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There is an excellent chance that you have a backpack in your home right now. You probably use your pack to carry things around to and from the office, or you use it on those fun occasions when you go backpacking in the backcountry. Having an ergonomic backpack is not only great for your posture, but it’s a beautiful way to ward off future back pain.
According to a report by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, almost 85% of all Americans may experience one form of back pain or another in their lives. The main source of this back pain is the kind of backpack they regularly use and how they carry it. To minimize your chances of becoming a statistic within that 85%, you might consider getting yourself an ergonomic backpack for back support.
3 of the Best Ergonomic Backpacks for Back Support
In this review, we will look at three of the best ergonomic backpacks for back support. We go into detail highlighting their key features and why you should consider getting any one of them. But first, here is a quick rundown of the three backpacks that we found to be the best in this category:
| Image | Our Rating | Brand | Product Name | Merchant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Top | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Osprey | Atmos AG 65 Backpacking Pack | Check Today's Price |
 | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | The Friendly Swede | Waterproof Backpack 33L, Hiking Rucksack | Check Today's Price |
 | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Deuter | ACT Trail 30 Hiking Backpack | Check Today's Price |
Osprey Atmos 65 AG
The very first thing that stands out about this bag is its key feature: the anti-gravity suspension system. This keeps your back very well cushioned and adequately aerated even after hours of hiking. The Osprey Atmos 65 AG is a backpack built with hikers in mind. It has a back panel that is lined with a lightweight mesh that ensures the bag conforms to the shape of your body, thus offering you a snug yet perfectly comfortable fit while you are carrying it around.
This backpack has an adjustable torso that allows for up to a 3-inch adjustment range as well as a “fit-on-the-fly” design that is perfect for a wide range of hip sizes. It has three slip pockets and a total of 5 external pockets that are zippered and easy to use. You also get a stow-on-the-go attachment designed for your trekking poles, a sleeping bag compartment (zippered at the bottom).
It also has a removable floating top that goes a long way to enhance weight control. All of this is in addition to the perfectly designed interior that offers you more than 60 liters in a volume of space.
Pros:
- Anti-gravity system feature makes this bag incredibly comfortable
- Excellent ventilation system
- External pockets, loops, and lash points that cater to just about every hiking gear you can imagine
Cons:
- The top has a draw-string access system that makes accessing items within the back difficult while on the go
This is by far, one of the most well-thought-out and designed hiking backpacks in the market today. It helps that it’s very comfortable too.
The Friendly Swede Waterproof Backpack
Even though this heavy duty waterproof backpack is designed for hiking, it can work very well in an office environment as well. It has a padded laptop section that allows you to use it to carry your laptop to and from the office. It is designed using an industrial-grade 500 denier polyvinyl tarpaulin fabric that is water-resistant and helps protect your possessions from the elements while you are out and about.
Note: The convenient and easy to access front Velcro pocket isn’t entirely as waterproof as the rest of the pack.
The bag doesn’t primarily feature zippers but rather a roll top seal that is not only easy to use but also rather convenient in case you want to exceed the stated capacity a little bit. The shoulder straps, chest straps, and waist straps are all shaped in an ideal way that allows the bag to conform to your body, thus making it rather comfortable to carry.
Nonetheless, this ergonomic backpack is not the biggest in the market; it still measures an impressive 18.5 by 27 inches (L x H) and can hold up to 33.6 liters in volume. Additionally, the inside storage space comes with a carabineer and organizer mesh bag to help you put all your possessions in place.
Pros:
- It’s waterproof for maximum protection against the elements when outdoors
- It is made out of industrial-grade fabric that makes it durable and sturdy for the outdoors as well as an urban setting
Cons:
- The side mesh pockets are not as sturdy and can’t hold heavy loads
- It doesn’t come with a sturdy frame
The bag also has a lifetime warranty and excellent customer support should you ever need it.
Deuter Trail 30
For starters, it’s made out of a rather robust blend of polyester fabric, and PU coated nylon, which makes it perfect for the outdoors. It’s sturdy, durable, and water-resistant. It has a suspension system (AirContact) that consists of dual mesh-covered panels made out of foam, complete with air vents between them to make this bag one of the most ventilated in the market.
The AirContact system also has additional functionality that allows the bag to contour its shape to your body, thus not only making it snug but also very comfortable. Furthermore, it has a hip belt that offers you extra stability in case of an undeviating imbalance.
The bag also offers you the usual array of pockets that you would expect from any good hiking backpack. These come with quick zip access, an internal hydration bladder, and stretch side slip pockets. To further protect your belongings from the elements, the bag has an inbuilt rain cover.
Pros:
- The AirContact suspension system gives you unprecedented ventilation and comfort
- It’s solidly constructed and rather durable
- It offers even distribution of weight
Cons:
- It’s rather heavy
While backpacks are typically one of the better options for a bag, if you suffer from back pain, they are not without their own set of problems.
For this reason, you need to do your research and compare some of the best backpacks to see which features can help you and which may hinder you. It is also important not to overload the bag so it becomes too heavy to carry because this can force your spine to bend backward. To compensate for the weight and to maintain your balance, you may find yourself leaning forward more, which puts additional strain on your back.
Any of the three options provided above can help with the weight by evenly distributing it, and when the bag can contour to your shape, that’s always a plus as well.
Why Should You Consider Buying an Internal Frame Backpack?
