Our Verdict
Sleek, minimalist and ready for any occasion, the DSPTCH Daypack is thoughtfully designed and built to last a lifetime.
Pros
- Durable
Built to last, the DSPTCH daypack is made with very durable material with a sleek style and functionality.
- Urban aesthetic
Smart and minimalistic, it’s versatile for school, travel, trails and whatnot without being overwhelming.
- Water-resistant
The fabric protects the contents of your bag from spills and rain.
- Lightweight
At only 2lbs, the daypack is an ultra-lightweight bag designed for the casual commute to the more strenuous outdoor adventure.
- Dedicated laptop pocket
Like what you’d expect from modern backpacks, the pack has a dedicated and protected space that can fit a 16-inch laptop.
- Lifetime warranty
Should your bag develop issues, DSPTCH has a lifetime warranty. They’ll repair any of their items free of charge over manufacturing.
Cons
- Shoulder strap pads
The straps are not well contoured and is therefore not the most comfortable to wear, especially for long hours.
- A bit pricey
It’s a bit expensive and so not the best option for those on a tight budget.
- Internal Front Pocket is constricted:
The pocket inside the front compartment is not easy to access because it’s hidden at the bottom.
Pros
- Durable
Built to last, the DSPTCH daypack is made with very durable material with a sleek style and functionality.
- Urban aesthetic
Smart and minimalistic, it’s versatile for school, travel, trails, and whatnot without being overwhelming.
- Water-resistant
The fabric protects the contents of your bag from spills and rain.
- Lightweight
At only 2lbs, the daypack is an ultra-lightweight bag designed for the casual commute to the more strenuous outdoor adventure.
- Dedicated laptop pocket
Like what you’d expect from modern backpacks, the pack has a dedicated and protected space that can fit a 16-inch laptop.
- Lifetime warranty
Should your bag develop issues, DSPTCH has a lifetime warranty. They’ll repair any of their items free of charge over manufacturing.
Cons
- Shoulder strap pads
The straps are not well contoured and is therefore not the most comfortable to wear, especially for long hours.
- A bit pricey
It’s a bit expensive and so not the best option for those on a tight budget.
- Internal Front Pocket is constricted:
The pocket inside the front compartment is not easy to access because it’s hidden at the bottom.
DSPTCH Daypack Review 2021
DSPTCH has been touted to be a well-designed minimalist pack that’s functional and built to last a lifetime.
But just how great is it?
After all, selecting an EDC backpack deserves careful consideration since it’s going to be your daily companion for months, if not years, to come.
You want to it to suit your taste.
You also want it to be suitable for different environments – be it work, hikes or overnight trips with friends, it should be able to handle pretty much anything you throw at it.
Of course, practical organization and comfort are a definite plus as well.
So how well does the DSPTCH Daypack measure up to these criteria and is it the right pack for you?
Let’s find out together in this DSPTCH Daypack Review!
DSPTCH in a Snapshot
DSPTCH (pronounced “dispatch”) is a San Francisco based brand with products that caters to the “modern professional” while its functional and durable.
They are also dedicated to creating products with clean and minimal look- even to the point of removing unnecessary vowels (I and a) from their brand’s name.
From making camera straps out of an apartment in 2010, they have expanded their product lines to include different backpacks, duffels, apparels, and other gear like wallet pouch.
The brand has also collaborated with notable companies like Leica, Google, Equinox, etc.
Even better, all of their products are made in the US, and comes with a lifetime guarantee to back up their quality.
Table of Contents
Design & Quality
First off, it’s pronounced “Dispatch,” and not by reading out the alphabet D-S-P-T-C-H, like someone I know (don’t look at me)!
With that out of the way, I’ll start with the obvious: The Daypack is a good looking bag. If you happen to have a thing for a minimalist design, that still manages to have a lot of nice features, then you’re in for a treat!
The bag looks very polished and clean so much that even the water bottle pocket is inside the bag and there are limited and only necessary straps, buckles and external pockets.
Take a moment to appreciate that.
Available in 5 different colors, you have the option of either going for grey, moss, navy, olive and my favorite, black, simply because it goes with everything and doesn’t show stains easily.
With a look that’ll fit right in in the city, at the office, travel, or just exploring the outdoors, one feature I really appreciate is how it is designed to function in any environment.
Materials & Construction
The DSPTCH daypack construction is excellent and I feel comfortable saying this bag can last years.
The materials used are high quality — 1680D ballistic nylon on the outside, 410D nylon pack cloth on the inside, closed-cell foam, smooth YKK zippers, with Mil spec webbing and Duraflex hardware.
Aside being very tough and durable, it’s also water resistant.
The inside and outside have DWR coating to ensure that your bag and the items inside are well protected from rain or spills.
The Daypack itself measures 10x18x8 inches with a 22L capacity and comes in at 2 lb 12 ozs, making it suitable for everything from the city to summit but with a laidback design that makes it an instant appeal to minimalists.
