How to choose a daypack

Daypack choosing guide

It is not as easy as it might sound to choose the daypack that fits just you right. There are several factors that you should consider, some are more important than others but everyone should be counted in. The problem with choosing a daypack is that there are so many packs to choose from in today’s market. In the best equipped stores you can virtually get lost in the backpack department. The trick is to know what you are looking for, and to keep it simple. You don’t want a salesman to tell you what you need; you should know that before you go into the store. In this post I will give you a few tips on things you have to consider when you find out what type of daypack you need.

- Plan for the daypack to last several years

A daypack, or any backpack for that matter, is something that you should be able to use for years and years. The pack should be able to see both you hiking boots and your clothing to the grave before it is put out of use. For the daypack to last that long, the first thing you need to make sure of is the quality of the pack. You have to get something that is durable and can stand to be used. Usually this means that you have to pay a bit more, but when considering the added lifetime it probably doesn’t cost more after all. Choose a brand that is well respected and has been thoroughly tested. The other thing that decides how long the daypack will last is how well it fits to you and your body. If you are not comfortable with the pack you buy, you will probably not use for as long as you would if you had a daypack that fits you perfectly.

- Carrying the daypack should be comfortable

back of daypackHow comfortable you feel when carrying the daypack is probably the most important thing to consider when choosing a daypack. The longer you plan to walk and the heavier you plan to carry; this point gets even more important. If the pack is as uncomfortable as some of the backpacks I remember from the days that I was in the army, I can just as well carry my gear without a backpack. What is important to remember is that a daypack that is fully loaded with gear is a totally different thing to carry than one that is empty. Ask in the store if it is possible to load the pack so that you can try it in a more realistic setting. If the salesman says that the daypack feels great on his back, it doesn’t mean that it fits great on your back!

- Choose an adjustable carrying system if possible

There are basically two systems to choose from: adjustable and non adjustable. Actually the non adjustable is often a bit more expensive because it is often used light weight daypacks that uses more expensive materials. One should think that the pricier pack would be the better one, but in my opinion it is crucial to have an adjustable back so that you can make the daypack fit just your back. It is even more important if you are young and still growing.

- Be aware of the details

A modern daypack has so many details that it can be hard to find them all. You should go to a store that has a knowledgeable staff. Ask them if they can show you the ins and out of the daypack you are interested in. What you should pay special attention to is if the daypacks have adjustable straps. It is crucial to have adjustable straps so that you can fit it to yourself. A floating or adjustable top is also a very nice feature that will come in handy when you are carrying really heavy. Unfortunately this is more the exception than the rule when it comes to daypacks, but you should still choose one that has an adjustable top over one that doesn’t. For my own part, I have one special preference in daypacks: I don’t buy a daypack that has netting pockets on the outside. I walk a lot in pretty dense forests, and the netting pockets constantly hangs up in trees and bushes.

- Waterproof daypack or not


If you wonder if you need a waterproof daypack, you need to know where and wkelty daypackhen you are going to use it. There are of course big advantages of having a waterproof daypack: you can ensure that you clothes are dry even if it rains, you keep your matches dry all the way till you camp and you keep your tent dry. However, they don’t breathe all that well, so on warm days it can become very moist inside the pack. Most of the daypacks today are delivered with a waterproof pull over. It works perfectly in showers. This has done that the only time I use a waterproof daypack is when I go kayaking. If I am not in any danger of falling into the water, I always use a regular, not waterproof daypack.

I hope that you got something out of reading this post, because I know that choosing a new daypack can be a real pain. The most important thing you should take from this post is that you need to find a daypack that fits you and are comfortable to carry. After all you are hopefully planning to use it for many years.

Osprey Daypack

The up and coming Osprey Daypack

In the series about different brands of daypacks we have already covered JanSport and The North Face Daypacks. Now the torch has been left over to one of the big and upcoming names on the international scene: Osprey. An Osprey daypack is quite unknown to many of us. However, it has taken the daypack market by storm in the recent years. The thing that most people have noticed about these packs is that they win a lot of tests. And it is not just on of the models from Osprey that wins, everyone does.

The company Osprey was created in 1974 by Mike Pfotenhauer and Laurie White in Santa Cruz, California. They were among the first companies who added a mesh back panel to their backpacks. Today this is standard on most backpacks, but back then it was a revolution. During the years of production Osprey has shown that they really produce quality gear. This has been reflected by their packs winning multiple awards and prices. From being a company that was mainly known in the American community, Osprey has in the recent years grown to be one of the best known backpack brands in the world. Of course, they cannot compete with The North Face and JanSport yet, but they constantly make up that difference.

