The 7 Best Running Backpacks in 2024 - Backpacks for Runners Reviews

When you need extra gear, food, and water on a run, you’ll want one of these backpacks.

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Everyone knows that feeling of elation (and maybe a dash of dread) when gearing up for a long run. Extra fuel, hydration, a hat, rain jacket, smartphone, whistle, BandAids, and ibuprofen are just some items you may want along for these types of days. You need to be self-sufficient and safe when you're going to be out for several hours especially if you're solo.

Sometimes long runs, the kind that require a running pack, look more like a commute to the office. Other times, perhaps you’re ticking multiple high peaks off your list, will have a completely different vibe. Whether you're training for a marathon or ultra, putting in the time on extended trail runs, pounding out miles upon miles of pavement, or maybe it's a mix of all of the above, the running backpack is an essential part of your gear closet.

Picking a pack is personal, kind of like buying a pair of running shoes, where comfort is critical. Once you know what fits and feels right, you stick with it. Then you may want to prioritize aesthetics or weight. When you’ve decided on the fit, features, size, and color, it’s time to start loading your pack—and you just might find that all of your runs require a little additional storage space after all. Sometimes the weight penalty is worth it in snacks and comfort.

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Running backpacks have come a long way. Modern examples 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. Today's packs feature ventilation channels to circulate air away from your back. If you’re looking for a bag for your next run, here are a few details that matter most:

Carrying space (Volume)

When choosing a running pack, first think of what—and how much—you need to carry. Most manufacturers measure a backpack’s carrying capacity by volume, using liters (L).

Small packs, around 6 to 8 liters, can pack tight to your body so you barely notice them, but seldom have space to haul more than small essentials and some spare clothes, like a rain jacket or waterproof pants.

Larger packs extend farther from your body, which could offset your center of gravity or shift too noticeably to be comfortable while you’re running. A mid-size backpack–6 to 15 liters–should be spacious enough to haul your gear without impeding your mechanics.

You should look for a larger bag if you plan to bring it on your commute. If you’re carrying a laptop, look for a pack with a laptop sleeve large enough to hold your work computer. (Start by looking at 10-liter backpacks for an 11-inch laptop and scale up from there.)

Harness Systems

Choose a pack with a well-designed harness system that keeps the bag stable and ensures a comfortable fit. When testing larger packs, I found those with sternum straps and hip belts worked best—this becomes truer as the weight of the load increases.

Backpacks Vs. Vests

It’s important to note some general pros and cons between running backpacks and hybrid hydration packs and vests, which may feature a small storage compartment. Both running backpacks and hydration vests feature a sleeve for a reservoir or bladder, which allows you to store water in your bag and hydrate mid-run.

Backpacks are larger and hold more gear, but they don’t conform to your body like a hydration vest, and therefore don’t ride as well. Hydration vests are designed to fit close while managing the weight of a 1- to 2-liter bladder of water plus race essentials.

If you’re small-framed, you might have to really cinch your backpack straps down, leaving dangling ends that need to be tied down or they’ll drive you crazy. But for longer runs, multi-sport days, and travel, backpacks can’t be beat.

The vest-pack hybrid we’ve selected performs exceptionally well on runs and hits the 15- to 20-liter sweet spot that’s big enough to carry most of what you’ll need without really hindering your stride.

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.

The Ultimate Direction FastpackHer, ideal for covering more ground at a quick pace, gets you 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 fastpack bags.

Light polyester construction with minimal features keeps the 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 features slightly more breathable fabrics and UD’s FastFlow technology on the back panel to increase vapor flow and wicking.

Famed for getting some of the best mountaineers in the world up and down challenging peaks with ease, it’s great to see a brand like RAB coming in with such an affordable option for runners at $65. Around for 40 years, Rab's gear is robust and reliable. Whether you are looking to summit peaks, or just log lots of miles on your neighborhood bike path or local trails, the RAB Tensor is a favorite running pack.

Its streamlined design may look overly simplified, but there’s a reason for that: everything stays on the inside to prevent unnecessary bouncing and snagging. Because RAB designs for serious alpine ascents and competitive mountain runners, you get all the benefits from these categories to apply to your own adventure runs.

Just stuff your windbreaker, sandwich, and sunscreen into the main compartment, along with the hydration bladder, and you’re off. It’s also got comfy shoulder straps and some nice reflective bits on the back to keep you safe during low-light hours. Worth mentioning: RAB is PFAS-free and practices the highest standards in sustainability with its efforts to reduce reliance on fluorocarbons, repairing and re-using worn gear, and using an increasing number of recycled fabrics.

