Greatest Backpacks with Adjustable Torso Lengths

April 29, 2025

25

A backpack with an adjustable torso size permits you to change the space between the shoulder straps and the hip belt in order that many of the weight rides in your hips, making it simpler to hold. It’s lots like proudly owning a custom-made backpack as a result of you possibly can regulate the torso size to match your precise measurements. This turns into more and more necessary with a great deal of 25 kilos or extra, which is the norm on backpacking journeys the place you must haul all of your gear, water, and meals.

In case your torso size is shorter than your backpack’s, the burden will journey in your shoulders and make them sore. In case your torso size is longer than your backpack’s, the pack will lean away out of your again and throw you off steadiness, taking extra power to stroll. However having a backpack with an adjustable size torso permits you to dial in a precise match, carrying the burden in your hips and near your again for max effectivity and luxury.

Listed below are the ten greatest adjustable torso-length backpacks we advocate. See the linked critiques for particulars about every.

1. Osprey Exos 58/Eja 58 Backpack

The Osprey Packs Exos 58 is a light-weight minimalist pack favored by thru-hikers, part hikers, and weekend backpackers alike. Weighing 2 lbs 10 ouncesfully configured, it has a inflexible body that makes it good for hauling heavier hundreds as much as 30-35 kilos. The highest lid may be eliminated if not wanted, dropping the pack weight near 2 lbs 5 ouncesounces. Ultralight particulars and again air flow make the Exos a great backpack for mountain climbing in scorching or humid situations. Learn the SectionHiker Exos 58 Evaluation. A ladies’s mannequin is obtainable known as the Osprey Eja 58. As well as, learn the SectionHiker Eja 58 Evaluation. For those who’re in search of a barely lighter-weight, however much less practical model of this backpack try the Osprey Exos Professional 55.

2. Zpacks Arc Haul Extremely 60L Backpack

The Zpacks Arc Haul Extremely 60L is an ultralight ventilated backpack with a hybrid exterior body that permits you to regulate the quantity of curve and airflow it gives. Made with waterproof and intensely sturdy woven Extremely 200 and 100 material, the 19.6 ouncesArc Haul Extremely 60 is a roll-top with aspect water bottle pockets and a entrance mesh pocket for exterior gear storage. The torso size is adjustable by elevating and decreasing the shoulder pads, whereas the hip belt is obtainable in a number of lengths. The Arc Haul Extremely can haul as much as 30-35 lbs comfortably. Whereas strictly talking, the Arc Haul is an ultralight backpack, its giant 60L capability makes it a preferred alternative with light-weight backpackers. Learn the SectionHiker Arc Haul Extremely 60L Evaluation. A ladies’s Arc-Haul can also be out there.

3. Osprey Atmos AG 65/Aura AG 65

The Osprey Atmos AG 65 is without doubt one of the most comfy backpacks ever made with a ventilated “anti-gravity” suspension system. That includes a light-weight, but inflexible body, this 9-pocket high loader has an adjustable torso and hip belt, making certain a customized match. You possibly can regulate the torso size by elevating or decreasing the shoulder straps to make the hip-to-shoulder pad distance longer or shorter. The hip belt will also be lengthened just a few inches if it’s quick by pulling out its aspect wings. After that, the Atmos AG’s ventilated mesh again panel contours mechanically to the physique, distributing weight and offering an impressive match. A ladies’s model known as the Aura AG 65 can also be out there. Osprey makes extra adjustable torso-length backpacks than another pack producer. It’s why so many individuals use their packs. Learn our Atmos 65 Evaluation.

4. REI Flash 55 Backpack

The REI Flash 55 Backpack is a 2 lbs 13 ouncesultralight-style roll-top backpack with an non-obligatory high lid. The pack has all the customary options of an ultralight-style backpack together with a entrance mesh pocket, aspect water bottle pockets, and hip belt pockets. There are two issues that set this pack aside from others. First, it comes with pockets and straps (known as “packmods”) that may be eliminated with out having to resort to scissors and may save a further 7 ouncesof weight. Those self same pack mods may be moved round to tailor the pack to your wants. The Flash 55 additionally has revolutionary aspect water bottle pockets that make it very simple to achieve your bottles, with snap closures to safe tall bottles for those who use them. A ladies’s particular mannequin can also be out there. Learn the SectionHiker REI Flash 55 Evaluation.

