Help me find a daypack that won't fall over like a dead beetle

September 9, 2023 8:46 PM

I've been using the Osprey Daylite for hiking and travel and I like almost everything about it except for the fact that it won't stand on its own and the water bottle holders are too big. This has resulted in many spilled/leaking water bottles and I'm ready to find something new.

I know that Osprey has improved the water bottle holders in recent models but the pack still falls over, which is annoying. I already have the Osprey biking backpack with "kickstand," which was a nice solution, but I need a smaller pack than that. All the photos of sporty backpacks online are likely done with hidden supports—there's no way they could all be standing on their own like that, which makes this particularly hard to find via a web search. That is why I am asking you humans for your own experience of daypacks that won't fall down!

Requirements in addition to standing up on its own:
• Able to open from the top zipper and have a wide opening
• A water bottle holder on both sides
• More sporty/hiking style than high fashion accessory or school backpack
• About 18L capacity
• Not too many straps hanging all around
• At least 3 separate zipper compartments
• No big loud velcro situations

posted by oxisos to Shopping (5 answers total)

I have this backpack by REI and I love it. It sits upright on its own, opens from the top and has a wide opening, is more hiking style, is 18L, and there is no Velcro. I love it so much, this is my second one. The first one I had for 10(?) years.

It hits almost all your needs, but may not have enough zipper pockets for you - and it only has a water bottle holder on one side. Also it has lots of hanging straps, but you can tie them back pretty easily, or if they really bother you, you could cut them all. But also, hilariously, it comes with a whistle built into one the straps :)
posted by Toddles at 9:14 PM on September 9, 2023

My Swissgear backpack is 15+ years old and still going strong. It looks like this is the current version of it. It's got two water bottle sleeves, so many pockets you will lose stuff when you forget which little pocket it's in, it sits up on its own just fine, and I've used it for 2-3 days trips with no other luggage. It's not a great backpack for the woods, IMO, (a little hot and heavy to wear all day) but for hauling your stuff when traveling or around town, it's hard to beat.
posted by COD at 7:35 AM on September 10, 2023

Black Diamond's Creek series of packs stand up well, though they do not have external water bottle holders.
posted by Dashy at 8:09 AM on September 10, 2023

That's a well thought though list of reqs. I am having trouble meeting them all at once. If you don't mind having a bit more capacity, I would vote for the northface recon. It stands, has three pockets, two external water bottle pockets, and a roomy top zip. I think it also meets your aesthetic choice and lack of velcro and/or strap nuisance, although perhaps that's a judgment call.

Downside: it is 30L in capacity. So if you don't mind carrying something about a third larger, and having some space you don't need, but all the features you want, it could be a consideration. Good luck, and I'd love to know what you end up deciding!
posted by kaelynski at 9:13 AM on September 11, 2023

Response by poster: Thanks for the recos! The requirement I was most ready to compromise on was the strap situation, so I ordered a Mystery Ranch Gallagator. I found a black version of it it while shopping at the Danner physical store, and it turns out they they have a nice color selection online.
posted by oxisos at 1:18 PM on September 11, 2023 [1 favorite]