Last updated: February 28, 2024
Reviews of seven of the best hiking day packs, based on criteria such as size, weight, comfort, materials, price, manufacturer, and more.
As the gentle whisper of nature calls and the allure of distant lands beckons, there’s one companion that every seasoned explorer and passionate traveller trusts implicitly: their daypack.
The backpack is more than just a storage space. It’s an extension of you, a partner in your wanderlust, and a guardian of your essential survival tools.
So, strap in, and let’s journey together into the world of exceptional comfort, practical design, and steadfast durability, as we unveil seven of the best daypacks that will redefine your travel and hiking experience.
| Best Affordable: Zomake 35L Hiking Backpack |
Best Premium: Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack |
|---|---|
 |
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| 0.32 kg | 0.6 kg |
| 35 Litres | 20 Litres |
| Check Price | Check Price |
Top 7 Hiking Daypacks:
| Daypack | Capacity | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zomake 35L Lightweight Hiking Backpack | 35 L | Price |
| 2 | Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack | 20 L | Price |
| 3 | Caribee Ranger 25L Backpack | 25 L | Price |
| 4 | Blackwolf Black-Out I Daypack | 25 L | Price |
| 5 | Berghaus 24Seven+ 25 Rucksack | 25 L | Price |
| 6 | Deuter Trail 30 Hiking Backpack | 30 L | Price |
| 7 | SOG Opord Tactical Daypack | 20 L | Price |
Top rated hiking daypack on Amazon:
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- 👏【QUALITY LIGHTWEIGHT FOLDABLE BACKPACK】Our travel...
Top 7 Hiking Daypacks
Welcome to our handpicked selection of the best daypacks for hiking and travelling.
1. Zomake 35L Lightweight Hiking Backpack
Barely tipping the scales at 0.3kg, the Zomake 35L Lightweight Hiking Backpack is a packable powerhouse for the intrepid traveller and the nature enthusiast.
Boasting an impressive 35L capacity, it magically folds into a pocket-sized pouch, proving to be a remarkable space saver and an ideal companion in your suitcase. Organise your travel essentials efficiently across its one main compartment, two zipped front pockets, and side pockets.
The double-layer bottom piece and reinforced stitching at over 31 places ensure durability, even as its water-resistant material bravely endures the whims of the weather. The reliable two-way SBS metal zippers add to its robust nature.
Tested and trusted by thousands of customers globally, this ultra-light, ultra-durable, and ultra-awesome daypack is perfect for hiking, camping, overnight trips, daily use, and overseas travel. At a very affordable price, this Zomake daypack is the very embodiment of versatility and quality.
| Specifications: | |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 320 g |
| Capacity: | 35 L |
| Dimensions: | 45 x 29 x 21 cm |
2. Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack
Born out of humble beginnings as a simple accessory to larger packs, the Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack has grown to carve out a niche for itself among outdoor enthusiasts.
Adored for its lightweight design, simplicity, durability, comfortable carry, and affordability, it now enjoys undeniable popularity. While it’s a perfect add-on for travelling, the Daylite Plus truly sparkles in its standalone versatility and vibrant colour palette.
The main compartment with a large panel ensures easy access to your gear, while the dual-stretch mesh side pockets offer convenient extra storage space. Its multi-function interior sleeve can accommodate a tablet or laptop and can be attached to a variety of compatible Osprey packs.
From the trails to the city, the Daylite Plus is your reliable companion on any adventure.
| Specifications: | |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 0.6 kg |
| Capacity: | 20 L |
| Dimensions: | 48 × 28 x 24 cm |
3. Caribee Ranger 25L Backpack
Inspired by military design and ready to face the rigours of the wilderness, the Caribee Ranger 25L Backpack offers a compact yet robust gear solution.
Crafted from heavy-duty 900D material, it is built to endure all your rugged outdoor exploits. An action back extreme padded harness system, a sternum strap, and a detachable hip belt ensure secure and comfortable carry of your load. Its hydration compatibility lets you add a separate reservoir for easy hydration on the move.
The Ranger features multiple storage options: a main compartment, a front zip sleeve pocket, and an internal zippered storage pocket. The Ranger 25L, both robust and sleek, is your ideal partner for your daily hikes and other outdoor adventures.
| Specifications: | |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 0.7 kg |
| Capacity: | 25 L |
| Dimensions: | 48 × 32 x 16 cm |
4. Blackwolf Black-Out I Daypack
Crafted for the everyday adventurer, the BlackWolf Black-Out I Daypack brings the wilderness to the city with style and comfort.
Laden with features to ease your journey, it carries your load with a back harness, compression and sternum straps, and added padding, ensuring your comfort throughout the day.
Whether you’re on a gruelling hike or carrying your laptop through town, the Black-Out I ensures easy access to your essentials. Its internal organiser safely stores your keys, phone, or medicine, while the two pockets for reusable water bottles keep your hands free.
