GoLite Unisex Peak Backpacking Backpack

Excellent day pack and ultralight overnight pack
IMHO, the Peak is often overlooked by folks in the market for a day pack. There are certainly lighter options, but most of them are made of less durable materials like silnylon. The Peak is constructed with Dyneema, which is an awesome fabric for packs. Some of the weight gain of the current Peak over previous years models is the mesh backpanel. It doesn't have the glitz of a ventilated trampoline backpanel, but it works just about as well, and it's worlds better than having foam or Dyneema against your back. Having done a lot of day hiking with the Peak over the summer, I feel that the fain of a few ounces is well worth having the mesh backpanel. It provides enough ventilation that I'm not left wishing for anything more complicated. I'm a big guy (42" waist), and the hipbelt is mostly worthless. Mind you, the kind of weights I've carried in the Peak don't really require a heavy duty hipbelt, but the Peak's hipbelt doesn't transfer weight at all for me. It is handy to have the pockets, but I usually leave them off to save weight. Which leaves a simple webbing strap, which I do use sometimes to keep the bag from bumping against my back on rough trails. It also does well as an pack for ultralight overnights, but admittedly isn't the best suited for this. For a relatively small additional investment and a few ounces, you can go for the Jam, which would provide the capacity for longer trips. But you know what they say- get a bigger pack, and you'll fill it even if you don't need to. The Peak certainly can handle a base weight of 10-15 lbs plus a couple of days food and 1-3 L of water, provided you're using less bulky summer gear.

Shop with Confidence
This is an excellent ultralight backpack for day hikes.There are certain expectations one should have of a pack that ways a little over 1lb. Great weight, well built, good design on outside.

Great Day Pack
This is great for a day pack, long or shorter trips as you can adjust the pack to make it slimmer. I haven't had much weight in it but being a female of relatively small frame the waist strap is pretty much useless as it doesn't tighten enough to really feel like its taking any of the weight. So far a very durable pack. Not crazy about the roll down top, especially in wet weather.