Choosing a daypack for travel is arguably more important than picking your main travel bag! It’ll be by your side for every adventure, carrying everything you need each day.
The best travel daypacks are comfortable, durable, lightweight and ideally, affordable. They should never be a burden but instead house features that enhance your trip.
With so many options out there, choosing the right bag can be a nightmare. Read on to see our pick of the best daypacks as well as things to consider when choosing which to buy!
The links to online stores (like Amazon) on this page are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate South East Asia Backpacker earns from qualifying purchases. We always write our reviews before checking whether affiliate links are available.
The Best Daypacks: Quick Answers!
- Ethical
- Eco-friendly
- Each bag is one of a kind
- Packable
- Ultra-light
- Budget-friendly
- Super comfortable
- Weatherproof
- Excellent customer service
Related: (links open in a new tab)
The Best Travel Daypacks
1. Cotopaxi Luzon Del Día 18-litre
- Ethical
- Each bag is unique
- Long-lasting
- No exterior bottle pocket
- You need to organise your gear well to stop it prodding you in the back
- Responsible — If you want a jazzy bag that doesn’t cost the earth, look no further than Cotopaxi. Their Del Día collection, which includes the Luzon, is made from offcuts and excess fabric sourced from other backpack manufacturers. This ensures nothing goes to waste. It also means each bag is unique with different colour panels throughout!
- Size — The Luzon makes maximum use of its 18-litre capacity. The main compartment is a vast open space, featuring nothing but a hydration bladder sleeve. This means it can be hard to dig gear out but allows you to fill it with ease. You can easily get two-three nights’ worth of gear into one of these bags — and the Luzon Del Día weighs just 300g!
- Drawstring — Cotopaxi opted for a drawstring closure on the main pocket of the bag. This saves weight and money — zips are heavier and more costly than drawstrings! If you’re concerned about drawstrings not being as secure as zips, you can store items you’re worried about in the small zippered front pocket.
- Frameless — There’s no frame in the Luzon, so you’ll notice it if you’re carrying heavy loads. However, the frameless nature means you can easily cram it into your main travel bag when it’s not in use!
- Price Range: $$
- Best Feature: Eco-friendly and super durable
- Feature To Improve: A key clip would be a welcome addition
2. Zomake 20-litre Packable Backpack
- Packable
- Ultra-light
- Not comfy for heavy loads
- Inconsistent quality
- Simple — The 20-litre Packable Backpack from Zomake is a no-frills, budget-friendly daypack. It’s super lightweight at 185g. This is not a daypack built for heavy loads. There’s no frame and the shoulder straps are thin. However, it’s more than comfortable enough to be worn all day as long as you don’t overfill it!
- Packable — As the name suggests, can be packed down small. When folded into its own internal pocket, the bag is about the same size as two iPhones, albeit much lighter! This means you’ll always find room for it – even if your main travel bag is full, you can cram this pack into a pocket!
- Water-Resistant — Zomake’s 20-litre bag claims to be water-resistant but don’t rely on this. The thin material wets out fast. If you carry gear that needs to be kept away from water, we recommend packing it in a small dry bag too.
- Pockets — The bag features one large compartment, a small internal pocket for valuables and a small external pocket for items you need in a hurry. There are also two external bottle pockets that can easily hold a 500ml bottle each.
- Durability — Considering it’s so lightweight and budget-friendly, this is a durable bag. If you look after it, expect it to last multiple trips!
- Price Range: $
- Best Feature: Light and packable
- Feature To Improve: Water resistance is relatively non-existent
3. Stubble & Co The Roll Top
- Waterproof
- Durable materials
- Super comfortable
- G-Hook can be fiddly
- Laptop sleeve is tight when the bag is full
- Sizes — Stubble & Co’s The Roll Top is available in 14 and 20-litre models. They weigh in at 800/900 grams respectively. Due to their thin shape, the 20-litre model is more suitable for travellers. It makes an excellent hand luggage bag to store all your most valuable items!
- Waterproof — The Roll Top is as close to waterproof as backpacks come. The materials won’t let water through. The seams are fully sealed and the front zip is waterproof too. This is a bag that keeps your gear safe.
- Durability Concern But Good Customer Service – After using this bag for a year through multiple countries, some stitching around the grab handle and shoulder straps pulled apart. I contacted Stubble & Co about this issue and they assured me it was a one-off failure. They replaced the bag through their warranty scheme.
