Not everyone is into hiking. It is the type of activity that you either love or hate. This is because some do not have fun walking all that much. The ones that do surely appreciate how relaxing it can be to get away from the city and the noise.
Like any other outdoor activity, it requires a bit of gear, and it would be a bad idea to get out of the house for a hike without some basic supplies like food, water, extra clothing, and other useful items. A hiking backpack is almost essential for anyone who is preparing for a small adventure out in the wild. These backpacks have a different design when compared with regular ones. They offer more storage, mesh fabric on the back, and straps to allow the skin to breathe and prevent sweating, as well as a waterproof design. Also, there are regular daypacks and large hiking backpacks.
For our list, we selected 10 different daywear hiking backpacks. Picking just 10 has proven to be difficult since there are hundreds of different models. Our list includes only lightweight models that are made to last. With these things in mind, let’s jump to our list of the top 10 best hiking backpack reviews.
Best Hiking Backpack Reviews 2023
The North Face Jester
The North Face is a rather big brand in the industry. They offer a wide range of backpacks, but the Jester seems to be the most popular one for hikers. It looks more like a traditional backpack, but it offers plenty of storage space and comes with a lightweight construction using just polyester.
The backpack comes with two large compartments. On the sites, it has two water bottle holders. It also comes with padded straps and mesh that prevents sweating. It has a generous capacity, yet it feels lightweight.
G4Free Ultra Lightweight Packable Hiking Daypack
G4Free has one of the more affordable hiking backpacks on our list. Their Ultra Lightweight hiking daypack is a great option for the ones that need something comfortable that offers a decent capacity.
The model was made to be extremely light and can be compacted to fit inside a small pouch. It is available in several different colors and multiple sizes. All versions come with a large main compartment and an external zippered pocket in the back. The sides host two water bottle holders, while the straps come with soft padding to increase comfort.
Hopsooken Ultra Lightweight Travel Water Resistant Packable Backpack for Hiking
Hopsooken offers another inexpensive hiking backpack that is good enough to be selected for our list. It is a simple 30-liter backpack with lightweight construction and plenty of features to make it a great companion.
The model is made using a lightweight synthetic fabric that is also water-repellant. With sturdy construction and premium materials, the manufacturers decided to offer a lifetime warranty for their backpacks.
The North Face Unisex Borealis Backpack
The North Face Borealis backpack is one of the premium models on our list. This means that it is also more expensive. However, the build quality and functionality of the backpack will not disappoint.
Looking at its construction, the manufacturers decided to go for a nylon fabric that acts as a water-repellant. It is reasonably strong and can survive tears. In terms of storage capacity, the model has two large interior compartments, side pockets for bottles, and a large zippered external pouch.
Evecase Hiking Daypack
Evecase offers a different type of hiking backpack. It is a compact model that has a rather limited capacity of 15 liters. On the upside, it is affordable and quite lightweight. It was made to be comfortable while providing just enough storage for some basic supplies.
The model has just one large main compartment and an additional zippered pocket on the back. The sides have water bottle holders with a strap that secures them in place. For the sake of diversity, the manufacturer offers the model in multiple different colors.
Gonex Lightweight Packable Backpack Hiking Daypack
Gonex has a simple hiking backpack that will prove to be a great companion for long trips. It is large enough to hold all the basic supplies due to its large main compartment. The model has a lightweight construction and a 30-liter capacity which is more of a standard among hiking backpacks.
As with other similar models, it has multiple straps to secure it properly and two water bottle holders. It can be found in 7 different colors, and it includes a generous lifetime manufacturer warranty.
Sunhiker Cycling Hiking Backpack
According to the manufacturers, the Sunhiker backpack can severe multiple purposes. It is advertised as a cycling and hiking backpack; thus, it was a multi-purpose design. The model was equipped with two large padded shoulder straps and a mesh material on the back side that prevents sweating.
Other common elements are the water bottle holders and the exterior zippered pockets. The main compartment has a padded side which provides decent protection for items that are stored inside and that are more sensitive to shocks.
Bluboon Vintage Satchel Hiking Backpack
Bluboon offers a great hiking backpack that might seem more appealing to men. It has a reasonable price and a vintage design that makes it look very stylish. It is made using canvas with faux leather elements.
What some users might observe is the fact that there is no mesh layer on the back thus, it will not prevent sweating. The model has one large compartment and three exterior pockets with no holder for a water bottle. However, it is still quite convenient and offers just enough functionality.
Outlander Packable Handy Hiking Backpack
One of the things that make the Outlander backpack so popular is the fact that it is foldable. This means it is extremely lightweight, which can be important when going for long trips or hikes.
The model comes with one large compartment, a zippered side pocket, padded shoulder straps and two water bottle holders. On top of all this, the model is inexpensive and can be found in multiple different colors to choose from.
Hikpro Ultra Light Hiking Daypack
Hikpro is one of the most popular brands when it comes to hiking equipment. Their daypack is not only extremely inexpensive but also one of the most appreciated models. Its lightweight and foldable design make it a great choice for both beginners and experienced hikers.
The model has a 20-liter capacity which should be enough to pack all the essential supplies. It has just one large compartment and several exterior pockets. It is moderate in size, but it is extremely comfortable. It can be found in many different colors but in just one size.
Conclusion
All the hiking backpacks on our list were made to be lightweight and comfortable. Some are so well designed that they can be folded to fit inside a small pouch. Their capacity can vary a bit. We selected models that start at 15 liters and all the way up to 30 liters. Larger backpacks will prove to be difficult to handle, especially when filled with many items as if they can get too heavy.
In terms of pricing, hiking backpacks are usually quite affordable. There are some premium models that can be a bit expensive, but we only included one such hiking backpack. Other than that, it is just a matter of personal preference since the biggest difference between them is design.
