Day hikes to good hiking trails and long hikes across the country will both require the use of a good-quality hiking backpack for this summer.
Backpacks store most of your stuff, so a smart choice of hiking backpack can significantly reduce weight and improve your hiking experience.
It’s no longer necessary to carry a heavy double-decker backpack with bulky compartments for bottled water and hiking carabiners.so, here are the five best hiking backpack reviews for this summer.
The Best Hiking Backpack for this summer
As the manufacturing process has evolved, outdoor equipment brands have come out with backpacks that don’t make your back ache, but rather keep your spine straight and your spirits high when you can’t see the peak of the mountain yet.
You need a backpack with enough storage for all your hiking essentials, not too heavy, and that fits you like a glove. It should have body-hugging straps, hip-belt pockets, durable zippers, and waterproof construction.
Tested and Reviewed
As a way of easing your research and reducing the number of hours you’d otherwise spend looking for “the one”, we tested dozens of hiking backpacks.
Our carefully selected backpacks range from lightweight and durable to feature-rich and affordable, so you’re sure to find the one that fits your needs best.
Identify your top priorities for the equipment you will need and choose the hiking backpack that will provide you with the comfort you need.
Backpacks for Entry-Level Backpackers
Osprey Aether 65 Hiking Pack
A lot of outdoor lovers tend to spend their days out in nature, so Osprey is the number one choice for them. There are many backpacks they have to choose from, whether you want to bike across the country or hike across the ocean. The Aether AG 60 hiking backpack is designed for thru-hikes and alpine expeditions that require sufficient preparation and plenty of essentials for everyone interested.
Aether backpacks have side compression straps to distribute weight proportionately and zippered heat-moldable hip belt pockets to keep necessities close at hand.
In order to prevent backaches, the backpack has an anti-gravity suspension and a back panel.
This backpack features an internal hydration reservoir sleeve and a sleeping bag compartment for maximum comfort. In addition, this hiking backpack has a removable top lid that can be worn as a daypack during the day.
Specs & Features
- Materials: 420HD Nylon Pack Cloth (Main and Bottom Fabrics), 210D Nylon Diamond (Accent Fabric), PFC-Free DWR Coating
- Volume: 65 Liters
- Dimension: 31.5” x 15.75” x 11.02”
- Weight: 4.93 lbs.
- Included rainfly
Reasons to buy:
An ultra-comfortable harness system ensures a well-thought-out carrying experience
You can adjust the fit by following the white markings
Super breathable back frame with a solid frame
There are plenty of pockets for organizing
You will find a wide variety of clips and bungee ties for your accessories here
Reasons NOT to buy:
- Wearing a hip belt makes it difficult to open and close the pockets
- For portability, it would be nice to have a pair of carrying handles on the front
- A hiking backpack that is on the pricey side
Sporty Hiking
Gregory Zulu 55
The Gregory Zulu is a 55-liter pack made for backcountry trekking. A backpack is central to a positive trekking experience, and Gregory has a number of great options.
Keeping organized and surviving in the outdoors is easy with this backpack.
As with shoes or cars, hiking backpacks offer unique designs that can complement your style, cause friction or enhance the overall experience.
To help you decide which scenario might best suit your trek, we tested and reviewed the Gregory Zulu 55 Backpack.
Specs & Features
- material:210D Honeycomb Cryptorip Nylon with 210D High Tenacity Nylon (Body), 630D High-Density Nylon with 135D High-Density Polyester (Bottom), LifeSpan EVA Foam with Fiberglass Anti-Barrelling Stay, HDPE and 4mm Alloy Steel.
- Volume: 55 Liters
- Dimensions: 28” x 13.25” x 12”
- Weight: 3.3 lbs.
