How to Choose Your Best Hiking Daypacks

No matter what activities you enjoy, a daypack is an essential piece of gear. However, some are tailor made for specific uses, so before you choose one, you’ll want to determine your primary use for a daypack and if you need a bag that can accommodate a variety of your activities.



With
a hiking specific pack, you’re looking for one that can carry
everything you need for a day hike (water, extra layers of clothing,
first aid kit, etc) while still maintain a level of comfort and support.
Typically hiking daypacks will range in capacity of around 20 to 30-liters
and come with with a few key features such as compartments for smaller
items (phone, maps, compass), a hydration compartment, additional carry
options for trekking-poles or ice axes, and possibly some small side
pockets for water bottles or sunscreen. You may also want to look for a
pack that is super comfortable to wear, so pay extra attention to
cushioning and ventilation.

How to Choose a Daypack

Here are the main factors to consider when selecting your pack.

Hiking Daypack Capacity

Twenty to 30 liters is the ideal volume
for a daypack. Unless you have a specific use, like alpine summits or
ski touring, anything over 30-liters begins to enter into the realm of
multi-day backpacking and becomes excessively bulky for just day use.
Yet, anything much smaller than 20-liters becomes difficult to fit the
necessary essentials.

Hiking Daypacks: Weight vs. Features

Some daypacks approach the fast and light attitude and are simple,
straight forward packs, while others come loaded with a full range of
bells and whistles. Extra features can make your life easier, especially
with organization within the pack however, it is a trade-off for added
weight. The trick is figuring out what your specific needs are for your
pack, and balancing the features you need versus how much weight you
want to carry. No matter how much or how little you put in your load,
just remember that you’ll always have to carry the base weight of your hiking daypacks.

Ripstop External Frame ALPS Mountaineering Backpacks

Product Description

ALPS Mountaineering Backpacks Bryce Nylon Ripstop External Frame Pack (3600 cubic inch)

When you compare our external frame packs to some of our competitors,
you’ll quickly notice that you get more features for a lower price with
ALPS… without sacrificing quality. As ALPS’s reputation for quality
packs has grown, we’ve had numerous requests for external packs, so we
added a couple of models in 2010.


For 2011, we’ve designed the Bryce to join the family of extremely popular external alps mountaineering backpacks.


The Bryce has 3600 cubic inches of space and has a sleeping bag
compartment and top loading access. There are various pockets to keep
your gear organized and important items handy. The padded shoulder
straps have multiple positions so you can adjust the pack to fit your
body. The combined features of the Bryce make this alps mountaineering backpacks top-of-the-line.

Coleman Backpacking Stove MAX Single Dual Fuel Burner

Product Description

Coleman Backpacking Stove MAX Single Burner Dual Fuel

Backpackers who want hot meals on the trail will flip for this Micro
Backpacking Stove. It doesn’t add heavy bulk to your pack – even with a
full butane/propane cartridge it weighs just over a pound. This small
stove provides the opportunity to have hot chocolate and a steaming meal
while camping out. A generated fuel system minimizes flare-ups, and the
burner heats on high or simmers. To pack up, simply detach the fuel
cartridge and fold up the serrated pan supports.

• Coleman backpacking stove -10,000 BTU
• Boils 1 L of water in 3.25 min.
• 60-min. burn time on high with full fuel cartridge
• Generated fuel system minimizes flare-ups after lighting
• Burner itself only weighs 6.7 oz (0.42 lbs.)
• Powerful burner easily adjusts from high to slow simmer
• Serrated pan supports fold away for compact storage
• Operates on widely available resealable butane/propane cartridge model 3250 (sold separately)
• Limited 5-year warranty

Coleman Dual Fuel Camp Stove Coleman Sportster 533

Product Description

Coleman Dual Fuel Camp Stove Coleman Sportster 533

Cook
breakfast, lunch and dinner in any weather—hot or cold—on the
single-burner, fully-adjustable Coleman® Sportster® II Liquid Dual Fuel™
Stove. The cooking surface is compact enough to fit inside a pack, but
large enough to prepare a trail meal. With the option of using Coleman®
liquid fuel or unleaded gasoline, the Coleman dual fuel camp stove
Sportster® II is less expensive to fire up. The all-season stove is
perfect for camping, hunting and even in cases of emergency.

