Choosing A Daypack

By the Webtogs Staff

In this article we’ll look at the carrying options for when you run out of pockets, and what considerations to take into account when choosing a suitable Day Pack.

• Capacity – Usually gauged in litres
• Zip Up or Draw Cord
• Activity Type
• Features
• Specialized Daysacks

Capacity

• The most popular capacity for the ubiquitous Daysack or Day Pack is usually around the 30-litre mark, Small, light and durable enough to carry all the essentials for a day on the hill. The bigger the bag - the more we tend to put in it, but there are some solid reasons for breaking the 30-litre threshold.
• Are you a group leader? Do you ‘hog the Mars Bars’ for your group? Carry any specialist equipment, ropes or camera gear maybe? Taking these factors into consideration, anything up to 40 litres is still acceptable as a Daysack.

Zip Up or Draw Cord

Daysacks typically fall into two styles:

• Zip Up Bags: these have a large U-shaped zip across the top to access the main compartment making them easy to rummage through, this makes Zip Up bags ideal for students, parents with toddlers and suitable for some low level walks.
• Draw Cord / Top Loading Bags: these are simpler in design are lighter than Zip up bags of comparable size, this is due to the absence of large zips and compartments, and because of the draw cord they are easier to ‘stuff’ your equipment into when required. A quality draw cord bag will also offer side compression straps for stabilizing a load. Draw cord bags unfortunately do occasionally make it harder to locate those elusive Mars Bars, as the really important stuff tends to gravitate to the bottom of any bag!

Activity Type

As with all things in life, one is never enough, especially if you are a multi-sport enthusiast and so selecting the correct bag for your chosen activities is essential.

• Adventure Runners: Lightweight adventure and fell runners should opt for a smaller Daysack or Bum-bag around 10 to 15 litres for moving fast over rugged terrain. A larger 20-litre or even 25 litre bag maybe required for some longer endurance events.
• Group Leaders: A group leader, whether scout, school or a local walking group guide may be expected to carry a larger Daysack of up to 40 litres, accommodating spare group clothing, food and equipment.
• Mountaineers: Climbers, scramblers and mountaineers who require free range of movement of the arms will be looking for a narrower profile and heavier duty load-bearing bag in the region of 40-litres plus.
• Skiing: Ski touring enthusiasts should look for a bag that offers a narrow profile for free movement of the arms and waist and chest straps are a must for securing the pack to the body. Typically, a climbing bag of around 40 litres would be best suited for carrying extra clothing and equipment.
• Hill Walking: That leaves the rest of us Hill-walking mortals with the enviable task of choosing a suitable bag of around 30 litres from the mountain of quality Daysacks available at Webtogs.

Features

A quality Daysack should include the following features;

• Nylon based Ripstop material treated with a Polyurethane (PU) water resistant coating
• Lightweight padding for added comfort to the shoulder, lumber and waist-belt areas
• Ventilated back panels, allowing air to ventilate between carrier and the Daysack
• A dedicated Hydration reservoir specific compartment
• Chest strap for added security
• Side Compression straps to condense the volume when not fully laden
• External loops and anchor points for: walking poles, ice axe, and crampons etc
• A Waterproof rain cover included
• Side netting Pockets
• Ventilated Back Panels

Specialized Daysacks

• Hydration Packs: Most modern Daysacks come fitted with hydration compatible compartments, but also available are the more specialist hydration specific bags, which include a reservoir of between 1– 3 litres. The load carrying capacity of these bags can be limiting for hill walking but are hugely popular in sports such as mountain biking and skiing/snowboarding among others.
• Courier style Bags: Great for cycling or street usage, but not for the hill really. These bags are designed to be worn over one shoulder and are very distinctive in their appearance. Derived from the iconic bags favoured by the coolest big city cats– the cycle couriers.
• Women-specific: Improved fit benefitting the narrower designs and contouring of shoulder straps are the chief benefits for women specific bags.
• Day Bags: Fashion conscious but practical. These small bags are designed and built with a rugged edge.
• Lumbar Bags: Posh term for technical bum-bags. Snug, stable and popular with Fell and Adventure runners alike; limited carrying capacity.

Did you find this guide useful? If so you may also like:

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