The primary downside of the Aether 65 is its weight, which squeezes in just under 5 pounds. Osprey is a backpack powerhouse known for quality builds, excellent organization, and comfort, as seen in industry-leading designs like the Atmos/Aura and Aether/Ariel above. Theres no shortage of good competition in the ultralight pack market, but the Gossamer Gear is nevertheless a strong contender, and especially for those who like to stay organizedRead in-depth reviewSee the Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60. Weighing at least half a pound less than the next lightest pack on our list, the Zpacks Arc Blast takes the ultralight crown. But you wont find a better balance of weight, carrying comfort, and features for everything from quick overnight missions to week-long backpacking trips, once more earning the Atmos AG 65 a spot at the top of our listRead in-depth reviewSee the Men's Osprey Atmos AG 65 See the Women's Osprey Aura AG 65. By the way Kelty sells rain covers separately. Updated last fall, the pack dropped the AntiGravity (AG) suspension system for a new AirScape backpanel, which is less elaborate but still has breathable foam and mesh to help keep you cool. Looking at the picks above, youll notice that most ultralight packs are made by non-mainstream brands like Gossamer Gear, Hyperlite Mountain Gear, ULA, and Zpacks. You get a total of seven external pocketsmore than the Hyperlite or ULA abovewhich make it easy to distribute and organize your gear. But while the Gregory gets the edge in weight (its almost 1 pound less) and price, the Osprey is the better pack when it comes to comfort, exterior storage, and ventilation. And with a spring 2022 update, the most recent Exos tacks on a convenient torso-length adjustment and reintroduces hipbelt pockets to the design (surprisingly, these had been removed in the previous version). Besides from the Bora backpack, Arcteryx also makes great climbing packs (Alpha line) and avalanche packs with airbags (Voltair line). In our hands, it has seen duty as an overnight and multi-day backpacking pack as well as a packrafting dry bag. Osprey backpacks for sports are typically equipped with a hydration bladder sleeve while many of their everyday packs feature a padded sleeve for a laptop. You dont get the same level of padding or organization as the Baltoro, but the pack offers easy fit adjustments, plenty of mesh along the backpanel to help you stay cool, and a quality feel overall with sturdy zippers and supportive foam. Nearly every backpacking pack out there will have an opening at the top that is secured in a cinch cord or roll-top manner, referred to as a top-loader. In fact, after experiencing the merits of the body-hugging suspension and convenient on-the-go access, we found it hard to transition back to a standard pack. Further, for $56 more, the Kelty Coyote is a much better option for hauling heavy loads. For such a trip I would consider Osprey Exos 58 or Atmos 65. We also appreciate the generous storage layout for shuttling multi-day loads, including nine exterior pockets, U-shaped front access to the main compartment, and massive hipbelt pockets (made even larger in the latest update) that easily swallow a large smartphone. Weight: 2 lbs. On the other hand, if youre just making the transition over to ultralight gear, we recommend that your pack be the last thing you swap. So I like lots of good small zippered compartments. I always carry first aid gear, and end up using it too often. One of the Glaciers main competitors is the Osprey Aether above. As long as you keep your pack weight under the recommended 35 pounds, the Crown3 is a winner. You can also purchase one separatelyREI Co-op's Duck's Back Raincover gets the job donebut keep in mind that they arent foolproof and can be hard to trust in windy conditions. But if you are also carrying first aid kit, you probably do need a bit more space than that. Weve taken the Circuit on multi-day treks in Patagonia and up 14ers in Colorado, and have been impressed with how easy it is to load up, adjust, and even streamline as a day pack when needed. Note, some manufacturers also provide load ratings for their packs, which is another helpful reference point. For value seekers or those just dipping their toes into backpacking, REIs in-house collection is a really nice place to start. You can even make do with garbage bags: when guiding in British Columbias wet costal range, we used a trash compactor bag to line our backpack and always had dry gear. 2022 And although it only comes in one size (note: there are dedicated mens and womens versions), the pack features an adjustable torso length, so you can share it, pass it down to your kids, or gift it if you eventually graduate to a more high-performance model. To start, you get plenty of functional features: Granite Gears signature (and elaborate) compression straps, plenty of mesh pockets along the front and sides, and a roll-top closure for securing the load. On top of that, organization is middling: you only get 5 external pockets (7 if youre counting water bottle holders) and the hipbelt stashes are oddly placed and difficult-to-reach. To top it off, its a great value at just $280. We're sorry that this post was not useful! Moreover, it takes some practice (and patience) to get the shoulder straps and hipbelt adjusted. Finally, given its impressive hauling abilities, wed like to see a larger-capacity version from Mystery Ranch. Ounce-counters wont find a more streamlined yet hardwearing design, and compared to the Zpacks Arc Blast below (another popular UL pack), the thicker body fabric (5.0 oz/sqyd vs. 3.1 oz/sqyd) offers significantly more durability. However, two useful items missing on the Glacier are hipbelt pockets and a large mesh shove-it pocket on the back. Furthermore, Kelty is the only backpack brand on this list which also manufactures great tactical backpacks for example their Raven backpack which is designed for radio operators and has a special holder for a military radio. While at 60 liters and more, you have enough space to take on a few additional itemsgreat for parents with kids in tow. But in terms of premium haulers the Aether has a lot to offer, and those lugging heavy loads will appreciate the durable, sturdy build. One point should stand out, however. Both packs come in 48- and 58-liter versions (the Exos is also available in a 38L option) and check in around the same price (the Exos is $20 more for the 58L version). I thought of the Osprey Atmos 60 and the Deuter Futura 50+10. Granite Gear also gives you the option of adding on an aluminum stay for loads