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Best American Made Backpacks For Every Lifestyle In 2022

This product guide was written by GearHungry Staff
Last Updated November 5, 2021
GearHungry Staff
GearHungry Staff posts are a compilation of work by various members of our editorial team. We update old articles regularly to provide you the most current information. You can learn more about our staff here.
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When looking for a good backpack, look no further than the undeniable quality and style of a great American-made backpack. The right bag is essential for carrying digital devices, books, clothing, and everyday items like water bottles and other essentials. Apart from the right size and style, quality is also a critical element in choosing the right backpack as you need to ensure the backpack is comfortable enough to hang over your shoulders while keeping your favorite gear safe and secure.

A good backpack is no longer an accessory that is exclusive for students and teenagers. In fact, backpacks and travel bags have become an essential item for professionals, executives, and those just going about their day while running errands, as well as hikers and travelers. They allow you to keep a change of clothes with you as well as a packed lunch and the all-important water bottle.

Whether you are looking for a tactical backpack for hiking and camping or just a really good bag that will comfortably fit your laptop and keep everything safely secured during your daily commute, our selection of some of the best American-made backpacks has something for everyone.

Our Top Picks
  • Best Hunting Backpack: Stone Glacier Sky 5900 American Made Backpack
  • Best Waxed Canvas Backpack: Defy Bucktown Waxed Canvas American Made Backpack
  • Best Rugged Backpack For Outdoorsmen: Goruck GR1 Military Grade American Made Backpack
  • Best All-Round Backpack: Topo Designs Core Pack in Black American Made Backpack
  • Best Backpack For Camping & Hiking: The Rambler Black Camo Expandable American Made Backpack
  • Best All-Weather Backpack: Topo Daypack American Made Backpack

The Best American Made Backpack

1
Stone Glacier Sky 5900 American Made Backpack

stone glacier sky 5900

 

Born in Montana, Stone Glacier builds products for big game hunting in big mountains. But its products also work very well for recreational uses like backpacking. We tested the Sky 5900 backpack over two years of elk hunting and have been consistently impressed by the pack’s ability to carry very heavy loads with ease. And thanks to the expanding shelf, the already-large pack can expand to swallow immensely large loads. For those looking for one large backpack that can do it all, this one fits the bill. And it’s built with relatively heavy materials, like CORDURA 500 and Xpac fabrics and YKK #10 zippers, meaning it’ll last for many years. The only downsides are weight (the pack tips the scales at 5 lbs 7.1 oz on a Medium Xcruve frame) and price (from $659). Its modular nature means you can customize the pack to fit your needs. Read our full review on GearJunkie.

Key Features:

Load rating: 150-plus lbs.

Hydration-compatible

Full-panel zip for access to the main bag

Front zipped pocket

CORDURA 500 and Xpac fabric

1″ Duraflex military-approved buckles and webbing

Made in the USA

Specification:
  • BrandStone Glacier
  • ModelSKy 5900
BUY ON STONE GLACIER

2
Defy Bucktown Waxed Canvas American Made Backpack

defy bucktown waxed canvas american made backpack

Made in the USA, this Defy Bucktown Waxed Canvas backpack has been handcrafted in Chicago. It’s loaded with impressive features that make it a functional and stylish solution for carrying your everyday items and is perfect for heading to the hills on a snowy weekend.

This backpack has a built-in house for your laptop and other devices as well as pockets and compartments for books, documents, and other everyday carry items you need to take with you to the office or campus. There are plenty of compartments so you can carefully organize and pack your necessities for easy retrieval when you need them.

Quality is a top priority with this backpack and it has been built to last. Stylish and practical, this is a bag for both students and professionals. Designed by a former corporate advertising executive, this durable backpack looks better than a dreary old briefcase and is a lot easier to carry too.

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Key Features:

Made of Martexin Waxed Canvas

23 litre capacity and weighing 3 lbs

Spacious, easy load main compartment

Plenty of pockets and water repellent zippers

Incorporates a dedicated laptop sleeve

Handmade in Chicago, USA

Specification:
  • BrandDefy
  • ModelBucktown Waxed Canvas Backpack
  • Weight3 lb
BUY ON AMAZON

3
Goruck GR1 Military Grade American Made Backpack

goruck gr1 military grade american made backpack

The rugged outdoorsman needs a super-strong tactical backpack and the Goruck GR1 Military-Grade Backpack is about as tough as they come. The first thing you’ll notice with this US-made backpack is that it opens flat to make packing and organizing your items easier for quick access later. There are plenty of compartments and pockets for all of your essentials and it even includes a removable, hard plastic sheet to keep your laptop stable and protected inside your bag.

