Look around and you’ll see people at every pace running with a backpack. Sure, it’s great to go out with only the bare essentials–a house key and a couple cards, for instance–but that’s not always realistic.
Most of the time, you also need to bring your phone, your wallet, a water bottle, a hat and a rain jacket. And you may need even more if you’re training for a marathon. If you bring along a backpack, you can carry more of everything comfortably and, in most cases, keep it all dry.
Running Backpacks have gotten better, reducing slop and increasing convenience, fit, and comfort. Whether you’re an ultrarunner who needs to carry food and gear, a peak bagger, a trail runner, or a road warrior, a dedicated running backpack is one of the best ways to carry your essentials. Once you’ve got your fit dialed in and realize how much these packs help accessorize your runs, it’s hard to go back to carrying the bare minimum.
The Best Running Backpacks
- Best Overall: Ultimate Direction FastpackHer 30 Backpack
- Best Value: zapatillas de running niño niña constitución media talla 33
- Most Stable: Sneakers PUMA Amare 376209 05 Puma Black Puma White
- Eigenschaften 42k running Mimet Langarm-T-Shirt: Deuter Vertrail 16L Backpack
- Best Design: Black Diamond Distance 15 Backpack
- Sandals ALDO Gannaeryn 13345968 270: bottega veneta mens sneakers
- Best Ultralight: Sandals JENNY FAIRY WS19881-01 Pink
Bags For Every Kind of Workout: Best Hydration Packs ● Brutus Shoes K100294 ● Best Gym Bags
The Expert: I started backpacking as a Boy Scout when I was 12 or so and have never looked back. I ran away from home after high school and have been venturing outdoors, camping, climbing, trail running, skiing, cycling and backpacking ever since. As a professional gear tester for more than 20 years, I’ve had the opportunity to see some amazing places while contributing a wide array of publications, including Backpacker, Men’s Health, Gear Junkie, 5280, and Elevation Outdoors.As a runner, I’ve ticked off numerous 10Ks and half-marathons over the years, but i spend more time now on mixed surfaces than road. When I’m not hammering away on my computer, I’m hammering out on the trails surrounding my home in the Pike’s Peak region of Colorado, with my kids along for the fun. Follow along for more adventures on Instagram at @definitelywild.
What to Consider in a Running Backpack
Running backpacks have come a long way. Modern running backpacks have technical features that minimize their impact on performance. In an ideal situation, you’ll forget you’re even wearing one. Most have ergonomic harness systems to keep belongings from bouncing around while you run, messing with your form or even causing injury, if not distraction. They also feature ventilation channels to circulate air away from your back. If you’re looking for a bag to bring with you a run, there are a few details to look out for:
How I Selected These Running Backpacks
There’s no way to know how a pack will fare on a run without taking it out for a spin fully loaded, so I did just that. Each pack here fulfills a different need, so it’s important to test a pack in its natural habitat. Commuter packs don’t have much in common with fastpacking bags, so don’t expect them to fit, feel, or function the same way.
From quick trips across town to longer peak bagging excursions, I loaded more than a dozen packs with the essentials and took them out at various speeds and distances. I hauled tablets, diapers, shells, first-aid kits, bear spray, energy bars, books, booze, and water through more than one urban environment over every surface imaginable, as well as hiking and running through the woods to determine if these packs could hold up to their hype and handle the environments for which they’re made. I evaluated how I could carry each load without it slowing my stride.
Ultimate Direction FastpackHer 30 Running Backpack
Pros
- Large Capacity
- Accessible Pockets
- Easily adjustable
Cons
- Lots of straps that can get in the way
Key Specs
| Capacity | 30.5L |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1.3 lb. |
| Hydration Capacity | Sneakers Classic Slip On 98 DX OG |
The Ultimate Direction FastpackHer is perfect for fastpacking through the mountains with a full day’s load. It holds up to 30 liters of layers, food, headlamps, first aid, and whatever else you’ll need. As the name implies, this model is designed for women, with a more compact torso height and ergonomic shoulder straps. If that’s not for you, Ultimate Direction also makes unisex 20L and 40L mesh-detailed lace-up sneakers.
