Best Backpacking Backpacks for Men

If you are in search of the best backpacking backpacks for men here you have my selection of the packs from the best-known brands in the outdoor industry. Keep reading.

So these are almost all packs for men, but there are unisex exceptions. Note that the top brands usually build the corresponding women-specific versions with the same basic features and they are mentioned here. You can see some in my separate text with best women’s backpacking backpacks.

My list of best backpacking packs for men

I have decided to order the packs by their volume-to-weight ratio from smaller to larger. The larger value the better. The volume is usually described in cubic inches or in liters, and the weight in pounds or in kilograms, you have both systems of units here.

Practically all these packs are representatives of the whole series. So I choose one specific volume from the series, but if this volume is not what you want, just keep reading to understand the features, you will find the volume you want for each of the packs.

You will see that packs are with official names that give volume, but this is just a nominal value. In fact, most of them are built in a variety of sub-sizes.

1. Mountainsmith Apex 60 Backpack

The Mountainsmith brand is well-known globally for the quality and durability of its products. This Apex 60 pack is no exception, it is built in the best tradition of this company. Note that this is the smallest pack in the Apex series that also includes Apex 80, and Apex 100.

This is a top-loading pack with the classic floating lid and a spindrift collar. You also have a front zippered access with two zippers that open the pack like a suitcase. The hydration sleeve with a hook for a bladder is inside the main compartment.

Best Seller

Pros:

• Durability & quality.
• Great suspension.
• Comfort.
• Load-hauling pack.

Cons:

• The weight.
• No rain cover.

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

The suspension is strong and it includes an X-shaped aluminum configuration plus a horizontal stabilization bar. There is also a PE frame sheet and Anvil Airway ridged EVA back panel padding. The official load capacity of this pack is up to 60 lb (27 kg).

The shoulder harness is adjustable, it is a ladder-lock type and the adjustability range is 16 – 21 inches (41 – 53 cm). You have the waist belt with what they call the TuningFork frame sheet for form-fitting over iliac crest hip bone. This is combined with a massive padding.

The fabric is incredibly durable Cordura. You have a combination of 305D multi-rip Cordura HP and 610D Cordura. It is hard to imagine something more durable on the market.

There are 6 pockets in total and many straps and attachment elements. Those include daisy chains on the front and much more. The pack is a bit heavy for its size, it weighs 4 lb 15 oz (2.2 kg). So the volume/weight ratio is 27 liters/kg.

A few more numbers you might need:

• Dimensions (H x W x D): 25.75 x 10.25 x 7.25 in (65 x 26 x 18 cm).
• Waist belt fit: 28 – 48 in (71 – 122 cm).

2. Gregory Baltoro 65 Backpack

This Baltoro 65 is just a representative of the best series that Gregory has ever built, and this series is one of the best known in general. They have these packs for men as Baltoro 65, 75 and 85, and the corresponding packs for women Deva 60, 70, and 80. You can see the Deva 70 in my list of best backpacking packs for women.

The pack is built in three sub-sizes, and here you have the volume/weight ratio of around 28 liters/kg. So these packs are not very light but they are built for heavy loads, and they have been around for many years already, upgraded and improved a few times. These are award-wining packs.

Best Seller

Pros:

• Multiple pockets.
• Great suspension.
• Great padding.
• Load-hauling pack.

Cons:

• The weight.
• The price.

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

They offer what they call the Quickswap system and this means that the hip belt and the shoulder harness can be replaced. So you have 15 different combinations for a perfect fit. There are also 2 positions for the torso length. The design includes what they call the the Auto Angle Adjust (A3) hip belt and shoulder harness. This means that the left and right harness and hip belt sections can rotate independently and to follow your body movement.

The frame is a strong tubular aluminum wishbone-shaped structure strengthened with anti-barreling support. The design is such that the load is kept as close to the body’s center of gravity. The back panel is what they call the Matrix Ventilated system, with cut-outs and covered by a very breathable mesh.

