If you are about to buy your first mountain backpack, there is a high probability that you do not know how to choose it or what to consider before buying. It is also possible that you are already a professional looking for a new affordable mountain backpack. Anyway, in today’s article we are going to tell you everything you need to know to buy a mountain backpack at the best price on AliExpress, a website where we can find all kinds of sports equipment.
How to choose your ideal Mountain Backpack
Choosing a good mountain backpack is not easy. It is an accessory that is responsible for wearing our things for a certain period of time, from a few hours to several days, so that every detail counts: the material, the division of the pockets and every little detail is more important than the previous one. We’ll show you our favorite models taking into account the following factors, we recommend reading them so that you can decide for yourself which backpack is best for you.
Size
It is usually the most important thing when choosing a backpack, and depending on the size, we also need other properties. If you enjoy hiking and practice it regularly, it is common to have several backpacks with you for different trips. The following capacities are recommended depending on the length of the short vacation:
- Less than 30L: They are considered to be light backpacks for 1-day trips. You do not need as many comfort and safety elements as there is little stress on them.
- Between 30 and 50L: It is the ideal capacity for a weekend, i.e. for a short trip of 1 to 3 nights.
- From 50 to 70L: If you are planning a trip between 3 and 5 nights, this capacity allows you to take everything you need with you. With this type of backpack, you need to consider ergonomics and the possibility of customization so that you can comfortably carry it during your trip.
- More than 70L: Backpacks are valid for long trips of more than 5 days. Remember that the more capacity, the more weight. So if it is absolutely necessary, we recommend that you opt for a high-performance backpack that you can use to transport it comfortably.
Structure
Depending on the size and load of the backpack, it is important that it has a good structure that helps us to properly distribute the load on our back. However, if you want a light backpack and don’t want to carry a lot of weight, you can do without this structure, which is an advantage for those who want to walk comfortably.
Waterproof
Although most mountain backpacks have a somewhat waterproof material, those that come with an outer cover to cover them up come in very handy. It is a very light cover that prevents water from entering our backpack. If you want an off-road backpack, don’t hesitate and choose a backpack with a cover.
Subjects
The distribution of the backpack is also important. For example, if we want to have a bottle or a tool on hand, or if you need an inner compartment for the sleeping bag, it is important to pay attention to these details, especially when we have a clear idea of them. Some backpacks even have a small water bag so you can keep hydrated while walking.
Fit and ergonomics
When buying a mountain backpack, it is important that it fits our body. The ideal would be to buy a backpack size our own, but most backpacks come in a one size fits all. It is therefore important that your backpack is reinforced in the back and shoulders, especially if it has a lot of capacity and you plan to carry it on a long trip. It is also important that you have the 4 basic adjustment systems: shoulder straps, hip straps (for better weight distribution), chest straps (for better balance) and lifting straps.
We analyze the Best Mountain Backpack Brands on AliExpress
There are many ways to find cheap, high quality mountain backpacks on AliExpress. A good option is to type in that search which will bring you all of the mountain backpacks in the order they were sold, but you will have to search until you find one that has everything you need. For this reason, we will show you the brands of mountain backpacks that we like best because of the product quality, price, variety and details.
Naturehike: the sports brand par excellence
This is the most famous brand of mountain accessories and products. The prices are average, we could compare them to stores like Decathlon, but their products are of great quality. The most popular Naturehike backpacks are light, with a capacity of up to 20 liters and you can find them all for less than 20 dollars. The one pictured below has a capacity of 15 liters and is ideal for those who practice cycling or climbing as it allows the helmet to be worn comfortably. It has multiple adjustable straps, its material is breathable, waterproof and has many pockets on the outside.
But if you’re looking for a large capacity backpack, this one from Naturehike seems like a great option too. It has a capacity of 55L + 5 or 65L + 5 to choose from. Its lightweight, reinforced aluminum frame helps distribute the weight better. The back is specially designed for optimal ventilation with breathable material and an air-permeable design. It has padded waist and shoulder straps as well as a chest strap, several outside pockets and is waterproof.
