The Best Daypacks for Hiking of 2024, Tested and Reviewed (2024)

• Our Picks

• How We Tested

• What to Look For in a Daypack

• FAQ

• Why Trust TripSavvy

Osprey’s Daylite Plus is the largest in its expansive Daylite line. Despite being at the higher end in terms of volume, it hits the sweet spot in terms of capacity for a daypack and only adds a few ounces of weight compared to the original, 13-liter Daylite pack. You can also leave a larger pack less full, but you can’t expand smaller packs to accommodate longer trips where you need the extra space, so we like a larger pack in general.

We were most impressed with the fit and all-day comfort even when we loaded this pack to capacity. The Daylite Plus’ harness system employs a combination of die-cut foam pieces for cushioning covered by a lightweight mesh to keep the pack suspended away from the body to minimize “swamp back” when exerting yourself with the pack on. The pack also features compatibility with a range of larger Osprey packs, so if you own one, you can easily attach the Daylite Plus for extra storage and to use for shorter jaunts from camp.

While we loved the Daylite Plus, we found the routing system for a hydration bladder hose to be less than intuitive. We also wished this very streamlined pack had at least one front stash pocket for accessing a phone or other small items without having to take the pack off.

Capacity: 20 liters | Weight: 1.29 pounds | Dimensions: 19 x 11 x 9.5 inches | Materials: 100 percent recycled polyester

The first thing you’ll notice about Mystery Ranch’s Coulee 25 daypack is the signature three-way zipper found on most Mystery Ranch packs. This unique system lets you quickly pull open the top to access the main storage area or blow open all three zippers for full access, which is especially handy when packing or looking for an item that may have gotten buried in bulk storage.

The other feature that stood out to us was the adjustable yoke system that lets hikers customize the fit to their body. With this system, you can micro-adjust the location of the shoulder straps and hip belt to get optimal weight distribution, a feature usually reserved for larger, more expensive backpacking packs. We also appreciated the addition of two front pockets on the hip belts, though we thought they could be a tad larger to make them easier to use.

The 330D recycled nylon fabric is heavy-duty, though less so than most of Mystery Ranch’s larger, more tactical packs. This rugged build makes it heavier than many other daypacks aimed at casual hikers and commuters. This durability and the higher capacity make it a great choice for ultralight overnights as well as day excursions with extra gear, but the higher price and weight may turn off those who could be happier with a lighter, more streamlined daypack.

Capacity: 25 liters | Weight: 2.84 pounds | Dimensions: 24.5 x 14 x 10 inches | Materials: 100 percent nylon

If your needs for a daypack are simplicity and savings, the Sea to Summit Ultra-sil Day Pack may be all you need. This featherlight, packable daypack stuffs down into the included stuff sack to about the size of a potato and retails for less than $50. This packability makes it a great option for stashing in your luggage or even as a larger pack when camping so you have a light option for shorter jaunts to carry the basics, such as water and extra layers.

The drawbacks to such a light, streamlined design are a lack of support and features. It’s not surprising that a pack of this style leaves out the hip belt, but there’s also no sternum strap, so if the pack is fully loaded to the 20-liter capacity with anything fairly heavy such as water, the shoulder straps are likely to splay and slide back on the shoulders. We found the pack adequate for short trips for groceries or to carry light layers on quick hikes, but noticed the lack of support when carrying heavier items such as water bottles (note there’s no external water bottle holder or support for hydration bladders as in more robust daypacks). Still, at a featherlight 2.5 ounces, this pack has a place for those looking for an affordable, simple option for quick trips.

Capacity: 20 liters | Weight: 2.5 ounces | Dimensions: 11.0 x 7.9 x 18.9 inches | Materials: Ultra-sil nylon

L.L. Bean’s Stowaway Pack is a packable daypack that doesn’t skimp on features and support like some other compressible packs. Though it weighs less than a pound, the pack has sternum and waist straps, side water bottle pockets, and foam-padded shoulder straps. To enable packability, the back panel features a mesh-covered padding instead of any kind of stiff plate, so it can’t offer the same load distribution as an internal frame pack. However, most daypacks have minimal, if any, framing.

The 22-liter capacity was the perfect size to fit all of our essentials for a day out, including layers, a water bottle, and personal items. We also liked the smaller storage pockets for keeping things such as keys and lip balm secure and separate. The Stowaway isn’t designed for larger hydration bladders, but we appreciated the included routing in such a light and packable daypack.

