60L pack too big for day hikes?

Hey everyone,
I'm looking to buy a pack I can use for somewhat strenuous day hikes and short backpacking trips. I have been on a few day hikes and three overnight trips last year and will consider doing two or maybe three night trips. I am specifically looking at the Gregory Z 55 pack which I tried on for a few minutes and enjoyed, but will it be too big for a day pack? I know the pack has compression straps but I still am worried that the my supplies might move around and the pack might feel generally awkward if not filled sufficiently. If it is going to be too big, could you recommend a slightly smaller pack that I could take on day hikes and short backpacking trips? Thanks

I have a Mystery Ranch Futura Deluxe for exactly this application, going into it's third year and it is PERFECT and carries a serious load, if you want to. Gregory makes a good pack, but, the Denali Pro I had from March, 2003 to July,2006 was nowhere near as comfortable as my MR packs, with equal loads, although it fitted me perfectly.

Another medium pack I like is the Needle 65 from Arcteryx, these 55 and 65L Needles are the best packs that "fossil" makes, IMO,a nd can often be found discounted, a couple of options here, anyway.

I often used a 50L as you described, and cinched down, it works okay as day pack, though have sometimes wished for a 40L overnight pack, much for the reasons you cite.

I like the look of Mont-Bell Granite in either 30L or 40, and will personally attest that the MEC Brio line (40L, 55L) can be used for carrying stuff, and are certainly among cheapest packs easily available of reasonable quality and good design.

Pretty much any pack works if it fits and doesn't break.

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Osprey Atmos 50 might be worth looking at for this application. I have really liked my Atmos 65.
For the same reasons you have cited i bought a smaller daypack if i am only going out for the day, and haven't regretted the investment at all. I have had great luck with my Lowe Alpine Attack 25+5.

I took the Atmos for a spin, fit me terribly. Every time I raised my shoulders or arms, the pack rode up on me so badly and didn't fall back down so the waist belt would be around my belly button. I also felt that my back was too wide for it, and as a result the frame dig into my shoulders really badly. But anyway :D thanks for your advice, now I have a few more packs to look in to :)