From short summer day walks to long multi-day backpacking treks, a reliable backpack is a hiking essential. But where do you even start when it comes to picking one? Below is a selection of the best backpack brands we recommend from our many years of testing at LFTO.
It’s surprising how much gear even a short hike requires. If you’re heading into the wilds away from civilisation, you’re going to need to carry some key kit. Particularly in the UK where, even in summer, you can never be entirely sure what the weather is going to do.
Waterproofs, warm layers, water, food, navigation kit – even just the essentials will require something other than your pockets to carry them in. This is where a backpack comes into play, and while first-time hikers may well make use of an old sports pack or school bag, there are real advantages in making use of a pack designed specifically for hiking.
Depending on the type of outdoor trip you're planning, you'll need a backpack that will suit your specific needs for that adventure. From simple day packs to backpacking gear haulers, or from winter mountaineering packs to fully waterproof rucksacks, the choice can be bamboozling.
What are the best backpack brands of 2024?
Fortunately, there’s no shortage of excellent rucksack brands available in gear shops. In fact, the biggest challenge can be knowing where to start. To help you out, we’ve selected 15 backpack brands that our team has tried, tested, abused and reviewed over many years, and are confident can be relied on to reliably carry your kit in comfort.
Osprey
This Californian brand is perhaps the most popular hiking rucksack brand IN THE WORLD! Of course, that’s just based on the sheer number of their Talon and Tempest packs you’ll see out and about in the UK hills, but it’s certainly fair to say that there’s a lot of love for Osprey, and it’s easy to see why.
With their AirScape, AirSpeed and AntiGravity back systems, Osprey packs are among the most comfortable you can carry, from the smallest day pack to the mightiest backpacking load carrier. They’re also some of the most versatile packs, offering a multitude of storage and stowage options. Whether it’s a rucksack for fast and light day hikes in the UK hills, or a highly technical pack capable of performing in the toughest environments, Osprey will have something that fits the bill.
Our pick of the range: Osprey Tempest 30
Berghaus
A mainstay of the UK hiking scene, Berghaus was formed in the North East of England in 1966, choosing a Germanic sounding name to compete with the European brands that were leading the way at the time.
The first Berghaus rucksacks with external frames and basic single compartments were launched in 1970, followed two years later in 1972 by the Cyclops rucksack – arguably the world's first rucksack with an internal frame.
Berghaus has continued to develop and innovate, creating rucksacks for everything from daily commutes to epic backpacking trips, with their trekking focussed backpacks including models for casual day hikers and hardcore mountaineers alike.
Our pick of the range: Berghaus Arrow Rucksac 30
Decathlon
Huge in Europe, and with an increasing presence in the UK, French company Decathlon is not only the largest sporting goods retailer in the world, but also produces a vast range of their own sports and outdoor equipment.
For the hiking, camping and trekking market, it’s their Quechua and Forclaz brands that are most relevant. Spend time in any French city and you’ll spot Quechua rucksacks everywhere, and almost as many of them on Europe’s hiking trails. The Forclaz label tends to be attached to more technical packs, but both brands have one thing in common: they offer incredible value.
Our pick of the range: Quechua Mountain hiking backpack 40L
Patagonia
The Patagonia name has become synonymous with environmental responsibility. Their rucksack range might not be as expansive as some of the other brands mentioned here, but there are some key models that have made Patagonia packs the first choice for many hikers. Specifically, although designed primarily for climbing, Patagonia’s Ascensionist pack offers all the attributes that fans of streamlined technical packs will appreciate, with the added advantage of knowing it’s been produced in an ethical and sustainable manner.
Our pick of the range: Patagonia Ascensionist Pack 35L
Deuter
Founded in 1898 in Augsburg, Deuter has over a century and a quarter of rucksack making experience. In the early 1900s they provided the Bavarian Royal Mail with post sacks and mail bags. In 1910 they began manufacturing backpacks and other equipment for the military. In 1968 Deuter created the first nylon backpack series on the market – a fabric that would go on to become the number one backpack material.
