You plan to go on a trek over several days with a backpack on your back?

In total autonomy, you will have to carry your tent, sleeping bag, ultralight mattress, water, food, stove, technical clothes in merino wool to limit odors, among other things. You will need a backpack with a capacity of 50 L or more. These large backpacks are designed to fit your body type and help you carry your hiking gear in an optimal way with adapted and padded shoulder straps and belts to improve comfort.
As an indication, here is the table of correspondence between your weight and the weight of your backpack to be preferred:



Adult weight (male or female)

Recommended total backpack weight

Maximum total weight of the backpack

50 kg

7,5 kg

10 kg (33 lbs)

65 kg

9,75 kg

13 kg

70 kg

10,5 kg

14 kg

90 kg

13,5 kg

18 kg



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How to choose your backpack according to its frame

Depending on the brand and model, there are different frames, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. To help you decide which backpack to choose, here are the different frames of trekking bags.

  1. Hiking backpacks with mesh frames

These are the most ventilated backpacks because the stretched mesh frame allows air to pass between the bag and the wearer's back. These backpacks are ideal for summer and hot countries in general. In addition, this frame gives the impression of not having a bag on your back. On the other hand, the fact that there is space between the net and the backpack means that the load of the backpack is necessarily shifted somewhat to the back. It is therefore important to avoid carrying too much weight with this type of backpack (maximum 8 kg of load). Also avoid this frame on steep terrain and for active walking as it is not ergonomic.

  1. Hiking backpacks with foam padding

This type of padded foam frame allows for a more ergonomic carrying on the wearer's back. This type of backpack is to be preferred for stability and ergonomics during your trekking. Very comfortable, you can carry heavy loads with these bags. As for the disadvantages, the fact that they are padded at the back, the shoulder straps and the belt increases the weight of the backpack when empty but when you plan to carry a heavy load, you are no longer close to it and it is better to plan a comfortable, stable and ergonomic backpack to feel the weight of the backpack less. This type of frame is also less breathable.

  1. Backpacks with suspended mesh

With this type of frame, you have a compromise between the other two. With the hiking backpacks with suspended mesh, you can carry heavy loads, while having ergonomics, comfort of carrying by avoiding a load shift to the rear, thanks to the flexible suspended mesh in 3D which also allows a good ventilation of the back. This frame can be found in the Osprey backpack range.


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Other important elements of the backpack

  1. The shoulder straps and waist belt

On this type of large backpack, the shoulder straps and waist belt are usually made of the same materials as the back of the backpack, either foam or mesh. The most important thing to look for if you know you are going to be carrying a heavy load is that the backpack must have padded shoulder straps and waist belt, this will directly influence your comfort. Backpacking and trekking backpacks are designed for this purpose and are therefore equipped with dense and comfortable foams all over the backpack frame, perfectly adapted to heavy loads.

  1. Access, pockets and accessories

To narrow down your choice, you should now focus on the practicality of the hiking backpack. To do this, you need to look at all the pockets, the different accesses of the backpack and the accessories with which your choices are equipped. Here, no rules, you have to look at what you find most practical for your use, if an opening just from the top suits you or if you prefer to have access on the side as well, other backpacks allow you to open the U-shaped compartment... In this case, you have to test the different accesses to know which one corresponds to you the most
Depending on the model, small accessories can make the difference: rain cover included, pole holder, secret pockets, hydration bag pocket and pipette outlet...


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Our top 5 trekking bags

Now that you see more clearly on how to choose your backpack for hiking over several days. Check out our top 5.

1 Deuter - Speed Lite 22 SL



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This Speed Lite 22SL backpack from Deuter is ideal for women thanks to its SL system. This hiking bag is very practical because of the many options it offers. Designed with a Derlin U Frame that offers you unparalleled stability and extra padding on the chest and belly strap that gives you great comfort. This model will perfectly accompany you on your various adventures.

2 Deuter - AC Lite 18


The AC Lite backpack from Deuter has become very popular with hikers because of its comfort and high end ventilation. This model is equipped with the Aircomfort system which offers maximum ventilation at the back to stay dry and allows for unparalleled performance. The key words for this bag are dry and comfortable - all the way through your hike.

3 Osprey - Tempest 30

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The Tempest 30 bag from Osprey is perfectly designed for women with its simple top loading. It's ideal for all your adventures, big or small. This model combines lightness, comfort and practicality with its many pockets.

4 Frendo - Vesubie 22

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Colorful and very versatile, this Vesubie bag from Frendo is very comfortable and breathable. This model has many pockets and a rain cover to carry all your gear for multiple mountain outings. This bag is also equipped with a water pocket with pipette passage.


5 Vaude - Brenta 36+6

This Brenta 36+6 backpack from Vaude is perfect for even the longest outings. This model is equipped with excellent ventilation. Moreover, it offers you unparalleled comfort thanks to the adjustable back length and the ErgoShape straps that perfectly fit your body. It is an ideal bag for your hikes from refuge to refuge.