Best Day Hiking Backpacks: 2023 10 Top Models

Best Day Packs for Hiking Reviews

Buying Advice: Things to Consider When Buying a Hiking Daypack

Capacity: How Big Do You Need to Go?

The capacity of a daypack is measured in liters, and you’ll find packs as small as 5L up to around 40L – there are packs bigger than this, but they’re overkill for a day hike. 

A smaller backpack will be sufficient if you only need to fit a few things, like clothes or food, although most of us need a little more space to carry other items like the 10 essentials. As such you’ll typically see packs of around 20-30L being the most popular choice amongst day-hikers.

The capacities of the packs in our review ranged from 17 liters (Hyperlite Mountain Gear Daybreak) to 32 liters (REI Co-Op Traverse). All of the packs, except for the Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Nano and Osprey Daylite Plus, are available in multiple sizes.

The larger bags we’ve reviewed are perfect for short ultralight backpacking trips or cold-weather adventures. If you’re looking to go on a more casual day hike that requires less gear, then a bag around 25-liters is your best option and will see you through a variety of outdoor adventures. 

The smaller packs have fewer pockets and may not be as organized in comparison to their bigger counterparts, but are more compressible for storage.

Below are some basic guidelines around planned use and capacity:

• Under 10 liters: These are lightweight packs that can fit only a few bare essentials like your rain jacket, keys, and some snacks. Their slim profile and small capacity make them best suited to trail-running or very short hikes.
• 10-20 liters: These compact packs have a little more storage room and organization, allowing you to pack extra food, gear, and clothes. They’re suitable for traveling or short-day hikes
• 20-30 liters: The sweet spot for day-hike backpacks. This should be sufficient room to fit your 10 essentials and a few extras like a camera or stove.
• 30-50 liters: If you’re heading hiking in the winter, or are heading out mountaineering or climbing then a larger pack is ideal for the extra clothing and gear you’ll need. These larger packs are also great for ultralight backpacking trips or parents who need to carry their kids’ gear.

Fit and Sizing

There is nothing more frustrating than a backpack that doesn’t fit. The pack should be the correct size for the length of your torso, and it must tighten around your shoulders and hips correctly in order to carry weight comfortably on long hikes.

Some packs such as the Osprey Talon or the REI Co-Op Traverse are available in multiple lengths making it easier to find a better fit for your body.

What’s the right size backpack for you? One that fits your torso! Ask someone to help measure the length of your torso by placing a measuring tape starting at your C7 vertebrae (base of your neck) down your spine to a point that is in line with the Iliac Crest (the bony bit at the top of your hips). Compare this measurement against the manufacturer’s sizing chart and select the most suitable option.

To double-check you have the right size, put the bag on and position the hip belt one finger above the top of your hips, and check where the shoulder straps are sitting. If there is a gap then it means that pack is too big for you; if the point where the straps connect to the bag’s body is more than a couple of inches down your back, it’s too small.

Many bags such as the REI Co-Op Flash, Deuter Speed Lite, and Gregory Citro come in a single size. If you’ve got your eye on one of these “one-size-fits-all” bags, then it’s still a good idea to know your torso length as manufacturers still typically give length ranges for these packs. 

Knowing your torso length can help you decide between two packs or stop you from selecting a pack that will be unsuited to your physique.

A female’s anatomical structure is different from a man’s, so it only makes sense that packs designed for women are made with the shape of the female form in mind. Women’s-specific versions are made with different measurements to accommodate for a shorter frame, smaller waist, narrower shoulders, and curvier hips than her male counterpart. 

For simple casual use, a unisex pack is fine but for longer day hikes a women’s model like the Osprey Tempest (Talon) or REI Co-Op Trail makes for a more comfortable adventure.

Comfort: Shoulder Straps & Hip Belt Padding

For the majority of hikers, comfort is one of the top priorities when choosing a daypack. A well-fitted daypack should distribute most of the pack’s weight at two contact points – your shoulders and your hips.

When looking at the shoulder straps, two things are important to check – the level of padding they provide and their shape. 

The level of padding is a pretty straightforward check based on the material used and the thickness. Packs that use simple webbing such as the Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Nano are much less comfortable than packs like the Osprey Stratos that have heavily padded straps.

