The Best Daypacks of 2023

The Speed Lite series from Deuter has been a tester favorite around these parts since their introduction, and now newly updated to incorporate a running-vest style harness system, a more breathable back panel, and everything we loved about the previous models, the Deuter Speed Lite 25 ($120) stands above the rest as our choice of best overall daypack available today.

Let’s start off with the big changes: the suspension system. While the smaller volume versions of the packs retain S-style pack straps, the 25L versions and above have now adopted a well-executed vest-style harness. In recent years we’ve come to really appreciate this style of strap system on lower-volume packs, and Deuter does it excellently. Each strap spreads out the load across the upper torso, and sports stretch mesh pockets to port along essentials like snacks or shades.

Turning to the body of the pack, you get a slimmed 25L capacity that balances well with the hip belt fins and Derlin U-frame suspension. And 25 L is just about the limit of where we like to see some type of frame involved in a daypack construction, and Deuter again nails it here. During our test hikes, we felt well supported — even with a pack filled all the way to the brim.

Rounding out this do-it-all daypack are a number of small features that we’ve come to feel naked without, such as a trekking pole attachment system, stretch-mesh back and side pockets, and an interior valuables compartment. We will note that while the zippered shoulder strap pocket is likely meant to carry your phone, most modern phones are just too brick-like to make for a comfortable carry.

Perfect for anyone who wants a daypack that leaves little on the cutting room floor, the Deuter Speed Lite 25 jams in all of our favorite features, and carries it all with an updated vest-style suspension system that we can’t live without now. If you’re in need of a bit more room, the Speed Lite series also offers a 30L and 28L women’s version, and if you’re feeling more spartan, there are also smaller 17L and 21L options.

The REI Co-op Flash 22 ($60) weighs just 14 ounces and has a drawcord top closure, detachable sternum and hip straps, a hydration reservoir compartment, and two side pockets. It’s made with recycled materials and ripstop nylon, and at a budget price of $60, it easily lands as our top budget daypack.

The Flash 22 offers great quality for the price and during testing, we found it to be a great “town-to-trail” option. There’s no bulky padding or internal frame, which helps keep the weight down and makes it a fairly packable option. This is an excellent pack to ball up and toss into a larger pack or luggage for quick forays out from a base camp. The back panel pad can even be removed and used as a sit pad while eating lunch on a long hike.

Newly updated, the Flash 22 is now made with recycled Bluesign-approved nylon, and we greatly appreciate that REI is on top of continual updates to make this pack even better. At 22 L, it isn’t the largest daypack, and our testers reported a need for careful packing in order to avoid an uncomfortable carry. But for the price, it’s hard to beat for a budget pick. 

Stuffed away for quick deployment, the Flash 22 makes an excellent day pack for side trips on longer backpacking or travel trips.

Affordable, comfortable, with plenty of pockets and some nice design features, the REI Co-op Trail 25 ($80) is a great runner-up pack to our top pick. Our testers have found that 25 L is the sweet spot for a daypack, being just enough room for some snacks and layers, plenty of water, sunscreen, bug spray, a book, and any other accessories you might need for the day. This size also ensures that you won’t pack your bag too heavy, keeping it light for your day hikes or bike rides around town. 

One of the metrics we measure a daypack by is how easy it is to quickly grab things out of it, and the stretchy mesh pockets on the sides make it easy to carry a 32-ounce Nalgene bottle for frequent sipping. There is a compartment in the back of the pack that will fit a 3L hydration bladder as well, and an interior and exterior zip pocket keeps your smaller accessories organized.

One issue our testers found, however, is that since both of the smaller pockets are located at the top of the front flap of the main compartment, they can get heavy and make the pack awkward to open and close. This isn’t as much of an issue, however, if the main compartment itself is full enough. 

With some of the plushest back padding and straps in our review, an included rain cover, and straps to stash trekking poles, the Trail 25 is a great choice for any avid day hiker.

The Salomon Trailblazer 20 Pack ($70) is a unisex daypack and a great all-arounder and daily driver. Its 20L size is the sweet spot for bike commuting, gym-going, short errands, and day hikes. This pack is easy-to-use, with one main compartment along with stretch side compartments for water bottles or other accessories. 

