Our Top Picks
Adventure Carry
The best adventure daypacks in the world: a well-curated collection of packs that are perfect for travel as well as outdoor and urban environments.
From hiking with yak porters in the Himalayas to dodging tuk-tuks on the frenetic streets of Bangkok, these daypacks were designed to handle a wide range of scenarios. Whether you’re carrying the pack for hours on end, cramming it into an airplane’s overhead bin, or strapping it to the bed of a 4WD truck, these top-rated daypacks were selected for their versatility, ruggedness, and ability to enhance your adventures.
Our Choice
Best Overall Pack
The Brize’s clean yet functional design, offers streamlined performance for a wide variety of adventures. And thanks to its exceptional carry comfort and timeless aesthetic, it transitions easily from trail to city use.
When it comes to a balance between price, function, and reliable performance, no pack on the market comes close to the Brize.
Daypacks
Best Ultralight Pack
For true minimalists, the Daybreak is the most well-thought-out UL daypack on the market. It’s both versatile and durable enough to move seamlessly between the concrete jungle and the great outdoors.
The Daybreak is also considerably more comfortable than most UL daypacks, thanks to its adequately padded shoulder straps.
Daypacks
Best Load Hauler
Defined by functional versatility for outdoor pursuits, the Coulee is a respectable and comfortable load hauler for its size (up to 18.2 kg). As a bonus, its subdued design easily blends into urban environments.
Hands-down, the Coulee is a top performer that scores exceptionally high in comfort, adaptability, and over-the-top durability.
Daypacks
Best Crossover
As an icon for nearly two decades, the Arro has been officially sworn in as the OG crossover daypack – its a certified legend. No other bag can transition from urban commutes to day hikes as smoothly.
True to crossover functionality, the Arro features a padded laptop sleeve that can also serve as a hydration bladder port.
Daypacks
Best Waterproof Pack
The Ulvo Rolltop is the most comfortable waterproof pack on the market, thanks to Fjallraven’s well-padded harness and the bags slim profile – which hugs your body and efficiently distributes weight.
Additionally, this pack is sustainably built and designed to last a lifetime. For wet adventures, good luck finding a better pack.
Daypacks
Best Packable Pack
Matador is the 800 lb gorilla of packable daypacks and their best-selling ultralight model is the Freerain24, which features a waterproof rolltop design – making this pack suitable for all-weather trips.
The Freerain24 is the best of its kind and packs down small enough to fit in your hand – there’s no reason not to bring it with you.
Daypacks
Best of the Rest
As the granddaddy of crossover packs, the Synapse was designed as an all-rounder – from hiking, to EDC, to travel. It’s a pack that was ahead of its time and has developed a cult-like following over the years.
Tom Bihn is an adventure carry pioneer and the Synapse is one of his most successful packs, for a damn good reason.
Daypacks
Pack Breakdown
| Daypack | Main Fabric | Gender | Vol. | Max Load | Weight | Frame | Hip Belt? | Load Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brize | 420D HT Nylon | Unisex | 24L | 11.4 kg | 907 g | HDPE | Webbing / Detachable | Top |
| Daybreak | DCH150 | Unisex | 17L | 11.4 kg | 577 g | Frameless | Padded / Stowable | Half-Zip |
| Coulee | 330D Robic | M & W | 25L | 18.2 kg | 1315 g | HDPE | Padding / Detachable | 3-Zip |
| Arro | 210D Nylon | Unisex | 22L | 11.4 kg | 1020 g | HDPE | Webbing / Detachable | Top |
| Ulvo | 400D Bergshell | Unisex | 23L | 11.4 kg | 650 g | HDPE | Webbing / Detachable | Top |
| Freerain24 | 30D Cordura | Unisex | 24L | 6.8 kg | 187 g | Frameless | Webbing / Detachable | Top |
| Synapse | 400D Halcyon | Unisex | 25L | 11.4 kg | 900 g | Add-on | Webbing / Detachable | Half-Zip |