The hiking backpack is the silent companion of every outing: choose it well and you forget it’s on your back.
Hiking backpack | How to choose the right one
The hiking backpack is the silent companion of every outing: choose it well and you forget it’s there, choose it poorly and even a short walk turns into a constant annoyance. Getting it right depends on several factors that need to be considered together, not in isolation: capacity in litres, the comfort of the back system, how the load is carried, and the type of activity you plan to do.
Hiking backpack | What capacity to choose: litres and type of outing
Up to 20-25 litres
Advantages: light, compact, ideal for short day hikes carrying the bare essentials (water, food, a rain jacket).
Disadvantages: not enough room for a full change of clothes or extra gear.
30 to 40 litres
Advantages: enough for a day hike with more gear, or a hut stay where you don’t need to carry a sleeping bag and multi-day food.
Disadvantages: can be excessive, and therefore heavier than necessary, for a simple few-hour walk.
Over 40-50 litres
Advantages: necessary for self-supported multi-day trekking, carrying tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad.
Disadvantages: heavier and bulkier, requiring a trained back and correct loading technique to avoid excessive strain on shoulders and spine.
A backpack too large for your needs invites you to carry more weight than necessary, filling the available space even with superfluous items; one too small forces you to compress your gear, risking damage or being unable to close it properly.
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The back panel and hip belt are what really determine a backpack’s comfort under load.
Hiking backpack | How to measure the correct back length
Even before litres, back length is what determines whether a backpack will be comfortable or not. It’s measured as torso length, not the person’s height: from the prominent vertebra at the base of the neck (the one that sticks out most when you tilt your head forward) down to the imaginary line joining the top of the hips, where the hip belt normally sits. This measurement, usually given in centimetres, should be matched against the back sizes offered by the manufacturer (often S, M, L, or continuous adjustment), regardless of the person’s overall height: two people of the same height can have torsos of different lengths, and therefore need different back sizes.
Hiking backpack | Back panel and comfort: the details that matter
An adjustable back panel lets you fit the backpack to your own build, correctly distributing weight between shoulders and hips. The hip belt, often underestimated, is actually the element that transfers most of the load onto the hips: ideally, most of the weight should rest on the hips and legs, not the shoulders, which should mainly just stabilise the pack. A well-padded, properly adjustable hip belt therefore makes a huge difference to how tired you feel by the end of the day.
Back ventilation systems, such as mesh panels held away from the back, reduce sweating in the area in contact with the pack, a detail that becomes especially appreciated on hot days or during long climbs.
Hiking backpack | Materials: what really makes a difference
Nylon (e.g. Cordura®)
Advantages: high abrasion resistance, ideal for heavy use on rocky terrain.
Disadvantages: slightly heavier than lighter alternatives.
Polyester
Advantages: lighter and more affordable, good UV resistance over time.
Disadvantages: generally less abrasion-resistant than nylon at the same thickness.
Water-repellent treated fabrics
Advantages: protect the contents from light rain without needing extra accessories.
Disadvantages: the treatment wears off over time and may eventually need reapplying, just like on technical jackets.
Hiking backpack | Day pack or multi-day pack
A day pack favours light weight and quick access to compartments, often with side pockets for a water bottle reachable without taking the pack off. A multi-day pack, on the other hand, includes dedicated compartments for a sleeping bag, attachment points for external gear (ice axe, poles, sleeping pad), and a sturdier structure capable of handling heavier loads without losing stability. Side compression straps, present on both types but more important on larger models, let you reduce the pack’s volume when it isn’t fully loaded, keeping the weight compact and close to the back.
Compression straps let you reduce the backpack’s volume when it isn’t fully loaded.
Hiking backpack | Backpacks for specific activities
Mountaineering and high altitude
You need external attachment points for an ice axe and crampons, easy top-loading access, and abrasion-resistant materials; capacity often stays modest (30-45 litres) because extra weight is felt much more at altitude.
