A user-friendly, waterproof clam shell day pack made of Dyneema

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Daybreak Ultralight Daypack is a lightweight, burly, fully-featured, waterproof Dyneema pack with a user-friendly clamshell top and impressive craftsmanship.

• Weight: 21.0 oz
• Price: $229
• Materials: DCH 150
• Back Panel: Integrated foam padding
• Internal Volume: 17L
• External Volume: 6L
• Pros: Waterproof. Easy gear access. Lightweight. Full external pockets.
• Cons: Expensive. Light-not-ultralight.

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Features

Like all HMG gear, the Daybreak is constructed with high end Dyneema fabric. It’s famously expensive, durable, and waterproof.

Unlike all other day packs on our list, the Daybreak is zippered clamshell design. Compared to a roll top, we believe the clam shell makes accessing gear much easier. It is more user-friendly. You can zip about 60% of the bag open to easily fish around for whatever you need inside.

While these are high end waterproof YKK Zippers, all zippers are more prone to failure than a roll-top closure. As invincible as the rest of the pack is, we expect the zippers would be the first place to fail and the only reason to ever need to replace a Daybreak Pack.

We love this Daybreak’s full set of external storage, all of which is made with durable Dyneema instead of rippable stretch mesh. There are 1L side pockets for storing water bottles and a 4L rear center pocket for rain gear, snacks, or accessories.

The shoulder straps are the same design as you’ll get with their full size backpacking packs, which means they’re very comfortable, padded, and well-made. The hip belt is lightly padded with foam on the sides. The back panel has an integrated foam liner to block lumps.

Compression shock cords on the outside allow the entire pack to cinch down, or for excess gear to be strapped on.

At 21 oz, it’s the heaviest pack on our list, but we’re willing to forgive that because the rest of the pack is so well-made and such a joy to use.

Verdict

This is perhaps the most wow-inducing, elegant, and enviable day pack we’ve ever seen. It is an elegant piece of craftsmanship that is comfortable, waterproof, invincibly durable, and easy to use. The price tag and the fact that it is light-not-ultralight are the biggest downsides.

Compare this to the other best day hiking backpacks! Make sure you’re all set for your next day hike with our 3 pound ultralight day hiking checklist. Need a bigger pack, jump to our guide for best backpacking packs.