5 Best Light Backpacks for Hiking, Overnight Camping, and Travel (Budget Edition)

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Whether you are preparing for an epic hike or a weekend outdoor short trip, your backpack will be the essential piece of equipment without which you cannot successfully accomplish your adventure.

Besides you need a place to accommodate your hiking essentials and a hiking backpack is specially designed so that you can focus on exploring the great outdoors with all of your hiking equipment without any discomfort.

Hi, my name is Bozhidar and in today’s article, I’m going to cover the top 5 best light backpacks for hiking, camping, and travel you can afford.

Don’t worry I’ve tested multiple backpacks through my hiking trips and understand completely what you need so stick with me till the end if you want to see what’s best.

Let’s begin!

Contents show

Top 5 Best Lightweight Backpacks for Hiking, Camping, and Travel

These backpacks can easily support all of your hiking gear and support you well in covering various terrains.

Here’s an overview of the top 5 best budget backpacks for hiking, camping, and travel I’m going to review next:

So without wasting any more time, let’s jump right into the reviews.

5. Best Budget Backpack for Hiking and Camping –  Kelty Redwing 50

Click here for the latest price on Amazon

Kelty is one of the top brands that manufacture high-end backpacks and their Redwing 50 is no exception when it comes to quality.

It is streamlined and perfectly designed to get you in the wilderness with minimal force.

It offers an advanced pyramid or frame for equal weight distribution plus it uses a padded shoulder harness with adjustment webbing to ease your load carrying.

Its FitPro and torso adjustment system provides you a custom torso feel.

 Besides you get a ventilated back panel that keeps you cool on the trail.

Alongside its massive main department, it also provides two large mesh water bottle pockets.

Also, you’ll get a front-facing large zipper accessory pocket. 

It features an easy-to-use back compartment and a stretch mushy little pocket to store small devices.

To keep your hiking gear locked you also get dual side compression straps.

Lastly, the Redwing 50 comes with trekking pole loops to keep your hiking poles locked and close to your hands all the time.

All in all, with plenty of storage and an attractive design, the Redwing 50 backpack will keep you organized on the road and ensure maximum fun while hiking.

Specifications

  • Volume: 3356.3 Cubic Inches
  • Torso Size: 15.5-21 Inches
  • Height: 27.56 Inches
  • Back Panel: Ventilated
  • Water-Bottle Pocket: 2, Mesh

What I like about it:

  • Features a Sleeping Bag Compartment
  • Distributes Weight Evenly
  • Offers Custom Fit
  • Adjustable Torso System
  • Affordable

What I don’t like about it:

  • No Hydration Bladder System

Click here to get the latest price on Amazon

4. Best Backpack for Multiple Day Hiking and Long Travel – TETON Sports Explorer 4000

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The Teton Sports Explorer 4000 is a versatile backpack that has been around for a long time and has earned a solid reputation among hikers with its fantastic features.

Made from strong and durable canvas shell, the Teton Sports Explorer 4000 can endure heavy use and withstanding wear and tear for a very long time.

This hiking pack is a storage superstar with 4000 cubic inches capacity making it an optimal option for the multiple-day hike.

Its most salient feature is its padded back panel that offers optimal airflow.

This backpack also comes with a padded waist and padded shoulder straps that aid in balancing the load while keeping you comfortable.

Apart from its multiple compartments for strategic packing, it comes with large weather shield side pockets to accommodate small hiking gear as well.

It also uses a separate sleeping back compartment and compression straps to secure and stabilize your load.

In conclusion, the TETON Sports Explorer 4000 will make your outdoor adventures more exciting and comfortable with this rugged ergonomic design and of course, massive storage.

Specifications

  • Material: 600D Diamond Ripstop
  • Capacity: 4000 Cubic Inches
  • Torso Length: 19 – 23 Inches
  • Hydration Capacity: 3L
  • Weight: 5 lbs.

What I like about it

  • Massive Housing Capacity
  • Ensures Comfortable Carry
  • Highly Durable
  • Unisex Design
  • Adjustable Waist

What I don’t like about it

  • No Bladder Included

Click here to get the latest price

3. Best Hiking Backpack for Big Guys and Back Pain – Deuter Futura VARIO 50 + 10

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Containing an innovative ventilated suspension system, torso length adjustability, and lots of high-quality compartments the Deuter Futura VARIO is loved by most avid hikers.

It is manufactured from 200D Polyethylene Ripstop and polyester yarn with a thick, pure coating.

As a result, it becomes highly durable, yet lightweight and resistant to tear.

This backpack’s specially designed form offers a snug fit for every back length while its air  mesh back system guarantees optimal ventilation.

