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Osprey Daylite/Plus Review

The Osprey Daylite/Plus system offers a small, quick, lightweight and versatile solution for day outings, for everything from travel to hikes. Though we do have some comfort concerns.

Osprey Daylite Plus Commuter Backpack

Good to know: This pack is good for all genders and is marketed as unisex

Pros / Reasons to Buy

  • Versatile and can be combined with other Osprey travel packs
  • Lightweight

Cons / Reasons to Avoid

  • Shoulder straps don’t offer comfort with heavier loads
  • Lacks some of the technical additions in other Osprey packs and is more suited to light adventures

The Daylite/Plus are good offerings from well known outdoor brand Osprey who have made a name for themselves with their sturdy and comfortable backpacks and travel gear. One of this pack systems biggest plus points is that it is compatible with some of Ospreys other travel products (more outlined below).

This pack system is marketed as a lifestyle product rather than a specific hiking pack, but it has risen in popularity over recent times for lightweight day adventures. It’s a fairly no frills product, but used in the right circumstances and it may well just be perfect for what you need.

If you’re looking for something more full on, you may feel a little disappointed with its features, offering and comfort when it comes to carrying heavier loads and more technical items, such as hiking poles, helmets and ice axes. Though the space for a hydration reservoir is a welcome addition.

Editor’s note: This article is part of our overall guide to the best daypacks, see more in this guide: 

You may also be interested in: Best Waterproof Hiking Backpacks

Compare to Similar Products: 

Product
Osprey Talon 22
Gregory Maya 25
Deuter Speed Lite 23
Osprey Stratos 24
Gregory Citro 24
Rab Tensor 20
Osprey Daylite/Plus
Mystery Ranch Coulee 30
Black Diamond Distance 15
The North Face Basin 24L
Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil 20
Cotopaxi 24L Batac Pack

Granite Gear Dagger Ultralight
Rab Adrift 24L
Adidas Terrex Climacool Daypack
Cotopaxi Luzon Del Dia 24L
Osprey Talon 22L Men's Hiking Backpack with Hipbelt, Ceramic Blue, L/XL
Gregory Maya 25
Deuter Women's Speed Lite 23 SL, Seagreen-Spearmint, 23L
Osprey Stratos 24L Men's Hiking Backpack, Tunnel Vision Grey
Gregory Citro 24 Day Hiking Pack, One Size, Ozone Black
Rab Tensor 20L Backpack, Black, One Size
Osprey Daylite Plus Commuter Backpack
Mystery Ranch Women's Coulee 30 Backpack -Lightweight Hiking Daypack, 30L, M/L, Paprika
Black Diamond Unisex Distance 15-Liter Light & Fast Backpack for Trail Running, Ultra Blue, Medium
THE NORTH FACE Basin 24 Liter Daypack with Rain Cover, Tnf Black/Tnf Black, One Size
Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Ultralight Day Pack, 20-Liter, Atoll Blue
Cotopaxi Batac 24L Pack - Random Color - Single - Del Dia - One of a Kind!
Granite Gear Dagger Ultralight Day Pack - Black 22L
Rab Adrift 24 Everyday Backpack for Hiking, Climbing, & Biking - Army - Medium
adidas TERREX AEROREADY MULTI-SPORT WATER REPELLENT BACKPACK, BLACK, 37.25 L
Cotopaxi Luzon 24L Backpack - Random Color - Single - Del Dia (Update!) 24L One of a Kind!
Buying Options
Our Award
Best Overall Daypack
Best Overall Daypack - runner up
Best Daypacks For Women
Best Daypacks For Men
Best Waterproof Hiking Daypack
Best Daypack For Hot Weather
Best Daypack For Travel
Best Hiking Daypack With Hydration
Best Lightweight Daypack
Type and Style
Lightweight all purpose backpack for hiking, climbing and bikepacking
Active hikes, longer trails, climbing
Hybrid trail running/hiking/climbing
Full suspension backpack
Full suspension hiking pack
Lightweight summer pack
Lightweight lifestyle travel/hiking pack
Full suspension backpack/summit pack
Hybrid trail running/hiking/climbing
Hiking and biking
Ultralight daypack
Basic hiking
All round hiking
Fully waterproof hiking
Basic hiking, travel and general day to day use
Basic hiking, general everyday use, travel
Material
bluesign®-approved recycled 100D x 210D wave check high-tenacity nylon with a PFC-free DWR coating.
100D 30% recycled high density nylon, 200D 45% recycled high density nylon
140D and 100D recycled polyamide 

