The best backpack brands for every mission

Most brands specialize in making backpacks for one market segment, but not this one. Somehow, Mystery Ranch manages to make excellent packs for military, first response, outdoor, and hunting use. Product planners go to great lengths to make sure every backpack, duffel bag, radio pouch, and accessory is high-quality and does exactly what you need it to do.

The Mystery Ranch 3 Day Assault BVS is a perfect example of this commitment to performance. I tested one for a go-bag gear guide a while ago and it made a strong impression. First of all, the materials, design, and execution are impeccable. The Y-zipper makes accessing the main compartment quick and easy, and there are enough small compartments to keep smaller items organized. Outside, ample MOLLE allows expansion when you need it.

The biggest advantage of this pack is the bolstered ventilation system it’s named after. The hip belt is just so-so, but the rest of the suspension system can be adjusted for torso length and shoulder width for an excellent fit. Foam blocks on each side hold the bag in place when you’re wearing body armor, making this a perfect assault pack upgrade for people in the military or law enforcement.

REI, one of the leading retailers in the world of outdoor adventure gear, is putting all its industry knowledge to work with in-house products aimed at giving customers a more budget-friendly entry point into premium gear. It’s no secret that REI Co-Op products are a great value. In fact, I suspect one of its biggest challenges is not cannibalizing sales of name-brand products.

For example, check out the REI Co-Op Trail 25. Small backpacks often get the short end of the stick because manufacturers need to cut corners to sell something with limited carrying capacity. This is an exception to that rule because it comes with padded shoulder straps, a sleeve and retention straps for a hydration bladder, and a built-in rain cover. There are also external mounting points, elastic pouches, and compression straps — features you can’t always expect for $80.

The Trail 25 is a good backpack for day hikes, school, everyday carry, or all three. It offers more than you pay for, and it’s well-built. If you want a smaller alternative to your camping pack or travel bag, this has your name all over it.

Eberlestock caters to military, law enforcement, and hunters. The common thread across its entire product line is the tactical advantage that comes from well-designed gear that just works. Eberlestock has you covered with everything from binocular pouches and briefcases to assault packs and shooting accessories.

The Eberlestock Halftrack assault pack is everything other assault packs (probably including whatever you were issued) aspire to be. It’s incredibly durable, can handle as much weight as you need to carry, and offers room to customize your loadout as your mission dictates. Access the cavernous main compartment with a U-shaped zipper and keep everything organized with a removable divider and plenty of zippered pouches. Side and top compartments provide room for hydration bladders, radios, and other gear. Traditional and laser-cut MOLLE makes room for even more customization.

At right around $350, this pack isn’t cheap. It’s an investment in yourself and will last years of hard use in the field. One thing we all understand is the importance of proper fit, and you’ll appreciate the Halftrack’s adjustable hard frame, shoulder straps, and hip belt a few miles into your very first movement with it. If you spend any amount of time in the field, you owe it to yourself to buy gear that works for you rather than against you.

If you do an informal survey on your local hiking trails, you’ll probably find Gregory trading punches with the likes of Osprey and Arc’teryx for the title of favorite pack. Full-size backpacking rucks get all the glory, but you can get many of the same premium features in a smaller package that’s perfect for day hikes.

The Gregory Zulu 30 is light and comfortable enough for fast hikes across jagged terrain. What really makes it stand out is the adjustable suspension system with all the airflow you could ask for. Even the hip belt uses this technology to make the pack feel like it’s floating along behind you rather than pulling at your hip bones. Of course, there are other niceties like a built-in rain cover, exterior pouches for water bottles and warming layers, and compartments you can actually reach without taking the pack off.

This hiking pack was built for people who want to stay light and fast to cover a lot of ground in a single day. It’s made to satisfy those of us who demand the best and aren’t willing to sacrifice premium materials or cutting-edge technology just because we want a small day pack instead of an expedition pack. For serious hikers, it just doesn’t get much better than this.

Osprey has inspired a loyal following among backpackers for building packs that strike a fantastic balance between support and lightness. I can vouch for that — I have an older Atmos and continue to be amazed by how comfortable it is with a full camping load. If you’re in the market for a larger bag for multi-day backpacking trips, the Aether Plus 60 will likely be everything you need — and then some.

Gravity-defying suspension systems are Osprey’s bread and butter. The Osprey Aether Plus 60 uses a clever combination of foam padding and breathable mesh to provide the support you need while allowing air to flow all the way across your back. That’s comfortable, sure, but it also reduces hot spots and leaves you fresh and ready for another day on the trail. As you’d expect from a premium pack, this one has a rain cover, hip-belt pockets, and a place for your hydration bladder. What you might not expect is a removable top lid that can be carried as a day pack on short hikes from your basecamp.

This premium pack has expedition-style features, but the 60-liter size is more accessible for recreational campers. It’s a good way to get into the highest echelon of camping backpacks without buying more size than you need. It’s the perfect answer for people who want to tackle multiple days on the trail or in a national park.

You knew The North Face would make an appearance on this list, and here it is. It’s true that the brand has been reduced to a fashion choice in the minds of most customers, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still solid pieces of gear up for grabs. The North face makes all kinds of dedicated adventure gear — including backpacks built for the wilderness that is life on a college campus.

Instead of phoning one in and slapping its logo on a generic bookbag, the company clearly put some effort into the North Face Borealis. This 28-liter backpack is just the right size for a college backpack. The main compartment has plenty of room for a hoodie and water bottle, while the front compartment uses dividers to keep smaller belongings organized and zippered pouches to secure valuables.

This is the backpack for college students who take their degree and their expenditures seriously. It’s well-built, looks cool, and is popular for a reason. Yes, it costs more than a lot of basic school bags, but it’s going to last you longer and be more enjoyable to use everyday. If nothing else, you have a bunch of colors to choose from and rep a little school spirit.

Patagonia is another brand that got famous by making awesome gear, became trendy with suburban yuppies, and is now the brunt of jokes about people who only wear outdoorsy clothing to shop at Whole Foods. That’s a shame because Patagonia gear is genuinely excellent and the company puts its money where its mouth is in terms of environmental conservation. You can find all kinds of bags and clothes in Patagonia’s lineup, including some that are great travel companions.

The Patagonia Black Hole 25 upholds the brand’s adventurous reputation with a water-resistant exterior that’s light and durable. Subtle mounting points and elastic pouches add room for storage on the exterior without making you look like Ricky Recon walking through the airport. The large main compartment has plenty of room for clothes and hygiene gear, even if the top-loading design forces you to rummage through your belongings to get to the bottom.

This wasn’t designed as a backpack for day hiking, but it’ll do the job if you want to get out and explore while you’re traveling. There is a pouch for a hydration bladder with a drinking tube pass-through if you need to get cover ground on foot. The Black Hole 25 is a great backpack for travel and a solid piece of gear once you get there.