If you’re acquainted with Osprey’s Daylite Series, the Osprey Daylite Travel Pack should be no surprise. The Daylite Travel Pack, the Daylite, and the Daylite Plus have a lot in common, including a robust harness system, an outdoorsy atmosphere, and general adaptability.
Even the taglines for the backpacks from Osprey are identical. The Daylite Travel Pack is “the perfect streamlined companion for on-the-go essentials,” according to the company. The Daylite, however, is marketed as a “portable and lightweight companion.” Isn’t it similar?
So, what distinguishes the Daylite Travel Pack from the rest? To begin with, it includes a zippered extension that converts it from an 18L to a 24L pack. In addition, the internal arrangement differs somewhat. This evaluation, however, will not include a side-by-side comparison. Instead, see our assessment of the Daylite and Daylite Plus if you want to make a direct comparison.
Aesthetics & Materials
Because Osprey is a well-known outdoor gear manufacturer, it’s no surprise that the Daylite Travel Pack has an outdoorsy flair. Black, Amulet Purple, and Petrol Blue are the three hues available during this review, emphasizing the athletic style. The multiple connection hooks and straps dangled from the pack’s outside served the same purpose.
While the Osprey logo and product name are prominently displayed on the front of the pack, the branding isn’t overbearing…at least when compared to other Osprey packs we’ve tried. Despite its rustic appeal, the group is also basic enough to be worn in a city. This is particularly true if you choose black and don’t utilize the external attachment points. (If you like Osprey but wish it had a more urban appearance, check out the Arcane line. #PackHackerProTip.)
Because we know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, we polled our Instagram followers to see whether they liked the Daylite Travel Pack’s design, and 77 percent voted yes. That is a very high approval rate. It is, in fact, one of the most significant approval scores we’ve ever observed! (As well as the Daylite and Daylite Plus, which have a similar appearance.)
The materials used in this pack are 210D Nylon Double Diamond Ripstop. For better or worse, you can see the diamond ripstop pattern, which has a different glitter (again, for better or worse). The ripstop fabric is helpful because it prevents tiny punctures or tears from becoming large, pack-ruining holes. In theory, at least. The drawback is that this cloth isn’t the most durable available. After a month of use, we’ve already detected a little snag in the material immediately under the logo. The good news is that it has been there for some time and has not deteriorated (for which we credit the ripstop fabric). If anything changes, we’ll make sure to update the Usage Timeline. The pack also has a 400HD Nylon Packcloth on the bottom and accents throughout.
The Daylite Travel Pack is lightweight, weighing just 1.3 pounds, thanks to these textiles. Of course, that’s not as light as the Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack, for example. But, given the pack’s excellent harness system and structure, that’s impressive.
YKK zippers, as well as YKK and ITW hardware, finish off the materials. We’ve had nothing but positive experiences with both companies and don’t anticipate any issues.
Components from Outside
As previously said, Osprey specializes in outdoor gear, so we’re not shocked that the harness system is so comfy.
The shoulder straps are a little thin, but they’re well-padded. The straps are bent to suit human bodies better and include EVA foam at the top, where they rest on your shoulders. (If you’re an alien, robot, or anything else that isn’t human, we recommend a different bundle.) They’re also quite simple to adjust—we love the hooks on the bottom of the straps that help you keep your hold when you relax or tighten them.
The shoulder straps are fastened to the top of the pack, including the top handle. We don’t believe it’s a very effective top handle since it’s challenging to grasp. During our testing, we found ourselves wishing for a specific grip and instead clutching the shoulder strap itself. However, we prefer this design since it distributes the pack’s weight over your shoulders, making it more pleasant to carry. We’re not backpacking engineers, but we believe Osprey could maintain the integrated-handle design and add a separate top handle for weight distribution.
The back panel is padded in the same way as the shoulder straps. Both include extensive air passages and a mesh layer for excellent breathability. You may still get the dreaded swamp back on hot days, as with all backpacks. However, it has one of the most breathable back panels.
A sternum strap may be adjusted as part of the harness system. It’s adjustable by rail, which we appreciate since it’s safe and allows you to get it to the exact location on your sternum. The buckle also has an emergency whistle built-in. It’s great to know it’s there in case you ever need it (the exception being a spontaneous whistling-a-song moment). Finally, we would have like a somewhat elasticized sternum strap. This design has been seen on various sternum straps, and we’ve discovered that it moves better with your body this way. That is, however, a minor quibble.
There is no way to connect a hip belt to this pack. We wanted to draw your attention to this since it may be a deal-breaker in your opinion. (A hip belt is included in both the Daylite and Daylite Plus packs, so you may anticipate one.) However, we don’t believe this is a major issue. This pack isn’t big enough for a hip belt, at 24L fully stretched.
Let’s move on from the harness mechanism and discuss the two water bottle compartments. On either side of the pack, there is one. We were hesitant to put these pockets through their paces since the Daylite Plus’s water bottle pockets are less than ideal (which is a polite way of stating that water bottles commonly fall out of them). However, we’re thrilled to inform you that these water bottle compartments are fantastic! (We’re so ecstatic that we’re using an exclamation point.)
