Osprey Hikelite 26 Daypack Review
The Osprey Hikelite 26 ($135) is a feature-rich daypack that packs a punch despite its size. With a metal perimeter frame and a trampoline-style mesh backpanel, it provides a supportive and breathable carry, allowing you to pack it full for a long hike and remain comfortable on hot days. Its hipbelt design is a disappointment considering the rest of its build, but just about every other part of the Hikelite makes it a great value.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Weight
Durability
Water Resistance
Sustainability
Weight
1 lb. 12.8 oz.
Hipbelt
Webbing
Suspension
Perimeter frame
Fabric
210D & 420D nylon
Capacities
18, 26, 28, 32L
Pros
Cons
Osprey Hikelite 26
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Hiking Daypacks.
The Osprey Hikelite 26 is a daypack with a backpacking pack’s skeleton, offering great support and stability—up to a point. Most packs I’ve used in the 30-liters-and-under category don’t have much of a suspension, but the Hikelite’s internal metal perimeter frame keeps the pack rigid and structured, while load lifters allow you to adjust the carry to your liking. On a couple of hikes during fall larch season in the North Cascades, I liked how that rigidity translated into a stable carry without making the pack feel awkward.
However, the Osprey Hikelite 26’s thin webbing hipbelt doesn’t match the rest of its burly suspension. The small piece of fabric doesn’t support any of the load—it’s just there to minimize pack sway. It succeeds at that, but I felt that the hipbelt’s design also lowers the Hikelite’s comfortable load limit below what you might expect. Fifteen pounds is this pack’s sweet spot, which is what I carried in the North Cascades (I toted 2.5L of water, a camera, and a 3-lb. lens). At that weight, the pack stayed very comfortable. However, 20 pounds and up would be pushing it: The hipbelt won’t take much of the load, and the relatively thin shoulder strap padding will start to be the limiting factor. I didn’t experience discomfort during my colder-weather testing, but I also had a lot of layers on; with minimal layers (or a tank top), I fear the shoulder straps would dig into my skin. The good news is, Osprey has something for everyone: If you’re looking for more hipbelt padding and support, check out the Hikelite 28 or 32.
The Hikelite’s ventilation is legitimately impressive, though. The mesh trampoline-style backpanel creates several inches of space between the pack and your back, and it’s the kind of design that would absolutely shine in the summer months when you’re hiking in heat. Overall, if you like a stiff, suspended carry, this is a great execution of it. If you prefer a softer, more body-hugging feel, it may not be your thing.
The Hikelite’s thoughtful storage layout feels like it was designed for a day hiker who wants a lot of organization but not an overbuilt, overcomplicated daypack. The main compartment has a large opening and easily swallows essentials. Inside, the hydration sleeve and reservoir clip worked extremely well with my Osprey reservoir. The pack’s side pockets are deep, and each holds a Nalgene securely. The exterior also has a dedicated pocket for the built-in rain cover, which is a really nice touch at this price.
Elsewhere, a small upper pocket with a key clip is exactly where you want it. This was the pocket I reached for most often: I used it to hold small snacks, keys, a wallet, and a headlamp. The dorsal shove-it pocket, unfortunately, is not made with stretchy mesh, which I prefer to easily accommodate bulky layers (or even a helmet in a pinch). The upside is that it feels more durable, still stretches a bit, and is roomy enough to stuff a single layer inside.
In my opinion, the Osprey Hikelite 26’s key shortcoming is that it doesn’t feature hipbelt pockets, which I love for storing snacks and other items to reach for on the go. If this is a feature you want, you can find it in the 28-liter Hikelite. All gripes aside—and despite the lack of hipbelt storage—Hikelite feels geared toward a more luxury-oriented day hiker. It’s neither a minimalist nor a maximalist daypack, and its ideal user is probably someone who wants lots of little conveniences, built-in weather protection, and an organized layout that covers the basics well.
The Hikelite weighs 1 pound 12.8 ounces, which is on the light side of average for a daypack. For comparison, the Osprey Talon 22 weighs 2 pounds 6.1 ounces, while the Gregory Miko 20 weighs an even 2 pounds. When you consider its beefy suspension, organization, and rain cover, the Hikelite 26’s weight is impressively low. On the other hand, it’s no match for hiking daypacks that are actually trying to shave weight for speed goals, such as the Ultimate Direction Fastpack 20 (1 lb. 4.8 oz.) or Black Diamond Distance 22 (14.5 oz.). If you’re a "regular" hiker, i.e., not an ultralight speed demon looking to bag as many peaks as you can in a day, the Hikelite feels spot on in terms of how it balances weight and performance.
The Osprey Hikelite 26 exhibits impressive build quality and decent durability. With a 210-denier nylon body fabric and 420-denier nylon base, it’s on par with other packs in Osprey’s day hiking line, including the Manta and Mira (the Osprey Daylite Plus is more durable with a 300D nylon body and 600D nylon base). What’s more, Osprey chose to make the front pocket out of a durable nylon rather than mesh—that’s a high-wear area, and it’s nice to have the reassurance that it’s built tough. Of course, 210D nylon is no match for the durability of Dyneema, Robic nylon, or thicker fabrics, but for most hikers and styles of hiking, it is perfectly servicable.
