Backpacks make traveling in the great outdoors possible. They’re convenient, lightweight, and flexible. And they can go from the office to the classroom or from the airplane to the trail. Not all backpacks are created equal, however, and some are just too big and bulky for daytrips. Enter the daypack: smaller-sized backpacks intended for single-day adventures. The best daypacks are small and light, yet can be roomy enough to accommodate overnight adventures.
While there are plenty of daypacks on the market which offer basic features like water bottle holders and chest straps, some packs stand out for being ultralight or having loads of attachments for externally mounted gear. If you plan to use the pack while hiking, camping or urban exploring in all types of weather, make sure you choose a pack that’s not just water-resistant (these are a dime a dozen), but fully waterproof, which is much less common. Read on for our look at the seven best daypacks we’d gladly incorporate into any of our own adventures.
- Best Daypack Overall: Matador Freerain22
- Best Weather-Resistant Daypack: Ortlieb Atrack 25L Daypack
- Best Lightweight Daypack: Matador Freefly16
- Best Heavy-Duty Daypack: Osrpey Talon 22L
- Best Budget Daypack: Black Diamond Trail Blitz 12 Pack
- Best Hydration Daypack: 14 L Down Shift Hydration Pack
- Best Minimalist Daypack: Jansport Ski ‘n Hike
Best Daypack Overall
This 22-Liter Daypack Has Sealed Seams and Waterproof Rolltop
As a lightweight, waterproof, flexible and adaptable daypack, it’s no wonder that the Matador Freerain22 earns our rating for the best overall. Not only is this pack fully waterproof and ultralight at just 10.6 ounces, but it compresses down into a small travel sack (which is included with the pack) so you can toss it into your suitcase or travel backpack and whip it out for a day hike. This, despite the fact that it holds a respectable 22 liters (hence the name). If you need a larger option, check out the Freerain28, which, as you might guess, has a 28 liter capacity.
If you’re mostly taking your daypack out on sunny hikes, picnics, or trips around town, you might not need a waterproof backpack. But if you if you’re an all-weather explorer and want to keep your gear dry, “water resistant” just won’t cut it. This pack’s sealed seams and rolltop closure mean the main compartment is fully waterproof—while the gear loops, speed hook captures and compression straps with buckles give you substantial flexibility for attaching and hauling hiking and climbing equipment.
Best Weather-Resistant Daypack
Ortlieb’s 25 Liter Pack Opens Like a Traditional Travel Bag
If you tend toward water-based adventures and need a bag that goes beyond simple rain- and waterproof capabilities, the Ortlieb Attack 25 has you covered. Not only can it handle heavy rain, but the bag can actually be fully submerged in water while keeping your belongings bone dry. The adjustable back panel accommodates users of different heights, while the adjustable hip and shoulder straps allow you to find the perfect fit that best distributes the pack’s weight.
Clocking in at 50.4 ounces, the pack is considerably heavier than many other daypacks. That’s the bad news. But if you need your gear to stay dry and accessible, it’s potentially worth the extra weight. Unlike most waterproof bags which keep the water out via a rolltop closure, this is the first fully waterproof bag I’ve ever encountered that opens like a traditional travel bag. Meanwhile, front-side daisy chains allow you to attach additional gear while the hermetic seal for a drinking tube exit allows you to add your own hydration system.
Best Lightweight Daypack
The Matador Freefly16 Is Especially Resistant to Abrasions and Tears
Weighing just 6.7 ounces, Matador’s Freefly16 isn’t just one of the lightest daypacks on the market—it’s all but weightless. Despite its ultralight construction, the pack’s UHMWPE-reinforced panels (that’s “ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene,” for the non-nerds out there—it’s used in a wide array of products from bullet proof vests to fishing line, cut-resistant gloves and sporting equipment) make it extremely durable and resistant to abrasion and tears.
