alexsuen

See the list below for quick picks. Prices listed are current as of March 2025, and reflect the MRSP in Canadian dollars.

Everyday backpacks

Budget: MEC Campus 30 (style no. 6031-473) and Hippocampus 32 (style no. 6031-516), $65 and $80 respectively. True unisex fit. Be careful to get the current generation, and not the extremely subpar previous generation models (6014-770 and 6031-516). Not available in the US. Midrange: Osprey Quasar 26 (or other backpacks from Osprey's 24/7 series, e.g. Nebula 32), $160. True unisex fit and probably the best in the business. High-end: Usually not recommended. If you insist, Evergoods and Tom Bihn designs are intriguing, though they are expensive to import. Consider the Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30 if you're being cheeky. Used: If you can find them, older generations of Deuter backpacks are phenomenal, especially the Giga 28, Gigant 32, and Grant 24 models. Rare in Canada. The Mystery Ranch District 18 and 24 are also outstanding, but are even rarer. Small: I have trouble figuring recommending specific models under 15L in capacity. I do recommend almost any backpack over a shoulder bag if it's used to commute to work or school every day. Fashion: Depending on the style you're going for, the Fjallraven Kanken 16, Jansport Superbreak 26, and The North Face Borealis 28 are all legends of European, American, and Japanese streetwear fashion respectively.

Day hiking backpacks

Budget: Gregory Nano 16 for women's fit and Nano 20 for men's fit, $75 and $110 respectively. They are unisex according to the manufacturer's specifications but this is not true for many. The Nano 20 is available in plus size. Midrange: Gregory Miko 20 for men's fit, Gregory Maya 20 for women's fit, $180. High-end: Osprey Talon 22 for men's fit, Osprey Tempest 20 for women's fit, $210. Available in plus sizes. Large capacity: Gregory Miko 30 for men's fit and Gregory Maya 30 for women's fit, $210. Large capacity, high-end: Osprey Stratos 34 for men's fit and Osprey Sirrus 34 for women's fit, $260. The Osprey Talon 44/Tempest 40 is also a good lightweight option at $290.

Multi-day backpacking/trekking packs

Budget: Gregory Stout 70 for men's fit and Gregory Amber 68 for women's fit, $300. Available in plus sizes. Midrange: Gregory Baltoro 65 for men's fit and Gregory Deva 60 for women's fit, $460. Alternatively, the Osprey Atmos AG 65 or Aura AG 65 if you're mainly in hotter climates and less technical (i.e. mountainous) terrain, or the Osprey Aether 65 or Ariel 65 if you're mainly in cooler climates and more technical terrain. High-end: Usually not recommended. You're probably looking more for boutique ultralight gear made by smaller manufacturers.

Urban adventure travel backpacks

Personal item sized: Osprey Daylite Carry-On Expandable 26+26, $130, true unisex fit. Alternatively, the slightly oversized Patagonia Black Hole Mini-MLC 30, $250. Carry-on sized: Osprey Farpoint 40 for men's fit and Osprey Fairview 40 for women's fit, $200. Alternatively, if you need something less hike-y, the Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45 ($300), Osprey Daylite Carry-On 44 ($170) and the latest generation of the Cotopaxi Allpa 42 ($300) are all excellent, and all three of these offer true unisex fit. Carry-on and personal item combo: Osprey Farpoint 55 for men's fit and Osprey Fairview 55 for women's fit, $280. It is composed of a 40L main pack and a 15L detachable daypack that becomes your personal item. Can be difficult to find due to high demand. Alternatively, the Thule Landmark 60 (40L + 20L detachable daypack, $300) appears to be a solid option, though I don't have personal experience with it. Checked baggage: Osprey Farpoint 70 for men's fit and Osprey Fairview 70 for women's fit, $300. It is composed of a 55L main pack and a 15L detachable daypack that becomes your personal item. The Deuter Voyager 65+10 ($400) is a very old-fashioned approach to this category if you prefer something that is more similar to a alpine-style trekking backpack.

Other categories

I defer to subject matter experts on categories like mountain biking or alpine climbing backpacks.