Dogfunk.com Newsletter Articles

In 1967 Greg Lowe created the first internal-frame backpack, and all of a sudden everyone had to pick between internal and external-frame models. Today’s choices are not nearly as black and white. Ultralight designs, waterproof materials, compartmentalized interiors, removable parts, contoured waist-belts, breakthrough construction techniques, and countless other features have ushered in a slew of new backpacks, but these same innovations have made picking your pack a difficult mission.

To help you get a handle on which pack(s) might work best for you, we found some volunteer testers (which isn’t hard to do around here) to run a bunch of packs through the wringer. While all of these packs have different features and fit, they are all between 2750 and 3350 cubic inches (45 and 55 liters), which are the common sizes used for overnight to weekend backpacking trips.

The Testers

There is no best pack. No single pack will work for everyone. Differences in people’s height, weight, and body shape determine if a pack fits well or not. To get most of the differences ironed out, we enlisted five testers and seven backpacks. Each tester used each pack on day hikes or overnight trips and made notes on fit, features, and what they liked and disliked about each model. Have a look at the tester who sounds the most like you to get a good idea of which packs you should consider.

Tests

Highlights: Everyone looks for different things in a backpack. What may seem like a cheap bag with flimsy suspension to one backpacker may be an ultralight wonder to another. Some people like a lot of pockets. Some want none. Since we can’t know exactly what you want in a pack, we listed the stand-out features for each pack to let you make your own decision.

Weight: We hung each pack from a scale to determine their regular and stripped weight. It’s becoming more and more common for backpackers and climbers to strip their packs to the bare essentials for a day-hike or summit push. We also listed the parts that come off of each pack to make them lighter.

Suspension: Any pack feels great when it’s empty, but when you load it, those little differences in fit become clear. Our testers took the packs on hikes and climbing days around Utah’s Wasatch Range and on several trails in Idaho to determine which packs fit which body types the best. With the exception of one, all the packs we tested were a medium size, so we picked testers who fall in the medium-height, medium torso-length range. The aim is to determine how a pack fits relative to a specific body type (shoulder width, weight, girth). Most packs come in sizes S, M, L, and so on. It's a common misconception that a larger size gives you more useable volume. It doesn't. Sizes are meant to account for torso length, not capacity. If you're shorter go with the small, if you're Larry Bird, go with the large.

Packing the Pack: It can be hard to look at numbers on a web site and pick the pack that’s best for you. No one says, “Oh yeah. 3218cu inches sounds about right.” So we made a list of gear that someone may take on a trip. These items were placed inside the pack in the order listed below until the bag and all pockets were full (but not overflowing). For each pack, you can see which item numbers fit and where we ran out of room. Use this information to decide how much you could put in it. Keep in mind that your sleeping bag may be bigger than mine, you may strap your pad on the outside, and your standard list likely varies from the one below. This is only a guide.

The Packs

Black Diamond Quantum
Using a blend of tough and ultralight materials as well as some well-designed features, the Quantum Backpack carries very well and allows weight-conscious climbers and backpackers to strip off two pounds of weight for an ultralight trip. Though Black Diamond designed this bag with climbers in mind, it definitely fits the bill for overnight and weekend camping trips.

• Price: $239.90
• Highlights:
  • Cushy removable waist-belt with ultralight replacement included
  • Removable crampon straps
  • Side access zipper
  • Removable frame sheet with U-shaped aluminum stay
  • Double haul loops
• Regular Weight: 4lb 2oz (1871g)
• Stripped Weight: 2lb 2oz (964g) – Removed the lid, aluminum stays, back panel, waist-belt, and crampon & ice tool attachments
• Volume: [Medium] 3051cu in (55L)
• Packing the Pack: 1-12
• Fit:
  • Adam: The waist-belt is incredibly comfortable, but I found the shoulder straps to be a touch too wide for my narrow shoulders.
    Phunk: Both the shoulder straps and the waist belt fit my frame well and supported heavy loads.
    Pat: The test size (medium) fit really well. Both the shoulder straps and the waist-belt were very comfortable and supportive.
• Likes:
  • Adam: Carries well and strips to nearly nothing if needed. I really like the included ultralight waist-belt, so you don’t have to go all or nothing. You can take everything off this pack to save weight.
    Phunk: Tons of room for everything. The lid is well designed with easy access. I’m psyched on the large side-access zipper. Lots of options for lashing stuff to the outside if needed.
    Pat: This is definitely an alpine climbing pack—light but tough and can handle some serious weight. The best feature of this pack is how modular it is. For a light day hike, I stripped the pack down by removing all extraneous straps and the lid. You can even take off the padded waist-belt and rock the included nylon hip-belt, which works for loads up to 20 pounds, thanks in part to the well-padded shoulder straps.
• Dislikes:
  • Adam: Where are the PickPocket tool holders from last-year’s packs. Those things were sweet.
    Phunk: You know, I really couldn’t find anything that I didn’t like no matter how critical I got.
    Pat: No complaints here. The Quantum really is an alpine pack. Backpackers and hikers will probably prefer one of the other packs for shorter day trips.

