How to Choose Daypacks

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No matter what the day throws at you, you're ready to explore with the CamelBak Octane 16 hydration pack. Made with durable fabric, this versatile pack seamlessly treks from one landscape to the next.
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View all CamelBak DaypacksBest Use | Hiking |
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Frame Type | Frameless |
Gear Capacity (L) | 16 liters |
Gear Capacity (cu. in.) | 970 cubic inches |
Reservoir Compatible | Yes |
Reservoir Included | Yes |
Bottle(s) Included | None |
Liquid Capacity (L) | 2 liters |
Liquid Capacity (fl. oz.) | 70 fluid ounces |
Weight | 1 lb. 7 oz. |
Fits Torso Length (in.) | Unavailable |
Material(s) | 75-denier CORDURA nylon ripstop with a polyurethane-coated back and C0 DWR finish |
BPA Free | Yes |
Pack Access | Top/Panel |
Number of Exterior Pockets | 4 + main compartment |
Bite Valve Shut-off Switch | Yes |
Suspended Mesh Back Panel | Yes |
Raincover Included | No |
Dimensions | 18.1 x 8.7 x 7.1 inches |
Gender | Unisex |
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First thing, the command center pockets are a big upgrade to what I've been seeing and what I've been using lately for packs. The pocket fits my iPhone 13 with a hefty case on it just fine. Big perk there. I wouldn't put my keys in the stretchy fabric side. This is a nice feature if you need all your snacks, and need more room so your food doesn't get squished (homemade zucchini bread, yes!), but this stretchy material is all over this bag. I haven't been able to be as rough as I usually am with this bag, but I am worried it's going to get holes in it over time. The front straps are VERY comfortable, but with that, they also are giving major life-jacket vibes in the red poppy color. I don't care, it's more about comfort for me, but keep it in mind. These are full chest coverage straps. I've been living in the past it seems with the H2O bladders. This one ZIPS closed! No more accidental leaks because I didn't close it properly. It's great. I'm kind of picky about my bladders too, I don't like the rubber/plastic flavor even after many washings, and this one had the plastic taste. I need to know the secret apparently for getting rid of that... I was able to stuff quite a lot in this pack. I took this bag on a couple of trails in southwest Washington. I couldn’t go crazy with distance since I have my primary school aged son with me, but I didn’t experience any chafing or excess sweating along my back and beneath the straps. The bag can be made snug enough that I want to try a longer trail run with it. PROS: Wide shoulder straps. Big enough pockets for the phone. Big openings so you don’t lose things in the pack abyss. CONS: Outer stretch fabric might be destroyed. Giving a life-jacket look with the wider shoulder straps.
Overall, really nice day back. However the way you close it does not seem intuitive. It's that roller/clip style and trying to close it the way it's pictured doesn't work very well. Especially when empty or near empty (see my photos for example). The "command center" portion of this pack is a nice feature (pack straps on your chest). Pockets plenty large enough for the biggest phones with cases/ I have a Samsung Galaxy S23 with Commuter Otter Box and it fits in and is retrieved from either chest strap pocket with ease. Additional storage for other stuff like Gu gels, or a personal locator beacon (I have a Garmin InReach mini). Lastly, the water reservoir. 2L of water will keep you going for a while. The reservoir uses a hefty zipper that you do have to pull hard and ensure it is fully zipped close. Not a draw back nor a positive of this product. Just something one should be aware of if you are considering purchasing this product.
This is a great hybrid of a hydration backpack and hydration vest. I think the pros far outweigh the cons and this is a high quality product. Pros: so many pockets! Very thoughtful pockets on shoulder straps as well as on the pack itself. The roll down top portion is a waterproof bag with a handy zipper for easier access. The water bladder has a mega zipper that prevents spilling and is easier to fill than older designs with a large screw top lid. Capacity of the bladder is plenty for a several hour hike. The bag is lightweight and well ventilated and is comfortable even on a hot day. The design and color are great. I like that it doesn’t have a waist strap since I like to use a waist leash to walk my dog. The bag sits nicely on my back and is secured well with the straps so that it doesn’t bounce too much with walking. Cons: this bag is clearly made for a right handed person. The zippered compartment on the shoulder strap is only on the left strap, accessible only to the right hand. The thoughtful zipper access to the main compartment is easiest with the right hand. The only clip to hold the drinking tube is on the right. As a lefty, I’m used to the world not being designed with me in mind but it is still a little disappointing. Overall, it’s a great pack with lots of bells and whistles.
I did NOT receive this as a free promotional gift and this is my completely unbiased opinion! Wish I could give this pack 4.5 stars. It’s the perfect size for a day hike and fits all my essentials plus food. I thought I might not like the “life vest” style shoulder straps but have found that they help distribute the weight of a full pack plus water bladder really well unlike other smaller packs. My only gripe is the placement of the chest straps ends up looking like a bandeau bra if you have a larger chest and I just wish the lowest strap could’ve worn around my waist instead. But overall, I really love this pack and don’t see myself replacing it anytime soon!
I received this product for free from the REI Trailblazers sampling program in exchange for my honest review. It’s been a few years since I got a new hydration pack… like 10 or so. Suffice to say that this pack is a significant upgrade. Where do I start with this thing? First off, it’s a Camelback, so the water reservoir is first-rate. No weird taste on the mouthpiece or transferred to the water from the reservoir. The water bag has a rigid back, so it’s easier to maneuver into the sleeve of the pack. It’s got a 2litre capacity, so enough for a low-key day out (think easy hiking) or a more intensive workout, like a couple hours of biking on a warm/hot day. Personally, one of my favorite details is that the section of the pack with the water sleeve is blue: no doubt where to find the reservoir! On to the backpack itself. LOVE the poppy-red color! It’s very visible, has a reflective logo and tabs, and a little grid pattern. It’s a really thoughtfully-designed pack by itself and weighs next to nothing with an empty or no water reservoir. It’s big enough for a day-trek’s worth of supplies: water, snacks, wallet, phone, keys, small binoculars, hat, and a fresh shirt. Or, as a waterless pack, it’s big enough for an overnight. The straps and back are a wide mesh fabric, and there are small pads on the lower back to promote ventilation. I found this definitely to be cooler than other hydration packs. You can thread the water nozzle to the left or right side. It has 5 open exterior pockets of various sizes for quick access up to water-bottle/thermos size. Two zip-secured exterior pockets plus a key clip, along with one interior zip pocket, give you plenty of spots to secure the important stuff. The main compartment has a dry bag-type roll-down closure that makes for easy loading and closure, plus a wide-circumference opening. It can also be accessed by a sealed-seam side zip - so smart. Beyond that, the pack has lots of hang loops and straps. There are six different locations for the chest strap clips, meaning a good customized fit for most. The fabric is a super high density material with what feels like a partial waterproof lining at the top interior of the pack. (Haven’t tested that, but the outer material sheds water like a duck!) While the buckles and clips are plastic, they seem pretty sturdy and are very secure. If anything, you might have to work them a minute to get them to unbuckle. Also, the straps and loops are all securely stitched to the body. It would take a serious incident to damage them. I’ve already done several walkabouts and bike rides with this pack. It stayed comfortable on all uses, and the water mouthpiece is easy to access. The only negative I’ve found is that the chest straps are a bit snug when buckled. I’m a busty gal (40D), and the lower chest strap squishes the girls when buckled. I tried moving it to the lowest option, but the strap is too short to buckle in that configuration. Probably not an issue for most and literally is the only negative thing I can report about this pack. Great choice, you will not be disappointed!