The 15 Best Camping Backpacks

Spending time outdoors, whether going for a walk around the block or heading to the forest for the weekend, is one of life’s greatest sources of inspiration. Whenever things are getting too stale—as they so often have this past year—I look towards a camping trip to recharge my mental batteries and return to a healthier sense of myself.

If you’re in need of that same sort of refreshment, then it’s time to get your camping gear together. That’s why I’ve put together this overview of the best camping backpacks around. It’s a solid selection of 15 backpacks that are handsome enough to double as your daily commuter bag, giving you the best of being ready for city life and your outdoor retreats.

Danner Daypack 26L Backpack

Portland, Oregon based Danner is better known for their ultra-durable leather boots, giving them a unique take on a traditional backpack style. The 26 liter Danner Daypack takes the company’s leatherworking expertise and complements it with a super tough ripstop nylon body. It’s big enough for all your camp cooking and sleeping gear, and the webbing straps on the bottom of the bag are long enough to hold a single person tent, too. Combine that with multiple zippered pockets for easy gear access and memory foam padded straps, and you get one go-anywhere, do-anything backpack.

Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack

Osprey’s backpacks are held in high regard by the “buy it for life” community because of their nearly unbeatable durability. That’s thanks to a combination of heavy duty ripstop nylon, double reinforced stitching, and a precise design that eliminates common stress points. And their Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack is a perfect example of all of these, adjusted to a size that’s friendly for both camping trips and in-town commuting. The zippered rear flap for holding your hip belt and harness is especially cool, as it keeps this pack looking clean and sleek when you’re ready to leave the woods and head back to society.

Filson Ripstop Nylon 32L Backpack

Rugged and military-inspired, Filson’s Ripstop Nylon Backpack is a rough and ready bag that’s tailor-made for weekend camping expeditions. The main zippered pocket is complemented by two quick access front pockets, as well as a separate laptop section that doubles as a cutting board holder while camping. At 32 liters, it’s just the right size for all your camping essentials—and the adjustable webbing strap on its front is large enough to hold your tent or blanket roll, too. And if you’re living or traveling in a rainy area, the durable water repellent coating and fold-over top will keep your gear dry and ready to go.

Fjallraven Raven 28L Backpack

Though better known for their tiny backpacks worn by teenage girls and fashionistas, Fjallraven really knows their stuff when it comes to camping packs, too. Their Raven 28 liter backpack is far and away my favorite offering from the company, thanks to its minimalist style and four easy access zippered compartments. That’s nicely rounded out by a water-resistant wax coating, making this backpack an ideal do-it-all pack for city and countryside.

DAKINE Syncline 16L Hydration Pack

If your idea of a great camping trip involves bringing your mountain bike with you, Dakine’s backpacks are the only way to go. Designed for safety, security, and durability on the trail, their Syncline 16 liter Hydration Pack is the perfect partner for your next car camping trip. The three liter water reservoir is thoughtfully placed along the lumbar area of the bag, providing extra padding and a comfortable ride while it’s full. It even has an integrated rescue whistle, a feature that I wish more outdoor packs would include with their designs.

Billykirk No. 297 Standard Issue Backpack

Made in the USA from heavy duty seven-ounce waxed sailcloth, Billykirk’s iconic No. 297 Standard Issue Backpack is an impressive combination of form and function. From the full grain leather bottom to the interior organization pouches to the nickel plated brass hardware, every detail contributes to great looks and efficiency. It’s just as capable of holding your camping tools as your workday essentials—and it just might become your go-to backpack for every part of your life.

Patagonia Refugio 28L Backpack

Camping gear giant Patagonia has dozens of backpacks to choose from—but year in and year out, their Refugio is the most popular of all. That’s probably because of its exceptional versatility, with nearly a half dozen compartments for your camping or commuting essentials. The front and center zip is especially convenient while you’re camping, and a great place to store your snacks, flashlight, and first aid kit. Add in an adjustable and removable sternum strap, and you have a bag that’s easily converted from trail to city at a moment’s notice.

