Best Lightweight Hiking Daypacks of 2025

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Lightweight hiking daypacks are an essential piece of equipment for anyone who loves spending time outdoors. These packs are designed to be lightweight and comfortable, making them perfect for day hikes or short overnight trips. They typically feature a variety of pockets and compartments, allowing hikers to easily organize and access their gear. Many also come with hydration systems, keeping hikers hydrated and energized throughout their trek. With a range of sizes and styles to choose from, lightweight hiking daypacks are a must-have for anyone who wants to stay comfortable and prepared on their next outdoor adventure.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Lightweight Hiking Daypacks
G4Free 10L Hiking Backpack
The G4Free 10L Hiking Backpack is a lightweight and foldable daypack perfect for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, camping, and traveling. It is made with thickened water-resistant nylon material and high-quality SBS zipper, and features one main compartment, one front compartment, and two side pockets. Customers love its quality construction, comfortable straps, and waterproof material. The only downside is that the side pockets are too small for larger water bottles.
G4Free Lightweight Packable Shoulder Backpack
The G4Free Lightweight Packable Shoulder Backpack is made of high-quality tear-resistant nylon material with a durable abrasion-resistant SBS zipper. It is ultra-compact and easy to fold up into a small pocket, making it perfect for day trips, travel, day hikes, school, camping, and shopping. It has two zippered compartments, two large mesh side pockets, and is suitable for various occasions.
MOSISO 10L Lightweight Hiking Daypack
The MOSISO Lightweight Hiking Pack is designed for convenience and comfort on your outdoor adventures. With a compact size of just 13.35 x 8.66 x 3.93 inches, it easily folds into a small pouch for effortless storage in your bag. The three compartments help you organize your essentials, making it easy to access your items like your wallet or phone. Made from lightweight polyester, the backpack features smooth zippers for easy opening and closing. The padded shoulder straps ensure comfort, allowing you to enjoy your hike without discomfort. Plus, reflective strips enhance your safety during nighttime activities.
Maelstrom Daypack Backpacks, 40L Black
The Maelstrom Daypack Backpacks, 40L Black is a great choice for outdoor adventures. It is made of high-quality rip-stop 210d nylon fabric, which is water-resistant, tear-resistant, anti-scratch and wear-resistant. It also comes with an ergonomic ring handle, adjustable chest buckle, and a survival whistle for emergencies. It has a large capacity with several pockets for handy storage and convenient organization. It also has reflective signs for safety and adjustable straps for trekking sticks. It is lightweight and breathable, making it comfortable to carry.
4Monster Lightweight Hiking Daypack
The 4Monster Lightweight Hiking Daypack is a water-resistant and durable backpack that weighs only 4 ounces and can be folded to fit in a pocket. Its tear-resistant 30D nylon fabric prevents scratches, and its strengthened stitches ensure long-term use. The backpack provides ample storage space with a main zipper pocket, a front zipper pocket, and two mesh side pockets. It is ideal for outdoor travel, camping, hiking, day trips, shopping, and international travel at the airport.
SKYSPER 20L Hiking Backpack
The SKYSPER 20L Hiking Backpack is a lightweight and water-resistant daypack designed for outdoor activities. Made of high-density 600D polyester and 210D nylon plaid fabric, it is tear-resistant and wear-resistant. It features multiple compartments, an anti-theft zipper, adjustable and removable straps, and an outdoor emergency rescue guide. Customers praise its quality construction, lightweight design, and convenient compartments.
PS Le Periple 20L Hiking Backpack
The PS Le Periple Hiking Backpack is designed for convenience and comfort during your outdoor adventures. With a 20-liter capacity, it’s perfect for short trips and daily use, allowing you to carry your essentials effortlessly. The multi-compartment design includes a secure anti-theft pocket and a convenient phone pocket on the shoulder strap, making it easy to access your devices. Its ergonomic back panel and adjustable straps ensure a comfortable fit, reducing strain on your shoulders. Plus, safety features like reflective strips and a whistle buckle enhance your visibility during low-light conditions, ensuring a secure experience.
SKYSPER Small Daypack 10L
The SKYSPER 10L Daypack is a lightweight and well-constructed backpack that is perfect for light duty use and daily excursions. Weighing only 0.6lbs, this packable backpack is incredibly lightweight but has a capacity of 10litres, allowing you to pack smaller essentials with you. It can be easily folded into a small clutch-like size, making it convenient to carry in your luggage. The well-made design features a hidden back pocket for secure storage, a vertical zipper pocket for easy access to items, and reflective strip design for night security. The 2 side pockets can hold water bottles, making it ideal for short hikes and day trips. Made from highly rip fabric, this backpack is durable and long-lasting. The SKYSPER 10L Daypack is the perfect companion for your travels and daily adventures.
ZOMAKE Lightweight Packable Backpack 30L
The ZOMAKE Lightweight Packable Backpack 30L is a great option for those who need a backpack that is both lightweight and spacious. With a capacity of 30L, this backpack has many pockets, including a main bag with inner partition, two front bags, two side bags, and one privacy pocket. The backpack is made of water-resistant and tear-resistant nylon materials, and the double-layered wear-resistant new processes strengthen the suture of the backpack. The backpack also features a chest protection buckle and whistle for emergency situations, protective buckle bands on the side bag to prevent items from falling out, and reflectors on both sides of the front bag for added safety at night. When not in use, the backpack can be folded into a compact pocket that is the size of a sandwich.
VPBAGE 15L Water-resistant Hiking Daypack
The VPBAGE Lightweight Hiking Backpack is designed for outdoor enthusiasts who value convenience and durability. Its water-resistant feature keeps your belongings dry, making it ideal for trips to the beach or hikes near creeks. When you’re not using it, this backpack conveniently folds into a compact pouch, allowing you to save space in your bag. Weighing just 8.4 ounces, it is incredibly light, ensuring you can move freely and comfortably as you explore various terrains. Made from tough 300D nylon fabric, it withstands rugged environments, protecting your gear from snags and abrasions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the best size daypack for hiking?
21–35 liters: This is the sweet spot for most hiking and travel daypacks. There's enough capacity to hold food, clothing and some extras, like a camera and a book. 36–50 liters: These larger packs are ideal for trips that require additional clothing and gear, such as climbing, mountaineering or non-summer hiking.
2. Are Eddie Bauer backpacks good for hiking?
The bag functions as a perfect day hiking bag as it includes two water bottle storage pouches. The bag is large enough to store a sweater or additional clothing. For a daypack, the bag fully serves its function to hold and help transport goods.
During our lightweight hiking daypack research, we found 24 lightweight hiking daypack products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 178,027 customer reviews through our big data system to write the lightweight hiking daypacks list. We found that most customers choose lightweight hiking daypacks with an average price of $21.11.
The lightweight hiking daypacks are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of lightweight hiking daypacks, including G4Free, MOSISO, Maelstrom, 4Monster, SKYSPER. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 1,690 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Arlen Smith is a writer and a surfer who lives in Los Angeles, he runs a popular blog that focuses on surfing skills and popular surf spots around the world. He enjoys the sun, the beach and the feeling of surfing. His expertise ranges from categories such as climbing, swimming, boating and outdoor sports.