We buy all the products we test — no freebies from companies. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission, which helps support our testing.
Want the best daypack to carry your hiking essentials? After researching 80+ options, our team of experts bought the 13 best women's daypacks you can get. From ultralight bags to large-capacity packs that dabble in overnight functionality, we put a range of contenders through months of side-by-side testing. Our team of all-female adventurers wore them through multiple seasons, from hiking to skiing to trail running, for hundreds of miles of adventures. We scrutinized their comfort on women of many shapes and sizes, tested their adjustability, and evaluated their versatility. Every zipper, pocket, and clip was used on scores of adventures for durability and sheer usefulness. No matter what you need to bring with you, we identify the perfect backpack for the job.
If you'd love to extend your jaunts on the trails, you might also be interested in one of these top women's backpacking packs or a pair of the best women's hiking boots. Regardless of the length of your excursion, a top-rated first aid kit is something we would consider essential for every hiker. If you are new to the backcountry or are just looking to update some well-loved items, we've reviewed all the latest hiking gear you might need to get out into nature.
Editor's Note: Our women's daypack review was updated on November 14, 2024, to include more recommendations in our award section and to go into more detail on our testing process.
AirScape backpanel; large spaced horizontal padding bars covered by large-holed mesh
Airspeed back panel
Hydration Compatibility
None
Internal hydration sleeve
Inner hydration sleeve
None
Internal hydration sleeve
Hydration Compartment
Hydration Compartment
Inner hydration sleeve
Internal hydration sleeve
Inner hydration sleeve
Internal hydration sleeve
External hydration sleeve
Internal hydration sleeve
Hip Belt
No
No
Yes, removable
Yes
Yes
Yes, tuck-away
Yes, removable
Yes, removable
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Compartments
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
Number of Pockets
7
4
5
6
5
6
7
5
7
6
6
8
8
Pocket Descriptions
2 mesh side pockets, 2 front zipper pockets, 2 internal pockets, 1 bladder pocket
2 mesh side pockets, 1 front zip pocket, one internal zip pocket
2 mesh side pockets, 1 front stuff pocket, 1 top zip pocket, 1 bladder pocket
1 zippered shoe pocket (or water reservoir pocket), 1 front zippered pocket, 2 mesh water bottle pockets, 2 internal mesh pockets
2 mesh side pockets, 1 side zip pocket, 1 top zip pocket, 1 internal bladder pocket
1 zipper bladder pocket, 2 mesh side pockets, 1 front zipper pocket w/ 2 internal pockets
2 mesh side pockets, 1 front stuff pocket, 1 front zip pocket, 2 internal pockets, 1 laptop pocket
2 mesh side pockets, 1 front zipper pocket, 1 internal zipper pocket, 1 bladder pocket
1 top zippered pocket, 1 interior mesh zippered security pocket, 1 front stretch pocket, 2 water bottle pockets, 2 hip belt pockets
1 front vertical zipper pocket, 2 mesh water bottle pockets, 1 internal zipper pocket, 1 bladder pocket, 1 hip belt zipper pocket
2 mesh side pockets, 1 front stuff pocket, 1 front zipper pocket, 1 internal zipper pocket, 1 bladder pocket
2 mesh side pockets, 1 front stuff pocket, 1 internal zipper pocket, 2 zipper hip belt pocket, 1 top zipper pocket, 1 bladder pocket
2 mesh side pockets, 1 top zip pocket, 1 rain cover pocket, 1 front vertical zip pocket, 1 front zip pocket, 1 bladder pocket, 1 internal stretch pocket
Outside Carry Options
Mesh side pockets, side compression straps, reflective tape
Daisy chain, 2 side pockets
Two side pockets, attachment points for helmet holder (not included), glasses holder,
2 side pockets
Deep side pockets, accessory bungees, zipper side entry pocket
Mesh side pockets, outer zipper pocket
Mesh side pockets, outer zipper pocket, side compression straps
Pole fasteners, side mesh pockets with elastic enclosure
Lare exterior stretch pocket, 2 stretch side pockets, 2 zippered hip belt pockets, 1 zippered pocket, hiking pole storage, ice axe loop
Daisy chain, 2 side pockets, trekking pole holders
External stretch pocket, trekking pole holders, ice axe attachement, sunglasses loop and bungee, hip belt pockets, hydration hose clip
Lidlock helmet attachment, trekking pole quick-stow, large stretch front pocket, ice tool loop with bungee tie-off, side pockets, hip belt pockets, sunglasses shoulder stow, bike light loop
Trekking pole attachment, trekking pole quick-stow, ice axe loop, 2 side strech pockets, 3 zippered pockets, 2 zippered hip pockets
Whistle
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Key Clip
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Rain Cover
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
