Detachable Daypack, or seperate regular daypack - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!



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Budget Travel Gear Yo Nellie, which backpack should I git? Questions and answers on gear related topics (i.e. backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, hiking boots, stoves, etc.).

View Poll Results: Detachable or standalone
Detachable 29 69.05%
Standalone 13 30.95%
Voters: 42. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 12-07-2005, 10:15 PM   #1
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Hi guys. Over at boots n' all the consensus seems to be that a standalone daypack and a bigger main bag to jam it in is a better alternative than a detachable daypack. I can understand the logic. Jamming your regular daypack into a regular main pack really doesn't sacrifice any volume compared to a combo pack, in which case the volume is already sacrificed to accommodate the daypack. However, if need be you can fill up your main bag with stuff you pick up along the way, and carry your daypack separately if necessary. In other words, it is more versatile because you have the option of more total volume. Also, they said the daypack is where you tend to keep your valuables, and it is more vulnerable if it is a quick release hanging out back there than if it were tucked inside your back or if you were carrying it in front of you. That makes sense too.

However, the front section of this site couldn't recommend the detachable daypack any more highly.

So, what I'm wondering is what is YOUR preference?
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Old 12-07-2005, 10:37 PM   #2
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Oh yeah- they also say that the detachable daypack moves your center of gravity too far rearward. Anyone notice that on the Eagle Creek Explorer or Dana Design Far Flung?
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Old 12-07-2005, 10:50 PM   #3
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Well, if that's what "they" say, then "they" must be right!

Kidding. I don't agree, I think it depends entirely on the backpack itself. If it's a good pack, a detachable unit isn't going to throw your balance off. Personally I've noticed that many people have never been truly happy with any Eagle Creek bag, so maybe that's part of it. My Marmot pack doesn't have any balance issues with the daypack. *shrug*

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Old 12-07-2005, 11:39 PM   #4
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I have a Transcontinental Journey, and though its a new pack, I've test packed it and didn't find my COV changed.

And I agree about the detachable day pack could be a target for thieves, but if you notice, most of them have a lock or loop to lock for the detaching zipper and should have rings on the internal zippers as well. Mine has all of those, and I have a lock for each.

Otherwise, the Pack safe wire mesh thing is your only alternative. And I'd think that'd stick out like a sort thumb.
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Old 12-08-2005, 12:30 AM   #5
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I have the Dana Design Far Flung...and I was lookin at it.

It blends in with the pack well...meaning that if you didnt KNOW it was there already you might not realize that it was actually a seperate pack.

Also, it has 6 clips that attach it to the main pack. Someone would have to put alot of seriously quiet work into de-attaching that pack. I would *think* it would be too much work...but I could be wrong...
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Old 12-08-2005, 07:07 AM   #6
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I had the untimate explorere from Eagle creak. It's a preaty decent pack (for all I know) I found the daypack handy you could put stuff you needed to have at hand in it and it wasn't all that easy to remove, they couldn't have done it without you noticing anyway.

It was to big though, I felt like I had the worlds biggest pack and every time you turned suddenly you took someone out. The daypack was a bit cheep too it felt halfarsed and the fabrick on the back of it made me sweat like a pig.

It did have loads of space.
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Old 12-08-2005, 07:30 AM   #7
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Ohhhh Just wait... by the end of your journey you will not be attaching the daypack to the large bag you WILL be wearing it on the front.

Several reasons:

1: IT'S FREAKING HUGE and you forget how far it sticks out their and you hit shit with it.

2: it adds extra weight to your back, but when you place it in the front it helps to equalize the weight a little bit.

3: It provides easy access and safe storage for Essential items. (i.e. Train Tix, Passport, Ipod, Camera, Snacks, Water....etc)

Personally I LOVE my Eagle Creek Continental. (So now, SV, you have heard of one person that is truly happy with an Eagle Creek Pack)

Either way you go it won't be a bad decision because with the attachable you can always detach it and wear it on the front

And dammit I was going to post one of my favorite pictures of me from San Sebastian that is a perfect example of me in Europe with full pack on but I never posted it to the net and I don't have it here at work so I guess that I will have to try and remember to post it later on tonight.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.
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Old 12-08-2005, 08:12 AM   #8
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^^^ I have one of me in Barca wearing my pack on the front and rubbing it like a belly. I love that pic. Anyhow, if you go with detachable, you can always throw it in your bag like a standalone, so why not have the option? I kept mine zipped about 50% and never had any problems with it. I kept it locked to my bag as others said. Or else, when I was somewhere a little more questionable, I put on my front.
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Old 12-08-2005, 06:56 PM   #9
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What adam said. I had an attachable daypack with me for my trip and i think i only had it attached for the first 5 mins at the Airport before i started wearing it on my front.

