Going hiking means bringing certain essential items. Whether you're heading out for the day or a multi-day trek, you'll need to carry varying amounts of gear, food or clothing. You therefore need to choose a pack suited to your activity, your needs and the length of your trip. To help you, we've put together a selection and offer our advice on choosing the best hiking backpacks.
Contents:
- The best packs for day hikes
- The best packs for a two-to-four-day hiking trip with nights in a mountain hut
- The best hiking backpacks for a trek
Selection of the best hiking backpacks
The best packs for day hikes:
DEUTER SPEED LITE 17
For fans of minimalism and speed, the Deuter Speed Lite 17 is an essential reference. This model is built entirely around extreme lightness and a V-shaped ergonomics that guarantees total freedom of movement for the arms and torso. Its ventilated back system ensures excellent moisture evacuation, even during the most intense efforts in the height of summer.
Despite its compact 17-liter format, it remains highly functional thanks to its expandable side pockets and hydration system compatibility. It's the ideal ally for dynamic day hikes where every gram counts.
Osprey Syncro 20
If you're looking for a pack that can keep up with you on hiking trails as well as mountain biking, the Osprey Syncro 20 is the ultimate multi-sport choice. Its defining feature is the AirSpeed™ suspension system: a tensioned mesh back panel that creates a genuine ventilation channel between your back and the pack, ideal for intense effort in warm conditions.
Compact but cleverly organised, it integrates details that make the difference, such as the LidLock™ helmet attachment and an integrated high-visibility rain cover. Its streamlined profile ensures remarkable stability, preventing uncomfortable bouncing on technical sections or fast descents. It's the ideal versatile pack for those who love mixing activities without switching gear.
Osprey Hikelite 26
Designed specifically for day trips, the Osprey Hikelite 26 is one of the best hiking backpacks. Its standout feature is its suspended mesh back panel. It keeps your back dry in warm weather and during intense effort. With 26 liters of capacity, you can fit in a protective jacket, a snack and even keep your valuables secure. The side pockets also let you carry two one-litre water bottles.
For bad weather, a waterproof cover is built into the pack. Finally, the Osprey Hikelite gives you perfect stability thanks to its featherweight build, numerous straps and removable hip belt.
For a two-to-four-day hiking trip with nights in a mountain hut:
Osprey Stratos and Sirrus 36
Ideal for ultralight multi-day hikes, the Osprey Stratos / Sirrus 36 is made from 100% recycled materials and approved by Bluesign®. The comfort of this backpack is highlighted by an AirSpeed® suspension system, straps and belts in ventilated EVA foam.
Storage is made easy by a top-loading design and a fixed lid. Finally, practical details such as a safety whistle on the chest strap and reflective points help improve safety.
Osprey Exos 38
A true icon in the world of ultralight hiking, the Osprey Exos 38 pulls off the feat of delivering ultra-comfortable carry at a featherweight (barely over a kilo). Its secret weapon is the AirSpeed™ suspension system: a tensioned mesh that keeps the pack away from your back for record ventilation, while ensuring exemplary load distribution.
For the gram-counters, it features a removable top lid: you can take it off to shed even more weight, while keeping your gear protected thanks to the integrated FlapJacket™ cover. Despite its streamlined profile, it makes no compromises on technical features, with ice axe attachment points and removable compression straps. It's the go-to pack for fast-packers and hikers covering long distances with optimised kit.
Osprey Talon 44
The Osprey Talon 44 is the ultimate companion for those who hike intensively, whether for two or three-day outings or longer raids in ultra-lightweight mode. Its reputation rests on its injection-moulded and cut-foam AirScape™ back system, which delivers exceptional stability while staying close to the body, following every movement without creating friction points.
With rare versatility, it offers smart features such as the Stow-on-the-Go™ pole attachment system (allowing you to stow poles without removing the pack) and expandable side pockets for quick access to small gear. Built with high-tenacity recycled materials certified bluesign®, it's a backpack that combines durability, lightness and technical performance for hikers who refuse to compromise.
Osprey Kestrel 48
The Osprey Kestrel 48 is one of the best hiking backpacks for multi-day outings. It is highly regarded by hikers looking for maximum comfort and robustness with a large storage capacity. It handles heavy loads with ease while delivering great comfort thanks to its adjustable and ventilated AirScape™ foam suspension system.