210D recycled nylon body, 420D recycled nylon accents and bottom with a PFC/PFAS-free DWR
210D Honeycomb Cryptorip Nylon and 420D High Density Nylon body. EVA foam straps, alloy steel frame. 135D High Density and 50% recycled polyester lining
100% recycled 420D polyester ripstop
bluesign® approved 300D recycled polyester
210D recycled nylon, DWR
UHMWPE ripstop body fabric and mesh
210D recycled ripstop nylon and 600D recycled polyester also all with non PFC DWR
15D high strength nano nylon fabric with silicon coating for water resistance
Offcut material used from other brands production runs, making a sustainable pack
Nylon (100D and 210D)
PFAS Free ripstop nylon
100% recycled polyester
Offcut material used from other brands production runs, making a sustainable pack
Capacity
22 liters
25
23L
24L
24 liters
20 liters
20 liters
30L
15L
24L
20L
24L
22L
24L
32L
24L
Breathability
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Not as good as some other models
OK
OK
Not as good as some other models
Poor
OK
Good
OK
OK
OK
Pockets
6
9
9
6
7
7
8
7
11
6
1
6
6/7
7
6
5
Dimensions
48 x 28 x 23 cm
50.8 x 28.4 x 23.3 cm
52 x 27 x 18 cm
59 x 34 x 24cm
52 x 28 x 20 cm
50 x 30 x 23cm
43 x 26 x 20 cm
57 x 27 x 24 cm
47 x 32 x 13 cm
50 x 27.9 x 17 cm
48 x 28 x 20 cm
51 x 28 x 18 cm

53.34 x 33.02 x 20.32 cm
52 x 30 x 25 cm
50 x 26.5 x 17 cm
60 x 30 x 17 cm
Rain Cover
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
No - but the daypack is already waterproof 
No
No
Durability
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Good
Excellent
OK
Good
Excellent
Excellent
Good
Good

See the Osprey Daylite/Plus in more detail:

Analysis and Test Results

Before we dig in, this daypack is offered as both a Daylite and Daylite Plus variant, so what are the differences? The Daylite offers 13 liters of space, whereas the Daylite Plus offers 20 liters, which is a massive difference. Maybe less important is that the Daylite Plus also has a front zip up pouch. This doesn’t offer a massive amount of extra space.

Through testing, I believe that the Daylite Plus is the better option purely due to the capacity it offers – unless you really plan to travel light and stripped back, you’ll likely find the 13 liter Daylite variant just not big enough and rapidly need to move on to a bigger pack. For the purposes of this review, I’m going to be focusing on the Daylite Plus as opposed to the Daylite.

Performance Comparison

osprey daylite plus

Type and Style

Opsrey market the Daylite Plus as a lifestyle daypack – but what does that mean? In reality, its suitable for a variety of applications, from work and travel through to light adventures. It very much feels like an entry level pack that is more designed for brief hikes than more technical treks.

It’s lightweight at 453g/1lb and is offered in a whole range of colorways with new patterns and styles being created throughout the year (alongside plain color variants which seem to stay too).

Material

Osprey use bluesign® approved 300D recycled polyester with a PFC-free DWR for the main body of the Daylite Plus, which is great to see. The fact that it uses a DWR coating means that it handles anything but heavy rain well. I’ve tested this pack in some heavy showers, and it has never shown any signs of saturation.

Even though this is a fairly no frills daypack, the material construction is what you’d expect of Osprey, and this is one of the areas that I think makes it worthy of its price tag (for its category). I’ve jammed this pack as full as possible, and it’s seen its share of scuffs, and it still looks pretty much the same as the day I got it. The side mesh pockets are handy too and show no signs of wear and tear even when using hiking poles in the sides (as this pack has no specific hiking pole holder).

straps and features

Breathability

Whilst the Osprey Daylite Plus does have the well known and well regarded Airscape back system, I do feel this falls a little short in terms of a breathability on sweatier hikes in hotter conditions. On multiple occasions, my back has been left sweaty after using the Daylite Plus. It just doesn’t feel as full on as something like the Osprey Talon 22, for example.

Can I really quantify exactly why this is? Not really – when you look at the two packs next to each other they look pretty similar in terms of breathability. I just find that this pack doesn’t offer so much.

One reason I think this is the case is because the Daylite Plus doesn’t feel like it sits quite as well on the back. It feels like it’s very close to the skin at the top of the back with more ventilation at the bottom. The shoulder straps are also much thinner too, which, when the pack is filled more, feels much tighter and weighted, which does impact breathability.

straps and shoulder system

Waterproofing

One area that the Daylite Plus performs really well is in the rain. In my tests, I’ve taken this pack out in pretty much any weather you could imagine, and it has never reached saturation and has kept everything inside dry.

Technically, it is just water repellent as it’s only waterproofing is by way of a DWR coating. So, if you know you’re going to be using this daypack in locations where heavy rain is to be expected, adding a non-brand rain cover would be a great way to take this pack further. Something like this would easily fit in the front concertina section.  

waterproofing

Dimensions

The Daylite Plus pack is 43h x 26w x 20d cm/16.93h x 10.24w x 7.87d inches which has it sit roughly in line with the likes of the Rab Tensor 20 and The North Face Basin 24 in terms of its general shape and feel.

Osprey actually market this pack as being able to combine and attach a number of other Osprey packs making it suitable for travel. These include the Farpoint and Fairview Trek, Porter, Farpoint and Fairview wheeled travel pack, Aether AG, Ariel AG, Shuttle, Ariel Pro and Volt.