Often overlooked, the shape of the straps can play a role in overall comfort. Many cheaper packs will use straight shoulder straps, while more expensive packs such as the Deuter Lite or the Osprey Talon will use S-shaped straps that are a better anatomical fit for your torso.

Hip belts are intended to distribute some of the weight from your backpack onto your hips, ultimately relieving some of the pressure on your shoulders. While the majority of hiking daypacks have hip belts, their ability to relieve shoulder strain varies greatly.

For short day-hikes or trips where you intend to haul no more than 10-pounds of gear, then a pack with a thin webbing hip belt such as the Deuter Speed Lite or REI Co-Op Flash should be sufficient. However, once you get into longer treks with extra gear we would recommend investing in a pack with a padded hip belt such as the REI Co-Op Traverse or our top choice the REI Co-Op Talon. 

Some models such as the Deuter Speed Lite allow you to remove the hip belt, which can be useful if you intend your pack to pull double-duty for use around town as well.

Most bags have a sternum strap that allows you to connect your shoulder straps. This not only helps to provide a more snug fit but also provides extra stability on those uneven hikes by preventing the weight in your pack from shifting unexpectedly. The best sternum straps are made with elasticity so they don’t rigidly dig into your chest while you’re moving around.

Support: Internal Frames & Back Panel

Larger capacity packs will have a metal or plastic internal frame. The design of the frame is crucial because it keeps the pack’s shape when filled. It does this by creating a semi-rigid structure to prevent sagging which makes for more comfortable carrying and packing. Common designs are U-shaped, hoops, or sheet frames.

The majority of daypacks have a semi-rigid frame sheet giving the bag shape as well as a layer of foam or mesh on the back panel. However, frames are not mandatory and for many hikers merely add unnecessary weight. 

Lower-capacity frameless packs may have a simple padded back panel. This can achieve a similar effect to a frame assuming you are carrying less than 10-15 lbs in weight. Some ultralight packs, such as the Sea to Summit Nano, may dispense with the padded back panel completely. 

While this makes the pack lighter and more compressible, it also means you have to pack carefully to avoid your gear poking into your back.

Ventilation

When hiking with a pack, the one thing to be assured of is getting a sweaty back. Whether you are dripping in sweat or not will largely depend on the conditions of your hike. However, some packs do a better job than others of helping improve airflow and reduce dampness.

Almost all the packs we’ve featured add some form of a ventilated back panel and shoulder straps (usually with mesh padding), which will help a little bit. To really reduce back dampness, though, you need to reduce the contact area between the bag and your back. 

There are a few designs like the Osprey Talon’s Airscape which uses ribs of foam under a mesh panel – this allows air to flow between the ribs and reduces areas of direct contact between your back and the bag’s main compartment.

The high-end solution is to have a suspended full-length mesh back panel that has a gap between it and the main compartment as seen on the Osprey Stratos. This allows even greater airflow and significantly reduces contact pressure on your back. The downside is higher cost, greater weight, and slightly reduced capacity.

Water Resistance

Daypacks are made to be water-resistant through the use of DWR coating, which allows them to survive light rain and shower-like conditions. However, if they’re exposed to heavy rain for an extended period of time, then expect your bag to start leaking water, particularly through the seams and zippers.

Several of the bags on our list, such as the REI Co-Op Trail, the Gregory Citro, and the Osprey Stratos, come with an integrated or stashed rain cover. The majority of bags don’t and many manufacturers produce rain covers that you’ll need to purchase separately.

Some of the best daypacks for hiking, such as the Hyperlite Daybreak, use Dyneema Composite Fabrics (DCF), which are as close as can be to being completely waterproof. However, be prepared to part with a significant wad of cash to own one of these.

Weight

Weight is often one of the most critical factors when choosing most outdoor gear. While selecting a lighter option for day hikes is a good idea, we would recommend evaluating your choice primarily on capacity and overall comfort.

Packs with a greater weight will include more features such as better shoulder straps, hip straps, and back padding/suspension systems in order to better distribute the weight. Ultralight day packs typically have less support but are cheaper and more compressible. 

The upshot is that there is a pretty strong correlation between comfort and weight. Overall, more comfortable, more padded designs will add weight and be less compressible. If you plan on carrying heavier loads then the best hiking backpacks for you will have this heavier padding. 

