The Best Day-Hiking Backpacks for Every Adventure
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Day hikes can mean a 30-mile trek over the mountains, a quick summit run, or a walk across town with the kids. In almost every case, you're going to want a pack with room for water, food, rain gear, a small first aid kit, and personal items. The more you carry, the bigger the pack you'll need to carry it.
Whether you're traveling fast and light or hauling gear for the family, we've tested dozens of packs to find the most comfortable, durable, and easiest-to-organize packs. We're confident that we've found the best day-hiking backpack, no matter what your needs are.
Once you've got your pack, check out the rest of our outdoor buying guides, including the Best Backpacking Water Filters, the Best Merino Wool Clothes, and the Best Rain Jackets.
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What to Look for in a Day-Hiking Pack
Day-hiking packs come in a nearly endless array of shapes and sizes, with everything from ultra-minimalist frameless packs to 35-liter monsters with separate sleeping bag compartments. The best day-hiking backpack for you will depend on what you're doing, but after thousands of trail hours, here are some things that are key to getting the right pack:
Does it fit? This is the single most important thing about any pack. Make sure the pack you want fits your body, or carrying it will suck no matter how many great features it has. I highly recommend heading to your local outdoor retailer and trying packs weighted with sandbags. This experience will tell you more about which pack is right than anything else. If that's not possible, read the manufacturer's suggestions on fit and sizing, because the standards will vary widely.
Does it have a frame? The vast majority of packs over 10 liters have some kind of internal frame, whether it's aluminum or titanium rods, a stiff plastic framesheet, or a simple sheet of foam. The stiffer and stronger the frame, the more comfortably it will carry heavier loads (generally). Frameless packs are fine up to about 8 pounds or so. After that, they tend to get very uncomfortable over long hauls.
How do you access items in the pack? There's no right way here, but different methods work better for different people. I happen to like rolltop, dry-bag style top loaders, but other people love bags with front access, which is sometimes called a panel loader. Most day packs offer access from the top in some way, whether its a roll top or a drawstring.
Many top loading day packs have a lid for smaller items and an expandable sleeve that can fit extra gear. Panel loaders have zippers or other fasteners on the front of the pack to allow access all the way around. Some packs combine top access with a side zipper, letting you get into the main compartment without taking the pack completely off. And then there is Mystery Ranch, with its distinctive Y-shaped zipper access that's somewhere between top loading and panel loading but also its own thing.
What’s the back panel? Larger, heavier packs often offer a nice mesh back panel that will help keep you cooler. Some packs have other venting systems, like Osprey’s AirScape back panel, which has a channel down the middle that helps with airflow. Anything that sits directly on your back is going to get sweaty.
Does it have a hip belt? If you’re carrying more than 10 pounds, we recommend a hip belt. Unless you’re rucking and weight is the point—in that case, carry on. Everyone else, get a pack with a hip belt, and maybe even something with hip-belt pockets for quick access to your Lara bars.
Extra features to look for: Side pockets are handy for storing frequently accessed items. Mesh pockets that fit water bottles are especially handy. Mesh pockets offer easy access, but zippered pockets make sure nothing falls out on rough scrambles. Is there a sternum strap? (These help keep shoulder straps where they should be). How about a loop for an ice ax or trekking poles? Do the shoulder straps have a way to attach a quick-capture clip? These are all nice extras.
How Big of a Pack Do I Need?
A “day hike” is a common description of an all-day outing, but when it comes to picking a pack, you need to be more precise. The best pack for a 4-miler with the family is different than the best pack for a half-day trail run, which is different than the best pack for hauling climbing gear to your favorite crag. The best day packs are versatile enough to handle multiple use cases, but some things, especially trail running and cycling, call for more specialized gear.
The first place to start is how big of a pack you need. Here's a rough breakdown of pack sizes in liters.
- Up to 10 liters: Small packs are built for traveling light. Think running vests for long trail runs, and small packs for short hikes. These are generally very low profile, with room for a jacket, some water and snacks, and your personal items.
- 11-25 liters: Packs in this range are great for longer days out or activities/conditions that require more gear. Hikers have room for a jacket (maybe a compact fleece or puffer jacket) and food, water, or a small camera. Runners can fit a larger hydration bladder. I find the 15-25 liters range to be ideal for everything from a walk in the woods to mountain biking to trail running.
