Robust, reliable: the best 65L rucksacks of 2024

The Osprey Atmos AG 65's anti-gravity (AG) trampoline-style back system holds the body of the pack away from the body of the wearer, to provide maximum airflow with exceptional comfort. The fit is made even better thanks to the hip belt, which moulds to the body for a secure fit. The Osprey Herren has great weight transfer of the load to the hips, due to the stiffness of the design, and loads are carried with good stability.

The main compartment of the Atmos AG 65 has a top entry with a floating lid and an additional flap jacket cover that allows you to remove the lid if needed. There are two massive front-zipped pockets behind the stretch stash pocket and you get pretty much all the packing options you need here.

However, the Atmos AG 65 is a heavy pack, although the weight does include a 123g rain cover, which is removable, it hardly makes a difference to the overall pack load.

It would have been good to have just a normal draw corded snow lock extension under the lid and ditch the flap jacket, but that is the only drawback here. Like many floating lid designs, water could creep under the back of the lid and make its way into the main compartment if you are not careful with the adjustment of the lid in the rain.

Though the price of the Osprey Atmos AG 65 is high, you are getting improved comfort and better stability in some cases for the extra cash.

A superb large travel backpack for a long camping weekend, with plenty of comfort to keep your mind on the road, it's tough to top this brilliant backpack. The Osprey Atmos AG 65 is a must for the most dedicated backpackers needing a reliable backpack to kick off their adventure.

The Lowe Alpine Sirac is great for travel, with a tough carry strap on the front which makes this rucksack easier to lob into luggage racks. The back system allows the shoulder straps to be raised and secured comfortably, and there's a mesh covering sitting against the body to increase airflow. The hip belt is particularly wide, stiff, and well-padded. You get mesh wand pockets on the side and compression straps.

However, the Sirac 65 litre backpack appears heavy compared to others, but it includes a very robust removable backpack rain cover, so remove this and the weight comes down. The carry is slightly unusual as the hip belt is exceptionally supportive, the shoulder straps are a little narrow and the back panel tends to barrel a little to create a firm contact area in the middle of the back.

Also, as with others, the floating lid design needs careful adjustment to stop water from creeping into the main compartment. Overall, the Low Alpine Sirac is perfect for travel, and if you ditch the rain cover the weight is good, but carry and comfort could be better.

For comfort and quality at an affordable price, the Berghaus Trailhead 65 is a tough rucksack to beat. Perfectly adjustable, thanks to its BIOFIT system and added padding for a stellar hiking holiday, the Trailhead 65 's ample support is certainly commendable.

Entry to the main compartment of the Trailhead 65 is via the lid, and there's a host of additional storage pockets under the compression straps and above the mesh wand pockets which are excellent for efficient supply access when quick access to tools is a must. On the back, the raised padded areas allow reasonable airflow, giving you that little extra comfort on sweltering summer days.

Unfortunately, there are some downsides when it comes to the Trailhead's design, namely relating to its tough front zips which can be slightly tricky to access. Yes, the YKK zips are incredibly reliable, but unzipping in a pinch can prove frustrating.

For a well-priced 65-litre backpack from one of the most reputable brands on the market, the Berghaus Trailhead is a top-tier choice for total peace of mind, rain or shine.

The Osprey Ariel Plus 60 is a rucksack for serious adventurers looking for total comfort and convenience on their journeys. With its array of features and particularly robust build quality, the Osprey Ariel Plus 60 verges from a backpacking rucksack to a full-on expedition pack. There are dedicated men’s and women’s models (the men’s is the Aether Plus 60), with two sizes for each. The back length is also adjustable. You can further fine-tune fit, as the ‘fit-on-the-fly’ shoulder straps and hip belt can be extended to suit. 

The Ariel Plus offers main and bottom compartments, with front-zipped access to the main body as well as via the lid. For the best-prepared backpacker, there's a multitude of pockets and plenty of webbing to lash additional kit to the front or bottom of the pack. The removable lid even converts into a day or summit pack to reduce the overall weight, which is a must for backpacks of this size.

The Ariel Plus 60's Airscape back panel doesn’t offer quite the same ventilation as a suspended back system, but balances airflow with load-carrying stability. Even on technical trails with tricky-to-manoeuvre terrain, the Ariel Plus 60 feels evenly weighted.

Tough, extremely well-built and a highly capable gear-hauler, the Osprey Ariel Plus 60 is a hefty rucksack that's ready for use on vast expeditions.

The low weight is the instant appeal of the Vaude Asymmetric rucksack, coupled with its competitive price, but it's also made sustainably, adhering to Bluesign Fair Wair Foundation standards, and uses more eco-friendly waterproof treatment on the materials. The back length of the Vaude Asymmetric is adjustable, with perforated mesh which provides airflow across the padded body contact areas.

The main compartment has a base, front, and top entry via a floating lid, and there's a huge front pocket that's perfect for storing your camping necessities. The compression straps work well with the deep mesh side wand pockets that are perfect for storing pickets and tent poles. The carry is acceptable with light loads, and some will like the relatively firm and stable feel of this pack, and that the weight transfers well to the wide hip belt.

This rucksack is unfortunately quite firm in body contact areas and there is less airflow across the back, so it's best used with lighter loads to compensate. The capacity is smaller than other rucksacks too, so you do need to have the lid and pockets expanded fully to reach a similar capacity to others. Many higher-priced rucksacks use more durable nylon, rather than the polyester used here. Like others, the floating lid needs to be carefully managed to ensure no water creeps in, although this one does cover the top of the pack better than most. The lid pocket zip does not get an external storm flap, so it leaks more easily than others.

