Daypacks

Recent Daypack (under 35L) Reviews

Osprey Hikelite 26

Best daypack I have ever owned. Lightweight, roomy, durable, and comfortable. I have been using the Osprey Hikelite 26 every day for about three years (about 6000 km) and it is definitely the best all-round daypack I have ever owned (and I have owned lots). I have used it for commutes, hiking, and international travel and it is has been great for all of these. Fit and Comfort This pack is super comfortable even with a resonable load (say 8 kg). Put it on and the load disappears. It has a minimalist… Full review

Klattermusen Delling 30L

An interesting full featured pack with some unique features, weighing 28.8 ounces.         Straps allow for cinching tight and compression, and assist with waterproofing Pix came out unable to read: I love this tag! Reads: “ Adventure is the tightrope between danger and safety. Adventure is necessary for life and nature is life itself. This is why we make equipment that maximize your safety and minimize your ecological footprint.”    Too small and mesh allows for wetting Ability to attach… Full review

K9 Sport Sack Plus 2

Robust, well-constructed backpack for those of us who want to include our furry friends in our outdoor activities.  Like many of us I’d like to include my dog when I hike, however she is limited with the amount she can do, both because of her size and she is starting to get older. The K9 Sport Sack Plus 2 lets you bring your furry friend along for the experience and also carry a few essentials such as water and snacks with a detachable pouch. Now don’t get me wrong, carrying Fido plus said… Full review

Mystery Ranch 3 Way Expandable Briefcase

For the outdoor professional who is compelled to appear as, and travel like, a professional, this "briefcase" is the perfect shoulder bag for meetings. The terminology: The "3 way" aspect of this bag is that it has storable shoulder straps, allowing it to be worn as a backpack, like a kid on their first day of school, grab handles for when you want to carry it like a briefcase, like a grifter about to make the exchange, and a shoulder strap for when it is worn on a shoulder or across the body, like… Full review

Hikpro 002 33L

This is a budget foldable daypack that is spacious and organized. It is best for urban travelers who don't care about suitcase weight, but do care about suitcase size (ex. most air travelers). Fit: The pack is essentially a sack, so fit doesn't matter. Comfort: Not comfortable with heavy loads, but otherwise adequate. This pack is comfortable when used properly. It has non-padded shoulder straps that tend to twist under heavy loads. Additionally, the back panel is unpadded, so you need to pack… Full review

Gregory Zulu 30

A high-quality, supportive, and organized daypack. It is loaded with extremely well designed features, such as an adjustable backpanel, secure and easy to reach bottle pockets, and a rain cover pocket. It is best for day hikers that pack a lot of gear and prioritize comfort and features.  Fit: Fits slender males well. The pack fit my 30-inch waist well. The back would fit most people well, with several inches of adjustability. Comfort: This pack is breathable and supportive,  contributing to great… Full review

USWE Pow 16

The Pow 16 is a specialized winter alpine pack for skiers/snowboarders. It is designed to hold avalanche gear, skis/board and features a CE-Certified full back protector. The pack uses the magic of Swedish engineering to keep your drinking tube thawed in sub-zero temps. The USWE POW makes bold claims and lives up to them all. Your new best ski partner. I'll save you the reading and say this; buy this pack. Do you ski or snowboard in front or side country? Need to carry your plank(s) uphill occasionally? Full review

REI Trail 25

Great basic daypack, large enough to carry all the essentials plus lunch. Would buy again. Hiking with this pack over the last year it has been through quite a bit. It has slid down rock slabs and knocked off a couple ledges and shows no real signs of wear (the spilled soy latte stain is the most noticeable wear).  The included rainfly has been used on numerous occasions and is sized very well for the pack, kept all my gear dry every time. Side bottle pockets can hold a 1 liter Nalgene so plenty… Full review

Mystery Ranch Coulee 25

Indestructible, adjustable, and crazy comfortable daypack that falls under Buy Once - Cry Once. I'd heard of Mystery Ranch packs, which are manufactured in Bozeman, Montana, but always thought they were way too heavy for backpacking and maybe a little more geared to the hunting/survivalist/outdoors work market. But I wanted a daypack that would handle heavier loads for winter, some lash options, and could maybe work for a super light overnight with minimal  gear. In doing a search I ran across… Full review