No, but DWR finish
No
No
No
Yes
Materials
Nylon
75D-210D deadstock nylon and polyester (sometimes ripstop; individual pieces may vary)
140D recycled polyamide ripstop
Repurposed nylon
70D recycled ripstop nylon
210D honeycomb CryptoRip nylon (body), 420D high density nylon (bottom)
packable, safety whistle, reflective material, adjustable side buckles
Side-opening small pocket, internal organizational pockets
SOS label, sunglasses holder,detachable waist belt, mesh water bottle pocket, side compression straps, front stuff pocket
Zippered shoe pocket with internal divider, unique colorway
water bottle pocket, hydration port + tubing, trekking pole attachments, side zipper pocket, bungee holder, sunglass loop, exterior loops
zippered hydration/tablet pocket, tuck-away webbing hip belt, key hook, zipper front pocket, mesh water bottle pockets, reflective webbing loops
Can be attached to other Osprey packs, hydration reservoir/14" laptop sleeve, side compression straps, mesh water bottle pockets, key clip, zippered slash pocket, front shove-it pocket, hardness grab handle.
Ability to add REI Trail 2 Waistpack for more storage, contoured foam harness, raincover included, bottom is reinforced to be abraison resistant
Sunglasses stow loops, hydration hose attachment, trekking pole attachment
daisy chain, mesh side pocket, load lifters, padded hip belt, front buckle holder, side and inner zip pocke, trekking pole loops
For the person who is just as likely to take this pack to a coffee shop as on an after-work hike, the Decathlon Quechua MH100 is the workhorse of budget packs, making it an easy pick for its excellent value. It's easy to use, has one main stuff compartment, and is very comfortable. We appreciate this pack's thoughtful, simple design. It also has a signature AirCooling back ventilation system, which we found kept sweat to a minimum even on the hottest days. On each side of the pack, there are two deep outside pockets that are great for storing water and other miscellaneous items. Another awesome feature was the full hip belt system, complete with a fleece-lined hip belt pocket. The padded belt and back frame system meant that we were able to load the pack down for a full day's hike, much like some of the other, more expensive options. In addition, the large U-zip opening allows you to fit bigger, bulky things like a bike helmet and easily fish out your rain layer that's crammed in the very bottom of the pack.
There are so many things to love about the Quechua MH100, but our main concern for this pack is the fabric's durability. Based on the price point and reviews alone, we can't help but wonder about the longevity of the materials used. We didn't find this to be an issue in our testing, but it is worth noting if you are on the hunt for something that will last for another twenty years. If you want a daypack that is sure to last nearly a lifetime, we recommend the Gregory Jade 28L or Osprey Tempest 20.
We positively adore the features and versatility of the Osprey Tempest 20 pack. It's one of just a few models we tested that comes in multiple sizes and has an adjustable torso length so you can pinpoint your perfect fit. The XS that was tested was a true XS, almost too small for our 5'1" tester. It also has an incredibly comfortable and breathable trampoline back panel, which helps prevent a sweaty back on your hottest adventures. This pack has all the same features as a fully loaded, heavier model, plus Osprey's LidLock system, which is by far the easiest and most secure way to firmly attach a helmet to a pack that we've ever seen — a must-have for cyclists and daily users of electric commuter bikes. Soft, flexible shoulder straps and a hip belt integrated practically seamlessly into the back of this pack offer impressive comfort, helped by a supportive yet minimalist internal frame. Although Osprey packs are on the heavier end of our lineup, their thoughtful design and extra features make up for the extra ounces on your back.
Despite how much we appreciate the adjustable torso length, this pack runs a little on the small side. Therefore, we recommend testing your pack at the store or as soon as it arrives in the mail, just in case you need to exchange it for another size. We also found that the new design for bladder storage is a very tight squeeze for nearly all brands of bladders. It will be a bit of a wrestling match to get a fully loaded hydration system into the storage compartment that sits between the pack and the frame. Still, for a rather small pack, we love the versatility and practically promised longevity. Overall, we think it is one of the very best small daypacks among models we tested for just about any use. If you prefer a lower-priced but well-ventilated daypack with fewer bells and whistles, the Decathlon Quechua will get you anywhere you need to go without breaking the bank.
