Osprey is one of the biggest names in the world of luggage and travel gear. From hardened backpacks to go-anywhere wheel cases, Osprey has a formidable range of options to choose from to ensure that, in theory, there’s something for everyone. 

Here, we’re concentrating on the Daylite Plus. It takes the standard and well-respected Daylite and, as the name suggests, adds a little extra. From an internal sleeve for a hydration pack to this bright new Wander Yellow colourway, there are plenty of aspects where this Plus model should, in theory, eclipse the standard Daylite. We’ve been putting it to the test in the canyons of California to see just how it gets on. 

Sphere Score

For

• Ultra lightweight
• Comfortable and adjustable straps
• Plenty of smaller pockets for loose items
• Compatible with other Osprey bags 

Against

• Pockets can easily be pushed out of shape by items stored in main area
• Colour can be prone to marking
• Waist straps are tricky to tuck away when not in use
• Side compression straps need to be unhooked to easily access main pocket

Tech specs 

• £70
• 20 litre capacity
• 100% recycled polyester with DWR treatment without PFAS
• Dual side compression straps
• Dual mesh water bottle pockets
• Internal sleeve for hydration pack, tablet or 14-inch laptop

What does the Osprey Daylite Plus have to offer?

There’s plenty that has been packed into quite a small rucksack with the Daylite Plus. The Plus falls within the wider Daylite collection from Opsrey, and sits one above the standard bag. One of the key ways to differentiate the Plus from the standard Daylite is by the interior sleeve that can accommodate a hydration reservoir or a laptop. This Wander Yellow colourway is also unique to the Plus. 

Elsewhere, there’s plenty to dig into. There’s a large primary loading section, with dual compression straps there to cinch things in when you need to. At either side of the pack are mesh water bottle pockets, while an additional front pocket and front zippered pocket provide additional storage for those things you need to access quickly. A shove-it pocket at the front is there for maps or other loose items you want to keep tabs on. 

A harness grab handle doubles as a luggage pass-through, too, which allows you to combine the Daylite Plus with other Osprey luggage systems. It’s all crafted from 100 per cent recycled polyester, finished with a water-repellent treatment which is PFAS-free. There’s a decent spread of colours to choose from, too, ranging from this eye-catching yellow shade through to ‘Green Belt’ and ‘Night Shift Blue’. It’s pleasing to see such a good range of colourways, too, as it means there’s always a version of the Daylite Plus to fit your requirements. Oh, and it all comes in at £70, which feels quite good value considering the number of features that this pack can deliver. 

Wearing – what is the Osprey Daylite Plus like?

The Osprey Daylite Plus is pitched first and foremost as a daypack. This means it isn’t designed for carrying huge amounts of kit, but is instead focused on getting those key items that you really need with you around comfortably. The main storage area is decent enough, mind you, and has enough space for extra clothes, hats or a pair of sandals. The laptop sleeve is a neat addition, too, and really does have enough space for your average computer – though we found that once the bag was fully loaded, the sleeve would become obstructed and difficult to access.

It’s the case for many of the pockets, in fact. Once loaded up with something bulky, many of the pockets are pushed out of place and anything inside them can be a little trickier to get a hold of. We found that the best bet was to leave anything too bulky out of the main storage area and things remained fine. The bottle holders are ideal for smaller flasks, too, and being elasticated, they accommodate bottles which are a little larger than you might expect. 

It’s when it comes to outright comfort that the Osprey Daylite Plus really excels. Even loaded up with a decent amount of kit, this pack does a great job of spreading the overall weight once you’re wearing it and the adjustment in the straps themselves ensures that you can always get the right fit. The handy waist strap makes spreading that weight even easier, though we’d like the option to remove them entirely should you not need them. 

The compression straps on the side help to bring the whole pack together, though it is a bit of a pain having to unclasp them to make accessing the main pocket simpler. That said, the straps really do help to keep the bag more compact and stop it from losing its shape too much. 

The Daylite Plus has a nicely robust feel to it, too. This bright yellow colour really pops, too, though it has started to show up scuff marks quite quickly. For a more long-lasting look, it may be better to opt for something a little darker – particularly if you’re heading somewhere muddy. 

The front ‘shove’ pocket is a great touch, too. We found it was ideal for maps or even sweets and cereal bars that you need on a hike. It stops you from having too many loose items in the primary pocket of the bag, too, which usually end up right at the base of the bag. 

To finish

At £70, you really can’t argue with the Osprey Daylite Plus. For a handy daypack, it feels spot-on; there’s more than enough capacity on offer for those must-have bits and pieces, while well-made straps and plenty of adjustability ensure that you can always get a comfortable fit. 

While the bag can get thrown out of shape by larger items, keep things well organised, and this shouldn’t prove too much of an issue. Throw in this pack’s variety of pockets and you’ve got yourself a daypack which will prove useful time and time again.