Last reviewed and updated: October 2026.
British day walks have a habit of needing more kit than the distance suggests. Waterproofs, a warm layer, food, water and the inevitable collection of things you brought “just in case” soon make trouser pockets a fairly poor storage system.
For most UK day hikes, a 20–30 litre backpack is the useful middle ground: enough room for bad-weather kit without carrying half a wardrobe up a hill.
How this guide was put together: these are research-based recommendations using current manufacturer specifications, owner feedback and suitability for ordinary British walking. Rambl does not claim to have personally tested a pack unless that is stated. Some retailer links are affiliate links, which may earn Rambl a commission at no extra cost to you. See our editorial standards and affiliate disclosure.
Quick answer: which size should you buy?
| Capacity | Usually suits |
|---|---|
| 20–22L | Shorter day walks, summer kit and people who pack fairly lightly |
| 24–26L | Most UK day hikes, with room for waterproofs, food and an extra layer |
| 28–30L | Winter days, bulkier layers, camera gear or carrying kit for somebody else |
There is no prize for owning the biggest day pack. Extra space has a strange tendency to fill itself.
Rambl’s four-pack shortlist
| Pack | Capacity | Why it makes the shortlist |
|---|---|---|
| Osprey Talon 22 | 22L | Close-fitting carry, adjustable harness and useful all-round hiking features |
| Osprey Hikelite 26 | 26L | More ventilation and a little more space, with a raincover included |
| Salomon Trailblazer 20 | 20L | Lightweight, simple and genuinely aimed at single-day hiking |
| Quechua NH500 20L | 20L | Low-cost option with lots of compartments and a long manufacturer warranty |
Osprey Talon 22: the all-round research pick
The current Talon 22 is a proper hiking day pack rather than a general rucksack with walking written on the label. Osprey lists it at 22 litres and around 1.08kg in the standard one-size version. Its AirScape back panel sits close to the body, while the adjustable BioStretch harness and hipbelt are designed to move with you.
That makes it the most convincing all-rounder here if you regularly walk on rougher ground or carry a fuller day load. The trade-off is obvious: it is heavier and more structured than the very simple Trailblazer.
- Good fit for: regular day hiking, mixed terrain and walkers who value a supportive carry
- Less ideal for: people who want the lightest possible bag for short, easy walks
Check the Osprey Talon 22 price · Manufacturer specifications
Osprey Hikelite 26: best if a sweaty back annoys you
The Hikelite 26 takes a different approach. Osprey’s current model uses an AirSpeed suspended mesh back panel, keeping most of the pack away from your back. It has 26 litres of space, weighs roughly 0.82kg, and the current UK version includes a raincover.
That combination makes sense for walkers who run warm, carry an extra layer or simply prefer a bit more breathing room than a 20–22L pack gives them. The mesh-frame design is also more structured, so it will not pack down as small as a minimalist day bag.
- Good fit for: warmer weather, longer days and anyone who values back ventilation
- Less ideal for: ultralight packing or people who dislike framed packs
Check the Osprey Hikelite 26 price · Manufacturer specifications
Salomon Trailblazer 20: the lighter, simpler option
Salomon describes the Trailblazer 20 as a pack for single-day hiking. The current model is 20 litres and weighs about 434g, which is dramatically lighter than the two Ospreys above. The updated harness and back panel are designed around comfort and breathability rather than a substantial framed carry system.
For shorter day walks, that simplicity is appealing. If you regularly load a pack with winter layers, litres of water and camera gear, the Talon or Hikelite makes more sense. If your kit list is sensible and your route is not an expedition in disguise, the Trailblazer is easier to justify.
- Good fit for: lighter loads, shorter routes and walkers who dislike bulky packs
- Less ideal for: heavy day loads where a more supportive hipbelt and structure help
Check the Salomon Trailblazer 20 price · Manufacturer specifications
Quechua NH500 20L: the budget choice
Decathlon’s current NH500 Arpenaz 20L is much cheaper than the premium hiking packs and takes a practical rather than technical approach. It has padded shoulder straps, a chest strap, bottle holders, several zipped pockets and, on the current insulated version, a separate isothermal compartment. Decathlon also advertises a 10-year warranty.
It is not the pack I would choose specifically for long mountain days with a heavy load, but for countryside walks, parks, easier hills and people trying hiking without immediately spending three figures, it is the sensible budget option.
- Good fit for: budget-conscious walkers and ordinary countryside days
- Less ideal for: technical terrain or heavier loads where a more sophisticated carry system earns its keep
Check the Quechua NH500 price · Manufacturer specifications
What actually matters in a UK day pack?
Fit comes first. A technically brilliant backpack is still a bad backpack if the shoulder straps sit awkwardly or the back length does not suit you. Load it with something before deciding.
Water resistance is not the same as waterproof. British weather being British weather, use a raincover or dry bags for anything that genuinely needs to stay dry.
Easy-access storage matters more than clever-looking features. Side pockets for water, somewhere reachable for snacks and a quick place to stuff a wet waterproof are useful every single walk. A mysterious collection of tiny zipped compartments is less essential.
Do not buy capacity you do not need. For many walkers, 22–26L is the sweet spot. Move towards 30L when you actually carry winter layers, camera equipment or kit for somebody else.
What I would choose for different walkers
- Regular walker wanting one good pack: Osprey Talon 22
- Hot-weather walker or ventilation obsessive: Osprey Hikelite 26
- Light packer: Salomon Trailblazer 20
- New walker keeping costs down: Quechua NH500 20L
Those are editorial recommendations based on the published designs and specifications above, not claims of side-by-side personal testing.
Before you buy
Try a pack with some weight in it if you can. Check that the shoulder straps sit comfortably, the sternum strap does not ride too high, and any hipbelt lands where it should rather than somewhere around your ribs. A five-minute fitting tells you more than another hour reading backpack reviews.
If you’re still working out what actually needs to go inside it, use Rambl’s free UK hiking checklist builder or see our day hiking essentials guide.
Sources checked
- Osprey UK: current Talon 22 specifications
- Osprey UK: current Hikelite 26 specifications
- Salomon UK: current Trailblazer 20 specifications
- Decathlon UK: current Quechua NH500 20L product information
Prices, colours and availability change. Check the retailer or manufacturer before buying.
