Patagonia, a producer of outdoor gear based in Ventura, California, was founded in 1973 and has since become a household name. The company sells a wide variety of backpacks, from lightweight daypacks with padded laptop bags to heavy-duty hiking packs and technical backpacks designed for extreme sports like the SnowDrifter Pack ($159 as of this writing).

Recycled ripstop polyester and nylon are frequently used, and many times these fabrics are lined with a laminate to further increase their water and wind resistance. Currently retailing for $99, the Ultralight Black Hole Tote Pack is a 27-liter bag that can be worn in a variety of ways, has a sternum strap, and folds up into its own pocket when not in use.

Pros:

• Wide variety
• Great warranty backs all products
• Focus on sustainability

Cons:

• More expensive than counterparts

Warranty: All products are covered by Ironclad Guarantee against defects

Return Policy: Unlimited for sale and new items, in new conditions with tags

Website: https://www.patagonia.com/home/

In contrast to Patagonia, which began as a manufacturer of climbing and mountaineering equipment before expanding into backpacks and luggage, Osprey began as a backpack manufacturer in 1974. While Patagonia's origins are in Ventura, Osprey's are in Santa Cruz, many hours up the coast. The company's first excellent seamstresses were a group of Navajo women, so founder Mike Pfotenhauer, his business partner, and Diane Wren relocated the operation to southwest Colorado.

The headquarters of the company are still in Cortez, where it has a long history of pioneering approaches to business. We really like that Osprey produces high-quality backpacks for a wide variety of trips and outdoor activities. They also like that Osprey is concerned with environmental preservation and has just released its most eco-friendly pack to date, the Talon Earth 22 (current retail price: $200). They are also anticipating its first range of backpacks designed just for women who are plus-size.

Pros:

• Packs for any adventure Continuing improvement in green standards Focus on philanthropy

Cons:

• Requires investment

Warranty: All Mighty Guarantee covers all damages and defects

Return Policy: 60 days in new conditions with tags and packaging intact

Website: https://www.osprey.com/us/en/

Everest has been producing affordable everyday bags since 1982. All of the products are straightforward and dependable, and there are a variety of backpacks to choose from. They start with the Basic Backpack, a mid-sized option with a roomy main compartment and a zipped front pocket, and progress to more elaborate designs with features like mesh water bottle pockets and a durable suede bottom.

The Basic Backpack often retails for about $20, which is less than a tenth of the price of packs of similar size sold by the more costly brands on our list. However, prices vary depending on the retailer (Everest is a wholesaler and does not sell directly to consumers). Options come in a wide variety of vivid hues, and they're all made of durable 600-denier polyester. Also available are basic backpacks with various patterns.

Pros:

• Simple backpacks for daily use
• Multiple colors
• Limited lifetime warranty

Cons:

• Must find a retailer
• Limited selection

Warranty: Simple As That Warranty covers defects for the life of the product

Return Policy: Varies according to the retailer

Website: https://www.everest.com/

Deuter has been creating gear for mountain sports enthusiasts since 1898. The brand's singular concentration on bags and backpacks allows for painstaking craftsmanship in every item. There are a wide variety of backpacks available, from sturdy all-rounders for newcomers to ultralight hiking daypacks, expedition packs with maximum capacity, and backpacks designed for specialized sports like trail running, skiing, and mountaineering. The Aircontact Lite (current price is $190) is our favorite backpack because of its padded hip belt and expandable main pocket, making it ideal for day treks as well as longer excursions.

Deuter, like Patagonia, is well-known for its durable backpacks. The lifetime repair service that comes with yours also offers a free replacement if the pack can't be fixed. In addition to being committed to doing the right thing, the brand operates in accordance with BlueSign standards for sustainability, worker safety, and consumer security. As an example, as of the year 2020, no items contained any PFC-treated materials, which are known to be toxic.

Pros:

• Specialist packs for outdoor pursuits
• Generous repair program
• Ladies fit versions available

Cons:

• Limited urban choices
• Not the most affordable

Warranty: Deuter's Promise covers damages and defects

Return Policy: 30 days undamaged, unused in original packaging

Website: https://deuter.com/

If you're more likely to be using your backpack in the city than in the great outdoors, Timbuk2 has you covered. A San Francisco bike messenger started the company in 1989 with the intention of making the first messenger bag. It has expanded its product line to include backpacks with flaps, roll tops, and clamshell openings that are influenced by urban culture. The Tuck Laptop Backpack (current retail price: $89) is a very adaptable backpack that may be used as a sturdy weekend bag or as part of your daily commute.

