Toward the end of June, I got a package from Eastern Mountain Sports with their new women’s Nyssa daypack. Knowing I’d be spending my summer working at an overnight camp, I couldn’t wait for it to arrive. I’d been relying heavily on my Incase P-Rod Backpack living my life as a faux-skateboarder. And while I absolutely adore that pack (and the compliments it brings), I needed something more fitting for camp and my EMS daypack came at the perfect time.
After sporting the bag over the past couple weeks around camp, on hikes and during overnight trips, I felt like I was finally ready to put together my review. The most important components of a quality bag for me are aesthetic, design, comfort and durability. As it turns out, the Nyssa daypack fares well in each of those categories and it’s become a staple item in my day-to-day attire.
Here’s the rundown:
Aesthetic • Rating: 3.5/5
I have to admit, when I removed my daypack from it’s UPS packaging, I was taken aback when I saw the uber-girly flower design embroidered on the front. I’m a sporty kinda girl so; the flowers weren’t my cup of tea. I’ve since learned that the embroidery symbolizes the Nyssa shade tree that the daypack is named after, which is pretty cool. Feminine embroidery aside, I’m a huge fan of earth tones so the green colorway was a plus.
Design • Rating: 4.5/5
I’m notorious for packing every travel-sized gadget I own when I’m on the road (and in general). The Nyssa accommodates my techie obsession. With eight (8) different compartments (some with compartments within their compartments); I have ample space for my keys, wallet, laptop, pocket cam, digital cam, battery recharger, tripod, iPod, iPhone and external HD. The laptop compartment is very well-padded and the smaller ones at the top of the bag are lined with fleece. Even after packing the aforementioned items, I still have room for a set of clothes for a day, a good book and two (2) pretty hefty bottles of water (one on either side). Plus, the main compartment has a reservoir sleeve with a hydration port, a feature that I’m new to, but will definitely be taking advantage of.
Comfort • Rating: 5/5
I got teased by one of my Lead Counselors at camp the other night for wearing my pack all the time – including in the Dining Hall. The pack’s strap, shoulder, upper and lower back padding make for a really comfortable wear. Honestly, sometimes I throw stuff in the bag just so I have a reason to wear it. Needless to say, it passes the comfort test with flying colors.
Durability • Rating: 5/5
I’ve packed this bag to capacity on a few occasions and it’s always been sturdy and secure. The super strong, strategically placed CORDURA® fabric adds a cool flair aesthetically but more importantly, protects the pack from wear and tear. I would have loved to see more of it. And my favorite part – the Nyssa is water resistant, which helps tremendously with the heavy rain up in the mountains from time to time. It’s also nice to know that I can leave electronics in my bag without having to worry about them getting damaged.
Overall, the Nyssa daypack scores an 18 out of a possible 20. It’s perfectly sized, has lots of storage space, is super comfortable, sturdy and looks pretty spiffy (even with the embroidery). If you’re shopping for a daypack that’s not too bulky and can accommodate pretty much any daily activity you can think of, this is the one.
Purchase it online here or in-store for just $85. EMS has some great summer sales going right now, too, so you may be able to get the pack (and other items) for even less.
