Packs play an important role in the winter backcountry, helping us get out faster, stay out longer, and do it all more safely. This year’s crop uses every trick in the book: fabrics that lighten the load without compromising strength, new pockets that add volume without bulk, and designs that blend the space between clothing and equipment storage. In the process, packs have also become more versatile. You might just find a reason to use these bags year-round.

Mountain Hardwear Powabunga 32 ($200)

The Powabunga changed how we pack for ski touring. At first glance, it doesn’t look revolutionary. It weighs a very average 3.1 pounds, with tough 500-denier Cordura fabric, an ­avalanche-tool pocket, a fleecy goggles-storage pouch, and zippered back-panel access to the main compartment—everything we’d expect from a backcountry ski pack of this size. The surprises are the two side pockets. Without eating up any interior space, they fit all the gear we need on the go and used to store inside our pack, including skins, snacks, a 32-ounce water bottle, a multitool, and sunglasses. They open vertically, so things don’t fall out if the pack is lying in the snow. As a result, we wound up choosing the Powabunga for days when we’d normally use a 40-liter. It carries nicely, even when it’s overloaded, thanks to a steel frame that transfers weight onto the pivoting padded hipbelt. Of the 15 bags we tested last winter, this was the only one that had us hollering its name. Powabunga indeed! 3.1 lbs

Mystery Ranch Gallatin Peak 40L ($249)

Best for Hut Trips

The Gallatin Peak is a full-featured ­backcountry workhorse. A massive interior easily swallows an overnight kit, while the orange lining makes everything visible. Zippered pockets in the main body and lid keep small items organized. Brightly colored glove-friendly zipper pulls make it easy to find and open the avalanche-tool pocket, which fits even big shovel blades and probes. It also has a third slot for a snow saw. Those aren’t the only new features: there’s reinforced nylon to shield the pack body from ski edges, straps for ropes and ice axes, long zippers to open both sides of the main pocket, a torso and hipbelt that are both adjustable, and generous padding. All that in a pack that weighs only three pounds—impressive. 3 lbs

Black Diamond Cirque 22 Ski Vest ($159)

Best for Going Fast and Light

Simply put, the Cirque made us faster. Yes, it’s light—1.5 pounds. But what sets it apart is the design, which marries a running vest and a ski pack. Without stopping, we could grab snacks from the two shoulder-strap pockets, pull skins out of a dedicated basement compartment, rack skis diagonally (plus remove them for the descent), and adjust the fit with a pull-cord side compression system. “I don’t think I took the pack off all day,” said a tester. Just don’t overload it. Pushing the 22-liter capacity caused the pack to bulge, which made for a less comfortable fit. For minimalist missions, ski-mountaineering racing, or anyone interested in doing more skiing and less standing around, this pack delivers. 1.5 lbs

Ortovox Free Rider 28 ($190)

Best for Day Trips

Whether you’re hiking a ridge or making quick turns through steep chutes, the Free Rider makes heavy loads disappear. That’s thanks to a host of features usually found only on bigger packs, like a wide, stretchy, ­hip-hugging waist belt, a well-cushioned back panel, and load-stabilizer straps. Even schlepping heavy alpine boards, we felt stable. A small top zipper makes essentials easy to grab from the main compartment, and a huge back-panel U-zip allows you to get to the bottom of the pack during transitions without an excavation. The ­avalanche-tool pocket is tight for big shovel blades. But with straps to carry everything from ice axes to snowshoes, the pack is ready for any outsize winter day mission. 2.5 lbs

Black Crows Dorsa 27 ($190)

Best for Slackcountry

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more minimalist winter pack than the Dorsa, which is exactly what makes it perfect for playing just outside the resort. To keep weight down, designers nixed a dedicated avalanche-tool area. Instead, your skins, shovel, and probe share the main compartment with clothes and water. Valuables and goggles go into the top pocket, which one tester squeezed full of cookies, granola bars, and a breakfast burrito, along with a phone and keys. A roll-top closure means you can even fit a bulky resort jacket inside if you decide to hop into the sidecountry midway through an in-bounds day, while a vertical zipper down the center of the pack body gets you to your gear swiftly when you have skis racked A-frame. 2.5 lbs

