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Time to read 4 min
The Humble Pack — Daypacks, Water Packs and Big Packs
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Three pack categories cover almost every outdoor situation: daypacks (carry the day's essentials), water packs (hydration-focused for trail running + cycling), and big packs (multi-day expedition kit). Each does a specific job; using the wrong one makes the trip harder than it needs to be.
Here's the practical guide to working out which pack you actually need — the questions to ask, capacity guidelines, and how to pick within each category.
Photo by Greg Rosenke on Unsplash
1. The questions to ask first
Before browsing, answer these to narrow the field:
- How long is your typical trip? Day, overnight, multi-day?
- What weather will you face? Need waterproof? Rain cover? Both?
- What's the activity? Hiking? Trail running? Cycling? Travelling? Climbing? Each has different priorities
- Quality required? Backpacking through Europe = slash-proof + theft-resistant features. Local hiking = standard pack ok
- Hydration? Bottle pockets, hydration bladder sleeve, both?
- Security? Hidden compartments for valuables in city travel?
- Organisation? Heavily compartmentalised vs one big bag?
- Body size? Your TORSO LENGTH matters more than your height — most modern packs adjust to fit
2. Capacity quick guide
- 5-15L: trail running, cycling, ultralight day hike. Just water + snacks + light layer
- 15-25L: standard daypack — water, food, jacket, first aid, head torch
- 25-40L: long day hike or hike-in / hike-out overnight (with ultralight kit)
- 40-55L: overnight + weekend pack with full kit (tent, sleeping bag, food, cooking)
- 55-75L: multi-day expedition pack (4+ days unsupported)
- 75-90L+: extended expedition (winter, technical alpine, family loads)
Bear in mind: scrunching beats folding. A scrunched-up jacket takes half the space of a folded one. Soft items + clothes can be stuffed into voids around the rigid items.
Photo: Josh Hild / Unsplash
3. Daypacks
The most-used pack category — work commute, day hikes, gym, weekend explore. Look for:
- Lightweight (sub-1kg if hiking-focused)
- Comfortable shoulder straps with chest strap
- Hydration sleeve + hose port if you'll use a water bladder
- External pockets for water bottles, snacks, sunscreen
- Rain cover built-in or accessory ($25-40)
- Optional: walking pole attachments, helmet clip, key clip
- Brands worth knowing: Osprey Talon, Deuter Speed Lite, Black Diamond Distance, North Face Borealis
- Budget: $80-200
4. Hydration / water packs
Specialised packs for trail running, mountain biking, fast + light pursuits where water access matters more than carrying capacity.
- Form-fitting vest design for stable running
- Bladder + bite-valve for hands-free drinking
- Front-mounted bottles on shoulder straps (Salomon ADV vests are the standard)
- Smaller capacity — 5-15L typically
- Extra storage for energy gels, phone, light shell, first aid
- Brands: Salomon ADV Skin, Osprey Duro, Camelbak Octane, Ultimate Direction
- Budget: $100-250
Photo: Josh Hild / Unsplash
5. Big packs (multi-day expedition)
The serious expedition pack. See our detailed Picking a Pack guide for full fitting + selection process. Key points:
- Proper hip belt — load transfers to hips not shoulders. Critical for comfort with heavy loads
- Adjustable torso length — fits your specific body shape
- Try with WEIGHT in store before buying — minimum 10-12kg
- Brands worth knowing: Osprey Aether/Atmos, Deuter Aircontact, Macpac Cascade, Mountain Designs Lifestyle
- Single vs twin compartment — single is more waterproof, twin has easier access
- Nylon vs canvas — nylon lighter; canvas tougher + waterproof for life
- Budget: $300-600
6. Specialty packs worth knowing about
- Climbing packs — narrower + taller, with rope-carrying straps. Black Diamond, Petzl, Arc'teryx
- Travel packs — zip-away harness for airline use, suitcase-style opening. Osprey Farpoint, Kathmandu Litehaul
- Photography packs — padded camera compartments + tripod mounts. Lowepro, F-stop, Peak Design
- Ski packs — A-frame ski carry, ice axe loops, avalanche kit pocket. BCA, Mammut, Black Diamond
- Hunting packs — meat-shelf carry, blaze orange options. Eberlestock, Mystery Ranch
- Fishing packs / vests — rod holders, fly box pockets. Patagonia, Simms
Our take
Most outdoor lovers eventually accumulate three packs: a 25L daypack for everyday + day hikes, a 60L multi-day pack for hiking trips, and either a 10L hydration vest (if running/cycling) or a 35L overnighter. Starting from scratch? Begin with the daypack — works for everything from work to weekenders, and you'll know your priorities better when buying the next.
Match pack to use case, get fitted properly, and a quality pack will last a decade across hundreds of trips.
Common questions
What size pack do I need?
Match litres to trip length. 5-15L suits trail running and cycling; 15-25L is a standard daypack; 25-40L covers a long day hike or ultralight overnighter; 40-55L handles a weekend with full kit; 55-75L is multi-day; 75-90L and up for extended expeditions. Torso length decides fit.
Which pack should I buy first?
Start with a 25L daypack. It is the most-used category, covering work commute, day hikes, gym and weekend exploring, and you will understand your own priorities better before buying the next one. Look for sub-one-kilogram weight if hiking-focused, a chest strap and external bottle pockets.
What should I check when buying a big multi-day pack?
Three things decide comfort: a proper hip belt so the load transfers to your hips rather than shoulders, adjustable torso length to suit your body, and trying it in store with at least 10 to 12 kilograms in it. Nylon is lighter; canvas is tougher and waterproof for life.
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