Osprey Europe Unisex Daylite Plus Backpack

Product Information

Osprey uses die-cut EVA foam padding on the upper portion of the shoulder straps on the Daylite Plus, while the Daylite uses spacer mesh.

Osprey Daylite Plus Review | Tested by GearLab

As the leader in custom-fit backpacks, out pack-fitting technique ensures a properly fitting pack that maximizes efficiency, comfort and safety both on and off the trail. A suspended mesh back panel would be better for ventilation, but packs with stiffer back panels rarely work well for in-town or travel use. When used while trekking through the mountains of southern Haiti, this pack kept our reviewer's back dry. Both backpacks use the same bluesign® approved recycled polyester materials with a PFC-free DWR coating for water resistance and are equipped with the exact same zippers and internal lining. If you need a pack to carry around town in wetter climates, the Ortlieb Atrack 25 is our favorite specialty pack for this purpose — but it is significantly more expensive.

The adjustable hip and chest straps ensure you get the perfect fit dialed in for your body every time. We tested the 20-liter “Plus” version of the Daylite, and Osprey offers a number of other variations in the Daylite lineup. A great addition to the Daylite Plus is the open-topped stash pocket for a jacket or other quick-use items. The bottom and sides are made with a tough, 600-denier (D) nylon (the previous version used 400D), and the main portion of the body is a hardwearing 300D (the original was 210D).

Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack Review | Switchback Travel Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack Review | Switchback Travel

Often, I find myself justifying expensive outdoor gear by thinking of my purchases as an investment.However, the low weight and simplicity of this pack makes it nice for transitions between the urban and mountain environments.

Osprey Daylite Review | Tested by GearLab Osprey Daylite Review | Tested by GearLab

Be sure to take a look the bigger sibling, the 20-liter Daylite Plus that comes complete with an external pouch, an extra front zipped pocket, and a padded laptop sleeve for longer hikes and more versatility as an urban commuter pack. His biggest travel achievements include pushing a shitty tuk-tuk into the Himalayas, leading a group trip to Pakistan and surviving many near death experiences.

Internally, the Osprey Daylite offers a modest 13 liters of packing room while the Daylite Plus gives you 20 liters plus an additional front shove-it pocket (more on this below). Given that the Daylite is a daypack, not a full-size backpack, it meets the expectations of what a daypack should be: lightweight. To give you a realistic example of the main compartment size difference, the Osprey Daylite, at 13 liters, is large enough for a quick day hike or to use as a lightweight daypack for just the bare essentials, while the Daylite Plus, at 20 liters, allows you to pack a few extras, making it more suitable as a backpack for travel, daily commutes, or longer hikes.