BACKPACKS

Camping requires a lot of gear and thus a good backpack to carry it all in is essential. We have reviewed 60, 70, 80 and even 85-litre packs from manufacturers such as Osprey, Deuter, Kelty, Gregory and Mountain Smith to name a few. Have a read and tell us what you think.

View Comparison Chart

BACKPACKING PACKS	Price	CAPACITY	Weight	GEAR OF THE YEAR	Rating
GREGORY FOCAL 58L	$399.95	58L	1200g	No	9/10
DEUTER FUTURA VARIO	$320	60L	2080g	No	9.5/10
MYSTERY RANCH 60	$350	60L	2200g	Yes	9.5/10
SEA TO SUMMIT DUFFLES	$139-$199	45-130L	1650-2450g	Yes	9.5/10
OSPREY AETHER AG 70 & ARIEL AG 65	$390	70L/65L	2247-2365g	No	9.5/10
OSPREY AURA & Atmos AG	$229	50L	1730g	Yes	9.5/10
OSPREY VARIANT 52L (WOMEN'S)	$250	52L	1570g	No	8/10
DEUTER FUTURA 40 SL (WOMEN'S)	$170	40L	1720g	No	8/10
BLACK DIAMOND ELEMENT 60	$220	60L	1510g	No	8/10
OSPREY ARIEL 65 (WOMEN'S)	$300	65L	2130g	No	9/10
OSPREY AETHER 85 (UPDATED)	$340	85L	2180g	No	9/10
KELTY RED CLOUD  (WOMEN'S)	$220	84L	2400g	No	7/10
DEUTER ACT LITE 65 + 10	$199	65L + 10L	1760g	No	9/10
GREGORY PALASADE 80	$339	80L	2800g	No	8.5/10
PATAGONIA BLACK HOLE DUFFEL	$99-$149	45-120L	793-1361g	No	8/10
OSPREY AETHER 85L	$289	85L	2340g	No	9/10

GREGORY FOCAL 58L BACKPACK
Date: June 28th 2026
Reviewer: Brad
Overall Rating: 9/10
Product Link: Gregory

Read the full review here.

DEUTER FUTURA VARIO BACKPACK
Date: Oct 21st 2019
Reviewer: Andrew
Overall Rating: 9.5/10
Product Link: Deuter

Read the full review here.

MYSTERY RANCH SPHINX WOMEN'S PACK
Date: April 22nd 2019
Reviewer: Sarah
Overall Rating: 9/10
Product Link: Mystery Ranch

Read the full review here.

SEA TO SUMMIT DUFFLE BAGS
Date: May 22nd 2018
Reviewer: Pete
Overall Rating: 9.5/10
Product Link: Sea To Summit

Read the full review here.

OSPREY AETHER AG 70 & ARIEL AG 65 PACKS
Date: Aug 5th 2017
Reviewer: Marian
Overall Rating: 9.5/10
Product Link: Osprey

Read the full review here.

OSPREY AURA & ATMOS AG PACKS
Date: June 15th 2015
Reviewer: Jenny
Overall Rating: 9.5/10
Product Link: Osprey

Read the full review here.

OSPREY VARIANT 52L PACK
Date: Mar 12th 2015
Reviewer: Chandra
Overall Rating: 8/10
Product Link: Osprey

Read the full review here.

DEUTER FUTURA PRO 40 SL PACK
Date: Aug 14th 2014
Reviewer: Sara
Overall Rating: 8/10
Product Link: Deuter

Read the full review here.

BLACK DIAMOND ELEMENT 60 PACK
Date: June 7th 2014
Reviewer: Vince Hempsall
Overall Rating: 8/10
Product Link: Black Diamond

Read the full review here.

OSPREY ARIEL 65 WOMEN'S PACK (2013 updated version)
Date: Sept 8th 2013
Reviewer: Marian
Overall Rating: 9/10
Product Link: Osprey

Read the full review here.

OSPREY AETHER 85 PACK (2013 updated version)
Date: July 9th 2013
Reviewer: Brad
Overall Rating: 9/10
Product Link: Osprey

Read the full review here.

KELTY WOMEN'S RED CLOUD PACK
Date: Feb 13th 2013
Reviewer: Jenny
Overall Rating: 7/10
Product Link: Kelty

Read the full review here.

DEUTER ACT LITE 65 + 10 PACK
Date: Dec 17th 2012
Reviewer: Brad
Overall Rating: 9/10
Product Link: Deuter

Read the full review here.

GREGORY PALISADE 80 PACK
Date: Sept 13th 2012
Reviewer: Andrew
Overall Rating: 8.5/10
Product Link: Gregory

Read the full review here.

PATAGONIA BLACK HOLE DUFFEL BAG
Date: March 12th 2012
Reviewer: Brad
Overall Rating: 8/10
Product Link: Patagonia

Read the full review here.

OSPREY AETHER 85 PACK
Date: April 2nd 2011 - UPDATED April 2013
Reviewer: Brad
Overall Rating: 9/10
Product Link: Osprey

Read the full UPDATED review here.

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