Osprey Glade 12L ($110)

Best for In-Bounds

Last winter, COVID safety protocols meant base lodges were either closed or had restricted capacity. This lean, low-profile pack became our mobile locker for a ski season short on indoor breaks. A 2.5-liter hydration bladder tucks into a full-length back pocket with room to spare for a sandwich, skins, and a layer. (The insulated hose resisted icing well below freezing.) If you’re in a pinch, the second large compartment even fits avalanche tools. A small zippered pouch keeps hand warmers and a spare neck gaiter close at hand. But what impressed us the most about the Glade is how well it carried, even stuffed full. It didn’t balloon out, so lift rides were a cinch, and it rode smoothly zipping down our favorite bump runs. 2 lbs

The North Face Phantom 50 ($199)

Best for Climbing Ice and Snow

The Phantom doesn’t just offer a great bang for your buck—it squeezes maximum performance out of every pound. Its organizational features are few (just two small pockets, one in the lid and one at the left hip), but the 50-liter top loader easily swallows a technical mission’s worth of gear and has enough straps to carry ice tools, skis, and a rope. The body is nearly waterproof and made of durable 210-denier recycled nylon reinforced with Spectra, with a carbonite coating on the bottom. But our favorite feature is the compression straps, which are partially ­routed through the shell fabric and encircle the pack. Tightening them squeezes the whole bag, not just the sides. “Overflowing or half full, it always felt stable,” said a tester. 2.2 lbs

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Granite Gear Perimeter 50 ($220)

The Perimeter was one of the most versatile packs in our test: equal parts big-load mule and gram-counter’s dream, and suited to a huge spectrum of body types. With a quick flick of two buckle latches, you can adjust the shoulder width and torso length to your frame. The pivoting waist belt also expands from 26 to 42 inches on the unisex version and 24 to 40 inches on the women’s version. (You can also opt for a larger belt that goes up to 52 inches.) Granite Gear is one of the few packmakers to deliver such a wide fit range while preserving comfort and capacity. On paper, the Perimeter is a 50-liter pack, but the top-loading, potato-sack-shaped hull simply devours cargo. Partial thanks goes to the frame, which is just curved enough to enhance fit without getting in the way. Compression straps, four stretch-woven pockets, and extendable top and bottom flaps for securing bulky items further broaden its capability. We easily stuffed in 40 pounds of gear, and the lightweight back panel still held its shape. That’s impressive for a pack that weighs almost half of some others in our test. Don’t expect luxuries, like extra cushioning or even a key clip. But if you’re looking for a pack that can fit both Mom and Dad and pivot from through-hiker to family wagon, the Perimeter is hard to beat. 3.1 lbs

Gregory Kalmia 50 ($260)

Best for Hiking in the Heat

The Kalmia 50 (and men’s Katmai 55) utilizes the same trampoline-style mesh back panel that helped Gregory’s Deva/Baltoro, nab Gear of the Year honors in 2018. That breezy suspension does push the load a bit farther from your center of gravity, but its form-hugging shape and superior ventilation yield blissful comfort on the trail. This pack combines all of that with a host of niceties, like rugged 210- and 420-denier fabrics, six zippered compartments, a stashable water-bottle hip holster, extendable tongues that pad the waist buckle, and pivoting shoulder straps. Still, the pack somehow weighs in below the magic five-pound mark that so many other feature-rich models exceed. Polygiene anti-odor treatment quells stink on long trips. 4.7 lbs (men’s) / 4.4 lbs (women’s)

REI Traverse 60 ($229)

