Search Cool of the Wild Start typing...

13 Types of Backpacks For Every Kind of Adventure

Types of backpacks

Having something to carry your stuff in is an essential need for almost every human being on this planet. From the most basic items like food and firewood, to technical outdoor gear, you won’t find a better and more efficient method of carrying your load than in a good old trusty backpack. With a huge number of different types of backpacks to choose from it’s important to get the right bag for the job, and we are lucky enough to have a vast array of options on offer. So before you go grabbing the first bag you see, consider what you will be carrying in your backpack, how and where you’ll be taking it, and for how long will you be carrying it.

To help you figure out which backpack might suit you best, we’ve put together a list of all the different types of backpacks and the main features that you should look for in each.

Disclaimer: We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases.

Daypacks

Large overnight backpacks

Hydration packs

Other types of backpacks

Type of backpack: daypacks

Daypacks are the most common types of backpack, designed to be used for anything from popping to the shops to carrying technical gear for a big day in the mountains. The capacity of daypacks range from around 10-40 litres, depending on what they are needed for.
Hiking daypacks gear guide

Hiking daypacks

A full day hiking out on the trail requires you to carry plenty of water and enough food to keep you going. Your hiking daypack will also need to hold extra layers and a rain jacket. But most importantly a hiking daypack should be comfortable.

Ideal capacity: 20-30 litres
Desirable features:

  • Ventilated back panel
  • Padded shoulder straps
  • Padded waist belt
  • Trekking pole holder
  • Water reservoir pocket

Climbing daypacks

As well as the gear you need to carry for hiking (water, food, layers etc) a good climbing backpack also needs to be able to hold a rope, helmet, harness, rack and shoes. And ideally it needs to be comfortable and close fitting to your body.

Yellow Black Diamond Speed 40 climbing daypack

Black Diamond Speed 40
Amazon | REI | Backcountry

Ideal capacity: 30-40 litres
Desirable features:

  • External gear loops
  • Helmet holder
  • Ice axe loop
  • Large access to main compartment
  • Compression straps
  • Not too heavy

Cycling daypacks

The capacity of a cycling backpack depends on how long you hope to be out for. A couple of hours and you can get away with a hydration pack with limited storage. But a big day out on the trails requires you to carry tools, repair gear, extra layers, food and plenty of water. A good cycling backpack should also be comfortable and well ventilated, and not move around too much when loaded.

Red Osprey escapist 32 cycling daypack

Osprey Escapist 32
Full Review

Ideal capacity: 10-35 litres
Desirable features:

  • Helmet holder
  • Light attachment loop
  • Ventilated back panel
  • Tool pockets
  • Water reservoir pocket

Snowsports daypack

The capacity to carry your skis or snowboard is the most important feature to look for in the pack you choose for a day on the slopes. Minimal movement of the pack is also really important, so it’s important to choose a pack that fits you snugly without limiting your movements.

Red Deuter SpeedLite 20 snowsports daypack

Deuter Speed Lite 20
Full Review

Ideal capacity: 20-30 litres
Desirable features:

  • Ski or snowboard attachment straps
  • Safe pocket for safety equipment
  • Fits closely to the body
  • Compression straps
  • Snow repellent fabric

Sightseeing daypack

Although it’s important for a sightseeing daypack to be comfortable, it’s not as important as when you are more active. And it’s unlikely you’ll be carrying a heavy load so you can afford to choose something more lightweight than a full-featured hiking backpack.

Ideal capacity: 10-25 litres
Desirable features:

  • Accessories pocket for sunglasses etc
  • Water bottle holder
  • Lightweight
  • Low profile
  • Nice looking

Work daypack

Any of the above backpacks will double well as a work backpack, and many of the hydration reservoir pockets in hiking backpacks also fit a laptop in them. However, having something specific for your laptop and other devices ensures that your valuables will be well protected and more user friendly.

Thule Crossover 25 work backpack

Find the latest price on:
Amazon | Backcountry

Ideal capacity: 20-30 litres
Desirable features:

  • Laptop sleeve
  • Water bottle holder
  • Internal organisation pockets
  • Nice looking

Type of backpack: large overnight backpacks

For those heading out on grander adventures, a backpack that is big enough to hold your overnight stuff will be needed. As with daypacks, backpacking backpacks can vary greatly depending on your needs, circumstances and preferences. Their capacity can range from around 40 litres to as big as 85 litres.
backpack gear guide

Hiking/trekking backpacks

Choosing something comfortable and well-fitting is really important when you are carrying heavy loads. But it’s also good to have a hiking backpack with features that make is easy to use. The capacity of your backpack for hiking and trekking largely depends on the length of your trip. Here’s a rough guide to what you might need.