over 35 pounds, which makes the pack versatile for longer trips and heavier loads. Rules about how big of a pack you need are not hard and fast. Comfort-wise, weve found the Mariposa has sufficient padding and plenty of support right up to its 35-pound maximum rating. The Focal goes head-to-head with Ospreys Exos below, which is the long-standing favorite in this category. And recently, even household names like REI Co-op and Gregory have thrown their hat into the ring with designs like the Flash and Focal/Facet, giving backpackers more ultralight options than ever. Gregory Alpinisto mountaineering backpacks have several very useful features, such as a removable top pocket (to save weight), bivy pad (for emergency situations) and a crampon pocket. Additional access to the bottom or middle of the pack via a u-shaped zipper can be a big help, keeping you from having to shovel through a once-meticulously organized pack to find some elusive item. Today, Kelty makes high-quality hiking, mountaineering and tactical packs. We recently took their Futura Air Trek to southern Patagonia for testing and came away impressed by its overall performance on multi-day objectives. We listed Kelty backpacks in our selections of the Best Expedition Backpacks, Best Tactical Backpacks and Best Child Carrier Packs. In particular, reaching behind the frame sheet to remove and reinsert the shoulder strap clips was a pain. The middle-tier 85-liter model is a great option for family trips or times when you need to haul bulky gear. 9.3 oz.Fabric: Nylon (100D, 210D, & 420D)Capacities: 48, 58, 68LWhat we like: Well-balanced design with a useful feature set.What we dont: Heavier but no more comfortable than the Blaze above. If you dont have a waterproof backpack (chances are you wont), its a good idea take a few extra precautions to make sure your gear stays dry. From the current lineup, we prefer the heavy-hauling Glacier, which is built to handle rough, expedition-level use and comes loaded with creative design touches. But as before, the Baltoros biggest downside is its weight: The 75-liter model clocks in around 5 pounds, which is about twice the heft of the 70-liter Hyperlite Southwest mentioned above. REIs packs are reliably high on value, but they arent usually standouts in terms of performance. From behind, the Aerios has all of the hallmarks of an ultralight pack, including a cavernous main compartment with roll-top closure, generous dump pockets, and an exterior bungee and daisy chain. One of the most important factors to enjoyment on the trail comes in sizing and fitting your pack correctly. 8.3 oz.Fabric: Nylon (210D)Capacities: 60, 70LWhat we like: A well-ventilated pack with great storage and comfort.What we dont: Hanging mesh backpanel can be polarizing. Weve been impressed with the build quality, level of customization, and customer service provided by all of these brands, with the only downsides being wait time (many packs are made to order) and slightly higher price tags. 10 oz.Fabric: Nylon (100D & 420D)Capacities: 55LWhat we like: Light, customizable, and a great value.What we dont: Comfort and ventilation fall short of more premium designs. Make sure to match your pack's capacity to your type of gear you'll be bringing. But these are small nitpicks, and the Blazes well-rounded build makes it one of our favorite packs on the marketRead in-depth reviewSee the Men's Granite Gear Blaze 60 See the Women's Granite Gear Blaze 60. Despite these complaints, the Trailbreak is one of the more well-thought-out models weve seen at this price point, and is a solid choice for new backpackers or those who only get out a few times a year.See the Men's REI Co-op Trailbreak 60 See the Women's REI Co-op Trailbreak 60. The good news is that most backpacks offer decent water resistance with hard-face nylon and a durable water repellant (DWR) coating, although expect sustained rainfall to penetrate the fabric. And you get all kinds of adjustability, including a rip-and-stick system that easily tailors the fit of the shoulder straps and hipbelt, along with ample compression straps and attachment points for ice axes, tent poles, and more. Weight: 4 lbs. If you are sleeping in huts, you only need a sleeping bag and Austrian huts also provide food and drinks. Below are our favorite backpacking backpacks for 2022, from ultralight bags for minimalists and thru-hikers to comfort-oriented options for weekend warriors and extended trips. But the Focal is lighter by a few ounces, carries just as well, and features a simpler design thats a bit easier to pack. For a great combination of features and weight-savings, the Osprey is well-deserving of a spot on this listRead in-depth reviewSee the Men's Osprey Exos 58 See the Women's Osprey Eja 58. While all backpack brands in this review make hiking and backpacking packs, some also make great backpacks for everyday use and travelling. A solid choice, although I also think it might be a bit too big for day hikes. By using this website, you accept our use of cookies. We listed Arcteryx backpacks in our reviews of the Best Backpacking Packs and Best Daypacks. Some ultralight packs do a decent job of balancing these needs, including the Osprey Exos 58/Eja 58, which uses a creative mesh design surrounding thin foam for a good balance of weight and support. You do trade off a bit of durability compared with burly traditional hauliers or pricier ultralight designs (which generally use Dyneema or burly Robic nylon), but weve been surprised with how well the Exos 100-denier body and base have held up. The Co-ops branded gear doesnt make many headlines in terms of performance or weight-savings, but the price is right and quality and features are serviceable for most casual users. Whether youre a first-time backpacker or a seasoned veteran, everyone could use a good list to make sure theyre prepared when they head out on the trail. In short, if you aim to keep things light and simple on a backpacking trip, this probably isnt the pack for you. Finally, Gossamer Gear offers great customization: the standard pack comes in three sizes, and you can order your hipbelt separately to nail that perfect fit. Often helping others. Its not to say internal framed packs arent improving, however, with numerous access points and creative packaging. Its true that the 45-liter design is limited for overnight trips, but fastpackers and true ounce-counters will have no issue keeping their load to a workable size. A number of ultralight packs are designed for thru-hikers and minimalists, but our top pick is the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest.