Hiking Backpacks for Every Trail and Trip Duration
From compact 6L day packs to fully featured 60L multi-day expedition packs, our collection of hiking backpacks are designed to support every type of trail adventure, combining comfort, organisation and load-carrying performance across a huge variety of sizes and suspension systems.
The different series are tailored to different hiking styles and environments, such as:
- Talon/Tempest: are lightweight hiking backpacks designed for fast-paced day hikes and multi-sport use.
- Hikelite: are ventilated everyday backpacking backpacks, ideal for casual walks and warm-weather trails.
- Stratos/Sirrus: built for heavier day loads, these supportive hiking packs are suited to longer, full-day hikes.
- Manta/Mira: are hydration-focused backpacks, suited to trail running, fast hiking and hot-weather hikes.
- Kestrel/Kyte & Exos: these trekking backpacks are designed for multi-day adventures and extended trips.
Our backpacks also feature two core back system families for different trail priorities:
- AirSpeed: the tensioned mesh back panel is designed to maximise airflow and ventilation, making it ideal for warm-weather hiking and high-energy movement.
- AirScrape: the contoured foam back panel is designed for improved load stability and close-to-body carry, which is ideal when carrying heavier loads or hiking over more technical terrain.
Why Choose an Osprey Hiking Rucksack?
Since 1974, we have focused exclusively on designing backpacks, building more than 50 years of expertise, to ensure the pack fit, suspension and load-carrying comfort is superior. Our specialist approach also extends beyond performance and into long-term durability and repairability through the All Might Guarantee, which offers repairs on damage for up to 30 years, meaning your hiking backpack will be with you on every adventure for years to come.
We also integrate sustainability into every pack construction. As a Bluesign System Partner, we can work to improve responsible material sourcing and production, and with the Earth Program, increase the use of recycled and renewable materials across collections.
Comfort remains our priority for every hiking backpack design, along with proprietary suspension systems, adjustable torso lengths, supportive hipbelts and harness designs to deliver stability, comfort, efficiency and versatility across every hike, from short trips to demanding multi-day trails.
How to Choose a Hiking Bag
Choosing the right hiking backpack can be daunting, with so many different types and sizes to choose from. You’ll want to start with matching the pack’s capacity and suspension to the type of hike you plan to embark on.
- 10-25L: best for short day hikes and minimal gear.
- 20-35L: best for full-day hikes where extra layers, food and hydration are needed.
- 35-50L: best for overnight hiking trips.
- 50L+: best for multi-day expeditions with heavier gear loads.
The right fit is also equally important when it comes to long-term comfort. Many of our hiking backpacks feature adjustable torso harness systems, supportive hipbelts and extended fit options to help achieve the most stable and personalised carry possible. The range also has specific fits, with men’s hiking backpacks designed around the male body shape and women’s hiking backpacks designed around the female body shape and proportions.
The back systems also play an important role, with AirSpeed best for ventilation-focused hiking and warmer conditions and AirScrape better suited for heavier loads and technical terrain.
Hiking Backpack FAQs:
The right hiking backpack size will depend on how long you plan to be out. For day hikes, 15-25L is perfectly sufficient for water, food and extra layers if needed, while 25-35L is better suited to full day routes or trail running. If you’re planning an overnight trip, choose a 35-50L pack, while longer, multi-day trips will benefit from 50L or more.
The most important feature to look out for in any hiking backpack is the back system. Our AirSpeed suspension uses a tensioned mesh that holds the pack away from your back for ventilation, which is ideal for warmer-weather hikes. Or, our AirScrape system conforms closer to the body for better stability on heavier carries. You’ll also want to look for an adjustable torso harness, rather than just small, medium or large sizings, a load-bearing hipbelt, stretch mesh side pockets for bottles and trekking pole attachments for longer routines. An integrated rain cover is also always worth having in the UK.
Our packs are fitted to torso length, instead of overall height, which is the measurement from the base of your neck to the top of your hipbone. Most of our hiking backpacks feature an adjustable harness, meaning the fit can be tailored at home or on the trail when needed. If you’re unsure of your torso length, our PackFinder tool(Opens in a new window) will walk you through the process. You’ll know the backpack fits properly if you carry the load on your hips and have minimal shoulder pressure, even after several hours on the trail.