5 Best Backpacks for Trekking the Himalayas

The backpack is one of the most important pieces of gear for a successful trekking trip. Buy a good backpack and it will be a delight to carry. The best backpacks will put the weight on your hips rather than on your shoulders. The best backpacks will secure your load and leave you with good flexibility and balance. The best backpacks allow easy access to pockets and compartments. The best backpacks allow you to move your arms and legs around freely. The importance of a good backpack can really make or brake your trip!

There is an overwhelming range of different backpacks meeting all kinds of needs. It’s great with such a big selection, but it can be a bit daunting to look through all the catalogues, read reviews and, as I have done, spent days running back and forth between different stores, trying to find the perfect backpack for the occasion. So to make it simple, I have picked my “favorite five” backpacks for trekking in the Himalayas. These are all top quality backpacks from good industry brand names and they should all last you at least a good 10-15 years!

• Best Backpack, internal frame
• Best Backpack, external frame
• Best Daypack / small size backpack
• Best Backpack for children and small women
• Best Baby Backpack
  

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And the winners are...

Best Backpack (Internal Frame) : Osprey Aether 60
The Osprey brand really has a good reputation, so no surprises here. The “Aether 60” pack carries a medium to heavy load really well. 15 kg / 35 lbs easily and up to 20-25 kg if needed. It has removable straps underneath for attaching tent / tripod / sleeping bag. Internal/external "straightjacket" compression system (3 strips) for tightening the load firmly. Excellent suspension and ventilation system and the flexibility characteristic for internal frame backpacks.

The Aether is light enough - and its ventilated back panel cool enough - for a quick summer weekend on the steamy Appalachian Trail. Come October, it has the capacity and weight-bearing ability to handle a week in the Rockies. -Outside Magazine This backpack is an excellent choice for small camping treks in the Himalayas or even longer “tea-house treks” without need for food and camping equipment. It also allows you to go exploring a few days off the tea-trail as well. Internal frame backpacks have become hugely popular in recent years. They consolidate the load into a single, body-hugging unit, making it easier to maintain your balance on uneven terrain. At the same time, proper packing is very important. To distribute the weight properly, you should pack your heaviest items close to your back and in the middle portion of the backpack. Size: 60 liters / 3700 cubic inches Weight : (1.8 kg) / 3.9 lbs Comes in 3 sizes, S, M & L Fits torso lengths : 16-18½" (S), 18-20½" (M), 20-22½" (L)

Best Backpack (External Frame) : Kelty Tioga 5000

This backpack is an excellent choice for longer treks where you need to carry a big load. 30-35 kg maximum, but also comfortably carries lesser loads. Adjustable carry harness and removable sleeping bag compartment. Zippered side-pockets and top-pocket allows very easy access. The external frame (usually cheaper than IF backpacks) allows you to walk more upright than with an internal frame, even with heavy loads. This allows you to look straight ahead, and not miss any of the stunning mountain landscape while walking! Your packaging style is less critical. The frame will always transfer the load to your hips! With load-lifter straps, belt stabilizers and the excellent ventilation characteristic of an external frame backpack, makes this the perfect choice for carrying heavy loads more comfortably. Size: 82 liters / 5000 cubic inches Weight : 2.5 kg / 5.8 lbs Fits torso lengths : 16-19"

Best Daypack / Small Backpack : High Sierra Cirque 30 Pack

Very lightweight daypack made of water resistant material. Excellent for shorter trips of a few days, or a week or so if you keep it simple and travel light, as I like to do. Also good if you’re going on “tea-house” treks, without need for all the camping gear. This is a daypack with proper waist straps - many daypacks merely hang the load on your shoulders. Also, it’s shoulder straps are slightly separated, making it more comfortable than many other daypacks. Deep side-pockets for water bottles and other accessories. Clinch-straps to tighten the load. While small, it still fits up to 10 kg / 20 lbs of gear and clothing. It’s a panel-load system, with zippers all the way round, allowing for quick and easy packaging and access. Size: 30 liters / 5500 cubic inches Weight : 1 kg / 2 lbs Fits torso lengths : 13-17"

Best Backpack for Children & Small Women : Osprey Jib 34

With a highly stable, peripheral frame sized for narrow hips, shoulder and back, this small backpack takes the load to the hips where it belongs. It’s highly adjustable, allowing children to grow and keep using it for years. Has an integrated rain-cover and fits a water-hydration bag ("bladder") etc. Osprey's new Jib pack represent a sea change in comfort, features, and durability among youth backpacks. For one, the usual complaints - "Dad, my shoulders hurt" - virtually disappeared. Our kids actually volunteered to take more weight. And we were able to tackle more demanding terrain, including several rugged multiday routes in the Grand Canyon that would have been dangerous - even impossible - with less stable packs. -Backpacker Magazine Size: 34 liters / 2100 cubic inches Weight : 1 kg / 2 lbs Fits torso lengths : 13-19"

Best Baby-Backpack / Carrier : Vaude Butterfly Comfort Child Carrier

For carrying babies / small children up to 3 years old on your back. This award-winning model encircles your child allowing safe transport and keeps child’s head in a comfortable position during long walks. Built-in sunshade / rain roof and “diaper pocket”. Carry straps adjust easily to both mom and dad. Safe and durable design and construction. Extendable foot allowing you to put in down on the ground when taking a break. Weight : 4kg / 8 lbs.

I hope you found a useful backpack here. If you don't know how to measure your torso length, see this post where I also explain the intricacies of buying backpacks online.