If you’re looking to go hunting, you’ll need to safely and quietly carry your gear without worrying about damaging your back – this is where daypacks for hunting come in.
The question is, how can you find a quiet, durable, and useful hunting daypack? What should you be looking for? And which features do you really need?
We’ll answer all those questions and give you our top 5 daypacks for hunting; covering a range of sizes and extra features – so you can find the best backpack for your next hunting trip.
The bottom line up front: the Badlands Superday Hunting Daypack is tough and durable. It’s a great investment, and it’s designed to make your life a bit easier when on a long hunting trip.
We also like:
- MERALIAN Hunting Backpack – a great value daypack for beginners
- TIDEWE Hunting Backpack – a great daypack with great additional features
We’ll be looking at:
- What a daypack for hunting is
- The key elements you should be looking for in a daypack for hunting
- Our top 5 hunting daypacks, including their key features, pros, and cons
- Some of the most frequently asked questions about daypacks for huntings
- Which ones we like the best, and why we like them so much
Table of Contents
- Best Daypacks for Hunting Compared
- What is a Daypack for Hunting?
- What to Look for in a Daypack for Hunting
- Top 5 Daypacks for Hunting
- Frequently Asked Questions
- To Sum Up … Which Daypack for Hunting is the Best?
Let’s start by looking at how our top 5 daypacks for hunting compare to each other:
Best Daypacks for Hunting Compared
What is a Daypack for Hunting?
A daypack is a smaller backpack, usually between 20 and 40 liters in capacity. They’re designed to fit enough gear for a full day out, but they’re not large enough for an overnight trip or a weekend away.
Daypacks tend to have a smaller maximum weight limit. They’re lightweight to carry and typically don’t have internal frames.
What to Look for in a Daypack for Hunting
There are a few key things to look for in a daypack for hunting:
Noise
You will want a backpack that is quiet. Any excessive noise could ruin your hunt, so you’ll want a backpack with quiet zippers and fabric that won’t rustle as you go.
Capacity
Capacity tends to be measured in liters. The larger the number, the more you can fit into it. If you have a lot of gear you need to carry, it’s also important to look at the maximum weight capacity of your backpack.
Dimensions
As well as capacity, check out the dimensions of a daypack to see how well it will fit. Daypacks are smaller and tend to have a more universal fit.
Fit
Finding a backpack that fits properly is very important. Even with light weight backpacks, a poor fit could cause immediate discomfort, or even longer-term back pain, so it’s important to fit your hunting backpack properly.
Your hunting daypack should have fully adjustable straps on both the shoulders and across the chest, or waist, to help evenly distribute the weight.
Comfort
Look for a daypack with straps that are fully padded. This will prevent any shoulder pain as the straps can dig in over time. The back area should also be fully padded, mesh material is recommended as it will provide better ventilation and will prevent overheating.
Materials
Daypacks are typically made from materials like nylon and polyester. These materials are ideal for hunting daypacks as they are durable and easy to clean. Some backpacks come with removable rain covers, so you can keep your backpack,and its contents, dry in the case of bad weather.
Compartments
Look for a daypack with multiple pockets or compartments – this will allow you to keep the contents organized. Your daypack may also include:
- A rifle/bow storage pocket so you can go hands-free
- Small pockets for storing valuables
- A rain pouch/cover
- A pouch for a water bottle or a water bladder so you can stay hydrated
Top 5 Daypacks for Hunting
Now let’s look at our top 5 daypacks for hunting. We’ll look at their key features as well as their pros and cons, so you can find the quietest, most comfortable daypack for your next trip.
