Osprey Daylite vs Daylite Plus Packs - Which is Better?
The Osprey Daylite or the Daylite Plus? What’s the difference? Which is better?
It’s going to be an easy choice thanks to this side-by-side comparison!
Both backpacks offer durable and lightweight construction, as well as a multi-use design for hiking, travel, and daily carry. However, there are a few key differences that set them apart and we are going to get down to the nitty-gritty to showcase them.
Whether you need an ultralight backpack for hiking or a little more room for daily carry, we dive deep and explore all of the details so you can discover which Osprey backpack is the better choice for your needs.
Video Review
Quick Specs
 |
 |
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|---|---|---|
| Volume | 13 Liters | 20 Liters |
| Material | recycled polyester, PFC-free DWR finish |
recycled polyester, PFC-free DWR finish |
| Internal Sleeve | Non-padded elastic sleeve Laptop up to 13" |
Padded sleeve Laptop up to 15" |
| Back Panel Measurement | 17.5” H x 9.5” W | 18.5" H x 10” W |
| Front Storage | None | Shove-it pocket, zip pocket |
| Price |
Osprey Daylite vs Daylite Plus Side-by-Side
Size and Carrying Capacity
The first major difference between the Osprey Daylite and Daylite Plus are their sizes which for many people doesn’t become apparent until you have both packs side by side.
If you were to put on both backpacks, you would immediately notice how much more surface area the Daylite Plus takes up on the back compared to the smaller Daylite, which feels lighter overall. This difference in size can be best showcased in the back panel measurements when both packs are flat on the ground.
Our measurements of the back panels:
Daylite: 9.5” (W) x 17.5” (H)
Daylite Plus: 10” (W) x 18.5” (H)
Surprisingly enough, Osprey includes the same sized shoulder straps on both the Daylite and Daylite Plus despite their overall size differences. In fact, both sets of shoulder strap harnesses are near identical.
In conclusion, the Daylite would be a better fit for people who are more comfortable with a smaller backpack and the Daylite Plus’ additional surface area could be a welcome addition for taller people who want more support.
Above both backpacks are pictured with the same exact pack-out of a 13” laptop, light jacket, small notebook, tech case and large headphones. As you can see the Daylite is practically filled to the brim while the Daylite Plus has plenty of room to spare.
Internally, the Osprey Daylite offers a modest 13 liters of packing room while the Daylite Plus gives you 20 liters plus an additional front shove-it pocket (more on this below). This allows the Daylite Plus to give you a hefty amount of extra packing room.
To give you a realistic example of the main compartment size difference, the Osprey Daylite, at 13 liters, is large enough for a quick day hike or to use as a lightweight daypack for just the bare essentials, while the Daylite Plus, at 20 liters, allows you to pack a few extras, making it more suitable as a backpack for travel, daily commutes, or longer hikes.
What Fits Inside the 13L Daylite:
2L Hydration Bladder filled
Fleece Jacket (women's size medium)
Small First Aid Kit (6.5” x 4.5” x 2”)
Bag of Snacks
What Fits Inside the 20L Daylite Plus:
All of the above
Large 1L Coffee Thermos
Birdwatching Book (8.5” x 5.75” x 1.5”)
Additional Pockets and Compartments
Both the Daylite and Daylite Plus offer similar pocket configurations and share the same front compartment with slip pockets and a key clip. These slip pockets are large enough to fit a phone, wallet, snacks, and other smaller items.
The two backpacks also share stretchy water bottle pockets that can easily fit larger 32-ounce water bottles.
Where the backpacks start to part ways is with the front shove-it pocket on the front of the Daylite Plus. This shove-it pocket is barely large enough for bulky items like a bike helmet or shoes, but it is the perfect spot for items that require quick access, like sandals, a hat, gloves, or snacks.
Osprey also adds a zippered pocket to the front of the Daylite Plus for extra storage, giving the Daylite Plus two additional pockets over the Daylite.
The last pocket can be found inside each respective main compartment. The Osprey Daylite and Daylite Plus both offer an internal sleeve for a laptop or tablet that doubles as a hydration pocket.
The major difference is that the Osprey Daylite gives you a thin and stretchy sleeve for a device up to 13 inches, while the Daylite Plus offers more protection with a padded sleeve for a device up to 15 inches. For commuters who need maximum tech protection, the Daylite Plus is the clear winner.
Materials and Comfort Features
The Osprey Daylite and Daylite Plus offer near-identical construction. Both backpacks use the same bluesign® approved recycled polyester materials with a PFC-free DWR coating for water resistance and are equipped with the exact same zippers and internal lining.
It’s worth noting that although the exterior fabric offers some water resistance, the zippers do not. Will these backpacks do okay in light rain? Yes. But beware of heavy downpours or big splashes where moisture has a chance to sneak in through the zippers.
Both backpacks also provide you with breathable Airscape die-cut EVA foam back panels. Unlike older versions of the Daylite series, these back panels are not removable. Additionally, both the Daylite and Daylite Plus are equipped with a removable 20mm hip belt and an adjustable chest strap with a built-in whistle.
One difference in construction is with the shoulder straps, but it’s a small difference that doesn’t have much impact. Osprey uses die-cut EVA foam padding on the upper portion of the shoulder straps on the Daylite Plus, while the Daylite uses spacer mesh. Both shoulder harnesses are incredibly breathable, and although the die-cut EVA foam on the Daylite Plus offers a little more padding, the difference is negligible.
Which backpack is better?
Choose the Osprey Daylite if… You want an ultralight backpack for hiking, travel and daily carry or if you prefer the fit of a smaller backpack. The Osprey Daylite offers easy, care-free carry of just the essentials.
Choose the Osprey Daylite Plus if… You want a lightweight backpack for hiking, travel and daily carry but need the extra protection of a padded laptop sleeve and could use extra pockets for organization.
