To choose a camping backpack, match the capacity to your trip length, fit the pack to your torso rather than your height, and prioritize a supportive hip belt. A 35-50L pack covers most weekends, 50-60L suits multi-day trips, and a well-fitted hip belt should carry most of the weight.
The right pack can make a two-day trip feel easy or turn it into a long slog with sore shoulders. Capacity, fit, and features each pull in a slightly different direction, so it helps to work through them in order. This guide walks you through each one, with practical numbers and the trade-offs that matter in the field.
Last updated: October 2026
How to Choose a Camping Backpack by Capacity
Capacity is measured in liters, and the right number depends mostly on how many nights you are out and how compact your gear is. Packing efficiency matters too: modern, highly packable gear can stretch a smaller pack further than bulky older gear.
Here is a simple starting framework, drawn from common guidance by experienced hikers and gear guides:
- Day trips (15-35L): Enough for water, snacks, a layer, and a small first-aid kit.
- Weekend, 1-2 nights (35-50L): Room for a shelter, sleeping gear, food, and clothing.
- Multi-day, 3-5 nights (50-70L): Space for a sleeping pad, stove, and extra layers.
- Week-long or winter (65-75L+): Bulkier insulation and more food push the volume up.
For multi-day trips, a 50-60L pack is a practical middle ground. The Water-Resistant Camping Backpack 60L With Multiple Compartments fits that range, and its multiple compartments help keep your gear organized.
If you travel light and want something nimbler for fast overnight trips, the Outdoor Pro Trekking Backpack 40L With Attachment System can work well; its external attachment system holds a tent, sleeping bag, or trekking poles. For day trips or a light weekend, the compact Tactical Backpack 35L With Multiple Compartments has multiple compartments and MOLLE webbing for extra pouches.
A common mistake is buying too big. A larger pack invites you to fill the extra space, which adds weight you do not need. It is usually better to size for your typical trip and use compression straps when the pack is less full.
How to Choose a Camping Backpack That Fits Your Torso
Fit decides comfort, and it comes down to your torso length, not your height. Two people the same height can need different pack sizes, so this step is worth doing carefully.
To measure your torso length:
- Find your C7 vertebra. Tilt your head forward and feel for the bony bump where your neck meets your shoulders. That is the top of the measurement.
- Find your iliac crest. Slide your hands down to the top of your hip bones. Point your index fingers forward and thumbs back, then imagine a line between your thumbs across your lower back.
- Measure the distance. Have someone measure from the C7 bump down to that imaginary line. For most adults this falls between about 15 and 22 inches (38-56 cm).
Many packs come in size ranges, often small (around 15-17"), medium (17-19"), and large (19-22"), though the exact numbers vary by brand. Match your measurement to the size range, and look for an adjustable suspension system if you are between sizes or sharing a pack.
The hip belt matters just as much. When positioned correctly, the padded belt wraps around your iliac crest and carries the majority of the weight. Experienced hikers often aim for roughly 80% of the load resting on the hips, with the shoulders mainly stabilizing the pack. The shoulder straps should curve around your shoulders without gaps, and load-lifter straps near the top can pull the pack closer to your back to relieve pressure.
Before a big trip, load the pack with roughly the weight you plan to carry and wear it for an hour around your neighborhood or on a local trail. Small pressure points that feel minor in the first ten minutes tend to grow over a full day, and it is far easier to adjust straps, swap layers, or rethink what you are packing at home than at the trailhead. If anything rubs, adjust the hip belt first, then the shoulder straps, then the load lifters.
Camping Backpack Features That Matter
Once capacity and fit are settled, features are about making the pack easier to live with. A few are worth prioritizing:
- Suspension and hip belt: A padded, supportive hip belt and contoured shoulder straps do the heavy lifting for comfort. This is the feature group that matters most for comfort.
- Access style: Top-loading packs tend to be lighter and simpler, while panel or U-zip access lets you reach deep into the main compartment without unpacking everything.
- Compartments and pockets: Dedicated spots for a water bottle, a hydration reservoir, and small items keep your gear organized and quick to reach.
- Attachment points: External attachment points let you carry trekking poles, a tent, or a sleeping bag outside the pack. The Outdoor Pro Trekking Backpack 40L With Attachment System has an external attachment system for exactly this.
- Compression straps: These stabilize the load and cinch down the pack when it is not full, which helps with balance on uneven ground.
- Water resistance: Many packs use ripstop nylon or polyester with a water-resistant coating. For wet conditions, a dedicated Waterproof Roll-Top Dry Bag Backpack keeps gear dry when the weather turns.
Think about which features match your typical trips rather than chasing every add-on. Extra buckles and pockets add weight, and weight is the thing you feel most on a long climb.
