Best Hiking Daypacks of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Whether you’re leveling up out of your current mountaineering daypack to hold a heavier load or selecting an outdoor-ready pack for the primary time, there are plenty of choices to sift via. Do you want a ten liter or 30 liter? Will a frameless pack be comfy sufficient or do you need to pay full freight for true load lifters? Does your backpack should be waterproof? I took a have a look at a few of the greatest mountaineering daypacks accessible—at quite a lot of worth factors—that can assist you select. 

How I Chose the Best Hiking Daypacks

I’ve been mountaineering and backpacking for many years, carrying the whole lot from only a mild coat and snacks to a full winer setup for me and my child. I’ve gone on day hikes as brief as one mile and so long as 25 in every single place from sea stage to 10,000 ft. 

To select packs for this story I seemed on the daypacks I’ve used previously in addition to newer fashions from revered producers and up-and-coming manufacturers. I then assessed all backpacks from scratch utilizing a typical daypack setup: further layers, water bottle, water filtration, snacks, map, telephone, headlamp, and many others. I packed the bag as I might if I have been heading out on a day hike, checking to see how effectively protected the gear inside was. I then tried to regulate the pack for optimum consolation, checking for ease of use and potential ache factors. Most packs have been additionally area examined to see how they fared on day hikes in quite a lot of contexts and seasons. 

Best Hiking Daypacks: Reviews & Recommendations

Most Comfortable: Mystery Ranch Coulee

Key Features

• Capacity: 30 liters
• Weight: 43 ounces
• Support: Full
• Not waterproof; no supplied raincover

Pros

• Great padding
• Easy to entry each merchandise in your pack
• Fully adjustable

Cons

• Heavy
• Slight ridge within the again panel is considerably distracting

If you’re new to mountaineering, it could be laborious to go flawed with the Mystery Ranch Coulee. It’s not solely probably the most comfy pack in my check, with nice padding alongside the hips and shoulders, it’s additionally probably the most forgivable for those who pack it flawed. While most daypacks have a single top-entry level to the primary compartment, the Mystery Coulee may be absolutely unzipped all the way down to the underside of the pack, after which simply stuffed and zipped again up once more. 

There have been no stiff or inflexible options alongside the again panel or any of the straps (though a slight seam was noticeable), making it straightforward to evolve the pack to my physique. At the identical time, the again panel had simply sufficient construction to push a few of the weight off my shoulders within the occasion I ended up carrying a heavier load. This was additionally certainly one of solely two daypacks I checked out (together with the Gregory Zulu) that had an adjustable again panel. (Mystery Ranch additionally supplied an easy-to-follow video on easy methods to go about adjusting the again panel for optimum consolation). 

Best for Families: Gregory Zulu

Key Features

• Capacity: 30 liters
• Weight: 43 ounces
• Support: Full 
• Not waterproof; no supplied raincover

Pros

• Large capability (could possibly be used for a brief in a single day)
• Highly adjustable
• Plenty of exterior pockets to retailer odds and ends

Cons

There are loads of instances that you just’ll be carrying gear for extra than simply your self, notably if in case you have children. In these conditions, you’ll want greater than 10 liters to suit all of the layers and snacks you’re hauling into the backcountry. 

The Gregory Zulu is a good answer for people hauling gear for the entire household. It’s so massive that it may even be used as an in a single day backpacking backpack by somebody with a few of the greatest ultralight backpacking gear. Along with the Mystery Ranch Coulee, it has a full suite of changes, together with the again panel, waist belt, shoulder straps, load lifters, and sternum straps. During testing, the adjustability of this pack meant that it was one of many best to change between totally different people (useful if a child wants a piggyback experience mid hike). While I recognize its full-size hip belt pockets (nearly any smartphone will match effective in these), the shortage of stretch within the entrance pouch pocket made it much less versatile for stuffing further layers on the go than I might have favored. 

