You’ve probably felt that familiar ache in your shoulders after a long day on the trail. It’s a clear sign your pack is working against you, not with you. That’s where the true value of a well-designed lightweight hiking backpack comes into play. It’s not just about shedding ounces; it’s about transforming your entire hike from a slog into a joy.
We took the new Skyline 28L out for some serious miles to see if it lives up to the hype. This review will break down how it handles weight distribution, where it saves those crucial grams, and whether its comfort holds up when your water is running low and your legs are tired. Let’s see if this pack is really your next trail companion.
Product Comparison Table: 10 Best Lightweight Hiking Backpack
| Image | Why We Like This Product | Editor’s Rating | |
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MIYCOO Backpack – Ultra Lightweight Packable Backpack for Travel…
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9.5 |
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Maelstrom Hiking Backpack,Camping Backpack,40L Waterproof Hiking Daypack with Rain…
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9.3 |
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Osprey Ultralight Collapsible Stuff Pack – Lightweight, Packable Travel…
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9.1 |
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G4Free 10L/15L Hiking Backpack Lightweight Packable Hiking Daypack Small…
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8.9 |
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BECOJADDE 15L Small Hiking Backpack for Men Women Foldable…
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8.7 |
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EgoNova 12L Ultralight & Thin Packable Daypack, Small Foldable…
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8.4 |
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Seektop 15L Small Hiking Backpack for Women Men, Lightweight…
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8.2 |
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ZOMAKE Lightweight Packable Backpack 30L, Foldable Hiking Backpacks Water…
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8.0 |
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ZOMAKE Ultra Lightweight Hiking Backpack 20L, Packable Small Backpacks…
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7.8 |
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WATERFLY Small Lightweight Packable Backpack: 20l Ultra Light Foldable…
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7.6 |
Read Review |
Quick Review For Top 10 Lightweight Hiking Backpack
MIYCOO Backpack – Ultra Lightweight Packable Backpack for Travel Camping, Hiking Back Pack Waterproof Foldable Daypack for Men Women Black
The MIYCOO Backpack is designed to be your go-anywhere companion, stripping away the bulk without sacrificing utility. Its core proposition is simple: a full-featured daypack that dissapears into its own pocket when you don’t need it.
This ultra-lightweight design means you can carry it as a secondary bag without a second thought, ready to expand for souvenirs, extra layers, or a day hike.
Weighing about half as much as a typical smartphone, this packable backpack folds down to a compact bundle roughly the size of a small water bottle. You can tuck it into a jacket pocket, the corner of your suitcase, or even a purse. When unfolded, it offers a substantial 35 liters of space across three main compartments.
One of these is a dedicated wet compartment, perfect for keeping soggy swimwear or a damp towel seperate from your dry gear, which is a detail you’ll really apreciate after a day at the beach or in unexpected rain.
Speaking of rain, the backpack is constructed from waterproof fabric with an IPX4 rating. This means it reliably protects your belongings from splashes and light rain showers, making it suitable for workouts, commuting, or a sudden drizzle on the trail.
Maelstrom Hiking Backpack,Camping Backpack,40L Waterproof Hiking Daypack with Rain Cover,Lightweight Travel Backpack,Blue
The Maelstrom 40L Hiking Backpack is designed for those who need a reliable, versatile pack for day-long adventures and short trips. Its core promise is to keep your gear organized, accessible, and protected from the elements, all while maintaining a comfortable carry.
Constructed from tough 210d rip-stop nylon, this backpack resists water, tears, and general wear.
For added peace of mind in a downpour, a included rain cover with reflective detailing tucks into a discreet bottom pocket. This combination ensures your belongings stay dry, letting you focus on the trail ahead regardless of weather.
Comfort is a major focus. The back panel and shoulder straps are thickly padded and breathable, reducing heat buildup and fatigue. An adjustable chest strap helps distribute weight evenly and features an integrated safety whistle.
The pack also includes a sturdy, ergonomic top handle for easy grabbing when your not wearing it.
With 40 liters of capacity, it offers ample space without being overly bulky, often meeting airline carry-on requirements. Organization is straightforward with multiple compartments: a large main section, a top pocket, three front pockets, two waist belt pockets, and two stretchy side mesh pockets.
Osprey Ultralight Collapsible Stuff Pack – Lightweight, Packable Travel Backpack — Extra Bag For Travel and Every Day — 18 L Capacity Daypack to Expand Luggage, Black
The Osprey Ultralight Collapsible Stuff Pack is designed for one core purpose: to be there when you need it, and to disappear when you don’t. This 18-liter daypack solves a common travel dilemma—how to have a spare bag ready without it taking up precious space in your luggage. It’s essentially capacity on demand. Think of it as your travel insurance for baggage.
