What do you use on a multi-day trip for day hiking?

No separate day pack for me. As a light to ultralight hiker, my main pack is more than light enough for use as a day pack. I just yank the compression straps tighter.

Yeah I would say most UL multi-day packs are light and small enough to work fine as a day pack also. Keep things simple and just bring one pack. The best UL packs will also have a nice compression system that can make the pack small. The ULA Ohm stands out as a nice multi-day pack that can compress down to being an extremely small day pack.

Another technique if you really want to use a separate pack, is to use a simple cuben or silnylon ruck sack style pack. You can utilize this pack as a food bag inside your multi-day pack, and then for day trips you can empty out the food and use it as a day pack. This way the 'day pack' isn't simply taking up space in your multi-day pack. I haven't done this, but my Zpacks Zero would work very well in this application.

due to a lower back issue and the need for more structural support,my pack's a Deuter 3 pounder. I love the pack, but I frequently try others in hopes of finding a UL that works. So far haven't found one, but still looking :) I noticed the post on Zpacks and am very interested in something on those lines for a ul daypack.
Thanks

Edited by leighb on 03/02/2011 12:22:05 MST.

I've got a little Sea to Summit day pack I'll throw in some time. It's a couple of ounces, and packs down tiny.

http://www.seatosummit.com/products/display/86

Edited by skinewmexico on 03/02/2011 16:07:48 MST.

Leigh:

If you carry a heavy pack, then yes, a separate day pack can make sense. Keep the gear weight LOW and pretty much any frameless pack will do -- the trick is to get one with shoulder straps that will be comfy for you.

Also, consider cutting to size a blue foam section. This will help give some structure to your day pack when it's all cinched up. It weighs very little and it can do double duty as a sit pad.

I have a GG RikSak for that purpose. I use it as a stuff sack for clothing, and as a day pack when I settle into a spot for a few days of fooling trout! Very light, works well for both purposes!

http://gossamergear.com/packs/backpacks/riksak.html

he have a look at the LAUFBURSCHE huckePÄCKchen. it is a great lighweight pack for daytrips und weekendtrips with a volume of 33 liters

http://hrxxlight.com/?p=972

How do you pronounce it? :)

ill echo what others have said ... no need for a separate day pack

there are daypacks that weight 3 lbs anyways ...

just leave yr gear in base camp, strip yr pack of unneeded lids/pockets/straps (easier if its a climbing pack), and you wont even feel it

Get either a gossamer riksak, an rei flash 18, or an EMS packable pack. All of em are sub 10 ounces. If you want lightest weight/lowest features get the riksak. If you want features, get the EMS packable pack. I think REI still makes the "zip pack" which is similar, and I think sea to summit had a sub-5ounce pack too (search rei)

Just unpacked my UL day pack from Zpak's and it was sooooh light I thought Joe had forgot to put it in the box. Ohhh my it's only 2.6 oz on my scale and that also includes two water bottle holders which I added. I'd always heard that Zpak's gear was top notch but the attention to detail and ultralight weight makes me believer.

Other than some of the "stuff-sack-with-shoulder-straps" options already mentioned, you can make a light web sling and use a stuff sack for a water bottle, snacks and essentials.

String-bag backpacks can be used for day packs and double as stuff sack or pillow off duty. Here's a link to make you own: http://sewing.about.com/od/freeprojects/ss/stringbackpack.htm

Think about adapting an existing stuff sack along the same lines-- basically extending the existing drawstring and anchoring in the corners. If you can use light webbing or grosgrain ribbon, it might be more comfortable.

Only negative of this pack is the lack of any type of hip webbing (easily fixed by owner, though). Makes bending over with your pack on a real slap on the back of the head.

I have been looking for the same exact thing for an upcoming trip.

My question is, how comfortable are these little "stuff sacks with string shoulder straps" for extended day hikes from base camp? Carried load would be 1-2L of water, some snacks, rain gear, small first aid kit, light insulation layer, camera, and a map.

The OR Dry Comp Summit pack looks nice as it is waterproof (would be beneficial when kayaking) and functions as a compression sack. It may have a little too much volume though. I am also considering the REI Flash 18 and EMS Packable Pack.

I use the REI Flash UL daypack/stuffsack/ It even has a bladder compartment.

I have a huckePACKchen, too and I find it to serve the purpose of both my pack for the trip and my day pack.

I've also recently discovered that I can unclip my hipbelt and use a night ize mini biner to turn it into a fanny pack with my hipbelt pockets. Best. pack. ever. Going to write a blog post on it soon as well, like hrxxlight.

Ben

Ben - How did you get a hold of one of these packs? I keep looking at his site and they dont appear to be selling them on there yet.

I would go for the Rivendell Mountain Works Mariposa or Lupine. Something about the awesome retro good looks.

www.rivendellmountainworks.com

If I wasn't using an ultralight backpack, I'd bring along a silnylon stuffsack/daypack (I made one for myself with a webbing hipbelt, which makes it a little more comfy for water/camera/etc., and a back pocket) - around 3 or 4 ounces. The Riksak looks good, you could probably add a webbing hipbelt easily if you wanted to.

sorry to hijack

Nathan - I just sent him an email at laufbursche@gmx.net sometime in mid november? And he replied and sent me an order form. It was very expensive, but well worth it. The order form took care of everything else and I had my custom pack in time for Christmas!

I was very surprised! Hendrik posted his email on Hiking in Finland and I thought at that point I'd be the last one to get a huckepack, but I guess not.

Edited by benjammin21 on 03/03/2011 14:46:41 MST.

there's no shop at the moment. contact him via the emailaddress on his blog he will answer you as soon as possible.