What size hiking backpack is right for you?

It's easy to tell when your backpack is the wrong size. If it's too small, your equipment won't fit without hanging on the outside. If it's too big, you'll often end up filling it with things you never use. The question of **how big a backpack for hiking** is therefore less about your height and more about the length of your trip, season, pack volume and how light your other equipment is.

For most hikes, you can get close to the right size with a few simple guidelines. A day hike rarely requires the same volume as a night in a tent, and lightweight equipment changes the whole calculation. There is also a difference between a summer in the lowlands and an autumn hike with a warmer sleeping bag, larger tent and more clothing.

The size of a backpack for hiking depends on the length of the trip.

The most practical way to choose a size is to start with the number of days. For a typical day trip, 20 to 30 liters is often enough. This will give you room for an extra sweater, rain gear, water, a seat pad, food for the day, and a few small items like a map, headlamp, and reinforcements. If you're going on shorter trips in warm weather, 15 to 20 liters may work, but the margin will be smaller.

For an overnight stay or a light weekend trip, many end up with around 35 to 50 liters. Equipment plays a big role here. If you have a compact tent, a light sleeping bag and a smaller sleeping pad, you can keep the volume down considerably. If you have older or cheaper equipment that packs larger, you often need a few extra liters, even if the weight does not differ that much.

For multi-day hikes, 50 to 65 liters is a common level. This is enough for many three-season trips where you carry a tent, kitchen, extra clothes and food for several days. If you are going to be out longer, carry more winter-appropriate equipment or pack for two people in parts of the system, 65 to 75 liters can be reasonable. Above that, the backpack can easily become so large that you both pack heavier and move less efficiently.

There are exceptions, of course. An experienced hiker with well-thought-out lightweight equipment can get by with 40 to 50 liters for several days. A beginner with a bulkier sleeping bag and larger sleeping pad may need 55 liters for just a weekend.

Volume in liters is important

Many people start by looking at the model name or marketing, but the liter rating says more. When comparing backpacks for hiking, it is the volume that determines how much you can actually fit. The fit is still important, but it won't solve the problem if the bag is the wrong size for your pack.

It's also good to keep in mind that two backpacks with the same number of liters can feel different in real life. A narrow and tall model packs differently than a wider bag with a larger front pocket and generous side pockets. External storage for water bottles, a rain jacket and small items can make a 45-liter bag feel more useful than a simpler 50-liter model.

If you're between sizes, it's often wise to choose the one that matches your actual gear, not the ride you hope to do later. A bag that's too big rarely performs better just because it gives you "opportunity." It's often looser packed, less stable, and heavier from the start.

Your other equipment matters more than many people think.

The same hike can require a completely different backpack depending on what you're carrying. A compact 1-person tent, an inflatable sleeping pad , and a modern sleeping bag save a lot of volume. This allows you to choose a smaller bag, which in turn usually leads to a lower total weight and easier packing.

This is a common mistake that many people make. They try to solve the problem of packing too much with a larger backpack instead of seeing what items will take up space. If the tent is large, the sleeping bag packs poorly and the kitchen requires extra fuel and pots, the need grows quickly. Then going up from 50 to 65 liters only helps temporarily.

For Swedish conditions, the sleeping bag is often the big culprit of volume. A warm three-season sleeping bag or winter-adapted model takes up much more space than many people expect. Rainwear, reinforcement clothing and food for several days then fill the rest. If you want to keep the backpack volume down, it is therefore smart to look at the entire system.

Season and weather shift size requirements

Summer hiking in stable weather requires less space. You carry fewer layers, simpler sleeping systems and often less fuel. On the same trip in late autumn, you will need a warmer sleeping bag, hat, gloves, dry clothes and often a more weatherproof tent. Then the difference can be 10 to 20 liters without the trip itself becoming longer.

Winter trips are a separate area. There, the usual advice of 40 or 50 liters is rarely enough. Thicker sleeping gear, larger down garments, more food and more safety margins mean that many people need 65 liters and up. At the same time, winter loads place higher demands on the carrying system, not just on volume.

If you mainly hike from spring to fall, it's usually better to choose a three-season backpack than to buy too big "just in case." You'll get a pack that works better on the hikes you actually do.

How big a backpack for hiking if you're camping?

If you're camping, you need to account for three large volume items - tent, sleeping system and kitchen. For one night with light and compact equipment, 40 to 50 liters can be plenty. For two to three nights with normal three-season equipment, 50 to 60 liters is often a safe level.

If you are hiking alone but carrying a more spacious tent or prioritizing comfort, such as a larger sleeping pad and more clothes, it is common for the need to increase. The same applies if you are hiking with children or sharing the pack unevenly in your group. In that case, a larger bag may be the right choice, but then it should also have a carrying system that can handle the weight.

A practical rule of thumb is not to plan to hang large parts of your pack on the outside of your backpack. A rolled-up sleeping pad or a wet tent on the outside may work temporarily, but if half of your gear is on the outside, the bag is practically too small.

Common mistakes when choosing a backpack

The most common is to buy too big. It sounds safe, but the result is often a higher base weight and more unnecessary packing. The second most common is the opposite - choosing too small in pursuit of low weight, even though the equipment is not compact enough.

Another mistake is to focus on liters without checking the carrying comfort. A 60-liter pack that fits properly and distributes the weight well is better than a lighter model that becomes uncomfortable after a few kilometers. The hip belt should support, the shoulder straps should stabilize and the back length must fit your body.

Many people also underestimate the volume of food. On a day trip it's marginal, but over several days food and snacks take up more space than you think. Add fuel, water capacity and extra storage and the margins quickly become smaller.

How to find the right size without guessing

The easiest way is to gather the gear you actually plan to use and pack it at home. Put everything in packing bags or directly on the floor and see how much you need for a realistic trip. This will make it clear whether you are closer to 35, 50 or 65 liters.

Also consider how you hike. If you're hiking shorter distances with a focus on camp comfort, you can accept a little more volume. If you prioritize pace, easy packing, and low weight, you'll often benefit from a smaller pack, but only if the rest of your gear supports it.

At a specialized store like https://hikingstore.se, it is often easier to compare backpacks together with tents, sleeping bags and sleeping pads in the same area of use. This gives a better overall picture than just looking at the backpack's liter capacity in isolation.

A simple guideline to start from

For most people, it looks like this: 20 to 30 liters for a day trip, 35 to 50 liters for a light overnight or weekend trip, 50 to 65 liters for a multi-day trip in three seasons, and 65 liters or more when the gear gets bulky, the trip gets longer, or the weather gets colder. It's not a sure thing, but it's a good start.

If you're hesitating between two sizes, start by reviewing your equipment before choosing a larger bag. A backpack should fit your hike, not compensate for poor packing planning. When the volume, fit, and purpose are right, the hike becomes easier even before you leave the parking lot.