Winter Backpacks

Plan to carry a lot more gear in the winter, which means that you will need a pack that can handle all of your gear. 

Winter Backpacks

A Winter Backpack will need to be large enough to hold off of your gear either inside it or strapped to the outside of it.  Look for a backpack that is 65-85 liters.  Outside webbing, daisy chains and compression straps for strapping down gear is a plus.

Keep in mind that a winter backpack needs to be a certain size (Large).  This may make it a poor candidate for an all-season backpack that should be a bit more compact and lighter.  So unless you plan to haul a lot of gear on a regular basis, there is no need for a high end winter backpack that may only be used once a year. 

Affordable Winter Backpacks

Gear doesn't and should not have to be expensive to work well for our outings.  You really don't need high end speciality gear to enjoy the outdoors.

• Remember that you get what you pay for

  • The following are not Expedition Quality packs

  • They should work as long as you treat them well

  • With all gear - you may need to repair it after abuse

• Look for Deals on Moosejaw, Bachcountry.com and other discounts sites

  • Black Friday is a good time to look

  • REI also sells used gear - but don't expect to get a steal

• TETON 65L Explorer Internal

  • Listed because it is under $100 new - nice if you are not sure if you will winter camp a second time

  • Multi position torso adjustment fits medium and tall adventurers - allows Scouts to use as they grow

  • Sold at Cabela's if you want to try it on

  • amazon.com - you can sometimes find them for $60 if you don't care about the color

  • tetonsports.com 

  • Also come in 75 and 85 liters, in your choice of colors

• ALPS Mountaineering Nomad RT 75 Pack

  • Roll-top allows pack volume to expand from 65L to 85L

  • Side compression straps and daisy chains

  • One size fits most

  • Great economy pack - you get a lot for your money

  • Sign up for Hiker Direct and purchase at hugely discounted price

  • hikerdirect.com 

• Kelty Asher 65

  • OK beginner's pack

  • Side compression straps and daisy chains allow you to strap on gear

  • Kelty offers pro discounts and veteran's discounts - plus other discounts

  • kelty.com

  • An 85L version is also available

Quality Winter Backpacks

There are some really nice gear out there for those planning to spend a lot of time of the trail.  Quality gear should last longer and feel better on your back. 

When shopping for a quality pack, it is vital to go and try it on.  They all fit differently.  If it doesn't fit right, you won't do well with it on your back after you overpack it for the winter. 

Plug for REI.  You can try on gear at REI and walk around in the store with a weighted pack.  This can help you decide what will and more importantly - what won't work on your back.  They also have a 1 year return policy for members, so if you don't like your gear, you can return it.  Those of us with a lot of outdoors experience have learned the hard way that some gear just doesn't live up to it's hype and some gear just fails, to include quality gear.  If you find that your REI purchased gear doesn't work for you, return it and get something different. 

Quality backpacks for Scoutmasters and others interested in many years of Winter Camping

• If you are just getting this backpack for snowcamping - consider building pulk

  • Easier to pull a pulk in snow than carry and large backpack

  • Pulk is less costly then a quality backpack

  • See our Pulk Page for more about Pulks

• Gregory Denali 75

  • Side compression straps can be extended to hold gear on sides and back - such as skis

  • Daisy chains on side/back border help secure gear on outside of pack

  • gregory.com

  • A 100L model is also available if you intend to pack the kitchen sink

• Deuter Aircontact x 70+15 SL

  • 70L pack plus 15L daypack/top

  • A favorite Europack

  • Try on at Cabela's

  • deuter.com

• Mammut Trion Spine 75 

  • Comfortable on the mountain 

  • Loved by many

  • mammut.com

• Osprey Aether Plus 70 Pack

  • Capacity : S/M 68 liters /  L/XL 70 liters

  • Large pack

  • Compression straps on sides, back and bottom allow you to strap on extra gear or compress pack

  • Packed with a lot of extra features...which you don't really need

    • Some people like bells and whistles

    • Increased weight and failure points

  • osprey.com

  • 85 and 100L versions also available 

• Mystery Ranch Glacier Pack

  • 71 liters

  • Side/Bottom compression straps and ventral daisy chain helps you to secure extra gear

  • Astral Frame - allows for heavier loads?

  • 500D Lite Plus Cordura - overbuilt 

  • mysteryranch.com

  • Larger options available - Terraplane (80L) and T100 (100L)

• Mountain Hardwear AMG 75

  • Designed for alpine climbing

  • 840D carbonate coated nylon

  • mountainhardwear.com

  • 105 version is also available

• Alps Commander + Pack

  • 86L external backpack

  • External Frame is designed for heavy loads

  • Rides like an external frame - comfortable with heavy loads, but tipsy on difficult terrain

  • Designed for hunters to carry out quartered game

  • Can be used to haul firewood, equipment boxes and lots of gear 

  • This is used by one of our Scoutmasters

• USMC Issue FILBE Rucksack

  • 81 Liters 

  • 500 denier Cordura Nylon with 1000D reinforcement points makes it extremely durable and heavy

  • MOLLE straps on front and sides allow you to strap on extra gear and pouches

  • Drop through side panels are designed to hold gear such as poles, machetes and camp tools

  • Has the Military or Apocalypse look if that is important to you 

  • Can be found overpriced online but you may find a used on for a reasonable price (minor repairs may be needed)

    • You can find the pack alone without a frame for $15 sometimes - expect to do some repairs

  • Not the best external frame, but it is durable

  • Pack can be modified to fit other external frames

Winter Skills Adventure Program Backpack Notes

The following is from our Winter Skills Adventure Program:

Be Prepared!

The weather can be more severe than the summer and you must prepare for it by packing extra gear and knowing how to keep everything dry. You are already an experienced backpacker and attending this seminar will give you the skills needed to be safe in the snow and knowledge of what you need to pack. Now you need to know how to pack it all!

Packing Gear and Keeping It Dry

More clothing is required because of the layers you need to stay warm and dry. Then you have all the other gear you need on top of it. Plus, it’s important to keep all of your clothing, sleeping bag and some of your gear from getting wet.

•  Use a high-volume backpack if possible (65+ liters)

•  Put clothing in large ziplock bags, or doubled plastic sacks to keep them dry

•  Consider using different colored bags (color coding) for easy identification of what’s in each bag if they’re not clear

•  Make sure your sleeping bag is in a waterproof sack/bag

•  Ensure you have zipper pulls large enough that you can open and close zippers with gloves on – try it at home before going out

•  Strap extra gear that won’t fit inside the pack in waterproof stuff sacks on top/sides/bottom of your pack

•  Lash skis and snowshoes with lash points on the pack when you’re not using them – they should be easy to get to as you’ll be using them

•  Use a waterproof backpack cover – large garbage bags work in a pinch

•  Oil or wax zippers to help keep water out and they’re easier to open/close with gloves

•  How you pack is basically the same as you would pack in the summer - pack fluffy stuff towards the bottom of the pack and heavier items towards the top.