Aside from a couple of cons, the Osprey Tempest is a great daypack, with all the bells and whistles needed for a more strenuous day hike, that comes in range of sizes truly suited for all.
Sometimes, you just need a bag to bring your essentials, but you don't have space for a big, fully framed pack. This is where a lightweight, easy-to-use bag like the REI Flash 22L comes in handy. It strips away all the fancy features of your regular pack but retains just enough features to keep it useful. It has two deep side pockets for water bottles, jackets, or even a small sleeping pad. In addition, there's a secret side pocket for slim items that can be easily reached. The front contains several stretch loops for attaching gear to the exterior, and there are even loops for trekking poles. We also enjoyed the top flap design, which was a bit nostalgic for us. The back panel isn't as minimal as a bag like the Cotopaxi Batac 16L or Venture Pal 35L, but it is considerably less structured than a more formal backpacking bag such as one of our Osprey or Gregory options. On the plus side, the panel at the back is designed to slide out and be used as a seat cushion.
The mesh shoulder straps and hip belt of the Flash have some moisture-wicking capability and are very lightly padded, making them more comfortable than straight webbing but still thin and lightweight enough for ease of movement. We enjoyed that this pack had the ability to transition from a fully loaded daypack to a simple hydration pack that was light enough and comfortable enough to run with. On the downside, the lightweight fabric of this bag meant that it was a bit less durable than some of its counterparts, and the back is lacking structure outside of the removable foam panel, so you do have to be somewhat aware of how you are packing your bag to prevent areas of friction. We also like the Cotopaxi Batac for a cute, even more minimal option. And if you are looking for a similar bag that can easily transition from hiking to running, the Gregory Nano 18 is another great option. At 18L, it definitely doesn't hold as much as the Flash, and it is a bit long for those with shorter torsos, but it makes up for these aspects by being made with an extremely durable fabric.
For the dedicated hiker who won't settle for anything less than the most comfortable technical pack, the Gregory Jade 28 offers a large capacity in a plush, supportive package, making this an easy pick to win our highest honor. It's comfortable straight out of the box, and you can customize the fit since the pack comes in two sizes and has an adjustable frame. One of our favorite features of this bag is the large, U-zip opening that made accessing our essentials a cinch.
The Jade 28 is one of the heavier packs we've tested, but we couldn't even tell once it was on because it was so comfortable. Because of the larger capacity, it can be easy to overstuff. We recommend packing only what you need — even if there's room for more! But if you end up with a stuffed pack, the Jade carries light because the weight is distributed evenly to sit on your hips. At the end of the day, when we needed to carry a lot of layers or weight over a distance, there's no daypack more comfortable and up for the trek than the Gregory Jade 28. It is worth noting, however, that if you are a petite user, you may want to double-check that the hip belt will go small enough before purchasing. We found that with layers on, it was fine, but when hiking in just shorts and a tank, we wanted it to go a bit tighter to really hold the load of a full pack. If you don't need something quite so beefy and aren't concerned about having a hip belt in general, the lightweight REI Trail 25 is a great pack that is still large enough to hold a full day's hike worth of supplies.
The Gregory Jade is hands down our top pick for a full day out hiking.
Credit: Katie Brown
Compare Products
From hiking to traveling to skiing, we tested these packs to the max to help you find the right bag for your lifestyle.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
How We Test Women's Daypacks
We've been testing, retesting, and testing updated versions of daypacks for years now, in addition to over 400 top-ranked backpacks of all types. Each season, we scour the market for exciting new models and updates on our favorites to put to the test. We then spend hundreds of hours outside with these bags, putting them through our scores of tests and intense scrutiny. We tested bags in mountain ranges, national parks, cities, and airports across the US and internationally. All while taking note of their comfort, assessing their versatility, gauging how easy they are to use, and meticulously looking over their build for signs of wear or weak points. No matter what you need your daypack to do, we've found the perfect model to match your lifestyle. Get the full scoop on our testing processes in our How We Test article.
