The most important thing you need when hiking is a backpack. It may be a short hike or a long hike, your hiking backpack will always be there for you. You are going to be carrying items like flashlights, clothes, towels, and other essentials.
For this reason, you want to have a hiking backpack that will not only last you a day but several months or years. And let’s be honest, budget is always a factor, this is why we created this guide on the best hiking backpack under $100. We believe that finding the best and most affordable quality backpack is of utmost importance.
In a Hurry? The test winners after 9 hrs of research
Outlander 20L Lightweight Packable Hiking Backpack – Best Value
Why is it better?
- Water-resistant nylon fabric
- Can fold into a small pouch
- Can fit a good amount of items inside
TETON Sports Oasis 1100 Hydration Pack – Premium Pick
Why is it better?
- Bladder is easy to clean
- High-quality construction
- Lightweight
- Designed with multiple compression straps for a great fit
Best Hiking Backpacks Under $100 – Overview
Finding the best hiking backpack is not something that can be done quickly, especially if you don’t have any idea about the qualities and features you are looking for. We review each of the available hiking backpacks at different sizes in the market and do a comprehensive review of each one in order to determine the best for your short and long hikes. You may also be interested in our guide on the best budget backpacks.
Hiking Backpacks Under $100 Reviews
1. Outlander 20L Lightweight Packable Hiking Backpack – Best Value
The Outlander 20L Lightweight Packable Hiking Backpack is made with highly rip-proof and water-resistant nylon. This backpack looks great and functions better. It has a breathable mesh shoulder strap. Despite being lightweight, it is very sturdy and well made, perfect for lugging around all your stuff when hiking.
With a stylish look, this packable go-anywhere pack is for super-minimalists who make every gram count. Ultra-light. Ultra-durable. Ultra-awesome. The backpack is perfect for day-to-day use or occasional travel. This backpack has a roomy main compartment, two front zipper pockets to hold small accessories, one internal zippered security pocket for valuable items. Our handy guide to the best packable backpacks for travel features more great products like this.
Key Features:
- Water-resistant nylon fabric
- Compact – fold and unfolds neatly
- Lightweight
- Multiple compartments
- Includes a carabiner clip so you attach things or clip it to things.
Specifications:
- Brand: Outlander
- Capacity: 20L
- Dimensions: 16.92″ H x 10.63″ W x 7.08″ D
- Weight: 0.44 lbs
- Great for holding and securing water bottles and liquids in place
- Can fit a good amount of items inside
- Can fold into a small pouch
- Multiple compartments for easier organization
- Being lightweight, any rigid or sharp or hard object can be felt through the backpack on the wearer’s backside
2. Outlander 35L Lightweight Packable Hiking Backpack
Similar to our first pick, its sibling, the Outlander 35L Lightweight Packable Hiking Backpack is perfect when you are looking for something a bit larger. This backpack is also made with highly rip-proof and water-resistant nylon. Even the design of these two backpacks is similar having 1 spacious main compartment, 2 front zipper pockets to store accessories and 2 side pockets for water bottles.
Not only has this backpack proven to be sturdy but it is also roomy and useful for light hiking as well as an everyday carry. The zipper in this hiking backpack uses a 2-way abrasion resistant SBS metal zipper which is sturdy and easy to handle. Love backpacks? Check out our review of the best lightweight hiking backpacks for our top picks.
Key Features:
- Water-resistant nylon fabric
- Compact – fold and unfolds neatly
- Lightweight
- Multiple compartments
- Includes a carabiner clip so you attach things or clip it to things.
Specifications:
- Brand: Outlander
- Capacity: 35L
- Dimensions: 18.5″ H x 13″ W x 7.5″ D
- Weight: 0.65 lbs
- Great for holding and securing water bottles and liquids in place
- Can fit a good amount of items inside
- Can fold into a small pouch
- Multiple compartments for easier organization
- Being lightweight, any rigid or sharp or hard object can be felt through the backpack on the wearer’s backside
3. TETON Sports Oasis 1100 Hydration Pack – Premium Pick
The TETON Sports Oasis 1100 Hydration Pack is an 18-Liter day pack that comes with its own 2-Liter hydration bladder. It’s designed with a low-profile cut that fits comfortably regardless of your body size. You’ll get the best fit with the adjustable shoulder, chest, and waistbands. Shock-absorbing chest strap works with the rest of the harness to reduce bounce.
