Best mountaineering backpacks for 2025: alpine gear haulers

Mammut’s Trion Spine 50 (full review) is a previous ‘Best in Test’ winner in this category. The Trion 50 is essentially the same design, though with a simpler fixed back system that forgoes the brand’s unique double pivoting ‘Active Spine’ tech. So, you don’t get the same custom fit or luxurious carrying comfort – but on the flipside, this version is much lighter and cheaper. 

It also adds convenient access to the main body via a big, U-shaped rear zip that runs around the back panel, just below the shoulder straps. We’re starting to see this feature on a few of the latest packs to hit the market, and it’s a bit of a gamechanger for grabbing extra layers fast. That’s always good when you’re out in winter conditions. 

The back panel and harness are lightly padded and well ventilated. The fabrics are tough, with a Cordura nylon base, and there is ample useful storage. We particularly like the big, zipped front pocket. But, this pack only comes in one size and the back length (18in) isn’t adjustable, so it’ll either fit you or it won’t.

The Trion 50 has the ability to carry a rope, ice axe, trekking poles and even skis. It features dual side compression straps, hydration compatibility and can be overstuffed thanks to an extended drawcord collar and a floating lid.

Read our full Mammut Trion 50 review here

Priced at £100 or so less than other packs in this list, the Ben Nevis 52L backpack is a bargain, offering good features, a comfy carry and solid weather protection.

Updated with a new design, style and fit, some 30 years after Highlander’s first Ben Nevis pack was released, this modernised version is made from a tough 200-denier ripstop nylon. The sewn-in lid (not floating) has two zippered pockets and a key clip, while the main compartment has good capacity, drawcord closure and a hydration bladder sleeve.

Its two-way zipper made it easy for us to access the bottom of the pack, and two stretchy side pockets accommodated water bottles, while the front mesh pocket was very useful for stashing kit too. You also get pole and ice axe attachments, zippered hipbelt pockets, integrated raincover, and chest strap with whistle buckle.

The back system features a rectangular steel frame, suspended mesh panel (for good ventilation) and nicely padded hip fins and shoulder straps. We think the hip fins could be pre-shaped better, and the overall build quality is mid-range.

The Ben Nevis 52L is more of a general hiking pack than a super-technical mountaineering backpack. But that will suit many people and at this price, you’ll struggle to find anything of better value.

Check out the women's version here

The Rab Ascendor 45:50 is built for demanding alpine adventures, offering versatility for mixed climbing, ski mountaineering, and extended winter trips. Its expandable 45-50 litre capacity provides ample storage while maintaining a streamlined, stable design.

We found its Alpine-inspired tall, narrow shape excellent for efficient packing, with a wide-mouth top opening that makes gear access easy. The floating lid is removable to save weight, while a side-entry zip lets you reach buried items without unpacking.

Technical features impressed us: dual ice axe attachments with sturdy aluminium headlockers, an A-frame ski carry system, and gear loops on the hip belt. The removable hip fins worked well with a climbing harness, adding to the pack’s versatility.

Despite its technical focus, the Ascendor carried comfortably. Its moulded back panel and padded harness distributed weight evenly while resisting snow build-up. However, the fixed 18-inch back length is better suited to taller users.

Tough materials and thoughtful design make this a reliable choice for serious winter adventures.

Read our full Rab Ascendor 45:50L review here

The Berghaus Extrem MTN Guide 45 combines bombproof durability with a fully weatherproof design. Its clean, streamlined look belies an impressive feature set aimed squarely at climbers and mountaineers.

We liked the flexible storage options, including a spacious main compartment with a floating lid that can be swapped for a weatherproof roll-top closure. Side webbing straps, ski carriers, and extended daisy chains offer plenty of gear attachment points, while a removable rope strap doubles as top compression. A helmet-carrying mesh net is a thoughtful addition.

The back system features a sturdy U-shaped wire frame with a moulded foam back panel designed for stability and snow-shedding. Shoulder straps and hip fins are minimalist but functional, prioritising freedom of movement on steep terrain. The adjustable Biofit back system comes in two sizes, catering to different users—a rare plus in this category.

One standout feature we loved is the zippered back panel access, making it easy to retrieve gear without unpacking the front. While comfort is secondary to stability and toughness, this pack excels at what it’s designed for: serious alpine missions where reliability and adaptability are key.

