One Man Tents

Backpacking rucksacks

A backpacking rucksack is a large pack with a padded hip belt, built to carry a tent, sleeping bag and food for a night or more. The rucksacks below run from about 35 to 65 litres, the sizes that suit one or two nights out in the UK. Most first overnight trips fit in 45 to 55 litres. Planning what goes in it? Use our wild camping kit list.

A backpacking rucksack is a large pack with a padded hip belt, built to carry a tent, sleeping bag and food for a night or more.

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The rucksacks below run from about 35 to 65 litres, the sizes that suit one or two nights out in the UK. Most first overnight trips fit in 45 to 55 litres. Planning what goes in it? Use our wild camping kit list.

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6 products

Rambler Rucksack

£39.97In stock

Good for: One night with light kit, or a long day: it holds 44 litres.

Ben Nevis Rucksack 2024

  • 52 litres
£109.99In stock

Good for: Overnight and multi-night trips: 52 or 65 litres, in unisex and women's fits, with a height-adjustable back.

Ben Nevis Rucksack

  • 65 litres
£86.47Out of stock

Good for: Multi-night trips with a tent and sleeping bag inside: it holds 65 litres.

Explorer Rucksack

  • 45+15 litres
£63.47Out of stock

Good for: Choosing the size you need: it comes in 45+15, 60+20 and 80+20 litres.

Hiker 40 Litre Rucksack

£28.97Out of stock

Good for: A single night with light kit, or a long day: it holds 40 litres.

What size rucksack do you need for one or two nights?

A 45 to 55 litre backpacking rucksack carries everything for one or two nights of wild camping. Go down to 35 to 45 litres if your tent, sleeping bag and mat are all small when packed. Go up to 55 to 65 litres if your kit is bulky, if you carry a share of a 2 man tent, or if you'll be out for longer.

Why does back length matter?

A backpacking rucksack fits by back length, not by your height. Back length runs from the bony bump at the base of your neck to the top of your hip bones. A rucksack with the right back length puts the hip belt on your hips, which is where the weight should sit. Adjustable back systems let one rucksack fit a range of back lengths.

What does a hip belt do?

A padded hip belt moves most of the weight from your shoulders to your hips, which are far better at carrying it. Tighten the hip belt first, then the shoulder straps, then the small load-lifter straps above your shoulders. A backpacking rucksack without a proper hip belt is a day pack, however large it is.

How heavy should a backpacking rucksack be?

An empty backpacking rucksack weighs between about 1kg and 2kg. Lighter packs use thinner fabric and less frame, which suits lighter loads. For a first rucksack carrying around 10kg to 12kg, a sturdier pack with a proper frame carries more comfortably.

How do you pack a backpacking rucksack?

Pack the sleeping bag at the bottom, the heaviest things in the middle close to your back, and waterproofs and snacks at the top where you can reach them. Weight carried high and close to your spine keeps you balanced on rough ground. Things you'll need during the day go in the lid and hip-belt pockets.

Should you choose a women's rucksack?

Choose the rucksack that fits your back, whichever label it carries. Rucksacks sold as women's fit usually have shorter back lengths, narrower shoulder straps and a hip belt shaped for wider hips, which suits many women and some men. Measure your back length and try the fit with weight inside.

Do you need a rain cover or a liner?

Use both. A rain cover keeps the outside of the rucksack from soaking up water, but rain still runs down your back and in. A waterproof liner or dry bags inside keep the sleeping bag and spare clothes dry, which is the part that matters.

Put the rest of your kit together

A rucksack is sized by what goes in it. Start with a one man tent, a lightweight sleeping bag and a sleeping mat, or see what the Wild Camp Kit includes.

See the Wild Camp Kit

Questions people ask

Is a 40 litre rucksack big enough for wild camping?
It can be, if your tent, sleeping bag and mat are small when packed and you're out for one night. Most people starting out find 45 to 55 litres easier to pack without leaving anything behind.
How do I measure my back length?
Ask someone to measure down your spine from the bony bump at the base of your neck to the line between the tops of your hip bones. Compare that figure with the back length on each product page.
Should the tent go inside or outside the rucksack?
Inside where it fits, so it stays dry and doesn't snag. If it doesn't fit, strap the tent body to the outside in a waterproof bag and pack the poles down the side.