There are many daypacks available on the market from a range of manufacturers. Many come with all of the bells and whistles of a multi-day pack but lack the quality you need from a reliable backpack suitable for day trips.
The Osprey Daylite daypack is a must-have for anyone in need of a reliable and versatile backpack for their daily adventures. With its sleek and functional design, the Daylite offers a comfortable and convenient way to carry your essentials, whether you’re running errands, hitting the trails, or traveling. It’s made from durable materials, ensuring that it will last you for years to come. With multiple compartments, a hydration sleeve, and the ability to attach to larger Osprey packs, the Daylite is perfect for any activity and is an excellent choice for both casual and outdoor use. Whether you’re an avid hiker or just looking for a reliable daypack, the Osprey Daylite is a must-have.
In this article, we will take a look at the Osprey Daylite Daypack backpack.
Osprey Daylite Review
- Large panel loading main compartment provides accessibility to inside contents
- Dual stretch mesh side pockets provide additional storage options
- The multi-function interior sleeve can be used for either a hydration reservoir or tablet
- Mesh-covered die-cut foam back panel provides both comfort and ventilation.
- Front zippered pocket with mesh organizer and key clip
First up, this is a really cool day pack that I acquired from Amazon a number of months ago.
This pack has a ton of positive reviews from people who bought it and tried it out, so I’m going to give you my personal Osprey Daylite review.
Unlike many other daypack options, the Osprey Daylite Daypack is designed with your comfort and convenience in mind.
You see, many manufacturers tend to think that small daypacks should be simple and not as versatile. This is where they go wrong.
A daypack should be easy to carry, versatile, and very durable. Fortunately, this backpack matches this description perfectly and has useful features that we will look at next.
The Key Features
Here is a summary of the key features of the Osprey Daylite Daypack:
- Dimension: 9 x 9 x 18 inches
- Weight: less than 1 pound
- Capacity: 13 liters
- Perfect for cycling, hiking, and everyday use
- Can be used as an add-on pack for other types of Osprey backpacks
- Made of a double diamond nylon body and 400HD nylon pack cloth bottom
- Available in 8 colors
- Hydration sleeve
- Mesh organizer and key clip
- Foam shoulder straps
- Tablet sleeve
- Breathable mesh back panel
- Large main compartment
Size
With a daypack, you want something that is both light and portable and most of all something you will hardly notice is on your back. We’re not looking for a huge amount of space here, just something big enough for a sweater, perhaps a drink, a snack, wallet, city guidebook or trail map etc.
With the Osprey Daylite, you get a pack that measures just 9 x 9 x 18 inches and weighs in at under 1 pound. The capacity is a nice 13 liters (3.4 gallons) which is more than you get with some packs. On top of that, the daypack has straps on your chest and waist. When you fasten them, your bag stays in a snag position. This prevents it from “swinging” on hour back as you climb a steep hill.
The nice and snug fit also makes the backpack comfortable in such a way that you can even jog with it on your back.
Pockets
This daypack has some thoughtful pockets. Let’s start with the two mesh side pockets that are nice a flexible and are great for storing a water bottle or those items you want to be able to access in a hurry.
Mesh Side Pockets
These are great for storing a water bottle. Or, you can put in those items that you want to be able to access in a hurry.
The side pockets are not really designed for valuables. They are only ideal for items that you wouldn’t be worried about if they were taken out. For example, a map, dog poop bags, etc.!
Main Compartment
The main compartment is a large and spacious opening that be easily accessed through a zipper opening.
Being a 13-liter capacity bag, you can be certain that this bag can fit in a decent amount of stuff. Although the bag may seem extremely compact, you’ll be surprised to learn that it can perfectly fit a 15.6-inch laptop.
The larger internal compartment is perfectly designed for day trips and will easily handle those items you use on a day to day basis.
There is a zippered smaller pocket accessible from the front of the backpack which has a mesh insert organizer and also a key hook to connect your house and car keys. This helps to prevent them from getting lost inside of the main compartment and also from falling out when you do open the zippered pocket.
Additional Features
The Osprey Daylite comes with a number of cool features you simply won’t find on other more regular daypacks, which is one of the reasons this backpack is so popular in its category.
Hydration Pocket
The new and improved Osprey Daylight has an external hydration pocket. The back-panel doubles as an external hydration reservoir suitable for most standard hydration bladders.
The provision of a hydration sleeve motivates you to hydrate on the go and keep your drinking straw accessible. This also negates the need to constantly remove the backpack to get to your water.
Another advantage of a backpack with a hydration pocket is that you’ll never have to worry that your clothes may get wet from water in a water bottle.
The water bladder is in an entirely different compartment that easily accessible without having to open any zippers.
