The Best Small Hiking Backpack For 2024
By, Sara RyanUpdated
Our Top Picks
1. Best Overall: Venture Pal 40L Lightweight Packable Travel Hiking Backpack Daypack-Green
Venture Pal backpack stands out with more humane design for easy and convenient use. This 40L packable pack is made of high-quality ripstop nylon fabric with a water-resistant coating, so it is perfect for hiking and exploring. Soft, breathable mesh shoulder straps provide maximum. Read Review
2. Best Bang For The Buck: Cycling Hiking Backpack Sunhiker Water Resistant Travel Backpack
Travel in style with this Sunhiker backpack for men, designed for outdoor activities such as cycling and hiking. This lightweight pack is made of high quality, breathable mesh material that lets you breathe easily and provides a comfortable carry. It comes with plenty of pockets and features to store your belongings in a secure way. Read Review
3. Best Lightweight: Loowoko 50L Hiking Backpack, Waterproof Camping Essentials Bag
Loowoko 50L Hiking Backpack, Waterproof Camping Essentials Bag is made with high quality tear Polyester and nylon fabric, tear resistant, anti-scratch, wearing resistant. Come with extra waterproof rain cover pouch on the bottom pouch, prevent the water and dust into the backpack, protect your valuables from heavy rain and keep everything dry. Read Review
4. Top Choice: Hiking Backpack, Esup 50L Multipurpose Mountaineering Backpack
Whether you're looking for a hiking backpack that can hold your camping gear or a more casual everyday backpack, this 50L backpack by Esup is the ideal choice for you. The multipurpose design includes a main compartment, two zipped front pockets, sleeping bag compartment and mesh side pockets. This versatile travel bag is best suited for 2-4 day adventures. Read Review
When it comes to your back, you need something that can comfortably carry all of your belongings. It would help if you also had something that won’t slow you down when hiking up a mountain or scrambling through the woods. If you are looking for the ultimate small hiking backpack, you are in the right place.
We have tested many different models and brands and have created a list of the best small hiking backpacks available today. Many of these backpacks will easily carry up to two liters of essential gear for a day-long hike. Some will hold just as much capacity but be able to compress into a slightly smaller size for more efficient storage in your home or vehicle. Others will allow you to crush them into even tinier dimensions if you want to stow them somewhere small and crowded when not in use. Let’s take a look at our picks.
We think our Venture Pal 40L Lightweight Packable Travel Hiking Backpack Daypack-Green is the best of the best among the top models. If dissatisfied with the preceding item, you could select the Cycling Hiking Backpack Sunhiker Water Resistant Travel Backpack as an alternative. You may relax knowing its quality is also good per our research.
RELATED: Enjoy the moment owning a lightweight backpack for day hiking! To help you find the best one for your needs, we compared models with price, type, features, and quality.
Our Top Picks
- 【Upgraded Wet Pocket Design】Venture Pal backpack stands out with more humane design for easy and convenient use. One waterproof wet pocket is added to the main compartment, a zipper on the back of this backpack which led to the internal wet pocket, to better separate sweaty clothes, towels or other personal things after swimming or taking exercise.
- 【Compact & Comfortable】It weighs only 1 pounds, can easily fold into its own pocket for storage,and unfold it when you need it. Breathable mesh shoulder straps with plentiful sponge padding help relieve the stress from your shoulder. The chest clip with a whistle buckle work perfectly to distribute the pack’s weight and keep it steady and centered. A must have for sports , hiking, camping and traveling.
- 【Purchase Tips】- If there is any problem, just contact with us, we will handle with it immediately.
- 【Durable Material】This backpack is made of high quality tear and water resistant nylon fabric,heavy duty metal zippers and enhanced by bar-tacks at major stress points provide long-lasting durability against daily activities.The extra strength provided by the double-layer bottom piece makes it possible to carry more stuff.
- 【Large Capacity & Multi Compartment】With 40L storage space, this backpack features with multi-compartment design includes one main zipped compartment, one zipped front pockets and two side pockets. One separator and one small zippered pocket in the main compartment are convenient enough to help you further organize things.Large capacity helps you easily organize all your essential items.
