10 Best Lightweight Backpacks For Day Hiking [2025]
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Finding the best lightweight backpacks for day hiking can often feel like a daunting task, especially with the overwhelming number of options available on the market today. Each hiker has unique needs based on their personal preferences, the length of their hikes, and the specific gear they plan to carry. With so many factors to consider—such as weight, comfort, storage space, and durability—navigating through countless reviews and product specifications can lead to frustration and confusion.
To simplify this process, we have meticulously researched and shortlisted ten of the best lightweight backpacks for day hiking. Our selection process involved evaluating each product based on critical performance metrics and real-world user feedback. By consolidating our findings into this curated list, we aim to save you time and hassle, providing you with a reliable guide to help you choose the perfect backpack that meets your hiking needs. Whether you are a seasoned trailblazer or a casual day hiker, this guide will ensure you find a pack that enhances your outdoor experience.
Top 10 Lightweight Backpacks For Day Hiking In The Market
Best Lightweight Backpacks For Day Hiking Review
Bestseller No. 1
Maelstrom Hiking Backpack,Camping Backpack,40L Waterproof Hiking Daypack with...
- High-Quality Material:Hiking backpack is made of high quality rip-stop 210d nylon fabric,which is water resistant,tear resistant,anti-scratch and wear resistant. Furthermore,we also give away a rain cover with a clear silver reflective logo. It is putted in the little pocket under the backpack. So it is no doubt that all your things will keep dry during rain. Just take this outdoor backpack,no matter the weather.
- Ergonomic and Comfortable Design:Thicker padded back with ergonomic breathable design paired with adjustable, breathable and padded shoulder help to reduce fatigue during a long day of hiking. The hiking daypack comes with an ergonomic ring handle,which is labor-saving and durable. The adjustable chest buckle works perfectly to distribute the pack’s weight and keep it steady and centered. And chest buckle designed as a survival whistle for quick and easy use in case of emergency.
- Large Capacity & Multi Compartment: Maelstrom Hiking Daypack provides several pockets for handy storage and convenient organization. Spacious backpack packed with roomy zipper main compartment, 1 top pocket, 3 front zipper pocket, 2 waist zipper pockets and 2 mesh side pockets.In addition,one waterproof wet pocket is added to the main compartment to better separate sweaty clothes or other personal things after swimming or taking exercise.
- Unique Function Design:The camping backpack is printed with reflective signs to remind safety. The sides of the backpack have elastic and fasteners that can hold two sets of trekking sticks or adjust the webbing according to needs. There is a headphone hole on the top of the backpack for you to enjoy music. There is a Velcro to fix the water bag liner in the main bag and a water pipe hole on the top side of the backpack to assemble the water bag system.
- LIGHTWEIGHT -- Easy to carry:The 40L hiking backpack is lightweight and it’s breathable mesh shoulder straps with plentiful sponge padding help to relieve the stress from your shoulder. The large capacity of 40L provides enough space for outdoor travel,camping,hiking and fishing. It meet size requirements for most airlines. This camping backpack can be used as hiking backpack, travel bags and business bag,which is suitable for men and women.
Bestseller No. 2
SKYSPER 15L Foldable Hiking Backpack Lightweight Packable Travel Daypack with...
- Spacious and Organized: Measuring 16.9*10.8*4.7 inches, this 15l hiking backpack features multiple compartments for easy packing and organization. The large main compartment with a wide opening makes it convenient to pack your travel essentials. Additionally, small hiking backpack includes 3 zippered pockets and a hidden back pocket. Two side mesh pockets (7.5 inches high) offer additional storage options for various items
- Enhanced Comfort with Upgraded Chest Strap: Designed for leisurely hiking, this hiking daypack prioritizes comfort with an added chest strap equipped with a safety whistle. This feature alleviates strain during travel, ensuring stability and reducing the burden on your shoulders
- Compact and Portable Folding Design: With dimensions of 7.9 * 6.7 inches when folded, this packable backpack emphasizes convenience and the benefits of its foldable design. After folding, the foldable backpack can easily fit into your luggage or car's backseat, serving as a handy backup backpack for your travels
- Lightweight and Sturdy: Weighing approximately 0.75lb, this lightweight travel backpack boasts a strong polyester fabric that is resistant to abrasion and tearing. The smooth and reliable SBS zippers ensure easy opening and closing, while reinforced handles and stitching provide added durability. These meticulous details contribute to a superior and comfortable user experience
- Versatile Usage: This lightweight hiking backpack is suitable for a variety of scenarios including leisure activities, travel, day trips, park outings, strolls, and commuting. However, please note that due to factors such as lighting conditions, the actual color of the collapsible backpack may vary slightly
Bestseller No. 3
4Monster Hiking Daypack,Water Resistant Lightweight Packable Backpack for Travel...
