A daypack is a smaller bag, typically 15-25 liters, built for carrying what’s needed for a single day out — water, a camera, a light jacket — rather than serving as the main luggage for a trip. It’s usually simpler in construction, without the suitcase-style opening or stowable harness of a dedicated travel backpack.
A travel backpack, like the Farpoint or Fairview in this hub, is sized and built to be the primary bag for an entire trip — typically 35-45 liters for hand-luggage-only travel, with features specifically aimed at that use: a full front-panel opening for suitcase-style packing, and a stowable harness for when it needs to be checked rather than worn.
Many travelers carry both — a travel backpack as the main bag, and a packable daypack, often folding into its own small pouch, for day trips once at the destination.
Last reviewed 26 August 2026