12 Best Hiking Backpacks for Every Outdoor Adventure
Every hiker knows that in planning any outdoor adventure, strategizing on gear can be half the battle. Sure, you have that pre-trip run-through down pat: water bottle, check; sun protection, check; bug spray, check. But the perfect bag to carry it all in? Getting that right can take a little more perfecting over time. To help you find the best backpack for your next hiking trip—whether you're headed on a half-day excursion in a nearby state park, or a two-week trek through the Andes—we tapped the outdoorsy folks in our world to tell us which bags they love most.
If you're stocking up for a one-off adventure or want to start slow by comparison shopping our picks, there's a cost-conscious option for you, too. Insta-famous drag queen and outdoors advocate Pattie Gonia suggests going for a rental. "Instead of buying new, there are so many ways to be an environmental queen by thrifting a bag or renting one. REI offers so many fantastic rental options, for day backpacks and bigger backpacking options, and will help fit you to one, just like a ski boot, for the perfect match."
If you're ready to gear up, find the best hiking backpacks out there for every level of hiker, from day bags and parent-friendly packs to multi-day workhorses, below.
REI Co-Op Flash 18-Liter
This light, frameless day pack is a favorite of The Venture Out Project's director of operations Travis Clough. "It's so packable that it can fit in your pocket when it's empty. This backpack can literally go anywhere," says Clough, who has taken it on day hikes, cross-country skiing trips, to the 48 high peaks in New Hampshire, and even uses it to hold six-packs on summer afternoon bike rides to a friend's house. "I've had mine for years and it's still going strong," he says.
Cotopaxi Luzon del Dia, 18-Liter
You don't have to be outdoorsy to love this Cotopaxi bag, says Traveler's articles director Stephanie Wu. You don't even have to reserve it for hiking trips. "My Cotopaxi backpack has become my go-to for any type of adventurous trip. It's incredibly lightweight, and was clearly designed by people who love to travel. There's a compartment for my water bottle on the side, and an off-center zipper on the front that is great for when you need to reach for your passport or phone, and only want to take your backpack off one shoulder,' she says. Plus, every backpack is different—they're made out of leftover bits of fabric, so the colors and zipper liners are unique from one bag to the next.
Deuter Speedlite, 22-Liter
Hiking with kids doesn't just mean an extra person to keep an eye on—it means doubling up on gear as well. Shanti Hodges, the founder of Hike It Baby, swears by the Deuter Speedlite 22-liter. "I use this as my go-to for day hikes, because I am often carrying a lot if I have my 6-year-old in tow. This means water for both of us, snacks and lunch, potentially extra clothing, and a first aid kit. This pack is light, but still has a lot of padding in the shoulders so I get the support I need. This bag has been through all kinds of weather with me as well and it always stays dry inside, which is really important if you are hiking in the Pacific Northwest like I am.'
The North Face Chimera Backpack, 24-Liter
"In general, my non-negotiables for any hiking pack include a hip belt, hydration sleeve, and padded back. The Chimera delivers on all three," says Sarah Knapp, the founder of Mappy Hour and OffMetro. This backpack also gets bonus points for its smart cinching system, which makes it easy to compress the pack without taking it off, and its quick-dry fabric, which is especially convenient if you're headed somewhere rainy or humid.
Arc'teryx Brize Backpack, 25-Liter
For a crossover pack that works as hard in the city as it does on the trails, Shelma Jun, the founder of female hiking collective Flash Foxy, loves the Brize backpack from Arc'teryx. "This bag is the perfect size for day hikes. It has really comfortable straps, and stretchy mesh pockets on each side for water bottles or easy-to-grab snacks. A big top pocket also makes chapstick, keys, and sunglasses easily accessible. I also love the black version for running around the city—I can just hop on my bike, headed for the office, with all of my climbing gym stuff packed in," she says. (Editor's note: Jun is sponsored by Arc'teryx.)
F-Stop Lotus Backpack, 32-Liter
If you're trekking with your photography gear, this bag will get you and your tripod wherever you need to go. "The F-Stop Lotus is the best adventure camera pack for day hikes and one night trips," says blogger Liz Carlson, the founder of Young Adventuress. "It’s a bit smaller than their normal Tilopa, which is really designed for those with broader shoulders. With the Lotus, you can also attach plenty of gear to the outside, from a tripod to a sleeping bag to a snowboard (seriously)." F-Stop also sells a system of padded compartments for your cameras and lenses, so you can customize the interior of the bag based on your existing gear.
