24 Best Hiking Backpacks for Day Trips, Overnight Adventures, & Longer Treks

"You don't have to be outdoorsy to love this Cotopaxi bag, says former Traveler editor Stephanie Wu. You don't even have to reserve it for hiking trips. “My Cotopaxi backpack has become my go-to for any type of adventurous outing. It's incredibly lightweight, and was clearly designed by people who love to travel. There's a compartment for my water bottle on the side, and an off-center zipper on the front that is great for when you need to reach for your passport or phone, and only want to take your backpack off one shoulder,” she says. Plus, every backpack is different—they're made out of leftover bits of fabric, so the colors and zipper liners are unique from one bag to the next."