10 Best Backpacking Backpacks In 2020
How you tote your gear when backpacking can make all the difference between an enjoyable and miserable expedition. With the best backpacking backpacks that fit your body and distribute the load weight well, you can trek or hike comfortably for days on end wearing all your essentials on your back. Whether you’re looking for the perfect pack for thru-hiking of the Appalachian Trail, for a backcountry expedition or for international backpacking travel, we’ve got your back.
Below, we’ve reviewed our top ten favorite backpacks that are also some of the very best on the market. They excel in carrying comfort, organization, convenience and are sturdy and durable enough to accompany you on many adventures to come. Our buying guide takes you through selecting a backpacking pack that fits your body, suits your trip and holds up well.
Ready to get started? Let’s go.
Backpacking Backpack Reviews
Our Top Pick
★★★★★
SUMMARY:
Looking for a backpack that won't break your back or bank? This is exactly what the TETON Sports Explorer is! It is thoughtfully designed with the needs of a backpacker in mind. Any feature you need or want in your backpacking pack, the Explorer has it: great capacity, full adjustability, pockets and organization, carrying comfort, and durability. It even has an integrated waterproof rain cover. Price-wise, this pack is an incredible value. It is well made and packed with more features than bags 2 or 3 times more expensive have.
Storage and Organization
With a 4,000 cubic inches or (65 L) capacity, there is plenty of room to pack everything you will need for 2-5 day trips. If you utilize the attachment straps and pack light, it could be sufficient for week-long trips and longer. In spite of being an internal frame, the Explorer has an amazing organizational system.
With a 4,000 cubic inches or (65 L) capacity, there is plenty of room to pack everything you will need for 2-5 day trips. If you utilize the attachment straps and pack light, it could be sufficient for week-long trips and longer. In spite of being an internal frame, the Explorer has an amazing organizational system.
It features plenty of pockets, multiple compartments and attachment straps for strategic packing of items you need easy access to. It even has a sleeping bag compartment and a pouch for hydration bladders up to 3 liters. Pass through side pockets accommodate long and awkward gear such as poles.
Fit and Comfort
With full fit adjustability and a contoured internal frame, fit and carrying comfort are not issues with the Explorer. The pack suits men, women, and youth from 5 feet, 1 inch tall all the way to 6 feet, 4 inches tall. It is fully adjustable in the torso, waist, chest, and shoulders.
With full fit adjustability and a contoured internal frame, fit and carrying comfort are not issues with the Explorer. The pack suits men, women, and youth from 5 feet, 1 inch tall all the way to 6 feet, 4 inches tall. It is fully adjustable in the torso, waist, chest, and shoulders.
The frames and compression straps keep the load sturdy and balanced so that it doesn't shift around and ruin your balance. Padded shoulder straps, waist belt, and lumbar area ensure the pack feels comfortable on your back, shoulders, and waist. With molded channels and channeled back panel, ventilation is not an issue and you won't overheat or get uncomfortably sweaty.
Quality
The shell fabric is a 600D ripstop canvas that is rugged and weather resistant enough to go through rain, thorn bushes, and rugged terrain and still see years of adventuring. The two aluminum stays are sturdy and well placed. The zippers, pockets, pouches, and webbings are all great quality. The built-in yellow rainfly is durable and waterproof.
The shell fabric is a 600D ripstop canvas that is rugged and weather resistant enough to go through rain, thorn bushes, and rugged terrain and still see years of adventuring. The two aluminum stays are sturdy and well placed. The zippers, pockets, pouches, and webbings are all great quality. The built-in yellow rainfly is durable and waterproof.
The Explorer4000 Internal Frame Backpack
High Ranking Pack
Continues to be a top-selling internal frame backpack on Amazon at a great price for all the included features.
Beats Out Other Packs in its Class
This well built internal frame backpack has features you're used to seeing on most higher priced packs. You'll be surprised by the quality and added features including pass through side pockets for storing tent poles, etc. Hydration ready (bladder not included) up to 3-Liters.
5-Star Backpack
The high-quality Explorer4000 is loaded with features like a sleeping bag compartment, multi-directional compression straps, and multiple compartments and pockets for strategic packing.
