But you can expect to always start with the basics: extra layers or a rain layer (depending on the season), water, food, a small first-aid kit, and sun protection. Best Selling Backpacks & Daypacks | The North Face Home / Bags & Gear / Backpacks Best-selling backpacks that make the grade. While some packs may be extremely lightweight, they often have to sacrifice volume, features, or durability to achieve that. Ventilation is a crucial aspect of comfort. We gathered our ten essentials and packed each pack with the entire collection of items. Amazon.com: 60l Backpack This pack is full of useable features that make it an excellent choice for backpacking. We wore these packs for every conceivable activity during our months-long testing process. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. Trekking pole and bike helmet attachment points (plus other loops and pockets for stashing a variety of gear), as well as an external hydration bladder compartment (works with a 2L or 3L bladder), round out this pack and make it a fantastic do-all option. When we measured the volume of the Osprey Stratos 34 we found it to be less than advertised, but more than many other packs we tested. There is a compartment in the back of the pack that will fit a 3L hydration bladder as well, and an interior and exterior zip pocket keeps your smaller accessories organized. Support us! All packs, including the waterproof Ortlieb Atrack 25, are hydration bladder compatible. Matador has achieved the near-impossible with this pack offering storage for 22 L of gear while packing down to just 6 by 4 inches and weighing only 10.6 ounces. Although some technical mountain packs like the Black Diamond Pursuit 15 keep it light and small at only 15 L, but with many of the features you look for in a technical mountain pack so you can stay nimble. Men's Daypacks | REI Co-op Rating: (4.8/5) See the Osprey Talon 22 See the Women's Tempest 20 A lightweight pack can be excellent, but if it cannot carry everything you need, what is the purpose of having the pack in the first place? The Osprey Daylite Plus (20.6 ounces, 20 liters) also provided a solid carrying capacity for its weight by keeping features to a minimum. Many daypacks provide hydration compatibility, though not all, so choose based on your expected usage. Dan Scott is a Ph.D. scientist who studies how rivers shape landscapes. Its 20L size is the sweet spot for bike commuting, gym-going, short errands, and day hikes. Best Selling Backpacks & Daypacks | The North Face Some packs will also make their foam frame sheets removable, offering a cushioned seat on the go like with the REI Co-op Flash 22. The Hikelite series of packs from Osprey builds on their popular Daylite packs (which we have given high marks to in the past) but bulks up the suspension system to create a daypack that carries any load with ease. The articulating swing-arm suspension of the Black Diamond Bolt 24 truly impressed our testers, allowing them to move freely while keeping the load stable and centered on the back. Even with a pared-down feature set, it includes a padded laptop sleeve. +12 WATERFLY Crossbody Sling Backpack Sling Bag Travel Hiking Chest Bag Daypack 34,118 10K+ bought in past month $2399 List: $29.99 FREE delivery Thu, Jul 27 on $25 of items shipped by Amazon Packable is in the name, and for good reason. Great question weve got an article on this exact topic, with a handy, comprehensive list you can even print out! Fjllrven Ulv Rolltop 20 - Best Waterproof Daypack. As part of a lineup of capable daypacks from Patagonia, the Altvia 28 L ($149) lands as the second-largest and is just about the Goldilocks size for us when it comes to day trips that might edge into evening adventures. To choose the best of the best, we ranked each pack on quality, feedback from our testing, and price. Initially, our test team consisted of all-around outdoor and mountain enthusiasts. She now works as a photographer and freelance writer and is always looking for ways to share her passion and expertise for outdoor gear through her writing. The Cotopaxi Moda 20 is a great example of a simple, durable pack without any of these issues. The Gregory Zulu 30 is a strong, technical pack capable of hauling heavier loads. The trick is to find one that hits these four criteria: comfort, fit, included features, and ideal price. Its rigid frame supports heavy loads while simultaneously positioning the bulk of the pack away from your body for improved ventilation. How can we improve GearLab? Affordable, comfortable, with plenty of pockets and some nice design features, the REI Co-op Trail 25 ($80) is a great