- Packing — The bag’s thin square shape can make packing bulky gear a challenge. There’s plenty of room for a jumper or small coat but anything bigger and you’re going to struggle. There are very few pockets in The Roll Top. The main compartment features two small mesh pouches and a small zip-up pocket. On the outside, the bag has another small pocket for items you need in a hurry. There’s also a laptop sleeve in the back panel. In the 14-litre model, this can hold a 13-inch machine. The 20-litre model can house a 16-inch computer. There’s no zip for the main compartment. Instead, the bag uses a roll top and G-Hook to secure it in place.
- Comfort — The Roll Top features super comfy straps. They’re cut wide and well-contoured. The cushioning is just enough and the way they grip your body as you walk is excellent. An adjustable sternum strap lets you customise the straps perfectly to you. The back panel is well-cushioned and breathable.
- Price Range: $$$$
- Best Feature: Waterproof and ultra-comfy
- Feature To Improve: A hidden external pocket would be cool
4. Osprey Daylite Plus
- Light
- Nice size
- Works in conjunction with other Osprey travel bags
- Water bottle pockets are only good for small bottles
- Only available in one size
- Size — Clocking in at just over 600g, this lightweight day bag barely registers against your airline’s weight limit. The capacity is 20 litres which gives you plenty of room for day-to-day items. If you’re a light packer, you’ll be able to use the Daylite Plus for overnight trips or weekends too!
- Compressible — While not officially a packable daypack, the Osprey Daylite Plus can be squashed down because it doesn’t feature a frame. This means you can get it into small spaces for storage, or even into your main luggage if you’ve got the room – although, it still takes up much more space than a traditional collapsible pack. The downside is that you’ll notice the lack of frame when carrying heavy loads.
- Organisation — Inside the bag, there’s a large zippered main pocket that houses the padded laptop sleeve and some smaller mesh compartments for organising your gear. The front pocket is also home to smaller mesh pouches as well as a key clip. There are two good-sized external water bottle pockets, which can be reached while still wearing the bag.
- Carry Comfort — The shoulder straps don’t feature a ton of padding but they’re comfy enough. The removable hip belt helps distribute weight, so you barely notice the limited padding. The Airscape back panel is comfortable and reduces sweat build-up by allowing airflow to your back.
- Compatibility — The Osprey Daylite Plus can be attached to the outside of some larger Osprey backpacks for ease of transport. This saves you needing to carry two bags because they act as one when properly secured. The Daylite Plus attaches to the Aether/Ariel packs, the Porter range, the Farpoint 80 and others.
- Price Range: $$
- Best Feature: Plenty of space and organisational options
- Feature To Improve: Only comes in one size
5. Nomatic/Gomatic Navigator
- Expandable
- Lots of storage and organisational options
- Excellent for storing and carrying tech
- The price
- The weight
- It's hard to pack bulky items
- Gomatic vs Nomatic — Nomatic are known for their high-quality, albeit expensive, backpacks. In Europe the company is known as Gomatic, in the USA they remain Nomatic.
- The Navigator — The Navigator is Nomatic’s 15-litre tech-focused daypack. It weighs 1.2kg and features organisational compartments for all your important items, including an RFID-blocking pocket to give you a sense of security.
- Organisation — There’s a spot for your laptop, tablet and enough mesh compartments for all your electronics and cables. The main pocket features a divider and even a false bottom which protects your devices from knocks and bangs. Even if you drop the bag, your electronics will remain safe.
- Other pockets — On the outside of the bag, there’s a hidden water bottle pocket and a subtle front pocket which is easy to access but almost impossible to spot unless you know it’s there. Nomatic’s Navigator is heavily water-resistant, even featuring water-resistant zips to ensure all your gear remains safe.
- Usability —The downside of this bag is its overall usability. Unless you’re travelling with a ton of electronics, it’s hard to get the most out of The Navigator. The super-slim styling makes carrying bulky items a challenge. Even with the expandability – it can expand from 15 litres to 21 – it’s still difficult to make the most of the space.
- Price Range: $$$$$$$$
- Best Feature: Organisation and protection for all your electronics
- Feature To Improve: Hard to pack bulky items
6. Salkan Day Bag
- Versatile
- Durable
- High quality
- G-Hooks are fiddly
- The price
- Materials — Made from recycled 900D Cotna Polyester (one of the most rugged backpack materials you’ll find), this daypack is durable, comfortable and looks great! Clocking in at 850g, it’s heavy for a daypack but that’s the price you pay for a tough, long-lasting bag.
- Capacity — With a 20-litre capacity, Salkan’s daypack can be used for days out or even weekends away. The really light packers among you will be more than capable of using this daypack for a three-four night trip!
