70L Backpacks

For your long-distance trekking adventures, multi-day hikes covering hundreds of kilometres, or extended bivouacs, a rucksack of at least 70L is essential to carry all your necessary gear. Functional, versatile, and designed to hold all your essentials while remaining comfortable on your back, 70L trekking rucksacks come in a range of models and colours for both men and women. Discover our selection of 70-litre rucksacks, chosen for demanding mountain and outdoor enthusiasts.

Why choose a 70L rucksack?

The benefits of a large-capacity rucksack

As soon as your trip exceeds three or four days in full autonomy, the 70-litre format becomes the obvious choice. This is the key volume that lets you take your tent, sleeping bag, mat, spare clothing, freeze-dried food, and technical expedition equipment without compromise. What sets a rucksack of this size apart from a 50 or 60-litre model:

• genuine autonomy for 5 to 10 days without relying on huts or resupply points;
• multiple compartments to organise your kit and find what you need without emptying everything out at camp;
• a reinforced carrying system designed to transfer most of the load to your hips rather than your shoulders;
• external attachment points for ice axe, poles, sleeping mat or crampons, without unbalancing the rucksack.

Which activities is it suitable for?

The 70-litre size is not universal: it's aimed at demanding use, where high autonomy is a necessity. You'll find it on major routes like the GR20, the Tour du Mont Blanc, Himalayan treks, as well as in high mountains for multi-day mountaineering, fully self-sufficient expeditions, or long-haul travel with technical kit. For itinerant adventures, also see our full selection of hiking and trekking rucksacks.

70L trekking rucksacks: seeking ultimate comfort

For the longest hikes, it's best to be well equipped and plan for everything you need so you don't run out of water, food (if there are no huts on your route), or any other essentials during your expedition. Of course, carrying more kit means one thing: the bigger your hiking rucksack and the more you fill it, the heavier your load will be! Leading brands work tirelessly to offer ever lighter and more comfortable 70-litre trekking rucksacks: weight distribution and weight savings are the top priorities for hiking rucksack manufacturers.

How to choose your 70L rucksack

Beyond the stated volume, several technical features really make the difference between a basic rucksack and a reliable long-term companion:

• The carrying system is key for comfort: an adjustable hip belt, padded shoulder straps and a ventilated back panel are essential for pain-free days on the trail;
• Back length should be adjusted to your torso, not your overall height; most premium models offer several centimetres of height adjustment;
• Materials determine durability: look for technical fabrics like Robic or Cordura for abrasion resistance, and a water-repellent or waterproof finish for wet conditions;
• Accessibility is crucial: front opening, bottom access and a removable top lid make organisation easier and prevent you from having to empty everything to reach your jacket;
• Empty weight is worth considering: a good modern 70L rucksack weighs between 2 and 2.5 kg; above this, you're carrying extra grams for little gain in robustness.

For more on sizing, our guide to choosing the right hiking rucksack size explains how to adjust volume and fit to your profile and activity.

For a successful long-distance hike, trust our selection of top-quality 70L rucksacks!

Men's 70L trekking / hiking rucksacks

Whether your rucksack is 20 litres or 70 litres, it's always important to choose a product designed for your body shape. The aim? To avoid discomfort and long-term pain. Don't worry: we have exactly what you need! Simply choose the gender indicated for our 70-litre hiking rucksacks: if it says "men", it's designed to fit the male physique. This means a longer back length, wider shoulder straps to fit broader shoulders, and a hip belt sized for a male frame - all details that really matter from the fourth or fifth day of carrying. For smooth treks and hikes, trust our collection of men's 70L trekking rucksacks, carefully selected by our team of outdoor enthusiasts.

Women's 70L trekking / hiking rucksacks

The same applies for women: generally lighter, with an adjusted back length and a tailored carrying system, you should always opt for a model designed for your gender. It's not just about colour - these are real innovations to make carrying comfortable and pain-free! Shaped shoulder straps fit the chest without compression, the hip belt is angled for female hips, and the back length is usually shorter so the rucksack doesn't ride up or press on the lower back. For round-the-world trips or multi-week treks, a suitcase-style front opening is especially handy: it gives easy access to your kit without unpacking everything at each stop. To explore this further, check out our dedicated selection of travel rucksacks. For pain-free long-distance treks, you can rely on our collection of women's 70L trekking rucksacks, expertly chosen by our outdoor sports team.

The best 70L rucksack brands on Snowleader

With brands like Osprey, Deuter, and Gregory available on Snowleader, you're spoilt for choice if you're after a 70L rucksack with outstanding design! All experts in trekking rucksacks, each brand stands out with iconic models and countless advantages.

Osprey: innovation and comfort

If you're looking for an Osprey rucksack, the famous Aether AG 70 is a perfect choice: ideally designed for trekking, it combines breathability, comfort and capacity! The American brand is renowned for its Anti-Gravity carrying system, with a tensioned mesh that keeps the rucksack close to your back while providing excellent ventilation - especially appreciated on summer ascents. Add to this the All Mighty lifetime guarantee on all models, a testament to the brand's confidence in product durability.

Deuter: durability and versatility

Experienced hikers know the reputation of this German brand, which has focused for decades on ultra-tough materials and the Aircontact system, combining comfort and breathability - especially effective on demanding expeditions. The Aircontact Pro 70 is one of the most practical and complete Deuter rucksacks available, with its 15L expandable volume, removable 8-litre daypack, and highly efficient load distribution: a true benchmark for long-distance hiking rucksacks!

Gregory: ergonomics and design

No discussion of technical carrying would be complete without Gregory. The Californian brand takes ergonomic design to another level, with iconic models like the Baltoro 70L for men and the Deva 70L for women, praised for their fully adjustable Response A3 carrying system. This attention to detail makes them a top choice for long expeditions, where every kilo and every contact point counts.

Beyond these three leading brands, our team selects the most advanced 70-litre models on the market, prioritising durability, carrying comfort and longevity. So take a look through our category to find the large-capacity trekking rucksack of your dreams!

FAQ: all about 70L rucksacks

Which accessories to complement a 70L rucksack for hiking or trekking?

To get the most from a rucksack of this size, a few accessories are especially useful:

• a rain cover sized for your rucksack, for effective protection in sudden showers - see our rain and transport covers section;
• a compression sack for your sleeping bag, to save space for other gear;
• a 2-3L water pouch, more practical than bottles on long stages;
• internal dry bags to organise your kit by category and protect electronics or spare clothes;
• a rucksack protector for air or coach travel, to keep straps and the hip belt safe from damage in transit.

How to care for your 70L rucksack to extend its lifespan?

After each long trip, empty the rucksack completely, shake out dust and sand that always finds its way into seams, then let it air dry out of direct sunlight, which can fade colours and weaken fibres. Stains should be cleaned by hand with lukewarm water and mild soap - never harsh detergents or machine washing, which can damage technical seams and water-repellent coatings. Store your rucksack in a dry place, empty and slightly open to preserve foam memory, and reapply waterproofing spray once or twice a year depending on use.

What is the maximum weight to carry in a 70L rucksack?

The general rule from mountain professionals is not to exceed 20-25% of your body weight, including all gear. For a 70 kg person, this means aiming for a loaded rucksack of 14-17 kg maximum on long trips, so you'll need to carefully consider every item you pack. Beyond this limit, the risk of early fatigue, back pain and injury increases significantly, especially over several consecutive days where microtrauma can build up.