Best for Backpacking on a Budget

The Traverse proves that fancy technology is never a substitute for smart design. This dual-compartment utilitarian workhorse may not have the high-tech fabrics or cutting-edge suspension of its competitors, but it excels in what matters most: carrying heavy loads comfortably, without fuss. A deep air channel bisects the back panel, which is made of thick mesh-covered foam and contoured to keep loads close to your spine. That and a meaty waist belt lend stability, which was handy on gear-intensive family outings in Colorado’s Elk Mountains. Still, the Traverse has plenty of extras, like a lid that doubles as a daypack (with padded straps) and forward-leaning water bottle pockets you can actually reach while hiking. 4.4 lbs (men’s) / 4.3 lbs (women’s)

Osprey Aether Plus 60 ($340)

Best for Bringing the Kitchen Sink

Meet the everything bagel of backpacks. The new Plus generation of Osprey’s Aether (and women’s Ariel) line is so bedecked with features, pockets, and external storage mechanisms that you need GPS just to navigate them all. With thickly padded straps and a stout suspension system, this multi-day rig easily handled loads over 50 pounds. You can even shorten or lengthen the suspension on the fly, with a drawcord located near your kidneys. At camp, ditch your heavy gear and explore with the breakaway lid, which doubles as a 17-liter summit pack complete with a sternum strap and hydration sleeve. Accordingly, the Plus weighs almost six pounds, but for those who prize comfort under oxen loads, it’s pure decadence. 5.8 lbs (men’s) / 5.5 lbs (women’s)

Gossamer Gear G4-20 42 ($180)

Best for Ultralight Backpacking

When it launched over two decades ago, Gossamer Gear’s G4 set a standard for shedding base weight while still fitting a full-size backpacking kit. That tradition continues with the new G4-20, an ultralight bag built with through-hikers in mind. The roll-top closure expands to fit gargantuan loads, then cinches down with side compression straps when you want to minimize your setup for lighter trips. We like the front stretch pouch and asymmetrical side pockets for water bottles and layers; but the left one is deep enough for a rolled tarp or sleeping pad. While the pack is frameless, with a removable closed-cell foam back panel that doubles as a seat pad, we comfortably carried up to 30 pounds. One downside: the unisex design offers little fit adjustability. 1.6 lbs

Arc’teryx Aerios 30 ($190)

Best for Going Far Fast

Whether you’re loading up for a long day out in the mountains or stripping down your gear for a fast-and-light overnighter, the Aerios delivers big on technical details. The body fabric, a ripstop Cordura grid impregnated with liquid-crystal polymer, is supremely durable. In testing, it held up against snagging tree branches and even the occasional squeeze through a sandstone slot canyon. A heat-molded back panel breathes well, even on steep climbs in hot weather. Meanwhile, two zippered shoulder pockets and two padded pouches on the waist belt (one zippered and one stretch) hold on-the-go sundries like energy bars and sunscreen. Stretchy loops on each shoulder keep folded trekking poles at the ready. 2 lbs (men’s) / 1.9 lbs (women’s)

Patagonia Altvia 22 ($119)

Best for Day Hiking

Our ideal go-to daypack is just technical and featured enough to handle a big mission without needing an instruction manual to operate. The Altvia fits the bill. It’s simple yet covers all the most elemental needs, with a padded waist belt and shoulder straps, included rain cover, and stretch-mesh pockets on either side of the body. Aside from the main compartment, it has just one small zippered pocket that’s big enough to fit a trail map but not so big that you’ll need to mount a search and rescue mission to find your keys. Stretchy compression cords on the back are perfect for quickly stashing a spare jacket, while the main zippered interior area swallows more layers and a sizable lunch. We also love that the polyester-nylon body fabric is entirely recycled. 1.5 lbs

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Gregory ­­­Maven 65 ($250)

