Even the most basic set of trekking poles can set you back $100 or more, and the price increases if you want to go lighter weight. That’s not the case with the Drop + Fizan Compact 3 Trekking Poles. These ultralight poles are strong, comfortable to hold, and – best of all – they’re super affordable. The Compact 3s are some of our favorite budget poles from our Best Trekking Poles list.

Quick Specs

MSRP: $70

WEIGHT (PAIR): 11.2 oz.

SHAFT MATERIAL: Aluminum

GRIP MATERIAL: Foam

COLLAPSED LENGTH: 22.8 in.

PROS

ULTRALIGHT – At just 11.2 oz. for the pair, the Fizan Compact 3 poles are ultralight. They’re less than an ounce heavier than our favorite ultralight poles from our Best Trekking Poles list – the Gossamer Gear LT5s. We’ll dive a little further into a comparison between the two in the sections below.

AFFORDABLE– It’s honestly incredible how affordable these poles are for the specs. The GG LT5s will run you more than double the cost of the Compact 3s.

DURABLE – The Compact 3s are made of aluminum, so they’re a bit more flexible and forgiving than the carbon fiber LT5s. Both sets of poles are plenty strong, but one advantage aluminum has over carbon fiber is that it will bend before it breaks. This makes the Compact 3s a bit more reliable in extreme situations when a pole really gets jammed in some rocks. These puppies are tough, but they’re still not as durable as a more burly pole, like the Black Diamond Trail Ergos.

ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM IS EASY TO USE & SECURE – The Compact 3s use a twist lock mechanism – simply set them to your desired length, then twist to lock them in place. We’ve hiked hundreds of miles with these poles, and we found them to be secure when locked in. That said, we noticed that the Compact 3s have a harder time catching at first if the locking mechanism is dusty.

SMALL COLLAPSED LENGTH – The Compact 3s collapse down to 22.8 in., which is on the shorter end when compared to other poles on our Best Trekking Poles list. For comparison, the GG LT5’s collapse to 23.5 in. They’re still a little large to fit in a carry-on bag, but we’ve usually been able to get them through ariport security anyway. Fizan also makes Compact 4 Poles which collapse down even smaller.

COMFY GRIPS – The foam grips of the Compact 3s are ergonomic and comfy to hold all day. We used them in hot, sweaty conditions and relentless pouring rain, and our hands remained blister-free.

CONS

TWIST LOCKS CAN TAKE A SECOND TO CATCH IF DIRTY – Let us begin this point by saying that we never felt like the twist lock was going to come loose after it was set. But some mornings when we were adjusting the poles to our desired length, the sections would twist for a while without the locks engaging. From what we could tell, this occurred when there was fine dust on the twist lock.

WRIST STRAPS COME LOOSE EASILY – This isn’t a huge deal, but the wrist straps sit somewhat loosely in the handles. This makes them easy to adjust, but it also means they come loose quite easily. We had to adjust them fairly frequently.

BOTTOM LINE

The Drop + Fizan Compact 3 Trekking Poles are an awesomely affordable set of ultralight trekking poles that’re tough and easy to adjust. They’re a great alternative to spendy UL poles, like the Gossamer Gear LT5s, if you’re looking to save money on your hiking kit. But while we love the Compact 3s and highly recommend them, we still like the LT5s a bit more if you have the extra dollars to spend. We prefer the lower weight of the LT5s, the more secure wrist strap, and the fact that we’ve never had an issue getting the twist lock to engage. That said, either set of poles is a fine choice, and they both earned top spots on our Best Trekking Poles list.

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We hope this review helps you determine if the Drop + Fizan Compact 3 Trekking Poles are right for you. As always, please leave a comment below if you have any recommendations, questions, or suggestions or visit our Facebook page and Instagram to join the community conversation. If you found this review helpful, please share on social media and click the little heart button below to give us a digital high five!

If you enjoyed this review, you’ll probably like our other gear lists as well. Here are some popular resources from the CleverHiker Gear Guide:

• Best Hiking Footwear
• 10 Best Backpacking Tents
• 10 Best Sleeping Bags
• 10 Best Sleeping Pads
• 10 Best Lightweight Backpacks
• Best Stoves, Food, Water Filters, Jackets & More: CleverHiker Gear Guide

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations.

We’ve come to really love Katadyn’s Micropur Water Tabs because they take up almost no pack space, they weigh next to nothing, and they can’t break or fail like a filter can. These tabs will purify your water, meaning they’ll kill everything – even viruses. So they’re even safer than a regular filter when you encounter questionable water. You’ll have to wait a bit for the tabs to take effect and you’ll need to get creative to filter out debris, but there’s no lighter, easier, or more reliable way to get safe water.

