All around Day Pack

Pata black hole

Another option, but not at REI:

http://www.tortugabackpacks.com/products/tortuga-packable-daypack

Tortuga is focused on Urban Travel….minimalist/lightweight.

A bit pricey, but might be better designed for what you need vs. adapting an outdoor pack for daily use around town.

I have one of these on order now.

Tony

I went through a similar search recently.

Black Diamond do some great packs which are often on sale and well stocked up with features and carry well. I picked up a Sonar. I think Sierra Trading Post may have had some – try Campsaver and Backcountry as well.

The Black Hole seemed great, but was perhaps a little more around town than the trail. But it would certainly be decent enough. Doesn't have bottle pockets which for some reason annoys the hell out of me.

There's an outdry version of the Scrambler available which adds waterproof to the mix, which is always nice.

Patagonia is redesigning the Black Hole for the Fall season. The 25L model will have water bottle pockets. They are decreasing the size of the 35L to 32L and making it a panel loader (no water bottle pockets). Both models will be lighter than their current counterparts.

I want the Ascentionist 25 but will probably get one of the new Black Hole bags since my primary use will be commuting.

I'm also using the new Nine Trails pack for day hikes. Just enough space for a 2L Evernew bladder, some layers, and food. I could even fit my cook kit if I wanted a picnic.

Hey Brian, with the diapers and juice boxes, it sounds like you really do need an 'all around pack'.

Couple things I noticed with the two you mentioned:

-you may want something with a couple small external pockets
-how about a beefier hip belt or one with some side pockets? Not that you totally need it, but, it
would definitely get its use.
-for quickly grabbing items, I have found that packs with the top covers become cumbersome. I prefer
just a zipper for quick access.

Either way, you will be stoked to get some new goods.

I was just shopping for a do all all day pack myself and chose the Osprey Escapist 30. I use it for cycling, day trips, the gym, ect….I guess it could be used as a small overnight bag as well. I recently bought a low price airfare that charges for carry on bags. However, it is considered within the size of a personal item so it will be free. I can pack a couple days clothes and such in it (with thanks to light weight backpacking skills). I scored it on steep and cheap for $70.

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

I'm kind of wanting a minimalist just throw everything into it (running clothes, rain gear, kids stuff for a trip to the park, etc) kind of bag, and am not really wanting a lot of pockets, hip belts etc.

Haven't heard a lot of feed back on the two bags that I was most interested in, so I'm guessing they are either not popular, or not popular for my intended use.

One potential issue with the Asc 25 and Scrambler 30 is they come in one size and have short torsos. With a 21" torso I find this less than ideal, even if you don't use a hipbelt they still carry funny.

Look at the REI Stoke 29 http://www.rei.com/product/848005/rei-stoke-29-pack-2013-special-buy#tab-specs

There is a Flash 30 in gear swap too.

Hey Brian, I recently got the scrambler 30 as a day pack so I wouldn't have to carry around my larger pack.

I like the Scrambler 30, but there are a few things you should know about it before buying it.

First of all, this is a pack meant for climbing. The pack sits high up on your back, and the hip belt rides up higher than usual. The reason for this (I'm guessing) is because the hip belt is designed to be used while wearing a harness. The hip belt will likely be as high or higher than your belly button.

Because of this, the hip belt will pull the pack closer to your back instead of placing the pack's weight on your hips. This is great if you're hanging upside down on a rock climb or if you want to prevent the pack from "bouncing around" when moving quickly on the trail.

The plastic belt clips are a little wimpy. They haven't failed me yet, but I'm waiting for the day when I step on them. Keep in mind these can be easily and cheaply replaced.

The water bottle pouches on the side are not accessible while you're wearing the pack. Again, since this is a climbing pack, they have made the carabiner clips more accessible to reach climbing gear. Therefore, if you use water bottles you will have to take your pack off to access them. However, there is a pouch and opening for a hydration unit. I personally don't mind taking my pack off.

The backplate provides some good support and conforms to the shape of your back. I haven't removed it yet but I probably never will unless needed. Your back can and will get sweaty if you're exerting yourself, but that's how it is with most packs.

The shoulder straps are really comfortable, and wearing the pack (even with the high hip belt) is comfortable. The bag is made of really tough, durable feeling material too.

