Hiking Backpack Size Guide: Choosing the Best Size for Your Next Outdoor Adventure
Whether for a hiking trip, a city break or a multi-week trekking tour - choosing the right backpack size is crucial for your comfort on the road. A backpack that's too small will leave you forgetting essential gear, whilst one that's too large will unnecessarily burden your shoulders with extra weight. Here you'll learn everything you need to know about the perfect backpack size!
Backpack Size Chart in Litres
The ideal size of your backpack depends on several factors:
- Type of activity: Day trips, trekking, travel
- Duration of the trip: One day, a weekend, a week or longer
- Personal packing style: Minimalist or with extensive equipment
Backpacks are typically classified by their volume in litres. The litre specification helps you estimate how much luggage the backpack can hold. However, the intended use and your personal packing style are also crucial.
Here's a rough guide:
| Volume (Litres) | Backpack Type | Usage Area |
| up to 10 l | Daypacks | Day trips with minimal gear |
| 10-30 l | Hiking backpack, cycling backpack | City trips, day hikes (cycling, hiking) |
| 25-35 l | Hiking backpack, cycling backpack, mountaineering pack | Longer hikes with overnight stays, mountaineering, multi-day cycling tours |
| 30-50 l | Small trekking backpack, travel backpack | Weekend trips, light multi-day tours |
| 50-70 l | Trekking backpack, travel backpack | Multi-day tours with camping equipment |
How big should a hiking backpack be?
For day hikes, 20-30 litres is often sufficient. There's space for provisions, a rain jacket, a water bottle and other hiking accessories. If you're planning a multi-day tour, it should be at least 40-70 litres. This way you can also store additional clothing, sleeping bag, food and possibly tent and cooking equipment. It's important to create a packing list and pack your backpack efficiently.
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The Right Backpack for Hut-to-Hut ToursFor a hut-to-hut tour, a backpack with a capacity of 30-50 litres is usually sufficient. Since you don't need a tent or cooking equipment in the huts, you can pack a bit lighter. Don't forget, however, to bring spare clothes and a compact sleeping bag liner.
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Backpack Sizes for the Camino de SantiagoFor the Camino de Santiago, a backpack volume of 40-50 litres is recommended. Here you need to focus on lightweight luggage, as you often cover many kilometres per day. Choose a backpack with good back ventilation and reinforced carrying straps.
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Determining the Right Backpack Size: 5 Tips
For certain backpack types, it's particularly important to pay attention to the fit. Whilst daypacks under 30 litres are usually packed light enough so that weight distribution on the hips doesn't matter, an incorrect fit of the hiking backpack can excessively strain certain areas during your trips.
Measuring Back Length for Your Hiking Backpack: How to Do It Right!
For hiking backpacks, the correct back length is crucial: If the backpack is too short, the weight will press uncomfortably on your shoulders. A backpack that's too high pulls the weight of the straps downward, causing you to lose your balance more quickly. Therefore, when purchasing, choose a backpack that fits your body size.
To do this, you should measure your back length and select the backpack accordingly:
- Orientate yourself by the C7 cervical vertebra to find the first measuring point: Bend your head slightly forward - below your neck you can now feel the C7 cervical vertebra, as it protrudes clearly.
- Now place your hands on your hips and feel where your lateral pelvic bones end.
- At the level of the upper pelvic edge is the second measuring point.
- Place a flexible measuring tape along the spine and measure the distance between these two points.
The Right Backpack for Tall People
For tall people, we recommend a backpack with an extra long back. These backpacks are not offered by every manufacturer. However, there are also manufacturers that have developed special systems with which you can adjust the back length. Therefore, measure your back length accurately to find the ideal backpack for your height.
Hiking Backpacks for Tall People
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The Futura Series from Deuter Lightweight, comfortable and breathable (from approx. 1.4 kg)
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The Pyrox Series from Tatonka Robust, spacious and individually adjustable (from approx. 1.9 kg)
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FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
What backpack size for 1 week
For a week-long tour, a backpack with 50-70 litres is suitable. This backpack offers enough space for the essentials such as clothing, toiletries and possibly sleeping gear. Plan well to avoid taking unnecessarily much!
What backpack size for 2 weeks?
For two weeks, it depends on whether you can wash your clothes in between. 60-80 litres is recommended if you're travelling without washing facilities. With washing facilities, you could reduce to 50-60 litres.
What backpack size for 3 weeks?
Here 70+ litres makes sense, especially for trekking tours without resupply options. Make sure to organise your backpack well and leave space in the top lid for frequently needed items (e.g. phone or rain cover)
What does size "misc" mean on a backpack?
"Misc" stands for "miscellaneous" and is sometimes used to describe a one-size-fits-all or a backpack variant without a specified litre capacity. Such backpacks are often flexibly expandable or specially designed for a specific purpose.
Your Next Adventure Awaits!
Whether you're planning a short day hike, exploring new countries as a backpacker or planning a long trekking tour – the right backpack makes life easier on the road. Use the litre specification as a guide, but don't forget to adapt the backpack to your body and planned activities!
