Last Updated on July 26, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Choosing a hiking backpack is easier when you start with the trip, not the pack. Think about how long you will hike, the weather and terrain, the gear you must carry, and the heaviest load you expect. Then choose a capacity that fits that gear and a suspension system that fits your torso and hips.
Quick Answer
Pick a hiking backpack by matching its capacity to your longest typical trip, then fitting it to your torso length and hip circumference, not your height. A 10–35-liter daypack suits most day hikes, 30–50 liters works for many 1–3-night trips, and 50–80 liters covers most multiday trips. Test it with realistic weight before buying.
Key Takeaways
- Choose capacity from your actual gear list, trip length, season, and water needs.
- Measure torso length and hip circumference; height and clothing size do not determine pack fit.
- Try the pack with a realistic load and walk in it for at least 10–15 minutes.
- Match the frame and suspension to the heaviest load you expect to carry.
- Treat most hiking packs as water-resistant, not waterproof; protect critical gear with a liner or dry bags.
- Prioritize fit and load comfort before pockets, color, brand, or extra features.
At a Glance
| Time Required | 30–60 minutes to measure, compare, load, and test |
| Difficulty | Easy, but a second person helps with torso measurement |
| Tools Needed | Flexible tape measure and your planned gear or a 10–20 lb test load |
| Cost | No cost to measure and test; backpack prices vary by size, materials, and suspension |
Start With Your Hiking Needs
The right hiking backpack depends on what you do most often. A short walk on a maintained trail requires less space and support than a full-day mountain hike, a winter outing, or a multiday backpacking trip. Before comparing packs, write down the gear you would carry on your longest typical trip.
- Trip duration: A few hours, a full day, one to three nights, or several days.
- Terrain: Smooth trails, steep climbs, scrambling, snow, brush, or off-trail travel.
- Weather and season: Hot weather may require more water, while cold or wet trips require bulkier layers and rain protection.
- Special gear: Camera equipment, bear canister, climbing tools, child gear, snowshoes, or a large shelter.
- Water availability: Dry routes may require several liters of water, which quickly increases both weight and required volume.
The National Park Service recommends carrying the Ten Essentials and adding trip-specific equipment based on location, weather, and duration. A pack that barely holds snacks and a jacket may be too small once navigation, first aid, insulation, illumination, food, water, and emergency supplies are included.
Pro Tip: Choose for the activity you do about 75% of the time. A pack that fits your normal trips well is usually better than an oversized model chosen for one rare outing.
Types of Hiking Backpacks
Hiking backpacks fall into several broad groups. The names overlap between brands, so focus on capacity, load support, and intended use rather than the label alone.
Daypacks
Daypacks are made for multi-hour outings rather than multiday travel. They may range from very small hydration packs to 40-liter models for winter hiking, climbing, family gear, or long days. Smaller daypacks are light and simple, while larger models often add a frame, hipbelt, load lifters, and more organization.
Weekend or Overnight Packs
Packs around 30–50 liters often work for one to three nights when your shelter, sleep system, cooking gear, and clothing are reasonably compact. Lightweight backpackers may use the lower end of this range, while beginners or cold-weather hikers may need more space.
Multiday and Extended-Trip Packs
Packs around 50–80 liters are common for three- to five-night trips. Packs of 70 liters or more may be useful for longer trips, winter equipment, bulky food carries, or shared family gear. A larger bag is not automatically more comfortable; it can encourage overpacking and may feel unstable when only partly filled.
Activity-Specific Packs
Trail-running, climbing, ski, photography, and child-carrier packs use different shapes and attachment systems. A climbing pack may be narrow and abrasion-resistant, while a trail-running pack sits close to the body to reduce bounce. Choose an activity-specific design only when those features solve a real need.
Considerations for Size and Capacity
Backpack capacity is measured in liters, but trip length is only a starting point. Your gear volume, season, body size, water carry, and packing style can move you up or down a category. The most reliable method is to gather the gear you plan to carry and check whether it fits without forcing zippers or hanging many items outside.
| Capacity | Typical Use | What to Watch For |
|---|---|---|
| 10 L or less | Running, short walks, or very light hikes | Limited room for layers, emergency gear, and extra water |
| 11–20 L | Short day hikes in mild conditions | Confirm the Ten Essentials and required water still fit |
| 21–35 L | Most full-day hikes | A useful range for food, layers, rain gear, and small extras |
| 36–40 L | Winter days, technical gear, family loads, or minimalist overnights | Avoid filling spare space with unnecessary items |
| 30–50 L | Many one- to three-night trips | Compact gear is important near the lower end |
| 50–80 L | Most three- to five-night backpacking trips | Check the pack’s recommended load range, not volume alone |
| 70 L or more | Extended, winter, expedition, or family trips | More volume adds pack weight and can encourage overpacking |
These ranges intentionally overlap. For example, a compact 40-liter pack may handle a warm-weather overnight, while a winter day hike may require the same volume because insulated clothing is bulky. REI’s current daypack guide describes 21–35 liters as the practical sweet spot for many hiking daypacks, while its backpacking guide places many one- to three-night packs in the 30–50-liter range.
