Consider the following travel scenarios: You’ve set up camp at a gorgeous national park with great hiking trails leading to beautiful vistas. The trails are short, and you only need a couple of bottles of water, a snack, a camera, of course, and perhaps a jacket. Or, you’ve booked a week in Rome and want to walk the Circuit of Villa Borghese.
A bulky and voluminous 50 or 60 L backpack will slow you down and wear you out. Fortunately, for the enthusiastic traveler, manufacturers caught on quickly and today, comfortable, durable backpacks with a detachable daypack are available for various traveling purposes.
Our picks are all that and have lots of clever features. This review focuses on each of these aspects to give you a comprehensive guide to buying a backpack with a detachable daypack.
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With a total of 80 liters of carrying power, a sturdy lightweight alloy frame, and lots of added features, the Roman Nomad has been designed with a serious outdoor adventurer in mind. A fully adjustable shoulder harness gives you the perfect fit for comfort. The internal frame provides good breathability to keep your back comfortable, and the detachable mesh and foam hip belt give you added support.
All your gear is easy to organize and reach with top, side, and bottom access to the main compartment and front pocket organizer. Use the roomy zippered pockets on the hip belt for your phone, a camera, and snacks.
The free-floating top lid can be removed for a lighter load or added to stow more gear. You can even attach a solar panel, helmet, or most anything else to the utility loops on top of the lid.
Side mesh pockets will hold water bottles, items like tripods, or even an ultra-lightweight tent. An adjustable sleeping bag diaphragm is included, and side pockets with reinforced bottoms carry tent poles, snow pickets, and more. Use the large front stretch pocket for extra layers or wet gear.
Keep important documents protected in the zippered mesh inside the pocket. Shock cord shaft retainers on the dual ice axe/trekking pole loops let you carry these items safely and securely. And the detachable 15-liter daypack is perfect for side trips and treks to summits.
Additional features that make the Roamm Nomad a complete and comprehensive hiking backpack with a detachable day pack include a reservoir sleeve and ambidextrous hydration ports, an emergency whistle, a sunglasses retainer on the sternum strap, a waterproof rain cover, and reflective strips for nighttime visibility.
This backpack with a detachable daypack has added features for surviving the outdoors making the price tag well worth it.
This traveling combo from Mountain Warehouse may not be the best for outdoor hiking, but it’s perfect for extended overseas travel and hopping on and off planes and tour buses. The main bag is a large rucksack with a capacity of 60 liters, and the detachable daypack holds up to 20 liters.
The shoulder straps are adjustable for maximum comfort, and the hip and chest straps distribute weight evenly and help stabilize the bag.
Plenty of pockets offer lots of organizational options including a compartment at the bottom. A zippable cover tucks straps out of sight, which is often a requirement when checking in bags at airports. One handy feature is the ability to remove the shoulder straps, store them away, and use the detachable shoulder straps or the attached handle.
Additionally, the bag not only opens at the top but unzips all the way around like a suitcase. That means no digging for articles stored at the bottom.
The pockets of the Mountain Traveller are functional and provide safe, secure storage. A rain and flight cover protects the bag and helps avoid stuck shoulder straps. The daypack attaches to the bag with zippers and also clips to the strap of the main bag. It’s easily removed giving you a convenient smaller bag for exploring on foot. The detachable bag will accommodate a small computer.
Overall, Mountain Warehouse is an established reliable manufacturer that produces high-quality products.
The lightweight, comfortable Deuter with removable daypack transitions easily from the airport or subway to the trails or streets. A variety of carrying options makes it quite travel-friendly. Easy to carry, this backpack includes two grab handles, a padded and removable carry strap, and a padded yet breathable shoulder harness. Carry up to 40 lbs easily in this 50- liter bag.
Compression straps help regulate volume, and stabilizing luggage straps give you extra comfort. Internal stays add stability and structure, and when the daypack is removed, the backpack fits easily into the overhead compartment when flying.
The 600d Polytex this bag is fashioned of makes it highly durable, and a PU coating gives it great water and abrasion resistance for frequent travelers. The zippering is all strong and of high quality. The ease of transition from duffle to backpack (in about 30 seconds) really takes out much stress when traveling from the airport to your camp or cabin.
