Best Internal Frame Hiking Backpacks of 2025

“As a big guy at 6'1" and 260 pounds, I found this pack fits me well. It's comfortable to wear and has ample space for multiple day outings with my dog. I was able to fit a Naturehike 3P tent, sleeping pad, food, and more, with room to spare! Also, Teton’s customer service was outstanding when I had an issue.”

“I appreciated the great price and the fact that it meets my needs perfectly. After adjusting it to medium size, it fits like a glove. I’ve been training for long hikes with 45 lbs added to my pack, and it feels fantastic. Just a tip: the rain cover is tucked away at the bottom, so be sure to locate it before hitting the trail!”

"I think this bag is fantastic for the price, especially when compared to others that cost five to six times more. I took it on my honeymoon to Europe and it held everything I needed, making it comfortable for travel between cities. The internal frame was a plus, and even though some reviews mentioned broken buckles, I haven't had any issues. If that happens, I plan to switch to metal clips!"

"At 5'4", I feel this bag might be a bit too large for me, but I got it primarily for emergency preparedness and ended up using it for backpacking. I love the numerous pockets and features, although some are tough to find due to the black on black design. The rainfly is included, but it takes a while to locate. Overall, I appreciate the compartment flexibility and the easy access to essential items!"

"I've had this bag for a few years now. While I haven't faced the issues others have mentioned, I understand it's an entry-level backpack. I've used it for weekend backpacking and general camping without loading it heavily. The main compartment is spacious, and I like the camelback space and the integrated rain cover. It's a good starter backpack, perfect for those not expecting high-end features."

“I've taken this backpack on two trips, and it's worked out great. There’s a lot of room inside, and I highly recommend using packing cubes for better organization. The backpack is super comfy to wear, and it has handy straps for keeping things in place. I experienced a minor issue with a strap piece detaching, but I was able to retrieve it. Overall, for this price, it’s a fabulous backpack that replaced two carry-on pieces.”

“This is by far the best travel bag I’ve ever owned. It’s comfortable, offers plenty of space, and unzips like a suitcase for easy packing. The design that covers the straps is genius, preventing any snags during travel. While the laptop sleeve is a bit unconventional, I appreciate the extra space it provides. The bag held up exceptionally well on my month-long trip.”

“I travel a lot for work and was tired of my small carry-on. The Osprey Fairpoint 55 is a game changer. It has two bags combined, perfect for personal items and bulk travel gear. It fits well in overhead compartments and even under the seat. The comfortable straps make it easy to carry, and I love how the smaller bag can attach to the main one. I’m really pleased with this purchase.”

"I am 5'2" and 115lbs with a 32E bust size. I just bought this pack in hunter green and it looks awesome. It’s a nice, neutral color, not as bright as the picture. I was comparing it with a larger $200 pack from REI that had worse reviews, so I went for this one. It’s a fantastic size for my needs. My dog carries his own gear, so this pack works perfectly for me. The adjustability is impressive; I could easily move the chest strap up for comfort. Plus, I can adjust the aluminum stays to fit my back contour. So far, I love it!"

"This backpack is the best for hiking! It's so comfortable and the quality is excellent. The size is just right for 2 or 3 days worth of gear. There are plenty of pockets for organization, but it feels a bit heavy even when empty. Overall, I believe it's the best option for the price!"

"I bought this pack 8 years ago for my first 14er in Colorado. It's carried everything from typical overnight gear to rock climbing equipment. It’s super durable and shows very little wear. However, I’ve noticed that the waist belt loosens a bit under load, which can be annoying. Despite that, I’d recommend it to budget-conscious hikers as it remains functional for my needs!"

“I recently took this backpack on a 4-night section hike of the Appalachian Trail with my son. The comfort level was extremely high, and I appreciated how adjustable it was for our different heights. Despite some rough weather and rocky terrain, it showed no signs of wear. The space was amazing, allowing us to pack all our gear without issue. I highly recommend this for anyone starting out in hiking.”