The pack has 3 access points so you have a classic lid and a collar, a bottom access through the sleeping bag compartment, and a huge U-shaped zippered front access to the main compartment.

If you love to have pockets, here you have 10 pockets in total. The pack comes with a rain cover included, and you also have a detachable daypack, plus a QuickStow system for glasses. There are plenty of attachment and lash points on the pack. You will need the numbers so here are some:

• Volume:
  – S: 3844 in³ (63 l).
  – M: 3966 in³ (65 l).
  – L: 4150 in³ (68 l).
• Weight:
  – S: 4 lb 10.4 oz (2.11 kg).
  – M: 4 lbs. 13.4 oz (2.19 kg).
  – L: 5 lbs. 2.25 oz (2.33 kg).
• Torso length:
  – S: 16 – 18 in (41 – 46 cm).
  – M: 18 – 20 in (46 – 51 cm).
  – L: 20 – 22 in (51 – 56 cm).

3. Deuter Futura Air Trek 50 + 10 Backpack for Men

This pack is from Deuter’s completely new series that is probably going to replace their best know Futura Vario packs, the features are almost identical.

So this is a top-loading pack with a lid and collar, but it offers also front access to the main compartment, plus a separate zippered bottom compartment. There is a zippered divider between the main compartment and the bottom compartment. The number + 10 in the official name describes the fact that the collar is expandable and you can have 10 liters of volume more when necessary.

Best Seller

Pros:

• Multiple pockets.
• Rain cover.
• Adjustable torso.
• Ventilation.
• Great padding.
• Multiple access points.

Cons:

• A bit heavy.

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

The pack comes with a rain cover included. You have an incredibly nicely ventilated back panel based on a tensioned mesh supported by a spring steel frame. Note that the torso length is adjustable. They call this the Aircomfort Sensic Vario suspension system. As usual with Deuter’s packs, you have generous padding on the shoulder harness and on the hip belt.

There are 9 pockets in total, and these include also a pair of side zippered bellows pockets. All the usual compression straps and attachment loops and cords are available so you can attach lots of stuff from outside. The fabric is very durable and abrasion-resistant 210D polyamide and a 600D polyester and it is bluesign approved.

Here are some numbers you will want to see:

• Weight: 4.52 lb (2050 g).
• Volume: 3051  + 610 in³ (50 + 10 Liters).
• Dimensions (L x W x D): 29.5 x 13.4 x 9.8 in (75 x 34 x 25 cm).
• Volume/Weight ratio: 29 liters/kg.

4. Osprey Aether Plus 85 Backpack for Men

This Aether Plus 85 pack is again a brand new pack on the market that Osprey launched for the season 2021. So this is the Plus series and should not be mixed with their modified new version of the Aether/Ariel series. Note that there is also Osprey Ariel Plus series for women.

So if you want a pack that is packed with essential features, this is it. In fact, as of the moment of writing this text, you will not find a pack that has such a collection of them. They build it in two sub-sizes S/M & L/XL, so let’s see the numbers first:

• Weight:
  – S/M: 5.965 lb (2.7 kg).
  – L/XL: 6.229 lb (2.8 kg).
• Volume:
  – S/M: 5065 in³ (83 l).
  – L/XL: 5187 in³ (85 l).
• Dimensions (H x W x D):
  – S/M: 31.89 x 16.14 x 15.75 in (81 x 41 x 40 cm).
  – L/XL: 33.86 x 16.14 x 15.75 in (86 x 41 x 40 cm).
• Carry load: 70 lb (32 kg).
• Torso fit:
  – S/M: 16 – 20 in (41 – 51 cm).
  – L/XL: 20 – 23 in (51 – 58 cm).

So you realize that here you have a volume/weight ratio of around 30 liters per kilogram of the pack. This could be described as moderately heavy.

The pack offers three access points, and it comes also with a rain cover included. Yet another great bonus here is its incredibly functional DayLid Daypack. Namely, the lid transforms into a fully featured day pack. When you use the main pack without the lid, it has an integrated FlapJacket to cover it.

