Doing Everest basecamp was one hell of an experience that I’ll treasure in my memories forever. If you’re getting ready for it I’m sure you’re super excited and also sure you have plenty of questions you need to know including what stuff you need.
In this post, I’m going to talk about the best backpack (or daypack as it’s commonly called) for the EBC trek.
So what is the best backpack for Everest base camp trek?
The best backpack for Everest base camp is one that has a 40-65liter capacity as that will be sufficient for your trek. It needs to be able to carry your jacket, extra layers, some water and the odd things you may carry like power bank and snacks, etc. My personal choice is the Mountain Warehouse Carrion 65L Rucksack.
The mountain warehouse Carrion 65l Rucksack ticked all the boxes for me, it was comfortable, had plenty of space, waist support straps, and had a pullout waterproof cover.
Something important I will say is, you need something that is pretty decent in quality, trekking up Mount Everest is no light work and you need to make sure the bag you take won’t be breaking easily.
That being said let’s go into more detail in what you need to look for in a good backpack for EBC.
What To Look For In A Backpack For Everest Base Camp Trek?
So you may hear the term daypack when talking about EBC trek. All this means is essentially what your backpack is, it’s everything you need for the day in your backpack.
The 2 things you need to consider are,
- Can it carry everything you need for the day?
- Is it comfortable?
I’m going to start first by talking about the comfort and then I’ll talk about the things you need for the daypack.
So starting with comfort, you need to remember you are walking 4-7 hours most days and at an incline so you really need a good bag that’s comfortable and preferably has waist support straps.
Like I said, the bag I took was this Mountain Warehouse Carrion 65L Rucksack.
I loved this bag, it had great support and the shoulder straps were nice and padded. Overall it felt very sturdy yet super comfortable and supportive.
It had pockets on the side for my 2 metal water containers. And it had plenty of space for everything else.
Also worth noting, it had a built-in plastic cover that you can pull out if it started to rain. Luckily for me, it didn’t rain on my trek but it’s defo worth having in case it does rain.
So let’s move on what you need to put in it.
What Do You Need To Put In Your Backpack/Daypack?
It’s just everything you think you’ll need for the day.
So, for example, you will probably carry these items.
- Rain jacket
- Rain trousers
- Warm clothing
- Water bottle
- Camera equipment
- Toilet paper
- Powerbank
- Other personal effects
It seems a lot but it’s essential stuff that you need to carry when you’re on your way up to Everest base camp.
You need to be prepared for a sudden rain shower, or if it’s quite warm then you need to take layers off.
Also, you might need to have some toilet paper if you need to suddenly go. Sometimes behind a rock is about as good as it gets when you’re trekking to the next village up the mountain 🙂
Plus the other things like power bank and camera if you’re taking one. I just used my phone so I didn’t need the space for a camera.
Regarding the power bank, after doing the trek I would now say it’s better to keep the power bank close to your body if possible so it stays warmer as the cold can kill the power quite quickly.
So with all that in mind lets talk about the best size for your daypack.
What Is The Best Size Backpack For Everest Base Camp Trek?
So as you know I took a 65-liter backpack and I loved it. However, I could have definitely used a 40-liter backpack for my day bag if I wanted to go smaller.
You could even maybe go as low as a 30 liter if you wanted to go super lightweight.
I think a 40L capacity would be better than 30L though.
There are loads to choose from so just check if the backpack has waist straps as I feel that gives you some support when walking uphill.
Also, see if it has a pullout waterproof cover as you never know when it’s going to rain.
If it doesn’t come with a rainproof cover you can still buy one separately and carry it with you in the backpack.
Then just think can you fit those other extra things in that you’ll need for your daily trek up to Everest base camp and if it can then you are good to go.
Best Everest Base Camp Backpack/Daypack For Each Size.
To help you choose the best backpack for you Everest base camp trek, I’ve picked the best bag for each size. This is only my opinion but I’ve been so I do know what to look for in a good Everest base camp daypack.
Hopefully, this will say you some time and give you the confidence to pick the right backpack for your needs.
Let’s start with the smallest bag.
Best 30-Liter Backpack
The first thing I would say is, I would highly recommend you having a bigger daypack than this but if you do want to go for an ultra lightweight bag then I feel the N NEVO RHINO 30L T is a good option. You can check out the latest price on Amazon here.
Pros
- Very lightweight
- Waterproof fabric
- Has pull out waterproof rain cover
- Side pockets for water bottle
- Space for a hydration bladder (water bag)
- Multiple pockets/compartments
- Bungee cord to hold trekking poles.
- Low cost
Cons
- Doesn’t have waist support
- Not very big
Conclusion
I would say this is the best budget backpack. If you’re on a very tight budget and you want something that will do the job then this backpack is as good as you’ll get for Everest Basecamp at its price range.