I loaded my pack down for a daytrip with several layers, a lunchbox, four water bottles, trekking poles, and several other accessories like sunglasses and gloves. Although my pack was stuffed, it was still really comfortable and I felt like I didn't even need to use the hip belt except when the pack bounced around during a rapid descent.

Overall, I found that it was a great day pack although its primary use is for climbing. It has a couple minor inconveniences like needing to take the pack off to access the water bottle pouches, but the pack does perform in terms of overall comfort and durability.

I never rock climb, but I still don't regret getting the scramber 30. If you have more questions about it let me know!

this is a great pack, very sturdy, but still light- not much for bells/whistles, but purposely designed that way

it also carries nicely- up to about 15#

the main sack is very roomy, seems more than 25 liter, but maybe that’s because other packs count accessory pockets, etc???

I think Patagonia hit a home run w/ this well designed, well constructed pack

I know it is expensive but the Mammut Trion Light 28 liter is similar to the Patagonia pack but even more bomb proof and has removal hip belt padding and a removable top lid leaving you with a roll top. Similar concept to all of these climbing oriented day packs in that it has no bottle pockets. If you can swallow the price or can get it on sale it is worth it, particularly if you carry pointy winter stuff or want to travel with it. Mine will outlive me.

I've been using the Scrambler Outdry 30 for the past few months and love the bag. I've used several other daypacks (Osprey, Granite Gear, Black Diamond and Gregory) and find this one to be a good all around pack- but with SOME limitations, I'll list them first:

1) Pockets- This is a strength/weakness. There is a large main compartment, a smaller zipped compartment on the top part of the pack and two water bottle pockets on the size. That's it.

2) Waist belt- Basic webbing. A bit weak, but then again the pack is not meant to carry heavy loads. I like that the waist belt webbing is stashable.

3) Closure- the hook closure makes the bag kind of carry slightly odd if it isnt packed full.

Now for the cons.

1) VERY DURABLE. Outdry really does add to the durability. Had this thing scraping against rock, wood and dirt – still looks brand new

2) Waterproof- Yea, the material lives up to the hyper. Rain will not touch this thing.

3) Simplicity- it's a simple daypack with waterproof material and a comfortable framesheet.

IMO, it's my one bag for just about everything now.

i have the older scrambler TRL 30 …

it simply does everything … but like anything else it must fit

as to the durability … i use it on rock routes, and it gets dragged all over the crag with my cleaning tools inside or strapped to it

;)

I think a better comparo would be the MH Scrambler and Ascensionist 35l – the 35 liter Ascensionist has a removable frame, pads on the hip belts, side compression straps and a few other minor bells/whistles- it's also closer in weight 30.8 oz to 27 oz for the Scrambler, the 25 l Ascensionist only weighs 14.2 oz

I have both the 25 and 35 Ascensionist, the 35 is mostly relegated to winter/shoulder season stuff (or if I need to pack more stuff for some reason)- it would do fine in the "summer", but the 25 is more than sufficient and lighter

I also have a Patagonia Ascensionist 25 L. It is very simply, very sturdy, very good. Carries very well. I have used it to do day hikes in Zion, Grand Canyon. But I too have kids and use it for dayhikes with them to carry a variety of snacks, water, jackets, etc. I highly recommend it. The one complaint I have is the top lid pocket is a hint on the small side if you are trying to get more than just a phone and powerbar in it – it struggles to take more than that. Otherwise it's top notch.

Simple light weight pack that accomplishes all of the op's intended purposes. also, at any given time somebody has it on sale.

Thanks everyone lots of good suggestions. Another pack I am thinking about is the Eddie Bauer bacon. Looks like rei might have made this easy on me by selling out of the scrambler.

I have a Gossamer Gear Type 2 Utility Pack. It's really nice-looking. I've used it to go to conferences and to go to Hawaii where I used it for my luggage and for a backpack trip on the Kalalau Trail.

Hey I was wondering about this same thing, so instead of doing a new thread I'd ask it here.

I have been using this arcteryx pack for everything the past 15plus years, it's a 25lt volt that is modded to make the features less half ass and has a plastic seeding tray in the back.

Perfect fit for me on a overnight or at work being organized, got it to weigh 2# 1ounce
Is there a durable 32 to 35lt pack with good suspension and rides high on the back while utilizing zippers for a quick grab organized space? but under one and a half pounds or so.

Thanks for sharing the thread!

Also fits a gg nitelite well