What Makes This Backpacking Backpack Stand Out
Fully adjustable
Well padded and ventilated
Well thought out design and feature full
Well organized storage spaces
Rugged, durable and a great value
Sewn-in rainfly
Limited lifetime warranty
Top notch customer service
Capacity: 65 Liters/4,000 cubic inches
Torso Length Adjustment: 19″ – 23″ (48 – 58.4 cm)
Waist belt Adjustment: 28 – 70 inches
Dimensions: 32 by 18 by 12 inches (full capacity)
Pack weight: 5 lbs (2.3 kg)
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2. TETON Sports Scout 3400 Internal Frame Backpacking Backpack
SUMMARY:
Full adjustability
Optimal shape and size
Plenty of external storage options
Integrated rain cover
Fantastic price and value
Sturdy and durable
Limited lifetime warranty
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS
Capacity: 3400 cubic inches (55 L)
Torso Length Adjustment: 15″ – 19.5″ (38 – 49.5 cm)
Waist Belt Adjustment: 26 inch to 60 inch
Dimensions (filled): 30″ x 17″ x 12″ (76.2 x 43 x 30.5 cm)
Pack Weight (unfilled): 4.5 lbs (2 kg)
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What Makes This Backpacking Backpack Stand Out
Easy access organization
Comes with rain cover
Attractive color options
Low price and great value
Adjustable frame and sternum straps
Nicely padded and ventilated
Rugged and durable
Well padded and ventilated
Well thought out design and feature full
Well organized storage spaces
Rugged, durable and a great value
Sewn-in rainfly
Limited lifetime warranty
Top notch customer service
View More By TETON SPORTS »
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECSCapacity: 65 Liters/4,000 cubic inches
Torso Length Adjustment: 19″ – 23″ (48 – 58.4 cm)
Waist belt Adjustment: 28 – 70 inches
Dimensions: 32 by 18 by 12 inches (full capacity)
Pack weight: 5 lbs (2.3 kg)
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2. TETON Sports Scout 3400 Internal Frame Backpacking Backpack
★★★★★
This pack is also from TETON Sports but it has a smaller capacity than the Explorer. It is just the right size and volume for youth scouts, backpackers just starting out, ultralight backpackers and for avid backpackers who want a backup backpack for short overnight and weekend expeditions. It's compact and narrow shape makes it easy to squeeze through tight spots on the trail when mountaineering or exploring off the beaten trails. The size is also perfect for carry-on luggage when backpacking abroad.
Storage and Organization
The 3400 cubic inches or 55L capacity is sufficient for scouting, ultralight backpacking, and short weekend trips. This pack has sufficient room for everything you need for 2-4 day trips. In addition, there are multitudes of pockets, easily accessible compartments, bungee storage, a lot of spots to attach gear, and a sleeping bag compartment. An ultralight backpacker can go up to a week with this pack.
The 3400 cubic inches or 55L capacity is sufficient for scouting, ultralight backpacking, and short weekend trips. This pack has sufficient room for everything you need for 2-4 day trips. In addition, there are multitudes of pockets, easily accessible compartments, bungee storage, a lot of spots to attach gear, and a sleeping bag compartment. An ultralight backpacker can go up to a week with this pack.
Fit and Comfort
The Scout 3400 fits men, women, and youth of all shapes, sizes, and heights. With full adjustability, the fit is not something to worry about with this pack. You can adjust the torso, waist, chest, and shoulders to achieve the perfect fit.
The Scout 3400 fits men, women, and youth of all shapes, sizes, and heights. With full adjustability, the fit is not something to worry about with this pack. You can adjust the torso, waist, chest, and shoulders to achieve the perfect fit.
It's easy to put on and pretty comfortable, even when filled to the brim. This is because the internal frames keep the load sturdy and well balanced. The back panel and shoulder straps are well padded for comfort. While the pack will hug your body snugly, open-cell foam lumbar pad and molded channels ensure that your back can breathe.
Quality
The Scout 3400 is a nicely designed and well-made bag. Made with a 600D diamond ripstop and 600D Oxford canvas fabric, it endures the heavy strain and holds up well. The rainfly is easy to put on when it pours. When you factor in the price point and what this bag has to offer, this pack is hard to beat.
What Makes This Backpacking Backpack Stand OutQuality
The Scout 3400 is a nicely designed and well-made bag. Made with a 600D diamond ripstop and 600D Oxford canvas fabric, it endures the heavy strain and holds up well. The rainfly is easy to put on when it pours. When you factor in the price point and what this bag has to offer, this pack is hard to beat.