Best for Small Loads: Black Diamond Trail Zip

Key Features

• Capacity: 14 liters
• Weight: 7.4 ounces
• Support: Minimal
• Not waterproof; no supplied raincover

Pros

• Lightweight
• Inexpensive
• Comfortable with small masses
• Made from a really sturdy materials

Cons

• Limited storage capability
• Limited storage choices

A best-in-class mountaineering daypack doesn’t all the time imply a zillion bells and whistles. The Black Diamond Trail Zip was the second lightest pack I checked out, however, when absolutely loaded, was as comfy as bigger, heavier packs. Of course, a part of that’s since you actually can’t match a lot contained in the Black Diamond Trail Zip—it simply barely match the objects I used to be utilizing for testing, with solely a liter or so capability to spare. That means this pack is greatest for skilled people which have their backcountry equipment dialed all the way down to the naked minimal—simply what they should have a snug outing within the wilderness and nothing extra. 

It does nonetheless, boast a few options that avid hikers will recognize, together with protected aspect storage for trekking poles, a sleeve for one of many greatest hydration bladders together with an entry level for the hydration tube, and a separate zip pocket for small objects (like keys and a pockets) inside the primary zip pocket. I additionally favored that it was created from a 100D nylon, which means that it’s greater than sturdy sufficient to face as much as the weather. 

Best Minimalist: Exped Splash 15

Key Features

• Capacity: 15 liters
• Weight: 3.7 ounces
• Support: Minimal
• Waterproof

Pros

• Waterproof
• Lightweight
• Surprisingly massive capability

Cons

• No help
• No inside storage choices

The Exped Splash 15 is a no-frills selection; it’s basically a dry sack with nylon webbing straps hooked up—no hip belt or load lifters in sight. While this makes it a poor selection for the heavy a great deal of critical dayhikes, it shines in additional on a regular basis eventualities, like stashing a puffer coat together with some snacks and a water bottle. 

Living within the soggy Pacific Northwest, I particularly appreciated the Exped 15 for once I was caught unawares by a spring-time noon sprinkle. Its waterproofness, mixed with its roll-top closure, makes this a superb selection for longer backpacking journeys, the place it may be used to retailer further clothes or one of many greatest tenting quilts enroute, then transition to a daypack for shorter expeditions from basecamp.  

Best Frameless: Matador Freerain 

Key Features

• Capacity: 22 liters
• Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Support: Minimal
• Waterproof

Pros

• Very comfy
• Balances effectively
• Reasonably priced
• Waterproof

Cons

• No again panel
• Exterior pockets are much less versatile than others I checked out

Like the Exped Splash and Black Diamond Trail Zip, the Matador Freerain doesn’t have a supportive again panel. The upside right here is that this pack may be very light-weight and very packable. The draw back … effectively there isn’t actually a draw back. As lengthy as you’re moderately cautious with the way you load the Matador Freerain, this pack carries typical daypack masses comfortably. In truth, it was so comfy that the easy (and detachable) nylon-webbing hip belt ended up being pointless—the chest strap alone was lots to maintain the pack safe towards my physique. 

Like the Black Diamond Trail Zip, the Matador Freerain has cloth shoulder straps that conform to the form of your shoulders. One distinction between these two packs, nonetheless, is that the Freerain has load lifters, which lets you select how excessive or low to put on the pack—useful for this long-torsoed tester. 

During testing, I caught one extra-tall full Nalgene bottle into the aspect to attempt to unbalance the pack. Impressively, and regardless of the minimal construction and total weight of the pack, I may barely inform that there was any imbalance in any respect. That being mentioned, it was considerably troublesome to get the bottle in there—to make use of on the path you would wish to cease and take off the pack to get the bottle out and in. Similarly, the only entrance zip pocket simply match the snacks, map, headlamp, and filter I used to be utilizing for testing, and it was a bit awkward to get objects out and in. Plan to retailer the vast majority of your further objects in the primary inside of this mountaineering daypack. 

