Osprey Daylite Carry-On 35 Review

The Osprey Daylite is a true value pick. It has consistently above-average performance in all of our testing metrics and is available at significantly less than other options in our lineup. It has all the baseline features needed to serve as either your standalone or secondary travel backpack and carry on bag, and is made from the same standards and material common in other high-end bags across the Osprey lineup. The Daylite features a single large main compartment and a fold-open design that's easy to use thanks to its simplicity.

Performance Comparison

Storage & Protection

Across our storage and protection metric, we conducted hands-on testing to evaluate the storage capacity, effectiveness, stability, and features to aid in protecting against weather or bumps and dings common in road and air travel. The Daylite was adequate in all of our tests, but didn't wow us in any one area.

We tested the 35 liter Daylite, and there are three size options that this model bag is available in. Depending on how you travel, there's the smaller 26-liter bag or the larger 44-liter bag. During our testing, we felt that the 35 liter was sized appropriately to fit a few outfits and accessories, ideal for 2-3 day trips depending on how light you tend to pack. The single main compartment is a bit on the narrower side, meaning there's not quite as much room to pile clothes high in the bag. We found the two compression straps helpful to both hold everything in place and cinch bulky items down to aid in zipping up the bag.

The Daylite is made from a durable 300D ripstop polyester with a DWR treatment. The fabric is on the thinner side, and with no built-in padding or frame, it tends to collapse easily. This isn't a huge deal, but can make living out of the bag when half-full or packing the bag a bit trickier. During our rain resistance test, where we drenched each bag with a high-pressure hose, we noted an impressive amount of protection through the top and outside of the bag. Unfortunately, we also noted a significant amount of water got in through the bottom of the bag.

There is a dedicated laptop pouch against the back panel of the Daylite. This is the only area of the bag that is slightly padded. It'll do a good job of protecting a full-size laptop for casual travel, but it's not the most robust setup we've seen.

For additional protective features, the Daylite also boasts locking zippers and anti-theft zipper loops. You can lock the laptop pouch and main compartment, or lock the zippers to straps and attachment points on the bag.

Ease of Use

No matter how much you spend on your bag, you expect it to be user-friendly. After all, the last thing you want to worry about on a vacation is to be fiddling with your luggage in the hotel or airport struggling to get out that must-have item. As a minimalist bag, the Osprey Daylite is easy to use thanks to its simplicity and well-made features.

While traveling around, we had no issues using the two external organization pouches on the Daylite. There's a larger stash pouch where you can store a book or some snacks, and a smaller pocket with an internal organization system like pen holders and a key clip. Each pocket has its own dedicated space, so even when the bag is full, both of these pockets are usable.

When it comes to living out of the bag, there are pros and cons. We loved that the back panel fully unzips on three sides, letting it fold open like a suitcase. We also loved the large main compartment and mesh organization pocket that provided quick access to everything you packed. That said, with the thinner material, the bag tends to collapse a bit when you're rooting around, making it difficult to retrieve an item without making a mess of everything. On the bright side, this can help reduce the storage space the bag will take up when not in use.

The zippers and handles are well-designed. We loved the bright and ergonomic zipper pulls; opening the bag was always a breeze, even when jammed full. There are also two large grab handles on the top and bottom of the bag, which help you carry it at your side, hoist it up into an overhead bin, or slide it out from under a seat.

Comfort & Fit

When you're purchasing a travel backpack, it's expected that you plan to do a bit of walking with your bag, whether that's just through the airport or around town. The Daylite is comfortable to wear and carry, as long as you don't load it with particularly heavy items.

With the smaller capacity, as long as we packed common travel essentials like clothes, toiletries, and some extras, we found the Daylite comfortable. Only when we loaded it up to 20+ pounds did we notice some extra fatigue when carrying it for extended periods. We loved the padded Osprey Airscape back panel; there is great ventilation. The straps and adjustable chest strap are comfortable too. There's no waist strap, which we didn't miss on a bag this size. One complaint that our testers did note is that the shoulder straps sit a little low on the bag, and the fabric can hit the back of the neck or head depending on how the bag fits personally.

There's no extra shoulder sling or adjustability in how the Daylite is carried, outside from the two carry handles. There is a luggage pass-through strap, which is fantastic if you're also traveling with a rolling suitcase. It was easy and comfortable to slide the Daylite off our backs and onto the suitcase handle, and our backs thanked us for it.

Versatility

Most travel backpacks are purpose-built to excel specifically as your go-to carry on bag for trips. We evaluated the versatility of the Daylite by considering how many different types of travelers and scenarios this bag would be suitable for. Overall, though it's definitely a dedicated travel bag, we think it will appeal to a variety of travelers.

The Daylite is available in five different color options, from muted solids and plain black to vibrant and bright colors. Whether you're traveling off on a holiday or a business trip, you'll likely find a bag that matches your needs and personal style preferences.

While the size of the Daylite — at least the 26-liter or 35-liter options — is small enough to have the potential to do double duty as a day bag for a walk around town, the layout of the main compartment may make this less than practical for your needs. In a pinch, it will work, but there are some more traditional backpacks with standard backpack-style zipper openings that may suit your needs better if you plan to use your bag for travel, day hikes, or other uses.

Should You Buy the Osprey Daylite Carry-On 35?

We think that the Osprey Daylite is best for travelers who want to stretch the value of their money and purchase a bag that will last for many years of travel without breaking the bank. This bag is just good enough to get the job done without many complaints and is priced quite appropriately. If you're new to the world of travel backpacks, but looking for an option that won't fall apart after a trip or two, this could be a great pick. The Daylite could also be ideal if you typically travel with a roll-aboard plus a backpack, but want an option that can stand on its own for a short trip if the need arises. Overall, the Daylite is a great step up from the entry-level bags and offers some quality features for a great price.

What Other Travel Backpacks Should You Consider?

The Daylite offers above-average performance for a below-average price, but for a truly bargain buy, there are some other options to consider. The Coowoz Essentials is our best recommendation for travelers who want to spend the absolute minimum on a carry-on backpack that they can while still getting the performance they need. The Coowoz has all the right features, just to a lesser degree or standard than other bags in our lineup. There are a handful of other budget options in our lineup, such as the Matein Elite Travel, which has very similar features to the Coowoz with just a slightly different style. There's also the Hynes Eagle 40L Carry On that is lightweight and has good organization pockets, but a unique zipper design that may not be to everyone's liking. For a step up in both performance and organization or livability, we love The North Face Base Camp Voyager bag. This model is exceptional for its organization features, including a plethora of laptop, tablet, and electronics pockets, as well as an internal divider to keep your main compartment organized. It's quite reasonably priced as well, so it's another value-minded option to consider.