The Best Daypacks- What Day Hiking Backpack Should You Buy?

What Day Hiking Backpack Should You Buy?

Extended day hikes are a great way to get active, soak in some beautiful scenery, and appreciate the great outdoors. When you dedicate a good portion of your day to hiking, you’d be surprised just how much ground you can cover! Depending on the length of your hike, you may want to bring a daypack along to carry a few items. However, with all the options out there it can be hard to determine what day hiking backpack should you buy.

A day hiking backpack seems like it would be a simple item to pick out, but there are a few things to consider. Getting the wrong day pack can frustrate you or slow you down. Don’t put up with a lame daypack, use our tips so you can pick a good one… Or just buy one of the ones we recommend below.

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What is a Daypack?

For those of you who aren’t familiar, a daypack is a small backpack used for outdoor activities. It carries a little gear, some food, water, and other necessities needed when you send a long time outside. The benefit of a daypack is that it will keep all your items securely on your back as you hike, bike, climb, or run.

Daypacks are ideal for day hikes, or hikes completed within one day. Unlike backpacking, you don’t have a long list of gear (like this one) to pack during a day hike. However, depending on your hike length, you may have enough to warrant a small backpack.

What to Look for in a Day Hiking Backpack

Capacity

When it comes to day hiking backpacks, most people will want a capacity of around 20 to 35 liters. This is a good range that most day hikers would find suitable. However, it may be a bit large for some people’s needs. Below is a breakdown of capacity so you can decide which is best for you:

• < 10 Liters – This is the smallest backpack option. These are primarily made for trail runs or very short hikes. A pack under ten liters will fit some water (a small hydration pack), a light snack, a phone, keys, and any other small necessities such as lip balm. 
• 11-20 Liters – The next step up in daypack capacity is ideal for ultralight day hiking, mid-length hikes, and mountain biking. There is enough room for most water bladders, a few good snacks, a light jacket, a phone, wallet, keys, and other small items.
• 21-35 Liters – This is the most common capacity for daypacks. You can fit  a hydration pack, a hearty lunch, snacks, a hammock, and small gear along with your other necessities such as a phone and keys. Two people could probably pack everything they need for a day-long hike in just one of these.
• 35+ Liters – When you get above 35 liters, you begin to cross into ultralight, multi-day territory. Most day hikes will not require so much gear that a backpack this large is necessary. However, if you plan on doing additional activities such as climbing, hunting, or fishing, this may be something to consider to carry your gear.

Daypack Features

When figuring out which day hiking backpack you should buy, be sure to take into account all the available features of each pack.

• Hydration Pocket or Sleeve – A hydration reservoir is a super handy piece of gear for hiking. It gives you easy access to your water throughout your hike. With one of these, you don’t have to stop trekking to unpack your water bottle. If you have one, make sure the day hiking backpack you purchase will fit it. The pockets will typically be large enough to fit either a 2 or 3 liter bladder.
• Side Pockets – Conveniently placed pockets are a feature that is often overlooked until you are out on the trail. It’s important to have easy access to the things you need regularly, such as a water bottle, a phone, or sunscreen.
• Lightweight – Keeping your backpack lightweight is the key to staying comfortable and energized on the trail. If your daypack is heavy without any gear on it, you’re setting yourself back from the start. Make sure you check the weight of your day hiking backpack before you purchase it.
• Adjustable – A good backpack will have adjustable straps and buckles to maintain a secure and comfortable fit on your body. On a day pack, you should have a sternum strap, a hip belt, and adjustable shoulder straps. Some packs may also have side straps that help minimize backpack volume when it’s not completely full. Learn more about backpack fit here.

Day Hiking Backpack Weight

Just because your hike is shorter, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be concerned about weight. Lugging around a heavy daypack can put strain on your shoulders and back. It also takes more energy for you to carry, so you get tired sooner. It literally weighs you down.

To stay energized and comfortable, limit your daypack weight. Keep your pack under 10% of your body weight for hiking trips. In other words, if you weigh 150 pounds, make sure your fully loaded backpack is less than 15 pounds.

For most day hikers, this is an easily attainable goal. However if you need any tips for reducing backpack weight, check out this article.

What Day Hiking Backpack Should You Buy?

< 10 Liter Pick

11- 20 Liter Pick

21 – 35 Liter Pick

Photo by Laura Chouette on Unsplash