Looking for a new day pack...

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Plainsman

Joined
Apr 5, 1999
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My day pack gave up the ghost over the weekend, busted main compartment zipper! :(

So I'm on the hunt for a new day pack. I'm looking in the 1400-2000 Cubic Inch range with a hydration bladder capability. I'm not sure what I think about the single strap "slingers" as I haven't used one yet. Anything beyond that is fair game.

I'm guessing I get what I pay for, so I'm open to serious recommendations which I hope will lead me to a good one!

What would you suggest?

Thanks for any/all suggestions!
 
Thanks for the suggestion, Myright, I liked the looks of this one too, but it is missing one of the main features I'm looking for: hydration bladder capability. If it had that, I'd be all over it! :)

Thanks!

Any other suggestions guys???
 
Plainsman said:
Thanks for the suggestion, Myright, I liked the looks of this one too, but it is missing one of the main features I'm looking for: hydration bladder capability. If it had that, I'd be all over it! :)
Thanks!
Any other suggestions guys???
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I've used my Pygmy Falcon with a bladder...no port, but through the closed zippers (small area exposed). I'm planning on getting a port sewn in, but I use mine with a bladder all the time when mountain biking...no issues.

I have a Gregory Z25 (25 liter) that I picked up on sale...wow! Excellent pack with a decent little frame; a lot of features I like and I can add a bladder AND two water bottles.

At the high end is Kifaru and Mystery Ranch packs...built like tanks, but capable of outlasting your grand children:D

No experience with the slinger-type packs so common from Maxpedtion. Not sure how that would do with a heavy load over an extended time of hiking.

ROCK6
 
If you're happy with the pack you have you could just get the zipper replaced.

If you do want a new one look at Osprey.
 
I just bought a gregory z35. It is an awesome pack as far as I can tell. I have only used it on a few hikes. It is on the larger edge of your capacity, but it works very well.
I am planning on using it on long day hikes like Mt Whitney this summer.

If you are going to use it for longer day hikes, I would get something with a frame. Even a 20 pound pack starts to hurt your shoulders after hiking 20 miles with it on. While the packs from Osprey and Gregory and such are very nice, they are also lighter weight, which means that they are not as durable as a maxpedition. But most of those packs come with a hydration sleeve.

Camelbak has even started making larger packs with the hiker in mind. Check out their website for more info on them. I have used a camelbak hawg for the last 6 years, and it has worked perfectly. But for longer day hikes it does not have the capacity, and it does not carry the weight very well.

I am not sold on the "slinger type" packs. I have one that I use for school sometimes, and it would not be ideal in my mind for a good day pack. It does not seem like it would stay put well when rock scrambling and such. It also does not carry the weight very well, especially since all of the weight would be on one shoulder, instead of spread out on both shoulders and the hips. But maybe the maxpedition ones are more comfortable than mine.
 
A couple weeks ago I picked up a CamelBak Rim Runner. It has a 3 liter capacity for water, and the cargo capacity is on the lower end of your scale.

I love it so far. It carries a load really well for a frameless pack (probably due to the semi-rigid back and water bladder), and the straps fit me great. The lashing points on the outside are perfect for tying my sleeping pad to when I pack it for overnighters.

The compression straps are also well thought out, and allow you to pull the weight of the pack closer to your body.
 
The Camelbak MULE has served me well for a daypack. I don't normally use the hydration bladder because I hate cleaning it but there is plenty of room for a large Nalgene and a smaller watter bottle in there. There's also plenty of room in the two outer pockets as well as a MOLLE system on the larger, bottom outer pocket. It's a great bag and probably sees more use on the trail than any of my others.

014-2.jpg
 
I have a camelback Rim Runner. It has a 3L bladder, large main cpmpartment and an outside compartment that is slightly smaller with an organizer and keyring holder. There are also 2 side pockets that will take a Guyot or Nalgene bottle and it has compression straps on the sides. Its great for a day long walkabout, holds more than enough for 2 people. With bottles on both sides I can load on 5L water and whatever else I need.
 