Best Seller

Pros:

• Fully adjustable suspension.
• DayLid daypack.
• Rain cover.
• Numerous pockets.
• Load-hauling capability.

Cons:

• The price.

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Here you have a fully adjustable suspension, and this means adjustable torso length, adjustable padding on the shoulder harness, and adjustable hip belt fins. They call this Fit-on-the-Fly adjustability. This all is a guarantee for a perfect fit.

The frame is a 4 mm LightWire aluminum and it is combined with their Airscape injection-molded die-cut foam frame sheet. The maximum recommended carry weight is 70 lb (32 kg).

There are 9 pockets in total, and the pack also comes with the full set of straps and attachment elements. They include the StraightJacket compression, and also Osprey’s famous Stow-on-the-Go attachment system for trekking poles.

The fabric is a durable bluesign-approved 210D high-tenacity nylon, PFC-free DWR. Note that the pack is covered with Osprey All Mighty warranty.

5. Osprey Atmos AG 65 Pack for Men

This pack is again from a series of three that includes also Atmos AG 50 and Atmos AG 70. I would say this is the best-known series of this brand and this is partly because of its AG (anti-gravity) design. It includes a continuous breathable mesh that spreads as a back panel and continues smoothly to the hip belt.

So if you want a breathable and ventilated suspension system, this is one of the best you will find. They build the pack in three sub-sizes, so here are some parameters:

• Capacity:
  – S: 3783 in³ (62 l), M: 3967 in³ (65 l), L: 4150 in³ (68 l).
• Weight:
  – S: 4 lb 4 oz (1.92 kg), M: 4 lb 6 oz (1.98 kg), L: 4 lb 8 oz (2.04 kg).
• Torso size fit:
  – S: 16 – 19 in (40 – 48 cm), M: 18 – 21 in (46 – 53 cm), L: 20 – 23 in (51 – 58 cm).

The harness is fully adjustable. This implies an adjustable torso length that can be moved in the range of 4 inches. But here too you have their Fit on the Fly hip belt adjustability up to 4 inches.

Best Seller

Pros:

• The ventilated tensioned mesh.
• Numerous pockets.
• Full torso adjustability.
• Excellent daypack.
• Great attachment options.

Cons:

• The price.
• No rain cover.

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

The pack is a top-loading type but you also have a bottom compartment with a removable inner divider. The lid can be removed and used as a day pack, this is again their excellent DayLid daypack, and the main pack in this case can be closed with an integrated flap jacket cover.

You have a great collection of 9 pockets to keep your stuff organized. The pack also has many attachment options plus compression straps and those include the Stow-on-the-Go system for poles.

The pack has a LightWire peripheral frame. From the numbers given above you realize that its volume/weight ratio is around 31 liters/kg.

6. Teton Sports Grand 5500 Pack

The Teton Sports brand does not make separate gender-specific packs, so this Grand 5500 can be described as unisex. The number in its official name describes its volume in cubic inches, and this is 90 liters. So this is a huge pack, its weight is 5.2 lb (2.36 kg) so the volume/weight ratio is great 38 l/kg, this makes it a lightweight pack.

The pack includes incredible features and this is probably the best they have built. Its popularity is enormous, and only on Amazon the number of reports is already in 4-figures. When you also see the price you realize why this is so.

Best Seller

Pros:

• The daypack.
• Poncho.
• Waterproof design.
• Great attachment options.
• Price.

Cons:

• Practically nothing.

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

The pack offers no less than 4 access points, so you have a classic lid and collar, plus front access, side access, and access through its bottom compartment. Note that the divider between the main compartment and the bottom compartment is a real divider with a zipper, not many packs have it, but you will see the same in Deuter’s packs.

The fabric is very durable 420D and it has a 1000 mm waterproofness rating. The torso length is adjustable and the suspension is supported by two aluminum stays. You have massive padding on the hip belt. A bonus poncho is included instead of the usual rain cover, and its waterproof rating is 2000 mm.