My first impressions of the Hikelite’s build quality were positive. The zippers felt high quality, and the buckles are solid, including a notably large hipbelt buckle that inspires confidence. I haven’t exactly put this pack through the wringer—it’s accompanied me on about 30 miles of well-maintained trails so far—but regardless, everything is holding up perfectly with no signs of wear. It might not survive extended bushwhacks over multiple seasons, but at $135, the Hikelite feels like a good value for what you’re getting.
One of the Hikelite 26’s main draws, especially at this price, is that it comes with a rain cover that packs neatly into one of its external pockets. I tested the Hikelite in cold, dry fall weather and didn’t use the rain cover, but it’s certainly a reassuring feature to have on a pack. It will allow you to push through soggy conditions if you get caught out during your hike. The fabric also has a durable water-repellent coating, which should hold off brief drizzles. The only way you could get a more waterproof hiking daypack is to choose a model made with Dyneema, like the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Elevate 22. That pack costs double what the Hikelite does, though, and the Hikelite’s rain cover should be enough for the vast majority of users.
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Longevity
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PFAS-Free DWR
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Recycled Materials
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Bluesign Approved
Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile management system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A green check mark indicates a product is either a Bluesign Product (contains at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and 20-30% Bluesign-approved accessories) or features a significant amount of Bluesign-approved materials. A yellow check mark means it uses some Bluesign-approved materials but less than the aforementioned category, and a red X means there are no Bluesign-approved materials in the product.
Responsible Manufacturing
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Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
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Repair Services
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Resale and/or Recycling Services
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Carbon Footprint Tracking
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Annual Impact Report
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The Osprey Hikelite 26 comes in one size that fits torso lengths of 15 to 20 inches and hip circumferences of 25 to 50 inches. My torso length is 16 inches, and the pack fits me well. Adjustments are straightforward, with the usual typical hipbelt sliders and load lifters that are easy to use while you’re wearing the pack.
The 15-to-20-inch torso length is a fairly narrow window. But if you find yourself outside of it, not all hope is lost. The Hikelite 28 and 32 both come with adjustable torso lengths to accommodate a wider range of torso lengths.
Gregory Jade 24 LT ($170): Best of the Best
The Jade 24 LT (men's Zulu) is pretty much our favorite all-around daypack, with a build that’s similar to the Hikelite’s in some ways. It also has a perimeter frame and a trampoline-style backpanel, but it augments its suspension with a padded hipbelt and cushy shoulder straps that push its carrying capacity above that of the Hikelite’s. We happily shouldered 20-pound loads with the Jade, and its ventilation kept us cool. The Jade is also more durable than the Hikelite thanks to thick, 400-denier polyester material, although it doesn’t include a rain cover. That last trait makes its $170 price tag even less appealing than the Hikelite’s impressive value play, but if you have the cash, the Jade 24 LT is about as good as a medium-sized daypack gets. For more, check out our review of the men's Zulu 24 LT.
REI Co-op Trail 25 ($100): Save Cash—but not Your Back
The more budget-oriented Trail 25 stands out in some ways, but compromises on others. Its organization is among the best in the category, with a smart pocket layout and plenty of external attachment points—but no hipbelt pockets or front shove-it pocket. However, while the Trail has a framesheet for support and a webbing hipbelt, its carry comfort is far below that of the Hikelite’s. We found that it maxed out around 10ish pounds, and its standard backpanel allows far less airflow than the Hikelite’s tensioned mesh. It’s also built with slightly less fabric, with a 210-denier nylon face fabric throughout. At the end of the day, the Hikelite is the far better value, even if you’re paying a bit more for it. For more, read our review of the Trail 25.
The Hikelite’s standout features are ventilation and rain protection, offering a suspended mesh backpanel and an included rain cover in a lightweight, affordable package. The minimalist hipbelt is a weak point, though hikers who want more support can step up to the higher-capacity models.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Weight
Durability
Water Resistance
Sustainability
The Zulu 24 LT is basically a backpacking pack in miniature, and we mean that as a compliment. This is a comfortable, sturdy daypack with excellent design elements, especially its breathable trampoline-style backpanel. We wish it came in more sizes, though, and was a bit lighter.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Weight
Durability
Water Resistance
Sustainability
One of two budget-oriented REI packs that we tested, the Trail 25 sports a no-nonsense design that’s let down by its thin webbing hipbelt. While it has enough room for a day’s worth of supplies, the middling comfort makes it less of a value buy.
Comfort & Support
Organization
Weight
Durability
Water Resistance
Sustainability
Is the Hikelite 26 for You?
If you’re a day hiker who wants lots of useful features, excellent ventilation, and the support of a real frame in a smaller pack, we think the Osprey Hikelite 26L makes a lot of sense—especially at $135. It’s best for typical day-hike loads and well-rounded trail use, including summer outings where airflow matters. If you’re a maximalist packer or want lots of external carry for things like a helmet or an ice axe, you may want a pack with a more substantial hipbelt and more attachment points. But for most non-technical, single-day strolls, the Hikelite should fulfill most hikers’ needs.
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