Our testing of women's daypacks is divided across five rating metrics:
Comfort (25% of overall score weighting)
Versatility (25% weighting)
Ease of Use (25% weighting)
Weight-to-Volume Ratio (15% weighting)
Construction Quality (10% weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
This review is brought to you by Senior Review Editor Maggie Nichols, Review Editor Madison Botzet, and Reviewer Katie Brown with help and input from their many adventure-loving lady friends. Living in the northern Nevada desert on the cusp of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Maggie spends a ton of time outside adventuring, most often accompanied by her favorite rambling companion, Madeline the dog. Carrying enough supplies to last for 16 and 26-mile days for both Maggie and 85-pound Madeline requires a lot from a daypack, and Maggie knows just what makes a bag up for the job. She's also an avid trail runner and kayaker with over 15 years of professional experience leading backcountry trips. Having lived, worked, and explored far-flung places like Iceland, the Galapagos, South Africa, and numerous Caribbean islands, Maggie has a deep appreciation for the unique gear needed for any adventure — and the best daypack to carry it.
Madison is also an expert when it comes to daypacks. Living in western Montana, there is no shortage of opportunities for Madison to get out for a quick romp in the woods or an all-day hike to summit a new peak. She has a discerning eye for detail and loves experimenting with packs while mountain biking, backcountry skiing, and trail running. Katie lives in the mountains outside of Salida, Colorado. She has been carrying backpacks since she was an 8-year-old hiking Fourteeners. At fourteen, she transitioned into a professional rock climber and spent the next fifteen years 'carrying heavy bags up hills,' she likes to joke. She's climbed around the world, from Yosemite to Thailand, and knows what makes a pack good at carrying a load. These days, she sneaks away from parenthood whenever possible for a quick hike or run in the woods with her two dogs.
The REI Flash makes a convenient companion for a quick day's outing, is lightweight, affordable, and can crossover between a variety of activities.
Reach new heights with this lightweight, lightly structured pack from Gregory.
All of our testers out adventuring in the wild.
Analysis and Test Results
We tested each of these daypacks over several months (some of them for several years now) using our side-by-side comparison process. We used them while hiking over many miles, both for short and long hikes and for a variety of activities, from paddleboarding to commuting to skiing. After testing, we rated each daypack on a variety of criteria spanning five mutually exclusive metrics, from comfort and adjustability to their features and durability to find the best daypack for different uses.
What's the Best Value?
We frequently have to make tradeoffs when purchasing any type of gear, and a daypack is no different. We always try to test a range of products to be able to recommend great products across the spectrum. While more money doesn't always get you a better product, we found that in this category, it does tend to pair you up with a more durable bag. Comfort and ease of use, however, seem to be less tied to a dollar sign.
The Gregory Jade 28L is one of the most expensive bags in the lineup, but it acts as an overnight crossover and offers incredible support and comfort for longer adventures.
The Gregory Jade is an amazing, all-around pack that can hold everything you need, and more.
Credit: Katie Brown
The Osprey Tempest 20 is an exceptionally versatile bag that works well for a wide variety of activities, offering a high performance across all metrics for a moderate price.
The Osprey Tempest holds just enough for a strenuous day hike, without missing a beat.
Credit: Katie Brown
Meanwhile, the Decathlon Quechua MH100 is a solid contender for a fraction of the cost of other similarly performing bags, making it a great value.
The Decathlon Quechua is a simple, streamlined pack that serves its purpose without breaking the bank.
Credit: Katie Brown
Comfort
When hiking, comfort is a key consideration for your gear, head to toe. What's on your back is one of the most important pieces. An ill-fitting or minimally padded pack can make your 12-mile day hike significantly less enjoyable. We also balanced this metric against each bag's intended usage. A pack built for long day hikes and a pack intended to be portable enough to bring anywhere for a spontaneous jaunt clearly aren't designed for the same things. And yet, both should be comfortable enough not to make you grumpy every time you use them. To balance these variable uses, we factored in the comfort rating as a quarter of each model's overall score. Packs that are adjustable received bumps in their scores since they allow customization to make the fit more comfortable for individual users.
We evaluated this category based on several things: how well the padding actually “padded” our hips, shoulders, and back, how well the hip belts helped carry the weight, whether the design helped keep us cool while hiking, and if any features impacted our comfort level. The Decathlon Quechua, although sporting a slightly more minimalist design, includes an AirCooling frame that held the pack away from our back, creating very nice air flow and preventing undue sweat. The hip belt was also nicely padded and curved well over the hip area, making the pack quite comfortable and easy to carry a heavy load.