Deuter Futura VARIO’s, most prominent feature is its massive capacity (3661.4 Cubic Inches

) allowing you to pack all of your hiking essentials.

Last but not least it uses adjustable shoulder straps, that adjust automatically and promotes easy caring.

And it’s thick cushioning prevents this backpack from slipping and sliding around.

Overall if you prefer using a spacious backpack that is loaded with top-notch features, you better check out the Deuter Futura VARIO 50.

In my opinion, this backpack can be an ideal option for the weekend, multiple-day hikes, and camping trips.

Specifications

  • Material: 210D Polyamide Fabric
  • Volume: 3661.4 Cubic Inches
  • Back Panel: Aircomfort System
  • Hydration System: Yes
  • Weight: 4.5 lbs.

What I like about it

  • Adjustable Belt
  • Elasticated Compartment
  • Hydration Compatible
  • Easy to Carry
  • Has Rain Cover

What I don’t like about it

  • A Bit Pricey

Click here to get the latest price on Amazon

2. Best Hiking Backpack for Women – Patagonia 26L Women Backpack

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When simplicity, quick access, and lightweight, is your primary concern while planning to buy a hiking backpack then this Patagonia 26L backpack will surely get your retention with its high-quality features.

It is crafted from a lightweight but stiff 210D Cordula Nylon ripstop that serves you high performance for years to come.

It also has 2196.8 cubic inches capacity to haul all of your belongings.

Besides this, it is also treated with a polyurethane coating adding an additional durability and water repellent qualities.

Its finish withstands moisture, abrasion, and puncture.

This backpack’s most interesting feature is its fantastic back panel created from a highly breathable mesh that repels moisture and provides great comfort for all-day carry.

Unlike most traditional backpacks the Patagonia 26L backpack comes with a padded shoulder harness with perforated foam and waist belt providing a secure fit.

Lastly, it uses a top-loading design with an integrated lead making the gear loading quick and more accessible.

In summary, the Patagonia 26L Women Backpack has a decent overall capacity and has roomy stretchy pockets that can accommodate all your hiking gear easily.

Specifications

  • Material: 210D Cordura Nylon Ripstop
  • Coating: Polyurethane
  • Volume: 2196.8 Cubic Inches
  • Back Panel: Mono Mesh
  • Weight: 3 lbs.

What I like about it

  • Allows Quick Loading
  • Offers Easy Access
  • Ensures Optimum Comfort
  • Rugged & Durable
  • Lightweight

What I don’t like about it

  • Could Contain More Pockets

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1. Best Backpack for Wilderness Survival and Long Hiking and Camping – Osprey Talon 33

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With its highly breathable fabric and performance-oriented features, the Osprey Talon 33 brings excellent performance and stands out from the rest hiking backpacks on this list.

It is constructed of 100D x 200D Polyethylene Ripstop and features a strong and durable coating.

For that, it becomes highly durable and can withstand heavy use in any condition.

This top-loading backpack helps you move comfortably over challenging terrain with high load thanks to its 1831 cubic inches volume, air escape back panel, flexible harness, and hip support.

Apart from that, it can carry a lot of gear inside the pockets, including a top panel, external zebra /pocket, internal zippered mesh pocket with a key clip, easy access expandable mesh harness pocket, a large stretch front panel pocket, and more.

Also, the Osprey Talon 33 features an external hydration system and a couple of attachment systems such as a helmet attachment, a blinker light attachment, a tracking pole attachment.

All in all, with the bucket-style main compartment opening and rugged yet light construction the Osprey Talon 33 can easily accommodate all of your hiking belongings and keep them safe.

That’s why I believe this is the best light backpack you can get no matter if you are going hiking, camping, or simply surviving in the wilderness.

Specifications

  • Material: 100D x 200D Polyethylene Ripstop
  • Volume: 1831 Cubic Inches
  • Coating: DWR Coating
  • Back Panel Material: Die-Cut Foam
  • Bottom Material: 420HD Nylon Packcloth
  • Weight: 2.53 lbs.

What I like about it

  • Supports Various  Torso Length
  • Allows Dynamic Body Movement
  • Offers a Stable Fit
  • Durable
  • Lightweight

What I don’t like about it

  • Isn’t Waterproof

Click here to see the current price on Amazon

Conclusion

So that was all.

Now you know which are the top 5 best backpacks for hiking, camping, travel, and survival and which one is the best option for you.

If you have found this buying guide helpful, please leave a comment below and check some of our other sport related articles you may like as well:

Thanks for reading. 

If you think I’ve missed a product or there’s a product I should add please let me know in the comment section below.

See you again,

– Bozhidar

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