Other features include camouflage fabric, external zip pockets, a laptop sleeve, an internal zip mesh pocket, and a padded handle. Carry all you need without strain with the BlackWolf Black-Out I Daypack, a true everyday companion.
| Specifications: | |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 0.74 kg |
| Capacity: | 25 L |
| Packed dimensions: | 53 × 30 x 4 cm |
| In use dimensions: | 48 × 32 x 16 cm |
5. Berghaus 24Seven+ 25 Rucksack
Balancing function and style, the Berghaus 24Seven+ 25 Rucksack is your reliable companion, be it on a serene day hike or a bustling commute to work.
This rucksack brilliantly organises your belongings, from laptops to walking poles, in its internal organiser and pockets. Engineered for comfort, it features a vented foam-flow-back system that allows your skin to breathe, while its polyester fabric material effortlessly protects your daypack against casual wear and tear.
With added attachment points for your walking poles and hydration system compatibility, it ensures you stay refreshed and well-equipped on the move. The Berghaus 24Seven+ 25 Rucksack seamlessly adapts to your adventures, making it a perfect partner in exploring the vast outdoors or navigating the city’s streets.
| Specifications: | |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 0.5 kg |
| Capacity: | 25 L |
| Packed dimensions: | 11.81 x 7.68 x 3.94 cm |
6. Deuter Trail 30 Hiking Backpack
The Deuter Trail 30 Hiking Backpack is a paragon of simplicity and lightweight design, offering extraordinary versatility for your outdoor pursuits. Whether you’re going on an intense hike or exploring an international city, it stands as your perfect companion.
The Aircontact back system ensures comfort and optimal load transfer, offering a balanced and secure fit. This backpack innovates with unique features like the carabiner clip on the shoulder strap, transforming it into a specialised rope-climb backpack.
The movable ActiveFit shoulder strap and front zippered access provide added comfort and easy access to your gear. The Deuter Trail 30, with its practical features and focused design, makes every trail, hike, or travel journey all the more practical and enjoyable.
| Specifications: | |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 1.18 kg |
| Capacity: | 30 L |
| Dimensions: | 62 x 32 x 20 cm |
7. SOG Opord Tactical Daypack
The SOG Opord Tactical Daypack is a rugged, military-style daypack that elegantly blends functionality and comfort.
With a generous 39.1 litre capacity, it offers diverse organisation options, including a large main compartment, a front accessory pocket with an organiser, two zippered side accessory pockets, and a compressible stash pocket. It also accommodates a hydration bladder of up to 2 litres, with both left and right tubing ports for easy hydration.
For added gear, it features side compression straps, D-ring attachments, and robust MOLLE webbing that allows you to attach various pouches and accessories. Comfort is assured with the adjustable padded shoulder straps, padded waist belt, and breathable padded mesh back.
Whether it’s for hiking, outdoor activities, school, or everyday use, the SOG Opord Tactical Daypack is a reliable gear carrier.
| Specifications: | |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 1.58 kg |
| Capacity: | 20 L |
| Packed dimensions: | 4.5 × 2.8 x 2.0 cm |
| In use dimensions: | 32.26 x 17.78 x 55.88 cm |
Buying Guide
Here are some tips for things to consider when looking for a new suitable daypack for your hiking and travel adventures:
- Price
- Weight
- Capacity
- Pockets
- Comfort and fit
- Water resistance
- Attachment points
1. Price
You get what you pay for, that’s true enough. But that doesn’t mean you should overpay. More than often, you’d pay more for products sold by high-profile brands, but you won’t always get a better quality product.
That said, if you want your hiking daypack to last and you want it to be comfortable, don’t go for cheap. A good quality and comfortable backpack does cost a bit more than your typical everyday all-purpose backpack.
2. Weight
While the weight of your daypack is mainly determined by the stuff you put in there, keep in mind that some daypacks do actually weigh quite heavy when empty.
And when hiking, especially with the longer and more challenging hikes, every gram matters. So please do consider the weight of the product when choosing a new hiking daypack.
3. Capacity
This one is a bit of a no-brainer, of course, but it’s essential to look at the capacity of the hiking daypack you’re going to purchase.
You want to be able to put all your necessary gear in there, but you also don’t want to buy a daypack that is too big for the type of hikes you’re going to undertake.
We should point out here that daypacks or backpacks often look smaller than they really are. Depending on the design, it’s often surprising to see how much stuff a daypack can carry.
4. Pockets
Some people like their daypacks to be plain and simple, while others prefer to have various pockets and other bells and whistles. Some daypacks literally just have one large pocket, while others come with multiple side and inner pockets.
This ultimately depends on your personal preferences and how important it is for you to be able to pack individual items separately. For example, it can be handy to put things like your keys and wallet into a separate compartment.
5. Comfort and Fit
This is perhaps the most important thing to consider. Your daypack needs to be comfortable, especially when you’re going out hiking.
The daypack should fit well to your body size and shape. Some packs offer sizes based on torso length.
Features such as shoulder straps and an air mesh back system make carrying your daypack around much more comfortable.
6. Water Resistance
This will, to some extent, depend on where you live, but do check whether the pack is marketed as waterproof or water-resistant.
Some daypacks also come with an additional rain cover for further protection.
7. Attachment Points
If you plan on carrying additional gear, look for packs with external loops or attachment points.
For example, if you’re often carrying hiking poles and a water bottle with you, being able to attach these to your hiking daypack is super convenient.
