I Tested 2023's Best Backpacking Backpacks on a Wild Adventure!

Summary

This video reviews the top eight backpacking packs, tested on a 5-day trip in Southern Utah. The Osprey Aura AG LT 65 stands out for multi-day trips, while the Mountainsmith Apex 60 is ideal for big thru-hikes and larger individuals. The Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest is the best ultralight option, and the Teton Sports Scout 45 is budget-friendly. The Gregory Maven offers excellent organization, and the REI Co-Op Flash 55 is customizable. The Backpacker by Salkan is versatile for travel, and the Osprey Eja 48 is the top pick for comfort and features. Each pack is evaluated for weight, capacity, fit, and comfort, with affiliate links and reviews provided.

Takeaways

• 🎒 The Osprey Aura AG LT 65 is considered the best for multi-day trips, featuring a lightweight design and gender-specific models.
• 🏔 The Mountainsmith Apex 60 is ideal for big thru-hikes and larger individuals, offering a singular size and high load capacity.
• ⛺️ The Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest is the best ultralight pack, with impressive load transfer efficiency despite its thin padding.
• 💰 The Teton Sports Scout 45 is the most affordable option, providing key features expected of a backpacking pack.
• 📦 The Gregory Maven and Paragon 55 stand out for their organizational features, including a dedicated sleeping bag compartment and easy access to gear.
• 🛠️ The REI Co-Op Flash 55 offers the most customizable features, with a user-friendly design and a versatile PackMod system.
• 🌍 The Backpacker by Salkan is the most versatile, suitable for both urban and natural settings, with a well-hidden security pocket.
• 🏆 The Osprey Eja 48 is the top recommended pack for its comprehensive features, comfort, and lightweight design.
• 🌲 The Gregory Maven or Paragon 55 is recommended for trips requiring more spaciousness and higher load capacity.
• ❄️ The Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest is ideal for resistance against the elements, keeping gear dry in heavy snowfall.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video?

The main purpose of the video is to review and compare the best backpacking packs for multi-day trips, providing insights and recommendations based on real-world testing.

How many days was the backpacking trip used for testing the packs?

The backpacking trip lasted for 5 days and took place in Southern Utah.

What is the significance of the Osprey Aura AG LT 65 pack?

The Osprey Aura AG LT 65 is considered the best backpacking pack for multi-day trips due to its lightweight design, gender-specific models, and customizable fit.

What is the weight capacity of the Mountainsmith Apex 60 pack?

The Mountainsmith Apex 60 pack can carry up to a 60-lb load.

How does the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest pack perform in terms of water resistance?

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest pack performed exceptionally well in heavy snowfall, keeping all gear dry due to its roll-top closure and durable materials.

What is the weight of the Teton Sports Scout 45 pack?

The Teton Sports Scout 45 pack weighs a reasonable 3.9 lbs.

What are the unique organizational features of the Gregory Maven pack?

The Gregory Maven pack has unique organizational features like a dedicated sleeping bag compartment that can be toggled, deep mesh side pockets, and a sunglasses storage system on the shoulder strap.

What makes the REI Co-Op Flash 55 pack stand out in terms of customization?

The REI Co-Op Flash 55 pack offers a high level of customization with its PackMod system, allowing the removal of the hip belt and shoulder strap pockets, and multiple daisy chains for external storage.

What is the main advantage of the Backpacker by Salkan pack?

The Backpacker by Salkan pack is versatile and fits well into both urban settings and natural environments, making it ideal for digital nomads and trips abroad.

Why is the Osprey Eja 48 the reviewer's favorite pack?

The Osprey Eja 48 is the reviewer's favorite because it is ultralight, highly comfortable, has organizational and customizable features, and is reasonably priced.

What is the maximum load capacity of the Osprey Eja / Exos 48 pack?

The Osprey Eja / Exos 48 pack can carry up to 30 lbs in its 45 liters of volume.

What additional recommendations does the reviewer provide for packs that can carry more than 30 lbs of gear?

For packs that can carry more than 30 lbs of gear, the reviewer recommends the Gregory Maven or Paragon 55, which can carry up to 50 lbs in its 52 L of volume.