Why Do I Need A Day Pack?
Our day packs are versatile and suit a range of activities including traveling through airports, getting to and from school, and going out on a short day hike, just to name a few. Whether you’re buying your first day pack or upgrading an old one, there’s a lot to weigh up. This guide breaks down what to look for, so you can choose the best pack for your needs.
How to Choose the Right Day Pack
When choosing a day pack, think about:
- Activity: What will you use it for? Airline travel, school, commuting, hiking, or a mixture of multiple activities?
- Useful features: Think about specific features that you’ll need. For example, do you need the pack to be compatible with a hydration bladder, have bike light loops, lockable zips, a laptop sleeve, or lots of small pockets and compartments for organisation?
- Material: Consider if you need something waterproof, or if something environmentally friendly is a key priority.
Everyday Packs
This versatile pack is a go-to for everyday adventures, including day trips and weekend adventures. With plenty of internal organisation, a padded laptop sleeve, padded Air Mesh back and lumbar panels, and removable hip belt, this pack is both comfortable and functional.
- Padded Air Mesh back panel and lumbar support
- Removable webbing hip belt
- Hydration bladder compatible
- Tuck-away walking pole attachments
- Bike light attachment
- Padded sleeve with organiser fits laptops up to 15"
Made from 100% recycled fabrics and foam that contains a percentage of BLOOM™ which improves the sustainability of products by turning pollution into algae ingredients, this is a great pack for everyday users who are environmentally conscious. It features a laptop sleeve, side bottle pocket and a bike light loop.
- Zipped main compartment
- Bottle pocket
- Front zip pocket with key clip
- Bike light attachment
- Padded sleeve fits laptops up to 13"
Inspired by our trusty day packs that originally came with our travel packs in the 90s, the Wilderness is a great entry-level everyday pack. It has a minimalist but functional design, and includes lots of pockets and sleeves, as well as the option to attach extra gear using the front attachment loops.
- Front attachment loops to attach extra gear
- Adjustable sternum strap for a more personalised fit
- Internal mesh zip pocket with key clip
- Air mesh sleeve fits laptops up to 14"
Everyday Packs
Designed for an active lifestyle, the Kahuna makes the perfect everyday pack, and its versatility means it’s also ideal for school, commuting or day-hiking. Complete with a lightly padded harness with a breathable mesh overlay for comfort in warmer weather, plus plenty if pockets for organisation.
- Padded harness with Air Mesh overlay
- Hidden internal zip pocket with key clip
- Front zip pocket
- Padded sleeve fits laptops up to 14"
This everyday pack is lightweight yet tough, and also doubles as a commuter or day hiker pack. Made from our AzTec® canvas for durability and weather resistance and featuring an adjustable sternum strap and front grab handles, this a great all-rounder.
- Spacer mesh T-Bone™ harness
- Adjustable sternum strap
- Bottle pockets
- Front grab handle
- Mesh compartment separator and organiser pockets
This is an ideal everyday pack, but also includes all the features you need for school, work, or short hikes. Plus, it has the added benefit of recycled main and lining fabrics and the foam contains a percentage of BLOOM™ which improves the sustainability of products by turning pollution into algae ingredients. It includes a tablet sleeve, drink bottle pocket, and a bike light loop.
- Zipped main compartment
- Bottle pocket
- Zipped pocket with key clip
- Bike light attachment
- Padded sleeve fits tablets up to 12"
Hike & Travel Packs
Tough and lightweight, this hiking pack is perfect for day missions and overnight hikes. Stretchy side pockets mean snacks and bottles are easy to reach on-the-go, and its HeliumAir™ harness balances minimal design with maximum carry capacity and is among our lightest to date.
- HeliumAir™ harness
- Hydration bladder compatible
- Fixed hip belt
- Hip belt pockets, one zipped
- Side compression straps
- Tuck-away loops for walking poles
This women’s-specific hiking pack has a tapered shape to create a better centre of gravity for narrower frames, and a fixed help belt that flares to support a variety of waists. It’s lightweight and reliable with its HeliumAir™ harness to balance a minimal design with maximum carry capacity, stretchy side pockets, and side compression straps.
- HeliumAir™ harness
- Hydration bladder compatible
- Fixed hip belt
- Hip belt pockets, one zipped
- Side compression straps
- Tuck-away loops for walking poles
A versatile travel pack that makes a great carry-on companion and also works well as a day hiking pack. It’s sturdy and comfortable, handles the rigours of international travel, has an internal divider for organisation, and lockable zips.
