25 different types of backpacks along with their names
Table of Contents
Backpacks have become an essential accessory for people from all walks of life.
Whether you are a hiker, a traveler, a student or a professional, there is a backpack to meet your specific needs.
Below, we’ll explore 25 different types of backpacks, each catering to a unique purpose and lifestyle.
Here are the characteristics of the 25 different types of backpacks:
1.Daypack:
- Size: Small to medium
- Capacity: Around 10-30 liters
- Weight: Lightweight
- Material: Nylon or polyester
- Shoulder Straps: Padded for comfort
- Pockets: Multiple compartments for organization
- Use: Everyday use, short hikes, city exploration
2.Hiking Backpack:
- Size: Medium to large
- Capacity: 30-70 liters
- Weight: Moderate to heavy, depending on capacity
- Material: Durable nylon or polyester
- Shoulder Straps: Padded and adjustable for stability
- Pockets: Multiple compartments, hydration bladder compatibility
- Use: Extended hikes, overnight camping, outdoor adventures
3.Camping Backpack:
- Size: Large
- Capacity: 60+ liters
- Weight: Heavy due to larger capacity
- Material: Heavy-duty nylon or polyester
- Shoulder Straps: Extra padding and load-bearing hip belt
- Pockets: Multiple compartments, external attachment points for gear
- Use: Extended camping trips, multi-day expeditions
4.Travel Backpack:
- Size: Medium to large
- Capacity: 30+ liters
- Weight: Moderate
- Material: Durable nylon or polyester
- Shoulder Straps: Padded and adjustable, may have stowable harness
- Pockets: Multiple compartments, laptop sleeve, organizer panels
- Use: Air travel, backpacking trips, versatile for different environments
5.Laptop Backpack:
- Size: Small to medium
- Capacity: Varies, typically has dedicated laptop compartment
- Weight: Lightweight to moderate
- Material: Nylon or polyester with padded laptop sleeve
- Shoulder Straps: Padded and adjustable
- Pockets: Laptop sleeve, additional compartments for accessories
- Use: Carrying laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices
6.School Backpack:
- Size: Small to medium
- Capacity: Varies, typically designed for school supplies
- Weight: Lightweight to moderate
- Material: Durable nylon or polyester
- Shoulder Straps: Padded and adjustable
- Pockets: Multiple compartments, organizer pockets
- Use: Carrying books, notebooks, and school essentials
7.Tactical Backpack:
- Size: Medium to large
- Capacity: 20-60 liters
- Weight: Moderate to heavy
- Material: Heavy-duty nylon or Cordura
- Shoulder Straps: Padded, load-bearing hip belt, MOLLE webbing
- Pockets: Multiple compartments, external attachment points
- Use: Military, law enforcement, survival, and outdoor activities
8.Hydration Backpack:
- Size: Small to medium
- Capacity: Varies, typically includes hydration reservoir
- Weight: Lightweight
- Material: Nylon or polyester, water-resistant
- Shoulder Straps: Padded and adjustable
- Pockets: Main compartment for hydration reservoir, additional storage
- Use: Hiking, cycling, running, outdoor activities with easy access to water
9.Cycling Backpack:
- Size: Small to medium
- Capacity: Varies, designed for cycling gear
- Weight: Lightweight to moderate
- Material: Durable nylon or polyester
- Shoulder Straps: Padded and adjustable, chest and waist straps for stability
- Pockets: Multiple compartments, helmet attachment, reflective details
- Use: Cycling, bike commuting, carrying cycling essentials
10.Duffel Backpack:
- Size: Medium to large
- Capacity: Varies, typically has duffel-style opening
- Weight: Moderate to heavy
- Material: Durable nylon or polyester, often with waterproof features
- Shoulder Straps: Padded and adjustable, can be converted to duffel bag
- Pockets: Main compartment with large opening, additional compartments
- Use: Travel, gym, versatile for various carrying options
11.Camera Backpack:
- Size: Medium to large
- Capacity: Varies, designed to carry camera gear
- Weight: Moderate to heavy
- Material: Padded compartments for camera equipment, durable exterior
- Shoulder Straps: Padded and adjustable, often with chest and waist straps
- Pockets: Customizable interior dividers, dedicated compartments for lenses and accessories
- Use: Photography, carrying camera gear and accessories
12.Drawstring Backpack:
- Size: Small to medium
- Capacity: Varies, typically limited due to drawstring closure
- Weight: Lightweight
- Material: Lightweight nylon or polyester
- Shoulder Straps: Thin cords or strings
- Pockets: Usually one main compartment with drawstring closure
- Use: Casual outings, gym, lightweight carrying needs
13.Sling Backpack:
- Size: Small to medium
- Capacity: Varies, typically compact with one strap design
- Weight: Lightweight to moderate
- Material: Durable nylon or polyester
- Shoulder Straps: Single strap worn across the body
