70L vs 80L Hiking Backpack: Which One Is Better?
70L or 80L? The extra 10 liters could matter more than you think. Compare real-world capacity, camping gear, trip duration and packing needs before choosing your next hiking backpack.
70L vs 80L — Side by Side
🏕️ Tent · 🛏️ Sleeping system · 🍳 Cooking gear · 🧥 Clothing · 🍚 Food
Efficient packing required
Same equipment + more available space
Extra flexibility for bulky gear
Instant Decision
Choose 70L If:
- Your gear is relatively compact
- You’re an efficient packer
- Taking multi-day trips
- Don’t need much extra equipment
- Want enough capacity without excessive space
Choose 80L If:
- Your equipment is bulky
- Carrying more food
- Carrying shared gear
- Going on extended trips
- Cold-weather equipment takes more room
Don’t Upgrade to 80L Just Because:
“More space must be better.” A bigger pack can simply make it easier to carry things you don’t actually need.
70L vs 80L Selector
Your likely choice: 🟡 Either could work — measure your gear
This tool is a planning aid, not a precise capacity measurement. Your actual packed gear volume should make the final decision.
What Is the Actual Difference Between 70L and 80L?
🎒 70L
Good balance of: Capacity + manageable size + multi-day flexibility
🎒 80L
Adds: More room + greater packing flexibility + better accommodation for bulky gear
The difference is 10 liters of nominal capacity—not a guarantee that the 80L pack will feel better or carry more comfortably.
10 Liters of Extra Space — Visualized
██████████░░ 85% filled
████████░░░░ 70% filled
Both packs show the same gear. The 80L pack has more available space for extra items.
Which One Is Better for Multi-Day Hiking?
According to REI’s backpack selection guide, multiday packs commonly fall in the 50–80L range, while 5+ night trips often benefit from 70L or larger packs.
70L — Best when:
- Gear is compact
- Weather is moderate
- Packing is efficient
80L — More useful when:
- Equipment is bulky
- Trip is extended
- Additional clothing is needed
- Resupply is limited
70L vs 80L for Camping
Camping adds: 🏕️ Tent · 🛏️ Sleeping bag · 🧘 Sleeping pad · 🍳 Cooking equipment · 🍚 Food
70L
Suitable for many compact camping setups.
80L
Useful when camping equipment is bulkier or more extensive.
Which Is Better for Long Trips?
This is not a rigid rule. Trip duration is only one factor. A 7-day trip with frequent resupply can require less capacity than a shorter trip where you’re carrying everything from the start.
70L vs 80L for Cold Weather
Temperature Slider
Current: Mild conditions — moderate insulation needed.
REI specifically notes that larger packs can accommodate extra clothing, warmer sleeping bags and four-season tents on winter trips. Source: REI
Check National Weather Service forecasts before deciding how much cold-weather gear to carry.
What Can You Fit in a 70L Backpack?
What Extra Gear Can 80L Accommodate?
🧥 Additional clothing
Extra layers for changing weather
🍚 More food
Extended trips without resupply
🛏️ Larger sleeping system
Bulky sleeping bags and pads
🏕️ Bulky shelter
Large tents or winter shelters
👥 Shared group equipment
Carrying for the group
🌧️ Extra weather protection
Rain gear, tarps, etc.
Important: Extra capacity should solve a real packing problem—not create an excuse to overpack.
70L vs 80L for Solo Hiking
Choose 70L when:
You carry only your own equipment and your setup is compact.
Choose 80L when:
You carry unusually bulky equipment or need additional capacity for an extended trip.
70L vs 80L for Group Camping
This is where 80L can become more attractive. If one person carries shared equipment such as: 🏕️ Shelter · 🍳 Cooking equipment · 🍚 Shared food · ⛺ Group accessories — then additional capacity can be useful.
But: Dividing shared equipment between hikers can reduce the amount one person needs to carry.
Capacity Isn’t the Same as Weight
An 80L pack can have plenty of unused space and still be too heavy if you’ve packed unnecessary gear.
REI’s advice on backpacking weight helps separate these two issues.
Does 80L Feel Bigger on the Trail?
70L: Potentially easier to keep compact. 80L: Can provide additional storage but may encourage larger loads.
Don’t claim one is universally more comfortable. Instead, fit, suspension, pack design and actual load matter most.
