What size of daypack is everyone using?

I would love a Newt but they aren't being made right now.

A Talon 5.5? I cannot believe you got all of your gear in that. I mean, I believe it but that is really impressive.

Stratos 24 i prefer to have a bit of a frame and the mesh back. an extra pound is worth the comfort.

this weekend's 7mi day hike will have rain/wind jacket, 1.5L camelpak, 1L powerade bottle, FAK, hat, gloves, knife, camera, food.

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Nice job, Mike! Do you have room for rain gear? I go with a Heatsheet bivy and a poncho to cover emergency overnights.

I use the same myog pack for day trips and longer trips. It is about 50 liters and weighs under 1 lb.

I like the convenience of stowing a bulky coat without having to stuff it. I also like having everything in my front bag in the same place whether I'm on a day hike or a longer hike.

Dale said "Nice job, Mike! Do you have room for rain gear? I go with a Heatsheet bivy and a poncho to cover emergency overnights."

Dale- not sure it shows up in the pic, but there is decent size front stretch pocket that holds my rain gear. I really think that it's 5.5 liter rating is a underrated, it's quite roomy for such a small pack- sadly though they removed this from their Talon lineup :(

Mike

What, no Ion?

I use:

* Golite Ion (25 L): All around goodie. Would have wider use cases if it had a big mesh pocket and/or side pockets, otherwise just dandy!

* Granite Gear Vapor Day (32 L): I use this a lot during the winter. Convenient panel loader with a thick foam back panel that works great a sit pad.

* ULA Circuit (20-65 L): Believe it or not, I use my Circuit as a day pack quite a bit. Especially during the summer, where the mesh backpanel does a lot to increase comfort vs the crazy insulation of the Granite Gear foam backpanel and the clammy Dyneema X of the Ion. Generally, I have a Platy in the main bag with the compression straps and shock cord totally cinched up, making the big mesh pocket the space I'm really using. No hipbelt or stay when I'm using it like this. Heavy compared to the Ion, but very comfy and convenient.

All of these are more than big enough, but no reason to spend more money to get a smaller pack.

Usually a Flash 18. Easy to get my UL "just in case" stuff into it. I used to take my Murmur or TNF Rucksack for longer hikes that required a lot of water. Probably start using the Zero for weights under 10 lbs.

How big is the Zero?

David,

A small Zero is 1500 cu in or around 25.5 L. Joe also makes a extra small.

He has more detailed information on his website.

For most trips, I use the REI Flash 18. I don't see many people who use it, so its great to see folks in this forum who know about this great piece of gear.

I can stash: rain jacket, lightweight down puffy, power stretch gloves, water, food, FAK kit, 1st aid kit, knife, some cord, headlamp and jetfoil with ease.

I have to be honest, the pack doesn't carry super well. I use it a lot on short MTB rides and it's grew, and thank god for the waist belt.

But for traveling, commenting, and overnighters, I use my Granite Gear Habenero (http://www.granitegearstore.com/Habanero-28-P160C29.aspx), and it is honestly one of the best packs I have ever owned. So worthy, that I need to post a video review of it on my YouTube series on outdoor gear.

I highly recommend both packs.

I usually use a Camelback mule. I don't feel a need for carrying the "10 essentials" on a day hike.

Lately I've been trying to make this work:

I can fit a 1-liter platypus hydration in the back pocket and a couple of odds and ends in the front pockets. If I don't need to carry any water, I can use the back pocket for other things, like a light jacket. It is kind of fun to see how little I can take day hiking.

Had a Gregory Z25 but sold once I got the Talon. Have a Flash 18 but it barrels up pretty quick when packed

I'm surprised at the popularity of the Flash 18 (10oz, 1100 in3) versus the North Face Verto 26 (11oz, 1800 in3). The Verto has more space, more substantial shoulder straps, a real lid with pocket, and a nice external mesh pocket, all for about 1 oz more. Maybe it's a money issue.

Well we are talking day pack. Unless I am doing big mileage off trail, the Flash 18 is a nice volume. I use a 26L pack for multi-day trips. :)

I should comment that I use a 2L Osprey Hydraform reservoir inside the back of the Flash 18 for a "frame". It's heavy for a water bladder, but I am happy to accept the jump in weight for how comfortable it stays against my back, even when totally empty. Highly recommended.

I use the same thing for day hikes as I do as my primary summer/shoulder season backpack… the ZPacks Zero in cuben fiber, sized X-Small. 1,000 cubic inches / 16.4 liters.

It is perfect for a day hike or even for a three day hike. Much more than 3 days and I run out of room for food :(

I'm using the EMS packable pack. For $24 (on sale), a 9oz, 1500in3 pack. I haven't trimmed it down yet, but would probably get rid of the internal bladder sleeve. Nice top pocket and mesh side pockets. Would love to make this my SUL pack when I get there.

I'm using a Hydraform bladder as well- the added stiffness outweighs concerns of additional weight over other bladders (the nifty magnetic bite valve holder is slick too :))

Black diamond 22l black diamond, if i need to carry a lot of gear, its got a large external sleeve to stow gear in. great flexible belt and shoulder straps that dynamically shorten and lengthen in opposition, because the shoulder straps are connected by a cable that runs freely under a runner at the base of the pack. you can move fast and free not resistance from hte pack, forget youre wearing it
the zipper won't keep the rain out, if heavy rain is a problem black diamond dont do backs with a lid smaller than 30 litres, they don't tend to do waterproof zippers

+1 on the Sea to Summit Ultra Sil. True the straps could be better (theyre not padded) but at 2.4 ounces it has to be the lightest 20 litre pack out there. I made a sternum strap with 1/2 inch webbing and a small side release buckle. I thought this was overkill on such as small pack but it keeps the straps from spreading and digging into my underarm. With the sternum strap the pack weighs 2.6 ounces and cost less than $30.

You fit can fit a shoulder season load into a 16 litre pack???
Jeez there must be some uber small gear out there that my wallet will never let me see.

3 season day hikes – I just use an Eddie Bauer waist pack (Target $20). What I have put inside it:

o 4.8 liters of water (2.8L in the pack and two 1L bottles in the side pockets)
o wind jacket
o lunch and snacks
o bug/sun screen
o small first aid kit
o flashlight
o compass

Carries well… and best of all, a waist pack allows for much easier putting on / talking off wind jacket.

capacity: 250 c.i. according to the label
weight: 8oz actual

"Thanks guys. I am trying to go from using a 30L daypack to something under 20L"

Heh heh… The pack I used for my 7-month RTW travel was 28L.