User Review: CamelBak Day Star

Summary

The Daystar is a really nice daypack offering good comfort and storage and an excellent hydration system.

Picked up this women-specific Camelbak for my wife and it's a winner. If you're looking for a nice daypack with a good hydration system, this one should be near the top of the list.

The front of the pack features a very tall and spacious storage compartment that spans nearly the entire top-to-bottom area of the pack. Inside is a small organizer pouch with a couple of zippered pockets for items such as wallets or other small or important items you want to protect, and plenty of room for additional storage. 

The front storage area isn't deep but will work great for smaller and flatter items like maps, beanies, snacks, etc.  The front of the pack also features several daisy-chain style loops which can handle smaller carabiners or clips for items you want to access quickly. Two external mesh pockets, one on each side, are provided and are deep enough to handle extra water bottles or other fairly tall items.

The main storage compartment here is definitely "day pack" sized, offering enough space for an extra layer or two, hat and/or gloves, an extra water bottle, food, camera, gps, sunscreen, and just about any other item you might need for a day trek.  It's not meant for multi-day backcountry adventures, but it's plenty big for a day outing.

The pack has a special zippered storage area for the included 2 liter hydration bladder on the back of the pack.  Camelbak's bladders are awesome — never had one leak or fail on me. The drinking tube runs through a small slot in the storage area and secures onto either shoulder strap. The bite valve that activates water flow is simple and effective, and features a shut off valve for times when you won't be drinking (before or after hitting the trails or slopes when you're transporting the pack, for example).

This pack has a chest compression strap but no waist strap, again affirming that this is for shorter day trips instead of longer, more physically demanding outings where the added support of a waist strap would be needed.  The shoulder straps have velcro ties to keep the loose ends of the straps bundled up and out of the way.

What makes this pack women-specific is a slightly tweaked fit on the straps, suiting them to a generally shorter and more narrow torso size. The straps also have a nice soft fleecy binding that adds a little comfort. 

All in all this is a great day pack for the ladies and is recommended.