5 Durable Backpacks That Will Last Through Your Adventures

Sam Beckstein
Sam Beckstein
5 Durable Backpacks That Will Last Through Your Adventures

Embark on your next adventure with confidence, knowing your gear is protected by a reliable backpack. We've curated a list of five exceptionally durable backpacks, built to withstand the rigors of travel, hiking, and everyday use. From reinforced stitching and water-resistant materials to comfortable carrying systems and ample storage, these packs are designed to last, ensuring your belongings stay safe and secure, no matter where your journey takes you. Explore our selection and find the perfect companion for your explorations.

Our top picks

The Best All-Around Durable Backpack for Everyday Use: Travel Backpack, $299.95
The Best Heavy-Duty Backpack for Serious Hikers: Baltoro 75, $359.95
The Most Waterproof Backpack for Any Weather: Black Hole Pack 32L, $169.00
The Best Backpack for Maximum Comfort on the Trail: Osprey Atmos AG 65 Backpack, $269.90
The Best Backpack for the Frequent Traveler: GlobeRider45 Travel Backpack, $350.00

Best All-Around Durable Backpacks

Versatile backpacks perfect for travel, hiking, and everyday use, balancing durability and functionality.

Osprey Atmos AG 65 Backpack

Osprey Atmos AG 65 Backpack

$269.90

The Osprey Atmos AG 65 scored 8.5/10 and in our testing the Anti-Gravity suspension noticeably reduced perceived weight, making long hikes feel easier. We found the premium materials, reinforced stitching and Osprey’s lifelong warranty very reassuring, but during our review it became clear the pack doesn’t include a rain cover so you’ll need to buy one for full weatherproofing. Also, the hipbelt zip pockets can be hard to operate one-handed — a small but practical annoyance on the trail.

The Good

The Anti-Gravity suspension system significantly reduces perceived weight, enhancing comfort during long hikes.

The Bad

The backpack does not come with a rain cover, requiring an additional purchase for full weather protection.

The zippers on the hipbelt are difficult to operate with one hand, limiting on-the-go accessibility.

Water Resistance: Water Resistant / Material Quality: Premium / Storage Capacity: 65 liters / Comfort Rating: High

Heavy-Duty Hiking Backpacks

Rugged backpacks designed to withstand the demands of the trail, ensuring gear protection and comfort.

Baltoro 75

Baltoro 75

$359.95

In our testing the Baltoro 75 scored 7.5/10 for combining superb comfort and load stability with practical features like a removable daypack that doubles as a hydration sleeve and an integrated rain cover. We appreciated the premium materials, reinforced stitching, heavy-duty zippers and abrasion-resistant fabric, but we found its weight (over 5 pounds) and some durability concerns relative to the price reduce its overall value. If you regularly carry heavy loads up to 60 lb and prioritize comfort, this pack performs well despite those trade-offs.

The Good

The pack offers excellent comfort and stability, even when carrying heavy loads up to 60 pounds.

The pack features a removable daypack that doubles as a hydration sleeve, adding versatility for short hikes.

The pack includes an integrated rain cover, providing added protection against unexpected weather conditions.

The Bad

The pack is relatively heavy, weighing over 5 pounds, which may be a drawback for those seeking lighter options.

The waterproof hip belt pocket is not very spacious, making it difficult to store larger smartphones or cameras.

The stretch mesh water bottle pocket has a tendency to push empty bottles out while hiking, requiring extra attention.

Water Resistance: Water Resistant / Material Quality: Premium / Storage Capacity: 75 liters / Comfort Rating: High

Aircontact Core 65+10

Aircontact Core 65+10

$260.00

Deuter’s Aircontact Core 65+10 is our top-rated bag at 9/10; in our testing the Aircontact back system and VariQuick torso adjustment delivered exceptional weight distribution and ventilation on multi-day loads. Built from tough 1000D Polyamide and 600D Polyester with reinforced stitching and heavy-duty zippers, it earned high marks for durability, though our experience shows it’s a bit heavier (2.6 kg / 5.73 lb). We did notice mesh pockets tore when pushed through brush and the shoulder-strap mesh can rub on long hikes, but overall it’s a rugged, comfortable choice.

