Hyperlite Mountain Gear Daybreak 22 vs Hyperlite Mountain Gear Elevate 22
Quick take: The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Daybreak 22 costs $25 less; the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Elevate 22 is lighter (1.1 vs 1.2 lbs).
Which one to buy
A torso size is the main thing the Elevate 22's extra $25 buys. The Daybreak comes in one size; the Elevate is sold in small, medium and large covering 15-21 in, and on a frameless pack that rides on your shoulders, a harness that matches your back matters more than the liters. The Elevate also rates to 25 lb against the Daybreak's 20, adds a hydration port with a bladder hook, and has a hipbelt that comes off for scrambling.
The Daybreak's case is fabric. It uses DCH 5.1 or 5.9, the thicker of Hyperlite's laminates, where the Elevate uses DCH 3.8, the thinnest, which wears faster on rock. The Daybreak also carries 4.5 L of stretch-mesh outside pockets. Note that the black and white Daybreaks use different laminates, so color changes the fabric.
For most buyers the Elevate is the better pack. The trade is durability: its thinner laminate will show rock wear sooner than the Daybreak's.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Daybreak 22
Best if an average torso fits its one size and you want the thicker laminate for abrasive days at the lower price.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Elevate 22
Worth the extra $25 for a short or long torso, a bladder port, or loads that run past 20 lb.
| Spec | Hyperlite Mountain Gear Daybreak 22 | Hyperlite Mountain Gear Elevate 22 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $240 | $265 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Daypack | Daypack |
| Frame Type | Frameless | Frameless |
| Capacity | 22 L | 22 L |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs | 1.1 lbs |
| Max Load | Up to 20 lbs | Up to 25 lbs |
| Torso Fit | One size | Sized S/M/L: S 15-17 in, M 17-19, L 19-21 in |
| Material | Dyneema Composite Hybrid 5.1 (white) or 5.9 (black) with Dyneema Stretch Mesh | Dyneema Composite Hybrid 3.8 with Dyneema Stretch Mesh UL |
| Back Panel | Frameless; back panel construction not specified | Frameless; back panel construction not specified |
| Adjustable torso | No | No |
| Ventilated back | No | No |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | No | No |
| Removable lid | No | No |
| Hydration sleeve | No | Yes |
| Fits BV500 bear can | No | No |
| Warranty | Guaranteed against manufacturing defects, no term stated | Guaranteed against manufacturing defects, no term stated |
Pros & cons
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Daybreak 22
- ✓DCH 5.1 and 5.9 are the thicker of HMG's laminates, chosen here for scrapes rather than grams.
- ✓4.5 L of external stretch-mesh pocket space keeps layers and bottles outside the main bag.
- ✓19.2 oz is light for a 22 L pack built entirely from laminate.
- ✓$240 is the cheapest way into HMG's day lineup apart from the 30 L Summit.
- ✓One size removes any torso-sizing guesswork for a pack this small.
- ✗The hipbelt is plain webbing with no pockets.
- ✗One size only, so long or short torsos get no alternative.
- ✗20 lb is the lowest load rating among HMG's 22 L packs; the Elevate 22 is rated to 25.
- ✗No hydration sleeve or port is listed.
- ✗Black and white builds use different laminates (5.9 vs 5.1), so colour choice changes the fabric.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Elevate 22
- ✓Three torso sizes in a 22 L daypack, which most brands sell in one.
- ✓17.5-18.0 oz across the sizes, about 1.5 oz under the Daybreak 22.
- ✓Rated to 25 lb, five more than the Daybreak at the same volume.
- ✓Roll-top closure adds volume and sheds rain better than a zip.
- ✓Hydration port and bladder hook for hands-free drinking.
- ✓The hipbelt detaches for scrambling or packing inside a larger bag.
- ✗DCH 3.8 is HMG's thinnest laminate and wears faster on rock than 5.1.
- ✗$265 for 22 L is steep beside fabric daypacks of the same size.
- ✗No hipbelt pockets are listed.
- ✗Torso length is fixed per size rather than adjustable.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Daybreak 22 vs Hyperlite Mountain Gear Elevate 22: common questions
Is the Daybreak 22's thicker fabric worth giving up the Elevate's sizing?▾
Only if the one-size harness fits you well. The DCH 5.1 and 5.9 laminates take scrapes better than the Elevate's DCH 3.8, but a frameless pack that does not fit your torso will be uncomfortable no matter how tough it is.
Can I use a hydration bladder in the Daybreak 22?▾
Not cleanly: the Daybreak has no hydration sleeve or port, while the Elevate 22 has a port and a bladder hook. If you drink from a reservoir, the Elevate is the one set up for it.
Does the color of the Daybreak 22 matter?▾
It does. The white version is built from DCH 5.1 and the black from DCH 5.9, so picking a color also picks the laminate. Both are thicker than the DCH 3.8 on the Elevate 22.