The review culminates into a buyer’s guide intended to help you make an informed purchase. With a wealth of experience I possess in having owned over 20 backpacks myself, I am confident that you will find my handpicked camping backpacks for a cold climate helpful.
Contents
Best Camping Backpack for a Cold Climate Reviews
AmazonBasics Hiking Backpack with Rainfly
Weight: 5.11 pounds
Dimensions: 15.5 x 7 x 32 inches
Capacity: 65 liters
Pros:
An adequate storage capacity of 65 liters to hold more winter gear. Adjustable suspensions and an internal frame
Cons:
Water resistance coating not permanent
Bottom Line:
This backpack has a sufficient storage capacity which can last you for a couple of days. You can stuff a sleeping bag and warm clothes as you prepare for your cold climate outdoor adventure
If you’re looking for a suitable backpack that can fit warm clothes and food while protecting them from the outdoor elements, this backpack could be your best buy. It comes with a rainfly to protect against any rainfall. The bag’s design is water resistant meaning water will just hit it and flow down. Meanwhile, the waterproof cover has also been included in case you come across heavy rain.
With a large capacity of 65 liters plus 5 liters of optional storage, you can fit pretty much every necessity you might need. Beware not to overstuff unnecessary stuff because the backpack can be super heavy if filled to maximum capacity with bulky items.
But that is not all…
The internal frame helps in distributing weight to your hip and also protect against back injuries. Both men and women can enjoy camping in a cold climate with this backpack.
The adjustable and padded shoulder straps bring the comfort of traveling long distances. These adjustable suspensions accommodate a wide variety of torso lengths. The bag features lumbar support to enhance its comfort. And with extensive storage pockets you can save lots of valuables to protect them against rainfall and access them anytime you need them.
Features & Specs
AmazonBasics Hiking Backpack with Rainfly is my top pick for a reason because it is a feature-rich backpack. Some of its features include the following:
- Internal frame
- Water resistant coating and additional waterproof cover for heavy rains
- Capacity of 65 liters adequate for couple of days hiking
- Storage pockets for your valuables
- Adjustable and thick padded shoulder straps
- Available in several storage capacities which include 50 L, 60 L and 70 L. All come with the extension collar rated at 5 liters
- Durable polyester construction
- Available in a variety of colors
User Impressions
The backpack is a good buy for those looking for multiday backpacks in cold climates. It is large enough to carry your winter gear such as sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and other clothes including foods. Many users are impressed with this large capacity and extensive storage pockets. The adjustable suspensions help many customers to use the bag better than fixed suspensions. Then there comes the internal frame which helps in distributing weight across your back when carrying bulky items.
WASING 55L Internal Frame Backpack
Weight: 2.9 pounds
Dimensions: 27.1*12.5*9.8 inches
Capacity: 55 liters
Pros:
Affordable backpack with great features such as water resistance and adjustable aluminum internal frame to fit body contours
Cons:
90 days limited warranty insufficient
Bottom Line:
The backpack is budget-friendly with a capacity of 55 liters. The water-repellent coating can protect against water penetration
Shopping on a budget? With a capacity of 55 liters, this backpack is still affordable so you won’t break your bank investing in it. The capacity is still sufficient for a weekend getaway to hold your winter gear, the food you need, sleeping bag, winter clothes and any other accessory deemed indispensable.
A rain cover is included in case you encounter the downpour during your journey.
Walking in rain with this backpack will not expose your gear to water damage thanks to the water-resistant rip-stop polyester. The polyester is also durable so you will spend many years with this backpack. But, note that the water resistance may wear out before the backpack wears out, so you might have to re-coat it.
There is a bottom-compartment which is zippered, and the main compartment is also divided with a zip. On top of that, the bag has two mesh bottle pouches, one hip belt pocket, and 1 front pocket. These additional storage compartments can store you phones, compass, and other tiny valuables.
