Daypacks

You don't need a giant pack for a day hike. 

Recommendation:

• 20-35 Liter Daypack

  • Go to REI and try several on

  • Choose one that feels good on your back

  • Otherwise, the REI Co-op Flash 22 should be fine

Daypacks

You'll need an appropriately sized daypack for you outing. 

10 Liter Daypacks

• Sometimes used for a very short hike or to carry around items at camp

• May be all you need for an urban hike where you just need something to carry a light jacket and bottle of water

10-20 Liter Daypacks

• Minimum size to carry your gear on a hike

• Summer time only and minimalist packing

20-35 Liter Daypacks

• Good size for a daypack

• Enough room for your 10 essentials, jacket, lunch and water

35-50 Liter Daypacks

• Winter Daypack can carry your extra clothing

• Used to carry extra gear for your activity

• May be used to carry group meal - like a watermelon

• Some Scoutmasters will carry this and extra gear for the troop

Features

Fit

• A Daypack MUST fit

• If it isn't comfortable, it's not the pack for you

• Go to REI, load up packs with weight and walk around the store to find a pack that fits

Water Bottle Pockets

• Most packs will come with these

• Allows for easy access to water bottle and snacks

Front Pockets

• Pockets on shoulder or waist straps can really come in handy

• Use for snacks, map & compass and phone/camera

Example Daypacks

Daypacks don't need to be name brand or new.  They just need to have the proper capacity and fit. 

• REI

  • REI known for affordable gear

  • REI Co-op Flash 22

    • Affordable for a name brand pack

    • Weight: 14oz

    • Basic top-loading daypack

  • REI Co-op Trail 25

    • Weight: 2lb

    • Panel-loading daypack

    • Heavier and more expensive than Flash 

    • Very basic "hipbelt"

  • REI Co-op Traverse 32 

    • Weight: 2lb 9oz

    • Built like a backpack

    • Much more durable than other daypacks

    • More than you need, unless you need to carry a lot of extra gear

• Deuter Speed Lite 25 

  • Deuter is a German company with a long history of making quality packs

  • Packs are designed to last

  • Deuter Speed Lite 25 

    • Weight: 1lb 9oz

    • Very popular daypack

    • Pockets on shoulder straps - not everyone likes these

      • Pocketless CV version available

• Osprey 

  • Osprey has several other lines of daypacks

  • Osprey tends to have LOT of bells and whistles

  • Popular feature and heavier packs

    • Osprey Talon 22

      • Weight: 1lb 14.6oz

      • Nice daypack with basic features

    • Osprey Stratos

      • Heavier with more features

      • Built more like a backpack than a daypack

      • Osprey Stratos 36 

        • Weight: 3lb. 4.5oz

        • Can carry a good amount of gear for a day event

        • Built like a backpack - can be used for overnighters for those who pack really light (cabin dwellers)

    • Osprey Hikelite

      • Lighter

      • No hipbelt

    • Osprey Sportlite

      • Lighter

      • Still has hipbelt

    • Osprey Skarab 

      • Comes with build in water reservoir

    • Osprey Manta

      • Premium hydration daypack

    • Osprey Daylite Plus 20

      • Weight: 1 lb. 4.6 oz.

      • Designed to be a travel bag to attach to larger luggage

      • Suspension isn't great

      • Lower priced for Osprey

• Mystery Ranch 

  • Build heavy duty packs, including packs for the US Military and for hunters

  • Mystery Ranch Gallagator 25

    • Weight: 1lb 4.8oz

    • Vest-style harness - love it or hate it

    • 3-Zip access is good for travel

• Gregory 

  • Known for making heavier duty packs

  • Gregory Miko & Maya 20 Pack

    • Weight 2lbs

    • Basic daypack with lots of pockets

    • Adjustable sizing

  • Gregory Nano 22 H2O

    • Weight: 1lb 2oz

    • Water reservoir system similar to Osprey Skarab

    • Skarab is arguably better and more comfortable

  • Zulu 30

    • Weight: 3lb 0.6oz

    • Large for a daypack

    • Built like a backpack - competitor of Osprey Stratos

• Arc’teryx Aerios 30

  • Known for technical gear

  • Arc’teryx Aerios 30

    • Weight: 2lb

    • Technical Daypack

    • Body hugging cross between running vest and backpack

  • Arc'teryx Mantis 26

    • 1lb 13.6oz

    • Less expensive option from Arc'teryx

    • Comes with Arc'teryx logo

• Black Diamond

  • Makers of technical mountain gear

  • Black Diamond Distance 22

    • Weight: 1lb

    • Designed for running

  • Black Diamond Pursuit 30

    • Weight: 1lb 12oz

    • Body hugging fit

    • Designed for summiting 

    • Less expensive than that Arc’teryx Aerios

•  Hyperlite Mountain 

  • Known for Expensive, Ultralight Dyneema packs

  •  Hyperlite Mountain Gear Daybreak

    • Weight: 1lb 5oz

    • Internal Volume: 17L

    • External Volume: 6L

    • Zipper opening

  •  Hyperlite Elevate 22

    • Weight: 1lb 1.7oz

    • Roll-top closure