- 25-35 liters: The gear-hauling end of the day pack world, these packs are great for handling climbing gear on a approach or rain gear and food for the kids on family hikes. These packs tend to have more padding in the shoulder straps, making them better for heavy loads. This is also a good size for any winter adventures, when you need to carry extra layers.
- 35+ liters: These are primarily backpacking packs, though some climbers might need the larger capacity.
What Should I Bring?
What you need on a day hike varies a lot depending on your outdoor skill level, environment, and weather, to name just a few factors. To give a detailed list is impossible, but a good rule of thumb is to always carry water, some food, a rain jacket, and a small first aid kit for blisters and cuts.
Beyond these essentials other items you might want to consider include, map and compass, knife, some way of making fire, headlamp or flashlight, sunscreen, hat, and any personal items you need (like medication, prescription glasses, etc).
Best Gear Hauler
Mystery Ranch's Coulee 30 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is everything you need in a day pack. With a 30L capacity and weighing 2.7 pounds (men's L/XL) this is definitely not a pack for those looking to travel light. But when I need to carry lunch, rain jackets, and other hiking gear for my family of five, no daypack I've tested handles the load better than the Coulee 30. The suspension system is highly adjustable (with two pack sizes for different torso lengths), making it easy to dial in the perfect fit. I've even used this for a solo overnight trip carrying 18 pounds, and it was quite comfortable. When you don't need the full capacity you can compress the back down quite a bit with the side compression straps. The hip belt is removable for situations where it would get in the way (when wearing a climbing harness, for example).
Organizational options abound on the outside of the Coulee 30, where you'll find side pockets for water bottles, rear pockets for rain jackets and other gear, and a front-facing top zipper pocket for quick access. Internally, the Coulee is a different story. It's just one big pocket. I prefer to build my own little kits using smaller bags to organize (it's bags all the way down, people). If you like lots of little internal stash pockets, this is not the pack for you.
The exterior is 210D Robic nylon, with a double layer bottom that still looks brand new even after hundreds of miles. The outer material is water-resistant, but if you're going to be in a downpour, you'll want either a pack liner or Mystery Ranch's Pack Fly ($35). Note that if you're between sizes (I'm between the S/M and L/XL), I suggest sizing up. It's easier to make the L/XL pack fit a slightly smaller torso than it is to upsize the S/M size.
Specs Capacity 30L Weight 2.7 pounds Pockets 7 Sternum strap Yes Waist Strap Yes (removable) Best Ultralight Pack
The Cima 15 is made of 100D recycled ripstop with a wraparound UHMWPE Stretch mesh that forms the two side pockets and back pocket. I haven't done much serious bushwhacking in it yet, but so far the Cima has held up well to hiking through the sometimes dense and debris-strewn trails of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The straps are quite cushy and comfortable, better than most straps you'll find on small capacity packs. The comfortable straps combined with the well-ventilated, breathable mesh back panel make the Cima one of the most comfortable packs I've tested. It's not capable of the loads the Mystery Ranch Coulee can handle, but so long as you stay within its weight limits (I would say under 10 pounds), the Cima 15 is every bit as comfortable.
I was initially skeptical of this bag, thinking that 15L would never hold the essentials plus my camera gear, binoculars, and more, but it mostly does. There's even an internal sleeve for a water bladder that happens to fit a 13-inch laptop if you want to use it to commute to work. The Cima 15 is not the pack I reach for when hiking with the family, but it's plenty of space for all the gear one person needs on a day hike. What I like the most about the Cima is that the size and weight limitations made me rethink what I bring on a day hike. Do I really need three camera lenses? Turns out I can get by without them. The Cima got me traveling lighter and more comfortably.
Specs Capacity 15L Weight 17.8 ounces Pockets 5 Sternum strap Yes Waist Strap No
Cheapest Pack
Often on sale for around $30, the REI Flash 22 pack is a bargain that's hard to beat. The 22L capacity is just about perfect for day hiking, and the plethora of pockets and a laptop-compatible hydration sleeve mean it can double as an everyday carry pack as well.
