How to Choose Daypacks

Ideal for day hikes, the the Deuter Speed Lite 17 pack has breathable shoulder straps and an adjustable hipbelt for comfort. Its lightweight design is perfect for active days in the mountains.
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View the Deuter Speed Lite Product LineView all Deuter DaypacksBest Use | Hiking |
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Bag Style | Backpack |
Frame Type | Internal Frame |
Gear Capacity (L) | 17 liters |
Gear Capacity (cu. in.) | 1,037 cubic inches |
Weight | 14.5 ounces |
Fits Torso Length (in.) | 15-21 inches |
Fits Waist/Hips | Unavailable |
Material(s) | 140-denier recycled polyamide ripstop (100% recycled) |
Frame Material | Delrin hoop |
Number of Stays | 1 peripheral hoop |
Pack Access | Panel |
Number of Exterior Pockets | 3 + main compartment |
Hipbelt | Yes |
Raincover Included | No |
Reservoir Compatible | Yes |
Dimensions | 18 x 10 x 6 inches |
Gender | Unisex |
Sustainability | Product meets the bluesign® criteria Contains recycled materials |
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The Deuter Speed Lite 17 has quickly become my go-to pack for shorter, day adventures, and recently proved its worth on my first cross-country ski trip. I was pleasantly surprised by how much this seemingly small pack can hold. It easily swallowed all the essentials: layers, snacks, a first-aid kit, a monopod, and more. Deuter's typical internal organization is present and accounted for, with the usual pockets (bladder sleeve, and top pocket), making it easy to keep things organized. The bladder sleeve even has ample room to accommodate my 3-liter water hydration reservoir! The side mesh pockets are generously sized, comfortably accommodating my large water bottles. This is a big plus for staying hydrated on the go. The pack also boasts the standard Deuter features I appreciate, like various loops and gear attachments (love the sunglass holder), which are consistent with the other Deuter packs I own (two overnight and one day pack). This familiarity makes it easy to transition between packs for different trips. However, there are a few areas where the Speed Lite 17 could be improved. My biggest pet peeve is the water tube situation. It would be fantastic if there was a way to tuck it away (other than the side pocket) when not in use, rather than having it dangle awkwardly. A rain cover would also be a welcome addition, rather than having to purchase one separately. Considering the price point, including it seems reasonable. Finally, while the external loops are handy, I found them a bit lacking in sturdiness. I wouldn't trust them to securely hold trekking poles or an ice axe, especially since the pack's torso length is on the shorter side. This limits its versatility for more technical adventures. But it is designed to be a day pack, after all! Pros: Surprisingly roomy for its size Well-organized interior with typical Deuter features Generous side pockets for water bottles Comfortable fit (for shorter torso lengths) Cons: Water tube hangs loose if not tucked into the side mesh pocket Rain cover not included External loops not sturdy enough for poles or ice axe Shorter torso length may not suit everyone Overall: The Deuter Speed Lite 17 is a solid day pack for activities like hiking, trail running, and cross-country skiing. It offers a good balance of capacity, organization, and comfort. While the lack of a rain cover and the flimsy external loops are minor drawbacks, they're not deal-breakers. If you're looking for a lightweight and versatile pack for day trips, the Speed Lite 17 is definitely worth considering. Just be aware of its limitations regarding carrying heavier gear and consider purchasing a rain cover if needed.