Topo Designs Rover 20L Backpack

The smallest daypack in this review, Topo Designs’ Rover Backpack is an ideal bag for quick overnight trips. Packed inside its 20-liter capacity are two interior pockets, two adjustable side pockets, a water repellant flap top to protect your goods, and adjustable exterior straps that can hold a tent or bedroll. It’s a perfect choice for minimalist campers, and it looks good enough to carry around as your daily commuter bag, too. Overall, it’s an impressively versatile bag given its smaller size.

WANDRD Duo Daypack

The Duo Daypack from WANDRD is what I imagine a modern day Steve McQueen would wear, taking it with him on his motorcycle for a trip to the backwoods. It’s compact at 20 liters, with a wide selection of interior pockets meant to hold all your electronic gear. If your idea of a great camping trip includes bringing your DSLR camera, there’s no better pack for you. And with WANDRD’s “Wander More, Worry Less” guarantee, this bag’s covered against any and all damages for its entire lifetime.

REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 Recycled Daypack

REI sure has learned a thing or two in their nearly 80 years of camping gear design, and that’s on full display with their exclusive Co-op Ruckpack. It has everything that you’d hope for in a pack that’s ready for anything: Four organizational compartments, a ripstop nylon exterior, water repellent finish, and a hidden daisy chain on the front to lash any gear that’s too big to fit inside. Perhaps more amazingly, though, the entire backpack is made from recycled materials—making it a great choice for you and for the environment.

Deuter UP Stockholm Backpack

The Stockholm Backpack from Deuter looks like it was pulled straight out of an old Polaroid photo, dripping with old school cool throughout its entire design. But it’s a big upgrade from the backpacks of old, as it’s completely made with recycled materials (35 half-liter plastic bottles per bag, to be precise.) But the Stockholm is not all show and no go—this bag is one of the most comfortable you’ll ever wear, with shoulder and sternum straps that adjust to give you a custom fit. Best of all? It’s fully ready for airline travel too, as it fits under the carry-on size restrictions for nearly every airline.

North St. Bags X-Pac Weekender Backpack

A relative newcomer to the camping gear scene, North St. Bags has been blowing away backpack enthusiasts with its commitment to making some of the most durable packs around. For their X-Pac Weekender Backpack, they’re using a proprietary X51 fabric that’s fully waterproofed and made with 500 denier Cordura nylon. In other words: This bag is nearly indestructible, right down to the water-resistant zippers. Combine that with almost a dozen pockets for organization, and you’ve got a backpack that’s perfect for everything from camping to traveling to commuting.

Cotopaxi Allpa 35 L Travel Backpack

Cotopaxi’s “Gear for Good” slogan isn’t idle talk—it’s a commitment to making sure that every aspect of their company contributes to the betterment of their communities, from their carbon-neutral production methods to their donations for building schools in underserved communities. All of that is backed up by some of the most distinctive camping gear you’ll find, with color schemes drawn directly from the artistic cultures of the Peruvian Andes. Try out their Allpa 35 liter Travel Backpack for your next camping trip, and you’ll see just what this company is about: Making the best gear while serving their communities and the planet.

Ortlieb Commuter Daypack

Roll-top bags like Ortlieb’s Commuter Daypack have been a long-time favorite with bicyclists—but I’d encourage you to consider taking one on your next camping trip, too. That’s because they’re deceptively spacious, quite water resistant, and have a design that you can easily lash a tent on top of. The Ortlieb commuter complements all of this with a quick access front pocket, adjustable and removable sternum and hip belts, and a reflective logo that makes it easy to find in the middle of the night.

YETI Panga Pack 28

Your eyes do not deceive you: The same YETI that makes darn tough coolers and outdoor beverage holders has tried their hand at a camping backpack, too. It’s not just any backpack, though—it’s a fully waterproof bag, right down to the HydroLok zipper seals. If your camping trip involves being out on the water for any amount of time, it’s a no-brainer to invest in the only bag on this list that can take a swim with you. But even if you’re intent on keeping dry, the Panga Pack’s stiff frame and interior pockets will keep all your gear organized and easily accessible.

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