Starting a hike with a heavy, ill-fitted backpack can be likened to trekking with a pebble in your shoe. It is simply impractical. The perfect backpack is a vital companion, whether you are an experienced hiker or a day hike adventurer. If you’re preparing for a backpacking trip or a single-day adventure, the necessity remains the same. You don’t just need a backpack; you need the best backpack. The best backpacks for hiking are durable, ultralight, and come with a hydration bladder for that much-needed water bottle refill.
This guide covers every aspect of the backpacking backpack. It considers factors such as shoulder strap comfort and the important rain cover. Information about the best ultralight pack is also included. As well as suggestions for the best budget backpacking option.
According to a study, regular hiking can dramatically improve physical and mental health. So, let’s ensure your gear doesn’t fall short. Stay tuned as we help you find the best backpacks for hiking, tested, approved, and ready for action.
1. The North Face Borealis Backpack
We kick off our expert picks for this year’s best backpacks for hiking with a stalwart favorite – The North Face Borealis Backpack. A classic for the discerning hiker, the Borealis pairs minimalist design with cutting-edge features. Here’s a look:
- Design and Style: With its sleek profile, muted colors, and signature North Face branding, the Borealis Backpack manifests a functional design that any classic man will appreciate. Its durable, lightweight build ensures it won’t be a burden on any hiking trip.
- Practical Advantages: Durability isn’t its only play. The Borealis ticks multiple boxes for a top hiking backpack. Let’s dive in:
Versatile Compartments: This backpack comes with several pockets. It even has a side pocket for your water bottle. Additionally, it includes a specifically designed compartment for your hydration bladder. These compartments offer enough space for small items and crucial camping gear.
Accessibility: The backpack has a useful top lid. This allows quick access to the main compartment making it a highly efficient day pack. It can also be a reliable companion for long-term hiking.
Comfort: The Borealis is a strong contender for the best ultralight backpacking pack. It features comfortable shoulder straps and a secure hip belt. Also, it has a breathable mesh back panel.
Let us help you find the best. With the Borealis, you’re equipped for a day’s hike and days on the trail. Stylish, practical, and multi-purpose – it’s an all-rounder camping gear masterpiece.
2. Fjallraven Kanken No. 2 Backpack
Coming in at number 2 on our expert list is a Nordic icon – the Fjallraven Kanken No. 2 Backpack. This stylish contender in the hiking and backpacking arena captures the soul of the modern classic man with its cool and efficient design.
- Design Supremacy: The Kanken No. 2’s clean lines, muted colorways, and emblematic arctic fox logo embody classic elements paired with minimalist charm. Additionally, its lightweight frame makes it the ideal backpack for the daily commute or a simple day hike.
- Durability and Materials: Don’t let the minimalist design fool you. This pack is equipped for the long run:
Material: Crafted from the robust G-1000 HeavyDuty Eco fabric, it’s water-resistant and incredibly resilient.
Straps and Zippers: There’s comfort in the profound simplicity of its shoulder straps and the durability of its zippers.
Practicality: A top lid, side pockets, and a front zippered pocket ensure easy access and storage.
Fjallraven’s Kanken No. 2 embodies ‘less is more.’ Its classic design and the promise of durability make it a sure-fire choice when looking for the best backpacks for hiking.
3. Herschel Little America Backpack
Capturing the third spot on our list of best hiking backpacks is the Herschel Little America Backpack. Combining nostalgic allure with modern functionality perfectly matches a classic man hungry for adventure.
- Design Elegance: Its design echoes the spirit of traditional mountaineering combined with the extra panache of stately striped lining, making it a tried and true favorite among hiking enthusiasts.
- Modern Features: While reverberating the past, the Little America backpack is no stranger to the present:
Comfort: It features padded, contoured shoulder straps and a mesh back panel to provide optimal comfort and support for hiking a trail or navigating city streets.
Protection: A critical design factor present here is the padded and fleece-lined laptop sleeve, built to protect your digital gear while you take on the great outdoors.
Practicality: It boasts drawstring closure and a magnetic strap outfitted with metal pin buckles for quick access to the main compartment and secure storage of your belongings.