KingCamp: a little known TOP brand
If NatureHike is Decathlon, the KingCamp parable could be Salomon or NorthFace. It is a very popular hiking equipment brand in China with 15 years of industry experience. However, it is still little known in the international market, so its products can be purchased through AliExpress for a very affordable price. You can find all of your mountain backpacks here.
Our favorite is this 45L + 5 mountain backpack, ideal for weekend trips. It is a professional backpack specially designed for balanced weight distribution thanks to its KAS adjustment system that transfers weight to the pelvis to improve stability. In addition, the height of the belt can be adjusted to our body size and has several adjustment belts and outer pockets. It has a cover to protect our backpack from rain when needed.
Free Soldier: High Quality Tactical Backpacks
This brand is the most popular for purchasing military and tactical products. Although our selection is based on large capacity hiking backpacks, their tactical backpacks cannot be missed as their fabric is designed to withstand all types of weather and heavy loads, and also allows multiple tools and products to be stored and transported.
In this link you can find all the backpacks from this brand, the best selling one is the one you can see below. It is a backpack with MOLLE anchoring systems, and the nylon fabric on the outside makes it water- and wear-resistant. It has an air suspension system that guarantees good ventilation in the back. It has perfect capacity for a weekend and has multiple pockets.
Maleroads: Good Quality in Medium Capacity Backpacks
It is a brand specializing in sports backpacks with great value for money, which is why they have become one of our favorite brands when it comes to choosing mountain backpacks. What’s more, the comments from other buyers leave no doubt: their best-selling backpack has a score of 4.9 out of 5, with more than 800 sales.
The capacity of the Maleroads backpacks ranges from 30 to 70 liters, the price range between 30 and 70 dollars. That doesn’t mean that I skimp on details: this backpack that you see below is the best selling backpack, perfect for 1 or 2 day getaways, it’s made of waterproof 400D nylon, its back structure can be disassembled to fit enlarge easily and has all sorts of details, adjustments and pockets.
Anmeilu: Specializes in Lightweight Backpacks
If you are not going on short breaks of more than 2 days, you have certainly missed backpacks with a small capacity in our selection. Don’t worry, we’re not done yet. The Anmeilu brand is best to get a lightweight backpack of up to 20L, they even have some models with a built-in water bag at a very interesting price point.
This model stands out among all with a Camelback water bag that costs less than 30 euros and has a capacity of 18 liters. An off-road backpack, as it also has a practical net for transporting the helmet, small pockets on the hip belt and water-repellent fabric as well as a practical cover for extreme rainfalls. Its mesh back and its air extraction system ensure adequate ventilation. It adapts perfectly to your body thanks to its numerous straps.
Hu Wai Jian Feng: great variety and very affordable
Although its name is non-commercial internationally, this Chinese white label has the largest number of backpacks for sale, with unbeatable prices, good reviews from other buyers, and all kinds of styles and capacities. If you have not yet found a backpack that meets your needs, we recommend that you search there, you will find all backpacks from 10 $.
For example, this 80L backpack and available in 8 different colors costs around 40 euros. It has a rigid internal structure made of rods, is made of waterproof nylon, and has a variety of adjustment straps to carry whatever you need.
Free Knight: good value for money
Often the need to buy a mountain backpack does not come from a shared hobby. For example, your child may need to buy a backpack to go camping with school, or you have decided to go hiking with your friends, but hiking is not a passion for you. That’s why these Free Knight branded backpacks seem like a great alternative for those of you on a very tight budget. It’s not the same build quality as other brands, but enough to know that we won’t be using our next backpack too often.
A good example is this 50-liter backpack, which costs just over 20 dollars. From what we have said we can understand the price, and it is the case that although it has padded straps and its outer material is waterproof, its back does not have an air system or a reinforcement structure, but waist and chest adjustment straps, lots of storage space and practical pockets on the outside. It also brings a cover to protect our backpack in extreme rainy situations.