My top pick for the best hiking daypack goes to the Osprey Talon 22. This is a super comfortable daypack with a 22 litre capacity (also comes in a 33 litre). Osprey are market leader for hiking bags, and the Talon is undoubtedly one of their best offerings.
If you're on a tight budget I recommend the REI Co-Op 25 litre. It's great value for money.
Alternatively, my favourite daypack with a built-in hydration system is the CamelBak M.U.L.E..
Best Hiking Daypacks (Top Picks)
Best Overall
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Editor's Choice
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Best For Women
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Top Daypacks For Hiking (Detailed Reviews)
We reviewed over 20 hiking daypacks for this article. Below are the best hiking daypacks that made our short list.
- Osprey Talon 22 - Best Overall
- Deuter Speed Lite 20 - Editor's Choice
- Osprey Tempest 20
- CamelBak M.U.L.E.
- Stratos 36 - Best 30+L
- CamelBak Rim Runner 2
- Osprey Talon 33
- Patagonia Black Hole
- REI Co-op Trail 25
Read our complete buyers guide for hiking daypacks.
Best Overall Hiking Daypacks
1. Osprey Talon 22
4.8/5 Overall Rating
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Osprey Talon 22 is light and extremely versatile thanks to its smaller size, but it still brims with features. It is, in our opinion, the best overall daypack.
Talon 22 is lightweight at only 624g, but still manages to pack a solid 22l of capacity along with 7 exterior pockets into the design.
Most appreciated are the two pockets on the cushioned hip belt, perfect to hold a smartphone, small camera or a GPS system.
Another great feature is the hydration sleeve that is separate from the main compartment and can fit a 3L hydration pack. We also like that it has a number of equipment attachment loops, perfect for a number of uses, from helmets to trekking poles.
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Main Features
What we like
What we dislike
Key Takeaway
The combination of decent capacity in a small and light form, plenty of features and great comfortability make Osprey Talon 22 one of the most versatile packs, and therefore the best overall hiking daypack.
2. Deuter Speed Lite 20
4.7/5 Overall Rating
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We rated the Deuter Speed Lite 20 similarly to the Osprey Talon 22, but for different reasons. While it lacks the storage options of the Talon 22, it makes up for that in its superior comfortability, removable plastic frame and lighter weight.
The ergonomic design of the pack with its unique V-shape and innovative compression shoulder straps make it perfect for hikers who like to move quickly.
However, being only 20l and having a slightly lacklustre hipbelt, it’s probably best not to carry too much weight on long hikes.
Where Deuter Speed works best, is its affordable price for its brilliant functionality and versatility.
Main Features
What we like
What we dislike
Key Takeaway
Deuter Speed Lite 20 packs a punch at a mid-level price, perfect for almost anyone.
3. Osprey Tempest 20
4.7/5 Overall Rating
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The only women’s-specific daypack on our list, the Osprey Tempest 20 is, in simple terms, the women’s version of the Osprey Talon 22, our top ranked daypack. It’s not, however, just the same pack in different colors.
While the overall design of Tempest 20 is pretty similar to that of the Talon 22, and therefore benefits from the same features that we have already mentioned, it is slightly smaller fitting a woman't body much better.
For women or even smaller men with shorter torsos, buying a women’s daypack can be immensely helpful, as the slight shift in the weight distribution and the fitting size can make the difference between a comfortable day’s hike, and a really horrible one.
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Main Features
What we like
What we dislike
Key Takeaway
Although it is smaller in capacity, Osprey Tempest 20 daypack holds more padding than the Osprey Talon 22 and has all the same features.
4. CamelBak M.U.L.E.
4.8/5 Overall Rating
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Sometimes you’ll need to carry a large amount of fluids in order to beat the heat of the day during a hike or a cycle. While many other daypacks come with hydration sleeves, most don’t come with the actual reservoirs installed.
This is the main advantage that CamelBaks provide, and CamelBak M.U.L.E. is our favourite one.
