Best Day Hiking Backpacks (2025): Osprey, Rab, Yeti

Day hiking packs come in a nearly endless array of shapes and sizes, with everything from ultra-minimalist frameless packs to 35-liter monsters with separate sleeping bag compartments. The best day hiking backpack for you will depend on what you're doing, but after thousands of trail hours, here are some things that are key to getting the right pack: Does it fit? This is the single most important thing about any pack. Make sure the pack you want fits your body, or carrying it will suck no matter how many great features it has. I highly recommend heading to your local outdoor retailer and trying packs weighted with sandbags. This experience will tell you more about which pack is right than anything else. If that's not possible, read the manufacturer's suggestions on fit and sizing, because the standards will vary widely. Does it have a frame? The vast majority of packs over 10 liters have some kind of internal frame, whether it's aluminum or titanium rods, a stiff plastic framesheet, ... Read full article.