Commuters can choose from a number of choices that are made with their needs in mind, such as quick-access laptop pockets and key keepers, tricot-lined pockets for electrical devices, and reflective panels for increased visibility on the road. Most are equipped with a waterproof cover that may be removed in the event of rain. All Timbuk2 bags are made using eco-friendly Bluesign-certified materials and come with a limited lifetime warranty. Choose from the Eco Lifestyle range for products made entirely from recycled materials; our favorite is the modern Vapour Sling Crossbody Bag (currently retailing for $99; see above for details).

Pros:

• Intelligent features for commuters
• Eco-friendly collection available
• Ethical materials

Cons:

• Limited crossover for adventure purposes
• Conditional lifetime warranty

Website: https://www.timbuk2.com/

The original JanSport SuperBreak (current retail price for the color option "russet red" is $36 USD) was introduced in the 1960s and has since been the standard-issue backpack for students all around the country. JanSport's website now allows users to sort their inexpensive selection of over 30 different models by their various features. A few examples include the abrasion-resistant bottoms, water bottle pockets, and laptop sleeves.

Backpacks come in a broad variety of styles, patterns, and colors, and they usually include plenty of compartments for all of your books and belongings. The Eco Mesh Pack (now $40) will make you the envy of your classmates. It's ideal for students because it has a sleeve for a 15-inch laptop and two exterior pockets. In 2022, more than 80% of JanSport backpacks featured main body construction made from 100% recycled fabric, and the company offered a lifetime warranty that guaranteed repair or replacement of any defective product.

Pros:

• Designed for students
• Multiple styles and colors
• Generous warranty

Cons:

• Not the most sustainable
  
• Not designed for specialist pursuits

Warranty: Limited lifetime against defects

Return Policy: 60 days undamaged, unaltered, and unused

Website: https://www.jansport.com/

Inspiring mindful travel is at the heart of the modern company Tropicfeel, which launched in 2017. Because of this, their rucksack styles can be used anywhere, including at school, in the city, and on the path. There are four different versions available. Three of them (Hive, Shell, and Nest) make use of smart organizers and extensions to accommodate more items. The Nest (now $199) is a versatile backpack that can be used as either a 16-liter daypack or a 30-liter adventure bag.

The option to personalize your rucksack on a daily basis saves you money and prevents unnecessary waste by preventing you from having to buy a new one for every event. In addition to using 100% recycled nylon and 88% recycled polyester, Tropicfeel is climate neutral certified (offsetting all carbon emissions). But there is one catch. There isn't a lifetime guarantee like there is with other, more well-known brands.

Pros:

• Versatile enough for any use
• Most models expand significantly
• Carbon neutral company

Cons:

• Warranty only valid for two years
• Fewer models than in previous brands

Warranty: 2 years against defects

Return Policy: 30 days, new and unused

Website: https://shop.tropicfeel.com/pages/nest-backpack

The founders of GORUCK, a husband-and-wife team with experience in the Special Forces and the CIA, set out to design a knapsack that would hold up under the most extreme conditions. Now advertising itself as the maker of "the world's toughest gear," the company provides a variety of backpacks appropriate for activities as diverse as backpacking and rucking (training with weights on one's back). The GR2 Rucksack ($395) is modeled after medical packs used by Special Forces troops and meets the size requirements of most airlines while remaining extremely sturdy.

The waxing technique, which has been perfected over the course of 170 years, gives most backpacks' duck canvas their legendary strength and water resistance. Extra padding on the shoulder straps helps carry weights of any size, and the YKK zippers include durable parachute cord pulls. There is a fake bottom in the bombproof laptop compartment of many of them. All goods come with the Scars Lifetime Guarantee.

Pros:

• Strong waxed-canvas material
• Generous warranty guarantee
• Charitable partnerships

Cons:

• Expensive
• Not for ultralight backpacking

Warranty: Lifetime against defects and damage

Return Policy: 30 days in original condition, preferably with tags

Website: https://www.goruck.com/

A totally waterproof rucksack may be necessary if you live in an area characterized by heavy precipitation. The solution may be found in a variety of backpacks from the Rains outerwear lifestyle brand, all of which are made from a PFC- and PVC-free PU fabric. The bags, like the brand's apparel, have cutting-edge urban unisex design and top-notch utility.

You can choose from a wide variety of designs, such as buckle-fastening roll-top rucksacks and flap-top cargo bags with several outside pockets and carabiner closures. Equally varied are the planned uses for the packs. Whether you're looking for a stylish backpack for a day in the city like the Backpack Micro (currently $95) or a durable backpack for an outdoor excursion like the Mountaineer Bag ($155, as of publication) with its large main compartment, compression straps, and exterior bungee system, you'll find what you need.

