Category: Getting Prepared

You probably know that you need a high-quality backpack to get the most out of your adventures in Peru. This is especially true if you plan on visiting archaeological sites or doing do a multi-day hike such as the Inca Trail. But with so many options today, how do you know what are the top backpacks for your travels?

5 Top Backpacks for Peru

There are backpacks for every type of traveler and trip. To narrow down what you should buy for Peru, consider the following:

Features

Most backpacks have rain covers and a sleeve for a hydration reservoir. Both of these are useful for Peru. Between the two, the rain cover is more essential. A freak rainstorm can ruin a day if your stuff isn’t protected, while there are other ways to carry your water supply. If you buy a backpack with a hydration reservoir sleeve, be sure to buy a bladder and hose as well.

In addition, my recommendations are to buy a backpack with the following features:

• “Shovel” side pockets for easy access to snacks, maps, water, or your camera.
• A well-ventilated back area to avoid unnecessary back sweats
• Sustainably-minded brands. Fortunately most companies that cater to backpackers fit this label.
• A J or U-panel zipper for easy packing and access to contents

Size

The right size backpack for you depends on what you need. If you plan to do daily excursions but to return to a hotel every night, then a 35 liter capacity backpack is more than enough. For example, my 40-liter backpack is enough for a one-night hike for two people and can get me through 2-3 days. Backpacks with capacities under 70 liters are not recommended if you’re going on an extended (over 5 day) hike. When choosing between Small, Medium and Large, remember sizes are based on torso and not overall height. And if you can, buy a backpack that can go with you on the plane (no more than 62 linear inches).

Nomenclature

One thing I discovered when I was searching for backpacks was that there is a specific name for smaller packs that can get you through a day trip. “Day packs” (yes, that’s the name) are also considered backpacks. However, larger backpacks are designed to fit gear and supplies for multi-day treks. A day pack is wonderful for exploring the Sacred Valley or the coast. Large backpacks are needed for the Inca Trail or other long treks like Salkantay, Lares, Huayhuash, and Santa Cruz.

Your Gear and Supplies

Your backpack should be designed for the activities you’ve planned. Most larger models are meant to carry trekking poles and even climbing equipment. Some backpacks are designed for camera portability and access.

My Personal Top Backpacks for Peru

Day Pack: Cotopaxi Allpa 28L or 35L Travel Pack

So, when companies are selecting a target audience, one strategy is to invent an avatar of the ideal consumer. The avatar is a complete (invented) character, with a name, age, and likes/dislikes. If Cotopaxi’s avatar is a Millennial returned Peace Corps volunteer named Brad who still travels throughout Peru, this would not be shocking. That’s because this brand TOTALLY speaks to me. Let me explain why:

First, Cotopaxi is a socially conscious company, demonstrated by its status as a Certified B Corporation. And the colorful designs, logo (who’s not a sucker for alpacas?) and name (Cotopaxi is a volcano in Ecuador) beautifully reflect Andean culture in a modern way.

But more practically speaking, this backpack is perfectly sized and designed for someone who likes to travel light. Its dimensions, 19x12x9 inches, make it able to fit under your seat on the plane. Plus the tuck-in straps help you to carry this as a suitcase when convenient.

This backpack is well-organized to maximize space. It’s got lots of sneaky pockets including a padded space for your tablet/ laptop. And I love that it opens up suitcase style, so you don’t have to dig your hand through the bag like other backpacks. And it’s got a rain cover, breathable back mesh, and theft proof zippers.

28 liters is enough space for day hikes, although some efficient reviewers say this backpack was enough for weeklong trips. Once you’re in Peru this is a great backpack for day excursions. This plus a suitcase or larger backpack, if needed, should be enough for the great majority of backpackers.

If the 28 liter size is too small, they have the same backpack in a 35 liter version too. Unlike other brands, Cotopaxi backpacks are unisex. The only downside I find is the lack of sleeve for a water reservoir. But with enough water bottles or even a LifeStraw water filter, this shouldn’t be an issue.

Inca Trail and Other 4+ Day Treks: Gregory Baltoro 75L (Men) or Deva 60L (Women)

Ah, this backpack. I probably have spotted this brand more than any other among fellow travelers in Peru, and for good reason. Gregory is a well-recognized name in trekking. One of the coolest things about this company is their lifetime warranty (be sure to read the fine print though :)).

