Daypack recommendations under $150

J_mcrane

J_mcrane

Joined
Dec 7, 2013
Messages
580
I was looking for some recommendations for a hiking daypack under $150.00. I am looking for between 23 - 35 litters. It needs to be comfortable, that's the key. I was looking at osprey and black diamond packs. I looked at mystery ranch summit but it's a bit more than I was hoping to spend. Any help would be appreciated.
 
At my work we all use lowe alpine crag attack packs. they seem to be handling the abuse we chuck at them. worth looking at anyhow.
 
Ospreys are very comfortable to carry. Almost akin to wearing them than carrying them.
 
leghog said:
Ospreys are very comfortable to carry. Almost akin to wearing them than carrying them.
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Gotta second this. They are awesome packs.

I'd specifically suggest an Osprey Talon. They make a whole bunch of sizes, ranging from like 10 liters to 45.
 
Grease said:
Ospreys are very comfortable to carry. Almost akin to wearing them than carrying them.Gotta second this. They are awesome packs.

I'd specifically suggest an Osprey Talon. They make a whole bunch of sizes, ranging from like 10 liters to 45.
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Plus their lifetime warranty is truly a no BS warranty. If it has their logo on it, their warranty of the item is good. That being the said, you almost never find them used on the secondary market, and there's a good reason for that.
 
I have been using an Osprey Daylite for the past 3yrs.. Super Daypack.. Filled all our needs!! John
 
patagonia ascentionist (25 or 35 liters) - i haven't used mine a lot but first impression is great...look at mtwarden's trip reports for long term use.

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also, the gossamer gear minimalist...gossamer gear is well known in the ultralight community.

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J_mcrane said:
I was looking for some recommendations for a hiking daypack under $150.00. I am looking for between 23 - 35 litters. It needs to be comfortable, that's the key. I was looking at osprey and black diamond packs. I looked at mystery ranch summit but it's a bit more than I was hoping to spend. Any help would be appreciated.
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Can you say more about what you're going to use it for? Backcountry day trips? Around town? Travel?

Can you say more about what you're likely to carry in terms of weight? For example, I sometimes do ski touring and end up carrying skis on my pack. The pack I use for ski touring isn't too different in size from my EDC laptop bag but it needs to have a more substantial hip belt to manage the weight. That same hip belt is less "comfortable" for EDC use. Just too big and in the way.

Can you say more about your preferences in terms of loading style (top vs panel) and aesthetics (tactical vs hiking vs retro)?
 
This will be for back country hikes, ice fishing trips, hunting and outdoor trips. Day trips only but weight and comfort are important. I may be hiking for hours but not overnight.

I have an edc northface pack for daily use.
The pack Needs to hold food, clothes water, perhaps tarp, large knife and saw.
 
Have you thought about making your own? Not sure if you watch wilderness outfitters with Dave Canterbury, anyways, he shows different types of packs to build and you can completely customize it to your needs. It can be done as cheap or as expensive as you chose. Its a great way to utilize items that may be sitting around collecting dust. Or just buy a bag of your choice and maybe keep that thought at the back of your mind as a great activity on a rainy day or o spend time with a friend or your kids, etc. As for the bag itself, I just have the Molle bag they sell at Walmart. Its nothing special. But it works, I've been using it all year and I have used it to help me carry fire wood and and lots of gear, so far all the stitching and zippers are holding just fine. I usually go out twice a week to my spot out in the woods, which is about a 3/4 mile walk. Some dont like the tacticool packs because of their reasons. Im not preparing for the end of the world and trying to be the grey man blah, blah, blah. I like to utilize the Molle so I can attach as much as I can to the outside of the pack to keep the inside for gear that I want to stay dry or clean. I have all my tools on the outside of my pack except my E-tool, which I will get a pouch for it soon to do just that. Again I mainly just go out for the day, but I can stay the night if I wanted and be fairly comfortable. Once I move back to MI, I definitely plan to upgrade my pack so I can plan on doing some summer/winter overnighters and carry all the essential gear more efficiently and more comfortably. At least this thread will give some ideas when I do plan to upgrade. I wish you luck and hopefully you find a pack that best suits your needs.
 
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J_mcrane said:
This will be for back country hikes, ice fishing trips, hunting and outdoor trips. Day trips only but weight and comfort are important. I may be hiking for hours but not overnight.

I have an edc northface pack for daily use.
The pack Needs to hold food, clothes water, perhaps tarp, large knife and saw.
Click to expand...

Giving advice is hard since it depends on fit which is personal. Sort of like seeking advice on comfortable boots or underwear.

Some of my personal considerations for backcountry use.

SIZE - I find over stuffed packs uncomfortable. I end up as the "guide" for my family/wife so I end up carrying more extra stuff. I'm also where XL jackets, so my winter pack needs to be able hold an XL primaloft parka. I can get away with 30L for solo summer hikes but for family/group hikes in the summer or winter hikes/ski trips, I carry a 45L pack as I find it much more comfortable.