On the way to your destination, it packs down into its own pocket, becoming a small, flat pouch that tucks into the corner of your suitcase or carry-on. Once you arrive, you unpack it and suddenly have a perfect daypack for sightseeing, hiking, or beach trips. On the return journey, it becomes invaluable extra luggage for souvenirs, a layer you’ve shed, or separating dirty laundry. It’s simple utility at its finest. Despite it’s ultralight weight of just 0.329 pounds, this isn’t a flimsy sack.
Osprey constructed it from durable, bluesign APPROVED 40D nylon that’s also 100% recycled, reflecting a commitment to reducing environmental impact. The fabric feels sturdy enough for daily adventures but remains incredibly lightweight. The design focuses on smart, essential features without overcomplicating things. Comfort is key for a pack you might wear all day. The shoulder straps are made of breathable, padded mesh to promote air flow and prevent that sticky-back feeling.
G4Free 10L/15L Hiking Backpack Lightweight Packable Hiking Daypack Small Travel Outdoor Foldable Shoulder Bag
The G4Free 10L/15L Hiking Backpack is designed for the traveler or day-tripper who values simplicity and practicality. Its core idea is to be a reliable, secondary bag that’s there when you need it and stows away when you don’t. This isn’t your primary, heavy-duty pack; it’s the clever, packable solution for those moments when you acquire extra items on a trip or need a lightweight daypack for an unexpected adventure.
Let’s talk about its most standout feature: its packability.
This backpack folds neatly into its own inner pocket, shrinking down to a compact 7.5 x 6 inches. You can tuck it into a corner of your suitcase, your main travel backpack, or a car glovebox. Then, when you’re faced with a full suitcase on the return journey or need a bag for a spontaneous hike, you simply unfold it.
This can be a genuine lifesaver for avoiding airline overweight charges, as it provides an instant extra carry-on.
Despite its foldable nature, it offers thoughtful organization. It has a main compartment for essentials like a light jacket, a book, or snacks. There’s a front pocket for quick-access items like keys or a phone, and two side pockets that are perfect for a water bottle or umbrella.
BECOJADDE 15L Small Hiking Backpack for Men Women Foldable Packable Back Pack Ultralight Hiking Daypack for Travel Camping Outdoor, Beige
The BECOJADDE 15L Small Hiking Backpack is a thoughtfully designed packable daypack for anyone who values simplicity and smart features on the go. Its core appeal is how it balances a lightweight, compressible form with a surprisingly durable and organized build, making it a reliable partner for countless activities.
Let’s start with the fabric. It’s made from a tear and scratch-resistant material that feels sturdy, yet it folds down incredibly small into it’s own zippered pocket.
Unfolded, it offers a practical 15 liters of space with dimensions of 17.7″ x 11″ x 5.1″. When your trip is over, it tucks away to a compact 7″ x 6.3″ bundle, perfect for stashing in a larger suitcase or keeping in your car glovebox for spontaneous needs.
Organization is where this pack shines. The main compartment is supplemented by multiple pockets to keep things sorted. You get a front elastic mesh pocket, a front zippered pocket, and two side pockets for water bottles or an umbrella.
A particularly handy feature is the rear anti-theft zippered pocket, offering a bit of extra security for valuables like a wallet or passport. The shoulder straps incorporate a unique and innovative design. The left strap has a zippered phone pocket for quick access, while the right has a drawstring pocket, perhaps for sunglasses or snacks. The straps themselves are made of breathable mesh to enhance comfort.
Comfort and security are further boosted by the adjustable chest belt.
EgoNova 12L Ultralight & Thin Packable Daypack, Small Foldable Hiking Backpack Travel Bag, Water Resistant Day Pack for Men Women
The EgoNova 12L Ultralight & Thin Packable Daypack is designed for the traveler or adventurer who values preparedness without the bulk. Its core philosophy is simplicity and smart packing, offering a reliable extra bag that’s there when you need it and stows away when you don’t. Let’s start with its most defining trait: its incredible packability. Weighing just 0.39 pounds, this backpack folds into its own pocket, shrinking to a small square roughly the size of a large wallet.
This makes it an ideal personal item for airlines, easily fitting under the seat, or it can be tuck into a corner of your main luggage. Having this folded backup means you’re always ready for a day trip, a hike, or some extra souvenir shopping without worrying about baggage fees or carrying an awkward bag. Despite its thin profile, the EgoNova is built to last.
