Do you ever find yourself confused about the difference between a daypack and backpack? The truth is, there are many differences that make it difficult to decide which one to buy. For starters, backpacks are much more flexible in terms of storage space. You can use them for long hikes or short trips into town.
Daypacks are great if you’re looking for something smaller and easier to carry around- perfect for running errands or taking your lunch break at the park. However, they don’t offer as much storage space as a backpack does so keep that in mind before making your purchase!
We hope this blog post will help clear up any confusion on these two packs – now you’ll know what pack will work best for your needs!
Contents
What is a daypack?
A daypack is a smaller, lighter backpack with minimal features and pockets. It’s designed to carry the bare essentials for short travel in urban environments, like your laptop computer and documents.
Daypacks are considered to be wearable luggage and generally have padded backs, shoulder straps and small pockets. Many models feature internal frames for added support; this is especially useful in larger packs that may end up holding significant weight.
A daypack with an internal frame provides better load-adjusted support than a simple framed sheet (like you would see in a typical school backpack). They often have a main compartment for holding larger items and organizing smaller pockets on the exterior. Many models now also come with laptop sleeves that provide an easy place to store your computer as well as protect it from damage.
Daypacks are suitable for most outdoor activities including camping, climbing, hiking or travelling abroad. On the road they can also double as a carry-on for international flights. Many travelling professionals use daypacks instead of briefcases or messenger bags — especially when out and about in the city. The pack is able to quickly swing from back to front, making it easy for you to get access to your stuff while moving through busy crowds at train stations and airports.
Some daypacks are like mini-backpacks and often come with useful features like padded laptop sleeves, fleece-lined pockets for sunglasses or water bottles and loops or carabiners for clipping on additional gear. Some backpacks also have designated spots for holding either your hiking poles or ice axes depending on the activity you’re doing while out in the mountains.
Can I use a daypack for hiking?
The short answer is it depends on what kinds of hiking you plan on doing. Daypacks are designed to be smaller, lighter and more compact than traditional backpacks. They’re meant for shorter hikes (less than 2-3 days) over mostly moderate terrain with the weight being carried mostly by your hips rather than your shoulders.
Promotional materials from the companies who make daypacks tend to feature pictures of people wearing them while walking around a city.
Most daypacks are designed for weekend or day-hikes and should not be used on backpacking trips over 3 days in length (or longer). They generally don’t have nearly enough space or durability to hold up to a multi-day backpack trip.
What is a backpack?
Backpacks are packs that have one large compartment and usually some exterior pockets designed for extra storage. They’re meant to be worn over both shoulders, with the majority of the weight being distributed across your hips rather than just on one shoulder. This style of pack is more comfortable in the long haul but requires more attention to how it’s packed, especially when compared to a daypack.
If you want to go on multi-day backpacking trips then you’ll need something that is capable of carrying larger amounts of gear and supplies; including water purifiers, cooking equipment, tents and sleeping bags.
This is going to weigh your pack down and you’ll quickly find out that the small pockets on a daypack just aren’t cut out for backpacking trips. You need something that has big, tough zippers and thick material capable of holding up over many miles and days in the wilderness.
What are the features of a backpack?
Backpacks are meant to be worn over both shoulders, with the majority of the weight being distributed across your hips rather than just on one shoulder. This style of pack is more comfortable in the long haul but requires more attention to how it’s packed, especially when compared to a daypack.
There are a lot of different features that go into a standard backpack, including things like: sternum straps, waist belts and ventilation channels to make the pack more comfortable for longer trips. These features all require some sort of compromise in design and construction; especially when you’re talking about a daypack versus a backpack that’s made to go on backpacking trips.
IWhen to choose a daypack vs. a backpack
A daypack is a perfect choice for most short travel and outdoor activities. Whether you’re up in the mountains, biking across town or boarding a plane — we recommend using one whenever possible. They tend to be lighter and more convenient than backpacks (especially when travelling) but lack some of the space found in larger options. Daypacks are generally compact and fit well in tight spaces like under airline seats, in overhead compartments or under bus seats.
In summary
Daypacks are for shorter trips, especially when you need to carry a laptop or tablet. Backpacks are designed for longer journeys over rough terrain with heavy loads. Daypacks have less storage space and smaller pockets while backpacking packs have more durable zippers and can handle larger amounts of gear.daypack vs backpack