Capacity: 22 liters | Weight: 14 ounces | Dimensions: 19 x 10 x 7 inches | Materials: 70D recycled polyester

Because women’s hips and upper bodies can be much different than men’s, many women may want a daypack with a women-specific fit. As well as featuring a contoured 3D fit, the harness system on the Gregory Jade 28 is adjustable to account for individual variations. The pack also comes in multiple sizes so you can have a more appropriate starting point from which to tailor the fit.

Beyond the fit, the Jade 28 is on the serious end of the daypack spectrum, both in terms of capacity and build. While many light-duty daypacks have no internal frame at all, the Jade features an alloy steel, fiberglass, and HDPE plastic frame that provides lightweight rigidity to help distribute weight across the back. This comes in handy since 28-liter packs like the Jade can be loaded up with heavier items such as DSLR cameras and water and need to be able to make that weight as comfortable as possible over longer periods of time. The size is still reasonable for a daypack, but it’s at the larger end of the spectrum and could easily be used for lightweight overnight trips.

Details that stood out during testing include a mesh back that keeps the bulk of the pack away from your body, large hip and shoulder strap pockets, and a strap on the front for securing sunglasses when not in use. This is a well-made, thought-through pack and the only downside is that the price reflects that.

Capacity: 28 liters | Weight: 2.56 pounds (S/M) | Dimensions: 21 x 12.25 x 10 inches (S/M) | Materials: Nylon and polyester fabrics, EVA foam padding

The Swift 22 H20 is a much more traditional size and style of daypack than the heavy-duty Gregory Jade 28. The Swift puts H20 in the name because of the focus on hydration in this pack. There’s an included 2-liter hydration bladder that likely bumps the price up, but also ensures compatibility with the pack since third-party bladders don’t always offer a perfect universal fit or routing. It also permits several nice features such as the clip-in hanger and magnetic stay that helps you avoid the dreaded flapping hydration hose when you’re on the move.

You also get a women-specific fit with adjustable harness straps, but since the pack is still one-size-fits-all, it doesn’t have the same level of fit customization as the Jade. Still, this simplicity helps keep the pack weight and bulk down for a more streamlined shape while still delivering plenty of room inside at 22 liters. And we loved that—like most Gregory packs—there was plenty of smart storage with a zippered side pocket, a mesh side water bottle pocket, dual zippered hip belt pockets, and a small quick-access pocket with a key clip on the top.

Capacity: 22 liters | Weight: 1.6 pounds | Dimensions:18 x 11 x 8.7inches | Materials: Nylon and polyester fabrics, foam padding

At 30 liters, the Aerios 30 is still small enough to be a comfortable daypack, yet large enough for fastpacking and ultralight overnights. Despite the large capacity, the pack itself weighs right around two pounds and has a very streamlined form. It’s also built more like a backpacking pack, with a wider, padded hip belt, load lifters on the shoulder straps, and webbing and bungee cross-hatching on the back if you need to attach more items to the outside of the pack.

The front of the pack is where the Aerios really sets itself apart. During testing, we flagged the unique bungee sternum strap, which makes for quick cinching while providing more flex when strapped down tightly to secure the pack for moving fast. We also enjoyed the non-traditional cinching side pockets in lieu of the elastic topped mesh that most daypacks employ. The shoulder straps widen below the chest and borrow a nice feature from running vests, with two zippered stretch mesh pockets that can hold small soft water flasks or other small items. The padded hip belt also features dual zippered pockets, allowing hikers to keep essentials front and center.

Capacity: 30 liters | Weight: 2 pounds | Dimensions: 21.7 x 13.4 x 7.9inches | Materials: 100D and 201D Cordura nylon

Outdoor-oriented backpacks can become a tangle of straps, zippers, bungees, and pockets in an attempt to cram features in. If you prefer simplicity, consider the bare-bones Luzon 24L from Cotopaxi. This cinch-top bag still has a proper harness with chest and waist straps, but there are essentially only four compartments: the main large stuff sack, two side mesh water bottle holders, and a small zippered exterior pocket. This helps keep the weight ultralight at about one pound while still delivering plenty of storage volume.

The simple design also means there are fewer points of potential failure. What the Luzon has in spades is color options and that’s because the pack is part of the Del Día line from Cotopaxi, which uses excess fabric to make the packs with factory workers choosing the color combinations. While the straps are adjustable to customize the fit, we did notice that the bag has a particularly long, tubular shape, so it might have more height than is comfortable for children or shorter folks.

