Arc'teryx Aerios 30 Backpack
The Arc'teryx Aerios 30 is the best-in-class choice for daypacks for hiking thanks to a premium lightweight build, durable weather-resistant fabrics, and an alpine-focused fit that excels on technical terrain. It commands a higher price but delivers long-term value through superior materials and refinement, making it more technically capable and longer lasting than mid-range and budget options on this list.
Featherlight alpine
Weather-shedding shell
Featherlight alpine
Weather-shedding shell
Review Summary
"Users praise the Aerios 30 for its premium lightweight build, excellent ventilation and comfortable load carrying for day hikes; common complaints center on the high price and relatively minimal pocketing."
Load-stable harness
Ultralight, weather-resistant fabrics designed to shave grams without sacrificing durability.
Load-stable harness
Ultralight, weather-resistant fabrics designed to shave grams without sacrificing durability.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Arc'teryx Aerios 30 is the best-in-class choice for daypacks for hiking thanks to a premium lightweight build, durable weather-resistant fabrics, and an alpine-focused fit that excels on technical terrain. It commands a higher price but delivers long-term value through superior materials and refinement, making it more technically capable and longer lasting than mid-range and budget options on this list.
Featherlight alpine
Weather-shedding shell
Load-stable harness
Ultralight, weather-resistant fabrics designed to shave grams without sacrificing durability.
Ergonomic harness and supportive hipbelt that carry loads comfortably on long day hikes.
Featherlight alpine
Weather-shedding shell
Load-stable harness
Ultralight, weather-resistant fabrics designed to shave grams without sacrificing durability.
Ergonomic harness and supportive hipbelt that carry loads comfortably on long day hikes.
$300-380 CAD
Osprey Stratos 24
The Osprey Stratos 24 is a market-leading all-around daypack for hiking, prioritizing ventilation and comfort with its AirSpeed backpanel and adjustable harness that suit longer, sweat-prone routes. Priced in the mid-range, it offers excellent pack organization and Osprey's strong warranty, giving better comfort-for-cost than premium packs like the Arc'teryx while outperforming budget alternatives in support and features.
Breezy backpanel
Cushy suspension
Breezy backpanel
Cushy suspension
Review Summary
"Owners consistently highlight the Stratos 24's excellent suspension, ventilation and organization, calling it a comfortable, reliable daypack; a few users note it's heavier than ultralight alternatives."
City-to-trail ready
AirScape ventilated backpanel that keeps airflow high and sweat low on warm hikes.
City-to-trail ready
AirScape ventilated backpanel that keeps airflow high and sweat low on warm hikes.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
The Osprey Stratos 24 is a market-leading all-around daypack for hiking, prioritizing ventilation and comfort with its AirSpeed backpanel and adjustable harness that suit longer, sweat-prone routes. Priced in the mid-range, it offers excellent pack organization and Osprey's strong warranty, giving better comfort-for-cost than premium packs like the Arc'teryx while outperforming budget alternatives in support and features.
Breezy backpanel
Cushy suspension
City-to-trail ready
AirScape ventilated backpanel that keeps airflow high and sweat low on warm hikes.
Adjustable harness and removable hipbelt for a customizable, stable fit.
Breezy backpanel
Cushy suspension
City-to-trail ready
AirScape ventilated backpanel that keeps airflow high and sweat low on warm hikes.
Adjustable harness and removable hipbelt for a customizable, stable fit.
Patagonia Altvia Pack 28L
Patagonia's Altvia Pack 28L blends sustainability and everyday versatility into a capable daypack for hiking, using recycled materials and weather-resistant construction that appeal to eco-conscious users. It's less technically specialized than the Arc'teryx or Salomon but competes by offering practical features and a brand-led environmental premium, positioning it as a thoughtful middle ground between performance and sustainability.
Recycled shell
Trail-hugger fit
Recycled shell
Trail-hugger fit
Review Summary
"Reviewers like the Altvia 28 for its sustainable materials, clean minimalist design and comfortable fit, while many mention limited pockets and a premium price for the feature set."
Minimalist organizer
Constructed from recycled, low-impact materials with a durable ripstop face fabric.
Minimalist organizer
Constructed from recycled, low-impact materials with a durable ripstop face fabric.
