Best hiking backpacks 2024: our top picks across various types and sizes

Setting off on a hiking escapade demands careful gear selection, and finding the perfect hiking backpack is the Holy Grail of successful adventures.

Whether you're jaunting through a jungle gym of trails or tackling the Mount Everest of peaks, your backpack should be your trusty sidekick, offering comfort, space, and organisation to carry all your essentials without turning you into a hunched-over sherpa (sherpas are the MVPs, though).

Selecting the right backpack is as vital as picking the perfect hiking boots or the ultimate backpacking tent. It's like finding your soulmate but with more pockets and fewer emotional breakdowns.

In this epic saga of backpacks, we'll uncover a treasure trove of options suitable for every type of adventure. From featherweight daypacks to behemoth multi-day packs, we'll delve into the depths of features, benefits, and considerations to ensure your gear matches your hiking style like peanut butter to jelly. So buckle up, grab your compass, and let's embark on this wild journey to find your backpack soulmate.

Best hiking backpacks to buy now right now

For our money, the best hiking backpack right now is the Osprey Tempest Pro (for men) and Osprey Talon Pro (for women). This excellent backpack will give you all the storage you need for a big day out as well as features that you'll appreciate if you're hitting the mountains and fells. For big days out, you'll find hydration pack compatibility as well as loops for ice axes and trekking poles; these packs also feature well-designed strap systems that'll fit you snugly all day.

The Tempest Pro gives you 28 litres of storage, while the Talon Pro can hold up to 30 litres, enough for everything you might need for a long day's excursion. Bear in mind, though, that at around a kilogram in weight, these might be a bit heavy if you're planning on keeping up the pace. They're water-resistant enough to withstand all but the heaviest downpour and tough enough for most eventualities. In short, either could easily become your favourite hiking companion.

Read our full Osprey Tempest Pro 28 / Talon Pro 30 backpack review

The Brenta is one of Vaude's bestselling backpacks, and even in its smallest configuration – we tested the 24L version in our review – it packs in plenty of features that you'd normally only find on bigger hiking backpacks. It has a height-adjustable back with hip and chest straps for better weight distribution, as well as an 'Aeroflex 3D suspension system' that uses mesh to keep the main body of the pack away from your back for extra breathability.

This isn't a casual backpack for taking to the office; features such as an integrated rain cover, a flap for a platypus tube and a hoop for holding a walking pole are all evidence that this is for serious hiking; naturally, there is all manner of pockets for stashing your gear. It's water-repellent and made from 50% recycled polyester, and crucially it's easy to adjust and comfortable for all-day wear in the great outdoors.

Read our full Vaude Brenta hiking backpack review

The Berghaus Alpine 45 keeps things simple, as well as the costs down, making it a strong contender in our best hiking backpack ranking. With a 45-litre capacity, you’ve plenty of space for any adventure but not enough to be tempted into taking the kitchen sink along. Neat side compression straps keep the clean lines intact even when in use, with plenty of additional attachment points for poles, skis, tents and a reflective bungee for that extra layer you’ve just taken off. 

A simple roll-top enclosure will keep the worst of the weather at bay and is easily managed wearing gloves, while the back support is removable if shaving those extra grams is a priority. Low-profile straps and a slim-line hip belt reduce faff to the minimum without reducing comfort, and there’s even a small zipped pocket for essentials too. In short, there's everything you need here for a great day out and nothing you don't. Sounds good to us…

Make sure you check our Berghaus discount codes to pick up a saving. 

The bigger version of the same line we have in the top spot on this list, the Osprey Talon 55 (for men) and Tempest 50 (for women), is an excellent option for multi-day adventures. In our review, our tester praised how lightweight, comfortable and supportive it was in use. There is a large top-loading compartment with zippered side access, and to keep things organised internally, there's another small base compartment that can be separated using the in-built divider.

The detachable floating top lid can be used to add volume. A headline feature is the back system, which is fully adjustable and extremely breathable too. If you're after a versatile mid-sized pack that looks stylish, can hold a decent amount of outdoorsy kit, and will last, this is a great choice. 

Read our full Osprey Talon 55 / Tempest 50 review

The North Face Trail Lite Backpack stands out as the best 65-litre hiking backpack available today. Ideal for overnight hikes for two or generously packed solo treks, its numerous pockets and compartments keep trail equipment organised, from large items in the main compartment to smaller essentials in the top lid and hip belt zippered pockets.

Featuring a DWR finish, this backpack offers protection from light showers and rain, keeping your gear dry during unexpected weather. Despite its ample storage, the Trail Lite Backpack remains comfortable to wear thanks to its adjustable back panel, dual-density foam hip belt, and supportive shoulder straps, ensuring you can carry it with ease throughout your journey.

Read our full The North Face Trail Lite Backpack review.

If you're a photographer or content creator who likes being out and about, you need the PhotoSport BP 24L AW III. From the recycled, DWR-coated shell and the clever organisation pockets to the premium build quality and thoughtful little design elements, there is little not to love about the PhotoSport BP 24L AW III. Best of all, if you like the bag but think, 'I might need something bigger', Lowepro have you covered with the gazillion different size options available on their website and via third-party retailers.

