Osprey Talon 22
Lightest of the examples mentioned here, this hiking daypack has been designed for active pursuits such as bouldering or trail running, where freedom of movement, a close fit and lack of weight are paramount. The Talon features umpteen storage options: a large main pocket, a flexible stash pocket that can be overstuffed, two deep side pockets for water bottles or wands, pockets on the hip belt and on the chest straps and a top pocket for small items. The back contains a flexible, ridged framesheet that will let your back breathe. The Talon 22 sells for $99.
REI Traverse 30 Women's
REI's Traverse 30 is packed with extra features and is a great deal at about $80, especially when considering its eco-friendly construction. The Traverse is made from recycled plastic bottles. This hiking daypack has a female-specific fit and a lot of storage options. Two top pockets, a hip-belt pocket, two side pockets and a pair of vertical pockets augment the main compartment and offer a plethora of storage options. This is the only panel-loader of the bunch. It also has a built-in rain cover.
Arc'teryx Bora 35
Canadian Arc'teryx has kept the 35 in its venerable Bora line for at least the past 10 years---a testament to its popularity. For 2009, this daypack remains relatively unchanged. A voluminous main compartment is surrounded by a large kangaroo pocket, a top pocket for valuables, two daisy chains and a water bottle holder on the side. The company's packs have a reputation for ruggedness, and the Bora 35 is no exception, sporting watertight zippers and tough hypalon in key areas. Both its price ($199) and its volume (35 liters) put the Bora on the extreme end of the hiking daypacks profiled in this article. This pack could also be used for light overnight summer trips in a pinch.