- 【Lightweight & Compact】Weight only 4 (oz), which is about half of the weight of a iphone. Easy to carry, can be folded into the wallet size fit into a pocket.
- 【Water Resistant material】This lightweight hiking daypack is made of water-resistant material and zipper. Effectively prevent rainwater from wetting the phone or cash and other items in the backpack.
- 【Durable】Tear-resistant 30D nylon will effectively prevent branches, stones from scratching the pack, keys and other products can also be safely placed inside. All stitches are strengthened to suit long-term use.
- 【Multipurpose】This Foldable backpack provides enough space for outdoor travel, camping, hiking, day trips and shopping. Comes with a main zipper pocket, a front zipper pocket and two mesh side pockets. The main compartment provides enough storage space for day trips, hiking and shopping. It is also an ideal choice for international travel at the airport.
- We want to make sure you have an amazing experience with us. 30 day no hassle returns / free exchange,12 month warranty.
Bestseller No. 4
WATERFLY Hiking Foldable Daypack Backpack: 25L Ultra Lightweight Waterproof Day...
- Built for Outdoor Adventures: Made from high-quality water-resistant, durable, and tear-resistant materials. Featuring a unique reflective hiking pattern and a chest strap with a whistle. Breathable mesh padding and straps reduce sweat, offering an enhanced experience for outdoor enthusiasts.
- Compact and Lightweight Design: Weighing only 0.6 lbs, this 25L capacity daypack unfolds with dimensions of 16.9in x 12.6in x 6.3in. Folded, it shrinks to the size of a small wallet, making it easy to carry. Made with eco-friendly, recyclable nylon, it’s both practical and sustainable.
- Smart Organizational Features: Adjustable shoulder straps, chest straps, and side buckles. Interior includes 2 compartments and 2 mesh pockets. Exterior features 2 zippered pockets on the front and 2 mesh side pockets for easy access to your essentials like laptops, tablets, water bottles, and umbrellas.
- Versatile for All Activities: Perfect for hiking, travel, cycling, sports, and day trips. Ideal for both men and women, including older adults. A perfect gift for any outdoor adventure lover, this backpack is designed for comfort and convenience on every journey.
- One-Year Warranty: At WATERFLY, we take pride in crafting quality products and offering excellent service. If you have any questions, feel free to share your order ID with us, and we’ll be happy to assist you. Enjoy a hassle-free purchase experience.
Bestseller No. 5
SKYSPER Small Hiking Backpack, 20L Lightweight Travel Backpacks Hiking Daypack...
- WATER-RESISTANT AND STURDY MATERIAL: SKYSPER 20l Hiking Backpack is made of high-density 600D polyester and 210D nylon plaid fabric, which is impermeable, water-resistant, tear resistant and wear-resistant. All of the backpack's stress points and shoulder straps are reinforced with lap-knots to ensure long lasting durability
- ERGONOMIC AND LIGHTWEIGHT: 10.3 x 7.4 x 16.9 inches, 1.1 lbs. The breathable grooved carrying system keeps your back comfortable and relaxed during travel. Breathable mesh on the back fabric can reduce sweating for extra comfort. Our backpacks are designed so that you can lighten the burden on your back during a hiking or a trip. The reflective design also increases visibility, making it safer at night
- UNIQUE APPEARANCE AND SAFETY DESIGN: The small hiking backpack features multiple compartments and an anti-theft zipper to prevent important documents and items from being stolen. The small daypack comes with an outdoor emergency rescue guide providing additional safety information for lovers of the outdoors. The LANTC20 backpack is the perfect combination of function and fashion, with a simple and smooth design featuring yellow webbing on the front panel and contrasting embroidery
- ADJUSTABLE AND REMOVABLE STRAP SYSTEM: The hiking daypack is designed to have convenient trekking pole fixtures. Open front-end plugins can also be adapted to different hiking gear and multi-functional extensions. The 20L backpack also features detachable straps and an adjustable chest strap, allowing it to meet the requirements of a variety of situations. It comes with safety whistle, making it the perfect hiking backpack for outdoor activities
- WIDELY USED: The women hiking day pack is good for a comfortable overseas plane trip, day city excursion, day hiking, weekend getaway and daily use,etc. It is perfect for short hikes, work-home commutes and doing errands. The day hike backpack is the perfect combination of function and fashion, with a simple and smooth design
Bestseller No. 6
WATERFLY Small Lightweight Packable Backpack: 20l Ultra Light Foldable Travel...
