Best Hiking Backpacks of 2026: 8 Daypacks and Backpacking Packs Ranked
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The right pack disappears on your back. The wrong one turns a ten-mile day into a death march. Fit, frame and weight decide whether you finish smiling, and a great pack lasts a decade of trips, so it's worth getting right the first time.
We compared eight hiking backpacks, five multi-day packs and three daypacks, from Osprey, Gregory, Gossamer Gear, Hyperlite Mountain Gear and TETON. Every price, capacity, weight and rating below was checked on September 26, 2026, and we worked out what each liter costs and weighs so you can compare a 22-liter daypack with a 70-liter hauler on equal terms. This is a research-based guide built from maker specs and owner reviews, not a trail test.
The short answer
For most backpackers: the Osprey Atmos AG 65. The most comfortable carry here, rated 4.7/5 by 421 owners.
- Best overall: Osprey Atmos AG 65, $320.29. Check price →
- Best value weekend pack: Gregory Zulu 45, $149.97. Check price →
- Best ultralight: Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60, $315.00. Check price →
- Best waterproof: Hyperlite Southwest 55, $420.00. Check price →
- Best daypack: Osprey Talon 22, $175.00. Check price →
- Best budget daypack: TETON Numa 30, $89.99. Check price →
How we chose
We looked for packs you can buy today from a store we trust, across the three jobs most hikers need: day hikes (20-30 L), weekends (45 L or so) and multi-day trips (55-70 L). For each we pulled capacity, weight, frame, fabric and load rating from the maker where its site would load (Osprey, Gossamer Gear, Hyperlite), and from Sportsman's Warehouse's spec sheets where it wouldn't (Gregory, TETON). Prices are from the store we link. Owner ratings come from that store, and we flag small samples. Nobody at OSS America has carried these packs for this guide.
All eight at a glance
| # | Pack | Type | Capacity | Weight | Price | $ per liter | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Osprey Atmos AG 65 | Multi-day | 65 L | 4.6 lb (2,092 g) | $320.29 | $4.93 | 4.7/5 (421) |
| #2 | Gregory Zulu 45 | Multi-day | 45 L | 3.7 lb (1,678 g) | $149.97 | $3.33 | 3.7/5 (9) |
| #3 | Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 | Multi-day | 60 L | 2.1 lb (968 g) | $315.00 | $5.25 | — |
| #4 | Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 55 | Multi-day | 55 L | 1.9 lb (874 g) | $420.00 | $7.64 | — |
| #5 | Gregory Paragon 70 | Multi-day | 70 L | 3.8 lb (1,724 g) | $216.97 | $3.10 | — |
| #6 | Osprey Talon 22 | Daypack | 22 L | 2.4 lb (1,080 g) | $175.00 | $7.95 | 4.6/5 (132) |
| #7 | TETON Numa 30 | Daypack | 30 L | 2.0 lb (907 g) | $89.99 | $3.00 | 5/5 (46) |
| #8 | Osprey Skimmer 20 (women's) | Daypack | 20 L | 1.6 lb (748 g) | $130.00 | $6.50 | — |
Prices and ratings from Amazon, Sportsman's Warehouse, Gossamer Gear and Hyperlite Mountain Gear on September 26, 2026. Weights are maker specs where available, otherwise Sportsman's Warehouse's spec sheet. Sizes vary; figures are for a medium or the listed size.
What each liter costs (and weighs)
Two numbers tell you most of what you need. Dollars per liter shows who gives you the most room for the money: the Gregorys and the TETON. Grams per liter shows how much pack you carry for that room: the Mariposa and Southwest are twice as efficient as a traditional framed pack. The Atmos sits in the middle on both and wins on comfort.
The eight packs, ranked
Osprey Atmos AG 65
Best overall backpacking pack (most comfortable)
Price: $320.29 on Amazon (Osprey lists it at $370.00) · Rating: 4.7/5 from 421 ratings at Amazon
If you want one pack that makes a 30-pound load feel civilized, this is the one to beat. The Atmos AG's Anti-Gravity back panel is a trampoline of mesh that holds the pack off your back so air moves and weight rides on your hips. The Fit-on-the-Fly harness and hipbelt adjust on the trail, and Osprey adds an integrated raincover, a sleeping bag compartment, side zip access and a hydration sleeve.