If you are serious about hiking and outdoor adventuring thing, then you will undoubtedly come across terms such as internal frame backpacks. Your backpack happens to be one of the essential pieces of gear you will purchase in your quest to enjoy the great outdoors. Deciding to go with an external frame or an internal frame backpack will depend on several factors.
Today, however, we are going to focus on internal frame backpacks solely. We are going to look at their advantages, examine some of their disadvantages, and give you three of the best inner frame backpacks under $100 for your choosing.
Before you even go into the best internal frame backpacks on the market today, it is best first to find out why buying one of these bags could be the best purchases you ever make as far as your hiking and backpacking experiences are concerned.
Advantages of Internal Frame Backpacks:
- They are very stable and excellent for hiking on uneven trails
- They seal up well, thus making them highly protective of their contents. The insides don’t quickly get wet
- Almost nothing needs to hang on the outside of the bag as everything can fit inside if pack correctly
- They are very comfortable
- They are very adjustable
Internal frame backpacks hug the small of your back in a snug manner, making them some of the most convenient and stable packs in the market today.
Disadvantages of Internal Frame Backpacks:
- They are rather difficult to pack as you need to fit everything inside the bag
- They tend to be slightly more expensive than external frame backpacks
Now that you know several reasons why you should consider buying an internal frame backpack let’s take a look at three of the best options under $100.
3 of the Best Internal Frame Backpacks under $100
| Image | Our Rating | Brand | Product Name | Merchant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | AmazonBasics | Internal Frame Hiking Rucksack 65L | Check Today's Price |
 | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | MOUNTAINTOP | 70L/75L Internal Frame Hiking Backpack | Check Today's Price |
 | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | MOUNTAINTOP | 40L Hiking Backpack | Check Today's Price |
AmazonBasics Internal Frame Hiking Backpack with Rainfly
Amazon isn’t exactly a household name brand because of its backpack making prowess. That, however, doesn’t mean that they don’t make some excellent backpacks. The AmazonBasics Internal Frame Hiking Backpack with Rainfly is one great example. This backpack offers you excellent value for money in terms of capacity, durability, and aesthetics.
With a capacity of 55L in volume, you can pack a lot of gear and essentials into this bag. That isn’t all. If you find that the 55L isn’t enough space for you, then you will be glad to know that the bag offers you a 5L extension collar for more gear.
The backpack is made out of durable polyester material. It has a water-repellent coating that makes it not only durable but also very stable and robust enough to take on the wild outdoors. In addition to all that, it has a water-resistant rainfly that ensures all of your gear stays dry should it rain.
The bag also has lots of additional pockets including a compartment for your sleeping bag should you decide to use it to go camping. Apart from the very well designed and constructed straps, it has a cell foam on the lower back part as well as a lumbar pad that gives you excellent support and airflow.
Pros:
- It is very affordable
- It comes with a waterproof tarp
- It is excellently designed and made
Cons:
- You will find that the shoulder straps tend to slack a little bit when you are carrying heavy gear inside the bag
Mountaintop 70L+10L Internal Frame Backpack
The very first thing you will notice about the Mountaintop 70L+10L Internal Frame Backpack is that it is rather tall. Of course, it would have to be, what with a 70L capacity, including an additional 10L emergency space should you need it, this bag is built to be huge. That, however, doesn’t mean that it is cumbersome or uncomfortable when being carried out in the wild. Surprisingly enough, even with its tall build, this bag is very comfortable and feels very stable when strapped to your back.
Additionally, the bag offers you easy access to all the compartments (there are quite a few). All you have to do is either flip it out to operate any one of the sturdy zippers to access the various compartments. Furthermore, it comes with a hook carabiner that gives you the allowance to attach all manner of gear to the bag, including trekking poles, ax, tripods, and any other additional piece of equipment you may deem necessary for your travels.
With eight different compression straps, you can carry your sleeping bag, hammock, tent, and still, have a very snug and stable bag strapped to your back. All that and it has an allowance for a hydration system too.
Pros:
- It is extremely spacious
- It is very light in weight
- It is very comfortable to carry even on long hikes
- It has a hydration pack
Cons:
- It might be too big for day hikers
Mountaintop 40 Liter Hiking Backpack with Rain Cover
If you are thinking the tall Mountaintop 70L is too much for you, then maybe you should consider buying the Mountaintop 40 Liter Hiking Backpack with Rain Cover. Made by the same company with the same quality standards, the main difference between these two bags is simply the size.
This bag was designed for hikers who are not willing to go over the top with their gear but still want something small-sized yet extremely functional. It isn’t as tall as the 70L version, but it offers you a host of features that are just perfect for day hikers and even public use.
One such feature is a compartment for your laptop. That is not something that you will find in many internal frame backpacks. That compartment can also double as space for your hydration bladder just in case you are not so wild about carrying your laptop into the wilderness.
The bag has six adjustable straps that can help hold a host of gear in place, including your sleeping bag, tripod, and hammock. Those straps also keep the back firmly in place as you hike.
Pros:
- It’s small yet compact thus making it very efficient
- It has a laptop compartment that can be used to hold your hydration bladder
Cons:
- It might be too small for avid hikers
These are some of the best and most reliable internal frame backpacks for camping or hiking on the market today. Whether you are looking for something big or just something small and compact enough for your day hikes, you have the best options on this list.