5. Search Outdoors Flight 3 Backpack

seek outside flight 3

The Search Outdoors Flight 3 is a light-weight sturdy backpack that weighs 2 lbs 11 ouncesbut continues to be able to hauling 50 lbs hundreds in consolation. It’s configured as a roll-top backpack with an adjustable torso size, a entrance mesh pocket amd aspect bottle pockets able to carrying Nalgene ort Smartwater bottles. The Pack has a inflexible inside aluminum body with a horizontal cross-bar to stop barreling when carrying a bear canister. It’s made with a extremely water-proof materials and has a well-cushioned hip belt with an lumbar pad to stop slippage.

6. Osprey Rook 65

The Osprey Rook 65 is an adjustable-torso-length backpack with a ventilated, suspended mesh body. It has a hard and fast high lid with a zippered pocket and a zippered sleeping bag compartment with a floating divider, two tiers of compression straps, and detachable sleeping pad straps, making it simple to connect gear to the surface of the backpack. The hipbelt has zippered pockets, and a rain cowl is included. The Rook 65 has a most advisable load of 30-40 lbs and weighs 3 lbs 8 oz. It is usually out there in a 50L mannequin. The ladies’s model known as the Osprey Renn 65 or the Renn 50.

7. Gregory Zulu 65 Backpack

Gregory Zulu 65

The Gregory Zulu 65 is a ventilated and adjustable torso-length backpack that rivals the Osprey Atmos 65 in consolation. This multi-day, top-loading backpack comes with entrance panel entry and a sleeping bag pocket for simple gear entry and group. The pre-curved hip belt has giant pockets able to holding a smartphone or different path necessities, whereas the brand new perimeter wireframe gives a energetic and responsive carry. A rain cowl is included. See the ladies’s Jade 63 for the gender-specific model of this comfy backpack.

8. Osprey Kestrel 48 Backpack

The Osprey Kestrel 48 is a multi-purpose backpack that’s large enough for weekend backpacking journeys, however nimble sufficient for peakbagging and day mountain climbing. It makes use of Osprey’s Airscape adjustable torso-length body, which is calmly ventilated and has a body-hugging match. The torso size is adjusted utilizing a easy velcro mechanism that permits you to increase or decrease the shoulder strap yoke to regulate the size of the torso. A rain cowl can also be included in a separate pocket. A ladies’s model can also be out there known as the Osprey Kyte 46. Learn our Kestrel Evaluation.

9. Gregory Paragon 60 Backpack

The Gregory Paragon 60 is a light-weight ventilated backpack designed to fill the void between minimalist ultralight backpacks and the monster-capacity backpacks that Gregory is thought for just like the Denali 100 or the Baltoro 75. Weighing 3 lbs 11 oz, the Paragon 60 has an adjustable size torso and adjustable size hip belt. The Paragon matches males with a torso size of 15-22 inches and is obtainable in a number of volumes. A ladies’s model known as the Maven 58 can also be out there. Learn our evaluate.

10. Six Moon Designs Swift X

The Six Moon Designs Swift X is a 45-liter adjustable-length backpack that weighs 36 oz. Accessible in XPac or LiteSkin (which we’d advocate because it’s much more abrasion-resistant). It has a sturdy stretch Lycra entrance pocket and aspect water bottle pockets, strong hip belt pockets, and a detachable Delrin body keep. Six Moon Designs is without doubt one of the few light-weight pack makers to offer vest-style shoulder straps as an possibility in addition to a number of hip belt lengths so you possibly can dial in an ideal match. S-shaped shoulder straps can be found for girls. Learn our Swift X backpack evaluate.

How you can Select an Adjustable Torso-length Backpack

What are an important options to contemplate when selecting a backpack? How necessary is pack weight and getting a body or hip belt that may be adjusted to suit your bodily dimensions? What’s the distinction between a unisex and a gender-specific backpack and why would you decide one over the opposite? We reply all of those questions under and lots of extra.

