Best camping backpacks

The best backpacks are the ones you can almost forget you’re wearing until you need to access a vital part of your gear, whether it’s a first aid kit in an emergency or your snacks when hunger strikes. Comfort is important for a bag you’re likely to be carrying on your back all day so we look for a first-class harness system and plenty of padding in the shoulder straps and hip belts. They also need to be adjustable to fit your body shape, both male and female. 
A good pack will help you organize your kit in multiple pockets and then you can find what you need quickly without having to take everything out in the middle of a rainstorm. The Osprey Talon 22 Hiking Backpack is our best overall choice. It’s a great all-rounder, with a modern lightweight design, innovative features, and a fit that makes it a comfortable carry for a whole day of hiking. See more of our pick of the packs below.

The Osprey Talon 22 packs so many features into its compact design that you could think of it as the Swiss army knife of hiking backpacks. They include a pouch for a GPS, a stow-on-the-go attachment for trekking poles, an ice-ax hook, and a bike helmet carrying attachment. The chest strap even has an emergency whistle.
It has pockets in all the right places including a large PowerMesh compartment on the front for a wet jacket and zipped pockets on both hip belts for phone, keys, and snacks. The Talon 22 has an Airscape mesh-covered foam back panel to improve breathability while maintaining a good comfy fit thanks to the adjustable back length and lumbar-to-hipbelt body wrap that keeps the load close to your body.

This backpack from Gregory has features that advanced users will love but is comfortable enough for casual weekend hikers to enjoy strapping it on too. Coming in three sizes (Deva is the women’s version), the Response A3 suspension pivots independently to keep the pack stable however treacherous the terrain. A precise fit is aided by a removable LumbarTune insert and a vented formed back panel.
This pack is full of useful details like the Weathershield hip belt pocket to protect your smartphone, an indispensable SideWinder Bottle Holster, top-loading U-Zip panel to access the main compartment easily, and a dedicated sleeping bag compartment. The Gregory Baltoro is hard to beat for the quality of its harness and smart features wherever you look.

The Berghaus Trailhead 2.0 65 Litre Rucksack is a great choice for anyone who needs a good quality rucksack at a reasonable price for their next backpacking trip. The range of fully adjustable straps means you can fit it to your shape to help make your kit feel lighter and comfier.
This pack features a separate compartment, accessible both from the top and front, so your wet gear won’t touch your dry kit. You can stuff a waterproof jacket in the lid pocket and the side pockets will take maps, bottles, and anything else you want to get to quickly. A packable rain cover will keep everything dry in a downpour and you can attach walking poles and a hydration bladder so all bases are covered.

Bottom line

A good backpack is essential when you head out on the trail, whether it’s for a half-day walk or a week-long expedition. You need a bag that can hold your kit, let you access it when you need to, and be comfortable to carry for long periods.

All these backpacks will serve you well on your outdoor adventures. We recommend the Osprey Talon 22 Hiking Backpack as the best choice for most people. It’s full of useful features that are designed to help you on your hikes, it’s comfortable to wear, and has a near-perfect selection of pockets. It’s a good all-rounder pack that has your back whether you’re on the trail or the bus to work.