M.U.L.E. is lightweight and provides a decent amount of gear storage on top of the 3L reservoir. The new ‘Crux’ reservoir delivers more water per sip than before, and a magnetic trap keeps your hose in place, easily accessible when you need it.
The back panel allows for excellent breathability, making it very comfortable to carry, even in hot climates.
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Main Features
What we like
What we dislike
Key Takeaway
CamelBak M.U.L.E. is one of the best daypacks to use in a hot climate where fluid intake is so important. It is best used for shorter activities, as there is not much space for extra gear.
5. Osprey Stratos 36
4.5/5 Overall Rating
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Best used for more demanding day hikes or even shorter overnight trips, Stratos 36 offers plenty of storage space to pack everything you need.
Because of the large size, this pack may not be as versatile as the smaller packs on our list, but it does have its uses. This range does, however, come in smaller sizes, but the 36l variant was our favourite in the series.
The Osprey Stratos 36 has a pre-curved hipbelt, adjustable shoulder straps and a well ventilated back panel to keep you comfortable while carrying up to 14kg (30lbs).
This pack comes with all the features you’ll need: a sleeping bag compartment, 7 exterior pockets, a raincover and a hydration sleeve. But beware, this does come at a price, as it is one of the most expensive packs on our list.
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Main Features
What we like
What we dislike
Key Takeaway
Stratos 36 is a brilliant large daypack with all the features, so it works best for trips where you need to pack a little extra stuff.
6. CamelBak Rim Runner 2
4.6/5 Overall Rating
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The CamelBak Rim Runner 2 is the second hydration-oriented pack on the list, but it has more space for general gear than the M.U.L.E.. With a built in 2.5L reservoir and an extra 19.5L capacity, it’s built more as a dual purpose pack than the M.U.L.E.
With 9 exterior pockets including stretch pockets, you can have easy access to your equipment or extra water bottles should you need it. The mesh back panel is breathable and comfortable, and the hipbelt has extra storage compartments.
The only issue here is that, for larger people, those hip-belt pockets do not reach all the way to the hip and might sit closer to their back.
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Main Features
What we like
What we dislike
Key Takeaway
CamelBak Rim Runner 2 works well as both a general daypack and a hydration pack. With plenty of space for water and all of your necessities, it will work for a number of activities, but it isn’t quite as comfortable as other packs, in particular the M.U.L.E..
7. Osprey Talon 33
4.6/5 Overall Rating
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The Osprey Talon 33 is, essentially, a bigger version of the Talon 22. The larger size makes it better for full day hikes that require a lot of equipment, or even short overnight trips.
The one downside that Talon 33 has when compared to its smaller sibling, the Talon 22 , is that it is top loading and therefore more inconvenient to access the equipment packed inside.
Our favourite feature that this series of daypacks has is that the hydration sleeve is separate from the main compartment and waterproof, so your goods are protected from water damage should you spring a leak.
It has plenty of exterior pockets, including hip-belt compartments and side stretch-mesh pockets for easy access to water bottles.
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Main Features
What we like
What we dislike
Key Takeaway
The Osprey Talon 33 is perfect for a number of activities, as it is both not too big or too small. It’s fairly lightweight at only 908g, which is where it sticks out a bit over the other large packs.
8. Patagonia Black Hole
4.7/5 Overall Rating
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Built with the intended use of 1 or 2 day ascents, the Patagonia Black Hole with 25L of space can fit everything you’ll need, comfortable with even up to 40lbs of gear packed in.
Black Hole has great build-quality, and holds up to the most rugged of hikes. The secondary collar that covers the top loading opening protects your gear from rough weather, and the material used is lightweight.
The framesheet is made from a strong and lightweight aluminium rod and a mesh that provides good flex.
The hip-belt has removable pads for extra simplicity, and the pack has 4 rows of exterior daisy chains that provide lashing options for a rope, helmet and pad.
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Main Features
What we like
What we dislike
Key Takeaway
Patagonia Black Hole is both stylish and functional and does not cut back on any functionality with 25L capacity.