Eco-Friendly Living
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Patagonia's Altvia Pack 28L blends sustainability and everyday versatility into a capable daypack for hiking, using recycled materials and weather-resistant construction that appeal to eco-conscious users. It's less technically specialized than the Arc'teryx or Salomon but competes by offering practical features and a brand-led environmental premium, positioning it as a thoughtful middle ground between performance and sustainability.
Recycled shell
Trail-hugger fit
Minimalist organizer
Constructed from recycled, low-impact materials with a durable ripstop face fabric.
Sleek, alpine-inspired profile that balances load stability with a 28 L day-hike capacity.
Recycled shell
Trail-hugger fit
Minimalist organizer
Constructed from recycled, low-impact materials with a durable ripstop face fabric.
Sleek, alpine-inspired profile that balances load stability with a 28 L day-hike capacity.
$220-280 CAD
The North Face Trail Lite 24 Backpack
The North Face Trail Lite 24 is a budget-friendly, lightweight daypack for hiking that focuses on straightforward functionality and low weight for casual to moderate routes. It forgoes some of the advanced suspension and premium fabrics found on the Aerios or Stratos, but its aggressive price point makes it an attractive entry-level option for hikers who prioritize affordability over top-end technical performance.
Trail-sprinter light
Quick-access pockets
Trail-sprinter light
Quick-access pockets
Review Summary
"Buyers appreciate the Trail Lite 24 as an affordable, lightweight daypack with decent ventilation; frequent criticisms are modest durability and fewer organizational features compared with higher-end packs."
Tough ripstop
Lightweight, value-oriented build that suits casual hikers and weekend outings.
Tough ripstop
Lightweight, value-oriented build that suits casual hikers and weekend outings.
Recreational Enjoyment
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Time-Saving Convenience
The North Face Trail Lite 24 is a budget-friendly, lightweight daypack for hiking that focuses on straightforward functionality and low weight for casual to moderate routes. It forgoes some of the advanced suspension and premium fabrics found on the Aerios or Stratos, but its aggressive price point makes it an attractive entry-level option for hikers who prioritize affordability over top-end technical performance.
Trail-sprinter light
Quick-access pockets
Tough ripstop
Lightweight, value-oriented build that suits casual hikers and weekend outings.
Padded mesh backpanel and adjustable straps for basic comfort on short to medium hikes.
Trail-sprinter light
Quick-access pockets
Tough ripstop
Lightweight, value-oriented build that suits casual hikers and weekend outings.
Padded mesh backpanel and adjustable straps for basic comfort on short to medium hikes.
$100-150 CAD
Salomon Trailblazer 30
The Salomon Trailblazer 30 is a trail-running–inspired daypack for hiking that emphasizes nimble movement, a snug race-style harness, and quick-access storage for fast outings and steep terrain. Technically oriented toward dynamic movement and fastpacking, it offers agility and low-bulk performance that outpaces bulkier casual packs while remaining competitively priced for performance-minded hikers.
Runner's fit
Hydration-ready
Runner's fit
Hydration-ready
Review Summary
"Users find the Salomon Trailblazer 30 to be a lightweight, trail-oriented pack with good access and fit for fast hikes, though some report thinner padding and wear issues under heavy long-term use."
Fast-access straps
Sport-oriented fit and secure hipbelt that stays stable during fast hikes and trail runs.
Fast-access straps
Sport-oriented fit and secure hipbelt that stays stable during fast hikes and trail runs.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Salomon Trailblazer 30 is a trail-running–inspired daypack for hiking that emphasizes nimble movement, a snug race-style harness, and quick-access storage for fast outings and steep terrain. Technically oriented toward dynamic movement and fastpacking, it offers agility and low-bulk performance that outpaces bulkier casual packs while remaining competitively priced for performance-minded hikers.
Runner's fit
Hydration-ready
Fast-access straps
Sport-oriented fit and secure hipbelt that stays stable during fast hikes and trail runs.
Multiple external pockets and stretch side compartments for bottles and quick-access items.
Runner's fit
Hydration-ready
Fast-access straps
Sport-oriented fit and secure hipbelt that stays stable during fast hikes and trail runs.
Multiple external pockets and stretch side compartments for bottles and quick-access items.