When planning for a long, multi-day trek, the most important thing to do is to pick the right backpack. Okay, maybe packing food and water is the most important, but your backpack has the ability to make your experience amazing or torturous. Putting everything you’ll need to eat, sleep, and live for several days in a pack and then carrying it around with you for many miles each day is daunting.
You’ll want to select a trekking backpack that is lightweight, comfortable, adjustable, and big enough to hold all of your essentials. Read on for tips for selecting the best trekking backpack for your upcoming adventure so that you can focus on your surroundings, instead of your backpack.
Plus we include our recommendations for the best trekking backpacks for hiking and camping. Enjoy!
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Tips for Choosing a Backpack
A Few Things to Consider When Purchasing a Pack
- Is the harness adjustable? You want your pack to fit the length of your back so this is really important if you are really short or really tall.
- How wide and padded are the straps? If they don’t have adequate padding, they will dig into your shoulders and hips and be incredibly painful.
- Does it have a hipbelt and is it adjustable? You’ll want to take most of the pressure off of your shoulders and put it on your hips. So the ability to cinch the hip belt uptight is important. Comfortable padding will make a difference as well.
- Does it come with a rain cover? Hopefully, you won’t need it but if you do and don’t have it, your gear will get drenched.
- Does the back panel have mesh to create a breathable barrier? If you don’t have space between your back and your pack, you will be unbelievably hot and drenched in sweat.
- Are there lots of outside pockets? You’ll want them for any last-minute additions to your pack so you don’t have to rearrange everything. Plus stuff in the outside pockets will be easier to access.
- Does it have loops/hooks to hang carabiners? This isn’t totally necessary but it’s nice to be able to hang your trash on the outside of your pack. We also use loops for hanging our coffee mugs because they take up a lot of room in our packs.
How Many Liters Will You Need?
If you are camping for 1-3 nights, you should carry a trekking backpack that can hold 30-50 liters. You’ll need to pack light and may need to clip some things onto your pack.
If you are camping for 3-5 nights, you should carry a backpack that can hold 50-80 liters. Keep in mind that you’ll be carrying it all day, every day so if you invest in a large pack, fill it up and carry it around your house before setting off. If you struggle to carry it at home, you’ll really struggle on the trail.
If you are camping for 5+ nights, well you’re just plain crazy. Buy an 80-liter bag and cut weight however you can. We met a few creative hikers doing an 8-day trek and sawed their toothbrushes in half to cut their loads!
Our Favorite Backpack Brand: Osprey
We have a preference for Osprey Brand backpacks because they are high quality, durable, adjustable, and really padded which helps keep you comfortable. Plus you can’t beat their guarantee:
“Osprey will repair any damage or defect for any reason free of charge – whether it was purchased in 1974 or yesterday. If we are unable to perform a functional repair on your pack, we will happily replace it. We proudly stand behind this guarantee, so much so that it bears the signature of company founder and head designer, Mike Pfotenhauer.”
We’re not affiliated with Osprey in any way, we just genuinely dig their trekking backpacks.
The Best Backpacks for Trekking, Hiking, & Camping
The Best Trekking Backpacks for Women
Marmot Women’s Graviton 36 Backpack
The Marmot Women’s Graviton 36 Bag is on the smaller side so it should be used for shorter camping trips. Marmot is a brand that is trusted to be both comfortable and durable. Constructed of nylon ripstop material, this pack can stand up to a beating. Offering airflow suspension to keep your back ventilated, a padded waist belt, a hydration port, and padded straps, it’s everything you need in a backpack.
- Volume: 36 liters
- Size/Weight: 5 x 14 x 26 in; 2lbs 4.5oz
- Price: $$
Osprey Packs Women’s Kyte 46 Backpack
Osprey is our favorite brand of trekking packs because they are super durable, comfortable, and not outrageously expensive. The Kyte 46 Backpack offers the usual functionality, including a large mesh pocket and an adjustable and comfortable fit.
On top of that, this pack has a zippered sleeping bag compartment and an external reservoir sleeve to easily load and unload your hydration reservoir. You can also cinch down the compression straps and use it as a day pack for shorter hikes.
There is also an Airscape mesh back panel to keep you from drenching your pack in sweat when hiking in the blazing sun.
