Pingora Lucid 20L Hiking Backpack

Pingora Lucid 20 is a versatile piece of outdoor gear that bridges the gap between minimalist design and functional performance. Built with day hikers, urban commuters, and light adventurers in mind, it combines sleek aesthetics with thoughtful engineering to deliver a daypack that can keep up with fast-paced lifestyles and unpredictable conditions.

Design & Build Quality

The first thing you’ll notice about the Lucid 20 is its clean silhouette and ultralight construction. Made with a durable yet lightweight fabric—typically a high-denier ripstop nylon or recycled material—the pack is built to withstand abrasion while maintaining a featherlight profile (often under 1 lb). It uses weather-resistant zippers and a DWR coating, making it suitable for sudden rain or misty conditions, though it’s not fully waterproof.

At 20 liters, it strikes a perfect balance between compactness and capacity. The form factor is streamlined for agility, yet it doesn’t compromise on load distribution thanks to its lightly padded back panel and breathable shoulder straps. These are contoured and mesh-lined, promoting airflow and reducing sweat build-up during hot days or active pursuits.

Storage & Organization

Despite its minimalist exterior, the Lucid 20 doesn’t skimp on organization. The main compartment is spacious enough for a hydration reservoir, jacket, lunch, and other daily essentials. It includes an internal sleeve that doubles as a laptop holder (up to 13”) or hydration bladder pouch.

A front vertical zip pocket allows for quick access to smaller items like maps, snacks, or gloves. On the sides, you’ll find stretch mesh pockets for water bottles or compact umbrellas—deep and tight enough to keep items secure even during dynamic movement.

There are also gear loops and attachment points, which add extra utility for carrying trekking poles, bike lights, or a helmet. This makes the Lucid 20 a great companion not only for trail hikes but also for cycling commutes or urban exploration.

Comfort & Fit

Pingora has clearly put effort into the ergonomics of the Lucid 20. The harness system is straightforward but effective. The adjustable sternum strap helps stabilize the load, and the minimalist hip belt—a simple webbing strap—can be used for added stability or removed when not needed.

Even when fully packed, the bag carries well. The light padding prevents pressure points, and the back panel, though not heavily structured, offers enough support for loads up to 15-20 lbs. It’s comfortable for day-long excursions or city use, though for heavier or multi-day loads, you’d want something more robust.

Performance in the Field

In real-world conditions, the Pingora Lucid 20 performs admirably. On day hikes, it easily accommodates water, snacks, extra layers, and safety gear. On bike commutes, it’s light enough to forget it’s there, and the reflective detailing adds a bit of visibility in low light. The pack holds its shape well, and the materials resist scuffing even after brushes with trees, rocks, or crowded subway rides.

It compresses nicely when not full, meaning you can travel light without the bag feeling bulky or awkward. And thanks to the simple design, it transitions easily between outdoor and urban environments.

Sustainability

One of the standout features of Pingora products is their commitment to sustainability. The Lucid 20 is no exception—constructed from recycled materials and produced with lower-impact manufacturing processes, it’s a solid choice for eco-conscious consumers. Pingora also supports a repair-and-reuse model, encouraging longevity and reducing landfill waste.

Pros:
• Lightweight and compact yet roomy for a daypack
• Durable and weather-resistant materials
• Simple but smart organization
• Comfortable for extended wear
• Eco-friendly design and materials
• Sleek look suitable for both trail and city

Cons:
• Hip belt is minimal and may not suit all body types
• Not fully waterproof

Final Verdict

The Pingora Lucid 20 is an impressive all-rounder that punches above its weight in nearly every category. Whether you’re heading for a short trail adventure, commuting to work, or packing light for travel, this pack offers comfort, utility, and sustainability in one attractive package. While it may not replace a technical hiking pack for longer treks, it excels at everything else — especially for those who value streamlined function and responsible design.

Highly recommended for minimalist hikers, cyclists, travelers, and eco-minded urbanites looking for a durable and dependable daypack.

The Lucid 20 pack works well for day hikes and travel. For longer flights there is room for an extra jacket, water bottle, electronics and sundry flight comfort items. The front pockets hold phone and tickets to accelerate getting through security quickly. Once we are at our destination this pack is so nice for hiking and sightseeing. The back zip allows my hiking partner ready access for on the trail items, the hydration system is easy to use and the front phone and snack pockets are great for that important photo or a quick snack without stopping. The pack is large enough for a day hike to carry extra layers and lunch. Get this pack!

I love this well designed day pack. I can easily fit 2 L of water, sunscreen, first aid kit, a layer, satellite messenger device, and iPhone with plenty of room to spare. The fit is great and with all of this gear still very comfortable. I really appreciate the fantastic organization options such as the trekking pole loops, shoulder harness pockets, side pockets, and front compartments. Oh, and the red (almost orange) color is fantastic. This is definitely my go to backpack for long day hikes.

I bought my Lucid 20 through the Timpanogos Hiking Co collab. I bought it right before a camping trip to the Pacific NW. It was comfortable to carry. I contacted Pingora with a question about adjusting the chest strap. They were quick to respond and very helpful. I’m used to carrying a larger daypack so it took some practice to figure out how best to load what I wanted in the pack - might need to check out the 25L or just reduce how much I carry - but it worked fantastic for a lightweight daypack. The only feedback I have for the design team was that the clasp for the water bladder loop got in the way when I hooked my camelbak bladder on the loop - might just be something that I am doing wrong. I look forward to many more hikes with this pack.

I am a backpack geek and fanatic. I have many of different sizes. But I was looking for a relatively small backpack that could be used universally as a personal item for planes, around town and short day hikes when we travel. I also wanted multi-pockets, removable him belt and reasonable shoulder support. I found Pingora simply by chance jumping from one website to another. Between more famous brands, like Gregory or Osprey, Pangora Licud 20 liter stood up as a very interesting proposal at reasonable price (I received 15% off for being first time customer). Since I purchased it, I used it quite few times. The most likable feature for me are those zip pockets on the shoulder straps. My iPhone 13 fits perfectly in zip and open pocket and allows very quick and convenient access. The zippers are good, the number of additional straps is great, and the fabric and construction is very good. I like the closed vertical zip front and side pockets for jacket and spare items. Somebody at Pingora has a lot of ingenuity to incorporate them. The only think I do not like is the tightness of the side water bottle pocket; you really need to use a tall and skinny bottle with it. I would also suggest Pingora to make a zippered inside pocket instead of Velcro one and adda clip for keys. And if they incorporate a fitted rain cover, it will be a great value. But all in all, it's a great pack.

I purchased this pack in the ocean color and just love the pack's versatility. It is great for hikes and travel. The outside zipper makes reaching in for small items very convenient. The top pocket is great for sunglasses, key and other sundries. Then we use the inside area for jackets and snacks. The hydration sleeve is so easy to use.

I bought the Lucid 20 to use on a recent trip to Kauai. I used the pack as a carry on for the flight. I also hiked the Napali coast trail with the pack along with several other Kauai trails. I have decades of experience trail running and hiking on all sorts of trails using a lot of different hiking backpacks. I can say without hesitation that this is one of the most well designed hiking backpacks I have ever used. Pretty much any feature you would need or want in a hiking backpack is included. The pockets and sleeves are convenient and easily accessible and can hold all the gear, snacks, and water you would need for an all day hike. Well done Pingora.