165 packs · ranked & compared
The right pack for
the miles ahead
Every top-rated hiking and hunting pack, side by side — weight, capacity, frame, and price. Filter down to the one that fits your trail.
New to this? Backpack specs, explained — liters, torso length, frames, denier, and what each one changes.
The lineup
Every pack, side by side
Filter by brand, capacity, features, and price. Select up to 3 to compare head-to-head.
165 packs found
Mountainsmith
Mountainsmith Scream 55
The Scream 55 is Mountainsmith's lightweight backpacking pack: sub-3 lb for 55 L at $160, which is the best weight-to-price combination in this catalog. The catch is that it comes in exactly one torso length, so it either fits or it does not.
Weight
2.81 lbs
Capacity
55 L
Frame
Internal Frame
The Persist is built around durability rather than weight: a 900D ripstop lower panel over a 300D upper, which OutdoorGearLab singles out as best-in-class durability. At 50.2 oz it is one of the heaviest daypacks here, and deliberately so.
Weight
3.14 lbs
Capacity
31 L
Frame
Frameless

Durston Gear
Durston Kakwa 55
The Kakwa 55 is Dan Durston's disruptively priced ultralight — under 2 lbs, a 45 lb load rating, and a 2026 update with a redesigned hipbelt, all starting around $200 in UltraGrid fabric. It has become the value benchmark every new UL pack gets measured against.
Weight
1.94 lbs
Capacity
55 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 40 L

Gregory
Gregory Paragon 60
The Paragon 60 replaced the long-running Paragon 58 in Gregory's 2025 lineup, adding the FreeFloat suspension from the Baltoro in a pack that's more than a pound lighter. It targets the sweet spot between comfort haulers and ultralight packs. The women's version is the Maven 58.
Weight
3.5 lbs
Capacity
60 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 68 L

Hyperlite Mountain Gear
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40
The Unbound 40 is HMG's fast-and-light pack for dialed kits, with a stretch front pocket and bottom pocket aimed at hikers who move all day and camp minimally. At 40 liters it suits sub-10-lb base weights and shorter resupply intervals.
Weight
2.16 lbs
Capacity
40 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 55 L

Deuter
Deuter Speed Lite 21
The Speed Lite is Deuter's minimalist end: 470 g for 21 L, frameless, with a detachable waist belt. It is less than half the weight of the Futura 21 SL at the same volume, and the trade is ventilation and load capacity -- the foam panel sits against the back and the pack is rated to just 5 kg.
Weight
1.04 lbs
Capacity
21 L
Frame
Frameless
Also in 13 L / 17 L
Osprey
Osprey Sportlite 25
The Sportlite is Osprey's lightweight day-hiking line, refreshed for spring 2026 with a wider size run. At 27.2 oz for 25 L it is the lightest hiking daypack Osprey makes, using a 100D bird eye nylon and an AirScape foam panel rather than a frame and mesh. The 15, 20 and 22 L sizes use a fixed unisex harness; the 25 and 30 L add five inches of torso adjustment.
Weight
1.7 lbs
Capacity
25 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 15 L / 20 L / 22 L / 30 L
Cotopaxi
Cotopaxi Batac 16L
The Batac is the lightest and cheapest pack in this catalog: 11 oz for 16 L at $70, made from deadstock fabric left over from other manufacturers' runs, which is why no two are quite the same colour. It packs down to almost nothing.
Weight
0.69 lbs
Capacity
16 L
Frame
Frameless

Osprey
Osprey Hikelite 26
The Hikelite 26 is Osprey's value ventilation play — a suspended-mesh trampoline back and included raincover at $110, undercutting its own Stratos by $50 and nearly a pound. It's the budget answer for sweaty-back day hikers.
Weight
1.7 lbs
Capacity
26 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 18 L / 28 L

Osprey
Osprey Daylite Plus
The Daylite Plus is Osprey's everywhere bag — a 20-liter that splits time between easy trails, commutes, and travel, with a laptop-compatible sleeve and attachment points for Osprey travel packs. It's the most-owned Osprey, period.
Weight
1.29 lbs
Capacity
20 L
Frame
Frameless
Osprey
Osprey Tempest 22
The Tempest is the women's-fit Talon and Osprey's technical daypack. The 2025 redesign moved the line to an AirScape ridged-foam backpanel that sits against the back rather than a suspended mesh, which keeps the load close and stable for scrambling at the cost of some airflow. It runs 11, 22 and 33 L.
Weight
2.19 lbs
Capacity
22 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 11 L / 33 L
Gregory
Gregory Zulu 24 LT
The Zulu LT is the lightened version of Gregory's ventilated day pack, using the VaporSpan suspended panel that holds the pack off the back. At 2.3 lb for 24 L it trades some weight for airflow, which is the same bargain Osprey's Stratos makes at a similar price.
Weight
2.3 lbs
Capacity
24 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Black Diamond
Black Diamond Distance 15
The Distance 15 is Black Diamond's fast-and-light vest pack, using a Dynex-blended shell for tear resistance at 12.7 oz. It is built for running and fast alpine days rather than general hiking, which is why it costs $200 for 15 L.
Weight
0.79 lbs
Capacity
15 L
Frame
Frameless
REI Co-op
REI Co-op Traverse 35
The Traverse 35 is the largest daypack in this comparison and the one that crosses into overnight territory. A 400D recycled shell over 210D ripstop makes it durable, and at 52 oz it is also the heaviest pack in the daypack group.
Weight
3.25 lbs
Capacity
35 L
Frame
Frameless
Exped
Exped Lightning 50
The Lightning is Exped's lightweight trekking pack and carries the most surprising spec in this catalog: a 48.5 lb load rating at 2.65 lb of pack weight. Its T-Rex carrying system uses an adjustable aluminium stay with reduced back contact for ventilation without giving up load control.
Weight
2.65 lbs
Capacity
50 L
Frame
Internal Frame

Six Moon Designs
Six Moon Designs Swift X
The Swift X is the X-Pac version of Six Moon Designs' Swift, using the same Delrin hoop frame as the Swift V but in a waterproof laminate. At 38.8 oz it is heavier than most packs in this segment, which is the cost of the hoop and the fabric.
Weight
2.43 lbs
Capacity
50 L
Frame
Internal Frame

Osprey
Osprey Aether 65
The Aether 65 is Osprey's heavy-hauling workhorse, built around a burlier frame and tougher 420-denier fabric than the Atmos. It trades the AntiGravity trampoline for a body-hugging AirScape back panel that handles 50+ lb loads with more control. The women's equivalent is the Ariel 65.
Weight
4.85 lbs
Capacity
65 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 55 L

Osprey
Osprey Talon 22
The Talon 22 is the best-selling hiking daypack of its generation — a do-everything 22-liter with an adjustable torso, wrap-around harness, and enough attachment points for trekking poles, helmets, and ice axes. The women's version is the Tempest 20.
Weight
2.4 lbs
Capacity
22 L
Frame
Frameless
Also in 11 L / 33 L / 44 L

Osprey
Osprey Stratos 24
The Stratos 24 is the Talon's ventilated sibling — a full suspended-mesh AirSpeed back panel, a real perimeter frame, and an included raincover in a 24-liter day hiker. The women's version is the Sirrus 24.
Weight
2.6 lbs
Capacity
24 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 34 L / 36 L / 40 L
Gregory
Gregory Deva 60
The Deva is the women's-fit Baltoro and Gregory's heavy hauler. Its Response A3W suspension auto-adjusts to the wearer's movement, and the 60 lb manufacturer load rating is the highest of any women's pack in this catalog. It includes a rain cover, which most packs at this price do not.
Weight
4.7 lbs
Capacity
60 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 70 L
Kelty
Kelty Asher 55
The Asher is Kelty's value backpacking pack and the cheapest way in this catalog to a 55 lb load rating. At $169 and 2.94 lb it undercuts everything with comparable capacity, and reviewers consistently place it as the budget pick.
Weight
2.94 lbs
Capacity
55 L
Frame
Internal Frame

Osprey
Osprey Atmos AG 65
The Atmos AG 65 is Osprey's flagship men's backpacking pack and the best-known application of its AntiGravity suspended-mesh suspension. The current generation adds more hipbelt padding, easier main-compartment access, and an included raincover. The women's equivalent is the Aura AG 65.
Weight
4.61 lbs
Capacity
65 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 50 L

Gregory
Gregory Baltoro 65
The Baltoro 65 is Gregory's legendary load hauler and the Atmos AG's biggest rival in the comfort-first category. Its FreeFloat A3 suspension pivots with your hips, and the pack is famous for making 50 lb loads feel manageable. The women's equivalent is the Deva 60.
Weight
4.9 lbs
Capacity
65 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 75 L / 85 L

The North Face
The North Face Terra 65
The Terra 65 is The North Face's mainstay budget backpacking pack, a simple adjustable hauler that shows up everywhere from REI floors to college outdoor programs. The women's version is sold as the Terra 55/65 women's fit.
Weight
4.58 lbs
Capacity
65 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 55 L