We enjoyed the Air Cooling system of the Decathlon Quechua. It sat out from the back, which kept sweat to a minimum, even on a 100+ day.
Credit: Katie Brown
Another standout in this metric is the Jade 28L. It has tons of padding in all the places we wanted it. It features a cushy, wide hip belt that feels like a backpack level of support. The Jade and Tempest also feature trampoline back panels for unparalleled ventilation. These two packs were amongst the most comfortable of any to wear in a variety of conditions, loaded down with varying amounts of gear.
The Gregory Juno 24L is another superbly comfortable pack to wear. While many daypacks seem to have their own fit that feels as small as the bag, the Juno is as secure and well-fitted as a full backpack. It handily distributes weight across a wide hip belt and has one of the most effective back ventilation systems we've tested.
The Osprey Sirrus also offers a well-padded hip belt and shoulder straps, an innovative back panel design to aid in ventilation, and some internal framing to help keep the contents of the pack off our backs. To adjust the size, however, there are plastic slots built into the framing, and we found that, for some of us, the thick plastic of the slots rubbed quite badly, particularly when hiking with just a tank top.
We found that the plastic size adjusters at the back of the Sirrus rubbed quite badly. This was not the case for every body type, but something to be aware of when buying this pack.
Credit: Katie Brown
Our high scorers for comfort were thoughtfully designed with a lot of technology put into them, and the results are often exceptional. The mesh on the Decathlon Quechua never chafed (we did have a shirt on at all times), and it's impressive how cool it kept our backs — even in the sweltering summer months of the desert southwest. The slightly raised pads on the REI Trail 25 were a bit thick but surprisingly comfortable while allowing some airflow on hot days. Finally, the Gregory Nano and REI Flash both had a narrow design that allowed for freedom of movement on light and fast days.
The Decathlon Quechua, REI Trail, Gregory Nano and REI Flash show the wide variety of back support, shoulder straps and hip belts that hikers have to choose from.
Credit: Katie Brown
Another design feature that affects our comfort on the trail is the hip belt. Most of the packs in this review have a load-bearing hip belt, but we still found a varying degree of comfort between some of them. The Osprey Tempest 20, Gregory Juno 24, Decathlon Quechua, and Gregory Jade 28 all have hip belts that effectively cover our hip bones with wide padding. Some options we tested, like the REI Trail 25, Deuter Speed Lite 21, and Gregory Nano, have webbing-only hip belts. They'll help keep the bag from shifting around on your back, but they don't transfer any of the load off your shoulders. We feel less comfortable in all of those models when carrying loads in them as a result.
The difference between a load-bearing hipbelt (left) and a webbing one (right) is noticeable the more weight you carry. A load-bearing hipbelt can carry an estimated 80% of the load, saving your shoulders (and your sanity!) on the trail.
Credit: Cam McKenzie Ring
The REI Flash had a unique hip belt with a small amount of structure at the back and just webbing for the remainder of the belt, thereby giving it just enough support to bump its score a bit above those with webbing only. Ultralight models that we tested, the Venture Pal and Cotopaxi Batac, lacked hip belts altogether but are best used for entirely different adventures than their counterparts.
The difference in hipbelt between the REI Flash and the Gregory Nano. The Flash has a support system, whereas the Nano is simply a piece of webbing.
Credit: Katie Brown
We also paid close attention to the cut of the shoulder straps. We tested both unisex and women's specific packs in this lineup. Models geared toward women tend to have less space between the straps and feature a more exaggerated S-curve that better accommodates a narrower physique.
Shoulder strap placement is important, particularly for women's daypacks, who tend to have more narrow shoulders. The Gregory Jade does a fine job of keep straps narrow, but not so tight as to rub the neck.
Credit: Katie Brown
Versatility
Versatility is another key purchase consideration — even the most comfortable pack will be of little use if it can't perform the tasks you need. Versatility is often dependent on the features a pack has (or lacks) and how functional those features are. While some manufacturers seem to be throwing every possible feature imaginable into their pack designs, not all these features are particularly useful. For example, a daisy chain may run down both sides of a pack, but how useful is it? Use that webbing to hook a whole bunch of gear to your bag, and you'll soon become a walking Christmas tree, which is neither sleek nor efficient. Alternatively, some relatively featureless packs can be incredibly versatile by packing down into a teeny tiny little pouch that fits into your pocket. During our testing, we packed the same collection of day hike essentials into each pack to see how they performed across the board.
