Review by Coy Starnes
Aquapac 25L Wet & Dry provided by Aquapac for review purposes.
Aquapac 25 L Wet & Dry viewed from behind
I was excited when offered a chance to test the Aquapac 25L Wet & Dry backpack. I have used an Aquapac phone pouch for several years now and it has always kept my phone dry so I felt I could trust my camping gear to the same manufacture. The bag fastens with the proven roll-top design. Here is the fastening system with my old camera pouch laying across the bag.
Roll-Top closure shown with my old Aquapac phone case
The Aquapac 25L Wet & Dry is basically a small waterproof backpack with shoulder straps attached. And by small, I mean 25 Liters is more in the daypack range of pack sizes. It is also very light. It does sport several cool features though. The main one being the separate storage sack inside which allows wet and dry items to be kept separated. The storage sack (I will call it the wet bag) is located inside the pack next to the back panel. It is almost the same size as the main pack compartment so theoretically, it could hold a lot and the main compartment very little. I envision having my clean clothes inside the main compartment at the start of a trip and then transferring dirty ones inside the wet bag as the trip goes along. However, due to the overall small size of the pack, I don’t see using it as my only dry storage for extended outings. The wet sack is a bright yellow inside and out which is said to make it easier to see things inside. It has a hook and loop fastener across the top of the bag.
On the outside of the wet bag is a separate pouch for keys and other items. It is clear and has a small hook and loop fastener. This photo shows my hand inside the bag so it is obvious it will hold a lot more than keys.
This clear pocket is called the key pocket, my keys are going to fit easily...
Moving to the outside of the pack, the shoulder straps are very minimally padded. I have not had a chance to go hiking with the pack but it feels comfortable just trying it out around the house with a 10 lb load. There is a strip along the front of each of the shoulder straps with several holes in them for attaching carabiners etc. There is also a sternum strap to help keep the pack secure. This photo provided by Aquapac shows the features I am speaking of.
Suspension system on the Aquapac 25L
The pack has a waist belt, but not like the waist belt on most backpacks I’m familiar with. It is a simple 1 inch web strap with no padding whatsoever and is used to keep the load steady instead of supporting any pack weight. The belt attaches on each side of the pack so it is easily removable. This does make it a little more difficult to snap than a more traditional belt that fastens in the center. However, I really like the fact that the belt is completely removable because I don’t like a lot of extra straps flopping around when storing gear in my kayak or canoe.
The Aquapac 25L Wet & Dry also features 2 mesh pockets on each side of the pack. These are huge and Aquapack says they can easily hold water bottle or pump. I know they practically swallow my insulated 24 oz water bottles.
The back panel of the pack has a removable part that adds some stiffness to the pack. It can be removed and used as a seat. The pouch it fits in can be used for a hydration bladder. The removable seat part is fairly thin so it does not have to be removed to fit a bladder inside. Aquapack does not say what size bladder it will hold and I don’t have one, but it looks big enough for at least a 2L bladder too me.
Now that I have stumbled through describing the pack let me just quote Aquapack’s information provided on the website.
# Key Features Full-size waterproof internal pocket – Allows you to separate your wet and dry things (or dirty and clean things) stowed safely in the same bag.
# Internal pockets in yellow – So you can see to the bottom of the bag easily.
# Clear key pocket – No need to scrabble around inside the bag for those small items.
# External mesh-pockets – Keep a bottle or pump quick and easy to get to.
* TPU-coated fabric with taped seams – Water can’t seep in through the seams, even where they are sewn.
* Proven roll-seal – Quick and easy closure which provides excellent sealing against the elements.
* Removable back support/seat – Take it out to dry it quickly after a soaking, or protect yourself when sitting on rough terrain.
* Pocket can be used for hydration bladder – Add in a bladder and clip the hose to the carabiner supplied, to stay hydrated on the trail.
* Integral light-lash – Add a light to your back, or clip on your helmet to stay hands-free.
* Breathable mesh straps – Quick-drying and breathable mesh straps are lightweight and comfortable.
* Reflective logo print – Be seen at night with reflective ink on your back, but be subtle in daylight.
* Sternum and waist straps – Keep the backpack securely in place when you are moving on the trail. And remove the waist strap if you don’t need it.
* Carabiner lashes – So you can attach your map-case, water-bottle or safety equipment to keep it convenient and hands-free.
* 100% PVC-Free – Stays supple and crack-free even when it’s really cold.
That is pretty much it for now. I plan on using the pack for dayhiking and perhaps some short overnight trips. I also plan to use it as a dry bag when kayaking this summer. Stay tuned for my next update in approximately 1 month from now.