We occasionally use Micropur Tabs as our main form of water treatment, but more often we carry them as a backup treatment for really contaminated water or in case our filter fails.

Quick Specs

MSRP: $16

WEIGHT: 1.2 oz. (30 tabs)

PROS

ULTRALIGHT – One tab (in its wrapper) barely registers on our scale at .04 oz., and they come in sets of 30. Each tab is good for purifying one liter of water, so that’s just about 1.2 oz. for 30 liters of clean water.

AFFORDABLE– This point comes with a bit of a caveat. Micropur tabs are affordable in the short term, but they’ll end up costing more than a filter or other purifiers in the long run. Still, the price for a set of these is relatively small when compared to a purifier like the Steripen Ultra or MSR Guardian.

KILLS VIRUSES –Water filters, like the popular Sawyer Squeeze and Katadyn BeFree, will only remove bacteria and protozoa (giardia, cryptosporidium, etc.). Micropur tabs are the lightest water purification method you can get, and they go beyond what a regular filter can do to remove viruses as well.

INCREDIBLY EASY TO USE – All you have to do is cut the package open, drop the tab in your water, and wait. Getting purified water couldn’t be easier – no pumping or squeezing required.

HIGHLY PACKABLE – Micropur tabs come in thin tear strips of 10 that will fit pretty much anywhere. You can stash them in your pocket, hipbelt, wallet – anywhere! We like to hike with a fanny pack, and we keep them tucked in there for convenient access on the go.

CONS

HAVE TO WAIT A BIT FOR THEM TO WORK – The results aren’t immediate with Micropur tabs. You’ll have to wait up to four hours for clean water depending on the situation and what you’re wanting to remove. Cryptosporidium will take the full four hour incubation time before it’s completely removed, but crypto isn’t very common in most backcountry water you’ll encounter.

Unless we’re in an area where water has been tainted by livestock feces, we typically only wait about 15 minutes before considering our water safe to drink since that’s the contact time required to eliminate the most common harmful stuff. We’ve never had any issues, but we recommend you use your own best judgment to decide how long you want to wait as it’s a matter of health. Colder water requires more time, and of course if you want to be 100% certain that your water is completely pure – you should wait the full four hours.

DOESN’T REMOVE DEBRIS – Because Micropur Tabs are a chemical treatment, they won’t remove silt, leaves, or other floaties. But this is an easy fix with a little bit of creativity. We use a bandana or Packtowl placed over the mouth of our bottle to pre-filter debris.

NOT AS COST EFFECTIVE OVER TIME– We mentioned this a little earlier, but seeing as the tabs aren’t reusable like a dedicated filter or purifier, they’ll end up costing you more in the long run if you backpack a lot. That said, a filter will eventually wear out and need to be replaced as well, so we think the cost difference ends up being pretty small in the end.

YOU MAY NOTICE A VERY SLIGHT TASTE – Micropur tabs leave a very slight chlorine taste in your water. It’s not like drinking full-on pool water, but most folks will notice it. We carry flavored electrolyte powder with us – Ultima and Cure are some of our favorites – to counteract the taste.

BOTTOM LINE

Katadyn Micropur Tabs are highly packable, ultralight, and they can be relied upon to give you safe, purified water. Unlike a regular water filter, they’ll eliminate all of the harmful things in your water – but you’ll have to give them some time for them to be completely effective. We recommend Micropur Tabs for trips where saving every ounce matters or for use as a backup in areas where you’re likely to encounter water with agricultural runoff or other harder to kill contaminants.

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We hope this review helps you determine if the Katadyn Micropur Purification Tablets are right for you. As always, please leave a comment below if you have any recommendations, questions, or suggestions or visit our Facebook page and Instagram to join the community conversation. If you found this review helpful, please share on social media and click the little heart button below to give us a digital high five!

If you enjoyed this review, you’ll probably like our other gear lists as well. Here are some popular resources from the CleverHiker Gear Guide:

• Best Hiking Footwear
• 10 Best Backpacking Tents
• 10 Best Sleeping Bags
• 10 Best Sleeping Pads
• 10 Best Lightweight Backpacks
• Best Stoves, Food, Water Filters, Jackets & More: CleverHiker Gear Guide

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations.