The Osprey Tempest 20 is an exceptionally versatile daypack, full of well-thought-out sport-oriented features from top to bottom. For example, a sunglasses stow loop makes transitioning between shaded forests and glaring ridgetops easier, while Osprey's LidLock bungee on the back quickly and easily stows your bike helmet. The Tempest is seemingly bursting with pockets you didn't know you couldn't live without, trekking pole quick stow loops you'll actually use, and space for two water bottles and a hydration sleeve. We did find, however, that the slanted design of the water bottle pockets meant that if the bag tipped over, the water bottle slipped right out.
The Osprey Tempest has a cool little “clip” that easily holds your bike helmet securely to the pack - no more flopping around!
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
The Gregory Jade and Osprey Sirrus are other top contenders in this metric. They're fully loaded with super useful features that are handy for just about every possible adventure. Notably, the Sirrus and the REI Trail 25 also come with rain covers stowed away for emergencies.
We appreciated this rain cover while hiking around on a wet day in Yellowstone National Park. Our extra layers and snacks stayed dry, and the rain cover easily stashed back away once the skies cleared.
Credit: Cam McKenzie Ring
We appreciate the super functional features of the Jade 28 for big missions. Its oversized hip belt has space for some of the largest pockets we've seen on a daypack hip belt — or even on most full-sized backpacks. The large capacity of the Jade also makes it a great pack to take on an overnight trip and ensures nothing you need gets left behind. The Juno 24 has simple yet highly functional symmetrical pockets with wide openings and intuitive shapes, making this one of the more versatile models we tested, regardless of what you tend to carry while you hike.
The Decathlon Quechua scored slightly lower in versatility due to its more simplistic design, but it is still worth a mention. With six pockets, it falls well in the mix of the other packs and performs well on strenuous or casual days. The large, U-shaped opening of the main compartment also makes for quick work stuffing a variety of supplies into, even bulkier items such as helmets, and it includes one fleece-lined hip belt pocket for easy access items such as keys or sunglasses.
We appreciated that the Decathlon Quechua had a proper hip belt, and included a fleece-lined pocket for easy-access items.
The Gregory Jade has two hip belt pockets that hold are large enough to hold anything from a phone, to a snack or sunscreen.
Packs with a pocket on the hip belt are an added bonus for easily accessible items, such as keys or sunglasses.
The Deuter Speed Lite and Osprey Daylite Plus were functional packs made from durable material, but both had open stuff pockets in the front that could invite items to fall out, as well as a more 'bookish' shape and less structure, lending them more toward a town day than a trail day and meaning that they perhaps held a bit less than advertised.
The Deuter Speed Lite and Osprey Daylite Plus side-by-side. Both are somewhat 'book bag' like, and better served for a day on the town than a more strenuous hike.
Credit: Katie Brown
The Gregory Nano 18L and REI Flash 22L are unisex bags that are versatile across activities but in slightly differing ways. The Nano wears like your typical hydration bag, and at 18L, doesn't hold quite as much as some counterparts. The hip belt is also webbing only, which can prevent movement of the bag on your back, but can also create friction around the waistline. At the same time, it is streamlined and well-built — a great option for those with a slightly longer torso. The Flash, on the other hand, is easily strapped down to a small size that comes in slightly lighter than the Nano, but at 22L, is able to carry a bit more and has a hip belt with just enough extra structure to wear a bit better.
On the other hand, the Venture Pal and Cotopaxi Batac both have a simple design, with just enough pockets and features to be useful, but lacking a lot of the frills others can boast — like a hip belt, hydration port, or padding. However, they're both lightweight and impressively packable, with a large enough capacity to get you through a day stuck in the airport or the office. Similar in versatility, the Venture Pal and Batac both make great bags for the gym or library due to their simple spaciousness - one just might be slightly more aesthetically pleasing, if that is an important factor for you.
The Venture Pal and Cotopaxi Batac side-by-side shows a comparison of their relative features.
Credit: Katie Brown
Most of the packs we tested have one ice ax holder, which seems like a standard addition to a daypack, even though only a fraction of hikers even use one. If you need to hold two ice axes though, look for something with two loops.