Another reason i didn't like the packs with detachable day packs is because they are designed to have the daypack attached to them all the time, meaning that all the loops and clips to hang crap off are on the daypack and not the main pack itself. This sucked because i wanted to hang my towed, sandles, and sleeping bag off my big pack but couldn't because all the clips were on my daypack, and i couldn't hang them off my daypack because i was wearing it on my front and it just wouldn't have worked.


...and that's what i reckon.
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Old 12-08-2005, 07:19 PM   #10
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Well what would you recommend then for a month long Europe Excursion. A detachable, or which seperate packs. i need good first hand advice because i will most likely be purchasing my pack in the next week or two.
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Old 12-08-2005, 07:28 PM   #11
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I would definately say take standalone packs.

KCL is the man for specific info about packs.
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Old 12-08-2005, 08:52 PM   #12
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Well, personally I still prefer the detachable for all of the above reasons. Although part of that could be because in my particular case, when the smaller one is taken off, the hooks used to keep it in place can instead be used to compress the rest of the pack tighter. So there are no extraneous bits hanging about.

Honestly, the best advice is to go to a store and try different things. Almost ANYWHERE that's reputable will have "filler" you can stuff packs with to try out. REI is great for this. Even if you don't end up buying your pack/s at the store, you can still give 'em a go to see what you like!
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Old 12-08-2005, 10:34 PM   #13
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I was re-reading TravelPunk's backpack recommendations, and I think all of his raves about detachable daypacks are equally applicable to ANY daypack. S/He really doesn't talk about the detachability much- only that it is really nice to have a daypack.
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Old 12-08-2005, 10:54 PM   #14
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I found a few interesting bags that look suitable for travel WITHOUT an integrated detachable daypack. Does anybody have any comments on these?

Granite Gear Nimbus Latitude. Very light, although the description isn't really clear about how it opens
http://www.rei.com/outlet/product/47968719.htm

Osprey Transporter 60. Light, but it sticks out a lot, and I think it is all one big bag- NO features
http://www.rei.com/product/47689069.htm?vc...SSHP_TRAVEL_TOC

Mountainsmith Ramble- Light and affordable
http://www.mountainsmith.com/store/?page=s...1b620cc5861ab57
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Old 12-09-2005, 05:31 AM   #15
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here is that picture of me in San sebastion

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Old 12-09-2005, 06:46 AM   #16
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Out of the packs you showed, I liked the first one the best. Mainly because of the specs (compression sack, durastretch, material it's made out of, etc). I also liked it's appearance better than the third one featured, although that one came in a close second. Both packs had areas to strap stuff to and were nicely sized.
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Old 12-09-2005, 07:00 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally posted by jamiepeaski@Dec 9 2005, 07:46 AM
Out of the packs you showed, I liked the first one the best. Mainly because of the specs (compression sack, durastretch, material it's made out of, etc). I also liked it's appearance better than the third one featured, although that one came in a close second. Both packs had areas to strap stuff to and were nicely sized.
[snapback]91904[/snapback]
Yeah- I think I'm really liking the Granite Gear as well. There are two things I don't like about it though
1) It is 30" long- great for wearing, difficult to sneak in as carry-on
2) No external pockets

Still, a great, light pack

The Mountainsmith is designed as carry on (except when it is stuffed to the gills), and has lots of pockets, but it is also my least-favorite otherwise. It just doesn't look as high-quality.

I think the Osprey falls somewhere in the middle.

KCL- you always seem to have opinions on packs. Thoughts?
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Old 12-09-2005, 08:08 AM   #18
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Actually it does have two external pockets. You said you weren't real clear on how it opens -
Quote:
Front access panel zips open on both sides from top to bottom, and an internal compression system keeps pack contents stable and in place
.
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Old 12-09-2005, 08:23 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally posted by jamiepeaski@Dec 9 2005, 09:08 AM
Actually it does have two external pockets. You said you weren't real clear on how it opens - .
[snapback]91917[/snapback]
Yeah, but that makes it sound as though it opens as two slits rather than having the whole panel open. That doesn't really make sense though, so like I said, I'm not really sure how it opens.
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Old 12-09-2005, 05:32 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally posted by @dam@Dec 9 2005, 01:54 AM
I found a few interesting bags that look suitable for travel WITHOUT an integrated detachable daypack.* Does anybody have any comments on these?

Osprey Transporter 60.* Light, but it sticks out a lot, and I think it is all one big bag- NO features
http://www.rei.com/product/47689069.htm?vc...SSHP_TRAVEL_TOC


[snapback]91882[/snapback]
i have Ospreys transporter 130 and its huge (8000+ cu in) fully loaded. what's nice about it is that the sides have straps that let you compress the load and make it less than half it fully loaded size.
i know for the transporter series they have d rings on the back for their daylight. i found that with the day pack attached you couldn't snug down the load so it was loose and stuck out to far, with out it attached it balanced out much better. i also found that the daylight was too small.
i like the way the transporter completely zips open, and how the straps can be tucked in turning it into a smooth duffel bag for checking. it well built for a travel bag but with less pockets and durability than a expedition bag.
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