From daypacks for short hikes in the bush to large hiking packs perfect for carrying lots of gear for multiday treks, we stock a wide range of hiking packs for all your bushwalking needs.

FAQs

What size hiking pack do I need when going hiking?

The size of the hiking pack you bring on a hike will depend on how much gear you decide to take with you. This backpack can vary between trips, as heading out on a day hike vs a multiday trek will involve bringing a different-sized hiking pack. When heading out on a day hike, choose a hiking backpack with a volume between 20-35L as this will give you plenty of room for all your gear while remaining small enough to not hinder you. For an overnight hiking trip or multiday trek, you will need to bring more gear like a tent, a sleep system and all your meals which all take up a significant amount of space in your pack. Therefore, a hiking pack with a volume from 50L to 70L will be suitable for an overnight hiking trip. Depending on how heavy and bulky your equipment is, you may need a larger hiking pack to accommodate your gear. If you are an ultralight packer, a hiking pack from 40-55L would be sufficient for an overnight if all your hiking equipment is dialled in.

What kind of backpack do I need for hiking?

Bringing a hiking backpack is an essential piece of gear to take when going hiking. A dedicated hiking pack will perform much better than a traditional backpack as it is packed with features to ensure that you have a comfortable when exploring the bush. A quality hiking pack is fitted with a breathable and supportive harness that will allow you to carry weight on your back for extended periods when walking. The hiking packs available at Paddy Pallin vary in volume from smaller-sized hiking packs perfect for day trips to larger-sized hiking packs designed to carry lots of gear for multiday treks. Most hiking packs are hydration compatible meaning that they have room to store a hydration reservoir that can feed the tube to the outside of the pack allowing for quick hydration on the move. Most hiking packs have additional lash points to store extra gear on the outside of the pack and some hiking packs also feature a holster system to store your trekking poles when they are not in use.

Does Paddy Pallin stock waterproof backpacks?

Yes! At Paddy Pallin, we stock several waterproof packs for all your rugged adventures. From waterproof backpacks to waterproof duffel bags, we have the right packs to keep your gear from getting wet. If you are on the hunt for a waterproof backpack, we stock the lightweight and waterproof Patagonia Guidewater 29L Waterproof Backpack which is fully submersible. Multiple waterproof duffel bags are available at Paddy Pallin, like the Osprey Arcane 65L Waterproof Duffel and the Sea To Summit Hydraulic Pro Dry Pack 50L. If you want to keep the contents inside your hiking dry consider using multiple dry bags like Sea To Summit Lightweight Dry Bag to keep your valuables from getting wet. Rain covers like the Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Pack Rain Cover will keep your hiking pack from getting wet from the rain while hiking. Additionally, pack liners like the Osprey Ultralight Pack Liner can be put inside your hiking pack to waterproof all the contents inside it.

What hiking pack brands are available at Paddy Pallin?

At Paddy Pallin, we stock a wide range of hiking packs from the top outdoor hiking brands. If you a looking for a backpack for a dayhike, we stock daypacks from Osprey, The North Face, Patagonia and Cotopaxi. We also stock hiking packs perfect for longer trips like multiday treks from brands like Arc’teryx, Osprey, The North Face and Wilderness Equipment. Hydration packs are useful when hiking as it makes hydrating easier when on the trail and hydration packs are often lighter than other packs. At Paddy Pallin, we stock hydration packs from Osprey, Patagonia and Salomon.

How do I ensure that my hiking pack fits me correctly?

Having a comfortable and well-fitted pack is essential when choosing a hiking pack. At Paddy Pallin, we stock several different styles of hiking packs which all come in different sizes to fit most body types. When shopping online, make sure that you read each pack's size guide to compare against your measurements to ensure that you choose the right-sized pack for you. Check out Osprey's guide or our guide here to see how you can perfectly fit a hiking pack. Additionally, come to one of our Paddy Pallin stores and speak to one of our pack fitting experts to find the perfect fitting pack for you.