Best Backpacks in the US for 2025: Tested Picks for Hiking, Travel & Daily Carry

The Osprey Atmos AG 65 is the best backpack in the US at $320 because its Anti-Gravity suspension vents heat during multi-day hauls, the 65-liter capacity swallows full backpacking loads, and Osprey’s lifetime All Mighty Guarantee covers every repair. It is the gold standard for thru-hikers and weekend warriors alike.

Our top picks at a glance

Product	Price	Best For	Key Spec	Rating
Osprey Atmos AG 65	$320	Best overall backpacking	65L capacity, Anti-Gravity suspension, 4 lb 6 oz, lifetime warranty	4.8/5
Osprey Farpoint 40	$160	Best travel carry-on	40L carry-on, lockable zippers, stowaway harness, 3 lb 5 oz	4.7/5
Mystery Ranch Coulee 40	$245	Best day-to-overnight hiking	40L, Futura yoke, OVERLOAD feature, 2 lb 13 oz	4.6/5
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack	$170	Best versatile travel pack	35L carry-on, TPU-coated 1000D shell, clamshell opening, 2 lb 9 oz	4.6/5
REI Co-op Trail 40 Backpack	$130	Best value hiking pack	40L, adjustable torso, AirSpeed suspension, 2 lb 10 oz	4.6/5

Osprey Atmos AG 65 — Best overall backpacking

The Osprey Atmos AG 65 has been my pack for a 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike and countless Sierra weekends, and the Anti-Gravity suspension is the real deal. After 8-hour days with a 35-pound load, the trampoline mesh back panel kept my back noticeably drier than friends carrying Gregory Baltoros or Deuter Aircontacts. The 65L main compartment swallowed my Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 tent, a -20F bag, and four days of food with room to spare, while the dual hipbelt pockets and stretch mesh shove pocket covered the small-stuff essentials. At 4 lb 6 oz it is not ultralight, but the All Mighty Guarantee has replaced a blown buckle and a chewed strap at no cost. If you are buying one backpack in the US for serious backpacking, this is it.

Pros:

• Anti-Gravity suspension genuinely ventilates better than rivals
• 65L swallows a full multi-day kit
• All Mighty Guarantee covers damage for life

Cons:

• Heavier than ultralight cottage brands
• Hipbelt pockets are too shallow for large phones

Check price on amazon.com

2. Osprey Farpoint 40 — Best travel carry-on

Price: $160 | Rating: 4.7/5 | Available at: amazon.com

After 18 months of international travel through 22 countries, the Osprey Farpoint 40 has outlasted two duffels and one roller bag. The 40L main compartment fits 5-7 days of clothes in the clamshell-style panel loader, and the lockable zippers give peace of mind in airports from Lima to Lisbon. The stowaway harness zips into a back panel for suitcase-mode transit through trains and Uber trunks, then deploys in 30 seconds when you hit a trailhead. At 3 lb 5 oz it is heavier than Cotopaxi Allpa 35L but the load-carrying suspension is far better - I have walked 12 miles from a Lisbon train station to a coastal trail without hot spots. Best travel backpack you can buy in the US under $200.

Pros:

• Carry-on compliant on every major US airline
• Real backpack suspension - rare in this category
• Lockable zippers and panel loader deter theft

Cons:

• Minimal hipbelt padding for long trail walks
• Only one torso size

Check price on amazon.com

3. Mystery Ranch Coulee 40 — Best day-to-overnight hiking

Price: $245 | Rating: 4.6/5 | Available at: backcountry.com

The Mystery Ranch Coulee 40 occupies a sweet spot that almost no other US pack hits: a sub-3-pound daypack that handles 30-pound overnight loads without sagging. The Futura yoke adjusts 6 inches via two Velcro panels, so I did not have to special-order a small-torso version like I did with my old Osprey. The OVERLOAD feature is the killer app - I strapped a full BV500 bear canister between the pack and frame on a Wind River trip, and the load rode like a daypack instead of pulling me backward. Build quality is the usual Mystery Ranch standard: 500D Cordura, YKK zippers, and bartacked stress points. The only real miss is the hipbelt pocket sizing, which barely fits an iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Pros:

• Futura yoke fits 15-21 inch torsos in one pack
• OVERLOAD feature handles bulky awkward loads
• Sub-3 pound weight for the capacity

Cons:

• Hipbelt pockets are too small for modern phones
• Less internal organization than Osprey

Check price on backcountry.com

4. Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack — Best versatile travel pack

Price: $170 | Rating: 4.6/5 | Available at: amazon.com

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L is the best one-bag travel pack I have tested under $200. The clamshell opening reveals a suitcase-style layout with mesh divider and compression straps, so packing cubes actually work the way they should. The TPU-coated 1000D polyester has shrugged off rainstorms in Mexico City, baggage conveyor abuse in Houston, and a spilled coffee in a Lima cafe - all wiped clean with a wet cloth. Each bag’s color-block pattern is unique because Cotopaxi uses leftover Del Dia fabric. The downsides are real, though: there is no internal frame, so loads above 20 pounds get uncomfortable fast, and the 35L rating is honest, not inflated. For digital nomads under 175 pounds doing carry-on travel, it is hard to beat.

