30 or 40L day hike backpack be a good choice?

Hello all;

I have been a serious daily walker for a long time and very recently got into day hiking. It's such fun! I prefer hiking fairly rigorous peaks here in California. I hope to one day do some very short overnighters.

I have two very old Jansport frameless knapsacks from back in college that I have been using so far. They're fine but I would like a pack with a "chest strap" and a padded "waist belt" that actually fits me.

I also want something that will hold a water bladder and have exterior side pockets for water/sports drink bottles. I'm 6'2", wide of beam and 50 of age.

I was thinking about either the REI Trail 30 or 40L day packs:

http://www.rei.com/product/880838/rei-trail-30-pack

http://www.rei.com/product/880839/rei-trail-40-pack-mens

Any advice would be deeply appreciated. Thank you.

There are hundreds of 30--40 liter day packs on the market. I use an Osprey Talon 33 - because it fits ME!!! Nobody here is going to recommend a specific pack to you because pack fit is critical and almost as individual as a set of contact lenses. I'm sad to say that you will need to take your day gear with you to wherever packs are sold and stuff and try until you find something that fits. By fits, I mean a pack that fits you, your gear and your budget. It's like trying on shoes: fit is everything. Nowadays, packs are sold as fashion accessories as much as for carrying stuff. Don't let fashion override function.

D