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What are the best hiking backpacks under 100 $?
What are the best cheap backpacking backpacks on the market?
How to choose the one for your needs? What are the things to take into account when buying a cheap hiking backpack? Because sometimes that’s exactly what you need, right? A cheap backpack to go on a hike with. You don’t need anything fancy. Just a backpack to carry your stuff.
Scroll down to see our comparison!
Disclaimer: Prices change constantly. What costs under 100$ now, may get more expensive later. Take that into account when making a decision. – Updated on August 26, 2020
Table of Contents
Best Hiking Backpacks Under 100$
Here they are, some of the best hiking backpacks under 100$.
Some of them are available in several colors. For more photos, latest price and user reviews check them out on Amazon – just click on the name or image of the backpack.
| NAME | IMAGE | SIZE | TYPE |
|---|---|---|---|
| TETON Sports Scout 3400** |   | 55 liters | Overall the best hiking backpack under 100. Large size |
| WintMing 70L Camping Backpack |  | 70 liters | Large size hiking backpack |
| Osprey Porter 30 |  | 30 liters | Top quality, medium-size travel and hiking backpack |
| Tacticon 24BattlePack Tactical Backpack |  | 40 liters | Medium-size tactical backpack for 1-3 day hikes |
| Feeke PANS Backpack |  | up to 64 liters (extendable) | Large tactical backpack for hiking and outdoors |
| Osprey Daylite Plus** |  | 20 liters | Top quality, small travel daypack. Overall one of the best day hiking backpacks |
| G4Free Packable Hiking Backpack |  | 40 liters | Medium-size, packable hiking backpack |
| ** – our favorites |
Best Hiking Backpacks Under 100: Reviews
Yes, there are some pretty good hiking backpacks that are cheap.
If you are looking for something more universal, see our guide to the best cheap travel backpacks. There are some more great backpacks.
1. TETON Sports Scout 3400 Review (click for more details)
A large hiking backpack with an internal frame.
Overall the best hiking backpack under 100, and also one of the best inexpensive hiking backpacks for women.
It’s a roomy backpack for 2-4 day long hikes. If we compare it to the rest of hiking backpacks you see in this article the TETON Sports Scout 3400 has one main advantage – its internal frame. It’s a feature that makes a load feel lighter and you accordingly less tired. But that’s not all.
Unlike many of the cheapest backpacks the Scout 3400 has a comfy waist belt. It’s very useful for longer hikes and longer days of walking.
Just like its shoulder straps it’s well padded, and will feel soft on your body.
Yes, there are some pretty good hiking backpacks that are cheap.
The TETON Sports Scout 3400 is made of 600D diamond ripstop and 600D Oxford canvas shell.
It’s not a waterproof backpack, but it comes with a rain cover,
You can hide the rain cover in a dedicated pocket.
The backpack features a large sleeping bag compartment, one big main compartment and several smaller ones.
It’s a rather heavy backpack – 4.5 lbs (2 kg).
The backpack is built both for men and women.
As a unisex bag it does lack some features the best women’s hiking backpacks have (like the Osprey Aura AG 65). It isn’t made specifically for woman’s body. It will not be that comfortable for all women. If it is a good fit for you, that’s what you’ll have to check out yourself.
Available in 4 colors.
DIMENSIONS: 30″ x 17″ x 12″ (76.2 x 43.2 x 30.5 cm)
SIZE: 55 liters
WEIGHT: 4.5 lbs (2 kg)
2. WintMing 70L Camping Backpack Review (click for more details)
A large, cheap hiking backpack for men.
One of the best hiking backpacks under 100.
It’s a roomy backpack for 3+ day long hikes (depending on your needs).
The backpack is made of 600D Oxford. It’s water resistant and durable.
The bag has a large main compartment, a laptop compartment, one medium-size front compartment and two pockets on its sides. Just like the above mentioned TETON Sports Scout 3400, it has padded shoulder straps and waist belt.
The main difference, though, is that its waist belt is not as soft as the one of the Scout 3400.
