10 Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2023

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40 / 55 were purpose-built for hikers covering long distances and those wanting to keep their pack weight as low as possible without sacrificing convenience. With its plethora of useful pockets, perfect balance of weight/durability, and practically waterproof design, the Unbound has quickly become one of our all-time favorite backpacks.

If you’ve never used a backpack with a bottom pocket before, you’re in for a treat. This stretchy mesh pocket on the underside of the pack keeps frequently needed items – like snacks, chapstick, and sunscreen – accessible without the need to stop and take your pack off. The Unbound also has an innovative front mesh pocket, which can be accessed from the top or through a flap on the bottom. This makes it much easier to store your tent stakes or bathroom bag in a place where they’re easy to quickly find.

The frame – minimal as it may be – is highly effective at transferring weight to the hips. But at the same time it helps encourage us to keep our pack weight low since it’s not as comfy if you exceed about 35 lbs. Carrying a lighter load has a ton of benefits, but simply stated – we find lightweight backpacking to be far less exhausting and much more enjoyable.

The Unbound is on the expensive side for lightweight packs, but we think it’s priced fairly for its quality and durability. The DCH fabric and taped seams are a big part of what makes the Unbound so expensive, but they’re also the reason this pack is so durable and about as close to waterproof as you can get.

For years the HMG Southwest 2400 held the top spot on our Best Backpacking Backpacks list and we still love that pack. We view the Unbound as a very similar backpack with a few notable upgrades. Check out our full review of the Unbound 40 to learn more.

The REI Flash 55 Men’s / Women’s is ridiculously affordable for how light, versatile, and comfortable it is. It’s significantly cheaper than comparable backpacking packs, but it doesn’t skimp on quality or features.

The Flash 55 has a truly unique element called “Packmod.” This modular system allows you to quickly and easily remove the straps/pockets and reconfigure them into several combinations, or you can leave them at home to save weight. So the Flash easily transitions from a lightweight weekend backpacking pack to a trusty winter snowshoeing pack.

We also absolutely love the Flash 55’s forward-facing water bottle pockets. This may seem like a small detail, but if you’ve ever been sweating as you nearly dislocate your shoulder to reach an upright bottle, you’ll know exactly how big this is. Besides being the most affordable backpacking pack on this list, the Flash 55 has a whole lot of details to love.

Check out our full review of the Flash 55 here.

You’ve seen us say over and over again that we prefer to hike light, but there’s no wrong way to get out there and adventure! The Osprey Atmos AG 65 (men’s) and Aura AG 65 (women’s) packs hold 35-50 pounds much more comfortably than any lightweight backpack, and they’re still lighter than many comparable traditional packs.

Hikers who are just starting out or who prefer to carry a few extra luxuries will find that the Atmos and Aura have a generous amount of padding and plenty of pockets to organize your gear. The inside of these backpacks can be accessed from the side, the bottom, or the top lid, so necessities are always close at hand.

These backpacking packs are also equipped with Osprey’s signature AntiGravity suspension system, which transfers weight to your hips incredibly well and takes the strain off your shoulders and back. If you prefer to prioritize comfort over saving weight, the Atmos and Aura are tough to beat.

The Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 is one of the most padded ultralight backpacks on the market, so it’s perfect for lightweight backpackers who prioritize comfort. There are lighter packs out there, but we haven’t come across one that compares to the cushiness of the Gorilla.

The Gorilla has an affordable price point, a perfectly sized capacity, and an adaptable design, so we think many types of backpackers will enjoy this pack. From those just starting out on their lightweight journey to seasoned ultralighters looking for a bump in comfort from more minimal packs, the Gorilla is a well-rounded pack with all the features you need and none that you don’t. One of our favorite details of the Gorilla is its removable SitLight pad, which acts as back padding while you hike and a cushy seat around camp.

We find that the 50L capacity is the sweet spot for a wide array of trips. It’s big enough that we can pack along some extras like a backpacking chair or a hammock on warm-weather trips, but not so big that we struggle to fill it. And with a wide array of useful pockets to organize it all in – a large stretchy outer mesh pocket, roomy hipbelt pockets, two huge side pockets, and a small stash pocket on the lid – you can keep all of your necessities within reach. But if you need a bit more space, we also love the Mariposa 60 which is pretty much the same as the Gorilla with slightly different side pockets.

Check out our full review of the Gorilla here.

The Focal 48 (men’s) and Facet 45 (women’s) are Gregory’s response to the increasing demand for lightweight backpacking gear. These packs sit solidly in the middle of the lightweight backpack category, but they’re a cut above when it comes to affordability, support, and convenience.

Gregory has been making some big moves with their backpack designs, and we have to say we’re loving the comfort of their modern frames. The Focal and Facet also have a really solid array of pockets – our favorite, of course, are the forward-facing water bottle pockets. The top lid is removable, the hip belt pockets are large, and the suspension system is supportive and well-ventilated – these are the main things we like to see in a good backpacking backpack.