It’s constructed from a tear-resistant polyester fabric that provides a good level of water-resistance for light rain or splashes, though it’s important to note it’s not fully submersible. The stitching is reinforced at stress points, and it uses sturdy metal zippers that glide smoothly, all contributing to a daypack that can handle regular use. You won’t feel like your treating it with kid gloves.
Seektop 15L Small Hiking Backpack for Women Men, Lightweight Hiking Packable Daypack with Phone Pocket for Travel Camping (Beige, 15L)
The Seektop 15L Small Hiking Backpack is a lightweight and versatile pack designed for day-long adventures and daily use. It’s built to be your reliable, go-to bag that won’t weigh you down, literally or figuratively. At just 0.76 pounds, it offers a surprising 15 liters of capacity, making it ideal for minimalist hikers or travelers who need to pack smart. One of it’s standout features is its incredible packability.
The entire backpack folds neatly into its own built-in zippered pocket, shrinking down to a compact pouch roughly the size of a small book. This makes it perfect for stashing in your larger luggage as a backup bag, ready for any spontaneous side trip or shopping excursion during your travels. You’ll always have a spare pack when you need it. Comfort and clever access are key.
The breathable mesh shoulder straps are designed for comfort during extended wear, with reinforced stress points for durability. The unique shoulder strap design includes a zippered pocket on the left strap for a phone up to 7 inches, keeping it visable and handy for photos or navigation. On the right strap, an anti-theft pocket with an elastic closure offers a secure spot for small valuables like a wallet or keys, so they’re always within easy reach.
ZOMAKE Lightweight Packable Backpack 30L, Foldable Hiking Backpacks Water Resistant Compact Folding Daypack for Travel(Orange)
The ZOMAKE Lightweight Packable Backpack 30L is designed to be a versatile and reliable companion for a wide range of activities. Its core idea is simple: to provide a full-sized backpack’s functionality in a package that folds down to almost nothing when you don’t need it. This makes it an incredibly smart piece of gear for travelers, commuters, hikers, and anyone who values preparedness without the bulk. Let’s talk about its capacity and design.
With 30 liters of space, this backpack offers substantial room for your daily essentials or travel gear. It’s organized with a main compartment, an inner partition, two front pockets, two side pockets, and a discreet privacy pocket for valuables. This layout helps you keep items seperated and easy to find, whether it’s a water bottle, your travel documents, or a light jacket.
Despite this generous capacity, the backpack itself weighs only 0.74 pounds, contributing to its lightweight and easy-to-carry nature. The packable feature is where it truly shines. When not in use, the entire backpack folds neatly into its own compact pocket, roughly the size of a sandwich. This tiny pouch can tuck into a corner of your suitcase, a glove compartment, or even a larger handbag.
ZOMAKE Ultra Lightweight Hiking Backpack 20L, Packable Small Backpacks Water Resistant Daypack for Women Men(Black)
The ZOMAKE Ultra Lightweight Hiking Backpack 20L is designed for the traveler who values simplicity and preparedness. Its core proposition is freedom from heavy, bulky gear. This packable daypack exists to be your just-in-case bag, ready to spring into service when you need an extra carry option without the hassle. Weighing just half a pound, the backpack’s most notable feature is its incredible packability.
When not in use, it folds down into its own compact pocket, roughly the size of a sandwich. This lets you stow it virtually anywhere—tucked into a corner of your main luggage, inside a handbag, or even in a large coat pocket. It’s there when you need it, whether you’ve landed and want to explore the city hands-free or find yourself with more souvenirs than you started with.
For airline travel as a personal item, its unfolded dimensions of 17.71″ x 10.6″ x 5.5″ are typically compliant, making it a smart logistical choice. The 20-liter capacity is thoughtfully organized. The main compartment handles essentials like a light jacket, a guidebook, or a picnic layer. A front zippered pocket provides quick access to smaller items like your phone, power bank, or wallet. Two side mesh pockets securely hold a water bottle or umbrella, keeping them seperate and easy to reach.
WATERFLY Small Lightweight Packable Backpack: 20l Ultra Light Foldable Travel Hiking Camping Daypack Day Pack for Man Woman
The WATERFLY Small Lightweight Packable Backpack is a versatile solution for anyone who needs a reliable extra bag that takes up almost no space until your ready to use it. Its core appeal is the ingenious foldable design. When fully expanded, it offers a practical 16.9 by 11.4 by 5.5 inch size for your gear. When your done, it neatly folds down to a compact 8.7 by 6.3 inch flat pouch, easily tucking into a suitcase corner, a larger backpack, or even a glove compartment.