It looks and feels cheaper / simpler. Not so comfortable.
Which is of course a downside. But it’s also a reality with cheap and large hiking backpacks. If you plan to pack a lot of heavy stuff, it might be a problem when walking for hours on end. If it will be something not so heavy, you’ll be fine.
The backpack is rather lightweight.
DIMENSIONS: 13.4” x 6.7” x 28.75” (34 x 17 x 73 cm)
SIZE: 70 liters
WEIGHT: 2.86 lbs / 1.3 kg
3. Osprey Porter 30 Review (click for more details)
A top quality, medium-size travel and hiking backpack.
Osprey knows how to build great backpacks. But the problem is – they are pricey. I’m not saying that there aren’t sales once in a while. There are. But if we look at the standard price all of Osprey hiking backpacks cost more than 100$.
Except for a few. And the Porter 30 is one of them.
The only downside – it’s more of a travel backpack, than a hiking backpack.
So, in most cases it’s gonna be suitable for short hikes only.
Apart from that, it’s a great pack, and one of the best hiking backpacks for under 100 bucks.
The Porter 30 is compact, yet roomy.
The Porter 30 is compact, yet roomy. There are several compartments and pockets that will keep all your things organized. There is a large front pocket with several interior organizational sleeves. The main compartment of this bag opens all the way, just like a suitcase. This compartment is lockable and has two inner zippered pockets.
There’s a special, lockable laptop compartment at the rear of the bag.
The sidewalls of the backpack are well padded, as well as the harness and shoulder straps.
They feel and look much better than you see in cheaper backpacks.
Stowable harness. One of the features I, personally, love about the Porter and also the Osprey Farpoint 40 / Osprey Fairview 40. You can hide the backpack’s shoulder straps and hip belt easily, and it takes only seconds. At the same time converting it into a duffel bag.
If you need a rather small hiking backpack, look no further!
DIMENSIONS: 19.5” x 13” x 10” (49.5 x 33 x 25.4 cm)
SIZE: 30 liters
WEIGHT: 2.8 lbs / 1.3 kg
4. Tacticon 24BattlePack Tactical Backpack Review (click for more details)
A medium-size tactical backpack for 1-3 day hikes.
The backpack looks and feels like a quality product. According to the manufacturer, the it’s made to last for a lifetime.
I’ll repeat myself again, because I think it’s very important, just like most of other similar backpacks it’s not fully waterproof. Yes, it has waterproof lining, and the material it’s made of is tough, but you shouldn’t submerge it in the water. If you do, you’ll stuff will get wet. It’s built to withstand some rain, but not submerging.
There is a roomy main compartment, a well-padded laptop compartment, a designated hydration bladder compartment, a concealed carry gun holster and a few other organizational features.
If you like to keep organized, you’ll love this backpack.
Available in 2 colors.
DIMENSIONS: 19” x 13” x 10” (48 x 33 x 25.4 cm)
SIZE: 40 liters (collapsible to 20 liters)
WEIGHT: 2.7 lbs / 1.2 kg
5. Feeke PANS Backpack Review (click for more details)
A large tactical backpack for hiking and outdoors.
It’s a well-made water resistant backpack for 3-4 day long hikes.
It’s a rather heavy, unisex backpack, that can be used for a lot of different purposes. The bag has one big and one smaller compartment. There is a frontal compartment for your essentials, and one mesh pocket for a water bottle (on the right side). Take into account that the “laptop compartment” isn’t padded. It’s just a big mesh pocket.
The waist belt is removable and very simple (not too comfortable).
When in doubts, try out the backpack at least in a shop. At least for a bit.
Tactical backpacks aren’t for everyone.
DIMENSIONS: 15” x 13” x 21” (38 x 33 x 53 cm)
SIZE: up to 64 liters (the bag is extendable/collapsible)
WEIGHT: 3.6 lbs / 1.6 kg
Watching a sunrise – Bumbu Hill Firewatch Tower
Best Day Hiking Backpacks
What if you know you don’t need a big backpack?