Gregory
Gregory Focal 58
The Focal 58 is Gregory's answer to the Exos: an ultralight with a genuinely ventilated FreeFloat suspended mesh back and a dynamic pivoting hipbelt. The women's version is the Facet 55. It undercuts the Exos on features while matching it on weight.
Weight
2.7 lbs
Capacity
58 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 48 L

Osprey
Osprey Sirrus 24
The Sirrus is the women's-fit Stratos and the ventilated counterpart to the Tempest: a suspended AirSpeed mesh panel rather than contact foam, plus an included rain cover and a heavier 210D honeycomb shell over a 420D base. It is the day pack in Osprey's women's line for hot weather and long days.
Weight
2.69 lbs
Capacity
24 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 34 L / 36 L / 40 L

Osprey
Osprey Kestrel LT 65
The Kestrel LT is new for spring 2026 and simplifies Osprey's long-running Kestrel: an AirScape ridged-foam backpanel over a perimeter wire frame, a sliding harness yoke with five inches of torso adjustment, and an included raincover. It sheds 240-320 g against the standard Kestrel and costs considerably less, giving up about three litres of capacity to do it.
Weight
4.25 lbs
Capacity
65 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 28 L / 35 L / 45 L
Gregory
Gregory Citro 24 H2O
The Citro is Gregory's hydration day pack and ships with a 3 L reservoir included. At 2.0 lb it is lighter than Osprey's equivalent Manta 24 by well over a pound, and $30 cheaper, while bundling a larger bladder.
Weight
2.0 lbs
Capacity
24 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Gregory
Gregory Juno 24 H2O
The women's-fit Citro, and the best value in this catalog's daypack category: 1.94 lb, a reservoir included, a 420D reinforced base, and $150. It undercuts the men's Citro by $30 while weighing marginally less and adding a tougher base fabric.
Weight
1.94 lbs
Capacity
24 L
Frame
Internal Frame

Osprey
Osprey Aura AG 65
The Aura AG 65 is the women's-specific counterpart to the Atmos, with a shorter adjustable torso range, narrower shoulder yoke, and a hipbelt shaped for wider hips. It is one of the most recommended women's backpacking packs on Reddit, and the current generation includes a raincover.
Weight
4.5 lbs
Capacity
65 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 50 L

Osprey
Osprey Rook 65
The Rook 65 is Osprey's budget-line backpacking pack, delivering a suspended-mesh AirSpeed back panel, adjustable torso, and included raincover for barely half the price of an Atmos. The women's equivalent is the Renn 65.
Weight
3.5 lbs
Capacity
65 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 50 L

Gregory
Gregory Zulu 30
The Zulu 30 is Gregory's big day-hiker and light-overnighter, pairing a ventilated FreeFloat suspended mesh back with a pivoting hipbelt, adjustable torso, and included raincover. The women's version is the Jade 28.
Weight
2.4 lbs
Capacity
30 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 45 L / 55 L / 65 L
Osprey
Osprey Eja 58
The Eja is the women's-fit Exos and Osprey's lightweight trekking pack: 2.7 lb for 58 L, with the same AirSpeed suspended mesh as the Atmos in a stripped-down chassis. It is the pack that bridges mainstream and ultralight, offering a frame and ventilation at a weight that cottage packs compete with.
Weight
2.7 lbs
Capacity
58 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 38 L / 48 L
Osprey
Osprey Manta 24
The Manta is Osprey's hydration-specific hiking pack and ships with a 2.5 L Hydraulics LT reservoir, a magnetic bite-valve attachment on the sternum strap and a dedicated reservoir sleeve. It uses the same AirSpeed suspended mesh as the Stratos, so the price covers both the suspension and the bladder.
Weight
3.4 lbs
Capacity
24 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 34 L
REI Co-op
REI Co-op Trail 25
The Trail 25 is REI's basic day pack and the sensible default for most day hiking: $100, 25 L, 210D ripstop, and nothing clever. It sits between the Flash 22's minimalism and the Traverse 35's capacity.
Weight
1.93 lbs
Capacity
25 L
Frame
Frameless

REI Co-op
REI Co-op Trailmade 60
The Trailmade 60 is REI's entry-level backpacking pack, built around inclusive sizing and a fully adjustable fit at a beginner-friendly price. A huge U-shaped front opening makes it one of the easiest packs to load and unload on the market.
Weight
3.44 lbs
Capacity
60 L
Frame
Internal Frame

Osprey
Osprey Exos 58
The Exos 58 is Osprey's crossover ultralight — a sub-3-pound pack that keeps a real suspended-mesh frame and lifetime warranty. It has been an Appalachian Trail staple for a decade, and the current generation added an adjustable torso. The women's version is the Eja 58.
Weight
2.84 lbs
Capacity
58 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 38 L / 48 L

REI Co-op
REI Co-op Flash 22
The Flash 22 is REI's cult-classic minimalist daypack — 14 ounces, $60, and endlessly recommended as the summit pack, travel stuffable, and errand bag that happens to hike well. The removable back pad doubles as a sit pad.
Weight
0.88 lbs
Capacity
22 L
Frame
Frameless
Osprey
Osprey Atmos AG LT 65
The Atmos AG LT is the lighter reworking of Osprey's flagship Anti-Gravity pack. It keeps the suspended-mesh AirSpeed backpanel that made the Atmos famous but swaps the sliding harness for five fixed torso positions and drops to a 210D recycled honeycomb shell, saving around half a pound over the standard Atmos AG 65 and $50 off its price.
Weight
4.2 lbs
Capacity
65 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 50 L

REI Co-op
REI Co-op Flash 55
The Flash 55 is REI's ultralight value play — a roll-top pack with the co-op's Packmod system of removable pockets and straps, letting owners configure or strip it per trip. It's the cheapest credible ultralight framed pack from a major retailer.
Weight
2.81 lbs
Capacity
55 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Osprey
Osprey Renn 65
The Renn is the women's-fit Rook, Osprey's entry-level trekking pack. It puts the AirSpeed suspended mesh into a $205 pack by using a heavier 600D polyester shell and a simpler feature set, making it the cheapest route into Osprey's ventilated suspension.
Weight
3.6 lbs
Capacity
65 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 50 L
Arc'teryx
Arc'teryx Aerios 18
The Aerios 18 uses Arc'teryx's AeroForm thermoformed back panel, which is moulded to hold its shape rather than relying on foam. Combined with a Cordura and Vectran grid fabric, it is the most technically constructed small pack in this catalog.
Weight
1.3 lbs
Capacity
18 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Osprey
Osprey Ariel 65
The Ariel is the women's-fit Aether, Osprey's heavy-haul pack. It uses a contact back panel rather than suspended mesh, trading the Aura's airflow for load control, and a 420HD nylon packcloth shell that is the most durable fabric Osprey puts on a trekking pack. It is the women's pack in the line for loads above 40 lb.
Weight
4.8 lbs
Capacity
65 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 55 L
Osprey
Osprey Exos Pro 55
The Exos Pro is Osprey's answer to the cottage ultralight brands: 33.2 oz for 55 L, or 30.4 oz with the lid removed. It uses NanoFly, a 100D nylon crossed with 200D UHMWPE, over a 3.5 mm LightWire frame, and saves nearly a full pound against the standard Exos 58 at the cost of load rating and a fixed hipbelt.
Weight
2.08 lbs
Capacity
55 L
Frame
Internal Frame
REI Co-op
REI Co-op Flash Air 50
The Flash Air is REI's ultralight pack, using a shaped spring steel frame rather than stays or a hoop. It is the only pack in this group backed by a mainstream retailer's return policy, which matters more than usual in a segment dominated by made-to-order cottage brands.
Weight
2.0 lbs
Capacity
50 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Gregory
Gregory Jade 28
The Jade is the women's counterpart to the Zulu day line, at 28 L and built on the same 400D polyester ripstop and suspended ventilated panel. It is the largest women's daypack in this catalog, sitting between a day pack and a light overnight carry.
Weight
2.63 lbs
Capacity
28 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Patagonia
Patagonia Terravia 28
The Terravia is Patagonia's hiking daypack line, built from 100% recycled nylon ripstop in a Fair Trade Certified factory. At 1 lb 9.6 oz for 28 L it is among the lighter packs at this volume, and the 36 L roll-top version adds an internal frame for heavier loads.
Weight
1.6 lbs
Capacity
28 L
Frame
Frameless
Also in 22 L / 36 L

Hyperlite Mountain Gear
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 55
The Southwest 55 is Hyperlite Mountain Gear's flagship all-rounder, built in Maine from waterproof Dyneema composite with solid woven pockets for brush country. It's the pack that made white Dyneema the visual signature of modern thru-hiking.
Weight
1.9 lbs
Capacity
55 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 40 L / 70 L
Gregory
Gregory Maven 58
The Maven is the women's-fit Paragon and the pack that most gear roundups name as the best all-round women's backpacking pack. At 3.5 lb it sits between the overbuilt Deva and the ultralight Facet, which is why it wins comparisons on balance rather than on any single number.
Weight
3.5 lbs
Capacity
58 L
Frame
Internal Frame
REI Co-op
REI Co-op Traverse 60
The Traverse 60 is REI's full-featured backpacking pack, sitting above the budget Trailmade and below the ultralight Flash Air. At 4.5 lb it is built for comfort under load rather than for weight, and it is backed by REI's return policy.
Weight
4.5 lbs
Capacity
60 L
Frame
Internal Frame