Note: Capacity does not tell you how much weight a pack can carry comfortably. Check the manufacturer’s recommended load range and choose a suspension designed for your heaviest expected load.
Fit and Comfort
Fit is the most important part of choosing a hiking backpack. A poorly fitted pack can rub, pull backward, concentrate pressure on the shoulders, or create numbness and hot spots. Pack size is based mainly on torso length and hip circumference, not overall height or shirt size.
How to Measure Torso Length
- Tilt your head forward and find the bony bump at the base of your neck. This is the C7 vertebra.
- Place your hands on top of your hip bones, with your thumbs pointing toward your spine. Imagine a horizontal line between your thumbs.
- Stand straight while another person measures from the C7 vertebra down the spine to that imaginary line.
- Compare the measurement with the size chart for the exact pack model. Size ranges vary by brand and model.
How to Measure Hip Size
Wrap a flexible tape around the top of your hip bones at the iliac crest. This point is usually higher than the waistband of your pants. Confirm that the hipbelt can tighten securely without running out of adjustment and that the padded sections wrap far enough around your hips.
How to Adjust a Loaded Backpack
- Place 10–20 lb of gear in the pack, or use the realistic weight you expect to carry.
- Loosen the hipbelt, shoulder straps, load lifters, and sternum strap.
- Put on the pack and center the hipbelt over the top of your hip bones.
- Tighten the hipbelt until it is secure but not pinching.
- Tighten the shoulder straps down and back until they follow your shoulders without carrying all the load.
- Snug the load lifters so the upper pack moves closer to your body. Do not overtighten them.
- Fasten the sternum strap at a comfortable mid-chest height and tighten only enough to stabilize the shoulder straps.
- Walk, climb stairs, bend, and reach for at least 10–15 minutes. Recheck pressure points after the load settles.
| Fit Check | Good Sign | Possible Problem |
|---|---|---|
| Hipbelt | Centered over the hip bones and carries most of the load | Slides down, tops out, pinches, or leaves too little padded coverage |
| Shoulder straps | Wrap smoothly around the shoulders with no large gap | Gap above the shoulders or excessive wrap down the back |
| Load lifters | Pull the top of the pack closer without lifting the shoulder straps | No useful angle, straps go flat, or pack still pulls backward |
| Movement | Pack stays stable without blocking arm or head movement | Swaying, bouncing, rubbing, or contact with the back of the head |
| Comfort | Firm, even pressure with no hot spots | Sharp pain, tingling, numbness, or concentrated pressure |
Some people fit best in women-specific, extended-size, youth, or adjustable-torso models, but the label matters less than the actual harness shape and size range. Try different designs if the shoulder straps rub the neck or chest, the hipbelt does not wrap correctly, or the torso adjustment falls between settings.
Warning: Stop and readjust if a loaded pack causes numbness, tingling, sharp pain, or loss of circulation. When crossing deep or fast-moving water, unclip the hipbelt and sternum strap and loosen the shoulder straps so the pack is less likely to trap you if you fall.
Features and Accessories
Features should make your normal trips easier, not simply make the product look more advanced. Every pocket, zipper, divider, and accessory adds some weight and can create another failure point.
- Hydration compatibility: A sleeve and hose port hold a water reservoir, which is usually sold separately. Bottle users should confirm that side pockets are reachable while wearing the pack.
- Hipbelt pockets: Useful for snacks, sunscreen, lip balm, a small camera, or other items needed while walking.
- Front stretch pocket: Good for a wet rain jacket, map, sandals, or a layer you need quickly.
- Compression straps: Reduce shifting and stabilize a partly filled pack.
- Tool attachments: Trekking-pole loops, ice-axe loops, daisy chains, and reinforced patches are useful only when they match your activity.
- Multiple access points: Panel, side, or bottom access can make packed gear easier to reach but may add weight and more zippers.
- Rain cover: Helpful in steady rain, although it does not make the pack fully waterproof.
- Reflective details: May improve visibility near roads or in low light, but they do not replace a headlamp or other safety lighting.
Check whether a full water bottle fits securely, whether trekking poles can be attached without hitting your arms, and whether pockets remain usable after the main compartment is packed. A feature is valuable only when it works under a real load.
