Menu
Any outdoor adventure can be made much more difficult with the wrong type of gear. Whether you’re simply hiking through a pre-made trail, scrambling up a mountain, or rock climbing along a route, having the right backpack by your side makes a world of difference. Most outdoor activities should be paired with a proper internal frame backpack – your typical gear backpack won’t give you the support you need for adventures like climbing or long hikes.
What exactly is an internal frame backpack? These packs feature two long aluminum bars on the inside of the casing which keep the backpack long and tall, flush against your back. They are designed with the idea of support for your back and works with your gravitational center. The internal space they provide offers you the ability to carry your entire campsite with you and provides comfortable hiking and climbing conditions.
There are many backpacks on the market that offer similar features to the ones on our list, but these chosen products go above and beyond. Each backpack on this list utilizes the highest quality materials and offers consumers a durable final product. These are in no particular order.
This backpack has set out to make your hiking experience as simple as possible. The creators behind the Osprey Rook 65 understand that your hiking experience comes down to the pack on your back and made strides to introduce comfort and breathability. The polyester material the backpack is made out of offers your back the ability to breath and reduces sweat. It’s a lightweight pack that can support anywhere from 30-40 lbs of items.
Inside the pockets of the backpack is an integrated rain cover. You’re never going to have perfect weather on an adventure, it’s simply the way it goes. So, having a way to protect yourself and your stuff from a surprise rainstorm is pivotal. With the Osprey’s integrated rain cover, you’re protected and safe from any foul weather.
Pros
Cons
This is an enormous backpack that has space for your entire campsite and then some. With this pack you have the ability to store up to 80 liters of stuff which is one of the highest ranges for internal frame backpacks. You’d think that a backpack with that much internal space would weigh a ton on your back and drag you down, but the pack itself is only 5lbs weight leaving plenty of space for the items you’ll store inside.
The Kelty Coyote 80 backpack utilizes PerfectFIT material straps to ensure a one size fits all method of backpacking. Most waistline straps will fit a certain range of person, but this backpack looks to enable anyone who wants to hike. The material that this pack is made out of enables for stretch features which allow you to fit more in less space.
Pros
Cons
Small and compact is the aim of everything about this Everest backpack. The weight of this pack is one of the smallest on this list, but so is the capacity. It only weighs 3 lbs 4 oz. and will be one of the easier carries you’ll get from an internal frame backpack. However, it is only able to fit 40 liters of belongings which is substantially less than most other backpacks. It’s a great option for shorter hikes as its compact and affordable.
This backpack is made out of a polyester material that supports breathability and comfort. While it won’t support as much weight as many of the others, it makes up for that in dependability. These backpacks were designed with expeditions up Mount Everest in mind, and so they will withstand hikes and climbs with ease.
Pros
Cons
Ready for a long hike and multi-day expedition? In need of a backpack that can support you for many days at a time with the ability to hold everything you bring along? Teton Sports’ Grand 5500 is the backpack ready for you and your adventure. This is the heaviest backpack on our list and above average for much of the industry. It has 90 liters of room and can support an insane number of belongings for your endeavor.
This backpack comes with a lifetime guarantee which enables you to utilize it to its fullest. Teton supports hikers and climbers like you and has developed one of the best internal frame backpacks available.
Pros
Cons
The lighter weight sibling of the Grand 5500, this backpack is the perfect option for shorter adventures and hikes. It can support up to 50 liters of belongings and weighs a base 4.5 lbs on your back. With the multiple pockets in the pack, you are able to better organize your belongings in a manner that works for you. Hiking is made simple and comfortable with this backpack. It supports your weight and keeps your center of gravity high and forward for better hiking options.
Pros
Cons
The type of internal frame backpack that works best for you depends on what type hikes you’re looking to go on. If you know you’re set for longer expeditions that span over multiple days, maybe even weeks at a time, you’ll want to look for a backpack with a higher capacity. If short hikes are more in your future, perhaps comfort is what peaks your interest. Finding the right backpack is all about knowing what your future holds.
reviwedAF is an independent website created by outdoor enthusiasts. The views expressed on this site may come from individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the view of reviewedAF or any other organization.