Never Look Back: These are the Best Daypacks for Travel

The Best Daypacks

Photography, traveling, and general wanderlust will always be my first 3 loves, but let’s face it: I’m a twenty-something woman living in Manhattan – I’m still going to care about fashion.

In fact, I was thinking recently about the remarkable (some might say absurd) lengths I and many others cross to place fashion and style ahead of health and well-being. For no practical purpose – only vanity – I frequently wear high heels, causing my feet to withstand unnecessary pain and pressure.

Each morning, I use dozens of substances and chemicals (that I frankly know nothing about, other than that I’m pretty sure repeated exposure to them has no long-term health benefits) just to make sure my hair is perfect. And finally, I cause my muscles additional and asymmetrical pain by carrying a purse anywhere I go.

Handbags are fabulous style statements, so don’t expect to catch me dead having shelved my Céline for a backpack just so that my muscles evenly bear weight for 30 minutes a day.

I readily concede that, in my old age, this brash and youthful arrogance might cause my muscles to start failing marginally sooner than they otherwise would, but it’s unlikely to cause any imminently serious health issue.

When you’re traveling, however, a backpack is the only prudent option to carry your daily belongings.

What to Look for in a Daypack

First, the best day pack options provide convenient and hands-free mobility that is essential when taking pictures, reading maps, and eating meals.

Most importantly, though, wearing the best daypack for travel will minimize your weight burden and, compared to a purse or messenger bag that unevenly distributes weight, greatly reduce the likelihood of suffering any muscle pull or strain.

Since your daypack will likely be glued to your back during your waking vacation, it becomes as much as anything a part of your outfit. While daypacks are traditionally known for emphasizing fashion and functionality to very different extents, the best travel daypack options can get the job done with some style, as well.

Keep reading for our favorite daypacks!

The Best Daypacks 2019

1. Gonex Ultralight Travel Backpack

A worthy opening candidate for the best packable daypack comes from Gonex, whose Ultralight Handy Travel Backpack is notable for its uncommon versatility.

Filling 20 liters, the Gonex can, aside from being worn traditionally, rearrange itself into a fanny pack and also collapse into a packing pouch measuring just 6 inches along both the length and width.

Whether it’s a packing pouch, fanny pack, or regular daypack, the Gonex is also protected by rip-stop and water repellent nylon fabric.

Available on Amazon

Read reviews and see all colors here

2. Osprey Daypack

Made by perhaps the most-respected name in backpacking, the Daylite from Osprey earns my vote as the best daypack for hiking…or really anything else!

The 20 liter Daylite features a large-panel loading compartment for your gear and a smaller, zippered front pocket that also includes a multi-function interior sleeve that can hold anything from your smart tablet to your hydration reservoir.

Finally, the best Osprey daypack adds several safety and comfort touches including a back-panel made entirely from breathable mesh-lined foam, supportive waist and chest straps, and zippers with automatically built-in key clips!

Available on Amazon

Read reviews and see all colors here

3. Hikpro Lightweight Backpack

Filling 20 liters and weighing less than 8 ounces, the best ultralight daypack from Hikpro highlights its economy above all other traits.

Like the Gonex pack, the Hikpro collapses into a slightly smaller (6 inches long and just under 6 inches wide) packing pouch, is protected by tear- and water-resistant nylon fabric, and has 14 stitched and zippered seams that are Bartack-reinforced to add extra durability.

Available on Amazon

Read reviews and see all colors here

4. Zomake Lightweight Backpack

The Zomake backpack has nearly identical specifications – 20 liter volume, collapsible into a sandwich-bag-sized packing pouch, Bartack-reinforced stitching and zippering, abrasion-resistant nylon fabric – as the two other best lightweight daypack candidates from Gonex and Hikpro, respectively.

2 key distinctions offered by the Zomake are a wider (and better, at least in my opinion!) color selection and, crucially, a completely waterproof (versus merely water-resistant) exterior coating.

Available on Amazon

Read reviews and see all colors here

5. Outlander Travel Hiking Backpack

Though entirely suitable for a vacation, the Outlander was specifically constructed to enter among the market’s best hiking daypacks.

Like our other best light daypack candidates, the Outlander pack features rip-stop and water-resistant fabric and collapses into a small pouch.

Designed with hikers in mind, the Outlander pack also offers oversized mesh side pockets (perfect for water bottles), sponge-padded shoulder straps lined with breathable mesh, and a complimentary carabiner perfect for hanging the backpack or attaching water bottles and other camping gear!

Available on Amazon

Read reviews and see all colors here

Best Daypacks for Travel

To summarize, here’s a handy chart to compare each of the different backpacks. Pretty much all of them are lightweight and packable so they’re easy to carry around.

The main difference is how much they hold and how durable they’ll be! Personally, my favorite is the Osprey for both looks and quality.

Read More in my travel packing checklist series:

Best Travel Luggage

The Best Carry on Luggage for 2021

The Best Packing Cubes for a Perfectly Organized Bag

The Best Lightweight Luggage for Overpackers

The Best Hard Luggage Sets for Stylish Travelers

The Best Underseat Luggage for Minimalists

The Best Carry On Bags for Men - Rugged + Durable!

Business Travel

The Essential Business Packing List

The Best Business Travel Luggage