Hiking Backpack reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 169 Reddit reviews across 26 subreddits and 50 posts to rank the best Hiking Backpack brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/hikinggear, r/backpacks, r/onebag, r/CampingandHiking, r/hiking. Top-rated brands include Osprey (4.7/5), Mystery Ranch (4.4/5), Deuter (4.6/5).
Stats
Reviews169
Subreddits26
Posts50
Brands61
Products68
169 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Osprey
4.7
(56)
"I used mine (kyte 50L) for a year long backpacking trip and it survived checked baggage, multi day hiking treks, jungle treks, various ransoms storage rooms… it’s been through it all and I still use it two years later with no signs of needing a new one any time soon."
"The Osprey Stratos changed my entire experience on the trail."
"The Osprey Stratos 24L is perfect volume for extended day walks."
"I have Osprey Hikelite 26L, really love it."
"I absolutely love Osprey’s AirSpeed Suspension system. For day hikes and all-day hikes, I use the Osprey Hikelite 26."
"For day hikes I adore my Osprey Talon 33l; it's comfortable, adjustable."
"It's also my daily carry bag and I've had it for like 6ish years."
"I am a fan of osprey personally, although they are pricey they are very much worth it."
"Lightweight, breathable, and designed for versatility. Perfect for day hikes or light adventures."
"Would go with osprey."
#2
Mystery Ranch
4.4
(13)
"Will always be my favorite bag, looks sharp in the black too."
"Accept no substitutes."
"For me it is the perfect backpack."
"I would look at Mystery Ranch - hands down the best packs I’ve used."
"Second mystery Ranch.. Will last a lifetime too."
"The Mystery Ranch Scree 32 for overhead carry on."
"Mystery Ranch packs carry really well and hold up to hard use. They’re not the lightest weight though."
"If your just looking for a daypack Im a big fan of the Mystery Ranch Scree 32."
"Their packs have really solid harness systems but be sure to double check their carry-on compliance."
"Mystery ranch has some deals on those size packs at Sportsman's Warehouse."
#3
Deuter
4.6
(8)
"Check out Deuter packs. They are known for their hiking packs."
"Go for Deuter or Osprey."
"I think Deuter has a line of baby-carrying backpacks."
"Deuter, osprey and gregory are all top picks for me."
"Designed specifically for kids"
"The ospreys were uncomfortable for me so I really recommend trying different ones."
"I got a deuter with hydration - also a small woman. It is awesome."
"Deuter SL line. For hiking in my opinion is a better frame."
#4
REI
4.4
(8)
"Their knowledge is invaluable to beginners + the kit you can buy from stores like that is always a higher quality."
"My gf and I love our REI flash 22s."
"My REI pack fits amazingly. It has adjustable torso length."
"I bought a REI flash 22L for day hikes for $50 on sale."
"I usually use a cheapass REI Flash 18L for day hikes in the summer."
"A REI Flash 22 or Osprey Talon 22 is big enough."
"REI has some look-alikes that will fit the bill or you could try the LL. Bean outlet."
"REI has decent youth packs.... sizing by fitting not age is always the challenge"
#5
Osprey Poco
4.8
(5)
"We have the Osprey Poco and I highly recommend it."
"Another vote for the osprey poco line."
"For kiddo packs the Osprey Poco is really great for the money."
"I can highly recommend it."
"We used an Osprey brand carrier, and my wife found it to be reasonably comfortable and very adjustable."
#6
The North Face
4.0
(4)
"For normal onebagging/week trips/short hikes, the NF Borealis is a pretty good choice. I can pack almost a week worth of clothes in it, it has a few straps for hanging shoes/flipflops or jacket, it always passes as a personal item on budget airlines."
"The north face basin 36 is a great bag imo."
"I would recommend the North Face Router Transit Backpack. It's versatile and can be used as a daypack, duffle bag, or hiking backpack. It's also reasonably priced."
"I would say to look at North face, they have the recon and borealis which are standard and really popular."
#7
Osprey Stratos 24
5.0
(3)
"Stratos 24 is awesome, highly recommend."
