Backpack Reviews
We tested the top pics 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 just 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 basic backpacks to the ultralights to the top pics for backpacking. 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 2022
Our experts list our favorite hiking gear picks so you can have the best experience on the trail.
Best Backpacking Gear of 2022
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 of 2022
We're always looking for the best backpacks to fuel our adventures. We tested hundreds of models this year and these...
Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2022
We spent hundreds of days testing 15 of the best backpacking packs to give you the needed info to choose what's best...
Best Backpacking Backpacks for Women of 2022
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 2022
Keen to make ultralight backpacking more enjoyable? Over six years, we've purchased and tested over 25 of the best...
Best Budget Backpacking Packs of 2022
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 2022
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 2022
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 of 2022
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 2022
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 2022
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 for Women of 2022
Only recently have female-specific hydration packs become popular and we sure are glad they did. Our running-obsessed...
Best Running Hydration Pack of 2022
After months of researching the most popular running packs on the market, our testers dedicated hundreds of miles in...
Best Hydration Bladder of 2022
Searching for the best hydration bladder? Our experts have personally tested today's top models for hiking, running...
Best Laptop Backpack of 2022
Seeking the best laptop backpack? After perusing over 80 of the best options on the market, we chose 8 to test...
Best Fanny Packs of 2022
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 2022
Looking for a climbing backpack for your multi-pitch adventures? We tested the top climbing packs to determine which...
Best Mountaineering Backpack of 2022
For this review, our seasoned field testers took out a collection of the industry's leading mountaineering backpacks...
Best Mountain Bike Hip Pack of 2022
Are you searching for the best mountain bike hip pack? We tested ten of the most intriguing packs on the market...
Best Messenger Bag of 2022
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...Recent Gear Reviews in Backpack Reviews
Editors' Choice
The North Face Route Rocket Review
Streamlined and practical, this pack dispenses with unnecessary features. That means there are few options for...
Editors' Choice
Gregory Deva 60 Review
This plush pack provides the level of support that is signature to Gregory but is slimmed down to make it sleeker and...
Best Buy
REI Co-op Flash 22 Review
The Flash 22 wins our Best Buy award for its impressive functionality while maintaining a low price and weight.
Best Buy
REI Swiftland Hydro Review
This pack works in the best, straightforward, simple way you want. With options for hydration systems and plenty of...
Editors' Choice
Gregory Jade 28L Review
The Jade 28 from Gregory is a large daypack that can handle almost anything you might need to bring with you on a day...
Best Buy
REI Co-op Trail 25 - Women's Review
The Trail 25 is a budget-friendly, do-it-all pack that is simple in design yet has all the features you need in a...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 Choose an Ultralight Backpack
Our first side-by-side review of ultralight backpacks compares eight of the best and most popular options for...
How to Choose the Right Messenger Bag
Wondering if a messenger bag is right for you? This article highlights the best uses of this bag style to help you...
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...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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