Yahoo News 9 best daypacks: Comfortable bags for hiking, cycling and business trips
Everyone needs a good backpack. Great for days out, long walks or for taking on holidays and business trips, a quality backpack is an absolute essential. But how do you choose which one to go for?
There are myriad types of backpacks, some with roll tops, while others have side zips for even better access to your things. Some are better for hiking than others, and then there are those that are specifically better for commuting and travel.
Key features all backpacks should have include water bottle pockets, easy-access zip pockets on the front or sides for smaller items like keys and wallets, and adjustable shoulder straps are essential. For those heading off on a long walk or hike, you’ll want to make sure your daypack has a proper back support system and plenty of adjustable straps to make it as comfortable as possible.
Waist and chest straps are also important features for anyone walking long distances carrying a backpack. You’ll also want to look for packs with water-resistant material and plenty of external pockets for snacks, sunscreen and other accessories.
If travel or just a day out is your game, something less technical is better. You might opt for a backpack with a little more style (but with plenty of substance), ideally with a water bottle pocket and maybe something with a “secret” compartment to keep your valuables safe. For commuters and business travellers, a backpack with a padded laptop sleeve is important to keep your computer safe, and extra sleeves for pens, notebooks and business cards are helpful, too.
How we tested
Over the space of six weeks, our tester has been trying out each backpack on dog walks, mini breaks around Britain and on a holiday in Tenerife. She has packed and unpacked each daypack to test their pockets and compartments, and has thoroughly tested the zips on each one to ensure they’re sturdy enough for use.
The best daypacks for 2022 are:
Best for waterproof adventures – Red original waterproof backpack: £99.95, Redoriginal.com
Best for day-to-day use – Fjällräven kånken backpack: £85, Fjallraven.com
Best for travelling light – PrimaBerry map collection backpack: £59.99, Primaberry.com
Best for versatility – Tropicfeel shell backpack: £179, Tropicfeel.com
Best for cycling – Stubble & Co rolltop backpack: £105, Stubbleandco.com
Best for affordability – Vango mica 25: £36, Vango.co.uk
Best for style – Camden Watch Company waxed canvas backpack: £125, Camdenwatchcompany.com
Best for light hiking trips – Vaude brenta 2: £96.47, Amazon.co.uk
Best for sustainability – Bagmaya yaiza backpack: £59.95, Bagmaya.com
Red original waterproof backpack
If you’re likely to be hiking in the rain or you’re planning a canoeing or paddle-boarding adventure, RedOriginal’s 30l backpack is well worth the investment. With a roll-top closure mechanism, it’s completely waterproof on the inside, and has a water-resistant pocket on the front, too. We love the removable laptop sleeve, which makes this bag even more versatile, and for any after-dark adventures, the reflective detailing is handy for being seen.
For maximum comfort, there’s an adjustable chest strap and airflow shoulder straps and back padding to keep you cool. At just 750 grams without the laptop insert it’s a brilliant lightweight option for walking, sailing, kayaking or cycling, plus, as it’s made from recycled bottles, it ticks the sustainability box, too.
Buy now £99.95, Redoriginal.com
Fjällräven kånken backpack
These cute Swedish backpacks are ubiquitous across the UK and for good reason. Not only are they stylish, with over 55 colours to choose from, but they’re also – as you might expect from a Scandi brand – pretty well designed. This useful daypack is great for days out thanks to its compact size, handy water bottle compartments on the sides, and a front zipper pocket for small items.
It has grab handles on the top so it’s easy to lift and can be carried like a briefcase if need be, plus its back straps are long for maximum adjustability. Clever little popper buttons on the back straps offer the option of fastening them away so they don’t dangle while you wear it, too.
The backpack does however lose points for its incredibly stiff fabric, making it a little inflexible, but regains some for its clever water-resistant treatment, which means your things will stay dry even in a downpour. We also love the way the entire front panel can be zipped open for access to all your things at once.
Buy now £85.00, Fjallraven.com
PrimaBerry map collection backpack
If you just need a small daypack for a few essentials but you don’t want to carry a handbag or cross-body satchel, the PrimaBerry cork backpacks are a brilliant option. These cute little bags are a swish way to transport your essentials, with enough room inside for a purse, keys, phone, headphones and a small, fold-away umbrella.
There is a slim front pocket for bank cards or passports, plus an interior zip pocket for other valuables. It opens at the top with a drawstring system and a flap covers the opening, fastened down with magnetic popper buttons. We love the map collection design, which utilises the natural pattern on the cork, but there are also handsome printed versions in slightly different designs. Made from Portuguese cork – an environmentally-friendly material – this is a brilliant vegan alternative to a leather backpack.
Buy now £59.99, Primaberry.com
Tropicfeel shell backpack
This daypack by Tropicfell is a brilliant all-rounder and it comes with stacks of great features. In its simplest form, it’s a brilliant daypack for commuters or domestic business travel, with a padded laptop sleeve and dual opening system meaning you can access things from the top and from the back with its clamshell opening design. When you’re not commuting, though, you can also use this backpack for weekends away, long day hikes and much more.
The shell backpack has all the usual features: water bottle holders on the sides, grab handles on the top and the side for easy transportation when it’s not on your back, plus a slim front pocket ideal for bank cards and the like. But its added-value features are extensive: it has fully adjustable straps, a hidden waist strap, a highly supportive padded back system for maximum comfort, and a hidden “kangaroo pouch” that can pull out for extra space. At its slimmest it is 22l but at its maximum capacity it expands to 40l – enough for a weekend away at least.