Best Bang For The Buck
Cycling Hiking Backpack Sunhiker Water Resistant Travel Backpack
- Breathable mesh shoulder straps which helps relieve the stress of shoulder. Multiple compartments offering enough place to save your belongs more detailed classification and well. Bottle holder on the both sides. With high quality smooth zipper and durable front buckle.
- It is a small backpack, suitable for those people who do not want a big size and just need to take necessity when doing outdoors sports. Suitable for Kids Girls Boys Children Over 3 Years.
- Material: Highly tear resistant Nylon, Water-resistant, Lightweight, Scratch-resistant, Durable & Comfortable. Provides you a long-term, secure daily using.
- Perfect for activities like hiking, camping, climbing, traveling, cycling and other outdoors sports.
- Dimensions:15.8H x 9.4L x 5.9W inches/ 40 x 24 x 15 cm. Weight:12.3oz. Capacity: About 20-25L.
- RAIN COVER INCLUDED - Made with high quality tear Polyester and nylon fabric, tear resistant, anti-scratch, wear resistant. Come with extra waterproof rain cover pouch on the bottom pouch, prevent the water and dust into the backpack, protect your valuables from heavy rain and keep everything dry.
- COST EFFECTIVE HIKING BACKPACK - Loowoko hiking pack has obvious advantages at the cost performance, reliability and quality. You can get a great quality hiking bag of the same quality as a hundreds dollar without spending too much money.
- COMPREHENSIVE UPGRADED VERSION - Compared with the same style backpack on the market, you will find that this back pack has some differences. Yes, we have made a comprehensive upgrade based on customer feedback. Better fabric, stronger straps, and more durable zippers make this a better camping bag.
- NO INTERNAL FRAME - This lightweight & comfortable hiker backpack is specially designed for outdoor enthusiasts. Breathable mesh shoulder straps with plentiful sponge padding help relieve the stress from your shoulder. Widened and thickened S-type shoulder straps and high elastic breathable back support for best ventilation and easing burden, gives you more comfortable experience.
- CAMPING ESSENTIAL GEAR - With 50 liter large capacity but only 2.1 pounds weight, it's enough for 3-5 days travel or outdoor adventure. Fits women and men and meets size requirements for most airlines. A must have daypack for hiking, camping, backpacking, trekking, mountaineering and traveling.
- Multi-functional travel bag, 50L high-capacity include main compartment, two zipped front pocket, sleeping bag compartment, mesh side pockets, you can put your tents, blanket or cooking gear in this backpack, best for 2-4-day adventures.
- Made with high quality tear Polyester+ nylon fabric, tear resistant, anti-Scratch, wear resistant, with rain cover, prevent the water from sipping into the bag, Keep things dry.
- Breathable mesh shoulder straps with plentiful sponge padding help relieve the stress from your shoulder. Widened and thickened S-type shoulder straps and high elastic breathable back support for best ventilation and easing burden.
- ADJUSTABLE STRAPS- adjust the tightness as you need, For tying up your pack or hanging sleeping bag, mat, hammock etc, Suitable for all people.
- WHAT YOU GET - 1 x Hiking Backpack 50L, 1 x Waterproof Rain Cover.
- Plenty of Pockets: Kelty Signature wing pockets, two front zippered pockets, and large J-zip top loading access to the main compartment. Daisy chains, water bottle pockets, and sleeping bag compartment keep everything tidy on the trail.
- Tailored Fit: A thru hiker’s dream, the Coyote features the new Fit Pro technology, providing a quick and customized torso fit for each user. Fit pro can be adjusted on the fly with ease, when shedding layers or passing off your pack.
- Versatile Pack: The Coyote is the flagship trekking pack from the bright minds over at Kelty. Fully featured and re-designed for 2020, the Coyote features an advanced perimeter frame for supreme stability on the trail.
