The Best Backpacking Backpack Review

First, a note about sizes. We choose to review 60-65 liter packs because this is the size most people carry on a camping trip of two to eight days. Most of these packs also come in different sizes (70 and 75-liter sizes are also common). We have also used the larger versions of these packs and find that different sizes perform similarly. So if you read our review of the Arcteryx Altra 65, you can assume that the Altra 75 will be about the same.

When we tested these packs we compared them in five different categories:

Shoulder Strap and Hip Belt Comfort
Outdoor Gear Lab editors, their friends and climbing partners (thanks guys) tested these packs to help us have a broader perspective when choosing the most comfortable. Gregory Baltoro and the Arc'teryx Altra tied for most comfortable. Both packs use high quality foam and had well-designed articulation. Not far behind was the Deuter Aircontact. Its straps and belt were very comfortable but noticeably bulkier. The Osprey Aether 65 wasn't as comfortable as the packs listed above, but it was comfy enough for most people for trips of two to five days with an average amount of gear.

Frame Comfort
The Frame comfort category is simply how well the frame transferred the load from the pack into the waist belt and to a lesser extent onto our shoulder straps. In addition, we compared the foam used and the articulation as well as how well the packs were to carry against our backs. The Gregory Baltoro, Arc'teryx Altra and the Deuter Aircontact all preformed fantastically. The Altra just barely edged out the Baltoro and the Aircontact because of how nicely the the pivoting waist belt transferred the load to our hips. It makes the pack "feel" lighter. That said we did like how supportive and comfortable foam on the Baltoro was and most testers agreed that they loved the superior lumbar support the Gregory Baltoro provided. The Deuter Aircontact was just a hair behind the Baltoro. It featured thick and comfortable padding and a supportive frame – some testers just thought it felt a little bulky.

Ease of Packing
Our ease of packing category includes how easy to pack and access the main compartment as well as the smaller pockets, sleeves and lids. For each pocket we asked ourselves, "Did that pocket make my life easier, or is it not that useful and just adding weight to the pack?" We also looked at access points and evaluated whether they were truly useful or just for show. We favored packs with straps for crampons, ice axes, sleeping pads or other items.

The Gregory Baltoro 65 has by far the most pockets and access points of any pack in our review. This makes it a great option for folks who really like a lot of organization and access but it also makes it one of the heavier packs in our review. The Deuter Aircontact had nearly as many pockets but we felt that they weren't as useful and neither were the access points. The Arc'terx Altra had the best lid pockets; stuff didn't fall out when someone unzipped it while you were wearing it. While the Altra didn't feature as many pockets as some others, it had very useful ones and had the best access of any pack. This is an impressive feat considering it is also one of the lighter packs in the review.

Weight
While having a light pack is great, lighter packs often don't have as plush suspensions nor as comfy straps. This will matter less to someone who goes on mostly trips of two to three days and tends to pack light (less than 30 pounds). For people who tend to bring a few of the extra comforts of home, favor longer trips or just end up taking everyone else's stuff, they will benefit greatly from a pound or more of suspension and padding. Heavier packs also tend to feature more durable materials and have more bells and whistles. Be realistic: which features do you "need" and which features are cool but seldom used?

For a lighter but still rugged and fairly comfortable pack we would choose the Gregory Z65. It hits a nice balance of lightweight but still comfortable. Among more full-featured packs, the the Osprey Aether 65 and the Arc'teryx Altra 65 are the lightest at 4 lbs 13 oz. The Gregory Baltoro 65 weighs in at 5 lbs 10 oz and the Deuter Aircontact tips the scales as our heaviest pack reviewed at 6 lbs 3 oz. We were impressed with how light the Altra was for how comfortable it was.

Adjustablity
The more adjustable you pack is and the more sizes it comes in translates to a better fit. Most packs we tested have the ability to swap out shoulder straps and waist belts for different sizes, something that many stores offer for free or you can specify when you order (for example if you want a medium frame and a small waist belt). The Deuter Aircontact had the most adjustability as far as where you want the shoulder straps to sit. We also liked the adjustment of Arcteryx Altra. While it didn't have quite as much range, we loved how you could adjust the shoulder straps independently side to side (width-wise) as well as up and down. The Osprey Aether had nearly as much adjustment as the Aircontact.

The Bottom Line
The Best Backpacking Backpack
The Editors' Choice winner by a good margin is the Arcteryx Altra 65. It performed spectacularly, was very comfortable, and was surprisingly lightweight considering its features. It's the ultimate multi-day backpacking backpack. Right behind it was the Gregory Baltoro 65, which is the ultimate pack for carrying super heavy (70+ pounds) loads. It is heavier than the Altra but is also $100 less expensive. If you want a pack for carrying a lot of weight, the Baltoro is the best value.

The Best Value in Backpacking Backpacks
The Best Buy winner is the Osprey Aether 60 because it combines comfort and performance at a great price. It was tied for least expensive pack in the review but only the Baltoro and Astra scored higher. It is $145 less expensive than the Altra and about as lightweight. It especially appeals to people who appreciate simplicity: no extra pockets or pouches: just the essentials.

Best Backpack For Traveling Light-ish, Skiing and Climbing
We give the Gregory Z65 a Top Pick award because it is our favorite light yet still full-featured pack. If you carry less than 35 pounds, it is an awesome and affordable option (it is tied for least expensive pack in the review). It straddles the line between a true ultralight pack (frameless and three pounds or less) and a full-featured backpack. If you are like some of our gear editors who are obsessed with moving light and fast, this is a great option. It can be used for ski-touring, backpacking, mountaineering, and even some easy alpine climbing.

Best backpack for each application
Overall best: Arcteryx Altra 65
2-3 day trips or less than 30 pounds: Gregory Z65
4-10 trips or 30-70 pounds: Arcteryx Altra 65
10+ days or 70+ pounds: Gregory Baltoro 65
Mountaineering: Arcteryx Altra 65
Ski-touring: Gregory Z65