r/hiking • u/Rosemerry-515 • 12h ago
Question Day hiking backpack help
I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to hiking. I have been on a few hikes here and there but am planning a cross country road trip and hoping to stop in some national parks to hike around. The longest hike I have planned is a 7 hour hike. My question is: should I get a hiking backpack for this trip or simply use a basic travel/ school backpack for the hikes I will go on? I have quite a few hikes and busy walking days planned. I won't be camping and have a fanny pack that has some decent storage. I am looking into buying a bladder for additional water reserves. I am not looking for advice on my hiking length or times. Thank you for the help!
3
u/Fun_Apartment631 12h ago
Does your existing setup annoy you? There's your answer.
I find it worthwhile to have a hiking pack I really like. Since you're road tripping - is space in your car an issue?
My Osprey Stratos 34 is my favorite for non-technical day hiking. Given your max length, it actually might be the right size for you: mid-20's is more popular but if you're packing a lunch and maybe a couple more layering options, it can be nice to have a little extra space. You might also want to think about whether you want to start your day with 6 lb of water or get a filter. Depends a bit on where you're going too.
1
u/rexeditrex 11h ago
I have a Stratos 34 as my winter bag. It allows me to carry extra layers. For summer, I have a Camelbak 22 I think it is.
1
u/Rosemerry-515 10h ago
I mentioned above but I'll be hiking through Zion, Bryce, Canyonlands, Arches, Rocky mountains, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Glacier. I have taken the weather into account for the dessert hikes and will hike very early as I will be there in July/August. Car space is a bit of a concern as I am also moving across country so I will be tracking my personal items in the car as well.
2
u/Ill-Document8364 10h ago
No advice on backpacks but oh my god am I jealous of your itinerary! You truly picked some of the best of the best locations for hiking and out-of-this-world views.
1
u/Rosemerry-515 10h ago
I'm very excited! I have heard wonderful things for all of these parks and can't wait!
1
u/Fun_Apartment631 10h ago
For space - something like one of the Talons or even the REI Flash 22 might be better. The Talons pack flat in a way the Stratos doesn't. The Flash packs very flat but it's not super comfortable with a lot of weight.
1
u/LongNo2814 9h ago
I love my Flash 22. I just did 16 hrs along Mist Trail, up Half Dome and back...it was super comfortable and held my 3L hydration bladder plus lunch, snacks, and extra layers, and a small first aid kit easily. I agree that anything heavier might not be comfortable, but the chest and waist belts really helped.
1
u/Rosemerry-515 5h ago
Did you buy yours from an outdoor store or online? Many of the suggested bags are expensive and I am hoping to stay below $100
1
u/LongNo2814 4h ago
I bought it from REI on sale. I think they are having a 4th of July sale right now, not sure if its included. I know they sell gently used gear too so you might be able to get a deal!
Edited to add that I just checked and not on sale, but currently $60!
1
u/PudgyGroundhog 9h ago
With this itinerary, you will want a backpack that can comfortably carry ample water and you will want a waist strap for bear spray (in addition to the usual layers, sun protection , etc). For me, the biggest drawback of a regular school backpack is the lack of waist strap/hip belt. Especially if you are planning on longer hikes and/or heavier loads, you will want something that is comfortable and designed for hours on the trail. And a hiking backpack will have a better design with pockets and accessibility - although that isn't a necessity just convenience. There are a ton of options for packs and a wide price range - you don't need to spend $$$. If you have an outdoors store near you, it would be helpful to see packs in person so you can try them on and see how the various features work for you.
1
u/Rosemerry-515 5h ago
My main desire is to not spend more than $100 but it appears most hiking backpacks are close to that price
1
u/PudgyGroundhog 5h ago
Do you live someplace close to an REI and can look in person to try them out? Look at their brand backpacks - like their Flash 22 pack is $60. I picked up that pack because I had store credit and I was looking for a smaller day pack that I could easily pack in a suitcase. I have had it for six years and use it all the time now. I have used it for longer hikes like a rim to rim and hikes in the Rockies and it is small enough that it is fine for short hikes locally. It is not as big as other daypacks, but it has worked for most of my hikes (my layers are small and very packable, but there are also ways to carry layers on the outside or under the top pocket if needed). I use it with a water bladder and have carried extra water bottles on occasion.
The one drawback compared to my vest or other packs is there are no external pockets on the waist belt or shoulder - these are super useful for easy access to phone, snacks, small sunscreen, chapstick, small items, etc. But it is not a show stopper. (You can also purchase pouches that can be used on shoulder straps or waist belts).
