Why Do I Need A Multi-Day Pack?
Multi-day packs are designed to take more weight so you can fit everything you need for your trek with comfort. There’s a lot to consider when choosing a multi-day pack. This guide breaks down what to look for, so you can choose the best pack for your adventure.
How To Choose The Right Pack
When choosing a multi-day pack, think about:
- Volume and weight: Choosing a bag that has the capacity to fit all your gear is key. You also don’t want something bigger than you need weighing you down.
- Material: Canvas or nylon? Each has pros and cons depending on the activity, how much longevity and durability you want, and your budget.
- Harness and frame: Do you need something sturdy and rigid, or is your priority something lighter or that allows for airflow?
- Access: When you’re out hiking, how you’ll access the contents of your pack is important. A roll down opening is the most weather resistant and will help to compress your pack when it’s not full, and a stormthroat/drawstring opening provides easy access and versatility.
- External straps: Do you need to strap hiking poles, ice axes, snow boots, or sleeping mats to your pack? Make sure you select a pack which has all the external straps to carry those extra bits and pieces that don’t fit inside.
Other things to consider are whether you need to be able to fit a hydration bladder, and if you’ll need a rain cover.
You could also think about any accessories you might need to help organise the gear inside your pack, for example, pack liners, dry bags, or stuff sacks.
Small Multi-Day Packs
Harper 50L
Specifically designed for women, this hiking pack has a tapered shape to create a better centre of gravity for narrower frames. Ideal for lightweight, comfortable hikes.
- Material: Main fabric: 81% recycled nylon ripstop
- Harness/Frame: HeliumAir™ harness, frameless
- Access type: Top loading with roll-top
- Empty pack weight: 1.15 kg (W2)
Torlesse 50L
Best for general purpose multi-day trips and suitable for both beginner and experienced hikers. Designed to carry more weight than most of our other hiking packs, the Torlesse range is ideal if you have a heavier load.
- Main fabric: 100% Nylon Ripstop (210D with SI coating)
- Harness/Frame: Adjustable AirFlo™ Flexi-Fit™ harness
- Access type: Top loading with stormthroat,plus zipped bottom compartment for storing items separately
- Empty pack weight: 2.3kg (S2)
Hesper 52L
The Hesper’s minimal design, single compartment and HeliumAir™ harness make this pack lightweight and reliable.
- Main fabric: 81% Recycled Nylon Ripstop
- Harness/Frame: HeliumAir™ harness, frameless
- Access type: Top loading with roll-top
- Empty pack weight: 1.17 kg (S2)
Small-Large Multi-Day Packs
Volta Vented 52L
The Volta Hiking Backpack is similar to the Hesper, but with a vented harness, making it an ideal lightweight option for hiking in hot weather.
- Material: Main fabric: 100% Nylon with UTS coating
- Harness/Frame: AIRFLEX harness
- Access type: Top loading with roll-top
- Empty pack weight: 1.35 kg
Torlesse 65L
Best for general purpose multi-day trips and suitable for both beginner and experienced hikers. Designed to carry more weight than most of our other hiking packs, the Torlesse range is ideal if you have a heavier load.
- Main fabric: 100% Nylon Ripstop (210D with SI coating)
- Harness/Frame: Adjustable AirFlo™ Flexi-Fit™ harness
- Access type: Top loading with stormthroat,plus zipped bottom compartment for storing items separately
- Empty pack weight: 2.41kg (S2)
Torlesse 65L AzTec®
Best for general purpose multi-day trips and suitable for both beginner and experienced hikers. This is a tougher, more durable version made from AzTec® 8 oz Canvas for those wanting more longevity out of their pack. Designed to carry more weight than most of our other hiking packs, the Torlesse range is ideal if you have a heavier load.
- Main fabric: AzTec® 8 oz Canvas - 80% Polyester, 20% Cotton
- Harness/Frame: Adjustable AirFlo™ Flexi-Fit™ harness
- Access type: Top loading with stormthroat,plus front zip opening
- Empty pack weight: 2.58kg (S2)
Large Multi-Day Packs
Cascade 65L
Made to last, the Cascade range is built for rugged, challenging conditions, where you need to be prepared for all weather and terrain. Designed to carry more weight than most of our other hiking packs, these packs are ideal if you have a heavier load.
- Main fabric: AzTec® 8 oz Canvas - 80% Polyester; 20% Cotton
- Harness/Frame: Liberator™ harness, half—length aluminium frame
- Access type: Top loading with stormthroat, plus zipped bottom compartment for storing items separately, for example a sleeping bag
- Empty pack weight: 2.55 kg (S2)
Cascade 75L
Made to last, the Cascade range is built for rugged, challenging conditions, where you need to be prepared for all weather and terrain. Designed to carry more weight than most of our other hiking packs, these packs are ideal if you have a heavier load.
- Main fabric: AzTec® 8 oz Canvas - 80% Polyester; 20% Cotton
- Harness/Frame: Liberator™ FreeLoad harness, full-length aluminium frame
- Access type: Top loading with stormthroat, plus zipped bottom compartment for storing items separately, for example a sleeping bag
- Empty pack weight: 2.65 kg (S2)
Torre 80L
A true Macpac classic, the Torre is our toughest hiking pack. It’s made from AzTec® canvas for supreme durability and strength and is built to handle the most rugged conditions and wild weather.
- Material: Main fabric: AzTec® 12 oz Canvas - 52% Polyester, 48% Cotton
- Harness/Frame: Liberator™ FreeLoad, Full-length aluminium frame
- Access type: Top loading with stormthroat
- Empty pack weight: 2.94 kg (S2)
The Details
What does it all mean?
Canvas or nylon?
Canvas is our classic pack material and it’s served generations of explorers for decades. So if it’s longevity and a pack made for tough and rugged conditions that you’re after, choose a pack made from Canvas – the Torlesse 65L AzTec® Zip or either of the Cascade packs, or the Torre.
The other multi-day packs are made from nylon which has a great strength to weight ratio and provides the perfect balance of light and durable.
Harness and frame
If you’re after something strong and rigid with effective weight transfer that’s made to carry heavy loads over rough terrain, the Cascade range or the Torre is for you.
If you need something that won’t weigh you down, choose the Harper or the Hesper. The internal frame is removable so you can reduce the weight further.
The Volta is your best bet if you want lightweight, but also value airflow for warmer, summer hikes. Its AIRFLEX trampoline harness allows for maximum ventilation
If you want something in-between that will balance both support and breathability, opt for the Torlesse range.
Stormthroat/drawstring or roll top?
Is easy access or something more weather resistant with an option to shed some weight better for you? If you’re likely to be hiking in all weather, you might prefer the roll top – think the Volta, or the Heser 52L or Harper 50L. The roll tops also all have a detachable lid, so you can easily shed more base weight if you need. Alternatively, if being able to get to your pack contents quicker is more important, go for one of the options with a stormthroat.
External straps and pockets
Side and hip pockets are great for small items that are easy to grab, like snacks or a cellphone. A shoulder strap pocket is useful for foldable drink bottles or a phone, and if the pack doesn’t come with one, we also sell them separately so you can add on. Bottom and back compartments help with organisation and weight distribution, while mesh pockets provide a spot for storing wet items and quick and easy external access.
As far as straps go, all hiking packs include loops for strapping on walking poles or an ice axe. Some packs also have a daisy chain — an elastic cord at the front to stash extra items. But straps aren’t just for storage, when not in use and the pack isn’t full, they help to compress and stabilise.
Need advice or help fitting your pack? Visit your local Macpac store or contact our team online — we’re here to help. Colours and styles may vary. Check online or in-store.
