Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2026

We’ve hiked more than 100,000 miles with backpacks over the past two decades.

Our team of gear analysts researched 220 packs for this guide and narrowed it down to the 11 most promising models to subject to our rigorous field testing.

This guide focuses on traditional packs with more robust suspension systems, but we also have a guide to our favorite ultralight backpacks for those who want to keep it lightweight.

How We Test Backpacking Backpacks

We looked at mainstays like Osprey, Gregory, REI, and Deuter as well as smaller brands like ULA and Granite Gear. We most recently took out these packs into the rugged Minnesota wilderness, adding to a testing range that includes the PCT, Appalachian Trail, CDT, Colorado Trail, Arizona Trail, and Long Trail, in addition to several international destinations.

And for more info, check out some of our other most popular gear guides:

Quick Picks for backpacking packs

Check out this quick list of the best backpacking backpacks, or continue scrolling to see our full list of favorites with in-depth reviews.

1. Best Backpacking Backpack Overall: Gregory Paragon 60 (Men’s) / Maven 58 (Women’s) ($300)

2. Best Budget Backpacking Pack: REI Flash 55 (Men’s) / (Women’s) ($229)

3. Best Backpack for Thru-Hiking: ULA Circuit ($300)

4. Best Load Hauler Backpacking Backpack: Gregory Baltoro 75 Men’s / Deva 70 Women’s ($400)

5. Backpacking Pack with Classic Styling & Great Price: REI Trailmade 60 (Men’s) / (Women’s) ($189)

6. Best Lightweight Ventilation Pack:  Osprey Exos 58 (Men’s) / Eja 58 (Women’s) ($285)

7. Backpacking Pack with Best Features: Osprey Atmos AG 65 (Men’s) / Aura AG 65 (Women’s) ($370)

8. Most Durable Backpacking Pack: Osprey Aether 65 (Men’s) / Ariel 65 (Women’s) ($370)

9. Best Crossover Backpacking Pack: Granite Gear Crown3 ($260)

10. Backpacking Pack with Amazing Comfort & Quality: Deuter Aircontact Ultra 50+5 ($285)

11. Acceptable Low Price Backpacking Pack: Nevo Rhino 65+5 ($86)

Analysis & Results

We use four metrics – comfort, features, durability, and ease of use – to assess our backpacks in the field. We outline product performance below in each of those metrics, as well as value (i.e. overall performance compared to price).

What’s the Best Value Backpacking Backpack?

Which Backpacks Are the Most Comfortable?

Based on our testing, the Gregory Paragon provides the best overall comfort.

Other standouts are the Deuter Aircontact Ultra, Osprey Atmos, and Osprey Exos. The Aircontact takes a more traditional approach with smartly designed foam pads, and the Atmos and Exos both use a huge suspended mesh panel. The Paragon falls somewhere in the middle, with large sections of foam and mesh that come together to make an overall excellent experience.

Average performers for comfort are the ULA CIrcuit, Gregory Baltoro, REI Flash 55, Osprey Aether, and Granite Gear Crown3. All of these are comfortable and, depending on body shape, should work well for most people. 

We have a lower score to the REI Trailmade 60 for its smaller foam back panels and the Nevo Rhino is last with an odd fit and comfort that became fatiguing. 

Which Backpacks Have the Best FEatures?

For the most part, the heaviest packs we tested packed in the most features. For this guide, the most decked-out pack we tested was the Osprey Atmos. With a huge array of options, its features include a solution, no matter the situation.

Close behind is its load-hauling cousin, the Osprey Aether. With a more traditional suspension system but similar features, it’s another pack that feels built for anything. The trend of heavier packs having the most features continues with the Gregory Baltoro and Gregory Paragon, both sporting well-rounded feature sets.

The Granite Gear Crown3, Nevo Rhino, Deuter Aircontact Ultra, Osprey Exos, REI Flash, and ULA Circuit are near the middle of the pack, with the Crown3 standing out for its lashing versatility. The REI Trailmade is the simplest pack we tested, with only the essential features.

Which Backpacks Are the Most Durable? 

The most durable backpack we tested, the Osprey Aether, feels like a tank. Sporting 210D and 420D nylon construction, the only weak spots are the mesh side pockets.