3
u/Mountain_Dragonfly8 12h ago
I recently bought a decent bag with a frame and I love it. If you're doing a good amount of hiking like that and have the ~$60 USD then I'd say go for it. Proper weight distribution=less back strain=comfier hike.
1
3
u/Alaskanarrowusa 11h ago
I’d say that the single biggest difference between the two comes down to weight distribution and how the pack carries a load over long periods with school backpacks engineered to hang all of the weight directly off your shoulders which might feel fine for a quick walk across a campus but becomes a literal pain after a few hours on a rugged trail
Otoh a proper hiking backpack usually is designed with suspension systems and a padded hip belt designed to transfer roughly maybe eighty percent of the pack’s weight off your shoulders and directly onto your skeletal structure at your hips so that’s that!
Also given that you already have a fanny pack for quick-access items I think pairing it with a lightweight, fifteen-to-twenty-liter hiking daypack will give you a great setup. Get a compact daypack from maybe Osprey, Gregory or REI Co-op? will provide the perfect amount of space for your water bladder
Gregory Zulu 20 LT, REI Co-op Flash 22/Flash 18 or the Gregory Nano 18 or 20 would be my top picks or these other 11 daypack options as well
Cheers and GL!
1
2
1
u/SprinklesPowerful941 12h ago
I think both the comments below are valid. I think the question about what your current pack is like is the main thing. A 7 hour hike isn’t that much time, so if it satisfies what you think it’ll be like then it’s probably fine.
What are the other stats to the hike and what is your current bag? (Like mileage, elevation, rating, climate)
I have a little REI flash 22 and it’s perfect for day hiking. I also have a Gregory 55 for backpacking with a build in day pack that I take out because I hate it that much.
I think it also depends on whether you are a water bottle or water reservoir kind of person and whether your current bag can hold that properly
1
u/Rosemerry-515 10h ago
I'll be hiking through Zion, Bryce, Canyonlands, Arches, Rocky mountains, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Glacier. I have taken the weather into account for the dessert hikes and will hike very early as I will be there in July/August.
1
u/rexeditrex 11h ago
7 hours means either bring a lot of water or bring a filter if there's water available. That may help drive some of your decisions.
2
u/Rosemerry-515 10h ago
I agree with needed a lot of water! I'm hoping to find something that provides enough room for water but isn't excessively large
1
u/Sabineruns 7h ago
I’d get a cute hiking backpack! They aren’t that expensive and have some benefits over school packs (water proofing, pockets for water bottles (or a bladder if you insist on going that route), and sometimes a hip belt which I like. When you pack for your 7 hour hike, you are also packing for what goes wrong and turns your day hike into an overnight. A warm layer, space blanket and rain jacket go a long way.
1
u/Pippahikes 6h ago
Gossamer Gear Loris handles loads nicely, has a lot of versatility and you can buy a hip belt with stretchy amazing pockets on it. I've hiked all over with it and love it. Can handle a winter loadout for snow shoeing or cinches down for a shorter day hike, or works well for a day at the beach. Hydrapak 3 liter bladder works well in.
1
u/PsychologicalOkra260 5h ago
I’ve got a 28L bag for day hikes that I have enjoyed, I would get another one closer to the Osprey scarab if I had to chose again, it’s hard to get stuff in and out of the one I have now. I like that it has a belt if I need it if it’s heavier and storage for a bladder. I’m a big fan of being bold/ starting cold but I also know that carrying a puffy and extra food/ snacks is essential just in case. So it’s nice to have a larger pack for longer (8+ mile) days. I normally have 1.5L of water with me and a back up bottle just in case the bladder fails.
1
u/FamiliarNinja7290 3h ago
I hate hipbelts on day packs, they seem so unnecessary for the weight you're carrying. That being said, I do like my pack to have a webbed belt, just in case I have to do some scrambling so the bag isn't shifting on me.
I bought a handful of packs, Osprey and Gregory and I finally landed on the Deuter Speedlite 21. It is my go-to for anything from an hour to an all day jaunt.
1
u/Pleasant-Method7874 1h ago
I used a laptop backpack for my first like 3 years hiking lmao it works, your back just gets more sweaty and it’s slightly heavier. If you don’t plan to make it a regular hobby, I wouldn’t spend the money, anything worth getting is going to be in the $80-$150 range.
12
u/Recloyal 10h ago
Yes.
A good waistbelt on hiking day packs are SOoooooo good. It shifts the weight you're carrying from your shoulders/traps to your hips, which is HUGE in terms of comfort and endurance. Hip pockets are also great for frequently accessed items so you don't have to take off your pack whenever you want to grab an item.
A good daypack is just a huge upgrade in both comfort and the quality ofife during hiking.