The Lite Werks Daily Dose 55L is an ultralight rolltop backpack weighing 2lb 11 oz, ideal for carrying heavier loads, hauling multisport gear, or foreign travel, where its extra internal and external pockets help keep your documents and maps organized and accessible. It’s made with abrasion-resistant and waterproof Ultra fabrics for extra durability and comes with a pre-bent aluminum frame. However, what sets the Daily Dose apart from other packs is its adjustability and versatility, which allow it to fit a wide range of torso types and carry all kinds of gear, both inside and outside the pack.

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In addition to having an adjustable torso length, the Daily Dose allows you to adjust the width between the shoulder straps and choose from different hipbelt sizes, ensuring a near-custom fit. If you’ve had it trying to fit into the fixed torso and hipbelt ranges offered by other backpack manufacturers or you want a high-functioning pack for extended backpacking trips, you’ll love the Daily Dose’s versatility and fit.

• Weight: 45 oz
• Type: Adjustable Torso Length
• Closure: Rolltop
• Internal Covered Volume: 44L to top of frame, 10L in extension collar with three rolls
• Open Storage: 4L in front pocket, 3L in side pockets
• Pockets: 5 including main; hipbelt (1.5L) and shoulder strap 1L pockets available as extras
• Seam-taped: No
• Load-lifters: Yes
• Torso Sizes: SM = 16″-19″; MD = 19″-22″;LG = 20″-24″.
• Hip belt Sizing: SM = 25″; MD = 31.5″; LG = 34.5″ XL = 39″ (measures length of foam padding, only)
• Shoulder pad length: SM, MD, LG
• Bear Canister Compatibility: BV475 and the Garcia fit horizontally at the bottom of the backpack. The BV500 only fits vertically.
• Backpack Materials: The body is made of Ultra200x, and the Base is made of Ultra400x. The shoulder straps and hip belts utilize 420D pack cloth in combination with Evazote foam for durability, along with nylon webbing.
• Accessory Pockets (hipbelt pockets, shoulder strap pockets): 210D Ultragrid
• Introductory Price: $398
• Pros: Highly adjustable fit, durable waterproof fabric, extra zippered pockets
• Cons: Compression straps are not long enough to carry snowshoes.

Backpack storage and organization

The Daily Dose is designed like a typical ultralight-style backpack, featuring a roll-top closure, front mesh pocket, and side bottle pockets.

The Daily Dose has a map pocket with a waterproof zipper above the stretch mesh pocket.

The rolltop closure closes at the top with snaps, allowing you to utilize all of the extra storage in the extension collar. The rolltop buckles on each side can be buckled together, or the buckles can be secured to straps anchored to the daisy chains sewn alongside the front mesh pocket.

• The front mesh pocket is made with durable mesh and is excellent for storing loose layers or food. The perimeter of the pocket features low-profile daisy chains, allowing you to run an elastic cord over and thru them to help dry wet clothing if desired.
• The side bottle pockets are angled, which makes it easier to pull out or replace bottles. The top of the pockets features an elastic cord and cord lock for securing items and preventing them from popping out.
• There’s an external pocket located above the front mesh pocket, sized for maps, and can be used to carry permits or other documents. It has a waterproof zipper with a zipper garage for added durability.
• There’s also an internal zippered pocket that’s good for storing valuables.
• The pack is hydration-ready, featuring a robust hook to hang a bladder and a central hydration port that exits between the shoulder straps.
• Hipbelt pockets can be added to the pack and hold 1.5 L each. Shoulder strap pockets, 1L each, attach to the pack with daisy chains and plastic clips.

The top of the rolltop closes with snaps, allowing you to utilize the entire volume of the extension collar.

The volume of the backpack, up to the top of the frame, is 44L with 11L of additional space in the extension collar (with three turns of the rolltop). You can compress the main compartment using the side compression straps to utilize it as a day pack. I like using the pack like this when I carry Tenkara fishing rods and need a pack that is suited for carrying long, thin protective rod tubes, something many daypacks can’t do.

Daisy chains run alongside the mesh pocket.