Pros:

• Proprietary waterproof material
• Variety of styles and sizes
• 100 percent vegan

Cons:

• Short warranty period

Warranty: 2-year product warranty

Return Policy: 30 days for intact items

Website: https://www.rains.com/

Ethical bag and backpack producer Terra Thread is one of several companies on this list that has made sustainability a priority. Carbon emissions are offset through the company's support of reforestation and renewable energy projects, making it carbon neutral. Fairtrade organic cotton is used in all production, and the plant where it is made is certified as providing workers with above-average wages and a secure environment.

The company is certified as a B-Corp, which means it adheres to the highest standards of corporate social responsibility. There are three distinct styles of backpacks available, ranging from large to medium to small. The two larger bags have padded compartments for a laptop and water bottles and are both constructed from durable cotton canvas; the smaller bag has a zipped exterior pocket. The Zem Mini Backpack (now $60) is the perfect size among the three options. Its 9-liter capacity is just right, making it portable without being cumbersome. Pick one out in one of many cheerful hues or adorable patterns.

Pros:

• Fair Trade-Certified practices
• Affordably priced
• Sales support Feeding America

Cons:

• Limited number of styles and functions
• Not water-resistant

Warranty: Not listed

Return Policy: 10 days in unused conditions, with tags attached

Website: https://terrathread.com/

The inspiration for Troubadour came from the need of two friends to find a backpack that would be suitable for a variety of situations, including professional meetings, camping trips, and weekend getaways in the city. The company now sells a wide range of bags, including backpacks, all of which feature a sleek, modern design that aims to be "luxe but not loud, timeless but twenty-first century." Backpacks come in a wide range of sizes and trendy designs, and they also come in timeless colors like navy, black, and khaki. Their Pioneer Backpack ($275 at time of print) exemplifies this philosophy with its low profile and easy access to its main compartment from the front.

Some have hidden zippers so they blend in perfectly, while others have shiny gold ones that stand out. The backpacks are as stylish as they are practical, thanks to the use of waterproof materials and a minimalist design. Look for organized interiors, a padded laptop sleeve, a ventilated back panel, and adjustable, padded straps. Recycled plastics and leather from responsible farms are among the materials used.

Pros:

• Warranty: 5 years against defects
• Return Policy: 100 days in new conditions with tags attached

Cons:

• High-end prices
• Short guarantee period

Warranty: 5 years against defects

Return Policy: 100 days in new conditions with tags attached

Website: https://www.troubadourgoods.com/

In order to go further, faster, and for longer, Hyperlite is dedicated to ultralight experiences and the science of packing light. The brand caters to avid hikers and explorers by providing equipment such as tents, clothing, sleeping pads, and backpacks. Depending on the type of backpack you're looking for, you can consult a list of suggested activities and locations.

You can choose between the Northrim, which costs $450 for 3400 and is designed for hiking and canyoneering, or the Ice Pack, which costs $359 for 2400 and is optimized for alpine climbing. Daypacks are another option for an unplanned trek or peak-bagging expedition. Packs come with a variety of features, from exterior mesh pockets to ice axe loops, but they're all manufactured from ultralight Dyneema composite fabric for the best possible weight-to-strength ratio.

Pros:

• Durable composite fabric
• Range of packs for specific applications
• Military/first responders discounts

Cons:

• Limited warranty for one year only
• Expensive

Warranty: 1 year against defects

Return Policy: 30 days for new and unused products

Website: https://www.hyperlitemountaingear.com/

For the serious photographer, the importance of keeping their gear safe while on the road cannot be overstated. More than 50 years ago, Lowepro began producing camera backpacks. All of the goods have been put through rigorous testing in the lab and were developed in collaboration with expert photographers. Roughly sixty different backpack models exist, with variants available to accommodate a wide variety of setups (including dedicated hard-sided backpacks for drone pilots). The Pro Trekker RLX is a convertible backpack/roller bag that can hold a single DSLR camera and up to six additional lenses (list price: $470).

You'll never miss a shot again thanks to the bag's various access points, removable camera sections, adjustable divider systems, armored protection, and built-in weather resistance. Lowepro also offers modular enclosures and internal organizers for a higher level of customization. For as long as you possess the bag, any manufacturing or quality issues will be repaired at no cost to you.

Pros:

• Exclusive focus on camera equipment
• Huge range of packs
• Complementary accessories available

Cons:

• Warranty is significantly limited
• No significant sustainability commitment

Warranty: Limited warranty against defects to original owner

Return Policy: 30 days, unused and in original packaging

Website: https://www.lowepro.com/us-en/