70L Backpacks
Made for long expeditions and demanding journeys, 70L backpacks give you the space to carry everything you need when adventure takes you further.
For When You're Gone a While
Seventy litres isn't about packing more. It's about being gone longer, and further from anywhere that sells things. 70L backpacks are made for long expeditions and demanding journeys, with the space to carry everything you need when adventure takes you further, and the suspension to make that bearable on day twelve as well as day one.
What you're really buying at this size
Self-sufficiency, mostly. At 70 litres you're carrying enough food to cross the gap between resupplies, enough clothing for conditions that might change substantially, and enough of everything else that you're not depending on finding a shop. That's the whole point of the capacity, and it's why this size shows up on expeditions, remote treks and journeys where the plan runs for weeks.
What doesn't change is that all of it goes on your back. A pack this size only works if the suspension does its job properly, which is why the suspension matters more here than anywhere else in the range.
What's here
- Trekking packs: the top of our range, built for sustained days under a full load with the suspension, adjustability and construction to keep carrying serious weight comfortably week after week.
- Backpacking packs: full suspension and thorough organisation, with the capacity for extended trips and the structure to keep a very large load stable and controlled.
Both come with our named technologies doing the heavy lifting underneath. FreeFloat, our patented suspension, links the hipbelt to the frame through a flexible panel so the belt pivots and flexes as you walk. VaporSpan and AirCushion are backpanel systems that keep air moving between you and the pack. CloudControl is a stretch-flex hipbelt for a softer feel that still holds a heavy load steady. Each product page lists which ones that pack uses, and our backpack technologies hub sets them side by side.
Plus size goes all the way up
Plenty of brands offer extended sizing on their smaller packs and stop there. We don't. Our plus size packs run right to the top of the range, so a 70 litre expedition pack is available in a plus size fit like everything else.
They're redesigned rather than enlarged: sized to a 2X–6X range, with extended padding and support all the way around the hipbelt and webbing that fits up to 152 cm, the quick-access pocket moved to the front of the belt so it stays reachable, and a shoulder harness with extended length, a wider angle across the shoulders and load lifter hardware placed closer to the wearer for easier adjustment on the move.
Getting it right before you go
Fit is decided by torso length rather than height. Our guide to measuring torso length takes five minutes.
Then load the pack properly and adjust it at home, not at the trailhead. The top edge of the hipbelt wants to sit around 2.5 cm above your iliac crest, so the weight rests on the shelf of your hips. Our guide to fitting a backpack covers the rest, including how to shift weight between your hips and shoulders on the move.
Where 70L sits in our range
- 60L: long-distance hiking, trekking and expedition-style adventures.
- 65L: adventures where carrying capacity matters, with maximum storage for larger loads.
- 70L: long expeditions and demanding journeys, with space for everything you need.
- Over 75L: extended expeditions and major adventures, with maximum capacity for large amounts of gear.
Not sure where you land? See every size in one place with shop backpacks by litres.
FAQ
When do you actually need a 70L backpack?
When you'll be self-sufficient for a long stretch. Seventy litres is made for long expeditions and demanding journeys, which usually means carrying several days or weeks of food, clothing for conditions that could change substantially, and everything else you'd normally be able to buy or borrow. It also suits colder conditions, where insulation and heavier gear take up far more space than the equivalent summer kit. If your trips are a week or less with resupply along the way, a 55L or 60L pack will be lighter and easier to live with. Buy this size because the trip demands it, not to leave yourself room.
Do you make plus size backpacks in large capacities?
Yes, right up to our largest sizes. Our plus size range isn't limited to daypacks, so a 70 litre pack is available in a plus size fit alongside the standard version. They're sized to a 2X–6X range and redesigned rather than simply enlarged: the hipbelt carries extended padding and support all the way around the hips with webbing that fits up to 152 cm, the quick-access pocket sits at the front of the belt so it stays reachable, and the shoulder harness gets extended length, a wider angle across the shoulders and load lifter hardware moved closer to the wearer for easier adjustment. Sizing works exactly as it does across the rest of our range, based on your torso length. Browse them all in plus size packs.
How much weight can a 70L backpack carry comfortably?
Check the recommended maximum carry weight on the product page for the pack you're considering, because it varies by model and it's the figure the suspension was designed around. Comfort depends on more than the number, though. A well-fitted pack carrying its rated weight will feel far better than a badly fitted one carrying less, which is why setting the hipbelt position correctly matters more than shaving a kilo off your kit. It's also worth loading the pack at home and walking around with it before you commit to a long trip, because problems that are barely noticeable in a hallway become significant over several days.