A great lightweight rucksack for use with smaller and lighter loads, but not the most comfortable option, the Vaude Asymmetric backpack is fantastic for environmentally-conscious buyers looking for a reliable backpack with plenty of space for all of your camping snacks and supplies.

A comfortable and highly adjustable backpack from North Face, the reasonably priced Terra 65 litre hiking backpack is suitable for those on longer treks in need of reliable suspension. Using North Face's Dyno Lift System™, hikers can adjust the balance of the Terra 65-litre hiking backpack on the go to reduce strain on their shoulders and back for a much more even distributed weight system.

The build quality of the Terra hiking backpack is fantastic for the drizzly British weather, made of 210D nylon and 600D polyester with a water-repellent finish for total dryness, which is essential whilst backpacking.

As for storage, the sizeable 65-litre backpack has plenty of pockets and subsections which prove useful when overburdened with camping tools and dirty clothes, its hip belt pockets proving particularly useful for grabbing a quick snack.

The major downside to the Terra backpack has to be its lack of rain cover, its absence being slightly concerning for those facing stormy conditions with unrelenting rain.

For all intents and purposes, however, North Face's Terra 65-litre backpack is a must for hikers thanks to its convenient design with plenty of storage space for all of your camping essentials, with spare room for some small comforts too.

For less than £60, the Mountain Warehouse Tor 65-litre backpack is at a truly competitive price and is perfectly ideal for those packing plenty for their hiking journey. Made to simplify your camping journey, the Tor backpack's huge side pockets and divideable storage make it perfectly ideal for separating muddy gear, with a bottom zip for instant access to the main compartment making storage even simpler.

Made of tough polyester, this highly water-resistant backpack looks and feels tactical, which is more than impressive at its price. Clipping gear to the rear of the backpack is made incredibly easy by its vast array of loops, which are ideal for attaching foam rolls or other typically space-wasting equipment. Carrying even the best two-man tent is incredibly easy in this reliable backpack.

There are undoubtedly limitations you should consider before buying a cheaper 65-litre backpack, however, such as its general lack of exciting features that you might find on more expensive models. Then, there's the fairly poor ventilation and lack of padding on the Tor, which doesn't offer much in the way of breathability.

For a tough-to-beat price, this spacious backpack with large side pockets might just be one of the best 65-litre backpacks of the year.

The perfect rucksack for absolute backpacking comfort, the Vango Unisex Sherpa 65L backpack is certainly one of the most plush, forgiving backpacks on the market, which combines a hip belt, and adjustable back straps for total backpacking balance.

Highly adjustable with a thick air mesh for strong breathability, the Vango Sherpa's design ensures that even the longest of off-the-road adventures are walked comfortably, even in the poorest conditions - heavy rain included. If you've got a lot to pack, the Sherpa's compression straps allow for a little extra room, which is always handy when you're far from civilisation.

If there's anything to criticise about the Vango Sherpa, it's certainly worth criticising the overall weight of the design, which is around 2.5 kg. This extra bulk, especially when fully packed can send your pack load over the edge, making your trek all the more challenging.

However, pack strategically, and the Vango Sherpa will serve you well, wherever you find yourself. A phenomenal backpack at an impressive value, this tough backpack is bound to keep you comfortable, all without breaking the bank.

Osprey's Aether 65 hiking pack is certainly on the premium end of the 65-litre backpacking spectrum, and is reserved only for the most adventurous and deep-pocketed hikers. A seriously stunning backpack, with precise construction and design perfection, there are few features the Aether lacks. From compression straps, to an integrated rain cover and easy main compartment access, there are countless great features, but nothing beats its Fit-on-the-Fly™ shoulder strap system.

Incredibly easy to adjust on-the-go, with several adjustable straps for total balance, the Osprey Aether has fantastic shoulder and back support, and a hip belt that is unparalleled in comfortability. We also love the breathability of the backplate, with its vast ventilation spaces that keep your back perfectly cool.

Aside from its high price, our main criticism with the Osprey Aether has to be its bulkier size, which feels massive, especially thanks to its thick padding. Yes, the weight adds a bit of bulk, but it's the thickness of the Aether that may leave campers feeling overburdened.

When in use, however, there's no denying the sheer quality of the Osprey Aether, its fine construction, the array of side pockets and deep front pockets make for a highly convenient backpack that makes the toughest walks all the more bearable.

If you're in a pinch and low on funds, save your much-needed cash for your other camping supplies, try spending £30 on a fantastic 65-litre backpack. A slick and surprisingly well-made rucksack that's enough for long trails, Eurohike's Nepal rucksack is incredibly spacious, despite its fairly limited pockets.

Attach gear with the simple cord if you're out of space, or pull the Eurohike Nepal shut with its compression straps, don't leave behind equipment that'll give you the edge in your hiking experience.

Of course, at a fraction of the price of its competitors, there are cutbacks to the Nepal's design: there's a sheer lack of breathability on the backpack, with a particularly flat design that doesn't leave much room for ventilation. Then, there's the thinner hip belt and limited shoulder straps, which aren't as 'one-size' as other backpacks are.

For the price, however, you cannot really complain over these minor issues: this backpack is truly terrific value, and is unbeatable for this fact alone.