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Best hiking backpacks in Australia

Our editorial team has analysed hundreds of reviews to find the top 7 hiking backpacks for different outdoor adventures.

Melanie Pike
Melanie Pike

Updated

Fact checked
Hiking to a scenic viewpoint

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The best hiking backpacks in Australia

How did we pick this list?

Our editorial team selected the hiking backpacks on this list based on actual customer reviews on Amazon Australia, Google Reviews and the manufacturers' own websites. For a pack to be considered, it must have scored above 4.5 stars out of 5 and had at least 200 reviews.

Read more detail on our methodology below.

Best overall product: Osprey Atmos AG 50 (men) | Osprey Aura AG 65 (women)

Pros

  • Customers say it's extremely comfortable for long treks
  • Can be adjusted all over for the perfect fit

Cons

  • Rain cover must be purchased separately
  • Access is from the top only, which some consumers found annoying

Price (RRP): $399.99

For men

Buy at Amazon

For women

Buy at Amazon

Why we chose it

The best hiking backpack in Australia comes from Osprey, which offers both a men's and women's version: the Atmos AG 50 and Aura AG 65, respectively. In addition to having the highest average rating of 4.8 out of 5 across more than 300 reviews, it's a consistent favourite among seasoned hikers.

The fact the backpack has a men's and women's variant, rather than a unisex option, gives customers peace of mind the design has taken body shape into serious consideration. It is also available in a variety of torso sizes to ensure a great fit.

Comfort is king with this 50L backpack, which features an "Anti-Gravity" suspension and ventilation system, along with adjustable harness and shoulder straps and a well-padded hip belt. The trekking pole attachments give you hands-free wear and there is extra external storage in the form of stretch mesh pockets and zippered hip belt pockets within easy reach.

Best day hiking backpack: Osprey Talon 22 (men) | Osprey Tempest 20 (women)

Pros

  • Many reviews said it was very light
  • Customers found it comfortable

Cons

  • Relatively pricey
  • Hydration bladder must be purchased separately

Price (RRP): $179.99

For men

Buy at Amazon

For women

Buy at Amazon

Why we chose it

For day hikes, Osprey once again tops the list with its men's and women's options: the Talon 22 and Tempest 20. This versatile backpack offers plenty of internal storage for single-day treks, while on the outside, there's an external hydration sleeve and trekking pole and helmet attachments, as well as mesh pockets.

The lightweight construction in combination with the BioStretch harness and hip belt are designed to hug your body for maximum comfort. The AirScape back panel consists of mesh-covered foam ridges for increased ventilation on hot days.

Best camera backpack for hiking: Lowepro Photo Sport BP 300 AW II

Pros

  • Customers liked the built-in rain cover
  • Photo gear is kept secure during hikes

Cons

  • A number of reviews say internal space is limited
  • The back panel can get sweaty, according to some

Price (RRP): $399.95

Buy at Amazon
Buy at Catch

Why we chose it

It's no surprise the best camera backpack for hiking comes from one of the top camera bag manufacturers. The Lowepro Photo Sport BP 300 AW II is highly rated at 4.5 out of 5 from more than 500 reviews.

The UltraCinch compartment at the bottom of the backpack fits a DSLR with an attached lens as well as an extra lens or flash, with adjustable dividers. The side zipper allows for quick access to your photography gear and a built-in rain cover is included for added protection.

The top compartment of the pack is loose and contains a hydration reservoir, while extra gear like a tripod can be attached to the outside. The shoulder straps and hip belt can be adjusted for the right fit and the ActivZone back harness is designed for ease of movement.

Best small hiking backpack: Deuter Speed Lite 24

Deuter Speed Lite 24

Pros

  • 3L hydration bladder capacity
  • Customers like the strong, padded shoulder straps

Cons

  • Some reviews say the hip belt pockets are small
  • Lacks storage compartments on the outside

Price (RRP): $224.95

Buy at Catch
Buy at eBay

Why we chose it

The Deuter Speed Lite 24 is our pick for the best small hiking backpack, as it's a great all-rounder, with a generous 24L capacity in a small and light form. And with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 from more than 300 reviews, customers like it too.

This light yet strong backpack features a flexible internal frame for support, along with load-adjustment shoulder and chest straps and a padded hip belt to balance all your gear for a cosy fit. It also has a mesh air panel for ventilation and an elasticised internal compartment to keep any wet or sweaty gear separate.

Best lightweight hiking backpack:Osprey Exos 58 (men) | Osprey Eja 58 (women)

Pros

  • Extremely light at just over 1kg
  • Customers found it had excellent ventilation

Cons

  • Relatively short hip belt wings
  • Some reviews said weight distribution could be an issue

Price (RRP): $289.95

For men

Buy at Amazon

For women

Buy at Amazon

Why we chose it

Osprey takes out top spot again, this time with the ultralight Exos 58 and Eja 58 backpacks for men and women. A generous 58L capacity at a little over 1kg means this bag will fit all your gear without weighing you down.

Customers found this backpack very comfortable due to its tensioned AirSpeed mesh back panel for ventilation and suspension, as well as great balance across the shoulder straps and hip belt. It's possible to reduce the weight even further by removing the sleeping pad, compression straps and top lid.

Best budget hiking backpack: Decathlon Forclaz Travel 500 Men's Trekking Backpack 50L | Women's Trekking Backpack 50L

Decathlon Forclaz Travel 500 Men's

Pros

  • Customers love its versatility
  • Great value

Cons

  • Rain cover is somewhat bulky
  • Some reviews said it was a little heavy

Price (RRP): $129

For men

Buy at Decathlon

For women

Buy at Decathlon

Why we chose it

Our pick for the best budget hiking backpack is the Forclaz Travel Backpack 50L from Decathlon. With a variant for both men and women, this is an incredibly popular choice with customers, who have rated it an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars from almost 800 reviews.

Apart from being a bargain, customers loved how versatile it is – the 10L pouch at the top can be removed and used as a standalone bag, there are three extra zippered compartments on the outside and there's a separate shoe compartment at the bottom.

The pack also opens like a suitcase with a zipper, making it easy to access your gear. A rain cover is included and it can accommodate a hydration bladder. Its EasyFit system of straps on the hip belt, shoulder straps and chest strap ensure a good fit.

Best waterproof hiking backpack: Earth Pak Summit Dry Bag Backpack 35L

Pros

  • Customers like the bonus waterproof phone case
  • Complete waterproof protection

Cons

  • No internal frame to support heavy loads
  • Some reviews said the back panel can get sweaty

Average online price: $135

Buy at Amazon

Why we chose it

For treks near water, the Earth Pak Summit Dry Bag Backpack 35L is the best waterproof hiking backpack on the market. We've selected the 35L daypack, although a 55L version suitable for multi-day excursions is also available. Customers rate it very highly, with an average of 4.7 out of 5 from more than 1,600 reviews.

The large main compartment contains two internal pockets to keep your valuables dry, with a splash-proof zippered pocket on the front for easy access to frequently used items. An IPX8 waterproof phone case is also included. The pack's roll-top closure clips down into place to prevent water from entering, which also gives it buoyancy should it fall into the water.

The contoured back panel features an ergonomic design, with padded shoulder straps, a hip belt and chest strap to support the weight of the pack during hikes.

Methodology

22
Brands considered
50+
Products compared
7
Best products chosen
  • We considered hiking backpacks from 22 outdoor adventure gear brands available in Australia.
  • We grouped them into seven different categories in order to cover every type of hiking experience.
  • The products on this list are chosen by our editorial team and are not selected based on commercial relationships.

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