Backpack Reviews
We tested the top picks from Osprey, REI, The North Face, Gregory, Deuter and CamelBak.
These boots take a bit more time to break in than others, so this 25-mile hike was a bit much for them right out of the box.
Credit: Tim Johnson
Seldom is something as annoying as a backpack that doesn't carry right. The good news is that we can help, not only with deciding what type of backpack you need, but reviews that walk you through the various types, and the pros and cons of each. Our reviews run the gamut from the best everyday backpacks to the top ultralight packs to a comparison of the best backpacking packs. What about best backpacks for women? Got you covered. Our dedicated team of testers has put in months of work to provide reviews you can trust.
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Best Picks in Backpack Reviews
Best Hiking Gear of 2023
Our experts list our favorite hiking gear picks so you can have the best experience on the trail.
Best Backpacking Gear of 2023
If you are gearing up for Backpacking, we've got you covered with our comprehensive list of the best gear of the year.
10 Best Backpacks
We're always looking for the best backpacks to fuel our adventures. We tested hundreds of models this year and these...
Best Backpacking Backpacks
We spent hundreds of days testing 16 of the best backpacking packs to give you the needed info to choose what's best...
Best Backpacking Backpacks for Women of 2023
Ready to go backpacking? We tested the top women's specific backpacks on the market to determine which one is best...
Best Ultralight Backpack of 2023
Keen to make ultralight backpacking more enjoyable? Over six years, we've purchased and tested over 25 of the best...
Best Budget Backpacking Packs
We know not everyone wants to pay for a top-tier backpack, so we've ranked some of the best budget backpacks on the...
Best Daypacks of 2023
Sizing up the daypack market and choosing what is best for you, your needs, and your budget is tough. Here we've done...
Best Daypacks for Women of 2023
If you're a woman in the market for a daypack, we can help. We considered 80+ different models and chose 13 of the...
Best Budget Backpack
Are you in need of a new backpack for school or everyday use? Our team of reviewers independently purchased ten of the...
Best Travel Backpacks of 2023
If you are in search of the perfect travel backpack, then you've come to the right place. Through ample research and...
Best Hydration Pack of 2023
Are you ready for a new hydration pack? Whether you're replacing an older model or looking to try one for the first...
Best Running Hydration Pack
After months of researching the most popular running packs on the market, our testers dedicated hundreds of miles in...
Best Running Hydration Pack for Women of 2023
Only recently have female-specific hydration packs become popular and we sure are glad they did. Our running-obsessed...
Best Hydration Bladder
Searching for the best hydration bladder? Our experts have personally tested today's top models for hiking, running...
Best Laptop Backpack
Seeking the best laptop backpack? After perusing over 80 of the best options on the market, we chose 11 to test...
Best Fanny Packs of 2023
Are you on the hunt for a fanny pack? Looking to add a little flair to your outfit with a "bum bag"? Look no further...
Best Climbing Backpack of 2023
Looking for a climbing backpack for your multi-pitch adventures? We tested the top climbing packs to determine which...
Best Mountaineering Backpack
For this review, our seasoned field testers took out a collection of the industry's leading mountaineering backpacks...
Best Messenger Bag of 2023
Whether you need a bag for your commute or for your job, we've taken the top 8 models and tested them in as many...
Best Mountain Bike Hip Pack of 2023
Are you searching for the best mountain bike hip pack? We tested ten of the most intriguing packs on the market...Recent Gear Reviews in Backpack Reviews
Editors' Choice
Patagonia Black Hole MLC Review
An already award-winning travel backpack was redesigned with burly patented Black Hole fabric and a heftier harness...
Best Buy
Nathan TrailMix 7L - Women's Review
Our top recommendation for bang per dollar. We love how comfortable and breathable this pack is, offering plenty of...
Editors' Choice
Nathan Pinnacle 12L - Women's Review
One of our favorite vests to date due to its ample pocket space, soft fabric fit, and precisely-engineered features...
Editors' Choice
Osprey Mutant 38 Review
This is a pack unlike any we have seen before. It has held its spot as our Editors' Choice winner for several years in...
Best Buy
Matein Travel Review
This bag has great storage, computer protection, and additional features. At an affordable price point, it is one of...
Best Buy
The North Face Borealis Review
This is one of the best deals out there. It features 28L of storage with a versatility that can be utilized from your...Backpack Reviews Learning Center
How to Choose a Mountaineering and Alpine Climbing Backpack
If the ice axe is the posterchild of mountaineering, the backpack is our unsung hero. Mountaineering backpacks must...
How to Choose the Right Backpacking Backpack
We want to make it easy for you to find the right pack for your next adventure. If you need help sorting through your...
How to Choose a Daypack for Hiking
A daypack is a simple purchase, with complicated ramifications. A good day pack will accompany you for far more than...
How to Buy a Hydration Bladder
There are many different hydration bladders out there, so where do you begin? Developed in the 90s as a means for...
How to Choose A Travel Backpack
We've trotted all over the globe, from rainforests to old fortresses, urban centers, and backcountry wonders, with all...
How to Choose an Ultralight Backpack
Our first side-by-side review of ultralight backpacks compares eight of the best and most popular options for...Ad-free. Influence-free. Powered by Testing.
GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison.
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