<em>Best overall hiking daypack:</em>The North Face Trail Lite 24

• The North Face (Women’s) $140
• The North Face (Men’s) $140

I kept reaching for the North Face Trail Lite 24 even when I wasn’t going hiking. It’s not the flashiest pack in this guide, but for most people, it does exactly what a daypack should do. I carried it for half of Peru’s Santa Cruz trek, used it as a personal item backpack on a flight to Honolulu, and grabbed it constantly when emergency bridge construction in my town turned everyday errands into bike commutes.

Why we love it

The pockets are amazing, especially in this era of streamlined design. Two stretchy water bottle pockets, an exterior stash pocket, a top zippered pocket and an interior zippered pocket made it easy to organize everything without losing my keys somewhere in the Andes.

I also loved the chest-strap storage: one stretchy soft-flask pocket and one zippered pocket that fit my phone, so I could grab it for trail photos without taking the pack off or asking a friend for help.

It’s a shame that … it’s not a heavy-load hauler. When I packed it with three liters of water, snacks, layers, sunscreen and a tripod, I felt the weight in my shoulders. But for ordinary hikes, travel, biking and daily use, it’s a screaming value.

Key specs

• Capacity: 24 liters

• Weight: 1lb 14oz

• Sizes: S/M, L/XL; women’s and men’s

• Storage: two side water bottle pockets, front stash pocket, top zippered pocket, internal zippered pocket, shoulder-strap pockets

• Hydration compatible: yes

<em>Best budget hiking daypack:</em> Quechua MH500 22L

• Decathlon $114.99

The Quechua MH500 22L was one of the most pleasant surprises in this test. Weighing a little over one pound, it was noticeably lighter than the Trail Lite, but still comfortable and not nearly as flimsy as some lightweight packs can feel. It’s a budget-friendly daypack that works best for shorter hikes, light loads and anyone who wants decent trail features without blowing their bank account.

Why we love it

For the price, the MH500 includes a lot: two stretchy water bottle pockets, a mesh back panel and chest-strap storage with one stretchy soft-flask pocket and one zippered phone pocket (similar to the Trail Lite). I love this setup because it keeps your phone handy without cramming it into a hip-belt pocket – or worse, disappearing it inside your backpack.

The roll-top design can be a little cumbersome, since you have to fiddle with it whenever you want access to the interior. But, it also lets you adjust the size of the pack depending on what you’re carrying. Roll it down for a light day, or leave more room for layers and snacks. That flexibility is nice, especially if you want to use your backpack for a variety of missions.

It’s a shame that … it low-key collapses under heavier loads. Short-and-light missions are where it shines.

Key specs

• Capacity: 22 liters

• Weight: 1lb 11oz

• Sizes: one size; unisex

• Storage: two side water bottle pockets, chest-strap soft-flask pocket, chest-strap zippered phone pocket

• Hydration compatible: yes

<em>Best hiking daypack for big days:</em> Osprey Tempest/Talon Pro 30

• Osprey (Women’s) $250
• Osprey (Men’s) $250

The Osprey Tempest Pro 30 and Talon Pro 30 are for the people whose “day hike” somehow includes a summit, three layers, two lunches and a questionable weather forecast. At 30 liters, this is too much pack for a casual hour-long wander. But for full-day hikes, high-alpine outings or technical adventures that require a bucket of gear, it nails the balance of support, comfort and weight distribution.

Why we love it

The Tempest felt good immediately, which is not always true of larger daypacks. It sat close to my body, handled heavier loads beautifully and didn’t create the tiny hot spots (areas with too much friction against the body) that take the fun out of a hike. The hipbelt was especially good on my wider hips: supportive and comfortable, with pockets placed far enough back that my underarms didn’t chafe from brushing against them constantly (my personal pet peeve).

Bonus: the Tempest/Talon 30 are also big enough that an experienced backpacker could use it for an overnight, or even a backcountry hut trip.

It’s a shame that … at $250, it’s not cheap. If you only dabble in the shorter day hikes, it’s probably way more pack than you need.