Built for comfort-minded backpackers who carry heaps of gear, the women’s Maven 65 (and men’s Paragon 68) has one of the most effective trampoline-style suspension systems we’ve ever seen. Wings of stretchy nylon at the lumbar produce a snug, wraparound fit for superior weight distribution and allow the sturdy, padded mesh hipbelt to pivot with each stride, keeping the pack blissfully stable under oxen-grade loads. “It feels like a bear hug on your back,” a tester said. Gregory goes full bore on the feature set, with side- and bottom-access zippers, a floating lid, phone-size pockets on the hipbelt, an adjustable back panel, and an integrated rain cover. But because it’s built on a flexible aluminum frame, the pack remains feather­light. 3.7 lbs (men’s) / 3.5 lbs (women’s)

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FjÀllrÀven Bergtagen 30 ($200)

Best from Trail to Tavern

Short on gear-storage space? Simplify your pack lineup with the Bergtagen, which is equally suited to the mountains and a trip to the pub. The minimalist design fits most essentials in a roomy main compartment that also includes a hydration-bladder sleeve. The zippered ­pocket on the floating top lid stashes small items like batteries, headphones, and gloves. For big missions, carry your skis A-frame and attach ice tools using the daisy-chain webbing down the front panel. The padded back plate helps you shoulder it all with ease. 2.3 lbs

Osprey Archeon 70 ($340)

Best for Travel

Basics like a rain cover, sleeping-bag divider, and compression straps make the Archeon trail capable. But it’s equally suited to urban adventure, with stylish metal buckles (they require some fiddling) and a body made of burly 1,880-denier recycled-nylon canvas that can withstand careless baggage handlers. The back panel—narrow strips of foam behind mesh—kept us dry on blistering days, and dual zippers on the front open wide for easy access. The price for these features is weight, but a massive waist belt offloads that from your shoulders. 5.5 lbs

Granite Gear Dagger 22 ($100)

Best for Day Hiking

Most ultralight designs necessitate essentials-only packing. Not this featherweight daypack, which sheds ounces via a thin yet durable ­100-denier nylon shell while still delivering on features. Luxuries we love include a stretchy exterior pocket that keeps snacks or a headlamp within easy reach and zigzag elastic on the front panel to quickly stow layers. A removable framesheet helps the Dagger 22 hold its shape even when not fully loaded, and an ­arch-like zipper makes it easy to dig out those stray energy bars that inevitably sift to the bottom. 1.5 lbs

Jack Wolfskin Kalari Trail 36 Recco ($130)

Best for Overnight Missions

If your hiking partner has search and rescue on speed dial, this is your pack. A Recco reflector on the Kalari’s lid makes you easier to locate by helicopter. The ­dual-compartment cargo hold and trekking-pole attachments give it the functionality of a much larger pack. A 300-­denier recycled-nylon body and steel frame add brawn. On the downside: the nonfloating top lid and integrated rain cover pilfer room from the lower compartment. But we liked the ­close-fitting, vented back panel and PFC-free construction. 2.4 lbs

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Peak Design is known for its intuitive and feature-rich camera accessories and packs, and its latest offering lives up to that billing. Here, Will walks us through the specs of the 45-liter ($300), which ships in December.

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Smart and tough travelers for life on the road.
—Will Palmer

Eddie Bauer Maximus 90L

This is a serious ($149) made from tough, waterproof, TPU­coated polyester. Testers appreciated the four padded grab handles, which made it easy to yank on and off roof racks, as well as the legit backpack straps. Bonus: when you’re home, this 90­liter duffel collapses to become its own storage pouch.

United by Blue Trafford Weekender

A throwback in the best ways: vintage looks, organic waxed canvas, and ($148). It’s big enough for a getaway (roughly 30 liters) but compact enough to take to the coffee shop. The “Blue” in United by Blue? For every product purchased, the Philly startup removes a pound of trash from waterways.