- FOLDABLE DESIGN: Unfold size 16.9*11.4*5.5 IN: folded size 8.7*6.3 IN. You can fold this backpack when you don't need it, which saves space and allows you to easily pack it in your suitcase, backpack
- ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT AND PREMIUM MATERIAL: Recycled nylon material makes this backpack only 10.2oz, easy to fold and carry. Polyester linings help relieve the stress on your shoulders. And durable SBS zippers make opening silky smooth
- LARGE CAPACITY: 20L capacity meets all your daily requirements and travel needs. Multi-compartments include one main pocket, two front pockets, and one zipper-removable pocket
- MULTIPLE OCCASIONS: This foldable backpack is suitable for daily use,day trips, travel, vacation, hiking, camping, fishing, and cycling. It can be taken on any airline.
- 1 YEAR AFTER-SALES: Our backpacks undergo rigorous quality testing. We will help you figure out any quality problem. We cover all quality issues. Please contact us if you have any problems with our product
Bestseller No. 7
SKYSPER 10L Hiking Backpack Lightweight Packable Back Pack Small Travel Daypack...
- Lightweight and Built To Last: Our 10l hiking backpack is designed to be both lightweight and sturdy, weighing just 0.3 kg (0.66 lbs). Made from tear and wear resistant polyester, the small travel daypack offers a robust build with dimensions of 15.7 x 10.2 x 4.3 inches. The customized smooth zippers and reinforced stitching on the shoulder straps and handle provide long-lasting reliability, making the small backpack men suitable for daily use and outdoor adventures
- Foldable and Easy to Carry: The 10l packable backpack can be folded into a compact size, allowing it to fit effortlessly into your car trunk, suitcase, or drawer. Small hiking backpack's foldable design adds a layer of convenience, making it good for those who need a reliable bag that doesn't take up much space when not in use
- Spacious and Organized: With a capacity of 10 liters, this small lightweight backpack features multiple compartments to keep your belongings organized. The slim backpack includes a hidden back zipper pocket for secure storage, and 2 side pockets each 6.5 inches high, suitable for holding a water bottle or an umbrella. This thoughtful design provides ample space and easy access to your hiking/travel essentials
- Thoughtful Details: Designed with user comfort and safety in mind, our foldable day backpack includes reflective strips for increased visibility in low-light conditions, smooth zippers for easy opening and closing, and a sturdy handle for easy carrying. Every detail is crafted to enhance your experience and provide convenience
- Multi-Scene Usage: This small hiking daypack is suitable for a wide range of activities, including day hikes, day trips, daily commutes, city explorations, and park visits. Its adaptable design makes it an excellent backup bag, ready to meet your needs in various scenarios
Bestseller No. 8
WATERFLY Lightweight Packable Hiking Backpack: 30L Foldable Travel Daypack...
- Lightweight Hiking Backpack: Ultralight packable daypack, can be easily fold up into a small pocket (Sandwich size), and is made with high-quality tear and water-resistant nylon. Unfold size is 19.3 x 12.5 x 8.6 inches, Fold size only 7.5 x 7.9 x 1.97 inches. The weight only 420g.
- Keep Everything in Order: The large capacity and multi-compartment features are convenient and practical. It features one hidden pouch, one zipped front pocket, one main zipped compartment, and two side pockets. Durable SBS Zipper and reinforcement at significant stress points further increase longevity.
