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Best hiking backpacks in Australia

We analysed hundreds of reviews to find the top 7 hiking backpacks for different outdoor adventures.

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Ericka Pingol
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The best hiking backpacks in Australia

How did we pick this list?

For this list, we picked hiking backpacks based on actual customer reviews and ratings on Amazon and key product features. For every category, we carefully chose parameters based on our research and determined products with the highest review score within those parameters.

Read more detail on our methodology below.

Best overall hiking backpack for men: TetonSports Fox 5200 Internal Frame Backpack

Pros

  • Large capacity
  • Durable and sturdy

Cons

  • Some found the straps flimsy
  • Not lightweight
Price (RRP): $189.41
Amazon price: From $148.61
Buy at Amazon

Why we chose it

The TetonSports Fox 5200 Internal Frame Backpack is our pick for the best overall men's hiking backpack. On Amazon, it has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 800 reviews.

This hiking backpack features a high capacity design and a rugged internal frame to better support your provision for long trips. It also has a multi-position torso adjustment to fit a wide range of body types. Apart from being water-resistant, this backpack has hip padding, open-cell foam with a lumbar pad and a detachable hood that can double as a pillow.

Customers gave positive feedback on the backpack's large capacity, durable construction and water resistance. It is suitable for backpacking and week-long hikes. Reviewers also loved that it offers tons of pockets for storage and organisation. But because it has a rugged frame, the backpack is heavy even when it's empty. Several others reported that the straps fall apart after less than a year of usage.

Best overall hiking backpack for women: Osprey Ariel AG 65 Women's Backpacking Pack

Pros

  • Top half can be used as a daypack
  • Comfortable even when heavy

Cons

  • Expensive
  • One critic said that the hip belt is painful
Price (RRP): $480.89
Amazon price: From $406.59
eBay Price: From $472.44 to $472.44
Buy at Amazon
Buy at eBay

Why we chose it

For the best overall hiking backpack for women, we recommend Osprey's Ariel AG 65 Women's Backpacking Pack. It has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

This Osprey backpack is designed with a suspended-mesh panel for comfort and a heat-moldable hip belt and harness for security when carrying heavy loads. The backpack also features a removable top lid, which can be used as a daypack. Apart from a large J-zip for easy access, it comes with a zippered sleeping bag compartment and an internal hydration sleeve.

According to customers, this backpack is lightweight and breathable. The straps are thick and comfortable even when carrying heavy loads for extended periods. Several customers loved its durable body, while others praised the bag for having tons of pockets and storage. However, one critic said that the hip belt is cumbersome and painful.

Best day hiking backpack for men: ZOMAKE 40L Hiking Backpack

Pros

  • Good value for money
  • Suitable for hiking beginners

Cons

  • Not as durable as more expensive options
  • Some customers found the material too thin
Price (RRP): $39.99
Amazon price: From $39.99
Buy at Amazon

Why we chose it

With a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars on Amazon, we selected the ZOMAKE 40L Hiking Backpack as the best day hiking backpack for men.

ZOMAKE's 40L Hiking Backpack is made of ultra-light and durable fabric with a 150D oxford waterproof coating. It features padded mesh shoulder straps, shock-absorbent back panel and multiple compartments, including a large zipper pocket for a 15.6" laptop, side mesh pockets and wraparound drawstring.

The general sentiment is that this bag is an affordable choice for day hikes and beginners. The 40-litre capacity is enough for carrying heaps of essentials, including water bottles and a tablet. Customers also found the backpack lightweight and breathable. But a few others didn't like its thin fabric, with some questioning its long-term durability.

Best day hiking backpack for women: Naturehike Hiking Daypack 18L

Pros

  • Waterproof
  • Lightweight and compact

Cons

  • Capacity is only 18 litres
  • Prominent Naturehike branding
Price (RRP): $30.29
Amazon price: Check site for current pricing
Buy at Amazon
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Why we chose it

For women, we picked the Naturehike Hiking Daypack 18L as the best day hiking backpack. It has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from over 500 Amazon reviews.

Weighing only 120g, this Naturehike daypack is lightweight and can be folded into a small bag. It is made of 30D nylon tarps and has an 18-litre capacity. According to the manufacturer, it is also waterproof and tear-resistant. It also comes with mini adjustable buckles and a bilateral gauze pocket for small items.

