The best backpacks of the moment

Whether for your daily commute, freeride sessions or any other outdoor activity, a good backpack is the secret to a successful day out in the open air. It is just as important for getting to school or work, strolling around town or exploring the highest mountain peaks. Often, it is not always easy to make the right choice among so many models and brands. Every backpack has its own features, and we are here to help you select the pack that suits your needs. To that end, we have chosen the best of this year, from ultra-light compact models to the most fully equipped pack for on- and off-piste sessions, for long-distance hikes in the mountains and even for everyday travel.

Arva Explore 20, 30 and 40 L

Ideal for skiing, snowboarding, trekking and day ski touring

The Explore 20, Explore 30 and Explore 40 backpacks from Arva, a brand renowned for its quality airbag packs, are built around a 100% recycled main fabric, a responsible and long-lasting choice. This model, available in 20 and 30 litre versions, is aimed at skiers and ski tourers looking for either a compact or more spacious pack depending on the outing. Comfort comes from the ventilated foam back panel and the adjustable hip belt, both effective at stabilising the load on technical sections. Dedicated attachment points hold skis, snowboard, helmet, poles or an ice axe, and a quick-access zippered lower pocket is integrated for skins or ropes. The safety compartment remains accessible without taking the pack off, and several pockets make it easy to organise your kit. These models combine light weight, durability and practicality for a day in the mountains.

Arva Ride 18 and 24

An eco-responsible range with varying capacities

The Arva Ride backpack, available in 18 and 24 litre versions, follows the same eco-responsible approach with a recycled polyester construction. The waist belt on the Arva Ride 18 and Arva Ride 24 is removable for greater freedom of movement if you are not carrying too much. A helmet carrier is integrated on the 24 litre model. The 18 litre version is compatible with a helmet carrier, but it is not included. The dedicated safety compartments, ski and snowboard carry system, and hydration compatibility make this range a comprehensive and highly practical set for your outings, whether for skiing, ski touring, freeride or hiking.

Dakine Heli 2.0 Pro 20 and S 26 L

Technical, well-featured packs for skiing and snowboarding

The Dakine Heli 2.0 Pro packs are designed for ski touring and snowboard outings in the mountains, with a robust construction in 100% recycled 600D polyester and an especially comprehensive feature set. Both models let you carry skis or a snowboard in several ways, feature a dedicated shovel and probe compartment, a removable helmet carrier and several pockets for organising goggles, accessories and valuables. They are also compatible with a hydration system and include RECCO technology. The Pro 20L favours compactness, while the S 26 L offers greater capacity, plus a female-specific fit and load-lifter straps.

Deuter Freerider 24L, 30L, 22 SL and 28 SL

Perfect for off-piste outings

The Deuter Freerider backpacks in 24L, 30L, 22 SL and 28 SL versions are highly complete, eco-conscious models, featuring a ski, snowboard or snowshoe carry system. The Ripstop fabric used is renowned for its high durability and is 100% recycled. The Lite Snow back system, combined with adjustable shoulder straps and padded, ergonomic hip stabilisers, ensures excellent carrying comfort, even when fully loaded, while the U-shaped rear zip gives quick access to avalanche safety equipment without taking the pack off. The ergonomic straps make long ascents easier. Elsewhere, you’ll find all the classic features for a model ideal for mountain outings, with axe and pole holders, a removable helmet holder, a padded goggle pocket, a sunglasses holder on the shoulder strap and a dedicated pocket for a hydration system with a capacity of up to 3 litres. The SL models are specially designed for the female anatomy, with a specific back length and a carrying system tailored to women’s body shape.

Millet Prolighter 30+10 L, 38+10 L and 30+10L Women

All the Millet know-how in one pack

The Millet Prolighter 30+10 L and 38+10L backpacks are designed for hiking and ski touring, although the keenest mountaineers can also use them for alpinism. The lining is made from recycled polyester and the main fabric is waterproof (1000 mm) to keep your kit nicely dry. Their expandable capacity from 30 to 40 litres and from 38 to 48 litres lets you adapt the load to the outing, and A-frame ski carry as well as axe and rope holders are integrated. The removable elements, namely the hip belt, chest strap and top lid, make it possible to reduce the pack weight even further when needed. A 30+10L women’s version is also available, designed to suit the female anatomy for greater comfort. The Prolighter are versatile models, created for technical two-day outings.

Millet Peuterey 35+10 (men and women) & Peuterey 45+10

A men’s version, a women’s version, and a long-haul version

The Millet Peuterey 35+10 and Peuterey 45+10 are designed for two-day-plus expeditions, whether ski touring, hill walking or mountaineering. Waterproof and water-repellent, they keep your kit nicely dry. The 35+10 and its women’s counterpart, the Peuterey 35+10 Women, use a breathable Ariaprène back panel in eco-friendly foam. The 45+10 reaches a 55L capacity thanks to its extendable lid. These three models are waterproof and feature a direct-access crampon compartment, A-frame ski carry system and ice axe and rope holders. Their robust design means they can carry heavy loads with excellent stability, summer and winter alike.