Black Diamond’s Trail Ergo Cork trekking poles are some of our favorites for hiking on rugged trails where durability matters most. The sturdy aluminum build means these poles will hold up for years of hard use on the trail, so they’re an excellent value. We named the Trail Ergos the most comfortable and durable trekking poles on our Best Trekking Poles list.

Quick Specs

MSRP: $140

MEASURED WEIGHT: 1 lb 2 oz. (pair)

COLLAPSED LENGTH: 27 in.

PROS

EXCELLENT VALUE– The Trail Ergos are well priced for the quality you get. We’ve put thousands of miles – on some pretty gnarly trails – onto our pair and they’re still going strong. Compared to other trekking poles in the same price range, the Trail Ergos are stronger and more comfortable to hold. As an added bonus, they come with sets of small and large snow/sand baskets that are much more effective than the dinky ones that are often included with other poles.

DURABLE – These things are strong. One big advantage aluminum has over carbon fiber is that it bends when under pressure, whereas carbon fiber is more likely to snap. We still often opt to hike with carbon fiber trekking poles since they’re lighter, but the aluminum Trail Ergos are our top pick for hikers who value durability over saving weight.

COMFORTABLE HANDLES – The cork grips of the Trail Ergos are comfy to hold for long days of hiking, and we prefer this style to foam grips. Cork is porous so it wicks away moisture effectively, which can give your sweaty hiker mitts more grip on the handles and will help prevent blisters. We’ve gotten some pretty unpleasant blisters at the base of our thumbs from long days on the trail gripping foam handles.

EASY TO ADJUST – The flick locks on the Trail Ergos are simple to use, they provide a secure hold, and it’s easy to make simple repairs and adjustments to them using common household tools (or a multitool in the field). They also have one of the widest ranges of usable lengths of any poles (69-140 cm.).

CONS

HEAVIER THAN OTHERS– The aluminum shafts and cork handles of the Trail Ergos make them heavier than many of our other favorite trekking poles – especially those made from carbon fiber. But these materials are also what give the Trail Ergos their best traits – durability and comfort.

NOT AS PACKABLE AS OTHERS – At 27 inches collapsed, the Trail Ergos are some of the least packable poles on the market. That means they’ll be a little trickier to pack along for any trips that require airline travel or for trails where you’ll need to keep your hands free for long stretches. That said, this isn’t likely to be much of an issue if you expect to have your poles out and in use for most of your hikes.

BOTTOM LINE

The Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork trekking poles are an awesome value because their durable build will make them last for several years of hard use. The cork grips and easy-to-use flick locks make these poles comfortable to hold and convenient to adjust. The Trail Ergos are our top pick for hikers who don’t mind carrying a bit of extra weight in exchange for added strength.

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We hope this review helps you determine if the Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork trekking poles are right for you. As always, please leave a comment below if you have any recommendations, questions, or suggestions or visit our Facebook page and Instagram to join the community conversation. If you found this review helpful, please share on social media and click the little heart button below to give us a digital high five!

If you enjoyed this review, you’ll probably like our other gear lists as well. Here are some popular resources from the CleverHiker Gear Guide:

• Best Hiking Footwear
• 10 Best Backpacking Tents
• 10 Best Sleeping Bags
• 10 Best Sleeping Pads
• 10 Best Lightweight Backpacks
• Best Stoves, Food, Water Filters, Jackets & More: CleverHiker Gear Guide

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations.

If you’re looking for a pair of trekking poles with a great balance of strength and low weight, you can’t go wrong with the Gossamer Gear LT5s. These carbon fiber trekking poles have quickly become our go-tos for 3-season backpacking, and we’ve put them through hundreds of miles of hard use over the years. We named the LT5s the best ultralight trekking poles overall on our Best Trekking Poles list because of their weight, comfort, and durability.

Quick Specs

MSRP: $195 (pair)

MEASURED WEIGHT: 10.6 oz. (pair)

COLLAPSED LENGTH: 23.5 in.

PROS

ULTRALIGHT– At a mere 10.6 ounces for the pair, the LT5s are feather-light. This not only saves you energy while you’re hiking, but it’s also a huge plus for times when you need to stash your poles in your backpack. If you backpack with an ultralight tent that uses trekking poles as part of the structure, the LT5s will help keep the total weight of your shelter system to a minimum as well.

DURABLE – Despite how lightweight the LT5s are, they’re surprisingly tough. We’ve used ours for nearly 700 miles, including thru-hikes of the Long Trail and the John Muir Trail. We’ve found them to be plenty supportive and durable enough to withstand the toughest of terrain. The LT5s have also been great to use as supports for our favorite ultralight tents. We’ve used them to hold our shelter up in all kinds of conditions, including high winds and pouring rain.

