If you’ve ever spent a day on the trail with an uncomfortable or under-equipped daypack, you already know how important a quality pack is. If you’re in the market for a new bag, our Osprey Packs Daylite Daypack review may be able to point you in the right direction.
NARROWING DOWN YOUR OPTIONS
Before you shop for a bag, it can be helpful to think carefully about some important characteristics of daypacks. You’ll quickly notice that there are hundreds of options on the market, so being able to narrow down the field can help you make the right choice for a new pack quickly.
DO YOU WANT A FRAME OR A FRAMELESS BAG?
Some daypacks feature a rigid frame built into the bag. This frame adds weight to the bag and makes it more difficult to stow away. But, the frame also helps to distribute the weight inside the bag evenly, and helps the bag maintain its shape no matter what you’re carrying. There are also backpacks with softer, lightweight frames that are made out of plastic and foam which provide more support, without the added weight. The Daylite from Osprey Packs has this style of framing.
HOW LARGE A BAG DO YOU NEED?
Most hikers find that a bag in the 18-22L range provides them with ample space for everything they’ll need for the day. But, a more substantial bag offers more versatility and can be used for longer trips. By the same token, they can be cumbersome to carry. The size of the bag you need will help you quickly narrow down your options.
WHAT KIND OF STORAGE DO YOU NEED?
Many daypacks feature a large central compartment and not much else. Meanwhile, others offer several different zipped compartments for organizing your gear. Depending on the type of storage you’re looking for, you can eliminate even more options from your search.
OSPREY PACKS DAYLITE DAYPACK REVIEW
When it comes to affordable, full-featured daypacks, the Osprey Daylite is an industry leader. You can find many of the features of the Daylite in similar bags, but few have the same attention to detail that Osprey Packs brings to the table.
Know what you want? Buy your backpack here now!
Osprey Packs has a reputation as one of the leading suppliers of hiking and outdoor gear and backpacks, and that reputation extends to the Daylite series as well. Despite being one of the most affordable Osprey bags available, it’s still backed by their lifetime guarantee. So, if anything ever goes wrong with your bag, it will be replaced, no questions asked.
PROS
- The large front section is great for storing valuables such as your hiking GPS
- Compatible as an add-on with many larger Osprey Packs bags
- Hydration/tablet sleeve
- Lifetime guarantee
- Large mesh side pockets
CONS
- Small size may not be adequate for heavy packers
- It May fit poorly if you’re 5’0” or shorter
- Water bottles tend to fall out of the side pockets
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
While it may be small in size, the Osprey Daylite is big on features and possesses several cool and intuitive design aspects you may be interested in similar to the Montem Diadema.
LARGE ORGANIZER POCKET WITH KEY CLIP
An issue with many daypacks is that they don’t offer much in the way of organization. Meanwhile, the front pocket of the Daylite offers a divided mesh organizer pocket and a key clip. There’s also ample room to pack things outside of the mesh organizer.
COMPATIBLE WITH OTHER OSPREY PACKS
The Daylite can be hooked onto many Osprey Packs, including the Aether, Ariel, Volt, Viva, Ace 75, Shuttle, Sojourn, Farpoint 80, and Porter series bags. This feature is great if you’re packing a larger bag to leave at camp and would like to have a smaller bag at your disposal for hiking or other trips where a larger bag wouldn’t be practical.
HEAVILY PADDED BACK PANEL AND STRAPS
The Daylite is a particularly comfortable bag even when it’s fully located, thanks to generous foam padding in the back of the bag, and on the straps, as well.
VERSATILE HYDRATION/LAPTOP SLEEVE
The Daylite series features an internal sleeve that’s compatible with many small and mid-sized hydration sleeves, as well as tablets and small laptops. So whether you’re taking your Daylite on the trail, or lugging it to class or the office, you’ll be covered either way.
ALTERNATIVES
If you decide that Daylite isn’t ideal for your needs, that’s okay. There are some quality alternatives that you may find more suitable.
OSPREY PACKS DAYLITE PLUS
If you’re liking the Daylite bag, but are hoping for a bit more in the way of storage and organization, the Osprey Daylite Plus may be a smart choice for you.
- Nearly identical design to the Daylite
- Additional shove-it pocket
- Additional small zippered front pocket
OUTLANDER FIELD OPERATION 35L
While the Outlander backpack is similar in design to the Daylite bags, it’s nearly twice the size. If you like the features of the Daylite but are looking for a larger bag, you can take a closer look at it.
- Nearly double the size of the Daylite bags
- No frame or back padding – Might not be as comfortable to carry
- Packable for easy storage
SWISSGEAR 1900 DAYPACK
The 1900 from SwissGear backpack is similar in size to the Daylite series, but it offers even more in the way of storage and organization. You’ll find several additional pockets as well as intuitive organizational features in this bag.
- Plenty of additional pockets for organization
- Similar in size to the Daylite packs
- Heavier than the Daylite packs
WRAPPING IT UP
If you’re looking for a small daypack that provides ample performance, storage, and versatility, the Daylite from Osprey packs may be a great choice for you. Owners of other Osprey bags are sure to appreciate the fact that they can attach their smaller Daylite to their larger bag to add additional storage space and versatility to their main bag. However, if you’re a heavy packer, you may find that the Osprey Daylite is a bit undersized for your needs.