The Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor is a top-loading backpack with a unique top lid and compression straps on the sides and front that let you modify the pack’s volume or strap bulky gear to the outside. This is complemented by a stiff …
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REI Trail 25 Backpack Review
The REI Trail 25 is a multi-purpose panel-loading backpack good for day hiking, urban use, and travel. While it’s easy to discount it as a hiking pack, it’s surprisingly functional for just that purpose with lots of strategically located pockets, trekking pole …
Read More »Osprey Mutant 38 Backpack Review
The Osprey Mutant 38 is a versatile alpine backpack that’s equally at home on winter hiking trails, ski mountaineering tours, or ice-climbing routes. It’s an internal frame pack that is loaded with external attachment points that make it easy to haul bulky …
Read More »Hyperlite Mountain Gear Junction 55 Backpack Review
The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Junction 55 is a Dyneema DCF backpack designed for multi-day backpacking trips and thru-hikes. Weighing 32 oz, it has a total capacity of 65L, including 55L of main compartment storage and 10L of space distributed between its front …
Read More »Osprey Stratos 36 Backpack Review
The Osprey Stratos 36 is a ventilated and adjustable length backpack that is suitable for long day hikes, multi-sport adventures, and even lightweight backpacking trips. It has a suspended mesh back panel and seamless wrap-around hip belt that make it cool and …
Read More »Osprey Renn 50 Women’s Backpack Review
The Osprey Renn 50 is a women’s-specific multi-day backpack with an adjustable and ventilated frame. Weighing just 3.31 pounds (53 oz), it’s lightweight, comfortable, and easy-to-use with plenty of pockets to stay organized. Priced at $155, it’s also surprisingly affordable considering how …
Read More »Deuter Rise Lite 26 SL Women’s Backpack Review
The Deuter Rise Lite 26 SL is a women’s specific winter backpack that’s ideal for winter day trips, such as skiing, snowboarding, hiking, climbing and snowshoeing. Being a women’s specific backpack, the torso length and width are designed for a smaller female …
Read More »Durston Gear Kakwa 40 Backpack Review
The Durston Gear Kakwa 40 Backpack is an ultralight, internal frame pack that weighs well under 2 pounds with a total volume of 55L including 40 liters in its main compartment plus 15 liters of additional external storage. It provides excellent weight …
Read More »REI Trail 40 Backpack Review
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, …
Read More »Mountainsmith Zerk 40 Backpack Review
The Mountainsmith Zerk 40 is a multi-purpose backpack with vest-style shoulder straps that can be used for backpacking, thru-hiking, or long day hikes. I hesitate to call it a fast-pack because its utility extends far beyond that narrow style of use. Weighing …
Read More »ULA Catalyst 75L Backpack Review
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 …
Read More »Mystery Ranch Scree 32 Backpack Review
The Mystery Ranch Scree is a 3.1 pound daypack with an adjustable length torso that’s designed for carrying heavy loads in rugged terrain. It’s made with burly fabrics to withstand serious abuse, with a unique frame system that won’t buckle if you …
Read More »Fjallraven Bergtagen 38 Backpack Review
The Fjallraven Bergtagen 38 is a waterproof mountaineering backpack that’s designed for winter hiking and climbing with modular components that added or removed depending on your needs. It has wooden frame stays, a lid, and hip belt that can all be removed …
Read More »Mystery Ranch 2-Day Assault Backpack Review
The Mystery Ranch 2-Day Assault Backpack is a 27-liter daypack that’s great for day hikes, travel, school, and more urban endeavors. While it has a potentially off-putting militaristic name, it’s quickly become my go-to pack for overnight trips and plane travel, but …
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