15 Best Hiking Backpacks for Day Trips, Overnight Adventures, & Longer Treks

Bag weight: 9.5 oz.
Capacity: 18L

This light, frameless day pack is a favorite of The Venture Out Project’s director of operations Travis Clough. “It’s so packable that it can fit in your pocket when it’s empty. This backpack can literally go anywhere,” says Clough, who has taken it on day hikes, cross-country skiing trips, to the 48 high peaks in New Hampshire, and even to hold six-packs on summer afternoon bike rides to a friend’s house. “I’ve had mine for years and it’s still going strong,” he says.

Pros: Ultra-lightweight, hip belt, hydration sleeve
Cons: Almost no padding, not good for heavy loads

Bag weight: 10.6 oz.
Capacity: 18L

You don’t have to be outdoorsy to love this Cotopaxi bag, says former Traveler editor Stephanie Wu. You don’t even have to reserve it for hiking trips. “My Cotopaxi backpack has become my go-to for any type of adventurous outing. It’s incredibly lightweight and was clearly designed by people who love to travel. There’s a compartment for my water bottle on the side, and an off-center zipper on the front that is great for when you need to reach for your passport or phone, and only want to take your backpack off one shoulder,” she says. Plus, every backpack is different—they’re made out of leftover bits of fabric, so the colors and zipper liners are unique from one bag to the next.

Pros: Sustainable design, hip belt, extremely packable
Cons: Minimal padding, small volume

Bag weight: 2.65 lb.
Capacity: 33L
Ask any group of hikers what their favorite backpack is, and you’re likely to hear a chorus of “Osprey.” That’s because the company, which stitches its goods with Bluesign-approved materials, pairs excellent on-the-go features (think trekking pole attachments, perfectly-sized hip pockets, and external hydration sleeves) with its All Mighty Guarantee—a promise to repair or replace any damage or defect, free of charge, forever. The women-specific Tempest might just be the brand’s best daypack yet, with a lightweight frame, AirScape vented back panel, and top-loading main compartment. It comes in a men’s variety, the Talon.

Pros: Trekking pole loops, great ventilation, hip belt pockets, lifetime warranty
Cons: Not ultralight, no included rain cover

Bag weight: 3.08 lb.
Capacity: 28L

Recommended by the founder of Out There Adventures, Elyse Rylander, this bag sits in the middle of the pack, size-wise. Efficient packers can even use it for multi-day adventures—Rylander’s sister traveled for three months in Southeast Asia with just the Gregory Jade 28-liter. Adjustable straps help it fit to your torso length, and the OpenAir ventilated back panel increases breathability. This backpack also meets carry-on restrictions for most airlines, making it a great option for those traveling light.

Pros: Outer stash pocket, back ventilation, comfortable hip belt padding
Cons: Pricey, not ultralight

Bag weight: 1 lb. 10 oz.
Capacity: 26L

A super lightweight pack relative to its volume, Osprey’s Hikelite 26 is as at home on the trail as it is in town, boasting a low-profile design with compression straps, side pouches for water bottles, and an extra-stretchy mesh compartment to separate a rain jacket or microspikes from the rest of your kit. Travel journalist Stephanie Vermillion loves it for its ventilated back panel and scratch-resistant front pocket, adding, “This is an excellent addition given I’ve ruined many sunglasses by stashing them in my pack.”

Bag weight: 4.8 lb.
Capacity: 55L

”I love the 55-liter Osprey Ariel pack. This pack is designed for women (or anyone with narrower shoulders) which means a more comfortable, chafe-free fit. Even better? The pockets on the belt clip are the perfect size for a phone,” blogger Liz Carlson, the founder of Young Adventuress, says. Part of the backpack can also be zipped off and used as a handy day pack, perfect for side trips in the middle of longer journeys.

Pros: Great padding, large hip belt pockets, awesome storage + water bottle pockets
Cons: On the heavier side for a 55-liter pack

Bag weight: 2.10 lb.
Capacity: 53–57L

Every time I ask my most adventurous friends what their favorite budget backpacking pack is, I’m met with a resounding chorus lauding the REI Flash 55 Pack. So, it was no surprise that this tried-and-true bag was outdoor writer Bernadette Rankin’s top pick when it comes to hiking backpacks, namely because of its comfortable hip belt and fabulous pockets. “When I want to hike along my local Pacific Northwest trails or aim for a longer overnight backpacking trip to Olympic National Park, REI’s Flash 55 is my go-to pack to confidently carry everything I need,” she says.

Pros: Climate Neutral Certified brand, huge water bottle pockets, hydration port
Cons: Tricky to fit a bear canister, rain cover sold separately

Bag weight: 4.9 lb.
Capacity: 70L

Finding the right fit for your torso is crucial when you’re going to be crunching your boots along wilderness trails for days on end, and Rochfort says she adores Deuter for its well-ventilated, smartly-sized packs. “The back panel is super breathable, so I don’t feel quite as gross when I’m huffing and puffing up a mountain,” she says of this 60L rucksack that comes with a 10L removable top “brain” pocket. “Plus, the pack is made with 50% recycled material and is PFC-free, so it’s a bit better for the environment than older backpacks,” she says.

Pros: Excellent ventilation, removable brain, trekking pole/ice axe loops
Cons: On the heavy side

Bag weight: 5 lb.
Capacity: 65L

Jenny Bruso, the founder of Unlikely Hikers, helped create a line of plus-size hiking gear designed to allow every adventurer to take on any trail feeling confident and supported. This Katmai 65-liter pack comes with extended-length shoulder straps and hip belts, plus additional fit revisions to accommodate larger body shapes and sizes. Made with recycled fabrics, it has seven pockets, a trekking pole attachment, and a sleeping bag compartment.

Pros: Inclusive sizing, mesh back ventilation, roomy hip pockets
Cons: Expensive

Bag weight: 1 lb. 13 oz.–2 lbs. 2 oz. (S, M, L sizes available)
Capacity: 60L

When you want to go big, sometimes you’ve got to go ultralight. Weighing in at just two pounds, the Gossamer Gear Mariposa is a time-tested favorite on massive thru-hikes like the Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails. Brian Beckstead, adventurer and co-founder of Altra Footwear, loves its “blend of comfort, functionality, weight, and simplicity.” Meanwhile, Jennifer Pharr Davis, author and owner of Blue Ridge Hiking Company, is a fan of the customizable torso lengths and hip belt options so that every hiker can find the fit that works for them.

Pros: Recycled Robic nylon resists cuts and tears, ample pockets, multiple sizes available
Cons: A little pricey

Bag weight: 2 lb.
Capacity: 30L

Though it may look like a sleek commuter pack at first glance (the laptop sleeve and lack of bulky outer pockets make it great for streamlined city and airport travel), the Fjällräven Ulvö 30 proved surprisingly robust when I spent a year van-lifing and visiting every national park in the US. A zippered mesh pocket on the interior helped hold my valuables, like keys and a wallet, and the bigger outer pouch was just large enough to stash snacks and a beanie. My only note? For longer hikes, I’d love a padded hip belt.

Pros: Streamlined design, packable, padded laptop sleeve
Cons: No hip belt pockets, water bottle pouches are tight

Bag weight: 1 lb.
Capacity: 25L

Of course, there are those adventures that promise to get wet and wild, like traipsing through tropical monsoons in Thailand or snorkeling in Cozumel. For travel on boats or in rainy climates, I heartily recommend Exped’s Typhoon 25 Pack, which, apart from being ultra-lightweight and fully waterproof, is also constructed with durable, recycled nylon fabric. Daisy chains on the outside of the pack make storing additional gear a cinch (bring your own cord), and two stretchy side pouches allow you to quickly store a water bottle, trekking poles, or an extra jacket.

Pros: Amazing waterproofing, external webbing loops, water bottle pockets
Cons: Minimal back padding, thin hip belt

Bag weight: 3.10 lb.
Capacity: 45L

For those who need a bigger travel bag that just as smoothly transitions from city jaunts to camping excursions, spanning weekend to week-long trips, Patagonia’s convertible model is an easy favorite. ”I just got the Patagonia Black Hole MLC pack and I’m already obsessed—I had trouble finding a midsize pack I loved before this one,” says Faith E. Briggs, a documentary filmmaker and an ambassador for Brown Folks Fishing. ”I love Patagonia in general because they are the most thoroughly sustainable outdoor company: They repair everything, so whenever I buy from them I feel like I have a lifetime guarantee, which justifies the price.” The ultra-durable waterproof body, made from recycled materials, also fits most carry-on requirements and fits as easily on the handles of your rolling luggage as it does slung over your shoulder, or strapped on your back on a backcountry trek. Talk about multitasking.

Pros: Ultra-durable, copious pockets, duffel carry option
Cons: Not ideal for long treks, best for cities and adventure travel

Bag weight: 3.17 lb.
Capacity: 27L (zipped up); 33L (expanded)

Thoughtfully designed by camera-toting adventure lovers, Peak Design’s Travel Backpack looks as at home traipsing through downtown Athens as it does on a mountainous trail. With theft-deterrent zipper pulls, a weatherproof shell made of 100% recycled nylon canvas, and expandable side pockets for tripods or water bottles, the bag seamlessly blends sensible city features with rugged outdoor necessities. Pair it with a set of the brand’s camera cubes for optimal protection and organization.

Pros: Tripod carry system, sleek design, durable, padded laptop sleeve
Cons: Rain cover sold separately, hip belt sold separately

Bag weight: 3.3 lb.
Capacity: 32L

If you’re trekking with photography gear, this bag will get you and your tripod wherever you need to go. “The F-Stop Lotus is the best adventure camera pack for day hikes and one-night trips,” says Carlson. “It’s a bit smaller than their normal Tilopa, which is really designed for those with broader shoulders. With the Lotus, you can also attach plenty of gear to the outside, from a tripod to a sleeping bag to a snowboard (seriously).” F-Stop also sells a system of padded compartments for your cameras and lenses, so you can customize the interior of the bag based on your existing gear.

Pros: Rugged durability, external webbing loops, camera-specific pouches
Cons: Expensive, rain cover not included