BEST BACKPACKING PACKS OF 2020
- VeteranShack
- Mar 13, 2020
- 6 min read
For minimalist overnights to extended treks, our top picks excel in carrying comfort, organization, and weight
Gone are the days when backpacking consisted of strapping on a huge external frame and lumbering through the forest with an aching body. Trends in backpacks these days err towards minimalism and thoughtful, ergonomic design. Below are our favorite backpacking packs for the 2020 season, from ultralight bags for minimalists and thru-hikers to comfort-oriented options for weekend warriors and extended trips.
Best Overall Backpacking Pack
Weight: 4 lbs. 9 oz. Fabric: Nylon (100D x 630D) Capacities: 50, 65L What we like: Close fit and fantastic back ventilation. What we don’t: No zipper to the main compartment.
The Atmos AG is our top backpacking pack for 2020 by deftly balancing all of our priorities: comfort, organization, durability, and weight. The attention grabber is the suspended “Anti-Gravity” backpanel, but we like the Atmos because it’s a lot more than just an advancement in pack ventilation. We’ve found it easy to dial in a good fit, the pocket design is thoughtfully laid out (although we’d prefer zippered access to the main compartment), and it’s tough enough for rough treatment while staying well under 5 pounds. Overall, the Atmos is an extremely well-rounded design that works great for anything from quick overnight trips to extended jaunts into the backcountry.
As mentioned above, the most prominent feature on the Atmos AG is its mesh backpanel. Bucking the trend of protruding foam panels that contact your back in certain areas—back, lumbar, and hips—the Atmos AG has a single large ventilated panel that covers the entire back and hipbelt. The result is best-in-class ventilation, and the flexible mesh conforms to your back and waist very well. Impressively, the design manages to carry heavy gear comfortably—we’ve had it loaded with over 45 pounds on more than one occasion—although the mesh is a little less supportive than the foam on a pack like the Gregory Baltoro below. Those looking to shave weight certainly can do so with one of the ultralight choices below, but it’s tough to beat the feature set and build quality.
A Close Second
Weight: 3 lbs. 0 oz. Fabric: Robic nylon (100D & 210D) Capacity: 60L What we like: Excellent mix of carrying comfort, organization, and weight. What we don’t: Durability and back ventilation can’t match the Atmos AG above.
The Blaze 60 is Granite Gear’s flagship piece, combining heavy-hauling credentials and functional organization at a 3-pound weight. We took the latest model on a difficult trek through the Grand Canyon and were pleased with its overall performance. The pack’s sturdy framesheet and substantial padding on the hipbelt and shoulder straps carried a full load extremely well (it’s rated for 50 pounds), and the zippered opening to the main compartment made it easy to access our gear. Further, the oversized front and side exterior pockets were ideal for storing water bottles (you can fit two standard bottles in one side pocket), a sleeping pad, and rainwear. Most impressively, the Blaze pulls this all off while undercutting most of the competition by 1 pound or more.
What’s not to like with the latest Blaze 60? The padded backpanel favors comfort and support over breathability, and we found it runs warmer than a mesh-heavy design like the Atmos above. Moreover, it takes some practice (and patience) to get the shoulder straps and hipbelt adjusted. In particular, reaching behind the framesheet to remove and reinsert the shoulder strap clips was a pain. But these are very small nitpicks, and the Blaze’s well-rounded build makes it easily one of our favorite packs on the market.
Best Ultralight Backpacking Pack
Weight: 2 lbs. 0.7 oz. Fabric: Robic nylon (100D & 200D) Capacity: 60L What we like: Ultralight without being overly compromised. What we don’t: Foam backpanel bunches up.
A number of ultralight packs are designed for thru-hikers and minimalists, but our top pick is the Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60. What sets it apart is how few tradeoffs there are in using this 2-pound 3-ounce bag (ours has a large frame and medium hipbelt). While brands like Hyperlite and Zpacks use Dyneema fabric (formerly cuben fiber) to cut weight, Gossamer Gear uses a light yet tough Robic nylon. This helps keep cost in check, and unlike our Dyneema packs, we’ve had no issues with punctures or wear from the Mariposa. It’s still smart to take extra care when bushwhacking or setting the pack down on rocks, but so far it’s the least compromised ultralight pack we’ve tested.