They’ve become renowned as a producer of technical and tough rucksacks, capable of carrying almost any load over almost any terrain. Over the years it’s been the go-to choice for many a mountain expedition, with their packs a common sight in the Alps, Himalaya, and more of the world’s most challenging environments.
Our pick of the range: Deuter Guide
Exped
Switzerland has a reputation for producing high-quality products that function flawlessly. Exped is no exception. Founded in 1983 as a distributor of many iconic brands, Exped began producing its own equipment. Following the ohne schnickschnack (Swiss for ‘no frills’) principal, Exped’s products are devoid of the extraneous faff often found on outdoor gear.
And nowhere is this more evident than on their range of packs. Tough yet streamlined, they’re for hikers, trekkers and climbers who just want a rucksack that will carry their kit efficiently with minimum fuss and maximum efficiency.
Our pick of the range: Exped Impulse 20
Fjällräven
Hailing from the small town of Örnsköldsvik in Sweden, Fjällräven has transcended the divide between outdoor equipment and everyday lifestyle gear. Indeed, their iconic Kånken backpack has become a mainstay for trendsetters and influencers, and Fjällräven’s arctic fox badge can be seen as often in boutique fashion stores as it is in outdoor gear shops.
However, their dedicated hiking packs remain among some of the best money can buy. In true Swedish style, they tend to focus on simplicity and practicality, using natural materials such as canvas and wood in some of their backpack designs. Their rucksack range also includes technical performers that can be relied upon to transport loads of all sizes safely and comfortably. Plus, Fjällräven’s green credentials are second to none, and everything they do is with the utmost respect for the environment.
Our pick of the range: Fjällräven Kajka 35
Gregory Packs
Designed in their headquarters in Salt Lake City, USA, Gregory Packs are a growing, if not common, sight in the UK hills. And they deserve their blossoming reputation. They’re a pack brand, pure and simple, and their philosophy that ‘great packs should be worn not carried’ drives them to create the most comfortable and most reliable packs possible.
Through cutting-edge technology and forward-thinking backpack design, it’s a goal they’re managing to achieve. Recently, Gregory Packs have led the way in designing rucksacks for plus sizes, ensuring that every body can take advantage of their enormously comfortable load-carrying solutions.
Our pick of the range: Gregory Packs Stout Plus 45
Lowe Alpine
One of the best-known rucksack brands, Lowe Alpine was founded in Utah in 1972 by brothers (and noted mountain climbers) Mike, Greg, and Jeff Lowe. In actual fact, Greg Lowe created his first rucksack with internal resin laminate stays – the Expedition Pack – in 1967, five years before Lowe Alpine officially came into existence. Nearly 60 years later, although Lowe Alpine have dabbled with other outdoor equipment such as clothing in the intervening decades, it’s packs that were and remain its key focus.
Lowe Alpine have made rucksacks for all purposes – hiking, trekking, backpacking, climbing and more – all immaculately designed and solidly built. In 2011 Lowe Alpine was acquired by Equip Outdoor Technologies Limited, the parent company of UK brand Rab, and in recent years Rab have begun to produce their own packs (see Rab below). But Lowe Alpine is still the name you’ll find on some of the most reliable backpacking, trekking, and hiking rucksacks in outdoor shops across the UK.
Our pick of the range: Lowe Alpine Sirac 65L
Rab
Rab have not always played in the rucksack arena – previously they were primarily a clothing and sleeping bag brand. But the acquisition of Lowe Alpine (see above) in 2011 by Rab’s parent company, Equip, meant they gained access to a wealth of rucksack design and production experience. However, it’s only in recent years that the Rab name has begun appearing on packs.