Overall, the Gregory Focal 48 is a solid lightweight pack with great features and a very affordable price tag. Hikers who have their gear dialed in to around 30 lbs. can’t go wrong with these backpacking backpacks.

The Osprey Exos 48 (men’s) and Eja 48 (women’s) are long-time favorites of lightweight backpackers because of their comfort, well-ventilated back panel, and approachable price.

The tensioned-mesh frame of the Exos and Eja is sturdier than most lightweight pack frames and can carry heavier loads more comfortably. The newest iteration of the Exos/Eja brought back hip belt pockets – a sorely missed component of the previous iteration – but we find them to be a bit smaller than we prefer. Still, they’re adequate for storing small, commonly used items, like chapstick, a lighter, and a snack.

If you’re looking for the best balance of comfort, weight, and capacity you’ve found it with the Exos and Eja. For hikers who need more space, the larger Exos 58 / Eja 58 have 10L more capacity, but are otherwise the same packs.

Take a look at our full review of the Exos/Eja here.

After thru-hiking for thousands of miles with the ULA Circuit we can confidently say it’s an exceptionally durable backpack for long distance hiking. If you have your gear fairly dialed in – sub 30 lbs. – the Circuit’s frame will carry your load very comfortably.

It’s all the little things on the Circuit that make it really shine on trail – large, convenient pockets; light, durable fabric; and a minimal, yet highly effective suspension system. This backpack has an exceptional balance of weight, comfort, and durability, so it’s no wonder the ULA Circuit is consistently called out as a favorite by thru-hikers.

The Deuter Aircontact Ultra 50 (men’s) and 45 (women’s) have a large fit-range on the torso and ample adjustment points, so it’s easy to dial in the perfect fit. Combine that with a perfectly contoured frame, cushy lumbar pad, and hip-hugging belt that moves with your body, and you’ve got an incredibly comfortable backpack that transfers weight to the hips better than most in its weight class.

The removable lid converts into a daypack and is perfect for exploring side trails without needing to take your entire pack along. And if you’re wondering about the + in the 50/45+5, the main compartment expands to allow for an extra 5 liters of capacity if needed.

The Aircontact is a versatile pack that can easily adapt to your individual fit and function needs. If you need more capacity, these packs also come in a larger and more feature-rich men’s 65+10 model and women’s 60+10 model.

The Gregory Paragon 58 (men’s) and Maven 55 (women’s) are some of the comfiest midweight packs we’ve used, and they carry weight like a dream. These packs have some pretty unique features, like the zippered side entry pocket and the size-adjustable hip belt, that make them work really well for different body shapes and hiking styles.

The Paragon and Maven are also reasonably light and very well-priced for the specs. Most packs that can comfortably haul 50 lbs. weigh a pound or so more and cost quite a bit more too. For those who like having the option to carry a little extra gear and a whole bunch of pockets to organize it all in, the Paragon and Maven are some of the best backpacking packs available.

The Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60 is a featherweight pack that’s great for thru-hikers and ultralight backpackers carrying base weights around 15 pounds or less.

This pack’s unique arching frame creates a taut mesh back panel that provides excellent ventilation when not packed too full. The Arc Haul also has torso adjustment straps to help you dial in the perfect fit. Zpacks lists the Arc Haul’s max carry weight at 40 pounds, but we feel its max weight is closer to 30 pounds for a comfortable hike.

While we really like the Arc Haul, we wish it was a little bit more affordable. That said, if having the absolute lightest gear possible is a top priority for you, the Arc Haul is worth every penny for the comfort, weight, and weather-resistance.

Sometimes you need a lot of capacity for big trips in remote areas or winter excursions with bulky gear. The Osprey Aether Plus 70 (men’s) and Ariel Plus 70 (women’s) are comfortable large-capacity backpacks that carry heavy loads with ease and significantly reduce the burden on your body.

The top lid detaches and converts into a 16L daypack, so you can leave your full pack behind while you bag a summit or explore a side trail. So while the Aether and Ariel are pretty spendy, it makes it more worth the cost when you consider the fact that you’re getting a bomb-proof backpacking backpack plus a convenient daypack.

At over five pounds, the Aether and Ariel are pretty heavy, but there’s no better choice for hikers needing a reliable hauler for heavy loads. If you’re interested in the higher support level of these packs, but want a slightly smaller capacity – check out the popular Aether 65 and Ariel 65.

The affordable Granite Gear Crown3 Men’s / Women’s has been a popular budget option for years due to its balance of low weight and large capacity. The Crown3 has a unique, fully-adjustable hip belt for dialing in the perfect fit, and the top lid is removable if you’re looking to save some weight.

Its simple, yet comfortable frame consists of a molded foam pad and a removable plastic sheet. We don’t find this design to be quite as comfy or breathable as many of the others on our list. But comfort is subjective, and many hikers find the Crown3 to be plenty comfortable for long days on the trail. If 60L is too large for you, it also compresses well when not fully loaded. We recommend this pack for those who are new to lightweight backpacking and may need a little more space than most ultralight packs offer.