Find a Pack That Fits Your Body, Your Trip and Your Budget
I read the manufacturer’s specs, the sizing charts and what owners report, then tell you plainly which packs suit you and which to skip.
Start with Fit
Most pack problems, from sore shoulders to a hip belt that slides up, come back to fit. These three guides are where I’d start.
How-To Guides
How to Measure Your Torso for a Hiking Backpack (Step-by-Step Fitting Guide)
Your height won’t tell you your pack size. Find your C7 and iliac crest, measure your torso at home, and match the number to the brand’s size chart.
Backpacks and Daypacks
Stop the Post-Hike Hobble: 3 Best Hiking Backpacks for Back Pain
Stop the Post-Hike Hobble. Discover the Best Hiking Backpacks for Back Pain, Featuring Advanced Suspension Systems, Hip Belt Science, and Fit Tips.
Backpacks and Daypacks
Best Hiking Backpacks Under $100: Budget Picks Worth Carrying
Best hiking backpacks under $100 for day hikes and first overnights: what each budget pack does well, what you give up, and who should skip it.
How I Choose Gear
Founder & Gear Research Editor
Sonia Zannoni
Hi, I’m Sonia. I don’t test gear myself. I read the manufacturer’s specs and sizing charts and look for what owners report again and again. Then I tell you who each pick suits and who should skip it.
About the FounderNew on the site
Backpacks and Daypacks
Best Hybrid Daypacks: The City-to-Summit Guide
Looking for the best hybrid backpack for the office and the trail? Which hybrid daypacks suit which commute and hike, and what to check before you buy.
Hiking 101
Hiking Layers Explained for Beginners (Without the Gear Jargon)
Hiking layers explained for beginners: what a base layer, fleece and rain shell each do, why cotton chills you, and the one piece worth buying first.
Hiking 101
Leave No Trace for Beginners: The Judgment-Free Guide to Trail Etiquette
Learn the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace for Beginners with this Judgment-Free Guide. Master Trail Etiquette, Waste Disposal, and Wildlife Safety.
Explore by Category
Backpacks & Daypacks
Explore Backpacks
Trail Gear & Tech
Explore Trail Gear
