Daypacks, like boots or a sleeping bag, are integral to trekking and therefore an investment. You will be wearing it a lot so it needs to be comfortable and ‘fit for purpose’. The only exception is if your trek is a one-off (such as a charity trek) when you might consider hiring one.

The daypacks we refer to here are designed to carry your kit for a day’s walk. The intention is not to carry overnight equipment such as a sleeping bag.

So which one? What capacity do I need? What do I need to consider? The array of daysacks on offer can be daunting until you know what is expected of it. Our strong advice is to first narrow down your search. This is best done (online) (see links below). Then go and try them on. It has to feel right, it has to fit right and you won’t know that without having it on your back. If you can, try some daypacks that friends may have. If nothing else, such an exercise can eliminate a good number of options. How to fit a daypack.

What is fit for purpose? It needs to be big and comfortable enough to carry what you need for the day. That may depend on the trek. In general terms, it is likely to include waterproofs, spare warm clothing, a hat, gloves, water, some snacks plus a phone, camera, and maybe a first aid kit. It may surprise you to know that with minor adjustments, what you carry in a daypack for treks to Everest Base Camp, through the Sahara, or up Kilimanjaro are all very similar.  Check out our clothing for the Sahara Desert for example. If you include the weight of the daypack itself, a general list is going to weigh around 6-7kg. To fit that bill, for most treks, we recommend a 30-35 liter capacity daypack. A daysack this size may seem big when you first see them (you don’t have to fill it!). But they will fit you so much better and you will appreciate the carrying capacity from a bulk point of view. If a daypack fits you, and it has a decent waist belt, you will not feel the weight anywhere near as much as an ill-fitting smaller daysack that is likely to weigh heavily on your shoulders.

What’s important to YOU: carrying capacity, comfort, back ventilation, pockets, waterproof covers, adjustable back length, cost, colour, brand?
Our priorities will differ so these considerations should bring to your attention some of those factors.

Size (capacity). Our recommendation for capacity (30 – 35 liter) has been covered above, and it is appreciated that the physical size of the daypack may be too tall for some. If this is the case, then you will need to downsize to a smaller capacity daypack, with a shorter back length (see the ‘adjustable back length’ section below). The prime concern is the fit.

Waist Belt. Generally, the bigger the daypack, the bigger the waist belt. Good waist belts allow the majority of the weight to sit nicely on the hips as opposed to being ‘hung’ from the shoulders. This can make a huge difference over time. Waist belts can vary from simple web straps, to padded, and some will have small zipped pockets (useful). Look for a good waist belt, and use it! See fitting a daypack.

Ventilation Back System. Sweaty backs are not nice! They are caused by the daypack being in physical contact with the back of the wearer, which when heated through work, will cause sweat. Most manufacturers have developed their own ventilation systems to avoid this. The aim of the design is to create an air space between the daypack and your back. This allows air to flow thus preventing contact and sweating. The best I have ever seen (and I still use) is Berghaus’s freeflow system. It was introduced in the 1990’s so they were streets ahead of their rivals but alas it appears to have been discontinued. The nearest to it, and it looks extremely similar, is Alpine Lowe’s Airzone system. Osprey has developed its own Airscape and Airspeed systems depending on the daypack.

Outside Pockets. Most daypacks of this type will have at least 2 side pockets, and a top box (a zipped pocket on the top). I would suggest that is the minimum you need. Water bottles (if you don’t use a Camelbak) will utilise those outside pockets as well as other items, such as snacks, that you may need frequently without delving into the main body of the daypack. Some daysack outside pockets are zipped, and others are just a net pouch.

Children’s Daypacks. Children’s daypacks are available, sort of mini versions of the bigger ones with the same elements. Kids love carrying their share as long as you keep it on the lighter side! Make it fun. Read our article on family adventures.

Air gaps prevent sweaty backs.
This Airzone system by Lowe Alpine
is a good example.

Waterproof Cover. Most modern daypacks now have their own waterproof cover, hidden away in a zipped pocket near the top ready to unravel and use should it rain. The outside of the cover should be elasticated to fit nicely around the daypack. If your chosen daypack doesn’t have one, get a separate one. Despite any claims of the daypack being waterproof, and the presence of an outside cover, I would also recommend the use of a waterproof inner. Hard, persistent rain will get in anywhere it is allowed to. The last thing you want is for your kit to get wet.

Adjustable Back Length. This is more common in bigger daypacks but some 30 – 35l daypacks do still have adjustable lengths (the Montane Azote 32l is a good example). Adjustments made are only to the distance between the waist belt and the top of the shoulder straps (it will be the shoulder strap ends that move up or down) so the overall height of the daypack is unaffected. It is a useful facility to have if you like a particular daypack and it needs adjusting but if one has no adjustment facility, and it fits, clearly you won’t need this facility.

Chest Strap. Chest straps used to be an ‘add-on’ but now come as standard on most, if not all, good daypacks. When used, they provide more stability, as if to connect it 360° around your body, as opposed to it being just on two distinct sides. I only really use mine when on more difficult terrain (such as rocks) when the daypack is likely to move about more. Some people like to use it all of the time. The straps are adjustable (up and down the shoulder straps) to suit the wearer.

Size (physical). I have deliberately placed this section separate from the ‘Size (capacity)’ description above because I don’t think it should be part of the decision-making process, more of awareness. On long-haul aircraft from the UK you should not have a problem using it as hand luggage (but do check) in terms of physical size (length in particular). But on short-haul flights where you might use low-cost airlines (to Morocco for example), do your homework on the physical sizes allowed as hand luggage (check out Easyjet hand luggage). If required, put the empty daypack into your hold luggage and use something smaller for hand luggage.

Adjustable back systems allow the
distance between the top of the shoulder
straps and the bottom of the daypack
to be altered to suit.

Secure the waist belt first.

Then the shoulder straps.

Finally, adjust the load straps.