Although some people may ask why is a backpack so important when hiking or backpacking, the reason is that they, unlike any other types of bags, are designed especially for those purposes and only by the longer you hike will you appreciate all their qualities.
Backpacks are designed to allow you to carry all that you may need on your trek and do it in the most comfortable manner as possible. The basic idea of a backpack is to spread the weight over the entire upper portion of your body, ensuring no one arm or both get weak and unusable.
Many backpacks also include convenient side pockets to allow access to things you may need on the go including snacks or drinks.
The size of the backpack you need will very much depend on how long you intend to hike for and so they are available in sizes suitable for a single day’s hiking or for a week or more backpacking.
Contents show 1 Best Hiking Backpack Under $100 2 Outlander 33L Lightweight Hiking Backpack 3 Hikpro Hiking Daypack for Men & Women 4 Outlander Large 35L Lightweight Hiking Backpack 5 Venture Pal Lightweight Packable Hiking Daypack 6 Loowoko Hiking Backpack with Rain Cover 7 Teton Sports Oasis 1100 Hydration Backpack 8 OutdoorMaster 50L Hiking Backpack 9 Wasing 55L Internal Frame Hiking Backpack 10 Teton Sports Explorer 4000 Internal Frame Backpack 11 Mountaintop 65L Internal Frame Hiking Backpack 12 Buying Guide for Backpacks under $100 12.1 Capacity 12.2 Length 12.3 Weight 12.4 Straps 12.5 Main Compartment 12.6 External Pockets 12.7 Ventilation 12.8 Hydration Ready 13 Frequently Asked Questions 13.1 Why is a backpack important? 13.2 What is a comfortable weight to carry in a rucksack? 13.3 What is the correct way to wear a backpack? 13.4 Why do people wear backpacks on their front? 13.5 What makes a backpack comfortable? 13.6 Related posts:Best Hiking Backpack Under $100
| # | Preview | Product | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Outlander Packable Handy Lightweight Travel Hiking Backpack Daypack, Black | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |  | HIKPRO 20L – The Most Durable Lightweight Packable Backpack, Water Resistant Travel Hiking… | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |  | Outlander Packable Lightweight Travel Hiking Backpack Daypack (New Black) | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |  | Venture Pal Ultralight Lightweight Packable Foldable Travel Camping Hiking Outdoor Sports… | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |  | Loowoko Hiking Backpack 50L Travel Camping Backpack with Rain Cover – No Internal Frame | Buy on Amazon |
Although there are many backpacks that cost more than $100, often they only cost so much due to either their brand name or extra features. Some not so well-known brands make backpacks as good as some of the famous ones and you would not want to pay for features you will never use.
This means that you should be able to find a suitable backpack for your needs for less than $100.
Here are reviews for some of the more popular backpacks for under $100:
Outlander 33L Lightweight Hiking Backpack
Buy on Amazon
Made from water and rip-resistant nylon fabric, this backpack is super lightweight, only weighing 0.5lbs. Capable of carrying 33 liters this backpack has 1 main, zippered storage area plus, 2 front zippered pockets and 2 side pockets.
The backpack easily folds to be compact when not in use but thanks to its sturdy, two-way, metal zipper, it can be packed to capacity when in use and still be easily zipped closed. With a reasonable price, convenient and easy to use, this pack could be for everyday use as well as hiking trips.
Features at a Glance
- Reasonable price
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- Durable
Hikpro Hiking Daypack for Men & Women
Buy on Amazon
Weighing only 7.5ozs and available in a choice of colors, this backpack is both lightweight and suitable for men or women.
With a large main compartment complete with a zippered inside pocket, this pack also has 1 zippered pocket on the front and 2 mesh pockets on the side to carry a total of 20 liters.
This backpack is comfortable to wear due to its wide, adjustable shoulder straps being made from breathable mesh. The material of this backpack is both tear and water-resistant and is reinforced in 14 suitable places.
