I'm in the market for a proper day pack and I would like to here some opinions on the matter. So..

What do you use for a day pack?
What to do you like about it?
What don't you like?

I have one but never really used it as a day pack.I have one of the packs with the camelback system for extra water, I got it at Cabelas in the bargain cave for $25,it is also water proof.I use mine for packing my fising gear,bug juice ans a first aid kit, it makes it easily accessible. The part I don't like is that it is an extra pack to carry on the portages.

kondos guide...thumbs up. its actually my solo food pack. portages nice under the canoe.

I have used an old school rucksack for years. It's definitely on the small side. However, this year I'm going to try this: Cabelas Rucksack

It's tad smaller than the specs for the Kondos Guide Pack (1700 cu in vs. 1730 cu in.). Though it appears most of this is in the side pockets.

What I liked about the school backpack was all of the different pockets; what I didn't like was the size.

What I like about this new bag is: large single sack and side pockets that can hold Nalgene bottles, and the price. Not sure what I don't like yet.

I have a Duluth Pack #2 Cruiser. Got it for Christmas years ago,my wife had it made in Orange as I also use it for deer hunting. Not too big, not too small and simple. I leave it in the pickup year around, has all my basic emergency gear etc no matter what I do or where I go. Thinking about getting Cedargirl a CCS Rucksack in her favorite color red for her camera gear.
CB

sloughman
If you are looking at mil surplus check out sportsmansguide.com , they have a great selection of mil packs.
CB

Kondos also makes a day pack. They make good stuff. Kondos day pack

CB, thanks for the tip. I'm not really in the market for any more military surplus bags. I stumbled across this one and it seemed like it'd work for a day pack, so I picked it up.

I robbed my kids school bag. I have no idea where it was purchased, what brand it is, or how much it originally cost, but my guess would be that it was cheep. It has held up against 4 or 5 trips now and is still in good shape. What I like most about it is it was free to me.

Merganser,

I bought a Seattle Sports waterproof backpack a few years back from Cabela's and have been happy with it. It doubles as a quasi-compression sack in my Duluth pack on the way in and out. Sat in the bottom of the canoe for most of the day trips and everything inside stayed dry. I like it because it doesn't add a lot of extra weight to my pack. Only dislike I have with it is the size, a little smaller than I'd like. Here the link: Seattle Sports bag

thlipsis29

Swiss Army Rucksack

I have a used Swiss Army Rucksack. Very comfortable and durable and cheap at an army surplus. Waterproof. I use it as my second pack (equipment pack) with a Mason Pack. Stands up on end because of the tough bottom. The only dislike might be weight? A students book bag would be lighter.

I just purchased the following dry pack from Seattle Sports. It is 1500 cu. in. and has extremely comfortable shoulder straps with waist belt. I intend to use as a front pack, which fits really well. The pack material is very flexible and appears durable. Anyone have one or heard any reports?

Seattle Sports Company - CrossBreed Dry Pack 1500

I have a Kelty day pack. It is similar to a kid's bookbag.

I use it for my food pack on solo trips. My Garcia food barrel fits in it nicely with room for other stuff such as my saw, duct tape and water filter. It has mesh side pockets that I put a water bottle in. It has small front pockets that hold my swiss army knife, first aid kit, and has an internal clip that I put my car keys on.

I also have a Cooke Custom Sewing thwart bag that has things like my rain gear, sun screen, bug dope, head net, lip balm, permit, small notebook and pencil, and other various items.

For portaging I have to take the thwart bag off, otherwise it blocks my vision. I attach the thwart bag to the day pack, and then portage it with the canoe.

Steep and Cheap

Mountainsmith 1800 DayPack. Looks like a nice pack for the price. Steep and Cheap

A nice insulated backpack. Works great, plenty of room.

We just got a CCS Rucksack for each of our three daughters. One of the rucksacks is big enough to carry everything I would need on a day trip plus they are a good way for the little ones to get experience carrying a pack. Dan has a great design. I especially like the big top pocket and the side water bottle holders.

TB

Now I want a CCS Rucksack.

I like the Guide Pack--it's expensive but well made. I got mind used from VN so it brought the cost down to the "reasonable level". I have used it on vacations where we do a lot of hiking (Big Sur and San Fran. in CA, BWCA, and Sylvania) and it has worked very well. I got a gift certificate for the Duluth Pack store in Duluth so I was able to buy their Rambler Pack ($155). I really like the feel of it but haven't used it yet.

Thanks for all the input. I've been looking at both the CSS rucksack and the Kondos Guide. I've kind of been waffling on size and pocket utility.

The CSS pack looks to be bigger. How much depends on whether or not Kondos factors the external pockets into their dimensions. From what I see on Dan's site the only pocket is in the flap. troutbreath, you said there were bottle holders?

The pocket configuration on the Guide looks pretty good but I'm not planning on putting 4 nalgene bottles in the side pockets and I'm not sure how well they'd work out for other stuff. Any of you Guide owners care to comment on that?

Merganser
The CCS pack has side compression straps, that most of the packs mentioned in this thread dont have. I really like them on my CCS packs. It is always easier to compress it down to make the pack smaller than to "stretch out" a pack to make it larger.
CB

By the way when comparing pack capacity,Dan uses L x W x H for volume. Others use material such as corn etc poured into the pack, it then takes on a cylinder shape which is then measured. Thats why some pack cos seem to OVERSTATE their volumes. We need to compare apples to apples. Dan does a MUCH better job explaining this in another thread on the board.

What I use is a Kelty “Redwing” it is like a day and a half pack. It holds an olive barrel nicely and extras. When tandem it’s the day provision pack, when solo it turns into the main food pack. It has a nice padded back, waist belt, side compression straps, and a sternum strap. Originally, I bought this to use as a child’s pack for backpacking. Since then one of my buddies has bought the same kind to use for his canoe tripping.

LL Bean's Summer catalog is out, their Continental Rucksack looks like a good value at $39.00>




Camping & Hiking Backpacks & Gear Bags Day-Hiking Packs


Classic Continental Rucksack

Graphite

OverviewDetails Now made of recycled polyester
MP3 player pocket and headphone port
Ideal for work, hikes or school


Gift Boxing Information
The Continental Rucksack has been a customer favorite since we introduced it over 20 years ago. This season it's been redesigned and improved, yet the price remains the same as it was back in 1987. Updates include recycled polyester fabric construction, a pocket for an MP3 player and Air Mesh on the back panel and shoulder straps for improved moisture wicking.
Extra padding in the hip belt adds comfort. Spindrift collars on side pockets help keep items secure. An inside fleece-lined pocket protects glasses or other fragile items. Large main compartment holds a day's worth of gear, snacks and layers. Outside pockets are just the right size for a small camera, binoculars, snacks or guidebooks. Sternum strap keeps the load close to your body.

2,000 cu. in. Fits torsos up to 21". 18"H x 11½"W x 6¼"D. Imported.


Colors

LL Bean

Merganser,

The water bottle pockets are a little tough to see in the picture on Dan's site but they are there. It is easier to see them in this picture of my girls.



You can see a water bottle in Liz's pack (she is the tall one.) The bottle just slides inside the straps and into the pocket. We secure them with BDB's to make sure that they don't slip out. I really like this little feature because I drink a lot of water and it is nice to have two full water bottles at the ready.

TB

OK, I see how that's set up. Seems pretty well done, like all Dan's work. Thanks.