Ortovox Free Rider 22, 28, 20S and 26 S

A comprehensive freeride range designed with safety in mind

The Ortovox Free Rider range brings together four packs made for freeriding, ski touring and splitboarding: the Free Rider 22 and 28 with a standard back length, plus the Free Rider 20 S and 26 S, designed with a shorter back and a waistband adapted to the female body shape. All of them focus on highly comprehensive organisation, with a dedicated compartment for safety gear, including the shovel and probe, and convenient front and rear access to the main compartment. They also allow skis, a snowboard or snowshoes to be carried, while integrating an ice axe holder, compression straps and a helmet net. Their back panel with soft pads is intended to improve comfort on the move and can take the Ortovox Clasp back protector in Sas-Tec foam, sold separately. Compatibility with a hydration system, including insulated hose routing, completes the set-up. The main differences lie in volume and carrying options: 20 or 22 litres for lighter outings, 26 or 28 litres when more kit needs to be carried, with the two larger models also adding carrying solutions for poles and rope.

Ortovox Haute Route 32, 40, 30 S and 38 S

Technical packs for ski touring and high altitude use

The Ortovox Haute Route range brings together four rucksacks designed for ski touring and mountain adventures: the Haute Route 32 and 40 with a Regular back length, plus the Haute Route 30 S and 38 S with a Short back length, better suited to smaller-framed users. All of them use recycled, hard-wearing, PFC-free 420D Oxford polyamide, engineered to stand up to abrasion and demanding conditions. Their O-Flex-2 back panel combines support, flexibility and efficient load transfer between the shoulders and hips, a genuine asset when the pack is fully loaded. The organisation is geared towards alpine use, with a dedicated compartment for shovel and probe, practical access to the contents, an integrated helmet net and compatibility with a hydration system. The various attachment systems also make it possible to carry skis, a snowboard, snowshoes, an ice axe, poles or rope as required. The choice between the four models mainly comes down to the capacity required and back length: 30 or 38 litres in Short version, versus 32 or 40 litres in Regular version for greater autonomy or more kit, for day outings or longer trips.

Nitro Rover 14

Lightweight and compact for short outings

The Nitro Rover 14 backpack is the most compact in this selection. Designed with lightness in mind, it still includes the essentials: compartment for shovel and probe, pocket for a hydration system, attachments for carrying skis or a snowboard, and compatibility with the Koroyd EOP 1.0 back protector. The ventilated back panel ensures good airflow to help prevent overheating during exertion. It is a discreet, functional model that offers a full set of features so you can carry the essential kit for a day out.

Nitro Slash 25 Pro

A technical backpack designed for freeride snowboarding and skiing

The Nitro Slash 25 Pro is a 25-litre backpack designed to accompany snowboarders and skiers on their mountain outings. Its ergonomic, ventilated back panel, combined with adjustable shoulder straps, a chest strap and a hip belt, ensures a precise, comfortable fit. Versatile, it allows you to carry a snowboard, splitboard or pair of skis, while also offering attachments for poles and a helmet carry net. The main compartment accommodates personal items as well as safety kit, with a watertight zipped pocket for small essentials. A fleece-lined pocket protects your goggles or glasses, while compatibility with a hydration system makes it easy to access water on the move. Compact and well-featured, the Slash 25 Pro is a particularly comprehensive solution for freeride and backcountry outings.

FAQ

What is the best hiking backpack?

To find out which are the best hiking backpacks, we invite you to take a look at our dedicated page: The best hiking backpacks

Which backpack should you choose for travelling?

On the page How to choose your backpack, we cover exactly this question, setting out the criteria to bear in mind when selecting the right pack, and offering a few tips from our experts.

What is the best material for backpacks?

The ‘best’ material for a backpack depends on how it will be used, but the most important thing is to choose a model made from eco-responsible materials: Bluesign-certified, Fair Trade or recycled fabrics (for example rPET recycled polyester), which helps ensure a better-managed social and environmental impact. Then, opt for a abrasion-resistant fabric such as Ripstop and, if possible, waterproof or water-repellent, to ensure protection and durability. Finally, make sure the structure, shoulder straps, lining and stitching are all of good quality: high-performance material alone is not enough if the rest is not well finished.

What is the best backpack brand?

Once again, it is difficult to give a definitive answer. Every brand has its advantages, and it all depends on the intended use: hiking, travel, trail running or urban use. The most reliable brands stand out for the quality of their materials, carrying comfort, product durability and environmental commitment. It is best to favour manufacturers offering Bluesign-certified models or designs made with recycled materials, with a good ergonomic fit and solid after-sales service. You will find these recognised brands by trusting our selection, designed to combine performance, reliability and respect for the environment.

Comparison table

The best packs are at Glisshop

Browse our full ranges of ski backpacks, as well as models for hiking or school, or our selection of travel bags. We also provide plenty of tutorials and a number of Product Top Picks to help you choose the model that best suits your needs. If you’re heading off-piste, don’t hesitate to take a look at our Top 10 best avalanche airbag packs to ski well prepared!