There can be few things as rewarding as packing a day’s essentials into a rucksack and hiking to a tranquil forest of picturesque viewpoint.
All of that can be so easily undone by an uncomfortable rucksack that doesn’t have the right amount of storage, and lacks features like external mounting points for kit or a breathable construction to help keep you cool.
Hiking tech is better now than it’s ever been and there’s a huge range of cleverly designed and ergonomically shaped backpacks that make lugging a spine-bending bag a thing of the past.
The best hiking backpacks and rucksacks
Editor's pick
Description
Buying a rucksack with loads of features usually means you need an equally large bag of cash in order to pay for it but this rucksack from Rab's sub-brand Lowe Alpine comes with everything you need for fantastic value. It has 65 litres of storage space, expandable up to 80 litres. It's durable yet lightweight and very comfortable indeed for a few consecutive days of wearing. There are useful traveller's touches too, such as the front access zip and front grab handle.
Best for comfort
Description
Osprey specialises in bags and rucksacks and the big Aether 65 (women's version is the Ariel 65) is a top-class rucksack. The entire harness system is so beautifully engineered that carrying heavy loads for a week is no hardship. It's certainly a rucksack that will last a lifetime. The Aether 65 (and Ariel 65) also benefits from a couple of sustainability touches, including the bluesign-approved nylon and a PFC-free water-repellent coating.
Best mid-sized rucksack
Description
Like Osprey, Deuter is a backpack specialist. Its Futura Pro 40 is a bit smaller and lighter than the big 60+ litre rucksacks but can still be used for multi-day trips if travelling light. The mesh back system maintains comfort and airflow, and like many bigger packs, comes with a rain cover. We also applaud the 50% recycled material and PFC-free water-repellent coating.
Best value
Description
Berghaus's 65-litre Trailhead rucksack is unapologetically straightforward and very suitable for first-time buyers of big rucksacks. With the Trailhead 65, Berghaus has focused on fit, comfort, and quality, so that the user will remain comfortable over several days of use. There are still a couple of attachment points for walking poles for example, and a handful of pockets too.
Best lightweight pack
Description
The smallest bag here, the 38-litre Valorous Pack is also very lightweight - just 1.22kg. Kathmandu is a relatively unknown brand in the UK but is very popular in New Zealand and Australia, whose inhabitants know a thing or two about the outdoors. The 38-litre Valorous is big enough for a one- or two-night trek, but also small and light enough for day trips too. This pack contains recycled nylon and has a couple of clever touches such as the phone pocket in the shoulder strap.