We found the 24-litre variety the perfect size for day trips and short hikes. Also, the camera we use, the Sony Alpha a7 III, fits perfectly in the camera compartment, leaving me more than enough space elsewhere in the bag to store all my bits and bobs. This is the hiking backpack for photographers to beat for sure!

Read our full Lowepro PhotoSport Outdoor Backpack BP 24L AW III review.

A bit big for a daypack and not quite roomy enough for a week away, Fjallraven's Abisko Friluft 35 is the perfect size for a two-day adventure in the outdoors. Its 35-litre capacity plus an extendable top lid means that you can comfortably pack for two days way (or even three if you pack light), and it comes with plenty of additional pockets for stashing all your bits and bobs.

While it's not waterproof, you can add some extra water resistance by treating the fabric with Fjallraven’s Greenland Wax, and it comes complete with a rain cover to protect it should you hit a downpour, while its waterproof bottom panel will help keep it dry on wet ground.

It looks great, and it's comfortable to wear for extended periods. However, we'd be wary of choosing the pale blue colourway as it attracts dirt like nobody's business. Go for the black or dark green instead, and you'll be rewarded with a weekend pack that ticks all the boxes.

Read our full Fjallraven Abisko Friluft 35 review

If you can stomach the extravagant price point, the limited edition Osprey Antigravity 64 UNLTD has a lot going for it. The bag features a 3D-printed PU back panel that's springy and flexible and does a great job of allowing your back to stay cool and sweat-free, even over an extended hike. It's well-specced with plenty of pockets and straps for everything you might need to carry, as well as a compression compartment for your sleeping bag and even room for a water reservoir.

At 64 litres capacity, it's not small, and despite the name, it's not especially lightweight, weighing in at almost 3kg. The Osprey Antigravity 64 UNLTD is weatherproof if not quite waterproof, and if you need a rucksack that offers tip-top performance for long-distance adventures, it's definitely up to the job, although we expect the price will put many off.

Read our full Osprey Antigravity 64 UNLTD backpack review

A more traditional hiking rucksack design, the Snow Peak Active Backpack Type 01 ONE boasts a decent 43 litre capacity, more than enough for multiple days on the trail, hut-to-hut excursions and short camping jaunts. The two separate areas of storage help keep the contents organised, one accessible from the top, one via a zipped rear section, and with an outer of water-resistant nylon it'll shrug off all but the heaviest downpours. 

The super-wide hip belt should soak up much of the load-carrying work, and also has zipped pockets for trail essentials – handy for a soft flask and snacks to keep you fuelled on the go. On the downside, this is a heavier bag than we'd like (just under 2kg for the bag alone), and the price point is on the high side. However, if you're looking for that traditional dual-storage area hiking rucksack in tasteful tactical black, this is well worth checking out. 

The original Kanken by Swedish outdoor manufacturer Fjallraven was initially designed for school kids, lacking space for modern needs like laptops and water bottles. However, its iconic silhouette gained popularity among adults for its compact size, variety of colours, and affordability.

Addressing the limitations, the Fjallraven Kanken Outlong emerged as a comparatively spacious and functional daypack. With an 18-litre capacity, six pockets, and durable Vinylon F fabric, it offers versatility for commuting and solo day hiking trips. Notably, it's the lightest hiking backpack at only 500 grams.

We loved the mature design, which includes padded shoulder straps, oversized zip pulls, and webbing attachments for outdoor adventures. Its sustainability features, including recycled materials and PFC-free production, align with Fjallraven's ethos.

The Kanken Outlong excels as an excellent daypack, offering a balance of functionality, style, and eco-friendliness, making it an ideal companion for urban commutes and outdoor excursions.

Read our full Fjallraven Kanken Outlong review.

How to choose the best hiking backpack for you

Hiking is all things to all people, so getting the right balance between weight, size and robustness is key, especially for something you’ll be wearing on your back for many days in total. Modern materials mean that ye olde steel frame rucksacks are broadly unnecessary, unless you're in training and want to carry the extra weight. Here are some things to look for when choosing the best hiking backpack for you:

Volume
Arguably the most important starting point. How much do you really need to carry? Summer rambling along the coast requires a different set of kit to winter wild camping, but don’t get carried away and buy a giant windsock of a thing that needs an SAS team to carry once filled.

Fit
Check and check again that the rucksack fits your back well. Most makes have different back sizes available, so try a few on with both a light load and a heavy one (most shops have weight bags for this). If there's a hip belt, this should rest on the top of your hip bones, and adjust to a comfortable tightness – this can transfer a lot of weight from your shoulders to your hips, so don't underestimate the importance of a well-fitting hip belt. And of course, none of this is any good if the straps aren't adjusted correctly: here's how to fit a backpack.

Comfort
Walk around and move naturally to see if anything rubs or feels weird. By all means try the super-techno suspended mesh solutions to getting a sweaty back, but rest assured after a long day with a heavy rucksack, your back will be sweaty, so don't prioritise them over a really good fit.

Weight
Lighter is nearly always better, and that often means the minimum of random bells and whistles, which all add weight. Don't be afraid to cut off straps and fastenings you know you'll never use.

Pockets and straps
Think about what you'll need to carry, and how accessible you'll need it to be. Streamlined designs might look smart, but when you're having to unpack the whole thing to access your torch in the middle of the evening, pockets start to look more appealing.

FAQ