The very first thing that we noticed about this design is the sheer number of pockets. It boasts a large main chamber for all of your larger gear and five smaller size pockets for easy access. It also boasts a mesh panel in the front to store your phone, keys, wallet, and a few snacks.

The outside of this design is composed of canvas, which makes this option more rugged than nylon or polyester options. The lining is made from ripstop nylon that works to keep your gear nice and dry, even when caught in the rain. It also has an adjustable internal frame so you can find the right fit for your body type.

While most internal frame packs have a pretty steep price tag, the Explorer 4000 comes in at a more affordable price that won’t drain your bank account. We love that it is made from tough materials that are perfect for a day trip, or a few days out in the woods.

The design of the frame is what makes this design stand out from the pack. The long slender frame keeps weight evenly distributed to protect your shoulders and upper back. For your lower back, it hosts a hip harness that cinches in the front, working to keep your lower back from becoming strained on long hikes.

Hikers also like that this design has a comfortable back that promotes air circulation to keep you cool and dry when you start to sweat. The shoulder straps are wide and padded to prevent heavy loads from digging into your skin. It also has loops on the front to affix hiking poles or other important tools you need quick and easy access to.

If you are in the market for something that is lightweight and comfortable, yet still large enough to hold heavy loads, this design from Osprey is an excellent choice. While it’s not the most affordable design out there on the market, it is far from being the most expensive!

One of the things that we loved most about this design is that it boasts a series of intricate pockets to keep your gear organized instead of just throwing it into a large central pocket never to be seen again! The main compartment also hosts a hydration bladder so you can ditch the bulky water bottle to save on packing space.

Hikers also appreciate that this design hosts a separate bottom compartment that makes it easier to access gear in the bottom of your pack. The frame is designed so that it evenly distributes weight across your entire back, and has a mesh panel to keep air circulating as you start to sweat.

With divided pockets, additional padding, and a hydration pack, it’s hard to find any flaws in this design. It is made by a company that knows what hikers need when out on the trails and put those features into application in their products. Plus, it comes in at one of the best values when compared to some of the larger packs out there on the market.

The Vapor Current Mark 2 frame is a long sheet, designed to help distribute the weight in your pack. It is composed of molded polypropylene that has holes like swiss cheese to keep things light and easy. If you just want to use it for a quick day hike, this plate is easily removed to make your pack just a little bit lighter.

One of the newest improvements in this pack is the removable cap. Hikers can add additional gear in the top compartment, and it is easily removed by a series of buckles. That allows users to access top gear quickly, or just leave it at home for shorter treks. These features are what make the Crown 2 so incredibly versatile.

If your outdoor adventures include long and short treks, and you need gear that is able to conform to changing needs, you can’t go wrong with the Crown 2 from Granite Gear. It is packed with helpful features to help you keep your balance as well as keep you comfortable at a price point that won’t break the bank.

The most notable feature of the Exos 48 is the AirSpeed suspension system. This system works by helping to remove the weight of the pack off of your back and disperse it throughout your body. This feature helps you to stay light on your feet as well as super stable on uneven and difficult trailheads.

It has wide and ultra-padded mesh shoulder straps that keep air circulating and won’t dig into your skin at the end of a long day. It has a large central compartment for all of your bulky gear, and a sleeve for a hydration bladder (sold separately). There are two mesh pockets on the side and one on the front for quick access to essential gear when needed.

If you are in the market for something that you can really weigh down without holding you back, the Exos 48 is worth every penny. It has a heavy-duty design that is able to withstand any type of climate and works to take the weight off of your back so you can stay light on your feet.

The Denali is made to be very comfortable, and it features a nice fit. It works well in a wide range of situations, making it quite versatile. It has a nice frame design that curves and helps to make the pack feel very comfortable on your back without restricting your freedom of movement. So, you get a lot of motion and flexibility designed into this pack as well. Another reason the Denali is so comfortable is that it has a lot of cushioning, and that helps to give it a lot of comforts.

You get a decent amount of durability with the Denali. This one is built to handle difficult climbs and doesn’t rip, or scratch all that easily. Designed with 210 denier nylon, you get plenty of durability built into this bag. This fabric performs very well and helps keep it in great shape, so you should get years of use out of this mountaineering backpack.

The Denali offers you a decently versatile bag, but it is not made to really go off-ground with you. It doesn’t work well for skiing or short climbing adventures. It is really made to go on long trips in the mountains, so if you want something for shorter trips, this one might not be your best option.

The features designed into this pack are great and work well for long mountaineering trips. You have plenty of room for food and other storage options since you get plenty of pockets to store items, including a designed water bottle sleeve on the side. You also get a Velcro loop you can use to attach an ice ax or other tools too. Plus, it features loops that make it easy to hook up to a sled if you need to.

Lowe’s Alpine Manaslu was designed with comfort in mind and offers a lot of cushioning and support. You get padded shoulder straps and a padded waist belt with ample amounts of cushioning which helps to hold the pack well.

This pack also has a great ventilation system designed into it, so you’ll get a lot of breathabilities and you’ll never have to worry about overheating when you carry it. Plus, the ventilation system in this bag also helps reduce both chafing and rubbing, which is a real bonus as far as comfort is concerned.

The bag is comprised out of a solid nylon material that is made to be abrasion-resistant. So, it can take a lot of abuse no matter where you decide to go, and it will still stay in great shape and last you many years. Additionally, it also holds up very well against adverse weather conditions, which is another real plus.

This one is decently versatile and works well as an all-around hiking and mountaineering backpack. It’s not made for very steep climbs, but it is designed well to deal with everything else. Plus, you can pack both heavy and light loads easily in it without affecting the overall performance. You also get a lot of adjustability with it so you can fit it well when you need to, although it does take some time to get used to the adjustability features. You do get a lot of room to organize your important items, which is a nice bonus.

There are a lot of features that come with it, and a few of those features might seem a bit excessive to some. With so many straps, you get a lot of adjustment options, but it takes some time to figure out how to fully use the adjustment system. You also get plenty of pockets and a lot of room for organization and easy access pockets and a hydration sleeve. The features are almost excessive.