A U-shaped zippered front provides easy access to the 50-liter main compartment, and the detachable daypack is roomy enough to carry all your side-trip essentials (except a small-screen laptop) and has an organizer for your phone and smaller items. A small front side pocket holds and protects documents. Overall, this backpack with a detachable daypack offers great quality at a fair price.
The Urban Peak is a 65-liter travel hiking backpack with a detachable day pack (15L) combination created with both city living and outdoor adventures in mind. The roomy duffle is great for traveling and hiking, and the daypack can be used for toting your office gear or gym clothes around the city making it a highly versatile companion.
Fashioned of 600D material with a 420D ripstop, this backpack is durable and water-resistant.
The main bag has a side shoulder strap to allow you to carry it horizontally. A side I.D. tag and two coded locks make it airport-friendly. Compartments include a front zippered compartment, a bottom compartment to keep items separate, a detachable zippered laundry bag, and a Velcro storage pocket with an included rain cover to protect contents from moisture.
The detachable daypack features a felt-lined pocket, side mesh pockets, compressions straps, and accessory loops.
As for comfort, both packs feature sternum straps for a good body fit. An ARL Air-Bridge strap system provides excellent ventilation. Soft air-mesh layers and hard molded EVA foam add even more ventilation and comfort for vigorous, sweaty activity.
Designed with a slight curve, the main bag allows good air circulation and comfortable weight distribution. Overall, this travel backpack offers comfort, durability, and versatility at a fair price.
The AceCamp 3 in 1 is designed for a wide range of travel from overnighters to day trips to camping and hiking. Use it as a duffle bag for flights and as a backpack for your outdoor adventures.
Heavy-duty and durable, this backpack features adjustable torso, shoulder, and waist straps for fitting both adults and children. With a capacity of 65-liters, the main travel backpack features a reinforced waist belt that transfers heavy loads to the hips. Sternum and load lifter straps add comfort.
The lockable zippers are so easy to pull, they can be done while wearing gloves. Stash cash, passports, or other documents in the hidden, internal pockets. Zip the shoulder straps and waist straps inside to covert to duffle mode. A detachable rainfly is included.
A 25-liter detachable waist pack has pocket organizers, a traveling toiletries organizer with a mirror, and a top hook for hanging. The detachable day pack has a capacity of 6 liters, the main pocket with smaller pockets inside, and a comfortable padded back panel.
The day pack will accommodate a laptop. The top of the day pack also has a pocket for your phone and a headphone port. Extra security features such as hidden pockets for money and valuables and lockable zippers make the bag safe to travel with.
The Army-style CRAZY ANTS backpack is designed for the serious camper, hiker, or hunter and lets you control all your gear in one easy-to-carry backpack. Three detachable pouches include a waist pouch, a tactical pouch, and an EMT First Aid IFAK Utility Pouch.
The backpack itself has a built-in organizer and 6 zippered pockets, and the fully assembled system will easily hold three days’ worth of gear. Attachment points allow you to expand storage capacity even more. All components are constructed of durable 900D nylon, and the total capacity adds up to 50-55 liters. Tie straps on the bottom allow you to attach a tent or sleeping bag.
Although the Crazy Ants seems intended for outdoor adventures, a hydration bladder isn’t included. However, there is space for a bladder and a port for a hose under the top handle. The main bag will also fit a 17-inch laptop, but there is no protective padding.
The backpack minus the utility bags or the waist bag alone fits as a carry-on for flying. Overall, the Crazy Ants backpack is best for outdoor weather and rugged terrain.
The Travel Max is a good multipurpose backpack with a removable daypack and is great for business travel, office use, weekend getaways, outdoor activities, and college students. The 88-liter plus 10-liter daypack is fashioned of high-quality water repellent nylon and PU and is scratch and tear resistant making it very durable.
Exclusively designed for air travel, the backpack unfolds to get you through security quickly. The shoulder straps are padded and the sternum strap is adjustable for a comfortable fit. Compression straps on both sides are adjustable and can be pulled tight for a proper fit. Reflective strips are added for night safety.
The laptop compartments carry a 17-inch laptop and a 12-inch iPad and feature a gap in the cone and bottom to help protect your laptops from damage. Other compartments include a 30-liter main compartment, a detachable mesh organizer bag, a larger mesh pocket for toiletries and towels, and a front zipper pocket for your cell phone, keys, and laptop accessories.