Eagle Creek EC Lync System 22

You can wear this ($260) as a bona fide backpack that’s as comfortable as any overnighter in your closet. Or, with five minutes of assembly, strap it onto an aluminum frame to make it a carry­on­size roller. You’d never know this 43-liters bag wasn’t built that way to begin with.

Marmot Lightning Carry ­On

This sharp-looking, ($249) does what so many small bags fail to do: maximize space. Credit the inner zip compartments and tie­down panels that put everything in its place. The 40-liter, nylon­outer bag, with Hypalon reinforcements on the corners, shows restraint by including only one outer pocket.

High Sierra Adventour 26″ Hybrid

Protection, organization, and a smooth ride: ($180) nails that holy trinity. It has a flexible but tough EVA drop bottom that lets you compartmentalize your stuff, burly skate wheels that glide effortlessly, and a soft but durable front to keep the weight down (8.7 pounds for a bag that holds 96 liters). Two side-loading pockets quarantine two pairs of muddy shoes.

Granite Gear 22″ Wheeled Carry­On

A carry-on with a detachable pack may sound gimmicky, but with integration this seamless it makes perfect sense. The ($180), with its load-absorbing foam straps, unzips so you can pull the main bag—or unfurl the shoulder straps and hipbelt to make it a second, 46­ liter backpack.

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With ice-ax retention you can release with the pack on, gear loops for ’biners and belay devices, and an integrated crampon pocket, the is purpose-built for ski mountaineering. But you don’t have to rope up to appreciate how light, roomy, and useful the Matrix is. The diagonal ski-carry system—a quick buckle and cinch of a strap and you’re off—leaves the top pocket and pack body ac- cessible with the skis in place. Plus, it integrates with the pack’s side compression straps, so you can keep the skis close to your torso and center the bulk of the weight on your hips. The exterior crampon pocket works great as a water- bottle holder, and the swivel joint on the hipbelt and cush padding never rubbed us wrong, even on all-day tours. 2.6 lbs.

COMFORT: 5

FUNCTION: 4.5

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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 for a multi-day trek in Colorado’s San Juans. Smart features abound, like the simple hook system, which allows you to quickly change load size and distribution; and the pack’s foam framesheet can be removed (shucking almost 11 ounces) and used as a bivvy pad or comfy seat. (The hipbelt also comes off.) Finally, the superthick, abrasion-resistant fabric easily fended off sharp rocks and baggage handlers during four months of testing. Other packs scored higher for specific uses, but for sheer day-in, day-out versatility, the proved the best of the bunch. 4 lbs

HAULING COMFORT: 4
VERSATILITY: 5 (OUT OF 5)

Vaude Terkum 74+ 10

BEST FOR: Big dudes hauling serious loads. THE TEST: One reason the 75-plus-liter rides so well is the hipbelt’s Boa system—the same knob-and-wire lacing found in helmets and shoes. We found ourselves microadjusting the belt to keep the weight riding on our hips instead of our shoulders. But there’s more to the Terkum than techy adjustment options. The densely woven Cordura fabric is the toughest we tested, and the pack is loaded with user-friendly features—side pockets that zip away and a removable, stashable rain cover—to make heavy schleps easier. THE VERDICT: It ain’t light, but whether we were hauling rock gear for a technical ascent, a winch for trail work, or the stuff our kids couldn’t fit in their packs, this big bubba swallowed it all. 6.2 lbs

HAULING COMFORT: 4
VERSATILITY: 1

Adjusting the height of your shoulder-strap system usually involves taking it off and fumbling with a few straps. A self-locking piece of webbing on the Terkum’s hipbelt allows you to make slight changes on the fly