This incredibly lightweight and simple backpack is perfect for quick use. I used it on my mountain bike ride at Station Bike Park outside Austin. Compartments: The backpack has just two compartments: a main compartment that can also hold a water pack, and a small glasses/phone holder pocket with a key-chain lanyard. It also has two elastic bottle cages on the sides. The main compartment is spacious! There’s an expandable pocket inside to hold a water bladder. The bladder hanger system is intuitive and uses velcro tape. The water tube comes out of the left side of the backpack. The bag has two accessory loops at the top and bottom to attach helmets, hiking poles, and other gear. However, these are just pass-through loops, so there’s no built-in strapping or holding system. The zippers are generous and easy to use with gloved fingers. Comfort and fit: I’m about 5 feet 5 inches tall, and the backpack fit me well. The straps are wide and comfortable after you adjust them. They also provide some ventilation. The sternum and waist straps are useful additions, and the waist strap is removable. The left shoulder straps have a loop for routing the water tube. They worked well for me while mountain biking, and there’s also a sunglasses loop on the shoulder strap. Volume: This is a 17-liter backpack that offers ample storage for a day hike. Even with a 3-liter water pack, you can still fit in a lot of items, like snacks and a jacket. Pros: It’s incredibly lightweight and easy to carry around. Cons: The only downside I can think of is that there’s only one main compartment and one pocket for a phone or sunglasses. There’s no organizational storage for cards, wallets, cables, tools, or other items. Everything goes in the main compartment. I recommend getting zip-locks or small pouches to carry these items.
Pros: Lightweight Comfortable Ease of use Simplicity Breathability Carry weight Functionality Deuter Lifetime Warranty Treated with DWR Made from recycled nylon YKK Zippers Cons: No exterior mesh pocket for wet gear Adjustable waist belt too tight to cinch for some Gear attachment loops poorly placed Color Choice Solid overall day pack for hiking or everyday carry. Lightweight, very comfortable for its size, sits nice and tight on the back making it easy to fit in narrow situations. Fit is universal. It fits myself 5’11”, my wife 5’5”, and a young 9-year-old girl we met on the trail. The back panel is comfortable and soft, and I am truly surprised at how comfortable the pack is, given its lightweight characteristics and size. I love the zippered pockets for quick ins and outs and how well this pack breaths compared to other packs. I wouldn't use as a trail running pack. It lacks the proper shoulder straps. I wouldn't use as a long-distance day pack either, not enough space or lack of external wet storage. The adjustable waist/hip belt were easy for me to tighten, however when my wife tried the pack on and had some trouble wrenching things in. Not sure if I could recommend for children to easily operate without parental help. The gear loop attachment points near the main compartment zippered pocket are poorly placed. When gear is attached, say via carabiners, the weight causes the opened flap to hang down, making zipping the pack closed more finicky. The colors available are not my favorite and seem to only appeal to a specific group of people. I prefer outdoor colors. Lastly, it's important to keep in mind the material while lightweight, may not hold up through extreme environments where durability is key. Overall, I would recommend for short day hikes or everyday carry, in fair to great weather where light weight and speed is your desire. Fit for all ages.
I received this product for free from the REI Trailblazers sampling program in exchange for my honest review. That being said, we really like it! We haven't been able to use it out on trails after the fires wiped out all the local hiking trails, but we've been using it on family outings (including the local amusement parks) and it's been outstanding. It's really light, sits comfortably on our back, and fits way more than you would expect. It's already our go to backpack for day trips, and we expect it to remain in the top spot once the trails reopen as well.
Love the size and weight of this daypack for running errands and as a carryon. Has plenty of compartments especially if you like to be organized. Extra great are the separate bottle pockets on the sides. The construction of the pack is sturdy and has held several books, an iPad, lunch, and other essentials. The adjustable shoulder straps and waist strap are comfortable and fit….even my 5’0” frame. Really like the loops to hook extras onto. One thing you don’t see often, if at all, are emergency and first aid information on the inside. Definitely check this one out during your daypack research.