runner-up pack to our top pick. More often, foam sheets are employed to provide some rigidity to the back panel and better distribute the weight. His exploits range from car-to-car alpine adventures in North Cascades National Park to ripping around on mountain bikes just outside of town, and in doing so hes cultivated a taste for what makes a daypack the one. 99. . Outdoor Backpacks by Patagonia A spacer mesh or segmented back panel will keep air moving and hopefully your shirt dry. Its compact and has great features like a ventilated back panel and magnetic bite valve attachment for properly storing that hydration hose out of the way. More importantly, however, they include some nice added features. A hanging computer sleeve provides storage as well as extra protection preventing shocks from the bottom. Deniers from 100 to 200 are a great sign a pack will be durable in the long run. He spends much of his time exploring and contemplating these landscapes worldwide, using his recreational abilities to navigate rivers, canyons, cliffs, and wildernesses through the use of ropes, kayaks, skis, and his own two feet. Rather than choose the largest model, focus instead on a size that will provide the capacity to fit your needs and length of your hike. Add Aircontact Core 65 + 10 Pack - Men's to Compare . In addition to this pack, Cotopaxi uses its scrap fabric to make other gear items (like its Teca Half-Zip windbreaker). A large, mesh front pocket is helpful for stashing a wind layer, sunscreen, and snacks, while a zip pocket on the front chest strap can fit a smaller phone, and additional mesh pouches are great for gels and bars or small hydration bladders. Still, it may not be ideal for more demanding ventures into the woods or mountains where heavy loads and extra equipment are necessary. Quickly and securely attach your helmet to the pack with the LidLock helmet clip. 10 Best Daypacks for Hiking That Are Lightweight and Easy to Carry Don't expect these packs to feel like they aren't there, but after comparing dozens of options over the years, we can confidently say suspended mesh panels lead to significantly less sweatiness at the end of the day. Grab one when taking your dog on a walk, heading into the office or the classroom, or hitting the mountains for a day hike, bike ride, and more. These models are also versatile enough to be useful for various activities, eliminating the need to own multiple specialized packs. Save 20%. Packs like the REI Co-op Traverse 32 come in various sizes, which is great if you fit one of those sizes but can be a significant issue if you don't. For example, a large 3L bladder might not fit in a 16L pack. Comfortable for a wide variety of activities, we felt confident using this on all types of excursions. As expected, the Atrack 25 is heavier than most daypacks of this size. Still, its internal padded sleeve and ample organizational pockets make it well-suited for travel and daily use. However, the Flash 22 isn't our top choice for enduring extreme wear due to its thin, single-walled fabric design. Keeping this in mind, larger packs also received higher versatility scores. Stuffed away for quick deployment, the Flash 22 makes an excellent day pack for side trips on longer backpacking or travel trips. Although this daypack looks simple, it has even more features that make it a great commuter pack. No ads. To test ease of use, we conducted a packing test for carrying the "10 Essentials." 5.0 . In this metric, we weigh each pack on our home scale and analyze the results concerning each pack's volume. You will pay for the feature-richness, as the Tempest 20 L was close to the most expensive daypack in our testing. Amazon.com: Daypacks For Men 1-48 of over 10,000 results for "daypacks for men" Results Price and other details may vary based on product size and color. Online shopping from a great selection of external frame backpacks in the Outdoor Recreation store on Amazon.com. GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Some days, well reach for our trusty 22L REI Flash. Top 13 Daypacks in 2023 [Tested & Reviewed] - DIVEIN The Osprey Talon 22 and Black Diamond Bolt 24 allowed the most water during our hose testing, mainly through large zippered openings. 