A good day bag is essential when traveling. As full-time travelers, our daypack bags are one of the most important items we carry. We never explore a city or go on a hike without them!
As we prepared for our initial Around the World Trip in 2014, we were tasked with finding the Best Day Pack for Travel.
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However, before we could determine the best daypack for travel, we had to seriously consider how we would use it.
Why Use a Day Travel Pack?
Before we talk about why you would use a small daypack for travel, we should answer the question, What is a Day Bag?
A travel daypack is a small bag that is carried while sightseeing, hiking or out adventuring on day trips.
For many travelers – ourselves included – a travel day bag also doubles as carry on luggage for buses, trains and long haul flights.
A day travel bag is responsible for containing all of the things you would typically want (or need) while out exploring or sitting in a seat while enroute.
We use a small travel daypack anytime we leave our accommodations. In it, we carry necessities – like a DSLR camera, keys, a small notebook, pen and a water bottle.
Additionally, there are specific pockets where I stow hand sanitizer, hand lotion, sunscreen and lip moisturizer. In another compartment, I store toilet paper, tissues and feminine products.
Odds and ends – like a bottle opener, safety pins, band-aids and extra hair ties – reside in my day pack as well.
Read about our Everyday Items for Traveling!
Depending on where I am going, there is also room for a foldable bag (for shopping), a scarf or light hoodie (if it might get chilly) and my laptop (if I need to go somewhere to work).
Basically, day bags for travel are a catch-all, carry-all for travelers – yet, they are small and compact.
Features of The Best Travel Day Packs
While almost anything could work as a daypack travel bag, the best travel daypacks are designed with a few specific elements.
These features hold true whether you are looking for the best daypack for travel in Europe or if you are seeking the best day trip backpack for hikes.
Compartmentalized Travel Day Bags
A key feature for the best travel day pack is that it has internal compartments (and sometimes, external ones, too). Yet, the best travel bag will have at least one large main compartment for stowing bigger items.
Using a day pack for travel that only has one or two compartments is not sufficient. There should be several zippered or separated sections inside the bag.
You don’t want to have to dig your dirty hands through your entire bag to locate your hand sanitizer. It should be kept in a compartment that is easy to get to.
Furthermore, segmented compartments help to keep items from spilling out of your bag. When you want to quickly grab your camera, you don’t want to inadvertently pull out other items.
Having external water bottle pockets and an internal padded laptop sleeve are two common day bag travel pack features that you might want to consider.
Protection from Pickpockets
Another trait of a good day pack travel bag is an anti-theft design. Unfortunately, some of the most popular cities in the world (like Barcelona and Rome) are crawling with thieves that target tourists.
Therefore, the best travel daypack for Europe (or anywhere pickpockets are a problem) is one that is specifically designed to deter thieves. Top anti-theft elements include RFID blocking panels and slash-resistant straps.
That said, zipped bags (or zippered compartments) should always be used to ensure pickpockets don’t get their sticky fingers on your belongings and valuables.
Keep in mind that money, credit cards, wallets and cell phones should never be kept in an open area.
Durable and Water-Resistant
The best daypacks for travel are made with quality materials and craftsmanship. Ideally, it will be constructed with fabrics designed to withstand inclement weather conditions.
Additionally, the material should be stain-resistant – and it also helps if it is washable. Water – in the form of rain, sea or even splashing by the pool – is also something to be concerned with.
It can ruin expensive electronic devices, like phones and cameras. That can put a big damper on your trip!. However, a water resistant or waterproof travel daypack can keep that from happening.
Comfort
Beyond all of the technical aspects of a well-designed day pack, one thing to seriously consider before purchasing a travel bag is comfort.
Not only does it need to be comfortable to wear physically (padded shoulder straps are a must), but it should be one that you are also at ease with regarding accessibility and style.
For example, a travel day backpack (rather than a sling bag) may not be the best for sightseeing if you are someone who is constantly reaching for contents.
While a fanny pack for travel is suitable for some, if it is simply not your style then you should choose a different type.
Types of Day Bags
Before choosing the best day bag for travel, think about what type best fits your style, comfort and needs. There are 3 distinct styles of day packs to consider: Backpack, Cross Body Bag and Fanny Pack.
Backpack Daypack
A backpack is one of the most popular options for a small daypack. It’s not only balanced, but it stays out of the way when sightseeing (or hiking). However, there are a few drawbacks.
As already mentioned, accessing the contents can be cumbersome. Anytime you need something – you have to take the backpack off to reach it.
In addition to that, carrying it on your back leaves you vulnerable to pickpockets, especially in crowded attractions or on public transportation.
Pro Tip: If you opt to carry a small day backpack, you can always wear it on your front in overcrowded places where pickpockets might be lurking.
Cross Body Daypack for Travel
Cross body bags – or sling daypacks – are one-strap bags, like messenger bags and women’s travel day bag purses. These are worn across the body from one shoulder to the opposite hip.
Travelers who use a cross body travel day pack do so for a couple of really good reasons.
First, there is less threat of pickpockets, because your hand naturally falls on the bag, making it easy to grasp onto. Second, items are literally at your fingertips; there is no need take it off.
On the other hand, there are a disadvantages. One being that the weight lands squarely on one shoulder.
While this might not be bothersome for some travel activities, it can cause neck and shoulder pain if you spend long days sightseeing.
