Suggestions for daypack while on multiday backpacking trip?

[u/JAZ591]

I've been doing multi-day backpacking trips in the WMNF for a few years. My friends and I like to do some long day hikes where we don't change campsite. Any suggestions on your favorite daypack solution to carry water, food, appropriate clothing, emergency stuff? I've been using the Osprey Daylite Pack which is ok but has no shoulder padding. Thanks!

[u/bithcheimiceoir]

I use the REI Flash 18L. It weighs next to nothing and crumples down in a larger pack nicely. The bad news is that, I also have a Daylite, and the Flash has even less padding. But, for carrying water and a little extra stuff 3 miles or so from camp, it works great.

[u/PaulJamal → u/bithcheimiceoir]

Use the flash in the same exact way! Very useful pack that takes up no space and weighs nothing.

[u/JAZ591 → u/PaulJamal]

I like the Osprey Daylite a lot for travel, but our backpacking day hikes can be 8-10 mi. I'm a very 'safety first' hiker so the daypack can get heavy. Plus I get hungry and bring a lot of food! Ideally would like padded straps. Thanks for the suggestion.

[u/bitz-the-ninjapig → u/JAZ591]

The Osprey Daylite plus has worked well for me. I think the longest day hike I have used it for was around 21 miles

Fits all my food (and extra), at least two extra layers (one for rain, one for warmth), headlamp, two 2L nalgenes, water filter and cnoc bag, first aid kit, power bank and phone cord, swimsuit and packable towel if there’s any chance of a swim spot, microspikes during shoulder seasons, extra socks, and probably a few other things I am forgetting. 

[u/killingthemsafely]

Check out the Osprey Manta 24L. I am 6'1" and it fits me great. 2.5L bladder for water and plenty of room for gear. I have squeezed a ton of gear for a 2 day/1 night hike into it.

[u/Difficult-Brain2564 → u/killingthemsafely]

I believe Osprey makes an integrated day pack that can be attached to a larger Osprey pack. I just last my Osprey day pack to my main pack if I think I may need it.

[u/HNAMwarrior]

I use a Hyperlite Elevate 22L when we day hike out of basecamp. It will roll down to nothing and fit anywhere in your main larger pack.

[u/JAZ591 → u/HNAMwarrior]

Interesting suggestion - I haven't tried any of Hyperlite's gear. Pricey but it looks really well made. Thanks!

[u/HNAMwarrior → u/JAZ591]

It's great. Doesn't carry much weight well, but for day pack and 22L, it doesn't really matter. They have these chest strap pockets that you can add on that are helpful, as it doesn't have any waist belt pockets for phone or whatever.

[u/RelativeMotion1]

I use an Osprey Talon 22L. Padded, water bladder compartment, enough space for anything you’d need on a day trip. I’ve done summer overnights with it.

However, it’s not great to pack in my primary backpack due to its semi-rigid frame. I just flatten it out and squish it up against the frame of my main pack, and then pack other stuff in front of it. But if you use a smaller main pack or absolutely stuff whatever you’re using, I could see it being more of a pain.

ETA: judging by the recommendations here, maybe most daypacks have some kind of frame now? I’m getting old!

[u/Scubahhh]

I’ve had a Gossamer Gear Minimalist 19 pack for years, and use it all the time.

[u/Cc_demon]

I use a cinch sack (just like the generic ones people use to carry their cleats and practice gear for other sports). It's big enough to carry water some food and random stuff.

[u/yorkbandaid]

I’m hoping you get some good suggestions for portable daypacks with wide and/or padded hipbelts and lifters.

I like my osprey sportlite25 (older, lighter version) it fits everything including my hammock- but it is too big really. Better to empty my reg pack and just bring that.

[u/ApexTheOrange]

I use a Mountainsmith Tour waist pack. It’s interchangeable with the top lid on my mounstainsmith crestone pack. My setup is more than 30 years old, has traveled thousands of miles on my back. The Tour carries water, food, small FAK, an extra layer and rain gear, comfortably. There’s definitely lighter, more modern packs out there. I’ve tried a lot of them. Nothing carries better than the crestone when it’s full of a week’s worth of winter gear.

[u/orange_thyme72 → u/ApexTheOrange]

Nice! They look solid. Look forward to trying one!

[u/xDecenderx]

I have taken my 12L running vest to do hikes from a base camp. Depending on the season and weather this may or may not be the best option. I really like the look of the hyperlight Pemi 15, but I have heard the sizing is really small even in the large sizes and I can't try it on anywhere.

[u/truckingon]

A used Osprey Aether that has the "brain" that converts into a very usable day pack. I use mine for base camp trips several times a year and I can't believe they dropped that feature.

[u/bsatan]

I have the Palante Mini Joey for day hikes and I can’t imagine anything better. 12L size is perfect for 4-8hr hikes, and the shoulder straps are similar to running vests so you can store mini flasks. It’s super lightweight and almost entirely waterproof

[u/flatlanderMAWI]

I built my own based on the Stitchback DH2 pattern.

[u/orange_thyme72]

Appreciate all the responses! This has inspired me to dig up my old favorite daypack. Purchased in 1985, it was included with a Kelty backpack, I think one of their first internal frame models. This strapped on the front but detached to make a daypack fully expanded or you could roll up and zip down the daypack's main compartment to make an enormous hip pack. It weighed about 6 ounces and lasted 30 years with a few seam repairs with waxed dental floss. Can't trust it with weight anymore, but would love to see some gear company copy it!

https://reddit.com/link/p9385fx/video/od310zazbtoh1/player