Daysacs - Buyer's Guide

Daysac, the name's self explanatory really, it's a pack that's big enough to carry everything you need for the course of a day in the hills. There are a lot out there though, so the latest in our OM Buyers' Guide series is designed to help you decide which one is for you - follow our advice and it'll slip on like Cinderella's slipper...

Sounds obvious, but the size of the pack you choose depends on what you're going to carrying and what activities you're into. As a basic starting point, we'd suggest around 30 litres for summer mountain use and 40 or 45 litres for winter, when you'll be carrying spare clothes and maybe a thermos flask of hot soup.

That's just a general average sort of guide though. If you carry less than average or have ultra-lightweight waterproofs and other kit, then you may be able to make do with less. If you're a kitchen sink-style gear junkie, then you may need more.

One word of warning though, a lot of sub-30 litre pacs are scaled down and feel like toys with a very short back length, so it may be worth starting with 30 litres anyway. And just to make life more complicated, different manufacturers measure capacity differently, so don't just rely on specifications. If the pack looks small, it probably is.

You'll be carrying lighter loads with a daysac, so fit isn't quite as vital as with a backpacking sac. For starters, most day sacs will have thin waist belts to help keep the pack from swinging around rather than hip-belts to transfer weight through to the hips so length is less crucial.

As with bigger packs though, properly designed and proportioned back systems and straps will make a big difference. We look for curved, ergonomic shoulder straps usually with denser, thinner foam than you might expect. Soft, thick foam padding may feel nice in the shop, but on the hill it compresses and fat straps are more likely to move around or even roll over.

Back systems are usually more basic than with bigger packs. Climbing day sacs may have a malleable alloy stave or two to support more load, but most walking sacs make do with a combination of wicking, air-permeable foam - often this is useless once it's pressed agains the back - and some sort of stiff polythene sheet to prevent the contents from pressing uncomfortably into your back. If you're a master of the careless packing frenzy, it's worth seeking out one of these.

As with bigger packs, get the shop to load it up and try it on. Make sure the shoulder straps aren't too narrow or widely spaced at the top and look for general comfort and support. It should feel 'right' with no uncomfortable pressure points. Shoulder top adjustmesnt straps allow you to pull the top of the pack in for a better fit.

People with a long back length may need to look for a pack brand with a range of back lengths, Macpac for example, or an adjustable back system like Vango's Super Canyon. Unfortunately these refinements are more common among larger packs.

If you're a lass, it's well worth taking the time to seek out a women's specific pack. The range isn't as wide as it might be, but women have narrower shoulders, shorter backs and wider hips, so something like one of Lowe Alpine's Nanda Devi, women's specific range is more likely to give an inch-perfect fit.

The bane of packs, particularly in summer, is wet, cold back syndrome. Not surprising really. Virtually all pack makers now use wicking fabrics and reticulated - air porous - foams for the areas that contact your back, however very few conventional back systems make a significant impact on your sweaty spinal regions...

If you're after a hot weather pack then, it's worth considering one of the many options with a nylon trampolene style arrangement leaving a real air gap between pack and back, for example, the Berghaus Freeflo, though there are lots of others. These work really well in summer, though in winter you may find your back is cooler than you'd like.

Princess and pea types may also notice that the gap moves the centre of gravity outwards from the body slightly, but with lightish loads, it's not really an issue.

If you're a pure walker then pretty much any design that feels comfortable to you is fine and fair enough. If you plan to do some scrambling or mountaineering in the future though, then check out some of the more technical, climbing-orientated packs.

These are deliberately designed to be long and slim with no side pockets both to hold any weight in closer to the back for added stability - compression straps help here too - and to avoid the pack catching if you have to move through a narrow gap like a chimney.

Another option is one of the growing number of lightweight adventure race packs on the market. Classics like the KIMM sack, Berghaus 64zer0 and Lowe Alpine's Contour Event actually work well for general use too, though the light fabrics may mean they're not as durable as more robust, general walking sacks.

Race packs fit closely with soft body-hugging minimalist back systems, effective belts and chest straps that hold the sac stable for running. They may be a little sweatier in general use, but ideal if you're the sort of person who bounds around like a frenzied gazelle.

