Kestrel 38L Men's Backpacking Backpack

I LOVE my osprey kestrel, but it's too big for a day pack. I think mine's above 50L. Maybe they have a smaller one? For wearing a daypack, if you can get one that transfer the weight to your hips it should help a lot. If you can go try them on in store, loaded down, that's best. Kestrel works for me

As someone with 2 cervical implants, I'd really recommend getting a proper hiking backpack with solid hip support and a breathable back system (Osprey, Gregory, etc.). I switched from a Lowepro photo backpack to an Osprey Kestrel and my neck/back feel way better now.

For dry canyons I'd highly recommend sticking with something with a proper frame. The Kolob is great, but SO expensive... Something like a used Osprey Scorpion, Osprey Kestrel, or similar works fine and can be found cheapy useconsumables. Canyon packs are a consumable.