9. REI Co-op Trail 25
4.6/5 Overall Rating
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This REI pack is fairly light and compact for its 25L capacity, weighing in at only 708g. It has 5 exterior pockets, including mesh side storage for water bottles, as well as trekking pole straps that make it perfect for some more serious hikes.
Being a panel loader with a full U-shaped zipper, your gear within the pack is easily accessible, even if packed at the bottom.
The waistbelt can be removed if needed, and you can also add an REI Trail 2 Waistpack for more storage, but this is not included with the pack.
Main Features
What we like
What we dislike
Key Takeaway
This daypack offers a number of nice features and decent capacity in a lightweight package, all for a very reasonable price. The REI Co-op Trail 25 is perfect for someone who doesn’t want to spend over $100 on a new pack, but still wants good functionality.
Hiking Daypack - Buyer's Guide (Key Features)
A key piece of equipment needed for any outdoors enthusiast, or anyone else for that matter, is a daypack. Smaller in size than a normal hiking backpack, daypacks are used to carry light necessities to get you through the day on activities like short hikes, cycling or even skiing.
When deciding on the right daypack for your own personal needs, there are a number of variables to take into consideration.
The market for daypacks is huge, so the products differ greatly from one another and therefore some will fit your needs better than others. Generally, the more features a daypack has, the more expensive it will be, so be reasonable with your budgeting if you want an extremely feature rich daypack.
So without further discussion, here are some of the key features to look out for when buying your very own daypack.
Volume
Before you can decide what size daypack will be necessary for you, you’ll have to consider what you are going to use it for. It might be tempting to just get the biggest or the smallest one, but that might not necessarily be the best choice for your needs.
If you need a daypack for short day hikes or even just for use when exploring urban areas while on vacation, you should consider a pack between 10l and 25l, while for activities that might last the whole day or through one night you should consider between 25l and 40l.
The simple rule of thumb here is this: the longer the activity, the larger the bag. This may not necessarily always hold true, as some activities might require a lot of equipment to be carried for a short time, in which case a bigger bag might still be needed.
A daypack with around 25l is generally a good choice as it is more versatile and will be able to carry all of your necessities, such as food, water, a camera, a head torch and a first aid kit.
For more information on what size daypack you should get, check out our comprehensive backpack size guide.
Type
As mentioned, daypacks vary in terms of a number of variables. For casual use, you can consider simpler, more affordable daypacks that won’t have hipbelts, as they are more convenient.
On the other end of the spectrum, if you are taking on a long hike that requires a lot of equipment, it’s best to go for a larger daypack that has a more sophisticated suspension system that keeps the weight off your shoulders and on your waist.
Choosing the wrong daypack for a big hike is the worst thing you can do, as carrying too much weight in a bag that doesn’t have the correct hipbelt and suspension design can lead to serious back pains, and possible injuries.
Ventilation and Comfortability
Most daypacks these days will have some form of ventilation on the back panel of the pack, where your back makes contact with it.
These mesh or foam back panels provide a good method of ventilation so that there is air between your back and the pack, causing you to sweat slightly less. If this is important for you, then the cheaper daypacks that tend not to have good ventilation systems might not be good for you, while the higher-end ones will have more sophisticated ventilation systems.
General comfortability of the daypack is very important if you’re going on long hikes or carrying the pack for extended periods of time. If the bag is uncomfortable, it can make your whole hike a nightmare and completely ruin the experience.
The key things to look for here are that the pack has a hipbelt and has padding on the shoulder straps, as well as the ventilation we mentioned previously.
General Features
There are a number of other features to consider, including but not limited to the following:
- Waterproofing – to protect the insides of your pack
- Pockets – they can help you keep your pack organised, and exterior pockets come in use for keeping your water bottles easily accessible.
- Frame – most of the larger daypacks will have plastic or metal frames to provide that extra bit of support for your pack.
- Panel vs top loading – panel loading packs can be accessed with a U-shaped zip that opens a large portion of the pack up, allowing for greater organisation and easier access. Top loaders are generally lighter, but they make it more difficult to get to stuff packed at the bottom of the pack.
Just remember to consider your price range when you decide which features you feel you need.
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