The Best Hiking Daypack
A cheap, light, surprisingly tough 22L pack that handles day hikes — and even the occasional ultralight overnight — better than packs costing twice as much. · Updated June 29, 2026
REI Co-op Flash 22
★star.shop pickReddit favorite
Pros
- Repeatedly described as holding up to 'serious abuse' despite weighing very little
- Cheap — frequently on sale for $30-35, often the value pick of the thread
- Side pockets reliably hold 1L Smartwater/Nalgene bottles for easy hydration
- Versatile enough for day hikes, climbing, field work, travel, and even short UL overnights
- Genuinely multi-use: many owners use it several times a week for everything
Cons
- No real frame, so it can feel floppy and lacks structure under heavier or bulky loads
- Minimal hip belt and ventilation compared to a framed pack — not ideal for heavy day loads
- Not a true running/vest setup, so no on-the-move shoulder-strap bottle access
Minor nitpicks
- Not a buy-it-for-life heirloom pack — it's a value workhorse, not a heritage piece
- Brain/top pocket is small (just big enough for a phone and map)
The other picks
- RedditBlack Diamond Distance 15 / 22 — Preferred by trail runners/fastpackers for its vest-style fit, front shoulder pockets, and low-bounce ride
- RedditSalomon ADV Skin 12 / running vest — Recommended for those who want quick on-the-move hydration and never having to take the pack off on a day out
- r/BuyItForLifeMLD Hellpack — Four-plus years of hard crag and summit use with only tiny holes in durable Dyneema; rig-able hip belt for heavier loads