Best 40-Liter Backpack
MOUNTAINTOP 40L Hiking Backpack
Pros
- High quality
- Waist straps for support
- Side pockets for water bottles
- Multiple compartments and pockets.
- Breathable and cushioned mesh on the back for comfort
- Waterproof cover
- Hooks and latching loops for hanging things on.
- 6 adjustable straps to attach a sleeping bag or sleeping matt
- Includes a 90-day warranty
Cons
- Doesn’t have a designated hydration bladder holder
- Material isn’t waterproof
Conclusion
Overall this is a good backpack to take trekking up to Everest base camp. This bag has nearly 1000 reviews and nearly 5 stars so that shows that people are very happy with it.
If you can live without having a dedicated space the hydration bladder then this might be a good option.
Something worth noting is the bag has a laptop compartment that can be used to hold a hydration bladder if need be but you don’t have a hole specifically for the drinking tube so you would need to put the tube through the gap in the zipper.
Still though, this is a good hiking bag. Here’s the link if you want to check it out on Amazon.
Best 55-Liter Backpack
I included this 55L category as it’s a nice size between the 65L and 40L size. I personally think this is a great size backpack for Everest base camp trek.
MOUNTAINTOP 55L Hiking Backpack (Click here to check the latest price on Amazon)
Pros
- High quality
- Ample space
- breathable cushioned back padding for comfort
- Side pockets for water
- Space with clips for a hydration bladder
- Plenty of pockets and compartments
- Water resistant material
- Waist support
- Built-in rain cover
- Lower compartment for a sleeping bag or sleeping matt
- Trekking pole attachment
Cons
- Doesn’t say if it includes a warranty.
Conclusion
I honestly couldn’t find anything to say bad about this bag. It’s got everything you need to be a good daypack bag on EBC.
I think it’s very affordable and will be good for many many hikes and treks. It’s just the right size I think.
Some people may like smaller, and some people will want bigger still. I had a 65L and loved it, but 55L is probably a better option.
Best 65-Liter Backpack
This bag is definitely as big you need to get for an Everest backpack. It’s going to be sturdy and have good support, comfort, and space. For the 65L I’m going with the bag I took.
Mountain Warehouse Carrion 65L Rucksack
Pros
- Hight quality
- Plenty of space
- Soft breathable padded air mesh raised on the back to provide extra comfort and ventilation
- Waist Strap which is Padded at the sides to help protect your hips from external pressure
- Adjust height for improved comfort
- Load Balance Adjusters
- Multiple Pockets – External and internal lid pockets, including two side elasticated pockets for water.
- Built-in rain cover
- Space for hydration bladder and hole for drinking tube.
- Side straps for trekking poles.
Cons
- Most expensive on the list
Conclusion
This is a very high-quality hiking backpack that I personally used for EBC. I felt it was very comfortable and provide plenty of space for everything that I needed.
Being the largest you’d need for EBC I still thought it was great and I’ve since used it when traveling to Thailand and my friend also used it to travel around South America for 3 months and it’s still in great condition with no issues. Here’s the link to check it out on Amazon.
Overall Best Backpack
After looking at tons of backpacks and sifting through a lot of poor quality china imports being sold on Amazon. I feel that any of the bags mentioned above would be fine for the EBC trek.
It all depends on the size you are happy with and also the money you want to spend.
Personally, I think either 55L or 65L would be the best option as it they have EVERYTHING you need for a good bag for your trek.
Price-wise they are still very affordable and they can be used for camping, trekking, and your travels for many years to come because they are durable and high quality.
I hope you now have a good understanding of what you need to look for in a good backpack for the Everest base camp trek.
I’ll leave the decision over to you!
Related Questions
What is the difference between a daypack and a backpack?
Technically a daypack is a TYPE of backpack. So essentially they’re both backpacks. The only real difference is a daypack is just for carrying what you need for the day.
Generally, daypacks are smaller and more lightweight.
If you are going on long hikes or treks over a few days then you would need a good backpack. If you were just out for the day then you would probably need a daypack.
Are trekking poles necessary for Everest Base Camp?
Even though I didn’t personally use mine I do believe they are worth having with you. Most people benefit from using trekking poles in Nepal.
Trekking poles are good for taking the pressure off your knees when you’re hiking and sometimes can save you from slipping and taking a tumble.
Do you need crampons for the Everest base camp?
No, you do not need crampon for the EBC trek. Crampons are for hard ice and packed snow. The terrain on the way to EBC is generally gravelly and rocky.
Even if it snowed you wouldn’t need crampons. Just some good quality hiking boots will be sufficient.
1 comment
Very informative articles for the trekker to get the knowledge about the backpack