Think of your ideal hike: maybe it’s trekking along singletrack in the high mountains, taking in the views of faraway peaks and wildflowers. Or you prefer a secluded trail in the desert that wanders through washes and over sandstone to striking vistas. Maybe, moving fast is more your style, cranking through miles and verts, letting your feet take you as far into nature as you can go.
There are a million ways to hike, a million types of hiking trails, and a million hiking packs to choose from, which can be overwhelming for some. But, no matter how you hike, don’t crux out on the hiking pack. There are two main factors to focus on when picking a hiking pack: make sure it is comfortable for you, and it easily stores the gear you bring while on the trail.
We break down our line of hiking packs so you can choose the right one for you, letting you focus on the experience, not the weight on your back.
PURSUIT PACKS
If your summer hiking list is packed with 14ers, mountain passes, and ridgetop trails, the Pursuit pack is built for moving through the mountains and our pick for peak-baggers. Built with a “BD Continuous Fit Harness” that allows the waist belt and shoulder straps to contour to the body, this pack is comfortable to wear all day long. It comes in two sizes for both men and women: a 15L backpack for quicker day hikes and a 25L backpack for days that start and end in the dark. We also have a 6L waist pack, great for after-work hikes on the local trails.
Being able to easily grab snacks and water is important while hiking up a mountain. The Pursuit packs have easy-to-access pockets on the shoulder straps and two stretch side hydration pockets that can be accessed without taking the pack off. If you prefer a hydration bladder stashed in your bag, the Pursuit packs have a dedicated internal pouch. Trekking poles are valuable on steep up hills, and the Pursuit packs have on-the-go Z-pole storage on the right shoulder strap. The only time you would have to take the Pursuit pack off is for a well-deserved post-summit alpine dip or to snag a layer from the main zippered compartment.
TRAIL VISTA PACKS
For the hiker who loves the classics, from beautiful vistas to waterfalls, the Trail Vista packs are sleek, ultra-functional, and a go-to choice for any hiker. Built with our Slide-Fit adjustment technology, the shoulder straps can be fine-tuned to your ideal size. Our Trail Vista packs have an internal frame, which evenly distributes loads, making them comfortable even at heavier weights.
While the Trail Vista does not have as many quick-access pockets as the Pursuit, these packs still feature our on-the-go Z-pole storage, a shoulder stretch pocket, and two hip belt pockets for a phone or snacks.
The Trail Vista comes in two sizes: 20L and 28L—bigger than the Pursuit, making it a great option if you like to bring all the extras on the trail, whether that is a paint set for some Plein Air watercolors or you want to treat your friends to a backcountry charcuterie board.
Also, the Trail Vista features an internal hydration bladder compatible pocket and an integrated rain cover, all functional features, letting you focus on the fun of the trail.
BETA LIGHT PACKS
If a ‘day hike’ for you means 24 hours on the trail, moving fast and carrying only what you need to achieve an objective, our Beta Light series packs are built for that pursuit. Designed in collaboration with our athlete team, the Beta Light packs are built for overnight adventures, but can be used for longer day hikes.
Made with Challenge Sailcloth UltraWeave™ 200d body fabric and featuring a running-vest-inspired harness system, the Beta Light packs are ultra-light, ultra-durable, and focus on keeping it simple while out on the trail. We have two sizes: 45L and 30L—the 30L pack is the best option for a day pack.
The Beta Light packs can be broken down, allowing you to dial in the pack for your specific trail needs: the internal frame pad, hip belt, compression straps, and top closure strap can all be removed to create an ultra-packable, minimalist backpack.
As a bonus, we have the Beta Light Satellite bag, which adds 4L of storage or can be worn on its own as a cross-sling or hip bag.
The Beta Light packs are purpose-built for moving fast and light through the mountains over multiple days. If your day hikes are mostly training for a future thru hike, the Beta Light may be the pick, letting you dial in your gear list and fit before the long trek.
DISTANCE PACKS
Our Distance Packs were designed for trail running in collaboration with BD Athlete Joe Grant, but that doesn’t mean they are limited to only running. These packs are ultra-breathable, lightweight, and comfortable thanks to a light mesh construction and our Stitchless Edge Taping Technology. These packs come in 8L, 15L, and 22L sizes, making them ideal for shorter hikes or treks where you don’t need to bring a lot of gear.
Since the Distance packs are designed for running and keeping things lightweight, they are not built for heavy loads. This can make them uncomfortable and sit weirdly on your shoulders and back.
Blurring the line between mountain sports is the point of the Distance packs; they are built with running in mind, but if you prefer a slower pace, these packs feature easy-to-access pocketing, on-the-go Z-pole storage for trekking poles, and a durable ripstop main body fabric ready to handle miles on the trail.
There are two important factors when choosing a hiking pack: How it fits and how it holds your gear. Make sure it’s comfortable and the right size and feature set for your gear needs.
The Pursuit Series Packs: best for peak-baggers and hikers who want to access water and snacks without stopping, available in a 6L hip pack, and a 15L and 25L backpack.
The Trail Vista Series Packs: A classic pick for a hiker who prioritizes load distribution and a great option for larger and heavier loads, available in 20L and 28L.
Beta Light Series Packs: Built for fast, multi-day missions, the Beta Light is the pick for a hiker who counts grams and keeps it minimal: bring only what you need and nothing else, available in 45L and 30L.
Distance Series Packs: Designed for trail running, but moonlights as a lightweight hiking pack for shorter hikes where you don’t need a lot of extra gear, available in 8L, 15L, and 22L.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Molly Malone is Black Diamond Equipment’s copywriter. Her expertise in outdoor apparel and equipment comes from a decade-long love affair with backcountry splitboarding and climbing. She likes low-angle powder laps on high-avy days and sending long desert splitters.
Choisir une sélection entraîne un rafraîchissement complet de la page.