The side pockets are plenty big enough to hold Nalgene-size water bottles, and there's some nice internal organization options to keep wallet, keys, and other small items off the bottom of the pack. There are vertical compression straps, but unfortunately nothing to compress half loads closer to your back. The hipbelt is minimal and more for stabilize the load rather than transferring weight to your hips. The Flash 22 is made of 70-denier recycled ripstop nylon, which is on the lighter side, but mine has held up well, even coming through some rough canyon hikes in Utah without any more than mud stains. The latest model features a removable sit pad. I have an older model without that, but have used a sit pad against the back to add some cushion.
The weakness of the Flash 22 is the shoulder straps, which are quite thin. They're good for loads around 5 pounds, maybe 8 in some cases, but once you go over that, this pack gets uncomfortable. Stick with lighter loads, though, and the Flash 22 is one of the best values on the market. It also packs down very small. I often bring this when I'm traveling and want a pack for walking around town.
Specs Capacity 22L Weight 14 ounces Pockets 5 Sternum strap Yes Waist Strap Yes Best Waterproof Pack
The High Coast Rolltop 26L pack from Fjällräven has quickly become one of my all time favorite packs. It's the perfect size for a day hike, with room for all my gear, and plenty of kid gear should the family be coming along. It's made of waterproof 400D polyamide, and it's seam taped and fully waterproof, thanks to the rolltop closure. Once upon a time, I loved me a top pocket on my backpacks. Then I started spending more time on the water and in the water, and came to see the genius of the rolltop design. Zippers leak. End of story. Importantly, since there is a zippered side pocket here, only the main compartment of the High Coast is waterproof.
The High Coast has stretchy mesh side pockets that hold water bottles and snacks. There's also a zippered side pocket on the outside of one of those side pockets, which can store small items like wallet and keys (though again, none of the outer pockets are waterproof). Internally, there is one large compartment with a hydration sleeve and a small zippered pouch near the top. The padding on the High Coast is minimal, but I've found the straps and back padding is comfortable up to about 10-12 pounds. There is technically a waist strap, but it's just a thin piece of webbing, which is good for keeping the pack from flopping around, but not much else. The High Coast is another bag that packs down very small and makes a good day pack when traveling. The fact that it's waterproof makes it especially good for trips to rainy climates. I've also used it as a top rear rack bag when bikepacking.
Specs Capacity 26L Weight 16 ounces Pockets 5 Sternum strap Yes Waist Strap Yes, sort of?
For Eco-Conscious Fast Packing
The premise of Nemo’s Endless Promise line is that it’s designed to be kept out of the landfill forever—100 percent recycled, infinitely adjustable, repairable, and once it’s reached the end of its life, it can be sent back to Nemo for total recycling. The Cero fabric is solution dyed to reduce water waste, as is the cushioning. At first glance, that makes the pack awfully fiddly. It’s a little annoying and fussy to adjust the fit and the storage options with the Resolve’s strange system of bungees and pull-tabs, instead of straps or webbing.
Over the long term, however, those bungees will be easier to repair, recycle, or replace, and once I got used to it, it was pretty fast and easy to adjust. This pack is weirdly comfortable. It’s technically frameless, but it does feel like it has some structure. It sits nice and high on your back—I do not like carrying weight around my hips—and at 1 lb. 15 oz., it’s pretty light, considering all the hardware that it has on it. The cushioning is made in a funny tube-shaped pattern that looks like the hot dog rollers at 7-Eleven, but it also allows for plenty of airflow next to the skin on your back and shoulders. I have been using it for biking around town, but this will also be a nice day pack for summer hiking adventures, for as long as you need to have it around.—Adrienne So
Specs Capacity 16L Weight 1 pound, 15 ounces Pockets 11 Sternum strap Yes Waist Strap Yes An Old Favorite
Osprey has been making Talon packs since 2007. Head to any popular trail, and I guarantee you’ll see someone hauling one. Their popularity is well earned, and the latest top loading 33L iteration is impressively well specced and weighs just 2 pounds, 12.5 ounces. No, it’s not a gossamer thin, ultralight pack, but the 100D high-tenacity nylon is tough and made from 100 percent bluesign-approved recycled materials, with a non-PFAS DWR. Annoyingly, there's no rain cover, but that omission aside, it’s a superb daypack.
The clever back panel used here can be adjusted between 17-22 inches to fit a good range of torsos, and the injection-molded design combines well with the wide hip belt to offer a great level of support. That said, the hip belt has day-hike, rather than multiday, levels of cushioning, but that’s fine as the 33L capacity limits how much you can take anyway.
