Best backpacking backpacks for 2024 | Tested and reviewed

The Paragon (or women’s Maven) is a versatile trekking pack with modern styling and a full complement of features. You name it, this pack has it. Floating lid with inner and outer pockets? Check. Roomy main compartment with drawcord collar? Of course. Separate bottom compartment with removable divider? Naturally. Practical side, front and hip belt pockets? All present and correct. Hydration compatibility? Tick. Adjustable, padded harness? Yes indeed. Top, side and bottom compression? Yup.

And if all that’s not enough, you also get some useful added extras, like a side zip for quick access to the main compartment, extending hip fins with pull-out padding, a raincover and even sunglasses stowage on the shoulder strap.

The pack itself is built around a perimeter wire frame that flares at the base for better load transfer to the hips. The back panel consists of 3D foam with several cut-outs for improved airflow, overlaid with mesh. On test, the back ventilation was good if not exactly outstanding. But the pack carries really well and is very comfortable, aided by a Freefloat system that allows the hip belt to flex with your body.

It also feels well-built from decently durable fabrics. At 1.6kg, it’s a mid-range choice – not featherlight but no heavyweight either. And in terms of features, overall design and carrying comfort, it really is a paragon of packs.

Check out the women's version here

If you’re looking to save weight on your next long walk but aren’t quite sold on a minimalist or fully frameless pack, the Aircontact Ultra is a great option. It has a good volume-to-weight ratio but doesn’t sacrifice too many features or carrying comfort.

It’s a classic top-loading design with a floating lid and plenty of external pockets, plus a padded mesh back panel with lumbar support and a wide hip belt. It is braced with a perimeter wire frame and plastic framesheet, providing rigidity and structure. Deuter claims this design ‘traces the curvature of the spine and hips, allowing a 70 per cent load transfer to the hip belt’. That’s just as well, since the shoulder straps aren’t the plushest. But they still have a bit of padding and are nicely sculpted.

The harness also moves with your torso rather than feeling like it’s pulling against you. For loads up to about 12kg, it carries well. The main compartment is easy to load, with zigzag side compression straps to cinch in the load.

Main body fabrics are tough, though the stretch-mesh front and side pockets seem vulnerable to snags. But for beating the averages on longer trails like the Pennine Way or the Coast-to-Coast, this streamlined pack would be an agile companion.

Check out the women's version here

This is a trimmed version of Osprey’s much-loved Atmos AG pack (or Aura for women). It’s 400g lighter, despite being built just as tough. Fabrics are seriously durable but fully recycled, bluesign-approved and PFC-free.

That weight has mainly been saved by eliminating extras like the front zipped pockets, one of the side zips and the bottom compartment. We don’t really miss any of that stuff and we prefer the LT’s cleaner look. It’s just as functional too, retaining practical features like dual access to the main compartment and reach-around side pockets. And the key design elements that people really love about the Atmos and Aura are still here, like the comfortable, airy and supportive ‘Anti-Gravity’ back system, the plush harness and the hip-hugging, wraparound belt.

It all delivers class-leading load transfer and cool, airy back ventilation. Extending hip fins ensure optimum carrying comfort, as do the contoured and cushioned shoulder straps. Obviously, there are still lots of lighter packs out there, but few that are as comfortable to carry or which will stand up so well over the long haul. Downsides? There’s no getting away from the fact that this isn’t a cheap pack, despite costing less than the standard Atmos AG.

Check out the women's version here

The Fjällräven Kajka trekking backpack stands as a testament to the brand's unwavering commitment to quality and functionality, despite its rise in outdoor fashion, and showcases the brand's dedication to leisurely, long-distance trekking.

Instead of a traditional aluminium frame, Fjällräven uses birch wood, which boasts a carbon footprint 90% lower than its aluminium counterparts. The use of wood, along with tough, chunky materials and components doesn't do much for weight saving though. At 2.9kg the 55-litre version we tested was at least 500g heavier than most of its rivals.

Despite its weight, the Kajka is brilliantly comfortable, especially with heavy loads. The generously padded back system prioritises comfort over ventilation, which comes back to the focus of trekking at an easy pace.

