After losing my old daypack a year ago... off the back of a snowmobile, no less. (That happens too often: get ready to go, start up, hit the throttle. Then remember many miles and sometimes many hours later, that a pack is missing.) There's a camera with chip inside it, too. Never got any of that back. Lost in the snow, probably carried off by a critter, cause there was food inside it, too.
So... I ended up buying THREE daypacks. First was cool because it had some extra pockets, and no waist belt (because I never use them on a day pack). Turns out I bought it in the REI "travel" pack section. It was a woman's pack, but seemed ok in the store. Comfortable, but straps are too short when loaded. Gave it to Charlee for travel trips.
Next one... A Deuter "Act Trail 30", which I promptly cut off the waist belt. A good pack, used several times biking to work, hauls lots of stuff--will be great if it ever snows here again so I can ski or snowmobile. ...but too big and heavy for a summer day hike.
So #3: Same pack as Pickering has: REI "trail 20" or something. Super light, works well for day hikes. Smaller and lighter than the one we lost, but lightweight is good for my old bones and day hiking.
So lost one, bought 3 to replace it. Crazy.