Badlands Superday Hunting Daypack – Most Durable
Key Features
- Dimensions: 25 x 16 x 12 inches (63.5 x 40.64 x 30.48 centimeters)
- Capacity: 19.5 Liters
- Sizes: One size
- Materials: KXO-32 Waterproof Fabric
- Weight: 1.42 kilograms (3.15 pounds)
- Extra features: Rifle/bow holder, hip-belt pistol holder, pocket for water bottle/hydration pack
The Badlands Superday Hunting Daypack is a great choice if you want to invest in a long-lasting daypack. It has a capacity of 19.5 liters, which is on the smaller end of the scale, but it’s made from a material called KXO-32 and is designed to be durable, quiet, and waterproof. If you’re hunting in bad weather or tough conditions, this is a good choice.
In terms of comfort, the straps and back area, making it extemely comfortable. All the straps are fully adjustable, so you can fit this daypack to your body frame.
It has several additional features, including; a hip-belt pistol holder; a detachable rifle/bow holder; small pockets for valuables; and, a pocket to fit a water bladder, the only downside to this is that the water pocket isn’t easily accessible because of its position). It also has a ‘Bino Connect System’ allowing you to connect binoculars to your backpack, so you can grab them quickly.
Pros
- Tough and durable
- Waterproof, so ideal for poor weather conditions
- Good organization
- Comfortable thanks to memory foam padding
Cons
- Water pocket could be easier to access
SPIKA Camo Hunting Backpack Tactical Daypack – Good All-Rounder
Key Features
- Dimensions: 20 x 12 x 7.5 inches (50.8 x 30.48 x 19.05 centimeters)
- Capacity: 15 Liters/25 Liters
- Sizes: Small or Medium (15 Liters/25 Liters)
- Materials: Nylon
- Weight: 1.42 kilograms (3.15 pounds)
- Extra features: Bow holder/rifle holder, rain cover, water bottle/water bladder pockets
The SPIKA Camo Hunting Backpack Tactical Daypack is a great daypack with some exciting features. It’s made from coated nylon, meaning it’s waterproof and durable. Despite the fact that the material is thick and durable, it’s impressively quiet, so it won’t rustle or make excessive sound as you walk.
This has an internal frame, which is unusual for a daypack but this gives it some structure and distributes the weight. It’s a great choice if your gear is particularly heavy. The padding on the straps and back area is comfortable and well-ventilated, meaning you won’t overheat as you go. The downside is that this particular frame makes it heavier compared to the other daypacks we’ve listed.
It has an external water bladdelr compartment, a bow/rifle holder, and smaller pockets to keep your valuables safe.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Tough and durable
- Internal frame helps to reduce pressure points
- Comfortable
Cons
- Heavy to carry
MERALIAN Hunting Backpack – Best Value
Key Features
- Dimensions: 20 x 12 x 7.5 inches (50.8 x 30.48 x 19.05 centimeters)
- Capacity: 40 Liters
- Sizes: One size
- Materials: Nylon
- Weight: 0.82 kilograms (1.82 pounds)
- Extra features: Bow holder, compartment for water bottle/water bladder, rain cover
The MERALIAN Hunting Backpack is a great value backpack and ideal for beginners. It’s made from nylon and comes with a waterproof cover to keep it dry in the rain.
It has some light padding on the back and shoulders, but it’s comparably thinner compared to the other daypacks listed. It has a well-ventilated back panel, so there’s no need to worry about overheating. The straps are fully adjustable and fits properly to your body.
It has a bow/rifle holder, a rain cover, and an external pocket for your water bottle or water bladder.
Pros
- Good value, ideal for beginners
- Fairly durable
- Well ventilated
- Rain cover included
Cons
- Padding in the back/straps could be thicker
Mardingtop Tactical Backpack – Most Versatile
Key Features
- Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.7 x 18.1 inches (27.5 x 22 x 46 centimeters)
- Capacity: 28 Liters
- Sizes: One size
- Materials: Polyester
- Weight: 0.745 kilograms (1.64 pounds)
- Extra features: Bow holder, compartment for water bottle/water bladder, rain cover
The Mardingtop Tactical Backpack is a versatile backpack that can be used for camping, hiking, and hunting. It’s made from polyester and is sufficiently waterproof. It could be more durable, however it is good value and would be sufficient for beginners.