- Colors: Mantis Green and Empire Blue
Reason to buy - Premium comfort and excellent ventilation are provided by the FreeFloat suspension system
Fits shoulders of all sizes
Water bottle holders that can be accessed from both sides, with compression straps to fit a variety of bottles
The sternum strap includes a whistle and tube clip in case of emergency
U-Zip front loading makes it easy to access the main compartment Front loading with a U-Zip makes it easy to access the main compartment
Reasons NOT to buy:
- It is difficult to open and close the hip belt pockets
- There are two extra haul loops in the front of the bag (top and bottom) so you can quickly move the bag while the front access is open.
It’s great for camping and traveling
Jack Wolfskin Highland Trail 55
Are you looking for a reasonable yet stylish hiking backpack to carry around town and take on a weekend getaway? The Jack Wolf Skin Highland Trail 55 Backpack might be just what you’re looking for.
With a reputation for making quality gear for both the great outdoors and urban life, Jack Wolfskin has carved a name for itself as an innovator in cross-over products.
A nylon backpack is promised that can be used both in the city and in the wilderness.
A segment of casual outdoor enthusiasts has found this 2-in-1 performance deal quite compelling.
This Jack Wolfskin backpack was put to the test to confirm these expectations.
Here’s our verdict.
Specs & Features
- Material: 300D Polyester (Base), 280D Cross Rip Polyamide (Body), Polyester Lining, DWR Coating, YKK Zippers
- Volume: : 55 Liters + Expandable 5 Liters
- Dimension: : 14.96” x 12.6” x 32.28”
- Weight: : 4.85 lbs.
- Colors: Black (Phantom)
Reason to buy - Stylish design is perfect for outdoor adventures as well as urban excursions
One of the best openings is the clamshell
Front zipped pocket provides secure storage for items you need nearby
A spacious compartment for sleeping bags
On top, you can add another 5 liters
Reasons NOT to buy:
- There is a lack of breathable airflow in the back padding system.
- There are no criss-cross bungee strings or a mesh pocket on the front for wet items
Technical, Comfort Pack
Gregory Paragon 58
Gregory is a brand typically associated with more serious outdoor activities. They tend to have more technical features and a higher price tag, but that’s precisely why more experienced hikers and campers choose better gear.
Gregory’s 58 Liter Paragon 58 was created to show off its quality. This pack is designed for men’s bodies to handle serious weight over technically challenging terrain.
It offers a proprietary suspension system that makes the Paragon a hiking backpack that enhances the journey and makes camping in the wilderness more comfortable. In fact, the design aspects of the bag organization, including the side-loading, are impressive.
As we stepped and scrambled over diverse landscapes, we tested the Paragon to see how well it fit on our backs and how well it held up to the elements. Read our review for more information.
Specs & Features
- Material:: Nylon Body (100D, 210D), Nylon Base (420D), Recycled Polyester Lining (135) and LifeSpan EVA foam (70D).
- Volume: : 58 Liters
- Dimensions: : 23.62” x 14.17” x 9.06”
- Weight: : 3.47 lbs.
- Colors:: Burnt Olive, Graphite Blue
Reasons to buy:
The main compartment can be accessed quickly through sideloading
Multiple lash points for additional gear
Lightweight
A good amount of airflow in the back
Two-way right bottle holder for easy snatching
Reasons NOT to buy:
- It’s hard to open and close hip pockets
- It can be a bit challenging to adjust load lifters
- The left water bottle holster should also have side access
- Tear resistance is low
Great Budget Pack
TETON Sports Scout 3400 Backpack
Would you like to try out the backpacking lifestyle without breaking the bank? The TETON Sports Scout 3400 Backpack may be just what you are looking for.
TETON’s 55-liter large backpack provides all the essentials for a travel/hiking bag: plenty of storage, some organization, good comfort, and durability.
You may find the TETON Sports Scout 3400 appealing if you have a limited budget but still need a backpack. It will be a great companion for your once-a-year hiking trip, or for a weekend getaway.
Do you think it’s even worth it, or would it be better to invest in a better-quality backpack?
