17 Best Hiking Backpacks of 2024

By: JEREMY SCOTT FOSTER | Pulished on 2024-01-31

10. Matador Beast 28: Best Packable Hiking Backpack

17 Best Hiking Backpacks of 2024-Trip Advise

If you’re a hiker that travels to various destinations frequently and loves exploring the outdoors, you definitely need a packable backpack. These ultralight bags fit easily into your luggage and prove to be great travel companions. For blazing the trails, there isn’t one better than the Matador Beast 28.

 

Matador is famous for impeccable travel bags that double as adventure backpacks, and the Beast 28 doesn’t disappoint. Despite weighing just over one pound, the pack boasts an impressive capacity of 28 liters. It has a small compression sack to stow the pack inside your traveling bag, or just keep it in when it’s not in use.

The backpack is durable thanks to the rip-stop nylon, and the fabric is water-resistant, ensuring your gear isn’t affected by splashes—minor or major. It has many pockets, both large and small, for holding essential items like water bottles. Plus, it features a hydration sleeve to deal with thirst and several places to clip on more gear.

 

To help with suspension and comfort, the waist and sternum straps are adjustable and breathable, which makes for a lighter load on your back.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Durable
  • Great as a daypack
  • Narrow design means it won’t usually get caught on anything
  • Great weight-to-capacity ratio

Cons

  • The thin padding makes it slightly uncomfortable
  • Not suitable for multi-day use
  • Limited color options

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