Since hikers first took to the hills we’ve relied on backpacks to haul our belongings up with us, but designs have changed pretty considerably in the centuries we’ve been roaming trails for pleasure. Modern backpacks are designed to battle the elements, to spread heavy loads and to go the distance in comfort. These seven top backpacks we’ve recommended range in size from small daysacks designed for fast-paced adventures to big, multi-day hiker models stuffed with technical treats, ideal for multi-day hikes and camping in the backcountry. We’ve included some female-specific fits and there’s a price for every pocket, too.
How to buy the best backpack for you
What size do I need?
Backpacks are measured according to how much they can hold in litres. Roughly speaking, a daysack holds 15 to 30 litres, a mid-size backpack holds 30-50 litres and a multi-day backpacking bag holds 50 litres and above. If you’re an outdoors-loving soul who adventures abroad every weekend you might end up owning one of each size, but if you’re just going to splash out on one, it’s worth thinking about where and when you’ll use your new backpack.
Daysacks are ideal for walkers and for other activities where you don’t want to be hampered by weight, such as running and cycling. Mid-size backpacks are the best bet for backpackers and travellers who need to carry clothing, or for sports where you need to lug a lot of kit about, such as climbing. And the larger sizes we’ve reviewed are designed for multi-day hikers carrying their life, usually including a tent and a sleeping bag, on their back. Larger packs often list their capacity as XX+XX litres – all this means that the space is distributed in two separate compartments, or that the bag sports a removable mini rucksack.
What key features should I look out for?
If you want to take your backpack outside you’re going to need one that is relatively weatherproof. Most rucksacks aren’t fully waterproof, and are usually labelled showerproof or water resistant instead. This means that their outer shell will stand up to a shower, but more extreme weather could render your belongings a sodden mess. If you don’t go for a waterproof model, make sure you pick a bag with an integrated rain cover you can whip out to cover it up in a big storm.
Backpacks are either top-loading (with an opening at the top, usually covered by a flap), which is more water-tight and best for hiking, or front-loading (with a zip on the front), which makes it easier to pack and remove items, and better for travelling. Plenty of pockets are a useful addition, especially if there are handy zipped ones for phones, keys and passports near the top of the bag. Pick a bag with deep water bottle pockets on the sides, and/or a bag that allows you to use a hydration system (a water pouch with a drinking tube such as CamelBak) so you can keep your water levels topped up.
It’s a good idea to try on bags in person, so you can check it fits you properly. Padded, breathable mesh straps for your shoulders, hips and chest are a must if you’ll be travelling over long distances, and larger bags often have built-in metal or plastic frames to distribute the load against your back. Compression straps are also useful for cinching down your load to make it more compact.
The best day sacks from £65
1. Patagonia Lightweight Black Hole Cinch Pack, 20 litres: The best daysack for runners
Price:£65
Dinky in size, light on the back and tough against weather, the Black Hole is ideal for fast-paced adventures such as trail running and fell walking. It’s easy to use, with a cinching top inspired by climber’s chalk bags, and stays dry in light to moderate showers due to its weather-resistant nylon rip stop material, which is also easy to keep clean. We also like the comfortable, breathable straps. The downside to such a compact bag is that there aren’t any internal pockets, just one external one. It is hydration system-compatible, however, making it a good choice for running and cycling.
Key specs – Capacity: 20 litres; Waterproof?: No, water resistant; Weight: 479g; Access: Top-loading
2. Mountain Hardwear Scrambler 30 litres: The best for hiking in any weather
Price:£88
The Scrambler is that rare beast in the backpack world – it’s fully waterproof in any weather without a rain cover (NB. That doesn’t mean you can dunk it in a river, though – for that you’ll need a drybag). It was designed to meet climber’s needs but that doesn’t stop it being a great all-rounder of a daysack, with lots of space, plenty of pockets, hydration system compatibility and two deep water bottle pockets. You can easily lash belongings or gear to the outside, and a hefty load cinches down small using the sturdy central strap. If you find yourself out in the elements often then this is a brilliant all-rounder bag for a decent price.