Osprey rates it for 30 to 40 pounds and lists it at 4.61 pounds for the S/M, which is heavy next to the ultralight packs below. That's the trade: comfort and features over grams. 421 Amazon reviewers rate it 4.7/5, and it was $49.71 cheaper on Amazon than on Osprey's site the day we checked.
| Capacity | 65 L (S/M); 68 L (L/XL) |
| Weight | 4.61 lb S/M; 4.81 lb L/XL (Osprey) |
| Load range | 30-40 lb (Osprey) |
| Suspension | Anti-Gravity suspended mesh back panel |
| Fabric | bluesign-approved recycled 210D nylon, PFAS-free DWR (Osprey) |
Pros
- + Class-leading ventilation and carry comfort
- + Raincover and sleeping bag compartment included
- + Big owner base: 4.7/5 from 421 Amazon reviews
Cons
- − Heaviest pack here per liter of the multi-day group
- − Expensive at Osprey's $370 list price
Gregory Zulu 45
Best value for weekend trips
Price: $149.97 at Sportsman's Warehouse · Rating: 3.7/5 from 9 ratings at Sportsman's Warehouse
The Zulu 45 is Gregory's overnight pack, sized for one or two nights, and at $149.97 it costs $3.33 per liter. It opens from the top and the front, so you're not digging to the bottom for your jacket, and Sportsman's Warehouse's spec sheet lists a 40-pound load capacity, an 18-22 inch torso range on the M/L and 3.7 pounds of pack weight.
Be aware of the small sample: 9 owners at Sportsman's Warehouse average 3.7/5, so that rating tells you little either way. The price is what earns it a spot here.
| Capacity | 45 L (2,624 cu in) |
| Weight | 3.7 lb (Sportsman's spec) |
| Max load | 40 lb |
| Torso | 18-22 in (M/L) |
| Access | Top and front |
| Fabric | 40% recycled 400D polyester ripstop, PFAS-free DWR |
Pros
- + $150 for a full-featured framed pack
- + Front access to the main compartment
- + 40 lb load rating per the spec sheet
Cons
- − Only 9 owner ratings at this store (3.7/5)
- − 45 L is tight for trips longer than two nights
Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60
Best ultralight pack for most hikers
Price: $315.00 direct from Gossamer Gear
The Mariposa carries 60 liters for about 34 ounces with its frame and belt, which is roughly half the weight of the Atmos per liter (16 g/L vs 32 g/L). Gossamer Gear builds it from recycled Robic nylon with an aluminum PVT frame and a pivoting hipbelt that moves with your stride, plus S-curve straps and load lifters. It's sized for bear canisters and long miles.
It's also modular. Strip the belt and frame and the pack body with frame weighs 19.8 to 22.5 ounces depending on size, per Gossamer Gear's spec table. For thru-hikers and fast weekenders who have dialed in a light kit, this is the sweet spot of price, weight and comfort.
| Capacity | 60 L |
| Weight | 34.2 oz / 968 g (Medium, M straight belt) |
| Frame | Aluminum PVT Frame+Belt, removable |
| Fabric | Recycled Robic nylon |
| Sizes | Small, Medium, Large; curved or straight belts |
Pros
- + Half the weight per liter of a traditional pack
- + Removable frame, belt and pad for a lighter carry
- + Room for a bear canister
Cons
- − Rewards a light kit; not built for heavy loads like the Atmos
- − No owner ratings on the product feed we checked
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 55
Best waterproof ultralight pack
Price: $420.00 for the 55 L direct from Hyperlite (40 L $395, 70 L $450)
Hyperlite builds the Southwest from Dyneema, and the pitch is simple: it's light, and the fabric itself is waterproof. The 55 L weighs 30.8 ounces (874 g) in a medium, carries up to 40 pounds per Hyperlite, and uses two removable aluminum stays and a roll-top closure. The newer Dyneema Woven Composite 3.9 face is built for abrasion, and the solid exterior pockets won't snag on brush the way mesh does.