This means you’re always prepared for spontaneous shopping, a day hike, or extra souvenirs without lugging a bulky bag around from the start. Weighing just 10.2 ounces, this backpack achieves its ultra-lightweight status through the use of durable recycled nylon material. This choice not only reduces the bag’s weight but also its environmental footprint. The fabric is surprisingly tough for its weight and is complemented by smooth, durable SBS zippers that operate reliably.
Inside, polyester linings add a layer of comfort and structure, helping to distrubute weight and relieve stress on your shoulders during longer carries, which is a thoughtful touch for a packable bag. Don’t let the slim profile fool you—the 20-liter capacity is genuinely spacious. It intelligently organizes your belongings across multiple compartments. The main pocket handles the bulk of your load, while two front pockets offer quick access to essentials like keys, sunscreen, or a phone.
Lightweight Hiking Backpack Buying Guide
Reduce trail fatigue with a pack that shaves ounces. Every extra pound in your pack can feel like ten by teh end of a long day. That’s why choosing the right lightweight hiking backpack is your first step toward more enjoyable miles. This guide will help you find a pack that carries your essentials comfortably, without the bulk.
Capacity and Trip Length
How long are your typical adventures? For summer day hikes, a 20-30 liter pack is often perfect. It holds your water, layers, and snacks. For overnight or multi-day trips, you’ll need 40-55 liters to fit a sleeping bag, shelter, and food. Remember, the goal is to pack light, so choose the smallest capacity that fits your gear.
Frame and Support System
Don’t assume “lightweight” means flimsy. Look for a supportive frame—either internal stays or a flexible framesheet. This transfers weight from your shoulders to your hips, which is crucial for comfort. A good hipbelt is non-negotiable; it should be padded and secure. Without proper support, even a light load can become a pain.
Material and Durability
This is the classic weight-versus-strength trade-off. Packs made from ultralight fabrics like Dyneema Composite or ripstop nylon are fantastic for weight savings, but thay can be less abrasion-resistant. For most hikers, a robust nylon like 100-210 denier offers a great balance. It can handle brush, rock scrapes, and the occasional rough handling.
Fit and Adjustability
A pack that doesn’t fit right will ruin your hike. Most brands offer torso sizing (small, medium, large). Measure your torso length and use their size chart. Then, look for adjustable shoulder straps and a load-lifter straps at the top. A proper fit means the pack moves with you, not against you, keeping you stable on uneven terrain.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lightweight Hiking Backpack
What makes a backpack “lightweight”?
A lightweight backpack uses simpler designs and less material. It often skips heavy frames and extra padding. This reduces teh pack’s base weight, so you carry less from the start.
How much weight should I expect to save?
A true lightweight pack often weighs under 2.5 pounds. Some ultralight models are even under 2 pounds. Compare that to traditional packs, which can be 5 pounds or more. That’s a big difference on a long trail.
Are thay comfortable for heavy loads?
This is the main trade-off. Lightweight packs are best for lighter loads, usually under 30 pounds. They have less structure, so a very heavy load won’t feel as good. It’s about matching the pack to your typical trip weight.
What features do they usually lack?
To save weight, they often remove things. You might see fewer pockets, simpler straps, and no internal frame. The hip belts are often thinner. They focus on the essentials for carrying your gear safely.
Can I use it for multi-day trips?
Absolutely. Many lightweight packs have 40 to 60 liters of space, which is plenty for several days. The key is packing smart with compact, light gear yourself. Your total pack weight will be lower, which is the whole point.
Are they durable enough?
Most use strong, lightweight fabrics like ripstop nylon. They are plenty durable for trail use. They might not handle bushwhacking or sharp rocks as well as a burlier pack, but for maintained trails, they hold up great.
How do I choose the right capacity?
Think about your longest planned trip. For summer weekend trips, 40-50 liters is often enough. For week-long journeys or colder weather, look at 50-60 liters. Remember, a lighter pack encourages you to bring less stuff, which is a good habit.
Is a hip belt really necessary?
For most hikers, yes. Even a simple hip belt transfers weight to your hips, saving your shoulders. For very small loads under 15 pounds, some go without. But for comfort on longer hikes, a belt is usually worth it’s weight.
Wrapping Things Up
Go farther with less weight on your shoulders. The right pack makes a huge difference on teh trail. It lets you move more freely and enjoy the scenery instead of just thinking about your sore back. You’ll feel more energized and ready to tackle those extra miles when your gear isn’t holding you back. It’s a simple upgrade with a big payoff for your comfort and stamina.
Remember, the best gear is the gear you actually use. A well-chosen lightweight hiking backpack becomes a trusted partner for your adventures. It carries what you need without the extra bulk, so you can focus on the journey ahead. Take your time to find one that fits you well and suits your trips. Then, get out there and put some miles on it—your next great view is waiting.