CamelBak
CamelBak Fourteener 26
The Fourteener 26 is CamelBak's flagship hiking pack, built around its 3-liter Crux reservoir (included) and an Air Support ventilated back. It's the hydration-first choice — buy it because you drink from a hose, not a bottle.
Weight
2.4 lbs
Capacity
26 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 32 L

The Aircontact Core is Deuter's mainstream load-hauler and the pack most often cross-shopped against the Osprey Aether and Gregory Baltoro. Its Aircontact back uses foam ribs and Air Spacer mesh against an external aluminium Y-frame, which prioritises load transfer over the suspended-mesh airflow of the Futura line. The +10 collar and detachable lid make the stated 50 L closer to 60 L when loaded for a longer trip.
Weight
5.09 lbs
Capacity
50+10 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 60+10 L

Kelty
Kelty Coyote 65
The Coyote 65 is Kelty's long-running value hauler and a fixture of 'best budget backpacking pack' lists for over a decade. Kelty has dropped it from its current lineup, so retailers now sell remaining stock at closeout prices — which makes it an even stronger budget buy while it lasts. A women's-specific version was sold as the Coyote 60.
Weight
4.9 lbs
Capacity
65 L
Frame
Internal Frame

TETON Sports
TETON Sports Scout 55
The Scout is the Amazon phenomenon of backpacking — a sub-$100 internal-frame pack with tens of thousands of reviews and a cult following among beginners testing whether they even like the sport. Long sold as the Scout 3400 (cubic inches), TETON now labels it the Scout 55 for its 55 liters. It includes an integrated raincover and an adjustable harness unheard of at this price.
Weight
4.5 lbs
Capacity
55 L
Frame
Internal Frame

Arc'teryx
Arc'teryx Bora 65
The Bora 65 is Arc'teryx's premium trekking pack, built around the RotoGlide hipbelt that slides up-down and rotates with your gait, plus a weatherproof grid fabric that borders on bombproof. It's the money-is-no-object pick of the traditional hauler class.
Weight
5.0 lbs
Capacity
65 L
Frame
Internal Frame

Granite Gear
Granite Gear Crown3 60
The Crown3 60 is the third generation of Granite Gear's beloved Crown line, a fixture of PCT gear surveys and the classic answer to 'ultralight on a budget.' The re-flow hipbelt is adjustable in length, and the frame sheet and lid strip out for a sub-2-lb minimum weight.
Weight
2.4 lbs
Capacity
60 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 40 L

ULA Equipment
ULA Circuit
The Circuit is the thru-hiking pack — hand-made in Logan, Utah by ULA Equipment and a perennial #1 in Halfway Anywhere's PCT gear survey. Its 68 liters of total volume, bombproof Robic fabric, and 35 lb carry make it the default recommendation for first thru-hikes. An Ultra-fabric version is sold at a premium.
Weight
2.47 lbs
Capacity
68 L
Frame
Internal Frame

ULA Equipment
ULA Catalyst
The Catalyst is the Circuit's bigger sibling — 75 liters of total volume and a 40 lb rating for long food carries, winter kit, or bear-canister-plus-packraft loads. It's the UL pack for people whose trips outgrow the Circuit.
Weight
2.65 lbs
Capacity
75 L
Frame
Internal Frame

Zpacks
Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60
The Arc Haul Ultra 60 is Zpacks' engineering statement: a 21.7-ounce pack whose carbon arc frame tensions a mesh panel off your back — the only true ventilation in the sub-1.5-lb class. Backpacker magazine named it the best ultralight pack of 2026.
Weight
1.32 lbs
Capacity
60 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 40 L / 50 L / 70 L

Gossamer Gear
Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60
The Mariposa 60 is Gossamer Gear's signature pack, famous for its asymmetric pocket layout — one giant over-the-shoulder pocket that holds a tent, plus six more — and a removable back pad that doubles as a camp sit pad. It's the organized person's ultralight.
Weight
2.14 lbs
Capacity
60 L
Frame
Internal Frame

Gossamer Gear
Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50
The Gorilla 50 is the Mariposa's smaller, symmetric sibling — 50 liters, under 2 lbs, and the classic 'second pack' people buy once their kit shrinks. It keeps the sit-pad back panel and Robic durability in a cleaner silhouette.
Weight
2.0 lbs
Capacity
50 L
Frame
Internal Frame

Deuter
Deuter Speed Lite Pro 25
The Speed Lite Pro takes the Speed Lite's weight target and adds a vest-style harness: perforated shoulder straps with pockets, hip fin pockets, and a LiteAir skeleton structure that restores load capacity to 10 kg. At 680 g for 25 L it is the closest thing in Deuter's range to a fastpacking pack.
Weight
1.5 lbs
Capacity
25 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 19 L / 30 L

Stone Glacier
Stone Glacier Sky 5900
Stone Glacier's do-it-all western pack: a 5,900 ci (96 L with Sky Lid) bag on the curved carbon-stay Xcurve frame, rated past 150 lbs yet 5.5 lbs complete. The $725 system compresses to a 4,300 ci bivy-mode day pack and opens a 2,500 ci load shelf between bag and frame for hauling quarters, with USA-made CORDURA 500/X-Pac construction.
Weight
5.5 lbs
Capacity
96 L
Frame
External Frame

Exo Mtn Gear
Exo Mtn Gear K4 5000
Exo's weeklong workhorse: a 5,010 ci bag (5,658 ci / 93 L with the included lid) on the carbon-stay K4 frame rated past 150 lbs, sold as a complete $700 system. It pairs a roll-top plus horseshoe zip with the deepest stock organization in the flagship class, with four frame heights and five hipbelt sizes built in Boise, Idaho.
Weight
5.8 lbs
Capacity
93 L
Frame
External Frame
Also in K4 2200 (36 L) / K4 3600 (59 L) / K4 7200 (118 L)
Kuiu
Kuiu ICON 6 6000
The ICON 6 6000 is Kuiu's 2025 ground-up replacement for the Pro 6000, pairing a 98-liter expedition bag with a patent-pending 3D corrugated thermoplastic carbon frame that yields under stress instead of shattering. The $699 full kit ships with the frame, suspension, two hip belts, a load sling, a rifle quick release and a gear loop strap, and at 6 lb 2.4 oz it remains one of the lightest week-long backcountry haulers sold.
Weight
6.15 lbs
Capacity
98 L
Frame
External Frame
Also in ICON 6 3500 (57 L) / ICON 6 4500 Divide (74 L) / ICON 6 8200 (134 L)

Mystery Ranch
Mystery Ranch Metcalf 75
Mystery Ranch's flagship western hunting pack, rebuilt in 2024 on the lighter Ultra Light MT frame with a roll-top closure and the signature Overload shelf that sandwiches meat between frame and bag. At 5.3 lbs and $575 complete, it undercuts most bag-and-frame competitors on price while keeping the brand's tank-like 330D CORDURA construction.
Weight
5.3 lbs
Capacity
75 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in Metcalf 50 (50 L) / Metcalf 100 (100 L)

Kifaru
Kifaru 357 Mag
Kifaru's flagship internal-frame hunting pack: 3,400 ci (56 L) of 500D CORDURA on a Kutthroat-derived 24-inch composite-stay suspension, sold complete for $550 rather than as a bag for the brand's Duplex Lite or new ARK frames. Top and full panel access, dual 530 ci spotting-scope side pockets, and Kifaru's PALS/K-clip accessory ecosystem define it, with a comfortable rating to 80 lb loads.
Weight
4.8 lbs
Capacity
56 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 22 Mag (39 L) / 44 Mag (77 L)

Seek Outside
Seek Outside Divide 4800 2.0
The Divide 4800 2.0 is the current evolution of Seek Outside's cult-classic Divide 4500, an ultralight external-frame crossover pack that spans backpack hunting, packrafting and heavy-haul backpacking. The complete system — 79-liter roll-top bag plus the patented aluminum Revolution frame — ships at just 3 lb 7 oz yet carries 200+ lb loads, a strength-to-weight ratio no mainstream hunting pack matches.
Weight
3.4 lbs
Capacity
79 L
Frame
External Frame

Mystery Ranch
Mystery Ranch Pop Up 40
The Pop Up 40 replaced the discontinued Pop Up 38 as Mystery Ranch's whitetail-focused hauler: a 40-liter daypack whose telescoping aluminum frame pops up in seconds to deploy the OVERLOAD load sling between bag and frame. That turns a treestand day pack into a legitimate 80-pound meat hauler without carrying a dedicated frame pack to the stand.
Weight
5.3 lbs
Capacity
40 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in Pop Up 30 (30 L)