Full adjustability
Optimal shape and size
Plenty of external storage options
Integrated rain cover
Fantastic price and value
Sturdy and durable
Limited lifetime warranty
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS
Capacity: 3400 cubic inches (55 L)
Torso Length Adjustment: 15″ – 19.5″ (38 – 49.5 cm)
Waist Belt Adjustment: 26 inch to 60 inch
Dimensions (filled): 30″ x 17″ x 12″ (76.2 x 43 x 30.5 cm)
Pack Weight (unfilled): 4.5 lbs (2 kg)
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★★★★★
SUMMARY
Looking for an inexpensive pack that is also well designed and put together? You will love the quality, capacity, storage layout, low price, and color options of this internal frame backpack by Wasing. It is just the right size for weekend hikes, as a carry-on when backpacking abroad, ultralight backpacking and for beginners. The size is perfect for women, youth and men with a small frame. Its slim design makes it ideal for backcountry backpacking, mountain trekking, and climbing.
Storage and Organization
A 55L volume offers adequate packing space for weekends to multi-day trips. With all the external attachment points, multiple pockets, and gear loops, this bag can serve even longer trips. There is also a generously sized bladder sleeve. With an internal zippered divider, zippered access to the bottom compartment and plenty of pockets, organizing and accessing gear is easy.
A 55L volume offers adequate packing space for weekends to multi-day trips. With all the external attachment points, multiple pockets, and gear loops, this bag can serve even longer trips. There is also a generously sized bladder sleeve. With an internal zippered divider, zippered access to the bottom compartment and plenty of pockets, organizing and accessing gear is easy.
Fit and Comfort
Equipped with adjustable sternum straps and an internal frame bar, this backpack adjusts well to fit comfortably. It is well designed to keep the load comfortable on backpackers' backs. The aluminum stays and compression straps keep the load stable. The hip belt transfers weight to the hips.
Equipped with adjustable sternum straps and an internal frame bar, this backpack adjusts well to fit comfortably. It is well designed to keep the load comfortable on backpackers' backs. The aluminum stays and compression straps keep the load stable. The hip belt transfers weight to the hips.
The shoulder straps and hip belt are nicely padded and the elasticized sternum straps move with you making this bag comfortable to tote. Mesh covering on the shoulder straps, back panel and hip belt allow airflow keeping your back cool and dry.
Quality
Quality and durability are impressive given the price. This backpack is very well put together. The material is a ripstop polyester fabric that is rugged and water resistant. The buckles are lightweight and sturdy. Stitching and zippers are good. The attached rain fly keeps gear dry in persistent and torrential downpours.
Easy access organization
Comes with rain cover
Attractive color options
Low price and great value
Adjustable frame and sternum straps
Nicely padded and ventilated
Rugged and durable
View More By WASING »
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS
Capacity: 55L
Size: 27.1 by 12.5 by 9.8 inches
Weight: 2.9 pounds
90 Days Limited Warranty.
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★★★★★
See Customer Owner Feedback >>
SUMMARY:
Love the military style of this backpack by Mardingtop? Other things that will impress you include the high capacity, organization options, Molle webbing, and heavy-duty assault build. This tactical pack is built to last a lifetime and offers features only found in top-end brand bags at a reasonable price. You can use it for backpacking, hiking, climbing, camping, traveling, hunting, shooting, and other outdoor adventures.
Storage and Organization:
This 65L capacity backpack is large enough to haul a lot of gear for three days to week-long adventures depending on how you pack. Organization and attachment options include zip open main compartment, pockets, molle webbing, and a hydration compartment large enough to hold a 5-liter bladder. There is also a 65l+10 capacity option that comes with two removable side bags.
Fit and Comfort:
The internal frame keeps the pack shape intact and adds stability. The compression straps cinch down the load or condense it against a smaller load. The shoulder and waist straps fit nicely so the load weight is distributed well. Padding at the lower back and hips ensure carrying comfort. It even has chest straps to lighten the load.
Quality:This assault pack is rugged and durable. It is made of a tough water-resistant 600D polyester. Equipped with YKK zippers, YKK buckle fabric, double stitching, and strong straps and clips, this pack is built tough to endure the rigors of heavy backpacking usage in difficult conditions.
What Makes This Backpacking Backpack Stand Out
Molle webbing
Big capacity
Tactical military quality and style
Rugged and durable
Comes with rain cover
90 days limited warranty
View More By Mardingtop »
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS
Capacity: 65L, 65+10L also available
Dimensions: 11.4″*8.3″*33.4″ (29cm*21cm*85cm)
Pack Weight: 5.8lbs (2.635kg)
