The 4 Best Hiking Daypacks for Women

Best Daypack for Casual Day Hikes

Decathlon Quechua MH100 - Women's

Weight: 28 oz | Capacity: 20 L

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. “I love that there aren't a lot of extra clips and clasps that I don't know what to do with,” commented lead tester Katie Brown. It also has a signature AirCooling back ventilation system, which we found kept sweat to a minimum even on the hottest days. Two deep outside pockets are great for storing water and other miscellaneous items on each side of the pack. Another awesome feature was the full hip belt system with a fleece-lined hip belt pocket. The padded belt and back frame system meant we could load the pack down for a full day's hike, much like some 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 a rain layer that may be crammed in the very bottom of the pack.

There are so many things to love about the Quechua MH100, but we did walk away with one main concern for this pack: the fabric's durability. Based on its price point and reviews alone, we can't help but wonder what the anticipated lifespan should be. We didn't experience any issues with its inexpensive materials or construction in our testing, but they are worth noting if you are on the hunt for something that will last for another twenty years. If you want a trail-ready daypack that is sure to perform over a long and active lifespan, we recommend the Gregory Jade 28L, Nemo Resolve 25, or Osprey Tempest 20. Then again, if you just want a well-priced pack with great features for casual daily activities and the occasional hike, this is an easy choice. Tester Katie Brown noted, “I love having this pack in the closet for days when I need to pack up extra layers, books, or snacks for the family before we head out to the park.”

Read more: Decathlon Quechua MH100 review

Best Women's Daypack for Intense Hikes

Osprey Tempest 20

Weight: 31 oz | Capacity: 20 L

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 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. One of our lead testers said, “I really loved that this pack seamlessly transitioned from mountain biking to hiking. On a day jam-packed full of varied activities, it didn't miss a beat.” Although Osprey packs are on the heavier end of our lineup, their thoughtful design and extra features compensate for the extra ounces on your back.

Despite how much we appreciate the adjustable torso length, the Osprey Tempest 20 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. The hydration system fits into a storage compartment that sits between the pack and the frame, but we found the new design makes for a very tight squeeze, no matter which brand of bladder we tried. Tester Kaite Brown complained, “I found it to be a bit of a wrestling match every time I had to squeeze a fully-loaded bladder into the bag, and the same when I went to pull it out.” If you find that the Tempest doesn't work for you, we recommend the Nemo Resolve 25. The Nemo is a bit pricier, but also a bit larger, both in carrying ability and fit, with a similarly high-quality build and highly functional features. Still, for a rather small pack, we love the versatility, practicality, and promised longevity the Tempest offers. Overall, we think it is one of the best compact daypacks among the 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.

Read more: Osprey Tempest 20 review

A Great Value for Versatile Use

REI Co-op Flash 22L - Women's

Weight: 17 oz | Capacity: 22 L

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. “I actually took this pack to a festival where I was riding my bike a lot,” commented one tester, “and it was perfect — it could carry a little or a lot without weighing me down or making me too hot.” We should note that the back panel isn't as minimal as a bag like the Cotopaxi Batac 16L or Venture Pal 35L. Still, it is considerably less structured than a more formal backpacking bag such as one of our Osprey or Gregory options. On the plus side, that panel is also designed to slide out and be used as a seat cushion.

The mesh shoulder straps and hip belt of the Flash 22L have moisture-wicking capabilities and are very lightly padded, making them more comfortable than straight webbing but still thin and lightweight enough for easy movement. We enjoyed that this pack could transition from a fully loaded daypack to a simple hydration pack that was light and comfortable enough to run with. On the downside, its lightweight fabric meant that it was a bit less durable than some of its counterparts, and the back lacks structure outside of the removable foam panel, so you have to be somewhat aware of how you are packing your bag to prevent areas of friction. Another cute, even more minimal option we like is the Cotopaxi Batac. Or, if you are looking for a similar bag that can easily transition from hiking to running, the Gregory Nano 18 is a great choice. 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 is made with an extremely durable fabric and can withstand demanding days out.