Badlands
Badlands 2200
The Badlands 2200 is arguably the best-known whitetail and mule deer pack in America, a 2,750 ci (45 L) day-and-a-half bag built around a blaze-orange meat shelf and a lightweight Allite Super Magnesium frame. It pairs batwing-style organization and a rifle/bow carry system with Badlands' famous unconditional lifetime warranty. It excels as a loaded day pack, though the western backcountry crowd taps out well before triple-digit loads.
Weight
5.6 lbs
Capacity
45 L
Frame
Internal Frame

Eberlestock
Eberlestock X2
The current X2 (V2) carries on Eberlestock's long-running day-hunting pack: 40 liters (2,450 cu in) on an integrated Intex aluminum frame with a FlexChassis fold-down seat, MOLLE webbing for the brand's signature Bolt Action Scabbard, and oversized compression straps for lashing out quarters. At $329 with a lifetime warranty, it remains the value pick among meat-capable day packs.
Weight
5.5 lbs
Capacity
40 L
Frame
Internal Frame

Horn Hunter
Horn Hunter Full Curl System
The Full Curl System combines Horn Hunter's HH13 tubular aluminum frame with a modular 3,000 ci main bag and 1,500 ci detachable day pack — roughly 5,200 ci (85 L) total — around a collapsible load shelf and compression wings built for hauling quarters. It sells for about $300 street ($360-$400 MSRP) and has become a staple answer in Rokslide 'budget elk pack' threads.
Weight
9.2 lbs
Capacity
85 L
Frame
External Frame

ALPS OutdoorZ
ALPS OutdoorZ Commander + Pack Bag
The Commander + Pack Bag pairs ALPS OutdoorZ's aluminum freighter frame with a detachable 5,250 ci (86 L) ripstop bag, giving budget hunters a true meat-hauling system for roughly $150 street ($199.99 MSRP; the frame alone sells for about $110). Strip the bag off and the frame's lashing system and fold-out shelf carry quarters solo. The torso adjusts from 17 to 23 inches, making it a popular loaner and first elk pack.
Weight
7.3 lbs
Capacity
86 L
Frame
External Frame

ALPS OutdoorZ
ALPS OutdoorZ Pursuit
The ALPS OutdoorZ Pursuit is one of the best-selling budget hunting day packs in America: 2,700 ci (44 L) of quiet brushed-tricot storage on a light aluminum frame, with a drop-down bow/rifle boot and an included blaze-orange raincover for around $100. It's a fixture in Midwest treestand and spot-and-stalk deer hunting, though the suspension isn't built for packing quarters.
Weight
4.4 lbs
Capacity
44 L
Frame
Internal Frame

Kifaru
Kifaru Absaroka
The newest bag in Kifaru's Expedition line, blending the Dall and Kutthroat into a 6,580 ci (108 L) external-frame pack with dual access via a horseshoe zipper and snow collar. Ultragrid and EPX400 fabric makes it the most weatherproof bag in Kifaru's lineup, with integrated pockets that replace add-on belt pouches. Complete system is $877 ($377 bag + $500 25-inch carbon ARK frame) at 6 lb 4 oz.
Weight
6 lbs 4 oz (bag + medium 25-in ARK frame)
Capacity
108 L
Frame
External Frame

Kifaru
Kifaru Hellbender
Kifaru's answer to Stryker XL owners who wanted more room: roughly 2,250 ci (37 L) of internal storage — 350 ci more than the Stryker XL — plus a large Bane-style stash pocket and an X-Pac meat sling that wipes clean after a pack-out. Complete price is $875 ($375 bag + $500 ARK frame), about 3 lb for the bag and 6.1 lb as a system, making it Kifaru's compact do-everything meat hauler.
Weight
6.1 lbs
Capacity
37 L
Frame
External Frame

Kifaru
Kifaru The Maniml
A day pack for the ARK frame designed with champion archer Levi Morgan: a 2,200 ci top-loading main bag with 120 ci dual-access lid plus the included 750 ci Cinch breakaway daypack, about 3,070 ci (50 L) total. A full-length pleated load shelf, autolock weapon straps, and a Chamber Pocket organizer round out the $875 complete system ($375 bag set + $500 25-inch ARK frame).
Weight
6 lbs 11 oz (bag + Cinch + 25-in ARK frame)
Capacity
50 L
Frame
External Frame

Kifaru
Kifaru 22 Mag
Kifaru's load-hauling day bag: a 2,400 ci (39 L) full-zip panel loader (2,250 ci main + 150 ci lid) that bridges a daypack and a full expedition system, sold complete for $850 ($350 bag + $500 ARK frame). A full-length load shelf positioned high on the frame, a bottom carry sleeve for rifles or tripods, and laser-cut MOLLE define the current ARK-era version, at about 3 lb for the bag and roughly 6.1 lb complete.
Weight
6.1 lbs
Capacity
39 L
Frame
External Frame
Also in 44 Mag (77 L)

Kifaru
Kifaru 44 Mag
Kifaru's flagship multiday hauler, redesigned in G2 form for the carbon-fiber ARK frame: 4,720 ci (77 L) split across a 3,670 ci clamshell main bag, 340 ci lid, and dual 355 ci side pockets, with a horseshoe front zip for fast access. The complete system is $850 ($350 bag + $500 25-inch ARK frame) and weighs 6 lb 6 oz. The G2 swaps sewn MOLLE for laser-cut laminate tracks, adds a built-in weapon-carry sleeve, and moves compression straps outside the zippers.
Weight
6.4 lbs
Capacity
77 L
Frame
External Frame
Also in 22 Mag (39 L)

Kifaru
Kifaru Bedlam
A 4,900 ci (80 L) multiday workhorse designed in the open with Rokslide community input — Kifaru's first pack produced in its Riverton, WY facility. A near-full-length two-way side zipper, enclosed spotting-scope pocket, and Hellbender-style front stash pocket define the asymmetric layout. Complete price is $850 ($350 bag + $500 ARK frame); the bag weighs 2 lb 12 oz, roughly 5.9 lb as a full system.
Weight
5.9 lbs
Capacity
80 L
Frame
External Frame

Kifaru
Kifaru Hoodlum
Kifaru's guide-driven expedition hauler since 2019, updated in Gen 2 form (fall 2025) with a full-length main zipper. Total capacity is 6,500 ci (107 L): a 4,340 ci main bag, 1,000 ci expandable snow collar, and dual 580 ci zippered side pockets sized for spotting scopes. The complete system is $850 ($350 bag + $500 25-inch carbon ARK frame) and weighs 6 lb 7 oz.
Weight
6 lbs 7 oz (bag + medium 25-in ARK frame)
Capacity
107 L
Frame
External Frame

Kifaru
Kifaru Stryker XL
A day pack built around an oversized cargo sling: 1,900 ci (31 L) in the main bag plus an extended load shelf Kifaru rates at effectively unlimited volume, made to haul tree stands, bait barrels, full-bodied antelope, and boned-out meat. Complete price is $825 ($325 bag + $500 ARK frame), with the bag itself at 2 lb 9.6 oz — the lightest complete system of Kifaru's ARK hunting bags.
Weight
5.7 lbs
Capacity
31 L
Frame
External Frame

Mystery Ranch
Mystery Ranch Marshall 105
Mystery Ranch's largest and most feature-rich expedition hunting pack, rebuilt for 2025 on the MYSTERIUM frame at 103 liters (6,285 cu in). It pairs the patented Overload meat shelf with a bottom speed compartment for a sleeping bag, dual full-length side zips, and a removable lid that converts to a daypack for spike-camp stalks. Built for 10+ day hunts, sheep and moose expeditions, and guide duty.
Weight
6.7 lbs
Capacity
103 L
Frame
Internal Frame

Stone Glacier
Stone Glacier Sky Archer 6400
The Sky Archer 6400 is Stone Glacier's bowhunting-specific expedition bag: a 5,900 ci main bag plus included 500 ci Sky Lid (6,400 ci / 105 L total) that replaced the Sky Archer 6250. Its signature is a 26-inch side zipper giving full internal access while your bow stays strapped to the front under the integrated storm-flap carry system. The 2024 refresh added an external-access spotting scope pocket, an 8-inch stow pocket, and a 14-inch stretch side pocket, and the complete Krux or Xcurve system runs $750 with a 150+ lb load rating.
Weight
5 lb 2.8 oz (Krux) / 5 lb 6.8 oz (Xcurve), complete with medium belt
Capacity
105 L
Frame
External Frame

Stone Glacier
Stone Glacier Sky Talus 6900
The Sky Talus 6900 is Stone Glacier's best-selling, most fully-featured bag: a 6,400 ci main bag plus included 500 ci lid (113 L total) with four external side pockets and a full-length center zip. It converts from a 4,750 ci bivy-mode day pack to an 8,900+ ci expedition hauler with the 2,500+ ci load shelf deployed, all on a 150+ lb-rated Krux or Xcurve frame for $750 complete. It has become the default recommendation for Alaska and sheep-hunt duty on Rokslide.
Weight
5 lb 4.6 oz (Krux) / 5 lb 8.6 oz (Xcurve), complete with medium belt
Capacity
113 L
Frame
External Frame

