There are so many great day-hiking backpacks out there that it can be really difficult to know which one is best for you. After all, there are lots of different types of backpacks that advertise themselves as good for hiking– but there are many you wouldn’t want to take them on even a simple half-day hike!

In this article, we’re going to be talking specifically about backpacks for day-hiking. We have a guide to all of the different types of backpacks available here, so if you want more information on different types of backpacks, that’s the best place to start. For our guide to the best day-hiking backpacks, we’re going to share our top picks at three different price points and show you how they stack up to each other.

The most important consideration for any backpack purchase is size. No matter how well the bag is made or how good the additional features are, if the bag can’t fit what you need it to carry, it’s not a good bag for you.

All of the packs that we are recommending are for half-day or full-day hikes, and some of the larger ones could be used for a short overnight hike if you pack light. For day hiking, our team prefers to go after slightly large packs, as the very small amount of extra weight is worth the extra versatility of the bag for most outings.

Most backpacks today are made out of ripstop nylon or other high-quality synthetic material. These materials are lightweight, water resistant, and extremely durable.

It is important to pay attention to whether or not your bag is truly waterproof, or just water resistant. Sometimes manufacturers will claim that their backpacks are waterproof when in fact they are only water resistant. There is a difference! A water-resistant backpack will repel water but not keep it out entirely in the event of heavy rain or accidentally dropping your pack into a stream or lake.

If you want more information on waterproof ratings and what they mean, we have a complete guide to that here. For this article, we’ve made sure to note whether each bag is waterproof or water resistant.

Day-hiking is a much different activity than thru-hiking or backpacking. You may take a daypack with you on longer hikes, but it won’t be your main bag.

These entry-level bags might not have all the bells and whistles of a more expensive bag– but you might not need all those additional features! These bags make great accessory bags to take on longer hikes or backpacking trips or are great for your day-hiking needs. If you’d like more great budget bag options, check our guide to the best budget backpacks.

If you want a lightweight, well-designed bag with room for your essential gear, and you’re working on a tight budget, the REI Co-Op Flash 22 is for you. This 22-liter bag fits most adults and weighs in at less than a pound.

Osprey’s Daylite family of packs is versatile and adaptable to a wide range of situations. The Daylite Plus is a 20-liter pack that fits comfortably on most adults and is perfect for your day-hiking needs.

The Patagonia Refugio is a classic mid-sized backpack that’s built to Patagonia’s demanding standards for durability and efficiency. It is one of the most sustainable backpacks on this list– it is manufactured using environmentally friendly materials, and recycled fabric, and is sewn and manufactured under fair trade practices.

These packs are a step up from the entry-level packs and have more features, and are often designed with more comfort in mind.

The Talon and the Tempest are the male and female versions of the same backpack, with the Tempest sized to fit a smaller frame. These backpacks come in two sizes within their range and are loaded with features that make them a great choice for the active day-hiker. This is a high quality bag packed into a small size, making it a great option for fast day hiking in tougher terrain.

The Gregory Miwok 24 is a backpack that works for most people due to its adjustable torso length and dynamic suspension. This backpack has a simple, elegant design that focuses on ease of access and movement for your hiking essentials.

Don’t be fooled by this pack’s simplicity– its streamlined look hides lots of smart design choices that make this bag your next best purchase. It has some interesting features you don’t see on other packs, including dual shoulder strap pockets for your keys and small, easily-lost items.

These packs are some of the highest quality and feature-forward day-hiking backpacks on the market. We love these bags because they have so much to offer and are so versatile. These bags are also all super durable and will last for many seasons on the trail.

Osprey Sirrus 24 Pack

This pair of packs is the same pack in a men’s (Stratos) and women’s (Sirrus) design. These packs have the most complicated frame of any on our list, and it pays off in comfort and support.

If you want a truly waterproof daypack, look no further. The Daybreak bag is a powerhouse for the day-hiker– there’s enough room for the essentials and the organization you need to easily access them.

The newest successor to the Ortlieb Atrack bags, this fully waterproof daypack is the perfect bag if you’re hiking in a rainy environment.

These two packs are the same pack in a men’s (Kamber) and women’s (Kresta) design. This pack made our list because of it’s extreme versatility. While it is expensive compared to other daypacks, it has tons of features that make it an amazing day hiking bag, it is large enough for long winter days, and has all of the backcountry skiing features you’d look for in a bag. Therefore, this is our top daybag choice or backcountry skiing.

Check out our full in depth review on this bag here.

As we said in the beginning, size is an extremely important concern when choosing a backpack for day-hiking. Here’s how the packs we chose compare to each other by size.

So what do you think? Are you ready to try your next favorite day-hiking pack? Any one of these selections is a great option to take out on the trail.