Best Travel Bag Pack 2023

If you've ever arrived at your destination with a massive backpack or a big piece of luggage, and wish you had a smaller bag to use for the day, let us introduce you to Packable Daypacks. I'm Sheraz, the founder of Pack Hacker, your guide to smarter travel. and today, we're focusing on Packable Daypacks, and why you may need one for your travels. We'll leave links to every single Packable Daypack that we mention here, as we've reviewed mostly all of them over on our website, and some also have videos. We'll also link to our big guide that features travel daypacks. So links to both of those in the description below. Let's dive in. What Is A Packable Daypack? Over the past couple of years, we have seen Packable Daypacks explode in popularity, and for good reason. They're essentially lightweight packs that you can compress, stash in a larger travel bag, and deploy when needed. Most Packable Daypacks pack into their own pocket, or a dedicated compression cube that comes with the bag. Most of them get down to the size of a soda can or smaller. Others are designed to lay flat in a larger bag, and either of these styles are helpful, and they really just kind of disappear into your bag while not in use, and they're there when you need them. Packable Daypacks can vary in size, but generally, they are 10 to 25 liters in capacity. Smaller-sized packs will typically take up less room when compressed, but the materials and design also play a significant factor. Make sure to do your research and figure out how important the compressed and uncompressed sizes are to you. When it comes to organization, most Packable Daypacks keep it simple. The majority of these bags have one large compartment with a small quick-grab pocket, and that's about it. The materials on Packable Daypacks are usually quite thin and lightweight, and that's for good reason. t's just to save that excess weight and space, so you can, again, just compress the bag and pretty much forget about it inside of a larger bag. In fact, everything on these bags is lightweight, from the shoulder straps to the zippers to the buckles. While Packable Daypacks tend to be durable for their weight, it's important to remember they're likely not going to be as durable as a full-fledged traditional daypack. Of course, there are exceptions to these guidelines, and overall, if you treat it well, it'll be a great companion to your larger bag. Why Choose A Packable Daypack? First and foremost, Packable Daypacks are great for one-bag travel. If you're traveling with a larger travel backpack, you can bring along a Packable Daypack to use once when you arrive at your destination. When you arrive in a new city, you can drop your larger bag at your Airbnb or your hotel room, fill up the smaller Packable Daypack, and you're good to go for a day's worth of exploring. Some Packable Daypacks are even small enough where you can toss one in your jacket pocket and carry it around with you just in the off chance you may need a backpack at some point during the day. There are a lot of different uses for Packable Daypacks outside of travel as well, and they're pretty good for anyone on the go. You can keep a Packable Daypack in your desk at work, in your car, or even in the saddlebag on your bike, just in case you need to hit the market on your way home to get some groceries. They allow you to be prepared to carry stuff, whatever that may be, at any moment, without having to lug around an empty backpack. It's important to note the cons of Packable Daypacks as well. They're usually not suited for heavy daily use, because of their lightweight materials. And usually, they're not the most comfortable packs to wear, due to the thin shoulder straps and lack of structure on the bags, especially if they're compressible. That being said, they're great for one-bag travel, and a lot of other situations. So they're pretty much indispensable, as far as we're concerned. Let's check out some packs. Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack The Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack is about as straightforward as a Packable Daypack can be. Weighing in at a mere four ounces, it's one of the smallest and lightest around, and it compresses down to roughly the size of an apple. We're fans of the minimalist look and overall aesthetic, we're still a little bit confused why our Shadow Grey pack looks to be dark green. There's not much going on inside of the pack, just one main compartment and a top drop pocket, as well. The quick access pocket comes in handy for quick-grab items, and also stores the pouch that this thing compresses into. Considering just how lightweight and compressible the pack is, we are fine with the lack of compartments. You can always use pouches and packing cubes to create your own organization. Now this isn't the most durable pack out there, however, the hardware is all top-notch, and we've generally had good luck with the 40-denier ripstop nylon that Osprey uses on the rest of their ultralight range. Long story short, if you're looking for a reliable, no-frills daypack that can pack down to the size of an apple, the Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack could be a great choice for you. Matador Freerain24 2.0 You can't talk about Packable Daypacks without mentioning Matador at least once. They make a ton of packable products, and we've reviewed a lot of their gear over on the website. The Freerain24 2.0 is a highly weather-resistant Packable Daypack that features internally sealed seams, a siliconized 30D Cordura ripstop nylon, and a Hypalon roll top. In fact, the main compartment of this bag, when you seal it up correctly, is completely submergible, and we have actually tested it. We can't say this for a lot of Packable Daypacks, or even backpacks out there on the market. Just note that it's only the main compartment that is submergible and waterproof. Anything inside of this quick-access zipper on the front will get wet if you submerge it. We're not huge fans of the compression pouch, and have found the stitching has started to come undone in some places. With that being said, if you're walking through waterfalls in Thailand, heading off to a music festival, or just fearful of getting caught in a downpour, there are few better packs than the Matador Freerain24 2.0. YNOT Deploy The YNOT Deploy does not look like your typical Packable Daypack, and that's why we dig it. That's not to say we don't like the look of all other Packable Daypacks, but it's really neat to have a bag that looks and carries like a traditional daypack, that also compresses into itself to save space. Now, the trade-off here is that this bag packs quite a bit larger than other Packable Daypacks. However, the craftsmanship is top-notch. It's made in Toronto, Canada, using high-quality materials that are similar to what you'll find in a traditional daypack, and it just feels great in the hand. And not only does it look like a regular daypack, it feels like you're using one, too. They also