Stone Glacier
Stone Glacier Col 4800
The Col 4800 is Stone Glacier's feature-rich mid-size bag, a 4,800 ci (79 L) evolution of the best-selling Solo that adds compartmental storage, an internal spotting-scope pocket, and tri-slide accessory attachment points. Sold as a complete system on the Krux or Xcurve carbon-stay frame for $699, it carries 150+ lbs and expands via a 2,500+ ci load shelf for hauling quarters. It targets 3-5 day archery hunts through late-season day hunts with bulky cold-weather gear.
Weight
4 lb 7 oz (Krux) / 4 lb 11 oz (Xcurve), complete with medium belt
Capacity
79 L
Frame
External Frame

Stone Glacier
Stone Glacier Terminus 7000
The Terminus 7000 is Stone Glacier's ultralight expedition pack for sheep and goat hunters: 7,000 cubic inches (115 L including the 500 ci lid) at just 3 lb 15 oz, with the bag sewn directly to a 26-inch carbon-stay frame rated for 150+ lb loads. A 2,200 ci collapsible internal load cell positions boned-out meat against the frame, and the main bag compresses to 4,300 ci in bivy mode for day hunts. The main bag uses SG's waterproof ULTRA fabric, a UHMWPE blend developed with Challenge Sailcloth.
Weight
3 lb 15 oz
Capacity
115 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in Terminus 8700 (143 L)

Stone Glacier
Stone Glacier Approach 2800
The Approach 2800 is Stone Glacier's flagship day-hunting bag sold as a $675 complete system on your choice of the Krux or Xcurve full meat-hauling frame (the 1 lb 5 oz bag alone rides on any SG frame). The 2,800 ci (46 L) full-panel-zip bag sits over an expandable 2,500+ ci load shelf with a 150+ lb load rating, so a day hunt can turn into a pack-out without a return trip. It carries a spotting scope up to a 115 mm objective in a dedicated external pocket with a tripod attachment system.
Weight
4 lb 1.3 oz complete on Krux (bag only 1 lb 5 oz; 4 lb 5.3 oz on Xcurve)
Capacity
46 L
Frame
External Frame

Stone Glacier
Stone Glacier Solo 3600
Inspired by solo sheep hunts in Alaska, the Solo 3600 is Stone Glacier's best-selling minimalist multi-day bag: 3,600 ci (59 L) with an integrated differential-cut spotting scope pocket, sold complete on the Krux or Xcurve frame for $675. Despite a 4 lb 2 oz complete weight it is rated for 150+ lb loads, and the 2,500+ ci expandable load shelf grows the system past 6,000 ci — sized to haul a boned-out sheep or elk quarters. Stone Glacier calls it 'an ultralight backpack using no ultralight materials.'
Weight
4 lb 2.2 oz (Krux) / 4 lb 6.2 oz (Xcurve), complete with medium belt
Capacity
59 L
Frame
External Frame

Mystery Ranch
Mystery Ranch Beartooth 85
Mystery Ranch's flagship expedition hunting pack, reborn for 2025 on the new MYSTERIUM frame that replaced both the Beartooth 80 and its Guide Light MT chassis. The signature 270-degree duffel-style zipper opens the 85-liter bag like a suitcase, and the patented Overload shelf sandwiches meat between frame and bag for 5-10 day backcountry hunts. It took Hunt Alaska's Editor's Choice award for 2026.
Weight
6.2 lbs
Capacity
85 L
Frame
Internal Frame

Muley Freak
Muley Freak Cheat Code Hunting Pack
Muley Freak's first and only true backpack: a 4,250 ci backcountry hauler on a patented adjustable carbon fiber frame with a 150 lb load rating and built-in meat shelf. The shoulder harness slides up and down the frame on two locking mechanisms to dial in torso fit without buying multiple frame heights, and a removable lid plus included rain fly let it scale from day hunts to 5-7 day trips. Sold direct through muleyfreak.com in Coyote Brown, Ranger Green, and Black/Tan.
Weight
5.6 lb (6.2 lb with lid)
Capacity
70 L (4,250 ci)
Frame
External Frame

Mystery Ranch
Mystery Ranch Sawtooth 45
Mystery Ranch's day-to-overnight meat hauler, refreshed for 2025 on the new MYSTERIUM frame with lighter Robic Kodra ripstop and a weatherproof CORDURA 5PM coating. The U-shaped 270-degree zipper opens the bag flat, and the patented Overload shelf turns a 43-liter day pack into a legitimate elk-quarter hauler. A 63-liter Sawtooth 65 joined the line in 2025 for multi-day trips.
Weight
5.1 lbs
Capacity
43 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in Sawtooth 65 (63 L)

Mystery Ranch
Mystery Ranch Pintler
A streamlined overnight-to-multiday hunting pack on Mystery Ranch's proven Guide Light MT frame, with a 3-ZIP front opening for fast access and the Overload sling that sandwiches game quarters between frame and bag. At 38.6 liters it splits the difference between day pack and multiday hauler, built from burly 500D CORDURA. As of mid-2026 it's out of stock direct from Mystery Ranch with remaining inventory at retailers.
Weight
5.6 lbs
Capacity
38.6 L
Frame
Internal Frame

Kifaru
Kifaru Shape Charge
Kifaru's hunting/EDC crossover day pack: 1,960 ci (32 L) split between a 1,770 ci full-clamshell main compartment and a 190 ci dual-pocket lid, wrapped in 500D Cordura with MOLLE webbing and compression straps for weapons, tripods, or climbing sticks. Sold in Coyote Brown, Black, and Ranger Green at $475 with belt; 3 lb 15 oz bag only.
Weight
4 lbs 9 oz (with medium belt)
Capacity
32 L
Frame
Internal Frame

Kifaru
Kifaru Minikeg
Kifaru's keg-shaped internal-frame day pack: 2,800 ci (46 L) of 500D Cordura and X-Pac with a Reckoning-style full-length front zipper, built-in hydration sleeve, and dual bottle pockets. Twin 22-inch composite stays keep it carry-on legal, and it runs the same Duplex shoulder straps and waistbelt as Kifaru's frame packs. Expandable with any Kifaru top lid; $450 complete at 3.39 lbs.
Weight
3.39 lbs (with long shoulder straps and medium belt)
Capacity
46 L
Frame
Internal Frame

Badlands
Badlands MRK 2
The MRK 2 is the day-size meat hauler in Badlands' MRK (Mountain Range Killer) series, built around a stiff, lightweight Allite Super Magnesium internal frame with the Strata suspension and an adjustable torso. A Quick-Deploy meat-hauling shelf, built-in bow/rifle carry, and MOLLE Connect webbing make it a load-ready western day pack at 2,400 cubic inches.
Weight
5 lb 8 oz
Capacity
39 L (2,400 cu in)
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in MRK 4 (65 L)

Badlands
Badlands Vario 33
The Vario 33 is the do-it-all 3,300-cubic-inch bag in Badlands' modular Vario frame system, made from lightweight waterproof KXO-50 fabric with a wide-mouth opening and side-access zippers. Note the pricing: the bag alone is $179.99 but requires the separately-sold Vario Pro Frame ($249.99) to carry - the complete bag-plus-frame setup commonly sells bundled around $399.
Weight
2 lb 4 oz (bag only, frame sold separately)
Capacity
54 L (3,300 cu in)
Frame
External Frame
Also in Vario Day (33 L) / Vario 22 (44 L) / Vario 50 (82 L)

Stone Glacier
Stone Glacier Kiowa 3200
The Kiowa 3200 is Stone Glacier's long-running 3,200 ci (52 L) standalone day pack, developed with retired Marine sniper Caylen Wojcik to work equally as a front-country hunting pack and a range bag. An internal frame sheet and a substantial removable belt carry heavy day loads, while a lay-flat clamshell zipper opens the bag completely for duffel-style loading. It is built from Berry-compliant 500D Mil-Spec Cordura and made in the USA.
Weight
4 lb 1 oz
Capacity
52 L
Frame
Internal Frame

Stone Glacier
Stone Glacier Tokeen 2600
The Tokeen 2600 is a 2,600 ci (42 L) minimalist day pack built on the chassis of Stone Glacier's ultralight Terminus packs, weighing 2 lb 15 oz with a removable carbon-stay frame sheet and removable one-size belt. The waterproof SG ULTRA (UHMWPE) and X-Pac construction is the same fabric package as the flagship Terminus at half the price. It is aimed at scouting, day hunts, and everyday use, with a hydration port and tri-slide points for SG's accessory pockets.
Weight
2 lb 15 oz (frame 9.2 oz and belt 6.8 oz both removable)
Capacity
42 L
Frame
Internal Frame

Stone Glacier
Stone Glacier Avail 2200
The Avail 2200 is Stone Glacier's $320 all-season standalone day pack: 2,200 cubic inches (36 L) at 3 lb 0.8 oz with its own internal frame and suspension. Five pockets, internal sleeves for a spotter or snow-safety gear, an external compression panel, and A-frame/cross ski carry make it as much a ski-touring and travel pack as a hunting pack, and at 20.5 x 12 x 8 inches it meets TSA carry-on rules. It is the least expensive entry point into the Stone Glacier line.
Weight
3 lb 0.8 oz
Capacity
36 L
Frame
Internal Frame