With 48 liters, the pack features plenty of easy-access storage options and a sleeping bag sleeve with divider. It is made from recycled nylon, certified Bluesign®.
The best hiking backpacks for a trek:
Osprey Aether 55 / Ariel 55
For those aiming for total self-sufficiency over multiple days, the Osprey Aether 55 (men's) and Ariel 55 (women's) stand as an unmissable backpacking reference. This pack is designed to stabilise heavy loads with effortless ease, thanks to its injection-moulded AirScape™ back panel, which keeps the load close to the body while ensuring effective ventilation.
Its great strength lies in its incredible modularity: the hip belt and straps allow a millimetre-precise fit to your body shape. On the organisation front, the large "J"-zip front opening is a real highlight, giving direct access to the heart of the pack without having to empty everything. Built-to-last and durable, it's the ideal companion for committed treks and remote expeditions.
Ferrino Transalp 60
Designed for long hikes and adventure travel, the Ferrino Transalp 60 is another strong option. This backpack is comfortable, functional and offers great value for money. It features an ergonomic back system and a wealth of pockets. You benefit from dual access to the main compartment, an integrated hydration system and plenty of storage.
You can stow your gear in the hood, the side pockets, front pockets, at the waist or in security compartments. Your accessories also find their place thanks to two pole holders and additional removable straps.
Deuter Voyager 65+10 / Voyager 60+10 SL
The Deuter Voyager is the ultimate companion for adventurers who don't want to choose between trekking and long-haul travel. A true backpacking reference, it stands out for its incredible versatility. Its Contact carry system with spring-steel frame ensures perfect load distribution, letting you carry large volumes with maximum stability on the trail.
Its standout feature is its integrated 10-liter daypack (a detachable day bag), ideal for urban exploration or keeping your valuables close during transfers. On the practical side, its large front opening gives access to the contents just like a suitcase, so you never have to unpack everything to find a pair of socks. Supplied with a carry bag that protects the straps in the hold and doubles as a rain cover, this is the go-to choice for round-the-world travellers who want peace of mind.
Tips for choosing your hiking backpack
Volume
If you're looking for how to choose your hiking backpack, you should first know that volume is the primary criterion. This refers to the storage capacity of the backpack, expressed in liters. To make your choice, your activity, its intensity, its duration, the season, the weather and your personal needs can all guide you.
The duration of your hike is one indicator that can help you make your choice among the hiking backpacks available. We recommend:
- Day hiking: 10 to 35 liters
- Short hiking trip, two to three nights: 25 to 40 liters
- Multi-day hiking, between three and seven nights: 40 to 70 liters
- Trekking of more than seven nights: over 60 liters.
Comfort
The comfort of a hiking backpack is greatly influenced by its carry system. Indeed, the weight rests largely on the hips and shoulders of the wearer. It is therefore important to prioritise an innovative system, starting with the frame. A tensioned mesh is ideal for breathability on short hikes, on easy terrain, with light loads. A padded foam back is better suited to long hikes and carrying heavier loads, but is less breathable. Finally, a suspended tensioned mesh combines both comfort and breathability.
Beyond the frame, other elements help you adjust your hiking backpack properly. The chest strap keeps the straps in place and distributes the load across the shoulders. The load lifter strap lets you fine-tune the carry and position it at collarbone level. The hip belt, for its part, helps prevent back pain. You should also look at the various straps and fasteners offered on packs to choose the one that best suits your needs and activities.
In all cases, the best hiking backpacks must be tailored to your body shape. For women, it is therefore advisable to look at dedicated models, whose back dimensions are adapted to the torso. These models also feature cut-away straps to avoid restricting the chest.
Weight
Finally, the weight of your hiking backpack is another important parameter to factor in. As a general rule, hikers are advised to carry a backpack that does not exceed 15% of their body weight. Regular athletes in good shape can, however, "overload" their pack up to 20%.
When buying your hiking backpack, you can therefore pay attention to the weight of the pack itself, which is one of the heaviest items in your kit. Be careful, however, not to prioritise weight over the carry system. Above all, it must be suited to your body shape to allow you to pursue your activity safely.
Finally, other features such as the rain cover, hydration system compatibility, secure pockets, sleeping bag or shoe compartments can also guide your choice. By taking all these criteria into account, you should be able to choose the best hiking backpacks.