Best for Sweaty Hikers: Osprey Syncro

Key Features

• Capacity: 12 liters
• Weight: 28 ounces
• Support: Moderate
• Integrated raincover

Pros

• Air movement alongside the again panel
• Structured match
• Integrated rain cowl
• Plenty of storage choices

Cons

• Heavier than comparable capability packs
• Expensive

If you are likely to work up a sweat on even delicate day hikes, then it’s value testing the Osprey Syncro. Like different Osprey packs, the Sycnro encompasses a ventilated again panel, which permits air to movement throughout your again, lowering moisture construct up and minimizing the friction that may end up in chafing and different discomfort. 

While different small-capacity packs are likely to have a single massive storage compartment and never a lot else, the Osprey Syncro has a full suite of pockets, together with two aspect mesh pockets, a small entrance storage pocket (excellent to your keys and pockets), a second entrance storage pocket with an inside mesh group system, and a sleeve to your hydration bladder on the again. It additionally has an attachment buckle for a bicycle helmet.

While the Syncro does have a structured again panel, it doesn’t have any adjustment factors past the shoulder straps and sternum strap. Counterintuitively, this may truly trigger the load to really feel much less balanced than if there was no again panel in any respect, as the highest of the pack can draw back from the shoulders. Keep your heavier objects packed on the backside of this pack as a lot as doable. 

Best Hydration: CamelBak Rim Runner

Key Features

• Capacity: 22 liters
• Weight: 28 ounces
• Support: Moderate
• Not waterproof; no supplied raincover

Pros

• Affordable
• Dedicated hydration sleeve
• Includes hydration bladder

Cons

• Less supportive than you may want for a completely loaded pack

The CamelBak Rim Runner is a good entry-level mountaineering daypack that features the CamelBak Crux, OL’s choose for greatest hydration bladder for mountaineering. While different mountaineering daypacks don’t have anything greater than a easy fabric sleeve for the hydration bladder, the Camelbak Rim Runner has a complete separate zip sleeve, along with the primary zip pouch and smaller zip pocket on the entrance. (Strangely, the pack additionally has two aspect mesh bottle holders.) 

The CamelBak Rim Runner is a center of the street pack for adjustment factors—with shoulders straps, a sternum strap, and a minimal hip belt—for those who discover that the absolutely featured again panels are overkill for you however you need one thing extra supportive than a college pack, this pack is well-priced place to begin. 

Best Backpack Cooler: Hydroflask Day Escape

Key Features

• Capacity: 20 liters
• Weight: 2.6 kilos
• Support: Minimal
• Waterproof

Pros

• Very comfy to hold
• Waterproof
• Mesh pocket 

Cons

• No hip belt
• Comparatively costly

The Hydroflask Day Escape was my greatest total choose for the greatest backpack coolers, largely resulting from its form: It has a wider body, with much less depth, which holds the burden nearer to your physique than fashions that have been free kind or structured like a standard cooler. While the backpack had (simply) sufficient construction to help a heavier load, the shortage of hip belt implies that it’s best to resist the urge to totally load this one up earlier than heading out on an extended hike. One characteristic widespread to backpacks however to not backpack coolers that the Day Escape included was a haul deal with, which is helpful for at-home storage. 

In addition to being comfy, the Hydroflask Day Escape additionally has all of the hallmarks of an ideal backpack cooler, being absolutely waterproof and holding ice for forty-eight hours throughout my insulation check. I additionally favored that it had an outdoor mesh pocket—helpful for stashing small objects or needing someplace to stay your path beer on the go. 

Best for Travel: Mountain Hardwear Redeye 45

Key Features

• Capacity: 45 liters
• Weight: 50 ounces
• Support: Full 
• Not waterproof

Pros

• Padded hipbelt, straps, and again panel
• Pocket with flap for simple tucking and grabbing

Cons

Our choose for the greatest journey backpack, the Mountain Hardwear’s Redeye is constructed for velocity. It’s slim for simple maneuvering in crowded areas. It additionally has load lifters, a padded hipbelt, a padded again panel, padded straps, and a sternum strap to hold heavy weight comfortably. You can simply entry the primary compartment with a again panel zipper and U-shaped zipper on prime. A protracted vertical aspect pocket encompasses a lip of cloth excessive so as to tuck or seize one thing from this pocket with out unzipping something. 