Arc'teryx Naos 45
Arc’teryx stepped up and did what backpackers and climbers have wanted for years—they built a completely waterproof pack. This roll-top bag uses totally waterproof material and fully taped seams to keep your gear dry in the worst downpour. Even the zippers on the lid and front pockets are highly water resistant. But, don’t think for a second this is some river bag with shoulder straps. Arc’teryx hooked up this bag with pre-formed suspension. The waist-belt pivots on a low-profile Load Transfer Disk that eliminates rubbing as you hike.

• Price: $449.95
• Highlights:
  • Completely waterproof main compartment
  • Highly water-resistant pockets
  • Supportive, comfortable suspension
  • Simple, functional pivoting waist-belt design
  • Did we mention waterproof?
• Regular Weight: 4lb 8oz (2041g)
• Stripped Weight: 3lb 1oz (1389g) – Removed the lid, aluminum stays, & waist-belt
• Volume: [Tall] 2870cu in (47L)
• Packing the Pack: 1-10
• Fit:
  • Adam: I’m really short and the test pack was a tall, so it’s not surprising that I found it to be a touch long for me. Other than that, the fit was excellent. The waist-belt is incredibly comfortable without being overly bulky.
    Phunk: I’m not a really big fan of the waist belt. I do like the swivel features, but the actual belt didn’t feel beefy enough. It pinched me a bit. The rest was great.
    Pat: The tall version (test size) was slightly too long for my torso.
• Likes:
  • Adam: Clean, simple design with excellent features and no useless bells and whistles. Oh yeah, and it’s waterproof! Why couldn’t I have had this thing when I lived in Washington state?
    Phunk: The lid is well designed with good pockets. The construction is clearly bomber. You definitely don’t have to worry about this pack wearing out for many years.
    Pat: This pack is BURLY! I can imagine the Naos being the perfect companion on hikes where a lot of bushwhacking is required or for canyoneering trips where waterproofness is key. The pivoting waist-belt allows your hips to move independent of the frame, which makes bending over and reaching to the side much easier.
• Dislikes:
  • Adam: The air-purge seal / hydration port really needs to open to the outside, so this pack could be burped easier. Otherwise, you have to deal with extra air inside or leave the valve open.
    Phunk: The roll top is overly complicated, especially since I live in the desert and rain isn’t really an issue. The front pockets are a bit hard to load if the pack is stuffed, and I would gladly trade one for an internal pocket. Again, the waterproof material is a bit overkill if you don’t spend time in wet places.
    Pat: This pack is too burly. In my opinion, the waterproof, abrasion-resistant material is overkill for most day hikers, climbers, or backpackers. The hip-belt and shoulder straps were stiff. The lack of wand, side, or shovel pockets makes the pack sleek, but sacrifices too much functionality for winter touring or backpacking.

Marmot Diva 55 – Women’s
With many features commonly seen in larger, expedition-style packs, the Diva 55 makes a good pick for backpackers who like lots of pockets to keep things organized. The very-adjustable suspension allows a wide range of fit options, but both of our female testers found it to be overly complicated and slightly flimsy given the pack’s size. The Diva 55 also includes a bottom sleeping bag compartment with a droppable divider to meet your packing style.

• Price: $198.95
• Highlights:
  • Adjustable back length for varying fit
  • Lots of pockets (3 lid, 2 side, 2 front, 1 bottom)
  • Sleeping bag compartment with droppable divider
  • Dual aluminum stays
  • Durable construction
• Regular Weight: 4lb 13oz (2183g)
• Stripped Weight: 3lb 0oz (1361g) – Removed the lid, aluminum stays, frame sheet, & waist-belt
• Volume: [Medium] 3400cu in, (55L)
• Packing the Pack: 1-12
• Fit:
  • Genevieve: I’m definitely not a fan of these shoulder straps. I could not make them comfortable no matter how much adjusting I did. It feels like it’s trying to tip me over backward.
    Kaiulani: I found the entire suspension system to be overly complicated and too lightweight for a pack this size. I never did find a really comfortable position for all the straps.
• Likes:
  • Genevieve: Lots of pockets for organizing your gear.
    Kaiulani: The sleeping bag compartment and all the other spaces for organization save you time when digging for small stuff.
• Dislikes:
  • Genevieve: The side pockets aren’t as bad as some others, but I’m still not a fan. Overall, it’s way more complicated than it needs to be. It has lots of features, but none of them make up for the fit.
    Kaiulani: The lid attachment system is overly complicated. Though I like pockets, this pack actually has a couple too many for my taste.