They include an elasticized top that securely holds standard-sized water bottles. They may also be used with the top compression straps to secure taller things, such as a larger water bottle or tripod.
The compression straps are long enough to reach over the main compartment’s zipper. While this isn’t a major flaw, it has irritated us on a few occasions throughout our testing. To access the main compartment, unclip the compression straps or thread the zipper behind them. Both methods take time, so if you need to get inside the main compartment fast, you won’t be able to. That’s the part that’s the most aggravating.
On the plus side, its design serves as a little barrier to pickpockets. Although it isn’t a significant security element, it is something.
Let’s speak about the zipper pulls found throughout the pack while we’re on the subject of security measures. The zipper pulls are U-shaped with a plastic grip on the majority (but not all) of them. They’re simple to pick up and utilize. However, there have been reports that they are not lockable. Zippers that aren’t lockable aren’t a deal-breaker for us. However, if you’re concerned about your safety, it’s possible.
The zipper pulls on the zippered extension (which we’ll talk about more later) are different from the zippers on the main compartment, so you can readily tell them apart. This is a well-thought-out design element that we like. We’ve never mistakenly unzipped the expansion while trying to get inside the main compartment during testing (or vice versa).
The Daylite Travel Pack, like the Daylite and Daylite Plus packs, can be connected to the front of numerous bigger Osprey packs, such as the Farpoint 80. It’s a straightforward technique that makes use of the bigger pack’s compression straps and the Daylite Travel Pack’s two connection hooks on the front. The pack may also be worn on the front of your body by connecting it to Osprey’s more oversized backpacks using the harness systems’ buckles (this option is only compatible with the Farpoint and Fairview Travel Packs and Osprey Trek series.)
We don’t see these features being used in the real world. The former option requires you to carry a large rucksack on your back. With the monolith on your back, you’ll need to be cautious while turning around or negotiating remote locations to prevent knocking people down. And the latter does not sit well with us. In addition, we want to travel light. However, they are available if you want to use the possibilities.
The front of the pack’s attachment points, which tie the bag to the front of other Osprey backpacks, also serves as ordinary attachment points. This means you can take items outside if necessary.
The Inside of the Bag
Let’s start with the upper front of the pack’s quick-grab compartment. Before we get started, remember that the zipper might be tricky to maneuver around corners (even with the nice zipper pulls). It’s not a big problem, but it’s worth noting. This pocket is also rather gigantic. At least for a quick-grab bag. It has a large capacity and can hold a lot of items.
To protect your sunglasses, phone, or other sensitive belongings, the pocket has a soft lining material that Osprey calls “scratch-free.” Osprey’s iconic bright red plastic key clip is also included; unfortunately, d. We’ve said before in evaluations of other Osprey gear that we don’t care for this crucial clip. It doesn’t seem to fit in with the rest of the bag, and we’re concerned about its durability (although it has been holding up so far during testing). Furthermore, we think it’s unusual that Osprey placed this key clip in a “scratch-free” pocket since your keys will scrape up your valuables. So keep it in mind at all times.
The remainder of the pocket is empty. Whether you prefer the lack of structure or not is entirely up to you. Some individuals enjoy having a designated area for everything, while others appreciate open space’s flexibility (which they can organize with accessory pouches).
This pack’s main compartment includes a horseshoe opening, which means the zippers extend halfway down the bag, allowing easy access and visibility. The light inside the lining contributes to this visibility. This is a feature that we like seeing. See what I mean?
On the rear flap of this compartment is the same “scratch-free” lining found inside the quick-grab pocket. In addition, there are two mesh pockets across from it. These compartments additions are great because they keep smaller objects from falling into the dreaded Bottom of the Backpack Black Hole. They are, nevertheless, big enough to be adaptable, and the mesh provides excellent visibility. A gleaming, almost slippery fabric hides behind the pockets, allowing you to slide your belongings in and out effortlessly.
According to Osprey, the laptop/tablet/hydration bladder sleeve is located at the rear of the compartment and can hold up to a 14-inch laptop. However, we were able to squeeze in a 15-inch MacBook Pro. It has a gently cushioned inside and a fake bottom to safeguard your computer or tablet from accidental accidents. We do, however, wish there was a bit more cushioning. To guarantee proper protection, we recommend using a second laptop sleeve.
The “secret pocket” is located above the laptop/tablet/hydration bladder sleeve. It’s tucked away in a corner. The fact that it’s zipped and within the main compartment provides the majority of its security—pickpockets, would have to go through two zippers to get inside. It’s also RFID-blocking. It’s an excellent place to keep passports, additional cards, cash, and other valuables. It’s also easy to reach since it’s at the top of the compartment, without fully unzipping the main room.
The main compartment’s remaining space is available for you to utilize as you see appropriate. And it’s at this point that the zippered expansion comes in handy. When you zip it open, you get an additional 6L storage space within this compartment (from 18L to 24L). Again, Osprey did an excellent job of integrating this expansion—there it’s when you need it, but you won’t see it otherwise.
The expansion’s adaptability appeals to us. You can zip this bag up to make it a tiny daypack for short day travels. However, you have the room you need for extended days of traveling or packing for shorter vacations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Osprey Daylite fit the laptop?
A: No, it is not compatible.
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