The best hiking backpacks for speedy summit scrambles to multi-day treks

Tried and tested over several years on UK hiking trails and more rugged terrain in Madeira, the Osprey Tempest 33 has become a go-to pick for more full-on day hikes and even fastpacking weekends. Designed specifically for women, it offers an excellent fit thanks to its adjustable, wrap-around harness and ergonomic hip belt – both of which help to keep the pack stable when you’re moving fast or tackling uneven ground.

Despite its generous 33L capacity, it wears close to the body and feels impressively light, even when fully loaded. The injection-moulded backpanel keeps things breathable and supportive over several hours, and we love how intuitive the storage is: a top-loading main compartment with internal and lid pockets, stretch mesh front and side panels for stashing layers or snacks, and zipped hip belt and shoulder strap pockets for your essentials. There’s also trekking pole and ice axe storage, plus space for a hydration bladder.

It’s not the cheapest option out there, but the durability, fit and thoughtful design features make it worth the investment – particularly if you’re after one pack that can comfortably do it all.

This pack hugs close to your back with a multi-layer perforated mesh over a foam back sheet for stability without getting sweaty, and stretchy water bottle pockets you can reach without taking the pack off.

This has a wide-mouth design that makes for easy packing, and comes with a 2.5L reservoir. This pack has a minimal hip belt made from webbing, which adds enough stability for lighter loads, but we’re missing hip belt pockets.

The Skarab doesn’t come in a women’s version, but for a comparable pack with a women’s-specific fit, we love the Sirrus 24.

The Veil series of belts and hydration vests by Rab have been firm favourites in the RW office, with the 5L and 12L race pack being worn for many a race, so expectations were high for the Veil XP 30.

With room for more kit (quite a lot more), but still using a similar front strap configuration and closures found on the racing vests, you can feel the race pedigree with this bag. There is a robust waist belt to help secure a fully loaded bag and there are an abundance of storage options on the front straps for soft flasks, phone, nutrition etc as well as large stash pockets to the side of the pack and on the back as well as storage for poles at the side of the pack or loops on the front.

The main pocket has space for a hydration bladder if you wanted one and the roll-top closure with tensioning straps mean that even when half-full, the contents of the pack feels secure and doesn't bump around, which is especially useful when racing and you might be adding/removing layers as you go.

It's also waterproof, so it trumps a few other bags in the same price bracket with that feature.

Designed for fast-paced movement on the trails, the Montane Trailblazer 18 is a top choice for hikers who prefer to travel light and move quickly. In fact, RW senior writer Rachel Boswell regularly uses this for run-commutes, thanks to its lightweight build, close fit and smart storage.

Despite being a one-size-fits-all pack, it’s impressively adjustable. The click-and-go chest harness system and tensioned back panel help it sit snugly against your body, reducing bounce and increasing comfort over long distances. The 18-litre capacity is ideal for day hikes, with a spacious main compartment, wrap-around hip belt pockets and quick-access storage for on-the-go essentials.

There’s room for hydration bottles in the shoulder strap pockets, and trekking poles can be attached to the front panel – great for more technical or hilly routes. Made from 100% recycled materials, the Trailblazer also scores well on sustainability. Whether you’re speed hiking in the hills or tackling a long trail in a single day, this is a pack that won’t weigh you down.

It may not be a household name like Salomon or Nike, but in the backpack game Ultimate Direction is rated for a reason. The US brand invented the hydration pack, back in 1985, and has evolved to become a favourite among ultrarunners and hikers around the world. The Fastpack series comes in various sizes – all measured in litres – but we think the 30L is the ‘goldilocks’ choice. Comfortable, lightweight (690g) and hard-wearing, its unfussy design will be a hit with anyone looking to move fast and light over the trails.

There’s enough room in the main compartment for a puffer jacket, waterproof trousers, hat, gloves, bivvy and packed lunch. The water-resistance roll-top expands or compresses depending on how much stuff you’ve packed in, but it’s also the most delicate part of the pack – so try not to overstuff the bag. At the front, there’s room for two 500ml water bottles, along with a number of useful zipped pockets. At the back, a large mesh panel allows for quick access to items you may need in a hurry, along with two trekking pole attachments.

We’ve used the Fastpack range on a variety of hiking expeditions and can attest to its mountain-readiness and considered design. Due to the fact it’s water-resistant rather than fully waterproof, however, we’d advise also purchasing a dry bag. That way, you can put all your extra layers inside it and then put the dry bag inside this pack.

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Tested over several days hiking through Slovenia’s Julian Alps – including a mountain hut overnight stay – the Berghaus Remote Hike 23 proved itself a dependable and comfortable daypack for fast-paced hiking adventures.