It is a versatile pack with a large top lid, two zippered pockets and a large front stretch pocket that I stash jackets, bike locks and all sorts in. There’s a couple of stretch side pockets too, zipped snack pockets where you need them, and everything can be cinched down tight to minimize bouncing. You can safely carry two ice axes too, and the clever hiking pole storage means you can access and stow them without taking the pack off. —Chris Haslam
Specs Capacity 33L Weight 2 pounds, 12 ounces Pockets 8 Sternum strap Yes Waist Strap Yes
Best Approach Pack
Rab's new Protium 27 is a great all-around pack for hauling up to about 20 pounds of gear, making it a good climbing approach pack or technical summit pack. It's also (along with the Coulee 30) one of the easiest packs to dial in a great fit. The hook and loop mesh backing slides up and down, adjusting to fit my daughter's smaller frame (5'4") as well as mine (5'11"). The shoulder straps are comfortable and the weight distributes to the waist strap if you load it properly. As I increased the load, the shoulder straps did start to seem a little thin at times. Still, The Protium 27 can comfortably carry a good bit of climbing gear. It also has an included rain cover to keep your gear dry.
Storage is primarily the main compartment, which does have a small zippered pocket near the top for keys, wallet, and smaller items. The Protium's internal pocket tapers a bit toward the bottom, meaning that, depending on your gear, there might be times when you have to pack the heaviest stuff higher than might be optimal, but in most cases this wasn't an issue for me. My only gripe with the Protium is that the bottom compression strap comes over the side pocket, meaning that if you have a very light load, but want a water bottle on the side, it doesn't compress as well as it would without the water bottle. This is a small thing that really doesn't affect the pack too much, but it I bring it up because like the Coulee 30, this pack is meant for a ton of gear and might be overkill for those looking to go lighter.
Specs Capacity 27L Weight 2 pounds, 6 ounces Pockets 5 Sternum strap Yes (with whistle) Waist Strap Yes An Overbuilt Travel Bag
When Yeti bought the pack manufacturer Mystery Ranch, it also bought the rights to Mystery Ranch’s designs. If you haven’t yet experienced the joy of a Mystery Ranch Y-shaped zipper, you can keep the lower zipper zipped and use the bag as a top-loader, or unzip the lower zipper to access items further down the bag. What works for woodland firefighters also works well for day hikers. Unloaded, this bag is a horrifically heavy 3.2 pounds, but it weighs that much because it’s made from Yeti’s Tuffskin, a basically impregnable, water-resistant fabric (I have Yeti Tuffskin bags that have withstood almost a decade of abuse at this point).
It’s heavy enough that I wouldn’t want to carry it on my back for more than 4-5 hours, but I like how it’s organized. It has huge water bottle pockets; little interior pockets for your pocketable goods, like pens and earbuds; and it has the option for exterior straps to tie a jacket or a blanket on the outside. I spent a week dragging this around in the rain and mud and throwing this in the back of a Toyota Tundra with two absolutely disgusting wet dogs and it didn’t show a mark. However, I should note that if you don’t want Tuffskin, this is basically the same as the Mystery Ranch Catalyst ($179) which is both cheaper and lighter.—Adrienne So
Specs Capacity 22L Weight 3.2 pounds Pockets A lot (9) Sternum strap Yes Waist Strap None
Best for Rucking
If you get into rucking—walking/running with weight on your back—you'll quickly find that your average day pack is not up to the task. That's where GoRuck come in. They're expensive, but these are the most overbuilt, rugged, indestructible packs you'll find. We have an entire guide to figuring out which GoRuck pack is right for you, but the best all-around GoRuck is the GR1. It makes an excellent choice for rucking, but it's also useful for travel, hiking, and every day carry. I've used the 21L version for many a day hike and it comfortably carries everything I need to keep a family of five fed and happy in good weather. There's plenty of MOLLE webbing on the outside too if you need to strap extra stuff on. You can even weave some stretchy nylon shock cord through the MOLLE and have a place to stash wet jackets and the like.
