What do you use for a "day pack" when on an extended hiking trip?

[MD Cuse]

I frequently run into this dilemma whenever I go out for a few days and do day hikes from a base camp. For example, my buddies and I are planning to pack into Panther Gorge from Elk Lake later this summer. On the second day we're going to do the Haystack, Marcy, Gray, Skylight circuit returning to Panther Gorge. Hike back out on the third day.

There is no need to use the big overnight pack on the second day since we're returning to the same place to camp. Some times I've actually attached my day pack to the outside of my big pack and have used that. Other times I use the top of my big pack which converts to a small fanny pack.

Just curious as to what others do in these situations.

[lumberzac]

My weekend pack doubles as my daypack. It’s a Golite Race. It’s a little large for day use at 3100ci, but it only weighs in at 1lb 8oz, which is actually about the same as my old daypack.

[ADackR]

the top of my red cloud turns into a fanny pack which is okay but if you want to jam the thing with a bunch of stuff it starts to weigh too much and starts to slide of my waist. i've been tinkering with the idea of making shoulder straps by using the existing straps that secure the fanny pack to the red cloud. also, in making the shoulder straps i was thinking about sewing a mesh or nylon lining. this way i could carry a lot more. even though the fanny pack probably is 1500-2000ci.

but since i've been lazy, i sometimes will attach a day pack on the outside of the red cloud..

[Kevin]

The top to my Kelty Red Cloud 5300 separates from the pack and is an excellent fanny pack for longer day hikes. I bring one 32oz nalgene in the kelty and another in my EMS cooler pack (which attaches nicely to the strap for the fanny-pack). I won't bring full meals but rather energy food, map, dehydrated meat/fruits, headlamp, deet, toilet paper, and emergency blanket. I figure my body fat will afford me a day+ without food. Last time I packed I think I was even able to fit my water filter in the pack as well.

ouch -- serious jinx with the last poster

[sacco]

i'm with zac

but my virga backpack only weighs 1 lb 4 oz. and holds 3200 cu in

its lighter than alot of fanny packs.

i think zac's got me beat on the price though

[lumberzac]

i'm with zac

but my virga backpack only weighs 1 lb 4 oz. and holds 3200 cu in

its lighter than alot of fanny packs.

i think zac's got me beat on the price though

That's for sure. Northern Mountain Supply has the Race for $69 right now.

Link

[sacco]

http://www.backpackingdeals.com/ has the virga for $85 - with free shipping.

whats your shipping cost zac ?

[lumberzac]

$1.99 ground, $5.00 3-day. Although my pack cost me $100 with shipping when I bought it 2 years ago.

[hillman1]

The top of my gregory wind river(6600 cubic inches) turns into a waist mounted daypack, and I attach two insulated holders for two nalgene bottles. If it's winter, I bring along my camelback hawg, just so I can carry more crap up the mountain. I'm in the market for a day and a half pack. I've been checking out all kinds of packs, and still haven't picked one...

[redhawk]

the top of my red cloud turns into a fanny pack which is okay but if you want to jam the thing with a bunch of stuff it starts to weigh too much and starts to slide of my waist. i've been tinkering with the idea of making shoulder straps by using the existing straps that secure the fanny pack to the red cloud. also, in making the shoulder straps i was thinking about sewing a mesh or nylon lining. this way i could carry a lot more. even though the fanny pack probably is 1500-2000ci.

but since i've been lazy, i sometimes will attach a day pack on the outside of the red cloud..

Why not pick up a pair of suspenders to use on the fanny pack?

[redhawk]

Gee someone buy me one of those Race ultralights and I'll send them a first edition Hawkware Guide, [Signed]!

[adamsets]

I have a kelty red cloud also... I really like the idea of attaching shoulder straps to it. The feature that enables it to be used as a daypack is neat and is one of the reasons I chose the pack.. now only if the fanny pack was more of a back pack. Shouler straps would def. make it a little more stable and easier to carry.

[Mavs00]

My backpack is an EMS 5500 and it is frigging huge. The top doubles as a "fanny pack" but I never use it. I have an EMS hydration pack (similar to a camelbak) that has a 2000cc of space. I empty it out completly and bungee it on my big pack. It wieghs next to nothing empty and it's much more convenient to use it for dayhikes away from my base.

I just interchange the water pouches. For the hike in, it's in the big pack, for the day hikes it goes in the daypack.

[sdg75]

I use a North Face Stamina 70 for a backpack and Camelbak Peak Bagger as a day pack. I also interchange the water baldder like Mavs00.

The Stamina has around 5000 cubic inches and the Camelbak around 2200 cubic inches so I have plenty of room for all of my gear.

[fvrwld]

The top of my Gregory Palisade doubles as a fanny pack. It has a lot of room and is very comfortable fully loaded.Other fanny packs tend to pull on my lower back but that doesn't happen with this one.