bags for hiking and travel, and streamlined models for climbing and the alpine. To provide the best information possible, our team has done extensive research, tested the products in areas ranging from Patagonia and New Zealand to the Pacific Northwest, and included key comparisons to relevant competitors.

Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2024

Gone are the days when backpacking consisted of strapping on a huge external frame and lumbering through the forest with an aching body. Trends in backpacks these days err towards minimalism...

Best Women’s Backpacking Backpacks of 2024

Choosing a suitable backpacking pack can be a daunting task, with myriad models touting different capacities, organization, suspension designs, and more. Our breakdown—written by women, for women—will help you identify your personal style of...

Best Ultralight Backpacks of 2024

Once a niche segment of backpacking, ultralight (UL) gear is gaining traction among outdoor enthusiasts who want to travel faster and further with less weight on their back. Nowadays there are countless choices of tents, sleeping bags, cook systems...

Osprey Atmos AG LT 65 Backpack Review

Osprey’s Atmos AG is an incredibly popular pack—and our current top-rated design—and they’ve added a trimmed-down “LT” model for 2023. In short, the new Atmos AG LT cuts away a half pound in weight by...

Gregory Jade 63 Backpack Review

Gregory has been pumping out quality packs since the late 1970s, and the Jade—the women’s counterpart to the Zulu—is another high-quality and well-built design. I recently tested the pack in Patagonia and came away pleased by its effective balance of...

Osprey Aether 65 Backpack Review

Osprey has a reputation for building comfortable packs, and the Aether line is one of their best. The brand retooled the collection towards the end of last year, splitting their core offerings in two: a standard...

Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L Backpack Review

Zpacks is a leader in the UL pack market, known for mixing innovative suspension platforms with ultralight fabrics. The Arc Haul is a mainstay in their lineup, and it got a recent revamp with the switch...

Gregory Paragon 58 Backpack Review

Best known for their heavy-hauling Baltoro, the Paragon backpack from Gregory cuts weight to appeal to the core overnight and weekend crowd. We really liked the original, and they recently updated the design with a mesh-heavy suspension system and side...

Osprey Ariel 65 Backpack Review

Osprey makes some of our favorite packs on the market, and the Ariel (the women’s counterpart to the Aether) is their dedicated heavy hauler that’s backed by years of proven performance. We recently brought the latest model to Patagonia for testing...

Osprey Eja Pro 55 Backpack Review

Osprey’s women's-specific Eja is a very well-rounded ultralight design for those transitioning from a standard backpacking pack. The Eja Pro 55 here is a trimmed-down variation that takes it even further, shaving...

Gregory Deva 70 Backpack Review

Gregory is well known for their comfort-oriented and feature-rich packs, and the Deva 70 (the women's counterpart to Gregory's Baltoro 75) carries the torch. The design stands out for its heavy-hauling capabilities with firm but supportive padding and...

Osprey Aura AG LT 65 Backpack Review

Osprey’s Aura AG 65 has long been one of our favorite women's backpacking packs, so we were excited to hear about the release of the streamlined LT (“lightweight”) version. With a thoughtfully pared-down feature set, the Aura AG LT 65 manages to be...

Gregory Katmai 65 Backpack Review

Gregory’s Baltoro is their flagship model designed for hauling heavy loads over longer distances, but their Katmai is arguably the more approachable option for most. I brought the 65-liter version to Patagonia....

Osprey Atmos AG 65 Backpack Review

One of the few downsides of the industry-wide transition to internal-frame packs is ventilation. Enter the Atmos line from Osprey, and more recently, the Atmos AG pack. This bag was designed from the...

REI Co-op Flash 55 Backpack Review

REI Co-op entered the world of ultralight backpacking in a big way with the release of their Flash 55 pack. The combination of price, ample storage, and low weight made it a quick favorite, and the second...

Osprey Aether Plus 70 Backpack Review

Osprey’s Aether is a longstanding and highly capable heavy hauler, and the upgraded “Plus” packs retain that proven performance but with more exterior storage and a convertible top lid that doubles as a daypack. I recently brought the mid-range 70...

Zpacks Arc Haul Zip 64L Backpack Review

As a backpacker, I usually resign myself to some bruising on my hips after my first day with a full pack, but the Zpacks Arc Haul Zip 64L Backpack was a welcome reprieve. Despite its ultralight status, it...

Granite Gear Crown3 60 Backpack Review

Though not quite a household name like backpack giants Osprey or Gregory, Granite Gear has quietly established itself on the ultralight scene as a brand to trust. Featuring relatively simple yet highly customizable...

Granite Gear Blaze 60 Backpack Review

Effectively balancing weight, carrying comfort, and features is a tall order, but Granite Gear’s Blaze 60 pack manages to do so with very few compromises. We took the women’s Blaze on a 35-mile backpacking trip along the Grand Canyon’s challenging...

Arc’teryx Bora 75 Backpack Review

As backpacks trend toward lighter and less durable designs, Arc’teryx’s Bora (formerly the Bora AR) stands out as a burly and capable heavy hauler. Now offered in larger 65- and 75-liter capacities (past versions were sold in 50 and 63L options)...

