Refugio Daypack 30L

I couldn’t decide between the old model and the new model so I ordered both and compared them. It wasn’t an easy decision, as both packs had their pros and cons. Overall, it seemed like Patagonia took into account critiques of the previous model but overall they kind of fell short.

PROS:
-The water bottle pockets are improved, feels like they held my bottle more snugly than the previous model.
-The front pocket is super useful. I was able to fit a bulky sweater in it and could have seen myself using it for snacks or trail maps to have them easily accessible.
-The backpack still stands up on its own, like the previous model. It looked less bulky though if you were to fill it completely.
-The backpack is super roomy and you can fit a lot in there.

CONS:
-The mesh material felt very scratchy which I didn’t love. One of the biggest dealbreakers was that weird rubbery feeling coating in the front compartment. That stuff ALWAYS chips and peels and I don’t want to deal with little black flecks of plastic all over my stuff. I checked every other backpack we had in the house and none of them had that material, so I’m not sure why Patagonia put it in this one.
-The other main dealbreaker was the front pocket. The pocket goes all the way down to the bottom of the bag, but the pocket itself doesn’t unzip enough to really access the bottom of the bag. When the main compartment is fully packed it’s basically impossible to reach down to the bottom of the front compartment. There are two organizational pockets but they just feel kind of cheap or like an afterthought.
-One of the things I LOVE about the previous model is that the main compartment zipper opens in front of the water bottle sleeves, meaning if you have them both full like I usually do, it’s so easy to open the main compartment and you don’t have to wrestle to get the zippers out from behind your bottle. This bag has the zipper tracks going right down to the water bottle pockets so that was disappointing.
-There’s no real false bottom on the laptop compartment. It does feel slightly cushioned on the bottom, but you’d still probably want your laptop in a case.
-They took away the load lifter straps on the top but didn’t add a hip belt, which is confusing on a 30L bag. I could see this bag bothering me on long hikes if packed heavy.

Overall it is an alright bag, but I’d definitely consider getting the previous model if you can! I’m going to be returning this one.

I’ll preface by saying I’m by no means a pack expert. I’m very new to this game and I’m coming from an Osprey Quasar (26L) and don’t have experience with the older releases of Refugio. I was looking for something that was a tad larger in terms of volume and this spring release immediately caught my attention. Osprey Comet and Nebula were cross shopped.

What I like:
- new side mesh pockets are DEEP. I can fit my 1. 5 L (50 oz) YETI bottle in these with no issues. A standard 16. 9 oz water bottle will get swallowed by this
- front mesh pocket - the mesh material used on this bag *might* be power mesh cuz there’s little give/stretch to it. I can easily fit light outer garments or joggers in it
- dedicated laptop compartment/hydration bladder - I can fit my 14” in here with no issues. Judging by the space I have left, I can probably squeeze a 16” in here. The Quasar had the laptop pocket in the main pocket so this was a nice change
- daisy chain loops - I know some might hate this, but as someone who likes options, I not only have charms but also other functional items clipped on them

What I don’t like:
- lack of a hip belt - I’m not huge on a hip belt, but it’s one of those things where it’s better to have and not need than need and not have
- no false bottom - if you use the laptop compartment/hydration bladder for a laptop, don’t expect any cushion at the bottom
- bag handle - this handle is extremely flimsy and idk if it’ll hold up that well if frequently being tested with 10 kg / 22 lbs or more
- straps - the sternum and shoulder straps don’t give very well. Trying to tighten/loosen the straps for load adjustments isn’t as easy as other bags
- no quick access pocket - I’m not too pressed about this, as the front mesh basically acts as this for me, but it would’ve been cool to have both

What I haven’t figured out yet:
- zippers - not sure if YKK zippers. They don’t slide as well as my Osprey do, but I don’t have issues with them
- back panel - this is no Airscape type tech, but it’s held up fine so far and kept my back cool enough

The dislikes I’ve listed aren’t super important to me, they’re more just nitpicks from me. Again, coming from someone who isn’t super picky, very easily pleased, and mainly uses this as an EDC bag, I’m extremely pleased with this purchase

Got mine in the mail yesterday. Overall it’s a good bag. I’d give it maybe a 7. 5. I’m comparing it to my 2006 NF Recon which aesthetically looks very similar but functionally doesn’t compare.

My product feedback for their r&d team is:
- The mesh pocket doesn’t replace the front quick access pocket it should go along side it. There should be a zippered quick access pocket right above the mesh pocket. Under the strap.
- there should be compression straps on the bottom of the bag. Functionally these provide a ton of value at little cost.
- I love that you switched back to this kind of mesh. It’s so much better than the stretchy mesh companies are now using. That said. The water bottle pockets don’t need that bottom compression straps just add a pull string cord at the top of the pocket so it can be secured.
- I know Patagonia isn’t huge on hip belts but 30l is a lot for short people like me. Add a hip belt but not something flimsy like the removable ones bags have today but a moderately robust one (compared to today’s standards) that can be tucked away behind the back panel. This should be sewn in not removable.
- The mesh pocket wouldn’t need a drainage hole if the mesh went all the way down to the bottom of the pocket. Instead of reinforcing the pocket with fabric at the bottom, reinforce it with fabric down the middle. This allows for reinforcement and drainage without needing a drainage hole. Currently with the drainage hole there I can’t throw loose change in the mesh pocket because it could fall out and there is no zippered quick access pocket to put it in.
- Use 1000D Cordura
- Sew in the sternum strap.

I’ve listed these in order of importance. Per this new design it seems like Patagonia is going for the early 2000’s look which love and which is why I already have it on day 3 of its release. That said, the quality and functionality don’t match the era you’re going for. Even if it costs more, people will pay for it.

I feel like the Product team who worked on this is a bunch of Gen Zers who were trying to bring back the early 2000’s era but don’t fully understand the quality and functionality they are up against. Aesthetically this bag looks very similar to my 2006 NF Recon but functionally and the quality build they’re not even in the same league.

That said North Face’s current Recon isn’t in the same league either (none of their bags are) and this bag is the closest thing I’ve found in years that comes close. Maybe the 2027 version will have some of the features I listed above.