I've got the Maxpedition Jumbo Versipak which is a single strap. Its good for light loads or short trips. I loaded it to the gills and went on a 8 hr hike when I first got it and I was constantly switching from one shoulder to the other all day long trying to find a comfortable carry position. It wore me out. I used the belt loop which helped a lot. I like it for short hikes, light loads or traveling where you dont have to carry it all day. The quality is such that it will probably last forever. The CCW pocket is great. But if I'm out for more than a few hrs with a decent sized load I want two straps.--KV
 
offroadcmpr said:
While the packs from Osprey and Gregory and such are very nice, they are also lighter weight, which means that they are not as durable as a maxpedition
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What on earth does weight have to do with durability? I have a Gregory Chaos-X pack which would be lighter if maxpedition offered something in its size. It is made of kevlar, or spectra or something like that. It is ultralight, but tougher than cordura.

duribility comes from quality construction and materials, not weight.

I would recommend you go with a pack that fits you well. A properly fitted pack is worth more than all the internet advice you will ever find. For the money, Kifaru will blow your mind and fit you well if you follow their instructions. I have not used any of the other semi-custom or custom pack makers so i can't comment about them. I have had good luck with a lot of manufacturers. Eagle has released a few new packs recently, the Yote looks great.
 
I just ordered a Kelty Redwing 3100 from Cabelas Bargain Cave.. Its last years model so its 50% off ($49.99) the price of the 2009 model. I've tried out the new model at REI and its a amazingly well built pack. Loaded it up with 30lbs of weight in the store and it carries great. It has a removable aluminum stay in the back panel for support and can be used with/without the hipbelt. It is Hydration ready but doesn't include a bladder (I ordered a CamelBak 3L Unbottle for that purpose. On sale at REI outlet). It hasn't arrived yet, but I'm really excited about this pack and can't wait to get it out on the trail. From what I've seen the construction is pretty bullet proof, the only issue I've seen is that there aren't a ton of smaller compartments, but that's fine with me.

Sean
 
The Redwing for $50 is a good deal.

I replaced my old Redwing with a Deuter Futura 32 that I like a lot.

http://www.deuterusa.com/products/productDetail.php?packID=futura32&sub=hiking&tert=futura

It's a great day pack, with a separate sleeping bag compartment. The pack sits off of your back, so it has great air flow, keeping your back cool. It's rated at 25 lbs, which it carries very well. The only downside is there is no adjustment for torso length. My torso length is 17.5" and the pack fits me very well. If you wear a small/medium pack, you should be fine.
 
i've had my acrterix for 15 years now, it has seen hell and four continents as well as a 130 ft drop off a cliff when my numb nuts partner dropped it while trying to get it on a separate anchor. i don't know if they have new packs with bladder slots, but i know i won't have to go looking for a new pack for probably another 15 years or more.
 
Camelbak Motherlode is a very durable and comfortable pack. I'd also second the recommendation on the Kelty Redwing. If 3100 cu inches is too much, try their Redtail version...it's 1800 cu in. Kelty's are great bargains, not too many packs that are as good for the price. They have comfortable straps and good use of compartments.
 
scouter27 said:
What on earth does weight have to do with durability? I have a Gregory Chaos-X pack which would be lighter if maxpedition offered something in its size. It is made of kevlar, or spectra or something like that. It is ultralight, but tougher than cordura.

duribility comes from quality construction and materials, not weight.

I would recommend you go with a pack that fits you well. A properly fitted pack is worth more than all the internet advice you will ever find. For the money, Kifaru will blow your mind and fit you well if you follow their instructions. I have not used any of the other semi-custom or custom pack makers so i can't comment about them. I have had good luck with a lot of manufacturers. Eagle has released a few new packs recently, the Yote looks great.
Click to expand...

My gregory pack is made out of some kind of nylon. Don't get me wrong, I am pretty sure that it will hold up to anything that I throw at it. I just can't imagine dragging it behind me through a cave for several hours and expect it to come out without a scratch. The maxpedition seems to be made out of a thicker material, so it might be better for that. But I have not tried some of the spectra or kevlar, so I can not comment on that. I think that for normal hiking and such, a gregory or osprey will last a very long time. I am not worried about it ripping when I rub against a tree or anything like that.

I am with you on getting a properly fitted pack though. Having a uncomfortable pack is a nightmare, especially at the beginning of a week long backpacking trip. That is why I like something with a frame and hip belt, it makes it much more comfortable. If possible, try out the pack with some weight in it to see how it feels. REI and places are good at that. You can probably find it cheaper online, but I think it is bad form to go to a real store to try it out, and then to buy it somewhere else online.
 
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