Customers gave positive feedback on the product's sleek design, affordable price tag and durability. Reviewers loved that this could be turned into a smaller bag for easy storage. This feature also allows you to fit the bag inside a suitcase when travelling. Additionally, it has a thick material comparable to more expensive options, according to some. However, it has a prominent Naturehike logo that may not suit everyone's preference.

Best camera backpack for hiking: Lowepro Flipside Trek BP 250 AW Compact Outdoor Camera Backpack

Pros

  • Secures photography gear during hikes
  • Tons of storage pockets for organisation

Cons

  • Back panel is not breathable according to some
  • Heavier than other camera backpacks
Price (RRP): $122.30
Amazon price: From $119.00
eBay Price: From $142.01
Buy at Amazon
Buy at eBay

Why we chose it

Lowepro's Flipside Trek BP 250 AW Compact Outdoor Camera Backpack is our choice for the best camera hiking backpack. On Amazon, it has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.

This hiking backpack for photo gear has a flipside body-side access with a hinged lid for securing the main camera compartment. It also features tons of pockets for storing personal items. Aside from multiple attachment points, it has an Activzone suspended system for all-day comfort.

Customers loved this bag's durable construction, thick padding and large capacity. It offers heaps of storage space, allowing you to carry multiple camera gear and accessories. The attachment points are also useful for carrying items using a carabiner. But according to reviewers, its back panel gets sweaty, especially during longer hikes.

Best small hiking backpack for men: Osprey Talon 11 Men's Hiking Backpack

Pros

  • Fully adjustable
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • May be too small for some people
  • Straps are abrasive according to some
Price (RRP): From $116.59
Amazon price: Check site for current pricing
Buy at Amazon

Why we chose it

If you're looking for the best small hiking backpack for men, we recommend Osprey's Talon 11 Men's Hiking Backpack. It has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

This Osprey small backpack for men has an 11-litre capacity and only weighs 630g. It has dual-zippered panel access to the main compartment and an internal mesh pocket with a key clip. Additionally, it has side stretch mesh panels and an external hydration reservoir sleeve. You can also attach a blinker light to the bag for night use.

This backpack has fully adjustable straps, allowing you to get the right fit for your body type. It has an Airscape back panel that is breathable and comfortable. According to customers, it offers loads of storage despite being small. However, some customers had issues with the straps, adding that they are abrasive and uncomfortable after a couple of hours.

Best small hiking backpack for women: Mammut Lithia Speed 15L Backpack

Pros

  • Breathable with great ventilation
  • Some customers found the fit suitable for most body types

Cons

  • Back panel has hard edges that get uncomfortable
  • Pricier than other small hiking bags
Price (RRP): $134.65
eBay Price: From $179.20
Buy at eBay

Why we chose it

For women, we picked the Mammut Lithia Speed 15L Backpack as the best small backpack. It has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

This hiking backpack is lightweight, featuring 3D EVA foam with air channels for improved ventilation. It also has EVA shoulder padding for added comfort for prolonged use. Apart from adjustable shoulder straps, it has a small pocket for mobiles, a zip pocket on the hip belt and a large front zipped pocket for small essentials.

The general sentiment is that this is a lightweight yet durable choice for day hiking. It is compact but fits various hiking essentials without getting too heavy. According to customers, its shape and adjustable straps are suitable for most women's body types. There were some complaints about the back panel's hard edges being uncomfortable after extended periods.

Best lightweight hiking backpack: Venture Pal 40L Lightweight Packable Backpack

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Large capacity with multiple pockets

Cons

  • Only one pocket is waterproof
  • Zippers become brittle after machine washing
Price (RRP): $35.63
Amazon price: From $122.49
Buy at Amazon

Why we chose it

With a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon, we selected the Venture Pal 40L Lightweight Packable Backpack as the best lightweight hiking backpack available online.

This Venture backpack has a 40-litre capacity but only weighs 320g. It is made of high-quality nylon that is tear-proof. The backpack also has a roomy main compartment, a separator and a small zipper pocket for smaller essentials. Additionally, it features a double-layered bottom to support heavy loads.

This lightweight backpack is an affordable option if you're on a budget. It packs a punch, offering a spacious main compartment that can carry tons of items, including heavy camera accessories. Customers also loved that it could be folded into a smaller bag for easy storage. The backpack is machine washable as well. However, some reviewers noticed that the zippers get brittle and difficult to use with each wash.