• Boils a quart of water in 4 minutes
• Dual Fuel technology
• Stove burns Coleman® liquid fuel or unleaded gasoline (Fuel sold separately)
• Coleman Sportster 533 with 1.1 pint fuel capacity
• Powerful, 10,500 BTU
• Built-in pot support and wind protection
• Filter funnel included
• Perfect for camping, great for emergency preparedness
• Dimensions: 7.38 in. x 7.8 in. x 6.55 in. (18.75 cm x 19.81 cm x 16.64 cm)
• Made in the USA of US & foreign components

Coleman dual fuel camp stove is great!

By Big Lew on May 20, 2011

Color: Coleman Green

Coleman Sportster 533 is a great little stove, I have
2, they make a great accessory to the 2 the burner stoves (425 or 413).
While car camping I can make coffee on this 533 while the rest of
breakfast cooks on the 2 burner one.

Campfire Roasting Marshmallow Forks Telescoping Hot Dog Forks Campfire

Product Description

Campfire Roasting Marshmallow Forks Telescoping Hot Dog Forks Campfire

Roasting marshmallows and hot dog forks campfire  has never been easier!


With the perfect set of mount cook, roasting is easy and safe. You
can roast a variety of foods, including marshmallow, hot dogs, kebabs
and more, from a safe distance from the fire.

• Campfire roasting set is a perfect gift that for all seasons
• In winter, you can use the product in front of the fireplace for a marshmallow forks telescoping as a warm family pastime.
• In summer, you can use the marshmallow sticks as a part of your camping cooking gear as well as hot dog forks campfire in the backyard of your home.
• The most durable set- enough for entire family and friends!
• Eight units with handles in four colors – everybody will have one! Get the best value for your money.
• Marshmallow forks telescoping set is a FDA approved, particularly strong and durable
• Mount cook’s marshmallow roasting sticks are made of an
  exceptionally thick chrome plated steel so that they will not break or
  bend!
• Easy for use and storage

Telescoping Fork Set Hot Dog Campfire Sticks Marshmallow Roasting Forks

Product Description

Telescoping Fork Set Hot Dog Campfire Sticks Marshmallow Roasting Forks

The campfire fork is the perfect utensil to easily and safely roast
food on an open fire. Marshmallows, hot dogs, corn and anything else you
can think of, get creative


Its extend from 9.4″ to 33.9″ so you can choose just the right size
for roasting over the campfire or the BBQ. The stick and handles are
made of stainless steel, but heat from the fire will not be transferred
to your hand thanks to the PVC cushion grips covering the handles. The
safety caps will protect it while not in use and protect you from
getting poked. The telescoping fork set by Tapirus is a premium quality
product and more importantly – fun for both kids and adults!

What’s in the telescoping fork set?

• 4 hot dog campfire sticks
• 1 Black carry case
• 8 Red safety caps – 2 for each fork
• Size of one fork: Extends to 33.9″ – retracts to 9.4″
• Weight of one  62.3 grams (2.19 oz)
• Weight of the whole set : 266.1 grams (9.83 oz)

Timberland Chocorua Trail GTX Mid Waterproof Mens Hiking

Product Description

Timberland Chocorua Trail GTX Mid Waterproof Mens Hiking Boots

Timberland Chocorua Trail GTX waterproof boots mean
business on the trails and lend a rugged aesthetic to your street wear
look. These men’s hiking boots are built for traction and use the power
of a Gore-Tex® membrane to keep feet dry

Premium full-grain, waterproof leather uppers

Gore-Tex® membrane provides breathable waterproof protection

Adjustable, rustproof lacing system for a customized fit

EVA midsole for lightweight, all-day cushioning

Removable contoured sockliner for additional underfoot comfort

Solid rubber outsole with lugs for superior traction