I have an ongoing quest for the best all-round hiking daypack. I’ve found several contenders in the daypack category, the latest of which is the Deuter Airlite 26 SL. This women’s-specific backpack has a capacity of 26 liters, an ideal size for day hikes, touring, and travel days. It weighs just over two pounds empty, and doesn’t skimp on the features crucial to a highly functional pack, like a generous hip belt, chest straps, and vented shoulder straps.
Deuter has a great design for better airflow across your back when wearing their packs. It’s called the AirComfort Back System, and it effectively keeps the back of the back at bay, allowing your skin to breathe. This also helps keep the load in the pack from pressing against your back as you hike or walk, adding to the overall comfort of wear.
What really makes this pack for me, however, is the inclusion of all the little features I love. Individually, I could live without one or two, but collectively, they take the Airlite from any other mid-sized daypack to the one I reach for regularly. Included on the Airlite 26 are compression straps to keep it streamlined when not completely filled, stretchy side pockets ideal for water bottles (even fits widemouth bottles), a zippered valuables pocket with key ring attachment, trekking pole loops, mesh zippered pockets on each side of the hip belt, a detachable rain hood (that stows in its own front pocket), and safety light loop.
The Airlite is hydration pack compatible. I’ve hiked with a Platypus bladder and an Osprey bladder in both 1.5 and 2 liter, and found the hydration sleeve to hold the bladder steadily. The hose was easy to thread through the provided hole, too. This is a panel-load pack, which I prefer to top-loaders, because it’s easier to open up and get at my gear.
I’ve taken the Airlite 26 on day hikes varying from a full day on Mount Rainier to a full day in Badlands National Park; on both trips, I carried water, an extra layer or two, a lunch, a DSLR camera, and my wallet, keys, and phone. I could have fit more in the pack on both occasions, should I have needed to do so. It has also accompanied me on several flights as a carry-on. The front stash panel is ideal for holding boarding passes.
Pick up the Airlite 26 SL on the Deuter site for $119, or look for it on Amazon or Moosejaw (though for the same price). It comes in two colors: moss/pine (cheery green tones) or blackberry/aubergine (a bright berry color).