Key specs

• Capacity: 30 liters

• Weight: 2lbs 10oz (women’s), 2lbs 11oz (men’s)

• Sizes: S/M, M/L; women’s and men’s

• Storage: two side water bottle pockets, front stretch pocket, top zippered pocket, internal mesh pocket, hip-belt pockets, shoulder-strap pockets

• Hydration compatible: yes

<em>Best lightweight hiking daypack:</em> Deuter Speed Lite Pro 25

• Deuter $140

The moment I put on the Speed Lite Pro SL 23, it disappeared on my body more than any other pack in this guide did. If traditional daypacks feel bulky or bounce annoyingly with every step, the Speed Lite is the cure. It sounds cliche, but it felt less like a backpack and more like a supportive hug.

Why we love it

The secret sauce: the vest-style design. The running pack-inspired shoulder straps combine with a wider hipbelt to distribute weight so well that the pack seemed to vanish on my back – even with the flexible back panel. I tried loading it down with additional gear and it still carried comfortably without crushing my soul (or my shoulders).

Storage is a mixed bag, but mostly good. Two zippered chest pockets kept my phone, snacks and other essentials within easy reach, while two zippered hip-belt pockets provided even more grab-and-go organization. A large main compartment, exterior stretchy stash pocket and two water bottle pockets rounded out the design without adding unnecessary bulk. It has a technical appearance so it’s not my first choice for urban adventures, but dedicated hikers may not care about that.

It’s a shame that … the main compartment is just one big open space. The exterior, hipbelt and chest pockets help, but there isn’t any internal organization to speak of.

Key specs

• Capacity: 25 liters

• Weight: 1lb 8oz

• Sizes: one size; unisex

• Storage: two side water bottle pockets, front stretch pocket, top zippered pocket, hipbelt pockets, shoulder-strap pockets

• Hydration compatible: yes

<em>Best waterproof hiking daypack:</em> Rab Syclon XP ND28L

• Rab $200

The Rab Syclon XP ND28L is for wet trails, long alpine days and forecasts that look absurdly confused. Its look leans technical, so don’t expect it to moonlight as a laptop bag. But as a waterproof hiking pack, it delivers. The waterproof materials, taped seams and roll-top design helped it shed light rain during two days on Peru’s Santa Cruz trek.

Why we love it

The Syclon feels like a weatherproof workhorse, not a delicate daypack you have to baby. It swallowed more gear than I expected and still carried the load well, even with extra water, layers and snacks for longer trail days. On the Santa Cruz trek, it never felt like the weight was sitting straight on my shoulders.

The roll-top design also makes the pack more flexible than its 28-liter size suggests. You can pack it taller when the day calls for more gear, then roll it down tighter when rain protection matters most. There’s also one interior zippered pocket, plus hipbelt and chest pockets for small essentials.

Also: ND stands for Narrow Dimensions, designed for women and anyone with a narrower frame. If that’s not you, but you like this pack, try the Syclon XP 30L.

It’s a shame that … it isn’t a crossover bag. If you want one pack for hikes, commuting, laptops and town, this isn’t it.

Key specs

• Capacity: 28 liters

• Weight: 1lb 12oz

• Sizes: one size; women’s fit

• Storage: two side water bottle pockets, front stash pocket, hip-belt pockets, shoulder-strap pocket, interior zippered pocket

• Hydration compatible: yes

<em>Best for large fit:</em>Osprey Sportlite 25 Extended Fit

• Osprey $130

The Osprey Sportlite 25 Extended Fit is built for larger bodies, with longer shoulder straps, adjusted sternum strap placement and a hipbelt designed to fit waists up to 70in.

Our 5ft 7in, plus-size female tester loved it, saying it fit comfortably across her chest and hips without the pinching she’s experienced with other hiking packs. It has since become her go-to daypack. Her 6ft 6in, 250-lb partner also found that the straps fit his chest and waist comfortably, though the pack body itself was too short for his tall frame.

It didn’t make the final cut because … it’s more of an everyday hiking pack than a technical standout. Still, for hikers who struggle with traditional pack sizing, it’s a winner.