- Fixed frameless AirFlo™ harness for effective load transfer and breathability
- Multiple foams provide hours of comfort
- Single compartment with internal base divider
- Lockable main zips
- Dual loops for walking poles
Travel Packs
Quest 23L, 30L, 45L
The Quest packs are a versatile travel-companion, with both the 23L and 30L meeting most aviation carry-on requirements. Made with security and organisation top of mind, each has a laptop compartment, an RFID-blocking front pocket, lockable zips, and the 30L also has a back pass-through to fit over your wheeled luggage handle.
- Clamshell opening for easy packing and access
- Padded sleeve fits laptops up to 15" in the 23L, or up to 16” in the 30L and 45L
- RFID-blocking front pocket for passports and valuables
- Tuck-away shoulder straps
- 30L has a back pass-through that fits over wheeled luggage handles
- Lockable zips
School & Work Packs
Litealp XL 30L
A versatile pack, the Litealp XL is the big brother of the classic Litealp. This pack uses our durable AzTec® 12 oz. canvas, so it’s made to last. Ideal for school, but works equally well for university, work, and travel.
- Weather resistant and durable
- Side bottle pockets
- Fits A4 books and tablets
- Bike light loop and reflective detailing
The laptop sleeve, zipped pockets and bottle pocket combined with our AzTec® hard-wearing fabric and weather resistant finish, make this pack perfect for school. It also works well as commuter pack.
- Padded Air Mesh back panel
- Padded shoulder straps
- Laptop sleeve
- Reflective patch with bike light loop
- Double stretch side pockets
This school-friendly pack has a separate main compartment and laptop sleeve, two side bottle pockets, and a bike light loop. Plus, it has the added benefit of recycled main and lining fabrics and the foam contains a percentage of BLOOM™ which improves the sustainability of products by turning pollution into algae ingredients. Ideal for school, but also makes a great commuter pack.
- Zipped main compartment with an internal zipped pocked
- Front zip pocket with key clip
- Bike light attachment
- Padded sleeve fits laptops up to 15”
- Removable chest strap
School & Work Packs
This schoolbag is made from hard-wearing fabric and has plenty of storage. It’s complete with a laptop sleeve, drink bottle pockets, a key clip, and a bike light attachment for safety. Also doubles as a weekend adventure pack.
- Padded harness with mesh panelling
- Dual zip compartments
- Key clip and bike light attachment
- Padded sleeve fits laptops up to 15"
Rāpaki 25L, 28L
With its ventilated harness, reflective and durable fabric, loops for bike lights and straps for security, the Rāpaki is your ideal active commuter pack. It’s also very versatile and doubles well as a school or day hike pack.
- 28L has a Trampoline Airstream™ harness for ventilation and support, 25L has a 3D-Moulded Mesh back panel for ventilation
- Reinforced shoulder straps and lumbar pad
- Large zipped compartment with internal organisation
- Hydration bladder compatible
- 28L includes integrated raincover
- Sleeve fits laptops up to 15"
The Details
What does it all mean?
Activity
Many of our day packs are really versatile and can be used for a range of activities. It’s a still a good idea to think about the main activity you’ll be using the pack for, as they all have different features.
If you want a pack that you can use across multiple activities, the Voyager, any of the Rāpaki range, or Kahuna 18L are all good options.
Material
Our AzTec® canvas fabric is made to last, and is weather resistant, so if longevity is key, opt for a pack made from this. Think the Atlas AzTec® 24L, or Korora 16L.
If sustainability is your priority, many packs are made from recycled materials and contain a foam made from BLOOM™. which improves the sustainability of products by turning pollution into algae ingredients. Algae produces more oxygen and captures more carbon than all the forests combined. This includes the Atlas+ 24L, Litealp+ 22L and Piko+ 14L.
Volume
Consider the weight and volume of the pack whatever your activity. This is particularly important for airline travel and carry-on baggage so you don’t exceed the airline’s limit. The Quest 23L and 30L both meet most aviation carry-on requirements.
For other activities, consider how much gear you need to fit in your pack. Some packs, such as the Hesper and Harper, include compression straps. If you don’t fill your pack every hike, you can compress the pack for better stability and weight distribution.
Need advice or help fitting your pack? Visit your local Macpac store or contact our team online — we’re here to help. Colours and styles may vary. Check online or in-store.
