A lightweight pack, the Columbia Sportswear Fast n Light Half Day Backpack will take you comfortably to the edge and back in a day. Designed for fast, short treks, this bag carries your gear and liquids for a well-hydrated hike.
about that pack cover
This bag is definitely not rain repellent. The pack cover DOES repel water. Unfortunately it does NOT stay on the pack no matter what you try. The cover is completely useless with this pack. Its a total waste.
Really disappointed, and my arms hurt too.
Small (but not tiny) - the back is about 10 1/2 inches wide by 16 1/2 tall - so not big enough for a bookbag or laptop. The Good: I LOVE LOVE LOVE the distance from shoulder to hip belt. It stays put and is comfortable on my back. The yellowish interior makes things easy to spot. The hip belt is detachable. The Bad: The fabric isnt rain repellent at all--and the seams actually suck water into the bag. (Theres a pack cover included but I havent tried it.) The sternum strap is sewn in place and is not removable. There are no loops--unless you count the handle, which is what I've been using to hang stuff from. Put something stiff near your back because the back is very flexible-if you overstuff it, it gets round. The mesh side pockets are a little too narrow and the elastic toggle pulls on them stick way out. The Absolute Worst: The buckles on the shoulder straps press into my biceps until there are bruises. NO way did Columbia test this. No way.