The Deuter Speed Lite 17 has a minimalist approach to organization, conservative size, but more stability than you would expect from a pack intended for casual, shorter hikes. The harness is not going to give you enough stability for running, but it will keep a moderate load from sliding around if you are scrambling. I tested it at about 8.5 lbs, and given the 17L volume, I’m not sure what exactly you would put in there that would weigh more than that. I was impressed with the flexible hoop frame. It helps the pack keep its form if you haven’t filled it up, and gives it enough structure that it won’t buckle if you’re carrying a full water bladder. I found it difficult to thread the bladder hose behind the frame, but you only have to do this once. The pack is highly adjustable. The sternum belt can be adjusted up or down on one’s chest using a slider, and it slides frictionlessly, although I’m not sure how well it would handle dust or mud. The shoulder straps and waist belt both join at the hip fins, so you've got three points of adjustment at two points of attachment. Do be aware that the waist (not hip) belt only realistically extends to about 32”, so I think it would be a bit of a reach wearing multiple layers, say a hard shell and a fleece. It is a very comfortable pack. I did not even notice it on my back. In terms of organization, there are no sizable exterior pockets to speak of. The two side pockets are very small and the mesh is not very stretchy, so you cannot really use them for carrying water bottles, even plastic .5L ones. For someone used to carrying just the essentials, it’s not a problem, but do be aware a bladder is really necessary for this pack to carry sufficient water for longer hikes. I found the side pockets to be just large enough to comfortably pack an emergency poncho on one side and my dog’s foldable water bowl on the other. There are not holsters on the shoulder straps. There are no exterior straps / compression straps. It’s impressively bare bones and a smart design. The volume of this pack is really ideal, and very versatile. It is just the right size for a couple of layers, lunch, essentials, and a 2L bladder. You will have plenty of room if you are using it for minimalist non-overnight hikes. Even though the only pocket for organization is the “zippered valuables pocket,” this pocket is actually quite deep and can carry a good deal more than just sunglasses and keys. I was able to fit a hat, gloves, headlamp, sunglasses, sunscreen, and small first aid kit inside without difficulty. I could have easily taken a few more small items like a water filter or even a small stove. I wasn’t able to test for durability or water resistance. I would be most concerned about the shoulder straps becoming frayed and exposing the perforated foam on the inside. The nylon body shouldn't have durability issues.
The Deuter 17 is a great day pack with plenty of zippered pockets and compartments to organize everything you need for a day hike with modest goals. The side bottle holders keep water close so you don't have any excuse to not drink your water. The pack is also easily adjusted to fit a bulky or a more petite frame. One hardly notices the weight of the pack, and the straps are comfortable even with loaded with multiple liters of water. Though this product was provided free of charge for my review, I wouldn't hesitate to purchase it outright.
This is a very nice smaller bag for day hikes or ultra-light camping. The capacity is enough to get some food, layers, and water in, while not overpacking. The side pockets are great for a water bottle, or I stuck my foldable trekking poles in them during the times I did not need them. I like to keep this bag loaded up and, in my truck, so if I have a chance I can go straight to a trail and hike, and it doesn't take up a lot of room with it being more compact. I am not an ultra-light overnight hiker, but this would be a great pack for that with it being so light by itself.
I received these products for free from the REI Trailblazers sampling program in exchange for my honest review. This is a great day pack. It doesn’t have a strap to go around the middle so I wouldn’t use it for a long rigorous hike but a small hike around is perfect. I wish it had a spot where you could put a bladder straw through since the back pocket does have a good amount of space to hold a small one. There’s two water bottle holders but a bladder always distributes the weight better. The color is pretty in person as well!
Got this bag to pack in my 30L travel bag, purpose was for day trips through cities or hikes. Went with this because it was a packable bag with a back panel for support. I don't prefer the collapsible squishes-into-a-ball types. When I felt it for the first time, I was pleasantly surprised. I find a lot of products these days lack quality for their price, but yeah, this is worth it. Build is perfect for my needs, materials are great, doesn't feel cheap at all. Deuter has won me over and I will vouch for them. When I first started travel backpacking, everyone called out the usual suspects (such as that one bird logo company, you know who) on forums and I went with it. Nah, this is it right here. If that's just the packable bag, I'm definitely interested in trying out what else they've made.