I tend to use pouches and packing cubes, and the Daylite suits this sort of packing style. The main compartment opens up luggage-style, supplying ample room and a cinch strap. I absolutely loved this because the two sizes worked wonderfully for the two use cases: in transit, 32L once I wanted to walk around town or hike, 26L. It’s an elegant implementation because 26L is ample for minimalist travelers and EDC use, while 32L is definitely a travel size. There is no need to fiddle around with straps and buckles, no need to cinch it down or out just one smooth pull can expand or contract this bag. The first feature I want to mention is in the pack’s name it’s expandable, helping to serve as both travel pack and EDC/minimalist travel. A U-shaped zipper expands the Daylite from 26L to 32L. It’s a tightrope balancing act that requires some thoughtful design decisions. Generally, this stuff is clothing, toiletries, and tech you need either in transit or at your destination. That right there is Osprey’s wheelhouse – that’s their bread and butter. A side benefit of a good travel bag is using it as an EDC bag without looking ridiculous while at the destination. The primary purpose of a travel bag is to get your stuff from point A to point B. They’re comfortable, but not the most comfortable or robust straps, still… $100. Again, they get the job done with little fuss, especially with shorter jaunts. Similarly, the straps too contain bits of ribbed foam and ventilated mesh. There’s a reasonably flexible frame sheet that contains breathable mesh and ribbed foam Osprey calls it “Airscape.” There is a gap between the sheet and the bag itself, creating a vertical luggage pass-through. With lighter loads, this setup caused the bottom of the sheet to subtly dig into my lower back but became more comfortable when loaded down, spreading the load across the entire sheet. The back panel is pretty interesting, though. I am a big fan of the zipper pulls on the bag’s exterior – sure, I can see them cracking and wasting away after a couple of years. Again, that’s $100 for a pack that’ll last at least a few years. And finally, the buckles are ITW plastic that feels sturdy and up to the task. The laptop and main compartment zippers are both lockable. The zippers are all super-smooth and a pleasure to use. Zippers are YKK #8s and #5s neither are AquaGuard, though. There’s one layer of material the exterior’s 300D is what you get inside, and the same with the 600D on the sides and bottom. On the bright side, they’re easy to clean. The front face is a cool-looking 300D recycled poly, while the accents and bottom are a sturdier 600D recycled poly. In addition, the two bottle pockets on either side are stretchy mesh. None of these materials are especially noteworthy, but they get the job done. Osprey knows their materials and hardware well, and the Daylite has a mix that speaks to the budget-conscious nature of the bag. A notable result is that the pack does lack some structure. One point of contention, though, may be of concern when using the Daylite over more extended periods or under harsh weather: there is no liner, only a single layer of material. Their reputation and my experience with this pack so far tell me it’ll last at least a few years of abuse. It still feels and looks like a new pack. Although my testing time was a bit over a month, I took the Daylite to quite a few places and overstuffed it as much as possible. Osprey’s been making bags for a long time they know how to build a bag that can contend with the rigors of travel. It’s clearly not a fancy bag, but it will fit in just fine in most places while traveling.īuild quality is a big deal when creating a travel bag. The last thing you want while rushing to catch a flight or getting onto public transportation is your bag to pop a zipper or have a seam rip open. At $100 and made in mass production, I expected flaws like loose threads, messy exposed seams, or other signs of a lazy or hurried build. Nope. That’s it. The texture of the pack, though, is fetching and I quite like it – it’s not just flat fabric but adds character, almost like a diamond rip-stop. Especially in black, the Daylite’s looks can keep you incognito while traveling and even be workplace appropriate. The front of the pack contains Osprey’s recognizable logo up top and a small “Daylite” label at the bottom. My particular Daylite came in black, even though in person it seems more like a dark gray. The bag comes in “Night Arches Green” that almost looks like a blue/green Multicam, “Wave Blue,” and Black. Personally, I appreciate a pack that doesn’t call too much attention, especially when traveling. As mentioned above, the Daylite won’t be turning any heads, and that’s alright. Osprey’s designs are consistent. If you’re going for an Osprey pack, you pretty much know you’re getting a toned-down aesthetic that doesn’t call a lot of attention to itself.
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