Best Hiking Backpack under $100
If you are looking for a new hiking backpack on a tight budget of, say, $100, you will not find many options at REI, yet you might be overwhelmed with the plethora of choices on Amazon. Well, I want to help narrow those options down by highlighting what I believe to be the best hiking backpacks for $100 or less.
Please note that I have not used any of these hiking backpacks, but if I were looking for a pack with only $100 to spend, these are the ones I would be eyeing the hardest.
My top picks for best hiking backpacks under $100 are:
- Nevo Rhino Advance (50L,60L,65L)
- Teton Sports Hiker 3700
- Teton Sports Scout 3400 / Explorer 4000
- Mountaintop Adventure 55L
- High Sierra Pathway 60L
Teton Sports has been a staple on Amazon for the past couple of years as far as hiking backpacks go and most “best budget backpack” lists include one of their models. However, I found another pack I would choose above the Teton Sports Scout or Explorer, based on my personal preferences. So, let us dive into these top contenders in more detail and find out why I think they are the best hiking backpacks $100 can buy.
Note: If you are a relatively inexperienced backpacker, I recommend reading my article on How to Pick a Hiking Backpack.
1. Nevo Rhino (50L, 60L, 65L)
Cost: ~$65-$80 (Check current pricing)
Weight: ~2.6lbs-4lbs
It is a shot in the dark to pick this one over the more popular Teton Sports backpacks, but the Nevo Rhino takes the top spot for best hiking backpack under $100! It is available in multiple capacities, but for the sake of this list, we are only looking at the 50L-65L options. It is made of waterproof nylon material and has several color options, plus a few useful pockets for better organization, if you need them. This pack also includes a rain cover and a lower compartment for easy access to your sleeping bag or quilt.
Why is this a great option?
The Nevo Rhino takes the top spot for a variety of reasons. First, it offers a large front mesh pocket which is always useful for drying wet gear or to just have easy access to gear without having to uncinch anything.
Next, it offers hip belt pockets which come in handy for keeping snacks or other items you may want access to without having to take your backpack off. I cannot vouch for the size of the pockets and guarantee it will fit your phone or camera (they might), but there are plenty of useful items they can hold.
And another big plus is the suspended mesh back panel, much like what an Osprey hiking backpack has. The suspended mesh back panel will help promote airflow between yourself and the pack, helping you stay cooler. To me, the Nevo Rhino seems like an Osprey Exos clone, only much cheaper.
The negatives
In my opinion, a sleeping bag compartment is useless. However, many people like this option. The side pockets also look like they may be hard to reach with the backpack on, making water bottle access a pain, but this can always be remedied by fabricating a water bottle pouch you can attach to a shoulder strap.
The biggest negative with the Nevo Rhino though, is that there are no sizing options for torso length. While the seller says the torso length can be adjusted, I have read reviews stating it cannot. If you can truly adjust the torso length, this will not be a problem. However, if you cannot or if the torso adjustment is limited, then this is a big negative.
2. Teton Sports Hiker 3700
Cost: $75-$90 (check current pricing)
Weight: 4lbs
Next on the list is the Teton Sports Hiker 3700, a lighter version of the Scout 3400 and Explorer 4000, though not by much. It is a 60L backpack and made from 600D ripstop nylon and 400D Oxford Canvas, it offers plenty of durability at a respectable 4lbs. It has a sleeping bag compartment, if that is your thing, and offers a padded back panel with channels to help promote airflow. All this in a hiking backpack and still under $100!
Why is this a great option?
Slightly lighter than its cousins, the Hiker 3700 also offers hip belt pockets that the Scout 3400 and Explorer 4000 fail to do. This backpack also has an adjustable torso length that has a large enough span to accommodate for hikers of any size, which is a must-have for one size fits all backpacks. The torso can be adjusted to fit between a 16” and 21.5” torso.
The negatives
I would prefer a mesh pocket over the two front pockets on the Hiker 3700. Also, the back panel will not keep your back as cool as the suspended mesh panel on the Nevo Rhino.