Gregory Savant 58

BEST FOR: Organized living. THE TEST: The 58-liter was obviously designed by folks who spend a lot of time living out of a pack. A big front zipper panel made for quick entry, and the array of accessory pockets—five in all, including a roll-top lid and externally accessed hydration sleeve—never felt like overkill. That type of organization comes in handy when fishing out lunch mid-hike, but we liked it even more when the Savant was pulling double duty as our travel pack: it’s just wide enough that you can lay dress shirts flat. THE VERDICT: It’s not just about order. The Savant’s cushy suspension system earned high marks across the board. Just make sure it fits you right—the shoulder straps are fixed, so you can’t adjust the torso length. 3.4 lbs

HAULING COMFORT: 4.5
VERSATILITY: 4

Black Diamond Mercury 75

BEST FOR: Multi-day backpackers. THE TEST: Testers couldn’t believe how good this 75-liter behemoth felt on their backs—“Much more comfortable than any pack this size I’ve tried,” was one typical comment. Credit the innovative suspension, pivoting hipbelt, and straps that shift with the torso. On tricky alpine scrambles and teetering creek crossings, that movement kept the load from throwing us off balance. Though the has a clean-looking exterior, there are three pockets, a retractable trekking-pole loop, and a huge zipper into the main compartment. And even on warm days with a big load—in the 70-pound neighborhood—it stayed prettty cool, thanks to an airy back panel. THE VERDICT: Our favorite for full-on backpacking trips. 4.8 lbs

HAULING COMFORT: 4.5
VERSATILITY: 2

Mile High Mountaineering Salute 34

BEST FOR: Climbers and hikers. THE TEST: We’re not sure the world needed another pack maker. But Denver-based , started by some recent college grads in 2009, has a fresh vibe and, more important, a roster of impressive packs. The 34-liter Salute stands out for its long, swooping zippered panel that snakes across the pack’s entire back for quick access to nearly every nook. The same design also enables you to open the entire pack and lay it almost flat if you need to sort gear or stack a climbing rope. On the trail, the pivoting hipbelt and frame system kept the load tight and close, even when we had to run to escape the rain. Our only gripe: that S-shaped zipper is a bit overbuilt and sticky. THE VERDICT: Impressive debut from a new company. 3.5 lbs

HAULING COMFORT: 4.5
VERSATILITY: 4

Arc'teryx Kata 45

BEST FOR: Scrambling and peak bagging. THE TEST: With a rolltop closure to tuck everything safely away and few outer pockets, the 45-liter was built for abuse. We slid through slot canyons in Utah’s Escalante region and bushwhacked in tight trees in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park, and the pack’s high-denier reinforced Cordura fabric still looked virtually new. The zippered kangaroo pocket in front and dual-pocket top pouch made it easy to grab necessities, though several testers wished for more organizational features. Once everything was inside, however, we agreed that this pack rode the best of any here. One knock: the back panel doesn’t breathe as well as some others. THE VERDICT: Redefines bombproof. 3.7 lbs

HAULING COMFORT:: 5
VERSATILITY: 3

Marmot Odin 50 Plus

BEST FOR: Versatility at a stellar value. THE TEST: Though it isn’t packed with a bunch of fancy features, the 50-liter became our go-to top-loader for everything from back-packing overnights and hut trips to alpine climbs because of its simplicity and no-nonsense hauling capacity. “I stuffed it to the limit—a case of beer, a big tent, a stove, warm clothes,” said one tester, “and it didn’t flinch.” For quicker missions, you can remove the framesheet and the Odin morphs into an impressively tidy daypack. It’s also up for winter jaunts, outfitted as it is with a diagonal ski-carrying strap and loops for ice axes or trekking poles. THE VERDICT: A basic, sturdy backpack that will cover a lot of terrain. 3.5 lbs

HAULING COMFORT: 3.5
VERSATILITY: 4

In a hurry? Not carrying a heavy load? As with the Alchemist, the Odin’s framesheet is removable, so you can save a few ounces of weight.

