Best Osprey Camping Hiking Backpacks, Vango

A great backpack is a must for hikes of any length – whether it’s a fun day trip up a mountain, or a multi-day hiking vacation through the woods and countryside.

Whether you’re in the market for a backpack/daypack – a small hiking backpack or a bulky bag to take on treks, you’ll want to pick something reliable, sturdy and comfortable – like one of the best hiking backpacks for men and women.

The main factor to consider when shopping for a new hiking backpack is size.

Backpacks are measured by the capacity they contain in liters – a 15 liter to 30 liter backpack is usually called a backpack or daypack, which as the name suggests contains the kit you need for a day hiking adventure. Day trips are great for those who like to see the great outdoors and sleep in their own beds at the end of the day – you might want to start with a few day trips if you’re new to hiking.

The 40-50L bag is suitable for multi-day use such as a 2-day hike or a wild camping trip. The 60-100L backpack is suitable for backpackers or anyone on a big trekking adventure who needs to carry all their gear while hiking.

If you’re going on a multi-day picnic, you’ll likely be carrying a sleeping bag and sleeping mat and will need side pockets that allow rain covers, trekking poles, and drinking bottles.

Backpacks are usually top-loaded (a hole in the top, which is more watertight and better for hikers) or front-loaded (easy to pack and unload, ideal for backpackers).

Other useful features to look for include easy-to-access interior and exterior zip pockets for valuables and mesh pockets for water bottles, as well as compression straps to tie the bag down to make it more compact.

If you’re traveling, you may want to choose a model with a small, removable backpack, so you have a smaller daypack to use on day trips.

If the bag is larger, it is helpful to have a waist belt, which helps distribute the weight. An overhead compartment for storing items you’ll need at any moment, such as a waterproof jacket, is very useful.

These days, top hiking backpacks have sophisticated suspension systems to ensure the weight of your hiking gear is evenly distributed – the best backpacks can make 20kg feel like nothing at all. The Osprey is particularly good at this miracle of back-pack engineering.

Most backpacks are not completely waterproof – we recommend choosing a pack with a removable rain cover that you can pull out if a storm approaches, or a pack made of a waterproof material, which can usually withstand light rain. You can also put your belongings in a dry bag inside the backpack to keep them weatherproof.

Backpacks can be unisex or specifically target men or women. When choosing a smaller day pack, we’ve found after testing several models that unisex packs usually perform in gender-specific designs.

If you’re in the market for a larger package for multi-day adventures, you may find a gender-specific package more comfortable, as it has different shoulder and hip straps as well as larger or smaller rear tires.

Get ready for hiking and backpacking adventures.