- Pockets: Main compartment, additional pockets for organization
- Use: Everyday use, short trips, quick access to essentials
14.Roll-top Backpack:
- Size: Small to large
- Capacity: Varies, expandable with roll-top closure
- Weight: Lightweight to moderate
- Material: Waterproof or water-resistant nylon or polyester
- Shoulder Straps: Padded and adjustable
- Pockets: Main compartment with roll-top closure, additional compartments
- Use: Outdoor activities, travel, protection against water and weather
15.Frameless Backpack:
- Size: Small to large
- Capacity: Varies, often lightweight and compact
- Weight: Lightweight
- Material: Lightweight nylon or polyester
- Shoulder Straps: Padded and adjustable
- Pockets: Main compartment, additional pockets for organization
- Use: Ultralight backpacking, day hikes, minimalistic approach
16.External Frame Backpack:
- Size: Large
- Capacity: 50+ liters
- Weight: Moderate to heavy
- Material: Combination of durable fabric and external frame
- Shoulder Straps: Padded and adjustable, load-bearing hip belt
- Pockets: Multiple compartments, attachment points for gear
- Use: Extended backpacking trips, heavy loads, stability and ventilation
17.Internal Frame Backpack:
- Size: Medium to large
- Capacity: Varies, often 40+ liters
- Weight: Moderate
- Material: Durable fabric with internal frame for support
- Shoulder Straps: Padded and adjustable, load-bearing hip belt
- Pockets: Multiple compartments, compression straps for load management
- Use: Backpacking, hiking, versatility for various terrains
18.Ultralight Backpack:
- Size: Small to medium
- Capacity: Varies, often 20-40 liters
- Weight: Very lightweight
- Material: Lightweight and durable nylon or polyester
- Shoulder Straps: Minimal padding
- focus on weight reduction
- Pockets: Minimalistic design with few compartments
- Use: Ultralight backpacking, fastpacking, weight-conscious adventures
19.Waterproof Backpack:
- Size: Small to large
- Capacity: Varies, often includes roll-top closure
- Weight: Moderate
- Material: Waterproof or water-resistant fabric, sealed seams
- Shoulder Straps: Padded and adjustable
- Pockets: Main compartment with waterproof closure, additional compartments
- Use: Water-based activities, rainy climates, protection against water
20.Rucksack:
- Size: Medium to large
- Capacity: Varies, often has a top-loading design
- Weight: Moderate
- Material: Durable nylon or polyester
- Shoulder Straps: Padded and adjustable
- Pockets: Main compartment, additional exterior pockets
- Use: Backpacking, travel, military-style carrying
21.Military Backpack:
- Size: Medium to large
- Capacity: 30+ liters
- Weight: Moderate to heavy
- Material: Heavy-duty nylon or Cordura
- Shoulder Straps: Padded and adjustable, load-bearing hip belt
- Pockets: Multiple compartments, MOLLE webbing for customization
- Use: Military, law enforcement, outdoor activities, rugged conditions
22.Mountaineering Backpack:
- Size: Large
- Capacity: 50+ liters
- Weight: Heavy due to larger capacity and additional features
- Material: Durable and weather-resistant nylon or polyester
- Shoulder Straps: Padded and adjustable, load-bearing hip belt, ice axe loops
- Pockets: Main compartment, additional compartments, attachment points for gear
- Use: Mountaineering, climbing, alpine adventures
23.Skiing Backpack:
- Size: Medium to large
- Capacity: Varies, designed for ski gear and equipment
- Weight: Moderate to heavy
- Material: Durable and weather-resistant fabric
- Shoulder Straps: Padded and adjustable, ski or snowboard carrying features
- Pockets: Dedicated compartments for avalanche safety gear, hydration system compatibility
- Use: Skiing, snowboarding, winter sports
24.Snowboarding Backpack:
- Size: Medium to large
- Capacity: Varies, designed for snowboarding gear and equipment
- Weight: Moderate to heavy
- Material: Durable and weather-resistant fabric
- Shoulder Straps: Padded and adjustable, snowboard carrying features
- Pockets: Dedicated compartments for snowboarding essentials, hydration system compatibility
- Use: Snowboarding, winter sports, carrying gear and equipment
25.Fashion Backpack:
- Size: Varies, typically small to medium
- Capacity: Varies, designed for style rather than high capacity
- Weight: Lightweight to moderate
- Material: Varies, often fashionable fabrics such as leather or canvas
- Shoulder Straps: Padded or non-padded, depends on style
- Pockets: Varies, may have multiple compartments or minimalist design
- Use: Fashionable accessory, everyday use, style statement
These characteristics can vary slightly depending on specific brands, models, and variations within each backpack type. It’s important to consider your personal preferences, intended use, and requirements when choosing the right backpack for your needs.
