Hiking Daypacks: How to Choose the Right Pack for Day Hikes

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A daypack is the one piece of hiking gear you’ll use on almost every trip. It carries your water, food, layers and safety essentials, and you’ll feel every badly placed strap by the end of a long day. The good news is that day hikes don’t need a complicated pack. Get the size and fit right, add a few useful features and you’ll be comfortable from the trailhead to the summit and back.

How big should a daypack be?

Daypacks are measured in liters. As a rough guide:

• Under 15 liters: short walks and trail runs where you only need water, a snack and a phone.
• 15 to 25 liters: the sweet spot for most day hikes, with room for a rain jacket, lunch, a warm layer and a small first aid kit.
• 25 to 35 liters: long days, cold weather with bulky layers, or carrying gear for kids.

If you’re between sizes, think about your longest typical hike and the coldest weather you’ll hike in. Winter layers take up a lot of room.

Fit matters more than features

Torso length

Many daypacks come in one size, but larger packs are often sized by torso length rather than height. Measure from the bony bump at the base of your neck to the top of your hip bones, and compare it to the pack’s sizing chart.

Shoulder straps and sternum strap

Straps should wrap your shoulders without gaps or pinching. A sternum strap across your chest keeps them in place and stops the pack from swaying on rough ground.

Hip belt

On small packs, a simple webbing belt keeps the bag steady. On larger daypacks, a padded hip belt carries part of the weight on your hips, which is much less tiring.

For a deeper dive on fit, our guide to buying a hiking backpack covers sizing in detail.

Features to look for

Hydration

You can carry water in bottles in side pockets or in a hydration bladder with a drinking tube. Bladders let you sip without stopping, which helps you drink enough; bottles are easier to refill and check. Many hikers carry both.

Ventilation

A mesh or channeled back panel lets air move between the pack and your back, so you sweat less on warm days.

Pockets and access

Hip belt or shoulder strap pockets keep your phone, snacks and sunscreen in reach. A stretchy front pocket is handy for a wet rain jacket.

Weather protection

Most daypack fabric is water-resistant, not waterproof. A rain cover or a waterproof liner inside the pack keeps your spare clothes and electronics dry in a downpour.

Our picks

For staying hydrated

The Hydration Pack Backpack (Medium) is a light, streamlined pack that comes with a 2-liter BPA-free water bladder. The bladder has a wide screw cap that makes it easy to add ice and clean, and the adjustable shoulder and chest straps help stop the pack from bouncing. It comes in a range of bright colors and patterns.

For keeping gear dry

The Ultralight Pack Liner goes inside your pack and keeps clothes, a sleeping layer or electronics dry when the rain sets in. It’s made from waterproof Challenge D50T fabric with taped seams and comes in small, medium and large to suit different packs.

For your phone

The Backpack Strap Phone Pouch mounts on your shoulder strap so your phone is ready for photos and maps without taking the pack off. It zips closed and is designed not to bounce or slide as you walk.

What to pack for a day hike

Use this checklist as a starting point and adjust for the season and trail:

• Water and a way to treat more on long hikes.
• Food: lunch plus extra snacks.
• Layers: a rain jacket and a warm layer, even on sunny days.
• Navigation: a map or offline maps on your phone, plus a charged power bank.
• Sun protection: sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat.
• First aid kit: see our backpacking first aid tips.
• Headlamp: in case the hike takes longer than planned.
• Whistle and a small knife or multi-tool.

How to pack it

Put the heaviest items, such as water and food, close to your back and in the middle of the pack. Light, bulky items like a jacket go at the bottom or in the front stretch pocket. Keep things you’ll need often, like snacks, a phone and sunscreen, in hip belt or strap pockets. Our guide to packing a backpack correctly has more tips.

Caring for your daypack

After a muddy or sweaty hike, empty the pack, shake out dirt and leave it open to dry. Rinse a hydration bladder with warm water after each use and let it air-dry fully, propped open, so mold doesn’t grow. Spot-clean the fabric with mild soap rather than putting the pack in a washing machine, and check buckles and seams before your next trip.

Day hikes with kids

Children can carry their own small pack with water, a snack and a favorite toy. It keeps them involved and lightens your load. See our guide to the best backpacks for kids for sizing by age.

When a daypack isn’t enough

If you’re planning overnight trips, you’ll need a larger pack with a frame and a proper hip belt. Our backpacking for beginners guide and the article on backpacking vs. hiking explain the difference.

FAQ

What size daypack do I need?

For most day hikes, 15 to 25 liters is enough. Go larger for long days, cold weather or carrying gear for others.

Is a hydration bladder better than water bottles?

Bladders make it easier to drink often while walking. Bottles are simpler to refill and clean. Many hikers carry a bladder plus one bottle.

Are daypacks waterproof?

Most are water-resistant only. Use a rain cover or a waterproof liner to keep your gear dry in heavy rain.