We Love Backpacks
Stay Wild
Our favorite adventure buddies are strapped to our backs, cheering us along while we get into all kinds of trouble.
Check out our backpack reviews to make sure yours is the right fit.
HippyTree + JanSport // Watchtower
This collaboration features HippyTree’s fuck-it-we’re-doing-it-our-own-way attitude with the easy no-biggy functionality and affordability of a JanSport.
$100 // hippytree.com // Made in China
Topo Designs + Woolrich // Rover
Topo makes gear that turns heads on the trail and sidewalk. Woolrich has made woolen goods for over 100 years. Even though this pack was built to be super-useful up on a mountain, while fly fishing and climbing, it doesn’t mean you can’t use the waterproof zippers and 100% wool shell in the city.
$198 // woolrich.com // Made in the USA
KAVU // Camp Sherman
KAVU makes things that help you suck the fun out of life. They use the hashtag #busylivin because their backpacks are made for hiking, paddling, sky diving, biking, climbing, surfing, vanning, and fun-making.
$120 // kavu.com // Made in Vietnam
Pack Northwest // Sunbreak
Handmade by sailors, skaters, backcountry enthusiasts, cyclists, climbers, surfers, and kayakers in Bellingham, WA. This little adventure buddy has all the pockets you need in sturdy rain-resistant perfection.
$175 // packnw.com // Made in Washington
Roark Revival // The Mule Outfitted by Hex
This pack is luxurious and adventurous! Look at the rubberized PV-coated cotton outer shell, the passport pocket, the faux-fur-lined laptop pouch, the hide-able skateboard straps, and the audio port hole. Look at those things!!!
$180 // roarkrevival.com // Made in China
Timbuk2 // Custom
Choose your own colors to customize your style on their website or at a flagship store. In a world where most backpacks are made overseas to keep costs low, it’s really nice that this company offers a way for you to get involved with the manufacturing conversation by letting you decide how your backpack is made. Plus these laptop-friendly bags come with an on-strap bottle opener for party tricks.
$134 // timbuk2.com // Made in California
Drifter // Sky Pack
This adventure buddy wants to fly with you. Made from 1.9-ounce parachute material, it’s durable and light as a feather.
$132 // drifterbag.com // Made in Ohio
Burton // Tinder
This color is called the “Beaver Tail Crinkle,” but it comes in other colors. It’s your basic get-in-the-truck pack with all the pockets you need, plus a side-door laptop compartment and good vibes.
$69.95 // burton.com // Made in Asia
Mokuyobi Threads // Alex
These colors like to eat pizza and want to play video games in a hard-to-find mountain tavern on another planet. Space travelers can fill the many pockets with gifts from Earth. The foam walls work as a cooler, so you can bring some cold ones along for the spaceship ride.
$152 // mokuyobithreads.com // Made in California
Alite Designs // Willow
This top-loading adventure buddy comes with a lifetime warranty, so you’ll be friends for life. It also has a trampoline back panel, removable hip belt, and all the roomy pockets you’ll need for an epic hike to a secret camping and swimming spot.
$100 // alitedesigns.com // Made in the Philippines
Poler // High & Dry Pack
We love this “Mushy Trees” pattern bag. It’s got a zipped-in dry bag within the splash-proof outer bag—perfect for keeping your wetsuit separate from your drysuit. Easy access to the bottom (hee hee). Perfect for your wallet, keys, phone, or vegan beef jerky.
$149.95 // polerstuff.com // Made in China
Element // Weekender
Skaters take care of other skaters. That’s what you do as part of a community. When you buy this backpack or others from Element’s Camp Collection, proceeds go to the skate camp they run with the YMCA.
$89.50 // elementbrand.com // Made in Vietnam
Other Bags We Love:
Boreas // Bootlegger
Do you adventure in many different ways? Try this badass on for size. A frame with three different backpack options: a submersible waterproof one called the Scrimshaw, a well-organized daypack called the Hopper, and a hydration pack called the Torpedo. It’s way smarter than these words can express.
$199.99 // boreasgear.com // Made in China
Swift Industries // Polaris Porteur Bag
This Seattle-based company knows what’s up with riding through the shit on the daily! All their biking bags are awesome. Like this Polaris Porteur Bag, or their new pannier that turns into a backpack.
$230 // builtbyswift.com // Made in Washington
Wayward Stock // Roll-Top Board Bag
If you surf, you have a love for simple minimalism, just like you’ll find in this roll-top. Fits boards up to 6’8” in the padded cloth-lined bag with a coated polyester shell.
$149.95 // waywardstock.com // Made in Washington
Rareform // Daylight Noserider
Responsibly made from upcycled advertising billboards with all the stuff you need from a basic board bag: foam padding, fin slot, strap, and more.
$115 // rareform.com // Made in California
Sons of Trade // Land + Sea Duffle Pack
Dooood, this bag is really, really big. We’ve hiked into remote surf spots with this bag carrying three adult wetsuits, two kids’ wetsuits, towels, water bottles, and a couple of superhero action figures, and it never felt too heavy. The two zippers down the side make it really easy to get at stuff down at the bottom of this bottomless canvas and leather bag.
$210 // sonsoftrade.com // Made in China
Poler // High & Dry Surfboard Bag
Made from the same splash-proof stuff as Poler’s High & Dry Pack, this buddy wants to get surfy. It fits up to a 6’ 6” surfboard in its padded roll-top sheath.
$219.95 // polerstuff.com // Made in China
Sagebrush Bags // Evergreen
Made with organic fair-trade coffee roaster bags, upcycled fabric, and salty ocean love vibes. The water-/wax-resistant liner isn’t bulletproof, but neither are most things that share your road-trip bed. Sizes range from hand-plane tiny to 10-foot-log large and all lengths in between.
$120-150 // sagebrushbags.com // Made in California