Why your pack makes the difference
A bad pack ruins a good day out, especially when you're searching for the right hiking backpack in Ireland for your adventures. Too heavy before you have even loaded it. Straps that cut in by kilometre three. No way to reach your rain jacket when the weather turns. You feel every bit of it. The right hiking backpack disappears on your back. You stop thinking about the kit. You start thinking about the trail.
At 53 Degrees North, we have been helping people reach Ireland's hills for over twenty years. We know the conditions: the boggy approaches to Carrauntoohil and the rocky switchbacks of the Wicklow Way, the kind of days where everything changes in twenty minutes. Every hiking backpack we stock is chosen because it holds up when it counts, when the weather is playing ball and when it really is not.
How to choose the right hiking backpack
Hiking backpacks for day hikes generally sit in the 20 to 35L range: enough for layers, water, food, and the bits you hope you won't need. Overnighters and multi-day routes push into 40 to 65L territory. But volume is only part of the picture. A poorly fitted 30L will punish you more than a well-designed 50L ever would.
Fit matters more than capacity. Here is what to look for.
- Adjustable torso length: essential if you sit between sizes; it is the difference between a pack that carries well and one that fights you all day.
- Hip belt padding: that is where the weight belongs, not grinding into your shoulders over five hours of uphill.
- Ventilated back panel: makes a real difference on longer climbs and warmer days on the hill.
- Hydration compatibility: a reservoir sleeve and hose port is worth having on anything above 25L.
- Load lifter straps: let you fine-tune fit and posture on the move.
Which hiking backpacks tick every box?
| Feature | Osprey Atmos AG LT 50 | Osprey Aura AG LT 50 (Women's) | Deuter Aircontact Lite 35+10 | Deuter Aircontact Lite 45+10 |
| Adjustable torso length | AntiGravity suspension system | Fit-on-the-Fly hipbelt and ladder adjustment | VariQuick back length adjustment | VariQuick back length adjustment |
| Hip belt padding | Padded hipbelt | Fit-on-the-Fly padded hipbelt | ECL hip fins | ECL hip fins |
| Ventilated back panel | AntiGravity mesh, fully ventilated | AntiGravity mesh, fully ventilated | Aircontact open-cell foam and ventilation channel | Aircontact open-cell foam and ventilation channel |
| Hydration | Internal hydration sleeve | Internal hydration sleeve | Compatible with 3L reservoir | Compatible with 3L reservoir |
| Load-lifter straps | Yes | Yes | Load adjustment straps | Load adjustment straps |
Top hiking backpack brands at 53 Degrees North
Not all hiking backpacks are built the same. Here is what we carry and why.
Osprey
If you ask most serious walkers what pack they swear by, Osprey comes up more often than not, and with good reason. The Talon 26 is where a lot of people start: light enough that you forget it is there on a long day out, organised enough that you are never rooting around for your snacks at the top. If you are planning multi-day routes, the Kestrel 48 and Atmos AG LT 50 are the ones to try. Osprey also does proper women's-specific fits, and the Tempest range is built around a shorter torso length, where a hip belt that actually sits right makes a bigger difference than most people expect.
Deuter
Deuter packs earn their reputation the quiet way. You wear one for a full day on the hill and realise at some point that you stopped noticing it. The Futura 24 and Futura 26 are the workhorses: breathable back systems, adjustable straps, and a fit that stays comfortable across varied terrain. For faster days when you want to move light, the Speed Lite 17 is the pick. Planning something bigger? The Aircontact Lite 35+10 is built for multi-day loads, with a solid frame and proper suspension. It is the kind of pack you trust when you are two days from town.
Vango
Vango is the one to talk to when you are going for more than a day. The Apex Air 40 sits in the sweet spot for weekend trips, with enough room for everything without feeling like you are carrying a house. For longer routes where you need to carry camping gear, food and layers for every kind of weather, the Denali Pro 60:70 is purpose-built for the job: hardwearing, practical, and priced to make a multi-day trip genuinely accessible.
Columbia
Not every walk needs an expensive pack, and Columbia knows it. The Blackcomb Ridge 18L is compact and well-designed, a day hiking backpack that does everything you need it to: hydration compatible, dual water bottle pockets, and foam padding for all-day comfort on the trail. If you are newer to the hills, simplicity helps, and this is an honest, well-built option that holds up across seasons.
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Hiking backpack accessories worth having
The hiking backpack is the foundation, but a few small additions make a real difference once you are out there.
Rain covers
Irish weather does not wait for a convenient moment. A rain cover is one of those things you will not think about until you need it, and then you will really need it. Deuter's Raincover Mini and Raincover I are tidy, lightweight covers that fit neatly into their own pouch and go on fast when the sky changes. If visibility matters on busier trails or road crossings, the Osprey HiVis Raincover adds a high-visibility layer over your pack, worth considering for early mornings or low-light conditions.
Dry bags
Even with a rain cover on your pack, extra protection helps. Keep valuables in a dry bag, and stash a spare layer or your sleeping bag liner in one on serious routes. Lifeventure's Ultralight Dry Bags are genuinely ultralight, roll-top sealed, and small enough to live in your pack permanently. A multipack gives you a set of sizes to organise your load and keep everything separated and dry.
Pack organisation
The Nite Ize Gearline Organisation System seems unnecessary until you have used it once. It is an elastic-banded loop system that mounts inside or outside your pack and keeps cords, poles and loose gear from taking over. Pair it with a set of Nite Ize Gear Ties and the inside of your pack stops being a lucky dip every time you open the top.
Hydration reservoirs
If your pack has a reservoir sleeve, and most above 25L do, you can upgrade easily. The Platypus Big Zip EVO is the one to go for: it fits neatly into most hiking backpacks and works with Osprey, Deuter and Vango models. The high-mount quick-disconnect lets you pull the reservoir without rooting through your pack, the semi-rigid centre baffle keeps it sitting low and flat against your back, and the self-sealing bite valve delivers a clean, consistent flow. It is the kind of add-on you buy once and then forget about in the best possible way.
Find your hiking backpack
The right hiking backpack changes the whole experience, whether it is an afternoon summit or a week on the trail. Our teams at Carrickmines, Arnotts, Blanchardstown and Cork know the kit inside out, so come in and try a few on loaded, or browse our full range of hiking backpacks.
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Order online for free Click & Collect, or free home delivery over €100 across Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, usually 1 to 2 working days with DPD.
Frequently asked questions
Can I collect orders in store?
Yes, choose Click & Collect at checkout. Orders are usually ready within 24 hours and you will get an email when ready. Available from our Dublin Carrickmines, Dublin Blanchardstown and Cork City Centre stores.
Do you offer free delivery on orders?
Yes, we offer free standard delivery on all orders over €100.
Where are your stores located?
We have four stores across Ireland: Dublin Carrickmines, Dublin Blanchardstown, Cork City Centre and Arnotts Dublin.