Features at a Glance
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- Durable
- Choice of colors
Outlander Large 35L Lightweight Hiking Backpack
Buy on Amazon
Weighing just 0.7lbs the material of this backpack may be thin but it is strong and also tear and water-resistant. Like its smaller sibling, this backpack collapses into a very compact size when not in use.
Capable of holding 35L this pack has 1 large main compartment, 2 front compartments and 2 side pockets designed to carry water bottles.
The metal, two-way zipper on the main compartment is abrasion-resistant and sturdy, making it easy to use. The pack has comfortable straps and a useful carabiner complete with buckle whistle and reflector.
Features at a Glance
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- Sturdy
- Convenient
Venture Pal Lightweight Packable Hiking Daypack
Buy on Amazon
This backpack which only weighs 0.7lbs can easily fold into its own inside zipper compartment which makes it ideal for foreign travel as well as backpacking.
Made from breathable mesh, the straps also have sponge padding for comfort. Whilst the adjustable straps allow for a comfortable fit, the chest strap keeps the pack in place.
Capable of holding 35L this pack has a front, zippered pouch and 2 mesh side pouches plus, its large main compartment has 2 dividers for more organized storage.
Features at a Glance
- Multiple compartments
- Comfortable, adjustable straps
- Folds into itself
Loowoko Hiking Backpack with Rain Cover
Buy on Amazon
Although made from a tear-resistant and water-resistant polyester fabric, this backpack also features a waterproof cover to ensure water does not get in through zippers or openings.
Not only are this pack’s padded shoulder straps adjustable but so are its side straps, ensuring a perfect fit.
Designed to be waterproof and comfortable, this pack is suitable for any outdoor enthusiast and is large enough to cater to any 3 or 4-day trip.
Features at a Glance
- Adjustable straps
- Padded shoulder straps
- Rain cover
Teton Sports Oasis 1100 Hydration Backpack
Buy on Amazon
Although this pack only has an 18L capacity it is perhaps ideal for shorter trips. The main feature of this pack is to keep its wearer adequately hydrated and to do that it has 2 pouches for water bottles but also a refillable, 2 liter, hydration bladder.
Although the bladder needs cleaning after every trip, a slot provided for the adding of ice makes cleaning easy.
As well as featuring 4 zippered pouches for convenience this pack also features taped straps for comfort and a sipping straw to stay refreshed.
Features at a Glance
- Hydration bladder
- Sipping straw
- Zippered pouches
OutdoorMaster 50L Hiking Backpack
Buy on Amazon
This 50L backpack is large enough for most hiking trips and yet versatile enough for everyday use. Although the material of this 2.6lbs pack is thin, it is durable but the zippers could be stronger.
The pack is comfortable with a padded hip belt and adjustable S-curved shoulder straps.
The large pack has plenty of compartments for easy storage and perhaps uniquely, a special 15.6” compartment for a laptop.
Features at a Glance
- Comfortable
- Compartment for laptop
- Padded belt
- Adjustable shoulder straps
Wasing 55L Internal Frame Hiking Backpack
Buy on Amazon
With 55L of space, this backpack is larger than most and includes a bladder sleeve, 1 hip belt pocket, a front pocket, 2 side pockets, and a rain cover pocket. The pack weighs 2lbs 14ozs but has an internal frame for added strength and a molded foam back panel for increased comfort.
The pack has sternum, shoulder and hip straps, all of which are adjustable plus a buckle whistle for emergencies.
Features at a Glance
- Whistle included
- Large size
- Foam back panel
Teton Sports Explorer 4000 Internal Frame Backpack
Buy on Amazon
Weighing 5lbs this backpack can hold as much as 65L and has an internal frame for added strength. Although weighing more than many other backpacks, this pack is still comfortable and is made from rip-stop polyester.
As well as having multiple compartments inside the pack, including one especially for a sleeping bag, it also has 6 outer pockets plus 3 mesh pockets.