- Comfort — The bag’s cushioned back panel acts as a frame, distributing the weight of your gear evenly across your back. Combined with the padded shoulder straps and removable sternum strap, this ensures maximum comfort even if you’re carrying the bag at capacity.
- Organisation — The daypack features a padded laptop sleeve, capable of holding machines up to 15 inches, as well as an internal waterproof pocket, a soft-lined sunglasses pocket and two external water bottle holders. Each of these can hold a litre bottle comfortably. There’s also a hidden pocket in the back panel which is big enough for your passport, phone and wallet. It’s easy to access while wearing the bag but is tough for any potential thieves to spot.
- Closure — The biggest downside of this daypack is the G hook closure system. It can be quite fiddly to use, especially if your hands are cold or wet.
- Price Range: $$$
- Best Feature: Durability and versatility
- Feature To Improve: The G Hook closure is a bit fiddly
7. Pacsafe Venturesafe 15L G3 Anti-Theft Daypack
- Secure
- Lightweight
- Nice back panel
- Pop N Lock clip makes on shoulder strap a little unruly
- Security — For security-conscious travellers, Pacsafe are a known and trusted backpack brand. Their Venturesafe series protects your gear from opportunistic thieves using proprietary technology and high build quality. The Venturesafe 15-litre G3 Anti-Theft Daypack is no exception. It features Carrysafe slashguard straps and an eXomesh slashguard lining to prevent slash-and-grab attacks. The Pop N Lock system allows you to anchor your bag to a stationary object, like a chair or table, without worrying that it might get swiped as soon as your back is turned. The Roobar Sport security clip means you can attach all your zips to one locking point and secure them all with a single padlock. This reduces the chance of anyone getting into your bag without you noticing!
- Size — Even with all this security tech, the 15-litre daypack weighs just 660g!
- Pockets — Inside the front pocket, the bag houses a myriad of small organisational compartments – including an RFID-blocking sleeve. The main compartment is a large open space with a laptop sleeve capable of holding machines up to 13-inches.
- Carry Comfort — The shoulder straps are lightly padded and have an adjustable sternum strap. They’re comfortable enough but you wouldn’t want to carry really heavy loads, even if the 15-litre capacity would allow it. The mesh padded back panel is comfortable and reduces the build-up of sweat by allowing air to flow to your back.
- Price Range: $$$$
- Best Feature: Built-in anti-theft devices
- Feature To Improve: The slash-proof straps can be cut through with scissors (although knives can't get through them)
8. Boundary Supply Prima System
- Water-resistant
- Unusual opening style
- Easy-to-use magnetic clips
- The price
- The weight
- Feature Packed — The Boundary Supply Prima System is built for photographers and those working on the road. It’s full of incredible features that make carrying your important equipment a much less nerve-wracking experience!
- Weatherproof — This pack is highly water-resistant and is also available in a fully waterproof X-Pac material. However, this adds extra cost to an already expensive bag. In my experience, the standard model can deal with all but the very worst rainstorms anyway — even the zips feature waterproof technology to keep as much water out as possible.
- Size — It’s large for a daypack, measuring 30 litres as standard. As well as being larger than most daypacks, it’s also much heavier, weighing in at 1.8kg. This is not a daypack for your average traveller. Instead, it’s a bag built for those who travel with a lot of electronic gear they need to keep safe.
- Packing — The bag is primarily a top loader but also features a zip running straight down the middle. This means you can open the bag butterfly-style, allowing you to pack and unpack with ease. It features a laptop sleeve that prevents your computer from touching the bottom of the bag and a side entry point for quick access to your camera. Hidden inside the back panel — behind the water bottle pocket — is a stash pocket for your valuables. As well as the main daypack, the Prima System includes a padded laptop case and a camera bag.
- Price Range: $$$$$$$$$$
- Best Feature: Weather resistant and super durable
- Feature To Improve: The overall weight – it's very heavy
9. Osprey Talon 22
- Perfect for hikers
- Super comfy
- Made from eco-friendly materials
- Too many features for a general travel daypack
- Adventure Features — For adventurous and active travellers, Osprey’s Talon 22 is an excellent choice. It features trekking pole attachment points, a stretchy front pocket, ice axe loops and an AirScape back panel. Over rough terrain the Talon clings to your body, ensuring your centre of gravity is kept close to your core. With its BioStretch design, the hip belt wraps all the way around your body, from your lumbar to your hips. This delivers top-level support and allows you to move freely.