Read more: REI Co-op Flash 22L review

Best Women's Daypack for Long Distance Hikes

Gregory Jade 28L

Weight: 42 oz | Capacity: 28 L

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 as one of our favorites. It's comfortable straight out of the box, and you can customize that fit since the pack comes in two sizes and has an adjustable frame. One of its standout features is the large U-zip opening that makes accessing essentials a cinch. “I think this is THE bag for anyone hunting for something that can serve as more than just a single-day pack,” one tester told us. She points out, “The Jade 28 fits the bill for so much more, easily carrying everything I need for even quick, overnight trips.”

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. However, because of its larger capacity, it would be easy to overstuff it. We recommend packing only what you need, even if there's room for more. But if you should end up with a stuffed pack, it's nice to know the Jade carries light because the weight is distributed evenly to sit on your hips. Whenever our testers need to carry a lot of layers or weight over a single day or overnight distance, this is the one they choose. No other daypack has proven more comfortable and up for such treks. 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 to fit your waist before purchasing. We found that with layers on, the sizing was fine, but when hiking in just shorts and a tank, we wanted it to pull a bit tighter to really hold the load of a full pack in place. 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 or Gregory Juno 24L are great packs that are still large enough to hold a full day's hike worth of supplies.

Read more: Gregory Jade 28 review

Compare Products

Compare select up to 5 products to compare

	Score	Product	Price
	78	Gregory Jade 28L Best Women's Daypack for Long Distance Hikes	$170
	78	Gregory Juno 24L	$140
	77	Decathlon Quechua MH100 - Women's Best Daypack for Casual Day Hikes	$40
	76	Osprey Tempest 20 Best Women's Daypack for Intense Hikes	$160
	76	NEMO Resolve 25 - Women's	$180
	73	REI Co-op Flash 22L - Women's A Great Value for Versatile Use	$60
	73	REI Co-op Trail 25 - Unisex	$100
	71	Venture Pal 35L - Women's	$26
	70	Gregory Nano 18 - Women's	$65
	70	Deuter Speed Lite 21 - Women's	$80
	70	Osprey Sirrus 24	$180
	67	Cotopaxi Batac 16L	$65
	60	Osprey Daylite Plus - Women's	$75
	56	Cotopaxi Luzon 24L	$80

How We Tested

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 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 them over 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 much time outside adventuring, 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 deeply appreciates 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 likes to joke (kind of), “I spent the next fifteen years carrying heavy bags up hills.” She's climbed worldwide, 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.

Analysis and Test Results

We tested each of these daypacks over several months (and some we've continued testing for several years) using our side-by-side comparison process. We used them while hiking over many miles, both for short and long hikes and various activities, from paddleboarding to skiing, commuting to work, or hauling kids around town. After testing, we rated each daypack on criteria spanning five mutually exclusive metrics, from comfort and adjustability to available features and durability, all to find the best daypack for different uses.

What's the Best Value?

We frequently have to make tradeoffs when purchasing gear; 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. However, comfort and ease of use appear 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. Alternatively, the Osprey Tempest 20 is an exceptionally versatile bag that works well for a wide variety of activities, offering high performance across all metrics for a moderate price.

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. Lastly, the REI Co-op Trail 25 is another affordable option that has recently transitioned from a women's version to unisex, while still maintaining all the best features of a women's daypack.

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 to ensuring a comfortable fit. An ill-fitting or minimally padded pack can make your 12-mile day hike significantly less enjoyable. However, to ensure objectivity and fairness in our assessments, we also balance our assessment of this metric against each bag's intended usage. A pack built for long day hikes and a pack intended to be compact and portable enough to bring along on a spontaneous jaunt to the park easily are designed for different needs. Yet both should be comfortable enough not to make you grumpy every time you use them. We factored in the comfort rating as a quarter of each model's overall score to ensure we accounted for such variations in need and design strategies. Packs with adjustability features 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 whether any features impacted our comfort level. The Decathlon Quechua, surprised us. Although it sports a slightly more minimalist design, it includes an AirCooling frame that holds the pack away from the back, creating very nice air flow and preventing undue sweat once you get moving. Its hip belt is also nicely padded and curves well over the hip area, making the pack quite comfortable and easy to carry when packed with a heavy load.

