
A backpack serves as an essential item for any camping or hiking trip. These two travel-ready packs demonstrate how a small, super lightweight pack can function in multiple ways. You can use it as a stuff sack for your cooking or bedding gear and quickly transform it into a summit or exploration pack from base camp.
Minimalist 19 Travel-Ready Pack
The Gossamer Gear Minimalist 19 Daypack is a lightweight and durable backpack. It’s designed for hikers and travelers who value simplicity and functionality. Its 19-liter capacity offers efficient storage for essentials while maintaining a sleek, minimalist design.
Crafted from water-resistant Robic® nylon, it features cushioned shoulder straps, an adjustable sternum strap, dual side pockets for water bottles, and a top zipper pocket for quick-access items. This pack stands out among two travel-ready packs for day hikes or urban adventures!
Pack body weight is 10.6 ounces.
Key Features
- Lightweight and Durable Material: The backpack features Robic® nylon, renowned for its lightweight yet durable qualities. This design guarantees durability while keeping the weight down, making it perfect for long hikes or city use.
- Compact Size with Ample Storage: Its 19-liter capacity balances compactness and sufficient storage space. It can comfortably hold essentials like clothing layers, snacks, water bottles, and small gadgets.
- Comfortable Carrying: It features cushioned shoulder straps that help distribute weight evenly, reducing strain during extended use. The adjustable sternum strap ensures a secure and customized fit, improving stability while on the move.
- Accessible Organization: The pack includes dual side pockets for water bottles or other quick-access items. The top zipper pocket is also perfect for smaller items like maps, keys, or snacks you need to grab without rummaging through the main compartment.
- Minimalist Design: True to its name, the design is clean and straightforward, making it versatile for outdoor adventures and everyday use. Its sleek profile ensures it won’t feel bulky or cumbersome.
- Water Resistance: While not fully waterproof, the fabric offers a degree of water resistance, helping to protect your gear from light rain or splashes.

It’s an excellent choice for those who prioritize simplicity and efficiency in their travel-ready pack!
Hacky Pack
I recently discovered Sylvansport’s Hacky Pack, which is lightweight, durable, and perfect for carrying a day’s gear. It features two side mesh pockets for water bottles, a hidden back pocket, and a hydration bag slot. It also transforms into a compact 4-inch ball for easy portability, and at just 4 ounces, it’s impressively light.

I’ve used Gossamer Gear backpacks for fifteen years due to their lightweight options, usually choosing packs that weigh 4 to 8 ounces. While the Hacky Pack isn’t as spacious as those, I was surprised by how much it held for day trips and saw it as a viable summer overnight backpack. Although the website claims a 40-pound capacity, I found it challenging to pack that much for overnight trips.
The Hacky Pack’s compact design and functionality make it a great choice if you want to minimize your gear weight. It helps keep your essentials close and accessible and even allows for a fun trailside game of hacky sack! These two travel-ready packs make it hard to choose which I like best!
Key Travel-Ready Pack Features:
- Compact and Packable: The Hacky Pack can be folded into a 4-inch ball, making it easy to carry and store when not in use.
- Lightweight Design: Weighing only 4 ounces minimizes the burden on your shoulders during hikes or travels.
- 14-Liter Capacity: Offers ample space for day-trip essentials while maintaining a compact profile.
- Hydration Compatibility: It includes a slot for a 1.5L hydration bladder and a port for the tube, ensuring you stay hydrated on the go.
- Comfortable Carrying: Adjustable shoulder straps and a convenient grab handle enhance comfort and usability.
- Organized Storage: Features an internal organizer pouch and hidden zippered pocket for valuables. There are dual-side mesh pockets for water bottles or small items.
- Durable Material: Made from robust nylon fabric, ensuring durability for outdoor adventures.
- Reflective Webbing: Improves visibility in low-light conditions, adding a safety element.
These two travel-ready packs are perfect for hiking, traveling, or everyday use while traveling or at the local grocery store!

For more information, please check out Gossamer Gear and Sylvansport!