have a wide range of colors and materials, including 1000D Cordura and waxed canvas. If you're in the market for a Packable Daypack, but you can't stand the swishy and crinkly thin ripstop materials, the YNOT Deploy is worth checking out. Quechua Ultra-Compact Packable Backpack Rebecca on the team has traveled around the world for two years plus with the Quechua Ultra-Compact Packable Backpack. It's one of our top picks for a budget Packable Daypack, and it even made our budget packing list over on the website. If you're into budget gear and inexpensive alternatives, we definitely recommend taking a look at that packing list over on our website. Now overall, this thing is pretty simple. It has flimsy straps, a small interior capacity, and it is certainly not the most durable. But, as Rebecca has proven in her testing, if you treat it well, and use it only when you need to, it can last a couple of years or more. This thing is even lighter and smaller than the Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack that we mentioned earlier. This is a great Packable Daypack if you need a bag for those just-in-case moments. And it's hard to go wrong with it, considering you can pick one up for under 10 bucks. Mystery Ranch In and Out Mystery Ranch has been known for their great craftsmanship and long-term durability, and this In and Out Packable Daypack is no exception. It's designed primarily as a summit pack, a small pack that you use in the last portion of your ascent, leaving your heavier gear down below. However, this thing still works great in urban environments, too, and we think it looks pretty good, as well. Something we like about this bag is just how comfortable it is to carry. There's even a sternum strap to keep everything nice and secure. The Mystery Ranch In and Out Packable Daypack is a great bag if you're going to be carrying around heavier gear, and you need some extra durability and a comfortable harness system. But just beware that this thing is a little bit larger and heavier than other Packable Daypacks on the market, so just make sure it's worth sacrificing the space. Aer Go Pack The Aer Go Pack is a great example of a bag that doesn't really compress into itself or a smaller pocket, however, it just lays flat. This pack is part of Aer's Go Collection, which is a line of lightweight, packable travel bags designed for all-day adventures in the city, and it's good at exactly that. There's a surprising amount of stuff going on here, especially for a Packable Daypack with a very minimal aesthetic. You'll find water bottle pockets on both sides, a top drop pocket for quick-grab items, as well as a front compartment secured with a Fidlock,which is great to use. Plus, the shoulder straps are properly padded, which we can't say for a lot of other daypacks. Inside the main compartment, there is a laptop sleeve that will fit most 15-inch laptops, a zippered pocket on the front for tech accessories, and two nylon liner pockets as well. For what the Aer Go Pack lacks in compressibility, it certainly makes up for in function and aesthetic. If you're okay with a pack that does not fold into itself or have a compression sack, but can still lay flat in your larger travel bag, the Go Pack could be a solid choice for you. Tortuga Setout Packable Daypack With Packable Daypacks becoming so popular, a lot of brands have started pairing smaller And that's exactly what Tortuga has done here with the Setout Packable Daypack, which groups nicely with their Setout line. Of course, all these bags can work independently of one another, and you certainly don't need to choose the same brand for both your main pack and your Packable Daypack. But it can be nice to have a cohesive aestheticand ecosystem, as these products are usually designed to go with one another. When it comes to this Packable Daypack specifically, Tortuga is keeping it pretty simple. There's a front quick-grab pocket, which is what this pack compresses itself into, and then there's a main compartment. We'd recommend using padded pouches and packing cubes for added organization, and to improve the structure of the bag when it's in use. If you already have your travel bag, and are interested in the benefits of a Packable Daypack, check to see if there's one that's designed to pair with your bag, that exists already. You don't necessarily have to go that route, but it's worth taking a look. Minaal Daily Bag The Minaal Daily Bag isn't the most compressible on the market, but it is very structured and catered towards carrying around your tech gear. It's designed to lay flat inside of the Minaal Carry-on 2.0, and the ecosystem works really nicely together. We love the dedicated laptop compartment, and the device nest that'll fit laptops of most different sizes, plus it's customizable based on the size of your devices. The main compartment has ample space, an internal water bottle pocket, and it's great to fill up with packing cubes and gear that you need for the day at the coworking space or the coffee shop when you're getting your work done. Also, there's a quick access pocket on the front of the bag, which is great for pocket dumps, and there's a nice little key ring in there too. The straps themselves can stow as well, if you wanna carry this thing in briefcase mode, or just keep it a little bit cleaner when it's laying flat inside of your bag. If you plan to carry around expensive tech gear, like your laptop, and you're going to frequent coworking spaces on your travels, the Minaal Daily can be a solid choice for you. WANDRD VEER The WANDRD VEER 18 is an interesting take on a Packable Daypack, plus there's some inflatable pieces, as well. Since this bag is focused on camera gear, a little extra padding from the inflatable pieces are welcomed. The inflatable back panel improves the carry and adds a bit of structure, and you also have the option to purchase an inflatable camera cube, too. This prevents bulky camera gear from sticking into your back while it's loaded up and in use for the day. WANDRD puts a big focus on traveling with camera gear inside their packs, so it's awesome to see how they've been able to incorporate camera protection into a Packable Daypack. We haven't really seen this anywhere else. Something we dig about this pack is its quick-draw access, which allows you to swing it around your front, unzip the side, and quickly take your camera out, which is convenient if you need to get a shot quickly. Just note, this bag doesn't pack down very small, and it's one of the largest Packable Daypacks that we've tested to date. That being said, if you have the space, and are looking for a durable and photography-focused Packable Daypack, the WANDRD VEER is a good choice. So, do you need a Packable Daypack for travel?Let us know in the comments below, as we'd love to hear your thoughts. And if you haven't already, make sure to check out our travel daypack guide over on packhacker.com, link in the description below. Thanks for keeping it here at Pack Hacker, your guide to smarter travel,