Our expert clocked up the miles to put 27 running packs to the test to find the ones that balance comfort, storage and stability. A good running backpack can change the way you run. At a basic level, it’s a handy way to carry clean clothes, so you can run-commute to work. It also offers freedom: a trusty pack unlocks self-sufficiency. Being armed with backup water, fuel and clothes can give you the confidence to run longer and explore further – or just to drop that package to the post office instead of jumping in the car.
In 2022, I ran 67 marathons solo across Europe with my life on my back in a 10kg pack. Apart from my running shoes, the backpack was the most important kit choice, so I know what makes a reliable running pack. You may not be planning to run across a continent any time soon, but whether you’re running to work, need some dry clothes for your post-parkrun coffee or want to spend your weekends running in remote places, there’s a pack for you.
At a glance: Best running backpacks
Best running backpack overall and best on a budget: OMM Ultra 20l £71.99 at SportsShoes. Best for big multi-day adventures: Silva Strive Mountain Pack 23l £81.89 at Mountain Warehouse. Best for running in the dark: Proviz Reflect360 Tour 20l £44.99 at Proviz. Best for lighter run commutes: Stolt Athlete Ultralight 12l £149 at Stolt.
Why you should trust me
I test running gear full-time, so when I’m not training for a race, I’m generally running around trying out kit. If I can get somewhere by running, I prefer to go on foot. I run-commute to meetings, even to my son’s U11 football team’s away fixtures. Over the past decade, I’ve tested hundreds of running backpacks while on a perpetual personal and professional mission to find the best. In that time, I’ve also run close to 70 marathons, lots of ultras and a few self-sufficient multi-day challenges, such as Marathon Des Sables and a solo lap of Lake Garda.
How I tested
I strapped myself into 27 of the latest running backpacks from a wide selection of brands. My testing focused on bigger running packs more than hydration vests, including adventure-ready packs from brands such as OMM and bags from On, Lululemon, Nike and Stolt built for everyday run commutes. I first challenged each pack’s capacity by filling it with a typical run-commute payload, including a 15in MacBook Pro, a full change of clothes (including shoes), a few toiletries and other essentials. Bonus points if they could take all that and a small towel. I then packhorsed my way through a series of test runs of up to an hour each, first with a full load but subsequently with the pack half empty. The best running backpacks fit securely, with minimal movement and rubbing, whether they’re full to bursting or half empty. Because I was testing during winter, lots of my miles were logged in the wet, making it easy to spot the better all-weather options. After all that, I rated the running packs based on storage capacity and practicality, fit and comfort, durability, versatility and value for money. Here are my top picks.
Best running backpack overall and best on a budget: OMM Ultra 20l
This 20-litre unisex running pack is designed for longer races and multi-day adventures, but also doubles as a capable commuter running backpack. Crammed full of clever details, it’s practical, versatile and great value.
Why we love it: OMM’s wonderfully simple pack offers just enough fiddle-free storage to cope with the commute and daylong adventures. A single, large central well has enough capacity to swallow a commuter-friendly payload plus a large laptop, though a sleeve is advised as there’s no padding to protect it. But the bag is also compact enough to carry smaller loads comfortably, without unwanted bagginess. The big, well-padded harness, height-adjustable sternum straps and waist belt make it easy to lock in heavier loads, creating a secure fit with minimal bounce and joggle. The 9mm Eva (ethylene vinyl acetate) back pad also does a reasonable job of protecting you from the lumps and bumps of protruding gear. Storage is boosted by two easily accessible, zippered front hip pockets and two expandable open mesh side pockets. I found those great for storing jackets, food and gloves, but drinks bottles sometimes wriggled free. I also love that you can improve the storage and functionality with the universal gear rail – a place to clip on accessories. I’ve been using a version of this pack for at least five years, and durability is truly excellent. The reinforced and water-resistant base prevents some of the damp from seeping up into your pack when you ditch it on the floor, too, although a handy hanging loop means you can avoid the floor completely if you want. You might notice the lack of front bottle holsters, but it’s compatible with hydration bladders and comes with a built-in safety whistle and a key hook in the top pocket. It also uses a single polymer (in this case, nylon) to make it easier to recycle once it’s given up the ghost. Based on my testing, that won’t be any time soon.