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 akin to the level of support we might expect of a proper backpack. The Jade and Tempest also feature trampoline back panels for unparalleled ventilation. These two packs were amongst the most comfortable among the full lineup to wear in varied conditions, loaded with varying amounts of gear.

The Gregory Juno 24L is another superbly comfortable pack to wear. While many daypacks seem to have a fit that feels as small as the bag, the Juno is as secure and well-fitted to the individual as a full backpack can be. It handily distributes weight across a wide hip belt and has one of the most effective back ventilation systems we've tested.

We also recently tested the Nemo Resolve 25. This pack includes an internal steel frame that can carry heavy loads comfortably. Plus, it includes a trademarked cushioning system of 97% air, providing impressive cushioning and wicking away moisture.

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 pack's contents 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.

Our high scorers for comfort were thoughtfully designed with a lot of technology, and the results are often exceptional. The mesh on the Decathlon Quechua never chafed (although we did have a shirt on at all times, versus tank tops), and proved impressive in 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 still facilitating some airflow on hot days. Finally, the Gregory Nano and REI Flash had a narrow design allowing freedom of movement on light and fast days.

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 how they each performed. The Osprey Tempest 20, Gregory Juno 24, Decathlon Quechua, and Gregory Jade 28 all have hip belts that effectively cover our testers' 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. These minimalist designs help keep the bag from shifting around on your back, but they don't transfer any load off your shoulders, making them less comfortable when carrying heavier weights.

The REI Flash 22L had a unique hip belt with a small amount of structure at the back and just webbing for the remainder of the belt, giving it enough support to bump its score slightly above those with webbing only. The NEMO Resolve had a similar hybrid design. Minimalist models we tested, the Venture Pal and Cotopaxi Batac, lacked hip belts altogether but are best used for entirely different, more targeted ultralight, adventure needs than their counterparts.

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, such as the Osprey Tempest 20 and Nemo Resolve 25, tend to have less space between the straps and feature a more exaggerated S-curve that better accommodates a narrower physique.

Versatility

Versatility is another key purchase consideration, as even the most comfortable pack will be of little use if it can't perform the tasks you need. Versatility often depends 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 are particularly useful. For example, a daisy chain may run down both sides of a pack, but how useful is it in practice? 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. However, we found that the slanted design of the water bottle pockets resulted in the bag tipping over and the water bottles slipping right out. On the other hand, while a bit pricey, the NEMO Resolve 25 had a unique water bottle holder that cinches tight to hold a variety of shapes and sizes.

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 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, ensuring 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 when stuffing a variety of supplies into it, including bulkier items such as helmets. It also offers one fleece-lined hip belt pocket for easy access to items such as keys or sunglasses.

The Deuter Speed Lite and Osprey Daylite Plus are functional packs made from durable material, but both have open stuff pockets in the front that may invite items to fall out. They also each have a more 'bookish' shape with less structure, suiting them better to a day around town than a trail day, and seeming to hold a bit less than advertised.

The NEMO Resolve 25L had some unique features we didn't find in other packs, adding to its versatility. These include internal bunjees to help separate items in the large, main compartment, a small, snap closure pocket on the shoulder pocket, and a tightening system on the side pockets so water bottles don't fall out. Although none of these were activity-defining enough to warrant an award, they are worth a mention as useful extras.

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 then 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 compact size. It comes in slightly lighter than the Nano, at 22L, and can carry a bit more, plus it has a hip belt with just enough extra structure to improve its wear.

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 other daypacks 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 to the office. Similar in versatility, the Venture Pal and Batac make great bags for the gym or library due to their simple spaciousness, and some may find them slightly more aesthetically pleasing than other models, if that is an important factor for you.

Most packs we tested have one ice ax holder, which seems like a standard addition to a daypack, even though only a fraction of hikers use one. If you need to hold two ice axes, look for something with two loops.