- Cable Hole and Internal Pocket: There are a cable hole and internal pocket on the side of the foldable backpack. It is convenient for you to place your power bank for charging. In addition, the side buckle can endure low temperatures of -40℃.
- Wet Pocket Design and Breathable Shoulder Straps: One waterproof wet pocket is added to the main compartment. A zipper on the back of this backpack leads to the internal wet pocket to better separate sweaty clothes, towels, or other personal things after swimming or exercising. The s-shaped breathable shoulder straps are comfortable and lightweight, which release heat. Adjustable chest buckle fits anybody.
- Packable and Multipurpose: This hiking backpack can be easily fold into its pocket for storage and unfold it when you need. Easily stored in your suitcase or luggage for use at the destination as an extra bag for the trip. This hiking daypack is the Ideal companion for casual hiking, day trips, vacation, camping, traveling, overnight trip, shopping, family activities, etc. It will be an excellent present for men & women, whether outdoor sports or daily leisure activities in or out of town.
Bestseller No. 9
BECOJADDE 15L Small Hiking Backpack for Men Women Foldable Packable Back Pack...
- Unique Strap Design: Our small backpack features an innovative strap design with a zippered phone pocket on the left and a drawstring pocket on the right. The breathable mesh shoulder straps ensure comfort during your outdoor adventures, while reinforced stress points prevent strap breakage.
- Adjustable Chest Belt: This daypack hiking backpack includes an adjustable chest belt for both vertical and circumference adjustments, ensuring a secure fit. The buckle also doubles as a survival whistle, providing convenience during emergencies.
- Durable and Packable Backpack: Made from tear-resistant, scratch-resistant fabric, this hiking bag can be easily folded into its own zippered pocket. The mini backpack has unfolded dimensions of 17.7 in x 11in x 5.1in; folded dimensions of a compact 7in x 6.3in.
- Organized Multi-Pocket Design: With a capacity of 15L, this lightweight backpack for travel features several compartments, including a front elastic mesh pocket, a front zippered pocket, 2 water bottle holder, and a rear anti-theft zippered pocket, keeping your essentials organized and accessible.
- Versatile for Various Activities: Ideal for hiking, traveling, mountaineering, outdoor cycling, daily leisure, and commuting, this lightweight hiking backpack is the perfect accessory for any adventure. Suitable for both men and women, it meets all your hiking needs effortlessly.
Bestseller No. 10
Uselike 10L Small Hiking Backpack Travel Daypack Lightweight Packable Back Pack...
- LIGHTWEIGHT SMALL BACKPACK: This lightweight travel backpack weighs only 0.73 pounds but has a capacity of 10 liters, allows you to pack some essentials with you.
- CELL PHONE POUCH: The zippered pocket on the left shoulder strap will hold a cell phone screen up to 7 inches, and on the other side is an anti-theft pocket with an elastic cord closure, so you can put some items such as a wallet and snacks.
- FOLDABLE DAYPACK: Packs up super small. The folded size is only 6.5inch x 7.5inch. You can easily pack it in your suitcase or backpack.
- QUALITY ACCESSORIES: Made of thickened water-resistant nylon material and high-quality SBS zipper. Durable and not easy to tear. The fabric is water resistant and quick drying, supporting the outdoor's basic needs. There is an adjustable chest strap to stabilize two shoulder straps that have a survival whistle and sunglasses holder.
- WIDELY USED: This packable backpack is the perfect companion for the outdoors, one-day hiking, traveling, biking, and daily use. suitable for both women and men.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, our selection of the best lightweight backpacks for day hiking is designed to provide outdoor enthusiasts with reliable options that combine comfort, functionality, and durability. We carefully evaluated a wide range of products, considering factors such as weight, capacity, organization, and user reviews. Each backpack on our list has been tested in real-world conditions to ensure it meets the demands of day hikes, whether you’re tackling a challenging trail or enjoying a leisurely walk in the woods.
By following our list, you can confidently choose a backpack that suits your specific needs and enhances your hiking experience. Lightweight backpacks not only reduce fatigue but also allow you to carry essential gear without feeling weighed down. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or just starting out, selecting the right backpack is crucial for a successful outing. With our thoughtfully curated recommendations, you can focus more on enjoying nature and less on gear-related concerns, ensuring memorable adventures on every hike.
