Going hiking means bringing certain essential items. Whether you're heading out for a day or embarking on a multi-day trek, you'll need to carry varying amounts of gear, food and clothing. You therefore need to choose a pack suited to your activity, your needs and the duration of your trip. To help, 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 a must-have reference. This model is all about extreme lightness and a V-shaped ergonomic design that guarantees complete freedom of movement for the arms and torso. Its ventilated back system ensures excellent moisture evacuation, even during the most intense summer efforts.
Despite its compact 17-litre size, it remains highly functional thanks to its stretchy side pockets and compatibility with hydration systems. It’s an ideal choice for fast-paced 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 bike rides, the Osprey Syncro 20 is the ultimate multi-sport choice. Its standout feature is its AirSpeed™ suspension system: a tensioned mesh back panel that creates a genuine ventilation gap between your back and the pack, ideal for intense efforts in hot weather.
Compact yet cleverly organised, it integrates details that make all the difference, such as the LidLock™ helmet attachment and an integrated high-visibility rain cover. Its streamlined profile ensures remarkable stability, preventing unwanted movement on technical sections or fast descents. It's the ideal all-round pack for those who love mixing up activities without changing kit.
Osprey Hikelite 26
Designed specifically for day outings, the Osprey Hikelite 26 is one of the best hiking backpacks. Its key feature is its suspended mesh back panel. It keeps your back dry in warm weather and during intense efforts alike. With its 26 litres, you can fit in a protective jacket, a packed lunch and even keep your valuables secure. The side pockets also allow you to carry two one-litre water bottles.
For bad weather, a waterproof cover is integrated into the pack. Finally, the Osprey Hikelite provides excellent stability thanks to its featherweight design, 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 is Bluesign® approved. Its AirSpeed® suspension system, shoulder straps and ventilated EVA foam hip belt are designed for comfort.
Storage is made easier by a top-loading design and fixed lid. Finally, practical details such as an emergency whistle on the chest strap and reflective elements help to 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 load-carrying at a featherweight (barely over one kilogram). Its secret weapon is its AirSpeed™ suspension system: a tensioned mesh that keeps the pack away from your back for record ventilation, while ensuring exemplary load distribution.
For the weight-obsessed, it features a removable top lid: you can strip it off for an even lighter setup, while keeping your gear protected thanks to the integrated FlapJacket™ cover. Despite its stripped-back profile, it sacrifices nothing on the technical side, with ice axe attachment points and removable compression straps. This is the go-to pack for fast-packers and long-distance hikers travelling with a refined kit.
Osprey Talon 44
The Osprey Talon 44 is the ultimate companion for those who practice hiking intensively, whether for two- or three-day outings or longer raids in ultra-light mode. Its reputation rests on its AirScape™ back panel in injection-moulded cut foam, which offers exceptional stability while staying close to the body, following every movement without creating pressure 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 extendable side pockets for quick access to small gear. Made with high-tenacity recycled materials certified bluesign®, this is a backpack that combines durability, lightness and technical performance for walkers who refuse to compromise.
Osprey Kestrel 48
The Osprey Kestrel 48 is one of the best hiking packs for multi-day outings. It is highly regarded by hikers looking for maximum comfort and robustness with a large storage capacity. Indeed, it handles heavy loads with ease while ensuring outstanding comfort thanks to its adjustable and ventilated AirScape™ foam suspension system.
With its 48 litres, the pack features numerous easily accessible storage options and a sleeping bag compartment with a 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 several days, the Osprey Aether 55 (men's) and Ariel 55 (women's) duo stands 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 greatest strength lies in its incredible modularity: the hip belt and shoulder straps allow millimetre-precise adjustment to your body shape. On the organisation front, the large zip-around "J"-opening on the front is a real highlight, giving direct access to the heart of the pack without having to empty everything out. Built-to-last and durable, it's the ideal long-haul companion for committed treks and distant expeditions.
Ferrino Transalp 60
Designed for long hikes and adventure travel, the Ferrino Transalp 60 is another option worth considering. This backpack is comfortable, functional and good value for money. It has an ergonomic back panel and plenty of pockets. You also get two ways to access the main compartment, an integrated hydration system and ample storage.
You can stow your gear in the lid, side pockets, front pockets, on the hip belt or in secure 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 carrying system with spring steel frame ensures perfect load distribution, allowing you to carry large volumes with maximum stability on the trail.
Its standout feature is its integrated daypack (detachable 10-litre companion bag), ideal for city 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 travel cover that protects the straps in the hold and doubles as a rain cover, it's the ultimate peace-of-mind choice for round-the-world trips.
Tips for choosing your hiking backpack
The volume
If you’re looking into how to choose a hiking backpack, start with its capacity. This is how much the backpack can hold, measured in litres. Your activity, its intensity and duration, the season, the weather and your personal needs will all help you decide.
The length of your hiking trip can help you choose from the hiking backpacks available. We recommend:
- Day hiking: 10 to 35 litres
- Short hiking trip, between two and three nights: 25 to 40 litres
- Hiking over several days, between three and seven nights: 40 to 70 litres
- Trekking of more than seven nights: more than 60 litres.
Comfort
The comfort of a hiking backpack is greatly influenced by its carrying 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 back is ideal for breathability on short hiking trips, on easy terrain, with light loads. A padded foam back is more suitable for 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 shoulder straps in place and distributes the load across the shoulders. The load lifter strap allows you to fine-tune the carry position and align it with your collarbones. The hip belt, for its part, helps prevent back pain. You should also look at the various straps and attachments available on packs to choose the one that best matches your needs and activities.
Whatever you choose, the best hiking backpacks should fit your body shape. For women, we recommend dedicated models with back lengths suited to the torso. These models also have shaped shoulder straps that don’t press against the chest. For men, explore our men’s hiking backpacks.
Weight
Finally, the weight of your hiking backpack is another important factor. As a rule, hikers are advised to keep their loaded backpack under 15% of their body weight. Experienced, regular hikers can carry up to 20%.
When buying a hiking backpack, consider the weight of the pack itself, as it’s one of the heaviest pieces of kit you’ll carry. But don’t prioritise low weight over the carrying system. Above all, it needs to fit your body shape so you can hike safely.
Finally, other features such as the protective cover, hydration system compatibility, secure pockets, sleeping bag or shoe compartments can also guide your decision. Taking all these criteria into account, you should be well-placed to choose the best hiking backpacks.
