- We are day hikers ... at most we'd need packs that would hold water and food ... a jacket or extra pair of pants ... and a few standard items such as keys, phone, compass and map, first aid kit, etc. Maybe a blanket so we can hang out a while at the top of a great view. Our comfort level is returning home or to a campsite (and a shower) at the end of the day. I say this to emphasize the size of pack we need ... bigger than those narrow little cycling packs that just hold water, but not an overnight pack.
It sounds like you want a basic non-framed pack. Since you pack light but sometimes want more space, I would recommend getting one with external straps that since the whole bag down. These are useful for when you have a small load, since it will keep all of the weight close to your back. When you need to store bulky items, loosen the straps.
- Hydration packs look pretty cool. Are all the bladders equal in terms of function? Are they really better than plain old bottles? Not a question, but I find it odd that one $80 pack comes with the bladder included ... but the $100 pack from the same maker doesn't include the bladder. I understand the bladder has a limited lifespan and will need replacing?
The bladder's are fine, but not necessary. They are great for taking a drink without stopping to take out your water bottle, or if you carry your water bottle then you can have your hands free. I also like them because the water can be the heaviest part of my pack, and the bladder keeps it right next to my back which reduces strain. The water tends to keep a good temperature longer because it's insulated by your back, versus an external water bottle which will heat up fast. They will eventually leak and/or break which is a pain in the ass, but last a long time in my experience. They come in different sizes, so make sure you get one that will fit your pack. I like the 2 liter size for day hikes. You can use them to sneak wine or booze in to places you're not supposed to drink, just get one with an insulated tube so you can't see through it, clean it well after, and probably don't use it for water anymore.
- We don't use trekking poles now, but I can see that as we grow older, we might want them. I am ridiculously drawn to the little attachments on the outside of a pack that allow you to "clip on" your trekking poles when you're not using them. Is this really useful, or could the trekking poles just as easily "fold down" and go inside the main pocket?
I don't use them, but everyone I have talked to who does, says they are great. Just taking 5-15lbs of weight off your legs makes a big difference, apparently. Some poles have very sharp points, which would not be good to have loose in your pack. The whole point of having them is that they stay in your hands, but if you needed to stow I'm not familiar with specialty attachments for poles.
- I'm attracted to the grab-it pockets for phones and snacks that are easy to grab without taking off the pack. Useful or not? Right now we carry each other's items and can access our own items without taking off the pack; it just requires cooperation.
Are you talking about the little mesh pockets on the side? They are incredibly useful, I wouldn't want to go without them. I usually keep an extra water bottle in one, and some food in the other. I can reach back and grab from either pocket without breaking a stride. My pack also has a strap about 6" over the top of each of the mesh pockets and if I put a fishing pole, firearm, or small camp chair in the mesh pocket, I can use that strap to secure it.
- I'm also attracted to the pockets with no-scratch lining for a table, phone or eyeglasses. I think they'd be useful.
I keep sunglasses in mine. It doesn't work well though, it's located on the top of the pack so I have to take the whole thing off to get inside it. I always end up grabbing a pair of sunglasses from the car, and the inaccessible ones on the specialty pocket are backups. I put my phone in the Mesh pocket if I'm listening to something, so that I can easily grab it to pause, change volume, etc.
- Anything else anyone knows about day packs for hiking?
It's really nice to have separate compartments. Mine has a main compartment with 2x mesh bottle holders on the inside which is extremely useful, I store snacks in one and emergency supplies in the other.. so that they don't get lost at the bottom of my pack. That compartment is large enough to stuff a big coat in. Then there's a second, much smaller compartment on the back, which I use for keys, phone, medications, etc. as needed. It's the size of a woman's clutch, approximately. In between them is a gap, which is external, and has mesh on both sides. This is a huge bonus because I can put wet or sweaty clothing in it without contaminating the rest of my pack. It's also great for empty food containers or any sort of litter I pick up, again because it's segregated from the rest of the gear. I also have two large bonus side pockets, each large enough to pack a big first aid kit and space blanket, hammock, camp stove and water filter, etc.
I used to use a pack that was primarily one large pocket, but in practice I kept loading and unloading all of my gear just to get one thing out. I tried to pack smart, but then sometimes after I took my coat off I wanted to wear my light gloves and BAM now I'm pulling out all my cold weather gear to find the gloves. Having multiple functional pockets has been a huge bonus for me and is something I would definitely look for in a new pack. A hip strap is key, even if you are comfortable without one, you will notice a difference. Waterproof or water resistant depending on climate, or look at pack covers.
There's nothing hidden about the quality of a pack, so don't shy away from used. If the zippers work, the straps work, and the fabric is in good shape, it's probably a fine pack. After all yours has lasted many decades, a 2 year old pack could easily last several more decades.
