Roadcycling.com reviews the CamelBak Geary Daypack.
At 2100 cubic inches, Camelbak says the Geary backpack is designed for multiple applications from weekend use to the daily grind. After months of just that, this reviewer has found the Geary to fulfill my needs.
My intention with the Geary was using it for commuting and business-related needs. One of the best features was the inner pouch for my laptop. The pouch holds it against your back. It makes sense to place the heaviest item there. Padding on both sides of the pouch helps protect it.
The remainder of the interior compartment is open. At times, I found myself digging to the bottom to find items that settled. I wondered if it would have been better to have this compartment divided. However, when using this as a weekender suitcase, it seemed it was easy to pack clothing. I also found the open interior to be better for file folders and a portfolio.
The top exterior compartment is flannel lined which is perfect to prevent items from getting scratched. I used it for an MP3 player, sunglasses, and a cell phone. The other exterior compartment has an abundance of various sized sections for all your business needs. The bottom of the pack has a hidden pocket that stores a mesh net. When needed, it snaps to the pack with quick release buckles. It can hold large items such as a bicycle helmet or even packages.
There are two side pouches on the Geary. One is specifically designed to accommodate the Camelbak Better Bottle. There are strategically placed cutouts and loops to attach an optional drinking tube so you don’t have to remove the bottle from the side compartment. The water bottle pocket has a slit in the bottom for moisture to drain.
CamelBak Geary review. The CamelBak Geary is a day pack that can be used in multiple applications, from hiking on the weekends to the daily grind. Mobilize your entire day with easy-to-use and well-planned organization pockets, plus an oversized main compartment for the commuter with a laptop. Perfect for navigating the nearby trails or simply the trail to class/work (Description from CamelBak.com).
The ergonomic shoulder straps were wide enough not to dig into your skin and, at the same time, were not bulky. The back of the pack is a quilted, breathable mesh. This mesh is also on the back of the shoulder straps. This kept my back dry. I like the optional vertical adjustment of the chest strap.
When I was on the bike with a heavy load, such as my laptop, the pack did sway slightly. This usually occurred when taking off from a standing start or out of the saddle during a brisk acceleration. This was usually taking off from a stoplight. Perhaps a waist strap would have helped stabilize the side-to-side movement at those times.
It’s the little things that Camelbak has designed into this pack that make it an excellent product. Examples are the adjustable chest strap, reflectorized webbing and piping, and the heavy duty carry handle. In addition, there are gussets on the side pouches so everything doesn’t fall out when you unzip them. Speaking of zippers, they all have large pull tabs for ease of use even when wearing gloves. I was always able to find a place for the things I needed to carry. I appreciated the many options available to me for organization.
To say the Geary is just a daypack is an understatement. The capacity and features seem to be never ending. The designers at Camelbak have made a product that works in the real world. It is obvious the features were meant to make life easier for the consumer. All of this would be meaningless if the product lacked quality. Not so with Camelbak. Again, after months of use, there are barely any scuffs on the durable fabric. All seams remain intact with not so much as a loose thread anywhere. Camelbak said it best when they described this as "perfect for navigating the nearby trails or simply the trail to class/work." I couldn't agree more.
