Daylight Backpack in Mars Red Ballistic Daylight Backpack in Mars Red Ballistic with Mountain Grey (grey with light grey grid) 210 Cerylon interior Daylight Backpack in Burnt Orange Ballistic Daylight Backpack in Burnt Orange Ballistic with Mountain (grey with light grey grid) 210 Cerylon interior Daylight Backpack in Wilderness (dark green) 525 Ballistic Daylight Backpack in Wilderness (dark green) 525 Ballistic with Cobalt (blue with light blue grid) 210 Cerylon interior Daylight Backpack in Wilderness (dark green) 525 Ballistic with Cloud (light grey) 210 Ballistic interior Daylight Backpack in Deep Blue (dark blue) Ballistic Daylight Backpack in Deep Blue (dark blue) 525 Ballistic with Mountain Grey (grey with light grey grid) 210 Cerylon interior Daylight Backpack in Deep Blue (dark blue) 525 Ballistic with Mountain Moss (green with light green grid) 210 Cerylon interior Daylight Backpack in Taiga (olive green with grey grid) 400 Halcyon Daylight Backpack in Taiga (olive geen with grey grid) 400 Halcyon with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior Daylight Backpack in Nebulous Grey (medium grey) Ballistic Daylight Backpack in Nebulous Grey (medium grey) Ballistic with Marigold (yellow with light yellow grid) 210 Cerylon interior Daylight Backpack in Nebulous Grey (medium grey) 525 Ballistic with Cobalt (blue with light blue grid) 210 Cerylon interior Daylight Backpack in Black 630 Ballistic Daylight Backpack in Black 630 Ballistic with Persimmon Cerylon interior Daylight Backpack in Black 630 Ballistic with Cobalt Cerylon interior Daylight Backpack in Black Ballistic with Moss (green with light green grid) 210 Cerylon interior Daylight Backpack in Black Ballistic Daylight Backpack in Black Ballistic with Mountain Grey (grey with light grey grid) 210 Cerylon interior Daylight Backpack in Aubergine (dark purple) Ballistic Daylight Backpack in Aubergine (dark purple) Ballistic with Dusk (purple with light purple grid) 210 Cerylon interior Daylight Backpack in Aubergine (dark purple) Ballistic with Mountain Grey (grey with light grey grid) 210 Cerylon interior Daylight Backpack in Aubergine (dark purple) 525 Ballistic with Cloud (light grey) 210 Ballistic interior Daylight Backpack in Aubergine (dark purple) 525 Ballistic with Coyote (brown) 210 Ballistic interior Daylight Backpack in Constellation (light blue) 525 Ballistic Daylight Backpack in Constellation (light blue) 525 Ballistic with Mountain Grey (grey with light grey grid) 210 Cerylon interior Daylight Backpack in Coyote (tan) Ballistic Daylight Backpack in Coyote (tan) Ballistic with Cobalt (blue) Cerylon interior Daylight Backpack in Coyote (brown) 525 Ballistic with Dawn (blue-grey) 210 Ballistic interior Daylight Backpack in Coyote (tan) 525 Ballistic with Cloud (light grey) 210 Ballistic interior Daylight Backpack in Ursa (brown-grey) Ballistic Daylight Backpack in Ursa (brown-grey) Ballistic with Persimmon (dark orange with orange grid) 210 Cerylon interior Daylight Backpack in Ursa (brown-grey) Ballistic with Cobalt (blue with light blue grid) 210 Cerylon interior Daylight Backpack in Ursa (brown-grey) Ballistic with Moss (green with light green grid) 210 Cerylon interior Daylight Backpack in Ursa (brown-grey) 525 Ballistic with Cloud (light grey) 210 Ballistic interior Daylight Backpack in Raspberry (pale red) Ballistic Daylight Backpack in Raspberry (pale red) Ballistic with Moss 210 Cerylon Daylight Backpack in Saguaro (olive green) Ballistic Daylight Backpack in Saguaro (olive green) Ballistic with Mountain Grey 210 Cerylon
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Daylight Backpack

4.9
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 Stars (259 Reviews)

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In Stock

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Your solid, ultralight, and true daypack.

17 liters / 1000 cu. in.

