Best Hiking Daypacks for Men

If you need a backpack for outdoor or urban day adventures, check out our review of the best hiking daypacks for men.

We talk about this backpack in the sense of hiking, but these packs can also be described as the best daypacks for men full stop. You can use them for traveling, city tours, cycling, and much more.

If you have been searching for a daypack, you probably know how difficult it is to choose a backpack from the world’s vast selection. We could easily make a list just from Osprey, Gregory, or Deuter backpacks.

Now, speaking about volume, we limited ourselves to backpacks below 35 liters in volume. This size range is usually large enough for practically any one-day outdoor activity.

Note that they usually have plenty of options to attach extra equipment outside. So you may be surprised to see how much we can carry in some of our daypacks. In fact, being active mountaineers, we own most of these packs and use them for day tours.

These are packs for men. So can women use them? The answer is yes, they certainly can, and some of these packs may be described as unisex. But top brands do make gender-specific packs.

This only means that if you choose a backpack that corresponds to your gender regarding size, etc., you may have some features that make the pack even more comfortable than a unisex pack.

Our List Of Best Hiking Daypacks For Men

We have decided to order the packs in their official volume from smallest to largest. The volume is usually described in cubic inches or liters, so we give both.

The list below contains packs that are usually representatives of the whole series. So if the volume in the list is not what you want, no worry; there are typically several packs available with different volumes but with the same or very similar features.

Also, most of them are built in various sub-sizes, and they have adjustability options. This means you can always find a pack that suits your body shape. Besides, these are top brands, and you have very ergonomic designs, so comfort should never be an issue.

1. Teton Sports Oasis 1100 Hydration Pack

• Weight: 2 lb (0.91 kg)
• Dimensions: 18.5 x 10 x 7 in (47 x 25 x 18 cm)
• Capacity: 1100 cubic inches (18 liters)
• Waist belt fit: up to 60 in (152 cm)

This Teton Sports Oasis 1100 Hydration Backpack has been around for many years and is a bestselling item for several global sellers. So it is unsurprising that this pack already has countless reports and reviews. This is not surprising when you see that its price is below $40.

To start with the name, the number 1100 describes its volume in cubic inches, around 18 liters. The word Hydration describes that it comes with a bonus 2-liter BPA-free hydration bladder. Note that it has a separate zippered water bladder compartment. This compartment can also be used for a computer if you use the pack for commuting.

But this is not the only bonus you find; it also includes a rain cover. It is stored in a separate pocket with a Velcro closure.

Best Seller

Pros:

• Separate water bladder pouch
• It comes with a rain cover
• It comes with a water bladder

Cons:

• The hip belt is basic

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

The pack is built from a 210D honeycomb ripstop fabric. Note that this is a unisex backpack available in multiple colors. The zippers are water-resistant.

No metal frame exists, but you don’t need it for such a small pack. There are foam pads on the back, and they create a ventilation chimney. The shoulder straps are padded and with holes for ventilation. There is a narrow hip belt without padding. The sternum strap is adjustable; it even has an emergency whistle.

There is a nice bungee cord on the front to store your clothing or other things, and on the bottom, you have reflective loops for equipment attachment.

You also have mesh stretch pockets for water bottles or trekking poles on the sides. There are compression straps above them to keep things in the pockets. Note that you have a limited lifetime warranty with this pack.

2. Osprey Stratos 24 Pack for Men

• Dimensions (H x W x D): 22 x 11.8 x 11.8 in (56 x 30 x 30 cm)
• Torso fit: 18 – 22 in (46 – 56 cm)
• Waist/Hips fit: 25 – 50 inches (64 – 127 cm)
• Maximum carry weight: 25 lb (11.3 kg)

The Osprey Stratos 24 is one of the series of backpacks available; this pack is one of the smallest. We used it last year on several mountaineering day tours, and it functioned well.

If you need a pack with exceptional ventilation, this is it. You have a tensioned mesh that covers the back area and continues smoothly to the hip belt; they call it the Airspeed Suspension. The pack is panel-loading type, so you have zippered access to the main compartment. It comes with a rain cover and is stored in a separate pocket.

Although this is a small pack, it has a peripheral LightWire alloy frame. The torso length is adjustable. You have a Velcro hook-and-loop system to break the connection and move the harness into the desired position.

Best Storage

Pros:

• Provides excellent ventilation
• Plenty of storage pockets & features
• Great warranty

Cons:

• Waist pouch could be bigger

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

The hip belt is quite wide for a pack of this size, you have a bit of padding there, and this is also a ventilated construction. You have their ErgoPull closure on the front.

