3 Daypacks Our Outdoors Team Wants Now

Welcome to another installment of Staff Picks from our Sports and Outdoors team. Every other week, we select our favorite pieces out of the gear we’re testing, mainstays in our kits, as well as items on our wish lists. It’s like a sneak peek at the gear we’re testing and what we’re stoked on. Have something you think we should check out? Or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at [email protected].

Millican Smith The Roll Pack 15L

I’m fortunate enough to have a Millican Smith Roll Pack 25L, and I use it for just about everything from day hikes, to travel, to commuting. It’s nearly perfect. There are times, however, when it feels just a bit too large. That’s where the 15L version would be perfect. It’s small, sleek and svelte — and it has all the minimalist details and the monochromatic aesthetic that make a bag perfect for the “city to mountain” lifestyle. – AJ Powell, Assistant Editor

Epperson Mountaineering Climb Pack

Epperson Mountaineering is what you might call an OG outdoor company. It was founded in 1973 by Mark Epperson, a wise acolyte of alpinism’s old testament, in the foothills of the Cabinet Mountains in Libby, Montana. In recent years, Epperson has, oddly enough, been swerving into the lanes of high fashion — its products can be found at online style purveyors like REVOLVE, END. and Urban Outfitters — but to me, Epperson has always retained its crusty old rock climber appeal above all else.

When I look at this pack, with all its loud ’80s colors and thick Cordura nylon, I like to imagine Jeff Lowe, a hero of mine, wearing it on the approach to some unclimbed frozen waterfall. And yes — as much as I hate to admit it, this particular color would also look great in the trendier parts of Brooklyn. – Michael Finn, Associate Staff Writer

Osprey Stratos 24

I have many backpacks. I didn’t realize just how many backpacks I have, or how much I like backpacks, until a friend pointed out the fact (unsolicited). But the thing is, many of those packs are highly specific — backpacks for skiing, for bike commuting, for multi-day trekking. I don’t have a true daypack anymore, which is why I want the Stratos. It’s not niche; in fact, it’s incredibly popular. At 24 liters, the Stratos is the perfect size for day-long endeavors (anything bigger and I’m likely to over pack) and has plenty of pockets and features, and the comfort of the integrated hip belt is simply unparalleled. – Tanner Bowden, Editorial Apprentice

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