Osprey Atmos 50
As the cornerstone of this pack’s design, the Airspeed trampoline-style back panel sets the Atmos apart and makes it a great choice for hot-weather use. You can even fill a hydration bladder with ice water and hang it between the mesh and the main compartment for more cooling power. Mid-summer hikes, treks through the desert, humid environments—these are exactly the types of conditions that inspired Osprey’s design.

• Price: $198.95
• Highlights:
  • Airspeed trampoline back panel
  • Perforated waist-belt and mesh shoulder straps
  • Lots of pockets (front stretch, front zip, 2 side stretch, 2 on waist-belt)
  • Sleeping pad straps to save volume inside
• Regular Weight: 3lb 2oz (1417g)
• Stripped Weight: 2lb 14oz (1304g) – Lid
• Volume: [Medium] 3000cu in (50L)
• Packing the Pack: 1-7
• Fit:
  • Adam: Top notch fit. Both the shoulder straps and waist-belt were very comfortable. The Airspeed back panel provides a surprising amount of cushion with heavy loads.
    Phunk: The medium (test size) fit great. It rode high enough to avoid interfering with my shorts' waistband. I have a standard-height torso.
    Pat: The medium may be just a tiny bit short for me, but the fit is excellent. The back panel is very comfortable, and the curve seems to mold to my back.
• Likes:
  • Adam: Good luck finding a better pack for scorching days on the trail. The back panel really does a great job keeping you cool in miserably hot conditions.
    Phunk: Ergo waist-belt and waffle-textured shoulder straps were the most comfortable I've ever used. Raised, vented back helped minimize sweat on hikes and let my tech-tee wick like it was born to. Rubber covered loops for zipper pull tabs initially struck me as needlessly gimmicky until I realized how awesome they are.
    Pat: The suspension, especially the mesh back panel, is all excellent. I’m definitely a fan of the waist-belt pockets as well.
• Dislikes:
  • Adam: The curved shape of the main compartment made it a bit hard to pack, but you can get used to it by packing things individually instead of using stuff sacks. I have never been a big fan or waist-belt pockets.
    Phunk: Curved internal aluminum stays that create the air pocket behind the vented back eat into usable space in the main compartment. This makes the remaining space within the main compartment slightly harder to use because it isn't the standard "tube" shape we're all used to.
    Pat: It seems like I use up the internal space really quickly. I wish it was just one notch bigger.

GoLite Pursuit
Many people think of GoLite packs as specialty designs for ultralight backpacking or adventure racing, but the GoLite Pursuit Backpack includes versatile features for a wide variety of outdoor pursuits. Hikers, climbers, and backcountry skiers can make use of this well-designed model. Though the suspension system seems light at first glance, most testers were impressed with how well the Pursuit carried big loads. Both male and female testers tried this unisex pack.

• Price: $149.95
• Highlights:
  • Large front pocket
  • Mesh waist-belt pockets for quick access
  • Diagonal and vertical ski carry
  • Mesh shoulder straps for increased ventilation in warm weather
  • Removable aluminum stays
• Regular Weight: 2lb 15oz (1332g)
• Stripped Weight: 2lb 1oz (936g) – Removed the lid, frame sheet, & aluminum stays
• Volume: [Medium] 3000cu in (49L)
• Packing the Pack: 1-9
• Fit:
  • Adam: The waist-belt was a bit wide for my skinny (29-inch) waist. I found the low-profile shoulder straps to be very comfortable.
    Phunk: I like both the shoulder straps and waist-belt. They weren’t amazing, but definitely still comfortable.
    Pat: Fit extremely well. No complaints.
    Kaiulani: Even though this is a men’s pack, it fit me just as well as the women’s models thanks to the excellent shoulder straps. I really liked the lightweight suspension.
• Likes:
  • Adam: This thing weighs a whole pound less than my old frameless alpine climbing pack and carries so much better. The large single front pocket allows some extra organization without being overkill.
    Phunk: Lots of volume in the front pocket. It’s a fair trade for the lack of side or back access which most ski-based backpacks seem to have. Though it has no ground-breaking features, this pack is a solid performer with nothing that really annoys me.
    Pat: Balance is the key word for the GoLite Pursuit. The Pursuit’s waist-belt is one of the best I’ve ever worn. It spread the weight out very efficiently without extra bulk. The features are well balanced. Not too much, not too little. The front pocket fits a shovel, probe, snow saw, or belay jacket. The hip-belt pockets are perfect for storing sun screen, a GPS, or a small camera.
    Kaiulani: Great size bag for not a lot of weight. Love the ice tool attachment system on top. Ideal volume for short trips into the backcountry.
• Dislikes:
  • Adam: The ice axe system was a hard to use with gloves.
    Phunk: The shovel pocket could use a sleeve for a probe. Not a fan of the tiny ice tool loops. The bottom material could definitely be a lot tougher. This part may wear out too quickly. I don’t think the diagonal ski carry is quite dialed yet.
    Pat: While the hip-belt was super comfortable, the shoulder straps are a little on the slim side. I imagine they would become uncomfortable after a day or two with 30+ pounds.
    Kaiulani: Ok I get the pockets on the hip-belt, but every time I move my arms I am hitting them, and they drive me insane. Even worse if they have anything in them. I did think the stays rose a bit too high above the shoulder straps and inhibited head motion.

