Complete Guide to Choosing a Large Adventure Backpack
Learn how to choose a large adventure backpack for hiking, camping and travel. Compare capacity, fit, frame, features, organization and packing needs.
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Choose a large backpack when:
- Your trips are extended
- Your equipment is bulky
- You carry substantial food
- You need additional clothing layers
- You carry gear for multiple people
Consider smaller when:
- You mostly take day hikes
- Your equipment is compact
- You frequently resupply
- You’re a minimalist packer
Should I Buy a Large Backpack? Quick Quiz
1. How long are your typical trips?
2. How bulky is your equipment?
3. Do you camp?
4. Do you carry food for several days?
5. Do you carry shared equipment?
A buyer searches for a large backpack and immediately sees 60L → 70L → 80L → 90L → 100L. Then they see internal frame, adjustable suspension, hip belt, load lifters, compression straps, hydration sleeve, rain cover. The problem isn’t a lack of choices — it’s too many choices.
Do you actually need 100L? Is 70L enough? Does a larger backpack automatically carry better? What matters more: liters, weight, frame, or fit? We’ll simplify the entire decision into a few practical questions.
What Makes a Backpack “Large”?
For this guide, large adventure backpacks are broadly defined as packs around 70L+.
- 70–80L: Large enough for many extended trips
- 80–90L: Useful when gear becomes more substantial
- 90–100L+: Designed for situations where volume is genuinely important
Backpack Capacity Ladder
CAPACITY ≠ WEIGHT — More liters give you more room, not more carrying ability.
Step 1 — Decide What Kind of Adventure You’re Planning
Before choosing a backpack, determine the trip. Ask yourself:
- • How many days?
- • What season?
- • What terrain?
- • Camping or accommodation?
- • How much food?
- • How bulky is your sleeping system?
- • Are you carrying shared gear?
Pro Tip:
Your trip determines your gear. Your gear determines your backpack size. Start with the trip.
Step 2 — Choose Capacity Based on Your Gear
Two people can need different backpack capacities for the same trip because their tents, sleeping bags, clothing, cooking systems, and packing styles differ.
Step 3 — Understand Backpack Fit
A large backpack that doesn’t fit properly can be worse than a smaller backpack that fits correctly.
- Torso length: Determines how the backpack sits against the body
- Hip belt: Should sit around the hip area and transfer load away from shoulders
- Shoulder straps: Should sit comfortably without excessive pressure
- Sternum strap: Helps stabilize the shoulder straps
- Load lifters: Pull the upper portion of the backpack closer to the body
Key Insight:
Fit is based on torso length — not overall height. Two people of the same height can need different backpack sizes.
How a Large Backpack Should Sit
Fit based on torso length — not overall height.
Internal Frame vs Other Frame Designs
Internal Frame
- Best general-purpose choice
- Close to the body
- Good stability
- Suitable for uneven terrain
External Frame
- Useful for certain large or irregular loads
- Less common in modern backpacking
Frameless
- Prioritizes low weight
- Not generally first choice for substantial loads
What Features Actually Matter?
Must-Have
- Proper fit
- Comfortable hip belt
- Strong suspension
- Appropriate capacity
- Reliable construction
Very Useful
- Multiple compartments
- Compression straps
- Hydration compatibility
- External attachment points
- Rain protection
Nice to Have
- Removable daypack
- Specialized pockets
- Extra access points
- Advanced ventilation
How to Choose Backpack Organization
- • One huge compartment: Simple but potentially difficult to organize
- • Multiple compartments: Better organization but potentially more weight
- • External pockets: Useful for quick-access items
- • Hip-belt pockets: Useful for small items needed during the hike
- • Bottom compartment: Useful for sleeping gear
Pro Tip:
Think about how you access your gear. If you frequently need items during the day, prioritize easy-access pockets.
How to Think About Weight
A larger backpack gives you more room, but that doesn’t mean you should fill every liter.
Large Backpack for Hiking
Situations where a large pack becomes practical: extended hiking, remote trails, limited resupply, cold-weather trips, bulky sleeping systems, larger tents, additional food.
Large Backpack for Camping
Camping often increases volume requirements: tent + poles, sleeping bag + pad, stove + cookware + food, extra layers + rainwear, camp accessories.
Large Backpack for Travel
Adventure travel — potentially excellent use case. Conventional air travel — capacity isn’t the only consideration. Check current airline baggage rules before flying.
One Large Backpack, Three Scenarios
LARGE ADVENTURE BACKPACK — versatile for different adventures
Materials and Durability
- • Fabric: Abrasion resistance, tear resistance, weather resistance, weight
- • Stitching: Reinforced stress points, strong seams, quality webbing
- • Zippers: Robust and appropriate for outdoor use
- • Frame: Designed for the expected load
Key Insight:
A durable backpack is an investment. Cheaper materials may fail sooner, especially with heavy loads.
Weather Protection
- Water-resistant fabric: Helps resist light moisture
- Rain cover: Provides an additional layer during rain
- Waterproof liners/stuff sacks: Can protect important contents
How to Pack a Large Backpack
Sleeping equipment — not needed frequently
Dense/heavy equipment — close to back
Frequently used equipment
Small items and quick-access gear
90L vs 100L — Does 10L Really Matter?
90L
- Good when you need substantial capacity but can pack efficiently
100L
- Useful when your equipment is genuinely bulky or you need additional volume
Common Mistakes When Buying a Large Backpack
Before You Buy — Interactive Checklist
Useful Resources
REI Backpack Guide REI Fit Guide REI Packing Guide NPS Hike Smart US Forest Service American Hiking Society Leave No Trace TSA TravelFrequently Asked Questions
What size is considered a large adventure backpack?
Generally, backpacks around 70L and above can be considered large-capacity options, although exact categories vary by manufacturer and use.
Do I need a 100L backpack?
Not necessarily. A 100L pack makes the most sense when your gear is bulky or your trip is long enough to require substantial supplies. See our benefits of going large guide.
Is a larger backpack better?
No. More capacity is useful only when you actually need the additional volume.
Is 80L enough for an extended trip?
It can be, particularly with compact equipment and efficient packing. Your gear list matters more than the number alone.
Is a 90L backpack better than a 70L backpack?
Only if you actually need the additional space. Compare sizes before deciding.
Should backpack fit be based on height?
No. Torso length is a much more important measurement for backpack fit.
What should I look for in a large backpack?
Focus first on capacity, fit, suspension, hip belt, durability and organization. See our how to choose guide.
How should heavy equipment be packed?
Generally, dense/heavier items should be positioned so the load remains balanced and close to the body’s center of gravity.
Final Decision Matrix
Choose the Trip First, Then the Backpack
A large adventure backpack should give you enough space without encouraging unnecessary weight. If your trips involve bulky camping equipment, extended travel, limited resupply or additional gear, a 70–100L+ backpack can make sense.
Ready to explore a large adventure backpack?
Start with your gear list, then evaluate the AdventureSupplier 100L against the criteria in this guide.
Explore the 100L Adventure Backpack
[…] Fit: Adjust torso and harness according to the backpack’s design. See our complete guide to choosing a large adventure backpack. Hipbelt: Should sit correctly around the hips Shoulder Straps: Secure without creating excessive […]