Osprey Daylite Expandable 26+6L Travel Pack Reviewed

I’m not averse to travelling on budget airlines but draw the line on paying extra for a cabin bag. Ryanair has the tightest specifications but the Osprey Daylite Expandable 26+6L, just about fits their dimensions of 40x30x20cm. It’s actually slightly longer at 43cm and wider at 33cm but it does actually fit in the sizer at the airport. I know because I’ve tested it.

Now you see lots of cheap bags advertised as meeting the Ryanair criteria but they’re often poorly made and zips and straps are guaranteed to fail. Osprey bags are pricey but they deliver and, over the years, I’ve learned to trust them. They also say that any defect in material and workmanship under normal use will be repaired or replaced for free.

Outside

Osprey Daylite 26+6L

For sustainability, Osprey uses bluesign® approved recycled polyester with 300D diamond ripstop for the main body, 600D for the bottom, and 200D for the liner. There’s a beefy carry handle on top of the bag and two other carry handles, on the left and bottom.  The AirScape foam back panel provides ventilation and the padded Spacermesh straps make it comfortable to carry. An additional sternum strap, with whistle, keeps it secure.

Osprey Daylite 26+6L

Two zipped pockets on the front allow for easy access and the top one includes a red key clip and five stretchy interior pockets. On each side are elasticated bottle pockets and, confusingly, there’s not just one, but three entry zips running around the outside. The back one  is for access to the laptop sleeve so you can easily pull out your device for work or inspection. The second is the main and allows access to the interior compartment and the third, at the front, allows the bag to expand an additional 5cm.

Inside

Osprey Daylite 26+6L

Inside, the bag opens up to a fully clamshell for easy packing with a tie-down strap in the middle. There’s a large zipped mesh pocket against the lid and a laptop sleeve against the back wall for a device up to 16 inches. It’s amazing how much space there is here, particularly when you expand the bag, although you have to be careful not to exceed size restrictions.

Osprey Daylite 26+6L

In practice, I managed to fit everything I needed for a whole week away, although I might strugglei if I was travelling to colder climates. I liked the laptop easy access as I could work while I was waiting for my flight. The top zipped pocket was perfect for the airport security clear toiletry bag and the key ring meant I always knew where my keys were. Best of all, I no longer had to worry about hassle from officials at the gate as I knew it would always pass the sizer test,

How much: Whether for flying the world or a local commute, the Osprey Daylite Expandable Travel Pack 26+6 at £85  fits the bill. More info.

VERDICT: Not only does the Osprey Daylite Expandable Travel Pack 26+6 meet the stringent specifications of budget airlines, it’s also so well designed that it can take a surprising amount of gear, and it’s guaranteed to last.

Key Features

• Compact 26L size
• Suitable for budget airlines personal carry-on including Ryanair
• Lots of flexibility in capacity
• Main compartment expansion 2″/6L internal capacity
• Two stretch/expandable water bottle pockets
• Front Shove-it Pocket
• AirScape backpanel with backpack straps and sternum strap
• Trolley handle pass-through
• Top, side & bottom grab handles
• Internal tie down strap
• Simple organiser with key storage
• Simple laptop sleeve against backwall
• Suitcase-style, full zip opening with mesh divider
• Lightweight: 0.84 kg
• Dimensions: 43H x 33W x 16D cm
• Available in black and blue

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