Best Backpacks for Trekking and Climbing: Complete Guide 2026

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Choosing the right backpack can make or break your outdoor experience. Whether you're heading out for a quick summit push or a multi-day expedition, your pack needs to match both your activity and carrying requirements. This guide will help you understand what to look for and how to make the right choice.

How to Choose the Right Backpack for Your Activity

The most important question isn't "what's the best backpack?" but rather "what will I be doing with it?" Different activities demand different design priorities:

• High-intensity activities (running, cycling) need packs that stay stable, breathe well, and allow access on the move
• Technical climbing requires a streamlined profile that won't snag and can be worn with a harness
• Day hiking balances comfort with enough capacity for layers, food, and safety gear
• Multi-day trekking prioritises load-bearing support and organisational features

Most outdoor enthusiasts will need at least two packs to cover their various activities, a smaller technical pack and a larger load-hauler.

Backpack Types: Matching Pack to Purpose

Day Hiking Backpacks: 15-25L Options

For single-day outings, you need enough space for the essentials without carrying unnecessary weight. Packs in the 15-25L range hit the sweet spot for most day hikers.

Minimalist option: The Gnarl 15L (405g) represents stripped-back design at its best. Its uncluttered exterior makes it ideal for scrambling and climbing where snag points are a liability. At just over 400g, it won't weigh you down, yet fits a 3-litre hydration bladder and sits high on the back for harness compatibility.

Versatile day pack: The Presta 25L (630g) offers more capacity while maintaining a slim, aerodynamic profile. The 3D foam back system with internal stiffener provides structure without bulk, and ventilation channels help manage moisture on warmer days.

Multi-Day Trekking Backpacks: 35-45L Range

When your day stretches longer or conditions demand more gear, step up to the 35-45L bracket.

Mountain day pack: The Ledge 35L (910g) bridges the gap between day pack and expedition bag. The extendable top lid lets you overstuff when needed, while the drawstring closure keeps weather out. Multiple pocket locations, top lid, underneath, sides, and hip fins keep essentials accessible without unpacking.

Technical climbing pack: The Orion 45L (990g) is purpose-built for alpine routes. Compression straps on top and sides secure your rope, while anodised aluminium ice axe retainers and a central pick guard handle winter tools. The hip belt clips tuck away when climbing, and gear loops provide quick access to protection.

Mountaineering and Climbing Packs: Technical Features

Climbing packs need specific features that general hiking packs lack:

• Harness compatibility: The pack should sit above your climbing harness without interference. The Gnarl sits high on the back specifically for this purpose.
• Clean exterior: Loops, straps, and pockets that snag on rock are dangerous. Minimalist designs reduce risk.
• Rope carry options: Dedicated compression straps (like those on the Orion) keep your rope secure and accessible.
• Ice tool attachment: For winter climbing, look for reinforced pick guards and secure axe loops.

Expedition and Backpacking Packs: 55L+

Multi-day trips with tent, sleep system, and cookware require serious capacity and load-bearing capability.

The Pacific Crest 55 & 65L range (1.4-1.8kg) is designed for through-hikes and expeditions. Hardwearing, water-resistant fabrics stand up to extended use, while the integrated rain cover handles the worst weather. Zipped entry points at the side and bottom (with internal divider) eliminate the frustration of digging through a top-loader for items packed at the bottom.

Essential Backpack Features Explained

Understanding Pack Capacity and Volume

Volume (measured in litres) indicates how much a pack can hold, but the number alone doesn't tell the whole story:

Key consideration: A pack with external attachment points and compression straps effectively extends its capacity beyond the stated volume. The Ledge 35L's extendable lid is a good example, you can overstuff when necessary.

