The big four: Recommendations

Budget recommendations, 3-season

  1. MEC Camper 2, MEC Volt 2, REI Half Dome 2
  2. MEC Centaurus -9C, REI Trailmade 25
  3. Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol, MEC Reactor 4, REI Campwell
  4. MEC Vista 65, MEC Zephyr 65, Gregory Stout 55/Amber 54, REI Trailmade 60

Optimized recommendations, 3-season

  1. MSR Hubba Hubba LT 2, MEC Spark UL 2
  2. Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 0C, MEC Draco/Delphinus -9C
  3. Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT, Nemo Tensor, Big Agnes Divide
  4. Osprey Atmos/Aura AG 65, Gregory Baltoro 65/Deva 60, Deuter Aircontact Core 60+10/55+10 SL, Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor 40-60

Budget ultralight recommendations, 3-season

  1. MEC Spark UL 1
  2. MEC Aphelion UL -7C, MEC Talon 0C quilt
  3. MEC VectAir Ultralight 4
  4. MEC x SERRATUS Pace UL 40 (difficult to use normal water bottles)

Optimized ultralight recommendations, 3-season

  1. Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 2, MEC Alpha 1 UL
  2. Western Mountaineering Flylite 2C, Enlightened Equipment Revelation -1C quilt, MEC Delta Pivot -2C
  3. Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT, MEC Bravo 6 UL
  4. Black Diamond Beta Light 45, Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60, MEC Charlie 32 UL

Budget recommendations, 4-season

  1. MEC TGV 2
  2. MEC Talon -17C
  3. MEC VectAir SL Xtreme 6
  4. Black Diamond Mission 75

Professional guide recommendations, 4-season

  1. Rab Latok Summit 2, Black Diamond Fitzroy 2, Hilleburg Jannu 2
  2. Mountain Hardwear Phantom -18C, Western Mountaineering Kodiak MF -18C
  3. Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX
  4. Osprey Aether/Ariel Pro 75, Gregory Baltoro/Deva Pro 85, Cold Cold World Chaos 66/70

Note: If two backpacks are listed from the same company with a slash in the model name, the first is 'men's fit,' and the second is 'women's fit.' If there is only a single model name, it is 'unisex fit,' and may not fit well on the smaller women or larger men.