Travel Backpack Vs. Hiking Backpack: 7 Differences & Which You Need for a Hike
One of the most important pieces of gear, in order to get out on the trail, is a backpack, because you’re going to need somewhere to carry all of your stuff.
So you may be wondering, travel backpack vs hiking backpack, can I get away with either, or do I need a specific one?
This is a totally valid question because there are so many packs out there that it can become quite confusing to really understand what you need.
In this post, I’ll go over the major differences between these two types of bags and let you in on which you’re going to want for hitting the trail.
Travel Backpack Vs Hiking Backpack: What’s Better?
If you’re getting ready to head out on a hike and are scouring the internet for the best possible bag to use, you may have a few ideas in mind.
💭 Should I just use the old bag that I’ve had sitting in the closet since my junior year that’s falling apart?
💭 Or should I use the same travel backpack that I’ve used for all of my flights and trips that I’ve recently gone on?
💭 Orrrr… should I go out and buy a totally new epic hiking bag to make all of my hiking adventures much easier and enjoyable?
Ding ding ding! You really hit the buzzer on that last one.
While it may be hard to come to terms with the fact that having a backpack specifically for hiking is really necessary, I promise you that it’ll be worth it.
Having a bag that is designed to be brought on the trail can be a lifesaver and makes your time out hiking so. much. easier.
They’re literally designed to help make hiking easier. With support systems like a frame, tons of organizational pockets, a space to store a water bladder, rain covers, etc., they’re much better than your standard backpack.
Now, before you head down to your local REI and drop some cash on a bag, really consider how often you hike.
If this is the first (and probably last) hike that you’ll ever do, I wouldn’t waste your money. But if you hike often, then this is going to be a great investment for you.
Now that we’ve concluded that hiking backpacks are just better than travel backpacks for getting on the trail, let’s talk about why.
What is a Travel Backpack?
A travel backpack is a bag that is specifically designed to be used when traveling, flying, backpacking, etc.
They’re made to be fairly large so that you can store all of your belongings inside that you’ll be traveling with.
Most people use them as a carry-on for flights when they would prefer not to use a suitcase or other carry-on bag.
Most travel backpacks have a large space on the inside and may have a few smaller pockets on the outside to house smaller items.
Although, on certain packs, they open up entirely so you can see inside the entire bag and easily find what you need.
They also typically do not have a frame, and only select ones have other support features such as a hip belt or a sternum strap.
These packs can be used for a variety of activities, but aren’t best suited for use on a hiking trail.
Pros and Cons of a Travel Backpack
Pros
Cons
Top Recommended Travel Backpacks
If you’ve decided that you’d like to use a travel backpack, check out the ones that I’ve added below. They double as a great choice for a hiking pack!
What is a Hiking Backpack?
A hiking backpack is a very specifically designed pack to be used on a hiking trail, popular amongst trail backpackers and day hikers.
They come in several different sizes, which are measured in liters, and have many different features that are great for hikers.
Many different packs are framed, meaning that they have, typically, an internal frame in them, which helps with back support.
Most also have other support features such as a hip belt, sternum straps, padded shoulder straps, and load lifters.
These packs also typically have many organizational pockets for storing gear, as well as a pocket that is specifically designed to hold a water reservoir.
Most of them have external attachment points where you can store gear such as trekking poles, ice axes, and helmets.
You can use these bags for many activities, but they work best when used out hiking.
Pros and Cons of Hiking Backpacks
Pros
Cons
Top Recommended Hiking Backpacks
If you’re on the hunt for a new daypack, then check out the ones that I’ve listed below, as they’re my personal favorite picks!
Differences Between a Travel and Hiking Backpack
While these two types of backpacks may seem pretty similar, they are actually fairly different in a few ways.
1. Waterproofing and Rain Covers
Often times hiking backpacks come with a rain cover, making them easy to keep dry if it were to rain when you’re outside.
This is really handy because they usually have a small pouch that the rain cover is housed in.
These rain covers help keep your bag from getting dirty or soaking wet and can be a total lifesaver when the weather does something that it wasn’t supposed to.
Most travel backpacks do not have this feature, although you can purchase a separate rain cover to use over yours.
2. Frames and Frameless
When looking at either a travel backpack or hiking backpack, it’s important to consider whether or not it will have a frame.
When choosing a hiking pack, you can choose one that either has a frame or does not, depending on what you prefer.
Personally, I would never go back to a frameless pack just because I find the framed ones, like my Osprey Tempest 20, to be extremely comfortable and supportive.
