Best Day Hiking Backpacks

Backpacking doesn't have to be a huge production of tents and sleeping bags. Grab your favorite pair of hiking shoes and go for a day hike with your trusty day hiking pack at your back.

Durable daypacks for hike after hike

Head for the hills! Our backpacking packs are ready for backcountry trails when you are. We've made durability our priority, so you can make finding the best hiking trails yours. Day trip hikers will love our more streamlined, minimalist designs, with less to catch on trailing branches or rough canyon walls. Plus, the tough, ripstop fabric means even the hardest trails will find your bag a tough nut to crack.

If it starts to drizzle, no need to reach for the rain cover: The North Face bags are water resistant so you can keep going in any weather. They have plenty of room to pack a rain jacket for emergencies. And no need to worry about weighing down these bags. They're built to take heavier loads without breaking a sweat. Cook gear, hiking boots, city souvenirs, and more: whatever you can fit, you can carry.

Hiking backpacks comfortable enough for the long trail ahead

Hit the trail on foot, head on a biking trip, or make your way through a new city in comfort. Our hiking day packs are made to be comfortable for the WHOLE day, from a pre-breakfast climb up a hilly trail to a sunset walk along a scenic riverside. A breathable mesh back panel keeps you cool on hot days, even after a few hours on the trail. Just make sure you're wearing your sun protective clothing too!

Padded shoulder straps and an ultralight design mean your pack won't be weighing you down half a mile down the trail. Secure your daypack with a hip belt/waist belt or sternum strap that stabilize your load, with compression straps to keep things where you pack them. Without the restriction of an internal frame, you can pack as you need for your day. The unisex designs are fit for any adventurer, or you can go with the shorter torso length of our women's backpacks.

Looking for a backpack that can do double duty? The comfortable fit makes for the perfect commuting pack, carry-on, or travel backpack.

Our best daypacks for packing everything PLUS the kitchen sink

Pack so you're ready for everything: you have the room! A spacious main compartment offers plenty of room for extra gear and extra layers. Make room for everything from a headlamp to an ice axe to a fleece pullover. Larger packs are perfect for overnight trips and travel bags, while our smaller bags still offer enough packable room for a full day out.

If you're planning on lots of high-stress hikes, a hydration pack sleeve is perfect for hydrating on the go. For a more casual stroll, pack your water in a water bottle pocket. Side pockets offer easy access to trail snacks, maps, sunglasses, cameras, and more. Stick an extra pair of socks or your boarding pass in from mesh pockets. Clip portable hip belt pockets to the backpack straps for even more storage space. There's even trekking pole attachment points on the outside of the bag, to save the zippered pocket space for smaller items.

Keep everything you need for a day on the go right on your back. Grab a day hiking backpack, perfect for holding snacks, a raincoat, a water bottle, and more.