Something our testers really loved about this pack is that the waist belt features its own zip pocket, which adds to the overall versatility of this pack. Most small packs have minimalist, unpadded waist belts, and we appreciated that the Salomon has this pocket feature as well as padding for extra comfort, making it a cut above the rest.

Although this daypack looks simple, it has even more features that make it a great commuter pack. A hanging computer sleeve provides storage as well as extra protection preventing shocks from the bottom. And extra loops allow for clipping small accessories to the outside.

While this pack is great for many things, it isn’t a great hybrid running pack. And 20 L is a bit too big to comfortably run with, and it lacks the running-vest style of other daypacks that are made for more technical adventures. But as an all-arounder for the city to the trails, look no further than the Trailblazer.

Looking for a pack that is more substantial than a running vest but won’t slow you down? Look no further than the Arc’teryx Aerios 15 ($130). Arc’teryx is a brand that is known for its high-end technical gear, and something it doesn’t do is skimp on quality.

Made with lightweight, CORDURA nylon fabric with a liquid crystal polymer ripstop grid ensures durability on the trail. And a main compartment, quick-access front pocket, two side pockets, one internal security pocket, and two attachment points for trekking poles make this a simple yet functional pack. 

The feature set that makes this a great hybrid running pack, however, has to be the shoulder straps. Seemingly inspired by running vests, the shoulder straps on the Aerios 15 are wide and stretchy with pockets for small water flasks as well as zippered pockets to fit your phone or some small snacks. A double set of stretchy cords go across your chest and can be cinched down to keep the pack from bouncing around too much.

This pack does not have a sleeve inside for a hydration bladder, which may be a con for some. But our testers found that while running, they preferred to have some soft bottles in the vest pockets instead of a heavy bladder sloshing around on their back anyway.

The pack itself also weighs 1 pound, 8 ounces, and isn’t as light as a running vest, so you won’t want to stuff it too full or it might slow you down. But because of its useful features and great shoulder straps, this is an obvious choice for the hybrid runner and hiker.

The Black Diamond Pursuit 15 ($150) is a new model in Black Diamond’s lightweight mountain pack lineup. While the popular Distance 15 is lighter weight and built more for runners and mountaineers who are super weight-conscious, the Pursuit 15 is a bit heavier with more features making it a better choice for general lightweight mountain scrambling, summit tagging, and mountain trail running. 

The most welcome new design feature is the BD Continuous Fit Harness, which has a seamless wing construction for comfort on the move. These wings are wonderfully soft and stretchy, and also feature large, wraparound mesh pockets that are perfect for snacks or other items you might want to have easy access to. These wings keep the pack snug against your body as you move, making it comfortable as you go from hiking uphill to breaking into a run on the downhill.

A large, mesh front pocket is helpful for stashing a wind layer, sunscreen, and snacks, while a zip pocket on the front chest strap can fit a smaller phone, and additional mesh pouches are great for gels and bars or small hydration bladders. 

Something that sets it apart from the lighter Distance 15 is the lack of an ice axe loop on the front of the pack. For a technical mountain pack, this is an important feature depending on the terrain you find yourself in, and is something to consider when purchasing the Pursuit 15. Overall, this is a fantastic, comfortable pack for fast pursuits in the mountains.

The Osprey Tempest has occupied our Best Women’s Daypack slot for many seasons — and for good reason. The sister pack to the Osprey Talon garnered high marks from all of our female testers, thanks to features like its breathable back panel, lumbar support, padded hip belt, and accurate (and adjustable!) fit around the torso and hips.

When Osprey rolled out the Tempest Pro ($200), it juiced up an already great pack into an excellent one. So just what makes the Tempest Pro, Pro? For one, it utilizes a very tech material: Osprey’s Nanofly fabric, which is a blend of UHMPWE and nylon that boasts a very high tear resistance and very low weight. Compared to the original Tempest, the new fabric feels slick and airy, and the overall pack has shed a handful of ounces.

Additionally, the frame (which was already class-leading for a daypack) is now even better. The new injection-molded AirScape backpanel looks like it belongs on Osprey’s larger packs. As our tester reported, “This pack feels like a full-sized backpacking pack, just shrunken down.”