As mentioned earlier, Osprey has a lot of different models in their line. Just about all of these models have been tested by a magazine or something similar. It is actually quite stunning how well their daypacks perform in these tests. They constantly grab one of the top spots. In this article you will get to know a couple of the members of the Osprey daypack family a bit better, but just because I have chosen the daypacks that I have, doesn’t mean that they are the ones that you should choose. There are several models to choose from, all of them with different qualities.

Osprey Revo Daypack
osprey Revo daypack
This is one of Ospreys biggest successes in the daypack genre. A small, but surprisingly voluminous pack that allows you to do just about everything you feel like. The biggest advantage of the Revo pack is its comfort. The comfort actually runs as a red line through all of the Osprey products, and the Revo is of course no exception. I personally know that this daypack is one of the favorites for many young travelers who explore new continents and countries. They don’t use it as their main backpack, but as a pack to bring what they need to small and short expeditions. The price of the Osprey Revo daypack is about $ 50.

In the Osprey Revo daypack, they have focused a lot on using recycled materials. This might be another reason to choose this bag as it makes it one of the most environmental friendly products on the daypack market. 72 % of the pack is made from recycled materials.

Some features on Osprey Revo Daypack

- Volume: 1300 cubic inches

- 1.56 pounds

- Single zip front panel access.

- Ready for hydration pack

- Compartment for laptop

Osprey Helix DaypackOsprey Helix daypack

This daypack is a bit smaller than the Revo. It is especially made for people who commute to work by bicycle or subway/train. The size of it should not be underestimated however. It has shown that it is the perfect size for just about any standard office workers. Of course, the Osprey Helix daypack fits just as well for school. Ignoring the difference in size, the two packs are actually quite alike. They are both made from a lot of recycled materials; the Helix has as much as 78 % recycled materials in it. Price of the Osprey helix daypack: about $55.

Some features on the Osprey Helix Daypack


- Volume: 1.00 Cubic inches

- 1.36 pounds

- Built in laptop sleeve

- Dedicated MP3 player pocket

- Colors: redwood, panda, glacier, and rainforest

JanSport Daypack

Without a doubt, Jansport daypacks are among the best known brands in the market today. At least in the USA just about everyone who has ever bought a backpack has at one time considered a backpack from JanSport. It should be mentioned that most of the people who considered them, actually have made the purchase. In this article I will talk about some of the models of daypacks that JanSport produce. However, I will start the post by giving short intro of the brand JanSport.

JanSport is, as The North Face, owned by VF Corporation. VF Corporation is one of the worlds biggest apparel companies. JanSport is a brand that exclusively produces backpacks for just about all kinds of use. In 1967 JanSport was created in Seattle by two men, Murray Pletz and Jan Lewis. As you probably understand, the name comes from Jan Lewis. Now the company is based in San Leandro, California along with their siblings The North Face and Napapijri at VF Corporation headquarter.

One of the biggest advantages of buying a JanSport backpack is that they have a special lifetime warranty on their products. When we also know that they have among the longest traditions in the business of creating quality and innovative carrying devices, it should be needless to say that they know what they are doing. What JanSport has specialized in is of course Daypacks. Especially for use as school backpacks, JanSport is one of the leading brands. It is the design combined with the usability of the daypacks that really makes it the first choice for students. In the USA, JanSport and The North Face actually sell almost half of all the backpacks that are sold on the market.

See this post for hints on choosing a daypack.

JanSport Big Student Classic Daypack

This is the daypack that most people think of when they think of JanSport. The name classic could not fit better at any other backpack. It has that true classic look that you and everyone else just love to have when you bring your books to school. The big student classic is actually an upgrade from the model Superbreak. The upgrades are mainly in the storage space and the carrying system.Jansport big student classic daypack

The JanSport Big Student Classic daypack has a lot very nice features. One of the most obvious is of course its size. It has a size of 2100 cubic inches. The storage space is divided in two main compartments that make it very versatile daypack. The S curved shoulder straps help you carry the daypack with as little stress as you can have. Obviously, the back is padded with a very comfortable and soft material. If you have a favorite color, it is now problem as this daypack come in just about every imaginable color.

