Small Backpacks: How to Pick the Right Size

Updated March 2026.

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Small backpacks fill the gap between a sling bag and a full daypack. They’re typically 10-20 liters, carry more than a crossbody but don’t look like you’re heading to class with a loaded school bag. The category covers everything from fashion mini-backpacks to compact hiking packs to slim commuter bags.

The tricky part is finding one that’s actually small enough to qualify as “small” without being too small to carry anything useful. Here’s what to look for and who each style works best for.

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What Counts as a Small Backpack

Most people mean 10-20 liters when they say “small backpack.” Under 10 liters and you’re in mini-backpack or sling bag territory. Over 20 liters and it’s a standard daypack. The 10-20 liter range carries a water bottle, a light jacket, a wallet, phone, keys, snacks, and maybe a slim notebook or tablet. It won’t fit a full-size laptop in most cases – that’s the main tradeoff.

The shape matters as much as the volume. A 15-liter pack that’s tall and narrow sits differently on your back than one that’s wide and flat. Taller profiles look more like a shrunken regular backpack. Wider, flatter profiles look more intentionally compact and tend to sit better on smaller frames.

When a Small Backpack Makes Sense

Day trips and sightseeing are the primary use case. You need enough room for water, sunscreen, a camera, and a packable rain jacket, but you don’t want to haul a 30-liter pack through a museum. A 15-liter bag covers this perfectly. It fits under a restaurant chair without taking up floor space and doesn’t scream “tourist” the way a full daypack does.

Commuting without a laptop works well too. If your workplace provides a computer and you just need to carry lunch, headphones, a charger, and personal items, a small backpack handles the load without looking like you’re going on a hike. Some compact models even pass as personal items on flights.

Theme parks and outdoor events are another strong fit. You’re on your feet all day, space in lines and on rides is tight, and you need your essentials accessible. A small, lightweight backpack distributes weight across both shoulders (better than a crossbody for 8-10 hours) without getting in the way. And for everyday errands – grocery runs, farmer’s markets, dog walks – a small backpack keeps your hands free without the bulk of a full daypack.

What to Look for

A sternum strap prevents the shoulder straps from sliding off on smaller frames. This is especially useful for women and people with narrow shoulders. Not every small backpack includes one, but it makes a noticeable difference in comfort and stability.

Water bottle pockets are non-negotiable on small packs because there’s no room for a bottle inside the main compartment. If the pack doesn’t have side pockets, you’ll end up holding your water bottle or clipping it to the outside with a carabiner.

Check the strap padding. Some small backpacks use thin, unpadded straps because designers assume a small pack means a light load. That’s true for light loads, but even 5-6 pounds of water, snacks, and a camera gets uncomfortable on bare nylon straps after a few hours.

Small Backpack vs. Sling Bag

The main advantage of a small backpack over a sling bag is weight distribution. Two straps spread the load across both shoulders, which matters less at 2 pounds and a lot more at 5+. Sling bags are faster to access (swing to front) but less comfortable for heavier loads or all-day carries.

If your carry is phone, wallet, keys – go sling. If you’re adding water, snacks, sunscreen, a jacket – go small backpack. The crossover point is roughly 3-4 pounds of gear.