Osprey is a backpack powerhouse known for quality builds, excellent organization, and comfort, as seen in industry-leading designs like the Atmos/Aura above.

The Gossamer Gear Mariposa has remained at the top of our list of favorite ultralight backpacks for years. With a design like the Osprey Atmos AG 50/ Aura AG 50, you’ll need to keep your packed weight low, stick to the essentials, and be sure to use the aforementioned compressible gear.You do trade off a bit of durability compared to burly traditional haulers or pricier ultralight designs (which generally use Dyneema or tough Robic nylon), but we’ve been surprised with how well the Exos’ 100-denier body and base have held up.

We were happy to see that Gregory chose the Katmai to bring to their plus-size audience, as it’s one of the most comfortable, fully featured, and durable packs in their lineup. Our wide and varied backpack review team is led by Sam Schild, a backpacker, trail runner, and mountain biker based in Colorado.Sam is joined by Ian Nicholson, a professional internationally licensed IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guide with over 3,000 days guiding in the Pacific Northwest, European Alps, and beyond. The Atmos AG (and women’s Aura AG) is our top backpacking backpack of the year, deftly balancing comfort, organization, and durability. The pack checks in at a similar weight as the heavy haulers, but its load limit maxes out at 44 pounds (compared to the competitors’ 55- to 60-lb. A number of ultralight packs are designed for thru-hikers and minimalists, but our top pick is the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 55. The majority of backpackers take short trips—usually around one to three nights—and for those uses, a pack in the 50 to 70 liter range is most popular.

The Bora has always been known for its load-carrying prowess (we used to wear a 95L version while guiding mountaineering and wilderness therapy expeditions), and the newest iteration carries the torch despite its more streamlined design. What we like: Excellent mix of carrying comfort, ventilation, and build quality at a reasonable weight.

This hiking backpack is made of durable water-resistant and tear-resistant fabric with well stitching and sturdy zippers for long-lasting performance.