Daypacks w/ Bottle Pocket Suggestions?

I moved up from a flash 18 to a Zimmerbuilt Quickstep, which is much bigger, but almost the same weight.  I also like smart water bottles and can fit two in each side pocket if necessary.  More often I have 2 on one side and one plus hiking poles on the other (in transit – I’m almost always using the poles when hiking.). I like the plain cuben fiber/hybrid back.

I’ve looked for a smaller pack, and wss interested in the HMG Daybreak, but it’s pricey.

I’m interested to hear what others recommend in size you suggest.

slbear

Hey Bob – The Quickstep seems really big for my needs dayhiking. I’m glad your Quickstep has worked for you. Are you still using a hose going into a Smartwater bottle for hydration? Didn’t I send you a drilled cap?

Good thought on the Daybreak. I’m probably not willing to drop $220 on one to try it out though.

How about the MLD Core 1300 with bottle pockets on the shoulder straps? Volume is a little higher at ~22 litres, but there are compression strap options now. I like the flatter profile vs the Flash too.

I think the list you already have and the MLD Core addition make a lot of sense.

But, another alternative to look at, with hip belt pockets as well, is the Terra Nova Laser 20.

http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/packs-rucksacks-poles/all-packs/laser-20-pack/

and/or the OMM Phantom 20

https://www.theomm.com/product/phantom-20/

The REI flash 22 has water bottle pockets.  They are a tall stretch mesh that should work well with taller skinny smart water bottles.  I use Gatorade bottles, and the mesh goes all the way up to (past?) the shoulder of the bottle

The pack body is a tiny bit bigger than the flash 18. The extra is NOT in the lid. (It has a flap style lid with a flat pocket to cover the hole when it rains).

Personally, I like the easy access of the drawstring top, and cut off the flap style lid covering it.

Stuart, Ito – Thanks for the suggestions!

I really like MLD’s attention to detail and construction but I want bottle pockets on the pack itself rather than up front. I’m not ready to commit to water up front all the time although I do like that sometimes. I’m also not thrilled with drybag closures because they take too much work if I want to access something while walking down the trail. If Ron would make me a 1300ci Core with a drawstring or zipper closure and side pockets my search would be over.

The Oom and Terra Nova packs are new to me so thanks for sharing those. Unfortunately I don’t want a waist belt. It looks like it is removable on the Oom but the side pockets look tiny. Do you know if they are big enough for a 1L bottle?

REI Garage has the MH Splitter pack — side bottle pockets look generous & there’s no hipbelt:

https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/product/103417/mountain-hardwear-splitter-20-pack

I had one of the terra nova packs years ago and the zipper failed it was a disaster, try keeping anything in a pack with a zipper that runs down the the full length of the back.

A lot of people seem to do fine with the Laser, but I agree with Link on that being a weak spot. I like quick access but think on the variants of the Zimmer Hybrid pack the zipper is nicer, there is less stress on it. And if it fails, it is the top lid, not the whole length of the main compartment that is opened up.

Not sure about the side pockets of the OMM. I wouldn’t trust them to be big enough personally. Perhaps they are called bottles pockets but still require tremendous effort to put bottles in and out. I’d really want to hear about it from somebody with experience.

Really like I said, the list you posted in your own original post makes the most sense to me. Especially the ZImmerbuilt looks really nice to me. I just wanted to show you alternate options that might or might not have interested you.

Yes – I use that cap all the time and move the setup from my day pack to my backpack.  Thank you again.  The quickstep is too big for me, but then I look around and can’t really find anything lighter unless it’s a simple sack with straps.

I agree on the Daybreak cost.  It’s a little north of what I can justify for a daypack.

I’ll amend my statement on weight after looking at zpacks and zimmerbuilt – those choices will be the lighter than a  quickstep even with the bottle pockets added.  I’ve questioned my quickstep purchase at one time for the fit (sternum strap fixed that), hydration hose support (your DIY cap fixed that), the roll top can be a pain (but it has a large back mesh pocket), and the large size.  For the size concern, the weight keeps me from changing, but every now again wonder if I should care in a day pack.

My old standby was a Osprey Stratos 24, which had an arc vent and a great carry, but when I weighed it at 43 oz, I couldn’t get over how it was more than 50% heavier than my multi-day backpack.  I’ve said here before that it’s tough to go back to a heavier pack after trying one < 10oz, but those ounces don’t count for as much on a day hike as they do a backpack.

I got my son a Flash 22 a few years ago – REI changed it’s design a little, but I got it because it had the stretchy side pockets and some organization for less than 15oz – still the same.  It won’t be as durable as the Flash 18, but the red hot color is <$25, and even the normal is <$50 – it’s off the shelf and returnable. The hip belt must be removeable.  I’m not trading in my quickstep, but this seems like a nice option if you were happy with the Flash 18.

What about the minimalist daypack or quicksak pack from Gossamer?

edit: can’t get the minimalist daypack link to work: http://gossamergear.com/the-minimalist.html