WATERFLY 35L packable daypack review: the budget grab-and-go bag
Not every hike needs a three-hundred-dollar pack. When you are just getting into day hiking — or you want a featherweight bag that stuffs into a pocket for the summit push or the flight over — the WATERFLY 35L Packable Daypack does the job for the price of a couple of trail lunches.
The verdict
A brilliant budget and backup daypack. It weighs about twelve ounces, folds to the size of a wallet, holds a day’s water, layers, and snacks, and costs next to nothing. It has no frame or hipbelt, so it is not for heavy or all-day loads — but as a first daypack, a travel bag, or a packable summit sack, the value is hard to argue with.
What it does
The WATERFLY is an ultralight, foldable daypack built for light loads and easy carrying. It unfolds to a roomy 35 liters yet weighs only about 0.77 pounds and collapses into its own pocket down to wallet size, so it lives in a jacket or a suitcase until you need it. Water-resistant, tear-resistant nylon handles trail scuffs and passing showers, breathable mesh shoulder straps and back padding cut down on sweat, and a sternum strap with a built-in whistle adds a little security. Adjustable straps and simple organization round out a bag meant to be grabbed and go.
What verified buyers say
Verified-purchase owners keep coming back to the same value story:
- Amazing for the price. The overwhelming theme — buyers are surprised how usable a pack this cheap and light turns out to be.
- Packs away to nothing. Owners love that it folds into a pocket for travel, day trips, and as a spare bag.
- Comfortable with light loads. The mesh straps and padding get praise for day-hike weights of water, snacks, and layers.
- Handy details. Reviewers note the whistle sternum strap and water-resistant fabric as nice touches at the price.
Worth knowing
The low price and weight come from a simple, frameless design. There is no internal frame and no supportive hipbelt, so weight rides on your shoulders — keep loads light and it is comfortable, but pack it heavy and it sags and digs in. The thin fabric and zippers will not take the abuse a premium pack shrugs off, so treat it gently on rough scrambles. It is water-resistant, not waterproof — line it or use a cover in real rain. For light days it is plenty; for heavy or all-day carries, step up to a framed pack.
Who it is for
The WATERFLY is for the beginner buying a first daypack, the traveller who wants a stuffable spare, or the experienced hiker who needs a near-weightless summit or overflow bag. If you carry heavy loads, hike all day under weight, or want a pack to last a decade of hard use, invest in a framed daypack instead.
Specs at a glance
Type: frameless packable daypack · Capacity: 35 L · Weight: ~0.77 lb · Fabric: water-resistant nylon · Best for: light day hikes, travel, and a packable backup
The Verdict
The WATERFLY 35L is the definition of a smart budget buy: light, tiny when folded, and more than enough pack for easy days and travel, all for pocket change. Keep the loads light and it earns its place. Ready for a real day-hiking pack with support and organization? See the Osprey Talon 22, and for multi-day loads step up to the Osprey Atmos AG 65.
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