I have acquired a newfound interest in hiking and need some advice. I’m looking for a good day hiking bag to take with me as I hike. I’m based in Wales around the Brecon Beacons region and hoping to hike there as my go-to hobby. Any advice would be helpful. 
If you’re just getting into hiking, might be worth checking out Decathlon for bags. Have a look at their Forclaz trekking gear. There will definitely be a few Decathlon stores in Wales.
If you’re going to spend the cash on a higher-end day pack like an Osprey, you should go to an outfitter in your area and get fitted. It would be a bummer to order a pack online and not have it fit properly.
For a good day hiking bag, I’d recommend something lightweight but with enough capacity for water, snacks, and any layers you might need. A bag like the Osprey Daylite or North Face Recon would be perfect. Both are durable, lightweight, and have plenty of compartments for your essentials.
Osprey and Mammut make great backpacks. Most backpacks aren’t waterproof, so check to see if they come with a rain cover, or consider getting one if you’re planning on hiking in wet weather. And as a fellow Brit living in the flatlands of Essex, I’m extremely jealous of what you have on your doorstep! Enjoy!
@Xavi
That’s good to know, it’s definitely rainy around me, and wet and dry makes all the difference. Thanks a lot
If you are starting off and are looking for a daypack, just go with whatever you have at hand. It should fit well and keep your stuff dry. Soon you’ll know what you need and will be able to make an informed decision about a proper backpack. Unless you are doing something extreme, you will never need anything larger than a 30-35 L backpack.
Honestly, just about any backpack will work for day hiking. There are some specialized brands/models which many of us like. Osprey, for example, sells a wide range of high-quality options for hiking.
https://www.osprey.com/backpacks-bags/outdoor-packs/hiking-packs
Otherwise, pop into a local outdoor gear shop and try on a few options. Fit is important and different styles will fit people differently. Most day hikers use something in the 15 to 35-liter range (that’s how backpacks are sold, in terms of interior volume).
@Quin
Was looking at Ospreys, but just a bit confused on how to work my way around all the terminology. Thanks
Anything around the 32L area should be fine for that use, unless you want to start adding winterized equipment to it. That usually takes up more space and requires packs in the 55-65L range (or some creativity to attach things to a smaller pack). You’ll want to go try packs on in person because every pack is made to fit a different figure. Having the right pack for your figure makes a big difference in comfort.
Good brands are Osprey, Gregory, Deuter, Big Agnes, and Mystery Ranch.
@Westin
Thanks a lot, I was just going to buy one off a website. Good to know to try one on before purchasing. Probably no winter gear yet but thanks a lot for the feedback
Lior said:
@Westin
Thanks a lot, I was just going to buy one off a website. Good to know to try one on before purchasing. Probably no winter gear yet but thanks a lot for the feedback
Sure thing! Have fun out there. 
Lior said:
@Westin
Thanks a lot, I was just going to buy one off a website. Good to know to try one on before purchasing. Probably no winter gear yet but thanks a lot for the feedback
Oh, one other tip. Buy your pack after the rest of your gear. You’ll want to know how much space your gear takes up before spending good money on a pack. Packs are sold in liters, i.e., the internal volume of the pack. Pay attention to its organization, too. You may want lots of smaller pockets, or you may want one large, tubular design, like a rucksack.
@Westin
Wow, never thought of that. That’s real solid advice. Thanks, I’ll take that into consideration.
Generally I’ll criticize posts like this, but you’re new. Lol.
Search the sub for backpack recommendations, but really just get out and see what you’ll need. No sense in spending the money until you’re sure you want to. When you do decide to get some gear, talk to people on the trail that you see and talk to salespeople at a reputable outfitter in your area. You can also always Google and YouTube has an unending supply of people with outdoor gear opinions. Best of luck and I hope you enjoy your hikes!
@Morgan
Thanks a lot 