“After weeks of searching for the perfect civil air patrol 72-hour SAR pack, I finally found this one. It fits both me and my son comfortably, and its weight distribution was excellent during our hikes. The pockets were perfectly designed for easy access to our supplies without being overly complicated. We were very pleased with this purchase, especially for the price.”

“This backpack has been great for our family trips. The durability is awesome, and I believe it offers the same quality as much pricier bags. The harness setup works well, but I did notice that the bottom compartment is a bit small for standard sleeping bags. Overall, I would happily pay double for this bag!”

"I used this bag for a 10-day trip to Italy and multiple flights. It's small enough for a carry-on but larger than other options in this price range. The quality is great; I have no complaints."

"I love how much I can fit in this pack for hiking. Plus, I can easily attach my walking sticks to it, which is super convenient!"

"This backpack is a great starter pack. My only issue is the lack of bottom straps for my tent, forcing me to strap it to the side instead of the bottom."

"I wanted something more subtle, and I found it with the newer model. It's improved in every aspect and has a ton of storage capacity. For the price, you can't beat it! I paid $100 on sale, and it's one of the most comfortable packs I own."

"After using Kelty packs since the '90s, I needed a bigger one. The Red Wing 50 fits my needs perfectly for overnights. I returned the blue for the black, which I find more appealing. It's sturdy and has plenty of torso adjustments."

"I took this pack on a week-long backpacking trip in Banff. It kept everything dry, comfortable, and lightweight. I was impressed with its quality and would definitely recommend it!"

"I've had my backpack for about three years and it has served me very well. I originally bought it for my Kilimanjaro trip, and I’ve used it as my day pack for several hikes. It’s not small, but it’s not too bulky either. I recently carried 12-14kg on the Camino de Santiago and it worked great. I love the different compartments for organization and the belt with side bags. The durability and ability to keep my stuff dry in light rain were impressive. However, the water bottle pockets could be more accessible."

"This backpack was perfect for my three weeks traveling in the UK. I had to check it due to its size, but that was expected. The side pocket was amazing, and the waterproof cover worked well since it rained a lot in Scotland. The shoulder straps were comfortable even during long hikes, making it a reliable companion."

"I took this backpack on a 12-day trip through Europe and it was fantastic. The pockets were perfectly placed, and the adjustable straps helped keep everything compact. It fit comfortably on my back without causing any pain, thanks to the padding placement. For hiking and compact travel, this high-quality backpack is worth every penny!"

"I was really pleased with my 29-liter Outdoor Products pack, but it just couldn't hold all my gear anymore. So, I decided to get the 55-liter pack at an incredible price—half of what it is on the company's site! The quality of the zippers, straps, fabric, and stitching is impressive. The only concern is the plastic buckles, but I'm keeping my load around 20 lbs, so I think they will hold up. Plus, it has a built-in rain fly and space for a water bag. I might even buy another one as a gift!"

"This backpack is incredibly roomy! I'm planning to use it for hiking this summer, and I'm confident it will serve me well."

"I found this pack to be perfect for a light bugout bag and regular travel. It seems great for a couple of days camping, too. The quality is impressive for the price—definitely a great day pack for hiking or even for students and workers!"

"I enjoyed using this pack on a recent 2-night backpacking trip. Carrying around 30lbs was very comfortable, and the organizational pockets were a great feature. Everything stayed dry thanks to the rain cover and liner. Although the buckles feel a bit cheap, they held up fine during my adventure."

"For my 14-day trip in Japan, this backpack was wonderful! Super ergonomic, it kept the weight off my back and felt snuggly against my waist. The bottom compartment access was super convenient, and the deep side pockets held large bottles without fear of them falling out. Highly recommend for the price!"

"I bought this pack back in June 2020 and have used it on around a dozen short trips. Overall, it's a decent pack that distributes weight well and is quite comfortable. I did notice it gets uncomfortable over 35-40 lbs, but if you keep it lighter, it feels great. After 2.5 years of use, the hip belt is starting to tear, but considering my rough use, it's not unexpected."