Best Appalachian Trail Backpacks
You can’t go backpacking without a backpack; through a thru-hike, a pack will become more than a piece of gear. It will be your companion and the house to everything you have. There are many different types of backpacks, companies, and styles with no right solution for each person.
Types of Backpacks
The major difference in backpacks on this list is the fabric they are made with. The three most common types of fabric are Dyneema, X-Pac, and Sil Nylon written in order of expense.
We have used a number of sources as well as our own time spent out on the trail to come up with the most popular backpacks for Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers.
Most Popular Backpacks for AT Thru-Hikers
| Backpack | Weight | Capacity | Max Weight | Price | Material |
| ZPacks Arc Blast 55 | 1.33lbs | 55 liters | 30lbs | $375 | Dyneema |
| Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest | 2.18lbs | 55 liters | 40lbs | $355 | Dyneema |
| Osprey Exos | 2.7 lbs | 58 liters | 40lbs | $220 | Nylon |
| Gossamer Gear Mariposa | 2.0 lbs | 60 liters | 35lbs | $285 | Nylon |
| LiteAF Curve X40 | 1.6 lbs | 55 liters | 30lbs | $245 | Dyneema |
| Waymark Lite 50L | 2.4 lbs | 50 liters | 35lbs | $280 | Xpac |
| Gossamer Gear G4-20 | 1.6 lbs | 42 liters | 30lbs | $195 | Nylon |
| Granite Gear Crown 2 | 1.7 lbs | 60 liters | 35lbs | $200 | Nylon |
ZPacks Arc Blast 55
Pros
- Designed specifically for the Appalachian Trail
- Premium carbon frame system
- Extremely lightweight for the capacity
- Weatherproof and protects contents very well
Cons
- No hip belt pockets
- Not the most durable
- Back mesh isn’t the best, tent stakes poke through
Our Thoughts:
Zpacks designed the Arc Blast specifically for backpacking the Appalachian Trail. It combines a waterproof design, enough capacity, and a decent carbon frame system with a simple and sleek design. The lack of hip belt pockets and the wider holes in the back mesh are the only knock against this premium pack. It does come at the highest price of the comparable backpacks on the list and won’t last much longer than one thru-hike.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest
Pros
- Amazing durability for the weight will last multiple thru-hikes
- Simple yet efficient design
- Weatherproof without a pack liner
- Immediate availability and popular (well tested) backpack
Cons
- Expensive
- Some pockets are tough to reach without taking the pack off
- Excess of straps and clips for simplicity of thru-hikers
Our Thoughts:
Hyperlite Mountain Gear makes some of the most expensive backpacks, but they are worth the money. The construction, fabric, waterproofing, and durability warrant the price tag, but for a thru-hike like the Appalachian Trail, a number of these features are overkill. On the contrary, if the AT is going to be one of many thru-hikes or backpacking trips, it is a great pack. The roll-top is great for compacting the Southwest when you are carrying less gear. The Hyperlite Mountain Gear backpack is very expensive, but when compared to Zpacks Arc Blast you are likely to get a lot more miles out of this durable yet lightweight backpack. If backpacking beyond an Appalachian Trail thru-hike is the plan, this is the top-tier backpack we recommend.
Osprey Exos
Pros
- Great Track record for successful thru-hikers
- Affordable and functional for the AT
- Many pockets aid in the organization of gear, removable brain can eliminate some weight
Cons
- Too many straps and overengineered design
- Heavy and confusing to pack
- Clips are small and hard to use with gloves
Our Thoughts:
The Osprey series of packs is very popular among backpackers and thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail. The Exos combines affordability with durability and a great support system to move the weight off your shoulders. If it is your first thru-hike and replacing a backpack in the middle of the AT sounds like a nightmare, then the Osprey Exos is a great option. If you have more of a budget and think it is worth the weight savings, the other backpacks may be a better fit.