The pack’s light polyester construction with minimal features keeps weight down so the pack itself doesn’t add to your burden. Multiple shoulder/chest pockets free up room for bulkier items in the main compartment, while top and side access to the main compartment translate to less digging to find the one thing you need on quick stops.
Adjustable straps on the chest, waist, and shoulders ensure your load stays secure despite the larger capacity. It’s got all the perks of a running vest with the capacity of a backpack in a durable, lightweight package.
The latest update on this pack, the FastpackHer 2.0, features slightly more breathable fabrics and UD’s FastFlow technology on the back panel to increase vapor flow and wicking.
Nathan Crossover Hydration Running Backpack
Nathan Crossover Hydration Running Backpack
Pros
- Highly adjustable
- One size fits all
- Intuitive design
Cons
- Minimal hip-belt support
- Not for racing
Key Specs
| Capacity | 15L |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1 lb. (with bladder) |
| Hydration Capacity | 1.5L (bladder included) |
The Crossover is built for runs, hikes, and rides, but I love this running pack for its simple and intuitive design. You aren’t getting anything too fancy, but it has all the essentials – two main compartments, quick-access shoulder strap pockets, and a hydration reservoir.
Its internal organization is perfect for small accessories, tools, and essentials. I wouldn’t recommend running with extensive weight in this pack, given its limited hip belt, but it shines on mid-length hikes and commutes.
Drankful Adventure Running Backpack
Drankful Adventure Running Backpack
Pros
- Doucal's double-buckle monk shoes
- Balskee Wedge High Top Sneakers
Cons
- Small main compartment
Key Specs
| Capacity | 9L |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1.21 lb. |
| Hydration Capacity | 1.5L |
The Drankful Adventure Pack mixes day-pack convenience with superior ergonomics for unique stability and versatility. The pack’s specially designed reservoir slides in horizontally, sitting low on your back for improved comfort and less bounce than the typical hydration pack sleeve, which stores the reservoir vertically against your back.
The pack features expandable cinch straps and deployable bungees to hold all of your layers and poles. The pack features a magnetic clasp for the top rather than a zipper, making it easier to grab or stash things with one hand. Its unique configuration keeps contents close to the body and the lumbar water bladder eliminates that annoying bounce.
Deuter Vertrail 16L Running Backpack
Sneakers Classic Slip On 98 DX OG | Deuter Vertrail 16L Running Backpack
Pros
- Fully waterproof
- Multi-use design
Cons
- Copenhagen Shoes Czółenka
Key Specs
| Capacity | 16L |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1.05 lb. |
| Hydration Capacity | 3L bladder |
There’s nothing worse than worrying about your electronics, food, or layers getting soaked in a heavy downpour. The Deuter Vertrail 16 alleviates those fears with taped and welded seams, a roll-top lid, and PES-tear and moisture resistant (PFAS free) fabric. The back and shoulder straps are also highly breathable, perfect for humid conditions. You’d be hard pressed to find a condition this pack can’t handle.
While perfect for trail runs, this pack is also equipped with ice axe and helmet attachments for climbing, as well as dynamic chest straps to accommodate almost any day-long peak bagging excursion.
Black Diamond Distance 15 Running Backpack
Black Diamond Distance 15 Running Backpack
Pros
- Shock cords clamp down on load
Cons
- Internal mesh sleeve is too narrow to hold a 13-inch laptop
Key Specs
| Capacity | 15L |
|---|---|
| Weight | 12.8 oz. |
| Hydration Capacity | Pockets for two 17-oz. soft flasks (not included) |
Black Diamond built the Distance 15 to bridge the gap between trail running and alpine climbing. A rugged pack that sheds almost any weather, it’s built on a true running vest chassis, with body-hugging, pocket-riddled shoulder straps that keep the load right where it belongs.