A 46 L (2800 cu in) whitetail pack purpose-built for mobile treestand and saddle hunters, with a center-mounted Divide pocket engineered to haul a hang-on stand, climbing sticks, or a platform up to 50 lb. The main body uses Kuiu's soft-brushed Encounter fabric for silence on still mornings, and a removable 12.2 oz internal organizer hangs independently at the tree for quiet access to essentials.
Weight
5 lb 4.3 oz (plus 12.2 oz removable organizer)
Capacity
46 L
Frame
Internal Frame

Badlands
Badlands Diablo VT
The successor to the popular Diablo Dos, redesigned with Badlands' Strata Suspension System, a ventilated Hypervent back panel, and a MOLLE Connect accessory attachment system. The 2,100 ci bag includes a stowable rifle/bow boot, a reverse-tightening waistbelt, and hydration compatibility up to 3L. Bino Connect compatible with the optional kit.
Weight
4 lb 6 oz
Capacity
34 L (2,100 ci)
Frame
Internal Frame

Badlands
Badlands Superday
The Superday is Badlands' iconic hunting day pack, carried by hunters worldwide for over a decade and backed by one of the biggest review bases in the category. Its contoured hip belt lets the 1,950-cubic-inch pack carry like a frame pack, with molded memory-foam suspension, a built-in rifle/bow boot, and a hip-belt pistol holster.
Weight
3 lb 12 oz
Capacity
32 L (1,950 cu in)
Frame
Internal Frame

Badlands
Badlands ATX 25
The ATX 25 tops Badlands' All-Terrain Xtreme lineup with 2,500 cubic inches, a lightweight internal T-6 aluminum frame, molded foam suspension, and a built-in blaze-orange meat shelf. At 3.85 lb it is one of the lighter framed haulers Badlands makes, and it stays compatible with the brand's SWAP accessory system, Bino Connect harnesses, and hydration reservoirs.
Weight
3.85 lb
Capacity
41 L (2,500 cu in)
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in ATX 12 (20 L) / ATX 16 (26 L)

Badlands
Badlands 3D
A 1,400 ci pack born from 3D archery competition, with quick-access arrow quivers on both sides, a bow boot with external straps for hands-free bow carry, and contoured extra-padded shoulder straps shaped to stay out of your shooting motion. Note: despite sometimes being pitched as a turkey/timber pack, Badlands designed and markets it for 3D archery events - and it doubles as an archery day pack.
Weight
3.2 lb
Capacity
23 L (1,400 ci)
Frame
Internal Frame

A 33 L internal-framesheet hunting day pack that merges Kuiu's Venture and Divide designs, with a zip-open passthrough Divide pocket built to carry a rifle or a tripod with optics still attached. The main body is high-tenacity CORDURA 330D HT with a double-coated bottom, and a large exterior stuff-it pocket doubles as a compression panel anchored with Hypalon webbing. It replaced the Venture 1800/2300 in Kuiu's day-pack lineup.
Weight
4 lb 5 oz
Capacity
33 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in Venture Divide 3000 (49 L)

Kuiu
Kuiu Ranger 2200
Kuiu's lightest internal-frame hunting day pack, pairing a 36 L (2200 cu in) bag with a high-strength aluminum tubing perimeter frame at just under 3 lb. A horseshoe-zip main compartment, dual-density air-mesh suspension, and cam-lock daisy-chain compression straps make it the brand's do-everything day pack, offered in two harness sizes.
Weight
2 lb 15.9 oz
Capacity
36 L
Frame
Internal Frame

Badlands
Badlands Rise
A whitetail treestand and saddle-hunting daypack built around the zipperless Swiftlatch opening system with quiet Fidlock magnetic fasteners. The 900 ci semi-rigid bag holds its shape so you can find gear one-handed at height, and a reinforced hanging loop plus magnetic front panel keep the main door open in the tree. Includes one modular SWAP grid for customizing interior storage.
Weight
2.3 lb
Capacity
15 L (900 ci)
Frame
Internal Frame

A 29 L (1800 cu in) whitetail stand-and-blind day pack introduced in 2025, built from Kuiu's quiet soft-brushed Encounter fabric with a DWR finish. A fold-down opening with locking zipper sliders gives silent in-stand access to calls, and a deployable tree connection strap hangs the pack off your platform. At 2.8 lb it is the lighter, stand-focused sibling to the Encounter Divide 2800.
Weight
2 lb 13.2 oz
Capacity
29 L
Frame
Internal Frame

Badlands
Badlands Monster
A 1,100 ci lumbar/backpack hybrid that carries its load on the hips via a Delron Flex Frame and molded foam suspension, with a removable adjustable shoulder harness for backpack-style carry. Seven pockets, KXO-32 fabric with aramid bartacking, and 1L hydration compatibility round out a hip pack Badlands insists is more than a fanny pack.
Weight
2 lb 12 oz
Capacity
18 L (1,100 ci)
Frame
Internal Frame

Kuiu
Kuiu Divide 1200
A 20 L (1200 cu in) budget day and scouting pack built around an expandable 'Divide' pocket with a hidden zippered bottom opening, letting longer items like a tripod and spotting scope ride outside the main bag. At under 2 lb with 330D CORDURA construction and a 3 L hydration sleeve, it is Kuiu's entry-level hunting pack and its most-reviewed one.
Weight
1 lb 15 oz
Capacity
20 L
Frame
Frameless
Also in Divide 1500 (25 L)

Sitka Gear
Sitka Mountain Hauler 6200
Sitka's flagship backcountry hauler pairs a 6,200 ci bag with a 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum frame that weighs 6.4 lb yet is rated to carry 150 lb. The primary bag expands from 4,000 to 5,000 cubic inches so an elk quarter can be set on the internal load-hauling shelf without re-rigging straps, and every load-bearing component attaches directly to the frame. Harvest-critical components are finished in Sitka orange so they stay findable during a fatigued pack-out.
Weight
6.4 lbs
Capacity
102 L (6,200 ci)
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in Mountain Hauler 2700 (44 L) / Mountain Hauler 4000 (57-74 L)

Seek Outside
Seek Outside Unaweep 6300
The Unaweep 6300 is Seek Outside's integrated-platform hauler — 103 liters on the same Revolution frame as the breakaway packs, but with the bag sewn to the suspension for lower weight and a simpler ride. GearJunkie scored it 8.7/10, and it has been used everywhere from Denali's West Buttress at 120 lbs to multi-week packrafting expeditions.
Weight
4.4 lbs
Capacity
103 L
Frame
External Frame
Also in Unaweep 4800 2.0 (79 L)

Seek Outside
Seek Outside Goshawk 4800 2.0
The Goshawk 4800 2.0 is Seek Outside's breakaway-platform flagship: a 79-liter roll-top bag that detaches from the Revolution frame so meat rides on a load shelf between bag and frame. Complete systems start around $581 depending on fabric, and owners weigh the Ultra 200X build at roughly 4.9 lbs with the frame, lid, and load shelf.
Weight
4.9 lbs
Capacity
79 L
Frame
External Frame
Also in Goshawk 6300 (103 L)

Seek Outside
Seek Outside Gila 3500 2.0
The Gila 3500 2.0 is Seek Outside's transitional pack between the minimalist Flight and the full-size Divide — 57 liters on the same field-adjustable frame that carries 100+ lbs. Owners who strip the cross stay and gatekeepers report it down to 2 lbs 11 oz, which is unusually light for a pack with a frame-bolted hipbelt.
Weight
3.2 lbs
Capacity
57 L
Frame
External Frame

ALPS OutdoorZ
ALPS OutdoorZ Elite Frame + Pack Bag
The Elite system pairs ALPS OutdoorZ's 2023 NRA Golden Bullseye-winning composite frame ($249.99) with the 3,800 ci (63 L) Elite pack bag ($199.99) for $449.99 as a set. The frame carries a permanently attached load panel, removable MOLLE hip pockets and a 6-position adjustable yoke, and the bag hooks on with g-hooks rather than threaded webbing so it strips off in seconds for a meat haul. Minimum system weight is 5 lbs 13 oz in 500D PU-coated CORDURA.
Weight
5.8 lbs
Capacity
63 L
Frame
External Frame
Also in Elite 700 Pack Bag (11 L) / Elite 1800 Pack Bag (30 L) / Elite 5800 Pack Bag (95 L)

Tenzing
Tenzing Hangtime Day Pack
The Hangtime is Tenzing's purpose-built treestand pack: a rigid EVA-molded shell that holds its shape and hangs open on a hook so you can reach gear one-handed at eye level, with 1,600 ci (26 L) split across 7 compartments and 15 organizer pockets. It weighs just 1 lb 14 oz, carries a removable ambidextrous bow carrier with a fold-out boot plus dual quiver attachment points, and is hydration compatible. MSRP is $249.99, though it routinely street-prices in the $175-200 range at Amazon, Lancaster Archery, and Sportsman's Warehouse.
Weight
1.9 lbs
Capacity
26 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in Hangtime Lumbar Pack (12 L)