"Man I really love my Osprey stratos 24 for dayhikes."
"Something like this which has a mesh back so air can circulate."
#8
North Face
4.0
(3)
"I carry a northface backpack with the clip and an R7 with 100-500 L lens."
"I just picked up a nice North Face on Marketplace for a really good price."
"I really like, it’s designed so the weight distribution is just like a multi day backpacking pack should be packed."
#9
Fjallraven
3.7
(3)
"I love not needing a separate rain fly or XL poncho or plastic bag."
"My fjallraven raven 28 is doing well in college. Got padded straps/backpanel, but no hip belt. I believe its mostly water resistant."
"I have a fjallraven raven 28, I do not like it at all. The water resistance is terrible, it just sits on it and absorbs it in."
#10
Osprey Stratos 24L
5.0
(2)
"I literally made a video about the best day pack on my YouTube channel."
"Osprey Stratos 24L has been perfect for my day hikes."
#11
REI Flash 55
5.0
(2)
"If you can order from REI, the XS Flash 55 is great for fitting a short torso."
"I have the REI Flash 55 which might be bigger than what you're looking for. I'm 5'1 and it is super comfortable."
#12
Mindshift Backlight
5.0
(2)
"I’ve got a Mindshift Backlight and love it so much I bought it in 2 different sizes."
"I use the Mindshift Backlight from ThinkTank. I’m small, so I carry the 18L one. I find it can easily hold my 70-200, 24-70, and with 2-3 mirrorless bodies."
#13
Osprey Stratos 34
4.5
(2)
"I love my Osprey Stratos 34."
"I love my Osprey Stratos 34."
#14
Fjallraven Singi 28
4.5
(2)
"I like my Fjallraven Singi 28."
"Fjallraven Singi 28 is what they went with."
#15
Gregory Maven
4.5
(2)
"I’ve had good success with Gregory packs."
"My pack is a Gregory Maven, but I’ve also tried my hiking buddy’s Gregory Amber."
#16
Gregory Jade 38
4.5
(2)
"I’d recommend the Osprey Kyte 36 or the Gregory Jade 38."
"I just got the Gregory Jade 38, it's a little bigger than your specifics but I prefer a bit more room in case I buy stuff at my destination"
#17
Gregory
4.5
(2)
"Check out Gregory, I'm fairly burly and broad shouldered and I love their packs."
"All solid choices! Check out Gregory too. On par with Osprey."
#18
5.11
4.5
(2)
"Amazing backpacks."
"Those are my favorites out of trying tons of bags."
#19
Decathlon
4.0
(2)
"A more budget friendly option would be Decathlon."
"Try Decathlon backpacks?"
#20
Osprey Daylite Plus
4.0
(2)
"I think this backpack could be a good fit."
"I use an Osprey Daylite Plus, which a 20L pack, as my dayhike pack."
#21
Patagonia
4.0
(2)
"It can fit a lot of things, I usually pack my laptop in it and daily equipment with spare clothes etc."
"Patagonia just came out with a new Mini MLC - while not ideal for hiking, it should be good enough for a few hours of not too strenuous hiking."
#22
5.11 Tactical
4.0
(2)
"Something with a molle system. Tactical RUSH100 Backpack, Tactical RUSH72 2.0 Backpack, Falko Tactical Backpack, Eberlestock Gunslinger II."
"Something with a molle system. Tactical RUSH100 Backpack, Tactical RUSH72 2.0 Backpack, Falko Tactical Backpack, Eberlestock Gunslinger II."
#23
Savotta
4.0
(2)
"Savotta."
"Savotta Jakaari M with aluminum frame has worked well for me."
#24
Pa’lante Packs
5.0
(1)
"I personally use Pa’lante Packs and think they are the best."
#25
Army Surplus
5.0
(1)
"Army surplus rucksack. 100 liters, super thick frame, unlimited adjustability, insane amount of molle straps, it’s super good."
#26
Zpacks
5.0
(1)
"My fav backpack for pretty much any season/ day or longer hike is the zpacks arcblast 50l."