LiteAF Curve X40L
Pros
- Lightweight and simple design
- Curve style fits seamlessly to the torso
- Customizable in multiple colors and materials
- Roll-top system and clips work great for packing
- Shoulder strap pockets are elastic and great for stowing bars and small items
Cons
- Wear out quickly, likely to only last one thru-hike
- Limited weight limit. Rated at 30 pounds and even that leads to accelerated wear
- Side pockets are susceptible to dropping items when you bend down.
- Long lead times
Our Thoughts:
A relatively new company for the list, but a company exploding onto the scene with great colors and immaculate construction and using Xpac and Dyneema to make lightweight and durable packs. Waymark has some of the best construction and quality of the cottage brands and this backpack is likely to hold up really well, even if you are hard on gear. These do have a long lead time because of their popularity and the capacity is considerably less than most other backpacks on this list.
Waymark Lite 50L
Pros
- Versatile frame pack for many different adventures
- Removable pockets and frame make the pack customizable
- Weatherproof and durable with Xpac and Ecopak materials
Cons
- Items can catch or fall through the wide mesh on the back pocket
- Heavier than ultralight options on the list
- Side straps seem over-engineered and not useful
Our Thoughts:
Waymark puts a different spin on ultralight backpacks by using Xpac and Ecopak to make a durable, sturdy product. It is fairly lightweight at two and a half pounds and easily can withstand multiple thru-hikes. The clear back mesh is easy to see items and the internal frame makes carrying up to 35 pounds pretty easy. If you want a pack that lasts and is handmade in the USA, Waymark makes a number of great options.
Gossamer Gear Mariposa
Pros
- Sleek design perfect for a thru-hike. The back mesh, top pocket, and hip belt pockets hit the perfect level of separated storage
- Lightweight but able to carry enough on long stretches. The internal frame is simple yet comfortable
- Easier availability than other cottage brands on the list. Time tested with Gossamer Gear’s long track record
Cons
- Not waterproof. We recommend treating it with waterproofing spray and using a pack liner
- Wears out faster than many packs on the list. Good for one thru-hike but not much more
- Different sized side (water bottle) pockets can be tough to figure out how to pack with
Our Thoughts:
Gossamer Gear is a staple on any list of backpacks for thru-hikers and the Mariposa is the most agile model. It is large enough to fit everything you could need, but also light enough to keep your base weight down. Since they use Robic Nylon, Gossamer Gear packs are not completely waterproof, so we recommend a backpack liner for thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. They are simple, organized, and a great start at being lightweight, long-distance backpackers. The best part about them is that their lead time is a lot shorter than many other brands on this list.
Gossamer Gear G4-20
Pros
- A lighter and more compact version of the Mariposa
- Hip belt pockets are a perfect size, especially when paired with the brain pocket
- Back mesh is the most elastic and packable on the list
- Sil Nylon material keeps the price affordable for the weight
Cons
- Wears out quickly on a thru-hike
- Smaller capacity can make it tough to pack for long carries or even a bear can.
- Too many straps and elastic, but they are removable with some sisters and a bit of customization.
Our Thoughts:
The G4-20 is one of the most affordable packs that is ultralight for an AT hike. The design is uniquely asymmetrical, with one side pocket being much taller than the other. The Mariposa shares this design and through using on a number of trips, we found this pocket actually quite useful for stowing a wet tent, shelter, or ground sheet along with the associated poles. There is less storage space in this pack than the others on the list, but if you are frugal with your gear, this is a good choice for maintaining a level of ultralight on your thru-hike.
Granite Gear Crown 2 60
Pros
- Affordable and available
- Higher capacity for thru-hikers carrying more gear
- Proven pack for many successful thru-hikers
- Often on sale
Cons
- No back mesh pocket
- Less quality construction than the other backpacks on the list
- Too many straps, clasps, and pockets
Our Thoughts:
A time test company with a good pack for those that are not willing to cut their weight into the ultralight zone for double the expense. At 60 liters this backpack should hold any amount of gear you deem essential for a thru-hike. It is really a deal when considering the prices of the competitors on this list. The Crown 60 is reliable, often on sale, and has a brain pocket (rare on this list). It is fairly waterproof but gives up some of the weatherproofing and durability in exchange for the lower price point.
