A packable travel backpack for day hikes from a base camp

A person wearing a blue Arc’teryx Heliad 15 backpack outdoors.

October 25th, 2026
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Our verdict

The Arc’teryx Heliad 15 is a packable backpack for day hikes from base camp because it offers a convenient carry for essentials like a light layer and a few snacks for a short hike. It works best when you want to travel light and leave all your heavy gear back at your tent. It is a great backup option because it is lightweight at around 7 oz when empty and packs into its own pocket. We carried it in our larger daypack as well as in our checked luggage to use when we reached Oregon and Colorado.

This is not a technical pack and has only two pockets, so you might have some organizational challenges if you are carrying lots of small items like a headlamp, gloves, scarf, hat, and sunscreen. It offers a comfortable carry even though it lacks back padding, but your back can get sweaty if you are in very hot and humid climates. Ideally, it will fit a light layer, a cap or hat, and some snacks for your hike or jaunt around town. It also has two loops for clipping smaller items like keys or a headlamp using a carabiner. The top carry loop can also be attached to a larger backpack as a combined hiking pack on the way to camp.

Arc’teryx Heliad 15 Packable Backpack

The biggest limitation is that this pack has no side pockets, no hip belt, and no padded back panel, so it is not suited for long, strenuous hikes. It’s designed for travelers who want a lightweight stuff-sack rather than a structured daypack or backpack. For longer hikes, consider a daypack.

We recommend the Arc’teryx Heliad Packable Backpack for someone who wants a small daypack that can be used from camp for short excursions and packed away when not in use. It can also work as a daypack for city excursions since it has a sleek profile and is water resistant in light rain. It is not suitable for long travel days or an overnight trip.

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Arc’teryx Heliad 15 Packable Backpack specifications

Pack size:17.4 x 10.6 x 7.8 in
Fabric:100-denier mini-ripstop Cordura nylon 6,6 with Dobby face, PFAS-free FC0 DWR water-repellent finish
Laptop sleeve: Internal pocket can fit 10 in tablet or hydration bladder
Water bottle pockets: No dedicated external bottle pocket
Shoulder straps:Breathable mesh
Carry-on compliant: Meets carry-on size standards for all major airlines

Best for

Short hikes to use at base camp
Day trips where you don’t need too much water
City exploration or sightseeing adventures

Comparison table

PACKABLE BACKPACK	CAPACITY	WEIGHT	BOTTLE POCKETS	WATER RESIST	CARRY ON	MSRP
Arc’teryx Heliad 15	15 L	7.1 oz	❌	✅	✅	$80
Osprey Daylite	13 L	19.8 oz	✅	✅	✅	$70
Eagle Creek Packable Backpack	16 L	5.7 oz	✅	✅	✅	$59
Matador 18L Waterproof Packable Backpack	18 L	10.0oz	✅	✅	✅	$95

What we liked

Blue Arc’teryx Heliad 15 backpack standing against a brick wall.

Packable backpack that fits into its own pocket and compresses down to the size of a small paperback novel for easy carry
Breathable mesh shoulder straps for comfortable carry
Two carry loops on the top and front to clip to other backpacks

What could be better

Unpadded back panel and shoulder straps of the Arc’teryx Heliad 15 backpack.

It is not a structured backpack for carrying rigid things
It doesn’t have a padded back panel
It does not have external side pockets for water bottles
It is more expensive than other bags of similar capacity, despite having fewer pockets.

How we tested

Open Arc’teryx Heliad 15 backpack showing its internal sleeve and zippered pocket.

We tested the Arc’teryx Heliad 15 on city trips in Denver and Chicago, fishing excursions to Redmond, Oregon, and hiking trips in Boulder. It packed down small enough to live inside the suitcase until we needed it and comfortably fit essentials like snacks and extra layers.