**Read our full Berghaus Extrem MTN Guide 45 review here
**
Buy the shorter version here

The Gregory Alpinisto 50 is built for serious mountain missions. Its burly design can haul more gear than most, making it ideal for guides or mountaineers carrying extra kit. The main compartment is roomy, with top and side access via a two-way zip, plus a removable bivvy pad for emergency stops. External storage includes ski holders, a stiffened crampon pocket, ice axe loops, and dual compression straps.

Gregory’s focus on comfort shines through its back system. The internal frame ensures stability, while the diamond-patterned foam back panel contours to your spine. The hip belt is supportive and features a zippered pocket and gear loop—unusual but very welcome on a technical pack. Multiple back lengths ensure a good fit for most users.

We found the Alpinisto 50 incredibly capable and comfortable, even when fully loaded. Its combination of tough materials, clever storage options, and thoughtful design makes it a top pick for winter mountaineering or big hill days.

Read our full Gregory Alpinisto 50 review here

The Alpkit Orion 45 is a streamlined Alpine-style pack designed for mountaineering, winter hillwalking, and scrambling. Its tall, slim profile keeps loads stable and close to your body, with plenty of technical features like ice axe loops, rope storage, and gear loops on the hip fins. Hillwalkers will appreciate the stretchy side pockets and hydration sleeve for added versatility.

The pack’s fixed back length and wide shoulder straps work best for broader frames, though some might find the lack of size options limiting. Its back panel is simple but effective, shedding snow and resisting moisture. However, without an internal frame, the Orion 45 isn’t as supportive under heavy loads.

We found its performance solid for most winter adventures, though accessing gear can be tricky since there’s no side or rear zip—everything goes through the top. Still, its robust build, thoughtful design, and competitive price make the Orion 45 a capable all-rounder for mountain missions.

Read our full Alpkit Orion 45 review here

The Mountain Equipment Fang 42+ is tough and feature-filled, but probably not for beginners. We tested it in the snow-covered mountains of Scotland, and it impressed us with its durability and performance. Made from 420D Robic nylon 66, the Fang handles rain, snow, and ice well, though it’s not fully waterproof. Its main compartment features a unique, easy-to-use metal buckle, and the design includes secondary access via a side zipper for quick gear retrieval.

At 1.27kg, it's lightweight for a 42-litre pack, and the floating lid can be extended or removed to adjust storage and reduce weight. The lack of an internal frame limits its load-carrying capacity to around 10kg, but it remains stable and compact, even in challenging conditions. The EVA foam harness and back panel provide adequate comfort, but the pack’s unisex design (with one fixed back length) may not fit everyone perfectly.

While the Fang 42+ excels in rugged winter conditions, it lacks some user-friendly features, like side pockets or extra storage for essentials. However, its excellent volume-to-weight ratio, high build quality, and versatile access points make it a solid choice for winter hikes and alpine climbs.

Read our full Mountain Equipment Fang 42+ review here

This is a true ‘bomber’ mountain pack from Berghaus’ technical Extrem collection. It’s extremely tough and weatherproof, with a main body made from TPU-coated 400-denier nylon. This fabric is 100% recycled, as is the plastic hardware. Other panels are made from dope-dyed ripstop polyester to reduce water waste. TPU is also more eco-friendly than traditional water-repellent finishes. It’s great to see top-end kit being manufactured sustainably.

The pack has a streamlined look but is fully featured. Like the Mammut and Deuter packs on test, it has back panel zipped access, so you can get to your gear without having to unstrap kit that might be lashed to the front and sides of the pack. It’s able to carry a rope, ice axes, trekking poles and even skis. There’s a removable helmet net, plus twin grab handles and multiple lashing points. 

Inside, there’s a big hydration sleeve and a security pocket. You get two more pockets in the lid too. The floating lid can be removed to save weight, and – cleverly – the pack can then be closed, roll-top-style, giving a more weatherproof seal than just relying on a drawcord. 

It carries reasonably well with a full load, and comes in either short or regular back lengths for a better fit. Although, the low-profile harness and hip fins are designed for freedom of movement rather than plush carrying comfort.

The lack of dedicated women's hiking packs is a source of frustration. However, Deuter does make some superb women's packs, and we found its Freescape Pro 38+ SL is the best for winter mountain treks. Though primarily designed for ski mountaineering, this pack works well for winter walks and scrambles too. Despite being nominally smaller than other packs on test, it swallows plenty of kit and is positively laden with useful on-board storage.