There are 8 pockets in this small pack, so you have plenty of options for organizing your small items. Attachment options are also available, including Osprey’s famous Stow-on-the-Go attachment system for trekking poles. You also have lower and upper compression straps on the sides.

The pack is one-size-fits-all and weighs 2.756 lb (1.25 kg). The official volume is 1465 in³ (24 l). Here are a few more numbers:

3. Deuter Futura 30 Backpack

• Weight: 3 lb 4 oz (1480 g)
• Volume: 1830 in³ (30 l)
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 26.8 x 11 x 9.5 in (68 x 28 x 24 cm)
• Torso fit: 16 – 20 in (41 – 51 cm)

The list wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t add a backpack from Deuter. This Futura 30 pack is from their best-known series. We have been using these Futura packs for almost two decades; here’s what you can expect.

This Futura series initially introduced the famous tensioned trampoline-style mesh back panel. So if you need a ventilated back panel, this is the best you can find.

Best Ventilation

Pros:

• Excellent ventilation
• The bag is well padded
• Separate bottom compartment
• Made with durable materials

Cons:

• The backpack is heavy
• No torso adjustment

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

As you can see from the picture, this is a classic-looking top-loading pack with a lid and a collar, and you also have a separate bottom compartment. The suspension is incredibly well done and based on a steel frame.

They call this the Aircomfort Sensic System with foam padding columns along the edges of the mentioned tensioned mesh that separates the pack from the body. You have massive padding on the hip belt and on the shoulder harness. You’ll also find a rain cover hidden away to help you keep your backpack dry.

There are 7 + 1 pockets. Two zippered pockets are on the hip belt, two stretch mesh pockets are on the sides, the lid has one zippered top pocket and one smaller one on its underside, and one large stretch mesh pocket is on the front. There is a separate pocket for the rain cover on the bottom.

You’ll also find plenty of straps and attachment points, including dual side straps, 4 attachment loops on the lid, and the bottom loops for trekking poles paired with bungee tie-offs.

The fabric is incredibly durable, hard-wearing 420D and 210D density nylon with PU coating and 600D polyester. Here are some numbers:

4. Gregory Mountain Products Zulu 30 Liter Men’s Hiking Daypack

• Weight: S/M: 2 lb 9.9 oz (1.19 kg)
• Volume: S/M: 1709 in³ (28 l)
• Dimensions: S/M: 21 x 12.25 x 10 in (53 x 31 x 25 cm)
• Fits torso: S/M: 16 – 20 in (41 – 51 cm)

This Zulu 30 is the smallest in the Zulu series of three packs. These packs have been around for several years, and the version shown here is their latest update. Note that the daypack is built in two sub-sizes, S/M and M/L, and this is a zippered panel-loading type.

All packs from this series have an incredibly well-ventilated back panel via its tensioned mesh. The suspension is supported by a spring steel frame that gives tension to the mesh, and the pack is completely separated from the user’s body, which provides ventilation. The torso length is adjustable, and this is based on the Velcro hook and loop connections.

Most Comfortable

Pros:

• Provides excellent ventilation
• It’s very adjustable
• It’s very comfortable

Cons:

• It’s a little bit expensive

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

On the lumbar zone, you have a cut-out foam behind the mesh, so this is all incredibly breathable. The hip belt is with what they call the Free Float system that includes flex panels so the hip belt can pivot and follow the body movements. You have a QuickStow system for glasses attachment on the left shoulder strap. There are 6 pockets in total.

The fabric body is 210D Honeycomb Cryptorip HD Nylon & 210D High Tenacity Nylon, and the base fabric is a combination of 630D High-Density Nylon and 420D High-Density Nylon. The pack is available in 3 different colors.

5. Mountainsmith Mayhem 30 Pack

• Weight: 2 lb 9 oz (1.2 kg).
• Carry capacity: 40 lb (18 kg).
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 22 x 10.5 x 7 in (56 x 27 x 18 cm).
• Waist belt fit: 28 – 48 in (71 – 122 cm).

The Mountainsmith brand is best known for its exceptional durability, and this Mayhem 30 Pack is an excellent example. They have several packs in this Mayhem series.

As far as we know, this is the first pack in the US with the 210D Spectra Fiber Technology. This small pack has a metal frame and ultra-durable and unique Spectra Fiber technology.

The mentioned metal frame includes a 2 mm diameter spring steel peripheral configuration. You also have a high-density foam frame sheet, plus a Hex ridged EVA back panel padding with ventilation channels. On shoulder straps, you have dual-density EVA/PU padding.

Most Durable

Pros:

• It’s extremely durable
• Comes with an excellent warranty
• It’s pretty affordable

Cons:

• It doesn’t come with a rain cover
• No torso adjustment

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

The pack has load lifters adjustment and an adjustable sternum strap. The forward pull waist belt has side adjustment webbing to stabilize the backpack and keep it closer to the body. The torso length ranges from 15 – 18 inches (38 – 46 cm).

