Best Hiking Backpacks for Adventure Seekers in the UK

Osprey is the brand that stands at the forefront of the outdoor industry. It produces best in class packs and accessories for backpacking, hiking, cycling, climbing, and other outdoor sports. And what we have here is one of the most versatile packs ever created by this brand. The Talon 22 has a unisex design and can fit both men and women who prefer going light and moving fast.

As the name suggests, it’s the pack with a 22-litre of capacity which is perfect for day hikes, commuting, or just going around the town. And the best part about it is the exceptional aerodynamic properties. It’s very ergonomically-shaped and has a lightweight construction. Plus, you won’t feel seams, while the comfy hip belt will let you focus on your journey rather than the weight on your back. By the way, the unique AirScape back panel provides optimal airflow and breathability, thus making trips on hot days more tolerable. Also, the pack has a chest harness with a built-in whistle in the buckle, which we find a very nice touch.

If you need a reliable backpack for long-distance travels, you can’t go wrong with the Berghaus Men's Trailhead 65 Litre Rucksack. It’s an excellent roomy backpack that is very sturdy and well designed.

It boasts a durable construction and materials to withstand heavy loads. In total, it offers 65 litres of storage capacity with a deep main section, secondary lower area, zipped top, and spacious side pockets. The split design is very useful and comfortable. For example, the zip which is situated about two thirds down the pack allows you to grab your goods from the bottom without a need to open the whole thing. And lots of zips and pockets around the bag make snacking on-the-go easier than ever before.

Even if you load the pack to the fullest, you can be sure it’ll preserve its shape. It’s designed with a metal rod in the padded back that prevents bending and moulds well to the contours of your body. And owing to a wide range of adjustable features, the pack lightens the load on the go. More precisely, it has a supportive pre-curved hip belt that gently hugs your body, distributing weight evenly.

Speaking about extras, it comes with an integrated rain cover that is easy and quick to put on. It’s also worth noting that it’s compatible with hydration systems, which is particularly important for long trips.

When it comes to large backpacks that can fit all your stuff and the stuff of your partner, the Andes Ramada 120L Rucksack is a definite leader. It’s an extra-large backpack that can manage to hold more than you may expect. Actually, it can carry even a 4-person tent.

With 120-litre capacity, it can fit all your equipment including a tent, sleeping bag, lots of clothes, an air mattress, two pairs of shoes, and still have room to spare. And all those belongings can be neatly organised owing to multiple front compartments, plenty of little pockets, and straps to secure a tent and other items.

Overall, this large rucksack is able to fit 20 kg of stuff. And despite that, it feels very sturdy and doesn’t rip or break during travels. Even when packed full, it holds together really well and survives rough baggage handling at the airport.

When empty, the bag is pretty light - it weighs only 1.5kg. This is largely achieved owing to a lack of structural support and padding. That is to say, it has no rigid frame and is adjustable to suit all shapes and sizes.

The backpack comes without a rain cover. It’s made from water-resistant polyester and the inside layer is plastic coated, so it resists moisture quite well and will keep the contents dry in case of light rain.

Besides the Camouflage design, you can choose from 11 available designs. And no matter what option you choose, the pack will be easy to spot at the luggage reclaim.

The MOUNTAINTOP 40L trekking backpack is deservingly one of the top choices on the market. It’s well made, roomy, and thought-out to the finest detail. And let’s check that.

To begin with, the pack looks compact but is expandable enough to house a good number of items. It offers reasonable space and has 3 separate zipped compartments that let you split the contents as needed. In the front pocket, you can put books or maps for easy viewing, while in the main compartment, you can load general gear.

What is notable, there is a special laptop sleeve that can help you safely store your computer (up to 15.6"), power bank, and other electronics without jumbling up. But what completely sells the product is the unique hydration bladder compartment. The bag boasts a back panel pocket with PatchArea which suits a 2-litre hydration bladder or similarly-sized items you need to access quickly. Moreover, it boasts the pipe management system allowing you to drink lightly while cycling or trekking.

The other nifty extras include straps at the bottom for fastening say a sleeping bag or mat. Also, there are compression straps to hang a mattress, hammock, and other hiking items. Plus, you’ll find the special attachment for trekking poles and loops for ice axes.

Lastly, we would like to stress that the bag is fitted with a high-visibility rain cover. It’s situated at the base in the dedicated compartment to which it’s fastened with a D-strap. Quite handy.

With all these bells and whistles, this is an ideal backpack for general use, cycling, and light trekking. It’s very comfortable, smart, and durable.

Mil-Tec is a world-known company that produces functional military clothing and outdoor equipment in a wide variety of camouflages and colours. And the backpack in question is one of them.

It’s made from durable 600D polyester with a thick backing to make the rucksack waterproof. Also, the bag has double stitching that seems to stand up the test of time and vigorous use. The padded back, as well as shoulder straps, is ergonomically shaped to bring you ultimate comfort and distribute the weight evenly. Also, the pack is made with an adjustable waist belt with a quick-release buckle.

When it comes to loadability, the pack shows average results. It has a capacity of 20 litres and plenty of useful compartments. The main and secondary compartments have long zipped openings that give good access and let you load/unload large items easily. There are many pockets and organisers inside this pack, making it one of the most useful backpacks out there. To specify, there’s a bunch of inner zipped pockets allowing you to separate small items, phone chargers, toiletries, etc. In addition, you’ll find handy mesh pockets, dividers, and an integrated velcro compartment for a hydropack inside.

Also, this waterproof hiking backpack has smaller external compartments and various Molle recording points. Actually, it has plenty of PALS webbing to let you add on a variety of Molle pouches and accessories.