Torso length, load range and suspension type matter more than the litre count on the label.
Pack sizing is driven by torso length, not your overall height. Measure from the C7 vertebra at the base of your neck to the point level with your iliac crest — most brands publish size charts against this measurement, and getting it wrong is the single biggest cause of an uncomfortable carry.
A 45–55L pack covers the vast majority of 2–5 night trips. Sizing up 'just in case' almost always leads to overpacking, since a bigger pack invites more gear rather than better gear.
Every suspension system has a weight it can technically carry and a weight it carries well. If you're regularly over 18kg, prioritise a structured aluminium or composite frame over a frameless or minimal-frame design.
Published 1 May 2026