In travel packs, most of them do not have a frame, which makes them much more uncomfortable to wear on long-distance hikes.
If you’re just going on shorter hikes, it won’t be as necessary to have that frame.
3. Organizational Pockets
Another thing to consider is how well the pack can be organized, as it may be of importance to you to keep your stuff in a certain place.
Many hiking backpacks have lots of pockets to optimize the organization process and keep things where you want them.
This is great for smaller items like snacks, a compass, chargers, sunglasses, etc.
Many pockets can be found on the hip belt, on the top of the pack, inside the ‘brain,’ and on the front in the form of a ‘stuff pouch.’
Travel backpacks also have organization options, but they’re typically more limited and you may have to dig a little deeper in the bag to find what you need.
4. Other Support Features
Something to consider, especially if you’ll be doing a lot of long-distance hiking or walking, is other support features, besides the frame.
This includes things such as a hip belt, load lifters, or sternum straps.
All of these features work together to provide you with the best support to avoid back and hip pain while you’re on the trail.
Many hiking bags have these features, especially larger ones, while travel packs typically don’t.
Some travel bags have smaller hip belts and sternum straps, but they aren’t anywhere near as comfortable or supportive as ones on hiking bags.
5. Water Reservoir Storage
One of my favorite parts about having a backpack specifically designed for hiking is the fact that it has a space to store my water bladder.
I don’t like bags where the bladder has to sit in the main compartment with my other gear, but maybe that’s just me being picky!
Many travel backpacks do have laptop pockets where you could store it, but they’re usually located in the main compartment.
Hiking bags also usually have a port where you can thread your straw through to use the bladder as you hike.
6. Range of Sizes
One thing that I really love about hiking packs is that there is such a large range of sizes to choose from.
This helps to ensure that you have the perfect size bag for your adventure, whether that be for just a few hours or overnight.
Hiking backpacks come in sizes all the way from 10 liters up to 80 liters.
Whereas travel backpacks typically hover around the 30-40 liter range, although you can find some that are larger or smaller.
7. Versatility
When choosing the best backpack for you, it may be important to consider how versatile it is and if it can be used for other things.
When looking at hiking packs, they really aren’t very versatile and are typically best kept on the trail, especially because of their frame.
On the other hand, travel bags may be a great choice to use for other things like school, work, or of course, any type of travel.
Can You Use a Travel Backpack for Hiking?
While it is definitely possible to use a travel backpack out on the hiking trail, I personally wouldn’t really recommend it.
There are a lot of great features that come along with specific hiking bags that just shouldn’t be passed up.
And unfortunately, most travel bags don’t offer any of these features, which can make using them difficult.
For example, they typically don’t have the support that specific hiking packs have, and they aren’t able to be organized as well.
So it’s totally up to you, and you can use whatever pack you prefer, but I would recommend sticking to a specific hiking backpack.
However, if you’re just going on a short hike, then a travel backpack will suffice.
FAQs
Do I Really Need a Hiking Backpack?
While you don’t have to have a hiking backpack to go hiking, I would really recommend having one.
They are very helpful to ensure that you don’t experience back pain on the trail, and they also come in many different sizes to hold everything that you need.
Do I Need a Specific Backpack for Traveling?
No, for traveling, you can really use any backpack.
I personally would recommend having a backpack that is large enough to hold all of your items, because some bags are just too small.
But otherwise, no, there is no need to have a specific travel backpack.
What Are the Two Types of Backpacks in Hiking?
The main types of backpacks used for hiking are frameless and framed.
Framed backpacks have either an internal or external frame that helps with supporting the pack on your back.
Frameless backpacks do not have any sort of frame and just rest on your back, as a standard school bag would.
What is the Difference Between a Hiking Backpack and a Regular Backpack?
The main difference between your standard everyday backpack and your hiking backpack is the support and organization that you’ll find.
Typically, hiking backpacks have supportive items such as a frame, hip belts, and sternum straps to help prevent back pain during your hike.
They also sometimes have extra organization options such as more pockets and a separate pocket for a water bladder.
Standard backpacks usually don’t have any of these and are more likely to be uncomfortable for use on the trail.
Wrap-Up: Travel Backpacks and Hiking Backpacks
If you’re looking to get out on the trail soon and are trying to decide, a travel backpack vs hiking backpack, then you’re in the right place.
In this post, we went through a variety of pros and cons of each, as well as which you should use for a hike.
In the end, a specific hiking backpack is your best bet, as they provide support, organization, and more.