Though the pack isn’t fully waterproof, its UTS waterproof coating, sealed seams and sealed zippers mean it will stay dry in light rain, but won’t offer a lot of protection for extended exposure in a heavy downpour. Even so, you’ll find that oversize mesh side pockets and gear loops increase what you can stuff into the 16-liter pack. Need more space? Check out the Freerain22 earlier in this article, which we deemed the best overall daypack on our list.
Best Heavy-Duty Daypack
Loads of Attachments Mean You Can Take This Bag On Almost Any Outdoor Activity
This technical pack may be lightweight and fashionable enough for travel and commuting, but it’s DNA is all about adventure. The Osprey Talon is adjustable and superbly ventilated; it also has loads of features that accommodate demanding activities that require specific gear. From its helmet and bungee attachments for trekking poles to its ice axe loop and blinker clip patch, the pack allows you to comfortably carry gear outside of the bag, freeing up space inside without interfering with flexibility or function.
The lumbar-to-hip belt provides stability and comfort while the adjustable AirScape back panel provides maximum breathability (who wants a sweaty back when they’re ice axing their way up a mountain?). Considering how rugged and versatile it is, its price point is very affordable. And you’ll be hard-pressed to find a daypack this flexible and configurable for such a wide variety of outdoor activities.
Best Budget Daypack
Cheap But Surprisingly Flexible
Just because something is expensive doesn’t mean it will meet all your needs. Likewise, just because a backpack is affordable doesn’t mean it isn’t a killer steal. Black Diamond’s Trail Blitz 12 Pack is aptly named because of its “blitz style” main opening, allowing quick and easy access to gear in the main compartment. It also comes with integrated Z-Pole sleeves so you can easily attach hiking poles when you’re not using them.
The bag’s so-called BDFlash pocket was designed specifically to accommodate headlamp storage, and it also includes an interior security pocket where you can store personal items like your phone, keys, wallet and other valuables. Perhaps best of all, the entire pack turns inside-out and stores in its own pocket, making it great for bringing along as supplemental storage when traveling. Want more flexibility? It can also attach to a larger backpack via four connection loops, meaning you can bring a larger backpack on a multi-day hike or camping trip then detach the daypack for an intense trek or summit. Weighing just 6.52 ounces but offering an internal capacity of 12 liters, the bag offers a big bang for the buck.
Best Hydration Daypack
A Sweat-Proof Design That Keeps Water Chilled for Hours
Unlike other hydration daypacks that are primarily backpacks that just happens to have a sleeve to insert a water bladder, the 14 L Down Shift Hydration Pack is first and foremost a hydration pack — that also happens to be a handy backpack. The pack’s unique Cold Flow System utilizes an insulated reservoir that keeps water cool by making it sweat-proof (meaning your warm sweat won’t heat up the water), and utilizing an insulated reservoir pocket with reflective lining to keep the heat out and the cold in. The pack’s external airflow design puts some space between you and your pack, letting air flow freely to avoid body heat transfer. All design factors considered, Hydro Flask says that your water should stay chilled for at least four hours.
In addition, it’s a comfortable ride. The pack’s lower center of gravity, which stashes the hydration pack at the bottom of the pack (versus the more common vertical design), prevents the pack from riding up on your shoulders. And handy waist and chest straps allow for a customized fit that better distributes the weight.
Best Minimalist Daypack
A No-Nonsense Pack That’s Manufactured Sustainably
Sure, sometimes you may need a daypack with all the bells and whistles like the Ortlieb Atrack 25L Daypack or Matador Freerain22. But sometimes you don’t. So why pay for a million attachments, pockets and compartments if you’re never going to use them? While the name of the Jansport Ski ‘n Hike may lead you to believe it’s some high-end, super tactical backpack designed for rugged adventures, it’s actually a really minimal daypack that harkens back to early backpack designs that many of us grew up with.
The sweet and simple pack has a generous main compartment and a large front pocket to stash your gear, plus adjustable straps and a haul handle. Perhaps its best feature, though, is that it’s sort of upcycled: The eco-friendly bag is made using surplus fabric that would otherwise have gone in the trash.
