If you’ve been reading my blog, then you know that I like to be very organized when I travel. Unfortunately, packing is a pain and it’s just hard to keep things tidy when you’re carrying a lot of things. That said, I’m rounding up the best daypack for travel to help you stay organized on-the-go.
Rank | Product Name | Our Rating | Price |
---|---|---|---|
1 | |||
2 | |||
3 | |||
4 | |||
5 |



What is a Daypack?

Simply put, a daypack is a smaller travel bag. It is typically a small backpack used to carry valuables and other essentials during your travel.
It is called a daypack because it is what you would typically carry with you during the day when you are out exploring your travel destination.
How Useful is a Daypack?
If you’re only going on a day or overnight trip, then you can do away with a daypack. In fact, it might even be inconvenient to bring one. However, if you’re spending a couple of days in a certain location, I highly recommend carrying a daypack with you.
I’m rather fond of taking pictures and enjoying local delicacies, so it’s extremely important for me to have both of my hands-free during my day explorations. I can't travel without my camera, my phone, and my water bottle. If you’re like me, then it would be wise to bring a daypack.
A daypack is particularly beneficial if you do a lot of walking. After all, even an extremely light backpack can hurt your back if it contains all your belongings and you have to carry it all day long. In addition, a large backpack can make you stand out as a tourist and attract snatchers or thieves.
What Should You Look For in a Daypack?

1. Weight
Since you’d be carrying your daypack with you the whole day, it’s advisable to choose one which is sturdy but lightweight. The idea is to pick a daypack which can securely hold all your valuables, without adding any unnecessary weight.
That said, I highly recommend purchasing daypacks from physical stores. This way, you know exactly how light or heavy a certain bag is. If this is not possible, however, make sure that you check the product specifications before ordering a daypack online.
2. Comfort
Lightweight does not automatically mean comfortable. The design of the bag, particularly the straps, plays a key role in ensuring comfort.
It might be difficult to determine how comfortable a bag will be until after you’ve used it, but you can never go wrong with padded straps and an ergonomic design.
3. Size
The perfect size will really depend on what kind of traveler you are and how much you like to carry with you. If you’re like me who likes to carry a camera when traveling, then you might need a larger daypack.
On the other hand, if you only carry your phone, wallet, and a couple other miscellaneous items, then a small daypack should suffice. To determine how large or how small your daypack should be, make a mental note of all the things you would normally carry around.
4. Security
Pickpocketing is a fairly common problem in popular tourist spots, especially larger cities. To keep your vacation enjoyable and hassle-free, it’s vital to keep your belongings secured. A slash-proof backpack with security features can do just that.
When choosing a daypack, I gravitate towards thicker fabrics that don’t rip or tear easily. I also prefer daypacks with covered zippers since they are harder to open.
5. External Pockets
. If you’re carrying electronics, it’s advisable to keep those in your bags main pocket, preferably at the bottom where it’s not easily accessible. You might want to do that for your wallet, too, to make sure that they can’t easily be pick-pocketed.
While this will keep your things safe, note that it’s also extremely inconvenient, especially if you have to make a lot of small purchases. This is why I like daypacks with a lot of external pockets. This way, I can easily stash some cash in the pockets and securely keep my wallet inside.
6. Style
This is not really a paramount consideration, but it’s particularly important if you like to travel in style. Fortunately for stylish travelers, there is a wide selection of daypacks which are stylish as they are sturdy and practical.
Top 5 Products on the Market
Now that I’ve given you some tips on choosing the right travel daypack, I’m now sharing with you my top 5 daypacks for travel. There is, of course, a selection to choose from, but these are my most trusted brands. If you haven’t made up your mind on which daypack to buy, this is a good place to start.
Rank | Product Name | Our Rating | Price |
---|---|---|---|
1 | |||
2 | |||
3 | |||
4 | |||
5 |
Gootium 21101 Specially High Density Thick Canvas Backpack Rucksack

Pros
Cons

Osage River Osceola Hiking Daypack Camping Backpack

Pros
Cons

Zacro Lightweight Packable Backpack Handy Foldable Travel Daypack

Pros
Cons

Victorinox Luggage Altmont 3.0 Standard Backpack

Pros
Cons

Tumi Voyageur Halle Multipurpose Backpack

Pros
Cons

Have a daypack to recommend? Let me know in the comments below. And don’t forget to share this article if you enjoyed reading it!