10 Best Travel Daypacks for Travel: Lightweight, Durable, and Ready for Any Journey

When you’re on the ground galavanting around Europe, once the stress of getting to your destination has dissipated, it’s time to leave your luggage at the Airbnb and explore. Daypacks are essential for squeezing the most out of your exploration, whether you’re crushing trails in the Alps or brushing up on your history in Athens. Why a daypack? Usually, these packs are a little smaller, a little lighter, and therefore more nimble as you dodge crowds and enjoy the sun in crowded piazzas. Here are our top picks for daypacks for travel.

Cotopaxi Batac 16L Backpack – Del Día (US$65)

Want a unique pack that’s great value for money? Cotopaxi delivers with their Batac 16L Backpack in the Del Día collection, which results in a unique pack each time since the bags are made with excess fabrics and components mixed and matched by individual designers and sewers. The unique constructions allow for reduced waste while providing functional, versatile designs for day-to-day, travel, and outdoor use. Internally there’s a sleeve divider and hanging pocket, complemented by an exterior front zippered pocket and dual side mesh pockets.

CamelBak A.T.P. 20 Backpack (US$96)

Ready for travel but versatile for everyday use too, the A.T.P. (Adventure Travel Pack) 20 offers a sleek silhouette with a panel-loading main compartment. Designed to be tough and sustainable, the CamelBak A.T.P. 20 Backpack is made with 100% post-industrial recycled CORDURA re/cor (with the undyed version offering even greater sustainability through using reduced resources). Flexible organization options include a removable padded 15″ laptop sleeve, an expandable bottle pocket, an exterior hydration bladder sleeve, a quick-access side pocket, and a sunglasses pocket. Plus with a luggage passthrough you get added travel convenience too.

Osprey 50ᵀᴴ Anniversary Osprey Arcane Large Day (US$110)

The limited-edition Osprey 50ᵀᴴ Anniversary Osprey Arcane Large Day is made with premium fabrics and the brand’s 50th anniversary logo. The pack features a bluesign-approved NanoFly main body fabric and bluesign-approved 100% recycled 500D high-tenacity nylon base. The J-zip large front panel provides easy access to the main compartment, while a front zippered pocket and side stretch pocket store quick-access essentials such as a phone, wallet, and water bottle. A zippered interior pocket and a key clip store smaller items, with further organization courtesy of an external stretch shoulder strap sleeve that’s handy for items such as travel cards.

Bellroy Via Backpack (US$129)

Bellroy’s Via Backpack is a great choice if you want a daypack that can do double duty in the office and on your travel adventures. The clean aesthetics look understated and professional for work settings, while the functional design lends itself to work commutes and travel use alike. The dropdown front panel offers convenient visibility and access to gear in the main compartment, with a padded 16″ laptop sleeve, key clip, and zippered pocket on hand for organization. Additionally, a top pocket provides storage for sunglasses or other delicate or quick-access items. A padded contoured back panel, water-resistant fabric and zippers, and a comfy grab handle round out the features.

GORUCK Bullet Ruck Laptop – Ripstop Nylon (US$155)

If you love the versatility of the Bullet Ruck but want dedicated storage for a laptop, GORUCK has you covered with the Bullet Ruck Laptop. As the name suggests, the pack offers the trusty Bullet design with a rear laptop compartment and additional lumbar support. The 420D ROBIC® Ripstop Nylon version provides a combination of light weight and water resistance, while extra-padded shoulder straps and a removable frame sheet increase carry comfort for heavier loads. Interior pockets paired with an exterior pocket and external MOLLE webbing offer organization for travel essentials and the lay-flat main compartment makes it easy to pack and retrieve gear.

Osprey Talon Earth 22 (US$170)

Osprey’s Talon Earth 22 high-fives people and the planet with its sustainable construction and multifunctional design. The pack features 100% recycled bluesign fabrics throughout, from the main body to the base and lining. Designed for comfortable carry during active use, the pack has a breathable AirScape back panel paired with a BioStretch harness and hipbelt to keep the pack secure and close to the body. A panel-loading main compartment offers easy access, with a zippered pocket and multifunctional laptop/reservoir sleeve for organization. Externally you’ll find ice ax and trekking pole attachment points, a top zippered pocket, side stretch pockets, as well as attachment points for a bike light and helmet. Plus with easy-access pocketing on the harness and hipbelt, you can keep small essentials close at hand too.

Arc’teryx Granville 16 (US$200)

Adaptable for light hikes or city exploration, the Arc’teryx Granville 16 is a versatile pack for day-to-day, outdoor, and travel settings. It’s made with a tough and water-resistant N400r-AC² ripstop fabric and taped seams for protection against the elements. Inside the main compartment is a stretch mesh laptop sleeve, while an exterior top pocket offers convenient quick-access storage for small items. With its clean style and durable construction, this is a solid pick if you’re after a minimalist urban/outdoor hybrid. 

Black Ember Citadel 18 (US$239)

Black Ember’s Citadel 18 offers a thoughtful blend of pared-back aesthetics and considered features, resulting in a pack that works equally well for daily commutes and travel. Made with CORDURA’s re/cor RN66 fabric, the pack features a lay-flat main compartment with a suspended magnetic laptop sleeve and a separate magnetic tablet sleeve. Two external quick-access pockets store frequently used items and the luggage passthrough enables all-in-one transport with wheeled luggage. For added peace of mind, the pack also includes lockable zipper pulls and a tough, weatherproof build.

EVERGOODS MPL22 (US$260)

The EVERGOODS MPL22 takes you from mountain trails to adventures around town with a comfortable hybrid design that’s built to last for years to come. The ECOPAK version is built with a durable and highly water-resistant 100% recycled EPX400 fabric, paired with trusty water-resistant YKK zippers. The panel-loading design provides swift and easy access to the main compartment where you’ll find a padded and suspended laptop sleeve that can also be used for hydration bladder storage. Externally the pack has dual side stretch pockets, a top pocket, and a full panel front stash pocket, with a removable waist belt and adjustable sternum strap for secure carry comfort.

Tom Bihn Synik 22 ($330)

The Synik 22 is inspired by the iconic Tom Bihn Synapse but adds additional features including a lay-flat main compartment, dual-access 13″ laptop compartment that can be accessed externally and internally, and a removable interior frame. The pack also includes a luggage passthrough and a padded grab handle and base. Five external pockets provide plenty of options for stashing frequently used items close at hand, while the removable sternum strap and waist strap help keep the load stable on the go.

A heads up: Bellroy and Carryology share the same founders. You can read about our origin story here.