Horn Hunter
Horn Hunter Main Beam XL
The Main Beam XL is Horn Hunter's organization-first internal-frame pack: roughly 4,000 cubic inches (66 L) split across 27 compartments, built on an H3 one-piece tubular aluminum frame with a molded-foam air-mesh dual-suspension back panel. It weighs 7.6 lbs, carries a rifle or bow in gear grippers with a drop-down boot, has three hydration locations and oversized hip-belt pockets, and includes a detachable reversible blaze-orange compression wrap for strapping meat or bulky gear outside the bag. Horn Hunter's own web store has gone dark, so it now sells almost entirely through Amazon, Sportsman's Guide, and Bass Pro at roughly $190 against a $279.99 list price.
Weight
7.6 lbs
Capacity
66 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in Main Beam (46 L)

Eberlestock
Eberlestock Brooks 3500
The Brooks 3500 is an attachment bag, not a complete pack — 57 liters of roll-top storage that mounts to Eberlestock's Mainframe II or Modframe, both sold separately. At $189 for the bag and $349 for a frame, a usable system runs about $538, which Eberlestock itself publishes as the bundle MSRP.
Weight
1.94 lbs
Capacity
57 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in Brooks 7000 (115 L)

Horn Hunter
Horn Hunter G3 Treestand Pack
The G3 is Horn Hunter's long-running treestand pack: 2,200 cubic inches (36 L) across 20 compartments, built around a flip-top opening designed so every pocket stays reachable while the pack hangs from its included treestand hook. It ships with a pull-out rain cover, a 25 ft bow pull-up rope, gear grippers with a drop-down rifle/bow pouch, a wipe-clean vinyl scent pouch, and hip-belt pockets sized for a rangefinder or GPS. Horn Hunter listed it at $149.99 with a $129.99 sale price before its direct store went offline; it now runs about $130-150 through Amazon, Walmart, and Sportsman's Warehouse.
Weight
4.0 lbs
Capacity
36 L
Frame
Internal Frame

The SL is Deuter's women's-fit Aircontact Core, and the changes are structural rather than cosmetic: a 35-56 cm back length range in place of the men's 42-62 cm, shorter and more steeply curved shoulder straps, and hip fins shaped for a higher, narrower iliac crest. Frame, fabrics and feature set are otherwise identical to the standard Core.
Weight
4.98 lbs
Capacity
55+10 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 45+10 L

The Aircontact Lite is the trimmed-down version of the Core: same VariQuick torso range and the same general shape, but an open-cell foam back instead of the aluminium Y-frame, and a 140D ripstop face fabric in place of 500D. That drops 720 g against the Core 50+10 and about $60, at the cost of roughly 9 kg of load rating.
Weight
3.51 lbs
Capacity
40+10 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 50+10 L

The women's-fit Aircontact Lite, with the SL back range of 35-56 cm and women's-specific strap and hip fin geometry. It is the lightest framed trekking pack Deuter offers in a women's fit outside the Aircontact Ultra, and at $230 it is priced well under most women's packs of the same volume.
Weight
3.4 lbs
Capacity
45+10 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 35+10 L

The Aircontact Pro is the top of Deuter's trekking range and the only pack in the line rated to 30 kg. It adds a lumbar pad and VariSlide adjustment to the Core's Y-frame, includes a rain cover, and has a detachable lid that converts to a daypack -- the feature set aimed at expedition and long international treks rather than weekend trips.
Weight
6.44 lbs
Capacity
75+10 L
Frame
Internal Frame

The women's-fit Aircontact Pro, with a 38-48 cm VariSlide range and an SL carrying system shaped to a shorter back and narrower shoulders. It keeps the full 15-30 kg load rating of the men's 75+10, making it one of the few women's-specific packs rated for genuine expedition weight.
Weight
6.15 lbs
Capacity
65+10 L
Frame
Internal Frame

The Futura Air Trek is Deuter's answer to the Osprey Atmos and Aura: a fully suspended mesh back panel tensioned over a spring steel frame, so the pack sits off the back entirely rather than against foam ribs. That buys the best ventilation in Deuter's trekking range at the cost of load rating, which tops out at 15 kg against the Aircontact Core's 20 kg.
Weight
4.41 lbs
Capacity
45+10 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 55+10 L

The Aircontact Ultra is Deuter's move into genuine ultralight territory: 1,270 g for a 55 L framed pack with a roll-top closure and a removable lid. It keeps the Aircontact name and Air Spacer mesh but swaps the aluminium Y-frame for a spring-steel round-profile perimeter frame, which is where most of the weight saving comes from.
Weight
2.8 lbs
Capacity
50+5 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 40+5 L

The women's-fit Aircontact Ultra, at 1,210 g for 50 L. Between this and the 35+5 SL at 1,140 g, it is the lightest framed pack Deuter offers in a women's fit, and one of very few ultralight packs with a genuinely women's-specific carrying system rather than a short size of a unisex design.
Weight
2.67 lbs
Capacity
45+5 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 35+5 L

Deuter
Deuter Futura 23
The Futura is Deuter's ventilated day pack and the smallest application of the Aircomfort suspended mesh used on the Futura Air Trek. The mesh is tensioned over a spring steel frame so the pack bows away from the back, which is why a 23 L day pack weighs 1,180 g -- heavy for the volume, and the direct cost of the airflow.
Weight
2.6 lbs
Capacity
23 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 27 L / 32 L

Deuter
Deuter Futura 21 SL
The women's-fit Futura, with a 38-48 cm back length against the standard 44-54 cm and shoulder straps shaped for a narrower chest. Same suspended Aircomfort mesh and included rain cover as the standard Futura, in a 21 L and 25 L size run.
Weight
2.54 lbs
Capacity
21 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 25 L

Deuter
Deuter Futura Pro 40
The Futura Pro sits between Deuter's day packs and its trekking line: 40 L with the same suspended Aircomfort mesh as the Futura, but VariClick five-stage back length adjustment, a separate bottom compartment and a lid section. It covers long day trips, hut tours and overnights where a full trekking pack is overkill.
Weight
3.57 lbs
Capacity
40 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 36 L

Deuter
Deuter Futura Pro 34 SL
The women's-fit Futura Pro, with a 35-56 cm VariClick range and hip fins carrying dual pockets. Deuter notes the back mesh extends the full length of the back to wrap smaller frames, which is a construction change rather than a shortened version of the standard pack.
Weight
3.37 lbs
Capacity
34 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 38 L

The women's-fit Speed Lite Pro, with a 38-48 cm back length and hip fins carrying zipper pockets. It is the largest SL size in the line at 28 L and 740 g, and one of the few genuinely women's-specific fastpacking-style packs from a mainstream brand.
Weight
1.63 lbs
Capacity
28 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 17 L / 23 L

Deuter
Deuter AC Lite 24
The AC Lite is the budget entry to Deuter's Aircomfort ventilation: the same suspended mesh and spring steel frame as the Futura, in cheaper fabrics and with a smaller 2 L hydration capacity. At $120 it is the least expensive way into the suspended-mesh back that defines the brand.
Weight
2.05 lbs
Capacity
24 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 16 L

Deuter
Deuter AC Lite 22 SL
The women's-fit AC Lite, with a 38-48 cm back length and SL-specific harness geometry. Same suspended Aircomfort mesh, included rain cover and recycled fabric package as the standard AC Lite, in a 14 L and 22 L size run.
Weight
2.01 lbs
Capacity
22 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 14 L

Osprey
Osprey Kyte LT 45
The women's-fit Kestrel LT, described by Osprey as purposefully built for the female frame with narrower shoulders and contoured straps rather than a scaled-down men's pack. Same AirScape backpanel, five-inch sliding harness and included raincover, on the same 28 to 65 L ladder and at the same prices.
Weight
4.02 lbs
Capacity
45 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 28 L / 35 L / 65 L