Back shot of the Daylight Backpack Profile shot of the Daylight Backpack Daylight Backpack with a full loadout including a jacket, hiking guide, binoculars, and trail rations. Daylight Backpack with a full loadout including a jacket, hiking guide, binoculars, and trail rations. Daylight Backpack with a pair of keys attached to the o-ring in the front zippered pocket Close shot of the gatekeeper waist belt connected to the Daylight Backpack Close shot of a snaphook attached to the o-ring in the front zippered pocket of the Daylight Backpack Close shot of the elasticized pocket in the main compartment of the Daylight Backpack Close shot of the locking slider for the backpack straps on the Daylight Backpack Close shot of the gatekeeper waist belt attached to the Daylight Backpack Close shot of the front zippered pocket on the Daylight Backpack Close shot of the label at the top of the face of the Daylight Backpack Close shot of the zippers on the main compartment of the Daylight Backpack Possible loadout for the Daylight Backpack; a puff jacket, magazine, sushi lunch, bottle of soda, laptop and Cache, Small Snake Charmer with charge cables, and a phone. Possible loadout for the Daylight Backpack; a knit sweater, sunglasses, magazine, , laptop and Cache, snack bag, juice, keys, organizer pouches, and a phone. Possible loadout for the Daylight Backpack; a rain shell, soda can, apple, First Aid pouch, multitool and phone
A person wearing the Daylight Backpack while shopping. A person carrying the Daylight Backpack A person accessing the main compartment of the Daylight Backpack A person carrying the Daylight Backpack A person carrying the Daylight Backpack A person carrying the Daylight Backpack The Daylight Backpack next to a Synapse 25 Daylight Backpack next to the Night Flight Travel Duffel A person carrying the Daylight Backpack and another carrying a Synapse 25 A person carrying a Daylight Backpack A person carrying a Daylight Backpack A person carrying a Daylight Backpack A person carrying a Daylight Backpack A person carrying a Daylight Backpack A person carrying a Daylight Backpack A person removing a notebook from the Daylight Backpack's main compartment A person accessing the main compartment of the Daylight Backpack A person carrying a Daylight Backpack A person carrying a Daylight Backpack A person carrying a Daylight Backpack The Daylight Backpack filled with clothes. The Daylight Backpack packed inside a Techonaut 30.
Thumbnail for a video about travelling with the Daylight Backpack

TLDR

The Daylight Backpack is the go-to 17L ultralight bag for everyday carry, hiking, or as a packable backpack inside your larger travel bag.

  • No padding on the back panel keeps bag ultralight and rollable
  • Exterior front zippered pocket that securely holds various smaller items
  • Main compartment has 2 overlapping, open-top, elasticized interior pouches on the back panel
  • 2 O-rings in the exterior front zippered pocket and 3 O-rings in the main compartment for hooking on optional additional organizer pouches
  • Adjustable, 2.5"/65 mm padded fabric shoulder straps that will keep you feeling supported
  • Webbing hanging loop/grab handle
  • Removable waist belt

Full Description

The minimalist approach: thin (but padded!) straps, build your own padded back panel, and just a pocket or two.

When it's time to go — to work, on a hike, or on a trip — our Daylight Backpack will be your solid, ultralight, and true companion. With a tablet or laptop and a light sweater/jacket, you're off to work, with room for a few last-minute groceries on your way home. Or, pack a bit more clothing, a water bottle, and the other eight essentials: you're set for a hike. And because it's so light and packable, you can carry it inside your larger travel bag (Techonaut, Aeronaut, or a rolling suitcase of your choice), and you'll have it with you as an everyday carry at your destination, whether it's exploring the museums of D.C. or the street food stands of Mexico.

Two Overlapping, Open-Top, Elasticized Interior Pouches

We initially struggled with wanting to add a padded back panel, but we were reluctant with this ultra-light design to add that additional weight and bulk. First we tried adding a thin pouch against the interior back of the pack in which you could stow a light sweater or other clothing; this would create a padded back panel and protect your back from whatever hard things you might be carrying. As a result, because of gravity, the soft clothing items drifted to the bottom of the pouch.

The Daylight features two overlapping, open-top, elasticized interior pouches on the back panel. One gets your rain shell or windbreaker, the other a light sweater or down vest, beach towel, or change of socks. The lower of the two pouches is suitable for a 11" or 13" tablet/laptop (in a Cache or other protected sleeve) and/or paper files; the upper will easily store power supplies or similar items. These shingled pouches encourage whatever you've put in there for padding to stay more or less in place, better protecting you from hard or pointy stuff in the rest of the pack. Remember that you're in charge of packing something soft against your back — the Daylight just gives you a nice framework to encourage you to do so.