This backpack’s dual-use design allows you to combine or split for your individual needs. Disassemble the front back and use it independently as a backpack. Tuck away the shoulder strap and use the backpack as a handbag. Handles on the top and side let you switch between backpack and suitcase.
The 13-inch daypack holds 10 liters, has a padded sleeve compartment that accommodates an iPad, one easy-access pouch, and two elastic side pockets for water bottles. Overall, this high-quality travel bag is ultra-convenient for both business and pleasure trips and is a good value for the price.
The Thule Landmark travel backpack with a detachable daypack is designed for a woman’s specific fit and is great for spending several weeks abroad. Fashioned of 420D Dobby Polyester and 600 D Polyester, the 40-liter main bag, and 20-liter add-on give a combined packing space of 60 liters, yet it’s sturdy and lightweight.
The suspension system is contoured and comfortable, and the hip belt tucks away when not in use.
The bag’s SafeZone compartment organizes and protects your phone and other small valuables while the hidden CashStash pocket holds your money, passport, and travel documents. Another safety feature is the innovative loop locks that deter thieves by securing zipper pulls to the bag.
The daypack attaches easily to the back of the main pack or to the front shoulder straps for hands-free carrying and quick access and can accommodate a 15-inch laptop. Move the built-in sternum whistle strap from the main backpack to the daypack for added security.
In many ways, this pack reminds me of the Osprey Farpoint and Osprey Fairview. The larger version of these packs has a detachable day pack too.
The Hynes Eagle carry-on backpack is a good weekender bag with a capacity of 38 liters and a detachable daypack that holds another 10 liters.
It’s roomy enough for lots of gear yet small and comfortable on your back. Breathable air mesh back and adjustable waist strap and sternum strap provide comfort and stabilization. Remove and store straps in the back compartment when not in use. Both bags are water-repellent and made of durable 840 nylon PU.
Lots of compartments make this bag easy to organize. The main compartment is quite roomy, with one mesh zippered pocket and one storage space. A detachable organizer sleeve keeps items secure. The back compartment holds a 17-inch laptop and has secure Velcro closures.
An additional pocket holds your mouse, charger, and other electronics. The smaller daypack holds an iPad and has two side pockets for smaller items.
This comfortable and practical 2 in 1 backpack is quite travel-friendly as both bags fit overhead and under-seat storage on most airlines. The daypack is great for side trips while traveling.
Backpacks with detachable daypacks are designed to make traveling more convenient by eliminating lugging around the gear you don’t need for sightseeing and other side trips. Make sure both bags have enough space and features to suit your individual travel needs.
For example, for outdoor adventures, consider hydration needs (water bladders, water bottle pockets). If you need a laptop with you at all times, look for a detachable daypack that can accommodate one.
I’ve shown you backpacks for long hikes, shorter hikes, and ones with organizational features that will make traveling easier. Consider the features that uncomplicate traveling with both the backpack and daypack.
The number of items you plan on traveling with will determine your needs for size and capacity. You’ll want to consider items for both the backpack and the daypack. Be sure to check out the size and capacity specifications for each product. If you plan to use the backpack and/or daypack as a carry-on, check out the specifications for the airlines you usually use.
Body type is another consideration. Big backpacks aren’t suitable for small-framed people and vice versa. Compression straps are really helpful for a comfortable fit and to tighten up the bag for traveling.
I’ve given you a general idea of the features or lack thereof in both the product information and the pros and cons boxes. They are varied and range from organizational features to safety. You’ll be happier with your purchase if you choose the features best suited to your travel plans.
Most of us must consider the price tag on the backpack we want to purchase. From this collection, you can find one that is of good quality that won’t break the bank. The medium price range is from around $50 or $60, and those well over $100 are listed as “pricey” in the con boxes.
But keep in mind that the old saying “you get what you pay for” is usually true. The cheaper ones will likely be less durable than the more expensive ones. And if you have to keep replacing the backpack, you’ve lost money in the end.
The Roamm Nomad’s reservoir sleeve and hydration ports, comfort features, and 15-liter daypack for summit trips are perfect for hikers.
Pacsafe Slingsafe’s eXomesh slashguard and other anti-security features make city travel safer.
Small yet roomy, the Hynes Eagle’s 38-liter backpack and 10-liter daypack are best for weekenders and overnighters.