TORSO LENGTH - I'm 6'3". Short packs give me problems as "hip" belts end up being "mid-ab" belts. With some packs, I can carry them lower on my back, but this depends a lot on the shoulder straps. This is much more of a problem with my 45 L pack due to the extra weigh it carries, and this is one reason I chose a Jandd Zoor Alpinist, since it comes in different sizes based on torso length. And even then, I had to send it back to Jandd to have the shoulder straps moved up another 2". 30L packs almost always come in just one size so the only way I can tell is to try them on with some weight and try them. Some work. Some don't

BACK PANEL - I don't need a frame or frame sheet, even in my 45L pack. The Zoor has S shaped side panels and so long as I'm diligent in cinching up the load using the compression straps, which firms up the pack, it carries just fine, even with a heavy load. The Zoor does have a padded back panel and on a pack that size, I consider that a must have. My current "small" pack is an EMS Packable pack (25L) and it has no back panel. I have to use a lot more care in packing it so I don't get a water bottle in the ribs, but this also allows me to use it as a stuff sack/summit pack with my full sized pack. If I were to replace it with a dedicated day pack in the 25-35L range, I would lean toward a padded back panel, despite the weight penalty.

USE - My packs need to work for XC skiing. I use my smaller day pack for front country skiing and my larger pack for backcountry. Neither has side pocket to interfere with arm swing. My kids both have Kelty Redwing 32s for hiking (really excellent packs) but these wouldn't be comfortable for me when skiing due to their side pockets.

You gotten some great suggestions. Others to look at... The Jandd daypacks are insanely durable. The Mountainsmith Mayhem looks about right. The Granite Gear Virga 2 would be on my short list. The Kelty Redwing 32 and 45 are both worth close looks. I generally like the Gregory packs I've seen but I'm underwhelmed with the durability of Osperey packs as I've seen several blown out.
 
I use Gregory and strongly vouch for them. I've had the same Gregory daypack for over 15 years now, and bought another smaller model to leave in Australia for hiking there.

REI-brand packs are really good. And I wouldn't hesitate to wear Mountain Hardware, Lowe Alpine, and North Face. Look for models that are contoured to fit your back and have the necessary straps (padded waist strap, sternum strap, adjustable shoulder straps...) for keeping the pack stable.

*Tip: If you shop a certain outdoor store based in Cheyenne, Wyoming that specializes in closeouts, you can perhaps get a nicer pack than you thought. They currently have packs in stock from Lowe Alpine, Gregory, Mountain Hardware, Mountainsmith, and a few other brands I'm unfamiliar with.
But if you are very particular about fit and comfort, there's no substitute for shopping where you can try on packs.
 
I've been using an osprey talon 22 as my edc pack for the last 2 years. It is absolutely fantastic! It is also my bag for day hikes.
It is extremely comfortable to wear, though I would strongly suggest getting a large/XL and not a medium. The waist straps on the medium were way too snug for me. Had to exchange for a size up.
My osprey has carried all of my hiking essentials on many excursions into the outdoors, has seen plenty of amusement park time too, has been a carry on bag on several flights, goes to work with me everyday, and has at times acted as a glorified diaper bag.
I doubt you would be disappointed with it. I personally like that it doesn't look tactical in any way. (Mine is blue).
 
I can vouch for the Osprey Talon 33 and have carried mine for 12 months now going into offtrail wilderness every single week twice a week. It works for me in both summer and winter but they do have various sized packs in that range. The Talon 33 comes in two torso sizes, M/L and S/M. I was fitted for mine and got the larger torso pack but each one does have some torso adjustment too.

It is lightweight but tough fabric. Everything out here has thorns and some are hooked. The pack still looks brand new after many, many bushwhack trips. I take the basic "10 essentials", food, lots of water, down insulation and even a Helinox Ground chair. We also cook so a 1.3l pot is always on board. I have used a fair number of packs in my time and this one is absolutely my most favorite for long days afoot.

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The hipbelt works perfectly supporting the load, the pack really "disappears" on my back while in action and as said they have a ironclad guarantee.

As you know it is best to get fitted for a pack. The packs that work well and fit some folks don't fit others well.
 
I'm kinda partial to my 5.11 All Hazards NItro, offers me lots of options, mainly used for my day hikes now it was my edc bag for over a year, it will easily do overnighters
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I'm also a fan of the Northface Big shot and they both have gone out on 3 day trips with me as long as you pack smart
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There is also if you want to go light the 5.11 Rush Moab 6, another favorite and my current non nyc carry
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I have 2 Deuter packs that I highy recommend.
One Orion AC in 24? liter and a Futura in 34 liter size.
Their airflow system really keeps you back cool, love these packs.
The smaller Orion I've used for over 5 years now.

The left one is the Deuter Orion AC (ther othe is a Lowe Alpine from my GF which is also great)

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Note how it's tailor made to carry high energy survival food ;)

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The bigger one, a Futura is only 6 months old but love it just the same.
I got the SL version that was designed for women but fitted me better than the mens version. :o

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All ove the above have a seperation, holes and straps to carry a hydration bladder inside the pack.
Fits my Platypus perfectly.
 
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Osprey Exos 38

Stay away from all the tactical crap if you want to enjoy your hike.
 
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