A very impressive feature is how this bag can stay upright always and give optimal protection to your back and electronic devices thanks to the closed cell foam padding.
The inside has enough space and pockets for organization as well as a padded laptop compartment. Also, there are two plastic d-rings on the outside – useful for attaching different items and accessories quickly while on the go.
However, there are less than impressive features in its construction.
The front has a vertical zipper that can get quite difficult to access items in there especially when the bag is tight and stuffed.
What’s more?
The DSPTCH daypack is made in the USA and comes with a lifetime guarantee for added value.
Fit & Comfort
The DSPTCH daypack has some decent padding on the back panel and the shoulder straps are slightly contoured and supported with a tough closed-cell foam, which also lines the back panel.
However, some users have found that the pack isn’t the most comfortable because the shoulder straps design are not well contoured and the paddings aren’t robust enough.
See, bags with fully contoured straps are much more comfortable for all body frame but the Daypack is slightly behind in this regard.
Compression straps
Even though the bag is not very big, there are compression straps on either side to maintain a streamlined look even when your bag is packed out.
To be honest, I don’t think a 22L backpack really needs compression straps since it’s not a 60L backcountry trekking pack or a big travel pack.
However, on days you want to travel and your pack is loaded out, you may find it handy.
Top grab handle
The top grab handle is thick and well-padded such that whenever you want to give your back a break, it’ll make for a comfortable carry.
Attachment straps
On the bottom of the bag are two additional compression/attachment straps where you can strap items like a sleeping mat, a tripod or a jacket.
Again, not necessary but it doesn’t hurt to have.
Throw in a good sternum strap, and two straps on the bottom for strapping additional items or to further compress the bottom of the bag, and you’ve got a nifty little pack here.
Storage & Organization
At 22L, The DSPTCH Daypack offers an impressive amount of organization you’d need in a daily carry- from your laptop to your small items and even an extra set of clothes!
Front Vertical Compartment
In front of the exterior is the vertical zippered quick-access pocket with accessory loop and a couple of slots and pockets to help organize your smaller items (e.g., phone, keys, pens, sunglasses, etc.).
This compartment also has a small mesh pocket down at the bottom, which is not great on the designer’s part.
The only issue here is that the mesh pocket is way below the main vertical pocket, so it’s a little harder to you to have easy access.
If the pocket was moved up, I would have appreciated it better.
Main Compartment
It has one main compartment which includes water bottle holders, tablet sleeves, a mesh zippered pocket and space for those big items.
The zippered mesh pocket is at the top and is a great place to store smaller items like wallet, cords or smaller electronics.
I do however have a few bones to pick with the design here.
For one, the mesh zip pocket can get torn due to pointed items and when overstuffed, may give the bag a bulgy look.
Internal water bottle pocket
The water bottle pocket is located inside the bag in other to maintain a clean exterior, so you don’t have to deal with a busy or bulgy bag. While that’s noble, I’m wary of this design because if the bottle sweats or spills, items inside the bag would get wet too.
Padded laptop compartment
At the back is a dedicated and well-padded 16-inch laptop compartment.
In here, it features a Velcro and thick plastic backing that keeps the backpack rigid and also has additional space for documents you don’t want rumpled.
D-rings
On the sides of the DSPTCH Daypack are two D-rings that can be used for additional attachments.
This is by no mean a small daypack. It can hold your daily items, even a sweatshirt or travel necessities. If bulgy, you have clip on both sides to tighten the bag and make it compact.
I however like that it maintains a clean and minimalist profile on the outside, even when stuffed full.
Price
To be fair, the DSPTCH daypack is expensive: a price point of 198$ may be a bit high for some since products made in the US tend not to be cheap.
But for something so well designed and so sturdily built, and backed by a lifetime guarantee, it is worth it.
However, if you’re on a budget, you can go for a cheaper one like the North Face Borealis Backpack.
Note: The DSPTCH Daypack has a RND Edition- White Dyneema that is much more expensive at 360$ than the regular pack.
Warranty
The DSPTCH Daypack offers a lifetime warranty.
What this means is that the warranty covers manufacturing faults in materials and workmanship of the pack.
It however doesn’t include damages that result from wear and tear, accident, the natural breakdown of colors and materials over extended time and use or airline luggage mishandlings.
To evaluate if your used DSPTCH Daypack falls under their lifetime warranty, or if you have any issues with the product, all you have to do is contact them.
You can learn more about it here.
Alternative to consider: The DSPTCH RND Dyneema Daypack
If you want something much stronger, lighter and extra durable, don’t worry, the rugged DSPTCH RND Dyneema Backpack comes to the rescue.
The RND Dyneema backpack is an upgraded replica of the Daypack, but just better.
Same features and design, the main difference is in the material construction- Dyneema Fabric instead of nylon.
Although both are strong fabrics, Dyneema is stronger, lighter and more weatherproof than nylon and can take a beating better when compared to nylon.
