If you spend enough time outdoors that you need to use a daypack its importance may be second only to the clothing and footwear you choose to wear. A properly packed daypack can make an excursion more enjoyable and may even save your life. And even if you only carry books or travel essentials a good daypack can make a big difference in how pleasurable your day will be.

For the sake of this review I define a daypack (sometimes referred to as a rucksack) as being any pack intended for day trips, including lumbar packs and those outfitted with features important for rock climbing, skiing and other outdoor pursuits.

The best one can hope for is a daypack that will enhance the outdoor experience. The least it should do is not detract from the experience. Unfortunately, many packs designed for day trips and rock climbing often fall into the latter (or worse...) category.

Until recently it appeared daypacks were assigned second-rate status when it came to getting the attention of pack designers; it seemed that more time was put into the needs of multi-day backpackers. I imagine that many people balk at paying very much for a daypack while backpackers know the importance of having a good pack and may be more willing to pay the price for innovative design and construction.

It may not be possible to use one daypack for all your activities; I switch between a small fanny and daypacks depending on the activity. The same goes for my camera bags; I own four different designs meant for varying amounts of gear and where I will be using them. If all you need is room for a parka, water and snacks while running then a lumbar pack may work perfectly for you. But if you want to carry much of a load or go on day-hikes in rugged areas with quickly changing weather then you may need something larger.

My ideal daypack looks good enough to be used for day-trips while traveling but can also be used on mountain hikes where I will carry rain gear, first aid supplies, water and enough survival items so that I can make it through at least one night of inclement weather.

I began using daypacks back in the 60s, beginning with a very cheap nylon bag that wasn’t meant to hold anything heavier than an 8th grade math book and a peanut butter sandwich. By the time I got to college I had graduated to a North Face Guide Pack, which held a lot more but it still wasn’t comfortable to carry. At a time when external-frame backpacks were the norm even the more expensive daypacks did not have any kind of frame or suspension system; most lacked even a basic hip-belt.

Through the years I have tried each new step in the daypack evolution. I was really hopeful about lumbar packs, but my experience with them hasn’t been very positive. I found that I could carry only the lightest load, no matter how large the bag, because I usually had this sinking feeling that on my very next step the lumbar pack was going to be around my ankles. Perhaps people with hips have a better experience...

I tried a lumbar pack from M.E.I. that can accept optional shoulder straps. But the straps have no padding and there are buckles situated at exactly the right place so that they dig into your armpits. Add the annoying squeaking of the plastic “hardware” where the straps attach to the pack right behind your head and you have one heck of a daypack guaranteed to drive you nuts by day’s end!

I had just about given up on ever find my fantasy daypack when one day I was in a local outdoor store and I stumbled across the Marmot Talus. The first thing that attracted me was that it just plain looked good hanging on the wall. It was obviously made of top-notch materials and further more, I noticed that it sported some features that were identical to the much more expensive backpacks hanging nearby.

When it comes to the Talus form most definitely follows function. Nothing has been added that doesn’t have a potential use and while it has everything a climber or Nordic skier needs the daypack is not cluttered with dangling straps so the Talus is also at home carting around a load of school supplies or personal items for day-tripping while traveling. The Talus looks and feels great even when it is full of stuff.

The attention to details is where the Marmot Talus really excels. Essentially the Talus is an expanded lumbar pack. It can be either a highly-supportive daypack for heavier loads or you can choose to remove the high-density polyethylene framesheet insert and convert the daypack to a “soft-pack.”

The exterior fabrics are high-grade ripstop nylon with a heavier material on the bottom to better resist abrasion. The interior fabric is Marmot’s “marigold” color which makes finding items easier than if the fabric was a darker color. And the large main pocket has an inner pocket for segregating items and a small zippered pocket for valuables that includes an attached clip for your keys. Neat!

There are two exterior water bottle mesh pockets which are large enough to carry a standard one quart Nalgene bottle. And there are also exterior straps for carrying items like skis, snowshoes and an ice axe, as well as a double-row of nylon webbing loops for attaching lots of climbing gear.

Since I am not a climber I clip a Jansport Modular System first aid kit to the loops. The small first aid kit attaches snugly to the pack and it can be removed very easily. As I recall I got it on sale for around $15. I have augmented the basic supplies that came in the kit with two emergency mylar blankets, extra first aid items, “tick tweezers,” H2O and wind-proof matches and energy bars; all these items fit in a first aid kit that is only 6x6x3 inches!

On the back of the pack on either side of the gear loops are two zippers for access to surprisingly roomy double bellows pockets that are perfect for items you will want during an outing such as snacks, a GPS unit or compass, small camera, cell-phone, etc.

There is even a padded pocket at the top of the daypack designed for stashing sunglasses. At first I thought that it was over-the-top but I soon came to see that sunglasses pocket as just one more example of the Marmot designers’ attention to detail.

Is the waist-belt in your way? Just tuck it behind the lumbar support. Need to move the pack quickly? Grab the padded handle on the top of the Talus; like some high quality luggage it has more space between the handle and the pack than most bags. A small detail, perhaps, but the design of the handle along with the padding makes it easier to grasp and more confortable to carry.

But the Talus’ relatively sophisticated suspension system is what really separates this daypack from other contenders. The daypack’s body- friendly shoulder straps fit the natural curves of the human shoulders and the mesh fabric that rests against them wicks moisture away. The shoulder straps can be easily loosened or tightened depending on whether you are ambling down a forest path or bouldering in the Buttermilk. And the chest strap attached to the shoulder straps can be adjusted vertically about six inches so that you can move it higher or lower for better comfort.

The part of the daypack that rests against the back is a foam waffle-pattern covered with breathable fabric that allows air to pass between the pack and your back. The lumbar portion of the pack is narrower and while it is not the same waffle-pattern it does have the same fabric and also allows air to circulate.

The waist belt is wide and has the same “DriClime” mesh as the shoulder pads. Straps connected to the waist belt can be cinched to snug narrow mesh panels that run along the wearer’s torso, providing the curious but delightful impression that the Talus has just become one with your back.

What it all boils down to is that instead of endlessly tugging and adjusting the Talus’ shoulder straps and waist-belt while on the trail I get it right at the beginning of a hike and I am barely aware of the daypack the rest of the day. If I encounter a change in the terrain it is very easy to make adjustments to the Talus without having to stop and remove it. It's a bit of an under-statement to say that this is a unique experience for me when it comes to using a daypack!

The Talus comes in two sizes: Medium (1750 cubic inches) and Large (2000 cubic inches). Getting the correct size is important if you are going to get the full benefit of the Talus' suspension system, so be sure to go to a dealer with personnel that are experienced in fitting packs. Put some weight in the Talus and then spend time walking around the store looking at stuff. Like footwear, if it doesn’t feel comfortable while you are cruising the store it sure isn’t going to feel any better out on the trail.

The Talus has four color choices: Marigold/Charcoal; Electric/Charcoal; Hemlock/Charcoal and Black. The Marigold is bright yellow, the Hemlock is a nice dark green color and Electric is a shade of blue.

At around $130, the Marmot Talus isn’t cheap and it isn’t for everybody. But it is exceptionally well made and will no doubt provide many years of service. And in this age of huge impersonal companies it is gratifying to know that Marmot is worker-owned and well known for making very high quality gear.

Throw in the rare luxury of using a daypack that really does enhance your outdoor experience, and you have something unique: a practical and functional consumer product that is thoughtfully designed, well constructed and provides exceptional value for your dollar.










Recommended: Yes