It's the most expensive pack per liter in this guide at $7.64. You're paying for fabric that shrugs off rain and rock, not for pockets or padding. If you hike in wet country or off-trail, that trade makes sense.
| Capacity | 55 L main + 13.4 L external |
| Weight | 30.8 oz / 874 g (white, Medium) |
| Load | Up to 40 lb (70 L: up to 60 lb) |
| Frame | Two removable contoured aluminum stays |
| Fabric | Dyneema Woven Composite 3.9 |
Pros
- + Waterproof fabric and roll-top
- + Among the lightest packs per liter here (16 g/L)
- + Durable solid-fabric pockets
Cons
- − Highest price per liter of the multi-day packs
- − Minimal padding compared with the Atmos
Gregory Paragon 70
Most capacity for the money
Price: $216.97 at Sportsman's Warehouse
Need room for a week, a bear can or a kid's gear too? The Paragon 70 gives you 70 liters at $3.10 a liter, the lowest price per liter of any multi-day pack here. Sportsman's Warehouse's spec sheet lists 3.8 pounds, an alloy steel frame with a fiberglass anti-barreling cross stay, and 100D/210D high-density nylon rated for trips of five nights and up.
There are no owner ratings on the listing yet, so weigh that. The spec sheet itself is strong for the price.
| Capacity | 70 L (4,272 cu in) |
| Weight | 3.8 lb (Sportsman's spec) |
| Torso | 18-22 in (M/L) |
| Frame | Alloy steel + fiberglass cross stay + HDPE |
| Fabric | 100D / 210D high-density nylon, PFAS-free DWR |
Pros
- + Lowest cost per liter of the multi-day packs
- + Big 70 L capacity for long trips
- + Light for its size on paper (25 g/L)
Cons
- − No owner ratings at this store yet
- − Weight is the retailer's figure; Gregory's own site wouldn't load for us
Osprey Talon 22
Best daypack
Price: $175.00 on Amazon (same on osprey.com) · Rating: 4.6/5 from 132 ratings at Amazon
The Talon 22 is a daypack built to fit a wide range of backs and a wide range of sports. An adjustable sliding yoke and stretchy hipbelt dial in the fit, the AirScape back panel keeps it close and ventilated, and Osprey loads it with trail tricks: Stow-on-the-Go for trekking poles, a LidLock helmet clip for the bike, an ice tool loop, hipbelt pockets and a hydration sleeve.
Osprey rates it for 10 to 30 pounds at 2.38 pounds of pack weight. 132 Amazon reviewers give it 4.6/5. It's the priciest daypack per liter here, and you're paying for the fit and features.
| Capacity | 22 L |
| Weight | 2.38 lb (Osprey) |
| Load range | 10-30 lb |
| Back panel | AirScape, sliding yoke |
| Fabric | bluesign-approved recycled 100D nylon ripstop, PFAS-free DWR |
Pros
- + Adjustable fit and hipbelt pockets
- + Pole, helmet and ice-tool attachments
- + 4.6/5 from 132 Amazon reviews
Cons
- − $7.95 per liter, most here
- − Heaviest daypack per liter (49 g/L)
TETON Numa 30
Best budget daypack
Price: $89.99 at Sportsman's Warehouse · Rating: 5/5 from 46 ratings at Sportsman's Warehouse
Thirty liters for ninety dollars, and 46 owners at Sportsman's Warehouse give it a perfect 5/5. The Numa 30 uses tough 600D PVC-coated poly ripstop, fits a hydration bladder up to 3 liters, and has a hipbelt that Sportsman's Warehouse lists for waists from 25 to 55 inches. At $3.00 per liter it's the cheapest pack per liter in this guide.
It's frameless and weighs 2 pounds per the spec sheet, so it's a day-hike and everyday pack, not a load hauler.