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 using your hands, like paddle boarding, biking, and even hiking with trekking poles.

Only one pack, the Venture Pal 35L, stood out for its ability to pack into its own pocket. By cutting out features like a hip belt, extra pockets, and most loops and clips, such a bag becomes versatile enough to land a place in your luggage on longer trips or to keep in your purse or car for impromptu adventures.

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 is to use these adjustable features when they exist: how easy is it to tighten the hipbelt or adjust the sternum strap? We considered all these potential adjustable pieces and how they affect 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 all contents to the ground. Additional inside and outside pockets help keep your things organized even during a Class 4 scramble. Most over-the-top, traditional backpack-style zippers offer decent access to the bottom of the pack, but the increasingly popular U-shaped zipper opens a flap at the top of the bag instead. This can be extremely useful for accessing specific locations within, as long as the opening it provides isn't too small. Drawstring-topped bags can be easy to use, too. Still, generally they have smaller openings, which can make it much harder to load your pack and greatly increase the likelihood that you'll have to pull your belongings out to find anything hiding near the bottom.

We are impressed with models that have adjustable back panels. One of the most important tools for getting a good fit is having a back panel that lines up with your torso length so that the shoulder straps and hip belt land in the right places. If it is not positioned correctly, the hip belt won't work well, and you'll carry more 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, NEMO Resolve, and Gregory Jade are packs we tested with adjustable torso lengths, although they have limits to their adjustability.

Some models are offered in two sizes to cover a greater range of torso sizes, including the Gregory Jade and Osprey Tempest 20. One of our testers is 5 feet, 4 inches tall, with a 17 to 17.5-inch torso, which often falls on the cusp between sizes. The Tempest and the Jade run a bit on the small side. Also, the padded section on the Tempest's hip belt 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.

We appreciate that some packs have load-lifting straps on the shoulders but are often ineffective. Once you've adjusted your hip belt and shoulder straps, the load-lifters should shift the weight closer to your back and stabilize your load while reducing the weight on your shoulders. For these straps to work, the pack's body has to extend above the shoulder straps. This isn't usually the case with a daypack, since the body of the bag is so small. We really only noticed a slight difference in performance when using the load-lifters in the Gregory models. This is likely because these two bags are slightly larger and produce bigger gaps between the back panel and shoulder strap anchors than most of the others we tested.

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, making each mile much easier to cover.

If there's one thing we learned in this review, it's this: 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, NEMO Resolve, 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 over the long term than a thicker (and therefore heavier) material. The Decathlon Quechua and REI Trail fall in this category, being slightly lighter and made with a somewhat thinner fabric.

The Cotopaxi Batac and Venture Pal are the obvious winners in the weight category. However, that kind of low weight comes at a high cost in terms of comfort and durability. Neither bag has a hip belt, and both are made of paper-thin nylon, which is just not as substantial as the thicker, bulkier packs we tested. On the other hand, the Deuter Speed Lite ranks quite high for its light design while retaining some more 'pack-like' characteristics. So if weight is a primary concern, this might be a pack worth a second look.

Other notable packs in this metric are the REI Co-op Flash 22L and Gregory Nano 18L. Both are somewhat less technical packs, walking the line between ultralight, featureless, easily packable models and those that are full-featured technical bags. A compromise of this sort typically requires sacrificing comfort features like a padded hip belt and ventilated back panels, instead opting for lighter-weight components like a webbed hip belt, foam back, and thinner nylon construction. Bags such as these are great choices for varied uses, such as tossing them into your suitcase to hike distant destinations, when heading to the gym, or when spending a day out running errands.

Construction Quality

Lastly, we rated each pack in this review for its durability in construction. We've been testing a few of our top-rated bags for several years, so we continue to make updates here based on their continued use. However, all models in the lineup have undergone several months of regular use and intense testing. As part of our research, we comb through online user reviews to assess any durability concerns or patterns as reported in the feedback of other daypackers who purchased the bag. We then incorporate those insights into the “lab” examinations and field testing we do with each product, to see if such patterns may materialize in our hands-on experiences. This includes conducting drag and hose tests on each daypack, dragging them over twenty feet to see how the materials and build hold up, and hosing each pack down for a full minute to assess waterproofing.

