America’s Best Backpacking and Outdoor Adventures
BackpackOsprey Atmos AG 65 and Aura AG 65$370, 65L/3,967 c.i., 4 lbs. 11 oz./2.1kg (men’s medium)Sizes: men’s S-L, women’s XS-MAtmos AG 65: ospreypacks.comAura AG 65: ospreypacks.com A backpack is a little like a relationship: It’s hard to tell what it’s going to be like when you first meet, and then you get to know each other much better over time. …
Backpack Osprey Archeon 70 and Archeon 65 $340, 68L/4,150 c.i., 5 lbs. 8 oz. (men’s S/M) Sizes: men’s S/M and L/XL, women’s XS/S and M/L backcountry.com Large backpacks may seem to some backpackers like the outdoor industry’s Ford Edsel—reflecting a style from a bygone era—and the clean, old-school, utilitarian look of Osprey’s Archeon series perhaps engenders that reaction. But don’t …
Ultralight BackpackHyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider$395, 55L/3,400 c.i., 1 lb. 15 oz./879g (medium)Sizes: S (fits torsos 15-17 ins.), M (17-19 ins.), L (19-21 ins.), Tall (21+ ins.)hyperlitemountaingear.com When the Windrider was delivered to my house, the box looked much too small to contain a backpack—if I’d had no idea, I might have guessed it contained a small tent. It’s not often …
Backpack Mystery Ranch Sphinx 60 $269, 60L/3,662 c.i., 4 lbs. 14 oz. (men’s medium) Sizes: men’s S-XL, women’s XS-L backcountry.com Anyone shopping for a backpack designed for carrying loads of 40 pounds or more should be looking at a few specific qualities: an abundance of external pockets that provide a variety of organizational options; superior durability; and most of all, …
Backpack The North Face Banchee 50 $230, 50L/3,051 c.i., 3 lbs. 1 oz./1.4kg (S/M) Sizes: men’s S/M and L/XL, women’s XS/S and M/L moosejaw.com In the competitive arena of backpacking packs, there’s an increasingly crowded field of ultralight models, as well as an array of choices in heavier, more tricked-out packs built for moderate to stout loads. Then there’s an …