Digital Camera World Verdict
Despite having a custom-made GoPro mount on a shoulder strap and zones dedicated to GoPro accessories,at its core the Daytripper is a compact and well-designed backpack for a day out, albeit with plenty of room for batteries, memory cards and even a laptop. However, it’s build quality and compatibility with a hydration bladder that really convinces us that this is a serious product, and not just a brand extension.
Pros
- +
GoPro shoulder strap mount
- +
Takes a hydration bladder or laptop
- +
Compact, efficient design
Cons
- -
Basic waistbelt
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Does anyone need a GoPro-branded backpack right now? This 15-litre camera bag has a built-in mount for any GoPro. It adds custom-made compartments for GoPro gear and much more besides. But is the GoPro Daytripper a bland GoPro-branded ‘lifestyle’ accessory or a must-have for shooting in the great outdoors?
With the GoPro Hero 9 Black now on sale, and the GoP getting on for being a year GoPro Hero 8 now reduced in price, the Daytripper a direct replacement for the GoPro Seeker bag. The GoPro Daytripper is available now with a starting price of $99.99 / £99 / AUS$169.95.
Design
The build quality is all-round excellent. As well as its lightweight design the Daytripper has water-resistant zips all over, and plenty of waterproof pockets inside the bag for accessories like batteries and other GoPro and photography gear.
Overall it boasts 15 liters capacity – a little less than the Seeker – but not in a bad way. In fact, it’s Daytripper’s compact but very clever design that we like most.
GoPro features
Of course, the main event is the left-hand strap’s GoPro shoulder mount. Capable of taking any GoPro–including the GoPro Hero 8 and GoPro Max – this allows you to film while you cycle/ski/snowboard/hike. The newer GoPro products’ superior video stabilisation is going to be important there.
To that end, it’s good to see a chest strap and a waist belt, though the latter is rudimentary – just an adjustable nylon cord – and though it adds much-needed stability, it’s not very comfortable. However, a properly padded waist belt could interfere with pockets, which would annoy some, so it’s probably a wise compromise.
The mount works well, and it’s easy to make slight adjustments to the GoPro’s position while you where the Daytripper, though the strap is a little tricky to physically get over a shoulder while it holds a GoPro. Once it’s on, however, it all feels safe and stable.
Although the mount itself is removable, it’s sadly not possible to use on the right-hand shoulder strap, which might annoy left-handers.
Another part of the Daytripper exclusively designed for GoPro gear is the top’s zipped-up, soft-lined pocket that’s got space for about five GoPro cameras and/or batteries. However, its small L-shaped Velcro dividers make it’s layout entirely moveable. On the lid’s underside is a waterproof section for storing spare batteries and microSD memory cards.
Gear storage
However, the Daytripper doesn’t just take a GoPro and associated gear. It’s also capable of taking plenty of other outdoor photography gear, such as drones, DSLRs, tripods and gimbals. After all, if you’re covering all the bases as a photographer, there’s a high chance you want to take a GoPro along, but not exclusively.
That’s where the Daytripper’s huge front pouch comes in. It’s got some belly on it, so can take a drone in a protective case as well as a DSLR, though it might be wise to use a holster-style covering on the latter. If you’re cycling/skiing/snowboarding/hiking then there’s plenty of room here for extra layers, waterproofs or lunch.
On the inside of the front pouch is yet another waterproof pocket complete with a keyring strap, while on the outside of the bag is another easy access pocket for documents. There are also a couple of open stretch-nylon pockets on the exterior’s sides for carrying a water bottle, umbrella or a gimbal/tripod/selfie stick. However, be careful with the latter because there’s no way to secure them – they could easily fall out if you fall over.
There’s another, almost hidden pocket; accessed from slightly underneath the top of the shoulder straps is a zone that can take a 15-inch video-editing laptop, though an upper area can also take a tablet, even an iPad Pro.
Although well padded and protective, this zone seems to push a little backwards into the bag’s main area. There’s a reason for that because as well designed as it is for laptops and tablets this zone is also custom-made for hydration bladders. Place a couple of litres in this zone’s upper pocket and the drinking tube can be fed through the top of the bag and clipped to the right-hand shoulder strap.
Verdict
The GoPro Daytripper’s compatibility with hydration bladders – as well as its relatively small yet incredibly efficient design – really impresses. At a snap it makes the Daytripper into a great daysack for skiing, cycling, hiking and general urban use.
With a compact design, a stable fit and, of course, that handy GoPro shoulder mount, the Daytripper impresses as an all-round daypack for any outdoor adventure – and even as a sturdy commuting bag.
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