I was recently able to review the Boreas Gear Larkin for ActionHub, which is a day pack ideal for adventures both in the wilderness and in the city. The 18-liter pack is just the right size for day hikes, as well as for cycling and commuting, and transitions easily between city and natural environments with its sleek design.

San Francisco-based Boreas Gear was founded in 2010 by Tae Kim, former design director for The North Face. “I was traveling a lot at the same time, running into all these people who were [balancing] travel, outdoor activities, cultural activities, and working at non-profits,” Kim recalled. “A lot of brands were just making the same stuff with all of these crazy, unnecessary pockets. It was a nice opportunity to make some refreshingly new, simple product designs centered around adventure travel.”

He said the focus for Boreas Gear—as well as his other brand, Alite Designs—was to only create products that were need-based in the market. The intention was never to go out and recreate the best existing products, but rather to fill a void. With the creation of the Larkin, the brand has done just that.

When my search for the perfect day pack began during a summer spent in Breckenridge, Colorado, I was disappointed with the lack of options available. That was two years ago and I can’t say my search has improved much since then. For day hikes, I’ve either taken my traditional-sized backpack or a small hydration pack. Neither of these are ideal. The traditional pack is a bit too large for a day hike, but I opt to use it when I need to pack a jacket and food. The hydration pack is of great quality, but still a bit too small. I’d like room to fold a jacket into it, but don’t want excess space leftover. Most brands don’t offer a pack at this ideal size.

My favorite feature the Larkin offers is its narrow design. It fits snugly on my back and doesn’t shift around often, even when the waist and sternum straps are not fastened. There is additional space in the top of the pack, which I consider to be a more functional design than the traditional backpacks that are narrow at the top and wide at the bottom. The pack also includes a hydration sleeve and port, hidden gear loops, adjustable sternum strap, and an expandable exterior stretch pocket.

Alone, the pack weighs a little more than one pound and has an 18.5-inch torso. It was extremely lightweight even when filled with a pair of sandals, a jacket, solar charger, snacks, and a large water bottle. I took the Larkin on a three-hour hike and barely noticed its weight, leaving me satisfied with the design as well as the comfort of the shoulder straps. The straps are normally my biggest cause of concern, as my skin is easily irritated by certain fabrics, especially when temperatures are high.

The only feature of the pack I wasn’t crazy about was the open pocket on the outside. While this is extremely handy for throwing your cell phone and other small belongings into for easy access, the fact that it didn’t close in any way made me worried about rain protection. If it started to rain on a hike, I think it’s likely I would forget to move my phone inside the pack.

In addition to half-day hikes, which the Larkin proved to be ideal for, I’ve been able to use it on a daily basis as well. It’s the perfect size to take while running errands around town, specifically on a bike. I’ve also started taking the small pack to yoga class so I have an easy place to store my shoes, jacket, keys, and other belongings during class. This makes leaving the studio far less hectic, as I’m able to simply grab my things and get out of the way rather than stumble around while I put my shoes on and try to find my keys.

Overall, I’d say this is a small pack perfect for day hikes or simply to use while commuting or running errands. The shoulder straps are comfortable and designed for hours of wear, so for anyone who is focused on the quality of material, it’s a great choice.

The original price of the pack is $99.99, but Boreas Gear currently has it on sale for $70. In my mind, this sale price is perfect for the high-quality day pack. I would say the original price is a bit high, as I would expect something larger and more equipped for multi-day hikes if I’m spending that much money. It’s available in blue, black, and green.

To learn more about Boreas Gear, visit the website or read my feature story that includes an interview with Tae Kim. Check out the video below that provides additional details about the Larkin.