1-30 of 50 products. If youre looking for a pack with a few more storage options, the Hikelite also comes in a 26L, 28L, and 32L capacity, with the latter two sizes including two separate torso lengths for a perfect fit. (3 ) Kids' Refugito Daypack 12L. The best daypacks leverage padded shoulder straps, a hip belt and a sternum strap (among other features) to distribute this weight more evenly, lowering your chances of feeling aches and pains. It's compatible with the Farpoint/Fairview Travel Daypack for . The Gregory Citro (mens) and Juno (womens fit) 30L packs ($180) focus on hydration design and ease of access to gear. The Osprey Talon 22 performed best for the most athletic activities, easily transitioning between biking, hiking, travel, commuting, peak bagging, and mountain biking. With numerous lashing points and attachment loops, it's easy to strap various equipment outside the pack or strip it down for travel. We ground the fabric and zipper of the Ortlieb Atrack 25 into the gravel bed of a river to test its durability underwater, and it also came out unscathed. If packs included special carry features, such as the front-side pole-loops on the Osprey Talon 22 or Stratos 34, or specialized straps like the Packmod compression straps of the REI Co-op Traverse 32, we assessed these features to determine if they functioned as intended. Other packs with padded hip belts include the sturdy Ortlieb Atrack 25 and the Gregory Citro 24 H2O. This justifies double-walled fabrics on some of the most durable packs we reviewed. And sitting side-saddle to that are two stretch water bottle pockets that were accommodating to even the largest of our insulated bottles. The only con we had was from our female tester: the shape of the wider mesh shoulder straps makes it harder to find the right fit across the chest compared to other packs. MOUNTAINTOP 70L Internal Frame Hiking Backpack for Men Women with Rain Cover. Nike ACG Aysn Day Pack (32L). Nike.com (2) Vargo Ti-Arc Pack. Category. Its also great for travel or impromptu adventures. While many packs integrate waist-belt pockets, we particularly appreciated the pockets on the Osprey Talon 22 and Gregory Miwok 24, especially for storing trail snacks and sunscreen while hiking. The pockets are user-friendly, making organizing and carrying travel essentials on long trips effortless. Are there side pockets? Unlike cinch openings, zippers can be damaged by sand or abrasion, and it is worth taking the time to care for and clean zippers occasionally. Designed to help you carry more gear for farther distances, while still staying comfortable, they're among the best back packs you'll find for hunting. With some of the plushest back padding and straps in our review, an included rain cover, and straps to stash trekking poles, the Trail 25 is a great choice for any avid day hiker. With the capacity to carry supplies for a single day, a typical day pack has a capacity around 2,000 cubic inches or between 30 and 50 liters. We were impressed by how well it carried lighter loads during hikes or runs. 00. . Trevor Everts, hailing originally from the Northeast U.S., has spent many days among the region's stunning mountains and lakes. Men's L.L.Bean Ridge Runner Backpack, 50L. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. Theres no bulky padding or internal frame, which helps keep the weight down and makes it a fairly packable option. Sunset hike with the Osprey Talon 22. Amazon.com: Day Backpack For Men 1-48 of over 20,000 results for "day backpack for men" Results Price and other details may vary based on product size and color. Things to look for: Our first thought when we examine a new pack in testing is to look for where well store our water source, whether thats a reservoir or bottle. 1.5 L (2) 2.5 L (8) Color Trail Weight Sale Price View: 48 All | 56 Products Osprey Women's Skimmer 28 Liter Hydration Pack $150.00 Shipping Available ADD TO CART Osprey Men's Skarab 30 Liter Hydration Pack $150.00 Shipping Available In general, packs with rigid frames and ample ventilation don't work as well for mountain biking or scrambling, where freedom of movement is crucial. While there arent enough features in this daypack to really make it a cut above the rest, it is a great, affordable, high-quality pack that can be used for a variety of occasions. Although the Black Diamond Bolt 24 lacked lower compression straps, its simple design and contoured main compartment made it particularly secure compared to packs with less well-designed compression. OneCoolBackpack EcoPack-1. 99. One of the most important items on the trail is your pack its how youll carry all your gear and support yourself on the trail. We added this pack to the list because of its lightweight construction, an abundance of pockets (including the harness strap stash pocket), and Ospreys excellent reputation. Maybe our favorite part of this pack was one we didnt expect: a full-size pack cover deploys from a hidden pocket at the bottom of the bag, meaning that surprise showers had nothing on us. Related Expert Advice articles. As a U.S. Marine, he has traveled globally and has logged many adventures in various climates and terrains. Colors . And for help with any hairsplitting decisions, check out our comparison chart and FAQ sections. Internal Frame Backpacking Packs | REI Co-op Look for shoulder straps that provide a good amount of cushioning foam and fit your torso appropriately. 