Which Daypack to Bring on Your Trip
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I’ve always traveled with two backpacks, and I firmly believe it’s the best solution.
Choosing a good travel backpack is essential, but I think it’s just as important to choose a great daypack to go with it.
The daypack is perfect for walking around the city, on a day hike, or simply for keeping your valuables with you while the big backpack ends up on the roof of some chicken bus in Central America.
Basically:
The big backpack is for carrying your things from point A to point B, while the small backpack is used every day to carry the things that wouldn’t fit in your pocket (camera, snacks, water, rain jacket, etc. etc.) or that you wouldn’t leave unattended.
Before leaving, many people spend a ton of time trying to figure out which big backpack to buy without realizing that, realistically, they’ll only use that backpack to move from one destination to the next. The daypack, on the other hand, gets used every day, often for quite a few hours, which is why it’s definitely worth choosing a quality one.
How to choose a good travel daypack
Let’s look at the factors to take into account to make a great decision:
- Size: Basically it has to be big enough to carry everything you might need during a day hike. For most people it should be around 20 liters, and in any case I would never go over 30.
- Weight: The vast majority of backpacks this size are designed specifically to be light, so I wouldn’t worry too much. Remember that backpacks without a ventilated back panel tend to be lighter but, of course, they’re also less comfortable.
- Comfort: As I said earlier, this is the backpack you’ll carry on your back much more often than the big one. Weight and size are important and I would strongly recommend a backpack with a ventilated back panel, a hip belt and maybe padded shoulder straps. Unless you’ve opted for an ultralight, packable backpack.
- Durability: Obviously the quality of the materials is important. Lots of good-quality backpacks are made of nylon, a material that offers excellent resistance to abrasion and wear, is very light and holds up well against water.
- Security: With a bit of care you can avoid pickpockets. Avoid super crowded places and, if you don’t feel safe, wear the backpack on your front. There are also some cut-proof backpacks with hidden zippers like this model. Zippers you can lock with a padlock should be more than enough.
- Versatility: Although not necessary, it’s undoubtedly useful when you’re moving from one destination to the next to be able to “attach” the daypack to the big backpack. Some backpacks – like the Osprey Farpoint – have been designed with this idea in mind. Being able to have just one backpack when the need arises can also be extremely convenient if everything fits within the carry-on size limits; remember that many low-cost airlines only allow one piece in the cabin. Another option is the ultra-packable backpacks I talked about earlier, which however are extremely uncomfortable, especially if overloaded. In any case don’t worry too much: although it may seem strange, many travelers wear their daypack on the front and the big backpack on the back.
- Pockets: I prefer a daypack with lots of pockets – to keep everything well organized – an internal pocket – ideally padded – for the laptop (this pocket often has the double function of laptop sleeve or hydration bladder compartment) and external pockets for quick access, for example to the water bottle.
- Style: This is a purely personal choice. The more “stylish” backpacks are the ones designed for an urban setting; they have lots of pockets but tend not to have a hip belt or a ventilated back panel. The more technical ones, meanwhile, tend to look “out of place” in the city, but they’re generally more comfortable.
The best travel daypacks
Osprey Daylite 16 liters
This is probably the best backpack on the market for value for money and it should meet the needs of most people.
Features
- Really light: 426 grams.
- Breathable back panel.
- Compression straps.
- Hip belt (not padded).
- A hydration pocket (or laptop up to 15’’).
- Two external pockets.
As you can see in this video, you can attach the backpack to the back of the Osprey Farpoint or to other Osprey products.
Need extra space? Osprey Daylite Plus is practically the same backpack, just slightly bigger (about 7 liters) with an extra pocket on the front and a padded laptop pocket.
If you’re after the very best from Osprey, then consider the Talon 22L which, compared to the Daylite, has adjustable shoulder straps and a padded hip belt. It’s generally a more technical backpack but not exactly cheap.
Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil 20 liters
This is the backpack for minimalist travelers who don’t want to travel with two backpacks in the literal sense. Another popular version is the one offered by Osprey.
Features
- Ultra light: it weighs just 68 grams!
- It’s not a comfortable backpack to wear, especially if overfilled.
- Great choice if you’re looking for an extremely light, packable backpack (once packed down you can hold it in the palm of one hand!)
- Ideal for exploring during the day.
The North Face Borealis 28 liters
A great classic among compact backpacks.
Features
- It’s a lot bigger and bulkier (it weighs 1.26 kg).
- It has a lined internal pocket for a laptop up to 15”.
- The ventilated, padded back panel is really excellent.
- The padded shoulder straps are really comfortable.
- Hip belt (not padded).
- External bungee cord.
- Several internal pockets.
- Front cord for lashing anything on.
It’s not a backpack I feel I can recommend to everyone, especially if your “main” backpack is already relatively big. If you’re looking for a roomy, good-quality backpack at an honest price, then it’s definitely a great choice.
Deuter Speed Lite 20 liters
Another great light and versatile backpack, designed for hiking, that doesn’t look out of place in an urban setting.
Features
- Really light: 381 grams.
- Breathable back panel.
- Padded shoulder straps.
- Double compression straps (they can be used to clip anything on the back or simply to compress the contents of the backpack).
- Hip belt (not padded).
- Two external pockets.
- Hydration pocket.
Final thoughts
Especially for long-term trips, it’s best to avoid unpleasant mishaps and set off with the right gear. Choose your backpack based on your needs (will I use this backpack to walk around the city? Will I use this backpack for trekking? Do I need a laptop pocket?) remembering that whichever backpack you choose, there will always be compromises to accept, but it’s definitely worth investing in a good-quality backpack that will last for years.
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