3. Teton Sports Scout 3400 / Explorer 4000
Cost: ~$70-$90 (check current pricing)
Weight: 4.5lbs/5lbs
When it comes to budget-friendly hiking backpacks, Teton Sports is king. The Scout 3400 and Explorer 4000 are essentially the same backpack, just with different volumes. The Scout 3400 is 55L and the Explorer 4000 is 65L. There are plenty of pockets if you need them for better organization, plus a mesh front pocket. The durability of these backpacks seems top notch, being made from 600D ripstop nylon and oxford canvas. Throw in a rain cover and a hydration sleeve for a bladder and you essentially have it all in a sub $100 hiking backpack.
Why is this a great option?
If you need additional organization help, the extra pockets on these backpacks are a plus. And while the front mesh pocket seems small, it is still available and is always something I look for in a pack. Throw in the durability and well-cushioned straps and hip belt, and you have a solid hiking backpack on a tight budget.
The biggest positive of the Scout 3400 and Explorer 4000 though is the adjustable torso length, like the Hiker 3700. This really helps you dial in the fit of the pack to improve how well weight is transferred to your hips, giving you a more comfortable ride.
The negatives
First, there are no hip belt pockets and while not a negative to some, they are something I prefer to have. I feel the top side pockets would better serve a hiker if they were on the hips instead.
Next, while the padded back panel may help promote airflow, you will still find yourself with a sweaty back. This is hardly avoidable on most backpacks, but some just do it better than others and the Scout 3400 and Explorer 4000 fall short in comparison.
The last notable negative is limited to the Scout 3400. While the torso length is adjustable, on the Scout 3400, it only adjusts up to 19.5-inches, so anyone with longer torsos will need to go with the Explorer 4000, which is a big negative if you do not want the extra 10L and weight.
4. Mountaintop Adventure 55L
Cost: $56-$60 (check current pricing)
Weight: 3.3lbs
The Mountaintop Adventure 55L has everything you need in a hiking backpack, and for a low price. The pack is lighter than the previously mentioned Teton Sports backpacks and offers a lower compartment for a sleeping bag. And with the sponge padding on the hip belt and shoulder straps, this backpack should be fairly comfortable when adjusted adequately.
Why is this a great option?
The Mountaintop Adventure 55L is a standard hiking backpack at an affordable price. If you put a more reputable brand name on this pack it would be double the price. You get a solid backpack with hip belt pockets and a rain cover. The torso is also adjustable so it can work for shorter and taller hikers. It has all the adjustment you need, including load lifters, to ensure you have a proper fitting backpack.
The negatives
Not having a front mesh pocket is always a turn-off for me, but to each their own. Also, the back panel looks like it will lead to a very sweaty back as channels for air flow, or anything that provides some air gap, is at a minimal.
5. High Sierra Pathway 60L
Cost: $65-$90 (check current pricing)
Weight: 4.2lbs
The High Sierra Pathway 60L is another nice find on Amazon. Like all the backpacks listed above, this pack offers plenty of pockets for better organization. It is made from a water resistant ripstop fabric, so not only will it help to keep your gear dry, but it is also highly durable.
Why is this a great option?
Like the Mountaintop Adventure 55L, the High Sierra Pathway 60L would double in price if it had a more reputable brand name printed on it. The adjustable torso length makes dialing in the perfect fit much easier and having load lifters allows you to bring the load closer to your body while lifting the weight off your shoulders. This backpack also has hip belt pockets, giving you quick access to a variety of items without having to remove your pack.
The negatives
There is no front mesh pocket, which again, is a necessity for me. And if you want a sleeping bag compartment, this backpack does not have one. The High Sierra Pathway 60L also will not keep your back very cool, so expect a wet back during hikes that require enough physical exertion.
Conclusion
Having a budget of $100 does not mean you have to settle for a low-quality hiking backpack. All the packs listed above are great options but remember that does not mean any of these will work for you. However, I do believe these are the current best options available on Amazon for such a low price. In all actuality, some of the packs listed above are probably better than some of the more expensive brand name ones. If you are on the fence about purchasing a backpack you cannot try on or are just worried about the quality, it is probably a good idea to save up more money for a backpack you can try on and trust. Otherwise, I think any of these five backpacks can fit the bill for your next backpacking trip.