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 40 Backpack Review

Dyneema is a hot ticket in ultralight gear, and for good reason: It's one of the strongest materials in the world relative to its weight, resists moisture very well, and is incredibly light. Maine-based Hyperlite Mountain Gear leads the charge in...

Osprey Exos 58 Backpack Review

For a time, Osprey’s Exos was the ultimate ultralight pack and a favorite among thru-hikers. The competition has grown lately, but the recent Exos (updated in mid 2022) offers a very strong mix of carrying comfort, ventilation, and organization...

Gregory Stout 70 Backpack Review

Gregory has been in the pack-making game for almost 50 years and covers the whole gamut of backpacking designs, from ultralight models for staunch minimalists to burly heavy haulers for shuttling serious weight. The aptly named Stout 70 falls into the...

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 55 Backpack Review

Hyperlite Mountain Gear is an ultralight pack specialist with a loyal following among thru-hikers and minimalist backpackers. A recent addition to the brand’s premium lineup, the Unbound slots in as one of their lightest offerings but doesn’t feel as...

Gregory Baltoro 75 Backpack Review

Gregory’s flagship men’s Baltoro and women’s Deva packs are long-time favorites for those carrying serious weight, and the latest versions carry the torch. We recently took the 75-liter Baltoro to Patagonia...

Osprey Aura AG 65 Backpack Review

Osprey’s proven lineup of backpacking packs runs the gamut from simple entry-level haulers and ultralight builds to premium, feature-rich models. The Aura AG—and its men’s counterpart, the Atmos AG—falls right in the middle, deftly balancing weight...

Osprey Eja 58 Backpack Review

A pack specialist through and through, Osprey is known for their fully featured and comfort-oriented designs for everything from day hiking to week-long backpacking trips. Many of their high-capacity haulers check in...

Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 Backpack Review

I typically purchase gear with an eye toward fastpacking and previously thought of high-capacity packs as being useful only for slower thru-hikes or long trips into the backcountry. The Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 backpack has changed my mind. Though...

Osprey Rook 65 Backpack Review

At $165 for the 65-liter version, Osprey’s Rook is their most affordable multi-day offering to date, coming in around $100 cheaper than much of the competition. Eager to put it to the test, we took this budget-friendly pack on a challenging four-day...

REI Co-op Traverse 60 Backpack Review

Updated for 2021, REI made a number of changes to their core Traverse line. Now offered in two capacities (32 and 60L), they’ve simplified the design to target the typical weekend backpacker. However, after testing the latest Traverse 60 on a...

Osprey Levity 60 Backpack Review

In an ever-growing field of lightweight gear, the sub-2-pound Osprey Levity is a formidable contender in the UL backpacking pack market. Coming in 11 ounces lighter than their popular Exos, the design targets thru-hikers and minimalists. We took the...

Best Daypacks for Hiking of 2024

A key piece of any gear closet is a go-to daypack. It’s what you grab for nearly any type of outdoor adventure, whether it’s a hike, bike ride, or day on the slopes. Generally, what most people look for…

Best Hydration Packs of 2024

No matter the length or location of your hike, hydration is one of the keys to staying happy and healthy on the trail. There are a number of ways to ensure that you drink enough water throughout the day, but by far the most convenient...

REI Co-op Flash 18 Daypack Review

REI Co-op’s popular Flash 18 was my very first daypack, as I’m sure it is for many. This versatile hauler has served me well, from its role as travel bag during a study-abroad semester in Europe to...

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Daybreak Daypack Review

Maine-based Hyperlite Mountain Gear is well known among ultralight enthusiasts for their premium packs and tents made with Dyneema—a naturally water-resistant material that’s incredibly strong for its weight. Their Daybreak Ultralight Daypack is case...

Osprey Talon 22 Daypack Review

Osprey’s Talon is the daypack we see on the trails more than any other. And there’s good reason for its popularity: it’s light, has a nice fit, is made in a wide range of sizes and bright colorways, and hits a desirable price point. In testing the...

Osprey Stratos 24 Daypack Review

Osprey is a leader in the pack market, and their Stratos line is an all-around favorite for day hiking. We’ve owned multiple variations over the years, and all have delivered nearly flawless performance through extended, rough use. We’ve been testing...

REI Co-op Flash 22 Daypack Review

When it comes to outdoor gear, we often find ourselves forced to make decisions between weight savings and functionality. Ultralight gear is great for moving quickly, but it usually comes with significant tradeoffs in terms of comfort, function, and...

Thule Stir 20 Review

Thule, the Swedish company known mostly for their car rack systems, recently ventured into the world of backpacking with the successful introduction of their first technical packs. In 2016, they have expanded their line of packs...

Best Climbing Backpacks of 2023

Gone are the days when climbing consisted of swami belts, hobnailed boots, and weeks spent nailing pitons into swaths of granite. Current trends in climbing gear have moved toward functionality, performance...

Osprey Mutant 52 Climbing Backpack Review

Osprey might be best known for their impressive lineup of backpacking packs, but they took that expertise and tailored it to the alpine with the climbing-focused Mutant. We took the 52-liter version on an expedition in the Alaska Range, using it both...