The pack has four zippered pockets the biggest used for the hydration bladder and it has a Velcro strap to hold the bladder in place. There are also two openings near the top at the start of the shoulder straps for the bladder tube to reach through. The second zippered pocket is just a normal storage pocket. You can put your workout clothes, food, and electronics; just about anything, you might need for a run or long hikes. Find more great products like this by checking out our guide to the best hydration running packs.
Key Features:
- Comes with 2L Hydration Bladder
- Compression Straps
- Sewn-in rain cover
- 2 side elastic water bottle holders
Specifications:
- Brand: Teton Sports
- Capacity: 18L
- Dimensions: 18.5″ H x 10″ W x 7″ D
- Weight: 0.9 lbs
- Bladder is easy to clean
- High-quality construction
- Lightweight
- Designed with multiple compression straps for a great fit
- Water bottle packets are a bit small
4. OutdoorMaster Hiking Backpack 50L
The OutdoorMaster Hiking Backpack 50L is a spacious backpack packed with pockets and features. This pack has a dedicated pocket for the included waterproof rain cover, a padded laptop compartment (for laptops up to 15.6″) and plenty of room for all your other equipment and accessories. Aside from this, It also has an external attachment point, to hold your hydration reservoir, tent, trekking poles, sleeping bag & more.
Made of lightweight materials with durability & comfort in mind. Featuring padded adjustable shoulder straps & mesh ventilation for a snug and comfortable fit. Make sure you also check our selection of the best hiking backpacks for women.
Key Features:
- S-Curved Shoulder Straps
- Foam padded hip belt
- Waterproof Cover Included
- Plenty of pockets, such as elastic side pockets, hipbelt pockets and front pockets
Specifications:
- Brand: OutdoorMaster
- Capacity: 50L
- Dimensions: 23″ H x 15″ W x 8.6″ D
- Weight: 2.4 lbs
- A lot of space and compartments
- Great for a beginner backpacker
- Waterproof rain cover included
- Lightweight and easy on the back
- No key lanyard
- Small pouches on the waist belt
5. TETON Sports Explorer 4000 Internal Frame Backpack
The TETON Sports Explorer 4000 Internal Frame Backpack is packed with features normally found only on more expensive backpacks such as a full-length adjustable torso that allows this pack to be adjusted for those 5 feet, 1 inch tall all the way up to 6 feet, 4 inches tall. The backpack also features a padded water bladder pocket for your favorite water bladder up to 3 liters in size. Side zippered pockets, mesh pockets, and a top zippered pocket provide plenty of room for smaller accessories. There’s even two spots for walking sticks. A top-loading main compartment and a sleeping bag compartment complete the pack.
This backpack is actually best for 2-5 day trips. The backpack is designed with your comfort in mind. Padded back panel is channeled for airflow and padded shoulder straps are adjustable for your size and load. In fact, this backpack is fully adjustable in the torso, waist, chest, and shoulders. Don’t forget to also check our guide to the best internal frame backpacks.
Key Features:
- Rugged, internal frame backpack with 65L capacity
- Full-length adjustable torso and adjustable shoulder straps for a more comfortable fit
- Padded shoulder straps, padded waist belts and padded lumbar area for maximum comfort
- Separate sleeping bag compartment
Specifications:
- Brand: TETON Sports
- Capacity: 65L
- Dimensions: 34″ H x 18″ W x 12″ D
- Weight: 5 lbs
- Multi-position torso adjustment fits wide range of body sizes
- Pass Through Side Pockets
- Sleeping Bag Compartment
- Integrated Rainfly
- Great for a “once in a while” backpacking
- Kind of heavy at 5lbs
- Lack of pockets on the hip belt for easy access items
6. WASING 55L Internal Frame Hiking Backpack
The WASING 55L Internal Frame Hiking Backpack is made with water-resistant rip-stop polyester. It has a molded foam back panel with airflow channels in order to keep your back dry and cool. There are 1 hip-belt pockets, 1 bladder sleeve(not included Bladder), 1 front pocket, 1 rain cover (included) compartment, and two mesh bottle pouches.