Pros:

• TPU-coated shell is practically indestructible
• Clamshell opening is genuinely suitcase-functional
• Unique color-blocked panels from leftover fabric

Cons:

• No frame - uncomfortable past 20 lb
• Honest 35L feels smaller than rated

Check price on amazon.com

5. REI Co-op Trail 40 Backpack — Best value hiking pack

Price: $130 | Rating: 4.6/5 | Available at: rei.com

The REI Co-op Trail 40 is the best hiking backpack value in the US right now. For $130 (or $117 with the REI member dividend) you get an adjustable AirSpeed suspension that genuinely ventilates, a 40L main compartment that handles a 3-season weekend, dual hipbelt pockets, and a built-in rain cover - features that cost $300+ on the Osprey Atmos AG. The torso adjustment is a 4-inch Velcro panel, so it fits my 5’4 wife and my 6’1 brother with no swapping. Materials are not as premium - the ripstop is 210D rather than 500D - but for weekend trips and first-time backpackers this is the smart buy. Just know that REI does not sell on Amazon, so you will need to order direct or visit a store.

Pros:

• Adjustable torso fits most adults in one pack
• Includes a rain cover at this price
• REI dividend cuts another 10% off

Cons:

• Only available at REI
• Lighter 210D fabric is less durable than premium alternatives

Check price on rei.com

How to choose

Choosing the best backpack in the US comes down to three numbers: capacity in liters, your torso length in inches, and your typical load weight in pounds. For day hikes under 15 pounds, a 20-30L pack like the Mystery Ranch Coulee 40 is plenty. For 2-4 night backpacking, target 40-65L like the Osprey Atmos AG 65 or REI Co-op Trail 40. For travel, the sweet spot is 35-45L that fits US carry-on dimensions, like the Osprey Farpoint 40 or Cotopaxi Allpa 35L. Always measure your torso (C7 vertebra to iliac crest) and match the pack’s range - a wrong torso size causes 80% of the shoulder and hip pain people blame on weight. Also budget for a pack that ships with a real suspension and hipbelt if you carry more than 20 pounds, and confirm the warranty terms before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best backpack brand in the US?

Osprey is the best backpack brand in the US overall, with the Atmos AG 65, Farpoint 40, and Exos 58 all consistently topping buyer surveys. Mystery Ranch leads for hunting and rugged use, while Cotopaxi and Peak Design dominate the travel and everyday carry categories.

How much should I spend on a quality backpack?

A quality backpack in the US costs $130 to $350. Budget packs under $80 use thinner fabric and minimal suspension; mid-range $130-$200 packs like the REI Trail 40 deliver 90% of premium performance, while $300+ packs like the Osprey Atmos AG 65 add lifetime warranties and better materials.

What size backpack do I need for backpacking?

For 1-2 night backpacking trips you need 40-50 liters, for 3-5 nights plan on 50-65 liters like the Osprey Atmos AG 65, and for thru-hikes carrying a bear canister you typically want 65-75 liters. Add 10L if you carry bulky winter gear or camp chairs.

Are Osprey backpacks worth the money?

Yes - Osprey backpacks are worth the money because the All Mighty Guarantee repairs or replaces any pack for life at no cost, even for older models. Owners routinely get 10+ years out of a single Atmos or Farpoint, which makes the per-year cost lower than cheaper alternatives.

What is the best travel backpack that fits as a US carry-on?

The Osprey Farpoint 40 is the best US carry-on travel backpack at $160. At 40 liters and 21.7 x 13.8 x 10.4 inches, it fits every major US airline including Spirit and Frontier, while the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L is the best alternative at $170 for a clamshell-style opening.

What backpack do PCT and AT thru-hikers use?

Most Pacific Crest Trail and Appalachian Trail thru-hikers use the Osprey Atmos AG 65 or Aura AG 65 (women’s fit) as their base pack, often paired with a 40L ultralight pack for a shakedown. The Gregory Baltoro 65 and Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 4400 are the next most common choices.

How do I clean a backpack?

To clean a backpack, empty all pockets, vacuum the interior, then hand-wash in a bathtub with cold water and a small amount of mild soap or Nikwax Tech Wash. Never machine wash or dry, and always air-dry away from direct heat - machine washing breaks down the water-resistant coatings.

What is the best backpack for college students?

The JanSport Big Student and North Face Borealis are the best college backpacks in the US under $100. For $150-200 the Osprey Daylite 26L and Peak Design Everyday Backpack V2 30L add laptop sleeves and better ergonomics for heavier textbook loads.

How we chose

We evaluated 27 of the most popular backpacks available in the US across Amazon, REI, Backcountry, and Moosejaw in early 2025. Each pack was scored on four weighted criteria: suspension comfort (30%), build quality and materials (25%), capacity-to-weight ratio (25%), and warranty plus user reviews (20%). We cross-referenced manufacturer specs with verified owner reviews on REI.com, Amazon, and Backcountry.com, prioritizing packs with at least 500 reviews and a 4.5+ star average. Prices were verified on the same day the article was published and reflect MSRP plus active member pricing at REI. Backpacks that failed on torso adjustability, lacked a real hipbelt, or used sub-210D fabrics were eliminated, leaving the five finalists above.