Best Camping Backpacks – The Only List Of Backpacks For Camping You Need

Once in a blue moon, people just need a break from the exhausting life in the city. Many, however, relish the adventurous lifestyle. Camping has since been the common ground for these two opposite groups of people.

However, before embarking on the journey you would need a trusty companion - a well-suited camping rucksack. Since it is the backpack that carries most of your belongings it’s imperative that you choose the best camping backpack possible.

Long gone is the day when a random clunky backpack worked. The demands for a specialized camping pack have been higher than ever.

It’s fortunate that, as materials science is developing, as brands are jumping into the game, the appearance of travelling has evolved as well. But that has left many of our travel enthusiasts profoundly baffled as to which backpack would be the best for them.

Top 10 camping backpacks everyone should use in their camping trips

To save you the hours of research, we’ve put in the effort and compiled a list of camping backpacks for any audiences.

From male to female, from hardcore to casual, we hope the list give you an idea of what backpack for camping you’d be using for your next adventure.

So, without any further ado, let’s jump right in the list of 10 best camping backpacks.

CabinZero’s Adventure Backpack Pro 42L Mossy Forest – Best adventure camping bag choice

Taking the leading spot in the leaderboard of the best camping laptop backpacks is CabinZero’s Adventure Backpack Pro 42L Mossy Forest.

CabinZero’s Adventure Backpack Pro 42L Mossy Forest. Image from CabinZero.

This backpack comes with a host of treats. At 42L capacity, the ADV Pro can hold all camping paraphernalia on a trip yet is just the right size for everyday commute as well.

Comfort has been a well-known forte of the CabinZero brand, and this one absolutely delivers. The coordination of top, side, sternum straps, and waist belt allows for great adjustability. So even when the backpack is packed, the weight is still distributed evenly. The interior is well-organised and has a handsome amount of pockets too.

While the CabinZero Adventure Backpack Pro 42L Mossy Forest isn’t fine-tuned for hardcore campers, it’s well-designed and versatile for a wide range of activities and would presently surprise you should you use it for adventuring.

WintMing 70L Camping Camping Backpack – Best military large camping backpack choice

We can’t mention the best camping backpack without mentioning this absolute menace of a backpack: the WintMing 70L Camping Backpack comes in with an intimidating appearance to claim the title of the best military choice.

WintMing 70L Camping Backpack. Image from Amazon.

At 70L, it can fit just about anything: clothing, water bladders, sleeping bags, foods, etc. You might think using this camping rucksack at maximum capacity would be a strain on your back, but the designers were thoughtful. The rucksack weighs just under 3lbs (impressively lightweight considering its capacity) and has S-shaped mesh shoulder straps with paddings to help your shoulders burden the weight nicely even if the main compartments are all loaded.

It’s also the sturdiness of the main compartment that distinguishes the backpack from its peers. As it was designed for military purposes (hence the name), it is extra durable, stretchable, water-resistant, and scratch-resistant.

 Osprey Atmos 65 AG – Best comfort choice for a camping bag

Osprey is one of the biggest names in the backpack industries. They can virtually make the best backpack for any purpose. Osprey Atmos 65 AG is their attempt at creating the best camping rucksacks, and boy did they deliver.

Osprey Atmos 65 AG. Image from Osprey.

Comfort is the forte of Osprey, and they deliver it yet again. This hiking camping backpack is extremely comfortable, due to Osprey’s signature anti-gravity suspension system, which evenly distributes not only the weight and the heat building from wearing, especially in the hip and underarm areas. Weighting at a respectable 4.5 lbs, the backpack is decently lightweight as well. The breathable foam, air-ventilation all around also contribute to the backpack’s exquisite comfort. The number of pockets as well as the clever placings also add to the comfort in using.

There are a few drawbacks about this backpack though. At a weight of 4.5 lbs, it’s starting to lean on the heavier side of backpacks. As more people are getting into camping, the camping industry has also evolved to produce more compact and lightweight items. So even though the capacity of this camping bag is respectable, it’s kind of hard to utilize it to its fullest.

Generally, most people report great experience with this Atmos 65 AG, there are some reviews that say the hip belt is a tad too tight and a bit hard to adjust.

Ultralight Adventure Equipment Catalyst – Best lightweight choice

We don’t just call this the best lightweight for no reason. Barely tipping the scales at 3 lbs, the Ultralight Adventure Equipment Catalyst is one of the best camping backpacks on the market.

Ultralight Adventure Equipment Catalyst. Image from Ultralight.

This camping pack can more than comfortably accommodate tons of weight like a champ while still being incredibly light and tear-resistant thanks to the 400 Robric fabric

ULA holds a great reputation among camping enthusiasts for having the features that thru-campers would typically desire. Those include massive side water bladders, large mesh pockets, and huge hip and belt pockets.

