In one look
Expert Rating
Benefits
- Large removable padded laptop sleeve
- Practical volume and layout of compartments
The inconvenients
- Could use a more durable base
Our verdict
Whether for shopping, sports or going to the office, the Refugio Daypack backpack adapts perfectly to its use. This ecological backpack is characterized by beautiful detailed solutions and a good price.
Best prices today: Patagonia Refugio Daypack 26L
$159.95
Studying in the morning, shopping in the afternoon, playing sports in the evening, going to your parents’ house on the weekend… If a backpack can handle all of that, it’s perfect for a student. But the Patagonia Refugio Daypack 26L is ideal for anyone who’s always on the go, whether for work or play.
Made entirely of recycled polyester (it does not contain any perfluorinated chemicals), the Refugio Daypack 26L has good waterproofing for outdoor use when hiking or cycling. The back padding is well thought out and offers a ventilation channel for the back, and the shoulder straps are also very comfortable and easy to adjust. It lacks a hip belt, but there is a height-adjustable chest strap, important for ensuring a good fit when running or cycling.
Patagonia came up with the idea of offering a separate, well-padded sleeve that protects a laptop and offers enough space for a 16-inch MacBook Pro. The sleeve is removable and without the sleeve, this space in the Refugio Daypack 26L is ideal for, for example, a tennis racket. A strong Velcro closure on the laptop sleeve ensures protection even when the sleeve is used alone. Once inside the backpack, the laptop sleeve is secured via a Velcro loop in the back compartment of the backpack.
The Refugio Daypack 26L backpack has a total capacity of 26 liters, divided into three compartments. The main compartment is very spacious. It can hold either a folder with books or even a pair of shoes and a change of clothes. A large mesh pocket in the backpack offers enough space for pens, cables and a USB-C hub. The small compartment on the front is ideal for tissues, keys or other small items. There are mesh compartments for water bottles on both sides. Patagonia has also provided several loops, one of which can be used for a bicycle tail light.
With its dimensions of 45 x 30.4 x 16.5 centimeters, the Refugio Daypack 26L remains compact and weighs only 735 grams. We would modify this backpack, however: use a harder and darker material for the base to protect it from wear.
Should you buy the Patagonia Refugio Daypack 26L?
Patagonia is a brand known for its environmental awareness and offers a well thought-out backpack with the Refugio Daypack. It covers a wide range of uses and therefore makes compromises compared to specialized laptop backpacks. But whether for the office, hiking, shopping or sports, the Refugio Daypack impresses.
This article was originally published on Macwelt and was translated by Romain Loyola.
This article was originally published in our sister publication Macwelt and has been translated and localized from German.
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