Vango Pac 15 packable daysack reviewed
15-litre occasional bag ideal for city tours, aircraft cabins and even impromptu hikes
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A small, collapsible 15l daysack is a must for anyone who travels. Whether you’re tramping tourist sites, on an impromptu summer walk or hike with a coat, or just need something to hold your book/Kindle/tablet while flying, the Vango Pac 15 packable daysack proves comfier than most, though it’s not micro-small.
Vango Pac 15 packable daysack: features
The Vango Pac 15 arrives collapsed and zipped-up in a pouch – complete with belt clip – that’s about the size of a scrunched-up shirt. As well as black with orange zips, it’s also available in maroon with pink zips. The latest version of this 15l daysack is a more conservative-looking black and grey. It weighs a reasonably small 198g.
Vango hiking bag: comfort
The Vango Pac 15 litre daysack has two major design highlights; as the rucksack is unfurled the pouch reverses to become the front pocket, containing within it that belt clip that now doubles as a handy clip for house or hotel keys. Better still, the doubled-sided zip works just as well in this orientation. Its other success is in the adjustable shoulder straps, which are slightly padded, making this a good hiking bag. They’re not going to sit well for multi-day hikes with heavy loads, but they’re nevertheless a huge improvement on the straps of much smaller clip-on alternatives, which tend to cut into the shoulder.
Vango 15 L backpack: Emergency bag
We used the Vango Pac 15 as an emergency hiking bag during a trip to Tenerife. Having traveled there on Easyjet with a cabin bag only, an impromptu decision to climb Mount Teide volcano for dawn necessitated an overnight bag that normally we wouldn’t have had. Having been stuffed in a side pocket of a much larger cabin bag, not only did the Vango 15 backpack prove comfier on the shoulders, but its 15-litre took a couple of extra layers, a pair of binoculars, and a torch without the seams bulging. The zip – so often these bags’ Achilles’ heel – proved tough and hard-wearing enough, too.
Vango pack 15: summary
Though it’s a little larger than the clip-on keyring rucksacks and totes used by shoppers, the Pac 15 puts its extra bulk to good use making it not just a small daysack, but also a backpack, travel bag, or a hiking bag. With comfy straps, a good sturdy build quality that extends to decent zips and water-resistant Nylon fabric, and excellent packability, the Vango 15l backpack is a great choice for space-conscious travelers.