Budget Backpacks and Accessories for Backpacking
Table of Contents
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Sweet Spot Recommendations
For most budget backpackers, I recommend a backpack with the following features:
- Frame, internal or external (internal is better for normal loads; external may be better for very heavy loads)
- Volume 60 to 65 liters if you hike for two or more days in cold weather and carry bulky budget gear (you probably do if you’re a budget backpacker)
- Volume less than 55 liters for two-day hikes in warm weather with lightweight or ultralight gear
- Main compartment large enough to fit your sleeping bag (and maybe a bear canister if needed)
- Fabric made of rip-stop nylon with a fiber weight of at least 210 deniers
- Sternum strap
- Load lifters
- Shovel pocket
- Side water-botter holders
- Fits your torso length
- Suspension system transfers 20% of the load to your shoulders and 80% to your hips.
- Suspension system and padding allow you to comfortably carry 30 lbs.
To learn about suspension systems, frames, volumes, torso lengths, compartments, straps, pockets, and other features, see Beginner’s Guide to Backpacks for Backpacking.
Backpack Comparison Table
Click arrows in headings to sort columns
| Backpack | MSRP | Sex/Age | Vol. (L) | Closure | Weight (lbs) | Torso (in) | Waist Belt (in) | Fabric |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teton Scout 65L | $89.99 | Unisex | 65 | Brain | 4.6 | 15 – 19.5 | 26-60 | 600D Polyester Diamond Ripstop |
| Teton Scout 55L | $99.99 | Unisex | 55 | Brain | 4.5 | 15 – 19.5 | 26-60 | 600D Polyester Diamond Ripstop |
| Teton Scout 45L | $94.99 | Unisex | 45 | Brain | 3.9 | 15 – 19.5 | 24-56 | 600D Polyester Diamond Ripstop |
| Teton Explorer 65L | $103.71 | Unisex | 65 | Brain | 5 | 19-23 | 28-70 | 600D Polyester Diamond Ripstop |
| Decathlon Simond MT100 Easyfit 70 Men’s | $130 | Men | 70 | Brain | 4.2 | 16-21 | 30-47 | 600D polyester |
| Decathlon Simond MT100 Easyfit 60L Women’s | $110 | Women | 60 | Brain | 3.7 | 16-21 | 29-52 | 600D polyester |
| Decathlon Simond MT100 Easyfit 50L Men’s | $95 | Men | 50 | Brain | 3.5 | 16-21 | 30-52 | 600D polyester |
| Decathlon Simond MT100 Easyfit 50L Women’s | $95 | Women | 50 | Brain | 3.5 | 16-20 | 29-52 | 600D polyester |
| Osprey Rook 65 Men’s | $200 | Men | 65 | Brain | 3.6 | 15-20 | 25-50 | 600D polyester |
| Osprey Rook 50 Men’s | $200 | Men | 50 | Brain | 3.6 | 18-22 | 25-50 | 600D polyester |
| Osprey Renn 65 Women’s | $200 | Women | 65 | Brain | 3.6 | 15-20 | 25-50 | 600D polyester |
| Osprey Renn 50 Women’s | $200 | Women | 50 | Brain | 3.5 | 15-19 | 25-50 | 600D polyester |
| Granite Gear Blaze 60 Men’s | * | Men | 60 | Brain | 2..9-3.1 | 15-24″ | 26-42* | Robic high-tenacity nylon (100D & custom 210D) |
| Granite Gear Blaze 60 Women’s | * | Women | 60 | Brain | 2.9-3.1 | 15-21″ | 24-40″ | Robic high-tenacity nylon (100D & custom 210D) |
| Granite Gear Perimeter 50 | * | Unisex | 50 | Brain | 3.1-3.2 | 18-21″ | 26-42″ | Robic high-tenacity nylon (100D & custom 210D) |
| Granite Gear Crown3 60L | $199.98 | Unixex | 60 | Roll-top + removable brain | 2.3 | `15-18 | 26-42 | High-Tenacity Nylon (100D & 210D) + DWR |
*Granite Gear Blaze 60 L backpacks are usually sold at a much lower price than their listed MSRP.
Top-lid Closure
MSRP $130.00
Specifications
Capacity: 70L
Closure system: Top lid
Weight: 4.2 lbs
Torso length: Adjustable 16″-21″
Waist belt size: 30″-47″
Fabric: 600D polyester
Pros
- Excellent price
- Excellent value
- Torso length adjustable while you are hiking
- Front access to main compartment
- Slanted water-bottle pockets allow you to access water bottles while hiking
- Trekking-pole holders
- Comfortable for carrying heavy weight
- Ample interior space
- Quality YKK zippers
- Comfortable padding for this price range
- Side pockets
- Fabric treated with polyurethane for water resistance
- 10-year warranty
Cons
- Polyester is less durable than nylon (but 600D is a strong fiber weight)
- No shovel pocket
My thoughts
There is no women’s 70L model. If you’re a woman and want a 70L pack, you can probably wear this one comfortably, depending on your body shape. For some women, men’s backpacks fit better than women’s.