It’s a shame that … the main compartment isn’t waterproof. I also wanted a more impermeable barrier to protect precious cargo from an inevitably sweaty back. Capacity: 20l, Weight: 395g, Waterproof? No (zips are not waterproof, but it’s water-resistant). Price: £71.99 at SportsShoes, £75 at Amazon.
Best for big multi-day adventures: Silva Strive Mountain Pack 23l
Silva’s versatile, unisex pack is built for trips where you need lots of smart storage, easy hydration and a reliable stay-put fit. It’s a great choice for multi-day runs, fast-packing and lightweight hiking.
Why we love it: Silva’s pack is ideal for multi-day adventures, but it caters equally well for long, remote runs, wild hikes and city run commutes. I used it for an 80-mile solo run along the Via degli Dei from Florence to Bologna. I loved the blend of the running-vest-style harness and bigger-pack capacity, with its 23 litres of flexible storage. The highlight is the secure fit. It uses two height-adjustable sternum straps, adjustable shoulder straps and a winged waist-strap to create a bounce-free fit. It feels natural whether the pack’s fully loaded with overnight kit or just a jacket, water and a few essentials. It’s light for a big-volume pack with six front pockets – two soft flask holders up front, two zipped waist belt pouches and two sizeable mesh side pouches. The large roll-top main compartment makes it easy to flex the capacity and is good at keeping out most (but sadly not all) of the weather. It can also hold a hydration bladder. I like that the removable back pad doubles as a minimal sleep or sitting mat, though it could be softer. Reflective details, a built-in whistle, head torch cable outlets and a battery compartment are also helpful extras. There’s a 17-litre option that would suit single-day adventures, too.
It’s a shame that … it’s not waterproof, and feels more lightweight than durable. Capacity: 23+3 litres, Weight: 496g (m/l), 472g (xs/s), Waterproof? No, only weatherproof. Price: £81.89 at Mountain Warehouse, £85.10 at Alpine Trek.
Best for running in the dark: Proviz Reflect360 Tour 20l
Proviz’s multitalented run-, cycle- and hike-friendly pack combines good levels of storage with excellent durability. Its powerful reflectivity makes it a standout for safety, too.
Why we love it: With a hi-vis main body and reflective front shoulder tapes that bounce back car headlights, there isn’t a pack to rival Proviz’s impressive visibility powers. If you want to be well seen or like to run in the dark, this is the pack to choose for boosted safety. It’s also one of my favourites for run commuting. It offers plenty of storage in a surprisingly compact and comfortable pack, thanks to wide shoulder straps and a well-padded back panel. Lots of straps means you can fine-tune the fit depending on the load, too. The storage is split across six pockets. The main compartment has a 12in laptop sleeve, but you can also fit a 15in laptop in the main well and still have room for clothes and shoes. A second back pocket beefs up useful stash space with compartments to organise your essentials. There are two smaller zippered waist belt pouches, too, as well as two side mesh drop-ins that will each hold a 500ml water bottle. A removable, padded phone pouch sits on the shoulder strap – good for quick access, but I found it bulky. Other details I love include a loop for attaching an extra light and really big, easy-to-use zip pulls – great if, like me, you suffer from dexterity-damaging Raynaud’s, and easy to use with gloves. It’s also compatible with hydration bladders, has a built-in safety whistle and comes with a waterproof rain cover.
It’s a shame that … there’s limited upfront stash space, and it can run hot during harder efforts and hotter days. Capacity: 20l, Weight: 650g, Waterproof? No, water-resistant with waterproof rain cover included. Price: £44.99 at Proviz, £49.50 at Mountain Warehouse.
Best for lighter run commutes: Stolt Athlete Ultralight 12l
Stolt’s trimmed-down weatherproof pack is designed to stride seamlessly from weekday commutes to weekend trail runs. It’s ideal for runners who want one bag for work and workouts.