Black Diamond is known for products that deliver durability and functionality in real life situations on any type of pursuit, and the Distance 15 is no exception, with no weight penalty. This is a rugged pack that sheds almost any weather, built on a true running vest chassis, with body-hugging, pocket-riddled shoulder straps that keep the load right where it belongs, in a package weighing less than 13 ounces.

I found the Distance 15 wore comfortably, provided more than enough storage capacity, 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 roll-top 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. The only drawback for me was that the rigid, abrasion-resistant Dynex body material doesn’t stretch, so that 15-liter capacity is a hard upper limit.

Nathan’s TrailMix 2.0 may not be the cheapest multi-purpose running backpack you’ll find at $150, but its functionality substantiates this product's value. Perfect for running and other outdoor adventures—trail outings or power hiking—this pack has well-designed access to hydration, four front bottle pockets, 12 liters of storage with roll-top closure, and internal compression for stability. This amount of storage space might be all you need for a medium- or longer-distance run.

But the coup de grace on the updated Nathan TrailMix 2.0 is both an external bungee strap system for a light jacket and a stretchy exterior back mesh pocket—essential for anything you need quick access to on the road, on the trail, or in the front seat of your car—you get the picture. There are pole holders and reflective details for 360-degree visibility, too. All of this considered, the price is right for one of the most tried-and-true running brands on the market with all of the versatility and technology out there.

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. Expandable cinch straps and deployable bungees hold all of your layers and poles.

There's 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.

With lots of room for an all-day outing, the Osprey Manta 24 goes with you from running to hiking to, yes, even biking, with ease. The frame features Osprey’s renowned tensioned, contoured back panel that keeps sweat from pooling.

Of note, this pack comes with an easy-to-access rain cover and plenty of pockets for smaller valuables, so you’ve got built-in full protection and exceptional organization. There’s no such thing as a perfect do-it-all pack, but the Manta 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.

Deuter is a leading pack brand in Europe and has been for quite some time. Once you try its suspension systems and materials, you’ll understand why. The Women’s Traick 9 SL slides into our top picks with this easy-wearing, purpose-built, albeit slightly lower volume, running pack.

The SL designates a shorter back length specifically designed for women, and the flexible vest-like design is ideal for any curves or body type. The pack also provides a surprising amount of volume for its size, due to stretchy material and a fluid system of pockets and stuff pouches.

Grabbing food and jackets while hydrating on the go is simplified with this sophisticated running-specific design that also helps to eliminate bounce. This pack saves weight and enhances fit with a bungee system up front, instead of a traditional sternum and waist strap.

The stretchy fabric is also highly breathable and environmentally friendly with bluesign accreditation, which I love.

Why buy a run vest instead of a traditional pack—or do I need both?

You need both. A running vest is crucial for long runs, but the packs featured here aren’t just for long and fast runs. They’re for hiking, peak bagging, short runs, errands, all-day mixed use, and long runs and races. There’s no one-pack-fits-all option, and that’s why backpacks are a top seller and why there are so many options out there.

What is the most important consideration with hydration and a pack/vest?

It depends. Do you want to use a bladder, how much water do you want to carry, and does the pack carry the bladder well? Some people prefer water bottles, and many of the packs reviewed here have pockets for water bottles.

Other folks are die-hard bladder fans. Virtually all packs nowadays have a similar bladder carry system, but there are nuances. Ultimately, you may end up experimenting not just with different pack brands but also different bladders and bladder brands, even though they are mostly cross-compatible.

Some brands, like Camelbak, tend to be more brand-specific, while other bladders are designed to work in any pack. If the pack you choose does not come with a bladder, then you can experiment with a few different brands and sizes to find out what works best for you.

Are stretch pockets just as good as zipped ones?

They serve different purposes. Zippered pockets tend to be more for electronics and lip balm and stuff you don’t want to lose or to bounce out, whereas stretch pockets are more for fast-grab items like water bottles and gels, things that are less likely to fall out unnoticed.

Stretch pockets are also good for a light shell or vest, or to stuff and stow a hat for quick on and off as the weather changes and you don’t want to stop to unzip anything.

Do I need to try before I buy?

You can make an informed decision by studying the key specs, doing some research, carefully considering your end use, and reading the sizing charts on most brand websites.

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.

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