YETI  Skala 32 L Pack - Women's

I’ve had the chance to use the YETI Women’s Scala 32L on several long day hikes, and I’ve been really impressed with it overall. It’s comfortable, well-designed, and has a lot of practical features that become especially noticeable once you’re actually using it on the trail. One of my favorite features is the center zipper, which gives you much easier access to the main compartment than a traditional top-loading pack. The “brain” is also really useful. It has a key ring for keeping your keys secure, along with additional space for things you want to keep accessible. There are also multiple straps and attachment points on the outside of the pack that are handy for securing or carrying extra gear. The zippers feel solid and durable, and I particularly like the large zipper pulls. They’re easy to grab and use, even when wearing gloves, which makes a big difference in colder weather. The shoulder straps are nicely padded and comfortable, and I found the overall fit easy to adjust. The pack carries a surprising amount for a 32L pack. On one hike, I carried a hydration reservoir with 2L of water, food for a day hike, extra layers, photography equipment, sandals, an additional water bottle, and a thermos of coffee, with room left for other essentials. The pack handled the load comfortably without feeling overly bulky. The bungees on the shoulder straps are a great plus as they kept my hydration tube securely in place. The materials feel substantial and durable, but the pack doesn’t feel unnecessarily heavy. I also appreciate that the waist belt and other straps can be removed if you want a more streamlined setup for lighter loads. With its combination of capacity, organization, and exterior attachment points, I think this pack could also work really well for a shorter backpacking trip or an overnight where you’re packing relatively light. One thing to keep in mind is the hydration capacity. The reservoir pocket is designed for up to a 2L reservoir, so depending on your water needs and where you’re hiking, you may want to carry additional water bottles. Fortunately, the exterior straps and pockets make carrying extra bottles or other gear fairly easy. The pack has a relatively narrow, tall profile, so it may not be ideal if you regularly carry particularly wide or bulky items. For the way I typically pack for day hikes, though, I haven’t found that to be much of an issue. I didn’t really think of YETI as a backpack company before trying the Scala, but this pack definitely changed my mind. It feels thoughtfully designed, durable, and genuinely suited to being used outdoors rather than simply carrying the YETI name. Overall, I’ve really enjoyed using it and think it’s a great option for longer day hikes, especially for anyone who appreciates good organization, comfortable suspension, and plenty of ways to carry gear on the outside of the pack. I received this pack in exchange for my honest review.

Super comfortable and adjustable pack! The 32 liter size is definitely roomy enough for everything two people might conceivably need for a long day hike but I think I’ll mainly use this as a travel bag. It’s larger than I would generally use for a day hike but not large enough (and too heavy imo) for backpacking. Where I think I’ll get the most use for this sturdy bag is traveling, it’s very comfortable for long days wearing and trekking through airports or city streets. It seems really durable with thick fabric that will stand up to wear and tear. The zipper entry is also super convenient for packing and organizing and tons of pockets for water bottles and small accessories with easy grabbing ability.

This is a great backpack for hiking (and traveling!). It's not too heavy and has a TON of zippers and pockets for storing anything you might need, be it an extra set of clothing, snacks, water bottles (side pockets even have extra straps to keep them buckled in tightly!). I love the thicker shoulder straps because they're cushioned and don't dig into my shoulders! It IS a bit on the longer side so anyone shorter than me (5'5), might not be as comfortable with it on but it sat nicely at my waist when buckled.

I so wanted this Skala daypack to work out for me. I'm replacing my 15 yr-old daypack which has served me well. Primary use is a daypack for long day hikes and peak bagging. The Skala 32 is a well-made but very heavy daypack with an aggressive, if not overkill, harness system for a daypack. It's comfortable once fitted properly and at 65 years old comfort is a big factor. Loved the the ability to micro-adjust and dial the fit in perfectly. It's large capacity would be great for winter hiking with lots of gear. The zippered belt pockets rubbed my forearms but was mitigated by wearing long sleeves. Could not fit my iphone 14 in the belt pocket due to the curvature of my hip. Love the Y-zipper, the slim design, stretch exterior pockets, and the ability to grab deep contents quickly. However, I'm short with a 16" torso and once the harness was fitted properly the frame extended high above my shoulders and could interfere with my head/helmet when climbing or scrambling steep terrain. I did not take it out on the trail to evaluate. If this pack was made in a 20L or 25L with a shorter frame it would have been a better option for me - even at the very steep price. If you are looking for a large capacity daypack and like the Yeti brand stuff, you should check it out.