Salomon XA Pro 10+ 3 Set

BEST FOR: Moving fast. THE TEST: touts the XA Pro for trail running. Two quick-draw chest pouches keep snacks at the ready, while the stretchy hipbelt, pliable suspension, and dual body-hugging sternum straps hold the XA Pro snugly in place, even when you’re bounding down steep technical trails outside Boulder. The included 1.5-liter hydration system slides neatly into an insulated sleeve, and the hose is long enough to go over the shoulder or under your arm. Of course, you need not actually trail-run to reap the benefits. This lightweight, bare-bones bag was really all we needed for short hikes; the simple main compartment has just enough room for a shell, map, and other basics. THE VERDICT: A great austerity tool—you could carry more, but why? 1.3 lbs

HAULING COMFORT: 4.5
VERSATILITY: 3.5Ìę

Mountain Hardwear Summit Rocket 30

BEST FOR: Keeping it simple. THE TEST: The ultralight (just under a pound) and aptly named is ideal for hardcore one-day pushes. At 30 liters, there’s plenty of space for gear-intensive technical pursuits like climbing, even on iffy-weather days when you need more apparel. And minimalists could push it into overnight use. But the stripped-down Rocket—the hipbelt is a piece of thin webbing, the shoulder straps have virtually no padding—is feathery enough to haul around on smaller trips, too. In fact, when we removed the tiny framesheet, the whole thing was easy to roll into a multi-day pack for summit bids or travel luggage as a just-in-case pack. THE VERDICT: Plenty big but hardly bulky, it’s the ideal minimalist daypack. 14.7 oz

HAULING COMFORT: 2
VERSATILITY: 4

Osprey Escapist 20

BEST FOR: Mountain-biking or hiking in hot climes. THE TEST: With internal pockets designed especially for bike tools, and attachment points for a light and helmet, the 20-liter was made for long-distance mountain biking, but it was so comfy and cool—the back panel and shoulder straps are mostly airy mesh—that it became one of our favorite daypacks, too. Plus, whereas the Summit Rocket eschews almost all creature comforts, the Escapist retains several. The hipbelt has a bit more structure, and the shoulder straps and back panel are well padded. These features and others (tuck-away rain cover, tons of pockets) add weight, but the Escapist is still a respectable pound and a half. THE VERDICT: We defy you to find something you can’t use this for. 1.6 lbs

HAULING COMFORT: 3.5
VERSATILITY: 5

Once the province of multi-day packs, the stow-away rain covers are popping up on more and more daypacks, like the Escapist.

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The Aventura’s hydration system blew others out of the water: the reservoir’s lid is easier to screw on and secure, and the hydration compartment’s long L-shaped zipper makes the bladder a cinch to remove. We also liked the 24-liter pack’s mesh pockets for stuffing layers and the shoulder straps that move side to side on small bars to customize the fit. 2.3 lbs.

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THE SELL: Scads of external pockets let you access almost all of your gear on the fly. THE TEST: Designed by adventure-racing star Mike Kloser, the AS-1 has 15—15!—exterior pockets. That tacks an additional 10 liters of cargo capacity onto this 30-liter pack and—along with attachment points and straps for sleeping pads, fat skis, and more—gave it the versatility for everything from a quick day hike to a fully loaded overnight in the Grand Canyon. THE VERDICT: Despite its low-budget aesthetic, the AS-1 is well-built and the best multitasker here. 2.3 lbs
Hauling comfort: 27 pounds
Versatility: 4.5

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THE SELL: Ultralight goes mainstream. THE TEST: At well under three pounds, the 48-liter Fluid is remarkably svelte for a tweener daypack-overnighter. We loved the flexy feeling in the harness and the slew of innovative perks, like sleeping-pad straps that stow away and an externally accessed hydration bladder. THE VERDICT: This is the rare pack that will appeal to ultralight folks, gram-counting overnighters, and the bring-the-sink day-hiking crew. But not the heavy sink—the Fluid started to buckle at 40 pounds. 2.7 lbs
Hauling comfort: 40 pounds
Versatility: 3.5

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