REI notes that backpack fit depends strongly on torso length rather than overall height. Osprey similarly emphasizes torso length, hipbelt fit and harness adjustment when fitting a backpack.
The Fit Test Before Choosing Either
A perfectly sized 70L pack can be a better choice than a poorly fitting 80L pack.
70L vs 80L by Trip Type
🥾 Weekend Hiking
70L: Often more than enough
80L: Usually unnecessary
🏕️ 3–5 Day Camping
70L: Strong option
80L: Useful for bulky setups
⛰️ 5+ Day Trips
70L: Can work
80L: More flexible
❄️ Winter Camping
70L: Depends on gear
80L: More room for bulky equipment
👥 Shared Group Equipment
70L: Depends on responsibility
80L: Useful when carrying more shared gear
When 70L Is Clearly the Better Choice
✅ Compact Gear
✅ Efficient Packer
✅ Moderate Weather
✅ Multi-Day Trips
✅ Limited Extra Equipment
✅ Control Overall Pack Size
If everything important fits comfortably in 70L, there is usually little reason to choose 80L simply for extra empty space.
When 80L Makes More Sense
✅ Bulky Sleeping System
✅ Cold-Weather Clothing
✅ Larger Shelter
✅ Extended Trip
✅ Limited Resupply
✅ Shared Equipment
✅ Gear Doesn’t Fit Comfortably in 70L
When Neither 70L nor 80L Is the Right Answer
50–60L
If your gear is compact
Smaller
If you’re only doing short/day trips
Larger
If you have genuinely bulky expedition equipment
Osprey describes backpacking volumes broadly around 50–75L and expedition packs at 75L+, showing why there isn’t one universal capacity for every trip.
10-Minute Decision Method
- Lay out your actual gear.
- Pack it into a 70L pack if possible.
- Check what doesn’t fit.
- Remove unnecessary items.
- Try again.
- If essentials still don’t fit comfortably → consider 80L.
- Check fit and loaded comfort before buying.
Common Buyer Mistakes
Interactive “Which Backpack Are You?” Quiz
Your answers suggest 70L is probably the better starting point.
Interactive FAQ
Is 80L better than 70L?
Not automatically. 80L simply provides more capacity. If your equipment comfortably fits in 70L, the additional space may not provide much benefit.
Is 70L enough for a week-long hike?
It can be, depending on your gear volume, food, weather and resupply options.
Is 80L too big for hiking?
It can be for compact setups, especially when you don’t need the additional capacity.
Is 70L better for lightweight hiking?
Often, a smaller pack may be more appropriate for genuinely compact gear. The correct choice depends on what you actually carry.
When should I choose 80L?
Consider it when your essential equipment consistently needs more room than 70L provides.
Is 80L heavier than 70L?
Not necessarily. Empty-pack weight depends on the specific model, materials and suspension design. Compare actual specifications rather than assuming.
Does 80L mean I can carry more weight?
More capacity does not automatically mean a higher safe load. Check the manufacturer’s specifications and the pack’s suspension/load guidance.
Can I use a 70L backpack for camping?
Yes. It can work well for many multi-day camping setups.
Which is better for winter hiking?
Either can work depending on your equipment, but bulky winter sleeping and clothing systems can make the additional space of an 80L pack useful. REI notes larger packs can help accommodate warmer sleeping bags, extra clothing and four-season tents.
Should beginners buy 80L?
Not automatically. Beginners should first estimate their actual equipment volume and choose a pack that fits their body and expected load.
Final Verdict
🟢 Choose 70L
If you want:
- Compact multi-day setup
- Moderate gear
- Efficient packing
- Less temptation to overpack
🔵 Choose 80L
If you need:
- Extra room
- Bulky gear
- Cold-weather equipment
- Extended trips
- Shared equipment
🟡 Choose Either
If your gear fits comfortably in 70L but you occasionally need extra space, either size could work.
70L is better when your gear is reasonably compact and you want enough capacity without unnecessary space. 80L is better when your equipment is bulky or your trips genuinely require the additional room.
Don’t Choose the Bigger Backpack—Choose the Right Backpack
If your essential gear fits comfortably in 70L, stick with 70L. If you repeatedly run out of room because of bulky equipment, longer trips or cold-weather gear, the extra capacity of an 80L backpack may be worth it.
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