Best Survival Backpacks in 2022

Osprey is one of the biggest names in the backpack business. They make some of the best-looking, strongest, and highest-quality packs that money can buy. Of course, with that reputation comes a higher price point. However, if you’re really serious about buying a survival backpack, it’s worth spending a bit more money to get the kind of quality you can really trust. 

This pack is designed for backpacking trips of a week or more. With 65 liters of storage, you should be able to fit everything you need to survive out on the trail, without causing any back or shoulder pain. The most impressive feature on the Osprey Atmos AG 65 is the AntiGravity Suspension. This technology spreads the weight of the pack evenly around your shoulders, back, and waist, making it feel like you’re carrying much less weight than you actually are. It also has some seriously impressive mesh padding that lets plenty of air circulate around your body. 

The Mardingtop 65+10 Internal Frame Backpack leads off our list because it’s an excellent example of what a person should be looking for in a survival backpack. This is a 65 liter bag that’s large enough to hold several days of food and all of your survival gear comfortably. Things that aren’t practical to carry inside the pack – like a collapsible shovel – can be attached to the numerous MOLLE loops on the pack’s exterior and Mardingtop also includes an effective and easy to deploy rain cover.

We love the way the Mardingtop 65 Liter feels when you sling it. The load sits nice and high and the optional waistband allows your hips to comfortably shoulder some of the load. The detachable side pockets provide plenty of storage for emergency gear like a headlamp, tactical flashlight, camping stove/fuel, compass and more while the MOLLE webbing means anything that’s impractical to carry inside can be easily attached to the exterior.

The Deuter Aircontact 65 looks like it’s ready for the remotest Alaskan backcountry. It’s got plenty of available volume so you can get 3 or 4 days’ worth of dehydrated camping food, power banks, fuel, backup dry clothes, emergency blankets and anything else you need comfortably inside. This is a pack that’s all about balance and comfort. It slides on like a new pair of socks and is still comfortable after 4 continuous days of navigating mountain passes.

The Deuter Aircontact 65+10 won’t let you down when the going gets tough. Its large storage volume means you’ll have plenty of food, water, and emergency supplies with you to survive until the cavalry arrives. The pack features a pivoting hipbelt that allows you to execute tough maneuvers without your position being compromised by the demands of the load. And the ripstop Duratex 330D fabric ensures your supplies won’t be compromised by penetrating branches or other hazards.

We love the way the Teton Sports Fox 5200 Internal Frame Backpack looks and the way it feels when slung over the shoulders. It’s comfortable, stable and easy on the upper body and it keeps your load beautifully balanced even if you’ve filled it to the hilt. Considering the affordability of this backpack that’s saying a lot.

The Teton 75+10 has a classic mountaineering profile and indeed you’d do well bringing this along as you attempt to summit Shasta or Mount Blanc. There’s an uber-discreet internal support system that’s not a full frame but effectively mimics one. The hip strap is extremely comfortable and can be adjusted to different sized climbers and the hydration pack (bladder not included) makes sure you always have plenty of clean H2O at the ready. There’s also plenty of external webbing and elasticized cords for attaching other items.

Here’s another vertically oriented mountaineering backpack that doubles effectively as an all-purpose survival backpack. The Mountaintop Internal Frame Backpack is large, durable, versatile and brimming with cords, straps and webbing on the outside so you can take everything you need to survive 3 or more days in the wild or at the emergency shelter.

This Mountaintop Internal Frame provides plenty of space for trekking in the Himalaya or hunkering down at the storm shelter with the kids. 70 liters of capacity in the main compartment means you can take along things other packs might force you to leave behind like candles, additional clothing, an inflatable mattress for the kids to sleep on and more. If you find yourself isolated in the wild there’s plenty of room for extra food, fuel for the camp stove and water so you can hold out a good long time before you have to start worrying.

The G4Free 40 liter Water Resistant Backpack surprised us by earning a place on our list, and surprised us even more by demonstrating that it’s such an outstanding overall value. At 40 liters the G4Free occupies the low end of the survival backpack size spectrum but it’s so incredibly convenient we couldn’t deny it a place.

The G4Free isn’t for guides on Everest. In fact, it’s not for anyone on Everest. However, should you find yourself faced with a sudden evacuation just pop this nifty backpack out of the drawer and open it up. In seconds you’ve got 40 liters of high-quality storage space at your disposal.

Finally, we come to the last of our best survival backpack list and it’s a doozy. The Teton Sports Scout 3400 with 55 liters of storage capacity and some of the most common sense design touches we’ve seen. The 3400 boasts a slew of features that make the transportation of survival gear easy, convenient and painless.

The Teton 55 liter Scout 3400 has all the style and comfort of a backpack costing 2 or 3 times as much. You can feel the built quality when you sling it and you can see it when you inspect the pack up close. This is no bargain basement survival backpack. This is the real thing. Constructed using durable, water-resistant Diamond Ripstop 600D nylon the 3400 features a roomy sleeping bag compartment you can use for other things if you’re heading to the evacuation shelter, lots of webbing and straps on the exterior and great balance for extended wear.

If you want to save a bit of money, and still get an awesome survival backpack, the NEVO RHINO is a great option. At just over $50, it’s one of the cheapest backpacks on this list and it’s still tough enough to be your survival companion in any number of situations. One of the most important considerations, when you’re buying a cheap backpack, is the quality of the materials and the stitching. This pack is made from nylon fabric, which has been carefully sewn together to ensure there are no weak spots. 

The NEVO RHINO comes in three sizes (50L, 60L, & 80L) and has a bunch of features that make it perfect when you’re in difficult situations. It comes with a rain cover that makes the bag totally waterproof when the heavens open. There’s also a 6.1-inch waist pack that you can store your smartphone in and a hat bag for easy access. 

We were surprised when we found out that AmazonBasics had released a survival backpack. Backpacking is an industry dominated by a couple of key players, so it’s hard for any new brand to get a foot in the market, but nothing can stop AmazonBasics. Probably the most surprising thing about this survival backpack is how good it is. It can easily compete with the established brands on this list. 

Available in three sizes (55L, 65L, & 75L), AmazonBasics Internal Frame Hiking Backpack is made from durable polyester, making it both super tough and lightweight enough for long hikes. It has a bunch of interior space and some really impressive pockets on the outside, which are ideal for carrying the things you might need quick access to. You can easily fit everything you need for a week-long trip in this pack. 

This survival backpack from Loowoko is one of the most affordable options on the market. It doesn’t have the same amount of features or impressive build quality as the more expensive packs on this list, but it’s still well worth considering if you want to save a bit of money. At first, we weren’t 100% sure that a backpack at this price would be strong enough to be considered as a survival backpack but judging by the Amazon reviews it holds up really well. 

It’s made from rip-stop polyester, which is a material used on premium survival backpacks. It’s designed to be resistant to rips and abrasions and is also water-resistant. Plus, if the heavens open, it comes with a rain cover for added protection. It has well-padded straps and a breathable design that should give you plenty of support when you’re carrying a heavy load. In short, this isn’t the best survival backpack on this list, by any stretch, but for the price, it’s a great entry-level pack.