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.
Quick take
A brilliant budget and backup daypack. It weighs about twelve ounces (340 g), 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 (350 g) 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 (350 g) · Fabric: water-resistant nylon · Best for: light day hikes, travel, and a packable backup
Wilderness Experts is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases; when you buy through links on our site we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we recommend.
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.
