Multiday (3-5 nights; 50-80 liters)Packs in the 50- to 80-liter range are also great for shorter trips where you pack a little more luxuriously or multisport activities like backcountry skiing.
People Also Ask
40-50 Liters (The Ultralight Thru-Hiker)A pack this size can be used for multi-day backpacking trips and even Continental Trail thru-hikes provided you keep a lightweight and minimalist philosophy.
What size backpack do I need for 2 or 3-days (weekend hike)? For a multi-day, or weekend hike, a 45L to 55L backpack offers enough volume for the average backpacker. The extra capacity allows for carrying more food, water, fuel, and some comfort items you might leave behind for a single night trip.
21–35 liters: This is the sweet spot for most hiking and travel daypacks. There's enough capacity to hold food, clothing and some extras, like a camera and a book. 36–50 liters: These larger packs are ideal for trips that require additional clothing and gear, such as climbing, mountaineering or non-summer hiking.
A 30L – 50L backpack will be just the ticket. It will be able to hold all your sleeping, cooking, and camping gear you need for trips up to 5 or 6 days.
Size Matters (but Bigger Isn't Better)Like a few other things in life, size matters when it comes to choosing a backpack — but not in the way you might think. Based on many years of dragging excessively large backpacks around the world, I have to say bigger is not better. You do not need an 80 or 90 litre pack.
If you will potentially need that extra capacity on a future trip, then definitely get the 75L pack. If you're doing it just because it doesn't seem like much extra weight, even if you don't expect to ever need it, I would go for the 65L pack. That would also curb the temptation to overpack.
For a multi-day, or weekend hike, a 45L to 55L backpack offers enough volume for the average backpacker. The extra capacity allows for carrying more food, water, fuel, and some comfort items you might leave behind for a single night trip.
LARGE BACKPACKS (> 40L)Anything around the 40-45 litre mark should still be carry-on compliant depending on the dimensions and the airline. They make for great travel bags when you don't want to check in luggage. Even if you're a heavy packer, you should be able to take a 45L pack away for a weekend.
Backpack SizesI recommend a backpack around 40L-50L. Personally, I wouldn't go over 65L, but some people like a bigger bag. You can always go smaller, but I wouldn't recommend anything smaller than 35L — unless you're into minimalist travel.
2-3 Day Packs: 35-50 litersA weekend backpack like a standard 40L backpack is big enough to carry a backpacking sleeping bag, small tent, and pad, as well as extra clothing and layers.
Even if you're a heavy packer, you should be able to take a 45L pack away for a weekend. A light packer could easily do with a bag like this for a week. With that in mind, here's a packing list for what you can fit in a 40+ backpack.
A weekend backpack like a standard 40L backpack is big enough to carry a backpacking sleeping bag, small tent, and pad, as well as extra clothing and layers. Other things you'll need to carry include a small stove, food and basic cookware, plus a water filter/purifier, first aid kit, and navigation tools.