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22L Black Cycling Hydration Backpack Ultra£26.99 Was £52.99 -
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30L Backpack Albus in Black£20.9911 colours -
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30L Backpack Albus in Grey£43.9911 colours -
30L Backpack Albus in Blue£43.9911 colours -
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25L Backpack Alder in Navy£18.99 Was £37.995 colours -
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12L Laptop Daypack Commute In Grey Melange£18.99 Was £37.99 -
24L Compact Daypack Apto In Grey£27.99 Was £54.99 -
Daily Backpack Study in Sage£22.99 Was £62.99 -
35L Backpack Rocka in Navy£27.99 Was £69.992 colours -
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25L Backpack Alder in Black£18.995 colours -
25L Backpack Alder in Yellow£18.995 colours -
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2 colours -
35L Backpack in Grey Rocka£27.99 Was £69.992 colours -
Reflective Rucksack Cover in Yellow£12.99 Was £24.99 -
30L Laptop Backpack in Black Deptron£27.99 Was £55.99
Guide to Buying Hiking Backpacks
If you're in need of a travelling companion suited to any adventure, our walking and hiking backpacks include something for every outdoor enthusiast. Whether you're planning a long-distance walk or need extra storage for your office essentials, you'll find a range of casual backpacks ideal for trail or urban use.
When choosing a hiking backpack, you should first consider the length of your journey. A small lightweight rucksack is best suited to short trips and day hikes, whereas a 40L waterproof backpack makes an excellent choice for a week-long adventure. Ultimately, you will need enough space for your walking gear and hiking essentials, and our range of hiking bags and rucksacks are as spacious as they are comfortable.
Gym Backpack
A good gym backpack is spacious enough to store all your exercise essentials, and the best gym bags feature several compartments to protect any loose items. 20L rucksacks are perfect for gym use and those with an active lifestyle, and our Ultra 22L backpack is a popular choice for gym-goers. This gym bag is constructed from high-performance breathable fabric, and features an earphone port and water bladder access to help you through tough workouts.
Hand Luggage Backpack
A backpack is considered to be hand luggage and is a suitable option for this. Most aeroplanes allow around 55 x 40 x 25cm size backpack for hand luggage, some with no weight restrictions and others with up to 23kg allowance – but usually, about 10kg. Make sure to check your airline’s hand luggage restrictions on their website before you travel. If you’re not familiar with the content restrictions, head over to the GOV.UK website for more information.
The maximum size we would recommend for a hand luggage backpack is 40 litres - i.e. if you're not taking hold luggage. Our Blackfriar 40L Duffle Bag makes an excellent carry on backpack, as it features a spacious main compartment and zipped pockets to store passports and travel essentials.
Laptop Backpack
The Rolla 30L is the best laptop backpack also suited for travel, thanks to its protective padded pocket and base to keep your laptop secure. This handy roll-top backpack features a large top opening, allowing for easy access to help ensure a smooth packing process. To measure your laptop for a backpack, simply use a ruler to find the length and width before finding the right laptop rucksack for you.
When choosing a backpack for school, it makes sense to select one with a laptop compartment. A waterproof backpack of around 25 litres will offer plenty of space for your textbooks, while also protecting your laptop from the elements. The Deptron 30L is our best laptop backpack for a college student, featuring a range of storage options as well as padded detailing.
Ski Backpack
A skiing or snowboarding backpack lets you make the most of your day on the slopes, as you can reach for your belongings whenever you need them without multiple trips to the lodge. We recommend a ski backpack between 15 to 25 litres in size, with enough space for storing additional layers as well as emergency equipment. Whether you're spending a week in an alpine resort or skiing through adverse conditions, a mountain backpack is essential for a successful skiing experience.
Walking Backpack
The best backpack for hiking is one no heavier than you can comfortably carry, so the best size for a hiking backpack varies from person to person. A great hiking rucksack is spacious with plenty of room for all your essentials, while also maximising comfort no matter how much you're carrying.