And oh, the DSPTCH Daypack RND Dyneema is much more expensive at 360$ than the regular pack as expected.
Overall, this is a great backpack that’s incredibly well made to survive travel or heavy-duty use.
You can check it out here.
Final Thoughts
We’ve come to the end of my DSPTCH Daypack review.
The DSPTCH Daypack is quite close to the perfect durable and versatile pack for daily use, quick trips or the outdoors.
As we’ve discovered in this DSPTCH Daypack review, the quality material, lightweight and weather resistant features of this bag allows you to carry the bag anyhow you like it and wherever you want to go.
While it may not be the most comfortable or most organized, it’s still a decent pack you’ll grow to get used to and love.
In this DSPTCH Daypack review, we have explored the good, bad and ugly aspects of the bag so you can make an informed decision.
But if you still have and question you are welcome to drop me a comment below.
If you want a backpack that can protect your valuables from pickpockets, check out my comprehensive review on the 9 backpacks with hidden pockets.
This article is not sponsored in any way by any company. This backpack have been independently selected by myself and my team. And the only thing I receive is a small commission from our affiliate program if you buy any of them through the links and buttons on this page. It doesn’t cost you a penny. But it really helps me out as this money goes to paying for maintaining the website, editing software, my time, team and everything else that goes into preparing this post.
8 thoughts on “DSPTCH Daypack Review | Just How Reliable Is It?”
Hey Femi, your backpack reviews are THE best! So much useful info and you lay it out perfectly for the reader to view. This is such a slick looking bag! However, I don’t think it is office-appropriate but then again, someone might as well be able to pull off that look. I just feel that it looks a tad bit on the bulky side, even though the backpack itself is lightweight as you pointed out. I love that it has this feature that it somehow stays upright. I have had the biggest issue with bags always tilting over as soon as you put them down because of the weight. All in all, a great review once again for a great backpack. I can’t wait to travel again and use a backpack like this! It’s just on the pricey end but hey, good quality and with all those features isn’t going to be cheap! So it seems like a worthy investment!
Thank you again for this review!:)
Hi, great bags. I want one; it looks much lighter than my old one. Time for a new one. Not sure about the water bottle holder; I have mine on the outside of my bag. I think I would be worried about it being so close to the computer. All in all, I love the design.
Hey,
DSPATCH looks like a really nice bag and could serve me well when I go back to work. I have been working at home for over a year now and my bag needs to be revamped, or I need to get a new one 🙂
The price does seem quite high at $198. But, hopefully that means the bag will be a lot more robust and reliable. We all need workbags that last, especially when they are being carried every day when we are travelling etc. We are carrying laptops and other delicate materials, so hopefully the DSPATCH will be a solid bag.
I will let you know if I invest in this bag and I will give you my review of it after using it for a period of time.
Thank you for sharing and keep up the great work.
All the best,
Tom
This look like very nice bags. Water resistance is very important for me, next space and then weight. These bags cover all these attributes. I have to say the bags look very nice as well. The life time warranty is also very nice. Even if it is a little pricey you know you are getting quality and that is very important.
I must say I love these bag reviews and can also find something I need.
Hi
Nice review! What attracts me about the DSPTCH is the lifetime guarantee and its resistance to water. I am always on the move for new adventure, I think this bag suit me at best ; robust, easy to use and beautiful!
Thanks for sharing with us
Cheers
Femi,
I know that you pointed out that the lifetime warranty doesn’t cover wear and tear or airline misuse, but I do like that it comes with the lifetime over damaged materials or other items. It’s not often that you find bags with a warranty period, and this one having that is definitely a pro.
I also think the water bottle inside though might be a bad idea, especially with my laptop inside with it. My water bottles do tend to sweat a lot, so I may need to find another one that you mentioned with the bottle outside of the bag.
But I’ll look for one that has a warranty, since that is a huge perk for me these days.
Thanks for sharing this useful information! Like this one, but I think I want to keep my bottle outside like you mentioned! Good point on that.
Katrina
You’re not the only one who read the backpack’s name by the letters. I was thinking, “why would anyone name their product like that?” Until you wrote that it’s pronounced “dispatch”, lol.
It looks nice and practical and I especially like that it has a padded laptop compartment. The internal front pocket might perhaps be wasted space for me, since you mentioned that it is a little at the bottom, so I would have trouble sticking things in there or remembering they were there 😉 On the other hand, that internal front pocket might also be a safe storage for items of value, so there’s a big con there too. 🙂
Hi Femi,
DSPATCH looks like a really nice bag and could serve me well when I go back to work. I loved the detailed review about the review and after reading this article I am now able to make a decision of which bag to buy!
The pros and cons which you mentioned are very helpful as it helps in decision making.
But I think the price of these bags are too high which restricts a common man from buying it. I had a question regarding the purchase of the bag! From which website we can buy this bag at some goo discount?
Thank you!
Cheers!