And since it is on your back panel, the reservoir will give you an added layer that shields your back from the weight of the backpack.
Front Pocket
The front pocket is quite small but still very useful. It contains several slip pockets which allow you to arrange some of your accessories such as sunnies and pens.
It also has a key clip where you can hang your keys for easy access.
The Back Panel
The back panel is a combination of mesh-covered and die-cut foam which I have found provides a great deal of comfort and also, more importantly, ventilation to stop the back from getting too warm.
Shoulder Straps
The shoulder straps are connected to form a solid single piece which makes them more durable than the thin nylon webbing type straps you see on cheap daypacks.
The both fully adjust, meaning they can mold around your shoulders with ease. They are made from a foam-backed mesh which provides additional padding where most of the contact is made from a backpack.
Waist Belt & Sternum Strap
Being a daypack, you would expect that you would get one or the other, or perhaps neither a waist belt or sternum strap. However, with the Osprey Daylite, you get both!
Osprey has gone the extra mile to ensure you are comfortable regardless of what you are carrying and where you are going.
A waist belt helps to distribute the weight of the backpack away from your shoulders or back to the hips.
It also allows you to pull the backpack closer to your back which is extremely useful for riders and hikers as it prevents the bag from moving back and forth.
A 1″ thick nylon webbing waistbelt allows you to adjust the strap to fit your waist size making it perfect for smaller and larger people.
Also, there is a half-inch thick sternum strap which has the unique feature of a buckle that also acts as an emergency whistle. So, if you get lost or wander off the trail you can signal for help easily.
The sternum straps also help to put the shoulder straps in the most comfortable position.
Pros and Cons of Osprey Daylite Daypack
Here is a summary of the pros and cons of the Osprey Daylite Daypack.
Pros
- Versatile
- Lightweight
- Made from durable nylon
- Comfortable design
- Compatible with other Osprey backpacks
- Wide range of color selection
Cons
- Too compact for packing long trips
Deeper Dive
Now let’s have a closer look at the advantages of this backpack. Explaining the Pros and the Cons at a deeper level
The Osprey Daylite Backpack Is very Versatile
Are you searching for a multipurpose backpack that will serve you for years? This might be what you are looking for.
The Osprey Daylite daypack is extremely versatile. It can be used for hiking, traveling, or as an everyday backpack.
Weighing less than 1 pound, this bag is very light. Plus, since it is a 13-liter capacity backpack, you can pack a decent amount of stuff.
Whether you want a backpack to carry when running your errands around town, a carry-on backpack for your next flight, a bag to carry your laptop to school, or a backpack for your random hikes, this is the bag for you.
Extremely Comfortable
Simply because this is a compact daypack, you’d expect that not much consideration is put towards your comfort. On the contrary, several thoughtful features have been included to make this bag as comfortable as possible.
Although most daypack backpacks lack a breathable back, this one includes mesh fabric on the back. Therefore, even during hot sunny days, sweat will not stick to your back as the mesh fabric allows aeration and quick drying.
On top of that, the Daylite has comfy shoulder straps and a back panel which makes it extremely comfortable to wear all day.
Attractive with A Wide Range of Colors Available
Most daypacks come with a limited color selection. But with Daylite, you will be spoilt for choice. There are a whopping 12 colors to select from.
The colors include Real Red, Primrose Yellow, Dark Blue, Black, Orange, Eggplant Purple, Sagebrush Blue, Stone Grey, Tahoe Blue, and more.
All these shades are extremely attractive. Plus, the nylon material used gives your daypack an overall sheen which makes your bag look very stylish.
Compatible with Other Backpacks
Initially, Daylite was designed as an add-on daypack for other standard Osprey backpacks. But due to an increase in demand for similar daypacks, it was modified to fit in as a perfect and versatile daypack.
However, the manufacturers still made it compatible with most other Osprey backpacks. You can add it on to Ace 75, Sojurn, Ariel, Volt, and Porter series backpacks.
When you buy a Daylite daypack and another standard backpack, you’ll have the advantage of more space. And, if you want to make short trips with just but a few items, your daypack will come in very handy.
Cons – Explained
Note that the daylight daypack is a 13-liter capacity bag. It can hold a few clothes enough for a one-day hike, walks, or short travels.
This makes it a perfect choice for students, hikers, riders, etc.
However, if you are searching for a backpack that can fit in a few more items, the Daylite daypack may not be the best for you. Instead, consider purchasing a standard backpack.
In Conclusion
What I love like about the Osprey Daylite that the size is perfect and exactly what you need from a day pack. Combine that with the additional cool features not often found in comparable packs such as the laptop sleeve, hydration pouch and two side pockets and you have yourself a really flexible backpack that is of solid design and build and will last for years to come.