Internal vs. External Frame Packs
Most modern camping backpacks use an internal frame, which keeps the weight close to your body for better balance on steep or uneven terrain. Internal frames tend to be lighter and suit the majority of hiking and camping trips.
External frames sit farther from your back, which improves airflow and can help with heavy, bulky, or awkward loads. The trade-off is extra weight and a higher center of gravity. For most campers on trails, an internal frame is the practical default; external frames make more sense for very heavy or oddly shaped loads on flatter ground.
How to Pack a Camping Backpack
Keep heavy items, like food and a stove, centered and close to your back near the middle of the pack. Place lighter, bulky items such as a sleeping bag at the bottom, and keep frequently used items near the top or in outer pockets.
The same fit and packing principles apply to city and airport bags, as our guide to choosing a travel backpack explains.
Compression helps here too. Using a Compression Packing Cubes Set for clothing squeezes out air and keeps layers tidy, which is the same principle that makes a simple carry-on packing system work so well for flights. If you are driving to the trailhead, our roundup of essential gear for long road trips covers what to keep within reach in the car.
Finally, browse the full outdoor adventure collection if you want to compare packs and accessories side by side before committing to a size.
How to Protect Your Pack from Rain and Wear
Most camping backpacks are water-resistant rather than waterproof. Coated fabrics shed light rain, but seams, zippers, and the back panel can let water in during a long, steady downpour. Plan for wet weather before it arrives, not after your sleeping bag is damp.
There are two common approaches, and many hikers use both:
- Rain cover: A fitted cover stretches over the outside of the pack and keeps the fabric from soaking up water, which also stops the pack from getting heavier as it gets wet. Covers can catch wind and leave the back panel exposed, so they work best in moderate conditions.
- Pack liner: A large waterproof bag inside the main compartment keeps everything dry even if the outside gets soaked. Liners are light and do not flap in the wind. Put your sleeping bag and spare clothing in first.
For gear that must stay dry, such as a sleeping bag, a down layer, or electronics, a separate dry bag inside the pack adds one more barrier.
Care matters once you are home, too. Empty the pack completely, shake out dirt and crumbs, and open every pocket. If it got wet, hang it upside down somewhere shaded and airy until it is fully dry, because storing a damp pack invites mildew and odors. Direct sun and high heat can weaken fabrics and coatings over time, so avoid drying it on a heater or in a hot car.
When a pack needs cleaning, hand-wash it in a tub with lukewarm water and a mild soap, using a soft brush on dirty spots, then rinse it well. Skip the washing machine, which can damage the frame, buckles, and coating. Check the zippers and buckles while you are at it; removing a little grit now can save you a jammed zipper on the trail.
Finally, store the pack loosely in a cool, dry closet rather than squashed under heavy items. Loosening the straps and hip belt during storage helps the padding keep its shape for the next trip.
FAQ
What size camping backpack do I need?
A 35-50L backpack covers most weekend trips, and 50-60L suits multi-day trips of three to five nights. Trips longer than five nights, or winter outings, often need 65-75L or more. Packing efficiency can let you size down, so match the pack to your typical trip.
How do I measure my torso for a backpack?
Find the bony C7 bump where your neck meets your shoulders, then locate the top of your hip bones (the iliac crest). Measure the straight-line distance between the two. Most adults land between 15 and 22 inches (38-56 cm), which maps to small, medium, or large pack sizing.
How much of the weight should a camping backpack carry on the hips?
Experienced hikers often aim for roughly 80% of the load resting on the hips through a padded hip belt, with the shoulders mainly stabilizing the pack. A well-fitted hip belt wrapping the iliac crest is what makes this possible and keeps your shoulders from doing all the work.
Is a 60L camping backpack big enough?
A 60L backpack is a practical size for most multi-day camping trips, with room for a shelter, sleeping gear, food, and layers. For week-long or winter trips with bulkier gear, you may prefer 65-75L. Efficient, packable gear can stretch a 60L pack further.
Internal or external frame: which is better for camping?
An internal frame suits most campers because it keeps weight close to your body for better balance on trails and tends to be lighter. External frames improve airflow and handle heavy or awkward loads but weigh more. For typical trail camping, an internal frame is the practical default choice.
How do I know if a camping backpack fits correctly?
The hip belt should sit on your iliac crest and carry most of the weight, with padding covering your hip bones. Shoulder straps should curve around without gaps, and load-lifter straps should pull the pack snug to your back. There should be no pinching or pressure points.
Should a camping backpack be waterproof?
Many camping backpacks use water-resistant fabrics or come with a rain cover, which handles light rain. For consistently wet conditions or water crossings, a dedicated waterproof roll-top design offers more protection. Either way, packing valuables in a dry bag adds a useful extra layer of security.
