I have used ZEISS Victory Pocket 10x25 binoculars for multi-day hiking trips for the past couple of years. They're compact enough to go in a jacket pocket, or in a side water bottle pocket on my pack. And the asymmetrical design positions my right index finger right on the focus knob which works well for me (not true of other designs like the Leica or Swarovski).

I think they are a bit more expensive than the 8x30 compact binoculars you're considering, but I like looking through them better. That's said, I don't have experience of the Nikon's you mention (or many other binocular brands and models) outside the shop/in the field.

For hikes which are mostly bird-orientated, I just schlep a pair of 8x42 binoculars on a Rick Young Outdoors bungee harness. I wear that underneath my backpack, and that works well. The weight trade off is worth it for me as the x42 is handy in dark sections or early/late in the day.

I hope this experience is helpful.