The construction quality results were impressive for the Osprey Sirrus 24, Gregory Jade, and Gregory Juno. All three are made of sturdy 210-Denier nylon in the body with a double layer on the bottom, and all feature reinforced seams, thick adjustable straps, heavy-duty plastic components, and minimal or thickly reinforced mesh. The Osprey Tempest also ranks high in this metric, made of 100-Denier nylon that had no problem handling our tests. Other favorites are the REI Trail 25, which is constructed from thick recycled nylon, the NEMO Resolve, which is made with a very durable, recycled/recyclable fabric called CERO, and the Deuter Speed Lite, which is made from recycled polyamide.

The Gregory Nano also held up well to our stress tests, although it did show more visual scuffing than some of the other packs once through. The Cotopaxi Batac also performed surprisingly well, with its mixed construction that combines sections of 75-Denier to 210-Denier nylon.

The Decathlon Quechua also stood out through testing. However, it is worth noting that there are negative reviews for this product online, mostly related to the quality of its coated polyester fabric construction. Yet for its budget-friendly price, this isn't entirely surprising. Many manufacturers will sacrifice long-lasting materials and heavier-grade constructions to keep the costs low on their final products. Similarly, while the REI Flash is a user favorite made of recycled rip-stop nylon ideal for fast and light days, the build scored slightly lower for the construction quality metric. It may not deliver the longevity of other bags with higher scores.

No pack will last forever; some terrains are less forgiving than others. This might be less of a concern if you're hiking on well-maintained trails in “gentle” forest ecosystems. If you're scrambling up craggy peaks or squeezing through sandy slot canyons, thicker material will offer more abrasion resistance. You should consider your planned use when making a purchase decision.

How To Pick the Best Daypack

Before deciding on a daypack, there are a few key things to consider: your activity expectations, how long-lasting you expect your pack to be, and personal comfort.

What Activities Will You Use It For?

When choosing your daypack, defining the activities you will be participating in is helpful. Are you going to be riding your bike a lot, and in which case, might helmet storage be important? Are you going to be commuting to a coffee shop to work? If this is the case, you may want to look for a bag with a laptop sleeve. Do you need something big enough for overnight trips? Or do you want a bag that seamlessly transitions from day hikes to trail runs? All of these factors determine which daypack is the best choice for you.

Do You Need Your Daypack to Go Far and Long?

Budget is always a factor in every purchase, but it's also important to consider overall value. If you are struggling with the price tag of a daypack, it can be helpful to identify where the value for you lies. If you are looking for a pack that will last over so many trail days, eventually turning into a family heirloom, then it might be worth considering a bag with a higher price tag and more durable construction. If, however, you just need to get through an upcoming trip or pick up something that makes it easier to commute to work or the gym in the morning, durability may be less important to you. This understanding can free you up to look into bags with a more moderate price tag that fit some of your other criteria well.

How Does It Feel When You Carry It With Weight?

As we know, every person is a different shape and size. So, while we can offer advice on fit and comfort, it's also important to note that this is a very personal piece of the puzzle. Look for a retailer that will allow you to try on packs, or if it's an online purchase, be sure you'll be free to try the product on and then return it if the fit is off. Once in your hands, you'll want to check each daypack for potential chafing areas, overall movement, the width of the shoulder straps, and how well/easily the pack can be adjusted to accommodate different clothing or weather needs. Along the same lines, we recommend loading any pack up with all your essentials to ensure the final package sits comfortably on your back and at the waist, with the weight distributed well. The comfort of your pack can make the difference between a great day and a terrible day on the trail.

Conclusion

Finding the perfect daypack can feel like an overwhelming challenge. With so many models on the market, even from the same manufacturer, it's not always easy to differentiate among the choices. We hope our extensive testing and ratings will help you in your quest. If you're looking for the best backpack for school or even if you're not sure what kind of backpack you need, we've got a comprehensive backpack round-up to help you decide.