Exterior Front Zippered Pocket

The exterior front zippered pocket is perfect for storing the items you need quick access to: wallet, map, phone, knife/multi-tool, first-aid kit.

O-ring Tether Points

There are two O-ring tether points in the front pocket and three in the main compartment, allowing you to add significant organization using our Organizer Pouches and/or Key Straps.

Padded Fabric Shoulder Straps

The Daylight Backpack includes adjustable 2.5"/65 mm padded fabric shoulder straps that are reasonably comfortable for such a light pack.

Webbing Hanging Loop + Removable Webbing Waist Belt

At the top of the Daylight Backpack is a 1"/25 mm webbing hanging loop/handle and a removable 1"/25 mm webbing waist belt below.

Durable Materials + Expert Construction

No bag lasts forever, but choosing the best and most durable materials and taking care not to abuse it (no washing machine or dryer!) can help a quality bag serve most people well (with maybe a repair or two) for up to 10-20 years.

This bag requires a significant skill to sew and construct; it's not just any sewing factory who can pull this off and do it well, it's ours, and it's because of the talent of our crew. They're the reason why our designs can be made in an ongoing practical fashion.

What's Included

Included Removable Sternum Strap + Waist Strap

As with all of our major backpacks, we include adjustable and removable sternum and waist straps: if you don't like or don't use your waist or sternum strap, remove them!

Note: we slightly lowered the waist strap attachment point on the Synik so that it better fits a wider range of heights and tall folks in particular.

8" Snaphook/Snaphook Key Strap

As with most of our bags, we've included a key strap. 8" long from tip-to-tip, a snaphook on either end. Good for attaching your keys to. 

A Set of Black Zipper Pulls

A set of pulls to extend or replace your pulls. 

We initially struggled with wanting to add a padded back panel, but we were reluctant with this ultra-light design to add that additional weight and bulk. First we tried adding a thin pouch against the interior back of the pack in which you could stow a light sweater or other clothing; this would create a padded back panel and protect your back from whatever hard things you might be carrying. As a result, because of gravity, the soft clothing items drifted to the bottom of the pouch.

The Daylight features two overlapping, open-top, elasticized interior pouches on the back panel. One gets your rain shell or windbreaker, the other a light sweater or down vest, beach towel, or change of socks. The lower of the two pouches is suitable for a 11" or 13" tablet/laptop (in a Cache or other protected sleeve) and/or paper files; the upper will easily store power supplies or similar items. These shingled pouches encourage whatever you've put in there for padding to stay more or less in place, better protecting you from hard or pointy stuff in the rest of the pack. Remember that you're in charge of packing something soft against your back — the Daylight just gives you a nice framework to encourage you to do so.

The exterior front zippered pocket is perfect for storing the items you need quick access to: wallet, map, phone, knife/multi-tool, first-aid kit.

There are two O-ring tether points in the front pocket and three in the main compartment, allowing you to add significant organization using our Organizer Pouches and/or Key Straps.

The Daylight Backpack includes adjustable 2.5"/65 mm padded fabric shoulder straps that are reasonably comfortable for such a light pack.

At the top of the Daylight Backpack is a 1"/25 mm webbing hanging loop/handle and a removable 1"/25 mm webbing waist belt below.

No bag lasts forever, but choosing the best and most durable materials and taking care not to abuse it (no washing machine or dryer!) can help a quality bag serve most people well (with maybe a repair or two) for up to 10-20 years.

This bag requires a significant skill to sew and construct; it's not just any sewing factory who can pull this off and do it well, it's ours, and it's because of the talent of our crew. They're the reason why our designs can be made in an ongoing practical fashion.

Included Removable Sternum Strap + Waist Strap

As with all of our major backpacks, we include adjustable and removable sternum and waist straps: if you don't like or don't use your waist or sternum strap, remove them!

Note: we slightly lowered the waist strap attachment point on the Synik so that it better fits a wider range of heights and tall folks in particular.

8" Snaphook/Snaphook Key Strap

As with most of our bags, we've included a key strap. 8" long from tip-to-tip, a snaphook on either end. Good for attaching your keys to. 

A Set of Black Zipper Pulls

A set of pulls to extend or replace your pulls. 