This pack has amazing reviews and is perfectly designed for hiking longer treks such as the Inca Trail, Salkantay, Lares, Huayhaush, and Santa Cruz.

If you don’t plan on doing such a trek, this backpack can still be a great option, as it may serve as the only piece of luggage you need. This is actually like buying two backpacks in one since the hydration sleeve alternatively serves as a day pack!

This backpack also has a compartment for your sleeping bag (sold separately). The U-shaped zipper panel provides for easy packing and access to your things. A cool feature unique to this backpack is a special storage space that will not scratch your sunglasses.

Most crucially for a backpack of this size, reviewers note that the Gregory Baltoro 75 and Deva 60 balance weight well. The Baltoro 75 is also available in 65-, 85- and 95-liter versions. The Deva is available 60- and 80-liter versions.

And since both models include a reservoir sleeve, I’d consider buying one of Gregory’s water reservoirs, too:

My Recommended Backpacks for Peru:

So What’s Next?

Have you used these products or have other recommendations for a Peru packing list? Please leave a comment below!

One of the few things I splurge on for visiting Peru is a pair of hiking boots. Few things can ruin an experience as much as a pair of shoes that comes apart on your hike. So as long as you’re planning on visiting archaeological sites, the Andes or the jungle, here are brands and models that I consider the best for hiking in Peru.

Don’t Miss the Best 4 Hiking Boots for Peru

I only consider boots that go past the ankle, are water-resistant (or water-proof), and have a good reputation among fellow hikers and online reviews. Below are several boots that I would buy (or have used) for visiting Peru. This is in reverse alphabetical order, because it’s fun to start lists with Z:

Zamberlan Trail Lite EVO GTX Hiking Boots: I like that these are lightweight, waterproof and can be resoled. Since the sole is often the first part of the shoe to fall apart, resoling lengthens the boots’ lifespan and results in less waste. For hiking boots these are super fancy-looking and can be worn in non-hiking scenarios. The Gore-Tex lining makes them breathable as well.

Oboz Sawtooth II Mid BDry Hiking Boots: These are the boots my wife currently uses. In our home we love Oboz!!! This particular product features a duel-density EVA midsole. In English, that means the boots have extra cushioning and stability. 

La Sportiva Blade GTX Hiking Boots: This vegan option has a GoreTex mesh, making them waterproof. Relatedly, today I learned vegan clothing is made from zero animal products and only from cruelty-free sources. If you buy these, know that some reviews mention that they run a tad small.

KEEN Targhee Vent Mid Hiking Boots: KEEN is another well-recognized name in hiking. These boots are noted for being very breathable and so are recommended for jungle treks or hikes that have a large change in altitude. They also contain Cleansport NXT, which provides natural odor control, which will be very important to your fellow hikers.

Factors to Consider when Choosing Yours:

• Weather: Most of the treks in Peru involve huge changes in altitude and maybe rainfall. So boots that are at least water resistant are recommended. If you’re going to the Andes or jungle during rainy season (generally November through April), get waterproof boots. I avoid insulated boots since temperatures can vary greatly throughout the day. And nobody likes sweaty boots.
• Quality: Yes, it’s obvious, but you want high-quality boots to get you through the tons of walking that you’ll do in Peru. While I like to try new brands and to support start-ups, this is a case when I stick to what are generally recognized as high quality brands.
• Height: I only use boots that go past the ankle when in Peru. It’s easier to twist your ankle when you’re tired from hiking or aren’t familiar with the terrain, so protect yourself! There is no good place to twist your ankle, but there are many bad places. Peru is one of those bad places.
• Weight: I don’t have a rule of thumb for how heavy/light a boot should be, but I try to opt for lighter boots when all else is equal. After days of traveling, one starts to notice a difference if their boots are heavy.

Why it’s Worth Investing in Hiking Boots for Peru

I cannot emphasize this enough: Unless you’re just going to hang out in the cities or the beach for the whole trip, get solid hiking boots for Peru. It doesn’t have to be any product recommended by me, but if you’re going to invest so much time and money into visiting this fascinating country, make sure your feet are prepared for it!!!!

So once more, here are brands and models that I recommend for your trip to Peru:

And if you have other recommendations or have a question, leave a comment below!