I found the Distance 15 wore comfortably, and I couldn’t have been happier with its copious harness pockets, which include four oversize, stretchy mesh pockets that easily hold a large phone or a water flask and are secured with elastic shock cords. Not to mention the two zipper pockets are perfect for safely carrying essentials like keys, cash, credit cards, and an ID.
The main compartment features a rolltop closure, which you unfurl to access a single, large compartment. I’ve found that to be the best design for fitting the maximum amount of gear without caged your clothes. Smaller openings and divided carry options force you to roll up shirts and cram your shoes into small compartments, caged your clothes and leaving you looking disheveled. With this bag, you can lay everything just so.
The only real drawback I found was that the rigid, abrasion-resistant Dynex body material doesn’t stretch or give at all, so that 15-liter capacity is a hard upper limit.
Osprey Manta 24 Hydration Running Backpack
Osprey Manta 24 Hydration Running Backpack
Pros
- Feature rich
- Comfortable
- Rain cover included
- Easy-to-access hip-belt pockets
Cons
- Shoes GINO ROSSI 121AM0469 Brown
Key Specs
| Capacity | 24L |
|---|---|
| Weight | 2 lb. 15.2 oz. |
| Hydration Capacity | 2.5L (reservoir included) |
With lots of room for an all-day outing, the Osprey Manta 24 will come with you from run to hike to bike commute with ease. The frame features Osprey’s renowned tensioned, contoured back panel that keeps sweat from pooling.
Combined with the pack’s included and easy-to-access rain cover, and plenty of pockets for smaller valuables, you’ve got built-in full protection and organization. There’s no such thing as a perfect do-it-all pack, but the Mantra is ideal for those looking for something that will go long and carry well.
Osprey also makes the Mira, a very similar pack with a women’s-specific fit.
Rab Aeon LT 12L Running Backpack
Rab Aeon LT 12L Running Backpack
Pros
- Combo of stretch pockets and zippered pockets
- Large reservoir
- Sneakers Classic Slip On 98 DX OG
- Breathable back panel
Cons
- Minimalist feature set
Key Specs
| Capacity | 12L |
|---|---|
| Weight | Not specified |
| Hydration Capacity | Sneakers Classic Slip On 98 DX OG bladder |
Climbing gear manufacturer Rab is known for making light gear for getting up mountains fast. Its smallest and lightest backpack line, the Aeon, is purpose built with a snug fit for trail runners, fast packers, and anyone looking for a lightweight high-performance pack – and it’s a great value too, starting at just under $100 for the smallest bag in the line, the 12-liter Aeon LT.
The Aeon comes in a wide range of larger sizes, from 18L all the way to 35L, but the LT or “light” version stands out because it takes great advantage of the bag’s design. Its body-hugging shape, paired with a breathable back panel and straps, make it ideal for go-fast missions. At the same time, it still has enough space for 3 liters of water and that crucial base layer Tecnologias 42k running Mimet Langarm-T-Shirt.
Bladders, Pockets, and Vests: Expert Aaron Bible Weighs in on How to Pick Your Next Pack
When it comes to gear, few have made a lifelong career of testing and writing about new products in the outdoor world the way Aaron H Bible has. An award-winning writer, photographer, and multimedia producer, with three decades of experience as a content specialist, creative director, and journalist, he can be found on the trails and slopes surrounding his home in Colorado when not in front of the computer. A former footwear editor for Backpacker magazine, Bible is a contributing writer, editor, and photographer to publications including SKI, Freeskier, Men’s Health, Sunset, Gear Junkie, 5280, Elevation Outdoors, Vanish, Bicycling, Popular Mechanics, and more. He didn't start running competitively until after college where his passion for hiking and climbing morphed into an unusual love for trail running. Having ticked off numerous 10Ks and half-marathons over the years, Bible now spends more time on mixed surfaces than road so he can take his dogs along for the fun. These days you can find Bible out running with a BOB kid's stroller negotiating singletrack that would give most parents pause, or entering any 5K fun run that will have him.