Designed with different size pouches to fit your water bottle and other equipment. An extension collar with two drawstrings on the top can expand the pack and increase the main compartment capacity by 5 liters to pack more your necessities and equipment. Deep and dense padded shoulder straps and hip-belt provides maximum comfort and allows airflow.
Key Features:
- Water-resistant rip-stop polyester
- Molded foam back panel with airflow channels to keep your back cool and dry
- A single contoured aluminum frame bar can be adjusted to fit the shape of your back.
- Bottom zipper access with rain cover
Specifications:
- Brand: WASING
- Capacity: 55L
- Dimensions: 27.1″ H x 12.5″ W x 9.8″ D
- Weight: 2.875 lbs
- Lightweight
- Plenty of space/accessibility
- Rain cover works great, even in hard rain
- Comfortable because of adjustable straps
- Some of the straps/buckles on the outside seem unnecessary
- uncomfortable for lengthy trips
7. Mubasel Gear Insulated Hydration Backpack
The Mubasel Gear Insulated Hydration Backpack includes a 70-Ounce (2 Liter) BPA FREE food grade hydration bladder. With the insulated bladder compartment, your drink can be kept cool for up to 4 hours. With the ventilated mesh padding shoulder straps and backside, you won’t feel tired or hot during your daily wearing.
The adjustable shoulder and chest straps fit chest sizes from teenagers/kids with 27″ up to adults with 50″ chest size. The chest straps prevent bounce from exercising.
Key Features:
- 2L water capacity
- Thermal insulation up to 4 hours
- Includes 3 storage compartments that will fit your clothes, keys, purses, phones
- Padded shoulder straps, breathable system
Specifications:
- Brand: Mubasel Gear
- Capacity: 9L
- Dimensions: 17.6″ H x 14.8″ W x 3.1″ D
- Weight: 1.64 lbs
- Lightweight
- Insulated pocket keeps water nice and cold for hours
- Pockets on the waist strap for small objects
- Comfortable because of adjustable straps
- Small, ideal for shorter riders
8. MOUNTAINTOP 40L Hiking Backpack
The MOUNTAINTOP 40L Hiking Backpack offers plenty of space with multiple pockets that are all easily accessible. It comes with 2 front pockets, 1 hidden pouch, 2 mesh pockets, and a main compartment with a sleeve for your items separated and organized. The lower zipper helps you access stuff that’s on the bottom without unloading everything.
It comes with an outstanding deep and densely padded shoulder straps and hip-belt for comfort. 2 long padded areas on the back offer cushioned comfort, while also promoting air circulation along your back and shoulders. Our guide to the best thru-hiking backpacks offers more great products like this.
Key Features:
- 6 adjustable straps
- Laptop compartment up to 17″
- Hip belt is adjustable but can not be removed
- Multiple pockets: 2 front, 1 hidden, 2 mesh pockets and 1 main compartment
Specifications:
- Brand: MOUNTAINTOP
- Capacity: 40L
- Dimensions: 21.7″ H x 13.8″ W x 6.3″ D
- Weight: 2.10 lbs
- All straps adjustable
- Lots of compartments
- Comes with rain guard
- Straps to hold umbrella and water bottle
- Hip pads aren’t the best, but that’s to be expected for the price
9. Sunhiker 20L Small Hiking Backpack
The Sunhiker 20L Small Hiking Backpack contains a highly tear-resistant and water-resistant nylon. It is a small backpack which suitable for those who do not like a big one and just want to take essential items.
Padded mesh back panel and shoulder straps aim to relieve stress. Whistle buckle helps lock the backpack in place. It comes with mesh pockets at both sides for a water bottle and a compact umbrella.
Key Features:
- Water-resistant
- Lightweight
- Breathable mesh shoulder straps which helps relieve the stress of shoulder
Specifications:
- Brand: Sunhiker
- Capacity: 20L
- Dimensions: 15.8″ H x 9.4″ W x 5.9″ D
- Weight: 0.76 lbs
- Good pouch on the inside for putting credit cards and keys
- Comfortable fit
- Outer pouches for water bottles
- Handle at top of pack for an additional way of carrying it
- Lack of easy-access cellphone pouch
10. Venture Pal 40L Lightweight Hiking Backpack
The Venture Pal 40L Lightweight Hiking Backpack is made of high-quality tear and water-resistant nylon fabric, heavy-duty metal zippers, and enhanced by bar-tacks at major stress points provide long-lasting durability against daily activities.