- Amp Flow: Sweaty backs? Not here. The Amp Flow ventilated back panel will keep you cool and dry on long jaunts in the wild. Aluminum Stay in the external frame keeps your load secure and balanced, for a stable and comfortable hike.
- 85 Liters: Ample storage for all your essential gear. 4lb 14oz empty weight, 32 x 19 x13 inches, optimal carry weight 40-65 pounds.
- Dual daisy chain loops
- Front panel zippered slash pocket
- Top-loading access with cinch closing system
- Internal reservoir sleeve
- Dimensions: 16.14H X 9.45W X 7.48D Inches Weight: .752 lbs Size: 15L
- SMALL SIZE！COMFORTABLE & EASY BURDEN -- TOMULE 25L Small Hiking Daypack /Camping Backpack / Traveling Daypack / Cycling Backpack /Bike Backpack/ Outdoor sport Backpack is specially designed for traveling enthusiasts. Adjustable breathable shoulder straps with plentiful sponge padding help relieve the stress from your shoulder, ensure a proper fit and comfortable all-day use. The chest clip with a whistle buckle work perfectly to distribute the pack’s weight and keep it steady and centered.
- MULTI-PURPOSE TRAVEL BACKPACK -- A must for travel and hiking enthusiasts. TOMULE 25L ultra-light backpack Can be used as hiking backpack daypack / sling bags / outdoor travel backpack / working or business backpack , suitable for women /men/youth/ girls /boys/kids, perfect for day trips and short trips, travel, daily use,vacation,outdoor day hikes, camping,cycling, school, office, business or shopping etc. Camping out with TOMULE Backpack to breath fresh air and refresh your mood.
- LIGHTWEIGHT and FOLDABLE -- Easy to carry. 25L Hiking backpack itself weight Only 0.7 pounds, making your journey relaxing. It also can be easily stuffed into its own zippered pocket with Sandwich size -- space-saving storage and compact portability. Unfold Size: 16.9x9.8x6.3 inches. Folded Size: 6.7x6.5x1.9 inches.It meet size requirements for most airlines, enough room for 1 or 2 days trips
- PERFECT SIZE & MULTI COMPARTMENT -- Spacious backpack packed with roomy zipper main compartment, 1 zipper Secondary compartment, 2 front zipper pocket, 3 internal pocket, and 2 mesh side pockets. 25-liter Ultra-light Foldable backpack provides enough space for outdoor travel, camping, hiking, cycling and fishing.
- WATER RESISTANT and DURABLE -- Hiking backpack is made of High quality rip-stop nylon fabric, water resistant, tear resistant, anti-Scratch, wear resistant, breathable and moisture proof, smooth and comfortable.It can prevent the water and dust into the backpack, protect your valuables from heavy rain and keep everything dry. Durable two-way abrasion-resistant SBS metal zipper for secure closure.
- Large Capacity: The travel backpack features 30L capacity and multi-compartment design, not suitable for computer storage due to insufficient padding on the back. Please note that the backpack is transported folded, the recovery time of the backplane is at least 2 days or more, please do not buy it if you mind.
- WATERPROOF & BREATHABLE: SKYSPER hiking backpack is made of highly waterproof, anti-penetration, tear-resistant and wear-resistant 600D polyester fabric, and all stress point seams of the backpack and shoulder straps are reinforced with latches. Even when carrying heavy objects, the material is not easy to tear, which can effectively extend the life of the backpack.
- Multifunctional: The bottom of the backpack is equipped with a rain cover, and equipped with an anti-lost fastening buckle, so you don't have to worry about the rain cover being blown away by the wind even during travel. (Attention, in order to ensure the life of the backpack, please avoid hanging very heavy objects as much as possible). Very suitable for hiking, camping, traveling and other activities.
- Safe and convenient: The backpack is also equipped with an outdoor emergency guide. This gives you an extra guarantee of safety while you pursue your favorite activity. Perfect for beach, bike, motorcycle and other activities. If you are not satisfied with our hiking backpacks, please feel free to contact us. We support returns and exchanges within 180 days of purchase.
