Six Moon Designs Wy’East Daypack Overview

Backside Line

The Six Moon Designs Wy’East is an ultralight daypack for minimalist hikers who need loads of area for gear-intensive day hikes or ultralight overnighters. That’s why we added it to our listing of the finest climbing daypacks of 2025.

After 250 miles of dayhikes and overnights within the Colorado Rockies, Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer’s favourite factor about this pack is its versatility. It’s mild sufficient to hold over lengthy distances however cavernous sufficient to haul cumbersome gear for winter day hikes, because of its 30-liter capability. The thick, adjustable foam shoulder straps and detachable waist belt enable for personalization. So does the mushy foam backer pad, which doubles as a sit pad for breaks on the path. Its flexibility shines on light-weight day hikes and brief overnighters. 

Throughout testing on steep, rocky trails and forested paths, it dealt with mild masses properly with out compromising consolation. Nonetheless, this pack has some quirks. For instance, the froth backer lacks rigidity for heavier masses, and the hydration reservoir compatibility isn’t one of the best. We additionally discover accessing the sit pad awkward when the bag is totally packed. However when you’re an ultralight hiker, none of those can be dealbreakers. This pack delivers relating to a big capability for day hikes and in a single day adventures.

Consolation

For an ultralight, larger-capacity daypack, the Wy’East is a snug decide. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer used this pack from summer time to winter for shorter day journeys with bigger gear hauls and in a single day adventures with an ultralight setup. The thick, adjustable foam shoulder straps conformed properly to his physique kind and supplied respectable cushioning with out compromising flexibility. He may regulate the sternum strap and waist straps, too. We discovered the mushy foam backer added further padding and guarded our backs from cumbersome gear. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer beloved eradicating the froth backer to make use of it as a sit pad to maintain his bum off the bottom throughout break time.

The draw back of this design? The froth backer is mushy, however it could not present sufficient construction to hold heavy masses comfortably. Our testing additionally revealed this bag didn’t match the air flow of different packs, which made it much less snug on scorching and humid days, particularly on powerful routes with numerous ascent and descent. The broader shoulder straps additionally have been a bit uncomfortable for Ian after 5 hours or climbing with a fully-loaded bag of round 23 kilos. That mentioned, these consolation tradeoffs received’t be an issue for people who prioritize a light-weight day pack.

Group

The Wy’East’s pockets garnered combined evaluations from our testers. We discovered the shoulder pockets have been the proper measurement for a snack bar, satellite tv for pc machine, and a chapstick however not huge sufficient to suit a cellphone. The detachable hip belt consists of small pockets – which did match our iPhone and Android. This mannequin additionally has a high “mind” pocket with a zipper and a key clip for straightforward entry to smaller objects, nevertheless it was too flat and slim for holding a lot besides smaller objects. The hidden zippered pocket inside is a pleasant contact, nevertheless it’s in a clumsy spot for entry when the bag is loaded to the highest.

Regardless of these drawbacks, this 30-liter pack was certainly one of our testers’ favorites for winter and shoulder-season adventures the place carrying gear is necessary. Its foremost compartment and beneficiant entrance exterior pocket supplied loads of room to stash our jacket and hat. Nonetheless, we would have liked to pack fastidiously due to the pack’s restricted construction. Ian likes working a stretchy wire by means of daisy chains when attainable for an additional place to stash a midlayer or a puffy jacket when not in use. He discovered this bag could possibly be rigged for any journey with its eight daisy chains, trekking pole loops, and ice axe loop.

Consumer-Friendliness

This daypack’s simple design shines when you love simplicity on path. The cinch-top closure and mind clips are simple to safe, offering flexibility for various load sizes. Deep facet and entrance pockets enable for fast entry, maintaining water bottles and jackets inside attain. Shoulder strap pockets provide handy storage for snacks or a cellphone, making it simple to seize necessities with out eradicating the pack. Total, the dearth of zippers and pointless straps provides to its attraction for ultralight hikers preferring perform over frills so you’ll be able to deal with the path as an alternative of fiddling together with your gear.