Some features on the JanSport Big Student Classic Daypack

- Padded back panel

- S curved shoulder straps

- Two very large main compartments

- Audio electronics organizer in the front pocket

- Quick find cell phone pocket

JanSport Wasabi Daypack

Compared to the Big Student Classic the Wasabi has a much more modern design. Still, it is a daypack that has all the features that you can expect from a top brand product. If you like to have that modern look surrounding your books and laptop, the Wasabi daypack is the right choice for you.jansport wasabi daypack

Just as the classic it has a lot of different and useful features. It has one large main compartment that you can use for just about anything you want. The same S curved shoulder straps are used in this daypack. This, combined with a well padded back panel gives the pack maximum carrying comfort.

Some features on the JanSport Wasabi daypack

- S curved shoulder straps

- Padded back panel

- 1800 cubic inches

- Weighs one pound

- V-loft security pocket for quick access to gadgets

- Comes in a lot of different colors

JanSport is as previously said one of the worlds biggest producers when it comes to daypacks and backpacks. This of course means that they have plenty of models that you can choose from when you want to get a new daypack. They are all top quality, and deliver everything that they promise. The lifetime warranty is also a very nice feature. At least you should take a look at a JanSport daypack before you decide which one you will buy.

The North Face Daypack

Some info about The North Face Daypacks

If you want some real quality equipment for your trips, you cannot avoid at least considering products from The North Face. This company has had its equipment tested under the roughest of conditions all over the world, from Mount Everest to the North Pole. In this post I will talk a bit about The North Face Daypack and a couple of the options that are available for the customers. First, I thought we could start with a quick history of the company.

The North Face has been manufacturing equipment all the way back to 1968. It was originally a retail store that sold things that hikers, climbers and skiers needed for their expeditions. The two men behind the brand were Douglas Tompkins and Dick Klopp. The reason that they decided on the name North Face was that the north side of a mountain in the northern part of the world is almost always the hardest side to climb. In the 1980’s the North Face added more skiing equipment and a line of camping equipment to the brand.

Today The North Face is fully owned by VF Corporation. They have moved their factories to San Leandro, California. This means that they are close to their competitor and cousin JanSport. Together, JanSport daypack and The North face produce almost half the daypacks on the North American marked.

Now that we have that out of the way we can focus on the daypacks that The North Face produce. They actually produce so many of them that it would be foolish of me to try and give a review of all of them, so I will focus on two; Recon and Jester.

The North Face Recon Daypack

This is one of the best sellers on the daypack market. It is not a coincidence. It has just about everything that you can expect to get from a daypack. It is suited for just about whatever you need it for. If you are in school, it works great as a backpack for carrying books and a laptop. If you are a hiker or hunter, you would also find the spacious daypack to be just perfect. And it would also work great for short sleepover trips in the wilderness if the weather allows you to travel lightly.

The bare facts about The North Face Recon daypack are somewhat impressing. It has a volume of 1850 cubic inches. The material that is used is mainly nylon, the 420D and 840D nylons, and Hypalon. The weight is about 2 lbs 3 oz. It has a built in compartment for hydration packs and the back panel is made from breathable mesh. Recon is also equipped with a safety whistle. The price of the North Face Jester Daypack is about $60 - $75 on leading internet stores.

List of features on The North Face Recon Daypack:

- Tuck away hip belt

- Laminated back panel with mesh fabric

- Two water bottle holders

- Small pocket with water resistant zipper

- Organizer in main compartment

The North Face Jester Daypack

This is a daypack that should be one of the first choices as a school backpack. It has a very big main compartment which makes it easy to fit all your books and whatever else you are bringing to school. The shoulder straps are well padded for comfortable carrying. The back is also very comfortable with its foam padding. Removable hip belt also adds to the usability of the daypack. It also features bottle holders.

Even though it is probably best suited for school, it is no problem to use the North Face Jester Daypack for short trips in nature. The only thing it is missing is probably a compartment for a hydration pack. However, the bottle holders make up for it in a good way. An additional nice feature is the large reflective patch that allows you to be seen even at night. The daypack will cost you about $40 - $55 through leading online stores.

List of features on North Face Jester daypack:

- Front pocket with key clip and organizer

- Spacious main compartment that can fit both books and hiking equipment

- Bottle pockets

- Big reflective patch

- Carry handle on top

- A stitched foam back

- Removable hip belt

More North Face Daypacks

These are just two of a whole line of daypacks that the North Face produces. All of them are top notch when it comes to both quality and usability. One of the biggest advantages of buying known brand like this one is that you will never have any problems if anything is wrong with the product you have bought. Just send it in, and you will receive either a new one or they will repair it. The North Face daypack is something that everyone should consider getting.

