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| Backpacks: The Outdoor Sports Shop carries all your day backpacks, hiking backpacks, large backpacks, backpack carriers, and childrens backpacks needs |
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BlackHawk Products Group
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Mountainsmith,
Stansport,
SwissGear
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Browning,
Mountainsmith,
Uncle Mikes
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Choosing a Day Backpack
Today there is a day backpack made for very activity and sport. Choosing from all the various styles and price ranges can be frustrating not to mention time-consuming. So it can't hurt to have a little basic knowledge about what to look for in choosing a day backpack.
A day backpack for rugged outdoor use needs to have a lot more technical know-how built in than the daypacks kids use to cart around books and music. First of all, a day backpack usually holds more than you would need for just a day. Most of them are capable of carrying enough supplies for 1-3 days. But there can still be a range of sizes to choose from--so go with a day backpack in the 1500 to 2500 cubic inch range. About midpoint in that range will have enough capacity to serve you well.
A day backpack is made for day hiking. Now while that might seem obvious to most people it bears mentioning because it means you are going to be using it out on the trail or in the backcountry--for hiking, hunting, fishing, maybe even snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. That means that a day backpack must be built sufficiently tough to handle whatever one day's weather can bring. And weather can throw a lot of different things at you in a day, especially if you are in the mountains or woods.
Day backpacks must be waterproof. This is not a negotiable option. You need to be able to pack a few dry clothes in there because if you get soaked to the skin by some unexpected rain at 40 degrees, you need to have dry clothes. Always take a warm sweater and something to protect you in the rain. In the winter, carry extra layers and an extra hat and gloves. You want none of these thing wet so get a waterproof day backpack for sure.
Next, you want to be able to get to this stuff easily so top-loading day backpacks where you have to pull out everything to get to that bottom item can be frustrating. A nice 3-sided heavy duty zipper is good. Padded back straps and a waist belt will help keep the day backpack from digging in and in the appropriate position on your back.
Compartments are good to hold a few small items like your wallet or the car keys but unless you are an organizational nut, you only need a couple on a day backpack. You should expect outside water bottle carriers, but other than that what you need for nice little extras will have more to do with your day backpack activity and with comfort than with essentials.
For instance, some day backpacks have straps just in case you want a sleeping bag for an overnight. Some have holders on the side for hiking poles. Other day backpacks have the attachments needed to mount skis and ski poles or a snowboard.
Get a day backpack with the features we've mentioned and you are sure to be prepared for your day in the outdoors. Remember to take a first-aid kit and let someone know where you are headed and when you will return.
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