Frame Types and Load Support
Frameless Packs
Frameless packs are light, flexible, and easy to compress, but they provide limited structure. They work best with light, compact loads and careful packing. A heavy or lumpy load may push into your back or pull on your shoulders.
Internal-Frame Packs
Most modern hiking and backpacking packs use an internal frame, framesheet, stays, or a combination of these. The suspension keeps the load stable and helps transfer weight toward the hips. This is the most versatile choice for normal hiking and backpacking.
External-Frame Packs
External-frame packs hold the bag away from the body and can carry bulky or irregular equipment well. They may offer strong ventilation and easy lash points, but they are less common and can feel wide or top-heavy on rough trails.
The best capacity is the smallest one that safely holds your required gear, while the best suspension is the one that carries your heaviest expected load without pain or instability.
Material and Durability
Choosing the Right Fabric
Most hiking backpacks use nylon, polyester, or branded technical fabrics. Nylon is common where low weight and strength matter, while polyester can offer good value and resistance to sunlight. Ripstop construction uses reinforcing yarns in a grid to improve tear resistance, but it does not make fabric puncture-proof.
Fabric weight is often listed in denier. A higher denier can indicate thicker yarn, but denier alone does not prove that one pack is tougher than another. Fiber type, weave, coating, reinforcement, and sewing quality also matter. Look for heavier or reinforced fabric on the bottom and other high-wear areas if you hike around rock, brush, or climbing equipment.
Quality of Zippers and Seams
Inspect the zipper tracks, pulls, buckles, stitching, and bar-tacked stress points. Seams should be even, with no loose threads or gaps. Open and close every zipper while the pack is loaded because a zipper that works when empty may bind when the bag is full.
Long-Term Savings
A durable pack may cost more upfront, but useful life depends on more than fabric. Consider repair service, replacement buckles, warranty terms, and whether the manufacturer supports older models. Clean dirt and salt after trips, dry the pack fully before storage, and follow the manufacturer’s care instructions rather than machine-washing unless the label allows it.
Weather Resistance
Most hiking backpacks are water-resistant rather than waterproof. Even when the fabric has a waterproof coating, untreated seams, zipper openings, pockets, and the back panel can allow water inside during prolonged rain. A rain cover protects much of the exterior, but wind can lift it and water may still reach the harness side of the pack.
For reliable protection, line the main compartment with a waterproof pack liner and place critical items such as a sleeping bag, insulation, electronics, and spare clothing in dry bags or sealed bags. For paddling, canyoneering, or repeated immersion, use a purpose-built waterproof dry pack with sealed or welded seams and a suitable closure.
Note: “Water-resistant zipper” does not mean the whole backpack is waterproof. Judge the complete construction, including seams and closure design.
Organization and Accessibility
A well-organized pack lets you reach safety gear, water, food, and layers without unpacking everything. However, more compartments are not always better. Too many pockets add weight and can make small items harder to remember.
Match Access to How You Pack
- Top-loading: Simple, light, and easy to compress. Put rarely used items at the bottom.
- Panel-loading: Opens like a suitcase and gives broad access, which is convenient for day hiking and travel.
- Side or bottom access: Helps reach buried gear without emptying the main compartment.
- Roll-top: Offers flexible volume and a simple closure, though small items can be harder to find.
Pack for Balance
Place bulky, light camp gear near the bottom. Put dense, heavy items in the core close to your back, then use clothing to fill gaps and stop movement. Keep rain gear, first aid, a headlamp, navigation tools, snacks, and water treatment near the top or in accessible pockets. Balance water and other heavy items from side to side, tighten compression straps, and avoid hanging many loose items outside where they can snag.
How to Test a Backpack Before Buying
- Build a gear list: Include the Ten Essentials, water, food, clothing, and trip-specific equipment.
- Choose a capacity range: Use the longest typical trip and bulkiest season, not the shortest outing.
- Check the load rating: Confirm that the suspension is designed for your likely maximum load.
- Measure your torso and hips: Use the exact size chart for each model.
- Load the pack: Use your real gear or store weights placed in the same zones you would use on the trail.
- Adjust in order: Hipbelt, shoulder straps, load lifters, then sternum strap.
- Move naturally: Walk, use stairs, bend, turn, and reach overhead for at least 10–15 minutes.
- Check access: Reach water, snacks, poles, and frequently used pockets while wearing the pack.
- Compare at least two models: Small differences in harness shape can matter more than the feature list.
Pro Tip: Wear the clothing you normally hike in during the test. A hipbelt or shoulder harness can feel different over a thin summer shirt than over winter layers.
Budget and Value
Set a budget after deciding the required capacity, fit range, and suspension. A cheaper pack that does not fit is poor value, while the most expensive pack may include features you will never use. Compare the complete package: pack weight, load comfort, materials, included rain cover, adjustable components, warranty, repair options, and return policy.