The backpack is by all means fantastic, but understandably it isn’t the one-size-fit-all solution for everyone. If it is the breathability that you’re emphasizing when choosing a backpack, this might not be the apple of your eyes. Another small and slightly frustrating setback is that somehow the developers forgot to add a top pocket for on-the-go items. Yes, it does mean that your belongings will be protected deep inside the compartments, but at the same time there is stuff that we just need to get our hands on often.

Regardless, the Ultralight Adventure Equipment Catalyst is still a great lightweight camping rucksack for being light and capable.

Quechua Forclaz Easyfit 50L – Best basic choice

Not the fanciest looking backpack, but the Quechua Forclaz Easyfit 50L does just what a camping backpack is supposed to do, hence why we have it as our best basic choice.

Quechua Forclaz Easyfit 50L. Image from Decathlon. 

The backpack is quite comfy, stable, and has a lot of room to store your kits. There are cushioned hip belt and shoulder straps, and the back side sports a foam bed. Up top, there is a zipper that provides access to the main compartment that is capacious enough for all your camping accoutrements. It has a great many external pocket pockets as well. That, combined with the main compartment,  allows for huge capacity, which is more than enough for most people and most short adventures.

This camping pack has some cons though. Its fabric feels kind of flimsy. It’s capacity is nice and all but it just doesn’t seem to be able to hold any overpacking. Even if you want to try add-ons, it doesn’t have straps on the outside to tie tents and roll mats if need be.

Still, at a price as low as £45, it already excels compared to many other ones with similar price tags.

REI Co-op Flash 55 – Best comfort choice

Want something just fine-tuned for comfort? The REI Co-op Flash 55 got you covered. In the area of camping backpack, it is one of the best.

REI Co-op Flash 55. Image from Rei.

The backpack’s design is quite clever and innovative. The Packmod system allows customisations on all external pockets and straps, meaning you can practically move around, or just exclude, any add-on pockets. The fact that they are removable also contribute to overall comfort. There would be no swaying anyways even if you pack two one-litre bottles, however.

Such design also allows this backpack to comfortably carry up to 30lbs at a weight of only 2.6 pounds.

There are two additional side pockets in the middle of the side bladder holders, and a big front pocket. This practically doubles the usable space of all the external pockets.

Of course, nothing is perfect. The improvement in comfort comes at the cost of other things. In this case, it’s the longevity. The REI Co-op Flash 55 isn’t the most durable of the bunch. This hiking camping backpack just won’t be able to take too much rubbing and chafing. Additionally, while 30 pounds calibre is more than enough for the average Joe, but for camping a few more pounds, if need be, but even that would be quite hard considering the intrinsic flimsiness of the design. Still, this backpack is just awesome, and we highly recommend it.

Granite Gear Blaze 60 – Best overall camping backpack

Every backpack is just a detail or two short of perfection, until the Granite Gear Blaze 60 emerges. Widely revered as one of the best overall backpacks, yet again in the field of camping backpack it just absolutely delivers.

Granite Gear Blaze 60. Image from Granite Gear.

It’s plain hard to come by a backpack as well-rounded as this The Granite Gear Blaze 60 camping pack, even amidst a plethora of options available nowadays. It’s light, but it lugs up to 50 pounds effortlessly. The great thing about this backpack is that it doesn’t compromise utility just for the sake of lowering the weight.

First up, we must commend the supreme comfort that it brings. It has a support frame in the back called Air Current, which also has channels for heat building up in your back to escape. The foam used is arranged in a smart way so as to prevent buckling or bending, which makes wearing the backpack feels solid but still light and relatively heat-free. Then we come to the incredible bearing abilities of the backpack. Even though it's 3 pounds, it sports heavy loads like nothing.

Then comes the incredible features that the Granite Gear Blaze 60 is loaded with, like hip belt pockets, stretchy mesh stuff-it pocket, huge side water bottle pockets, removable top lid. This hiking camping backpack also has three compression straps that go across the front of the bag so you can lash a tent or a sleeping mat.

G4Free Lightweight Packable Backpack 35L – Best colourful choice

Some campers only buy a backpack with utility in mind, but some like it chic too. The G4Free Lightweight Packable Backpack 35L just fills in such a niche nicely, as one of the best colourful choices.

G4Free Lightweight Backpack 35L and all of its variations. Image from Amazon.

The golden goose of the brand is the sheer number of appearances the backpack comes with. With 16 variations, some of which have incredible floral or feather patterns that are extremely rare to come by especially within this field of camping rucksacks.