Features at a Glance
- Large with plenty of compartments and pockets
- Sleeping bag compartment
- Internal frame with aluminum stays
Mountaintop 65L Internal Frame Hiking Backpack
Buy on Amazon
This backpack only weighs 3lbs but has an internal frame and can carry 65L. Both the shoulder and hip straps are padded and ventilation channels near the spine make this pack comfortable.
The main compartment has a sleeve for a hydration bladder and appropriate tube plus, 2 mesh pockets on the sides, a large zippered pocket on the back and 2 zippered pockets on the hip belt.
With a steel internal frame and made from water-resistant nylon, this pack is both strong and durable.
Features at a Glance
- Large
- Comfortable
- Strong and durable
- Pocket for hydration bladder
Buying Guide for Backpacks under $100
If you want to buy a backpack you will probably want to buy one which is best suited for your needs rather than one which is over expensive just because of its brand or for features you may never use.
This means you have decided that a backpack to suit your needs should not cost more than $100 but here are the things you should look for before deciding which one to buy.
Capacity
The capacity a backpack can hold is vitally important as when hiking you will want to be able to fit all your needs in just the one pack.
Obviously different people’s needs change but as a rough guide, these are the sizes you should look at, remembering that the capacity of a backpack is measured in liters:
- 1 or 2 nights – 20 to 30L
- 2 or 3 nights – 30 to 50L
- 3 or 4 nights – 44 to 55L
- 5 nights or more – 55L or larger
Length
Many backpacks are compatible with any size person but some are not. If in doubt then you will want one which has a length equal to the distance between the top of your spine and your hip.
This is known as the height of the torso which is different from a person’s overall height.
Weight
With all that you intend to carry, you may not think the weight of the backpack will make a difference but when you consider that backpacks vary in weight from just 0.5lbs to 5lbs, 4.5lbs can make a big difference over several miles of hiking.
Straps
A backpacks straps should be adjustable to ensure the pack can be carried as close to your back as possible.
Although many packs will have padding on their shoulder straps, which is good, perhaps the width of the shoulder straps is equally important as they will spread the weight further and make the pack more comfortable to wear.
Main Compartment
The main compartment is where the majority of your kit will stow but some backpacks have segregated main compartments which can allow you to better organize.
External Pockets
The number of external pockets a backpack has is important as it can mean that you can access stuff without having to stop and remove the pack. Some things you may want to store in these external pockets or pouches are a map and compass, snacks and drinks or perhaps sweat rag, hat or sunglasses.
Ventilation
Carrying a pack on your back will make your back prone to sweating however, this can be reduced by a backpack providing ventilation on its straps or on a padded backing on the pack itself.
The more ventilation a pack allows, the more comfortable you will feel whilst hiking.
Hydration Ready
Some backpacks claim to be hydration ready and this means that they either have hydration pouches that can carry water or have a pouch suitable for carrying a water bottle.
Most packs that have a hydration pouch will also have a drinking tube that allows you to drink directly from the pack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is a backpack important?
Backpacks are specifically designed to spread the weight and thereby not putting all the weight on just one part of your body.
What is a comfortable weight to carry in a rucksack?
Although when hiking or especially backpacking you may have to carry more, 22lbs is considered an ideal weight not to cause unnecessary back strain.
What is the correct way to wear a backpack?
A backpack should be worn close to the body and so the shoulder straps should be tight. Ideally, the pack should not rest more than 2” below the waistline and the hip straps can assist in ensuring this.
Why do people wear backpacks on their front?
They shouldn’t whilst hiking but people often have to in crowded places like trains as they want to be able to see they are not tampered with.
What makes a backpack comfortable?
The comfort of a backpack is entirely dependent on the shoulder straps. Although many packs may come with padded shoulder straps, it is actually the width of those straps that will determine the most comfort.
The wider the straps the more evenly they spread the weight over the shoulders and therefore afford more comfort.
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