How to choose a daypack: size, fit and the features worth paying for
A daypack is the piece of gear people replace most often, usually because the first one was bought on capacity alone. Fit matters more than volume, and volume matters more than features.
Start with volume, but be honest about it
Volume is measured in litres and describes the main compartment plus pockets. For most day hikes, 18–28 litres is the useful range: enough for water, layers, food and a first aid kit, small enough that you cannot fill it with things you do not need.
Go smaller (10–16 litres) for short walks and travel days, larger (30–35 litres) if you carry camera gear, winter layers or kit for children as well as yourself. A pack that is too large gets loaded to capacity regardless of the trip.
Fit is torso length, not height
Packs are sized by the distance from the bony bump at the base of your neck to the level of the top of your hip bones. Two people of the same height often need different sizes. If a pack is available in sizes, measure rather than guess; if it has an adjustable harness, set it before the first walk rather than on the trail.
Loaded correctly, the hip belt carries most of the weight on your hips and the shoulder straps simply stop the pack tipping backwards. If your shoulders ache after an hour, the belt is either too high, too loose, or the torso length is wrong.
- Shoulder straps should wrap the shoulder with no gap and no pinching
- Hip belt centred on the hip bones, not on the waist
- Load lifters, where fitted, angled at roughly 45 degrees
Features worth paying for
A ventilated back panel makes a noticeable difference on warm days. Stretch side pockets you can reach while wearing the pack mean you actually drink. A hip belt pocket keeps a phone or snack accessible without stopping. A rain cover or a lined main compartment saves the contents on the walk back to the car.
Features worth skipping on a daypack: excessive daisy chains, dedicated compartments for gear you do not own, and heavy suspension systems designed for multi-day loads.
Bladder or bottles
A hydration bladder encourages frequent drinking and keeps the weight close to your back, but it is awkward to refill and hard to judge how much is left. Bottles in side pockets are simple, easy to fill from a tap or filter, and easy to monitor. Many people end up with both: a bladder for long summer days, bottles for everything else.
How to test it before committing
Load the pack with roughly the weight you will carry — around 5kg for a typical day out — and wear it for ten minutes, including some stairs. Pressure points appear quickly under load and almost never appear when the pack is empty on a shop floor.
Last updated September 5, 2026. Questions or a correction? Get in touch.