Home  »  General • Long-term travel • Travel gear   »   The Best Backpacks for Long-term Travelers The Best Backpacks for Long-term Travelers In General, Long-term travel, Travel gear EXPLORE THE VARIANT SERIES Ski & Snowboard Packs with the Farpoint Series CHECK OUT THE MUTANT CHECK OUT THE KAMBER/KRESTA PACK SERIES Learn more about the Kamber ABS Compatible PacksThe Atmos & Aura SeriesAt the pinnacle of backpacking pack technology, the newly redesigned Osprey Atmos AG and Aura AG backpacks feature Osprey's Anti-Gravity Suspension system, among many other advances, so you can take your mind off your aching body and enjoy the views while you hike. How Osprey Packs are MadeTake a tour of Osprey's design and product development office in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Opened in 2004 and now employing nearly 30 people, this office allows the independent design and development of each of Osprey's packs. This video provides a glimpse into product conception, prototyping, testing, production, inspection and shipping.

About Osprey PacksYou could say Osprey Backpacks was born when Mike Pfotenhauer, the company’s founder, sewed his first backpack at age 16. The backpacking pack he was using at the time had an awful fit, and he had a vision of how to improve upon the design. He asked his mother to teach him to sew, and soon he was making his own custom-fitted packs under the name Santa Cruz Recreational Packs. Before long Mike opened a retail shop where backpackers and travelers, having heard his reputation, would come and be fitted. Each pack took a couple days for Mike to sew, but his customers considered it well worth the wait. Mike officially founded Osprey in 1974. By 1976 Osprey was introducing exciting innovations in pack design, such as the breathable mesh back panel, and soon Osprey began to make a splash in the fledgling outdoor industry. Over the course of the next two decades, Osprey enjoyed industry success and accolades, as well as two relocations—one to Dolores, Colorado in 1990 and another to its current location in Cortez, Colorado in 1994 as the company grew.

At first, Osprey fought the trend of outsourced manufacturing by employing local tradespeople to sew packs, but the need to stay competitive was crucial, and eventually Osprey moved its production to Korea and Vietnam. Mike, however, didn’t want to lose touch with his workers or with Osprey’s production, so in 2003 he moved his family to Vietnam, where they stayed for four years, visiting the factories daily to ensure the designs were produced accurately and faithfully. Since the early 2000s, Osprey products have received many notable accolades, including several prestigious Gear of the Year Awards from Outside Magazine. Many of these award-winning designs span the range from backpacking packs like the women’s Aura and the men’s Aether to running and cycling packs like the Rev or Raptor series and travel options like the convertible Ozone, the wheeled Contrail, or the smaller Portal laptop shoulder bag. One of the reasons for Osprey’s long string of achievements is its dedication to innovation in a single product group.

As CEO tom Barney says “We’re a pack company, and every season we have to get it right on packs. We can’t have a good footwear year but a bad apparel year. ohara backpackWe have to have a good pack year every year.” best buy swissgear computer backpackThis dedication shows in every item that leaves the Osprey factory, its All Mighty Guarantee and lifetime warranty, and it shows in every decades-old Osprey pack that you see on the back of a rider or runner churning out the miles on the trail.5.05.0418Osprey Packs products have an average ratingof 5.0 / 5.0 from 418 reviews.dry top backpiece gw2A backpack is one of the very first pieces of gear you’ll need to get started hiking. yield laptop backpack

Considering you’ll be wearing it for hours at a time, you’ll want to make sure you pick the right one. jdm backpack for saleThe best backpacks for hiking aren’t cheap but it’s an investment to add to your hiking gear list that will last for years.bjorn backpack carrier One of our big goals here at The Adventure Junkies is to make your life easier when it comes to buying outdoor gear. We’ve already told you how to find the best hiking GPS, a good quality camping hammock and an affordable high end camera for traveling. Now, it’s time to talk about backpacks for hiking. We’ve put together these backpack reviews to help you out with the process. For this article, we stuck to talking about 50-80 liter packs designed for multi-day hiking. PICTUREBACKPACK MEN'S CAPACITY WOMEN'S CAPACITYPRICERATING

Teton Sport Scout 340055L55L$$4.6 The North Face Cobra52L/60L52L/60L$$$4.5 High Sierra Titan 55L/65L55L/65L$$4.4 The first question to ask yourself is: What size pack do I need? When it comes to hiking, the longer you plan to spend on the trail, the bigger pack you’ll need. Backpacks are sized by how much they can hold (volume), which is measured in liters. As a general guide, weekend trips (1-3 nights = 35-50 liters), multi-day (3-5 nights =50-80 liters), long trips (6 nights+ =70 liters+). If you’re planning a trip in winter consider that you might need more room for extra layers and a warm sleeping bag. Aside from choosing the volume capacity of the pack, you’ll need to pick the right size for you (small, medium, etc…). When it comes to packs, torso length matters more than your height. To find this measurement grab a flexible tape measure and a friend. Tilt your head forward and have him feel along the base of your neck for a bony bump. This is your C7 vertebra in case you wanted to know and the top of your torso length.