Herschel’s Little America is a nod to the past while embracing the modern. A fashion statement that will not only make you stand up but stand out on the trail.
4. Osprey Aether AG 70 Backpack
Number 4 on our list of best backpacks for hiking is the Osprey Aether AG 70 Backpack. Styled for the rugged and comforted gentleman, its seamless blend of comfort and style sets it apart.
- Comfort and Style Combined: Aether AG 70’s custom fit harness and hip belt, combined with an Anti-Gravity™ suspension system, ensure a comfortable fit, effectively marrying sturdy backpacking qualities with the aesthetics of a trendy daypack.
- Well-Designed and Ventilated: It also stands out for its superior design and ventilation:
Design Advantage: The backpack’s sleek geometry and lightweight construction take center stage, making it an ideal companion for long-distance hiking.
Ventilation: Having a mesh back panel isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about creating a well-ventilated space, so you stay sweat-free on the trail.
Functional Spaces: A built-in hydration compartment, dual access side pockets, and a removable top lid that converts to a daypack keep your trekking essentials accessible.
Style, comfort, and seamless design meet in the Osprey Aether AG 70, your go-to hiking partner for this year and beyond. Choose right, choose AG 70, and let your travels be as well-equipped as they are fashionable.
5. Patagonia Arbor Grande Pack 32L
Coming in at number 5 on our list of best backpacks for hiking, we present the trendsetter – Patagonia Arbor Grande Pack 32L.
- Eco-Conscious Design: Flaunting an eco-conscious stand, the Arbor Grande Pack is made from formidable, 100% recycled materials. This backpack shows us you can care for the planet even as you hike its trails.
- Vintage Inspiration for Classic Men: Echoing a design ethos of the past, it delivers a vintage-inspired aesthetic that’s become quite synonymous with the quintessential classic man:
- Aesthetics Meeting the Outdoors: Echoing a design story of the past, the vintage-inspired aesthetic pairs neatly with the lush outdoor landscape, offering a timeless simplicity.
- Practicality and Durability: It doesn’t stop at aesthetics. This pack is practical and resilient, with a water-repellent finish and durable zipper access to the main compartment.
- On-the-Go Glamour: Its Human Curve shoulder straps ensure a comfortable fit, making you the classic man and the comfy classic man.
A nod to the past with care for the future, the Patagonia Arbor Grande Pack 32L brings a vintage charm to fashion-focused hiking.
6. Tumi Alpha Bravo Nellis Backpack
Introducing number 6 on our list of best backpacks for hiking—the Tumi Alpha Bravo Nellis Backpack. Tumi Alpha is perfect for the city-to-trail trekker, where urban sophistication meets ultimate functionality.
- City-to-Trail Sophistication: Alpha Bravo Nellis flaunts a rich, sleek style, effortlessly transitioning from office sophistication to rugged outdoors.
- Outstanding Durability and Organized Compartments: But it’s not all about the looks. In terms of practical performance, this backpack exceeds expectations.
- Durability: Constructed from ultra-durable ballistic nylon, the Tumi Alpha Bravo is designed to withstand extreme environments while maintaining its charm.
- Organized Compartments: It features multiple layered compartments, giving you direct access to the main compartment, side pockets for water bottles, and a padded compartment for essential small items.
- Comfort Centric: Beyond all, its adjustable padded backpack straps ensure maximum load-bearing comfort throughout your trek.
Switch seamlessly from urban chic to nature enthusiast with the Tumi Alpha Bravo Nellis Backpack. Its sleek, robust design merges style and practicality, making it a perfect backpack to make a statement.
As we draw this style-infused journey of urban sophistication to a close, one thing is clear – “the best backpacks for hiking” are no longer just about utility. This year will see the hiking world embrace fashion-forward imperatives. From the streamlined minimalism of the Osprey range to the best overall backpacking backpack in the form of Tumi Alpha Bravo Nellis, these packs offer a wonderful blend of style and substance.
Remember, choosing the right hiking gear can make or break your expedition. It’s about investing in a companion that meets all crucial criteria—durability, multiple compartments, hydration bladder, lightweight construction, and impeccable style. Pack your best adventure yet, and don’t just hike; make a statement!