There are two generous front pockets, a hipbelt pocket, twin lid pockets and a side security pocket for a phone or GPS unit.

The roomy main compartment has a double drawcord collar with a mesh hanging pocket and a hydration sleeve inside. The top lid pocket even has a microfleece-lined pouch, ideal for stowing snow glasses or goggles. In terms of comfort, back padding and straps supposedly use a snow-shedding fabric but we found they seem to soak up a lot of moisture, which feels cold and clammy.

There are attachment points for ice axes and trekking poles, plus ski holders, a rope strap, a detachable helmet net and removable webbing straps for lashing crampons. Deuter really has thought of everything here.

We also like the fact that, just like the Mammut and Berghaus packs on test, it has a U-shaped zip around the back panel. This ensures fast, easy access to the main body. However, being lighter-framed than the other packs here, it doesn’t carry heavy loads quite as well.

Fabrics are tough enough to take plenty of hammering while being 100% recycled, bluesign-certified, and PFC-free – all big ticks for sustainability. There’s also a men’s version of this pack, the Freescape Pro 40+.

Check out the men's version here

This robust pack is built from high-tenacity double ripstop nylon with a reinforced base. The fabric is 100% recycled too. But as well as being tough, it’s lightweight and weatherproof.

There’s a roll-top closure beneath a floating, double-buckle lid. The lid can be removed to save weight – that would normally mean losing the lid pocket, but there is a secondary zipped top pocket with a key clip inside, plus a large, zipped front pocket.

The main compartment has a two-way, water-resistant side zip for quickly grabbing or stowing an extra layer. It’s also hydration-compatible, with other features like side compression straps, a rope strap, ice tool/trekking pole loops and ski holders.

It feels stable when loaded, with a plastic framesheet and a U-shaped metal stay to add structure and rigidity. But the most striking design elements are the harness and back system, which feature split shoulder straps and a heavily vented ‘Dry Back Contact’ panel. It’s a good weight-saver and makes for great airflow.

As such, you could use this pack year-round, which adds to its overall value. The lightness and ventilation do come with trade-offs. The floating hip fins aren’t the most supportive, and we found that the split straps tend to fold over when you’re getting the pack on and off. For winter use the vented back panel gets chilly and accumulates snow and ice.

Osprey’s Mutant 38 is a Trail favourite, but it is a couple of litres short of our 40-50 litre ‘sweet spot’ for a winter pack. So, this time around, we went bigger and tested the Mutant 52.

The pack retains its reinforced double base and robust back panel, so it’s still just as tough. It’s a stable load-hauler, too, thanks to a removable plastic framesheet that is reinforced with two angled aluminium stays. But its fabrics are sustainable too, being bluesign-approved and made from recycled content, with a PFC-free water-repellent finish.

It’s a unisex design but comes in two back lengths to ensure a good fit, while the harness and hip fins are nicely padded without feeling bulky. This ensures it’s comfy but also streamlined.

The front panel has attachment points for trekking poles or ice axes, with removable straps for carrying crampons. There’s also an optional helmet net in the lid.

Inside the main compartment, you get a hydration sleeve and a useful mesh pocket (though we wish the key clip was located here instead of in the outer lid pocket). The pack is easy to load thanks to a wide-mouth drawcord opening, but there is no rear or side access to the main compartment.

This is a big, burly pack with a technical focus on Alpine climbing and mountaineering, which is reflected in the design and features. It is fitted with pick pockets and metal ‘dogbone’ hardware to fit through the head of an ice axe. There’s also an external crampon pouch and a tuck-away rope strap. Luckily, most of those elements transfer well to cold-weather adventures in the UK too. 

It’s certainly tough enough for Scottish winter epics, being made from heavy-duty ripstop nylon. The conventional top-loading configuration has a floating lid, twin buckles and a double drawcord closure with an extended collar. This makes the pack easy to overstuff when carrying a full complement of winter gear. But lower bungees or side wand pockets are absent, so it is awkward to carry trekking poles.

The lid design is excellent, with inner and outer pockets. The lid is even big enough to take a climbing helmet. The deep main compartment has an expanding hydration sleeve, plus an extended two-way side zip that makes it easy to dig around inside without having to unbuckle the lid. 

It is available in two back lengths and while the back system is fairly straightforward, it makes for a comfortable carry. Ergonomic shoulder straps offer enhanced mobility when scrambling or climbing, even with a heavy load. This was the heaviest pack on test – though you can strip weight by removing the frame and hip fins.