The Daylite Plus was designed as an accessory for the larger Osprey packs. It is now one of the most popular lightweight hiking bags on the market.
If you are looking for a simple, durable pack for short day hikes, the Osprey Daylite Plus may be the perfect daypack.
Overview of the Osprey Daylite Plus
What do you get with this daypack? The Daylite Plus offers 20 liters of storage space, with three external pockets and a hydration pocket.
The bag is designed by Osprey, one of the leading manufacturers of hiking packs and travel bags. It has a simple, sleek unisex design that should fit most adults. You can adjust the fit by loosening or tightening the shoulder, sternum, and waist straps.
The interior of the daypack is one large compartment with a removable laptop sleeve. Depending on what you like to pack, you should have enough space to bring everything needed for an all-day hike.
Technical Specs and Features of the Osprey Daylite Plus
The main specs and features of the Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack include the following:
- 20-liter capacity
- Polyester material
- Removable interior sleeve
- Two mesh side pockets
- Front panel pocket
- Foam back panel
- Built-in external hydration pocket
- Available in eight different colors
The Osprey Daylite Plus is constructed from high-quality polyester material. It is water resistant.
Water tends to bead on the fabric and roll off.
The polyester material is a little thicker than nylon and cotton blends. However, it is still lightweight.
The daypack weighs about one pound without any gear inside.
The pack measures 9 x 10 x 18 inches, with 20 liters of space inside the main compartment. Other than a removable laptop sleeve, the compartment is empty.
It also includes two side mesh pockets and a front pocket.
For added comfort, the back of the pack features a die-cut foam back panel. This is also covered in mesh to help with ventilation.
The result is a comfortable backpack that keeps your back from getting too sweaty.
The back panel also has an external hydration pocket. This pocket is built into the exterior of the back panel, allowing you to access the water reservoir without opening the pack.
The Daylite Plus fits a standard 3-liter water reservoir.
The packs are unisex. However, they do come in a variety of different colors to suit anyone’s tastes.
Besides the standard black pack, you can choose from orange, red, blue, yellow, teal, gray, and purple.
Osprey’s Quality Guarantee
Along with the physical features of the daypack, the Osprey Daylite Plus also comes with a quality guarantee.
Osprey stands behind the quality of their products by offering a lifetime guarantee. They will repair any damage for any reason free of charge.
If they cannot complete the repairs, they will send you a replacement product.
This guarantee surpasses most manufacturer warranties. Thanks to the quality of the daypack, you may never need to use this warranty.
However, it gives you peace of mind knowing that your pack should offer you many years of use, even if it gets damaged.
Connect the Daypack to Other Osprey Bags
For long hikes, you can attach the Daylite Plus to other Osprey packs and bags. When attached to other bags, you have the option of removing the daypack for a short trek without needing to repack your gear.
Osprey states that the Daylite Plus is compatible with the following bags:
- Aether and Ariel Series
- Volt and Viva Series
- Shuttle Series
- Sojourn Series
- Porter Series
- Ace 75 Pack
- Farpoint 80 Pack
Connecting and removing the daypack is quick and easy. The straps connected to the front pocket on the Daylite Plus can stretch to connect to the front of any of these packs and bags.
Organizing Your Gear with the Osprey Daylite Plus
With the Daylite Plus, you get a total of three external pockets, as well as an external hydration pocket, an internal sleeve, and a large main compartment. This offers you a variety of spots to store your gear.
The main compartment offers 20 liters of storage space. This is on the lower end of the typical daypack size range.
However, 20 liters is still enough space for an all-day hike if you pack carefully.
Some people prefer a 35-liter pack for all-day treks, while 20 liters is often considered suitable for a half-day trip. This depends on your own preferences and what you decide to pack.
The interior of the pack also includes an internal sleeve. The sleeve is removable and is compatible with other Osprey packs.
It is also the perfect size for a 15-inch laptop.
Using the sleeve, you can keep your laptop or tablet separated from the rest of your gear, which may include damp clothes.
The exterior pockets include two side pockets, a front pocket, and a hydration pocket. The hydration pocket on the back of the daypack holds a three-liter hydration pouch.
It simply slides into a sleeve between the back panel and the main compartment.
The side pockets feature mesh material, allowing them to stretch to accommodate a variety of objects. While they are designed for storing water bottles, you may not need to bring bottled water if you have three liters in your water reservoir.
The front pocket is a flat sleeve with a zipper, commonly called the stuff-it pocket. This is the best spot in the pack for storing your ID or credit cards.
It is not very big but provides a secure storage space for one or two small items.
Pros of the Osprey Daylite Plus
With the Osprey Daylite Plus, you get several benefits compared to other daypacks in the same price range. The main highlights include the following:
- Comfortable design
- Large main compartment
- Durable materials and stitching
- Compatible with other Osprey packs
The Osprey Daylite Plus is a comfortable daypack. In fact, when properly adjusted, you may even forget that you are wearing it.
You can easily adjust the wide shoulder straps and the sternum strap to get the right fit.
