Regardless of the duration, whether it be a brief hike or an extended stay, it is crucial to ensure that you possess the appropriate equipment when venturing into the mountains.
I have been engaging in hiking for almost a decade and have tested more than twelve incredible hiking packs. That is precisely why I penned this article regarding the top backpacks for hiking and exploring, aiming to assist you in discovering your ideal pack that resonates with your soul.
When I travel, trekking is one of my favorite hobbies. It is important for me to leave the city and venture into natural settings like woods or mountains as it rejuvenates me and establishes a connection with nature. Additionally, it is a cost-effective activity for me as a budget-conscious backpacker, so I predominantly spend my time camping and hiking in mountainous regions.
I have a strong feeling that you feel the same way.
Unfortunately, selecting the ideal backpack for hiking can be quite challenging.
There is an abundance of outdoor brands on the internet, all claiming to produce the finest hiking packs. However, some of the available choices are of poor quality.
Having traveled the world for ten years and having extensive hiking experience, I have personally used each of the hiking backpacks mentioned in this post during various hikes and expeditions.
In this article, I assess the best hiking packs for you. I lay out my top picks for my favorite hiking backpacks.
Granite Gear Blaze 60
The Granite Gear Blaze 60 is once again the top backpacking backpack in our review, thanks to its impressive design. Despite weighing only 3.0 pounds, this pack can comfortably support up to 50 pounds. We found this pack to be practical and easy to use, with great features such as a stretchy mesh front pocket, spacious hip belt pockets, a removable top lid, a breathable back panel, a long front access zipper, and nine compression straps for handling different loads. It includes all the necessary features without any unnecessary ones. This pack is impressive in terms of both weight and capacity. Its lightweight design allows you to keep your base weight low, and the sturdy suspension system allows for comfortable carrying of luxury items, winter/climbing gear, or extra food on longer trail sections.
Although this pack has many positive aspects, it may not be suitable for everyone due to certain buckles being small and difficult to use with gloves. Despite not being a high-tech or groundbreaking pack, its appeal lies in its simple yet efficient design. Granite Gear focuses on simplicity and utilizes lightweight and durable fabrics, resulting in a pack that is both lightweight and resilient.
REI Co-op Flash 55
The REI Flash 55 backpack is a well-designed and lightweight option for backpackers, and it is also inexpensive. It weighs only 2.8 pounds and has a comfortable carrying capacity of up to 30 pounds. The Packmod system allows for customization of the pack by allowing you to move or remove external pockets and straps according to your needs. This feature was particularly impressive to us. Additionally, there are two additional side pockets located between the water bottle and the front stretch pockets. These pockets provide extra storage space and greatly increase the backpack’s external storage capacity. Among the group, the side bottle pockets are the most easily accessible. They are designed to hold water bottles vertically, minimizing interference with arm swing, and due to their low position on the pack, they can be easily reached and bottles can be replaced with just one hand.
When a product is designed to be lightweight, it is common for another aspect, such as performance, to be negatively affected. Lightweight packs usually come with a higher price tag, are less durable, and provide less support. The Flash 55 does a great job in terms of affordability, but we do have concerns about the thin fabric and recommend being mindful of rubbing it against rocks. However, we have also observed these packs lasting for thousands of miles. There were instances where we would have preferred to carry more than 30 pounds, which typically requires a sturdier suspension and a heavier overall pack. Despite this, the modular pack offers numerous advantages for a reasonable price.
Osprey Exos 58
If you want an ultralight, versatile backpack for backpacking, hiking, or long-term travel, the Osprey Exos 58 is an excellent choice. It is considered one of the top Osprey backpacks available.
Weighing in at only 2.7 pounds, this backpack can be considered a minimalist option. Nevertheless, it falls on the larger side of the spectrum for its category, as it lacks the extra features and weight found in hiking packs that are two or three times its size.
We appreciate the light wire alloy frame, which provides excellent support even when carrying weights up to 40 pounds. Additionally, the AirSpeed 3-D tensioned mesh back panel effectively maintains a cool and sweat-free back, thanks to a substantial 5-inch air gap between the back and the backpack frame. No more unpleasant sweat-inducing experiences!
The Exos 58 backpack features dual access stretch mesh side pockets on its side for storing water bottles and other backpacking gear. It also has compression straps that allow you to attach your sleeping pad or tent to the bottom of the backpack. These compression straps can be removed if you are concerned about the weight.
One of the reasons I have a strong affection for Osprey backpacks is because they come with the Osprey lifetime guarantee, of course!
Kodiak Kobuk
The Kobuk, which can be equally used on the street or in the woods, is a versatile and fashionable backpack. With its convenient features and excellent craftsmanship, it is a worthwhile option for camping or hiking.
With the roll-top opening, you can either take advantage of the additional liters of storage space or secure it tightly for a smaller travel companion. It can accommodate all your hiking gear, and the hip belt aids in distributing the weight. Additionally, the strong leather material is waterproof, making it capable of enduring a heavy rain shower. Overall, it possesses the necessary durability and storage capacity for your upcoming camping adventure.
During work time, the laptop and phone pockets facilitate commutes and demonstrate the ability of one bag to accommodate both weekdays and weekends, supplemented by two water bottle pockets.
Stubble & Co Adventure Pack
Now, let’s present this revolutionary, extremely impressive, recently released hiking daypack by the kind folks at Stubble & Co. We are fond of this backpack because of its strength, long-lasting nature, and exceptional functionality. It is crafted to be a versatile bag that excels in various settings, such as hiking in the forest, going to the gym, or enduring the dreaded daily commute to work!
The Adventure Bag is both durable and environmentally friendly, as it is made from recycled plastic. It is lightweight and small enough to be used as carry-on luggage for flights. It has various features, including a compartment for a 16′ laptop, a section for shoes, a pocket for bottles, a convenient card pocket for on-the-go use, compression straps, and comfortable grab handles. Additionally, it is equipped with a waist strap and adjustable sternum straps for added comfort during hikes, along with a soft padded back panel.
In summary, the bag has a total capacity of 42 liters and is perfect for adventures. Due to its size, I use it for carry-on trips and weekend breaks instead of hiking, although it seems suitable for that too. Nic, our writer, also agreed with this, as she found the 42 liters of storage to be a good balance, allowing her to pack all the necessary gear without overpacking or carrying excessive weight. Additionally, we both appreciated the hidden passport pocket, which made it ideal for both backpacking and hiking.