Backpack Frame, Suspension, And Adjustability

The Daily Dose 55 has a U-shaped internal frame that drives the load into the hipbelt (the U is along the bottom.) The pack features an adjustable torso length with a padded shoulder strap yoke that can slide up or down along the frame. Sliding it up increases the torso length, while sliding it down reduces it. The padded yoke is held in place with Velcro, which keeps it secure while also making it straightforward to adjust and fine-tune.

The Daily Dose has an adjustable torso length so you can move the shoulder straps up or down to increase or decrease its sizing.

If you have a wide chest, the distance between the shoulder straps can be increased by moving them to extra outer buckles on the back of the shoulder yoke. The angle of the load lifters can also be adjusted by moving the buckle that attaches them to the shoulder straps up or down along the strap. This is a pretty rare feature found on packs designed to carry heavy loads, and chances are you won’t use it, but it’s emblematic of the pack’s adjustability.

The shoulder straps feature plastic hardware for clipping gear, such as an inReach Mini 2, in addition to hose keeper straps. They also have daisy chains sewn to the front, making it easy to adjust the height of the sternum strap and allowing you to attach accessory pockets, sold by Lite Werks or a third-party vendor.

The bottom buckle is a load lifter adjustment strap that allows you to adjust the angle of the load lifter relative to the shoulder strap.

The hipbelt is available in multiple lengths and is replaceable. It’s held in place with Velcro behind a thin lumbar pad, and it can be adjusted up or down approximately an inch for further customization of fit. The rear of the hipbelt is attached to the pack with load control straps designed to pull larger loads closer to your hips. The outside of the hipbelt features two tiers of daisy chains for attaching pockets or other accessories. Lite Werk’s hipbelt pockets are great: in addition to a zippered “main compartment,” they have a second zippered pocket in front that’s great for holding trash or smaller items.

The pack compresses nicely for day hikes.

The shoulder straps are S-shaped and will be comfortable for men and women. Similarly, the hipbelt features two tiers of adjustability with a robust center buckle, making it adaptable for both men’s and women’s hips. Both the shoulder pads and hip belt are wide and well-padded, featuring a wicking softshell-like fabric for added comfort.

Compression and Attachments

The Daily Dose 55L offers numerous options for carrying bulky gear on the outside of the pack. All of Lite Werk’s compression, Y-strap, and add-on straps are made with nylon webbing (I approve) and not static cord.

The pack features two tiers of compression straps, making it suitable for carrying tall or bulky items that won’t fit inside the pack.

There are two permanent compression straps on both sides of the pack above the side bottle pockets.

In addition, there are:

• Two ice axe loops (made with webbing) and shaft holders (made with static cord)
• Low-profile daisy chains along the sides of the front stretch mesh pocket.
• 3 webbing loops at the bottom of the front stretch mesh pocket
• 5 webbing loops (2 rear/3 front) on the bottom of the pack
• 8 webbing loops at the base of the extension collar (4 front/4 rear)

Every pack includes a Y-strap and two additional accessory straps with gatekeeper buckles that you can attach to the pack. For example, you could lash a tent body to the bottom of the pack or over the front mesh pocket if you don’t have space to carry it inside the pack.

One happy camper getting his daily dose!

Recommendation

The Lite Werks Daily Dose 55L is a lightweight backpack made with durable Ultra fabrics. Although it’s not waterproof due to its untaped seams, it’s constructed with waterproof Ultra fabric that won’t absorb water and weigh you down. While important, the hallmark of this pack isn’t the materials it’s made of, but the lengths that Lite Werks goes to ensure an excellent fit, with adjustable torso length, a wide shoulder width option, S-shaped shoulder straps, a dual-strap hip belt, and load lifter attachment point adjustment. There’s a real void in the market for a reasonably affordable backpack with these options.

In addition, the Daily Dose 55L is equipped with numerous features, including extra pockets and attachment points, which further differentiate it and allow users to tailor it to their specific needs, from grueling day hikes to multisport expedition trips and everything in between, from Scout 50 milers to thru-hikes requiring heavy water carries. I think the fit and versatility of the Daily Dose are unsurpassed, and it’s an excellent, functional backpack if you’re in the market for a lightweight backpack with a frame made from modern materials.

Disclosure: Lite Werks donated a backpack for review.