COMFORTABLE HANDLES – The handles of the LT5s look like cork, but they’re actually a soft foam. While we typically prefer cork handles on our trekking poles for the breathability and comfort, the foam handles of the LT5s have proven to be very comfy and haven’t caused us any blisters. If you like to use wrist straps with your trekking poles, the ones on the LT5s are padded, adjustable, and comfortable. If you prefer not to use straps, they can easily be removed.

SMALL COLLAPSED LENGTH – The collapsed length of the LT5s (23.5 inches) is about average – a manageable length for stowing in your pack or for storing them at home. For trips that include a flight, the collapsed LT5s are slightly longer than the standard carry-on length in a backpack. That said, we’ve carried them on flights and stashed them in the overhead bins without any issue.

EASY TO ADJUST – The LT5s use a simple twist lock system – all you have to do is set them to the length you like and twist the sections tightly to get a secure lock. If you’ve never used this style before, it may take some getting used to. But once you’ve got the hang of it, the LT5s are quick and easy to adjust.

CONS

EXPENSIVE – There’s no denying that the LT5s are pretty spendy. That said, we find the quality and low weight to be well worth the cost. Their exceptional durability will no doubt make them a reliable part of your hiking kit for many years.

CARBON FIBER ISN’T AS STRONG AS ALUMINUM – While we feel that the LT5s are plenty strong, it should be said that they’ll never be as durable as a pair of aluminum trekking poles. When under too much stress, carbon fiber snaps, whereas aluminum will usually bend first. We haven’t even come close to snapping our LT5s, but this point is just food for thought to help you in your decision-making process.

BOTTOM LINE

The Gossamer Gear LT5s are about as light as trekking poles come, and they’re an excellent choice for anyone looking to save weight in their hiking kit. They’re exceptionally strong for carbon fiber poles, and they’re comfortable to carry thanks to their soft foam handles and padded wrist straps. Check out how the LT5s compare to our other favorite trekking poles on our Best Trekking Poles list. If you’re completely new to using trekking poles, head over to our Pros and Cons of Hiking With Trekking Poles post to see why we like them.

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We hope this review helps you determine if the Gossamer Gear LT5 trekking poles are right for you. As always, please leave a comment below if you have any recommendations, questions, or suggestions or visit ourFacebook page andInstagram to join the community conversation. If you found this review helpful, please share on social media and click the little heart button below to give us a digital high five!

If you enjoyed this review, you’ll probably like our other gear lists as well. Here are some popular resources from the CleverHiker Gear Guide:

• Best Hiking Footwear
• 10 Best Backpacking Tents
• 10 Best Sleeping Bags
• 10 Best Sleeping Pads
• 10 Best Lightweight Backpacks
• Best Stoves, Food, Water Filters, Jackets & More: CleverHiker Gear Guide

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear makes some of our favorite ultralight backpacks, tents, and accessories, and they’ve done it again with the Versa Ultralight Fanny Pack. This bag is seriously VERSAtile – it feels like I come up with new ways to wear it and use it every other day. Is it necessary? Definitely not. Is it super cool, and will it make you the envy of the trail? For sure.

QUICK SPECS

MSRP: $70

MEASURED WEIGHT: 4.2 oz.

DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 9 x 6 x 2.25 in.

VOLUME: 2.25 L.

PROS

VERSATILE – Crossbody, waist pack style, attached to the hip belt, attached to the sternum strap, on your front, on your back – the list of ways you can wear/attach the Versa goes on and on. I use it as a crossbody sling for around town, a waist pack for day hiking, and attached to my hip belt or compression straps when backpacking. Since HMG backpacks don’t include a brain/top lid like a lot of other packs do, the Versa serves as an alternative for keeping frequently used small items close at hand.

ROOMY – Despite having only 2.25 L of storage capacity, the Versa feels like a bottomless Mary Poppins bag. For a quick day hike I fit my Granite Gear Hiker Wallet, the Black Diamond Spot 325 headlamp, my Patagonia Houdini Jacket ( check out the men’s Houdini Jacket here – it’s a seriously cool clothing item!), some chapstick, a Bobo’s Oat Bar, a full Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight .3 Medical Kit, a Goal Zero Flip 24 Power Bank, and some other random bits and bobs (like keys and hair ties).

That’s pretty impressive. It’s also a great shape and size for storing your smartphone or small cameras and accessories. The Versa features a large, zippered main pocket with a separate mesh pocket (with a sewn-in key clip), a zippered front pocket, and a stash pocket that sits against your body.