You have here 7 pockets in total, and an incredible collection of attachment elements, some quite unique like its two holsters to carry your gear from outside. The large front pocket visible in the picture above is detachable and it doubles as a daypack. The pack’s dimensions are 34 x 15 x 17 inches (86 x 38 x 43 cm). This pack is also in my list of extra large hiking backpacks for men.

7. Kelty Coyote 105 Pack

This list could not be without at least one representative of Kelty. So here you have one of their best-known and the largest they currently have on the market. This is again a series that has been on the market for many years, and it has been updated and reshaped a few times in the past. They also have Coyote 65 and Coyote 85 packs in this new series.

Note that the previous versions of these packs are also on the market, and there are women-specific packs available as well.

Best Seller

Pros:

• Three access points.
• The weight.
• Many pockets.
• Price.
• Padding.

Cons:

• No rain cover.

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

The pack weighs 5 lb 8 oz (2.5 kg), so its volume/weight ratio is impressive 42 liters/kg. For its size, this is an ultralight pack. You have three access points, from the top, from the side through a J-shaped zippered opening, and through the bottom compartment.

The suspension includes a lightweight perimeter frame plus a stabilizing vertical aluminum stay. The back panel is ventilated and this is what they call the AMP-Flow system. You have an adjustable torso length and the range is 15 – 20 inches (38 – 51 cm). This is a hook and loop connection (Velcro) so you can reposition and reattach it easily, they call it the FIT-Pro system.

The harness is with a great padding as you would expect from Kelty and in particular with such a large pack. The front hip belt straps are V-shaped dual construction for an excellent hugging of the hip bones.

The pack has 12 pockets in total, and I do not remember any other pack on the market that can match this. You also have all attachment points and compression straps available. The dimensions of the pack are 38 x 22 x 14 inches (97 x 56 x 36 cm).

8. Granite Gear Blaze 60 Pack

This pack is here because of some unique features and its great weight. It can be described as an ultralight pack. They build it in three sub-sizes S, R, L, so it would be best to start with the numbers:

• Volume: 3660 in³ (60 l).
• Weight:
  – S: 2.9 lb (1.31 kg).
  – R: 3 lb (1.36 kg).
  – L: 3.1 lb (1.41 kg).
• Carry capacity: 50 lb (22.7 kg).
• Torso fit:
  – S: 15 – 18 in (38 – 46 cm).
  – R: 18 – 21 in (46 – 53.5 cm).
  – L: 21 – 24 in (53.5 – 61 cm).
• Hip belt fit: 26 – 42 in (66 – 107 cm).

So the volume/weight ratio here is 44 liters/kg. This is remarkable, but there are some missing things, you will see below.

This is a top-loading pack with a removable lid. The collar is a roll and cinch design and this allows you to use it without the lid. There is also a zippered front access. The pack is without a bottom compartment.

Best Seller

Pros:

• Very light pack.
• Unique features.
• Adjustable suspension.
• Durable fabric.
• Many compression straps.

Cons:

• No bottom compartment.
• No rain cover.
• No bottom straps.
• Expensive.

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

The lid can be used as a lumbar pack in combination with the removable hip belt from the pack. You can also attach the lid on the front as a chest pack.

The pack’s frame is an Air Current polycarbonate, this is partly behind the weight of this pack, there are no metal parts here. The back panel is a molded foam with channels for air circulation. The shoulder straps are with dual-density foam and the same dual-density material is on the hip belt.

You have an adjustable suspension. This applies to the torso length where you have 3 separate positions, and the hip belt is also adjustable. The latter implies a Velcro behind the lumbar padding so you can reposition the hip belt padding.

There are 6 pockets in total, and you have numerous attachment points and straps that include:

• 4 Lash points on the lid.
• 3 Compression straps on the front.
• 3 Compression straps are on each side of the pack.
• Dual loops are available on the bottom.

