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Day hike · 5 brand recommendations
What size pack for a day hike?
For a day hike, the brands' guidance runs 15–36 L. Gregory gives 15–25 L or 20–35 L, Gossamer Gear points to its 36 L packs, and Osprey to 20–30 L.
- 1Top of range 36 L
- 2Bottom of range 15 L
- 3Trip Day hike
- 4Winter, Gregory +10–15 L
Each brand for a day hike
| Brand | What it says | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| Osprey | 20-30 L suits day hikes with room for water and a spare layer | 20–30 L |
| Gregory | Day Hike (1/2 - 1 Day) (Nano, Kiro) | 15–25 L |
| Gregory | Full-Day Hike / Winter Day (Arrio, Zulu LT & Jade LT, Citro & Juno) | 20–35 L |
| Gossamer Gear | Ultralight overnights; ultralight kit only | 28 L |
| Gossamer Gear | 1 to 3-day trips | 36 L |
| All brands | no single volume every row shares | 15–36 L |
Guidance: Osprey backpack size guide; How to choose the perfect hiking backpack; What size backpack do I need for backpacking? (11 Mar 2026). Last checked 2026-10-20.
Why the brands differ for a day hike
Gregory's table has two rows that touch a day hike: "Day Hike (1/2 - 1 Day)" at 15–25 L and "Full-Day Hike / Winter Day" at 20–35 L. Gossamer Gear builds lighter packs for hikers with pared-down kit, and its picks for one days (36 L) sit inside of the span. Its own line: "When your gear is dialed in, 40 to 42 liters is more than enough for multi-day adventures."
Osprey's guide says 20-30 L suits day hikes with room for water and a spare layer. In Osprey's trip-length categories this span covers Day Hiking Packs, Weekend Packs. For an ultralight overnight Gossamer Gear goes as small as 28 L, below the standard span.
Adjusting the volume
- Winter: Gregory says to plan for an additional 10 to 15 litres, which turns this span into 25–51 L.
- Base weight: Gossamer Gear's question is "Is my base weight under 15 pounds or closer to 25?" A lighter, compact kit sits at the bottom of the range; bulky sleeping bags and tents at the top.
- Food and water: longer food carries, a bear canister or long dry stretches all push toward the top, per Gossamer Gear.
- Fit: Osprey: "The pack's back length should match your torso length rather than your height." Gregory: "Ideally, about 70% of the weight should rest on your hips, with the remaining 30% supported by your shoulders."
Shorter and longer trips
One night reads 35–50 L.
For a day hike these are the brands' published starting points; how you pack decides where you land. See the methodology for how nights and days are matched.
Other gear
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Other trip lengths
one night · two nights · three nights · four nights · five nights · six nights · seven nights · all trips
Guide: pack volume vs base weight · size every category at once