- Volume: 46 liters
- Size/Weight: 14 x 15 x 14 in ; 3.63 lbs
- Price: $$$
Osprey Aura AG 50 Women’s Backpack
Another great pack from Osprey, the Aura AG 50 made specifically for women has an adjustable harness, Anti-Gravity suspension to take some of the pressure off, padded straps, trekking pole attachments, pockets to keep you organized, and plenty of options for clipping on any last-minute additions. It also allows you to customize the size and fit for your body and tighten up that hip belt to take the weight off of your shoulders.
- Volume: 50 liters
- Size/Weight: 6 x 18 x 27 in; 4.1 lbs
- Price: $$$
Osprey Women’s Viva 65 Backpack
The Osprey Women’s Viva 65 Backpack is similar in style and functionality to the one listed above but is a larger volume. This pack is large, you’ll only really need it if you plan on packing a lot of gear or if you’ll be camping for more than three nights.
- Volume: 65 liters
- Size/Weight: 13 x 15 x 30 inches; 4.21 lbs
- Price: $$$
The Best Gender Neutral Backpacks
Marmot Graviton 34 Hiking Backpack
The Marmot Graviton 34 Hiking Backpack is a good option if you have a short camping trip planned. The pack is very lightweight but durable at the same time. Adjustable compression straps and back panels will keep you comfortable during a long trek. And the airflow suspension will keep you cool and dry during your excursion.
- Volume: 34 liters
- Size/Weight: 24.4 x 13.8 x 3.2 inches; 2.31 lbs
- Price: $$
Kelty Redwing 50 Backpack
The Kelty Redwing 50 Backpack is another good choice if you’re packing on the lighter side. The PerfectFIT suspension allows you to adjust your pack while you have it on perfectly. The U-zipper design allows you to access your camping gear through the top or through the panel. It also incorporates a hydration sleeve and a Dynamic AirFlow back panel to keep you dry.
- Volume: 50 liters
- Size/Weight: 12 x 16 x 26 in, 3 lbs 11 oz
- Price: $$
Deuter Aircontact Lite 50+10 Hiking Backpack
The Deuter Aircontact Lite Hiking Backpack is a 50-liter pack but can add an additional 10 through an extendable 10L pack collar. There are plenty of pockets and loops for packing and hanging gear and it is hydration system compatible. The Aircontact Lite back system reduces perspiration by 15% and breathable padding made of hollow-chamber foam lets cool air in and hot air out. Best of all, it comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
- Volume: 50 liters + additional 10 liters
- Size/Weight: 31.5 x 11.8 x 10.2 inches; 3.86 lbs
- Price: $$
Mountaintop 60L Internal Frame Backpack
The Mountaintop 60L Internal Frame Backpack is a good option if you don’t expect to be doing many future treks and don’t want to spend a lot on a pack. It’s not as ideal as some of the other packs mentioned because it is heavy on its own before you even add any gear. Plus, it’s an inexpensive brand that isn’t known for making top-of-the-line packs.
It offers a zipper in front so you can quickly access your gear, as well as a bottom sleeping bag compartment. It is compatible with hydration bladders and a rain cover is included.
- Volume: 60 liters
- Size/Weight: 9.1 x 12.6 x 31.9 in; 4.3 lbs
- Price: $
The Best Trekking Backpacks for Men
Osprey Men’s Atmos 50 AG Backpack
Osprey bags are great for both men and women as they offer mesh back panels for quick drying ventilation as well as padded, contoured hipbelts. The Osprey Atmos 50 AG is a great choice if you are planning to carry 40 pounds or less. It is comfortable, totally adjustable, and allows for easy access to your gear through either the top or a zippered front panel. This pack is very high quality and will last you for many years and many treks to come.
- Volume: 50 liters
- Size/Weight: 8 x 17 x 29 in; 4.31 lbs
- Price: $$$
Osprey Men’s Atmos 65 AG Backpack
The Osprey Men’s Atmos 65 AG Backpack is quite similar to the one listed above but is larger so is a better choice if you have a lot to pack. The back panel is made of lightweight mesh to keep you cool and the hipbelt contours to your body. It’s Fit-on-the-Fly so the hipbelt and torso length is easy to adjust. You can access your gear through the top or through the zippered front panel.
- Volume: 65 liters
- Size/Weight: 10 x 16 x 23 in; 3.9 lbs
- Price: $$$
Do you have trekking backpacks that you love that we haven’t listed here? Let us know so we can give it a try!
Want some multi-day hiking inspiration? Check out our favorite travel guides!
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