Best Backpacks 2020

Osprey Packs Exos 48 Backpack is a great pack for those making the transition to ultralight backpacking. Although this pack is a bit on the heavier side for a lightweight pack, it makes up for this weight with the 6065 aluminum alloy peripheral frame that helps the weight sit evenly on your back and helps to eliminate any muscle tightness or back soreness.

Osprey Men’s Atmos 65 AG Backpack is a good backpack for the thru-hiker who needs a sturdy pack that is made with high-quality materials inside and out that won’t tear in the first 1000 miles.

The Osprey Packs Women’s Tempest 20 Backpack is a women’s specific bag that will work perfectly for day hikes or even for just getting around town. The Osprey Tempest has a ton of space in the main compartment including an external hydration sleeve, which also unzips all the way to easily locate everything inside.

The ALPS OutdoorZ Commander + Pack Bag is a monster of a bag, built for hunters. The OutdoorZ Commander works best for longer outings, especially where you need to tote a lot of gear over the course of days or weeks.

The Deuter ACT Lite 65+10 Hiking Backpack is an extremely comfortable backpack. The Aircontact lite back suspension system of the pack really helps to evenly distribute weight so it doesn’t feel like your walking with 30 pounds of gear on your back.

The Osprey Men’s Aether 60 Backpack is a super durable 60L backpack made for the ultralight backpacker hitting the trail for a longer amount of time or for anyone who needs just needs a bigger bag that can take a beating.

The TERRA PEAK Adjustable Hiking Backpack is a great bargain backpack with a ton of storage space no matter which size you get. There are a number of well-placed pockets for easy to and go including side pockets which help get things in and out faster and more orderly.

The Teton Sports Scout 3400 Internal Frame Backpack is a high performance, robust backpacking backpack built for the backpacker looking for a large backpack that can hold lots of cargo without weighing them down.  This is a 55L (3400 cubic inch) capacity backpack that weighs 4.5 pounds empty.  The Teton Sports Scout 3400 also can be purchased in multiple colors to give you more selection.  The shell of the bag is made from 600D diamond ripstop and 600D Oxford canvas that will help this bag withstand all the rigors of the trail.

The TETON Sports Oasis 1200 3 Liter Hydration Backpack is perfect for several outdoor needs. Whether you hike, run, bike, ski, fish, etc. you’re going to find this bag is ideal for you. It’s super lightweight at just over 2 pounds for a 20L backpack.

The Gregory Mountain Products Baltoro 75 Liter Men’s Multi-Day Hiking Backpack is a very durable lightweight pack capable of handling very heavy loads for long periods of time. Gregory backpacks are some of the best on the market and the Baltoro is no exception having been named Winner of Backpacker Magazine’s 2015 Editor’s Choice Gold Award and the winner of Outside Magazine’s Gear of the Year Award.

The High Sierra Appalachian 75 Backpacking Pack is a good inexpensive 75L bag for those thrifty backpackers who want something comparable to a top line bag under $100. As far as design and comfort there isn’t much drop off from a top of the line bag.

The TETON Sports Mountain Adventurer 4000 Backpack is a 65L backpack that gives you space and durability for those multi-day hikes, or a one day hike where you’re bringing a moderate amount of gear.

The TETON Sports Explorer 4000 Internal Frame Backpack is very similar to the Mountain Adventurer 4000 Backpack but with a slightly bigger frame and less weight. For a bag well under $100 you get a ton of useful features like well-placed pockets, a sleeping bag compartment, and with 4000 cubic inches, you’d be hardpressed to not be able to fit all that you need for a few nights in the outdoors.

The Mountaintop 60L Hiking Backpack is a good bag for entry-level backpackers. It’s big enough at 60L to reliably carry 35lbs. I wouldn’t go any higher or you might be pushing it. The bag seems kind of cheap, but as long as you aren’t running through a field of cacti or frantically ripping it open you should be ok.