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Granite Gear – Dagger Ultralight Day Backpack Review

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Article Categories: Gear
Article Tags: Day Hikes | Hiking Gear

We got the chance to test out the Granite Gear Dagger day pack. Here’s everything you’d want to know about this backpack, and the company behind it.

 

About Granite Gear

Stemming from the desire of higher quality outdoor gear on a paddling trip in 1986, Granite Gear has emerged as a top brand for outdoor gear. Since the brand’s beginnings, the founders, designers and engineers have consistently prioritized creating the most durable, comfortable and lightweight outdoor products. As a result, their gear has been utilized on expeditions in some of the toughest locations, including Mount Everest, both North and South poles, and even the terrain faced by our soldiers. You can learn more about the brand and their origin story here.

All of Granite Gear products have a limited lifetime guarantee where they are covered from initial damage or damage accrued through normal wear and tear through the lifetime of the product for the original owner.

 

View The Pack On Amazon | View On Granite Gear

 

Our Testing Scenario

This has become one of our favorite day packs and long trail running packs. It carries a lot of stuff for its weight, is super comfortable, and looks quite nice. We’ve taken it trail running on CO 14ers, on long day hikers, fishing deep in the wilderness, trekked through snow, rain, high winds, and even on the famous Knife’s Edge of Capitol Peak. In other words – if this pack has lasted us this long, it’s going to do the trick for you.

 

About the Backpack

 

Overview

Size 22 L
Weight 1.5lbs
Dimensions 21″ X 13″ X 8″
Torso Length Regular 16″ – 21″
Load Capacity 25 lbs

 

Features

  • Zippered Access to Main Compartment
  • Top Secondary Quick Stash Pocket
  • Hydration Port and Internal Sleeve
  • Dual-Density Padded Back Panel and Shoulder Straps
  • Removable Frame Sheet
  • Removable Webbing Waist Belt
  • Arched Compression Strap System
  • Stretch Woven Side Pockets
  • Tall Front Stretch Woven Pocket with Reflective Cord System
  • Adjustable Sternum Strap

 

Organization and Storage 

This pack has pretty simple but effective organization.

  • One large zipper compartment with a water bladder sleeve. This compartment, is big and functional.
  • One small zipper compartment for phone, gels, bars, etc.
  • 2 Side pockets for drinks. Perfect for a gatorade bottle and something else.
  • One outside stretch sleeve perfect for stuffing a jacket, your headlamp, a bottle, or anything really.
  • Two clip straps enable easily strapping on a climbing helmet or something else.

The organization of this pack is simple, but effective, and allows for carrying a lot more than it seems.

 

Our Review

 

Fit and Comfort

Because of the extremely comfortable and adjustable features, this bag is extremely comfortable for a 5’4 female as well as a 5’10 male. It is easy to adjust the various straps as you’re hiking if you prefer a looser or tighter fit.

Even with a full Camelbak inside and a heavy DSLR camera on the bag, it felt comfortable over 10+ mile hikes. Despite the extremely lightweight nature of this bag (1.5 lbs!), this bag can hold up to 25 lbs and feels extremely comfortable in doing so.

It is even comfortable on long shirtless trail runs. The soft shoulder straps are forgiving for the skin, and even better through clothing.

 

Appearance

This backpack demonstrates that you do not have to sacrifice appearance for quality when it comes to hiking bags. This bag is extremely good looking, with a simple yet classic design. I have worn this bag for daily use in addition to hiking excursions, and it was comfortable, attractive, and practical for that as well.

 

Recommendation

After putting this day pack to the test on dozens of hikes, from short partial-day to longer all-day hikes, we cannot recommend this bag highly enough. It is extremely lightweight but has a ton of storage space for layers, snacks, and water. Plus, given how sleek and comfortable this bag is, it is perfect for everyday use in addition to hiking.

This is also a perfect extra bag to carry with a backpacking bag for smaller day trips. It is so lightweight, that you could strap it on anything easy without even noticing.

 

More Pictures With The Dagger

Day Hike With The Granite Gear Dagger Day Pack

Night Hiking With The Dagger Daypack

Night Hiking With The Dagger Daypack

Vicky Bandera

Vicky Bandera

Victoria Bandera has a Master’s degree in Health and Exercise Science from Colorado State University and is an ACSM certified Exercise Physiologist. Currently, Vicky is at the University of Utah working on her PhD in Population Health Sciences and working in the Huntsman Cancer Institute. She is passionate about the use of physical activity and nutrition as a source of longevity and overall health. Find her on some adventures with small health-related posts at @viqeeinthewoods on Instagram!

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