Rain or shine, your gear is protected inside this backpack thanks to the rainproof outer layer. The sturdy and durable YKK zippers ensure everything inside the bag is safe and secure while the wide shoulder straps are extra padded for comfort even when the bag is fully loaded.

Designed and proven to be tough by Special Forces and made in the USA, you can be certain this is a backpack that will take you on adventures both deep in the woods and the urban jungle. Stay organized and ready for action everywhere you go.

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Key Features:

Constructed from military grade water resistant material

Exceptional 26 litre capacity

Internal pocket layout for superior organisation

Integrated laptop pocket holds up to 17”

Extra padded comfort shoulder straps

Made in the USA and comes with a lifetime guarantee

Specification:
  • BrandGORUCK
  • ModelGR1
BUY ON GORUCK

4
Topo Designs Core Pack in Black American Made Backpack

topo designs core pack in black american made backpack

The hallmark of a good American-made backpack is versatility and this one from Topo Designs can easily see you through an entire day of activity from the boardroom, to classes and off to the gym at the end of the day.

There are many stylish design features with this backpack with the most important one being your comfort. The contoured comfort fit straps sit snugly over your shoulders and are fully adjustable. The addition of a sternum strap and waist belt allows you to completely secure the backpack to your torso to keep your bag and contents from bouncing around.

The internal chamber of this US-made bag has a dedicated space for your laptop and features plenty of other pockets and compartments that make it easy to pack everything you need to get through your busy day. There are also other pockets on the outside to keep water bottles, hats, and other gear within easy reach. For more reliable products like this one, check out our list of the best North face backpacks currently on the market. 

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Key Features:

Highly durable 1000D Nylon exterior

Generous 25 litre capacity

Dedicated padded laptop compartment

Contoured comfort fit shoulder straps

Spacious internal capacity with clam shell opening for easy entry

Lots of internal and external pocket features

Handy additional sternum strap and waist belt

Specification:
  • BrandTopo Designs
  • ModelCore Pack
BUY ON EVO

5
The Rambler Black Camo Expandable American Made Backpack

the rambler black camo expandable backpack

The Rambler Black Camo hails from San Francisco, making it 100% manufactured in the USA, where quality comes first. This is an incredibly versatile backpack that has been designed to cater to those heavy loads and can be adjusted, depending on how much you have to haul. The interior is quite deep making this ideal for the hiking pack rabbit that likes to travel fully prepared. Choose from roll-top adjustable on-demand storage or the traditional flap-down configuration. It can quickly and easily double its capacity making it ideal for campers and hikers.

Don’t let a bit of rain keep you locked indoors as this backpack is manufactured from 100% weather-resistant fabrics of the highest quality so you can hit the trails in any weather. It features Arkiv rails so you can attach extra accessories and the front zipped pocket can fit a laptop or tablet up to 15-inches.

If you’re looking for a good quality backpack made in the USA this one will not disappoint. It ticks all the boxes when it comes to versatility, stylish looks, and practicality.

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Key Features:

Waterproof, expandable, roll top design Backpack

Carbon fibre internal frame for heavy load dependability

Shoulder straps featuring Arkiv rails for additional accessory attachments

Features front zipped pocket to fit up to a 15-inch laptop or tablet

Expands easily from 22 to 44 litres for your convenience

Features six large compartments and 4 small compartments

Guaranteed to last forever

Specification:
  • BrandMission Workshop
  • ModelThe Rambler
BUY ON MISSION WORKSHOP

6
Topo Daypack American Made Backpack

topo daypack

A sturdy and stylish backpack shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg and this one has the high-end style that is packed with features you’d normally find in an upscale backpack.

This one is made with a 1000D nylon exterior coated construction that is water-resistant to protect the contents of the bag in any weather. It can take you from your daily commute to work or to your studies and it won’t let you down. There is also plenty of room for your other gear so you can get through your day without changing bags.

This is the ultimate everyday carry bag as it is extremely tough and dependable. It can fit a 15″ laptop and has all the storage you need to pack your gear and get through your day. You can neatly organize and pack your gear for easy access and keep the contents protected from the elements in any weather conditions.