Fanny Pack for Travel
A waist pack for travel is fastened around your hips outside of your clothing. It’s like a mini day pack, which can be absolutely freeing, but also limiting.
The pros of using a fanny pack travel bag is that it is attached to you – ideally to the front of you – which is well out of range of thieves.
Because it is worn at the waist, it eliminates carrying weight on your shoulders. It is now even fashionable to wear it across your shoulder as a chest bag.
That said, the downside is that space is limited. There should be plenty of room for essentials, but cameras and most ‘just in case’ items will likely not fit.
Top Tip: A daypack backpack and fanny pack can be worn at the same time. Items in the hip pack are within easy reach and larger items can be carried in a small backpack.
Concealed Day Packs for Travel
A concealed sightseeing bag is meant to be used in conjunction with one of the best daypacks for traveling.
Also often called a Money Belt – it is ideal for securing items beneath your clothing. Cash, credit cards and possibly even your passport are all items the can be carried in the multi-zippered bag.
In our opinion, money belts are the best travel bags to wear to ensure your money and important docs stay secure. Likewise, a bra stash is the best small bag for travel for women.
Pro Tip: Keep in mind that money belts and bra stashes are only useful to deter pickpockets if you, in fact, keep them concealed under your clothing!
The Best Day Pack for Travel
Choosing the best day pack for traveling is an important consideration for any trip. Because there are so many different styles, we are featuring our personal favorites – as well as those highly rated by fellow travelers.
Backpack Style
These can be sporty, casual or ultra-lightweight. One thing these small daypacks for travel have in common, however, is that they are all functional.
Osprey Daylite Plus
This reliable travel luggage brand makes an entire line of day backpack travel bags. The Osprey Daylite Plus, however, is a small lightweight backpack that ranks supreme.
With a spacious 20L volume, multiple interior and exterior compartments (including water bottle pockets), padded shoulder straps and a ventilated back, it is clear why many claim that it is the best backpack for travel!
BACKPACK WITH DAYPACK – Osprey also offers full-size travel backpacks with a detachable daypack. The one that comes with the Farpoint Backpack is similar to the Daylite Plus.
The North Face Backpacks
The Borealis Mini is a small 10-liter bag that has Flex Vent technology and organizational pockets. However, it is on the small side.
The Jester was designed with school in mind – but it works well as a travel day bag, too. Top features are the segmented interior compartments and padded sleeve for laptops.
Modoker Vintage Backpack
We like the look of these and love that it is loaded with key features for travelers. Multiple zippered pockets, convenient USB charging port and cushioned straps make the Modoker the best urban daypack.
G4Free Foldable Daypack
Highly rated as one of the best packable daypacks, the G4 Free 20L only weighs 6 ounces and easily folds to the size of a sandwich.
Made of scratch- and water-resistant material, it is designed with 2 zippered compartments and 2 open pockets. This is why we believe it is the best foldable pack for travelers!
Pro Tip: The Grid It Organizer is a fabulous way to keep all of your small items arranged!
Sling Style Bag
Just like backpacks, cross body day packs come in a variety of styles to suit every traveler!
Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag
Although the Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag isn’t designed with travel in mind, it features numerous interior zippered pockets and compartments. I actually carried one for years and loved it!
Travelon Essential Anti-Theft Bag
When it comes to anti-theft bags, Travelon is the trusted brand. Keeping your contents safe is at top of mind for their line of stylish daypacks.
The Travelon Essential Crossbody Messenger Bag has two large zippered compartments with locking zippers. Plus, internal compartments for storing smaller items.
Gootium Canvas Cross Body Bag
The rugged Gootium Canvas Sling Bag is fantastic day bag for Europe. The casual pack has a large capacity main compartment, plus there are several smaller zippered compartments and pockets
Fanny Pack
If you are looking for a small and ultra-lightweight daypack for travel, then a fanny pack may be the perfect style for you. I personally think hip packs are one of the best day bags for travel for women.
ENGYEN Fanny Pack
Similar to the one that I own, the ENGYEN Hip Pack is convertible and has multiple zippered pockets. It even has room for a water bottle, so it’s excellent for all day sightseeing or taking on the trails.
JanSport Fifth Ave Fanny Pack
Classic, simple and functional, the JanSport Fifth Ave Waist Pack gets rave reviews for travel. With an adjustable waist strap and two easy-to-access zippered pockets, it’s all minimalist travelers will need!
SoJourner Stylish Fanny Pack
SoJourners are not only fashionably fun, they are functional, too! Designed with travelers in mind, the SoJourner Bum Bags have three high-quality zippered pockets and are made of water-resistant materials.
Tips for Finding the Best Bags for Travel
Finding the right bag for your trip is both important and personal. As full time nomads, we have spent ample time searching for the best day travel bags.
However, if our choices are not exactly they style or function you are looking for, there are many more to choose from.
More Travel Packing Tips
- Get all of our Best Travel Hacks For Packing to make sure you have everything you need!
- Backpack Vs Suitcase? We break down the pros & cons and which works best for what we pack!
- Packing Cubes are like little magical helpers that contain everything in our bags!
- Watch our YouTube videos on our Packing Mistakes, even more Packing Hacks and my most current Packing List.
Start planning your next trip! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
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