The other benefit of a heavy duty construction is true longevity. The Kajka is a pack you only need to buy once. That's a big plus point for sustainability too, in addition to the use of recycled materials and being PFC/PFAS-free.

Storage-wise, the Kajka offers ample space with a main compartment accessible via a top drawcord or a front U-shaped zip. Thoughtful features like hipbelt pockets and external side pockets enhance usability, while attachment points allow for more gear and additional accessories.

While its price tag may be eye-popping, the Kajka's performance, features, and longevity go a long way justifying the investment (it's an investment, not just a purchase) for those seeking a high-quality trekking companion. However, budget-conscious consumers can definitely find alternatives at lower price points.

Read our full Fjällräven Kajka 55 review

While bigger brands remain wedded to traditional backpack styles and designs, Atom Packs is a market disruptor with a far more cutting-edge, forward-thinking approach.

Giving a British twist to the US ‘thru-hiking’ movement, the Keswick-based cottage business makes ultralight, highly customisable backpacks with well-thought-out features, tailored sizing options, and a fine balance between weight, durability, comfort and structure.

The off-the-shelf Atom+ EP50 weighs just 675g. It delivers a close-to-the-body carrying experience that’s so comfy and light-touch you almost forget it’s on. Load transfer is good, courtesy of the removable carbon fibre hooped frame (55g) and foam pad (15g). The materials used (EcoPak EPX200, 210-denier Robic Extreema, Dyneema mesh and 500-denier textured nylon) feel tough enough for extended trail abuse, despite being light.

Our favourite features are the shoulder strap bottle pockets, on-the-move accessible side pockets, and huge stretchy stuff pockets.

However, the price is rather high and the ultralight construction isn’t suited to heavier loads over 13.5kg. Some will prefer more stiffness and structure to the back system. Ventilation isn’t particularly strong either. Small batch production also means you may experience wait times for your order to be dispatched.

Vango is one of the outdoor brands many new hikers and campers turn to because of the well made, functional gear it offers at a decent price.

Its Sherpa 60:70 Rucksack is no exception to that. We found it's a comfortable and practical backpack that is one you'll likely want to hang on to for the long run.

A lot of higher priced rucksacks are dripping in features, so the Sherpa 60:70's realitve simplicity is a plus for us, not a minus. It's got what you want (comfortable back system, detachable raincover, drawcord divider in the main compartment, front stash pocket, and accessory attachments, among others), and that's what matters.

It's also quite durable, being made from recycled 600D fabric, although more premium packs do offer a big benefit over the Sherpa, which is better back panel ventilation. You can find better eco credentials too.

The Terraframe is a serious pack. In fact, with its unique design and robust build, it’s more than a backpacking rucksack – this could be used as a full-on expedition pack.

Though the 50-litre capacity might not seem that impressive, especially given that the pack weighs over 2kg empty, it’s built to haul extremely heavy loads (up to 68kg, according to the brand). That’s because the external carbon fibre and composite frame can be separated from the main body, creating a gap that you can cram full of extra kit. Mystery Ranch calls this expanding capacity ‘overload’, and it is a game-changer if you’ve got an awkward or excessive load – as proved on test when we decided to lug a portable kayak up to one of Snowdonia’s highest lakes.

It would be just as handy if you decided to go adventuring with a pack raft or an inflatable SUP, or heck, a kitchen sink. As you’d expect, the back panel and harness are extremely well padded, ensuring excellent weight transfer and as much comfort as can be expected when hauling back-breaking loads. We also like several design elements of the pack itself, like the highly water-resistant zips, rugged fabrics and hardware, spacious side pockets, twin lid pockets and unusual three-way main zipper, which enables you to open the pack right out to access the contents quickly.

Arizona-based brand Near Zero takes a unique approach to its overnight pack design. Instead of aiming for the highly technical pack, The Dean 55L is unapologetically simplistic, but not in the sense of being stripped down and basic.

Rather, Near Zero has come up with a novel idea of compartmentalising the main internal compartment, even labelling the compartments so it's easier to pack your gear. The idea, Near Zero says, is to make it easier for keen but new hikers to pack properly for their backpacking adventures.