Key specs

• Capacity: 25 liters

• Weight: 2lbs 6oz

• Sizes: one size; unisex

• Storage: two side water bottle pockets, front shove-it pocket, two hip-belt pockets and a top zippered pocket

• Hydration compatible: yes

<em>Best for minimal hikers:</em> Fjällräven Abisko Hike Lite 20

• Fjällräven $180

The Fjällräven Abisko Hike Lite 20 became one of my favorite grab-and-go packs. At just 1lb 5oz, it’s the lightest pack in this test, and I found myself reaching for it on lunchtime hikes and around-town bike commutes.

The design is simple: one large main compartment, two water bottle pockets, bungee cord storage for a jacket or shell, and a few well-placed pockets on the chest straps and hipbelt for essentials. The lightweight design also means you barely feel it on your body, making it a top pick for shorter hikes with lighter loads.

It didn’t make the final cut because … while I actually preferred its performance to the Quechua MH500, it costs about $60 more, making the budget-friendly Quechua the better value for most people.

Key specs

• Capacity: 20 liters

• Weight: 1lb 5oz

• Sizes: S/M, M/L; unisex

• Storage: two water bottle pockets, two chest pockets, one hipbelt pocket, one interior zippered pocket

• Hydration compatible: yes

<em>Best for sustainability:</em> Nemo Equipment Persist Endless Promise 30L

• Nemo Equipment (Women’s) $229.95
• Nemo Equipment (Men’s) $229.95

The Nemo Persist 30L proves that sustainability doesn’t have to mean delicate. Part of Nemo’s Endless Promise collection, it’s designed to be fully recyclable at the end of its life. Though, judging by its rugged materials, that should be a long way off.

It was one of the most durable packs I tested and carried heavier loads quite well, with enough support for bigger day hikes or minimalist overnights. I also liked the metal hip-belt buckle, which felt sturdier than standard all-plastic buckles, plus the generous pockets and organization.

It didn’t make the final cut because … it’s heavier and pricier than many packs here. But if you value durability, thoughtful design and buying less often, it makes a strong case.

Key specs

• Capacity: 30 liters

• Weight: 3lbs 1oz (women’s); 3lbs 3oz (men’s)

• Sizes: one size; women’s and men’s

• Storage: two side water bottle pockets, two hipbelt pockets, front stash pocket, top zippered pocket, interior organization pockets

• Hydration compatible: yes

<em>Best for fast hikers:</em> Salomon Aerotrek 28/30 W

• Salomon $170

The Salomon Aerotrek women’s 28 or 30 is a daypack with trail-running roots. It has a vest-inspired harness, front storage for snacks or soft flasks and a snug fit that feels great for quick hikes, fastpacking (ultralight backpacking plus distance trail running) and folks who prefer to move with a little pep in their step.

The women-specific version I tested carried comfortably with less of the boxy backpack feel you would get from traditional daypacks. I do wish the hip-belt pockets were bigger; they felt itty-bitty for a pack this dialed.

It didn’t make the final cut because … at $170, it costs more than the Deuter, which is similar in design.

Key specs

• Capacity: 30 litres

• Weight: 2lbs 3oz

• Sizes: S/M, M/L; women’s and unisex/men’s

• Storage: two shoulder-strap pockets, two hip-belt pockets, two side water bottle pockets, front stash pocket

• Hydration compatible: yes

<em>Best for durability:</em> Yeti Skala 32L

• Yeti (Women’s) $300
• Yeti (Men’s) $300

Unsurprisingly, Yeti’s first foray into backpacks is built burlier than a bear canister. At 32 liters, it’s best for longer hikes or gear-heavy days when a smaller pack just isn’t going to cut it.

The Skala feels durable and spacious, with a tough nylon exterior and reinforced high-wear areas to resist scuffs and scrapes. It’s also big enough that you can double-dip and use it for an overnight adventure.

It didn’t make the final cut because … at $300, it’s expensive. And, the hip-belt pockets rubbed underneath my forearms when filled with my phone and car keys.

Key specs

• Capacity: 32 liters

• Weight: 3lbs 5oz

• Sizes: S/M, L/XL; women’s and men’s

• Storage: two hip-belt pockets, two side water bottle pockets, front stash pocket, top quick-access pocket

• Hydration compatible: yes