Some of the different methods of carrying trekking poles. The Osprey Sirrus (right) has a dedicated pole holder that secures them to the side and under your shoulder strap. This was a quick way of stowing your poles, but if done wrong, it's not as comfortable as the more traditional options found on the left and middle photos.
Credit: Scott Ring
Most of the models we tested are compatible with your favorite hydration bladder in various ways. Whether you prefer to drink from a bottle or a hose is a question of personal preference. However, hydration aficionados avow that you'll stay better hydrated if you can take small sips of water more frequently from a hose without having to stop and drink from a bottle. Luckily, many of the packs we tested make it easy to use a bladder. They are handy for sports that require the use of your hands, like paddle boarding, biking, and even hiking with trekking poles.
Only one pack stood out for its ability to pack up into its own pocket. By cutting out features like a hip belt, extra pockets, and most loops and clips, these bags are instead versatile in that you can pack them in your luggage to Spain or keep them in your purse for an impromptu adventure.
The Venture Pal packs up small, into its own pocket, making it the perfect travel accessory to throw in your suitcase.
Credit: Katie Brown
Ease of Use
Scoring how easy each pack is to use was a two-pronged endeavor. Firstly, we packed and unpacked them to see how easy their organization, zippers, and overall design were to use. And secondly, we evaluated their adjustability. Daypacks are notorious for not having as much adjustability as a full 60-liter backpacking pack. Many manufacturers only offer them in one size, and there are often limited options for further adjustments, like load-lifting straps on the shoulders or hip belt tensioners. The other major factor we considered was how easy it was to use these adjustable features: how easy is it to tighten the hipbelt or adjust the sternum strap? We considered all these potential adjustable pieces and how they affected each bag's overall usability.
In general, packs with long zippers that extend far down the sides of the bag tend to be easier to load, unload, and find what you're looking for without dumping the whole thing on the ground. Additional inside and outside pockets also help keep your things organized even during a Class 4 scramble. Most over-the-top, traditional backpack-style zippers allow for good access to the bottom of the pack. The increasingly popular U-shaped zipper that opens a flap on top of the bag is extremely useful as long as the opening isn't too small. Drawstring tops can be easy too, but generally have a smaller opening - making it much harder to load the pack through the smaller opening and greatly increasing the likelihood that you'll have to pull things out to find anything hiding near the bottom.
Large, U-Shaped openings on daypacks are extremely helpful when packing a load.
Credit: Katie Brown
We are impressed with the models that have adjustable back panels. One of the most important things to getting a good fit is having the back panel line up with your torso length so that the shoulder straps and hip belt can be in the right place. If it's not, the hip belt won't work well, and you'll carry more of the load on your shoulders. Most of the packs in this review come in one size only, so learn how to measure your torso before choosing a pack to buy. The Osprey Sirrus,Tempest, and Gregory Jade are the packs we tested that have an adjustable torso length — though even those have limits.
The updated AeroSpan ventilated suspension of the Gregory Jade is adjustable for a variety of sizes.
Credit: Katie Brown
Some models are offered in two sizes to cover a greater range of torso sizes, including the Gregory Jade and Osprey Tempest 20. Our chief tester is 5 feet, 4 inches tall, with a 17 to 17.5-inch torso, often falling on the cusp between sizes. The Tempest and the Jade run a bit on the small side. The padded section of the hip belt on the Tempest isn't the biggest, so it might not wrap as far around as you'd like. The Gregory Jade 28, Decathlon Quechua, and Juno 24 have great hip belt coverage.
Not every pack had loaders at the shoulders, but those that did added to their comfort score.
Credit: Katie Brown
We do appreciate that some packs have load-lifting straps on the shoulders, but we found that they are often ineffective. Once you've adjusted your hip belt and shoulder straps, the load-lifters are supposed to shift the weight closer to your back and stabilize your load while reducing the weight on your shoulders. For these straps to work, the body of the pack has to extend above the shoulder straps, which isn't usually the case with a daypack, since the body of the bag is so small. We really only noticed a slight difference using the load-lifters in the Gregory models, likely because they're slightly larger bags with bigger gaps between the back panel and shoulder strap anchors than most of the others we tested.
The easy access, side stow pocket of the Flash.
Credit: Katie Brown
Weight-to-Volume Ratio
We like to consider the weight of all of our outdoor gear purchases. Whether it's our shoes, trekking poles, or packs, shaving ounces off our clothing and gear can quickly add up to large weight savings, which makes each mile that much easier to cover.
If there's one thing we learned in this review, it's that it's hard to have it all in a daypack. Want a lot of padding with a frame that supports the weight you're carrying? Then you'll end up with heavier bags like the Gregory Jade 28, Osprey Sirrus and Osprey Tempest. Want something lightweight that still has all the regular comforts? Then you might have to sacrifice some durability, as super-thin nylon is less indestructible in the long term than a thicker (and therefore heavier) material. The Decathlon Quechua and REI Trail fall in this category, being slightly lighter, but also made with a somewhat thinner fabric.
The Cotopaxi Batac and Venture Pal are the obvious winners in the weight category. However, that kind of weight comes at a high cost to these bags' comfort and durability. Neither bag has a hip belt, and both are made of paper-thin nylon, which's just not as substantial as the thicker, bulkier packs we tested. On the other hand, the Deuter Speed Lite ranks quite high with regard to weight while still retaining some of the more 'pack-like' characteristics, so if weight is a primary concern, this might be a pack worth a second look.
The Deuter Speed Lite is lightweight but still durable, being made of a unique, recycled polyamide fabric.
Credit: Katie Brown
Other notable packs in this metric are the REI Co-op Flash 22L and Gregory Nano 18L. Both are somewhat less technical packs, threading between the ultralight, featureless packable models and full-featured technical bags. This compromise trades comfort features like a padded hip belt and ventilated back panels for lighter-weight options like a webbing hip belt, foam back, and thinner nylon construction. Bags like these are great choices for varied uses, from tossing them in your suitcase for hiking distant destinations to heading to the gym or spending all day out running errands.
The Gregory Nano, at 18L, was bursting as the seams when loaded with our daypack essentials.
Credit: Katie Brown
Construction Quality
Lastly, we rated each different pack in this review for durability. We've been testing a few of our top-rated bags for several years, but all models went through a minimum of several months of regular use and intense testing. We combed through online user reviews to look for durability concerns and patterns from the hundreds of other day packers out there. and we evaluated them based on our extensive experience with outdoor gear. To further test, we conducted drag and hose tests on each bag, dragging each pack for twenty feet and hosing each one down for a full minute.
We are quite impressed with the durability of the Osprey Sirrus 24, Gregory Jade, and Gregory Juno. They're all made of impressively sturdy 210-Denier nylon in the body with a double layer on the bottom. These packs also feature reinforced seams, thick adjustable straps, heavy-duty plastic pieces, and minimal or thickly reinforced mesh. The Osprey Tempest also ranks high in construction quality, being made of 100-Denier nylon. Other favorites for durability are the REI Trail 25, which is constructed from thick recycled nylon, and the Deuter Speed Lite, which is made from recycled polyamide.
Each daypack was subjected to a drag test to test their fabric's durability.
Credit: Katie Brown
The Gregory Nano also held up well to our stress test, although it did show more visual scuffing than some other packs. The Cotopaxi Batac did surprisingly well, being made of a combination of pieces of nylon from 75-Denier to 210-Denier.
The Cotopaxi Batac is definitely an option when aesthetics matter.
Credit: Katie Brown
For us, the Decathlon Quechua performed quite well during the stress test, but it is worth noting that the majority of negative reviews for this product were related to the fabric quality, which is a coated polyester. For the price point, however, this isn't surprising. And although the REI Flash was a user favorite, it was slightly lower in the construction quality metric, being made of a recycled rip-stop nylon. This one is definitely a light and fast bag.
The Gregory Juno's mesh pocket is much thicker than most other models, further bolstering our confidence in its durable build and design.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
No pack will last forever, and some terrains are less forgiving than others. If you're hiking on well-maintained trails in “gentle” forest ecosystems, this might be less of a concern for you. If you're scrambling up craggy peaks or squeezing through sandy slot canyons, thicker material will offer more abrasion resistance, and you should consider this when making a purchase decision.
Adventure confidently in every season with the right daypack for you.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
Conclusion
Finding the perfect daypack can feel like an overwhelming challenge. With so many models, even from the same manufacturer, it can be challenging to find the perfect one for you. We hope our extensive testing and ratings will help you in your quest. If you're looking for the best school backpack or even if you're not sure what kind of backpack you need, we've got a comprehensive round-up of the best backpacks of various types to help you decide.