This backpack gets excellent reviews.
MSRP $110.00
Specifications
Capacity: 60L
Closure system: Top lid
Weight: 3.7 lbs
Torso length: Adjustable 16″-21″
Waist belt size: 29″-52″
Fabric: 600D polyester
Specifications
See Pros and Cons for Decathlon Simond Men’s MT100 Easyfit 70 L Backpacking Pack
My thoughts
There is no men’s 60L model. If you’re a man and want a 60L pack, you can probably wear this one comfortably, depending on your body shape. For some men, myself included, women’s backpacks fit better than men’s.
This backpack gets excellent reviews.
MSRP $95.00
Specifications
Capacity: 50L
Closure system: Top lid
Weight: 3.5 lbs
Torso length: Adjustable 16″-21″
Waist belt size: 30″-52″
Fabric: 600D polyester
Pros & Cons
See Pros and Cons for Decathlon Simond Men’s MT100 Easyfit 70 L Backpacking Pack
MSRP $95.00
Specifications
Capacity: 50L
Closure system: Top lid
Weight: 3.5 lbs
Torso length: Adjustable 16″-20″
Waist belt size: 29″-52″
Fabric: 600D polyester
Pros & Cons
See Pros and Cons for Decathlon Simond Men’s MT100 Easyfit 70 L Backpacking Pack
$200 as of 11/1/2025
Specifications
Capacity: 65L
Closure system: Top lid
Weight: 3.6 lbs
Torso length: 15-20 in
Waist belt size: 25-50 in
Fabric: 600D Polyester
Pros
- Osprey’s generous lifetime warranty
Cons
- Top lid (brain) is not detachable
My thoughts
This backpack may be worth buying for it’s generous lifetime warranty.
$189.95 as of 11/1/2025
Specifications
Capacity: 50L
Closure system: Top lid
Weight: 3.6 lbs.
Torso length: 18-22 in
Waist belt size: 25-50 in
Fabric: 600D Polyester
Pros & Cons
See Osprey Rook 65 (Men’s)
My thoughts
See Osprey Rook 65 (Men’s)
MSRP $200
Specifications
Capacity: 65L
Closure system: Top lid
Weight: 3.6 lbs
Torso length: 15-20 in
Waist belt size: 25-50 in
Fabric: 600D Polyester
Pros & Cons
See Osprey Rook 65 (Men’s)
My thoughts
See Osprey Rook 65 (Men’s)
MSRP $190
Specifications
Capacity: 50L
Closure system: Top lid
Weight: 3.5 lbs
Torso length: 15-19 in
Waist belt size: 25-50 in
Fabric: 600D Polyester
Pros & Cons
See Osprey Rook 65 (Men’s)
My thoughts
See Osprey Rook 65 (Men’s)
MSRP $99.99
Specifications
Capacity: 65L
Closure system: Top lid
Weight: 5 lbs
Torso length: Adjustable 19″ – 23″. Not suitable for short torsos.
Waist belt size: 28 – 70 in
Fabric: 600D Polyester Diamond Ripstop
Pros
- Excellent price
- Durable
- Reasonably comfortable when carrying heavy loads
- Ample internal space
- Lumbar support
- Lifetime warranty
- Reputable customer service
Cons
- Heavy at 4.6 lbs
- Top lid (brain) is not detachable
- Doesn’t fit short torsos
My thoughts
Teton Gear (formerly Teton Sports) has a long track record of selling high-quality, durable, reliable backpacks. However, some customers have recently been reporting quality-control issues. As soon as you receive the backpack, inspect the stitching, zippers, etc., and report any problems to Teton. They will reimburse you. Teton Gear offers a lifetime warranty and reputable customer service.
I have this backpack. It has held up well over several years of backpacking with loads up to 30 lbs.
75L and 85L capacities are available, but I don’t recommend such large volumes for most backpacking styles.
MSRP $89.99-$94.99 depending on volume capacity
Be sure to select your desired volume
Specifications
Capacity: 65L, 55L, and 45L options
Closure system: Top lid
Weight:
65L: 4.6 lbs
55L: 4.5 lbs
45L: 3.9 lbs
Torso length: Adjustable 15″ – 19.5″. Not suitable for long torsos.