DURABLE – The Versa is constructed out of 50-denier Dyneema Composite Fabric that’s known for being ultra-strong and ultralight. I’ve already gotten quite a bit of use out of my Versa fanny, and it still looks brand new.

ULTRALIGHT – You may have guessed from the name, but Hyperlite Mountain Gear doesn’t make heavy stuff. They use high-quality ultralight materials to construct all their products and at only 4.2 oz., the Versa is no exception.

WATERPROOF – Dyneema Composite Fabrics (DCF) are, by nature, waterproof (and resistant to UV light and chemicals for that matter). The DCF body of the Versa is waterproof and the reinforced zippers are highly water resistant. I’ve tested this quality in the infinitely soggy Pacific Northwest, and not a single drop of moisture has crept in.

CONS

IT’S DIFFICULT TO ACCESS HIP BELT/STERNUM STRAPS WHEN THE VERSA IS ATTACHED – The stash pocket on the body-facing side of the Versa is cleverly designed with sleeves to stash the fanny pack strap and for accessing your hip belt/sternum strap. But I stillfound it difficult to buckle/unbuckle and tighten my HMG Southwest 2400 backpack straps while the Versa was attached. The system works a lot better with backpacks/daypacks that have narrower hip belt straps like the REI Co-op Flash 22 (we love this pack and it also comes in a lot of fun prints!).

STIFF STRAPS – The straps on the Versa fanny are a little stiff and can be hard to tighten – it takes two hands to get it to cinch. I’ve used it quite a bit already, but I’m hoping the straps soften up and slip through the buckles easier with time.

EXPENSIVE – Anything made with Dyneema comes at a steep price since it’s such a high-tech material. The Versa performs well and looks great, so it’s worth the splurge in my opinion if fannies are your jam.

HMG Versa Fanny Pack Gallery

BOTTOM LINE

I’m in love with the Versa Ultralight Fanny Pack from Hyperlite Mountain Gear for its versatility, durability, and weather resistance. It won’t be something I take on every single trip, but it makes backpacks without enough pockets more functional and you can certainly catch me rocking it in town on any given day.

MORE INFORMATION

We hope this review helps you determine if the Versa Fanny Pack is right for you. As always, please leave a comment below if you have any recommendations, questions, or suggestions or visit ourFacebook page andInstagram to join the community conversation. If you found this review helpful, please share on social media and click the little heart button below to give us a digital high five!

If you enjoyed this review, you’ll probably like our other gear lists as well. Here are some popular resources from the CleverHiker Gear Guide:

• 10 Best Hiking Socks
• 10 Best Backpacking Tents
• 10 Best Sleeping Bags & Quilts
• 10 Best Sleeping Pads
• 10 Best Lightweight Backpacks
• Best Stoves, Food, Water Filters, Jackets & More: CleverHiker Gear Guide

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations.

Cotopaxi is an outdoor brand with a mission we can get behind. Their focus is creating innovative outdoor gear and making meaningful strides toward reducing global poverty. They work with organizations around the globe to inspire social and environmental change. Their 2014 and 2015 grants have focused on:

1. Improving access to quality education in Nepal, Ecuador, Tanzania, the Philippines, and Ghana;
2. Improving access to quality education in reducing under-five mortality rates through midwifery training in Guatemala; and
3. Developing sustainable livelihoods in partnership with each of their grantees.

Cotopaxi is still pretty new to the outdoor gear scene, but I think their style and message will resonate with outdoor enthusiasts. I recently had a chance to test one of their daypacks, the Luzon Del Dia, so I wrote up this post to review that pack and spread some awareness of Cotopaxi’s mission.

LUZON DEL DIA SPECS

STORY – One of the coolest things about this pack is the story behind it. The Luzon is a daypack that comes in two different styles: the Luzon Daypack and the Luzon Del Dia. Both have the same design, but the Luzon Del Dia comes with an interesting twist. Cotopaxi gives their factory employees full creative control over the colors of the Luzon Del Dia. That means that every pack has a different style and no two packs are alike. If you want to choose your colors, you can pick styles with the regular Luzon Daypack, but I really enjoyed the surprise behind the Del Dia. It also seems like an awesome idea to empower employees by giving them creative control over the packs they’re making.

PRICE – The price of the Luzon 18L Daypack is on par with similarly sized frameless daypacks. The Luzon Del Dia is slightly more expensive than the regular Luzon. Check current pricing here for the Luzon Daypack and Luzon Del Dia.