We tested how easily it packed and unpacked, size and weight when fully and half loaded, as well as comfortable carry at different loads—half packed, with a jacket, 12 oz water bottle and some snacks, and nearly fully packed, with a DSLR camera. We also tested it in light rain to assess the water-resistant fabric and how well it protected the contents. After repeated use, we also evaluated thefabric, zippers, straps, seams, and overall structure for signs of wear and durability.

The bag performed flawlessly in terms of durability and comfort as a packable backpack. It was easy to open up and pack away when not in use.

We also tested this pack alongside others in our Best Packable Backpacks guide to directly compare features and performance.

Performance in the field

Arc’teryx Heliad 15 backpack with its main compartment open and a water bottle inside.

Packability

The Arc’teryx Heliad 15 is a packable backpack that fits into its own pocket and is easy to carry in a larger backpack or purse. It can also be clipped to a larger bag using a carabiner through a small loop when compressed. It packs down easily and quickly to the size of a journal or small paperback so it’s convenient to take on trips as a backup bag as well.

Deployment and usability

Because the Arc’teryx Heliad Packable Backpack packs into its own pocket, it needs to be unpacked before it can be deployed. We carried it in our personal carry-on item on a round trip from Chicago to Redmond and used it when we reached our destination.

Carry comfort

Blue Arc’teryx Heliad 15 backpack laid flat with its front pocket facing upward.

We wore this pack for a few hours during a hiking trip and fishing expedition. The shoulder straps remained comfortable even as I added more weight including a water bottle and DSLR camera, up to 15 pounds in weight. However because there is no padding in the back panel, awkwardly shaped objects like a helmet or rigid tupperware box may dig into your back.

Load handling

We tested the Arc’teryx Heliad Packable Backpack at different loads and found the straps to be comfortable. They did not bunch over even at the maximum of 15 lbs. Because it doesn’t have a rigid structure, it could fit odd-shaped items like binoculars and rectangular-shaped snack boxes.

Durability

After repeated use over several months, the Arc’teryx Heliad Packable Backpack showed no signs of fabric wear, including abrasion, fraying, and changes in the material’s structure. The zippers were also reliable after repeated opening and closing, and the shoulder straps did not fray or snap.

Water resistance

We tested the Arc’teryx Heliad Packable Backpack in both light rain and more sustained wet conditions under the shower to see how well it protects the contents in real-world use. During the fishing trip, the bag did get some splashes in the drift boat but the contents remained dry. After five minutes under the shower, the inside fabric felt moist but the contents did not get wet.

Organization and pockets

A hand opening the front zippered pocket of an Arc’teryx Heliad 15 backpack.

We tested the Arc’teryx Heliad Packable Backpack with a variety of items that are typically used on a day hike from camp including a water bottle, light rain jacket, and a few energy bars. The front zippered pocket could store a phone, wallet, and keys. Snacks and an extra layer fit into the main zippered pocket along with a YETI Rambler water bottle.

Sustainability

Arc’teryx’s sustainability efforts include using recycled materials in their products where appropriate, providing product repair and resale initiatives through their ReBIRD RESALE program, and extending the life of its gear and reducing waste through their ReBIRD Services.

Features

Rear view of the Arc’teryx Heliad 15 backpack showing its adjustable mesh shoulder straps.

It is made with bluesign-approved mini-ripstop Cordura nylonfabric that is light, durable, and treated for water resistance
It has a front pocket key clip to keep keys secure
It has a top grab handle for easy grab-and-go access
It has an internal zippered security pocket for small valuables
It has an external zippered pocket that can hold a wallet, phone, and keys
It has a separate internal sleeve for a hydration reservoir or tablet up to 10 inches
It has adjustable mesh shoulder straps

Similar packable backpacks

Arc’teryx Heliad 15 vs. Osprey Daylite

MSRP:$70
Capacity:13 L
Weight: 19.8 oz
Water resistant:Yes
Bottle pockets: Yes

The Arc’teryx Heliad 15 is an unstructured bag that packs into its own pocket, while the Osprey Daylite is a structured daypack with a ventilated back panel and padded shoulder straps.