The pack is panel-loading, so you have a long inverted-U-shaped zipper that almost opens it to the bottom. There are 7 pockets in total, including 2 pockets on the hip belt, 2 on the sides, one large pocket on the front, one zippered top pocket, and one zippered pocket on the underside of the top panel.

Attachment elements and straps include:

• Dual compression straps are on the sides.
• Dual set of loops and bungees on the front and bottom for poles.
• One central daisy chain on the front, plus a carry handle.
• Another carry loop is on the top.
• There are sleeves on the bottom to store an ice axe.

6. Osprey Talon Pro 30 Pack for Men

• Weight: L/XL: 2.53 lb (1.15 kg)
• Volume: L/XL: 1831 in³ (30 l)
• Torso fit: L/Xl: 19 – 22 in (48 – 56 cm)
• Waist/hips fit: L/XL: 30 – 46 in (76 – 117 cm)
• Dimensions (L x W x D): L/XL: 24.41 x 11.42 x 10.24 in (62 x 29 x 26 cm)

This Osprey Talon Pro 30 pack for men is from a new series of 2 packs for men and 2 for women (under the name Tempest Pro). The pack is built in two sub-sizes, L/XL and S/M.

It can be described as a panel-loading type with wide-mouth zipper access. Note that this pack has a separate external hydration sleeve behind the harness.

Best Weight

Pros:

• It’s very lightweight
• Adjustable torso length
• Plenty of pocket options
• Excellent warranty

Cons:

• No rain cover
• Very expensive

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

The harness design is called the BioStretch; it’s flexible, with die-cut EVA foam and a continuous lumbar-to-hip belt wrap. The suspension is based on a LightWire peripheral frame plus the AirScape injection-molded die-cut foam back panel. Note that the torso length is adjustable.

The fabric is their ultralight Nanofly high-tenacity nylon. There are 9 pockets plus the hydration sleeve. You also have Osprey’s Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment, LidLock helmet attachment, and more. It comes with Osprey’s All-Mighty warranty.

7. Osprey Packs Manta 34 Men’s Hiking Hydration Backpack

• Weight: 3 lb 1.4 oz (1.4 kg)
• Capacity: 2075 in³ (34 l)
• Dimensions: 22 x 14 x 14 in (56 x 36 x 36 cm)
• Torso fit range: 17 – 22 in (43 – 56 cm)
• Waist fit range: 25 – 50 in (64 – 127 cm)

The Osprey’s Manta/Mira series has been around for years and is known for being one of the best. But the version presented here is the new one with adjustable torso length, and you have 5 inches (13 cm) adjustability range.

This radically changed version has a metal 4 mm LightWire alloy frame and the AirSpeed back panel with a tensioned mesh, giving you the best possible ventilation. The hip belt has enough padding for the size and is covered with a very breathable mesh. You also have excellent padding on the shoulder harness. The pack is with load lifters and with an adjustable sternum strap.

Top Pick

Pros:

• Provides excellent ventilation
• Loads of pockets
• Comes with a rain cover
• It comes with a bonus reservoir.

Cons:

• No bottom straps
• It’s very expensive

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Note that this pack comes with a hydration reservoir Hydraulics LT 2.5 included. But this is not the only bonus here; you also have a rain cover.

This is a panel loading pack with a zipper. There are 7 pockets plus 3 inner pockets plus a separate pocket for the rain cover. The attachment elements and straps include dual-side compression straps, a Stow-On-The-Go trekking pole attachment system, a tool loop on the bottom paired with a bungee tie-off, plus a light attachment loop.

How To Choose The Right Hiking Daypack

We could easily add 30 packs or more to this list, and they would still be at the same level of quality and features.

The point is, no matter which backpacks you choose; you’ll likely find an excellent pack. But there are differences, and if you are still undecided, here are a few tips that might help.

Price

Undoubtedly, the Teton Sports pack is the most affordable here; all other backpacks are far more expensive. But remember that we have a Deuter pack that is almost two decades old and still looks intact. So these packs are built to last and are worth the money.

Torso Adjustment

These are day packs, so torso adjustment may not be crucial unless you share your backpack with friends and family. In such a situation, it is excellent to have this option.

Weight

There are significant differences when you compare packs. Some are heavier because they are more durable and offer more features. But they are small, and the weight is not substantial. So the weight may not be essential, but if you see this differently, you have some great ultralight options here.

Rain Cover

For outdoor use, we would never go without a rain cover. But this may not be so important for your environment. In any case, you have both options here, with and without a rain cover.