Other handy refinements include belt pockets, which are ideal for stowing food and stuff you need easy access to, like small cameras. Most are also hydration system compatible and many have stretchy mesh stuff pockets that are great for storing wet clothing, hats, glove, food, banana skins and so on.

Unless you're a hard-core water bottle user, we'd suggest you look for a pack which is hydration-system specific. Usually that means an internal pocket for the bladder, plus one or more exit points for the drinking tube as well as something to secure it to the shoulder strap.

Points to check are what size bladder it'll handle. Most will take two litres without a problem, but if you use a three-litre bladder, you'll find that some packs simply won't take it. Check too that the exit point for the tube is either central or on the side you prefer.

Finally, bear in mind that a full three-litre bladder will eat space inside the pack, at least at the beginning of the day, so you may actually need a slightly larger pack than you thought to compensate.

Pockets are a personal thing. At the very least though, we'd look for a zipped lid pocket, preferably with a key clip. You'll find it's invaluable for storing stuff like wallets, gloves, hats, sun cream, compass, the odd snack and so on. An internal lid pocket is also handy and arguably more secure.

Beyond that, it's personal taste. Big side pockets are great if you carry a water bottle there, but can catch on rocky outcrops and if scrambling in confined spaces. Ditto pockets on the back of the pack.

Stretch mesh pockets, as used on many race sacs, are dead handy. Look for ones with an angled entry so you can use them without taking off the pack - very few actually have this - and be aware that it's possible to lose stuff from mesh if you're careless about stowage.

Very few packs are waterproof - Craghoppers Dri Packs incorporate a dry bag arrangement which effectively means the main body of the pack is water tight, while both Berghaus and Force Ten have packs with taped and / or welded seams on the way.

For the rest though, water will find its way through untaped, stitched seams, which are - after all - a series of holes. You have two options, either use a good pack liner - we like the latest dry bag-style ones from Berghaus - or buy a pack with an integral pack cover that you can pull out and use if it starts to rain.

Both options have pros and cons. A cover will keep the outside of the pack dry, but has to be removed for access to pockets and won't save your kit if, say, you fall in a pond or stream. Liners allow the outside of your pack to get soaked, but decent ones are totally watertight and will survive complete immersion.

It's your call...

Carrying trekking poles easily is the last great unsolved problem of pack design. Ice axe loops and refinements of them featuring plastic rings for the tips of the poles are fiddly and slow to use, but there are few other options.

One we do like is the little clamp Haglofs uses on some of its packs. Neat and effective, it lets you take poles on and off much more quickly and with far less hassle.

Streetwise, urban packs are the latest wheeze - expect laptop sleeves, mobile phone holders, lots of internal dividers and things to slot pens into. You can use one on the hills, but they tend to place aesthetics over practicality, weigh more than they need to and offer very limited space for things you might actually need, like a spare fleece or a waterproof.

We're not saying don't get one, but be aware that you might be better off with a pack designed specifically for hill walking rather than commuting...

Good materials and top level construction is the extra you should get when you buy a specialist outdoor sac from a top brand. They might not be immediately obvious, but stuff like top quality fabrics and proper stitching will mean you pack is still going strong several years down the line.

So what should you be looking for? Unfortunately it's not all immediately obvious, but watch for tough-feeling, high quality buckles and cord grips, thick cord in any closures, tough zips, reinforced base areas on heavier sacs and quality stitching.

The stitching should look neat and even, main seams should be double or triple stitched for toughness. Look inside the pack, the main body seams should be protected internally by another layer of fabric to prevent abrasion damage from the contents. The attachment points for things like haul loops and handles should be either bar tacked or use serious reinforced stitching for added strength.

Buying from a specialist brand should guarantee all this, but if in doubt, have a good rummage and trust your instincts.

Hopefully this article will have given you some basic pointers. The good news is that there's a load more advice on OUTDOORSmagic:

• Ask on the gear forum about general issues or specific items.
  
• Check the member reviews section for user experiences of kit.
  
• See OM editorial reviews on the front of the site for our impressions.
  
• Ask Richard Gear if you have a specific question you need answering.