Key specs – Capacity: 30 litres; Waterproof?: Yes; Weight: 770g; Access: Top-loading
The best mid-size packs from £35
3. Mountain Warehouse Ventura rucksack, 40 litres: The best for backpackers on a budget
Price:£40
A well-designed, versatile backpack for a pocket-friendly price. Mountain Warehouse’s Ventura is simple and straightforward but still ticks all our boxes – it holds 40 litres of gear, enough for a multi-day hike or for travelling light, sports comfy hip and chest straps to help distribute weight and has an effective rain cover, plenty of pockets and hydration compatibility. It’s also the right size to qualify as carry-on on most airlines. Any downside? It’s heavier than some of the more expensive 40 litre models on the market. If you want something bigger than the Ventura for hiking in the backcountry but want to keep it cheap, Mountain Warehouse’s similar Traveller 60+20 litre pack comes in at £59.99.
Key specs – Capacity: 40 litres: Waterproof?: Rain cover; Weight: 1.2kg; Access: Top- and front-loading
4. Vango Khumbu rucksack, 40 litres: The best for single-day trekking
Price:£36
Another cheap and cheerful mid-size option. The Khumbu is ideal for a long day in the mountains, with tons of space for lots of layers and some of the comfiest, most breathable straps we tried – if you tend to get sweaty when hiking this is a good choice. We also liked that the waist belt is detachable, so if you’re not using it it won’t be flapping about. And whilst the price may be easy on the eye the bag still includes all the design features you’d expect, including well-placed pockets, a rain cover and hydration compatability. A bargainous bag.
Key specs – Capacity: 40 litres; Waterproof?: No, rain cover; Weight: 1.24kg; Access: Top-loading
The best backpacking bags from £125
5. Deuter Vario hiking rucksack, 45+10 litres: The best for female (and male) multi-day hikers
Price:£150
Deuter’s backpacks are designed with a specifically male or female fit, and the piece de resistance of the women’s Vario its adjustable steel frame, designed for smaller backs. The frame is easy to fit to your body and coupled with a highly breathable mesh so you don’t overheat on long trail walks. This cherry-red number is also packed to the gills with technical features, including myriad pockets, loops for ice axes and hiking poles, reflectors for night hiking, compression straps and a separate 10 litre compartment, ideal for storing dirty clothing or a small sleeping bag. A brilliant all-rounder, built to last.
Buy the Deuter Vario for men from Millets
Buy the Deuter Vario SL for women from OutdoorGB
Key specs – Capacity: 45+10litres; Waterproof?: No, rain cover; Weight: 2.2kg; Access: Front-loading
6. Berghaus Ridgeway rucksack, 65+10 litres: The best option for wild campers
Price:£125
The reliable, go-anywhere workhorse of our list, the Ridgeway is an easy choice if you want to carry your camping gear on your back on a multi-day hike or head off for a weekend of wild camping. The Ridgeway is a bit on the mammoth side and does feel rather enormous when hefted on your back, even when using the compression straps, but it despite its size it’s lighter than other backpacks of its size on test. We liked the adjustable back system, sturdy hip straps and removable interior divider. A male and a female version are available.
Key specs – Capacity: 65+10 litres; Waterproof?: No, rain cover; Weight: 1.81kg; Access: Top-loading
7. Osprey Xena and Xenith backpacks, 70 and 75 litres: The best for serious adventurers
Price:£220
The priciest packs in our roundup, but probably worth the spend if, as Osprey suggest, you’d like to ‘carry serious loads to the most remote destinations on earth’. The female-fit Xena and male-fit Xenith are, put simply, beautifully made backpacking bags (we aren’t sure why the female version loses five litres of space, though). If you need to carry a 25kg load and not feel like a panting packhorse, these packs will do you proud, with great distribution of weight, supportive straps and adjustable frames. We also like that the lid converts into a detachable travel bag. Our only niggle is that while the packs seemed to be water resistant when testing, Osprey’s rain covers are sold separately and will set you back a further £28.
Key specs – Capacity: 70 and 75 litres; Waterproof?: No, rain cover sold separately; Weight: 2.28kg and 2.33kg; Access: Top- and side-loading