Choosing the right backpack for a weekend hiking trip is a critical decision that balances capacity, comfort, and features. The ideal pack should carry your essentials—shelter, layers, food, and water—without weighing you down, allowing you to focus on the trail ahead. From lightweight daypacks to larger multi-day haulers, the options are vast. This roundup highlights nine top-performing backpacks designed to meet the specific demands of a two to three-day adventure, ensuring you find the perfect fit for your next excursion.
Every hiker’s needs are different. Some prioritize advanced ventilation systems for hot climates, while others need a pack that can double as carry-on luggage for travel. Factors like torso adjustability, organization pockets, and durable materials all contribute to a pack’s performance. Our selected products represent a range of styles and specializations, each with proven strengths for weekend use. Read on to find the hiking backpack that will become your trusted companion on the trail.
Our Recommended Hiking Backpacks for Weekend Trips
- Osprey Stratos 24 Men’s Hiking Backpack
- Venture Pal 40L Lightweight Packable Travel Hiking Backpack
- High Sierra Pathway Internal Frame Hiking Backpack, 60L
- Everest Hiking Pack, Red, One Size
- Deuter Kid Comfort Child Carrier and Backpack – Midnight
- Osprey Rook 65L Men’s Backpacking Backpack
- Osprey Kyte 66L Women’s Backpacking Backpack
- eagle creek Tour Travel Pack 40L – Lightweight Backpack
- REI Co-op Traverse 60 Pack – Women’s
Osprey Stratos 24 Men’s Hiking Backpack
The Osprey Stratos 24 is an excellent choice for long day hikes or minimalist overnight trips. Its standout feature is the ventilated backpanel, which creates crucial airflow between the pack and your back to minimize sweat buildup. The adjustable shoulder harness and hipbelt allow you to fine-tune the fit for optimal weight distribution and comfort over many miles.
Organization is well-considered, with an internal sleeve for a hydration reservoir and stretch mesh side pockets that provide easy access to water bottles or small items. The 24-liter capacity is spacious enough for essential gear, extra clothing, and food, making it a versatile pack for ambitious day trips or short weekends with lightweight equipment.
Venture Pal 40L Lightweight Packable Travel Hiking Backpack
For the traveler-hiker, the Venture Pal 40L offers remarkable versatility. Its primary advantage is its packable design; it folds into its own pocket for compact storage, making it perfect as a secondary bag on longer journeys or an emergency backup. Despite its light weight, it’s constructed from tear-resistant nylon and features reinforced stress points for durability.
The thoughtful design includes a unique waterproof wet pocket, accessible via a separate zipper on the back, which is ideal for isolating damp clothing or a swimsuit. Breathable, padded shoulder straps and a sternum strap with a whistle buckle add comfort and stability, transforming this affordable pack into a reliable option for casual hikes and urban exploration alike.
High Sierra Pathway Internal Frame Hiking Backpack, 60L
The High Sierra Pathway 60L is a high-capacity workhorse built for extended weekend trips where you need to carry more gear or bulkier items. The internal frame provides structure and helps transfer weight effectively to the hips. The main compartment features a U-shaped opening for easy packing and access to all your contents.
This model includes practical organization features like a padded divider panel and interior straps to secure your load and prevent shifting on the trail. While spacious enough for backpacking, its design also caters to specific gear, offering protection and dedicated storage for equipment, making it a solid choice for those who need a dependable, no-frills large pack.
Everest Hiking Pack
The Everest Hiking Pack is a straightforward and functional option for hikers seeking a simple, effective backpack. Its design focuses on core utility with a secure main compartment, handy zippered side pockets for small items, and external compression straps. These straps are key for stabilizing your load and minimizing pack bulk once everything is packed inside.
This pack represents a classic hiking backpack design that prioritizes durability and essential features over complex suspension systems. It’s a suitable choice for shorter weekend trips or for those who prefer a traditional pack layout without a high level of adjustability, offering reliable performance at an accessible point.
Deuter Kid Comfort Child Carrier and Backpack
The Deuter Kid Comfort is a specialized solution for parents who don’t want to leave their little ones behind. It’s expertly engineered as a child carrier first, with a safe, comfortable seat for the child, complete with a five-point harness and sunshade. For the adult wearer, it functions as a capable backpack with significant storage for diapers, snacks, and extra layers.
Comfort for the carrier is paramount. The Aircomfort mesh back system provides excellent ventilation, while the robust spring steel frame evenly distributes the combined weight of child and gear. The adjustable Vari Slide system ensures a proper torso fit, making long walks on the trail manageable and more enjoyable for the whole family.
Osprey Rook 65L Men’s Backpacking Backpack
The Osprey Rook 65L is a purpose-built backpacking pack designed for multi-day trail adventures. Its adjustable AirSpeed suspension system is a highlight, offering a tensioned mesh backpanel that can be fitted to various torso lengths while promoting air circulation to keep you cooler. The LightWire frame efficiently transfers weight from the shoulders to the supportive hipbelt.
This pack balances a lightweight construction with simple, effective organization. A significant added benefit is the integrated raincover, which stores neatly in a bottom compartment and can be quickly deployed to protect your gear from unexpected weather, ensuring your belongings stay dry without needing a separate purchase.
