Trail Gear Picks

Backpacks

Daypacks and backpacking packs, sized to the trip and your torso.

In this category5 guidesUpdated Oct 2026.

Buying guides

5 guides
The Best Waterproof BackpacksSix packs that keep your phone and your dry layer dry when the storm hits, from a $19 roll-top to a bag you can drop in the river.The Best Baby Carrier Hiking BackpacksSix framed carriers for babies who can sit up on their own, with picks for heavy toddlers, smaller parents, travel and a tight budget.The Best Hiking DaypacksFive daypacks from 20 to 28 liters, about $90 to $180, for a full day on the trail, with a pick for hot days, for fast hikers and for a tight budget.How to Pack a BackpackWhere everything goes in a hiking pack, why it matters on the trail, and how to set the straps once it's loaded.Osprey Daypacks: Which One to BuySix Osprey daypacks, about $70 to $200, from the little Daylite to the Stratos, and what owners say about each one.