80L Liter Internal Frame Pack with Detachable Daypack - Best Bag for Camping, Hiking, Backpacking, and Travel - Men and Women, Grey. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee . The Luzon 18 L pack ($60) is comfortable to wear when commuting by walking and biking, and it also works as a great travel pack with one main compartment (no loose pockets or sleeves). They tighten down the load to the frame and suspension for comfort and stability. GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Sign up to receive GearJunkie content direct to your inbox. Shop the exclusive online deals on daysacks & daypacks at Millets, featuring the best outdoor brands like Berghaus & The North Face. A pack's comfort depends on adjustability, load-carrying capability, and ventilation. Men's Full-Zip Jacket. $84.99 $ 84. The most welcome new design feature is the BD Continuous Fit Harness, which has a seamless wing construction for comfort on the move. While we evaluate these packs based solely on their performance, we don't disregard the importance of price. But for the price, its hard to beat for a budget pick. Looking for a pack that is more substantial than a running vest but wont slow you down? Due to this, the straps arent as comfortable. What is a daypack? Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Selecting daypacks is fairly subjective and somewhat challenging, however consider some of these tips to help you climb the learning curve faster: Join DICKS Text Alerts to Receive Special Offers! And rounding out the thoughtful hiking-minded features: an integrated rain cover that deploys from a secret pocket below the pack body. For this list, we looked at daypacks across the spectrum from packable and travel-friendly rucksacks to full-featured hiking and riding packs and sent them out for proving on bite-size adventures across the country. Men's L.L.Bean Ridge Runner Backpack, 50L. Our other chief daypack tester, Miya Tsudome, lives in the high desert of Bishop, Calif., at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Ospreys classic go-to Hikelite has garnered an excellent reputation among our GearJunkie testers. Learn how to . A good rule to follow is the broader your horizons, the more youre likely to spend. Klattermusen Brimer. Osprey equipped this womens pack with a BioStretch hip belt (seamless fabric) and wrapping harness, allowing both to be adjustable. Sport-specific features, like a bike helmet lashing system or an ice axe loop, will often dictate the best usage style for your daypack. For those who want a pack dedicated to day hiking, the Osprey Stratos 34 is the top choice. Osprey Momentum 30 Bike Pack | REI Co-op Made with lightweight, CORDURA nylon fabric with a liquid crystal polymer ripstop grid ensures durability on the trail. $129 AT PATAGONIA. Daypacks: Small Day Hiking Backpacks | REI Co-op Aether Plus 85 Men's Backpacking Pack with Daypack - Osprey Packs The Ortlieb Atrack 25 is an excellent -- though heavy -- daypack for travel or hiking, but it really shines around water with its waterproof main compartment. Fjllrven Tree-Knken. Men's and Women's (2020 Update) - Hiking, Backpacking, Travel Backpack. We also used the same load during our calisthenics testing to evaluate load stability. Some of the more technical packs like the Arcteryx Aerios 15 and the Black Diamond Pursuit 15 also have pouches on the front of their shoulder straps for water flasks or quick access to your phone or some snacks. These features are great to have when it comes to organizing your gear. The second thing we check is the back panel. For a technical mountain pack, this is an important feature depending on the terrain you find yourself in, and is something to consider when purchasing the Pursuit 15. They are among the least expensive yet scored higher than many of the packs we examined. Save 25%. Ospreys Talon 22 is pricey at $160, but its durability and lightweight might be worth it. What we love most about all of these best daypacks is their versatility. However, if you prefer the convenience of an exceptionally well-ventilated panel loader for day hiking, this is an excellent choice. Most pack companies offer a compatible rain cover to accompany their packs.