Best Backpacks

Gossamer Gear Mariposa (Around $130)

Best ultralight backpack. The Gossamer Gear Mariposa camping backpack weighs just 18 ounces, yet its 4,200 cubic inches can hold enough ultralight gear for a multi-day trip. Siliconized nylon makes the pack water-resistant; oxford cloth reinforces key stress points. For hiking in rougher areas off trail, the Mariposa Plus (Around $130) uses tougher cloth but weighs 3 ounces more.


Granite Gear Vapor Trail Ki (Around $160)

Women's ultralight. This 37-ounce backpack fits most women better than a unisex pack, uses tough fabric, and has a load lifter to shift weight between shoulders and hips as desired. The 3,600-inch volume of the Granite Gear Vapor Trail Ki camping backpack can be compressed well for shorter trips, and you can add an optional lid (Around $22) to store often-used items. A men's version is also available.


GoLite Jam (Around $90)

Weekend ultralight pack. True ultralight hikers can fit enough gear into the GoLite Jam backpack's 2,750 cubic inches for an even longer camping trip, and the GoLite Jam weighs just 21 ounces. It's frameless but otherwise full-featured, with hip belt, side pockets for water bottles, a sleeve for hydration bladder, and more.


Arc Teryx Naos 55 (Around $430)

Waterproof off-trail backpack. Top-ranked in recent roundup reviews, the 72-ounce Naos 55 waterproof backpack uses watertight zippers, welded seams, and urethane-coated nylon, so you need neither rain cover nor inner drysack. The hip belt pivots to move with you, and reviews praise this backpack's balance for loads up to 50 pounds -- heavier than many other backpacks. Its 3,700-cubic-inch size is good for weekends and, with the right lightweight gear, can serve for even longer trips.


Gregory Shasta (Around $270)

Best backpack for big heavy loads. Reviews say this camping backpack is comfortable for loads of 65 pounds or even more, and it can hold 4,950 cubic inches of gear, enough for a winter trip without ultralight planning. The Gregory Shasta's shoulder straps and hip belt rotate automatically to fit you, and a sleeping bag compartment makes it easier to load.


Gregory Deva 60 (Around $250)

Women's backpack. The classic Gregory Deva backpack has been redesigned for 2006 to use Gregory's most comfortable suspension system. The 86-ounce weight is over twice that of the ultralight Vapor Trail Ki, and the 3,900-cubic-inch volume is about the same, but the Gregory Deva is rated for heavier loads up to 45 pounds. Big loads are convenient to access, with a sleeping bag compartment and both top and back zippers. The back panel is ventilated to keep you as cool as possible.