One of the standout features is its back system. The pack uses Berghaus’ Freeflow technology, a rigid yet lightweight frame that creates a breathable channel between your back and the bag. It strikes an impressive balance between structure and flexibility, offering both ventilation and stability on the move. However, the back system isn’t adjustable, so it may not suit all body types. If you’re particularly tall or short, you might be better off with a pack available in multiple torso lengths.

That said, the Remote Hike 23 does come in men’s- and women’s-specific fits, with the female harness shaped to improve load transfer and overall carrying comfort.

The waist belt – which fastens slightly off-centre to avoid digging into your stomach – isn’t overly padded, but it’s enough for the bag’s intended use. This is a lightweight pack built for speedier day hikes, not heavily loaded treks.

Instead of a traditional drawcord and lid, the main compartment closes via a YKK zip, which makes it quicker to pack and access. The trade-off is weather resistance – there’s no integrated raincover and the zip closure is more exposed to the elements.

Storage is smartly thought out, though, with a small zip pocket for valuables, two zippered belt pockets, two chest pockets for quick-access essentials, side stash pockets and a large expandable front sleeve. It’s also hydration bladder compatible – a welcome feature for hotter days on the trails.

Overall, a well ventilated, neatly designed daypack that’s ideal for fast hiking. It’s not built for heavy loads or wet weather, but if you’re moving light and fast, it’s a strong contender – and a reasonably priced one at that.

If you were a fan of Deuter’s much-loved AC Mistral 30, you’ll be pleased to know the Futura 32 is the closest replacement we’ve found – and a worthy one, too. With a 32-litre capacity, it hits the sweet spot between a spacious daypack and a lightweight multi-day trekking bag, making it ideal for weekend adventures where you’re packing light but still need some structure and organisation.

The design is based on a classic rucksack, but with a more manageable size. There’s a traditional drawstring top entry that’s compatible with a hydration bladder, plus a separate zipped bottom compartment – perfect for a liner or camping pillow. A clever internal zip gives you the option to create one large space or keep the compartments separate.

Deuter’s mesh AirComfort back system keeps you cool on long hikes, while the ergonomically shaped shoulder straps contour comfortably to your body. Throw in handy extras like a zip pocket on the head flap and a hidden compartment on the underside, and you’ve got a well-ventilated, thoughtfully designed pack built for long days on your feet.

The Lowe Alpine AirZone Active 26 is a practical, comfortable and impressively breathable daypack for under £100. Our tester used it on a two-week hiking trip along Scotland’s North Coast 500, where it proved ideal for day-long excursions: roomy enough to carry spare clothes, a waterproof, snacks and a drinks bottle, without feeling bulky.

A standout feature is the suspended mesh back panel, which creates space between your back and the pack to allow for excellent airflow – a real bonus on warm-weather walks. There’s light padding on the shoulder straps and hip belt, which is plenty for the shorter hikes this bag is designed for, especially if you’re stopping regularly, but may not be enough for faster and more energetic excursions.

In terms of storage, the pack is well thought out: a zipped main compartment gives easy access to your kit, while stretch side pockets and a front stash section let you grab essentials on the go. We also appreciated the zip pockets on the hip belt, perfect for small items like lip balm, suncream or your phone. A rain cover is included, too – ideal for changeable conditions.

The Arc’teryx Bora 65 is a premium trekking pack built for serious multi-day adventures. Designed with long-distance comfort in mind, it features the brand’s innovative RotoGlide hip belt, which moves with your body as you walk, helping to reduce friction and maintain balance on uneven ground.

The Thermoformed back panel and structured shoulder straps provide excellent support under heavy loads, while the pack’s durable weather-resistant materials hold up well in harsh conditions.

Storage is generous and well organised, with a large main compartment, side-access zip, and multiple external pockets. It’s a considerate investment, but ideal for big, demanding trips.

The Base Camp Duffel isn’t designed for hiking long distances on foot, but it’s a standout option for multi-day adventures where your main luggage is being transported for you. One of our testers even took it to a multi-stage ultramarathon in Africa, praising the suitcase-style opening for making it easy to grab kit quickly in the early hours of the morning.

Constructed from tough, water-resistant recycled materials, the duffel is impressively rugged and has only picked up the odd scuff after several trips.

While the Base Camp Duffel is a large, open space (with a generous 95L capacity), there’s a mesh zippered pocket under the lid to help with smaller items, and side compression straps help keep bulk in check. That said, if you’re someone who likes lots of internal compartments, you might want to use packing cubes.

In transit, you can carry it like a standard duffel using the two padded side handles, or sling it on your back with the detachable, ergonomic shoulder straps — a useful option when you're navigating stations, airports or short walks to base camp.