Osprey
Osprey Hikelite LT 22
New for spring 2026, the Hikelite LT strips the Hikelite down to its essentials while keeping the full AirSpeed suspended-mesh backpanel and an included raincover. At 1.70 lb for 22 L and $100 it is the cheapest way into Osprey's suspended-mesh suspension in any pack, at any size.
Weight
1.7 lbs
Capacity
22 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 16 L / 30 L
Osprey
Osprey Mira 24
The women's-fit Manta, with the same 2.5 L Hydraulics LT reservoir, magnetic bite-valve attachment and AirSpeed suspended mesh in a women's-specific harness. At 3.28 lb it is marginally lighter than the men's Manta 24 and carries the same price.
Weight
3.28 lbs
Capacity
24 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 34 L
Gregory
Gregory Amber 68
The Amber is Gregory's value women's pack and the counterpart to the men's Stout. It runs an unusually deep size ladder for a budget line -- 34, 44, 54 and 68 L -- and is one of the few packs in the catalog explicitly confirmed to fit a bear canister both vertically and horizontally.
Weight
3.6 lbs
Capacity
68 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 34 L / 44 L / 54 L
Gregory
Gregory Zulu 55
The Zulu is Gregory's ventilated three-season pack, sitting below the Paragon in price and above the Stout in refinement. Four inches of torso adjustment across two frame sizes and a hipbelt spanning 27 to 51 inches make it one of the more accommodating packs in the catalog.
Weight
3.7 lbs
Capacity
55 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Pa'lante Packs
Pa'lante Packs V2
The Pa'lante V2 is the lightest pack in this catalog at 18.6 oz, and the clearest expression of the frameless ultralight philosophy: no frame, no stays, no lid, and a bottom pocket instead of a brain. It only works for hikers whose base weight is low enough that a frame is genuinely unnecessary.
Weight
1.16 lbs
Capacity
37 L
Frame
Frameless
Nashville Pack
Nashville Pack The Cutaway
The Cutaway is Nashville Pack's frameless 40 L, built around a cutaway front panel that lets the mesh pocket expand rather than being pinched by the pack body. At 22 oz it sits between the Pa'lante V2 and the framed cottage packs.
Weight
1.38 lbs
Capacity
40 L
Frame
Frameless
Bonfus
Bonfus Framus 58
The Bonfus Framus is a 58 L framed pack at 26.6 oz, built in Challenge Ultra 200X -- a non-woven laminate with UHMWPE fibres that is effectively waterproof and extremely tear-resistant. Its weight-to-volume ratio is among the best of any framed pack here.
Weight
1.66 lbs
Capacity
58 L
Frame
Internal Frame

Outdoor Vitals
Outdoor Vitals CS40 Ultra
The CS40 Ultra pairs Challenge UltraWeave 200 with carbon fibre stays for 28.6 oz at 53 L. Outdoor Vitals sells direct, which is why the price sits below comparable cottage packs using the same fabric.
Weight
1.79 lbs
Capacity
53 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Six Moon Designs
Six Moon Designs Swift V
The Swift V uses a Delrin hoop rather than metal stays, a design Six Moon Designs has refined over several generations. It is the heaviest pack in this ultralight group at 38 oz, trading weight for a frame that flexes with the body.
Weight
2.38 lbs
Capacity
50 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Black Diamond
Black Diamond Beta Light 45
Black Diamond's entry into the ultralight wave pairs Ultra 200 and Ultra 400 laminates with two removable stays. It is the most expensive pack in this catalog's ultralight group, and the only one from a major climbing brand.
Weight
1.98 lbs
Capacity
45 L
Frame
Internal Frame
3F UL Gear
3F UL Gear Qidian Pro
The Qidian Pro is the budget entry to ultralight: 56 L at 31 oz for $92, using a UHMWPE-blend nylon that imitates the gridstop fabrics on packs costing four times as much. It is included because it is genuinely tested and genuinely cheap, not because it matches the others.
Weight
1.94 lbs
Capacity
56 L
Frame
Frameless
ULA Equipment
ULA Equipment Ultra Circuit
The Ultra Circuit is the Ultra-fabric version of ULA's best-known pack. It keeps the Circuit's carbon hoop and aluminium stay combination but rebuilds it in Ultra 400X and 200X, making it waterproof and considerably more tear-resistant than the standard Robic version.
Weight
2.24 lbs
Capacity
68 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Gregory
Gregory Nano 18
The Nano is Gregory's simple day pack, and the comparison table finally supplies the weight that kept it out of the earlier Gregory commit. At 17.5 oz and $75 it is the value option in this group, with a 420D reinforced base most packs at the price skip.
Weight
1.09 lbs
Capacity
18 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Granite Gear
Granite Gear Blaze 60
The Blaze 60 is Granite Gear's load-hauler and the standout number in the whole backpacking comparison: a 50 lb load rating at just 3.0 lb of pack weight. Nothing else in this catalog carries that much at that weight.
Weight
3.0 lbs
Capacity
60 L
Frame
Internal Frame
ULA Equipment
ULA Equipment CDT
The CDT is the largest of ULA's frameless packs and the cheapest way into the brand. UltraGrid is a doubled 200D recycled grid fabric that resists tears well beyond its weight, and ULA states a clear 25 lb ceiling rather than leaving it to inference.
Weight
1.69 lbs
Capacity
50 L
Frame
Frameless

Hyperlite Mountain Gear
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35
The Contour 35 is Hyperlite's frameless fast-and-light pack, and at 15.9 oz it is the only sub-pound pack in this catalog outside the Cotopaxi Batac. Dyneema Composite Fabric makes it effectively waterproof at a weight woven fabrics cannot reach.
Weight
0.99 lbs
Capacity
35 L
Frame
Frameless

Gossamer Gear
Gossamer Gear Kumo 36
The Kumo is Gossamer Gear's frameless 36 L, using the removable SitLight pad as both back structure and camp seat. At $180 it is the cheapest pack Gossamer Gear makes and one of the best-value frameless packs available.
Weight
1.25 lbs
Capacity
40 L
Frame
Frameless

Outdoor Vitals
Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight Carbon 60
The Shadowlight Carbon 60 pairs carbon stays with conventional woven fabrics rather than Ultra laminate, which is why it undercuts the CS40 Ultra by $40 while offering 7 L more. It is the largest carbon-framed pack in this catalog.
Weight
1.97 lbs
Capacity
60 L
Frame
Internal Frame
LiteAF
LiteAF ECOPAK 30L Curve
LiteAF builds to order in ECOPAK, a recycled laminate that is waterproof like Ultra but made from post-consumer polyester. At 13 oz for 45 L of total volume it is one of the lightest packs in this catalog, and custom sizing is included in the price.
Weight
0.81 lbs
Capacity
45 L
Frame
Frameless
Mountain Laurel Designs
Mountain Laurel Designs Exodus 55
The Exodus is Mountain Laurel Designs' 55 L frameless pack, offered in a choice of UltraGrid or Ultra X fabrics which is why the price runs from $245 to $325. At 1 lb 2 oz for 58 L of measured volume it has one of the best weight-to-volume ratios here.
Weight
1.13 lbs
Capacity
58 L
Frame
Frameless
Mountainsmith
Mountainsmith Zerk 40
The Zerk 40 is Mountainsmith's ultralight entry, using a recycled Extreema ripstop and a removable frame sheet so it can run framed or frameless. At 51 L of measured volume for a 40 L badge it is one of the more honest under-claimers in this catalog.
Weight
1.81 lbs
Capacity
51 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Mystery Ranch
Mystery Ranch Bridger 65
The Bridger is Mystery Ranch's mainstream backpacking pack and the heaviest-hauling pack in this catalog. Reviewers carried 70 lb loads for miles with only mild discomfort, and the torso range spans 13 to 24 inches across men's and women's fits -- wider than anything else here.
Weight
5.5 lbs
Capacity
65 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 35 L / 45 L / 55 L
The North Face
The North Face Banchee 65
The Banchee is The North Face's lightweight backpacking pack, at 3 lb 9 oz for 65 L. It sits well under the Terra in weight while carrying more, and reviewers put its comfortable ceiling around 45 lb with performance falling off past 50.
Weight
3.56 lbs
Capacity
65 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Zpacks
Zpacks Nero Classic 40
The Nero is Zpacks' frameless pack and at 9.9 oz the lightest framed-or-otherwise hiking pack in this catalog. Ultra 100X with taped seams makes it genuinely waterproof at a weight where most packs are barely water-resistant.
Weight
0.62 lbs
Capacity
40 L
Frame
Frameless
Also in 30 L / 50 L
Zpacks
Zpacks Nero Pro 40
The Nero Pro is the upgraded Nero: 11.1 oz against the Classic's 9.9, for a $40 premium. The extra weight buys a more robust build in the same frameless, waterproof format across the same 30 to 50 L range.
Weight
0.69 lbs
Capacity
40 L
Frame
Frameless
Also in 30 L / 50 L

Zpacks
Zpacks Arc Zip Ultra 62
The Arc Zip is the Arc Haul with front zip access, so the pack opens like a suitcase instead of only from the top. It keeps the tensioned carbon arc that lifts the pack off the back -- Zpacks' distinguishing feature -- at 23.9 oz for 62 L.
Weight
1.49 lbs
Capacity
62 L
Frame
Internal Frame

Hyperlite Mountain Gear
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider 55
The Windrider is the Southwest with a large mesh front pocket in place of solid Dyneema, so wet gear can drain and dry. The 2025 overhaul moved the line to Dyneema Woven Composite and widened the shoulder straps.
Weight
1.83 lbs
Capacity
55 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 40 L / 70 L

Hyperlite Mountain Gear
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Junction 55
The Junction sits between the Southwest and Windrider: a hybrid front pocket that is part solid Dyneema and part mesh, aiming to combine the Southwest's durability with the Windrider's drainage. Same 2025 fabric overhaul as the rest of the line.
Weight
1.83 lbs
Capacity
55 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 40 L
Granite Gear
Granite Gear Virga3 55
The Virga3 is Granite Gear's frameless ultralight pack: 1.68 lb as sold, or 1.18 lb stripped of the hipbelt. Granite Gear states a clear 25 lb ceiling, which is more than most cottage brands publish, and offers two torso sizes plus two hipbelt ranges.
Weight
1.68 lbs
Capacity
55 L
Frame
Frameless