That mentioned, when you choose a extra conventional pack design, some options could possibly be extra intuitive. For instance, the hydration reservoir system isn’t our favourite – the pocket solely suits lengthy and slender bladders. Threading the consuming tube by means of the tiny holes is cumbersome, and there’s nowhere to safe the nozzle on the shoulder straps, leaving it to dangle awkwardly. 

This pack could really feel too stripped down for customers who worth further performance, however the Wy’East is pretty user-friendly for a big, ultralight bag.

Weight and Compressibility

Weighing just one lb, 9 oz, this daypack strikes a superb steadiness between capability and minimalism. Its 30-liter quantity is spectacular for such a low weight. The nylon Robic cloth retains the burden down and affords stable sturdiness with out including a lot bulk. 

Regardless of its plentiful pockets, the profile stays slim and lightweight, even on longer hikes. It nonetheless folds down simply for storage in a trunk or gear room. The principle assist comes from a sit pad, so it may be rolled into a reasonably small package deal for storage or journey. For instance, we packed this bag into baggage for a visit to Vancouver, Canada, for a weekend backpacking journey.

On the draw back, the Wy’East doesn’t have facet compression straps, so it’s restricted in how small it may shrink. With out these, it may really feel awkwardly cumbersome when packed full. Additionally, people preferring the traditional construction of a daypack could discover this one too mild, too huge, and a bit too floppy for a lot of use circumstances – particularly when you stick to shorter hikes and extra informal outings. For ultralight hikers and minimalists, nonetheless, this mixture of area and weight is a standout characteristic.

Sturdiness

Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer discovered the Wy’East extremely dependable after bushwhacks and hard trails. His pack continues to appear like new after sitting on tough grime, dragging over rocks, and bumping towards bushes. Considerate building, together with double-stitched seams and solely two slim zippers, reduces weak factors. Sturdy clips and durable cinch cords are resilient, and even the stash pockets and water bottle sleeves are strengthened to face as much as frequent use.

That mentioned, the Wy’East isn’t invincible. Our stitching is starting to fray the place the shoulder straps are connected to the body. Ian additionally patched a small puncture on the left facet from a pointy rock in Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park. For tough, multi-day treks with heavy masses, a extra strong choice is perhaps needed. That mentioned, we’ve used this bag over 250 miles, and it reveals no indicators of slowing down anytime quickly. Should you’re in search of a reliable light-weight pack, this design balances weight and longevity successfully.

Do you have to purchase the Six Moon Designs Wy’East Daypack?

The Wy’east daypack is an effective selection for ultralight hikers who desire a versatile, low weight pack with a big capability for bigger gear hauls and brief overnights. Its 30-liter measurement is ideal for lengthy day hikes or fast in a single day journeys, particularly if you have already got a minimalist package. Nonetheless, this pack isn’t your best option for individuals who want heavy-duty assist for giant or awkward masses. Moreover, smaller-framed hikers would possibly discover the huge shoulder straps uncomfortable. However when you’re trying to drop your base weight for day hikes or brief overnights, the Wy’East delivers as a flexible, ultralight, massive pack that’s prepared for journey.

What different day packs must you take into account for climbing?

For choice choices, please browse our information to the Greatest Daypacks for Climbing.

REI Path 25 Overview: The REI Path 25 pack shines for people searching for a sturdy, versatile bag for day hikes and concrete adventures at a a lot lower cost.

Thriller Ranch Gallagator Overview: We choose this pack for its smaller, extremely environment friendly design on hikes the place fast entry to gear and group are key.

Gregory Zulu 30 Overview: The Gregory Zulu 30 is ideal for hikers tackling heavy masses in cooler seasons or people preferring a conventional, extremely sturdy pack with best-of-the-best carrying consolation.