Close behind is the thru-hiking wonder, the ULA Circuit. With strong Robic 400 nylon for the entirety of its construction, it even beats the Aether in some regards since it doesn’t use mesh for its water bottle pockets, making it even better for bushwhacking. 

Other notable performers were the Osprey Atmos, Gregory Baltoro, REI Trailmade, and Granite Gear Crown 3. These used mesh sparingly, had overall decent fabric choices, and excellent stitching that should hold up to use well.

On the slightly lower end, we thought the Osprey Exos, REI Flash 55, and Deuter Aircontact Ultra use enough mesh to give us pause, though all should stand up to a thru hike with proper care.

In a distant last place, the Nevo Rhino had terrible stitching quality and questionable fabric choices, which meant we don’t have much confidence in it lasting a long time of use. 

Which Backpack is the Easiest to Use?

In general, we found little to complain about when it came to these packs. Most of them were straightforward. Although with more fully featured packs, all the features start to become a bit overwhelming. For this reason, we ranked more straightforward packs a little higher than full-featured packs. 

The pack we feel executed well on nearly every feature is the ULA Circuit. Sporting a very focused design, it nevertheless includes many helpful features to support a thru-hiking goal, and at the end of the day, it is the pack that we thought the least about during testing.

Close behind are two of our favorite packs, the Gregory Paragon and the delightful REI Trailmade. The Paragon strikes the best balance of having enough features to be helpful without being overwhelming. The Trailmade follows a similar trend. We especially love the easy-to-access water bottle pockets.

Speaking of great water bottle access, we have to give a special shout out to the best water bottle solution in the lineup. The burly Gregory Baltoro wins this hands down with its clever stowable side holster. Placing the bottle lower than any other pack on our list, it is so easy to access that we immediately wished that Gregory’s other pack, the Paragon, had this feature.

Rounding out the middle of the group, the Osprey Aether, Osprey Atmos, Osprey Exos, and REI Flash all impress us with straightforward designs that didn’t frustrate us during testing. Slightly behind them, the Granite Gear Crown3 and Deuter Aircontact Ultra weren’t frustrating, but had a few more nitpicks than those above. And again in last place, the Nevo Rhino felt tedious to use after the streamlined designs of the rest of the pack. 

How to Choose a Backpacking Backpack

How to Size a Backpack

Proper backpack sizing comes down to two things: 1. torso length and 2. hipbelt circumference.

First, measure your torso. It can help to have a second person to take the measurement. Tilt your head forward and find the bony bump at the base of your neck. This is your C7 vertebra. Then find the top of your hip bones and trace an imaginary line parallel to the ground from that point to your spine. Measure the distance between those two points. That number, usually between 15 and 22 inches for most adults, determines your pack size. Match it to the brand’s sizing chart.

Next, focus on the hipbelt. You may not have a choice – many brands have fixed hipbelts that accommodate a wide range of waist sizes. If the pack you are considering has a replaceable hipbelt, then it’s on you to make sure you get the right size.

You should carry most of the weight of a backpack – 75-80% on your hips. Your shoulders will be a little sore at the end of the day, but if they hurt early on, your hipbelt is probably not holding enough weight.

The belt should wrap snugly around the top of your hip bones with the padding centered over them. If the belt rides up, slips, or can’t tighten enough, it’s not the right size.

Always test a pack with real, correctly distributed weight.

How Big Should a Backpack Be?

The key factor is the length of your trip (or interval between resupplies):

• 1-3 Nights – ~40 liters. You can get away with 30L if you are careful. 50L allows for some luxury items without overstuffing.
• 4-6 Nights – ~60 liters. Again, you can use a smaller pack if you have smaller, lighter gear, or a slightly larger pack if you have extras.
• 7+ Nights – ~70 liters. This gets into expedition territory. Our experience tells us that you could do just fine with a 60L pack for a week. If you are with a group, or have bulkier gear though, you might just need the space and extra lash points that tend to come with larger packs.

What Features Do You Need in Your Backpack?

Here are our favorites:

Water bottle pockets that are easy to access – you’ll be reaching for water often, so be sure to find a pack that has pockets that are angled toward you while wearing the pack, or have some other nifty access feature.

