Which Of Costco's Budget-Friendly Hiking Backpacks Are Actually Worth Buying?

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If you're new to hiking, camping, and backpacking it can feel a little overwhelming to see the sky high prices on popular brands of outdoor gear. Unless you're planning some serious camping excursions, you might not feel ready to splurge on wildly expensive luggage brands. Most hiking backpacks cost between $200 and $600, but it is possible to find decent options for $100 or less.

Although it's important for avid outdoor enthusiasts to choose the right version of essential gear for camping and hiking excursions, there's no need to spend an arm and a leg if you're just starting out. If it's your first time going on a hiking and camping getaway, it's a good idea to make sure you enjoy yourself before you spend so much of your hard earned money. Choosing something that is budget-friendly means you won't be filled with regret if you don't end up planning dozens of backcountry camping trips every year.

Many outdoor lovers turn to the popular membership-based warehouse store Costco to find quality products for outdoor adventures at affordable prices. Costco is well-known for being a great place to score a bargain, and well-loved amongst people who shop there. There are plenty of awesome Costco items that will improve your camping experience, including several hiking backpacks with affordable prices. Not all of them are created equal, so we did some research to find out which of the budget-friendly Costco backpacks are actually worth buying.

Hiking backpacks are often marketed as being for a specific gender but it isn't crucial that you purchase a women's backpack if you're a woman. Many gear experts argue that the most important thing is having a pack that fits you well and feels comfortable when you're carrying weight. That being said, you may find the Alpine Ridge 50L fits you better if you have breasts, hips, or a short torso since women's packs often have a shorter torso range, narrower and shorter straps, and slightly different hip belts.

The Alpine Elite 50L by Timber Ridge is a good size for a long weekend hiking trip. Other than its size, it is relatively similar to the 40L Alpine Elite, which is significantly less expensive. It's crafted from nylon fabric and is water resistant.

The backpack has a 4.3 star rating on Costco's website based on just three customer reviews. "A bit heavier than expected but lots of pockets and looks good. It will be used to walk the 'Camino de Santiago' from Porto, Portugal to Santiago de Compostela, Spain," one reviewer wrote. Another reviewer mentioned that the back was a good size and choice for a ten year old boy. The pack costs $100 online at Costco.

Kelty is a trusted outdoor gear brand that was founded in the United States in 1952 by an outdoor enthusiast named Asher Kelty. It is one of America's most popular outdoor gear brands and hiking backpacks are one of the company's specialties. The 65L Glendale Pack is spacious enough for your next backing adventure to easily carry clothes, supplies, food, cookware, a tent, and a sleeping bag.

There aren't any reviews for the backpack on Costco's website, but it has high reviews at other retailers who stock it. On Amazon it has 4.8 stars based on 25 reviews. A review on Kelty's website called the backpack well-made and high-quality. "Overall great backpack. I have used Kelty Backpacks for over ten years now and they are still made to last. I look forward to using this backpack on my next adventures," the customer wrote. "Great backpack. It's a touch on the heavy side for one or two night trips but it's way more comfortable than cheaper packs I've used. It has lots of space and is fully adjustable," said one review on Amazon.

The pack comes in two fun colors –- orange and light green. It's designed to fit women well and has a compartment to fit a hydration bladder should you choose to use one. The waist belt and the torso are both adjustable so you can find your ideal fit.

A hiking backpack under $100 is definitely a good deal, but one that costs under $60 is a bargain. The Alpine Elite 40L by Timber Ridge is a good size for a weekend hiking trip. You'll be able to fit some clothes, cooking utensils, and a sleeping bag. It is made from nylon which is a strong and durable material. The Alpine Elite is advertised as being water resistant, so your gear should stay dry in light rain.

The bag has plenty of exterior pockets for all of your on-the-go necessities. Two accessory pockets on the sides can be used to stow some trail snacks, your cellphone, or your headphones. There are loops for attaching trekking poles and a pocket on the side so your water bottle is easily accessible. It also has a waist strap to provide extra support and make it easier to carry, though one reviewer mentioned the waist strap is too large. "Waist strap is too big even at the smallest setting. I am an average size man," they wrote. If you're somewhat petite, this probably isn't the right bag for you.

The Alpine Elite has a 4.1 star rating on Costco's website based on nine customer reviews. "The product looks good but it did not feel good to use it. The frame and the fabric produce a squeaky sound every step of my hike," one reviewer wrote. Another wrote that the bag is "designed well to make long hikes comfortable carrying your gear." Based on the reviews, it isn't top-of-the-line, but it's a decent option if you're looking for something budget-friendly when you're just starting out.

Costco sells the Kelty Asher backpack in two sizes: 65 liters and 85 liters. The 65 liter size comes in a gray and blue color or a dark green option. The 85 liter is only available in the grey and blue. The 85 liter is a great option for extended trips on long-distance hiking trails. 

The Kelty Asher is made from polyester fabric, which is very lightweight but not quite as durable as nylon. It has a 4 star rating on Costco's website based on one review. On Kelty's website it has an average of 4.8 stars based on 10 reviews. One customer called it a "superb pack" for long distance hikes. "The Asher is perfect for those who want to bring it all. As a hammock camper, sometimes it's hard to find a pack that is comfortable while still allowing space for everything. This pack makes multi day hikes very possible and easy."

"I shopped for a new backpack for a long time and finally decided to pull the trigger on the Asher 65 for a 2-night 3-day hike in Yosemite. Let me tell you, it was the best decision I could have made. The Asher 65 exceeded my expectations in every way, providing exceptional comfort, lightweight design, and ample storage space to accommodate all my gear without a hitch. The cell phone holder in the hip belt was very convenient for taking quick photos and the sleeping bag compartment made it easy to access. If you're in the market for a new backpack that combines comfort, lightweight construction, and excellent storage capacity, I wholeheartedly recommend the Asher 65," said another.

Another Kelty option that Costco sells is the Nena 60L which is designed with women hikers in mind. It comes in a vibrant teal with earthy, orange details. The Kelty Nena 60L was sold out on Kelty's website when we checked, so clearly it was a popular choice amongst hikers and backpackers. 

There currently aren't any reviews posted on Costco's website, but it has an average rating of 4.6 stars on Amazon based on 3 reviews. The pack is named after Kelty's cofounder, Nena, who was the wife of Asher Kelty. She hand sewed the first backpacks that Kelty produced in the 1950s.

A gear specialist at Enwild reviewed the backpack in a YouTube video. "This capable pack has everything you need for your next trip at a reasonably low weight and fair price," the reviewer stated. "Whether you're a first time backpacker or an experienced outdoor adventurer, getting a pack that fits well, handles load comfortably, and has the storage options you need to stay organized is key. The Kelty Nena does all of that and more with a women's specific fit that cuts down on painful hot spots and discomfort," the reviewer continued.

In order to help you decide which of Costco's budget-friendly backpacks are actually worth buying, we researched each bag thoroughly and reviewed the specs on Costco's website. For the purpose of this article we defined budget-friendly as any bag under $300. No bags that were over $300 were included in our roundup. We read each review on Costco's website, and if there weren't any we included reviews from other sellers. We compared details like fabric, size, and design to help you decide which bag would work best for your upcoming camping trip. We tried to search out fair and balanced reviews that were not sponsored. For more information on adventure essentials, check out our guide to the best (and safest) hiking gear, according to users.