Waist belt size:
55L and 65L: 26-60″
45L: 24-56″
Fabric: 600D Polyester Diamond Ripstop
Pros
- Excellent price
- Durable
- Reasonably comfortable when carrying heavy loads
- Ample internal space
- Lumbar support
- Lifetime warranty
- Reputable customer service
Cons
- Heavy at 4.6 lbs
- Top lid (brain) is not detachable
- Doesn’t fit long torsos
My thoughts
See my thoughts for the Explorer 65L.
I have the Explorer 65L, which is the long-torso version of the Scout 65L. It has held up well over several years of backpacking with loads up to 30 lbs.
$164.97 as of 11/1/2025
Specifications
Closure system: Top lid
Capacity: 60L
Load rating: 50 lbs
Weight: 2.9 lbs (short); 3.0 lbs (regular); 3.1 lbs (long)
Torso length: 15-18″ (short), 18-21″ (regular), 21-24″ (long)
Waist belt size:
Standard re-fit belt 26”- 42”
Large re-fit belt 36” – 52”
Fabric: Robic high-tenacity nylon (100D and custom 210D)
Pros
- Lightweight at 3.0 lbs
- Comfortable for loads up to 50 lbs
- Detachable top lid
- Reasonable price
- Reputable brand
- Good customer service
Cons
- Some reviewers say the buckles are hard to use with gloves
My thoughts
I have found Granite Gear’s customer service to be excellent.
$139.98 as of 11/1/2025
Specifications
Closure system: Top lid
Capacity: 60L
Load rating: 50 lbs
Weight: 2.9 lbs (short); 3.0 lbs (regular); 3.1 lbs (long)
Torso length: 15-18″ (short), 18-21″ (regular)
Waist belt size: 24″-40″
Fabric: Robic high-tenacity nylon (100D and custom 210D)
Pros & Cons
See pros and cons of Granite Gear Blaze 60L Men’s
$159.27 as of 11/1/2025
Specifications
Closure system: Top lid
Capacity: 60L
Load rating: 50 lbs
Weight: 3.1 lbs (regular), 3.2 lbs (long)
Torso length: 18-21″ (regular), 21-25″ (long)
Waist belt size: 26-42″
Fabric: Robic high-tenacity nylon (100D and custom 210D)
Pros & Cons
See pros and cons of Granite Gear Blaze 60L Men’s
Women’s model available but not recommended because of its high price
Rolltop/Top-lid Combo Closure
$131.97 as of 11/1/2025
Be sure to select the right torso size (short, regular, or long)
Specifications
Closure system: Roll-top with removable brain
Capacity: 60L
Load rating: 35 lbs
Weight: 2.3 lbs (short)/ 2.4 lbs (regular) / 2.5 lbs (long)
Torso length: 15-18″ (short), 18-21″ (regular), 21-24″ (long)
Waist belt: 26-42″
Fabric: High-Tenacity Nylon (100D and 210D) with barrier DWR
Features
- Roll-top main compartment opening with top compression strap
- Detachable top lid (brain)
- Hydration port & internal hydration sleeve
- Reflective logo for visibility
Pros
- Affordable
- Highly versatile–can be used as an ultralight backpack or medium-weight backpack that comfortably carries up to 35 lbs
- Size expandable to accommodate any volume up to 60L
- Comfortable hip belt and back padding
- Top lid (brain) can be detached to reduce weight for ultralight backpacking
- Detachable top lid (brain) can be used as a fanny pack or chest pack
- Rolltop compression straps can be used to carry a bear canister
- Reputable brand
- Good customer service
Cons
- Awkward, floppy main compartment causes poor lateral balance
- Hard to access contents, especially when top lid isn’t used
- Unused fabric adds unnecessary weight when the pack is not fully expanded
My thoughts
This backpack is underrated. It’s combo roll-top and top-lid closure makes it unique and versatile. It’s not ideal for any one backpacking style, but it’s good enough for most. You can save money by using this backpack for both ultralight and medium-weight backpacking instead of buying a separate backpack for each.
I like that you can use the brain as a fanny pack on short hikes away from your base camp.
Some purist ultralight backpackers give this backpack poor reviews because of the abovementioned cons, but I use it and love it. That said, there are times when I prefer a top-lid closure backpack with better lateral balance, especially on long trips in cold weather.
I’ve also had excellent experiences with Granite Gear’s customer service.
Accessories
Backpack Liners
MSRP $19.98
40 bags
Use a trash compactor bag as a liner to waterproof your backpack.
You can use leftover bags for your garbage cans.