Stretchy mesh back storage pocket – for stashing items that you often need fast – a raincoat, trowel, or sit pad, for example.

Large hipbelt pockets – make sure they can fit your smartphone and look for smooth zippers and solid face fabric for durability.

Front access to main compartment – we like packs that have a large U-shaped or side zipper to be able to easily see everything in your pack, even if it’s at the bottom.

Removable brain – adds versatility to the pack and potentially reduces weight on trips where you need less storage. We’ve even seen models where the lid turns into a daypack/summit pack.

How Much Should a Backpack Weigh?

Look for the lightest pack that has the features and durability you want and can comfortably carry the weight and the bulk of the gear you’ll be hauling. Here are our guidelines, given a total pack weight:

• <25 lbs – If you’re a small amount of weight like this, we recommend an ultralight backpack, or even a daypack, depending on what you’re doing.
• 25-35 lbs – Packs meant for these light loads can weigh around 2 pounds.
• 35-40 lbs – For carrying this kind of weight, there are many great backpacks that weigh less than 3 pounds (though if you are after certain features, 3-4 pounds is not unreasonable.)
• 40-50 lbs – Count on a decent pack that can handle this weight weighing 4 or more pounds.
• >50 lbs – These expedition-style packs weigh more than 5 pounds, and it’s worth the weight for the added comfort you’ll need for hauling this much gear.

Why Trust CleverHiker

CleverHiker editors and analysts have spent more than 20,000 nights in the backcountry. Gear analyst Taylor Passofaro has been backpacking for more than seven years, covering many of the midwestern United States’ most beautiful trails. He’s hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, the Superior Hiking Trail, Collegiate Loop, Laugavegur & Fimmvörðuháls trek, the Tour du Mont Blanc, and others.

He’s tested many backpacks while on treks, swapping out different styles, weights, and classes of packs as the adventures call for different requirements. His other life as a medical device research engineer brings a background of detail oriented testing to provide solid gear recommendations for any type of adventure.

Testing Methodology

We tested these packs for comfort, features, durability, and their ease of use.

How We test Comfort

Based on each pack’s maximum weight rating, we loaded it up with 35-50 pounds of gear and took it out in the backcountry, most recently in Minnesota, to see how it handled the load. We evaluated how each pack’s comfort and support features performed in the field. For example, we paid special attention to the comfort of hipbelts, noted any pressure points, and evaluated adjustability. 

We also looked at the plushness of the foam on the hipbelt and shoulder straps, as well as the quality of the foam. We take into account the adjustment buckles and evaluated back ventilation.

What Features Do we Look for In a Backpack?

Our analysis noted essential features like hipbelt pockets, water bottle pockets, back stretch pocket, sternum strap, side compression straps, internal frame, and load lifters.

We also assess non-essential features that potentially add value (but also add weight) such as dedicated sleeping bag compartment, floating top lid, ice axe loop, side zippers, U-shaped main compartment zippers, hydration bladder pocket, adjustable torso length, included raincover, trekking pole attachment, bottom attachment straps, and internal pockets.

After wearing each pack, we made note of any features that we either missed or did not use and determined what type of backpacker would use each pack’s features the most.

How do we Assess Durability?

For durability, we look at fabric thickness and quality, with thicker and higher quality fabrics surviving better on an equal playing field. We also paid attention to stitching quality, the quality of plastic components, and the quality and placement of mesh – a common weak spot on backpacks in this class. 

In general, these backpacks should last for thousands of miles. Even the lightest pack here doesn’t get into the category of ultralight packs, which require special care for long-term durability.

What Do We Consider for Ease of Use?

We paid attention to common trouble spots, such as water bottle pockets that are hard to access and compression straps that might cover those pockets. We looked at hipbelt pockets to see how easy they were to open and close one handed and how well they fit the larger phones. 

On the flip side, we also looked for our favorite features, such as quick access to trekking poles on the front of the pack. Features like internal access side zippers or U-shaped zippers also add to overall ease of use, even if they’re not essential. Being able to adjust the torso height of a pack while wearing it is another nice – but not essential – feature.