12 Best Hiking Backpacks for Every Outdoor Adventure-2
Patagonia Black Hole MLC, 45-Liter
For those that need a bigger travel bag that just as smoothly transitions from city jaunts to camping excursions, spanning weekend to week-long trips, Patagonia's convertible model is an easy favorite. "I just got the Patagonia Black Hole MLC pack and I'm already obsessed—I had trouble finding a midsize pack I loved before this one," says Faith E. Briggs, a documentary filmmaker and an ambassador for Brown Folks Fishing. "I love Patagonia in general because they are the most thoroughly sustainable outdoor company: They repair everything, so whenever I buy from them I feel like I have a lifetime guarantee, which justifies the price." The ultra-durable waterproof body, made from recycled materials, also fits most carry-on requirements and fits easily on the handles of your rolling luggage as it does slung over your shoulder, or strapped on your back on a backcountry trek. Talk about multitasking.
Deuter AirContact Lite, 45-Liter
"I've been a faithful Deuter user ever since first getting measured and matched to their Aircontact Lite 45 + 10 SL for my first backpacking trip," says Nicole Brown, the founder of Women Who Hike. "The Aircontact Lite is built tough, but lightweight and comfortable enough to carry everything you would need for a multi-day backpacking trip or travel excursion." The pack's comfortable hip belt has dual pockets and a detachable lid that can be transformed into a daypack. Plus, you can easily adjust the back length (so you can customize shorten or lengthen the bag based on your height).
Osprey Ariel, 55-Liter
"I love the 55-liter Osprey Ariel pack. This pack is designed for women (or anyone with narrower shoulders) which means a more comfortable, chafe-free fit. Even better? The pockets on the belt clip are the perfect size for a phone," Carlson says. Part of the backpack can also be zipped off and used as a handy day pack, perfect for side trips in the middle of longer journeys.
Granite Gear Blaze, 60-Liter
Perry Cohen, the founder of The Venture Out Project, started using this bag in 2019 and can't imagine switching to anything else. "This is the only all-gender pack I've found in this size or quality, and it's fully adjustable to fit many different body types. It's ultralight, but doesn't compromise comfort or capacity," he says. A side zip lets you access your gear without unpacking everything from the top and the top of the pack (or, as some hikers call it, "the brain"), unclips and combines with the detachable hip belt to create a fanny pack for short day hikes.
Arc'teryx Bora Backpack, 61-Liter
Heading out on a multi-day hike that requires a boatload of gear? Jun relies on this waterproof 61-liter pack from Arc'teryx. "It's big enough to carry camping supplies and climbing equipment for several days. And, it has smart compartments, like an easy access zippered front area, for a light jacket or snacks, a side zipper that gives mid-hike access to the large storage area, and several interior zippered pockets for stowing away valuables (like keys) that you don't want to accidentally fall out whilst grabbing other stuff," Jun says. An adjustable shoulder strap system also makes it easy to find the right fit for your body and there are two size options: regular and tall.
Mountain Hardwear South Col, 70-Liter
"My heavy hitter for trekking is a Mountain Hardwear 70-liter called the South Col," says Briggs. "I've gone to Iceland, Alaska, and the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Colombia together, and I had no discomfort with this pack because of the nice, wide hip straps. Having multiple pockets, a waterproof coating, and internal membrane also makes it versatile when you have a week of gear, your tent ,and sleeping bag on you, in any season." This bag is no joke—even Everest climbers have sworn by it as the key to getting them from basecamp to peak, thanks to its durability and easy compression system.
