Normally, they’re much longer than they are wide, which allows them to conform to the shape of your body. That makes them more comfortable, and allows you to move with more freedom up trails and through tight squeezes.

We’re pretty serious at Camping Things, about finding equipment which combines awesome comfort and unbeatable practicality. All of our picks here are 75L or over, and come with a few other neat little features.

Osprey Xenith 75 Backpack

‘Heavy duty pro rucksack with taped seams.’

Need a place to hold onto your ice axe? How about a whistle? The Xenith has both, and comes with taped seams and ultra-tight stitching to help keep water and dirt out on long camping trips and perilous hikes.

Size and volume
The huge main compartment is covered by a super tight lid, which will keep water and small animals out of your stuff. At 75L, there’s plenty of room for all of the essentials, plus space for your extras, which can be stored in the front compartment. The Xenith also features a sleeping bag compartment, because we all know what a pain it is pulling out your sleeping bag, along with everything else.

Durability
We’re not usually ones to get emotional about stitching and zippers, but the Xenith is so tightly constructed, if your sleeping bag fails, and you’ll fit, you might as well sleep in this rucksack. Really great quality.

Features
The Airscape back panel keeps sweat at bay, and the Neospacer harness helps to support your chest and back over long distances. It’s really nicely thought out, and the pre-curved hip belt is extremely comfortable.

There’s an included whistle for emergencies (or parties) and a place to hold onto your ice axe. More fundamentally, the Xenith is also rainproof, with enough straps in the right places to tighten things up when needed.

Value for money
This is a high-end extra large backpack, so the price is somewhat higher than the large and medium packs, but the Osprey Xenith is an investment and you’ll ever buy it once.

Best for
Long weekends, week-long camping trips and professional hikers/mountain climbers.

Check best price now on Amazon

Mountaintop 75L Outdoor Sport Water-resistant Rucksack

‘Simple, high-quality and big.’

At half the price of the Osprey Xenith, the Mountaintop is just as big, but perhaps not as handsome. It’s a simple, extra large rucksack with lots of room in the main compartment and carefully placed straps for tightening and adjusting the fit to suit.

Size and volume
Like most large rucksacks, the Mountaintop is long. You can adjust the height of the backpack using the main shoulder and chest straps. In terms of volume, the Mountaintop is pretty unfussy; there’s a separate bottom compartment for shoes or a sleeping bag, but most of the room is taken up by the main compartment.

Durability
If you’re buying an extra large rucksack, you’re probably going on some kind of adventure which requires kit that performs. The Mountaintop is well-built, sturdy and has everything you need to keep your belongings safe and dry.

Features
Reflective highlights and tightening cords are about as fancy as it gets on the Mountaintop. You are able to adjust the back of the backpack according to your torso length, which makes it way more comfortable if you happen to be quite short, or quite tall. There’s a rain cover included in the base, and the hip belt is nicely padded.

Value for money
The Mountaintop is currently on sale at half price, but even at its full price, it’s a great deal.

Best for
Savvy professionals and anyone who takes frequent weekend camping trips.

Check latest price on Amazon

Lowe Alpine AT Travel Trekker 70+30 Backpack

‘Superb quality, anti-theft rucksack.’

The Lowe Alpine Trekker zips shut in the back, so that the opening is sealed close to your back, keeping your stuff safe from pickpockets. It comes with a detachable 30L case to complement the 70L of the main rucksack, and with internal compression straps, you’ll be able to adjust everything to suit.

Size and volume
The Trekker is two backpacks in one. The main pack is a 70L anti-theft zipper rucksack, with a suitcase-style handle and space enough inside for clothes and a sleeping bag. The accessory pack, sizeable in its own right, is a full 30L, perfect for day trips.

Durability
As one of the most trusted brands in outdoor gear, Lowe Alpine are experts in long-haul equipment and gear that’s proven to withstand the elements. Both of these rucksacks are built to last.

Features
One of the best features of the Trekker is the zipper system. On the main compartment, the zip opens in the back, and is covered by the rainproof lid, so there’s no way pickpockets are getting in without you knowing. You’ll to have the other pack attached for that to matter, though, as the main compartment also opens in front like a suitcase.

Value for money
Lowe Alpine products are also great value for money in our book. We can’t speak highly enough of them.

Best for
Seasoned trekkers and campers with a lot of stuff, and the security-conscious.

Check latest price on Amazon

Mountaintop 70L+10L Outdoor Sports Rucksack

‘Great value, with separate compartment for shoes.’

Similar to the other Mountaintop mentioned earlier, this Mountaintop features a separate bottom compartment for shoes and an internal frame to help keep the pack sturdy on your back during long hikes.

Size and volume
70L in the main compartment is plenty of room for the fundamentals, and the additional 10L in the bottom compartment is great for storing shoes or a sleeping bag.

Durability
As with the other Mountaintop, this an extra large rucksack that’s built to perform and built to last. We’re confident about how durable this pack is, even with the adjustable back, which can hamper cheaper backpacks.

Features
The adjustable back system is an awesome feature. If you’re particularly tall or short, an extra large backpack can sometimes be a little uncomfortable — not the Mountaintop, though. The entire back assembly can be adjusted to suit your frame, keeping you in good shape during your camping adventure.

Value for money
The Mountaintop bags cost less on average than the Ospreys and Lowe Alpines, and they’re great quality. That’s a win if you ask us.

Best for
Long weekends and hikes, those after a quality rucksack on a budget.

Check latest price on Amazon

Berghaus Men’s Ridgeway Rucksack

‘Huge interior compartment and Berghaus quality.’

Oh, what a handsome thing the Ridgeway is. For an extra-large rucksack with an interior volume of 75L, the Berghaus certainly is good-looking. It’s built to exceptional Berghaus standards, and is a solid investment for regular hikers.

Size and volume
The Ridgeway doesn’t run as long as the other extra-large packs, which is great if you prefer more width, or if you’re a shorter person. As with most of our choices, the Ridgeway is generous with its 75L, opening most of it up the main compartment.

Durability
We’re big fans of Berghaus, and we trust their backpacks to last for years. We use them ourselves at Camping Things, and we love them.

Features
A fold-over rainproof lid keeps the elements out, and there’s space on the front for your walking poles. The top of the pack is a drawstring opening, so no zips. Some people prefer that, others don’t, but we like variety.

Value for money
We always think that Berghaus is value for money.  The Ridgeway is a solid invest whatever you’re doing with it.

Best for
Seasoned hikers, long weekends and camping holidays.

Check latest price on Amazon

Best Extra Large Backpack