Best Hiking Backpacks | Top Picks and Reviews at ConsumerSearch

Best hiking backpack

*Est. $270 Compare Prices

Reviews say this award-winning backpack from a top brand is comfortable, durable and versatile. It's sized for both weekend hikes and longer trips, and testers and owners say it's easy to adjust for comfort. Reviews also… expandpraise its pivot suspension and excellent ventilation. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Backpacker Magazine: This backpacking magazine tests more backpacks than any other publication and puts dozens of models through rigorous field testing.

REI.com: The Gregory Baltoro 70 is one of the top-rated backpacks on REI.com.

Trailspace.com: About a dozen hikers rate and review the Gregory Baltoro 70 backpack at Trailspace.com.

Long-Distance Hiking: Lessons from the Appalachian Trail: A survey of 136 through-hikers on the Appalachian Trail ranks Gregory the most satisfactory brand of backpack and notes the brand's low repair rate.

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Buy from
Amazon

for $269.00

Budget backpack

Teton Sports Wilderness 55

*Est. $75 Compare Prices

Owners say this basic camping backpack is a good buy despite some mixed reviews for durability. It has plenty of pockets plus a sleeping bag compartment and a built-in rain cover. At 3,500 cubic inches, it's smaller than… expandthe 4,000-cubic-inch size most often recommended, but it's still large enough for most weekend trips, especially for warm-weather camping. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Amazon.com: About two dozen owners review the Teton Sports internal-frame backpack.

AssociatedContent.com: This owner-written review indicates that the Teton Sports Wilderness 55 is an excellent value for the price.

TravelGearBlog.com: The Teton Sports Wilderness 55 is one of five inexpensive backpacks recommended in this review of backpacks that can be used as luggage.

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Amazon

for $99.99

Best women's backpack

Osprey Ariel 65

*Est. $240 Compare Prices

For shorter trips and lighter loads, experts say most women probably don't need a female-specific design. But for heavier loads or for small-framed women, a gender-specific design may be more comfortable. This Osprey… expandbackpack lacks the pivoting suspension of the also highly rated Gregory Deva 60, but it weighs nearly a pound less. Heat-moldable foam padding plus good airflow make it especially comfortable, and it's sized for both weekend and longer trips (4,000 cubic inches). collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Backpacker Magazine: Backpacker magazine puts dozens of backpacks through rigorous field testing.

REI.com: Nearly two dozen users give the Osprey Ariel 65 near-perfect ratings, making it one of the top-ranked women's backpacks on this site.

BackpackGearTest.org: The three reviews of the Osprey Ariel on this site are much more detailed than most owner-written reviews.

Moosejaw.com: More than two dozen users review the Osprey Ariel 65 backpack here, giving it a near-perfect overall rating.

Trailspace.com: This detailed review covers the performance of the Osprey Ariel 65 on a mountaineering trip in Nepal.

Altrec.com: A few owner-written reviews of the Ariel 65 backpack give it high praise, especially for fit.

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Weekend backpack

Mountainsmith Treklight Eclipse 55

*Est. $200 Compare Prices

This top-rated smaller backpack has a pivoting hip belt with heat-moldable foam padding, plus good ventilation, making it especially comfortable and differentiating it from cheaper backpacks, say reviewers. With a… expandcapacity of 3,417 cubic inches, it works best for long weekend trips in warm weather. Two big side pockets and a zippered top pocket add convenience. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Backpacker Magazine: This backpacking magazine tests more backpacks than any other publication.

BackpackGearTest.org: The Mountainsmith backpack reviewed here is a different model, but the praise for the quality of its construction applies to similar backpacks from the same brand.

Lightweight Backpacking and Camping: This book makes recommendations for hikers interested in trying ultralight backpacking.

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Buy from Amazon for
Backcountry- .com for $179.95	Altrec.com for $179.95	Moosejaw.co- m for $179.95

Lightweight backpack

Mountain Laurel Designs Prophet

*Est. $130 Learn More

Called a "super-ultralight backpack," this pack weighs only six ounces. Yet it's rated for loads up to 20 pounds plenty for ultralight backpacking or a warm summer weekend. Because it's made of very lightweight fabric,… expandhowever, it won't stand up to snagging brush and branches as well as heavier backpacks, and it doesn't have as many zippered pockets or compartments for gear. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

BackpackingLight.com: This detailed single-product review accompanies a comparison review of ultralight backpacks that is based on thorough tests.

TGO: TGO magazine is a U.K.-based publication devoted to backpacking.

Lightweight Backpacking and Camping: This book is aimed at people who want to try ultralight backpacking.

$180 at Mountain Laurel Designs


	Granite Gear Vapor Trail 3600 Average Customer Review:


	Osprey Talon 44 Mountaineering Backpack Average Customer Review:

Hiking Backpacks: Reviews