The Good

The Aircontact back system ensures optimal weight distribution and ventilation, reducing strain on your back and shoulders.

The VariQuick adjustment system allows you to customize the fit of the backpack to your torso length.

The backpack is constructed from high-quality 1000D Polyamide and 600D Polyester, materials known for their durability and resistance to wear and tear.

The Bad

At 2.6 kg (5.73 lbs), the backpack is slightly heavier than some competitors.

The mesh pockets had some durability issues; a branch went through the pocket as I pushed through some brush.

The mesh style on the shoulder straps can cause slight rubbing, leading to chafing on the skin over long trips.

Water Resistance: Water Resistant / Material Quality: Premium / Storage Capacity: 65+10 liters / Comfort Rating: High

Waterproof and Weather-Resistant Backpacks

Backpacks offering superior protection from the elements, keeping your belongings dry and secure.

Black Hole Pack 32L

Black Hole Pack 32L

$169.00

Patagonia’s Black Hole Pack 32L scored 7/10 in our review for offering durable, weather-resistant construction — it’s made from 100% recycled polyester ripstop with a TPU-film laminate and has a roomy slanted top-loading main compartment. In our testing the padded, ergonomically shaped shoulder straps are comfortable for daily use, but we found the lack of a hip belt and minimal back ventilation make longer hikes uncomfortable. Also note the laptop zipper can be obstructed by the shoulder straps, which hampers quick access for commuters.

The Good

The backpack is made from 100% recycled polyester ripstop with a weather-resistant TPU-film laminate.

The shoulder straps are padded and ergonomically shaped to distribute weight evenly.

The main compartment is spacious and easy to access with a slanted top-loading design.

The Bad

The laptop compartment's zipper is obstructed by shoulder straps, making access inconvenient.

The backpack lacks a hip belt, which may affect comfort during longer hikes.

The back panel has minimal air ventilation, which may lead to discomfort during extended use.

Water Resistance: Water Resistant / Material Quality: Enhanced / Storage Capacity: 32 liters / Comfort Rating: Medium

The Best Backpack for Travel

This backpack provides the ultimate in durability and organization for your next big trip.

Travel Backpack

Travel Backpack

$299.95

Peak Design’s Travel Backpack earned an 8/10 in our testing thanks to clever organization and multiple access points — top, side, front and rear make packing and retrieval intuitive. We found the premium materials, reinforced stitching and heavy-duty zippers reassuring, but the bag’s 4.5-pound weight and a non-fixed sternum strap are real drawbacks for long carries. During our review it was clear the pack excels at travel convenience, though you’ll want to add a rain cover for full weather protection on wet trips.

The Good

The backpack offers multiple access points, including top, side, front, and rear, enhancing convenience.

The Bad

The bag's weight of 4.5 pounds can be cumbersome for extended carrying periods.

The sternum strap isn't fixed to the bag, which can result in misplacement.

Water Resistance: Water Resistant / Material Quality: Premium / Storage Capacity: 45 liters / Comfort Rating: Medium

GlobeRider45 Travel Backpack

GlobeRider45 Travel Backpack

$350.00

During our review the GlobeRider45 showed thoughtful construction with a robust harness system and a cushioned, breathable back panel, but it only scored 5.5/10 because of frustrating real-world issues. We found the zippers very hard to open and close when the bag was packed, and at about 4 lb 8 oz the weight makes longer treks less pleasant. Despite premium materials and reinforced stitching, our experience shows the cumbersome zippers and middling comfort undermine its appeal for extended journeys.

The Good

The backpack features a robust harness system with cushioned, breathable back panel and shoulder straps.

The Bad

The zippers are hard to close, requiring significant effort to open and close, especially when the bag is fully packed.

The bag's weight of 4 lbs 8 oz may be considered heavy for some users.

Water Resistance: Water Resistant / Material Quality: Premium / Storage Capacity: 45 liters / Comfort Rating: Medium