Some things to consider when buying a daypack

Daypacks are used for a lot of different activities. They can be used for everything from carrying books to and from school to hiking up the steepest hills. Truly, they are a very versatile member of the backpack family. This also brings with it something to consider. Which daypack is the right one for you?

As with just about everything else, the first and most important thing you have to consider is where and how you are going to use it. By definition the daypacks are small and that will put some restrains on the situations that it can be used in. You would not want to buy a daypack if you were going on a week long walk in the mountains for example. As you can tell from the name they are mainly meant for short trips that last a day or less. (What are daypacks?)

However a lot of people use them to carry books to school as well. Some of the models work perfect here as well. The problem is that you should usually not use the same kind of daypack to school as you use when hiking. The reason is simple. A daypack that you use for school is often a bit bigger than the one you would use when hiking. There are some similarities though.

When you are buying a daypack, the first thing you should look for is a pack that is big enough to fit whatever you intend to have in it. This might be obvious, but it is still important. If you are planning to bring a camping stool you would need a daypack that is quite big for example. (If you don’t know what a camping stool is, check out this camping chair guide) The second thing is almost the exact opposite. You don’t want the daypack to be bigger than you need. There are two reasons for this. Firstly a daypack that is too big becomes a bit heavier, and secondly the stuff you have in it will not lay stable.

The third, and maybe most important thing to look for, is the shoulder straps. They should be reasonable wide. If you have to narrow straps, they will often hurt a lot. Also look for straps that are padded well.

Hope this helps you a bit. I know that I haven’t covered the materials yet, but that is a quite large subject which I will address later.

What are daypacks?

An explanation of daypacks

To start of this blog we have decided that we will try to give a short explanation of what a daypack really is and some of its uses.

This article can be treated as an explanation of daypacks and its features. To start with daypacks are actually petite knapsack where we can carry useful things mainly at daytime. We must not misjudge daypacks due to the small size as it is really capable of helping us during our travels especially all through short duration hikes or treks. They will not fit your Sorel winter boots, but they are still pretty big. Also at the campus grounds daypacks can be seen for schlepping different kinds of books. The daypacks are the smallest possible member of the family of backpacks. Usually they are found of the size in between 1200 cubic inches and that of 2500 cubic inches.

For school and college purpose daypacks of average volume of 1500 cubic inches to 2100 cubic inches will meet the requirements well. While for the trekking purpose you can choose the volume of 1900 cubic inches. You can put in things weighing around twenty or twenty-five pounds and usually not much more. So in comparison to the massive backpacks the daypacks lack the high quality interior framework. Usually these are created to meet specific needs or to carry particular gears. There are different kinds of daypacks that are available for use during hiking or trekking or schools or colleges etc.

The daypacks have been designed in such fashion that it fits for both men and women. Some designs can be found for women and also for children. What are the things that you can carry in your daypacks? If you are hiking and it continues for two to six hours then, you can put in water, food and clothing. For school the daypacks allow carrying the pencil box, books; you can carry electronic items in the pockets. The college purpose daypacks have provisions of carrying the laptops besides the space of books. A good daypack must have proper padding at appropriate areas like the sides and bottom so that they give adequate support to the items being carried. The straps of the shoulders must also have the wadding so that the user can feel the comfort while moving with the daypacks.

Having sufficient pockets are helpful for carrying small items. The daypacks for those who prefer to use them for climbing are required to have the characteristics that will not slow down the mobility. Waist belts for such daypacks are one such aspect that will need proper probing. The most important feature that the daypack must possess is that of providing the adequate comfort to the user. Before you buy the daypack check with all these important points and see what are the benefits the daypack can provide you. Yes there are definitely much better and massive alternatives to the daypacks those are available. Though almost the whole world can be stuffed to it but the shoulders will definitely make a complaint which you cannot avoid. So you can find the daypacks simple to use yet very useful.

Hydration DaypackAnother very popular type of daypack is the hydration daypacks. They are daypacks with some sort of water container who is either built in or removable. This kind of daypack is ideal for people using their packs for training or long walks on foot in the mountains.

There are a lot of companies that produce daypack backpacks. You have probably heard of North Face, Kelty, JanSport and Osprey daypack. On this blog we will try to give you as much information as we can about each and every one that we can get our hands on. If you choose to stop by in a while you will find a few product reviews. Hope you enjoy your stay here at the daypacks blog.

Welcome to Daypacks

Hi and welcome to this site about daypacks. here we will try to give you as much information as possible about daypacks and accessories to them. We hope that you will find everything that you look for here and have a pleasant stay. Regards, the Daypacks team.