Features & Specs
WASING 55L Internal Frame Backpack is indeed a budget-friendly backpack suitable for cold climate camping. The bag is characterized by the following features:
- A capacity of 55 liters
- Water-resistant rip-stop polyester
- An extension collar with 3 drawstrings
- Waterproof rain cover included
- 2 mesh pouches to stay hydrated with bottles
- Hip-belt and padded shoulder straps
User Impressions
The backpack has many positive ratings from verified customers. It is budget-friendly; so many people can afford it. It is in fact a great investment for your cold climate camping while knowing that your valuables are safeguarded against rain. The rain cover is included too. We often are tempted to think that cheaper products trade-off some features, but it is not the case with this one.
Teton Sports Scout 3400 Internal Frame Backpack
Weight: 4.5 pounds
Dimensions: 30 x 12 x 17 inches
Capacity: 3400 cubic inches (55 liters)
Pros:
High-performance backpack with enough capacity to hold your winter gear. It features multi-position torso adjustment to accommodate a wide range of body sizes.
Cons:
The capacity of 55 liters is not the best at this price range
Bottom Line:
Teton Sports is a respected name in the industry for their high-quality gear. This backpack is evidence of that. It might have a lower capacity similar to my budget-pick but it has great features.
This backpack is a high-performance tool for your cold climate camping, mountaineering, hiking, backpacking and many more outdoor activities. It includes the sewn-in rain cover if you come across the ubiquitous rainfall during cold climates. This capacity is suitable for 2 to 4 days of outdoor excursions to hold winter gear such as a sleeping pad, bag, clothes, foods and other essentials.
What impresses me more is the multi-position torso adjustment, which I find very convenient considering that the product is bought online. Buying online presents a challenge because you have no chance to test the product first, so adjustable suspensions are great. Also featured is a durable cell-foam lumbar pad to provide a great comfort and aid in ventilation.
Pockets are included for additional storage of your belongings and for ease of access. To secure your gear, the main compartment is closeable with two barrel-lock drawstrings. And on the gear loops, you can hang additional tools such as your ski poles.
Features & Specs
Teton Sports Scout 3400 Internal Frame Backpack could be a great addition to your winter gear as you prepare for cold climate outdoor adventure. Its capacity is sufficient to carry what you need. Some of the features are listed below:
- High-quality backpack with durable and sturdy zippers
- Multi-position torso adjustments
- A capacity of 55 liters
- Large sleeping bag compartment
- Open cell foam lumbar pad for comfort
- Internal frame
- Unisex backpack
- Multiple compartments and pockets
User Impressions
This backpack is from a trusted name in backpacks. In fact I have handpicked two products from Teton Sports because of how best they are. It has all the features you would wish to have in a complete winter backpack. In its multiple compartments you can stuff many belongings. The sewn-in rain cover protects your gear from the downpour because cold climates are always frequented by rainfalls.
Weight: 3.8 pounds
Dimensions: 26 x 18 x 17 inches
Capacity: 65 liters
Pros:
A large capacity of 65 liters to hold a lot of clothes and other accessories needed for cold climate camping. Many adjustable suspensions such as chest, torso and shoulder straps
Cons:
Not waterproof – only water repellent
Bottom Line:
The bag is a good choice for multi-day outdoor enthusiasts. It comes with a broad range of key features as explained in the following.
If you have been looking for a huge backpack that can hold as many items as possible, this could be your best choice. A capacity of 65 liters is the second best following a 90-liter capacity deemed the largest.
The main compartment is accessible sideways, bottom and top, so it’s easy to draw anything you want. Just make sure you pack nicely. For instance, the sleeping bag and other heavy items should be at the bottom if you are going to access from the top.
The backpack comes with adjustable suspensions. Shoulders straps, hip straps, torso length, and chest straps are all adjustable to fit many different kinds of body types. Walking in the snow with this bag will not expose its contents to water. If met with rainfall, you can use the rain cover to protect your gear.
External mesh pockets will hold your water bottles. Instead of putting a sleeping bag inside, you can fasten it on the outside straps. These include walking sticks and ski poles to fasten on external straps. A great backpack for cold camping
Features & Specs
Scandinavian Gear Travellers Backpack has a broad range of key features some of them highlighted below:
- Water resistant
- Rain cover included
- Adjustable shoulder straps, hip straps, chest and torso lengths
- Ease of access to the main compartments through the bottom, side or top
- Emergency whistle on chest strap
- Reflective strips
User Impressions
The backpack has great features with adjustable settings to fit a wide variety of sizes. With a large capacity you can travel for many days with enough food. On the external straps you can fasten sleeping and other important tools.
