Comparing Backpacks for Camping | Fit First, Then Features

Comparing backpacks for camping comes down to torso length and hip fit, not your height or the pack’s total capacity.

Most campers pick a pack by how tall they are or how big it looks, and that sends plenty of people home with a sore back. The right way to compare camping backpacks starts with two measurements — torso length and hip circumference — then moves to capacity, weight, and the features that actually matter on the trail. REI’s fit guidance is the standard reference here, and it applies to most backpacking packs sold in the US.

What to Measure Before You Compare Any Packs

REI’s expert advice is blunt: torso length, not height, decides whether a pack fits. Measure from the C7 vertebra — the bony bump at the base of your neck — down to the iliac crest, which is the top of your hip bones. That number, plus your hip circumference, tells you which pack size to grab.

When you try a pack on, the order of adjustment matters. REI recommends centering the hipbelt on your hip bones first, then tightening it before you touch the shoulder straps. The shoulder straps should wrap closely but not carry significant weight — the hipbelt does that job. Set the load lifters so they angle back around 45 degrees, and position the sternum strap comfortably below your collarbones. Two mistakes show up constantly: wearing the hipbelt too low, and overtightening the load lifters.

Capacity and Weight Ranges That Match Your Trip

Capacity is measured in liters, and the right number depends on how long you’re out. REI’s backpacking guidance places day and overnight trips in the 20–50 liter range, while multi-day backpacking packs commonly start around 45 liters and run up to 80 liters. A weekend trip usually sits around 40–50 liters; a week or more in the backcountry pushes you toward 60–80 liters, especially if you’re carrying bulkier gear.

Empty pack weight matters more the longer you carry it. REI’s backpack infographic notes that day and overnight packs typically weigh 1.5 to 4.5 lb empty. For comparison, a larger 60-liter pack with a supportive frame and stiff hipbelt will weigh more, but that weight buys better load transfer on long carries.

Features Worth Comparing Once the Fit Works

Fit is the dealbreaker, but features decide how pleasant the pack is to live out of. The useful ones, per REI’s guidance, include side water-bottle pockets, hipbelt pockets for snacks and phone access, top-lid access, front shove-it pockets for a jacket, a sleeping-bag compartment, and a hydration sleeve. Load management features — load lifters, compression straps, and a supportive hipbelt — matter most when you’re hauling heavier camping loads.

One more detail for buyers who prioritize materials: some packs use PFC/PFAS-free DWR coatings and bluesign-approved fabrics. That’s a real distinction if chemical standards matter to you, though it won’t change how the pack carries.

Common Fit Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

REI’s biggest warnings all come back to the same theme: let the pack’s frame and hipbelt do the work. Sizing by height instead of torso length puts the hipbelt in the wrong spot. Wearing the hipbelt low means your shoulders take the load. Overtightening the hipbelt or load lifters creates pressure points and restricts movement. The fix is simple — measure your torso, center the hipbelt on the hip bones, and snug everything just enough to feel secure.

Once you’ve narrowed down a pack that fits, a day hike with a loaded pack will tell you more than any spec sheet. And if you’re also weighing a backpack cooler for the same trip, our tested roundup of the best backpack coolers covers which models hold ice longest and carry comfortably.