The fabric is incredibly durable based on an innovative technology, this is a triple ripstop 210D Robic nylon UHMWPE (Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight-Polyethylene) and 100D Robic High-tenacity nylon with Barrier DWR.

9. Gregory Optic 58 Pack

This is an ultralight backpacking pack, and this is for ounce counters. But do not think that its incredible weight is on the account of features. This pack has everything you need on the trail. Let’s see the numbers first to realize what this is about, note that they build it in 3 sub-sizes SM, MD, LG and here are the parameters:

• Weight:
  – SM: 2.40 lb (1.09 kg).
  – MD: 2.52 lb (1.14 kg).
  – LG: 2.70 lb (1.22 kg).
• Stripped weight:
  – SM: 2.29 lb (1.04 kg).
  – MD: 2.42 lb (1.10 kg).
  – LG: 2.57 lb (1.16 kg).
• Volume:
  – SM: 3356 in³ (55 l).
  – MD: 3539 in³ (58 l).
  – LG: 3722 in³ (61 l).
• Dimension (H x W x D):
  – SM: 26 x 12.5 x 11 in (66 x 32 x 28 cm).
  – MD: 28 x 12.5 x 12 in (71 x 32 x 30 cm).
  – LG: 30 x 12.5 x 12.5 in (76 x 32 x 32 cm).
• Max carry weight: 35 lb (16 kg).
• Torso size:
  – SM: 16 – 18 in (41 – 46 cm).
  – MD: 18 – 20 in (46 – 51 cm).
  – LG: 20 – 22 in (51 – 56 cm).
• Hip belt size:
  – SM: 26 – 45 in (66 – 114 cm).
  – MD: 28 – 48 in (71 – 122 cm).
  – LG: 30 – 53 in (76 – 135 cm).

So you realize that the volume/weight ratio here is around 51 liters/kg. This is by far the lightest pack here. See what it offers.

The pack is a top-loading type with a classic floating lid that is also removable. When removed to reduce the weight, you have an integrated flapjack that closes the pack. You have a huge sleeve inside of the main compartment, for a large hydration bladder. There is no bottom compartment.

Best Seller

Pros:

• The weight.
• Rain cover.
• Price.

Cons:

• Not adjustable torso length.
• No bottom compartment.

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

The suspension is based on a peripheral 7001 aluminum frame plus an anti-barreling cross stay. The lumbar zone and the hip belt are both massively padded and here you have a dual-density foam. On the front of the belt you have a double strap system that creates a horizontal V-profile with the two straps on each side. This is the best design for a perfect hugging of the hip bones.

You have 7 pockets, and in one of them you will find the bonus rain cover. A full set of attachment options and straps is also in place, so nothing substantial is missing here. The fabric is 100% nylon 100D & 210D.

Final thoughts & how to choose

So this was my selection of the best backpacking backpacks for men. I am sure you will have a great pack no matter which of them you choose. But there are differences, so here are some tips that might help a bit if you are undecided.

The price

Most of these packs are very expensive, but some of them are with a fair price tag, and the Teton Sports pack is truly affordable. Note also that some are expensive because they are new on the market and this may change in time.

Volume/Weight ratio

The differences here are by a factor of two, and you have ultralight packs at the bottom of this list. Sometimes this is due to fewer features, so the weight is not necessarily a bad thing.

Access points

It may be useful to have such extra access points, but they always imply extra zippers that add weight. So if the weight is an issue for you, this is the first feature to consider and to avoid. Top access alone may be quite enough in a minimalist pack.

Adjustability options

This applies to three separate elements in the suspension, so only a few of the packs here have such full adjustability. If you find a pack that fits your body shape, then you do not need the adjustability. But if several family members are going to use the pack, then this is very good to have.

Related Articles

If you need a pack for women, please check my list of women’s backpacking packs. See also my selection of plus size backpacks for overweight people. You will need a tent on the trail, so check my selection of the best lightweight 3 person backpacking tents.

Thank you for reading. Please let me know if you have questions, there is a comment box below. Have a nice day.