#27
ULA
5.0
(1)
"Every single ULA backpack. I’ve hiked over 10,000 miles with multiple packs of theirs and they’re all great."
#28
HMG
5.0
(1)
"I love my HMG Southwest 55L. Use it for backpacking over several days, as day hike pack too."
#29
Lowepro Backpack
5.0
(1)
"Check out lowepro backpacks."
#30
Jack Wolfskin
5.0
(1)
"Love it."
#31
Hyperlite Mountain Gear
5.0
(1)
"Huge fan of the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Elevate 22."
#32
Camelbak
5.0
(1)
"I’ve got a camelbak 14er that I have used for years and it’s all I need in a day pack."
#33
WANDRD
5.0
(1)
"I have a WANDRD bag that I looooove."
#34
Cotopaxi
5.0
(1)
"As-tu pensé au Cotopaxi Allpa 35L ?"
#35
Arc'teryx
5.0
(1)
"At 168 i use a Arcteryx 45L and its perfect size."
#36
CamelBak
5.0
(1)
"Just type that in on rei.com and a ton will come up. It comes with a water bladder (camelback style) and a small amount of storage and pouches for snacks, phone, camera, etc."
#37
Mountain Equipment
5.0
(1)
"If you want one just for winter I've been out with someone using an ME tupilak a few times and it seemed like a really good pack."
#38
Salomon
5.0
(1)
"I ended up getting the Salomon Out Week in small size and I love it."
#39
Shimoda
5.0
(1)
"Shimoda has some excellent hiking photography bags."
#40
Atom Packs
5.0
(1)
"Check out atom packs, they make custom packs to your measurements!"
#41
BAD Bags
5.0
(1)
"I cannot recommend a BAD bag enough! I have the #3 with backpack straps and love it so much I wouldn’t mind having a #2 and 1.5. Made in the USA (Seattle area)."
#42
Hyperlite
5.0
(1)
"It's the best pack I've ever used backpacking."
#43
Quechua
5.0
(1)
"Lagi ko dala quechua 50L kapag pumupunta ko ng Japan wala naman issue kapag carry on."
#44
Durston Kakwa
5.0
(1)
"Durston Kakwa."
#45
Kifaru
4.0
(1)
"Maybe like a Kifaru pack. You might even find useful info out by simply googling “best jungle backpack” or similar."
#46
Gossamer Gear
4.0
(1)
"I like my Gossamer Gear Moriposa as well as the heavier Osprey Aura."
#47
Lowepro
4.0
(1)
"Lowepro provides a great range of packs, adapted for camera or laptop."
#48
Atompacks
4.0
(1)
"Check out atompacks.co.uk. I have two of their packs and they are great."
#49
Makro
4.0
(1)
"I think Makro does sell hiking gear at a slightly lower price. Check it out!"
#50
Cape Union
4.0
(1)
"You're well within the budget - I'm pretty sure you'll find something you like there & they're very durable!"
#51
Tupilak
4.0
(1)
"Get a smaller Tupilak for mountaineering and a larger Osprey for backpacking."
#52
Ultimate Direction
4.0
(1)
"You could look for an Ultimate Direction Fastpack on sale."
#53
Sturm Miltec
4.0
(1)
"Not sure about the prices in your country but here I can buy both within your budget."
#54
Sandugo
4.0
(1)
"Sandugo khumbu 40L okay din. Malaki space."
#55
Mission First Tactical
4.0
(1)
"Is real suave too more upscale greyman worth checking out."
#56
Wandrd
4.0
(1)
"The entire harness system can adjust up or down and should be long enough."
#57
Kelty
4.0
(1)
"It is a very hardy pack that is very expandable and can grow with your scout."
#58
Bergans
4.0
(1)
"I recommend «Bergans» their latest model is really nice."
#59
Lite AF
4.0
(1)
"Lite AF for big, Mystery Ranch for smaller."
#60
Provoke
3.0
(1)
"It is not perfect but it does get alot right."
#61
Vargo
3.0
(1)
"I use a Vargo titanium external frame AR2. Not for everyone."
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