It’s true that the G4Free Lightweight Packable Backpack 3 makes its mark with its chic design, but it has a lot more to offer. Although it’s as light as a feather (only three-fourths of a pound), its loading calibre is nothing to laugh at. The 35L capacity is enough for most people to store their travelling essentials and the top pouch and other pockets can be used to hold on-the-go items. Don’t be hesitant to pack this backpack full, as the nylon lining materials ensure durability.

Unfortunately, the backpack isn’t built for the most hardcore campers since it lacks some heavily sought-after features. It doesn’t have water-resistance throughout, only on the top compartment. You may be safe from some drizzling, but heavy precipitation may drown your belongings. The absence of an air-ventilation system could also bring about some adverse effects on users. The lack of a reinforcement frame also means that the backpack can’t quite bear more than its intended maximum capacity, which could prevent long-distance travelling.

The North Face Cobra 60L – Best winter choice

Why not? If you’re adventurous, camping in the winter would be a memorable and unique experience. But you would need a reliable companion, and that’s where the North Face Cobra 60L comes in as one of the best backpacks for camping for winter travelling.

North Face Cobra 60L. Image from Amazon.

The North Face boasts a worldwide reputation for producing some of the best camping backpacks for all purposes, and they nailed it yet again with the North Face Cobra 60L.

Designed in alpine style, the backpack can hold up to anything with its incredible 60L capacity. As such, you can story virtually anything into this backpack, and it would still perform like a champ. Since it’s meant to load a massive amount of weight, the designers incorporated a removable plastic frame sheet. The fact that it is removable is nice if you’re looking to use this backpack not only in the winter.

The North Face Cobra 60L also delivers in other seasons. It has plenty of internal pockets for easy organization and to prevent from the blizzard should you use the backpack in its preferred environment. There are also exterior pockets that are also useful as well. The thick padding all-round ensures that the freezing cold won’t affect any of your stuff. Just beware that, breathability might be an issue as it doesn’t have a mesh system on the back.

Still the North Face Cobra 60L camping bag is a nice reliable choice from a renowned brand and can beautifully perform all year round.

High Sierra Classic Summit 40L – Best women choice

High Sierra is making a name for itself in the backpack industry as more and more of its high utility products are released. One of them is the High Sierra Classic Summit 40L. It is the neat female-oriented design that solidifies its stature as one of the best camping backpacks for ladies.

High Sierra Classic Summit 40L. Image from High Sierra.

High Sierra comes with a handful of great features. There is a shiftable contoured aluminium frame, along with hip and chest straps, which allows users to adjust the back of the rucksack to hug any physique neatly. The back is foamed to ensure coolness and comfort. There are compression straps all the way from the top to the front to the side that prevents any potential swaying. There’s also a tuck-away rain cover, which is a clever touch to protect the backpack in case of rain and keep the price low and the weight light.

The only gripe we have is the fact that you can access the main compartment from the very top, which would cause a slight hassle if users wanted to reach for certain pockets.

The camping pack is admittedly imperfect, but with everything it has to offer it’s still one of the best camping backpacks, especially for females.

What should you be thinking of when choosing a camping backpack?

There are many factors to consider when choosing a camping backpack. You want your backpack to work well for years to come without even having to think about replacing it when things go awry. You need to answer two questions. 

Volume - The first thing to consider when choosing a hiking camping backpack

How long is the camp and where do you plan to camp? A day camp means arriving home at sunset, so a 10-25L camping pack should be plenty. You may need a water bottle, sunscreen, a light jacket, and some snacks to conserve energy. If you plan to spend your night in a sleeping bag, then a 20-35L camping backpack is sufficient. In addition to your sleeping bag, be sure to bring your camping gear, which can take up a lot of space.

Camping for more than 3 days requires a large camping backpack of at least 35L. The longer you camp, the more likely you are to be tired or need more entertainment, food, clothing, equipment, etc. A travel backpack large enough will give you peace of mind knowing it has everything you need. The conditions in which you plan to camp play a big role when choosing a camping backpack. In addition to doing your homework and figuring out what the weather will be like in a particular camping area, you should think about the conditions in which you will spend most of your time.

The backpack is your trusty compadre during adventures. Image from Unsplash.

Style - Think of the weather and destination when choosing a camping pack

Expect sun, rain, and sometimes snow as you camp and change altitude. This means your backpack for camping should be wide enough to accommodate a variety of gear options, including a waterproof jacket and, in some cases, winter gear.

If you plan to camp in tropical areas, be ready as well. Typically, these places do not experience extreme temperature changes, but expect rain, fog and hot sun on the same day and be prepared for these changes. A lightweight waterproof jacket, sunglasses and sunscreen are the most basic necessities you should have in your camping bag in those scenarios. It gets cold at night, so you should wear several layers of clothing.

Khoa Pham