Awesome Collapsible Dayback

I just got back from a year-long RTW and I just had to share possibly the best piece of gear I brought with me. REI has a collapsible daypack/backpack which is PERFECT for a bag you need to use during the day, and rolls up into a tiny thing when you need to chuck it into your large bag for travel days.

http://www.rei.com/product/754685

I used it on bus days to carry food, hiked to Choquequirao in Peru with it and used it to carry my SLR when walking around town.

Go buy one now you will thank me!

I'm using this too, and it's rapidly becoming one of my favorite pieces of gear.

How are the straps? I've found with these bags the straps are the weakest link, particularly the stitching. I'd be afraid of it tearing off. Also, have you had any security concerns with the buckle enclosure? I'd think not being able to lock the bag would worry me. Were you able to fit anything substantial in the mesh pockets? It seems like it'd just fall out.

I agree that a collapsible daypack is essential, especially if you're traveling light, but there are many options available and I don't know that the REI model is the best till I can try it. It's also the most expensive of the bunch. They didn't have any when I asked at the local REI though they did have the Ultra-Sil Day Pack which has more capacity, collapses tighter, and has a zipper enclosure, but the stitching of the straps on the display model was already coming loose.

Barefoot Enterprises Wanderlite Packable Daypack 1925 cu in
Patagonia Lightweight Travel Pack 1647 cu in
Eagle Creek Packable Daypack 1250 cu in
Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Packable Day Pack 1220 cu in
REI Zip Travel Daypack 1200 cu in
Kiva Key-Chain Pack 612 cu in

What are the rough dimensions of the REI Zip Travel Daypack collapsed into the pocket?

Jason

AceTracer wrote:How are the straps? I've found with these bags the straps are the weakest link, particularly the stitching. I'd be afraid of it tearing off. Also, have you had any security concerns with the buckle enclosure? I'd think not being able to lock the bag would worry me. Were you able to fit anything substantial in the mesh pockets? It seems like it'd just fall out.

I agree that a collapsible daypack is essential, especially if you're traveling light, but there are many options available and I don't know that the REI model is the best till I can try it. It's also the most expensive of the bunch. They didn't have any when I asked at the local REI though they did have the Ultra-Sil Day Pack which has more capacity, collapses tighter, and has a zipper enclosure, but the stitching of the straps on the display model was already coming loose.

Barefoot Enterprises Wanderlite Packable Daypack 1925 cu in
Patagonia Lightweight Travel Pack 1647 cu in
Eagle Creek Packable Daypack 1250 cu in
Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Packable Day Pack 1220 cu in
REI Zip Travel Daypack 1200 cu in
Kiva Key-Chain Pack 612 cu in

I think considering they're all within a few dollars of each other (except for the Kiva), cost isn't that big of a factor here. I have the Kiva, which is the smallest of the bunch, and if you're concerned about locking it or the bag being secure, its lightweight nature simply means it's not super-durable. If someone wanted to steal your crap, they easily could tear it open with their hands, or cut it, etc.

For just a jaunt around town, a book, a bottle of water, and some odds and ends, that 612cu was more than enough space, but it looks kind of dopey. It has no real shape and any objects with edges will poke right into your back.

I have to admit, next time I might just take my Tom Bihn large cafe bag, which is about the same size as the Kiva, and just fold it down tightly. I love that bag. More expensive than the other suggestions here, but not if you already own it, obviously.

But the Rei like a nice, collapsible bag, thanks for the heads up.

AceTracer wrote:How are the straps? I've found with these bags the straps are the weakest link, particularly the stitching. I'd be afraid of it tearing off. Also, have you had any security concerns with the buckle enclosure? I'd think not being able to lock the bag would worry me. Were you able to fit anything substantial in the mesh pockets? It seems like it'd just fall out.

The straps are fine, though admittedly the clasp is a wee bit flimsy. It never broke or un-clasped in the whole year that I used it though, so I guess that speaks for itself. Mesh pockets are also small, really only for some paper/pens/little things.

JasonT wrote:What are the rough dimensions of the REI Zip Travel Daypack collapsed into the pocket?

I'd say about the size of a small paperback book.

This bag is definitely great for the convenience of having an extra bag when you need it, not as a bag you're going to rely on day-to-day for schlepping around. It's basic, light and small - which is exactly what I needed!

I've tried to use a couple of daypacks of this kind : the REI one mentioned and the Patagonia travel daypack. I hated both of them! I found them to be fine if you are only carrying lightweight, bulky items (clothes, food.) But stuff a couple dense items (bottled water, SLR) and they got really uncomfortable.

Now, I just carry a camelbak around... it's got some padding in the back that's a good compromise between a stiff framesheet and nothing at all. It's perfect for dayhikes.

For urban travel.... I still haven't found a good bag.

Scritch wrote:if you're concerned about locking it or the bag being secure, its lightweight nature simply means it's not super-durable. If someone wanted to steal your crap, they easily could tear it open with their hands, or cut it, etc.

My concern isn't with someone slashing the bag; they can do that with almost any bag and it's very unlikely I would ever leave my bag somewhere unattended.

My concern is how easily someone can pick my bag's pocket while I'm carrying it. I've had many situations where I had the piece of mind to walk through a crowded and well known pick pocket magnet (Barcelona's Ramblas or Roma Termini) without doing something dopey like wearing it on my front and didn't worry because my bag was locked.

In Lisbon I lent some dental floss to a girl so she could use that to tie her day bag up after she was pick pocketed. Sure, it's easy to cut, but that's hard to do while walking around. A buckle is just about the easiest and hardest to prevent way to get inside someone's bag without them noticing.

Scritch, thanks for the info. on Tom Bihn. I was looking for a decent shoulder bag and used the link. It sounded like a good deal so I ordered the medium Cafe Bag and just got it. Great quality and seems pretty secure with the design. Looking forward to using it on my upcoming trip.