Looking for the best 40l hiking backpacks? In this article I will cover the best 40l hiking backpacks for hiking, backpacking and traveling. I will try to give options for everbody. There will be options for the budget backpacker, but also for the extreme long distance hikers who needs a top-notch 40l backpack.
Choosing the best 40l hiking backpack
Choosing the wrong hiking backpack when traveling can lead to serious problems. For instance, you could get irritations at the skin, you could find yourself lacking straps or you could not have any options to attach external. But worst of all, you could end up with lower back problems.
So make sure to pick a solid backpack and consult the list below!
Gregory Zulu 40
Weight: 3.48 lb | Price: $$$
The Gregory Zulu is a great overall 40l hiking backpack.
The backpack mainly stands out as a durable and comfortable option. It’s just a very solid backpack for any type of hiking trip.
No need to worry about any irritations or problems with your back (if you properly use the backpack).
It really doesn’t have too many negatives. However, some people find that their is a bit of a learning curve to use all the features of the backpack. I should also mention that it’s not the lightest backpack.
On the other hand, it’s also a pretty expensive backpack. If you prefer a cheaper option, this list includes options that are far less expensive.
However, for the serious hikers among you, this might be a very solid option for your next hiking adventure.
This backpack can be found on amazon: Gregory Mountain Products Zulu 40 Liter Men’s Hiking Backpack
There is also a very similar backpack from Gregory Mountain Products especially made for women in a 38l version: Gregory Mountain Products Jade 38 Hiking Backpack
MountainTop hiking backpack 40L
Weight: 2.1 lb | Price: $
If you are looking for a backpack that is suitable for hiking, traveling, backpacking or camping, the MountainTop hiking backpack is definitely worth a look. It’s perfect for any type of outdoor activity, but I would prefer certain other options over this for serious hiking trips. However, if budget is an issue, this makes a decent budget-friendly hiking backpack as well.
It’s an affordable bag that’s made of quality material and has enough space to carry clothes and other essentials that can last you for even two weeks during your trip.
- It has 6 adjustable straps that help to hold all gears in places like the hammock, mat, tripod, and the sleeping bag.
- Has an adjustable hip belt
- Exists in 13 different colors
- Has interior and exterior pockets
- Weighs 1 lb and has a capacity of 40L
- Its size is acceptable in most airlines
- Has bladder compartment
- Water resistant fabric
- Comes with a 90 day limited warranty
You can find this product on amazon: MountainTop hiking backpack 40L.
Camel Crown 40L backpack
Weight: 2.7 lb | Price: $
Are you up for hiking and you’re looking for a lightweight all round backpack? Camel Crown 40L backpack is a pretty solid bag . Over the years people have been using it a lot and reactions are pretty positive over all.
This is a durable 40L hiking backpack that’s made of thick sturdy and waterproof materials thus offering you long-lasting durability against your daily activities.
It’s a pretty all round backpack that you can use for a variety of activities. Once again, it’s also awesome for hiking. However, for serious long distance hiking trips, I would still advice a more professional backpack but if money is a concern, this backpack will do the trick.
Some of its features include:
- It consists of one main compartment, two zipped front and side pockets
- Has a waterproof rain cover
- Has padded shoulder straps to ensure that you’re comfortable carrying your load
- The shoulder straps are adjustable and ventilated to ensure you don’t soak in sweat.
You can find this product on amazon: Camel Crown 40L backpack
Nomatic Travel Bag 40L
Weight: 4.45 lb | Price: $$$
The cries of many active travelers were heard and the invention of the Nomatic Travel Bag 40L solved their issue. This is one of the best 40L hiking backpacks that you’ll currently find in the market. It has been specifically designed to cater to most travelers needs.
I will say that this backpack is more suited for travelers and backpackers who go on occasional hikes rather than for the die-hard hikers. It’s simply more designed for backpackers and travelers and less for real hikers. I mean it even has a laptop compartment.
This bag has a couple of amazing features. One of the most prominent ones is the high quality materials that are used. The exterior is made 100% out of a completely waterproof fabric called tarpaulin which enables it to withstand harsh conditions.
- It’s 100% waterproof
- Has designated pockets where you can put your tablet, laptop, water bottles, notebook, and other valuables.
- Has TSA approved lock
- The detachable waist straps help you to balance the load
- Has RFID protected pocket
- This bag comes with a laundry bag and waterproof exterior zippers.
- It has an optimized size for a carry on
To summarize: the Nomatic Travel Bag 40L is less suited for hardcore hikers. But it really has everything you need for short or longer travels/backpacking trips (as long as you can fit everything in a 40l backpack). One of the only things I didn’t like too much is the price. It’s pretty expensive, but then again, you do get quality in return.
If you are interested in check out the latest price, you can usual find the cheapest one on amazon: Nomatic Travel Bag 40L
This options is one of the best 40L hiking backpacks for serious hikers (actually it’s a 46L backpack). If you are planning on doing long-distance multiday hiking trips, you should definitely consider the Granite Leopard. Also, if you do a lot of day hikes, this backpack is a solid option as well!
The biggest negative about this backpack is the price. It’s pretty steep for a medium capacity backpack. However, you do get very good quality and very good quality is a must for long distance hiking trips in remote areas.
If you are looking for a backpack that is more suited for backpacking and travel, I would advise one of the other backpacks on this list. This one is really optimized for hiking. Therefore, I’m only going to recommend it to hikers.
Let’s take a look at some of the most prominent features:
- Durable and rugged materials were used.
- At 2.375 lb, this is a pretty lightweight hiking backpack (goes down to 2 lb after removing the lit and frame)
- 35 lb load capacity.
- Super comfortable for short and long hiking trips.
If you consider yourself a serious hiker -and budget isn’t the biggest issue in the world- this backpack is probably perfect for you!
If you are interested in the latest price, feel free to take a look on amazon: Granite Gear Leopard VC 46 Backpack
Conclusion
There are plenty of 40l hiking backpacks that are optimized for hiking, backpacking or traveling. It’s recommendable to go with one of the high-end backpacks if you are a hardcore hiker. For long distance trips getting the better quality is really worth the money.
For travelers and backpackers I would also advise getting a high-end backpack like the Nomatic Travel Bag. However, if you decide to go with a cheaper backpack instead, it’s not as bad.
I understand that we all have a different budget. Therefore, I also included some cheaper options. These are definitely good value-for-money products, but they can’t beat the quality of the high-end products that were included!