What are the best hiking canvas backpacks? A canvas backpack is both very durable and very convenient. But, are they also good for hiking? The quick answer is that a regular hiking backpack is still the better option. That said, a hiking canvas backpack can be perfect for regular day hikes because of the durability and the convenience. Additionally, you can still use it for other purposes.
What is a hiking canvas backpack
Before I answer the question ”what is a hiking backpack”, let’s start by answering the question “what is a canvas backpack”. A canvas backpack is simply a backpack that is made out of canvas. Canvas is an extremely durable plain-woven fabric. Most canvas backpacks are made out of cotton.
A hiking canvas backpack is a canvas backpack that has been optimized for hiking. It’s as simple as that. Note that these optimizations always have limitations. For example: no canvas backpack is completely waterproof and they are almost always heavier than the alternatives.
So are canvas backpacks any good for hiking? Well, if you are planning to stay two weeks in the wilderness, I wouldn’t recommend a canvas backpack. However, if you are going on a day hike on a non-rainy day, a hiking canvas backpack might perfectly fit your needs. I will go more in detail about this topic later in this article.
The 4 best hiking canvas backpacks
WUDON Travel Backpack
We will start with a classic looking canvas backpack, the Wudon travel backpack. It’s advertised as a men’s backpack, but it can be used by women.
It’s made with waterproof & waxed canvas from real horse leather. All these decisions are made with the intention to make this backpack be a good fit for the real adventurers among us.
It ends up being a very durable product that is suitable for everyday activities, travel and activities like hiking.
It’s a 22l backpack, not the cheapest option, but it’s also not very expensive. I would say this makes a nice in-between option, suitable for most people who are looking for a classic looking canvas backpack that is good for hiking.
In case you are interested, this product can be found on amazon: Wudon travel backpack.
ibagbar Canvas Backpack Travel Bag Hiking Bag Camping Bag Rucksack
This ibagbar Canvas Backpack can be used for many different things. Camping, mountaineering, hiking, fishing and touring are all viable options. Additionally, you could also use this as your sport and work backpack. You can wear this bag in three different ways, this makes it a very versatile backpack.
The ibagbar Canvas Backpack is perfect for a day hike or even an overnighter. It has plenty of room and is considered a very durable backpack. It also comes with a lot of compartments which is very convenient.
It still has the regular canvas backpack disadvantages: it is rather heavy and it is not waterproof. You can use a rain cover (or even apply DWR) to deal with the second disadvantage, but not much can be done about the weight. That said, on a day hike the weight does not matter that much.
Check out the latest price on amazon: Ibagbar Canvas Backpack Travel Bag Hiking Bag Camping Bag Rucksack.
Kenox Large Vintage Canvas Backpack School Laptop Bag Hiking Travel Rucksack
The Kenox vintage canvas backpack is a smaller backpack. I would only consider bringing this on a day hike.
If you do not plan on carrying a lot of stuff with you on your hikes, this backpack is probably perfect for you.
Also, you can use this backpack for school or work as well. It looks a lot like a simple regular backpack, but you still have the advantages of canvas.
Check out the latest price on amazon: Kenox Large Vintage Canvas Backpack School Laptop Bag Hiking Travel Rucksack.
GEARONIC TM 21L Vintage Canvas Backpack Leather Laptop School Military
If you like the more classic look, you will probably like this 21L Vintage backpack of GEARONIC.
As most canvas backpacks, this one can be used for multiple activities, hiking is definitely one of them.
This backpack comes with multiple convenient compartments and is made out of quality materials.
It basically has the same pros and cons as the ibagbar Canvas Backpack. The main cons are that it’s a pretty heavy backpack, does not have great back support and it’s not waterproof. The main pros are that you can use it for multiple activities, it’s made out of durable materials and it looks good.
Check out the latest price on amazon: GEARONIC TM 21L Vintage Canvas Backpack Leather Laptop School Military.
When to bring a hiking canvas backpack
I have mentioned before that I would not recommend a canvas backpack for long distance hikers. I would only recommend this for day hikes or maybe an overnight trip. The more distance you have to cover the more you should consider leaving your hiking canvas backpack at home.
A canvas hiking backpack is perfect for people who are looking for a multi functional backpack that looks good. Let’s say you need a backpack for work or school, but you also want to use that backpack for simple day hikes than a hiking canvas backpack is perfect.
If you are serious about hiking and you are planning some long distance hikes you should not consider a hiking canvas backpack.
canvas backpack for hiking: pros and cons
Pros of using a canvas backpack for hiking:
- You can use it for multiple activities
- It’s made out of durable fabrics
- It looks good
Cons of using a canvas backpack for hiking:
- It’s relatively heavy
- It’s not waterproof
- No decent back support
Let’s talk about the cons for a minute. On shorter hikes it doesn’t really matter that the backpack is relatively heavy. Also, decent back support is not that crucial as long as the hikes are fairly short. Now, the fact that these canvas backpacks are not waterproof might be very annoying, even on shorter hikes. However, you can simply use a raincover or apply DWR (Durable Water Repellent) to deal with this disadvantage.
By now it should be clear that canvas hiking backpacks are good for simple, short hikes, but not for long distance trails.
Conclusion
Hiking canvas backpacks are basically multifunctional backpacks that can also be used for hiking trips. These backpacks are not meant for long distance trails because they are too heavy, have no decent back support and are not waterproof.
That said, a hiking canvas backpack is good for simple day hikes or maybe even an overnighter.
It’s also a budget friendly option because a canvas backpack is very durable and not that expensive. Additionally you can use it for multiple activities, so you could use it for school/work and for hiking. This means you only have to buy one backpack instead of multiple ones.
Long story short, a hiking canvas backpack is perfect for day hikers on a budget.