The best hiking daypacks carry all the hiking gear you need without hurting your back. A supportive design, comfortable straps and plenty of pockets are a few of the many features a daypack needs that can make or break your day on the trail. There are a lot of hiking backpacks on the market, so I tested nine options from some of the biggest brands in the outdoor industry to see which is the best one.
I hiked dozens of miles all around the mountains of Colorado while testing these packs, from short, 1-mile loops around a lake to adventures longer than 10 miles, putting them through their paces. After examining the comfort, organization, support and more of each, one stood out above all the rest as the best pack for basically everybody.
Gregory Maya 25 Daypack
The women's version of my favorite hiking pack, the Maya, offers ample storage and is comfortable to carry.
Gregory Miko 25 Daypack