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 2 lb (Sportsman's spec) |
| Frame | Frameless |
| Fabric | 600D PVC-coated poly ripstop |
| Hydration | Fits up to 3 L reservoir |
Pros
- + Lowest price per liter here
- + 5.0/5 from 46 owners
- + Tough coated fabric
Cons
- − Frameless: no load transfer to the hips
- − Heavier fabric than the premium daypacks
Osprey Skimmer 20 (women's)
Best hydration daypack (women's fit)
Price: $130.00 at Sportsman's Warehouse, reservoir included
The Skimmer 20 is Osprey's women's-fit hiking daypack, and it comes with a 2.5-liter hydration reservoir in the box, so there's nothing else to buy before your first hike. Sportsman's Warehouse lists it at 1.65 pounds, the lightest pack in this guide, in bluesign-approved recycled 210D nylon.
Twenty liters is enough for water, layers, lunch and a first-aid kit on a long day hike.
| Capacity | 20 L |
| Weight | 1.65 lb (Sportsman's spec) |
| Reservoir | 2.5 L included |
| Fabric | bluesign-approved recycled 210D high-tenacity nylon |
| Fit | Women's |
Pros
- + Reservoir included
- + Lightest pack in this guide
- + Women-specific harness
Cons
- − 20 L won't fit bulky winter layers
- − Only one owner rating at this store
Which hiking backpack should you buy?
- New to backpacking, carrying a normal kit: Osprey Atmos AG 65. Comfort covers a lot of beginner mistakes.
- Weekend trips on a budget: Gregory Zulu 45.
- Long trips, heavy loads, lowest cost per liter: Gregory Paragon 70.
- You've cut your base weight and want to go farther: Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60, or Hyperlite Southwest 55 if you hike in the wet.
- Day hikes: Osprey Talon 22 for the best fit, TETON Numa 30 for the best price, Osprey Skimmer 20 for a women's fit with water included.
Filling the pack? Start with our camping gear checklist, pick a filter from our best water filters for camping, and if you're heading beyond cell service, see our satellite messengers and PLBs guide.
Frequently asked questions
What size backpack do I need for hiking?
A common rule of thumb: 20-30 liters for day hikes, 35-50 liters for one to three nights, and 50-70 liters for longer trips or bulky winter gear. The lighter and more compact your sleeping bag and shelter, the smaller the pack you can use.
How do I find my torso length?
Pack sizes go by torso length, not your height. Measure from the bony bump at the base of your neck (C7 vertebra) down your spine to the line between the tops of your hip bones. Then match it to the maker's size chart; the Gregory Zulu and Paragon M/L, for example, fit 18-22 inch torsos per Sportsman's Warehouse's listing.
Are ultralight packs worth it?
If your whole kit is light, yes. The Mariposa and Southwest weigh about half as much per liter as the Atmos. But they're built for lighter loads (Hyperlite rates the Southwest 55 to 40 pounds), with less padding. Put a heavy kit in an ultralight pack and your shoulders will tell you about it.
Is Dyneema better than nylon?
Dyneema fabrics like the one on the Hyperlite Southwest are very light and waterproof, so you don't need a pack cover. Nylon packs cost less and often have more padding and pockets. It comes down to budget and how often you hike in rain.
Do I need a women's-specific pack?
Not always, but women's versions like the Osprey Skimmer usually change the harness shape, hipbelt angle and torso range. If a unisex pack rubs at the neck or hips, try the women's fit.
Can I use a daypack for an overnight trip?
Only with a very compact kit. A 30-liter pack like the TETON Numa can work for a warm-weather overnight with a small bag and shelter, but it's frameless, so it won't carry weight well. For most overnights, a 45-liter framed pack like the Gregory Zulu is the safer choice.
The bottom line
Buy the Osprey Atmos AG 65 if comfort matters most and you carry a normal load. Buy the Gregory Zulu 45 or Paragon 70 if price per liter matters most. Go Gossamer Gear Mariposa or Hyperlite Southwest once your kit is light enough to deserve them. For day hikes, the Osprey Talon 22 is the one to beat. Get fitted to your torso, load it right, and it'll carry you for years.
Talk soon,
OSS AMERICA
God · Family · Country · Gear that earns its keep.
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