I'm looking for a day pack as well and would appreciate pointers to what is available, brands etc.

Will be used as a airline cabin bag, a day bag when travelling, and also as a day bag on hunts. A bit of a compromise bag.

I am pretty specific on what I am looking for.

Needs to be:

- airline cabin bag suitable ie size ( ie linear inches 41 to 45 inches - lenght+height+width added togather)

- waterproof

- good quality zips - YKK

- strong fabric and good strong design

- good colours - no bright reds, blue, pink or yellow - camo or dark green is OK. I would like a decent camo or good flat green. In some places camo might not be a good idea and attract attention.

- top zip closing - I don't like drawstring closure as sometimes people "riffle" though cabin bags when no one is looking - also if it needs to be checked in, needs to be able to be locked. Possibly would still have a flat which folds over.

- zips should be able to be padlocked

- good shoulder straps, not the flimsy little ones some touristy packs have

- waist belt.

- camelbak suitab;e - at least 3 litres capacity pocket

- needs to be quite roomy inside to fit a digital SLR camera, a telephoto lens, a largish prof video camera - Canon XM2, other assorted stuff, binoculars etc. Pushing it by then.

- strong to carry weight.

- prefer it to have some outside pockets.

I have a few backpacks, one I have used for tourist trips has been repaired more than once and the rips on the repairs means it is finished. A Lowepro one is too specialised for some use.

Looked at a number of websites. Would prefer to look at real packs but difficult when all the local shops stock pink and yellow girly weak constructed crap ...

Looked at:
- Redoxx - crap shoulder straps - probably not waterproof
- Badlands - either too big or too small and have drawstring tops
- Ebelerstock - weird designs which always have fold out sides, also drawstring closure at top.
- Black wold - tourist crap
- Karrimor - still have a mid sized backpack of theirs from 1982 and it is good green hunting pack - used it a lot - now it is all yellow tourist crap
- Kifaru.

Found the Kifaru Spike Camp which is airline cabin suitable in size though looking right at the maximum. Zip top with a covering flap. Well made etc. Available in camo and even flat green.

Trouble is it looks just a bit big for casual travel day use. And looks like it might get questioned as carry on luggage. Also only one big long inside compartment (plus camelbak slot). Not sure.

I will add some more got to run.

But would appreciate comments on what you guys use and what you recommend and why.