Organization on the Mariposa is excellent. In addition to the large main compartment, the pack has a total of 7 external pockets of varying sizes, making it easy to distribute your gear. Comfort-wise, we’ve found the Mariposa has sufficient padding and plenty of support right up to its 35-pound maximum rating. If we were to change one thing, it would be the backpanel: the removable foam padding is prone to bunching and we prefer to leave it behind. Otherwise, the Mariposa stands out as the most complete ultralight pack on the market and a great option for backpackers looking to cut weight.
Most Comfortable Pack for Heavy Loads
Weight: 4 lbs. 15.4 oz. Fabric: Nylon (210D) Capacities: 65, 75, 85, 95L What we like: Heavy hauling comfort with a great feature set. What we don’t: Pretty heavy and overkill for minimalists.
Gregory has earned a reputation for comfort over the years, and their flagship men’s Baltoro and women’s Deva packs carry on the tradition. These bags are intended to haul heavy loads with strong suspensions, firm but supportive padding, and excellent organization. Gregory modernized the design last year by trimming a few ounces off the previous version, improving ventilation with mesh along the backpanel, and adding a large stretch shove-it pocket at the front. These changes address many of the complaints we had with the old Baltoro, improving one of our favorite packs for shouldering serious weight.
The Baltoro is among the most comfortable and feature-rich designs out there, but it comes at a weight penalty. With its last two updates, Gregory has worked to make it more competitive, but the 75-liter model still comes in at around 5 pounds. If you aim to keep things light and simple on a backpacking trip, this probably isn’t the bag for you. But if you prioritize comfort and appreciate extras like a zippered access to the main compartment, an integrated rainfly, and ample exterior pockets, the Baltoro is a nice choice.
Weight: 3 lbs. 9.3 oz. Fabric: Nylon (100D, 210D, & 420D) Capacities: 48, 58, 68L What we like: Well-balanced design with a useful feature set. What we don’t: Heavier but no more comfortable than the Blaze above.
Gregory's updated-for-2020 Paragon slots below the popular Baltoro above in weight and carrying comfort. But at 3 pounds 9 ounces and a reasonable $230, it’s an attractive option for anything from overnight to extended trips. The pack offers an easily adjustable suspension, plenty of mesh to help you stay cool along the padded backpanel, and a quality feel overall with sturdy zippers and supportive foam. You also get useful extras like a rain cover, large mesh front pocket, and a bear canister-friendly wide shape.
What’s been changed with the latest Paragon? The biggest addition for us is a full-length side zip that allows you quick access to the main compartment (without a weight penalty). In addition, Gregory dropped the old removable day/summit pack (called the “Sidekick”) and replaced it with a standard water reservoir sleeve. As with the Baltoro, we found the Sidekick to have questionable value, so we don’t see this as much of a downside. Finally, the suspension system has been updated with a more body-hugging hipbelt. Taken together, it’s an excellent revamp to one of our favorite mid-range packs.
Weight: 5 lbs. 0 oz. Fabric: Nylon (420D & 630D) Capacities: 50, 63L What we like: Innovative and functional hipbelt design. What we don’t: Very, very expensive.
Arc’teryx is known for innovation in outdoor gear, and they recently turned their attention from ski boots to backpacking packs. Building on the excellent rotating hipbelt design of their Altra pack, the Bora AR offers even more mobility and comfort. The RotoGlide, as Arc’teryx calls it, places the hipbelt along a track in the backpanel that allows it to move up and down as you lean forward on a climb. Simply put, nothing else on the market can match this level of customization. In addition, Arc’teryx uses a durable waterproof fabric along the top and front of the bag for fantastic weather resistance. For year-round backpacking in tough conditions and on very rough trails, you won’t find a better option.
As expected from Arc’teryx, the biggest obstacle with the Bora AR is price. Our top-rated pack, the Osprey Atmos AG, is less than half the cost of the Bora and plenty comfortable for most backpacking trips. The Arc’teryx is a better prospect if you’ll be tackling challenging terrain in inclement weather where its defining features—the hipbelt and waterproof materials—truly shine. But it’s a relatively small subset of the market that will value the Bora AR, which pushes it down a few spots on our list.
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