Aquapac 25L Wet & Dry Update: June 30, 2011
So far I’ve been using the Aquapack mostly as a day hiking pack, but I did use it when riding my bike several times. The hikes were anywhere from 2 to 5 miles long and the longest bike ride was 23 miles. On one ride, I was taking some letters up to the post office and weighed the pack while I was there. I knew it was pretty light, but now I know it weighs 1 lb 8 oz. On this particular trip I ended up riding 15 miles total and it got up to 86 F. I found my back did sweat a little under the pack but I really didn’t notice it while riding. Of course I did not have a lot in the pack, my tool kit, a spare tube, toilet paper, my phone, wallet and keys. I did have 2 water bottles in the side pouches.
As I noted earlier, the water bottle pockets are very tall so I did find it a little hard to reach back and pull a bottle out while walking and even harder when riding. Therefore, I usually just took the pack off to get a drink. One exception was on a hike to the holler with my daughter. I just had her grab one out when I needed a drink. I carried her bottle in the other pocket and 32 ounces of water in an old gator-aid bottle inside the pack to replenish our water when needed. This was one of the shorter hikes but it was very hot (92 F) and I ended up emptying my 24 oz bottle twice. She almost finished her 24 oz of water. Here is a photo showing how much I was sweating. And yes, I was sweating more where the pack rested against my back, but I have found this to be true with just about any pack so this is not a bad reflection on the Aquapac.
My back did get a little sweaty under the pack
I have not been able to test the waterproof qualities of the pack other then on two hikes. On both occasions, I left the house shortly after some thunder storms came through so the trees etc were wet and when passing under them I would often get a good shower of rain. As a matter of fact, I was pretty much soaked by the end of each hike. I checked and found everything perfectly dry inside the Aquapac. No big surprise here. I’m planning a 3 day paddle in the middle of July and should be able to give it a more thorough waterproof test then.
What I really missed was an outside pocket for my phone and knife. I know that if it were raining I would pack the phone safely inside the pack, but during nearly all my uses, we were in the middle of a drought and there wasn’t a cloud to be found anywhere, much less rain. I know I had to undo the roll-top to answer it and missed several phone calls. I called right back so no harm done, but it is a slow process to get inside this bag. Well not that slow, but by the time I got my bike stopped and into the pack I missed the calls. I did manage to answer my phone a few times when hiking because I was able to immediately take the pack off and open it. I know I have sounded a little negative about the lack of an outside pocket but I do like the Aquapac. It is very comfortable with the loads I have carried so far but none exceeded 10 lbs. And I later started carrying my phone and knife on the outside of the pack. As can be seen in this photo I had my phone clipped to the sternum strap and my knife clipped to the waist strap. It worked out well enough but I would still prefer a small outside pocket.
phone and knife carry method
That is pretty much it for now. I have not used the pack under any real wet conditions but hopefully I can better report on this aspect of the pack after my paddling trip in mid July. Stay tuned for my next update in approximately 1 month from now.
Aquapac 25L Wet & Dry Final Update: August 22, 2011
Great gear shot...actually, the Aquapac is down in the bottom of the canoe
It was very hot on the trip with highs each day in them mid 90s F and lows each night in the upper 70s F. We did get rained on several times and had one pretty intense thunderstorm.
I did not get back into the pack until the next day when I was at home. The dirty clothes had a pretty strong smell but the sweat pants and long sleeve shift still had not really picked up the odor from being in the pack with them. But the most impressive thing was that they stayed dry during the whole trip. As a matter for fact they were the only thing that stayed completely dry. I had my hammock and some ofter gear in another pack that was not waterproof and it got wet the very first day just sitting on the bottom of the canoe. I had placed it behind me so I could use the hydration bladder but after the first day I started putting it on top of the Aquapac. In other words, the Aquapac was in the bottom of the canoe every day and the canoe bottom often had a lot of water in it but the seal never failed. The materail the pack is made of also did a great job of keeping out ny moisture.
Summary
The Aquapac 25L is a great day pack for those times when your gear must not get wet. It also works great as a dry bag for trips when the pack feature is not really needed. However, the really neat thing about this pack is the wet bag that lets me put wet things in it and not have to worry about them wetting the dry stuff in the main compartment. A small zippered compartment at the rear of the pack would be a nice touch for getting small items out without having to undo the roll seal but this might compromise the water proof shell so I can live with the pack as it is. It has been a pleasure testing the Auquapac 25L pack!
I am from northeast Alabama where I spend a lot of my time divided among several hobbies that include backpacking and dayhiking, canoeing and kayaking, and just getting out enjoying nature.
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