How to Choose Daypacks

Originally designed for river swimming, the Exped Splash 15 pack provides waterproof protection for your gear in nearly any situation; plus, at the weight of a chocolate bar, it's easy to take along.
Imported.
View all Exped DaypacksBest Use | Hiking |
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Gear Capacity (L) | 15 liters |
Gear Capacity (cu. in.) | 915 cubic inches |
Shoulder Strap | Yes |
Backpack Straps | Yes |
Dry Bag Shape | Cylindrical |
Material(s) | Polyurethane-coated, recycled 70-denier taffeta nylon with 7,000 mm water column |
Waterproof | Yes |
Dimensions | 16.5 x 9.4 x 4.7 inches |
Weight | 3.7 ounces |
Sustainability | Contains recycled materials |
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This little bag is a like the little engine that could for short land, water, and urban adventures. It’s Uber light weight with tough durable fabric that water beads off of. It is simplicity it all forms. It’d be nice to have a few more features, perhaps a daisy chain or outside zip pocket - but again, for what it is - I would keep it simple like they did. I took it on several land based day hikes ranging in 1-5 mile hikes. The straps were surprisingly comfortable. I did have a good amount of stuff in the bag, but keep it light to be comfortable. When we got to the water, I threw it in to test’er out and she started floating away! I didn’t expect that, but actually really liked it! When I go paddle boarding this summer, that will be really helpful if my it falls off my board. Maybe add some bright colors in the next go? Would be a great bag for sporting event or other urban adventure, especially if weather looks iffy. You can stuff a surprising amount of stuff in it! Last but not least - I wasn’t expecting it - but once you get the straps to move out of its original place (a little tough with the velcro but possible), you can make one long strap to hang. I wouldn’t recommend keeping it that way for a hike (I did and wasn’t very comfortable) but being able to throw it over shoulders is a really nice option! If you do any water sport, I’d recommend it. If you’re on the fence, I’d do it - you won’t regret it!
This little gem works well for me as basically a waterproof purse/daybag. I use it to walk downtown when it's raining, and to hold my important stuff (keys, wallet, etc.) while I'm kayaking. I trapped some air in it, rolled it down, and strapped it on. I tested it in a lake to see if it would float, and it did. I even capsized my boat, and the contents of this bag stayed dry. Minus one star because the thin webbing straps, while functional as backpack straps, are uncomfortable if I have much weight in the bag. The bag has enough room for wallet, keys, glasses, snacks, and an extra layer.
Great little dry bag with handles and strap which is not often seen on dry bags. Still maintains very light weight. Would not be comfortable with too much weight but perfect if you have clothing and small personal items. The strap attachments are all very durably attached. I think the bag would likely tear before the strap attachment points which is awesome. The dry bag also tapers down some on the bottom (see picture) to keep a backpack-like shape so if you had something to insert inside as a back panel, it could be carried even longer.
I have been using this pack/dry bag for the past month, and I have been pleasantly impressed by the usefulness. I do not normally use drawstring style bags, and always prefer a structured backpack for hiking and travel, so I wasn't sure how to use this bag at first. At first, I used it on short hikes and walks with my kids to carry water and snacks. It was convenient to bring with me because it is so small and light, and the comfort of carrying was perfectly fine. My favorite use of this bag is to use it as a dry storage bag for travel and backpacking. It is nice to have a bag that is so light and packs small that is multifunctional. If I am backpacking and want to hike somewhere from camp to filter water or explore, this is a nice bag to bring, and I often bring a dry bag with me anyways.
This is a great bag/dry bag. It keeps my snacks and extra clothes dry during fieldwork on the water and is super lightweight. You can fit a surprising amount in it and the construction seems good. It also looks nice - I love the blue and orange combo! It is an all around good addition for day hikes, river/lake days, or casual use.
This pack would be great for short, rainy hikes, the beach or kayaking. It is as waterproof both inside and out (which I found out when my water bottle leaked a bit inside!). Because of the small straps and general minimalist style, this wouldn't be super comfy for long hikes, but is a great option for a place to throw things you want to stay dry. I find it handy for holding layers and snacks while kayaking; the straps are easily adjusted to fit over a life jacket. The top stays rolled and strapped even when not stuffed full and I haven't had any problems with it slipping off while walking or paddling. Because it is super lightweight and packs up small enough to fit in a pocket, this would be a great travel option as well. It may not be a use-for-everything kind of pack, but does what it was designed to do very well.
I bought this for a trip to Costa Rica during rainy season and it was underwhelming. Its limit in a downpour is 1.5 hours max. My stuff inside was pretty damp but not soaked, so I definitely wouldn’t say it’s “waterproof”. Maybe for brief periods of time. If you need something truly waterproof, I would go with a dry bag. The only reason I didn’t for this trip is because this had straps. Pros: It was decently comfortable wearing it around all day with a lighter load (sunscreen, bug spray, camera, phone, wallet, light towel), it also did dry relatively quickly (6+ hours) despite getting soaked.
The overall quality of this bag is great. Seams are sewn very nicely and appear to be strong. You may have picked up that I called it a bag and not a pack…because honestly it’s just a dry bag with a couple straps attached. I took the bag on a couple soggy PNW hikes and walked the dogs with it in a few downpours and I can say it is 100% waterproof and everything inside stayed dry. That being said, I had trouble trying to figure out the right application for something like this. The straps are super thin, so if you put more than a few pounds in it you start to feel it very quickly on your shoulders. I wouldn’t recommend it for any sort of hike because of this. It might be nice to use paddle boarding this summer (I don’t trust myself enough to attempt to try when it’s still cold out!) but I feel like I’d still prefer just strapping the bag to the bungees on the top of the paddle board and not having anything on my shoulders. The only other thing I could think of is that it could be nice to have for a longer day kayaking trip to keep your extra layers, snacks and jacket and grab the bag for a short walk or hike if you have multiple stops throughout the day. Overall the quality is very good but I would rather just go with a dry bag or a more traditional backpack for my excursions personally.
This is definitely a dry bag first and backpack second, but the backpack straps make this way more convenient than other dry bags I've had. It's pretty shapeless, so you'll want to pack carefully if actually wearing it as a backpack, and it's fine if you're carrying water, towel, etc on a water adventure or a short walk, bike ride, etc where the lack of pack structure won't get annoying. The main improvement that would make this better is the inclusion of a smaller pouch for phone, keys, wallet, etc so that it's easier to find crucial items without rooting around too much. But overall this will be my go-to dry bag for SUP, kayaking, and similar adventures.
For all intents and purposes great piece of gear to throw in your towel and clothes and head to the lake or quick hike that does not require a lot of weight. Waterproof is a definite bonus especially when you have wet clothes with you or you want to prevent from getting wet. My only gripe would be the thin shoulder straps. They could of easily added a 1/2 inch to make the fit more comfortable but for the cost and functionality it got 4 stars.