  • 1-3 day trip = 40-60l
  • 3-7 day trip = 50-75l
  • 8+ day trip = 65l+

Ideal capacity: 45-60 litres
Desirable features:

  • Ventilated back panel
  • Padded shoulder straps
  • Padded waist belt
  • Trekking pole holder
  • Water reservoir pocket
  • Rain cover
  • External storage pockets

Lightweight hiking backpacks

As the backpacking world moves closer and closer to embracing ultralight gear, it’s much more do-able to pack all your gear for multi-day hikes into backpacks that are under a 50 litre capacity. Thru-hikers and long distance trekkers often opt for the ultralight way of hiking, aiming to keep their backpack capacity somewhere around the 40-45 litre mark.

Ideal capacity: 40-50 litres
Desirable features:

  • Simple frame or no frame at all
  • Lightweight
  • Large mesh external storage pockets
  • Padded waistbelt and shoulder straps
  • External gear loops

Travelling backpacks

For those off jet setting for months at a time, a less technical backpack is required in most cases. Generally, travellers will need to haul their loads for a couple of hours at a time, max. So comfort is less important compared with hiking backpacks. The main focus for this style of backpack is storage options, adaptability and convenience.

Deuter Transit 50 travelling backpack

Deuter Transit 50
Amazon | Backcountry

Ideal capacity: 45-80 litres
Desirable features:

  • Removable daypack or top lid
  • U shaped zip access to main compartment
  • Concealable back panel system
  • Lots of pockets and storage options
  • Carry handle options

Type of backpack: hydration packs

If you prefer getting out into the wild in a more active kind of way, hydration backpacks are an ideal solution that turn minimalist adventurers into veritable camels! The capacity of hydration backpacks is usually between 2 and 10 litres, with 1, 2 or 3 litres of that space taken up with a hydration reservoir. They need to fit very snugly to minimise movement, but also be highly comfortable.

Running hydration packs

Many long distance trail runners opt for hydration vests – an evolution of a backpack that spreads the weight of the water and focuses on easy drinking access whilst on the move. But there are also some great low profile hydration backpacks around that many find equally as comfortable and user friendly as a hydration vest.

Blue CamelBak Octane Dart hydration vest

CamelBak Octane Dart
Amazon | REI | Backcountry

Ideal capacity: 3-5 litres
Desirable features:

  • Very comfortable
  • Close fitting
  • Good ventilation and breathability
  • Lightweight

Cycling hydration packs

There is a lot less body movement when cycling, compared with running, so hydration packs for cycling can afford to have a greater capacity – if needed. Comfort is important, but having a good system to easily access the hydration hose when on the move is key.

Platypus Tokul XC 5 cycling hydration pack

Platypus Tokul
Full Review

Ideal capacity: 5-10 litres
Desirable features:

  • Ventilated back panel
  • Storage options for tools and snacks
  • External helmet attachment loops
  • Lightweight
  • Hydration hose management

Other types of backpacks

Dry packs/waterproof backpacks

Fully waterproof dry packs are used in a variety of scenarios, so their capacity can range hugely depending on their intended use. A 15 litre dry pack for cycle commuting is ideal in wet weather. And on the opposite end of the spectrum, those on larger scale water based adventures will require the big 120 litre dry packs to store and haul all their stuff with zero risk of it getting wet or damp.

Sea To Summit Hydraulic Dry Pack

Sea to Summit Hydraulic Dry Pack
Sea to Summit | Amazon | REI | Backcountry

Ideal capacity: 15-120 litres
Desirable features:

  • A watertight main opening – usually a roll top
  • Shoulder straps, waistbelt and sternum strap
  • Made from durable PVC or TPU/PU
  • Internal storage pockets
  • External mesh pockets for wet gear
  • External gear loops

Packable backpacks

Having a backpack that is highly packable is a very appealing option for long distance backpackers, travellers and sightseers. With minimal padding and support they are not the most comfortable bags, and are not suited to carrying heavy loads.

Marmot Kompressor Plus packable backpack

Marmot Kompressor Plus
Best Daypack Comparison Review

Ideal capacity: 5-20 litres
Desirable features:

  • Lightweight material
  • Highly compressible to pack down small when not in use
  • Basic features

Whether you’re just going about your daily business or embarking upon a long term adventure, the mighty backpack really is the most versatile (and back friendly!) way to carry your stuff. So grab your bag, pack up your stuff and get out there.

About the author

author-joey

Joey Holmes is based in Cornwall, UK, and runs Cool of the Wild. She can’t get enough of being outdoors – whether that’s lounging around the campfire cooking up a feast, hitting the trail in her running shoes, or attempting to conquer the waves on her surfboard – she lives for it. Camping is what she loves to do the most, but has also spent many many hours clinging to the side of a rock face, cycling about the place, cruising the ski-slopes on her snowboard and hiking small mountains and big hills.

Open Menu