Features I try to avoid with a Crossover Day Pack

There are a few features that I try to avoid when choosing a pack because they create more headaches than they solve.  If a pack has one of these features then it really needed to be special for me to consider it.  So here they are:

Compression straps that lay across the zipper to the main compartment. 

While compression straps can look cool and offer some degree of functionality, in no way do they make up for the constant problem they ultimately cause if they lay across the main zipper.  Note in the picture below that the compression strap prevents me from fully opening the main compartment.

Now I understand that I could regrip the zipper after letting it pass below the compression strap, but the reality is that no one would ever take the time to do this.  Instead, I just pry the opening apart to put in or pull out my computer or camera bag.  This is a pain that often requires multiple wiggly tries. (Especially if your pack has no structure and collapses as you push down.) I completely understand the utility of compression straps in shrinking the volume of the pack when it is not filled, but this utility is needed once a week (at most) whereas opening up the bag completely so that you can easily insert or withdraw your laptop or bulky items, happens multiple times per day!

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Some "must have" features that I need to add

After reviewing a lot of packs, I have realized that some of the packs offer features that I did not know would be so useful when I started this search.  Readers of this blog know that I had focused on six major items that the crossover daypack that I settle on must have.  They include:

- A waist belt

- A padded laptop section

- About $130

- Divided organizer pocket

- A frame-sheet or internal structure

- 28 L capacity

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Video Review: Deuter Giga Bike 28L - $120

Video review:

The good stuff: 

This pack has a substantial hip belt.  Though it is not padded, it is wide and has wings (mesh for ventilation!).

Deep channel to allow for perspiration relief.  Very little of the pack touches your back.  You will stay cool!

A rain cover built in and located on the bottom of the pack. I love rain covers.

Two handles!  One for hanging the pack and one to that is padded for when you need to carry the pack as a briefcase.  That is a nice detail, Deuter!

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Video review: Burton Bravo 29L - $100

Video review:

The good stuff:

Very well made - tough material, excellent hardware, superior workmanship
Divided organizer on front of pack - easily accessible
Lots of extra pockets throughout
Separate laptop compartment
Dedicated fleece-lined sunglasses pocket
Large mesh side pockets will accommodate full sized Nalgene bottles

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Video Review: Osprey Radial 26L - $160

Video review:

The good stuff:

- best suspension system in class - nothing close - holds heavy loads with ease and trampoline will keep you cool

- separate laptop compartment with iPad slot

- large side mesh pockets with bungee cords to hold in full sized Nalgene

- pocket for goggles (not fleece-lined)

- no zipper covers to impede zipper opening and closing

- built in waterproof cover

- divided organizer panel on front of pack - easy access

- no compression straps - anywhere

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Video Review: Kelty Shrike 30L - $60

Video review:

The good stuff:

- a bargain - $60 is ridiculous for what you get here.
- best waist belt compared to all packs reviewed as of 8/19/14
- simple design looks clean and uncluttered
- handy hidden slash pocket on front of pack
- hooks for holding hydration bladder (in the laptop compartment)
- side mesh pockets will hold a full-sized Nalgene - ignore video comment about shallowness

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Video Review: the Osprey Momentum 26L - $103

Video review:

The good stuff:

This pack is one of the best of those I have reviewed so far.  It has everything I need and then some.

- expandable size (eliminates need for compression straps)
- excellent suspension system
- retractable key lanyard in pocket on shoulder strap
- shoulder strap phone pocket
- ability to convert into a duffle bag
- large side mesh pockets - will fit full-sized Nalgene

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Video Review: The North Face Surge 2 32L - $125

Video review:

The good stuff:

This is the top selling pack in the North Face daypack line.  While popularity doesn't mean everything, it certainly is something.  After all, a really crappy pack would never be a best selling pack.

The pack has a LOT going on.  It has two large slash pockets on the front that span the face of the pack and yet are independent of each other (one pocket lies on top of the other).  This would be a great place for boarding passes, your wallet, or even an iPad mini.

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Video Review: Burton Lumen 30L - $100

Video review:

The good:

The pack has a ton going for it.  The TPU laminate used throughout is tough and ultra water resistant.  There is one waterproof zipper on the front slash pocket.  All others are reverse coil zippers of various, appropriate sizes.  The zipper pulls are tough and easy to grab (with gloves or mittens) especially the ice axe looking pulls for the main compartment which are the best in the class (also seen in the Burton Prism). In general, the pack is well made with quality stitching and thoughtful use of hardware and materials throughout.  I love its clean, simple look.

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Frankenpack...The"best of" list

I wish I had the ability to design and make a crossover day pack.  It seems like the pack manufactures simply can't get it right.  I know I am insane about this and most people do not find faults where I find faults.  I don't know how I got started on this, but it is clear that I have become a monster when it comes to finding the perfect pack.  Speaking of monsters, if I could take all the best parts of the packs I have reviewed and put them together into a Frankenpack, this is what it would consist of:

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Video Review: Osprey Comet 30L - $100

Video review:

The good stuff:

The Comet has a lot of the features that I want in a crossover day pack.  It has many of the necessities (waist belt, divided organizer compartment, laptop pocket) and only a few "issues" that give me pause.

Guess what?  It has a dedicated place for my sunglasses/glasses/goggles!  I know that I am a broken record about this feature - sorry.  I just get so excited when packs have it.  If I see a pack with a sunglasses pocket, I often lose my mind and ignore everything else about a pack.  It is a surefire way for a pack manufacturer to sucker me into buying their pack.

