All outdoor daypack type bags should be very durable. The best way to verify this is to check out a few items on the bag to ensure toughness and quality. The daypack should have a heavy and large zipper. This ensures that it does not break or hang up the first few times you use it. When you expose zippers to a hot or cold climate, especially outdoors, they tend to stress and snap quicker and easier.



A daypack should be double stitched with heavy thread and the fabric should be very tough. Give the daypack a few tugs and work it over really well to ensure that the seams are not pulling apart and the fabric does not seem to stretch and weaken with stress. This is extremely important as you can imagine. An outdoor bag should be absolutely indestructible when you put it through this little test.

Your daypack should have multiple compartments for storage. This can be critical when roughing it in the outdoors. There are many reasons for having a slew of pockets and compartments in your daypack. In lowlight and nighttime, it becomes important to not have to spend a lot of time digging through a huge compartment to find an item that you need. You should simply go to the compartment where you store that particular item so you can quickly access it.

One of the most important features on a daypack is the carrying mechanism. Most daypacks come with a shoulder strap and possibly an attachment to keep it about your waist. These straps should be very secure and dependable. The material used in construction should be very tough and well sewn together or you can absolutely expect trouble. You do not want to have to be rigging and tying together a busted strap in the middle of a hike or a hunting expedition.

Ensure that the daypack is waterproof or water resistant. At least ensure that the water and weather are not going to ruin the daypack. Believe it or not, there are manufacturers that produce outdoor gear that cannot stand up to the elements. Some of these manufacturers are brand name and very well known. You should always double check and ensure that the material used in production will stand up to the elements.

These are just a few of the more important areas in a daypack that you should ensure are covered. There are many more and you will learn to test the important parts of your own packs and equipment as you gain experience. But, these tips are the best place to get started.