Teton Sports Explorer 4000 Internal Frame Backpack
Weight: 5 pounds
Dimensions: 31.9 x 17.7 x 15.8 inches
Capacity: (4000 cubic inches) 65 liters
Pros:
Durable 600D Diamond Rip-stop to last you ages. Large capacity and sewn-in rain cover
Cons:
Heavy when filled to capacity in addition to its 5-pound weight
Bottom Line:
This is a great backpack with a large capacity of 4000 cubic inches. It has great features suitable for cold climate camping.
If you’re planning to spend 2 to 5 days in the wilderness, this backpack could be your companion. Rated at 4000 cubic inches capacity, it can carry stuff such as sleeping bags, foods and clothes to last you for that period.
With the sewn-in rain cover, you will be sorted against any downpour.
One of the best backpacks to use if you are backpacking in cold countries. Like the previous Teton Sports backpack, this features multi-position torso adjustments, which make it easy for many people to fit enough without having to purchase additional backpacks. The open-cell foam lumbar pad gives a great comfort. Additional storage is provided in zippered pockets and mesh pouches.
Features & Specs
Teton Sports Explorer 4000 Internal Frame Backpack has a wide range of features. I highlighted important ones below:
- Multi-position torso adjustments
- 4000 cubic inches capacity
- Mesh pouches and zip pockets
- Internal frame
- Multiple compartments for classified storages
User Impressions
Teton Sports never stops impressing its customers. There are a overwhelming amount of positive reviews of this backpack. Many customers are impressed with its features. It’s a huge backpack rated at 65 liters to pack winter gear for 2 to 5 days.
Camping Backpacks for a Cold Climate – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Backpacks for Cold Weather
- Why Specific for a Cold Climate?
- Priorities
- Other Extra Features
- Wrap Up
As per promise, I have compiled this buyer’s guide to help you make an informed purchase. Most of these backpacks are expensive so buying a wrong one can be disappointing. In this guide, I discuss important features to consider before buying.
Why a Backpack for a Cold Climate?
Cold climates are notorious for continuous rainfalls and treacherous climatic conditions. A solid and high-quality backpack with waterproof and/or water repellent qualities can make your outdoor adventures great.
My top pick AmazonBasics Hiking Backpack is a typical example of a feature-rich backpack best suited for cold climates.
My own Teton Explorer 4000 backpack
Are there Specific Backpacks for a Cold Climate?
Waterproofness and water resistance are important features to look for specifically for cold climates. A waterproof feature lasts a long time while water-resistant coating may need to be re-coated down the years.
The good thing about my selected products is that most include the waterproof rain cover even though their shells are merely water repellent.
I like the fact that my budget pick the WASING Backpack has not compromised any of these features.
The capacity of the backpack is also important because in a large capacity you can store sleeping bags and more winter gear like a lightweight sleeping pad. Teton Sports Explorer 4000, AmazonBasics Hiking Backpack and the Scandinavian GearBackpack are all 65 liters.
While this may not be the largest capacity, it is large enough to hold sleeping bags and a higher capacity is more often than not redundant.
My budget-pick the WASING Backpack and the runner-up Teton Sports Scout 3400 is 55 liters each which are a bit smaller. Nonetheless, that is not necessarily a bad capacity. It is most suited for a weekend outing. With the mesh pouches often provided, you can have additional storage.
Other extra features
Other features include multiple storage compartments and adjustable suspensions. A backpack with multiple compartments makes it possible to store valuables for ease of recognition when needed.
The adjustments such as shoulder straps, hip belts, chest and torso lengths help fit a wide variety of body sizes. Take note of these.
Wrapping up this Cold Climate Backpack Reviews!
We have seen how one should select the best camping backpack for a cold climate. I am confident that you will be able to choose any backpack laid out in this guide my selection.
Always familiarize yourself with the key features such as waterproof, capacity, water resistance, rain cover included, additional pockets, adjustable suspensions and the overall design. All my backpacks have internal frames which are good for weight distribution.