This daypack has a large main compartment. While the capacity is just 20 liters, the interior is not crowded with extra pockets or padding.
The only thing that you will find inside the main compartment is the removable sleeve.
The compartment is also easy to access. The top zipper opens wide, providing quick access to the contents of your bag.
As mentioned, the Osprey Daylite Plus comes with a lifetime guarantee. It is made with durable materials and features quality stitching.
It is designed to hold up to rough use, making it a suitable pack for grueling hikes and all types of outdoor activities.
Having the option to connect the daypack to larger packs is also a useful feature. When planning a long hiking trip, you may stay the night at a campsite for one or two nights.
With your daypack, you can easily lighten your load for a shorter trip during the day.
Cons of the Osprey Daylite Plus
Most people love the Osprey Daylite Plus. However, every product gets a few complaints.
Some of the issues that you may experience include the following:
- Side pockets are not deep
- Shove-it pocket is small
- Some people prefer a larger daypack
- Not designed for large individuals
The side pockets are typically used for holding water bottles. While they are wide enough, they are not very deep.
A tall water bottle may potentially fall out of the pocket.
The front pocket is also compact. As mentioned, this pocket is best used for holding your ID or credit card.
You cannot really fit anything bigger than those two items in the pocket.
Most people can pack everything they need for a day hike inside the 20-liter Daylite Plus. However, some people prefer to bring more gear on their hikes.
If you tend to pack a lot of stuff, you may need a 35-liter daypack.
The waist strap is another potential issue. Some people find that the waist strap chafes their skin, while others find that it is not long enough to support large individuals.
The waist strap is not removable. If you decide not to use the waist strap, you can tuck it into the back of the front pocket.
This is a minor inconvenience that may not affect everyone.
The other potential issue is the width and length of the daypack. Those that are tall or broad-shouldered may find the bag to be a little too small.
While the bag may offer enough storage for a day hike, it may not be comfortable for large individuals. The shoulder straps are adjustable but do not accommodate those with very wide shoulders.
The bottom line is that the biggest complaints are related to the fit of the daypack. If you do not like a waist strap or have wide shoulders, you may run into some issues with the Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack.
Alternative Options to the Osprey Daylite Plus
The Osprey Daylite Plus is not the only quality daypack on the market. There are comparable options within the same price range.
The TETON SPORTS Oasis 1100 2-Liter Hydration Backpack offers slightly less internal storage compared to the Daylite Plus. The available space for the hydration pouch is also a little smaller.
However, it provides more functional external pockets and a bungee cord for securing one large item, such as a helmet.
If you are more concerned with the external features of the daypack, you may prefer the TETON SPORTS Oasis Daypack. While it does offer slightly less storage, it has a longer design.
People with wide shoulders that find the Osprey Daylite Plus too tight may enjoy the fit of the Oasis Daypack.
If cost is a major concern, the AmazonBasics Ultralight Packable Day Pack may be a better choice. It costs much less than the Osprey or TETON SPORTS daypacks and has a lightweight design.
The daypack can be stuffed into its own pocket for convenient storage.
For those that do not like the limited storage capacity of the Osprey Daylite Plus, Osprey has an alternative option. The Osprey Nebula Daypack has a 34-liter capacity and many of the same design elements as the Daylite Plus.
Both the Daylite Plus and the Nebula are made with durable materials and feature ventilated back panels. However, the Nebula offers 14 liters of extra storage space compared to the Daylite Plus.
The Nebula also features a convenient zippered opening to access the laptop sleeve without opening the main compartment. The only drawback is that the Nebula costs about twice as much than the Daylite Plus.
Conclusion – Who Should Consider Buying the Osprey Daylite Plus?
When shopping for a daypack, there are several main features that you want – durability, comfort, and convenience. The Osprey Daylite Plus covers all these areas and offers much more.
With the Daylite Plus, you are getting a high-quality daypack that is built to last. It can be used in the most extreme conditions without risk of tearing or ripping.
If it does get damaged, Osprey offers a lifetime repair or replacement guarantee.
The primary benefits include a comfortable, durable design and a spacious main compartment. Keep in mind that the comfort of this daypack may depend on your size.
People with broad shoulders may find the pack to be a little uncomfortable. The waist strap may also pose a problem for some individuals.
Besides these possible problems, the Daylite is a convenient option for packing what you need for a day trip. However, there are a couple of more issues to consider.
The two side pockets are not very deep, which may cause a water bottle to fall out. The front pocket is flat and small, keeping you from storing anything larger than an ID or credit card.
Luckily, the interior is large enough to store most of your gear. Twenty liters of storage should provide adequate space for all your food and clothing.
You also get space for a three-liter water reservoir.
Overall, the Osprey Daylite Plus may not be right for everyone. However, it is a great choice for most individuals.
The main details to remember are the size and the fit.
The Osprey Daylite Plus may be one of the most comfortable daypacks you ever wear if you are not too broad-shouldered. It also offers enough storage space for a day hike if you do not pack too many items.
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