Compactable Day-pack

[kozevian]

Hi all,

So, I'm in the market for a daypack.

My situation is this:

* multi-day hikes
* moving country in a few months (airport transits)

My requirements:

* Enough space for raincoat, water bottle, scroggin
* Compatible as I have a limit of weight and backpack space
* Shoulder straps to be foldable and without cushioning
* Under $100

I would also be interested in what you all use. Whether it be a multi-purpose bag or one soley for peakbagging from a designated campsite.

I hope I have made this all clear enough.


koz

[Lindsay]

HI kozevian, the S2S ulra sil daypack may be worth a look, although I doubt it is really suitable for multi day use. http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j ... gVXaraGV-w

[wayno]

http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/or-ge ... sacks.html

collapsable drybag packs...

[Moondog55]

Make sure it is Airline carry-on compatible, in the long run you will be glad you did.
Add clean underwear; toiletries and a complete change of casual clothes to that list ( for plane travel ) plus room for a book.
Most of the travel packs have a little day pack as part of the kit-out so there is plenty to choose from, although expensive and above your budget i like the Oakley range

[Aushiker]

I have just received a Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Daypack which is similar to the one mentioned. I have yet to try it out but it does not too bad for the sort of use you have in mind. Mind you the shoulder straps are very thin so I wouldn't be keen on loading it up to much.







Andrew

[wayno]

those sea to summit packs are parachute nylon, breaking strain of 100kg's , just not that comfortable when loaded.

[Macca81]

I have an S2S untrasil day pack, packs down to nothing, great for airport transfers (have used it 4 or 5 times international and 20odd times domestic, and it does the job well) and it takes up no space or weight in the pack for multi days. The only thing i dont like is if i am doing a daywalk with it is that it doesnt have a pocket for my water bladder, otherwise its great (the sil makes it near imposible to get caught by trees on those tough scrambles through the scrub!).

Agree with wayno however, dont put more than a few kilos in it, otherwise its just a pain.

[Son of a Beach]

I have an S2S untrasil day pack, packs down to nothing, great for airport transfers (have used it 4 or 5 times international and 20odd times domestic, and it does the job well) and it takes up no space or weight in the pack for multi days. The only thing i dont like is if i am doing a daywalk with it is that it doesnt have a pocket for my water bladder, otherwise its great (the sil makes it near imposible to get caught by trees on those tough scrambles through the scrub!).

Agree with wayno however, dont put more than a few kilos in it, otherwise its just a pain.

I got one of these in my christmas cracker, year before last. I agree with all this. My only other problem with it is that the shoulder strap tension buckle thingies do tend to slip occasionally, and I periodically have to re-tighten the straps. Not a big deal though.

[forest]

I have just received a Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Daypack

Me too from exactly the same place as you
Mines even the same colour.

Seems good. Quite light but I chucked a bit of normal daywalk gear in it and things look good. So long as nothing is too blocky and pocking into your back all is well.
If I was buying a designated "daypack" I'd probably get something a little more substantial with more padding etc.

I'll be using mine as a bit of a multi purpose item.

Carry on bag for plane (When big pack is checked in)
Food bag when in larger pack.
Daytrip/sidetrip pack when on multi day walks and the big pack is too much (and I'd have a base camp/hut).

Should be great for my upcoming trip to NZ and the Rees Dart Track.

[Mountain Rocket]

My only other problem with it is that the shoulder strap tension buckle thingies do tend to slip occasionally, and I periodically have to re-tighten the straps. Not a big deal though.

I think this is a generic problem with these bags. I just tie a knot under the buckles on the shoulder straps. That way... well, it doesn't slip!
They are blo-dy handy little things, but as people have noted your ability to pack them (and with what) determines the comfort factor. Minimal design does equate to minimal comfort in this case.

[Overlandman]

My only other problem with it is that the shoulder strap tension buckle thingies do tend to slip occasionally, and I periodically have to re-tighten the straps. Not a big deal though.[/quote]

My straps slip as well,
Thinking of getting the new ultra sil dry day pack, has anyone had the straps slip on this pack? or have they fixed the issue.

Regards Overlandman

[Macca81]

a simple slipknot fixes the strap slipping problem. It is annoying, and it took me a while to figure it out, but once i tied that slip knot in i suffered a palm to the face wondering how i could overlook such a simple solution and a paid of straps that no longer slipped!

[sailfish]

The S2S ultrasil is small, about 20 l so you are not going to put much weight in there. It is Cordura apparently. I used one as a tourist around the UK last year for wet weathers and a spare warm top + more and still had room. I mostly carried water etc on a belt. Yes the straps are thin and not inclined to remain flat but as the pack and the load in it weigh next to nothing, it's not an issue at all. Obviously if you go collecting rocks or something, it won't work for you. I think these things are a great idea, just use a little common sense.

Ken

[wayno]

the outdoor research drybag packs are an inbetween design, they dont pack down as small as the sea to summit but wider straps with a small amount of padding akes htem more comfortable, still pack down a lot smaller than the average day bag

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

If there is any scrambling or scrub to be negotiated, the STS Ultrasil might not be up to the job, depending on how well you look after your gear.

I loaned mine to a friend when we did Oakleigh recently, and he's the sort of person who just chucks his gear around and on rocks. The daypack was destroyed by the end.

It's not designed to be slid through scrub or scraped on rocks.

[roysta]

Pay a bit more and get an Osprey Hornet 32 or 46.
600g and 680g respectively.
We have one of each in the house.
They'll do what you want.

[tele-whippet]

I use a Marmot Kompressor, 340 g, 18 L, it has a nifty hydration bladder sleeve, doubles as a sleeping bag stuff sac and is quite comfy. Available from Adlers

[Strider]

I use a Marmot Kompressor, 340 g, 18 L, it has a nifty hydration bladder sleeve, doubles as a sleeping bag stuff sac and is quite comfy. Available from Adlers

That there, is positively BRILLIANT!

[SHD]

Hi

You could also consider the Exped Cloudburst in 15 or 25. I have the S2S packable as well. The Exped is also a dry bag an appears more robust. I have mine packed down to the size of a grapefruit. Worth considering.

[kozevian]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

Seems I'll have to do a bit more research, but the S2S Ultra-Sil seems like a winner for what I need. The Marmot Kompressor looks like a no-frills alternative aswell, bearing in mind that it looks a bit larger when packed-up, although the material does seems a bit more durable.

Any others with hesitations about the S2S material, ie used through heavy scrub, etc?

[wayno]

yeah i've got hte s2s ultra sill. it's ripstop, moderately robust looks tougher than your average ripstop, but still ripstop... it was made to be ultra compact first, robust last..... I only use it for side trips on established tracks, I don't expect it to hold up to bush bashing...

[Wolfix]

I have a S2S Ultrasil Dry Daypack that I tested in 4 days at Dreamworld/Whitewater World last year.

It rocks.

Durable (slammed it in and out of lockers, shoved it under my feet on rides, basically chucked it about)
Capacious (restricted diet so had to carry all my own food plus Camelbak Better Bottle .75L)
Very comfortable (with water, lunch and sunscreen ~5kg)
Easy to use (thought the roll-top would be a pain but really was less painful than a zip!)
Totally dry
Lightweight (Forgot I was wearing it frequently - "uh, no bags on this ride please!!")

I recommend the *&%$#! out of these bags. Turn it inside out and it's a drysac for inside your pack.