Pick a Pack

Near the top of my list for essential everyday items (just below TP, dental floss and chocolate-chip cookies), is the daypack. Face it. We’d all be lost without it. Even Apollo 11 astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong, without backpacks, would have had to stroll on the moon without their life support systems.

Daypacks are life support. Stuff ’em with your workout gear, snacks, and clothing, or your business clothes to change into after a quick bike ride to work. And if you’re thinking of the boring old rucksack schoolbag, you’re in for a surprise. Packs have gotten cooler and even more practical.

But you have to know what to look for or you’ll undoubtedly find yourself lost in the sea of packs to choose from. The following guide is your life preserver. We’ve suggested simple daypacks, ranging from $60 to $140, that are ideal for carrying pretty much anything you need for your active sports lifestyle.

What to Look for
If the pack you choose has most of the features listed here, then you’re on the right track.

Don’t Leave Home without It Here’s some essential stuff to consider keeping in your pack, so you’ll always have what you need: sun block Chap Stick all-in-one mini tool like a Swiss Army Knife or a Cool Tool (bike tool) cash ID stuffable windbreaker sunglasses large plastic bag folded small and secured with an elastic (for emergency waterproofing of pack contents or your body) Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye or other pithy read for passing time map small flashlight small first-aid kit energy food water

• heavy-duty construction, i.e.: quality material, stitching, and zippers
• hand-carrying strap
• padded, breathable, adjustable, and comfortably-fitting shoulder straps
• waist and sternum straps to secure the pack and brace the load
• comfortable fit for your anatomy (try packs on)
• air channel on the back or other design that keeps your back cool when exercising
• the right weight for your intended use (if the pack’s heavy when empty, it may not be so easy to tote for running/biking etc. when stuffed with gear
• enough capacity in the large chamber for your big loads
• enough compartmentalization for all your smaller items so they’re easy to find
• a pocket providing quick access for wallet and keys so you needn’t search endlessly to find them
• reflective material for safety at night
• a tab/loop for clipping on a rear flasher (important for cycling with the pack at night)
• external stretch cord for stuffing a helmet or jacket to the outside of the pack
• built-in rain cover
• hydration system compatibility