Used packs can provide good value if the frame is straight, foam still has resilience, coatings are not peeling, buckles and zippers work, and the harness fits you. Test a used pack with weight just as carefully as a new one.
Brand and Reputation
Long-established outdoor brands such as Osprey, Deuter, Gregory, and The North Face offer many hiking packs, but brand reputation should not replace model-level evaluation. Fit, load rating, size availability, repair support, and the design of a specific pack matter more than the logo.
Newer or lesser-known brands may offer strong value, but check whether they publish torso ranges, recommended load information, material details, warranty terms, and replacement-part support. Read reviews for recurring fit or durability patterns, while remembering that another person’s body shape and gear load may differ from yours.
Safety and Packing Basics
A backpack is part of your safety system because it must carry the equipment needed for changing weather, delays, navigation problems, and minor injuries. Do not choose such a small pack that essential equipment has to be left behind. The National Park Service’s Ten Essentials cover navigation, sun protection, insulation, illumination, first aid, fire, repair tools, food, hydration, and emergency shelter.
Check the route, weather, water sources, trail alerts, and local rules before leaving. Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return. The correct backpack cannot make up for missing skills, an unrealistic itinerary, or inadequate food, water, clothing, and emergency preparation.
Final Tips for Choosing the Right Hiking Backpack
- Start with the gear you need to carry, then choose capacity.
- Measure torso length and hips for every brand’s size chart.
- Test the pack with realistic weight instead of trying it empty.
- Prioritize a stable hipbelt and comfortable harness over extra pockets.
- Check the manufacturer’s load range and make sure the frame matches your use.
- Use a pack liner or dry bags when important gear must stay dry.
- Choose enough room for safety essentials, but avoid unnecessary spare volume.
- Compare model-level fit, warranty, repair support, and return options before buying.
Advice from an experienced pack fitter can be useful, especially if standard harnesses rub your neck or chest, the hipbelt does not wrap correctly, or you fall between torso sizes. The best hiking backpack is not the one with the longest feature list. It is the one that holds your required gear, fits your body, and remains stable and comfortable under the load you will actually carry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I consider when picking a hiking backpack?
Consider your longest typical trip, gear volume, season, terrain, water needs, expected load, torso length, hip circumference, frame support, weather protection, access, and budget. Fit and loaded comfort should come before brand or extra features.
What is the ideal capacity for a hiking backpack?
Many short day hikes fit in 10–20 liters, while 21–35 liters is a useful range for most full-day hikes. Packs around 30–50 liters often suit one to three nights, and 50–80 liters suits many multiday trips. Your actual gear and season matter more than the trip label.
How should a hiking backpack fit?
The hipbelt should sit over the top of your hip bones and carry most of the load. Shoulder straps should follow your shoulders without a large gap, and the pack should stay close and stable without pinching, rubbing, numbness, or restricted movement.
How do I measure my torso for a backpack?
Measure from the C7 vertebra at the base of your neck down the spine to an imaginary horizontal line across the top of your hip bones. Compare that number with the torso range for the exact model and size.
What features should I look for in a hiking backpack?
Useful features may include a supportive hipbelt, adjustable torso, load lifters, sternum strap, hydration sleeve, reachable bottle pockets, compression straps, rain cover, hipbelt pockets, and attachment points for the gear you actually use.
Are hiking backpacks waterproof?
Most are not fully waterproof because water can enter through seams, zippers, openings, or the back panel. Use a rain cover for exterior protection and a waterproof liner or dry bags for equipment that must stay dry.
How can I check the durability of a hiking backpack?
Inspect fabric in high-wear areas, reinforced stitching, zipper movement, buckles, frame components, and stress-point bar tacks. Also check the warranty, repair program, replacement-part support, and care instructions.
Should I buy a larger backpack just in case?
Usually not. Extra space can encourage overpacking, while a mostly empty pack may shift or collapse. Choose the smallest capacity that safely holds the gear for your longest typical trip, with a little room for food, water, and seasonal changes.
Sources
- REI Co-op: How to Choose Daypacks — current daypack capacity, fit, access, frame, and feature guidance.
- REI Co-op: How to Choose a Backpack — weekend, multiday, and extended-trip capacity ranges and backpack features.
- REI Co-op: How to Size and Fit a Backpack — torso measurement, hip measurement, and adjustment sequence.
- Osprey: Backpack Size and Fit Guide — loaded fitting process and hipbelt, shoulder, and load-lifter adjustment.
- REI Co-op: Backpacking in the Rain — limits of pack fabric, seams, zippers, rain covers, liners, and dry bags.
- U.S. National Park Service: Ten Essentials — minimum safety systems to carry and adapt to the trip.