Which Backpack is Right for You?

Which Backpack Is Right For You? A Simple Guide

Choosing the right backpack can make or break your outdoor adventure. Whether you’re heading out for a short day hike, a weekend in the woods, or a long-distance thru-hike, the pack you carry matters, for comfort, organization, and how much gear you bring. At Hilltop Packs, we offer a range of ultralight, custom-built backpacks designed to fit your trip, body, and style of hiking.

Here’s how to figure out which backpack is the best match for you, plus tips for picking one from our collection.

1. Think About Your Trip First

Before browsing packs, ask yourself:

How long will your trip be?
- Day hikes and city adventures
- Weekend backpacking
- Multi-day explorer or thru-hike
How much gear do you really carry?
- Minimalist basics?
- Sleeping system and shelter?
- Extra layers for cold weather?

These answers will help you narrow down pack volumes, features, and fit.

2. Know Your Pack Sizes & When to Use Them

15-35L Day Pack / Everyday Use

Best for short hikes, errands, or travel gear.
Lightweight, compact, and easy to carry.

35–40L Packs for Weekend Trips

Ideal for 1–3 night backpacking adventures or longer once you are dialed in.
Room for food, clothes, shelter, and essentials without unnecessary bulk.
This is is also the sweet spot for most thru hikers that have dialed in ultralight setups.

40-50L+ Packs for Longer Treks and more gear

Great if you carry more layers such as winter gear
More capacity = more comfortable with extras, but heavier.

3. Backpack Options from Hilltop Packs

Our collection currently includes a variety of packs.

Ultralight Backpacking Packs from Hilltop Packs

Raven V3 UL Backpack – Lightweight and versatile for multi-day hikes. With a wide range of volume options from 35-50L. Made of ultralight Dyneema. If you want top of the line, this is our flagship model. A 40-50L makes a great 4 season pack.
Raven X UL Backpack – Same Raven design but but uses Xpac fabric. Slightly heavier but also slightly more durable and can handle more abuse. Also slightly more affordable. A 40-50L makes a great 4 season pack.
Dirty 30 ULTRA & Dirty 30 EPLX200 – Affordable ultralight options that still carry all the essentials. These packs ditch the padded hip belt for those who have their setups as light as possible. A great summertime multi-day pack if your shelter and sleep system is ultrlight.
Outlaw 35 Venom - A limited edition 35L ultralight backpack made exclusivly of Venom fabrics. Extremely high tear and tensile strength fabrics. Maximal cut, abrasion, and wear resistance. Due to how expensive the fabric is we will only be offering a limited number of these packs.

These are perfect for long hikes, thru-hikes, or anyone committed to minimalist backpacking — where every ounce counts.

All-Around Trail / Everyday Packs

24Seven Trail Edition Backpack – A no hip belt 24 liter pack that's versatile for both day hikes and daily carry. If your setup is super dialed in you could use this for overnighters and even multi day trips.
This option is a good choice if you want one pack that’s great on day hikes and around town alike.

Budget / Basic Packs

String Backpack – Custom Printed – Simple, ultralight, and great for everyday carry or as a casual day pack.
Perfect for folks who want lightweight simplicity or something easy to throw in the car/back seat for quick outings.

4. Fit & Comfort Matter Most

The best backpack is the one that fits you.

Torso Fit: Make sure the pack matches your torso length.
Hip Belt: Should sit comfortably on your hips to transfer weight.
Adjustable Straps: Let you dial in comfort for long days on the trail.

A pack that doesn’t fit well won’t feel good, no matter how light or feature-rich it is.

Wrap-Up: Pick It with Purpose

Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

Minimal Weekenders / Thru-hikes: Ultralight backpacks like the Raven, Dirty 30, or the Outlaw 35 series.
Everyday + Day hike Use: 24Seven Trail Edition.
Simple & Light: String Backpack.

At the end of the day, the best backpack is the one that fits you, suits your trip type, and makes your hike more comfortable, not heavier. Happy trails!

Visit our collection of all backpacks here

Visit our backpack tips and tricks page here

Here is a video on our favorite backpacks of 2025