Tested 12 hiking daypacks on trails in Colorado and Peru. These five were the best

Testing 12 hiking daypacks on trails in Colorado and Peru, the review identified the best performers across comfort, carry stability, and everyday practicality. The writer, based outside Aspen, Colorado, said the packs were rotated through routine hikes in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley, including climbs gaining 1,000 ft per mile and the Ute Trail. In early May, two models were also tested on Peru’s Santa Cruz trek, a four-day, 35-mile route that climbs to nearly 16,000 ft, with a guide and donkeys carrying overnight gear. Fit trials used a 5 ft 5 in, 145-lb test on women-specific packs and a 6 ft, 185-lb tester for men’s or unisex versions, plus larger-body checks for sizing. Prices cited included $140 for The North Face (Women’s and Men’s), $114.99 for Decathlon, and $250 for Osprey (Women’s and Men’s), among others.