Choosing Your Hiking Backpack: Top Picks for Every Outing

The wrong backpack can turn the most beautiful hike into a nightmare. Shoulders aching from the weight, gear inaccessible at the bottom of a poorly designed catch-all... choosing this piece of equipment is anything but trivial. Faced with a jungle of models and sometimes opaque marketing jargon, it's hard to know where to start.

Our mission with this guide? To shed some light. As the Head of Product Selection at Joybuy, I'll break down the essentials for you and offer concrete advice to help you find THE hiking backpack that's truly right for you. No fluff.

How to Choose the Right Hiking Backpack??

Before diving into our selection, let's review the three essential criteria to ensure you make the right choice.

1. Volume: Matching Capacity to Your Trip's Duration

Volume, measured in litres (L), is the starting point. It is chosen primarily based on the length of your getaways.

• Day Hikes (10-25L)?: A compact pack is enough to carry the essentials: a rain jacket, water, a picnic, and a few personal items. A lightweight backpack is a major asset here.
• Weekend Hikes (30-40L)?: For 2- to 3-day trips with overnight stays in a hut, a 40L backpack is often the ideal compromise. It will easily accommodate a change of clothes, a wash bag, and some gear.
• Trekking and Long-Distance Hiking (50L and up)?: For a multi-day trek where you're fully self-sufficient, you need to think bigger. A volume of 50L or more is essential to carry a tent, sleeping bag, stove, and several days' worth of food.

2. Comfort: A Non-Negotiable Criterion

You can have the best gear in the world, but if your pack is torturing your back, the adventure will be cut short. Comfort isn't an option, and it rests on several pillars:

• The Harness System: It must ensure optimal load distribution, with the majority of the weight resting on your hips, not your shoulders. Scrutinise the quality of the back panel, the padding on the shoulder straps, and the hip belt.
• Ventilation: A dry back is the holy grail for hikers. Systems with ventilation channels or, even better, suspended mesh create a space for air to circulate, thus reducing sweat.
• Adjustability: Shoulder straps, sternum strap, hip belt... everything must be adjustable to perfectly fit your body shape. This is the secret to a custom fit. Some unisex backpack models take it a step further by offering adjustable back heights.

3. Durability and Water Resistance: Ready for Anything

Your pack will be put through its paces: branches, rocks, downpours... Its sturdiness is non-negotiable.

• Materials: Opt for fabrics known for their resistance to abrasion and tearing, such as high-density nylons or polyesters (measured in denier).
• Water Resistance: Let's be clear: very few packs are 100% waterproof. Most so-called waterproof models actually have a water-repellent coating that is effective against light rain. To face a real downpour, nothing beats a rain cover. Check if one is included or if you need to buy it separately.

Recommended Backpacks for Every Need

Let's get to the specifics with a selection of models that caught our attention for their technical specs and versatility, each tailored to a specific use.

For Multi-Day Trekking: PELLIOT Trekking Backpack 40L

Its strong suit: This PELLIOT backpack is designed for 2- to 3-day hikes. Its key feature is its highly advanced harness system. It features an alloy frame designed to take the load off your shoulders and back by transferring most of the weight to your hips. The manufacturer also highlights its dynamic harness, whose shoulder straps are said to follow the body's movements to reduce fatigue over time.

What we like:

• Long-lasting comfort: The internal frame and hip belt combo is optimised for long days on the trail.
• Smart storage: Multiple well-placed pockets (lid, front stretch pocket, hip belt) and external attachments for poles or a sleeping pad.
• Back ventilation: The EVA foam back panel and ventilated shoulder straps are designed to promote air circulation.
• Versatility: Its 40L volume is the sweet spot for multi-day getaways.

Who is it for? Long-distance hikers and trekkers heading out for 2 or 3 days who are looking for a well-structured pack that offers excellent support with a moderate load.

For Trail Running and Active Outings: PELLIOT Trail Running Backpack 20L

Its strong suit: This trail running backpack focuses on lightness and stability above all else. The manufacturer sums it up with its "S.L.F" concept (Stable, Lightweight, Fast access). Its vest-like harness hugs the torso to minimise bouncing during exertion. The ripstop polyester construction ensures good abrasion resistance, a real plus on challenging trails.

What we like:

• Feather-light: Every gram counts, and its low weight is a real asset for performance.
• Perfect stability: Its "vest" design keeps it snug against your body to prevent any unwanted movement.
• Direct access: The numerous pockets and flask holders are accessible without having to take the pack off. Ideal for hydrating or snacking on the go.
• Durability: The ripstop fabric is good insurance against tears and premature wear.

Who is it for? Trail runners, mountain bikers, and fast hikers who want a minimalist, stable, and lightweight pack to carry the bare essentials without being weighed down.

For Everyday Use and Short Trips: PELLIOT Waterproof Bag 10L

Its strong suit: Its versatility and compactness. This small 10L water-repellent backpack has the unique feature of packing down completely into its own pocket, becoming tiny. Its treated fabric offers effective protection from showers. A small safety bonus: the emergency whistle integrated into the sternum strap.

What we like:

• Ultra-compact: Once packed into its pocket, it takes up almost no space. The ideal backup bag for travelling.
• Rain protection: Its water-repellent coating will keep your belongings safe from a shower or splashes.
• The Swiss Army knife: Perfect for daily commutes, an impromptu walk, a bike ride, or even a trip to the beach.
• Feather-light: Weighing in at just 200 grams, you'll barely notice it.

Who is it for? Those looking for a small, do-it-all bag for everyday use, travellers who need an ultra-light daypack, or for water activities where basic splash protection is sufficient.

Can't Find What You're Looking For?

Our selection covers specific uses, but the world of backpacks is vast. Every adventurer has their own criteria for volume, features, or style. If you haven't found your perfect match yet, don't worry: hundreds of other options are available.

Feel free to explore our complete collection of bags and luggage to find the companion for your next adventures.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What size backpack for a 2-day hike? For a 2-day trip with an overnight stay in a hut, a volume of 30 to 40 litres is usually ideal. It's enough to carry a change of clothes, a fleece or down jacket, a wash bag, water, and food, without being too bulky. The 40L backpack is an excellent all-rounder.

2. How do you properly adjust a hiking backpack? This is the key step for good comfort! Start by loosening all the straps, then load your pack with 5 to 8 kg to simulate real conditions.

1. The hip belt: Place it over your hip bones (iliac crests) and tighten it. It should support about 80% of the pack's weight.
2. The shoulder straps: Tighten them to bring the pack snug against your back. The weight should not shift onto your shoulders, which should remain mobile.
3. The load lifters: Tighten these small straps located above the shoulder straps to pull the top of the pack towards you and stabilise it.
4. The sternum strap: Adjust its height and tighten it. It prevents the shoulder straps from spreading apart and improves stability.

3. Is a hiking backpack truly waterproof? Watch the terminology! Most packs are "water-resistant," not "waterproof." In practical terms, their fabric has a coating that causes water from a light rain or a brief shower to bead up and roll off. But during heavy or prolonged rain, water will eventually seep through the seams and zips. For total protection, a rain cover is essential. True waterproof packs, often dry bag style, are rarer and reserved for specific uses (canyoning, kayaking, etc.).