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Key Features:

1000D ballistic nylon exterior coated construction

Stylish co-ordinated black leather base

Large main interior compartment

Internal organiser pocket

Fits most 15” laptops

20 litre capacity

Specification:
  • BrandTopo Designs
  • ModelTopo Daypack
BUY ON TOPO DESIGN
BUY ON BACKCOUNTRY
American Made Backpack Buying Guide
  • Why Trust Us
  • Who This Is For
  • How We Picked
  • Features To Look For In American-Made Backpacks

Why Trust Us

No one knows backpacks and gear as we do; from the daily commute, to hiking and camping on the weekends, to traveling whenever the opportunity arises, we at GearHungry carry our backpacks practically every day of the year. In addition to having lots of experience with various bags and backpacks, we've also taken the time to research a wide variety of new bags so that we could bring you the highest quality products made in the USA, including great everyday carry options for getting from A to B, and more durable packs for your weekend getaways.

Who This Is For

This guide has been put together for those who love and need their functional bags and packs and want one that is US-made. From hikers to gym enthusiasts as well as business executives and students, our guide to American-made backpacks offers multiple options that allow you to pack everything you need from day to day and into the weekend. Whether you need to pack laptops and books or camping gear and other supplies, these American-made backpacks are the way to go.

How We Picked

Narrowing down the infinite amount of choices available to what we consider to be the best backpacks required a fair bit of research including reading hundreds of customer reviews. We looked at backpack manufacturers who use quality materials to ensure our selection would offer practical storage solutions for the tough traveler, avid sportsman, and those who appreciate a good backpack.

How We Tested

To make sure the backpacks we chose as our top options were up to snuff, we tested them by wearing them during our outings, including hiking and hunting. One of our team members tested the Stone Glacier Sky 5900 backpack during a long-duration hunt and reported that it did an incredible job at being both a hiking daypack and a heavy hauler. The backpack, like all models we chose for our list, is rugged and durable and carries like a dream with heavy weight but easily transitions to a daypack when you need it. Aside from testing, we also did a fair bit of research online, reading hundreds of customer reviews - both positive and negative - to make sure we chose truly the best options out there.

american made backpacks 2

Features To Look For In American-Made Backpacks

Strength - We use bags to pack and carry everything from documents, digital devices and many other everyday items. Convenience is one thing, but you also need the bag to be strong enough to endure everyday knocks. A nice strong bag needs to be made of quality materials that are tough and tear-resistant so you can easily take it with you anywhere you go. Both quality canvas and leather backpacks are strong and durable and should last you years, if not decades if you care for them properly.

Weight - The raw materials used to make backpacks need to be durable but also light in weight. Consider the fact that your gear will most likely be on the heavier side when it's all packed so opt for ultralight backpacks that will not add too much of a burden to your back, neck and shoulders.

Size - The size of your backpack will depend on what you need to carry. Smaller, lightweight backpacks are ideal for carrying documents and small devices and they make great everyday messenger bags. However, if you plan on lugging around your heavy mountain or camping gear, you will need a pack with a larger capacity.

Comfort - A good backpack must feel comfortable when it's hanging over your shoulders and along your spine. Even the tough traveler needs a bag that has an adequately padded body, particularly along the back, but the straps should also be padded and adjustable. Look for lightweight padding as well as an ergonomic design.

Compression system - Bags with a compression system allow you to tighten the pack to stabilize the contents which means they are less likely to shift during transit. Not only does this make the bag easier to carry, but the contents also won't move around so much and this can prevent damage. Some bags have an automatic compression system while others feature straps on the sides of the bags that you can compress as needed.

Weather resistance - When it comes to quality backpacks, water resistance is crucial in case you need to head out in the rain. This is especially important if you carry digital devices but also when you're hiking to protect your mountain gear. Even Hyperlite mountain gear serves you best when it is dry so make sure your pack is made from materials that repel water.

Authenticity - There are endless varieties of backpacks available in the market but if you want the real deal, you should stick to brands you trust that have a reputation for making bags that people want to carry. Also, look at brands that are known for manufacturing excellent quality American-made backpacks and support locally made. Steer clear of cheap imitations if you want a backpack that will last.

Laptops storage - Students and office workers pack a lot of gear into their bags with laptops and other digital devices being the most essential everyday item. Most of these bags have a dedicated compartment specially made for housing laptops, tablets and other devices. These compartments are generally padded to protect your device so you can pack your laptop and keep it protected while you commute to campus or work.

Sources:

  1. Bad Backs And Backpacks - Harvard Health
  2. Backpack - Wikipedia
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