This backpack can easily fold into its own pocket for storage, and unfold it when you need it. Breathable mesh shoulder straps with plentiful sponge padding help relieve the stress from your shoulder. The chest clip with a whistle buckle works perfectly to distribute the pack’s weight and keep it steady and centered.
Key Features:
- One waterproof wet pocket is added to the main compartment
- Water-resistant nylon fabric
- Multi-compartment design includes 1 main zipped compartment, 1 zipped front pocket, and 2 side pockets
Specifications:
- Brand: Venture Pal
- Capacity: 40L
- Dimensions: 19.3″ H x 12.5″ W x 6.3″ D
- Weight: 0.7 lbs
- Compact – converts to a pouch
- Enough pockets that items are easy to organize and find
- Has a whistle on the buckle
- Super lightweight
- Lack of padding on the back, bad if you are carrying heavy-ish items
Buying Guide
Capacity
The first and most important thing that you need to consider when choosing a hiking backpack is the capacity. The capacity of the backpack will depend on the length of your trip and how much weight and bulk you want to carry. Following is a general guide to the capacity of hiking backpacks in relation to the length of the hike.
| Volume(L) | Length |
| 10-30 | Day hikes |
| 30-50 | Overnight (1-2 nights) |
| 45-55 | Weekend (2-3 nights) |
| 55+ | Extended Trips (3+ nights) |
Weight
In most cases, you may want to go for a lightweight hiking backpack so that you can carry it around without feeling tired or straining your back. The hiking backpack should also pack down to a compact size for easy portability. For this guide, we’ve found the best lightweight backpacks less than 5lbs may it be for day hikes, overnight and multiple day hikes.
Compartments
A good backpack must have multiple compartments. This way, you can easily break up your belongings into smaller sections so you won’t have any problems accessing and finding the stuff you need. It is always a good idea to purchase hiking backpacks that have multiple compartments as you can put your gears in an organized manner. If you carry heavy materials with you, you may want to buy a hiking backpack with an internal or external frame.
Internal Frame
The majority of backpacks today are internal frame backpacks, meaning the support rods and frames are built into the backpack and hidden from view. Internal frame packs sit flush against your back, which keeps your overall center of gravity closer to its natural position. However, there are still some external frame backpacks, where the rods are separate from the actual pack and stick out
Padded Shoulder Straps
It is very important to have thick padding on the shoulder straps. This makes a big difference in how comfortable you are, as the weight of your pack will also be pushing down on your shoulders. The pads will put less pressure on your shoulders and also help take the pressure off your lower back.
Frequently Ask Questions
What size backpack for hiking?
When you’re taking a fast hiking trip for one or two days, a daypack will be perfect. This can carry up to 15 pounds of weight, of addition to being lightweight. That is almost equal to a range of 20 or 30 liters. Daypacks are actually one of the smallest outdoor backpacks on the market. Though, whether you plan to go camping or trekking for a prolonged period of time or carry your children along, you may need a backpacking backpack. No question, it will fit more food, drinks, clothes, sleeping bags, tents for camping and other basics.
How much should your hiking backpack weigh?
For a safe hiking trip, the optimal weight of a completely filled backpack would be around 10-20% of your body weight. Any weight that goes above that is too much, which may place too much strain on the shoulders. It affects the spine as well, which causes you to lean over which is not good for your back. For example, your weight is 150 lbs, your packs weight should not be more than 30 lbs.
Do I need a hiking backpack?
Hiking backpacks are particularly built for hiking and treks. Therefore, they are built to be lightweight, convenient, and snug-fitting, making it easier to bring them around for a longer duration. We can’t say the same about normal backpacks. The best hiking backpacks are doing so many more than just allowing you to stack your belongings. Hiking backpacks have individual dedicated compartments for lightweight accessories, water bottles, umbrellas, and so on.
Conclusion
We hope this guide was helpful for finding the best hiking backpacks under $100 as well as our guide on features to look for in a hiking backpack. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this guide, feel free to let us know in the comments section.