The best hiking backpacks

In days of yore, a hiking backpack was an enormous double-decker of a rucksack, with a robust mild steel frame and canvas pockets for tea flasks. These things weighed a tonne, so we should count ourselves lucky that new materials accomplish the same thing at a fraction of the heft: welcome, then, to the best hiking backpacks for the modern adventurer. 

There are a lot of answers to ‘what is the best hiking rucksack?’ The biggest deciding factor is what kind of hike you’re planning. A casual stroll across the Downs on a summer weekend will see you with spare space in a 25 litre daysack, whereas wild camping in wintry Scotland will challenge you to fit everything into a 60 litre pack. However, there is a middle ground…

Very much in the alpine style of a hiking backpack, the Haglofs LIM Strive combines a lightweight design with clean lines and good load management. There’s even a nod to convenience with side pockets and pockets on the hipbelt. It’s also hydration system compatible. 

Particularly helpful is the ability to remove the frame and lid to strip weight right down (stock weight is a highly reasonable 1.14kg), while axe/pole attachments are simple loops and drawcords, which are easy to operate with gloves. 

The full length zip enables easy and fast access to that vital outdoors gadget that’s fallen to the bottom of the otherwise top-loading bag. At a total volume of 50 litres, this is big enough for most multi-day hikes.

The Arcteryx Bora rucksack has seen a few iterations, and if you spend any time outside you’ll see a few go by. This is because it is comfortable to wear—that massive hipbelt takes the strain of even big loads, and at 50 litres this multi-day bag can handle whatever you want to throw at it. 

Multiple lid pockets help keep stuff organised (daytime items and snacks on the outside, car keys and head torch on the inside, for example), as well as an easy -access full-length zip leave very little else to be desired. 

Ok so the weight is a little chunky at 2.18kg, but it’s nothing to get upset about. Ultimately, this close second in our best hiking backpacks buyer’s guide will last you years.

Vango has great history in the hiking backpack line, yet the brand has smartly moved with the times and updated their range with this solid little number. 

At 45 litres the F10 HUT 45 is on the smaller end of the best hiking backpacks, but it’s perfectly usable for hiking weekends away— the major benefit being you won't be tempted to take that extra jumper or spare camp stove. 

Indeed, at a reasonable total weight of 1.84kg you’ve really got it all here, with full zip access, daisy chain, hydration compatibility, side pockets, axe/pole attachments, and even a rain cover that you could leave at home to save weight during the dry season. 

Overall, Vango’s offering is a decent hiking backpack available for a solid price, and is one that’ll serve you well for many years.

The Mammut Lithium packs in all the features you could possibly want, as well as a few new ones, but without breaking your back or your wallet. Weighing in at a mere 1.7kg, the Lithium sports daisy chains, loops for a mat, three side and front pockets, and axe and pole attachments.

It’s also hydration system compatible and incorporates a raincover. The back length is easily adjustable, which is helpful if you’re wearing bulkier clothes in the winter, or if you’re sharing one heavy rucksack between a mixed party to make faster progress.  

There’s plenty of space here for days worth of stuff, and with a separately accessible bottom compartment you have a fighting chance of being able to find things easily.

Berghaus are pretty reliable when it comes to outdoor gear and they haven’t gone wrong with this hiking backpack either. There’s plenty of space to store your items, plus compartments for water bottles, snacks and maps. 

You can expand the side pockets out to give yourself an additional 10L of capacity, while the adjustable BIOFIT back system helps to ensure the backpack is comfortable to wear, no matter your size or shape. If rain makes an unwelcome appearance, there’s also a foldaway cover that you can take out when required. 

If you’ve just come out of uni and you’re looking to go travelling, the likelihood is that you’re not going to have tonnes of cash to spare. Suitable for camping, travelling and festivals, this is a great value hiking backpack that will become your trusty sidekick whenever it’s time to explore the outdoors. 

It features an airflow back to keep things cool, a compartment for a hydration pack, and compression straps to ensure it remains comfortable as you stride. There’s also a rain cover if the heavens happen to open mid hike!