What is THE rear hub to buy? Bikepacking, offroad + onroad long distance
Define ‘long distance’, are we talking a few 100-300 mile rides in the UK/Europe, or are we talking round the world trek in strange countries?
What’s the actual expected road/off road ratio and is it ‘bumpy tracks’ or ‘axle deep water and slop’ style offroad?
Do you mean reliability or repairability?
I’d rule out CK straight way, lovely hubs and unlikely to break anything, but finding spares will be next to impossible in a timely manner and although well sealed, when they do get compromised they degrade very quickly, easily serviced but fiddly and there are better options.
If you’re staying in the UK/Europe then I would go with DT Swiss over Hope, just because you’re less likely to have a failure with the star ratchet than you are with individual pawls and springs, but if you carry spares (they are small) then Hope could also be an option, but I’d still probably go Shimano as more universally available, I’d also stay a XT or under level for better chance of finding spares.
If you’re going global then your requirements are going to be repairability as well as reliability, and possibility of sourcing spare parts, in which case Shimano C+C every time.
I’d possibly even think about a quality old (well looked after or NOS) screw on hub as freewheels may be easier to come by that spare freehubs once you’re out past normal civilisation, ball bearings and cones can be found/salvaged just about anywhere.
It al depends on what you’re actually after, a few overnight BP adventures is an entirely different proposition to a multi-month epic.