The 13 Best Hiking Backpacks For Every Type Of Outdoor Adventure

13 Best Hiking Backpacks

Filson


Hiking backpacks come in all shapes and sizes. They’re crafted from a wide range of materials, from high-grade blends to tried and true fabrics. They come in different colors, everywhere from black to marbled hues and neon glows.

Most importantly, they come with different levels of functionality. Are you going out to a trail for the day, or are you going out to live in the wilderness like Robinson Crusoe for the next 72 hours?

Our point being is this. You shouldn’t grab the first hiking backpack you find. It’s important to know what you want and how to find the corresponding pack that fits you.

We’ve got a vast selection of hiking backpacks here below. They cater to all types of adventures and activities. So whether you know what you want or you’re just browsing, you’ll be sure to find value in every single bag. Enjoy!


Most Versatile Hiking Backpack: The Ridge Commuter

Best Hiking Backpacks

A super sleek waterproof bag made with nylon and chock-full of interior space. Just like their wallets, The Ridge Backpack guarantees durability and simplicity. Inside you have several pockets to fit your gear, including a laptop sleeve and a pocket to place an external power bank in case you’re the type that likes to carry extra juice wherever you go. The best part is you can add in The Ridge’s own power bank for a discount when you buy the backpack.

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Best For Organzing Gear: Filson Ripstop Nylon Backpack

Best Hiking Backpacks

Made with abrasion-resistant Cordura nylon, this ripstop bag from Filson is a lightweight option for those who take their hiking preparation seriously. Its main compartment is great for carrying clothes and equipment—it’s even got a laptop sleeve. Meanwhile, the two exterior zippered pockets are excellent for storing small items like knives, first-aid, chargers, and more.

SHOP FILSON RIPSTOP

Most Stylish Hiking Backpack: Nike ACG Karst

Sporting a black and peat moss color, this NIKE ACG (All Conditions Gear) backpack is perfect for use on day trips and as a casual everyday bag. The daisy-chains loops on the front offer added utility, and the spacious interior of the bag is big enough to hold outdoor supplies as well other goods like, say, a camera or laptop.

SHOP NIKE ACG KARST

Best for Trail Running: Adidas Terrex Lightweight

Best Hiking Backpacks

The Terrex is another ultra-lightweight option that appeals to those who like a sportier design. This is our favorite pick for trail running.

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Best for Survival: Uncharted Supply Co. Seventy2 Survival System

Best Hiking Backpacks

Uncharted Supply Co. is the best option for the experienced hiker as well as the individual who likes to stay prepared. The cool thing is this bag comes loaded with supplies curated to keep you alive for 72 hours if you were to find yourself in an emergency situation. Uncharted works with doctors, first responders, mountain guides, special forces operators, and other experts to make sure the bag and the contents inside are dependable and long-lasting.

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Best Roll-Top Hiking Backpack: Filson Dry Backpack

Best Hiking Backpacks

Similar to Simms, this Filson Dry Backpack is another roll-top choice, except this one has fully submersible features. So if your bag were to fall into a river or get swept by a storm you can trust your contents will stay that much more intact. Jack Dorsey, the CEO of Twitter, has tweeted his love for this bag before. We think that’s a pretty good cosign.

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More Great Hiking Backpacks

Matador Beast28 Ultralight Technical Backpack

Best Hiking Backpacks

The Matador’s sleek design is perfect for climbing and compact travel. While it looks slim to the eye, the backpack holds an impressive 28L. And the fact it’s made with ultra-tear strength nylon that’s got water-resistant coating and YKK zippers and hardware means this bag will stay strong even amongst the toughest environments.

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Kelty Outskirt 50L Internal Frame Pack

Best Hiking Backpacks

Kelly Outskirt holds a stellar 50L and is hydration compatible. While we love those features we’re also all about this unique gingerbread and beluga colorway. Hey, hiking is stylish these days.

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Simms Dry Creek Simple Pack – 25L

Best Hiking Backpacks

Simms Dry Creek is a waterproof roll-top backpack ideal for wet and rainy conditions. It’s a solid option if you’re going to be near a body of water too. The bag is minimalistic in principle, but inside contains stretchy mesh pockets to organize your goods efficiently, and their side compression straps can also double as waist straps if you’re carrying heavy loads. Oh, and it’s got a cool camo design.

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Sandqvist Erland Lightweight – 12L Ziptop

Best Hiking Backpacks

For a super lightweight option, we like this Sandqvist bag. Its Scandinavian-inspired design is modern and functional, and it’s made with 100% recycled ripstop nylon. Erland’s also got a laptop sleeve and an interior and exterior zippered pocket. The result is a daypack you can carry out on the trail and into the city.

SHOP ERLAND LIGHTWEIGHT

Camelbak M.U.L.E. Pro 14 100 oz. Hydration Pack

Best Hiking Backpacks

What would this roundup be without a Camelbak? Hydration packs are amazing. The only downside is making sure they’re cleaned out every time you put them to use. If you’re able to keep them clean, then we like this M.U.L.E. Pro. It holds 100oz and features a hip belt for stability and a harness to hold a bike helmet or elbow/knee pads.

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Osprey Daylite Cinch Daypack

Best Hiking Backpacks

If you aren’t familiar with Osprey we’ll be the first to tell you they’re one of the best at making gear that lasts. This Daylite bag is super affordable and optimal for short excursions. It’s top-loading with a cinch closure feature and comes with a removable hip belt.

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Black Diamond Creek Transit 32 Daypack

Best Hiking Backpacks

We dig this Black Diamond bag for its ability to store up to 32L while still looking sleek. Considering the bag’s strong nylon material and stylish commuter design, it’s a respectable choice for taking everywhere from the trail, to work (it’s got a laptop sleeve), to the gym.

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Hiking backpacks are constantly updating and changing throughout the seasons. Make sure to stay tuned to this roundup so we can inform you on all the latest outdoor brands and new hiking bag models as they’re released.

John is the Style & Gear Editor for BroBible. You can contact him on Twitter @johnthompsoniv or via email John@brobible.com




The BroBible team writes about gear that we think you want. Occasionally, we write about items that are a part of one of our affiliate partnerships and we will get a percentage of the revenue from sales.