GOssamer Gear’s Vetta 20L Daypack is a lightweight, durable design that will ensure a fun day on the trail. It is best for those who want to be able to carry all their essentials and comfort on their travels. The 20 liter capacity has enough room for a few extra layers, a few snacks and 10 Hiking Essentials.
The Vetta is made of ultra-light 100D and 210D Recycled Robic Nylon and UHMWPE Stretch Mesh material. The roll-top design means it’s super easy to open and close, packing your contents into your chosen size and shape.
MSRP: $140
Weight: 14.5 oz/411 grams
Materials: Riptide Ripstop, 100D Recycled Robic Nylon, 210D Recycled Robic Nylon Bottom, UHMWPE Stretch Mesh
For Whom?
Best for: Short- or long-distance hikers, from a quick two-mile hike in the woods to a full day in the wilderness. Easily accessible water bottle pockets on each side and multiple gear attachment options make it easy to store and access all your gear. In addition, the sleek design of this backpack means it can be used for school or work with room for your laptop.
How I Tested It
I took the Vetta on several hikes in New Hampshire’s White Mountains with a huge advantage of altitude, including some tree-lined trails that bumped into my gear. One trip I went on included a fair weather event, another surprised me with a sprinkling of rain, and all of my scouting trips involved high winds on the peaks. The pack was durable in all weathers and stayed attached to my back in each situation.
Gossamer Gear Vetta 20 Daypack Features
Considerable packaging: Expandable exterior pockets, water bottles and back pocket, for quick access to essentials. Meanwhile, iza pop-up pocket on the outside keeps valuables like car keys or a wallet safe and features a small carabiner for added security.
Bungee Attachments: A light bungee attachment can be used to store trekking poles or other gear outside the pack when not in use.
Roll-top design: It keeps everything safe and secure and allows volume adjustment on the go.
Functional shoulder straps: Perforated foam shoulder straps provide comfort and breathability with expandable front pockets on each side for a phone, headlamp or snacks.
Sternum strap: Narrow nylon sternum strap with adjustable length and safety whistle.
Removable back panel: The Vetta has a removable, perforated foam back panel to give the pack more structure.
Working
I would say this pack doesn’t work for multi-day backpacking trips because the strap design doesn’t provide enough support for the extra weight. The pack may not be comfortable when hiking where more than three liters of water is needed
For day trips, this is a compact and lightweight option for all levels of hikers. The pack is highly adjustable, both in terms of its suitability for different body sizes and its storage capacity.
Comfort
This pack left me with zero comfort complaints after taking it on medium to long day hikes without too much weight. A removable, perforated pad that sits outside the back of the pack adds extra comfort to your body. In addition, it doubles as a sit pad.
On the downside, with a heavy load, the type of foam used for shoulder straps can cause sagging during long trips. But for a typical daypack load, they should provide plenty of cushion.
Features to Look for in a Daypack
There are several things to think about when shopping for a new daypack: comfort, weight, price, size, aesthetics, and more. But a few things make this combination of new machines different.
Ripstop fabric is a good choice if you’re looking for something durable that resists tears. If you plan to be out in the wild or bushwhacking, it’s important. A roll-top closure is more secure than a drawstring, and more adjustable than a zipper.
Also, ultralight packs are a good choice to keep the base weight down. Having a light load can help prevent injuries, and increase the enjoyment of your hike.
Gossamer Gear Vetta 20 Daypack Pros
Lightweight: At less than 15 ounces, this is one of the lightest daypacks out there that still has a decent feature set.
Details showing: Reflective features on both sides of the pack add security.
Hydration is compatible with: There is a separate space for the water reservoir including a hole for the tube to go through
Inner pack: There is a separate mesh zipper pocket inside for organization
Sleek and subtle design: The Vetta approaches from the rear and has a streamlined aesthetic, something that many ultra-lightweight backpacks lack.
Miscellaneous: It can be used for hiking or daily commuter use. It can be adjusted to fit most body types, and the roll-top closure and removable side compression straps mean the volume is adjustable too.
Gossamer Gear Vetta 20 Daypack Evil
Not suitable for packing or heavy loads: Minimalists looking for a single pack that can meet all their outdoor travel needs, from day hikes to overnight adventures, should look no further. While some ultralight hikers can fit all their overnight gear in a 20 liter pack, this one isn’t designed for that.
On that note, even day hikers carrying heavy loads (camera gear, lots of water, etc.) may also find that this pack doesn’t have the carrying capacity they need.
No hip belt or belt: This pack is not designed to carry loads heavy enough to warrant a hip belt; however, some users will miss having the option to keep the pack more secure on their back. We should note that the Vetta has Gossamer Gear Fastbelt or Blackbelt attachment points — so if having a hipbelt with or without pockets is important to you, you can upgrade yourself.
Long web threads: When the strings are tightened too much, the ends can hang. You may want to trim the extra webbing a bit once you’ve inspected the pack and decided how much adjustment you need on the straps.
Minimum amount: At $140, this pack is at the high end of the daypack price range
Final thoughts
I recommend this product to more experienced travelers who are looking for an advanced pack with many features. Great for those who put their gear on for a day on the trails. If you’re looking for a cheap, discount store package, this isn’t for you.
I found Gossomer Gear’s Vetta 20L Daypack to be easy to use, durable, very light, and stylish. A classic, classy day park.
Buy the Gossamer Gear Vetta 20 Daypack
Comparable Products
Osprey Sportlite 22 Hiking Backpack
- MSRP: $110
- Weight: 24.8 oz
External study of Adrenaline Day Pack 20L
- MSRP: $130
- Weight: 19.4 oz
The Gossamer Gear Vetta 20 daypack was provided for review purposes
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