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Video Review: Marmot Trans Hauler 28 L - $130

Video review:

The good stuff:

This is the best built pack that I have reviewed, displacing the Patagonia Blackhole as the winner in this regard.  The use of high quality TPU and coated nylon, as well as well-sewed seams and tough hardware are apparent the moment you pick up this pack.  This pack will last a long, long time and serve its master well.

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Video Review: Keen Springer 29 L - $60

Video review:

Disclaimer:

This pack was purchased for my daughter.  It doesn't really fit into the crossover day pack class the way that all the other packs on this blog do.  However, it is close enough to make it worthwhile for me to review it as well as for you to find out about it.  So, here it is...

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Video Review: LL Bean Ridge Runner 25 L $100

Video review:

The good stuff:

The LL Bean Ridge Runner is a 25 L crossover daypack that can only be purchased through LL Bean.  That's okay, though, as LL Bean is one of the most reputable companies on earth.  They have the most liberal return policy that has been copied by others but rarely matched.

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Video Review: Mountainsmith Colfax 25 - $54

The Mountainsmith Colfax 25L Crossover Day Pack.

Video review:

The good stuff:

This is a pack that most folks haven't heard much about.  I have looked at Mountainsmith in the past, but their packs always seem to have too much in the way of yellow bungee for my comfort.  This pack, obviously, does not.  The other thing that is attractive is that this pack is a steal at only $54 from Amazon.  Just a crazy good deal.

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Video Review: Patagonia Refugio 28L - $90

Video review:

The good stuff:

I still own this pack. I got it before I went on this crazy quest to find the perfect CDP and didn't know what I really needed.  It is a great pack in so many ways.  The one thing that the Refugio has that I wish all other packs had is that it has a dedicated fleece pocket for my sunglasses/glasses right on top of the pack near the handle.  This is unbelievably convenient and I looked for it (largely without success) in all other packs.

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Review: Patagonia Blackhole 25L - $130

The good stuff:

It has all six of the listed necessities!  The Blackhole 25L also had a top zippered pocket in which I could store my sunglasses.  It was not as good as the Refugio's dedicated sunglasses pocket, but it was close.  This pack is also bombproof.  Likely the best-made and best materials of all the packs reviewed.  The zippers for the main compartment were crazy stout.  I really appreciate that hidden slash pocket on the front of this pack.  It is a perfect place for storing my wallet for easy access.  This hidden pocket is also slightly gusseted with allows you to stuff in your wind breaker if need be. 

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Review: Osprey Flapjack 25L - $70

The good stuff:

This pack is the best bargain of the bunch.  You really do get great value given what it offers.  It has a superb suspension system and I love that it is a top loader.  Being a top loader allows you to flop the lid closed without having to zip or buckle when you are in a hurry.  With panel and quasi-top loaders (like the Refugio and Blackhole) you risk losing stuff or getting stuff wet if your do not zip up.  With the Flapjack, you just "flap and go" with no risk of loss or rain damage.

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Review: Patagonia Critical Mass 22L - $130

The good stuff:

This pack is similar to the Osprey Flapjack in that it is flat and wide making it very stable on the move (and making it look like a shoulder bag on your back).  It has all of the six necessities and even has external side water bottle pockets!  It also has a stiff back (I think it does have a plastic frame-sheet in there) that gives it some good structure along the back when empty.

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Review: Gregory Sketch 28L - $130

The good stuff:

This pack acts the most like a technical hiking pack.  It is a fully top loading design with a squarish base making it a breeze to pack.  It also has the best overall suspension system of the group.  The waist belt, while not as good as the Patagonia Critical Mass, is wider than all the others and therefore can support loads.  Most important, however, is that the Gregory Sketch 28 has the stiffest and most substantial frame-sheet of all the packs tested.  This makes carrying loads a breeze. In fact, when fully loaded, this pack felt like the lightest of all the CDPs. 

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Review: Ivar Revel 32L - $100

The good stuff:

This pack has a great concept: shelves for distributing the weight of your stuff across the full height of the back (suspension system).  It works (sort of).  The other thing is that the organizational pocket is the best of the lot.  It is not only outside of the main part of the pack, but it has no less than 10 slots!  Additionally, the pack has a pocket that is perfectly position and sized for my sunglasses.  It is nearly as good as the one on my Refugio, but it lacks the fleecy goodness. 

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Review: Burton Prism 30L - $120

Disclaimer:

I need to be upfront with you guys here.  I never bought this pack.  I went into the Burton store in Chicago and gave this thing a serious once over for 20 minutes, however.  I considered not including it since I spent so little time with this pack, but decided to just provide a disclaimer and let you decide the value of this review. I was able to take all of my stuff from my fully loaded Patagonia Refugio (I was in Chicago on business) and put it into the Prism to test it. 

The good stuff:

This is a really well built if not a bit fussy pack.  It has all six necessities, too.  The material (a ripstop nylon) is so heavy duty that the pack stands up on its own.  Even if it was made with thinner material, the back is stiff enough to serve as a frame-sheet of sorts.  It also has the best hardware of all the packs tested.  Instead of plastic clips, Burton chose to use metal hook-like connectors and awesome anchor-like zipper pulls (for use while wearing mittens).

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Review: Keen Tilden Daypack 28L - $100

The good stuff:

Obviously, when we hear Keen, we think toe-capped sandals not backpacks.  The Tilden, however is a great CDP.  This was a complete surprise since most companies that start off as shoe companies don't produce anything more than fashion-first book bags (think Nike, Reebok, Adidas packs – none of which can be confused with a full fledged CDP). 

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