Capacity: 24 liters | Weight: 14.9 ounces | Dimensions: 24 x 12 x 7 inches | Materials: Nylon

CamelBak is one of the most recognizable brands in the hydration bladder industry, but they also make great hydration-focused backpacks such as the Rim Runner X 20 with its cleverly integrated bladder. Water is heavy and when filled, the included 2-liter hydration system adds about 4.5 pounds. Consequently, our tester particularly appreciated the wide, padded hip belt that allows you to focus that weight onto your hips (which are much better equipped than your shoulders for carrying heavy loads on long days).

The Rim Runner X also sports a women-specific fit with S-shaped shoulder straps built for curvier bodies, adding to the pack’s ability to comfortably distribute weight. The intuitively placed pockets were a hit with our tester as well, especially the dual zippered stash pockets on the hip belt and the zippered shoulder strap pocket. The pack’s exterior is pretty streamlined, disguising the fact that there are dual trekking pole loops and mesh stuff pockets on the back in addition to mesh side water bottle pockets in case the bladder isn’t enough.

Capacity: 20 liters | Weight: 1.7 pound | Dimensions: 19.3 x 11 x 2.36 inches | Materials: 67% polyester, 33% nylon

This smaller, hydration-focused daypack from Gregory is a great option for short hikes or walks in the park to keep your belongings organized and your water easily accessible. Sure, you can carry a water bottle, but over a few miles, that can get annoying and forces you to stop in order to take drinks. The lower volume and small size means you’ll barely feel this bag on your back thanks in part to robust, padded airmesh shoulder straps and a webbing waist belt that keeps the pack from shifting.

The mesh-covered foam back panel provides weight-distributing rigidity with cutouts that minimize sweat-inducing contact with your back. The hydration bladder isn’t included, which helps keep the price low, but you can purchase one separately or put a water bottle in the mesh side pockets, and use the internal hydration sleeve either for a tablet or to keep items such as layers separate from the bulk storage area.

Capacity: 18 liters | Weight: 1 pound | Dimensions: 19.5 x 9 x 8inches | Materials: Nylon and polyester fabrics

Despite offering just 18 liters of capacity, Matador’s Beast18 is a technical minibeast built like a shrunken-down backpacking pack. Most smaller daypacks tend to be somewhat flimsy, but Matador outfitted the Beast18 with a wide, dense hip belt; a foam-padded back; and a sternum strap that you can move up or down along a webbing daisy chain on the shoulder straps. There’s also a steel internal frame for flexible rigidity along the back and excellent, even weight distribution.

Combining smart design with strong-but-light materials, the pack weighs in at just over a pound—giving you performance without heft and making this small but mighty pack ideal for longer distances. It’s also somehow packable, folding up and fitting inside the included compression sack so you can bring it along in your luggage for travel or in a larger pack when backpacking overnight. We got caught in the rain several times while testing the pack and the fully waterproof exterior and sealed zippers kept everything inside dry.

Capacity: 18 liters | Weight: 1.3 pounds | Dimensions: 20 x 10 x 6.5inches | Materials: Nylon and polyester fabrics

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a good size for a daypack?

  As mentioned above, most daypacks fall in the 10- to 30-liter range, but where your ideal choice falls within that range will depend on where you take it and for how long. Strolling a half-mile to an overlook with some water and a jacket doesn’t require a beefy 30-liter pack, but if you choose a slim 10-liter pack, you won’t have the capacity for longer hikes or even the occasional ultralight overnight backpacking adventure.

• What is the difference between a backpacking backpack and a daypack?

  There isn’t a clear line dividing backpacking packs and daypacks, and several of the larger packs we featured above are close to what might be called a backpacking pack. In general, though, backpacking packs have a larger capacity of 35 liters up to 100 liters and are meant to carry several days’ worth of food and water as well as your sleeping system, such as sleeping bags and pads. These eat up a lot of volume and require more robust suspension systems to better distribute the weight on your body.

• Can I go backpacking with a daypack?

  Larger daypacks are plenty capable for short overnight backpacking trips. When using a daypack for backpacking, however, light compact gear becomes even more important to ensure you can fit everything you need into your pack. Keep in mind that although there are a lot of really light and compact gear options that make it possible to carry everything you need in a pack as small as 20 or 30 liters, good ultralight backpacking gear can be expensive. If you already have camping gear, but it’s not compact enough for your daypack, you may be better off buying a slightly larger pack than buying all new backpacking equipment just to be able to squeeze into a smaller pack.