What is the Daylite Plus?
The Osprey Daylite Plus is a simple, yet highly effective, lightweight pack that is incredibly versatile and comfortable. It’s one of those packs that ends up accompanying you wherever you are whatever you’re doing. Sling it on your back for a day’s hiking, use it as a hydration pack for cycling, as a pack for travel essentials, for carrying everything you need for a day’s work or just for lugging the shopping home; the list is pretty much endless. Osprey have provided you with a ventilated Spacermesh backpanel and a host of other features to make using this brilliant little pack both comfortable and practical.
What is it made of?
Osprey have used a tough and durable 210D Nylon Oxford throughout to that the Daylite Plus survives everyday life and stays looking good.
What are the features?
The Daylite Plus features a zipped front panel access that lets you get access to your kit as quickly and easily as possible; you can pretty much open up the whole of the pack and see all the contents.
Hydration access is simple and quick thanks to an external sleeve that lets you whip out your bladder for re-filling without having to enter the main compartment.
Despite its size the Daylite Plus does not scrimp on storage, you get an external zipped organiser pocket with mesh sections and a key clip, a small zipped pocket on the front, two side mesh pockets that work for water bottles and a really handy front stash pocket which is a great place to store wet things. Inside the pack you get a padded laptop/document sleeve that has an extra bit of padding at the bottom to protect your lovely tech when you put the pack on the floor.
Twin, quick release, side compression straps pull the weight closer to your back, increasing comfort and carrying efficiency; they also stop gear from rolling about in a half full pack.
There’s a built-in emergency whistle on the buckle of the adjustable sternum strap and a lightweight, non-load bearing, webbing waist strap to help stabilise the pack if you’re doing something a little more energetic. This waist-belt can be completely removed if you just don’t want/need it.
Another really useful feature is the way that the Daylite Plus can be attached to larger Osprey packs (Aether AG, Ariel AG, Farpoint 80 or Sojourn) to create additional storage.
What is the backsystem?
The ventilated Spacermesh backpanel is made up of mesh covered, die-cut, high-density foam that provides airflow and support, and also stops the packs contents from digging into your back. The shoulder straps feature a lighter and stretchy foam to suspend the load comfortably. The inside of the shoulder straps are covered with a soft, breathable mesh; so, even if you’re carrying the pack next your skin, it’s still comfy.
Summary
The Daylite Plus is lightweight, hugely versatile and can be doubled up with larger packs for world-wide adventures. We love the Daylight plus for it's simple, no-faff design, practical size and useful features.
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External hydration access
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Internal document sleeve
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Internal key attachment clip
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Padded laptop and tablet sleeve
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Removable webbing hipbelt
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Side compression straps
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Sternum strap with emergency whistle
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Stretch front pocket
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Stretch mesh side pockets
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Zippered panel access
Getting the correct fit for your rucksack is as important as getting the fit right for your boots. A badly fitting pack can inflict misery and discomfort and completely ruin your adventure. This guide is designed to help you get the best fit and comfort from your chosen pack so that carrying all your kit becomes a pleasure and not a chore.
ADJUSTING THE BACK LENGTH
If the pack has an adjustable back length, adjust this to your correct level. Your back length is not related to your height but your torso length. Many packs, and specifically the bigger and more technical packs are available in different back lengths or feature adjustable back systems. Contrary to popular belief, your torso length and not your overall height is the key to getting a well fitted pack. Tall people don’t necessarily have long torsos, just as shorter people don’t always have a short torso length.
Your torso length can be found by measuring from your C7 vertebra (the bony protrusion at the back of your neck when looking down) to the height of your iliac crest (top of your hip bones, where you put your hands on your hips). This measurement will give you an idea of which pack back length to choose.
Once you've got the back length sorted, either by selecting the correct size pack or adjusting the back system, you can begin to follow these simple steps to help achieve a comfortable carry.
LOOSEN OFF ALL STRAPS
Before you start fitting the pack, loosen off all the straps as this will make it easier to get the correct tension later.
TIGHTENING THE HIPBELT
Fasten the backpack hipbelt, the general position is the same as where you’d put your ‘hands on hips’ This area is called the pelvic girdle, and what you can feel when you rest your hand on the area is the bony protuberance, the iliac crest. The iliac crest can support the weight from a pack comfortably, and for sustained periods. The padded section of the hipbelt should encompass this and fit securely.
Tighten the straps so the hipbelt feels secure and held firmly around your body. Ensure that the lumbar pad is centered to your lower back to give you maximum support. Remember that your hips carry most of the weight of the pack, so this should be firm but comfortable.
ADJUSTING THE SHOULDER STRAPS
Next, adjust the shoulder straps, pull them until they start to become snug, but ensure that they are not too tight as to lift the pack off your hips. Remember tightening them will stabilise the pack but will increase pressure over the shoulders. If the back length of the pack is correct the shoulder straps will be flush to your shoulders whilst the hipbelt sits in place comfortably. The point where the shoulder straps attach to the main body of the pack should be roughly half way down your shoulder blades; this ensures that the shoulder straps rolls evenly over the top of your shoulders to distribute the weight correctly.
FASTENING THE CHEST STRAP
Fasten the chest strap and pull until taut but not tight, the elastic section should not be extended. This helps keep the shoulder straps from catching in your shoulder joints and keeps the stability of the pack when moving over rough ground.
ADJUSTING THE TOP TENSIONERS
Top tensioner straps link the shoulder straps to the top of the pack. When tightened, their main function is to stabilise the top part of the pack. The optimum angle for these straps in 45º, but they will stabilise the load even when horizontal or at a more obtuse angle. Tighten them until you feel the top part of the pack rest against your pack, over tightening them will create excessive pressure on the front of your shoulders.
ADJUSTING THE SIDE TENSIONERS
Side tension straps are linked to the hipbelt. By tightening these straps you can stabilise the load but reduce the hipbelt flexibility. Where balance is critical tightening them can help you feel more secure. However, if you are striding out over easy terrain it’s better to loosen these straps to allow full hip flexibility.
ADJUSTING THE SIDE COMPRESSION STRAPS
Side compression straps come next, pulling these tight does two things: firstly, it stabilises the load, secondly it can lift the lower part of the pack, repositioning the load closer to your back.
ADJUSTMENTS ON THE GO
Following these steps should give you a comfortable but secure fit on your pack. Sometimes adjustments will need to be made on the go depending on the terrain or the load you are carrying. The perfect fit is very much a personal preference so experiment with different tensions on the pack to find what suits you best.