Fit and Adjustment: Why It's Critical

A poorly fitted pack creates pressure points, causes chafing, and transfers load inefficiently. Key adjustment points include:

• Shoulder straps: Should wrap over your shoulders without gaps or pinching
• Sternum strap: Prevents shoulder straps from slipping; adjustable positioning accommodates different torso shapes
• Hip belt: On larger packs, this transfers weight from shoulders to hips—the Pacific Crest range uses contoured hip belts with stretchy pockets
• Load lifters: Angle the top of the shoulder straps to pull weight closer to your centre of gravity

For high-movement activities, stability matters more than adjustability. The Artlu 10L running pack uses a harness fit that conforms to your body shape, preventing bounce and chafe even at pace.

Backpack Materials: Durability vs Weight Trade-offs

Every pack design involves trade-offs:

The Pacific Crest uses hardwearing, water-resistant fabrics because expedition packs face sustained abuse over extended trips. The Gnarl, designed for fast-and-light missions, prioritises weight savings.

Access Points and Pocket Organisation

How you access your gear matters as much as how much you can carry:

• Top-loading: Traditional design, weatherproof, but requires unpacking to reach bottom items. The Ledge uses this with an extendable lid.
• Panel/side access: Zipped openings let you reach contents without disturbing the load order. The Pacific Crest offers zipped side and bottom entry.
• Front-loading vest design: Running packs like the Artlu distribute storage around your torso for access while moving.

Pocket distribution affects accessibility:

• The Skytrail 14L uses an 11-pocket configuration for mountain biking, keeping tools and nutrition within reach
• Hip belt pockets (found on the Ledge, Orion, and Pacific Crest) keep snacks and essentials accessible without removing the pack

How to Fit a Backpack Properly

Follow these steps when trying a pack:

1. Loosen all straps before putting the pack on
2. Load with realistic weight—an empty pack fits differently
3. Fasten the hip belt first, positioning it over your hip bones (iliac crest), not your waist
4. Tighten shoulder straps until snug but not restrictive
5. Adjust the sternum strap to a comfortable height across your chest
6. Fine-tune load lifters (on larger packs) to angle the pack's weight toward your back
7. Move around—walk, bend, reach overhead. The pack should move with you, not against you

For activity-specific packs, test in realistic positions. The Gnarl is designed to work with a climbing harness—test it wearing one. The Skytrail should be tested in cycling position.

Choosing Your Pack Size: A Practical Guide

Use this framework to match pack size to your needs:

10-15L: Minimal carry, high mobility

• Trail running with emergency kit
• Mountain biking (with hydration)
• Light scrambling
• Examples: Artlu 10L, Skytrail 14L, Gnarl 15L

20-25L: Day hiking standard

• Full day on the trails
• Three-season day hikes with layers
• Via ferrata and climbing approaches
• Example: Presta 25L

35-45L: Extended days and technical use

• Four-season day hiking
• Alpine climbing with full rack
• Ultralight overnight trips
• Examples: Ledge 35L, Orion 45L

55L+: Multi-day and expedition

• Backpacking trips with camping gear
• Expedition base camp carries
• Through-hiking
• Example: Pacific Crest 55L & 65L

Key Takeaways: Making Your Backpack Decision

1. Activity first: Your primary use case should drive your choice. A climbing-specific pack like the Orion excels at its job but isn't ideal for trail running.
2. Size appropriately: Bigger isn't better—a half-empty pack is awkward to carry. Compression straps help, but right-sizing matters.
3. Weight matters more with intensity: For running and cycling (Artlu, Skytrail), every gram counts. For expedition use (Pacific Crest), durability justifies additional weight.
4. Features should earn their place: A minimalist pack like the Gnarl deliberately omits features that would add weight and snag points. A fully-featured pack like the Pacific Crest includes organisation that makes sense for multi-day trips.
5. Fit is non-negotiable: A well-designed pack that doesn't fit you will underperform a simpler pack that does. Take time to adjust properly.
6. Plan for your realistic needs: Most people benefit from owning two packs—a smaller technical pack for day use and a larger pack for bigger objectives. Trying to make one pack do everything usually means compromise everywhere.