ContentsQUICK ANSWER – THE BEST DAY HIKING BACKPACKSDAY HIKING BACKPACKS REVIEWS OSPREY DAYLITE BACKPACKMARMOT KOMPRESSOR 18 PACKTETON SPORTS OASIS 1100 HYDRATION BACKPACKCAMELBAK RIM RUNNER 22 HYDRATION PACKDEUTER SPEED LITE 20 BACKPACKCAMELBAK FOURTEENER 24 HYDRATION PACKGREGORY ZULU 30 BACKPACKMOUNTAIN HARDWEAR SCRAMBLER 30 OUTDRY BACKPACKOSPREY PACKS MANTA AG 36 HYDRATION PACKKELTY REDWING 50 BACKPACKCOMPARISON TABLE – THE BEST DAY HIKING BACKPACKSHOW TO FIND THE BEST DAY HIKING BACKPACKSSUPPORTCAPACITYHYDRATION SLEEVEVENTILATIONWEIGHT When you head out on a day hike, you need to take all the essentials with you. Even on a short hike, you should carry basics like a first aid kit, extra layers, compass, map, food, water, and phone. How will you carry all this gear with you from the beginning to the end of the trail? The solution is a day hiking backpack. Sounds simple enough but with so many types and styles of packs on the market, how do you know which one is the best day hiking backpack for you? A day hiking backpack is more than just a convenient way to carry your stuff while hiking, it’s also a safe way to do it. A good backpack leaves your hands free to consult a compass, catch your balance, and use hiking poles. That’s where we come in. One of our goals here at The Adventure Junkies is to make your life easier when it comes to choosing outdoor gear. This guide will walk you through what to look for while shopping for a backpack for day hikes. We’ll also show you how to find one that works best for you and holds all of essential gear. For more of our top hiking gear recommendations, check out these popular articles: Tents | Hammocks | Bivy Sacks | Tarps Sleeping Bags | Sleeping Pads | Stoves Backpacks | GPS | Headlamps | Poles| Watches Boots | Shoes | Sandals | Pants | Shorts Base Layers | Fleeces | Down Jackets | Rain Jackets LEARN HOW TO CHOOSE HIKING GEAR FOR YOUR NEXT ADVENTUREJOIN THE FREE HIKING GEAR COURSEJOIN THE FREE HIKING GEAR COURSE QUICK ANSWER – THE BEST DAY HIKING BACKPACKS Osprey Daylite Marmot Kompressor 18 CamelBak Rim Runner 22 TETON Sports Oasis 1100 Deuter Speed Lite 20 CamelBak Fourteener 24 Gregory Zulu 30 Mountain Hardwear Scrambler 30 Osprey Packs Manta AG 36 Kelty Redwing 50 MULTI-DAYHIKING PACKING LISTDon't forget important gear at home!Print out this free hiking packing list to prepare for your next adventure.UNLOCK THIS LIST DAY HIKING BACKPACKS REVIEWS OSPREY DAYLITE BACKPACK Check out the latest price on: Amazon| REI BEST FOR: Short day hiking trips VOLUME: 13 Liters WEIGHT: 1 lb. HYDRATION SLEEVE: Yes FRAME: Yes WOMEN’S VERSION: N/A PROS: Inexpensive, lightweight, multifunctional interior sleeve, ventilated shoulder straps and back panel, sternum strap, removable hip belt CONS: Small capacity, water resistant but not waterproof, mesh side pockets are not good for water bottles MARMOT KOMPRESSOR 18 PACK Check out the latest price on: Amazon | Backcountry BEST FOR: Short day hiking trips VOLUME: 18 Liters WEIGHT: 10 oz. HYDRATION SLEEVE: No, port for water tube and clip for water reservoir FRAME: No WOMEN’S VERSION: N/A PROS: Inexpensive, lightweight, air mesh shoulder straps and back panel for ventilation, sternum strap CONS: Small capacity, doesn’t have a dedicated hydration sleeve, no internal compartments, no hip belt, not waterproof TETON SPORTS OASIS 1100 HYDRATION BACKPACK Check out the latest price on: Amazon BEST FOR: Short day hiking trips VOLUME: 18 Liters WEIGHT: 2 lbs. HYDRATION SLEEVE: Yes FRAME: No WOMEN’S VERSION: N/A PROS: Inexpensive, mesh back panel for ventilation, mesh shoulder straps with ventilated foam, sternum strap, waist belt, rain cover CONS: Small capacity, zippers are flimsy, mesh side pockets are too shallow CAMELBAK RIM RUNNER 22 HYDRATION PACK Check out the latest price on: Amazon | REI BEST FOR: Average length day hiking trips VOLUME: 20 Liters WEIGHT: 1.6 lbs. HYDRATION SLEEVE: Yes FRAME: No WOMEN’S VERSION: CamelBak Helena 22 Women’s Hydration Pack PROS: Lightweight, tool attachment, side pockets, air channel back panel for ventilation, air mesh shoulder straps, sternum strap, removable waist belt CONS: Fabric is not durable enough for long-term use DEUTER SPEED LITE 20 BACKPACK Check out the latest price on: Amazon| REI BEST FOR: Average length day hiking trips VOLUME: 20 Liters WEIGHT: 1.2 lbs. HYDRATION SLEEVE: Yes FRAME: Yes WOMEN’S VERSION: N/A PROS: Inexpensive, lightweight, removable waist belt and sternum strap, frame support, air mesh back panel and shoulder straps for ventilation, mesh side pockets for water bottles CONS: Not waterproof, waist strap is unpadded, mesh side pockets are too small for large water bottles CAMELBAK FOURTEENER 24 HYDRATION PACK Check out the latest price on: Amazon| REI BEST FOR: Average length day hiking trips VOLUME: 24 Liters WEIGHT: 2.8 lbs. HYDRATION SLEEVE: Yes FRAME: No WOMEN’S VERSION: N/A PROS: Padded shoulder and sternum straps, padded waist belt, ventilated back panel, tool attachment, mesh side pockets for water bottles CONS: Expensive, almost 3 lbs., mesh side pockets are not durable, trekking pools attach strangely, water resistant not waterproof GREGORY ZULU 30 BACKPACK Check out the latest price on: Amazon| REI BEST FOR: Long day hiking trips VOLUME: 30 Liters WEIGHT: 2.5 lbs. HYDRATION SLEEVE: Yes FRAME: Yes WOMEN’S VERSION: N/A PROS: Lumbar foam layering for support, mesh back panel for ventilation, sternum strap, waist belt, tool attachment, rain cover CONS: Expensive, 2.5 lbs., frame is stiff MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR SCRAMBLER 30 OUTDRY BACKPACK Check out the latest price on: Amazon | Backcountry BEST FOR: Long day hiking trips VOLUME: 30 Liters WEIGHT: 1.9 lbs. HYDRATION SLEEVE: Yes FRAME: Yes WOMEN’S VERSION: N/A PROS: Lightweight, waterproof, removable waist belt, deep side pockets, sternum strap, gear loops CONS: Expensive, side pockets are difficult to use when bag is full, top pocket isn’t waterproof OSPREY PACKS MANTA AG 36 HYDRATION PACK Check out the latest price on: Amazon| REI BEST FOR: Long day hiking trips VOLUME: 36 Liters WEIGHT: 2.8 lbs. HYDRATION SLEEVE: Yes FRAME: Yes WOMEN’S VERSION: Osprey Packs Women’s Mira AG 34 Hydration Pack PROS: Mesh back panel for ventilation, foam shoulder strap for ventilation, sternum strap, waist belt, tool attachment, magnetic bite valve attachment on sternum strap, rain cover CONS: Expensive, almost 3 lbs., hip pockets are small and hard to reach while wearing the bag KELTY REDWING 50 BACKPACK Check out the latest price on: Amazon| REI BEST FOR: Long day hiking trips VOLUME: 50 Liters WEIGHT: 3 lbs. HYDRATION SLEEVE: Yes FRAME: Yes WOMEN’S VERSION: Kelty Women’s Redwing 40 PROS: Padded and ventilated back panel, sternum strap, removable, waist belt, side pockets, mesh pockets for water bottles, daisy chain and handle, tool attachment CONS: Capacity may be too big, 3 lbs., shoulder height can’t be adjusted, water resistant not waterproof, doesn’t have a dedicated hydration sleeve Gear up for hiking, without breaking the bankGet the Latest Deals on Hiking GearSent straight to your inbox...GEAR UP FOR HIKING COMPARISON TABLE – THE BEST DAY HIKING BACKPACKS PICTUREBACKPACKVOLUMEWEIGHTPRICERATING PICTUREBACKPACKVOLUMEWEIGHTPRICERATING Osprey Daylite13 Liters1.0 lb.$4.6 Marmot Kompressor 1818 Liters10 oz.$4.7 TETON Sports Oasis 110019 Liters2 lbs.$4.4 CamelBak Rim Runner 2220 Liters1.6 lbs.$$4.8 Deuter Speed Lite 2020 Liters1.2 lbs.$4.8 CamelBak Fourteener 2424 Liters2.8 lbs.$$$4.9 Gregory Zulu 3030 Liters2.5 lbs.$$$4.3 Mountain Hardwear Scrambler 3030 Liters1.9 lbs.$$$4.7 Osprey Packs Manta AG 3636 Liters2.8 lbs.$$$4.3 Kelty Redwing 5050 Liters3.0 lbs.$$4.7 HOW TO FIND THE BEST DAY HIKING BACKPACKS SUPPORT At the end of your hike, you should be tired – not in pain. Having a backpack with support will make carrying a loaded bag for hours much more comfortable. Look for a bag with padded shoulder straps. Depending on how much weight you plan on carrying, you may also want a pack with a sternum strap and waist belt to help you carry the load. CAPACITY How much gear will you be taking on your hike? If you’re planning on hiking for 8-10 hours, then you will need a backpack with the capacity (volume) to accommodate all of your supplies. If you only plan to spend 1-3 hours on the trail, then you may be able to use a day hiking backpack with a smaller capacity. The less you need for your adventure, the less volume you need for your pack. For multi-day hikes, you’ll need a backpack with a higher capacity (40 – 70+ liters). Check out our guides on trekking backpacks and our multi-day hiking packing list if you need help gearing up for a longer trails. HYDRATION SLEEVE It’s important to stay hydrated while you’re out on a trail. Many hikers like using a hydration pouch system to have quick and easy access to water. When using a hydration system, select a day hiking backpack with a hydration sleeve and port for the water reservoir’s tube. If you’d prefer to use water bottles, look for a backpack that can comfortably fit them. Many day hiking backpacks have specially designed side pockets that can accommodate water bottles. VENTILATION A poorly ventilated day hiking backpack can make your back and shoulders a sweaty mess. Look for features like mesh paneling, which encourages airflow between your body and pack. These features will help make your hike more comfortable and slightly less sweaty. WEIGHT Everything you bring with you on the trail, you will have to pack out at the end of your journey. The longer your hike, the more supplies you will need to bring, making your bag heavier. A simple way to reduce the weight on your back is by choosing a lightweight backpack.