Its dimensions do mean that it roughly fits in with many airlines small carry-on bag instructions too, which do give it an advantage and I’ve found this the perfect daypack to use for travel days. Though it is always advised to check with your airline first to make sure it meets their specific instructions.

Fit

Osprey offer the Daylite Plus daypack as a standard/one size fit. This will be suitable for most wearers, and it is considered a unisex pack. Due to its size, it will suit most smaller frames as well as all others, so in that regard, it is a pretty good option.

However, I do find one of the main areas where this pack is let down is with the shoulder straps. Their position is fine, and I have never found them to dig in. The fit they offer is just not cushioned or structured enough in my opinion. They’re very thin in comparison to some of its competitors and doesn’t offer a great level of comfort for carrying anything heavier than a coat, a couple of layers and your food/water. Though, if you are mostly looking for a quick on and off pack for light adventures, you may well find that the Daylite Plus offers you all you need.

Storage

The Osprey Daylite Plus pack has 8 compartments, these consist of the large main compartment, the compartment inside of this that can be used either for a water reservoir or a laptop. The outside secondary pouch which goes half way down the pack. This has space sewn in specific for a phone and a key clip.

Then the front concertina pouch which is left partly open and fastens down with two side clips. There’s the front zip pouch which is quite small as well as two mesh pouches on the side that are big enough to fit a 32oz bottle in easily.

As a 20 liter pack, this has pretty much all the space you’ll need for a day adventure and can comfortably carry lightweight layers and some other essentials with no problems. However, due to the lack of padding on the straps, I found in my tests that it pretty much always rubs or feels heavy on the shoulders which has led to trail fatigue more than a few times.

storage

Comfort

I think if you’re looking for a pack that is just for simple journeys out with very little on you, then this is a good option. It’s also a great pack for travel days. However, I think if you need to carry anything heavier (and I found this happen even when just carrying two 32oz Hydro Flasks) then you may find the padding doesn’t offer the kind of comfort you really need.

This really is the only area I can fault the comfort of the Osprey Daylite Plus, as otherwise it feels really comfortable to wear. But I do feel it is a fairly big point. Comfort is of course personal, but I think the fact that even with 2 32 oz Hydro Flasks it feels uncomfortable, it’s something to keep in mind.

Unless you really do just want a pack for light days, I do think this is a pack that you will end up changing or having a second option for more full-on activity. With this in mind, I do think that the Rab Tensor 20 is a better contender (though doesn’t offer waterproofing), or for something like the Osprey Talon/Tempest series for a more general, well built hiking pack.

Features

The Osprey Daylite Plus is a fairly low frills daypack, but it doesn’t really need to be as it kind of gets it right (apart from the areas I’ve already highlighted aboe). It does cut down on some of the features offered on some of the more full on packs but at the price point, is to be expected. It also has features that can be used interchangeably too, for example the laptop sleeve can also be used for a water reservoir.

However, one of the main features that I do think is pretty good is the versatility to add this to some of Ospreys more travel focused packs. For example, amongst others mentioned above, it can be added to the Fairview wheeled travel pack. This is a great option too if you’re already bought into the Osprey system.

Durability 

The Osprey Daylite Plus is every bit as well made as any of the other Osprey packs I’ve tried and tested over the years, and I have no doubts that it is built to last. I’ve been testing out this pack for over a year at the time of writing and it shows no wear and tear whatsoever.

Even though the straps are a little on the thin side for my liking, they have held up well and show no signs of pulling or stretch and the pack still holds its shape perfectly. If this daypack suits your adventures or wants, I have no doubt in saying it will last you an extremely long time.

Sustainability

Osprey are pretty committed to more sustainable practices when it comes to their production. The Daylite Plus daypack is no exception being made by fully recycled and bluesign® approved materials all with PFC free coatings. This is of course great to see.

Likewise, this pack is built to last and the fact that it is well made and sits firmly in with Osprey’s other products in this sense means that it will likely last you a long time, and therefore needing to buy less.

Conversely, I do feel one area that could let the Daylite Plus down in terms of sustainability is the fact that it may not be the only pack you need, and you may find yourself needing a second option for more full on adventures.

strap whistle feature

Conclusion

Overall, I think this is a fantastic daypack offering from Osprey. If all of its positives fit what you need a daypack for, then I think you will be pleasantly surprised. If you need a slightly more advanced pack or need to carry heavier loads, then I think you will feel this falls short.

The shoulder comfort was a big thing for me, as with even two water bottles and a few bits of camera gear, this pack felt too heavy (in comparison to the Talon 22) and I would love to see this offered with chunkier support. In my opinion this would have it sit exceptionally amongst others in this style.

My honest opinion after testing for over a year is that it does everything it is intended for, but it does fall a little bit short as a good all rounder. It’s perfect if you just need a grab and go for shorter adventures, and I’ve found that is generally what I’ll use this pack for. However, for more full on missions, it just doesn’t quite cut it. That said, it’s well made and has great versatility as a general lifestyle pack.

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