Gear Review: Osprey Viva & Daylite Backpacks

The pairing of the Osprey Viva 65 & Daylite 13 Backpacks is perfect for the adventure traveller. Both are practical and very comfortable plus you always have everything right where you need it with all the pocket options. Watch my gear review to see what I mean!

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Viva 65 Specs

  • Women’s specific fit
  • Adjustable shoulder straps (13cam range)
  • Adjustable “Fit on the Fly” hipbelt (15cm range)
  • Volume: 65L
  • Weight: 3lbs 10 oz / 1.65k
  • 2100 nylon double ripstop
  • Top loading

Daylite 13 Specs

  • Volume: 13L
  • Weight: 1lb/ 0.44kg
  • Attaches to Viva

Main Features I LOVED!

  • Adjustable shoulder harness and hipbelt – precision fit!
  • Pole straps – easy to use and very handy.
  • Hip pockets – love the accessability!
  • Daylite attaches to the Viva 65 – great for travel!

Performance

The Osprey Viva 65 & Daylite Backpacks were first tested on a two-week trip to Peru where I spent 4 days hiking the Inca Trail with Wild Women Expeditions. This pack combination was great for this trip because I was able to carry both on all my flights, the Viva 65 was big enough to handle the Inca Trail 4 day trekking expedition, and the daylite was perfect for site seeing at Macchu Picchu and around Cusco.

First, I have to say the Viva 65 is beautiful AND functional! I love the colour and the sleek lines. With the adjustable shoulder harness and hipbelt, I was able to get a prefect fit while still able to make changes on the fly, adjusting for pack weight and when I had eaten too much. The straps and hip belt are well padded and very comfortable. The left shoulder strap features a loop to secure your hiking poles which works well for trekking poles, but the loop for the baskets won’t accommodate powder baskets. It takes some practice to be able to get your poles in and out of this system with ease.

The Viva 65 has 5 pockets;

  • Top Pocket – very roomy, holds a lot of stuff and is easy to access.
  • Main Pocket – top load with a fabric divider creating a bottom zone which has it’s own zipper. This is the main area of the pack and it is designed in such a way that it remains sleek even when jammed full. I find it annoying to have to dig through the top all the time to get at things just because I am used to having a side zipper.
  • 2 Hipbelt Pockets – big for hip pockets! I could fit my iphone 4 and wallet in one and my passport, lipchap, sunscreen, and headlamp in the other. Easy to access.
  • Stretchy Front Pocket – very expandable and works well for wet items or to keep your rain gear easily accessible.

Oh – did I mention the Osprey Viva 65 & Daylite Backpacks attach?! This is great for when I was in the airport for a long layover. I attached the Daylite to the Viva and it was like one pack. With wallet, passport and phone in the Viva’s hip pockets, I had everything I needed on hand.

The Daylite held more than I expected and yet was so light weight. I only found that the plastic adjuster rubbed on my inner arm a bit when I wore a t-shirt or tank top. The straps and back panel are breathable mesh, keeping you cool and reducing weight.

Final Comments

I thoroughly enjoyed using the Osprey Viva 65 & Daylite Backpacks combination for my two-week trip to Peru. It was comfortable the entire time, held everything I needed, was functional day to day, and no matter what I was doing, I had the right sized bag for the job. 

Years later, these packs have been on the West Coast Trail, the Cinque Terre, on innumerable day hikes and through 2 moves across Canada. They are both still in great shape (miss one buckle I broke on the Viva in a luggage carousel in Scotland) and are up for many more adventures to come!

What questions do you have about backpacks? Drop us a comment below! 

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