Osprey Kyte 66L Women’s Backpacking Backpack
Specifically designed for women, the Osprey Kyte 66L features a fully adjustable AirScape backpanel contoured to fit a woman’s torso. The foam ridges provide cushioning and consistent airflow, enhancing comfort during long carries. The pack offers excellent accessibility through a large front panel U-zip that opens directly into the main compartment.
Organization is intuitive, with a floating top lid that includes external and internal pockets for items you need to reach quickly. With 66 liters of space, this pack is ideal for weekend or longer backpacking trips where you need to carry a full load of camping gear, clothing, and food with confidence and comfort.
eagle creek Tour Travel Pack 40L – Lightweight Backpack
The Eagle Creek Tour Travel Pack 40L expertly bridges the gap between travel and hiking. Its carry-on compliant size makes it perfect for flying to a trailhead, offering hands-free convenience compared to a suitcase. Smart organization includes a padded laptop sleeve, multiple interior compartments, and quick-access pockets to keep essentials orderly.
Despite its travel focus, it doesn’t sacrifice trail comfort. The adjustable, padded shoulder straps and a supportive hipbelt with load lifters allow you to carry the pack comfortably for extended periods, whether you’re navigating a city or a forest path. Its rugged construction ensures it can handle the demands of global adventures.
REI Co-op Traverse 60 Pack – Women’s
The REI Co-op Traverse 60 Pack for women is a robust backpacking pack built for comfort and durability on the trail. It features a customizable suspension system that allows for precise torso length adjustment and a hipbelt designed to match a woman’s anatomy, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit under heavy loads.
Thoughtful details include ample external pockets for water bottles and gear, a removable top lid that can function as a hip pack, and easy access to the main compartment. Constructed with durable materials, this 60-liter pack is a reliable choice for serious weekend backpackers who need a pack that can organize and comfortably carry all necessary gear for several days in the wilderness.
How to Choose a Weekend Hiking Backpack
Picking the right pack for a weekend trip is about balancing capacity, comfort, and features. I always start with volume. For most people, a 30 to 50-liter pack is the sweet spot for the 9 best hiking backpacks for weekend trips – Dec. 2025. This range gives you enough space for your sleep system, shelter, food, water, and extra layers without being so large you’re tempted to overpack. If you’re a minimalist or traveling in warm weather, lean toward 30-40 liters. If you need to carry bulkier cold-weather gear or prefer a little more room, 45-50 liters is your friend.
Next, fit is non-negotiable. A poorly fitting pack will ruin your trip faster than a leaky tent. Most quality packs come in torso sizes (like small, medium, large), not just one-size-fits-all. You need to measure your torso length and match it to the pack’s size range. The hip belt should sit snugly on your iliac crest (the top of your hip bones), transferring most of the weight to your hips, not your shoulders. The shoulder straps should contour comfortably without pinching. If you can, I strongly recommend visiting a store to try packs on with some weight inside.
Organization is a personal choice. Do you like a clean, simple main compartment (panel-loading), or do you prefer lots of pockets for quick access (top-loading with a front shove pocket)? For weekends, I find a healthy mix works best. Look for features like a front stretch mesh pocket for stashing a wet layer, side pockets that can hold water bottles while you walk, and a dedicated hydration sleeve. A sleeping bag compartment at the bottom is handy, but not essential if you use a compression sack. Finally, consider the material. A lightweight but durable ripstop nylon will save you ounces and stand up to brush and weather.
FAQ
What size backpack do I need for a 2-3 day hike?
For a typical 2-3 day hike (a weekend trip), a backpack in the 30 to 50-liter range is ideal. This gives you enough space for essentials like a tent, sleeping bag, pad, cook kit, food, water, and clothing. Your exact size depends on your gear’s bulk and the season. Summer trips often fit in 30-40L, while winter trips with thicker insulation usually require 45-50L or more.
How important is a pack’s fit, and how do I ensure a good one?
Fit is the most important factor. An ill-fitting pack is uncomfortable and can cause injury. The key is to get your torso length measured, not your height. The pack’s hip belt must rest on the top of your hip bones, carrying 80-90% of the weight. Shoulder straps should lie flat without gaps at the top. Always adjust the load-lifter straps and sternum strap for stability. If buying online, check the manufacturer’s sizing chart carefully.
Are hydration bladder compartments worth it?
In my opinion, yes, especially for weekend hikes where you want to stay hydrated without stopping. A dedicated hydration sleeve keeps your bladder upright and protected, and a port for the hose makes access easy. That said, if you prefer using water bottles, side pockets that are easy to reach while walking are just as valuable. Many packs offer both options.
What’s the difference between men’s and women’s specific backpacks?
Women’s-specific packs are designed around common differences in torso length, shoulder width, and hip shape. They often have shorter torsos, narrower and more contoured shoulder straps, and hip belts that are shaped for a wider pelvis. However, the best fit is individual. Someone with a longer torso might fit a “men’s” pack better, and vice-versa. Always prioritize your personal measurements and comfort over the gendered label.
Can I use a travel backpack for weekend hiking?
You can, but it might not be optimal. Dedicated hiking backpacks have features like a robust internal or external frame for weight transfer, ventilated back panels, and easy-access pockets for gear you need on the trail. Travel packs often prioritize suitcase-like opening and less structured carry. For a serious weekend in the backcountry, a proper hiking pack is a better investment for comfort and functionality.