Day Packs
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Two hikers go head to head on the best carryall for a walk in the woods
In a lineup of touring packs, this boot bag and small daypack didn't make the cut, but they're still well worth your attention
These haulers can handle any winter mission
Technical bags for going the distance
Dialed and ready for big loads, these bags will help you keep the pace
At your waist, across your back—what’s old is cool again
Logging miles in brutal conditions? Be sure and replace what you sweat out.
When it comes to bringing a personal item on a plane, I like to keep it simple. This is the bag I grab before every flight.
Everyone's quick to tell you all the reasons to go lighter. Allow me to explain why they're wrong.
The Everyday Sling from Peak Design can fit a full camera body and two lenses.
With waxed cotton fabric and no external pockets, these bags are a far cry from Osprey’s traditional fare
Women need packs that are just as capable as men’s—and they need them to fit right. Here are the best, most comfortable performers for all-around backpacking.
Besides your hiking boots, your daypack is your most-used piece of gear. These are our favorites.
Everything from a spare battery to a rainjacket
We tested the Squamish XL, which is full of tech-oriented features to keep your gear organized and safe while you travel
From insulated water bottles to portable toilet-paper rolls, here's what our staff never leaves home without
The special-edition pack is made of G-1000 HeavyDuty Eco fabric to celebrate the 65th birthday of Fjällräven's first jacket
Hopefully after reading this, you'll never buy luggage without two shoulder straps again
A buffalo leather briefcase with all the necessary details.
Putting in big miles on dirt roads? This is the kit you need.
Stuff these in your pack and head out of the country with peace of mind
With ice-ax retention you can release with the pack on, gear loops for ’biners and belay devices, and an integrated crampon pocket, the Matrix is purpose-built for ski mountaineering. But you don’t have to rope up to appreciate how light, roomy, and useful the Matrix is.
Splash around this summer. With this gear, you’ll be ready for serious summer fun whether you’re in it for fitness or just to get wet and cool down.
Think of your pack as a closet on your back. And just as there’s no right way to fold your clothes, there’s no single pack that’s suited to everyone. But allow us to offer some advice.
A titanium bike with swooping lines and parallel triangles for added flex and greater shock absorption.
Eddie Bauer First Ascent Alchemist 40L This shape-shifter might just replace every pack you own. Lashed down, the Alchemist is compact enough for one-day summit bagging. Unzip the top wedge and unfurl the hideaway lid, and it morphs into an entirely different beast—a roomy 55-liter hauler with plenty of space…
With Shimano XT parts (plus an XTR derailleur), Trek’s proprietary dual-chamber technology in both shocks, and adjustable geometry, this aluminum model is the best value.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2012 Summer Buyer's Guide, including the 5.10 Coyote Canvas climbing shoes.
Versatile outfits, shoes, and other gear made with world travelers in mind.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Salomon Quest 30 pack
Design and Technology Special: The world's most streamlined and innovative new gear, gadgets, tools and toys, including Nau's Motil Commuter.
Design and Technology Special: The world's most streamlined and innovative new gear, gadgets, tools and toys, including Kelty's Mockingbird rucksack.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Camelbak Aventura.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Osprey Hornet 32 pack.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Arc'teryx Aerios 14 pack.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Osprey Verve 13 backpack.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Timbuk2 Candybar backpack.
I'm looking for a backpack for traditional, one-day, multi-pitch climbing. Which is the best one? I'm inclined to the Marmot Ascent 40. AndreaSao Jose
I am looking for a solid pack that is large enough for a bivy, a 32- to 45-degree down sleeping bag, an inflatable pad, and food for a night stay. But I also want to minimalistic. There are so many choices. Any suggestions? What should I be looking for? William Oakland, CA
I'm going to Peru for a week-long hike to Machu Picchu. I think the tour guides carry the large gear (tents, food). What backpack should I get? My local store suggested an Osprey 40 but I really have no idea what to get. Help! Thanks.ChrisLouisville, KY
I need the perfect present for my boyfriend's birthday! He's a cyclocross racer, mountain biker, skier, rock climber, and camper, and loves all outdoor gear and tools. Any great ideas within the $150 range?? -Sara Las Vegas, NV
I need a cool, new commuter bag. What do you recommend? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
Smart and Fast In an actual emergency, the last thing you want to do is fumble with zippers. Which is why Marmot designed the Backcountry’s external snow-safety-tool pocket with double zippers and a sturdy pull loop: You can rip it open with one quick tug. It’s just one of many…