When looking for the perfect hillwalking backpack, you should consider the length of your trek. A daypack may be more suited to shorter hikes in the wilderness, as they are more lightweight than larger backpacks while still holding plenty of room. The best daypack for travelling is a normal-sized casual backpack, perhaps one that could also be used as a backpack for school or college. It may also be worth considering a waterproof backpack for extra protection, ideal for keeping your walking gear safe and sheltered from the elements.
Camping Backpack
No camping trip is complete without a sturdy backpack, and our wide range of camping bags cater to every type of outdoor adventure. You will need a spacious camping backpack to carry your camping equipment, with enough room for cooking utensils and food as well as your outdoor clothing. It's also best to come prepared with a waterproof backpack for camping - after all, when it comes to the British weather, you should expect the unexpected.
Our 30-40L backpacks are best suited as camping rucksacks, and the size of your camping bag will depend on the duration of your trip. Get camping ready today and browse our selection of camping rucksacks.
Walking backpacks come in different sizes and designs depending on trip length and how much you need to carry. Understanding these options helps you choose a pack that suits your routine.
- Daypacks (20–30 L): Compact and lightweight designs ideal for day hikes, short walks, and carrying essentials such as water, snacks, and spare layers.
- Medium walking backpacks (35–50 L): Suitable for longer walks, weekend trips, and light overnight trips where you need extra clothing or gear.
- Large trekking backpacks (55–80 L): Designed for extended trips and camping, offering enough space for heavier loads, food, and equipment.
- Hydration-compatible backpacks: Walking backpacks with hydration sleeves that allow easy access to water during active movement.
These styles allow walking backpacks to support everything from casual walks to longer outdoor adventures.
Materials and How They Work
The materials used in walking backpacks affect durability, comfort, and weather protection.
- Polyamide: Lightweight and abrasion-resistant, ideal for tough outdoor use.
- Polyester: Durable and quick-drying, commonly used in everyday and hiking backpacks.
- PU or coated fabrics: Provide added weather resistance to protect belongings from light rain.
- Mesh and foam panels: Used in back systems and straps to improve breathability and comfort.
Together, these materials help walking backpacks stay durable, supportive, and comfortable across regular use.
Thoughtful features improve how walking backpacks perform in everyday and outdoor use.
- Padded shoulder straps improve comfort during longer wear.
- Hip belts help transfer weight away from shoulders when carrying heavier loads.
- Chest straps improve stability on uneven ground.
- Multiple pockets allow organised storage of walking essentials.
- Bottle pockets keep water easily accessible during movement.
- Compression straps reduce bulk and help stabilise the load.
- Ventilated back systems improve airflow and comfort.
Together, these features help walking backpacks feel practical, supportive, and easy to use.
Matching your backpack to how you plan to use it improves comfort and efficiency.
- Short walks and day hikes: Lightweight daypacks with enough space for water, snacks, and a jacket.
- Weekend walking and light overnight trips: Medium backpacks with supportive straps and space for extra layers or gear.
- Longer expeditions and camping: Large trekking packs with strong frames, hip belts, and weather-resistant fabrics.
- Travel and daily use: Walking backpacks with organised compartments that also work as hand luggage.
Choosing the right size and design ensures your backpack suits both the distance and conditions.
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How to pack a gym backpack?
- To pack a backpack for the gym, we suggest storing your trainers separately. This keeps your exercise clothing smelling a little fresher. In your gym bag, you should put a small wash bag with shampoo and shower gel, a towel, a reusable water bottle, your headphones, blister plasters, your membership card or locker key and a spare pair of clothes if you went there in your activewear.
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How to wear a hiking backpack?
- A hiking backpack should fit securely. Make sure that you have tightened or loosened the straps adequately to have the backpack sitting safely in the middle of your back. Use sternum and waist straps on a heavier pack in order to spread the load and make it easier to carry.
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Are backpacks waterproof or water-resistant?
- Most walking backpacks are water-resistant rather than fully waterproof. They use coated fabrics and treated zips to handle light rain, while rain covers offer extra protection in heavier downpours.
