Backpack Reviews

The KS-Ultralight Gear KS-50 is an ultralight backpack that’s good for thru-hiking and multi-day backpacking trips with a max recommended (comfortable) load of 20 lbs (9kg). When ordering a KS-50 you have the option to customize it in many different ways in …

The Osprey Packs Talon 44 Backpack is a lightweight pack with an adjustable torso length that’s good for weekend backpacking trips, technical day hikes, climbing, and peakbagging. Weighing 2 pounds 15 ounces, it can carry a remarkable amount of gear and a …

The REI Trail 40 Backpack is a multi-purpose backpack that can be used for long day hikes, peakbagging, travel, or short overnight trips. It’s an internal frame pack with a U-shaped zipper that provides complete access to the main compartment when unzipped, …

Hyperlite Mountain Gear (HMG) specializes in making rugged multi-sport backpacks and shelters with Dyneema Composite Fabrics. Their distinctive white and black backpacks are quite popular and easy to spot on National Scenic Trails and in the backcountry. One of the things that …

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Elevate 22 Daypack is a downsized frameless version of the company’s multi-day Dyneema DCF roll-top backpacks. It has some external storage including a front stretch mesh pocket and two side water bottle pockets, but they’re on the small …

The Six Moon Designs Wy’East Daypack is a 30-liter daypack that’s good for all-day hikes, commuting, and travel. While it’s made by a company that specializes in ultralight rolltop backpacks for thru-hiking, it has a top-lid pocket and internal security pocket that …

The Deuter AC Lite 24 is a lightweight ventilated day pack with a suspended mesh frame that’s great for warm weather day hiking and general outdoor use. It has five pockets in addition to the main compartment and comes with a rain …

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Daybreak daypack is a 17L backpack made with two layers of black Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF), a waterproof laminate that makes the Daybreak lightweight, durable, and highly water-resistant. The Daybreak is laid out very much like HMG’s overnight backpacks …

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 55 Backpack is a durable Dyneema DCF backpack that’s good for thru-hiking and multi-day backpacking trips in rugged terrain. The Southwest 55 is basically the same pack as the smaller volume Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 40 Backpack but …

The ULA Ultra 24 Circuit (68L) is an ultralight-style roll-top backpack made using a new ultralight waterproof fabric called Ultra that’s significantly more abrasion resistant than Dyneema DCF or the Robic Nylon used in other lightweight backpacks. If you’ve already been evaluating …

The ULA Catalyst Backpack is the largest volume backpack in ULA’s line of ultralight style packs with 75 liters of capacity. Weighing 44.4 oz (1259 g), it’s a durable backpack that can carry an enormous amount of gear and food, packed inside …

The Osprey Exos 58 Backpack is one of the most popular backpacks used by thru-hikers and lightweight backpackers because it has a ventilated, suspended mesh back panel that keeps you cooler and drier in warm weather and it weighs under 3 lbs. …

The Six Moon Designs Flight 30 Ultra Running Pack is a 30L frameless backpack that is made for runners and ultralight backpackers. It has a lightweight body-hugging pack that is great for fastpacking, as there is very little bounce once it’s loaded …

The Gregory Zulu 55 is a ventilated, adjustable frame backpack designed for carrying big loads with or without a bear canister. Weighing 4 lbs 2 oz, this new version (2023) is about a half pound heavier than its predecessor due to increased …