Why we love it: Stolt specialises in simple, stylish running packs for comfortable run commutes, and its 18-litre Athlete Pack is one of the best big-volume commuter packs going. This more compact version adds features that make it better for weekend trail adventures and long runs. The 12-litre capacity happily swallows a light change of clothes and a laptop up to 13in in a back sleeve that converts to a two-litre hydration bladder holder. The roll-top is great for adjusting capacity; there’s a handy side zipper for quick access to kit; and I love that, unlike most, this commuter pack has two front holsters for soft flasks. This all adds to this pack’s versatile weekday-to-weekend appeal. The main pack’s water-repellent finish makes it one of the best at keeping out the worst weather. I got to properly test the reliability of the two water-resistant zipped front pockets on some seriously rainy runs, and they proved to be a safe space for smartphones and other valuables. The combination of double sternum straps and a waist strap creates a nicely secure fit with minimal bounce, though the waist strap is a little thin and sometimes cuts in. Each pack comes with two 500ml soft flasks, too, which felt like a nice bonus.
It’s a shame that … the padded back pad creates a close fit that sometimes runs a bit sweaty. Capacity: 12l, Weight: 420g, Waterproof? No, but has a water-resistant coating. Price: £149 at Stolt.
Best of the rest
Lululemon All Sport backpack 10l (£88 at Lululemon): Best for a lightweight running backpack for shorter runs. It’s light, compact and stylish, but there’s no upfront storage for your smartphone. Capacity: 10l, weight: 359g, waterproof? No, weatherproof, but seams aren’t taped.
On Trailpack 20l (£230 at On): Best for a longer-haul trail running backpack. Lots of well placed storage and a unique, airy fit, but it’s quite heavy and very expensive. Capacity: 20l, weight: 785g, waterproof? No, but has a water-repellent main compartment with taped seams.
Montane Trailblazer 18l (from £75 at Blacks, £80 at Montane): Best for fast and light one-day runs. It’s tough enough to handle heavy use and daily mileage, but the narrow main compartment struggles with larger laptops. Capacity: 18l, weight: 435g, waterproof? No, weatherproof coated but no taped seams.
Nike Commuter 15l running pack (from £52.99 at Sports Direct, £65 at Cotswold Outdoor): Best for a basic everyday pack. Good capacity, sturdy and reasonably priced, but no front storage and less secure fit limits its versatility. Capacity: 15l, weight: 336g, waterproof? No, water-resistant, but seams and zips not taped.
Saysky Commuter backpack 14l (£177 at Saysky): Best for heavy-packing commutes. It’s light and low-bounce for a big commuter pack, but there’s no shoulder harness phone storage. Capacity: 14l, weight: 280g, waterproof? No, waterproof zippers for light rain, but zips not taped.
What you need to know
What should you look for in a good running backpack? Running packs come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Capacity ranges from minimal, five-litre hydration vests, which let you move fast but don’t hold much kit, up to 30-litre monsters for multi-day adventures. All the best running backpacks have a few things in common: they fit comfortably and securely with little bounce once you get moving; offer easy, accessible and practical storage; and cram in plenty of versatility. Some backpacks cater well for weekday commutes and regular running excursions. There are differences, though … A good commuter pack tends to offer more storage, space for a laptop and a more padded and robust harness to cope with the weight. Commute packs can lack the upfront storage and hydration features of a big-capacity ultra-trail pack. Lighter packs built for moving fast often trade durability and storage space for the weight savings. Smart segmented storage is always useful. Instead of one cavernous main compartment, it’s helpful to have separated spaces, for example, to keep wet kit away from a laptop. A waterproof front phone pocket is something I always miss when it’s not there. When it comes to fit, many packs are unisex, some are one size, some offer a size range. It’s smart to be armed with your measurements, and I highly recommend filling a pack and trying it on for size before you commit. An empty pack can feel just fine when you’re standing still, but everything changes once you’re bounding down the road with 6kg on your back. Pay close attention to the straps. Height-adjustable sternum straps give you much more control over fit. A chunkier waistbelt can also be good for securing heavier loads. If you find fastenings fiddly or strap setups complicated in your front room, that will be worse when it’s freezing cold midwinter. Check if it supports hydration with soft flask holsters and/or bladder compatibility. If you’re using a hydration bladder, make sure you can route the hose. Bonus points to packs that come with a built-in safety whistle, key hooks, hanging loops, big anti-fumble zippers, reflectivity and weatherproofing or rain repellence.