So how does this work alongside Lowe Alpine? For now, Rab’s rucksack offerings are focussing on ‘fast and vertical’ activities – running, climbing, and cycling. But many of these more technical packs are ideally suited to adventurous hiking; their climbers’ rucksacks make excellent winter gear carriers, while their streamlined runners’ packs are ideally suited to fast and light summer hikes.
Our pick of the range: Rab Ascendor 35:40L Mountain Pack
Mammut
Another brand with a Swiss pedigree, rucksacks are just a part of what Mammut do. But despite this their range is expansive, with packs designed for hiking, mountaineering, climbing, running and skiing, as well as everyday use.
Unsurprisingly it’s their hiking and mountaineering ranges which have found most favour in the UK, with the Trion packs being particularly well received for their ability to perform as both a day hiker and a laden down winter pack. Mammut’s is a technical collection of rucksacks featuring the most modern technology and cutting-edge designs, while still retaining the streamlined efficiency that’s the mark of Swiss-made kit.
Our pick of the range: Mammut Trion Spine 50
Montane
Montane has become synonymous with lightweight and breathable clothing and equipment. Further faster is their motto, and this is the approach they’ve taken to their rucksacks too. It’s clear to see the trail running, fast and light DNA in all of Montane’s packs; in the way they look and the way they fit. But even slower hikers will appreciate the benefits of a streamlined, lightweight, and highly comfortable pack.
While there’s not much in Montane’s pack range for multi-day backpacking trips, hikers looking for a pack for single day trips – summer, winter, or all season – will be spoiled for choice.
Our pick of the range: Montane Trailblazer 25L
Salewa
There really should be more Salewa gear on display in the UK hills, but despite producing a whole range of superb clothing and equipment, this Dolomites based brand is not as common a sight as many others listed here. But quantity isn’t a measure of quality, and Salewa’s packs – particularly their MountainTrainer, Alp Mate and Ortles rucksacks – are superbly designed, brilliantly functional, and darned good looking. They tend to be on the more technical side of things, but if that’s your bag (no pun intended) the chances are you’ll be a big fan of the Salewa packs.
Our pick of the range: Salewa Ortles Guide 45
Sierra Designs
A relatively new name in the UK (although they’ve been kicking about in the States since the 1960s), Sierra Designs have established themselves as a rucksack brand to be reckoned with through their development of some rather unusual packs with clever designs and funky names.
The first to make waves was the Flex Capacitor (a wonderful nod to Back to the Future), and expandable pack that, unlike other designs, could be expanded outwards, rather than up, making it more convenient to pack, use and carry. Flex Capacitors were available in 25-40 litre and 40-60 litre capacities, but the range has now been expanded to include the massive gear gobbling Flex Capacitor 60-80 litre pack, along with some new expanding designs – the Flex Hike 20-30 and the Flex Trail 40-60. Sierra Designs also offer some more typical backpacks, but it’s the Flex series that has really made hikers sit up and take notice.
Our pick of the range: Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor 40-60
Vango
There’s a reason why you’ll often see rookie hikers and Duke of Edinburgh participants carrying Vango packs – they’re superb value, offering a lot of performance for comparatively low prices. But there’s also a reason why you’ll see many a battered and well-travelled Vango pack being carried on the shoulders of trail-hardened veteran hikers – Vango gear is built tough.
While they may lack some of the technical bells and whistles of other (and significantly more expensive) packs, Vango rucksacks are good, honest, dependable packs that can be relied on to carry loads from day hike essentials to multi-day backpacking gear in all weathers.
Our pick of the range: Vango Denali Pro 60:70
How we picked the best backpack brands
Ben Weeks is Trail magazine’s gear editor and has been testing kit for LFTO for more than 10 years. Along with walking, scrambling, backpacking and wild camping, Ben loves gnarly Scottish climbing winter routes so is a master at putting outdoor kit through its paces on every type of terrain, in every type of weather. Basically, what he doesn’t know about backpacks isn’t worth knowing.