Backpacks Under 30 Litres – Reviewed
If you bike, run, climb or board, you’ll know that often you need a backpack that’s big enough to hold an extra layer, a hydration bladder and an energy bar, and not a lot else. Ideally the pack will be low profile so that it doesn’t hinder movement and versatile so that you can carry an extra water bottle, get easy access to your mobile phone or strap on a helmet.
Here we review some of the best backpacks under 30 litres:
Osprey Talon 22 Backpack
A classic case of “you get what you pay for”, Osprey packs aren’t cheap, but for build quality and well-thought-out features, they’re unsurpassed. The Talon is designed to be the only small backpack you’ll need, whether you’re a biker, hiker or climber. Reflective graphics make sure you’re seen, comfortable under load despite it’s lightweight construction and features a nifty bike helmet attachment. We’ve put the Talon to the test – read the full review.
Capacity: 22 litre
Price: 
Available from: Amazon
The North Face Borealis Backpack
The largest pack in this lineup, The North Face Borealis is a 29 litre day pack with airmesh back, laptop sleeve & mesh water bottle pockets. There’s a useful elastic bungee on the front for stashing a waterproof jacket. Great for commuting, weighing in at 1.2 kg it’s lightweight and comfortable.
Capacity: 29 litre
Price: 
Available from: Amazon
Berghaus Twenty Four Seven 25L Backpack
A good budget option, the twentyfourseven is Berghaus’ top selling pack. It’s stylish, robust and water resistant with a padded back system, good ventilation and plenty of storage options, including a large easily accessible front pocket.
Capacity: 25 litre
Price: 39.99 EUR | 35.00 GBP | 45.00 USD
Available from: Amazon
Patagonia Refugio 28L Backpack
With a cavernous main section, a laptop sleeve, a zipped internal pocket and a fleece-lined sunglasses pocket, the Patagonia Refugio is a versatile daypack for students, commuters and hikers. There’s a stash pocket on the front to organise smaller bits and bobs. Available in six colourways.
Capacity: 28 litre
Price: 85.00 EUR | 75.00 GBP | 100.00 USD
Available from: Amazon
Deuter Race Backpack
Ideal for winter training as the pack has a reflective strip and there’s a high vis rain cover included. The 10 litre capacity means you can fit a waterproof jacket in and other essentials but maintain a low profile. Sold as a cycling pack, but the fit is good enough to run with, and its super lightweight construction means you barely know it’s there. Side mesh pockets provide extra storage, and there’s also room inside for a 2 litre hydration bladder. Available in 3 colourways.
Capacity: 10 litre
Price: 55.99 EUR | 49.50 GBP | 65.00 USD
Available from: Amazon
Under Armour Hustle 3.0 Backpack
At 27 litres the Under Armour Hustle 3.0 Backpack is a lot roomier than it looks. A great commuter/day pack that feels like it is made to last. A padded laptop sleeve provides a snug home for a 15″ laptop and water resistant fabric keeps the elements at bay. There’s a tough bottom panel which provides resistance to abrasion where you need it most. The lack of a waist strap may put off runners and cyclists.
Capacity: 27 litre
Price: 62.50 EUR | 55.00 GBP | 69.50 USD
Available from: Amazon
Mammut Neon Light 12L Backpack
Weighing just 350g, Mammut’s Neon Light pack is a slim, lightweight pack. The 12-litre capacity is not huge, but ample for trail running and shorter hikes. A large front zipped pocket and an internal mesh zipped pocket help keep your stuff organised. The pack’s also equipped with some thoughtful technical features including daisy chain loops to attach gear to the outside and a separate hydration bladder compartment. A removable hip-belt useful when trail running or biking adds to the versatility of the pack.
Capacity: 12 litre
Price: 55.00 EUR | 45.00 GBP | 65.00 USD
Available from: Amazon
Lowe Alpine Aeon 27 Backpack
The Aeon 27 backpack from Lowe Alpine is just the right size for a day hike in the hills. When the walking gets technical, this pack keeps pace with features like trekking pole and ice axe storage. A padded harness and highly breathable back system makes it comfortable to carry and the large main compartment has an internal zipped pocket and a key clip to help keep your stuff organised. A large front stretch stash pocket and easy to reach side pockets are great for stashing maps and other items you want to be easily accessible during your hike. The pack is hydration compatible and has a compression system to keep your gear from moving around.
Capacity: 27 litre
Price: 
Available from: Amazon
Osprey Daylite Plus Backpack
Osprey’s Daylite Plus isn’t as technical as the Talon, but it’s still a very versatile pack. The large zipped main compartment will easily swallow a book, a sweater and a camera, whilst a smaller front pocket with its mesh organiser and key holder helps keep smaller items handy. A padded laptop sleeve will hold a 15″ MacBook Pro, or a 3 litre hydration bladder. There’s a shove it pocket on the front for stashing a waterproof and a vertical zipped pocket for your phone and wallet. The side mesh pockets are ideal for trail snacks and a water bottle up to about 750ml. A ventilated back panel, comfortable shoulder straps, sternum strap and waist belt make the backpack suitable for full-day hiking trips.
Capacity: 20 litre
Price: 65.00 EUR | 50.00 GBP | 65.00 USD
Available from: Amazon
Pacsafe Venturesafe G3 Backpack
If you’re carrying valuables, the Pacsafe Venturesafe backpack is equipped with some smart anti-theft features that will put your mind at ease. An RFID pocket on the inside blocks scammers from swiping personal data. Zippers interlock to stop passing opportunists. Slashguard material and wire reinforced straps protect against cut-and-run thieves. The 15 litre capacity is large enough to hold an extra layer plus other hiking essentials. Padded shoulder straps and removable hip belt mean it’s comfortable for day-long outings, and easy access side pockets can hold trail snacks and a water bottle. The Pacsafe is a versatile backpack with peace of mind built-in.
Capacity: 15 litre
Price: 84.33 EUR | 89.90 GBP | 99.95 USD
Available from: Amazon
Your backpack questions answered
Your hiking backpack should be equipped to carry everything you’ll need for a day in the outdoors. You need to think about hydration, snacks, lunch, an extra layer for changes in the weather, trekking poles, a headlamp, a map that’s easy to get at – you need a pack that’s around 20 litres capacity with the features to bring it all together.
In this lineup, it’s hard to beat Osprey, both the Talon 22 and the Daylite Plus will take it all in their stride. Lowe Alpine’s Aeon 27 has a slightly larger capacity and is another excellent choice.
The Berghaus Twenty Four Seven pack is a great choice if you’re looking for value for money. It shares a lot of the features you find in more expensive packs, benefits from Berghaus’ renowned build quality, and it looks good too.
We want to help you pick the best gear for your next adventure, so in our opinion, you can’t go far wrong with Osprey. There are so many backpack brands on the market today that it’s increasingly difficult to single out the best. However, Osprey packs are meticulously designed with years of backpack focused r&d and customer feedback behind them. The build quality is second to none and the customer service is top notch.
Having said that, we’re also big fans of Deuter, a leading German backpack brand, and Lowe Alpine who hail from Colorado. We’re also hearing great things about Hyperlite Mountain Gear, a premium backpack brand also from the US.
