Travelling in Colombia (or anywhere else!) with a backpack instead of a suitcase is quite common. It’s embracing the very spirit of adventure. The country is covered in stages, along mountain roads, dirt tracks and rivers, crossed by local bus, lancha, 4×4 or sometimes on the back of a motorcycle. In these conditions, bulky luggage quickly becomes an inconvenience: difficult to transport, cumbersome on journeys or in improvised accommodation. The backpack, on the other hand, offers freedom and flexibility. Lightweight and easy to handle, it lets you explore even the most remote corners without weighing you down. And for minimalist travelers, it’s also a great way tosave money: by traveling without checked baggage, you reduce the cost of your domestic flights while saving time at the airport.
Bus bays are often dirty or damp: a backpack with a protective cover will keep your belongings intact. Cabs, on the other hand, are often small, and travelling with several people and suitcases can quickly become expensive if you have to hire a larger vehicle. With a backpack, you gain mobility, flexibility and comfort, while remaining ready to explore Colombia’s most authentic corners.
It’s generally recommended that the backpack with all your gear should not exceed 20% of your body weight, to avoid fatigue and injury. For example, for 60 kg, the ideal bag should not exceed 12 kg.
So if you want a stress-free, lightweight, 100% adventure experience, choosing the right backpack becomes essential. In the rest of this article, we present our selection of the most practical models for traveling in Colombia – tested for durability, comfort and practicality, and perfect for taking with you wherever you go.
We’re big fans of the Osprey brand. Our 2018 Atmos AG 65 L traversed much of Latin America, from plains to 5,000 m peaks, across deserts, forests and mountains, with humidity levels approaching 100%. It’s still fully functional today! Deuter and Millet also remain excellent choices for top-of-the-range backpacks, while Decathlon offers good quality models at more affordable prices.
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Best 40L backpacks – Minimalism and savings
A 40 L backpack is small, but perfect for carrying all the essentials on your trip to Colombia. It is accepted as carry-on baggage on most airlines, which means significant savings, especially with some airlines charging very high prices for checked baggage. Ideal for the light, well-organized and resourceful traveler, it offers mobility, comfort and freedom, while allowing you to enjoy your adventure to the full without the hassle.
Osprey Farpoint
40L – Men’s
Lightweight, comfortable 40 L travel rucksack, designed for men and cabin luggage, with practical organization, retractable shoulder straps and clever compartments.
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Osprey Fairview
40L – Women
Lightweight, comfortable 40 L travel backpack for women, cabin baggage-compliant, with wide access, laptop pocket, compression straps and lockable closure.
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Deuter Futura Pro
40L – Unisex
Well-ventilated 40 L hiking backpack, comfortable carrying, numerous organized pockets, compatible with hydration and rain cover – ideal for long hikes.
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Best 60 / 65L backpacks – For long-lasting adventures
A 60-65 L backpack is ideal for long-distance adventures. We know that many of our readers are leaving for several months in Latin America, or even for a round-the-world trip, with Colombia as one of the key stops on their journey. This type of trip requires extra equipment to cope with a wide variety of climates and activities: snorkeling, hiking at altitude, mountaineering, jungle or tropical zones. A volume of 60-65 L offers an excellent compromise between storage capacity and freedom of movement, even in demanding conditions. It allows you to travel independently, without feeling restricted. Its main drawback, however, is its size: this type of bag generally has to be checked in the hold when traveling by plane.
Osprey Atmos AG LT
65L – Men
Lightweight, high-performance 65 L men’s backpack, ideal for long-distance trekking, featuring the AntiGravity system for exceptional comfort, excellent ventilation and practical gear organization.
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Osprey Renn
65L – Ladies
65 L backpack designed for women, ideal for hiking and trekking. Lightweight, ventilated and comfortable, it features multiple access points, sleeping bag compartment, belt pockets and integrated rain cover.
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Deuter Aircontact Core
60L + 10L – Men
Comfortable, well-ventilated 50 + 10 L trekking backpack for men, with Aircontact Lite system, VariQuick adjustment, practical pockets and good load transfer for long hikes.
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Deuter Aviant Voyager
65L + 10L – Women
Women’s 65 + 10 L travel backpack, comfortable and ergonomic, with Contact back system and daypack included, perfect for long trips and practical gear organization.
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Bestbackpacks for day trips
For day trips, there’s no need to carry a bulky bag. Whether you’re visiting villages, going on a nature walk, exploring a national park or strolling through town, a light, well-organized backpack makes all the difference. It allows you to carry the essentials – water, camera, jacket, sunscreen or snacks – while remaining comfortable and discreet. For our part, we also prefer bags from specialist brands, designed to cope with all types of climatic conditions and varied natural environments. Tough, durable and well thought-out, they offer real comfort and reliability, whether for travel or everyday use.
The size of the bag should of course be chosen according to what you’re used to carrying on your outings. A person traveling with photographic equipment – camera, lenses, drone – will logically need a larger, better-adapted bag than someone traveling without such equipment. In the absence of photo equipment, a 15-liter bag is more than enough to carry the essentials: water, poncho, sun cream, sunglasses, snacks or meals, without weighing yourself down unnecessarily.
Osprey Daylite
15L – Unisex
Lightweight, versatile 15L unisex backpack, ideal for day trips or light hikes, with good comfort, effective ventilation, practical pockets and durable materials.
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Deuter Speed Lite
17L – Unisex
The Deuter Speed Lite 17 is a lightweight, ergonomic mixed hiking backpack offering comfort, stability and practical storage, ideal for quick hikes and day trips.
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Millet Ubic
15L – Unisex
The Millet Ubic is a compact 15L mixed backpack that is lightweight, ergonomic and durable, offering several practical pockets and good comfort for hiking or everyday use.
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Bestbags for adventurous photographers
Travelling with photographic equipment requires a bag that is both durable and practical. Colombia’s landscapes range from tropical rainforests to rugged mountains and isolated beaches, sometimes involving difficult trails and muddy paths. A good bag should protect your equipment, offer quick access to your lenses and be light enough not to become a burden during long days of exploration.
Beyond protection, organization is essential. Modular compartments, practical pockets and ergonomic shoulder straps allow you to carry your camera equipment, accessories and personal belongings in comfort. So, whether you’re exploring picturesque villages or remote nature parks, the right bag will ensure your mobility, safety and peace of mind, so you can make the most of every moment of your trip.
Lowepro ProTactic BP
– Various sizes –
The Lowepro ProTactic photo bag offers modular protection, quick access and optimum comfort. Ideal for carrying cameras, lenses and accessories on your adventures in Colombia.
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Think Tank Backlight
– 26L –
The Think Tank Backlight 26 L is a sturdy, ergonomic photo bag offering quick access, optimum equipment protection, modular storage and comfort for travel and photo trips.
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Manfrotto Pro Light
– Various sizes –
Manfrotto Pro Light bags are sturdy, lightweight and modular, offering optimum protection for photo/video equipment, intelligent storage and comfort for travel.
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