Daypacks typically suffer from sweat issues due to simple frames (or sometimes no frame at all), but this pack isn’t among them. The BioStretch hip belt (seamless fabric) and wrapping harness add ample adjustability. There’s also an adjustable sternum strap to fit different size chests.

On top of the perks of a women’s fit, testers also really like this pack’s stretch mesh pocket on the shoulder strap and good-size hip belt pockets. Trekking pole and bike helmet attachment points (plus other loops and pockets for stashing a variety of gear), as well as an external hydration bladder compartment (works with a 2 L bladder), round out this pack and make it a fantastic do-it-all option.

You will pay for the feature-richness, as the Tempest Pro 18 L was among the most expensive daypacks in our testing. As of 2023, the Tempest Pro also comes in a roomy 28 L model.

A comfortable and spacious daypack, the Gregory Nano 22 ($90) is another great all-arounder that has a lot of the same features as other packs in our review, but still is worth taking a closer look at. The most significant features in our testers’ minds that make this pack a good pick are its broad, comfortable shoulder straps and breathable mesh back panel. 

Shoulder straps seem to come in all shapes and sizes in our daypack lineup, and these straps don’t skimp on support as some others seem to do. The die-cut foam back panel also takes an extra design step to ensure good airflow for sweaty activities, and makes this pack versatile for bike commuting around town or going on a brisk hike. 

The hip strap is a basic thin piece of webbing, which isn’t as impressive as some of the other padded waist belts seen in our lineup, and it is too bulky of a pack to go running with. While there aren’t enough features in this daypack to really make it a cut above the rest, it is a great, affordable, high-quality pack that can be used for a variety of occasions.

This simple and durable no-frills pack is one of our favorites factoring in comfort, price, and style. The Luzon 18 L pack ($60) is comfortable to wear when commuting by walking and biking, and it also works as a great travel pack with one main compartment (no loose pockets or sleeves).

Cotopaxi makes the pack with a ripstop nylon shell fabric, a top-loading drawstring compartment, an adjustable sternum strap, and mesh shoulder straps.

On top of all the physical features, each Luzon pack is 100% unique, as they’re made from cuts of repurposed fabric. We like that the pack is on the more slender side but doesn’t get too chunky when carrying a variety of items, which makes it ideal for bopping around the city on the way to work.

In addition to this pack, Cotopaxi uses its scrap fabric to make other gear items (like its Teca Half-Zip windbreaker). While using repurposed fabrics earns the Luzon top marks for sustainability, some purchasers online have noted that the fabric colors they received didn’t quite match what they expected.

Read Review: Cotopaxi ‘Luzon’ Custom Daypack

These packs are another popular option for day trips, whether you’re running, hiking, or biking. The Gregory Citro (men’s) and Juno (women’s fit) 30L packs ($180) focus on hydration design and ease of access to gear.

These packs made it on our list because while Gregory has tons of iterations of hydration packs, these stood out in our testing. It’s compact and has great features like a ventilated back panel and magnetic bite valve attachment for properly storing that hydration hose out of the way.

Daypacks that prioritize hydration will often need to contend with added water weight, but the Citro and Juno do it with style. An ActiveFlex harness keeps the load close to your back, and is one of the most supportive in our review.

Gregory’s Citro and Juno packs also come in a 24L size.

“Packable” is in the name, and for good reason. We’ve taken the Freerain22 Daypack from Matador ($100) snowshoeing, running, hiking, to and from the office, and more. The waterproof exterior and roll-top closure are especially great if you get caught in rainy or snowy weather — all your layers and pack contents will stay dry.

It’s also great for travel or impromptu adventures. Packed down into its tiny pocket sleeve, you can stash this bag just about anywhere. Matador has achieved the near-impossible with this pack — offering storage for 22 L of gear while packing down to just 6 by 4 inches and weighing only 10.6 ounces.

Recently updated, the Freerain22 now sports high-wear panels of durable Robic ripstop nylon, as well as a number of new attachment options and gear loops. These added features come at a price, adding weight over its predecessor and slightly dulling the pack’s first-class size-to-weight ratio. The packed size, however, continues to impress.

Several of our editors have used the Matador Freerain22 pack, and all had positive feedback. The only con we had was from our female tester: the shape of the wider mesh shoulder straps makes it harder to find the right fit across the chest compared to other packs. Due to this, the straps aren’t as comfortable. Still, its packability won us over.

