Chart your course through a fun, active or productive day, and you’ll often find cause to carry things. Backpacks are arguably the best people-powered way to do it, used by pretty much everyone from Napoleonic soldiers and Ötzi the Iceman to ultra-marathoner Courtney Dauwalter, as well as innumerable workers, students and travellers.
The best backpack to choose depends on which elements of your own world you wish to carry, and where you’re planning to take them. You can choose between smart-looking options suitable for work and travel, hiking-focused day packs and trail packs designed for outdoor itineraries, and versatile backpacks with water-resistant materials and a high storage capacity.
A lifetime of using backpacks (and several months testing them) has taught me that these bags are just about as diverse as our daily needs and occasional adventures, with only the two shoulder straps in common. I’ve walked and travelled hundreds of miles in a range of backpacks to bring you the selection below, which includes recommendations for everyday, travel and outdoorsy use. Your next shoulder-worn companion is in the bag.
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Why you should trust me
People have told me they rarely see me without a backpack. My hairdresser once said that I’d arrived for a trim looking ready for a Himalayan trek. Usually, I’ll respond by saying that daily life demands a lot of stuff: I need a laptop and tech accessories for work, a waterproof coat or mini umbrella to keep off the rain, books, sportswear, old sweet wrappers and so on. I also hike and camp, so I often use larger and more rugged hiking rucksacks, too.
On the bus home from Leeds city centre, I’ll often have a backpack across my legs with a laptop perched on top of it, so that I can write product review notes for the Filter without searing a large rectangle into my body. I’ve written this publication’s guides to items including travel pillows, cordless drills and cat toys. It’s a simple pleasure to help people choose things they’ll like.
How I tested
My daily life over a few months of summer 2026 gave me ample opportunity to test 16 backpacks, which I whittled down to my 10 favourites. I used each backpack in situations suited to its intended use, using some for work or for travel, and others for hiking or camping. I tested each rucksack under different loads and in various weather conditions, taking note of its internal organisation, capacity and comfort.
For an additional test, I took all of the backpacks on a train journey to assess how easy they were to pack and unpack in a busy, confined setting, under time pressure. We chose to travel on the Settle to Carlisle line, which wends through 73 miles of Yorkshire Dales and Cumbrian countryside, past the Yorkshire Three Peaks and over the spectacular Ribblehead viaduct. Thanks to photographer Christian Hopewell for capturing the scenic fun.
Backpacks not returned to the manufacturer after testing were donated to Cat Action Trust 1977, Leeds, for its next yard sale. The charity’s previous event, which saw my top-rated packing cubes flying off the shelves, raised more than £550 towards care for feral cats.
The Settle-Carlisle Railway is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. Day Ranger tickets allowing multiple stops along some of the most scenic sections of the line cost £15.10 each for an adult.
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The best backpacks of 2026
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<em>Best backpack overall:</em>Columbia Titanium Triple Canyon 24l
- What we love:Excels during tough day hikes
- What we don’t love:Internal organisation could be better
Practicality personified, the Triple Canyon is the backpack that left me best prepared for a broad range of contexts, from rugged day hikes to rainy urban errands. It has a small, shielded opening at the top for the tube from a hydration pack, and the adjustable straps on the sides will help you achieve a streamlined fit, however much you’ve filled the bag.
Why we love it
I found this bag delightfully comfortable during testing, whether I was carrying it on a walk in the Yorkshire Dales or lugging books home from the library. The material is smooth, robust and cool to the touch, and the back has a good balance of stiffness and softness, which prevents hard or heavy objects inside the backpack from making themselves felt.
The rain cover, stowed in its dedicated Velcro-fastened bottom pocket, provides a welcome insurance against moderate to heavy rain, while the backpack’s Omni-Shield coating also gives a good degree of water resistance.
It’s a shame that … the internal organisation was not the most convenient on days when I mixed work with leisure. My football boots had to go into the same main compartment as my laptop.