Choose the Arc’teryx Heliad 15 if you want a bag that will be used for short day hikes from camp or a backup bag for travel. Choose the Osprey Daylite if you value comfort, durability, and pockets in an everyday bag or travel daypack.

Learn more in our in-depth review of the Osprey Daylite packable backpack.

Osprey Daylite

Arc’teryx Heliad 15 vs. Eagle Creek Packable Backpack

MSRP:$59
Capacity:16 L
Weight: 5.7 oz
Water resistant: Yes
Bottle pockets: Yes

Both the Eagle Creek Packable Backpack and the Arc’teryx Heliad are unstructured bags that pack away for convenient carry or stash in a suitcase or larger backpack. The Eagle Creek Packable Backpack has a zippered front pocket, two stretch side pockets, and an internal pocket for better organization of travel or hiking essentials. The Arc’teryx Heliad only has one zippered external pocket.

Choose the Eagle Creek Packable Backpack if you want a bag for carrying essentials during day trips or short hikes, as it has two stretch side pockets and an external zippered pocket. The Matador 18L is a waterproof bag with sealed zippers, so it can be used for travel or use as a summit pack.

Learn more in our in-depth review of the Eagle Creek Packable Backpack.

Eagle Creek Packable Backpack

Arc’teryx Heliad 15 vs. Matador 18L Waterproof Packable Backpack

MSRP:$95
Capacity:18 L
Weight: 10.0 oz
Water resistant: Yes
Bottle pockets: Yes

The Arc’teryx Heliad 15 packable backpack and the Matador 18 L Waterproof Packable Backpack are both unstructured bags that pack small and work as a backup bag or summit sack. The Matador has a capacity of 18 liters, whereas the Arc’teryx Heliad Packable Backpack has a capacity of 15 liters.

Choose the Arc’teryx Heliad 15 for light travel and short day trips, and choose the Matador Packable Backpack for longer travel days where you need a bit more load-carrying capacity and external water bottle pockets.

Matador 18L Waterproof Packable Backpack

Should you buy the Arc’teryx Heliad 15 packable backpack?

Side view of a loaded Arc’teryx Heliad 15 backpack hanging against a brick wall.

Buy if:

You prioritize an unstructured backpack
You want mesh breathable shoulder straps
You want a secure internal pocket to store valuables

Skip if:

You want a backpack that is structured
You want a ventilated backpanel
You want external pockets for carrying water bottles

Where to buy the Arc’teryx Heliad 15 packable backpack

The Arc’teryx Heliad 15 packable backpack is popular, so you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.

Pros:100% satisfaction policy for 1 year and 10% Member Reward for members (on eligible full-price purchases).

Amazon

Pros: Free delivery on eligible items with Amazon Prime, including two-day and faster options where available.

Arc’teryx

You can sometimes find more options when purchasing directly from the manufacturer. Sometimes, purchasing directly from the manufacturer can make it easier if you need to make a warranty return due to a defect.

Advice on where to buy

In general for gear, we recommend purchasing from a place with easy or free returns, like REI.

Why you should trust us / About the author

The author, Karthika Gupta with a backpack on overlooking a large lake.

The author, Karthika Gupta, is an adventure travel writer with over 25 years of adventure travel experience. She has hiked on all seven continents and loved every minute of it. She has even completed Highlander UAE and Fjallraven Chile, along with hundreds of miles in the Indian Himalayas. She covers outdoor gear, small-group adventure travel, and hiking/camping trends for national and international publications, blending real experience with practical advice. Her work is grounded in miles hiked, boots tested, and a belief that everyone belongs in the outdoors regardless of gear and experience—you don’t need to overpack or overcomplicate to have a meaningful adventure.

You can find more of her work on herTreeline Review author page.

You can find more of her adventures on her Instagram@karthikagupta or herwebsite.

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