Choosing a daily pack

[frovie]

I know you are all mostly hikers and carry packs for that reason and carry larger packs, but I'm in the process of trying to find a new pack for everyday. The uses I would have for this is to carry my daily stuff (no laptop), which includes some small electronics, snacks, water, juice and toddler clothes/diapers/wipes/toys for my daughter. This would be a pack I would just always have with me in case I decide to do something after picking my daughter up from daycare and having what I need, but I would also ride with it around town on our pedal bikes. I live in ND so right now it's almost zero, and in the summer 100+, so for it to fit over a winter coat but also fit well with just a t-shirt. I'm looking for something around 15L and no more than $80 and organization is important, and I have a personal grudge against Under Armor and 5.11.

The 3 I've narrowed down to are:

Gregory Miwok 18 / Wasath 12
http://www.amazon.com/Gregory-Miwok-...ok+18+Backpack

http://www.amazon.com/Gregory-590-34...ef=pd_sbs_sg_5


TETON Sport Oasis 1100

http://www.amazon.com/Sports-Oasis11...rds=teton+1100


Sierra Design Rohn 15

http://www.amazon.com/Sierra-Designs...ywords=rohn+15

18L is probably the largest I would want to go, the 12L Wasath might be too small. I was hoping any of you might be able to speak either directly to these packs, or at least the quality of the brands and the fit, and perhaps any packs that I might not have thought of (Osprey Raptors look nice but are out of price range). The only sporting goods store around here that has packs is obviously out of season but carry mostly UA and Kelty, so I'll be ordering online and won't be able to try a pack on for sizing. Any input is greatly appreciated

[Coffee]

My everyday backpack around town is a Jansport Wasabi: http://www.jansport.com/shop/en/jansport-us/wasabi-tyg6. The specs say that it is 32L but it seems a lot smaller than that (subjectively). I paid around $25 for mine.

[tarditi]

12 is pretty small - my 7 year old son has one (REI Sprig) and we're getting a larger one for him.
It can carry a 1L hydro pack, a rain jacket and some snacks, but that's about it. He's going up to about an 18-20ish size for a daypack.

I have a Gregory Baltoro 65 and it's great. I love that pack. Good company.

Try them on - see what fits best.
Personally, I'd rather carry less-than-capacity in a slightly too large pack than cram a smaller pack to-the-gills every time I go out.

[Toon]

Check out golite there cheap

Sent from my SPH-M820-BST using Tapatalk 2

[4eyedbuzzard]

LLBEAN also has some good day/organizer/school packs. I like the North Ridge pack. And if whatever you buy breaks or you wear it out before you think you got your money's worth, return it for a replacement.

[kayak karl]

there are different brand, but i always liked a sling pack for daily use.

[Meriadoc]

My daypack is a GraniteGear Blaze AC. It's a backpacking pack but it cinches down very small and flat. It's dual purpose (daypack and backpack) so I don't need to purchase a daypack.

Edit: It's more than $80 but it serves two purposes. If that's an option it's something you might consider.

[moytoy]

I use a go-lite jam for this very thing. It's larger than what you are asking about but sometimes I have a large cotton towel in it when I go to the gym. I use it as a sling pack or packing a days worth of stuff for the office or rain gear for a hike etc. It's always with me. I'm done with diapers but it would be good for that too.

[frovie]

Just wanted to say thanks for the input, I'll start checking out those other packs some of you have suggested. I used to like the idea of a sling bag, but the one I had ended up giving me back pain that put me out of commission for a couple days from how it was resting on my back, despite me thinking I had it fitting and cinched down right. I've seen other sling bags that I think I would like, but don't want to risk that pain again.

[fastfoxengineering]

I know you are all mostly hikers and carry packs for that reason and carry larger packs, but I'm in the process of trying to find a new pack for everyday. The uses I would have for this is to carry my daily stuff (no laptop), which includes some small electronics, snacks, water, juice and toddler clothes/diapers/wipes/toys for my daughter. This would be a pack I would just always have with me in case I decide to do something after picking my daughter up from daycare and having what I need, but I would also ride with it around town on our pedal bikes. I live in ND so right now it's almost zero, and in the summer 100+, so for it to fit over a winter coat but also fit well with just a t-shirt. I'm looking for something around 15L and no more than $80 and organization is important, and I have a personal grudge against Under Armor and 5.11.

The 3 I've narrowed down to are:

Gregory Miwok 18 / Wasath 12
http://www.amazon.com/Gregory-Miwok-...ok+18+Backpack

http://www.amazon.com/Gregory-590-34...ef=pd_sbs_sg_5


TETON Sport Oasis 1100

http://www.amazon.com/Sports-Oasis11...rds=teton+1100


Sierra Design Rohn 15

http://www.amazon.com/Sierra-Designs...ywords=rohn+15

18L is probably the largest I would want to go, the 12L Wasath might be too small. I was hoping any of you might be able to speak either directly to these packs, or at least the quality of the brands and the fit, and perhaps any packs that I might not have thought of (Osprey Raptors look nice but are out of price range). The only sporting goods store around here that has packs is obviously out of season but carry mostly UA and Kelty, so I'll be ordering online and won't be able to try a pack on for sizing. Any input is greatly appreciated

18L is pretty small. If you shove a jacket in there then it pretty much takes up all the space. I like the option of being able to carry a spare set of clothes in my day pack for whenever I go somewhere I'm spending overnight. Out of your budget, but I use a Kelty Map 3500. Its a military pack from kelty without molle webbing and all that such so it doesn't look tactical. In essence, it's a bombproof kelty redwing 40. After using daypacks everyday for the last 15 years, my preferred pack is right around the 40L mark, has compression straps (a 40L pack cinches down to nothing), has a removable waistbelt, an internal removable stay, some organization, and water bottle pockets on the outside.

I think 35-40L bags are the most versatile. Carry's my every day stuff without being to bulky, can take it on an airplane, and if needed, can shove a ton of stuff in it. Hell, I've done overnights with it while camping. But as a bag you just don't what's coming your way that day. It should cover all your needs.

I'd highly suggest Kelty redwings. Right in your price range too.

If your set on a 20L and under bag, I know a lot of people satisfied with their camelbak bags. Gregory is awesome, and Osprey is outstanding.

If you have the opportunity, go to REI/EMS, play with the 40 different bags they have in the 20L range, see what features you like. One will choose you. Online shopping is so overrated.

Regards

[Feral Bill]

There is a huge variety of such packs available, but you will probably need to look on line. My son found a very nice Jansport at REI, in the travel pack section. LL Bean, REI an others allow returns if your selection does not suit you.