Capacity: 24l
Weight: 579g
Waterproof? No, but the material is water resistant and a waterproof cover is included
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<em>Best budget backpack:</em>Berghaus Elect U25
- What we love:Suitable for study, work and walks
- What we don’t love:Capacity occasionally lacking
A versatile basic backpack that’s equally well suited to everyday use and casual day hikes, the Berghaus Elect U25 proved consistently convenient during testing, and it easily fit on to overhead luggage racks on the Settle-Carlisle Railway. I was instantly taken with its rich colour and comfy straps.
Why we love it
The internal organisation is ideal for school, university or office use, with compartments and sleeves that nicely accommodate pens, a power bank and a laptop (though it was a tight fit for my 17in workhorse).
There’s also a zipped pocket on the top that keeps small items easily accessible, and the cinchable bungee cord looped around the outward-facing side effectively expands the carrying capacity, providing a place to store light but bulky items such as clothing – especially wet items that you don’t want to put inside the bag.
Although the materials aren’t luxurious, they feel pleasant and perform well. Reflective polyester is used on the front, while woven fabric on the sides and a breathable mesh on the back provide strength and comfort, respectively. The bag isn’t waterproof, but it successfully kept its contents dry during light showers.
It’s a shame that … the capacity isn’t big enough for a busy day involving multiple activities (or lots of items). Still, I found it adequate for most occasions.
Capacity: 25l
Weight: 400g
Waterproof? No, but it’s slightly water resistant
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<em>Best investment backpack:</em>Carl Friedrik City-hopper
- What we love:Beautiful design and materials
- What we don’t love:The high price
Currently on preorder for 2-5 October
It’s an investment, but this Carl Friedrik stunner is a smart backpack to cherish, impeccably constructed from nubuck leather (or nylon, at a lower price), with space for everyday essentials such as a water bottle, laptop and items of clothing.
Why we love it
Of all the many backpacks I’ve owned and used, this is my favourite smart option for workdays. The nubuck is soft and beautiful, the nickel-plated clip that folds down the top section looks great and feels satisfyingly chunky, and the storage options are just right for daily life. Thoughtful details abound, including the tougher, wear-resistant leather patches on the bottom of the bag, and the sleeve-like section on the back which slides handily over a suitcase handle.
I’ve found that there’s more space in the City-hopper than its neat appearance suggests. The internal side pocket is great for drinks bottles (up to 750ml), the outer pocket is fairly roomy, and you can cram larger loads into the bag by simply relying on the main compartment’s zip closure, rather than folding the material and buckling it down. I always carry a waterproof backpack cover inside mine, in case I need to protect the material and stored items from rain showers.
It’s a shame that … this backpack costs such a lot. Most of the other models featured in this guide are far cheaper.
Capacity: 23l
Weight: 1.8kg
Waterproof? No
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<em>Best durable backpack:</em>Wingback Everyday Pack
- What we love:Built to last a lifetime
- What we don’t love:Not the comfiest straps
On preorder for October
If you’re anything like me, you’ll wear out your rucksacks fairly quickly. Whether through clumsy misadventure or weathering, the materials become grubby and dishevelled. This new backpack from Wingback aims to endure far longer, with a tough recycled fabric shell, a nylon lining reinforced with yarn the manufacturer claims is 15 times stronger than steel, and a lifetime guarantee.
Why we love it
This bag proved tough during my testing. The material came out of a spell on the sidelines of a five-a-side without a scuff, despite my friend blasting the football at it, and the waterproof outer material held up during rain showers, keeping its contents dry.
I had no trouble dividing my day-to-day items into the well-considered organisation options, which include a “floating” laptop sleeve that can sit behind or in front of other items, a roomy main compartment that easily accommodated my sportswear, a small pocket on the top that’s perfect for storing snacks, and a surprisingly capacious front pocket that could carry most water bottles or travel mugs with room to spare. The chunky, heavyweight zippers and titanium buckles finish the whole thing off beautifully.
It’s a shame that … the straps feel a little stiff and harsh on the shoulders. This is also one of the more expensive options I’ve tested – but its durability should keep the cost per wear reasonable.