We've tried The Dean 55L and a Near Zero gear bundle and were mighty impressed with both. Sticking with the pack, it's a comfortable and breathable design, and sits quite close to your back so it' remains stable when the terrain isn't.

It's good value too (not cheap but good value) thanks to the combination of thoughtful, useable internal space, comfort, and quality.

Read our full Near Zero The Dean 55L Backpack review

Among a raft of competitors, this was the backpack of choice when one of our team embarked on a year-long overseas trip.

Why? Our tester Kate was amazed by the level of comfort the back system offered on the women's version, claiming she'd never been so comfortable with almost 70kg and 13kg on her back.

Kate also loved the thought and detail of the Travel 900 60+6L Backpack's features, which were plentiful but not cluttered. This included touches such as the detachable 6L top compartment that can be used as a daypack, the suitcase-style opening, and even the ergonomic drink bottle holder.

The Travel 900 60+6L Backpack also has a neat raincover that also doubles as a wraparound travel protector for the back. Kate thought this backpack is well made and durable, and that for just over £100, this was an absolute bargain.

Check out the men's version here

Read our full Forclaz Women's Travel 900 60+6L Backpack review

As its name suggests, this pack has all the features of a classic trekking pack in a slim, alpine-style design. It looks and carries more like a technical mountaineering pack, with a stable, close-to-the-body feel.

Internal framing comes from twin alloy stays, which provide plenty of rigidity while also giving this pack a sleeker profile compared to most big perimeter-framed rucksacks. As such, it would be our top pick for multi-day treks across more technical and demanding terrain. Salewa’s innovative Dry Back system also provides more ventilation than you’d expect from its close-fitting design, with numerous channels and cut-outs in the lumbar region and upper back for improved airflow. Similarly, the split shoulder straps feel cool yet snug, as do the contoured hip fins.

When it comes to features, you get a spacious main compartment with a double drawcord collar, internal hydration sleeve and side access, a zippered lower compartment, removable front stash pocket, two side stretch pockets, detachable floating lid (with inner and outer zipped pockets), side, bottom and top compression webbing, ice axe and trekking pole attachments and daisy chain webbing. So, there’s little not to like, though minor niggles include the weight (it’s comparatively heavy), side pockets (which aren’t accessible on-the-go) and the small bottom compartment (not suitable for bulkier sleeping bags).

Check out the women's version here

The Lightning is a minimalist pack with a lidless, roll-top design. But it has well-padded shoulder straps, a cushioned lumbar pad and a chunky hip belt. A central aluminium bar and horizontal stay form a sturdy T-shaped frame. There’s no back panel – in fact, there’s very little material against your back at all, delivering good ventilation. The latest version of the pack is noticeably tougher and more weatherproof than the older model, with a stronger frame and improved harness too.

Features remain simple and straightforward: a roomy main compartment with a hanging sleeve for a hydration reservoir and an external zipped top pocket, plus twin stretch side pockets and zipped hip belt pockets. Zigzag compression straps help stabilise your load or can be used to lash extra gear to the pack. They can also be removed for a cleaner, streamlined look.

The sliding back system is a little fiddly but has a wide range of adjustments (hint: pull down the Velcro lumbar pad, which then gives access to a hidden buckle). When set up correctly, it’s a capable gear-hauler, though it takes some getting used to and needs careful loading to stop anything digging into your back. As such, it will best suit well-organised hikers, especially since the lack of a lid, bottom compartment or front pocket means most of your kit will need to go in the main compartment.

Check out the women's version here

Grangers' effective and eco-friendly care kit for outdoor gear such as packs and tents. The cleaner is self-explanatory, but the Tent And Gear Repel UV revitalises equipment's water-repellent coating and adds some UV protection. The kit even comes with a sponge to help apply the cleaner solution. The Cleaner and Repel are available to buy individually too.

Nikwax's gear care kit is just as good as the Grangers kit and also water-based and PFC-free. SolarWash and SolarProof are available to buy individually.