MSRP:$280
The Arc’teryx NoZone backpack belies the need for a porter or a weight-carrying boyfriend. The suspension makes lugging a Cassin Ridge load feel like going for an afternoon of sport climbing. The “ghost” compression straps assure no snagging on trees or rocks, and the gear loops come in handy when your harness’s loops are unaccessible. Its unsewn lid allows you to fit a rope underneath it or to pack high without sacrificing comfort. The versatility of this mid-size pack makes it perfect for an ultralight, multi-day Darwin traverse in the Sierras or for ice cragging in Colorado. Whether I am carrying loads of iron to the base of El Capitan or climbing a mixed route in Alaska, this is my pack of choice.