The bottom of your torso length is at the top of your hip bones. An easy way to find this spot is to put your hands comfortably on your hips, it’s where your thumbs point to on your back. Your torso length is the distance between these two points. Here’s a general guide for how manufacturers determine the size of the backpack: The last thing you should try to cut weight on is the pack itself. I made this mistake when I bought an ultralight pack and tried it out on an overnight trip. The super thin straps dug into my skin and the frame creaked like nails on a chalkboard from the load I was carrying. The first thing I did when I got back was to return the pack. For the few pounds I was saving I was sacrificing my comfort and sanity on the trail. Many manufacturers make women’s specific backpacks. While it’s true that women can easily wear unisex packs, some women will find these packs fit better and are more comfortable. Female specific backpacks are designed with shorter torso lengths, narrower shoulder widths, and curved waist belts.

If you’re buying a pack for a kid, take a look at getting a youth specific one. These typically have smaller capacities and include an adjustable suspension to accommodate a child’s growth. Check out the latest price on: The Osprey Ariel is the the pack that I use for all my multi-day hiking adventures. It’s Osprey’s classic backpacking pack that has all the bells and whistles you’d expect. The Ariel has lots of pockets and compartments which is great for staying organized on the trail. Its AirScape back panel lets air ventilate through which is great for when you are hiking up steep terrain during warm weather. The best thing about this pack is it’s capable of carrying a lot of weight and still be comfortable. The men’s version is the Osprey Aether. The Arc’teryx Altra is a great choice for multi-day trips or long weekend hikes. One great feature is expands and compresses to the size you want, making it very versatile. Also, there’s a ton of adjustment straps which allow you to tailor it perfectly to your body.

It’s one of the most expensive packs on this list but keep in mind it’s lightweight and water resistant. If price isn’t an issue for you and you want a great pack, this could be the one for you. The Teton Sport Scout is an affordable backpack with features usually seen only in higher-priced packs. It’s a durable hiking pack with sturdy zippers, mesh lumbar support, and padded waist and shoulder straps. You won’t believe how comfortable this pack is for the money. It even includes a rain cover which stays hidden until you need it. There are also gear loops to hang ski poles or ice axes. The Gregory Baltoro was designed for backcountry adventure seekers. The Baltoro has won countless awards for being an extremely comfortable, high performance pack. This backpack is an updated version from the classic Baltoro. The main difference is the suspension has been redesigned to carry heavy loads better and more comfortably than ever before. Some great features are a waterproof hip-belt pocket that fits a small camera and a clever hydration sleeve that converts into a daypack.

The North Face Cobra was built with expeditions and alpine guides in mind. From its intuitive ice tool and crampon storage to the load-hauling aluminum frame, this durable pack is built to go the distance. It’s the alpine expedition pack reimagined: a ton of features, athlete tested and fully dialed on every level. One cool feature is the side pockets are accessible when the pack is on, great for getting to snacks, hats and gloves while on the trail. The winner of Backpacker magazine’s 2015 Editors’ Choice Award, the Osprey Atmos was designed with comfort in mind. It’s Anti-Gravity suspension system helps spread the load out evenly while eliminating pressure points. This system suspends the weight over a larger area, allowing more air to ventilate, something much appreciated for summer hiking. The Atmos has great adjustability. The four compression straps connect directly to the frame, allowing you to squeeze down and stabilize smaller loads. The Deuter Air Contact was made with serious trekkers in mind.

While it’s certainly not lightweight at 6lbs, it’s rugged and well built. The zippers are big and strong and there’s plenty of pockets. It’s Aircontact system offers great support for carrying heavy loads and also helps with ventilation, keeping moisture from building up on your back while walking. The pack comes with a detachable rain fly which is great for keeping your gear dry while trekking in bad weather. The High Sierra Titan was made to carry heavy loads with relative ease thanks to its S-shaped Ergo-Fit shoulder strap harness with load-lifters that adjust to fit regular torso sizes. The pack has a high-density foam padded back panel which provides excellent load support. The large AirFlow channels and uniquely contoured internal frame structure helps keep your back cool and dry. There is plenty of storage space, lots of big and small pockets, and some very clever access zips. The Sierra Titan is one of the best values for your money on the market.