- Straps — The shoulder straps are padded and house a fully adjustable sternum strap. There’s also a stretchy pocket on the left shoulder strap which is big enough for your phone or snacks.
- Size — At 22 litres it’s able to hold everything you need for a day of exploring. Weighing in at 900g, the Osprey Talon 22 isn’t the lightest daypack available, but it’s certainly not the heaviest. It’s a great combination of rugged design and lightweight comfort.
- Eco-conscious — The bag is made from BlueSign-certified recycled materials. It follows Osprey’s ethos of being as environmentally friendly as possible.
- A Pack For Men and Women — The Osprey Talon 22 is built for men. The equivalent pack for women is the Osprey Tempest 20.
- Price Range: $$$$$
- Best Feature: Built with adventures in mind
- Feature To Improve: It's overkill for most travellers
10. The North Face Jester
- Male and female-specific models
- Loads of space
- Can store items on the outside
- Zips aren't the smoothest (often get caught)
- Doesn't stand up by itself
- A Firm Favourite — The North Face Jester backpack has proven a favourite among the South East Asia Backpacker Community. The 27-litre capacity makes it plenty large enough for days out or even a few days away.
- Pockets — The main pocket is huge! Aside from the 15-inch padded laptop sleeve, there’s nothing else taking up the valuable space. It’s easy to pack but finding little items is a chore. However, there’s a smaller front pocket that has organisational sleeves for storing your small belongings. On the outside, the Jester features two water bottle pockets and a series of bungee cords for affixing larger items. You can easily carry a travel yoga mat or sleeping pad with this bag.
- Comfort — The padded back panel and Flex Vent Suspension system promote airflow to your back, reducing the build-up of sweat. They evenly distribute weight across your back, ensuring the carry experience is as comfortable as possible.
- Size — The size-to-weight ratio of this bag is excellent. It weighs just 740g but can store enough gear for multiple nights away! It’s water-repellent too so will protect your gear from any unexpected showers.
- A Pack For Men and Women — There’s a female-specific version of this daypack available. It features changes to the straps, back panel and Flex Vent suspension to ensure maximum comfort and support for the female frame.
- Price Range: $$$
- Best Feature: A great-looking pack
- Feature To Improve: Internal pockets can get in the way
What to Consider When Choosing a Daypack
What the Daypack Will Be Used for
This is arguably the most important thing to consider. If you’re hiking in tough terrain – jungles, mountains, etc – you’ll want a daypack that’s rugged and supportive, with plenty of room for emergency survival gear. A daypack used while pounding the streets of Europe won’t need to be as tough but you’ll want it to be more streamlined to help you blend in.
Weight
When it comes to daypacks, weight is ultra-important. No one wants to lug around a 2kg backpack just to store a jumper and a bottle of water. Most daypacks clock in at well under 1kg and some of the lightest weigh less than 100g! It’s also worth considering how you plan on carrying your daypack as you travel around while backpacking. Will it fit in your main bag? Or will it be your hand luggage or personal item? If you plan to store your daypack in your main luggage, weight is even more important. Paying excess baggage fees because you didn’t check the weight of your daypack is infuriating!
Size
From small 3-litre bum bags to 40-litre collapsible bags, there’s a size of daypack to suit everybody. There is no best-sized daypack. Just the best size for you. When choosing the right size for you, there are a couple of things to consider:
- Personal Preference
Some travellers like to carry gear for every occasion. Others prefer to move around with little more than their wallet and passport. And most of us fall somewhere in the middle. You’ll know how much gear you want to carry – don’t waste your money on a daypack that’s too big or too small for your needs.
- What You’re Carrying
If you work on the road, a daypack with a padded laptop sleeve, some level of water resistance and enough organisation to keep your workflow efficient is ideal. In this instance, a daypack between 20-30 litres is hard to beat. Likewise, if you’re storing a ton of electronics (e-reader, power bank, iPad, computer, etc) a daypack that offers protection is worth the investment. However, if you’re looking for a lightweight bag to hold some extra layers, a coat and some snacks, a smaller, simpler bag will do. Think 10-20 litres. These smaller daypacks can be very affordable and their reduced size means carrying them is a doddle.
Packability
Some travellers use daypacks that can be compressed and stuffed into their main backpack or suitcase. These daypacks weigh very little and often pack down to the size of a Coke can. They’re great for one-bag or minimalist travellers concerned about space. However, they’re less durable and not as comfy as other daypacks on our list. If you’re already travelling with a lot of stuff, a packable daypack probably isn’t necessary. But if you’re trying to cut down on luggage, a packable daypack is a great choice.
