Loving The Great Outdoors
A close look at the Hikelite 26: At the start of 2019 we decided that we would give ourselves the kick up the backside that we needed to become a more healthier and active family. We have always had a love of the great outdoors, we enjoy nothing more than quality-time together as a family out on an adventure.
With having two dogs, a Siberian Husky, and a German Shephered we are always out walking daily with them both. Since January and the start of our new healthy-lifestyle, these walks are much more longer and we are often found out on day-hikes now rather than just a quick dog walk round the park.
Daily Hikes
With having big, active, energetic dogs you can just imagine how much they absolutely love hiking with us. We pack up a bag with all needed essentials for the day and go off enjoying our hiking adventures together.
The Osprey Hikelite 26 Rucksack
We have recently been using a rucksack called Osprey Hikelite 26, in Shitake Grey. This rucksack has been perfect for our day-hikes. It is a simple, yet effective daypack. So far it has been a perfect size rucksack for our day-hikes and adventures, providing us with more than enough space for our essentials.
The Osprey Hikelite 26 rucksack has a lot of perfect features to it. We can now see why this rucksack is very popular amongst hikers. This Hikelite has some very unique and very helpful features to it that we have found extreamly useful which has helped to make our hikes so much more comfortable and enjoyable.
A Quick Overview
- Osprey Hikelite 26 Rucksack
- Volume: 26L
- Weight: 735g
- Dimensions: H48cms x W28cms x D28cms
- Fabric: Main:100D Nylon Mini Diamond Shadow. Base: 500D Nylon Packcloth.
- AirSpeed trampoline suspended mesh back system for ventilation and comfort.
- Integrated raincover that is detachable.
- Internal hydration sleeve compatible with all hydraulics reservoirs.
- Removable webbing hipbelt.
- A front shove pocket.
- Stretch mesh side pockets.
- Side compression straps.
- Zippered panel access.
- Trekking pole attatchment.
- Zippered panel scratch-free pocket. Perfect for electronics or sunglasses.
- Sternum strap with emergency whistle.
Lightweight
The Hikelite Osprey Rucksack can be purchased in two different sizes, 18L or 26L. We have been using the 26L rucksack on our daily hikes. We have found the Hikelite to be incredibly lightweight which has been perfect. The last thing needed when hiking is excess weight on our shoulders!
Comfort
With the Hikelite being lightweight it is great as it helps add to the comfort of this lovely rucksack.
With the weather being so lovely lately and the rucksack having an excellent feature of AirSpeed trampoline suspended ventilated mesh back system. This allowed perfect airflow whilst out on our hikes, which saves us from getting too hot and sweaty. Meaning less sweat and more enjoyment.
Hiking alone can make us hot and sweaty without the added heat from carrying a rucksack. This rucksack is lovely, light and perfectly comfortable and ventilated.
Straps And Belts
Hip Belt: This is a perfect feature for anyone who struggles to keep their rucksacks on or in position – just like I do, isn’t it annoying. The hip belt is adjustable and adjusts with ease so you can adjust it for comfort to suit you. It is also removeable. We have found it to be a perfect feature for added comfort, helping our rucksack to stay in position whilst on the move.
Sternum Strap: Do you hate it when your rucksack straps keep moving or falling off? I do, it is so annoying. The Hikelite has sternum straps that helps to add comfort as well as hold your shoulder straps in position. We found the sternum straps worked perfectly and held those shoulder straps in position every time. Saved me from having to keep holding the shoulder straps and adjusting the bag when hiking.
Compression Straps: The compression straps on the side of this rucksack we found can be used for a few different things. We used them to secure the load in our rucksack, we also used them to secure the upper part of our “shove-it” pocket in place and we also used them to hold our hiking stick in position. How handy is that?
We found these straps to be a great multi-feature on our rucksack by adding comfort and security to our hike.
Shoulder Straps: The shoulder straps are nice and wide, nicely padded for added comfort and also nice and soft. They are nicely ventilated and have not cut into our shoulders like other rucksacks we have owned. The straps add to the comfort of the bag helping to keep us cool and comfortable when hiking.
Pockets
Side Pockets: On our Hikelite 26 we have two PowerMesh side pockets. These two pockets are strong, deep and extreamly handy for any quick-grab items. We have been using ours for our drink bottles, dog leads, treats & toys.
Shove-It Pocket: A perfect pocket for for any quick-grab clothing. Perfect for keeping a wet jacket seperate from other items. Or just simply shoving a map or travel guide. A perfect pocket to put something in when you simply don’t want to have to open the larger section of the bag.
Zippered Scratch-Free Pocket: I hold my hands up, I am terrible for always putting my keys and phone down when out and forgetting where I have put them. The Hikelite 26 has a perfect pocket for these items. The rucksack has a brilliant scratch-free zippered pocket, perfect for keys, sunglasses and small gadgets. It even has a key attatchment clip where we clip our keys in position when using the rucksack. No more hunting for our keys.
Hydration And Staying Dry
Raincover: Have you ever used a rucksack before now as a shield from the rain? I have. They work as a perfect shield to keep you dry but it’s not so fun when the items inside that rucksack gets wet is it?
There is a brilliant feature about this Hikelite Rucksack, as it comes with it’s very own rain cover. How cool is that? nicely hidden away in it’s very own pocket at the bottom of the rucksack. It’s not only perfect that the rucksack has it’s very own rain cover. It is perfect that it has it’s very own little pocket for two reasons.
- It will never be forgotten.
- When it has been used it is not going to be packed away wet in the main compartment getting everything else wet.
Perfect feature to help keep our rucksack and belongings dry if needed when out hiking.
Hydraulics Reservoir: Keeping our fluid levles up is important, especially when out hiking. This Hikelite rucksack is well equiped to help us stay hydrated as it has an internal hydration sleeve which is compatible with all hydraulics reservoirs.
Overall Opinion
As you have just read, this Hikelite 26 rucksack is not only strong and durable, it has lot’s of perfect features to help keep us all comfortable when out hiking. Not only are the features great, there is also a great amount of space too.
Since using the Hikelite 26 our hikes have been much more enjoyable. It is much more comfortable to carry than our old rucksack. It has kept us much more cooler thanks to the innovated, ventilated design of the back panel.
The rucksack is also supported by good strong quality zips and clasps. The Hikelite is of a perfect size for our day-hikes and has a comfortable amount of space needed. This rucksack has been on many hikes and adventures with us and will be going on many more.
Do you enjoy hiking? does this look like the bag for you? Simply Hike have everything needed for your outdoor adventures.
Disclaimer: We was sent the Hikelite 26 Rucksack for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are our own.