DAY TRIPPER If your passion is touring, get the nimble Drift. “It’s the perfect size and profile for the typical day trip,” said a tester who put miles on the pack in the Colorado backcountry. Skis or snowboards strap on easily and stay rock-solid, with three different carry options. On…
With nine pockets (including a hideaway bottle holder) and a magnetic closure that makes getting at junk a cinch, the burly nylon Stroll is the perfect personal assistant. 1 lb, 380 cu in; merrell.com…
Stowaway Because it packs down to the size of a grapefruit, this sling always made its way into our suitcase. We liked it as much for what it lacks (superfluous straps, extra weight) as for what it has (a phone pocket and comfy shoulder strap). 7.7 oz, 427 cu in;…
Ski-Mountaineering Master With straps, loops, and holders designed specifically to carry skis, snowshoes, a helmet, ropes, ice axes, and trekking poles, the 40-liter, ski-mountaineering Spindrift is without a doubt the most versatile pack we tested this year. Even more impressive is how intuitive it is to affix all of the…
HARD CHARGER Unless you huck off every cliff in sight, donning body armor is overkill. But a little back protection makes sense for anyone who ventures into exposed, big-mountain terrain. The multitasking, 1,450-cubic-inch Razor is built with a Shield Back System: foam-wrapped polyethylene pads that are part of the internal…
This was the most secure daypack we tested this year. Credit the superstretchy harness system, which twists with the body. Smart: The Maya’s internal compression system turns the pack into a tight bundle in one pull. 1.6 lbs, 1,040 cu in; gregorypacks.com…
Catchall Versatile is this bag’s middle name. The big opening makes it easy to pack for a weekend in a hurry. With both a shoulder strap and handles, it transforms from purse to gym bag easily, and the polyester interior dries quickly after toting sweaty yoga clothes. 2.1 lbs, 1,586…
Good for Backcountry This was our favorite pack for skiing around the resort. With its low profile, the Agent sits comfortably on a chair and stayed glued to our backs, even when hopping tight chutes out of bounds. Better yet, because the loops for its simple and…
MINIMALIST This featherweight was designed for rando racers—think running uphill on skis, and then bombing back down—but easy access and minimalist design also made the 290 (as in grams) our testers’ choice for the resort. It easily fits under a jacket, but at 1,098 cubic inches, it’s big enough for…
Made from recycled plastic bottles, this backpack keeps your surf stuff organized with thoughtful features like a seam-sealed wetsuit pocket, tarp-lined surf-wax keeper, and insulated cooler pocket. dakine.com…
Daypack We’re suckers for chamois-lined sunglass pockets, but what really endeared this pack to us was the easy-to-pull straps that cinch it down into a neat bundle for the times your hike turns into a trail run. The externally loading sleeve makes refilling a hydration bladder (not included) a breeze.
Go ahead and cram this pack full on the hottest day. The stiff Butterfly suspension supports a load of rocks, and a mesh panel lets air cool your back. 3.1 lbs, 1,830 cu in; www.mammutusa.com Bonus: A rain cover is included.
HUT CHAMP A two-in-one pack is the smartest choice on a hut trip, and the Windpack is one of the year’s best. The main pack’s 2,550 cubic inches easily swallowed sleeping bag, clothes, and tequila on a three-day hut tour in Colorado. And chasing face shots, the detachable, 500-cubic-inch yo-yo…
Hiking, biking, trail running—we did it all with the Diablo. There’s just enough space in this 352-cubic-inch pack to stash an emergency shell, a bike pump, and a snack, especially if you take advantage of its waist-belt pockets, two external stash pockets, and bungee strap. But what really makes…
One-Night Stand The Axios has just the right number of features, like organizer pockets and a stretchy catchall pouch on the front, but (thankfully) no rat’s nest of straps. The mesh back panel also did its job cutting down on sweat, as we experienced on a 16-miler in the Grand…
Like the Energise, this pack’s air-cooled suspension prevents sweaty-back syndrome. Stretch-woven side pockets didn’t rip when caught on branches, and zipper finger loops made gloved entries a cinch. 2.6 lbs, 1,500 cu in; www.ospreypacks.com Crowd pleaser:It’s available in five different capacities.
BASIC BAG If you could turn an old metal lunchbox into a ski pack, it would look like this—a utilitarian, bargain-priced hauler. The 1,647-cubic-inch pack held all the tools we needed for a daylong ski-mountaineering trip, stayed out of the way when we spent a morning making laps at Vail,…
This smart little pack brings a dash of technical know-how to a street-savvy bag. In town, you can remove the hip strap to dial back the crunchy-guy factor, while a bit of reflective piping increases your visibility when riding or walking in the dark. Wherever we were, the water-resistant…
This 2,520-cubic inch duffel, made from recycled materials, held a yoga mat, water bottle, and post-yoga clothes with room to spare. Plus the inside has organizational pockets for your cell phone, ID, and more. prana.com…
Paper-thin silicone-treated nylon, compact size, and a frameless suspension make the Iso superlight—and a good choice for speed hikes. The tradeoff is decreased abrasion resistance and minimalist support. 1.6 lbs, 1,200 cu in; www.gregorypacks.com…