Best budget hiking backpack: G4Free Lightweight Packable Hiking Backpack 35/40

Pros

  • Features bungee ropes for hanging
  • Durable

Cons

  • Too bulky for some
  • Top compartment opens at the back
Price (RRP): From $30.99
Amazon price: From $33.99
Buy at Amazon

Why we chose it

If you're on a budget, we recommend the G4Free Lightweight Packable Hiking Backpack 35/40 as the best option. It has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

With a 35-litre capacity, this G4Free offers spacious compartments for carrying your essentials and more. It has a large main compartment, 2 top pouches and 1 front spandex pouch. It features 2 bottle holders and bungee ropes for hanging trekking poles and fishing rods. It can also be folded into an ultra-compact pouch for easy storage and portability.

In addition to being affordable, customers loved this backpack's simple design and large capacity. They added that the material is thick and durable, comparable to higher-end models. The straps are also padded for extra comfort. However, some found the backpack bulky. Its top compartment also opens at the back instead of the front, making it difficult to access the main compartment.

Best waterproof hiking backpack: Drop 40L Ultralight Waterproof Backpack

Pros

  • Features an aluminium inverted frame for support
  • Has an easy access system

Cons

  • Not cheap
  • Some found the straps too wide
Price (RRP): From $274.03
Amazon price: Check site for current pricing
Buy at Amazon

Why we chose it

For the best waterproof hiking backpack, we selected the Drop 40L Ultralight Waterproof Backpack. On Amazon, it has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

This hiking backpack has a 40-litre capacity and a removable 85g aluminium inverted U frame for supporting heavy loads. Apart from being waterproof, it features a QuickPocket system, allowing you to immediately access your gear and other provisions. The backpack also has a daisy chain and zipper pocket, wide adjustable shoulder straps and a padded back panel.

Reviewers loved the backpack's durable and waterproof design and large capacity. It is also more accessible than traditional hiking bags, thanks to its QuickPocket system. The bag features multiple compartments for an improved organisation as well. Several others also found the back panel comfortable and well-ventilated. However, its shoulder straps are far too wide, which may cause shoulder joint pain when used for extended periods.

Best toddler carrying hiking backpack: Our Expedition Hiking Carrier for Child and Toddler

Pros

  • Foldable design for versatility
  • Suitable for children up to 5-years old

Cons

  • Some found the backpack too heavy
  • Chest strap is flimsy according to one critic
Price (RRP): $199.00
Amazon price: From $231.26
Buy at Amazon
Buy at eBay

Why we chose it

Our pick for the best toddler-carrying backpack for hiking is Our Expedition's Hiking Carrier for Child and Toddler. It has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from more than 300 reviews on Amazon.

This carrying backpack is suitable for children up to 5 years old. It features a foldable design, sunshade and removable bag, allowing you to use it for hiking and other outdoor activities. The backpack also has security straps to ensure your child's safety during hikes.

Customers gave positive feedback on the carrier backpack's durable construction, ergonomic design and versatility. It has padded straps and a back panel, making it comfortable for both you and your child. The backpack is also detachable, allowing you to use it as a nappy bag when not carrying your child. According to several customers, this hiking backpack is a bit heavier than other options out there, but they added that it's not a deal breaker.

Best baby carrying hiking backpack: WIPHA Baby Backpack Carrier

Pros

  • Large capacity
  • Some of the pads are removable to fit any preference

Cons

  • Minimal lumbar support
  • Only supports babies up to 20kg
Price (RRP): $212.14
Amazon price: Check site for current pricing
Buy at Amazon
Buy at eBay

Why we chose it

The WIPHA Baby Backpack Carrier is our choice for the best baby-carrying hiking backpack. On Amazon, it has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.

The WIPHA Baby Backpack Carrier features a wide padded waist belt, collapsible sunshade and a 5-point safety belt to protect your baby. It has a spacious main compartment and an insulated pocket for carrying baby drinks. Apart from removable paddings, this backpack also has pockets on the harness for storing small essentials like a wallet and mobile.

According to reviewers, this is a solid option for carrying your little one during long hikes. It has heaps of padding, with some being removable to fit any comfort preference. Reviewers also loved its roomy compartment, allowing them to store baby essentials and other personal items. The insulated pocket can store 2 x 280ml cups as well. However, it offers minimal lumbar support, which means the child's entire weight would fall on the parent's back and shoulder.

Amazon prices last updated on 28 October, 2021 at 10:00 am

Methodology

34
Brands considered
110
Products compared
12
Best products chosen
  • We compared 110 hiking backpacks from over 30 brands.
  • We then assessed hundreds of customer reviews and ratings on Amazon.
  • The products on this list are chosen by our editorial team and are not selected based on commercial relationships.

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