Hidden or Lockable Pockets
A daypack featuring hidden pockets or lockable zips can offer extra peace of mind. You can find pockets hidden in the back panel, near the bottle pockets or below the base. These are generally large enough for your phone, passport and money. While not completely theft-proof, they act as a deterrent because they’re hard to get into without the wearer noticing.
Organisation
You’ll find daypacks crammed full of pockets while others may have a single large compartment. The best for you will come down to personal preference. Everyone is different so use your judgement.
Laptop Compartment
If you’re not travelling with a laptop, or don’t take it out very often, a laptop compartment is unnecessary. But if you take a computer with you everywhere, make sure you’ve got a protective place to store it. Laptop sleeves should be padded and provide plenty of space for your machine.
The best laptop sleeves are “floating.” This means the bottom of your computer isn’t touching the bottom of your bag. This way, if you drop your bag, your laptop won’t hit the floor!
Water Bottle Pockets
Keep an eye out for daypacks with exterior bottle pockets. These save you from having to dig through the entire contents of your bag every time you want a drink.
Pay attention to where the pockets are and how big they are. Can you get water out without taking the bag off? Are the pockets big enough to hold a Nalgene? Or a litre bottle?
One of my favourite bags of all time, the Tortuga Setout Divide (no longer in production), had the worst water bottle pocket. It couldn’t hold big bottles and I couldn’t reach it while wearing the bag. Having to stop to take it off every time I wanted a drink was a source of constant frustration! Water bottle pockets can make or break a daypack!
Comfort
There’s no point getting a bag that’s not comfortable. You’ll end up either hating it or never using it. Either way, it’s a waste of money. Ensure the bag you want is well-reviewed and that users don’t complain that it’s uncomfortable. If possible, visit a store to try the bag on before buying! This also helps you choose the right size pack!
Daypack FAQs
What’s the best size for a travel daypack?
As a general rule, 10-25 litres is a good size for a daypack. If you’re only using the daypack for taking a towel and drink to the beach, go for the smaller end of this range. If you want a daypack for hiking and need to carry a bit more gear, opt for the higher end.
What is a daypack for travel?
A daypack for travel is a small backpack that fits everything you need for a day out exploring. Travellers love them because it means they can leave the bulk of their gear in their main bag safely stowed at their accommodation.
Which Osprey daypack is best?
For an all-around daypack, the Daylite Plus is the best choice. However, if you need a daypack for more strenuous activities, like cycling, climbing or hiking, the Osprey Talon 22, or the Osprey Tempest 20 are better choices.
Are Osprey bags worth it?
Considering the build quality, materials used, generous guarantees and huge amount of R&D, Osprey bags are a bargain. You’ll be hard-pressed to find better quality bags for less money.
What’s the best backpack with a daypack?
The best backpack daypack combo is the Salkan Backpacker. For a more budget-friendly backpack with a daypack, the Osprey Farpoint/Fairview 55-litre and 70-litre are very good choices.
A Round-Up of the Best Daypacks for Travel
With so many options available, choosing the right daypack for travel can feel a little overwhelming.
Our favourite travel day bag is the Luzon del dia from Cotopaxi but it’s far from the only option. The Daylite Plus is Osprey’s best all-round offering while their Talon 22 is an excellent choice for hikers or those wanting a more technical bag.
Nomatic’s Navigator is perfect if you’re travelling with a lot of tech but the steep price can be off-putting. But if you want to keep your belongings safe, the Venturesafe 15L is the best anti-theft daypack and is available at a much lower cost.
As for collapsible daypacks, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more reliable, budget-friendly bag than the Zomake 20-litre packable backpack. And if you want to keep your gear protected from rain, the Stubble & Co Roll Top is not only ultra-comfy but also the most weather-resistant daypack on our list!
Daypacks for Travel – Top Picks!
- Ethical
- Eco-friendly
- Each bag is one of a kind
- Packable
- Ultra-light
- Budget-friendly
- Super comfortable
- Weatherproof
- Excellent customer service
Tim Ashdown | Gear Specialist
After a life-changing motorcycle accident, Tim decided life was too short to stay cooped up in his home county of Norfolk, UK. Since then, he has travelled Southeast Asia, walked the Camino de Santiago and backpacked South America. His first book, From Paralysis to Santiago, chronicles his struggle to recover from the motorcycle accident and will be released later this year.
so what is the back pack up at the top of the page right under the heading?
That’s just a stock photo! 😉