Capacity: 21l
Weight: 1.35kg
Waterproof? Yes, waterproof shell with a PFC-free DWR coating
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<em>Best backpack for adventurous activities:</em>Dare2b Torrek Mountain 25l
- What we love:Well-balanced and lightweight
- What we don’t love:Difficult to colour-coordinate with jackets
I’ve owned one of these backpacks for almost a year, and it has become my trusted choice for relatively high-octane outdoor activities, such as scrambling, abseiling and ridge-walking.
Why we love it
The rucksack is light and has a tall, narrow profile, which I’ve found helpful when trying to keep my balance during moments of mild peril. It has loops for walking poles, plus a whistle integrated into one of the chest straps.
This is a good backpack for short hikes where you’ll only need relatively few items, such as snacks, thermal layers, a head torch, map and compass. I also use mine for swimming gear, as the bag fits easily inside a locker while accommodating towels and swimwear. The small pocket at the top is useful for storing valuables, and the two mesh side pockets are handy for drinks bottles.
This is a lightweight backpack however you wear it, and using the waist and chest straps makes it feel “barely there”.
It’s a shame that … in my opinion, neither of the two colourways goes well with many outfits. However, you probably won’t care about that up a mountain.
Capacity: 25l
Weight: 620g
Waterproof? No, but the material is water repellent and showerproof
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<em>Best high-capacity backpack:</em>Mountain Warehouse Traveller 60l + 20l
- What we love:Monumental carrying capacity
- What we don’t love:Not blessed with good looks
Mountainous in form and warehouse-like in its storage capacity, this is surely the quintessential Mountain Warehouse backpack. But it’s actually two backpacks in one: a 60l main backpack with multiple sections, plus a 20l day pack that attaches via a zip and can be removed for carrying lighter loads during a trip.
Why we love it
I found this large backpack useful when camping, as I could fit a large amount of kit inside with room to spare, while looping my two-person tent through the straps near the bottom of the bag.
There are abundant options to organise your things, including the two zipped pockets of the smaller backpack, elasticated sections that can hold multiple drinks bottles, and a couple of spaces inside the main compartment.
The fabric and fastenings are simple, but they feel about as robust as you could expect given the reasonable price. Thanks to the generous padding on the straps and at the lower back, I never felt uncomfortable while carrying this pack, despite filling it with a weekend’s worth of belongings.
It’s a shame that … this backpack isn’t the easiest on the eye, and its size can make it awkward to carry on a busy train.
Capacity: 80l (60l + 20l)
Weight: 2.43kg
Waterproof? No, but the fabric is water resistant and a rain cover is included
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The best of the rest
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Montane Trailblazer 44l
- What we love:It’s incredibly comfy
- What we don’t love:Struggles under heavy loads
Best for: longer hikes
This is the most blissfully comfortable backpack I’ve tested, with soft materials, slightly stretchy straps and exceptionally breathable fabric against the wearer’s back. On long hikes, these attributes added up to a happier experience.
As with most hiking packs, the Trailblazer is at its best when fully buckled to your torso. The waist strap is pretty standard-issue, while the chest strap has a height-adjustable clip-on closure that I found helpful in securing a comfy fit.
It didn’t make the final cut because … the same “give” that makes this backpack so comfy means it sits awkwardly when filled with heavy things, as I discovered when I used it to carry a weekly supermarket shop. This doesn’t detract from the fact that this bag is brilliant for carrying bulky but light items, such as clothing and snacks.
Capacity: 44l; weight: 1.09kg; waterproof? No, but the material is water resistant with a PFC-free DWR coating
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Helly Hansen Stockholm backpack, 28l
- What we love:Looks great and feels comfortable
- What we don’t love:Limited internal organisation
Best for: everyday style and comfort
Neat and slender while in storage, but surprisingly roomy when you need it, this is a highly convenient backpack from Helly Hansen. The fabric comes to life in sunlight with vibrant colour (in my sample’s case, navy, but I also like the wildberry colourway).
