Daybreak 17

I'm a 5'7" avid day hiker (11-15 miles). My old Arcadia featherlight backpack finally conked out and I ordered this one that looked to have slightly more structure to it.

I found this pack to be just too much for the kind of stuff you'd take for a day hike (I pack a jacket, lunch, water bottle, suncream, and a few other miscellaneous items).

I'm also not keen on the fabric from which it is made: it's loud and sounds like a newspaper being crumpled when you walk or try to access something inside. The fabric's stiffness also means that the top of the pack is in contact with the nape of your neck (at least for me) unless you really squish it down.

Finally, I found it cumbersome to reach a water bottle with one hand while walking (read: you have to take the backpack off to get to your water). And because the outside side pockets are made of the same swishy fabric as the pack (rather than mesh), it's noisy trying to get to, or put away your water bottle.

This pack looks to be well made but I think Hyperlite needs to go back to the ergonomics drawing board on a few things. Suggestions: make the "DAYpack" a little smaller (or don't call it an ultralight daypack); make the side pockets out of mesh; and source a fabric that is quieter. 'Cause I'm hiking to hear nature -- not a swooshy backpack!

I loved it! We love all hyperlite products and own a few. We even hushed this pack for our wedding :)

Loved the pack size and features - all except for that big clambshell zipper. It was nice while it lasted but alas zippers never do. So I used for about a year, near daily, before it started breaking teeth. I still use the daybreak occasionally but if I fully close the clambshell I'll never get the zipper back from its terminus due to broken teeth.

For those reasons I prefer packs with cinch or fold-over tops and wish that were an option for this one. Ultimately, unfortunately it's daily-use certification has been replaced with another brand pack that has a cinch top.

Received the Daybreak as a gift from my wife......beautiful thoughtful wife who accepts my addiction to made in USA bags and gear. Since receiving it in December, I have used it everyday for my bike to work commute and other adventures such as splitboarding, skiing, and fly fishing. Rain, snow, sun, mud it doesn’t matter. This bag carries so well that I don’t know it is there. Bomber quality construction, lightweight, stylee form. This bag is a winner, and will be with me for a long time. Good job HMG!