Here’s our honest assessment of what the TETON Sports Scout 3400 Backpack does and what it can’t do, compared with other backpacks.
Specs & Features
- Materials: Polyester Oxford Canvas and 600D Diamond Ripstop Nylon
- Volume: 55 Liters + Expandable 5 Liters
- Dimensions: 30” x 17” x 12”
- Weight: 4.5 lbs.
- Colors: Black, Orange, Burnt Orange, Huckleberry, Mecca Orange, Olive, Tan
- Reason to buy
Built-in hydration sleeve makes it easy to carry
There is enough comfort offered by the internal frame and harness system
Extra large side pockets with zippers
Front bungee straps allow you to store items
It saves time with the integrated rain cover
Reasons NOT to buy:
- There are no pockets on the hip belts
- Tall water bottles cannot fit it
- It feels cheap when you zip up
- A small compartment is provided for sleeping bags
- It is not possible to stretch the mesh pocket on the front
What to Look for in an ideal Hiking Backpack
It’s not uncommon for people to start trekking backcountry early in life. If they are born into a wilderness-loving family, it’s likely they’ve been canoeing and camping on weekends. There are many uses for hiking backpacks in a wide range of activities. In essence, they’re suitcases with utility clips and pockets. Also, they come with hydration pack sleeves, hiking pole loops, etc.
Technical Hiking Trips
For technical trips in the mountains, for example, you’ll want a lightweight pack that complements the movements of your body, such as the Gregory Zulu 55. Keeping your clothing and food supplies organized for easy access is a great feature of this pack. It’s not too big, but just big enough to fit your essentials like a sleeping bag and sleeping pad. The Highland Trail 55 from Jack Wolfskin is similarly sized, less technical, but more affordable, and can be used with packing cubes.
Long Hikes
While Osprey backpacks are always awesome, they come with a price tag that tends to frighten some infrequent hikers off. For longer treks and more capacity, you can’t go wrong with the Aether 65 or the Deuter AirContact Lite 65+10. When a product performs as well as lasts as long as Osprey packs, we think it’s always going to be a reasonable investment, but there are definitely alternatives that won’t cost you as much.
This is similar to the Deuter aforementioned, with its floating lid and amazing suspension.
Day Hikes
In terms of capacity, a day pack can hold between 10 and 45 liters. It can also be used for shorter treks or in conjunction with some of the bags reviewed here.
Also, the Teton Scout was a premium bag during the 1980s. It looks like one from that time and functions just as well as the best from that time. At a quarter the price of the most expensive packs, they do the job without any fancy features. Buying the Teton Scout preserves some budget space for other gear items, even though we’d prefer the Zulu or Highland Trail, which both hold 55 liters.
1. Are hiking backpacks waterproof? If not, how to make a backpack waterproof?
Although most hiking backpacks are designed with water-resistant membranes, not all of them meet the definition of waterproof. Nonetheless, nylon and polyester materials that are often used for their manufacture do prevent your backpack from becoming logged with water. Additionally, they keep your hiking backpack’s weight steady by preventing water from soaking through.
Rain Cover
To make sure your hiking backpack is capable of withstanding harsh weather conditions, you should take a few precautions. You can protect your backpack from the elements by placing a rain cover over it. Often, you’ll find one in the bottom pocket of your backpack.
Because of a rain cover’s thin construction and the possibility of it getting snagged on foliage and ripping, you have limited access to your belongings.
Lining
Alternatively, you may want to line your backpack’s interior with a plastic bag or a liner that fits well. If your backpack gets wet, a heavy-duty liner will keep your things dry and safe. If you choose a plastic bag/liner that is larger than your backpack, you will have more material to work with when tucking the corners and closing the bag.
Zip Lock Bags
Last but not least, you can make use of zip-lock bags and dry sacks. You will need quite a few of these if you have a lot of things to protect from water, but the practice proves to be very helpful. Electronic gear that requires dry storage requires zip locks, so you should use them when packing.