- Lightweight and Comfortable: The backpack features ergonomically designed, breathable mesh shoulder straps and a large amount of padding to relieve the pressure on your shoulders. The thick shoulder straps are widened and adjustable, and the high-elastic and breathable back support helps reduce the weight when walking and traveling.
- LOAD MANAGEMENT - The bridle leather straps allow for lashing and compression at the front and sides of this waxed canvas bag. Tough diamond braid nylon cord with solid brass rings and a durable barrel allow for variable widths of the main compartment
- HANDCRAFTED IN THE USA - Our Isle Royale Backpacks are American-made in Duluth, Minnesota using 100% Solar Energy. We stand behind all our waxed canvas and leather products with a Lifetime Guarantee
- WAXED CANVAS BACKPACK- The Isle Royale is crafted with strong, premium buckskin leather padded shoulder straps for comfort and durability. Sturdy leather flap straps keep your bag secure whether the pack is used for camping, hiking, or travel
- ADDITIONAL FEATURES - This waxed canvas outdoor backpack also features a slim pocket for maps and other essentials on the lid, solid brass grommet weep holes on the outer pockets to purge duff and water, and a built-in waist belt holder
- EXTERNAL STORAGE OPTIONS – Twin vertical pockets allow you to stow 1 liter bottle with an axe sleeve in the middle. Slip pockets at the bottom of each side panel add additional storage. Two D-rings on the lid and four lash squares at the bottom allow gear to be stored on the outside of this handcrafted canvas backpack
- 3D comfort cradle system: an ultra comfortable, body hugging fit
- Free float suspension: low profile open air ventilation, moisture wicking mesh and custom torso length
- Front stretch mesh pocket: for easy access while on the trail
- Volume: 38 liters
- Raincover: easy access rain cover keeps your gear Dry even when that storm rolls out of nowhere
Our buying guide to pick best small hiking backpack for you need
Maybe you feel overwhelmed by the variety of choices when it comes to purchasing best small hiking backpack? Visitors didn't even know if a better option was available. We have a few suggestions which will make things easier and thus save you time and effort.
Review them out below to see whether the item you're looking for is right for you!
Rain Cover
Capacity
Hydration Compatibility
Hip Belts
Ventilation
Color
Activities
Pockets And Organization
Adjustable Length
Weight
RELATED: We did the research for you. With our tests and trials, here are accurate descriptions of the best ultralight daypack available in the market.
FAQs
Are You Going To Hike?
A daypack is essential for everyday hiking. A day pack should be small, lightweight, sturdy and durable, as well as able to withstand a variety of weather conditions.
What Is The Difference Between A Daypack And A Backpack?
Daypacks can be considered backpacks but they are not all daypacks. Daypacks are small, lightweight backpacks that can be used for short trips.
What Is A Day Pack?
The daypack, which is often lighter than a larger backpack but still big enough to carry essentials on short hikes and overnight trips is the smaller variant of the large backpack.
What Size Is A Daypack?
A daypack typically has a volume between 20 and 35 liters. Daypacks are best for short hikes, but they can be useful for longer hikes.
What Should I Pack In My Day Pack?
It will all depend on the purpose of the daypack, however, if you're using it for hiking we suggest a spare set of clothes, water and snacks as well as a first-aid kit.
Does A Daypack Have A Frame Or Not?
While some daypacks have frames, others don't. A frame is required only if the backpack is carrying heavy loads. Frames can transfer weight from the shoulders to your hips (hip belt), and also increase the overall backpack's weight.
What Size Pack Do I Need For A 5-Day Hike?
Around 60L backpack. Any less and you will need to make sacrifices.
Conclusion
The website has a buying guide for best small hiking backpack for your needs. It will assist you in determining what to purchase and how much was to purchase! If the above options do not meet your needs, consider Osprey Tempest Jr Girl's Hiking Backpack Jasper Green, One Size as an alternative.
Whether any of this makes it sound daunting or if you want more information, please give us a call, our members of the team are always happy to chat and brainstorm ideas with you!
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About Sara Ryan