I sometimes find rolltop rucksacks a faff to close, but this one works neatly, with dual straps and buckles to hold down the folded fabric. The fabric provides good resistance to moderate rain, and the rubbery base section gives the material some protection when the bag is placed on the ground.
It didn’t make the final cut because … there are only two large compartments (one of which is a laptop sleeve) and one front pocket. That’s great for users who like a straightforward backpack, but not when you need to quickly find one of many stored items.
Capacity: 28l; weight: 1kg; waterproof? No, but it’s water resistant
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Stubble & Co Hybrid backpack 30l
- What we love:Perfect for commuting and business travel
- What we don’t love:Lacks well-suited drink storage
Best for: commuting and business travel
This is probably the smartest-looking backpack I’ve tested that offers both robust protection against the elements and travel-friendly features, which makes it a great pick for carrying equipment and essentials to the workplace or further afield.
The main compartment has compression straps, so you can use the bag effectively as an item of carry-on luggage, and the laptop and tablet sleeves generously accommodate your favoured devices for productivity, creativity and perhaps the occasional in-transit streaming binge. I found the straps comfortable during testing.
It didn’t make the cut because … as with several others here, it lacks a well-suited space for a drinks bottle, although you can fit a few side by side in the front pocket.
Capacity: 30l; weight: 1.5kg; waterproof? Not quite, but it has waterproof fabric and water-resistant zips
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EMS Glacier lightweight rolltop 20l
- What we love:Light and compact
- What we don’t love:Stingy side pockets
Best for: a lightweight option
Need a small, feather-light backpack to sling into a larger pack you’re taking on a camping trip? This rolltop model from EMS is a good choice, as it can be folded up to squish into a particularly tight space.
I found this bag to be a basic but effective option for day hikes. The bungee cord on the front is useful for stowing unwanted layers during strenuous exercise, and the rolltop closure works just as it should. It’s impressively adjustable for its size, with waist and chest straps to ensure a stable fit and comfortable weight distribution.
It didn’t make the final cut because … the side pockets are stingy.
Capacity: 20l; weight: 680g; waterproof? No, but it is water resistant
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What you need to know
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Are backpacks better for your body?
Backpacks can place less strain on the body than comparable types of bags such as shoulder bags or satchels. The two straps of a backpack can distribute weight across the shoulders, rather than overloading one shoulder. Plus, using a backpack’s available chest or waist straps helps distribute the load across the torso.
Making full use of a backpack’s adjustment features is essential to getting the best possible fit and minimising discomfort. Tighten the shoulder straps enough to make the bag rest against your back, but not so closely that it limits movement. If your backpack has them, cinch the chest strap (or sternum strap) across the top of your chest, and secure the waist strap around the tops of your hip bones. Ideally, your hips will bear as much weight than your shoulders do.
Some backpacks are sold as men’s or women’s, with specific designs that account for average differences in male and female proportions. Fit is individual, however, and the best option is the one that fits your body comfortably. I tested unisex backpacks for this article.
Are backpacks waterproof?
Most backpacks have some level of water resistance, so they can withstand a certain amount of rain before letting water through. However, only a minority of backpacks are waterproof to the same extent as the most effective waterproof jackets. Where relevant, the level of water resistance or waterproofness should be indicated in the manufacturer’s product description, usually as a specification such as “hydrostatic head” (which tells you how much water pressure is needed to cause a material to let water through, in millimetres).
You can protect a backpack from wet weather by using it with a rain cover, which is a detachable accessory that fits tightly over the bag. Some backpacks come with a rain cover in a dedicated storage pocket. If your rucksack doesn’t include a rain cover, I would recommend getting one. I’ve been using this Fjällräven model for more than five years, and it still keeps my day-to-day backpacks perfectly dry.
For more, read our guides to the best carry-on luggage and the best suitcases for your next holiday
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Pete Wise is a writer from Leeds. A frequent contributor to the Filter, Pete has undertaken some of our most intrepid product-reviewing quests, including testing travel mugs on a trampette and stress-testing suitcases by hurling them from a ladder. His best and most challenging backpack-toting adventure of 2026 was a hike across the North Pennines
