What about day hikes?

I have an older GoLite 24 that I like to use. I also have a LLBean Escape pack that is good too, but it has its drawbacks (water bottle pockets – I will be modifying those). These packs are about the same volume, but different functions for me.

The 24 is great for clear, warm days, when I can just haul butt, and don't have to worry about the weather. I like the Escape pack to carry snowshoes, and I used it last weekend with my umbrella for a chance of rain.

My wife loves her GoLite Rush pack. For really short outings, I've been using my REI Single Shot pack.

I use an Osprey Atmos 35 or a Golite "Search" (I think that's the name) depending on length and conditions.

I day hike and love it, nothing beats an extended trip though. I also have wondered about hip/lumbar packs for UL overnighters, especially very temperate conditions with abundant/frequent water sources. One issue I potentially see with lumbar packs for overnight usage is the lack of volume, for example, Mountainsmith makes a heavy Day model that weighs in at 1 lb. 7 oz. @ 14L, that is the largest lumbar pack I've seen on the market. That setup seems inefficient when compared to a Golite Ion which comes in at 10 oz. at 20L volume. My current day pack is a Talon 33, which has proven to be a little too big for most day hike usage, but I think it will make an excellent overnight to weekend pack.

It totally depends on the hike. For local shorter trips, I may take nothing more than a pair of sunglasses. For longer, more remote trips, I take a Vaude Jura 24L pack. This has room for hydration bladder, wind breaker, picnic lunch, sunscreen, and a few emergency supplies. I also throw in an insulating jacket on colder days, plus windpro gloves and hat.

If you think you can fit everything you need/want into a hip pack, then it might be more comfortable than a pack with shoulder straps, but really, the weight of a day pack is so inconsequential to me that I don't mind (the Vaude has a superbly ventilated back mesh panel).

I just carry the majority of my normal load if I'm going more than a few miles from the trail head. Since it's light it's not a burden and i actually use those "day hikes" as training hikes for longer trips by just carrying the light pack with my gear. I don't really carry it for safety, but heck what if i get some where and just feel the need to camp and take in the views or do some more exploring… It's happened.

I use a lumbar pack — $19.99 Eddie Bauer from Target that weighs 8oz (after I took away a bunch of unnecessary straps and stuff). I prefer using a lumbar pack because it makes putting on / taking off my shell layer so much easier! I can fit the following:

4.5 liters of water
snacks
sun block, DEET, and small first aid kit
camera
jacket

I use a Nathan HPL 020 vest and absoultely love it.

I have an REI Flash UL pack that I purchased about three years ago. Since then it has been my "go to" daypack, gym bag and carry-on luggage.

I normally use hydration packs, offbrand versions of the camelbacks and such or a homemade silnylon pack with enough volume for spare jacket layers and such. I don't find lumbar packs comfortable if I'm doing any scrambling or moving fast on uneven trails.

"I just carry the majority of my normal load if I'm going more than a few miles from the trail head"

Last weekend I was testing a friend's Osprey Exos 58 at it maximum recommended comfortable limit of 16kg/35lbs…That's twice as much as I usually carry, and meant I ended up taking a double quilt, ALL my winter clothes, lots of fuel canisters, many cans of baked beans, plus around 4kg of dried lentils and 6 litres of water. Puff puff puff up the hill. I figured I easily had enough stuff for a 2 week trip, and only walked to the top of a local hill and back. Now THAT'S what I call a day hike ;) SUL, heck no. Good training, heck yes.

Hey Lynn,
More to the point, how'd the Exos do for you at 35 pounds? I wore one a few hours at about 28 pounds and thought the support was great, but…

I'd say 9 out of 10 times I will just carry a waterbottle and my hoody tied around my waist for my hikes (9 out of 10 times I go out it is for less than 4 hours). If it is going to be longer than that I have a camleback that holds a little more water and my hoody, windbreak, and a little food/book/light. I think I might just go out right now :P thanks for the thought.
Sean

My current day pack is heavier than my normal pack(s). It is an REI Venturi 30 with a 3L hydration system. Very common for us to hike all day, and my wife and I have a favorite 16 mile loop on the PCT near Cedar Springs that we do a couple times each month in summer; with warmer temps and no water sources. I like to day hike with a heavier pack load, to keep in shape.

For most BPing I now have a Murmur, a Conduit, and an Ohm on order for longer trips.