The shoulder, waist straps, and back area have sponge padding. These straps are adjustable to ensure that it fits properly.
It has a significant amount of extra features, such as: an expandable main pocket,\; a large secondary pocket; smaller pockets for valuable items; gear security straps; and, Molle loops, these are loops designed to attach other items to your daypack. It also has a pocket for water bottles or water bladders.
Pros
- Good value
- Reasonable padding on the straps/back
- Extra pockets for organization
- Sufficiently waterproof
Cons
- Not as durable
TIDEWE Hunting Backpack – Best Extra Features
Key Features
- Dimensions: 21 x 12 x 10 inches (53.34 x 30.48 x 25.4 centimeters)
- Capacity: 35 liters
- Sizes: One size
- Materials: Polyester
- Weight: 1.7 kilograms (3.7 pounds)
- Extra features: Distress whistle, gun/bow pocket, quiver hook and loop, built-in rain cover, water bottle pouch
The TIDEWE Hunting Backpack has plenty of additional features. It’s made from polyester, meaning it’s easy to clean and durable, with reinforced stitching and zippers. However, it’s slightly noisier than the others on this list. It doesn’t rustle, but the zippers can be noisy, so that’s something to bear in mind.
This is a comfortable backpack with padded shoulder straps, a padded waist belt, and a padded back panel. It’s designed to distribute weight evenly to stop pressure points from forming, and the back area is ventilated so you won’t overheat.
It has an impressive amount of added features, including: a gun/bow pocket; a built-in distress whistle; a quiver hook and loop; small pockets; a water bottle pouch; and, a built-in rain cover for bad weather.
Pros
- A considerable amount of extra features
- Durable
- Comfortable
- Functions well in tough conditions
Cons
- Zippers are loud to use
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about daypacks for hunting:
Can I use a daypack for bow hunting?
Yes, you can. Most hunting daypacks come with a pocket or loop for a bow or a rifle,use this to go hands-free. You could also look for a quiver hook and loop too.
Can I put my hunting daypack in a washing machine?
It isn’t recommended to do this, even though hunting daypacks can get incredibly dirty. Washing it in a machine can reduce the function of the stitching and ruin any waterproof coating it may have. You can wash your hunting pack by hand instead:
- Take any attachments off (like extra loops, clips, or pockets)
- Remove any loose dirt
- Soak in ice-cold water
- Scrub with a brush
- Rinse and repeat with fresh water until it comes up clean
Will my back hurt if I wear a daypack for hunting all day long?
It all depends on how well-fitted it is. A poorly-fitted daypack can cause back pain, so make sure you take time to adjust each strap so it fits closely to your body (but not so tight that it digs into your shoulders). You can check out REI Co-Op’s guide on How to Fit a Backpack if you want to find out more.
Can I wear a daypack if I’m particularly tall?
Yes, as long as the straps are in the right position. The daypack shouldn’t sit too high up your back or too low – it should be somewhere in the middle. Eastern Mountain Sports has more information on this in their guide on How to Choose a Daypack.
To Sum Up … Which Daypack for Hunting is the Best?
If we had to pick a favorite, we’d go for the Badlands Superday Hunting Daypack. It’s an investment, but it’s tough, durable, and will last you for many hunting trips to come. It’s waterproof and has great features like a rifle/bow holder, a hip-belt pistol holder, and a pocket for a water bottle or hydration pack.
If you’re new to hunting, you could try the MERALIAN Hunting Backpack. It’s great value and has a bow holder, a rain cover, and a water bottle/water bladder compartment.
We also like the TIDEWE Hunting Backpack. It’s a great daypack with many additional features.
We hope this has helped you to find the best daypack for hunting. If it has, feel free to share it online. We’d like to hear your thoughts, too – what do you take with you on a hunting trip? Do you have any tips and tricks? Let us know in the comments below.