Donner Daypack Review: Overland Equipment's Ideal Travel Backpack
I never considered myself lazy, but one habit during our travels always nagged at me. My partner Dani consistently carried our backpack, loaded with her camera, extra lens, my iPhone, water bottle, wallet, gum, snacks, and more. Despite her willingness, I felt guilty watching her shoulder the weight while my pockets stayed light. When offered a break, my shoulders ached after just 30 minutes.
That's why I was thrilled to test Overland Equipment's Donner daypack for myself. 
From the outset, the Donner impressed me beyond relieving my guilt. As avid travelers focused on organization, we appreciated its slim, sturdy design. It features a main compartment, a front section with varied pockets for notes, pens, and a padded iPhone slot, plus deep side pockets for water bottles. The coffee brown exterior is discreet for travel, while the vibrant yellow interior adds flair.
After a few days, one side pocket perfectly accommodated Dani's long camera lens, making it easy to carry. 
Soon, Dani adopted it for her walks with our hosted dog, Millie, handling the camera, lenses, and water bottle effortlessly. Its compact size prevents overload compared to larger packs, though it won't fit a laptop for café workdays.
An easy-access back pocket proved invaluable for plane tickets and passports during boarding to Cancun, and it's ideal for notebooks, pens, and maps on city explorations. 
The sole drawback is the front pocket's Velcro closure, which is noisy and less secure than a zipper. In bustling cities like Buenos Aires, this might limit use of its organizational features.
Overall, the Donner daypack has become our versatile daily essential. 
Disclosure: Overland Equipment provided a complimentary Donner daypack for testing. All opinions are our own, based on real-world use as experienced travelers.