Trail running and fast hiking
Here extreme lightness and a close body fit matter most, so as not to unbalance your running: 5-15 litre packs, often vest-shaped, with front pockets for bottles that are easy to reach without stopping.
Mountain photography
Those carrying camera gear need dedicated padded compartments and quick side or bottom access, so they can pull out the camera without opening the whole pack and risking missing the shot.
Children and families
Besides the parent’s pack, often larger to also carry the kids’ gear, there are dedicated models designed for children, with shorter backs and adjustments designed to accommodate growth in height.
Hiking backpack | Common mistakes to avoid
The first common mistake is choosing capacity based on the longest hikes you do once a year, rather than your most frequent use: the result is usually carrying a half-empty, heavier-than-necessary pack most of the time. The second mistake is ignoring back length, focusing only on available litres: a pack with the right capacity but the wrong back size stays uncomfortable no matter how technically sound it is.
A third mistake concerns adjustment: many hikers wear a pack without ever properly adjusting the load lifters, hip belt and shoulder straps, losing much of the benefit of a well-engineered ergonomic design. It takes just a few minutes, the first time you put on a new pack, to adjust it to your build — time well spent that pays off on every hike that follows.
Hiking backpack | Useful accessories: rain cover and hydration systems
A rain cover, often included or available as an accessory, protects the contents of the pack during sudden storms, which are common in the mountains even on seemingly stable days. Bladder-based hydration systems, with a tube running up to the shoulder, let you drink without stopping and without having to pull out a water bottle, a real advantage during the most demanding climbs.
Hiking backpack | Men’s and women’s backpacks: the differences
Backpacks designed for women generally have a shorter back panel and narrower, more shaped shoulder straps, to better fit a different body build compared to unisex or men’s models; the hip belt is often curved differently too, to fit the hips more closely. Trying the pack on with some weight inside before buying remains the best way to check the fit is right, regardless of whether it’s labelled men’s or women’s.
Hiking backpack | How to load your backpack correctly
How you arrange the load affects comfort just as much as the backpack itself. The heaviest items (food, stove, water) should sit close to the back and roughly at mid-height in the pack, keeping the centre of gravity stable and close to the body. Light but bulky items, like a sleeping bag, go in the bottom section; items you need frequently while walking (map, snacks, sun protection) belong in the top or side pockets, so you don’t have to empty the whole pack every time you need them. A poorly distributed load, even in a technically excellent backpack, can feel unstable and far more tiring than expected.
Hiking backpack | How to wash and maintain it over time
Before washing a backpack, always empty it completely and shake it outdoors to remove dust and surface debris. Localised stains should be treated with a soft cloth and a mild detergent, avoiding vigorous scrubbing on technical fabric. For a full wash, it’s best to check the manufacturer’s instructions: many packs can be hand-washed, others tolerate a gentle machine cycle at low temperature with all zips closed beforehand. Drying should always be done in the open air, away from direct heat sources and full sun, which can damage the fabric and its water-repellent treatment over time.
Hiking backpack | Frequently asked questions
How many litres do you need for a day hike?
Generally between 20 and 30 litres is enough for water, food, a spare layer and a rain jacket, depending on duration and season.
How do you measure the right backpack size?
You measure torso length, from the prominent vertebra at the base of the neck down to hip level, not the person’s height: two people of the same height can have torsos of different lengths.
Is it better to get a backpack too big or too small?
Neither extreme is ideal: a pack that’s too big invites you to carry unnecessary weight, one that’s too small forces you to compress your gear. It’s best to choose capacity based on the type of hike you do most often.
How much weight should rest on the shoulders versus the hips?
Ideally, most of the load should be carried on the hips via the hip belt, leaving the shoulders to mainly stabilise the pack: this is why a well-padded, correctly adjusted hip belt makes such a big difference to how tired you feel.
Hiking backpack | Conclusion
Choosing the right hiking backpack means balancing capacity, back comfort and intended activity, without being guided only by price or looks. A correct back size and a well-adjusted hip belt matter more for overall comfort than almost any other feature: it’s worth trying the pack on with some weight inside before settling on the final choice.
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