A water bottle pocket on the other aspect has a cinch wire to maintain objects from falling out. The lid of the bag can be a pocket and there’s a padded laptop computer sleeve. The considerate design of the various pockets make this bag the proper keep on. The zipper pulls have loops making it fast and simple to entry all zipper pockets. Handles on the back and front of the highest make it straightforward to seize your baggage off a conveyor belt or out of a automobile or overhead bin. The detachable hipbelt and tuckable straps can additional streamline this pack for going via safety or checking the bag. 

It’s structured and cozy when carrying gear, heavy masses, and irregularly formed objects, making it perfect for journey journey too. The full again panel entry is especially handy for automobile tenting as a result of you’ll be able to entry the contents of your bag with out having to dump the whole lot out or dig to the underside. There are exterior attachment factors for carabiners as effectively. Overall, that is the most effective carry-on backpack for nearly any technique of journey. —Ashley Thess

Best Budget: Decathlon Quechua MH500

Key Features

• Capacity: 20 liters
• Weight: 39 ounces
• Support: Full
• Integrated raincover

Pros

• Low worth
• Padded hip belt and ventilated again panel
• Easy to seize water out of the aspect pockets
• Integrated rain fly

Cons

You’d assume there’d be a catch with Quechua MH500 given its low worth—both sturdiness would take a success, or it could be uncomfortable (or some mixture of the 2). But on a number of early-spring day hikes within the foothills of the Cascades, this pack carried out simply in addition to its costlier counterparts with out chopping corners. 

This one has all of the options that I’ve come to count on from an ideal daypack—padded hipbelt and shoulder straps with adjustable load lifters, a mesh again panel, a sternum strap, tons of pockets, and an built-in rainfly (though I’ve discovered that the waterproof coating on the polyurethane cloth does a effective job with short-burst showers). If I had a gripe, it’d be that it’s lacking the built-in whistle on the sternum strap, but it surely’s straightforward sufficient to hold a separate whistle if in case you have any issues about getting misplaced. 

Decathlon affords this pack in two sizes: for people under 5 foot 7 inches tall, and for people above 5 foot 7 inches tall. People with lengthy or brief torsos might need to measurement up or down if they’re across the 5 foot 7 inches benchmark. The hip belt right here can be on the slim aspect, and received’t match as broad a spread of people as different daypacks.

How to Choose the Best Hiking Daypack

Capacity

Smaller mountaineering daypacks are lighter, and subsequently extra comfy, than extra spacious fashions. But it’s essential that you’ve sufficient house in your mountaineering daypack for all of the necessities that you could be find yourself needing on any given journey. 

Try to decide on the smallest mountaineering daypack that you just assume will help your wants whereas out on the path. If doable, select two daypacks—one massive and one small—to offer your self a wider vary of choices. 

Support

The mountaineering daypacks I checked out for this story had help that ranged from shoulder-strap adjustment solely to a full suite of adjustment factors together with again panel, waist belt, shoulder strap, load lifters, and sternum straps. What you want is dependent upon your private preferences, in addition to the burden of the standard load you carry into the backcountry. If you aren’t but positive what your wants are, begin with a waist belt and shoulder straps and stage up or down from there. 

Pockets

While some assume that with pockets, extra is all the time higher, the truth is that too many pockets can begin to trigger issues, because it provides weight and represents a future fail level (notably if it’s a zip pocket). Typically, the extra skilled a hiker is, the less pockets they finally find yourself needing or utilizing. 

Waterproofness

The majority of mountaineering daypacks should not waterproof and even water-proof. If you’re planning on doing plenty of mountaineering in soggier elements of the nation, it’s value buying a rain cowl to your daypack along with one of many greatest backpacking rain jackets. 

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Final Thoughts

The greatest mountaineering daypack for you is dependent upon your private preferences and the varieties of hikes that you just prefer to plan. Outdoor Life checked out a large spectrum of mountaineering daypacks for this story, and we’re assured that any of the under choices would serve you effectively in your subsequent journey.