The best daypacks
Lunch, a flask, a waterproof and the map: the rucksacks for a good day out walking.
A daypack is the rucksack for a day's walk: big enough for water, lunch, a waterproof and a spare layer, without the weight of a big trekking pack. Around 20 litres suits most day walks; 30–40 litres gives room for family kit or a weekend away.
Look for a chest strap to stop it swinging, side pockets you can reach for a bottle, and a breathable back. Packable ones fold into their own pocket for holidays.
What matters
- 15–20L for a day, 30–40L for more.
- A chest strap and padded straps.
- Water-resistant fabric, or a rain cover.
- Side pockets for bottles.
#1 of 5
Best overall
SKYSPER 20L Hiking Daypack
£30–£50 Price range
The right size for a day on the hills: room for a waterproof, lunch, a flask and a spare layer, with a ventilated back, reflective trim, trekking-pole loops and a hidden anti-theft pocket.
What owners say: Owners find it excellent quality with lots of zipped pockets, comfortable and light, and big enough for a day walk.
A closer look: Pack the heavy things (water, flask) closest to your back and it carries far better. Water-resistant isn't waterproof: line it with a bin bag on wet days.
- 20 litres
- 600D polyester and ripstop nylon, water-resistant
- Breathable grooved back panel
- Trekking-pole loops, chest strap with whistle
- About 500g
Best for: Day walks
- Capacity
- 20L
- Weight
- About 500g
- Fabric
- 600D polyester, ripstop nylon
- Weather
- Water-resistant
- Folds away
- –
#2 of 5
Most space
MOUNTAINTOP 40L Hiking Backpack
£30–£50 Price range
Big enough for a weekend: a 40-litre main section, two front pockets, side mesh pockets and a hip-belt pocket, with YKK zips and compression straps for a sleeping mat.
What owners say: Owners find it good quality with plenty of storage and handy side pockets for bottles, comfortable and good value.
A closer look: Tighten the hip belt first, then the shoulder straps: the hips should carry most of the weight. The D-rings on the front take a mug or a torch.
- 40 litres
- 420D nylon and polyester
- YKK zips
- Hip belt with pocket, compression straps
- 950g
Best for: Weekend trips
- Capacity
- 40L
- Weight
- 950g
- Fabric
- 420D nylon and polyester
- Weather
- Water-resistant
- Folds away
- –
#3 of 5
Best packable
Waterfly 15L Packable Daypack
£20–£30 Price range
Folds into its own pocket, about the size of a paperback, so it slips into a suitcase for city days and beach walks on holiday. Only 300g, with a chest-strap whistle and pole loops.
What owners say: Owners find it excellent quality, light and ideal for day trips and travel, and like that it folds into a small pouch.
A closer look: Keep it folded in a suitcase or coat pocket for the days you buy more than you can carry. The light padding suits loads of a few kilos, not a full day's gear.
- 15 litres
- Nylon ripstop, water-resistant finish
- Folds into its own pocket (20 × 17 × 5.5cm)
- About 300g
- Metal zips, reflective trim
Best for: Holidays and city days
- Capacity
- 15L
- Weight
- About 300g
- Fabric
- Nylon ripstop
- Weather
- Water-resistant finish
- Folds away
- Yes
#4 of 5
Best value
IGOLUMON 40L Lightweight Foldable Backpack
£20–£30 Price range
Forty litres that weighs just 550g and folds away, with a separate wet pocket for swimming kit or muddy waterproofs and straps underneath for a mat.
What owners say: Owners find it a brilliant hiking bag with lots of pockets and good value, and like that it packs in a suitcase.
Heads up: It's water-repellent rather than waterproof, so put a phone or spare clothes in a dry bag on wet days.
A closer look: The wet pocket is the clever bit: swimming kit or muddy boots go in without soaking everything else. It folds into the suitcase for holidays.
- 40 litres
- Tear-resistant nylon, water-repellent
- Separate wet pocket
- 550g, folds away
- Pole straps, bottom straps for a mat
Best for: Swims and beach days
- Capacity
- 40L
- Weight
- 550g
- Fabric
- Tear-resistant nylon
- Weather
- Water-repellent, wet pocket
- Folds away
- Yes
#5 of 5
Best with a rain cover
POWER KING 30L Hiking Backpack with Rain Cover
£20–£30 Price range
A rain cover tucked into the bottom pocket, a padded sleeve for a 15.6in laptop, and two main compartments: one bag for walks at the weekend and the commute during the week.
What owners say: Owners find it well made and comfortable, with plenty of pockets and space, and think it's good value.
A closer look: Pull the rain cover over at the first drops; it's quicker than stopping for a coat. The laptop sleeve makes it a good college or commuting bag too.
- 30 litres
- Rain cover included
- Padded 15.6in laptop sleeve
- Chest strap with whistle
- 620g
Best for: Walks and commuting
- Capacity
- 30L
- Weight
- 620g
- Fabric
- Nylon
- Weather
- Rain cover included
- Folds away
- –
How they compare
| Feature | #1SKYSPER 20L | #2MOUNTAINTOP 40L | #3Waterfly 15L | #4IGOLUMON 40L | #5POWER KING 30L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Most space | Best packable | Best value | Best with a rain cover | |
| Picked Rating | 9.3 | 9.1 | 9.1 | 8.9 | 8.8 |
| Price | £30–£50 Price range | £30–£50 Price range | £20–£30 Price range | £20–£30 Price range | £20–£30 Price range |
| Capacity | 20L | 40L | 15L | 40L | 30L |
| Weight | About 500g | 950g | About 300g | 550g | 620g |
| Fabric | 600D polyester, ripstop nylon | 420D nylon and polyester | Nylon ripstop | Tear-resistant nylon | Nylon |
| Weather | Water-resistant | Water-resistant | Water-resistant finish | Water-repellent, wet pocket | Rain cover included |
| Folds away | – | – | Yes | Yes | – |
| Best for | Day walks | Weekend trips | Holidays and city days | Swims and beach days | Walks and commuting |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
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