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Our Editors Have Tested Dozens of Backpacks. These 11 Are the Ones We Trust Most.
Top options from Fjallraven, Bellroy, Yeti, and more.
A BACKPACK IS way more than something you throw over your shoulders. At least that's certainly the case for the finest of the bunch. The best backpacks function as much like trusty, hard-working sidekicks as they do carriers of your belongings.
A top-shelf backpack can do way more than just schlep. It can wear with such ease that you barely even know you're wearing it, whether you're hiking 10 miles or strolling to the subway stop. It can organize and protect valuables, insulate, and even fend off bad weather. And it can wow with sophisticated features like magnetic clasps and special storage areas tailor-made for very specific devices.
Best Backpacks for Men
- Best Everyday Backpack: Fjallraven Räven 28
- Most Comfortable Backpack: The North Face Borealis
- Best Panel Loader Backpack: Cotopaxi Alla 26L Daypack
- Most Durable Backpack: Yeti Crossroads 22L Carry On Backpack
- Best Classic Backpack: Bellroy Classic Backpack
- Best Tote Backpack Hybrid: Peak Design Everyday Totepack
As with running shoes or smartwatches, there are a lot of sub-categories within the category itself. There are hiking backpacks built for the trail and brief stays out in the middle of nowhere. There are hydration packs engineered for outdoor pursuits like running and more. And there are travel backpacks made for frequent fliers.
Here, we're after high-use backpacks with everyday appeal. You know, the kind that gravitate as much to the morning bike commuter as the person headed to the coffee shop with their laptop or even away for the night, not wanting to leave any essentials behind.
What to Consider
Capacity
Essentially the volume of the pack, this a crucial figure as it determines how much you can carry. Everyday packs tend to be on the smaller end (under 30-liters), but the exact number can determine whether you can sneak in that last change of clothes or extra water bottle comfortably.
Dimensions
A more technical figure, the dimensions are good to know for travel purposes. You want to know where the pack can fit in transit and also how big it might be when packed to the brim. These numbers can also give you a better idea of the fit of the pack, depending on the size of the wearer.
Computer Friendly
Will you be packing that computer? Most everyday packs account for that, with specialized sleeves and protective cubbies (some better than others). You'll want to know the details as some can handle bigger laptops or tablets than others, and some may require a sleeve or something extra to protect your machine. Some, of course, don't wish to travel with their computers and don't need the extra setup.
Weatherproof
Will you be trekking into the elements? Walking through the rain in a pack that sticks out past your umbrella? Perhaps you're an all-weather cyclist commuter that needs some water resistance? This is an important feature if you plan to be outside all seasons and carrying items (tech, for instance) that might not stand up to the precipitation as well.
Weight
While the weight of everyday packs does not differ a whole lot, a little can make a big difference if you're down a long hiking trail or wearing that pack all day for work. Extra weight can equate to more durability, but that's not always the case (and perhaps something you don't want if you have back issues or plan to be towing heavier loads).
How We Selected
Myself, along with MH editors, have tested dozens of backpacks over several months specifically for this buying guide, putting them through everyday use. That's a generic term, we know, but think morning commutes to work, bike rides to the store, weekend outings, field trips, journeys to the gym and back, and more. We tried them during a mix of activities with varied weights, sometimes just a pack of clothes or a water bottle in the way to the park, other times filled with books and a computer on a 20-mile bike ride.
In the end, we selected bags that were comfortable, functional, and offered deceptively helpful features. In addition to the above components, we analyzed online reviews, chatted up insiders on some of their favorite options, and looked for the newest and most improved packs from brands we've grown to respect and use ourselves.
Read on for the 11 best backpacks for men, tested by our editors.
Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon who covers food, drink, travel, culture, outdoors, gear, and tech. He's formally trained in journalism but stumbled into the wine industry just when it was getting good and can't seem to fully let it go. His outlets are many, from Men's Health, Women's Health, and The Manual to Vinepair, SevenFifty Daily, Sip Northwest, and others He's a devout soccer fan and thinks about Iceland daily.
Ryan Brower is the Senior Gear and Reviews Editor at Men’s Health, where he tests the best products in outdoor gear and tech. Baseball, surfing, and camping occupied most of his time growing up. He also trained in martial arts for 12 years and holds a third degree black belt. He has written about the outdoors for nearly two decades and was previously the Managing Editor, Content Performance at Gear Patrol. He is also a Certified Beer Server and previously covered the craft beer industry. Ryan currently lives on the water in New Jersey with his wife and their dog.
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