There are also small hiking backpacks. Day hiking backpacks.
What are the best day hiking backpacks?
Here are two great lightweight hiking backpacks.
6. Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack Review (click for more details)
A top quality, small travel daypack.
Overall one of the best day hiking backpacks.
Even though it’s positioned as a travel daypack, it’s suitable also for hiking.
As already mentioned, Osprey makes great backpacks, most of which are rather expensive. Except for the Daylite Plus and a couple others. Of course, that also means that the backpack is much more simple than the rest of the Osprey backpacks. And hiking backpacks in general. There is only one big main compartment, a small pocket and two mesh side pockets.
Speaking of the side pockets, they are pretty loose.
So if you’ll be putting a water bottle there, be aware that it may fall out.
The back of the backpack is padded and feels great on you.
At the same time – the hip belt isn’t padded.
It’s a very lightweight backpack.
DIMENSIONS: 9” x 10” x 18” (23 x 25.4 x 45.7 cm)
SIZE: 20 liters
WEIGHT: 1.19 lbs / 0.54 kg
If this one is too big for you, there is also a smaller version.
7. G4Free Packable Hiking Backpack Review (click for more details)
A medium-size, packable hiking backpack.
It’s small. It’s lightweight. It’s super cheap.
What’s the best part about packable backpacks as day hiking backpacks? They are small. Which means that they can always be with you when you need them. I have used one a lot. A backpack like this can be easily put in another backpack.
I, personally, do like this. If I have very little stuff, I go either with a packable backpack or dry bag.
Speaking of the backpack itself, it’s very basic. There is one big compartment and a few pockets, including two mesh side pockets for water bottles and / or other things. Just like most of packable backpacks it packs into itself. Unlike most packable backpacks – it’s a rather big bag.
Pack it in your carry on backpack, and you’ll have extra space when you need it.
Available in several colors.
DIMENSIONS: 22.8” x 13.4” x 7.9” (58 x 34 x 20 cm)
SIZE: 40 liters
WEIGHT: 12.7 oz / 0.36 kg
Buying a Cheap Hiking Backpack
Ok, so you’re about to buy a cheap hiking backpack.
You have decided that you need one, and now you are looking for it.
Here are some of the things you should be aware of.
1. You Get What You Pay For
It’s obvious, of course.
But it’s easy to forget about it.
Cheap backpacks are worse than more expensive backpacks.
2. Your Back Will Feel the Difference
Because the shoulder straps will be with less padded.
The hip belt (if there will be one) will be less padded.
If you’ll be carrying more than 30 pounds (13.6 kg) you’ll definitely feel the difference. With cheap backpack the load will feel much heavier than with a quality hiking backpack, that costs twice or triple the price.
Take this into account.
3. Cheap = Less Durable
Mostly cheap backpacks wear down much quicker.
And they are less durable and less sturdy. If you are using your bag a lot, the latter matters a lot. It can make your everyday so much more pleasant, if the backpack you are using feels good to use.
Me, hiking with my dry bag as day hiking bag
How to Find the Best Hiking Backpack for Your Needs
How to find the right backpack for your needs?
Let’s make this super simple.
Generally speaking mostly it’s about these 3 simple things:
1. What Will You Be Using It For?
Short day hikes or long hikes.
Carrying a lot of gear or only the essentials.
Only on dry and sunny days, or on all kind of weather.
This will determine, how big and how durable your bag needs to be.
2. How Often Are You Going to Use It?
If only once in a while, almost any backpack will do.
On the other hand, if you plan to use it frequently, pay attention to the quality and the overall build of the backpack. Definitely don’t choose the cheapest backpack. If possible, consider investing in a more expensive backpack (around 150 USD price range). Because the quality of your backpack matters.
Together with your footwear it’s the most important part of your hiking packing list.
3. What’s Your Budget?
Decide upon your budget.
And choose the best backpack that fits into it.
What’s your experience? What backpack are you using for hiking? What you think are the best hiking backpacks under 100?
Featured photo: by Jan Krnc from Pexels
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