Materials

Exterior

bluesign® certified High-Tenacity 630 denier Ballistic nylon

Fabric Lining

bluesign® certified 210 denier Cerylon 6,6 Ripstop nylon

Zippers

#5 YKK coil zippers with plastic sliders

Straps

Contour 1/8" / 3mm shoulder straps (#4 Closed Cell Foam)

Components

Tough Duraflex®, Nexus, and Woojin buckles and related components

Specs

Dimensions

11.8" (w) x 17.3" (h) x 5.1" (d) / 300 (w) x 439 (h) x 130 (d) mm

Weight

630d Ballistic: 1lb 2.0 oz / 510 grams

Volume

17 liters / 1000 cu. in. (ASTM Standard Measure)

What's Included

1x 8-inch Black Webbing Snaphook/Snaphook Key Strap
1x Black Zipper Pulls w/ Plastic Ends (8-Pack)

Total O-Rings

5

(3 in the main compartment
2 in the front pocket)

4.9
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars
Based on 259 reviews
95%would recommend this product
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259 reviews
  • Bryant L.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, Durable, Versatile
    2 days ago
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, Durable, Versatile
    Rated 4 out of 5 stars
    Good bag, a little heavy but strong

    Tom Ben is my favorite luggage brand. I love my Tri-Star and I love the strap.

    But I like the discontinued thinner one in the photo because it’s packable and strong and even lighter.

    Please bring it back!

    Thanks for making great stuff

    Was this helpful?
  • John D.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship
    3 days ago
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Simple and lovely

    Solid and well built with simple organization.

    Was this helpful?
  • William J.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Gift
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Good Storage Size, Versatile
    3 days ago
    Bought For Gift
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Good Storage Size, Versatile
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Great Daypack

    Simple and efficient…works great!

    Was this helpful?
  • Thomas B.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Sewn in USA, Compact
    1 week ago
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Sewn in USA, Compact
    Rated 4 out of 5 stars
    Finally found it!

    This backpack is exactly what I've been searching for. As a minimalist who appreciates simple, high-quality designs, it checks all the boxes. The straps are perfectly designed—just the correct width and feel sturdy, making them comfortable. It easily fits my 15-inch MacBook Air along with my daily essentials. I'm even thinking about picking up another one in a different color.

    My only suggestion for improvement is the front pocket. It could benefit from two zippered compartments—one for smaller items like keys, wallet, and gum and another for larger items like an umbrella or water bottle. On a positive note, I love the O-rings, which are a great feature for attaching additional accessories.

    Was this helpful?
  • Christopher C.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Comfortable, Sewn in USA, High Quality Craftsmanship, Durable, Versatile
    2 weeks ago
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Comfortable, Sewn in USA, High Quality Craftsmanship, Durable, Versatile
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Perfect for packable travel bag.

    Ended up packing this for a trip to Japan aw a packable bag to stash in marry on. Took up no space at all. Used for 1 - 2 day side trips. Was amazed how much it could fit (clothing, camera gear etc) On the way back, had bought a ton of used vinyl. Perfect fit for a about a dozen records on the way back plus all my in flight travel needs. When packed out, front pocket doesn't really expand, but just put flatter items in there. And loaded pretty heavily, super comfortable the whole time.

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Sewn in Seattle

Our bags are designed and sewn right here in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.

That allows us to be control freaks in the best way possible; we have direct control and oversight of the quality of our materials, our products, and the jobs and working environment that we help create. It also offers us a unique spontaneity: when we have an idea for a new product or accessory, we can design it, figure out how to build it, add it to our website and be ready to ship it out our front door all within just a few weeks. How cool is that?

Intrigued? You can find out more about the unusual way we do business on our Company Philosophy page.

THE BIHN Guarantee

Everything you buy from us here at TOM BIHN is satisfaction guaranteed. We’ve been in business since 1972 and we stand behind what we make.

If something goes wrong and it's our fault, we'll fix it for free. Repairs due to normal wear and tear or due to other things that are not our fault will be performed, when possible, at a reasonable charge right here in our Seattle factory where your bag was made. Defects in materials or workmanship are uncommon and almost always evident while the product is still new. Keep in mind that bags and packs are often subject to extreme wear in everyday use: do not expect them to last forever. Only true love lasts forever! You can expect a TOM BIHN product to give years and years of hard service.

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