The lightest pack in our review is the Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Nano, which weighs just 1 oz. The next lightest is the REI Co-Op Flash 22, which weighs 13 oz. The heaviest packs are the Osprey Stratos 24 (2 lbs. 12 oz.) and REI Co-Op Traverse 32 (2 lbs. 9 oz.), both of which have integrated rain covers and significantly more padding in the shoulder straps and back panel. 

Internal and External Pockets and Compartments

Depending on the amount of gear you’re taking and your personal preferences, having a variety of interior and exterior pockets and compartments can be useful for both easy access and storing items.

Different packs offer a variety of organizational features. These range from the ultrabasic – see the lightweight and simple Sea to Summit Nano which only has a single main compartment – to the Osprey Talon, which has hip belt pockets, internal pockets, external stretch mesh pockets, hydration sleeve, and attachments for trekking poles and ice axes.

• Hip Belt Pocket: Packs with padded hip belts will often have a zippered pocket here which is great for storing small items you’ll want at hand such as snacks or your phone.
• Top Panel Pocket: Zippered pocket great for storing important items like your keys and wallet or slightly larger handy items like headlamps or a first aid kit.
• Large Stretch Mesh Pocket: Located on the front of the main compartment this is a great place to stuff wet rain jackets or pants rather than dumping them back in your back. They’re also known as “shove-it” pockets.
• Side Water Bottle Pockets: Located on the side of the pack, these external stash pockets are there to give you easy access to your water bottles.
• Gear Loops: Extra loops, trekking pole holders and daisy chains are great for attaching extra gear like climbing helmets or trekking poles to the outside of your pack.
• Compression Straps: While not actually extra pockets, compression straps help compress your pack, removing excess space and preventing your gear from shifting while you hike.

Hydration Reservoir Compatibility

Hydration compatibility simply means that the daypack has some way of storing a hydration bladder, either through an internal or external hydration sleeve next to the back panel. Most daypacks designed for hiking will have a hydration reservoir sleeve.

The reservoir slides into this sleeve and the hose is slipped through an opening either in the top or side of the bag. Many packs have a clip near the top of the bag to attach the reservoir so that they don’t slump down to the bottom of the sleeve under their own weight.

Make sure to choose a reservoir best suited to the size of your backpack i.e. 2L will work better with smaller packs like the Flash 18 whereas you can accommodate a 3L bladder in a larger hydration pack like the Osprey Stratos.

Some packs like the Gregory Citro come with a hydration bladder, saving you a little bit of money and hassle from having to purchase the two separately.

Main Compartment Accessibility

Most hiking daypacks are top-loading, meaning you access your gear through an opening at the top of your bag. There are three types of closure systems for this: roll-top lids, zippers, and drawcords. Each of which has its advantages and drawbacks.

Roll-tops, as the name suggests, roll or fold down over a stiff material in the neck of the opening, and clip or hook tight. The main benefit of rolltops is the ability to compress your bag down to the exact volume of gear that the interior compartment contains. 

Due to the lack of opening or zipper on a rolltop, there are fewer weak points for rain to leak in and makes for the most secure closure mechanism that is unlikely to open itself. The downside is you need to roll/unroll the closure each time you want in your pack, which is not as quick or easy as using a zippered or drawcord system.

Drawcords such as those used on the REI Co-Op Flash are simple, easy to use, and the most lightweight. However, there will always be a gap at the opening no matter how tight you cinch it closed, meaning it’s more likely to leak through than zippers or rolltops. Depending on the quality of the drawcord they will, to varying degrees, slowly untighten themselves while you walk.

Zippers are the most common closure mechanism and they sit in the middle ground between roll-tops and drawcords striking a good balance between ease of use and security/waterproofness.

In addition to top-loaders, you’ll see some packs such as the Deuter Speed Lite, Osprey Talon, and Hyperlite Daybreak referred to as panel-loaders. In these packs, the zippers extend further down allowing the entire front compartment to be zipped open for quick access to the top or bottom (or middle) of your pack. 

These packs are heavier but useful when you’re on a more gear-intensive trip and don’t want to rummage around or unpack your bag to find the item you need.