That said, when I'm hauling a lot of gear in the backcountry I prefer something with a hip belt, even if the hip belt isn't for weight transfer. The added stability really helps if you're doing any scrambling around, especially off trail. None of the daypack-sized GoRucks have a hip belt unfortunately. GoRuck does sell a padded hip belt for $35. I have not yet tried it, but if you want to get more out of your GoRuck that might be one way to go. Otherwise, so long as you usually stay on trail, the GR1 is a very capable day pack.
Specs Capacity 21L or 26L Weight 16 ounces Pockets 4 Sternum strap Sold separately Waist Strap Sold separately For the Hydration-Obsessed
More often than not, bags advertised as “hydration packs” are one trick ponies—great for tackling thirst, fairly mediocre at everything else. But the CamelBak Octane 16L is a rare example of a superb hiking-ready pack loaded with features that just happens to come with a really good two-liter water reservoir. The Cordura Nylon 75D fabric feels flimsy, but is actually super tough. It has a polyurethane water-resistant coating and weighs just 15 ounces. The semi-rigid EVA foam back panel and well-ventilated shoulder straps, both with molded air channels, keeps you pretty cool (or at least, not drenched in sweat).
It comes with the Fusion 2L Reservoir (68 fluid ounces) which has one of the best waterproof zippers we’ve used, and provides a very trustworthy seal. At $55, it also goes someway to justifying the high price for such a moderately sized pack.
I’ve used the Octane 16 for fast hiking, slow running and everything in between. Remove the reservoir, and it even has space for my laptop, making it a good, light and versatile city daypack. But it’s the layout of the pockets that impresses me most. If you need additional space, one side pocket has the capacity for a spare 32-ounce water bottle. There’s trekking pole attachment loops, a stretchy outer pocket with room enough for a layer or rain jacket, and the combination of a roll-top closure, compression straps and full length side zip makes accessing everything super easy. —Chris Haslam
Specs Capacity 16L Weight 23 ounces Pockets 3 Sternum strap 2 Waist Strap None
For City Hikes
I like Away’s luggage, but the company isn’t an outdoor gear specialist, so I was pretty surprised to find that I like this daypack a lot. It does have a 15-inch laptop sleeve so you can use it for work, but I’ve been mostly taking it on casual 2-3 hour hikes around Portland, Oregon, where I live. (It would also work for walking around Lady Bird Lake in Austin or Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.) My recommendation comes with a few caveats: the 100 percent recycled fabric is touted as being weather-repellent, but the zipper runs across the top and isn’t covered so it will leak if you take it out in heavy rain. Also, the water bottle pockets technically fit a 32-oz bottle, but it’s an annoying tight squeeze (my 16-oz Nalgene fits fine).
However, the 20-liter size fits well on my 5’2” frame, and the design is unobtrusive enough that I don’t feel silly using it for both casual hikes around the river with my kids and going to lunch and the bookstore. The chest strap holds the pack in place if your casual Sunday stroll suddenly involves an unexpected rock scramble (not an unusual occurrence with my family). The front hidden zipper pocket is big enough to easily access my phone, wallet, and credit cards and 20 liters has much more capacity than you might think—on a recent hike, I was able to fit in multiple jackets and multiple stuffed animals all at once.—Adrienne So
Honorable Mentions
We've tested dozens of packs over the years. These did not quite make our top picks, but are still great packs and might be perfect for what you need.
Mystery Ranch Gallagator 25L for $129: This Mystery Rack pack was my introduction to wider shoulder straps, which provide more comfort without the bulk of extra padding. The result is a comfortable pack that's light (1 lb., 6 oz.) and packable, making it a great extra pack when traveling. The side pockets are big enough for a Nalgene water bottle and the 25L capacity carries everything you need for a day. It also fits under the seat of even small planes. This is a great little pack for hitting the trail or just walking around town.
Deuter Trail 18L for $120: I have an earlier version of this pack which I love. It has a unique bottom access zipper, allowing you to access gear from the bottom or the top. I also love Deuter's Air Stripes ventilation system against your back. It's the best I've used in any pack. If you tend to sweat a lot, this is a great pack to stay a bit cooler. There's one stretch mesh side pocket and one zippered pocket and plenty of compression straps and gear loops to attach extra gear if you need it. There's even a back flap for holding you climbing helmet. Deuter also makes a women's fit version which is 2L smaller and possibly fits female bodies better, though my wife has carried this one comfortably for many a mile.
