In terms of construction, the Arc Haul Ultra uses a similar water-resistant Dyneema build as the Hyperlite above but in an even more streamlined form (3.

You don’t get the same level of padding or organization as the Baltoro, but the pack offers easy fit adjustments, plenty of mesh along the backpanel to help you stay cool, and a quality feel overall with sturdy zippers and supportive foam. After a decade of testing over 100 different models, our experts purchased the 15 top packs available today for a meticulous side-by-side comparison. Gone are the days when backpacking consisted of strapping on a huge external frame and lumbering through the forest with an aching body.But these are small nitpicks, and the Blaze’s well-rounded build makes it one of our favorite packs on the market. Suspension dictates how effectively the weight of your load disperses throughout the pack onto the shoulder straps and waist belt.

If you're looking for a general bag for travel, see our best travel bag review, where we outline our favorite bags of different styles for traveling. The REI Traverse 60 and Flash 55 are available in a unique extra size: a large torso with a small waistbelt, which is useful for those tall, skinny folks out there. v=1685989831","width":1024},{"alt":null,"id":34192418111793,"position":4,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1. In addition, an antibacterial Polygiene treatment prevents the development of unpleasant odours, therefore guaranteeing you a long-lasting feeling of freshness. Although this pack is incredibly light for its massive 75-liter capacity, it comfortably carries a hefty load for long stretches between resupplies.

The main compartment has a zipped internal divider that can be used to create a separate space at the bottom of the pack for your sleeping bag. Many pack makers have noticed this trend and offer a wide range of packs from "ultralight" to "load haulers. But if you plan to carry 40 pounds or more, the Baltoro will shoulder the load better than most—and chances are you won’t notice the extra pound or two.

Second, the Aircontact Core is only available in one size, which translates to a less tailored feel overall. We awarded extra points for features that can be removed or customized for a more personalized user experience. What we like: Burly, weather-ready build that’s great for those who mix backpacking and mountaineering. Keep in mind that Osprey also makes the beefed-up Aether Plus and stripped-down Aether Pro, which could be great alternatives depending on your needs. Second, we found the Crown to be almost too featured—we removed a pile of straps (including front water bottle holders and a second sternum strap) before taking it into the field.Last but not least, the large J-shaped zipper at the front provides easy access to the main compartment. Finally, the Traverse 60 drops 10 ounces off the previous 70-liter version but retains great durability, with burly 300-denier recycled ripstop nylon throughout.

We would have liked to have carried a little more than 30 pounds from time to time, which generally requires a more robust suspension and a heavier overall pack. Then we designed thorough and wide-ranging tests to perform in the field and the lab to fully explore each metric. You’ll still want to make sure the rest of your gear is appropriately pared down—especially if you’re opting for the 48-liter version—but the good news is there’s no shortage of ultralight tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and other UL gear to choose from. But you won’t find a better balance of weight, carrying comfort, and features for everything from quick overnight missions to week-long backpacking trips, once more earning the Atmos AG 65 a spot at the top of our list. This bag pack has water-proof resistant material, a padded mesh back panel, an ergonomic design, and various compartments.Your hiking trips, mountaineering experience cannot get completed without this amazing trekking backpack. And held up against the similarly intentioned Gregory Focal (below), the Exos tacks on a few more bells and whistles (including the adjustable torso length), and features a slightly more plush backpanel. Though it can comfortably handle loads many lighter packs couldn't dream of carrying, there is no denying this pack is heavy.