The beauty of a great daypack is being able to use it both in town and on the trail. We’re not hardcore hikers here at 50 Campfires, but we like to knock out a few miles after work as often as we can. If your daily commuter bag is comfortable and has a hydration pack, there’s no need to make a fuss over hitting the trail. You can just fill up with water at the end of a workday and you’re off. Personally, I make sure to keep bug dope, sunscreen, and a few trail bars in my bag at all times. I usually have a lightweight hammock in their as well, so I’m hike out for a few hours to clear my head. It’s not to hard to find daypacks under $100 these days, and here are a few of our favorites.
The High Sierra Karadon 10 L is a well made daypack that will accompany you on your adventures year after year. New to High Sierra’s line, the zippered interior pockets and hidden helmet holder mean that it’s up for just about anything you want to do . It’s hydration compatible, and has an adjustable back panel system that you can adjust from non-suspended (for maximum capacity), or fully suspended (for maximum airflow). $79.99
The Osprey Talon 22Â features an airy mesh on the back panel to keep you cool. It can accommodate a wide variety of back lengths, as the torso is fully adjustable. One thing we like about this pack is that there are stretch mesh pockets everywhere, which are great for stuffing just about anything into. The ones on the shoulder straps are great for phones and cameras. The panel loading main compartment also makes it easy to get at your goods. $99.95
The North Face Borealis is one of our favorite daypacks under $100. It has a padded mesh back panel and a fleece lined media pocket on the inside to keep your electronics from getting scratched up. There’s also an external fleece lined pocket that is perfect for sunglasses. The shoulder straps have a whistle buckle (cool), and the stretch mesh pockets on the sides can handle anything from water bottles to flip flops. We also like it when daypacks include the elastic bungee on the front. It’s one of those things that you don’t use forever, and then absolutely need it for some odd shaped item. One of the most fun things about the Borealis is that there are 18 colors to choose from! $89.00