Backpack Sizing

The 2 most necessary backpack sizing variables are your torso size and the circumference of your hips. Torso size shouldn’t be the identical as your top however measures the space between the highest of your hip bones and the C7 (bulging) vertebrae in your neck. Tall individuals can have quick torsos and quick individuals can halve lengthy torsos, so it pays to measure this accurately. Hip dimension shouldn’t be the identical as waist dimension or pant dimension and must also be measured individually. Measure the circumference of your physique over your hip bones, the place a hip belt ought to relaxation. Do that whereas sporting the garments you anticipate to hike in. A fabric tape measure is one of the best factor to make use of for measuring each of those numbers.

Adjustable Torso Size and Hip Belts

Nearly all of backpacks have fastened torso lengths and hip belt sizes, which might make getting a great match troublesome as a result of individuals’s physique shapes and proportions range a lot. Some premium packs allow you to regulate the size of those parts so you may get a customized match. Whereas they typically weigh a bit extra, getting a well-fitting backpack is normally price it.

Gender-Particular Sizing

Women and men have very totally different anatomical wants with regards to becoming a backpack. Males are usually taller and broader throughout the shoulders with squarish hips, whereas ladies have bosoms and curvier hips. Some backpack producers make shoulder pads and hip belts which might be gender-specific and tackle these variations. For instance, many backpacks have J-shaped shoulder straps and sternum straps designed for males that crush feminine breasts. Most ladies choose an S-shaped shoulder strap that curves round their chest and is extra comfy. The identical holds for hip belts.

Backpack Quantity

A 6o liter backpack is the candy spot for many thru-hikers, weekend backpackers, and multi-sport adventurers as a result of it offers you loads of area for meals, gasoline, and equipment. When you can go decrease and better, this can be a good place to begin wanting, since many packs can be found in smaller and bigger quantity fashions. When evaluating a backpack, it’s necessary to learn the way the producer calculates its pack quantity. Some producers solely depend closed storage whereas others add in all the open pockets too. That may result in an inflated quantity that you simply’ll remorse when it begins pouring rain.

Ventilated (Suspended Mesh) Backpack Frames

Everybody sweats once they carry a loaded backpack. So many individuals choose shopping for packs with ventilated frames that go away an air hole between your again and the pack to assist dry your shirt sooner. It’s a consolation factor.

Backpack Frames

There are mainly 4 sorts of backpack frames. The one you select shall be dictated by the quantity of weight you could carry.

Inflexible perimeter frames which might be inside (hidden) or exterior and may maintain probably the most weight. These are required if you need a backpack that has load lifters.
Body stays, that are metallic rods inside a backpack to maintain it from collapsing on itself and stop objects from poking you within the again. They’re very light-weight and good for reasonable gear hundreds. They’ll normally be eliminated and bent to match your again form.
Skinny and versatile plastic body sheets which might be sewn into the again of a pack, however are usually not detachable. They maintain the least weight.
Exterior frames which might be seen on the outside of the backpack. They’re discovered on backpacks designed to hold heavy hundreds. They’re handy for carrying awkwardly giant gear as a result of you possibly can lash it to the body and don’t have to hold it contained in the pack bag.

Pockets and Group

Totally different individuals have totally different types of packing wants. Some choose a number of pockets for organizing their gear and others don’t. Some individuals choose utilizing a hydration bladder and others choose utilizing water bottles, so long as they’re reachable whereas sporting the backpack.

Exterior Attachment Options

Gear may be carried inside a again or connected to the surface utilizing webbing straps or elastic twine. If you must carry cumbersome or awkwardly formed gear like a foam pad, a big tent, a packraft, paddle, snowshoes, trekking poles, an ice ax, or bear canister, it pays to get a backpack that has particular straps or locations which you could connect gear to.

Sturdiness

For those who plan to hike in powerful desert or mountainous terrain or off-trail, it’s greatest to get a backpack that has as little exterior mesh (pockets) as potential, as a result of these are normally the primary issues to get ripped up on a backpack. Zippers will also be some extent of failure. Some materials are additionally thicker and more durable than others. When evaluating material sturdiness, these with greater denier counts (100D vs 210D) are usually most abrasion and puncture-resistant.

SectionHiker by no means accepts fee for gear critiques or editorial protection. While you purchase via affiliate hyperlinks on our web site, we might earn a small fee at no further value to you. Assist us proceed to check and write unsponsored and impartial gear critiques, mountain climbing and backpacking FAQs, and free mountain climbing guides.