This pack is not only a popular and trusted option but also came close to taking the best overall designation. The Hikelite 18 Pack from Osprey ($95) has a foam back panel, a durable 100D/420D recycled nylon exterior, and a large main compartment that swallowed our kit during testing.

The Hikelite series of packs from Osprey builds on their popular Daylite packs (which we have given high marks to in the past) but bulks up the suspension system to create a daypack that carries any load with ease. A light alloy hoop frame works in tandem with the tensioned mesh back panel to create both a strong and ventilated support system.

The pack comes in a variety of colors and has thoughtful features like an emergency whistle built into the sternum buckle. It also has compression straps on the side to secure water bottles or extra gear when your pack is on the fuller side. And rounding out the thoughtful hiking-minded features: an integrated rain cover that deploys from a secret pocket below the pack body.

While this 18L pack is on the smaller side, it can pack in more than you think and is plenty big enough to carry an extra layer, water, and a first-aid kit — the minimal day hiking basics. The downside of a streamlined exterior is the paucity of a larger stuff pocket for things like a wet rain jacket, but for quick jaunts in the hills, you’ll likely forget the need.

Osprey’s classic go-to Hikelite has garnered an excellent reputation among our GearJunkie testers. If you’re looking for a pack with a few more storage options, the Hikelite also comes in a 26L, 28L, and 32L capacity, with the latter two sizes including two separate torso lengths for a perfect fit.

Read Review: Osprey Hikelite 18L Daypack Review: Breezy Ventilation and Catch-All Versatility

As part of a lineup of capable daypacks from Patagonia, the Terravia 28 L ($149) lands as the second-largest and is just about the Goldilocks size for us when it comes to day trips that might edge into evening adventures. Patagonia loyalists will notice a slight name change (the Terravia line used to be the Altvia), but rest assured that nothing other than the name changed in these trail-ready daypacks.

Built for comfort, the Terravia 28 L is built around a removable frame sheet and spacer mesh back panel that easily supported our loads during testing. And 28 L is just about the point where we begin wanting the support of a hip belt, and we were happy to see one included on this pack, along with small stretch hip belt pockets that are perfect for keys, lip balm, or a small trail snack.

The closure style of the Terravia 28 is reminiscent of the drawstring collar-turned lid that graced the previous generation of Patagonia’s alpine-focused Ascensionist packs, and it’s still one that we find just plain works. We will note that this lid has two buckle straps available to it to cinch down the load, depending on how full or empty your pack is.

At the front of the pack, a deep stretch mesh pocket swallows up wet rain jackets or items we’re grabbing throughout the day, such as a GPS or water filter. And sitting side-saddle to that are two stretch water bottle pockets that were accommodating to even the largest of our insulated bottles. If bottles aren’t your thing, there’s also an internal water bladder sleeve and routing port for your hydration hose.

Maybe our favorite part of this pack was one we didn’t expect: a full-size pack cover deploys from a hidden pocket at the bottom of the bag, meaning that surprise showers had nothing on us. 

Also available in 14L, 22L, and 36L sizes, the Terravia series of daypacks are a versatile set of bags that can take you from the trailhead and back, no matter how long your day trip takes.

Read Review: Burrito-Style Hiking Pack: Patagonia Altvia Backpack Review

Osprey’s Talon 22 is pricey at $160, but its durability and lightweight might be worth it. This pack earned glowing reviews from our daypack testers, who raved about this pack’s nearly perfect fit and performance across a variety of terrain. Its volume is also on the upper end, with a capacity to store 22 L of gear.

We added this pack to the list because of its lightweight construction, an abundance of pockets (including the harness strap stash pocket), and Osprey’s excellent reputation. In our own testing, we found the hype to be real, highly valuing the fine-tuned suspension system and various attachment options. This does, however, mean the pack has put on a few ounces compared to other, more svelte models.

You should definitely consider this pack if you’re looking for something more sport-specific like biking or climbing — the pack has a helmet attachment point as well as a trekking pole and ice loop attachments.

There’s also a dizzying number of different volumes available in the Talon line, from a fast and ultralight 11L to a light, overnight-ready 44L version.