WEIGHT – The Luzon weighs 10.6oz, which is quite light for a daypack. That said, I don’t usually pay much attention to weight when it comes to daypacks. That might sound like sacrilege coming from a lightweight backpacker, but pack weight rarely plays a big role on my day hikes. I’m not generally bringing enough equipment to weigh me down on shorter hikes, so a few extra ounces here or there rarely makes too much of a difference.

VOLUME – The Luzon is an 18L daypack. It’s a great size pack for everything I need to carry on short hiking trips. I can easily fit my down jacket, rain shell, extra clothing layers, first aid kit, headlamp, camera, food, water, purifier, and emergency bivy in it no problem.

FRAME – This is a frameless backpack, which has its pros and cons. On the one hand, it’s very light and compressible. That means you can easily stuff it in a larger backpack or suitcase for longer trips, which is convenient. On the other hand, frameless packs have less structure and no back padding, so you have to be careful how you pack gear in them. If you pack a frameless backpack poorly it will feel uneven and uncomfortable against your back. Using soft clothing or a jacket as interior back padding will help make this pack feel more comfortable.

POCKETS – The Luzon has a simple design with two pockets. The main body of the pack is one large pocket with a drawstring closure at the top. The second compartment is a small zipper pocket located on the front of the pack. The zipper pocket is a good size for your keys, cellphone, and some snacks. There is also an interior hydration sleeve in the main body of the pack.

HYDRATION – This pack doesn’t have external water bottle holsters, which is a bit of a pet peeve of mine. Hydration is important while you’re hiking, so having easy access to water is key. This pack does have an internal hydration sleeve and hydration port for those that like using water bladders, so that’s a decent alternative.

STYLE – I think the style of this pack is one of it’s best features. I love the color combinations and I think its look is really unique. People comment on the Luzon when I wear it around and everyone seems to like its look. So, while looking cool isn’t everything, this pack certainly scores high marks in that category.

FIT – This pack has a great fit to it as well. Once you make sure the bag feels comfortable against your back, you can cinch it up nicely and wear it all day long. It feels snug and secure.

STRAPS – The shoulder straps of the Luzon are not overly padded, but they are very comfortable. The sternum strap is height adjustable and it has a simple hip belt strap as well. The hip belt strap isn’t load bearing, so I’ll probably never use it, but it’s nice that they included it anyway.

TOP CLOSURE – When I first started using this pack, one of my least favorite features was its top drawstring closure. I found that it did not slide easily, so it was tough to get a tight cinch and completely close the top. However, the more I used the pack, the better the top closure began to work, so it functions quite well now. Just know that the top closure will take a little time to break in.

MATERIALS – Both Luzon models are built using repurposed ripstop nylon. It’s tough material that will last a long time, and it’s also material that could have been wasted, but is now being put to a good use.

DURABILITY – Durability is one of the most difficult qualities for any reviewer to accurately assess. In order to really know a product’s true limitations, you have to use it for years until it eventually breaks down. From all of my product testing and research, I expect the Luzon to be very durable and last for a long time. It’s built well and has reinforced seams at all of the critical pressure points. I plan to treat my Luzon with care and I expect to last for many years.

SUMMARY OF PROS

• Cotopaxi’s mission is noble
• Fairly priced daypack
• Cool story behind the pack design
• Lightweight & compact
• Good size volume for short hikes.
• Cool style and colors
• Comfortable fit and shoulder straps
• Built from durable and repurposed materials

SUMMARY OF CONS

• No exterior water bottle holsters
• Luzon Del Dia costs more than regular Luzon model.
• Frameless packs require more care when packing to feel comfortable.
• Top drawcord closure takes a little time to break in.

BOTTOM LINE

The Luzon Del Dia is a cool little daypack that’s full of style and function. I really like the story behind this pack and I love Cotopaxi’s mission to reduce global poverty. Cotopaxi strikes me as a company that’s conscious of their impact and is striving to do business in a sustainable way. That’s a mission I can certainly get behind and I’m excited to see how they grow as an organization. As far as the Luzon Del Dia goes, I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a simple, stylish, and practical daypack.

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We hope this gear review was helpful. For more information, check out our CleverHiker Gear Guide.  Please share it with your friends and click the little heart button below to give us a digital high five!

For more popular CleverHiker content, check out the following links:

• CleverHiker Gear Guide
• CleverHiker Top Gear Picks
• Essential Trail Skills Videos
• Lightweight Gear Foundations Videos

Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations.