The best hiking daypacks reviewed (2023) | 20-30L

When the weather is warmer and your load is lighter, a comfortable daypack is exactly what you need. From fully-featured gear haulers to ultralight backpacks, here are the best 20 to 30-litre options.


by Matt Jones & Ellie Clewlow |
Posted on

Subbing in a small hiking daypack in place of a bigger rucksack is liberating. Capacious enough for snacks, spare layers and essentials only, you feel so speedy and agile wearing a smaller daypack.

And so, it’s hard to be unhappy when you’re out in the hills when the sun is shining and there’s not a cloud in the sky. Unless your little daypack is uncomfortable of course. Feeling the straps cutting into your shoulders, the belt digging into your hips and an unpleasant sticky patch slowly spreading across your back is no fun.

But it would be a shame to let such discomfort ruin an otherwise perfect summer hill day. That’s why we’ve picked out our top daypacks for warm weather walking, tried and tested in sunny (well, mostly) Snowdonia.

Two hikers wearing daypacks in summer
©Live For The Outdoors

Our shortlist:

Osprey Sirrus 26 – Best in Test

Lowe Alpine AirZone Active 25 – Best Value

D-Robe Rolltop Rucksack – Best waterproof daypack

Vaude Neyland 24 – Best for sustainability

Designed to carry 20-30 litres of kit, which ought to be ample capacity for a full dawn-to-dusk adventure, these daypacks are all about optimum carrying comfort, walker-friendly features and easy, breezy airflow to stop you getting hot and sweaty – even when the mercury soars. If, however, you're in need of a multi-day pack, check out our favourite backpacking rucksacks.

The best hiking daypacks 2023

Best in Test

Osprey Sirrus 26 on test with award overlayLive For The Outdoors

Description

The men’s Stratos and women’s Sirrus packs are hillwalking favourites that vie with the Talon and

Pros

  • Good ventilation
  • Plenty of thoughtful features
  • Made from 100% recycled materials
  • Tough and durable
  • PFC-free DWR raincover

Cons

  • Not the lightest daypack
  • High positioning may not suit everyone

Best Value

Lowe Alpine AirZone Active 25 on test with award overlayLive For The Outdoors

Description

This is a classic mid-size daypack with a top drawcord closure and a simple but practical

Pros

  • Great for heavier loads
  • PFC-free
  • Lowe Alpine a Fair Wear Foundation leader
  • Solid and durable

Cons

  • Unisex fit is a bit compromised

Best waterproof daypack

Description

This is the only pack that D-Robe produce, and it's clear they wanted it to be as versatile and

Pros

  • Great waterproofing
  • Very spacious
  • Sustainably made
  • Durable construction

Cons

  • Not the best for heavy loads
  • No drink bottle pouch

Best budget hiking daypack

Description

The price is utterly bonkers, yet this pack is surprisingly competent and comfy. Of course, it’s

Pros

  • Very affordable
  • Spacious main compartment
  • Reasonably comfy

Cons

  • No eco credentials
  • Not as good a quality as the competition
  • Not suitable for tall people

Best for comfort

Deuter Futura 29 EL in useLive For The Outdoors
Price: £120.00

Description

deuter’s comprehensive Futura series includes this EL (‘extended length’) version, which has a

Pros

  • Best ventilation on test
  • Best range of back lengths
  • PFC-free
  • deuter a Fair Wear Foundation leader

Cons

  • Heaviest on test
  • A tad awkward to pack

Best lightweight daypack

Mammut Lithium 30 on testLive For The Outdoors

Description

In terms of carrying capacity, this is the biggest pack on test, but it’s also one of the lightest

Pros

  • Generous capacity
  • Impressively light
  • PFC-free DWR
  • Mammut a Fair Wear Foundation member

Cons

  • Not as well padded as some
  • Only one back length

Best daypack for durability

Patagonia Altvia 28L on testLive For The Outdoors

Description

This pack is light, tough and spacious, with plenty of carrying capacity for a full day’s hiking.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Easy to access gear quickly
  • Made from 100% recycled materials
  • PFC-free

Cons

  • Others carry heavier loads better

Best daypack for sustainability

Vaude Neyland 24 on testLive For The Outdoors

Description

German brand Vaude tends to fly under the radar a little in the UK but deserves to get more

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Practical design
  • Vaude and Fair Wear Foundation leader
  • Climate neutral product

Cons

  • Only one hipbelt pocket
  • One back length only

Best for fastpacking

LFTO tester wearing Montane Azote 25 daypackLive For The Outdoors
Price: £130.00

montane.com

Description

As sponsors of some of the biggest ultra events in the UK and beyond, it’s perhaps little surprise

Pros

  • Adjustable back system
  • Montane a Fair Wear Foundation member
  • Versatile for hiking and trail running

Cons

  • No raincover

What to look for in a hiking daypack

Volume: A daypack for summer can be smaller than a daypack for winter hiking. This is simply because you don't have to carry such bulky clothing and items like crampons. Basically, in summer, go as small as you can while still being able to carry the essentials.

Frame: The frame provides rigidity and stability. Ultralight packs may be completely frameless, but other daypacks have an internal frame made from spring steel or aluminium. To save weight, others use a high-density plastic framesheet or a stiffened foam back panel. With lighter loads for summer day hikes, the importance of a strong, load-bearing back system is lessened.

Pockets: Zippered hipbelt pockets are handy for stashing gear you’ll need on-the-go. Internal zippered pockets are great for car keys or a wallet, and elasticated side pockets are perfect for water bottles. Some packs also feature large pockets made from stretchy mesh and a pocket (or sleeve) for a hydration bladder, as well as an outlet for the drinking hose.

Best hiking daypacks reviewed

Lid: The lid covers the main opening. Some are fixed to the pack, while others are detachable with a ‘floating’ design. A current trend is towards lidless packs.

Straps: External compression straps, webbing loops, toggles and bungee cords can be used for attaching items such as trekking poles and camping gear to the outside of your pack

Sizing: It’s vital to pick a backpack with a size appropriate for your torso length. Trying on a loaded pack is the easiest way to do this. Some backpacks come in various length options, some are adjustable via webbing straps or Velcro, and some come in only one size.

Back systems: Back panels made from perforated foam or padding carry the load directly next to the body. This approach is comfy and stable, with a close-to-the-body feel. Suspended mesh back panels, conversely, hold the pack’s bulk away from your back, which some hikers prefer, but can feel like the load is levering away from you. It’s all down to personal preference.

Hiking pack care and maintenance

Staff writer Ben Weeks wearing a small hiking pack
©Live For The Outdoors

Packs are the most repairable piece of hiking equipment. If you’ve got a tear, broken a strap, or stuffed zip, it can be repaired. Quite a lot of brands offer repair services, and many outdoor retailers do too. Make use of them.

To maintain the performance of the fabrics used to make hiking packs, it’s important to clean them properly. It’s very simple and primarily involves using the correct cleaning solution. Find out all you need to know about hiking pack care and maintenance in our hiking pack care guide.

How we tested

All the packs above have accompanied us for many hours on hillsides and mountains. Our experienced, professional gear testers consider what each pack is ultimately designed for and test it against the design brief. We look at comfort and performance, but also the subtle ergonomics of features and how sustainably each pack is made.

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