Osprey Packs

Daylite Expandable 26L+6L Travel Pack

Great pack, but don’t get carried away!

Familiarity:

I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

I purchased this pack specifically for getaways on budget airlines (Frontier/Spirit) to avoid paying for a carry on or suitcase. It fits perfectly as a personal item; even when measuring in the holder. However, I got a little carried away while at my destination and used the expandable feature and the bag wouldn’t fit in the holder at the airport. Very much a light packing bag!

I brought this pack in

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I brought this pack in 2 years ago for a car camping trip around Iceland. Since, then I have taken it on 2 additional week plus international trips one car trip around Scotland and once more back to Iceland, at least 3 more week plus long trips for work, and probably at least 60 shorter weekend/work trips. With the lone exception of a stain from a bottle of beard oil breaking(which was my fault). This pack still looks brand new. It is rock solid. The expandable feature is the best part as it as it allows you to change the size of the pack to meet your needs for the trip. Out of all the trip above it was the only luggage. I needed with expecting of the New Year Eve trip back to Iceland and a 2 week trip to Kansas for work those requires a little extra space of a check bag. The second best part of it's design is it's size as even in its expand mode. It is still small enough to allow you to slip it under an airplane seat allowing to travel with just a personal item even on a budget airline. If your looking for a travel backpack you cannot go wrong with this versatile little pack.

Perfect addition to rollerboard for

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Perfect addition to rollerboard for trip to Europe. Fit under airline seat, solid zippers, versatile. Highly recommend.

Review after 6 months of

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Review after 6 months of heavy digital nomad use: Absolutely amazing pack, close to perfect. Exceeds expectations and in some unexpected ways. I've been a full-time traveler for years and this is my favorite underseat bag that I've used. It's robust, roomy, comfortable, and optimized in almost every way. Some of my favorite features: + the two large stretch water bottle holders + clamshell opening + the fact that the laptop pocket is not separate from the roomy main compartment (increasing total space efficiency) while still having a dedicated access zipper + the many grab points, including a side handle, and the back panel & front panels working as grab points + the expandable feature is actually really great + comfortable/breathable back padding, general super strength, chest clips Some things I would add: - second zipper on small compartment so it could lock closed too - ability to unclip the backpack straps to tuck them into the back panel to use as a laptop bag. The back panel looks built to handle this tuck-away transformation, but the backpack straps are permanently attached at both ends. Not the worst thing but could have been nice (though this might otherwise come at the cost of durability or something, so who knows). - Might be cool if at least the sides of the front stuff-pocket could could stretch to accommodate even more stuffing, but again maybe this was a durability choice - a hip strap or ability to add one. But those are some pretty minor issues overall. Almost perfect bag, and with some pretty unique & genius features/touches. I would be recommending this left and right if it were still in production 🥲 I don't know why they stopped producing it.

I love this bag, super

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I love this bag, super light, easy to pack. I wish the bottle holders were more expandable, but that’s on me for having a fat water bottle. The front zip pocket and shove it pocket can be hard to use if the backpack is fully packed.

Well built bag. Perfect size

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Well built bag. Perfect size for my needs. Wish the front pocket was more useful and the water bottle pockets a bit larger but overall those are minor issues.

I love this pack! I

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I love this pack! I do a lot of short trips where I pack light and don't like to check any baggage. This is perfect as my only bag or even as a second personal item! Expanded and packed pretty full I can still fit it under most airplane seats if need be. I like the clam shell design which makes it easy to pack and I can zip it open to see everything in it without having to dig around. I have several Osprey packs and like to use this one with the Transporter Wheeled Duffel 40 or Farpoint Wheeled Travel Carry-On 36L/21.5" One of these bags along with the Daylite Expandable Travel Pack 26+6 holds way more than enough for my needs when I travel. It can be used as a day pack also but I always carry one of the compact packable bags too!

99% perfect

I have bought countless backpacks in the endless search for the perfect one bag travel gear, and I’ve found it … except for one small oversight. The good bits: main compartment can accommodate an extra pair of shoes, three changes of clothes, and a jacket. The inner zip pocket is perfect for my wallet (passports, cash, credit cards), phone charger and plugs (US, EU & UK), and wash kit. The expandable outer zip section I use for my outer gear - an Osprey rain cover for the pack itself, a rain jacket, hat, and a small packable day pack (I recommend the Matador ReFraction). These are easy to access from the top of the pack in case of a sudden shower, and keep them separate from the main compartment if you need to pack wet gear. I’d suggest packing in non expanded mode as you could use that extra 6 liters for groceries or anything else you might pick up that you won’t be carrying the whole trip. I like that the exterior open pocket comfortably fits a book for easy access on planes or trains, and the top zip pocket is perfect for stashing your phone when going through security. Also, my favorite travel tip: buy a small wallet case with a carabiner or similar attachment and clip it to the key loop for easy access & extra security. So far, so great. BUT .., for me, the oversight / missing 1% … why are the pockets in the top zip compartment too small to fit a passport? There are two “wider” pockets, which comfortably accommodate my phone, but if they were just slightly wider I could slip my phone in one and my passport in the other … perfect for easy access on trips. Instead that extra available space is taken up by THREE or slots. Who carries three pens? Or even one these days? Two wider pockets and two pen slots would be a simple fix that would make this the perfect pack.

Almost close to perfect

I've been looking for an underseat backpack and this is the best one out there for the size and weight. I like that it can zip down from 8" to 6" because some airlines only allow 6" depth. The boxy shape makes the most of the limited size. There's a laptop sleeve, but doesn't have it's own zipped compartment - this helps keep the weight down. I'm plus size, 61 and ultralight packer and can fit a weeks worth of clothes and therefore I could travel for a 4 weeks with it. Here are a few ideas Osprey can design to make it perfect: Add cinch straps near the top like my other Osprey bags so that I can cinch down a coat or bulky sweater (I wear them on a plane but may not need them all the time when in the airport or traveling). I like a mesh stuff pocket in the front but not a deal breaker. And I really, really want a hip belt. As I age, my back is not as strong as I like. The hip belt would help adjust where the weight lands and less off my back. It's more important when I'm traveling by train, bus and walking instead of just plane and car rental. I think I will try to have someone sew one on the bag. Next up for Osprey - design a bag for Ryanair. I bought 2 more Daylite Expandable for my kids - more support than the Outlander packable bags.

Traveling made so much easier!

Perfect bag for long weekend trips and size for personal item on flights. Not having to hassle with packing/unpacking especially getting my laptop out has made TSA lines a breeze