It cleverly pairs with a host of Tropicfeel accessories, including the Techpouch packing cube, featured in our best packing cubes round-up, which clips onto the front of the backpack using its magnetic fidlock mechanism. It can also come with a clever built-in wardrobe for an extra £43.
Buy now £179.00, Tropicfeel.com
Stubble & Co rolltop backpack
Cyclists love the Stubble & Co rolltop backpack, but it’s great for everyone really. This 20l backpack has a handful of clever features such as reflective trim, a cushioned back panel and a bike light anchor point, but the best thing about it is the material. Almost entirely waterproof, though sold as water resistant because you wouldn’t want to swim with it, it is made from a robust, rubber-like material and has water resistant zips.
The backpack loses points for having just one opening mechanism – the roll-top access – but gains some for its clever hidden laptop pocket and expandable water bottle slots. There’s a handy slim vertical pocket on the front, and with its padded straps, you’ll never feel uncomfortable when carrying this one. It’s really great for cyclists, commuters or day trippers who’re carrying a laptop.
The black, blue and green colourways are all currently out of stock, but you can pre-order one now to have it dispatched in the week from 28 February. Or, if you just can’t wait, the arctic white design is available to buy now.
Buy now £105.00, Stubbleandco.com
Vango mica 25
If you’re buying a backpack on a budget, Vango’s mica 25 is an excellent, well-rounded option. It has water resistant material for when you’re out and about in the rain, a water bottle pocket on one side and a zip pocket on the other, plus a front zip pocket. The laptop sleeve makes it a good budget option for commuters or domestic business travel too.
The sustainably-minded will be comforted by the fact it’s made from recycled plastic bottles, reducing the waste in its production, and its 25l capacity means you can fit plenty of layers inside if you’re taking a long walk. Its padded, adjustable straps are surprisingly comfortable, too. The only downside to this daypack is it only opens from the top, with no clamshell option, so you’ll need to be organised with the belongings you keep inside.
Buy now £36.00, Vango.co.uk
Camden Watch Company waxed canvas backpack
If you’re less concerned about the technical aspects of a backpack and more worried about what you look like, you can’t go wrong with the Camden Watch Company’s waxed canvas piece. In khaki and black, it’s a stylish addition to any bag collection, but is still a pretty practical choice – it utilises a roll-top opening function, and a pair of quality leather straps keeps it closed.
The backpack has an interior laptop sleeve and pocket, and a pair of exterior pockets offer easy, fast access to your essentials – though you won’t want to put your valuables inside these, as the pocket isn’t completely sealed.
A leather panel protects the bottom from scuffing as you put it down, and a top grab handle is useful for easy transportation when it’s not on your back. While this backpack doesn’t have all the top-notch features of some of the others on this list, it does come with reams of 19th-century explorer style.
Buy now £125.00, Camdenwatchcompany.com
Vaude brenta 24
If you just need a small backpack for layers, lunches and your map and compass, this Vaude brenta is the best small backpack for hiking. It has a 24l capacity, an adjustable back system for maximum comfort, and waist straps to help distribute the load. It’s made from recycled polyester and has an integrated rain cover for wet weather walking too, while its ErgoShape straps provide excellent support. It has the essential side pockets for storing your water bottle or snacks, and a handy top pocket where you can keep essentials such as your compass, map and wallet. For those longer walks, there’s even a trekking pole attachment, too.
Buy now £96.47, Amazon.co.uk
Bagmaya yaiza backpack
A great every-day use backpack, the Bagmaya packs are ideal for the eco-conscious who want to help make a positive impact. These bags are made from 100 per cent natural hemp and cotton, with insides made from reused rice sacks, and have been made in Nepal in fair working conditions.
Bagmaya uses plastic-free packaging, recycled paper tags, and natural dyes to minimise its impact on the environment. Plus, 10 per cent of profits from these bags goes to Yuwa, a Nepalese charity committed to youth empowerment.
It’s not just about the environmental impact, though. These bags are genuinely useful, with a laptop sleeve, two water bottle slots on the side, and external pockets for easy access to small items. There’s also a secret internal pocket to keep your valuables safe.
Buy now £59.95, Bagmaya.com
Daypack FAQs
What to look for in a daypack
When purchasing a new daypack, it’s important to consider the capacity, weight, comfort and waterproofing aspects as well as what you plan to be using it for.
If it’s for longer hikes and weekend mountain walking, then you’ll want something big enough to fit bottles of water, chalk, food, a change of clothes and even sleeping bags. Typically daypacks range between 20l to 40l in volume. It’s also worth looking out for hip or chest straps that will help distribute the load, relieve shoulder pressure and reduce swaying when you walk.
Depending on how much stuff you’re bringing with you, the number of compartments will also help keep your valuables, like a phone or bungee cords, safe and dry, and essentials such as water within easy reach.
If you’re heading somewhere that’s likely to rain, a rain cover or daypack made with a waterproof layer will stop your belongings from getting wet.
The verdict: Daypacks for walking
For just under £100, the RedOriginal waterproof backpack is our best buy, thanks to its versatility for both adventure and commuting. The Vango mica 25 also gets a special mention for its budget-friendly price and essential features.
For more outdoor gear, check out our selection of the best walking trousers to take on your trip
