Planning a hiking trip? Once you have the destination and duration of the trip figured out, finding a good backpack and hiking shoes becomes your top priority. Let us help you find the best cheap hiking backpacks so you can have a great trip without breaking the bank!
First of all, you need to know where you will be going and have many days you will spend there because it will give you an idea of how big your backpack should be so that there is room for everything. If you are planning a weekend trip for no more than three days, a 30 to 50-liter backpack should be enough. A bag like that will be easy to carry around but do not get carried away while packing – take only what you need and keep it light.
If you are hiking for up to five days, look for a good backpack in the 50 to the 80-liter range. There will be enough space for everything you will need, from your tent, clothing, tools, and food to navigation devices and first-aid kit.
If you are going away for more than five days, you will need a bigger backpack – 70 liters or larger. This size is also preferable for winter trips when you need to bring more layers of clothing, a warmer sleeping bag, or a different type of tent. You might also want to look for a backpack from this category if you are hiking with small children and have to carry some of their gear.
So off to the best cheap hiking backpacks for your cash!
TETON Sports Scout 3400 Internal Frame Backpack
This 55 liter hiking backpack is affordable for beginners and generally recommended for shorter trips of up to four days. It is very light – just 4,5 lbs or two kilograms so it is suitable for hikers that are just starting out and youths. Because of multi-position torso adjustments, this backpack will fit all heights and body shapes.
This backpack has a large compartment to store your sleeping bag in, as well as many smaller pockets for strategic packing. There are also handy gear loops that you can use for hanging ski poles or a shovel.
It is air travel friendly – you can even bring it in the plane as cabin baggage if it is not stuffed. The bag is compact and flexible enough to adhere to most airline size requirements for cabin baggage but make sure to measure it beforehand. It is one of the best options in this price category and has many features that you would expect from much higher-priced packs!
Mountaintop 70/75L Internal Frame Backpack
This backpack is great for longer hiking trips. It has plenty of space for everything you will need to bring with you, as well as daisy chains and compression straps for attaching some of your equipment like hiking poles, tripod, sleeping bag or tent to the outside of your backpack. It also is compatible with a hydration system that can hold up to 3 liters of water.
The pack itself weighs around 4.45 lbs or two kilograms.
This pack is super comfortable due to its wide hip belt that secures the backpack even when hiking on rough terrains. It has an eight-level adjustment system so that you can fit it perfectly for your height and torso length.
This backpack has a special bottom compartment where you can keep shoes and wet or dirty clothing so it does not mix with other stuff in your pack. If features YKK zippers that are durable and reliable which is very important when you are looking for high-quality hiking gear.
However, due to its size you will not be able to use it as carry-on luggage on a plane.
Overall, people who have tried this model agree that it’s great quality for your buck and that it is comparable to backpacks three or four times as expensive.
One side of the pack has a side pocket, big enough for your jacket or umbrella. The other side has a zippered access which can easily access to the main compartment.
Hip-belt adjustable length:79-155cm/31.1-61.0in. It's not typically worn at the waist, but somewhat lower, on the hips.
High Sierra Appalachian 75 Backpacking Pack
This expedition-sized 75 liter backpack has enough room for all essentials and the pack itself weighs just 5.8 lbs or 2.6 kilograms – it is among the lightest hiking backpacks of this size and price point that you will find!
The pack is adjustable and has foam padding for your comfort. Airflow channels ensure that your back won’t get too hot and will prevent excessive sweating in this area. The pack also features contoured aluminium frame bars that you can adjust to fit the shape of your back. An adjustable sternum strap will stabilize the pack so it does not move around while you are hiking.
You will be able to attach gear like hiking poles or tools to your backpack. Inside the pack, there is an internal hydration reservoir sleeve with ports for a tube. And it also has mesh pockets sized perfectly for 1 liter water bottles – we all know how important hydration is!
Reviewers were impressed by the capacity of this backpack. You will easily be able to fit a tent, sleeping bag, clothes, some food and water in it. This is a good option for parents because you will be able to store some of your children’s stuff when they get tired or want to move around freely, without their own packs slowing them down.
