What To Look For
The best day backpacks have to do more than just provide gear storage during a day trip. They must allow hikers to carry that gear with relative ease and comfort. They need to provide durability with a light weight, and they should feature comfortable and supportive strap systems, as well as good ventilation to keep the hiker's back dry. Look for fabrics such as Cordura and for features like adjustable shoulder and hip straps to allow you to customize your fit.
Common Pitfalls
Not all packs are made to fit the same hiker. Check for pack lengths and widths to make sure that the pack will fit you comfortably. If you're buying in a store, try the pack on to ensure that it will be comfortable on a hike, and if you're buying a pack online, make sure that the website has a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee and a solid return policy.
Where To Buy
REI, Altrec, and Backcountry all provide shoppers with a wide range of packs to choose from on their websites, allowing customers to search for and sort gear according to price, range, and status in user-generated reviews. The sites frequently post discounted gear, and all of them offer 100 percent satisfaction guarantees and simple return policies if the gear isn't up to a buyer's satisfaction.
Cost
While higher-end packs can run well into the $200 and up range, expect to pay $50 to $100 for a decent day backpack. If you're looking for a deal, many websites offer clearance bags that are under $50, but make sure to check out user reviews for heavily discounted gear.
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