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They'll let you enjoy the sights while keeping your stuff handy, wherever you're headed.

I saw two Herschel daypacks on the subway today. One sat in the lap of a lady wearing black loafers, button-down blouse, and work pants. Her navy Herschel initially stood out to me as an odd choice; then again, a daypack is the jack of all trades of travel backpacks, even if the excursion doesn't extend beyond three subway stops and arrives at a WeWork. The second Herschel daypack, in brown, was carried by a rugged man in travel pants and hiking boots; that's more like it, I thought. Surely, he was going somewhere Upstate for a hike, and his backpack probably stowed a pair of shoes, some clothes, gadgets, and a water bottle in it. That's where travel daypacks excel—packing essentials needed in a jaunt out of town.

Whatever your travel needs are, daypacks are always a good choice because they can satisfy all the following needs: Commuting to the office, daily errand runs, a day trip away from downtown, or a weekend flight to your cousin's whatever... the list is endless. Below, we've selected 10 best daypacks for travel that'll let you enjoy the world around you while keeping your stuff handy, whatever they are, and wherever they're headed.

Herschel's daypack will keep your act together, like how it did to the two riders on the subway I observed. At its best, it's a trek- and camp-friendly bag, that's saying nothing of its ability to fold onto itself and be easily stored elsewhere, or its classic look that won't muddle with your office-wear.

It can't get more classic than looking like an old-timey hiker in a Carhartt beanie, Columbia jacket, and L.L.Bean Stowaway daypack. Updated to be lighter and more durable, it can collapse into its own pocket to be stashed in your luggage.

The terrain you'll trek through, or the asphalt your feet will cover will be no match for the great companionship you get in Osprey's Daylite. The daypack is meant for packing light—which also means packing smart—so that you won't stay out too late.

The knee-jerk reaction of any outdoorsmen when they realize they lack a travel backpack is probably to go to The North Face and sleuth it out. That sharp-witted impulse will really prove itself well if it includes getting the weather-resistant Mountain, a daypack that fits enough and more for a morning hike, or work.

Patagonia's vests are for the finance bros. Its backpacks are, however, for those who actually enjoy what life has to offer—a demographic that may or may not include those men in suits. Refugio has the volume, fit, and burly build for that trail you'll probably be hopping on soon, warding off raindrops, dust, and wear and tear in the meantime.

Not only did Bellroy release a compact, under-one-pound daypack in its latest Lite range of bags, but it also released it in a packable finish with so many pockets for different odds and ends. Those with an active, on-the-go lifestyle couldn't possibly complain.

If you just want to pack stuff in, out of sight, out of mind, the buck for you stops at Topo Designs' daypack. It comes with two large compartments on the outside and inside, and easy access pockets for smaller knickknacks. It'll be packed full of laptops, gear, and even an axe if your trip involves an ice cave.

This proves that daypacks can look slick. You can now travel to work or around the world—or just to Equinox—like a devoted minimalist. At its size, it holds enough of what you'll pack and organize them neatly. The waterproof nylon outer will guard the bits and bobs inside the fortress.

Carhartt is known to be the stout, heavy-duty guy you can rely on for a long time coming. But with its cooler daypack, it's also a fun guy you can raise a can of beer or soda with, in case you prefer some company or the shitty weather is pissing you off.

Aero was not born to be a daypack; in fact, that moniker is nowhere to be found on its ID. But, with storage of 34 liters, an array of pockets for shoes and outdoors accessories, and a waterproof build, this bad boy might as well be. Its clean lines also won't look out of place in the wild, because your panache doesn't stop at the indoors.

You see a backpack, so you take it wherever you go. That's how backpacks work. Daypacks just happen to be larger, burlier, and tougher for roughing it. A travel daypack and a daypack for hiking often have enough space and smarter interior organization for a variety of outdoor gear like shoes, gadgets, clothes, and something to eat or drink.

And then there's packable daypack that can be folded onto itself to be stored in your luggage during your travel. It's considered the spare, extra bag you'll need when your main carrying option is too big or heavy. As such, packable daypacks are often lightweight and flexible.