Best for backpackers seeking all-day comfort

Plusses: Durable, comfortable, versatile
Minuses: Expensive, heavy, single hip-pocket

1990g / 65l

Features: This is a versatile and robust pack from Swiss company Bach. The main compartment has zippered access on the front and bottom, double drawstrings on the top, and an internal zippered divider. There’s also a padded internal hydration (or laptop) pocket. The lid is removable and has two pockets, top and bottom, and an internal key clip. There’s a single hip pocket and two stretch side pockets (open and zippered) and trekking pole loops for two poles. 

A padded harness and shoulder straps support an internal frame and the recycled N/210D RIP fabric has a reinforced bottom to resist wear and tear.

Fit: The adjustable harness allows fine-tuning to get the perfect fit and the pack sitting correctly and comfortably. The harness offers plenty of adjustment, and the chest strap can be shifted up and down, where it remains without slipping. Straps above the shoulders pull the pack close to the body.

Comfort: Comfort is a clear priority with the Daydream. The padding is around 2.5cm thick and hugs a wearer’s body with no hot spots. 

After a full day I was in no hurry to get the pack off. The load felt evenly supported close to my back, and there was no bounce or sway when on the move.

In use: This is a robust pack, excellent for my bush-bashing trip into the scratchy confined forest of Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park. Weight-bearing was top-tier when fully loaded, and equally good when packed light for day trips away from base camp. The included pack cover kept gear dry through torrential downpours and, because of the well-padded harness, I walked discomfort-free all day. 

I have three minor frustrations with the pack, however. The stretch side pocket is set too high for unassisted water bottle access; the pack has just one hip pocket; and a fair amount of unnecessary and weighty features seem to be built into the design. Twin drawstrings on the top seem surplus, and the U-zip front access feels excessive when added to the pack’s top and bottom access. Likewise, the internal compartment divider can be opened but not removed.

Value: Durable fabric should see the Daydream through a lot of wear, but compared to other multi-day packs this is not a cheap option.

Verdict: With plenty of features but few surprises, the Daydream 65 is a durable and comfortable tramping pack.