Outlander Packable Handy Lightweight Travel Hiking Backpack Daypack

I bought this backpack about 5 months ago and wanted to use it a few times before writing a review. I love this thing! It compacts so small. It’s perfect for travel when you need a nice quality day pack. I also used it for a 20 mile hike/race. It was super light, comfortable, breathable, carried all my rain gear, snacks, waterbottle, wallet, hat. Walking sticks were a little hard to carry in there.. it wasn’t tall enough for some foldable walking sticks. The material and zippers are quality and seem to still be holding up to the abuse I put it through. I definitely would gift this to someone that likes to travel or go on spontaneous adventures!

For an upcoming trip to Yellowstone National Park, I knew I needed a light daypack for daily hikes. About 5 years ago, I did a Yosemite trip and the regular backpack I used was fine, but it was too heavy and too big for just the day hike necessities. So I went on Amazon and looked at reviews and went with this pack. It came in quite a few colors, 2 sizes and the delivery time was pretty fast! This pack is PERFECT!!! It had more than enough room to hold 3-4 regular size water bottles (1 each in the side mesh pockets and 2 in the big interior section). In the larger pocket, it carried trail snacks, a light packable rain covering, 2 extra light layers (for the colder elevation spots), small first aid kit, bug spray (VERY important!). Inside the larger pocket is a small zip pocket (that is the packable enclosure for the pack itself when stored away) that was perfect for a wallet and small valuables. The middle pocket carried gloves, baseball cap, portable cell phone charger and charge cords. The smallest pocket carried chapstick, an SPF stick, antibacterial hand gel, a small flashlight and my cell phone. We did hike through some light snow and rain, the pack was very water resistant and kept my stuff dry. The pack material was quick dry too. The straps are comfy and a little padded (which was a plus!). So far the pack has held up very well, but then again I would consider myself as an occasional day hiker not extreme, and unlikely to be super rough with the pack. The only downside is I wish it had a sternum strap. I had jigged a keychain buckle clip to the packs strap. It worked for what I needed but it fastened at an awkward place on my chest, so I will be looking to find a solution to add a sternum strap higher up on the strap. Since purchasing, the pack has gone on hikes in the Grand Tetons, New York, New Jersey and Portland, OR the pack is easily machine washable, dries super quick and easily packable for storage. I definitely will be using this pack for a long, long time!!!

2024 Review(my original 2014 review is below)Over time I have bought 4 of these , the first in 2014 , for their clever design and lightness: one for the wife, one for a go-bag, one for the car. The latest one I bought in July 2024 for a 3 month trip to Italy (to look fresh) and the new one suffered problems that the earlier versions never had:○ zipper sticking out from pouch○ ripping material around zipper (see picture, from about 6 weeks into the trip)○ peeling of plastic inner layer (sort of like you see old GoreTex do after a few years)I now use the Yelp rating system and only rate the product (not the packaging, delivery or price etc) :1 star = Methinks not2 = I've experienced better3 = A-OK4 = I'm a fan5 stars = As good as it getsThe design behind this product remains excellent, slightly improved even, but the material / construction problems drop the score down to a 3. That is still a respectable score , and I will probably purchase this again , but it no longer is the 5 it once was. So this fan allows it a 4.2014 ReviewMy uses: travel bag (great), backpacking wander pack (good), bicycle bag (not for me).4.5 stars. Well made, nice features. Here is how I am using mine: it easily slips in and out of my travel luggage and contains the things I need when I in my seat on the plane. It has just enough pockets and compartments. Also, it is a good light bag to stuff into your backpack for day hikes from your base camp. I suppose it could be used as a minimalist summit sack if the conditions are not extreme. I have used it for general bus commuting. I haven't used it for bicycle commuting though because panniers are better for grocery loads in the wet Pacific Northwest. I wish the outside compartment zipped straight across instead of an angle. The angle looks stylish but my Surface doesn't quite fit in it because of the angle so I have to use the bigger inner compartment instead which is okay with me also. I have been recommending this bag to my regular friends and those into ultralight.