Arc’teryx Maia 50 – Women’s
Everyone who tries this backpack always has the same first question: “Dude, is this thing waterproof?” Yes it is. Arc’teryx stepped up and created the pack that so many have been waiting for. You can drop this thing in a river and everything in the main compartment will be totally dry when you get it back. Even the zippered pockets are water resistant enough to keep out horrendous rain. The impressively comfortable suspension includes two moldable aluminum stays, pre-formed shoulder straps, and a pivoting waist-belt which decreases chafing as you hike.

• Price: $498.95
• Highlights:
  • It’s waterproof.
  • Pre-formed shoulder straps and pivoting waist-belt
  • Moldable aluminum stays for a custom fit
  • Low-profile pockets with water-resistant zippers
  • Hey, my gear’s still dry
• Regular Weight: 4lb 11oz (2126g)
• Stripped Weight: 3lb 2oz (1417) – Removed the lid, aluminum stays, & waist-belt
• Volume: [Medium] 3051cu in (50L)
• Packing the Pack: 1-11
• Fit:
  • Genevieve: Everything seems to fit me really well except that the shoulder straps hit a strange pressure point near my collarbone.
    Kaiulani: Love the hip-belt! It has just enough padding to really make a difference but it's not bulky. The shoulder straps are over stuffed and a bit uncomfortable.
• Likes:
  • Genevieve: Even though this pack is relatively big, it feels very compact when wearing it. The pivoting waist point is very comfortable. The entire design is very streamlined with just enough pockets.
    Kaiulani: There are enough pockets to keep me happy but not so many that I forget which pocket I put something in. The waterproof material makes it so you don't have to resort to garbage bags when you get stuck in a storm
• Dislikes:
  • Genevieve: The closure may take some getting used to.
    Kaiulani: Why isn't the air-purge seal on the outside of the bag?

Osprey Aura 50 – Women’s
Without a doubt, the Airspeed trampoline-style back panel puts this pack in its own category. The mesh backing separates your back from the aluminum stays by a couple inches, allowing air to flow freely between your back and the pack. Need even more cooling? The Aura has a specially placed strap to let your ice-filled hydration bladder rest between the mesh and main pack—air conditioning, baby! These features, combined with a perforated waist-belt and mesh shoulder straps, make the Aura 50 a great pick for hot weather.

• Price: $198.95
• Highlights:
  • Airspeed trampoline back panel
  • Perforated waist-belt and mesh shoulder straps
  • Lots of pockets (front stretch, front zip, 2 side stretch, 2 on waist-belt)
  • Sleeping pad straps to save volume inside
• Regular Weight: 3lb 2oz (1417g)
• Stripped Weight: 2lb 14oz (1304g) – removed the lid
• Volume: [Medium] 3000cu in (50L)
• Packing the Pack: 1-7
• Fit:
  • Genevieve: The pack fit well. It’s nice to have a women's-specific fit, especially since I have a small frame. I also like having the hip-belt fairly low on my hips rather than my waist.
    Kaiulani: No matter what I do, this pack just doesn’t seem to fit me. The waist-belt hits in all the wrong spots and the shoulder straps are a bit narrow. I do like the back panel though.
• Likes:
  • Genevieve: The back stretchy-mesh air vent system looked weird, but it kept my back really cool. Good weight for the support system it has.
    Kaiulani: Plenty of hydration options and a nice cool feel even in horrendously hot weather.
• Dislikes:
  • Genevieve: The waist-belt pockets drove me absolutely crazy. They were totally in the way of my arms when I was hiking. They stuck out even though I didn't have anything in them.
    Kaiulani: I found the curved interior difficult to pack. Those waist-belt pockets need to go. And why are there ice tool holders on a pack designed for hot-weather use?