Review: Rab Adrift 24L

Nobody should experience back pain as punishment for coming prepared. “Packing light” is ideal, but sometimes you have no choice but to stuff your pack to the brim, becoming that friend who drags everyone down with her grimacing. The Rab Adrift 24L Day Pack, however, lightens the load no matter how many protein bars, cameras, extra layers, or poly pads you have packed. It’s made of nylon ripstop fabric, so I can bring it with me rain or shine. Plus, when I scrape it against a rock or fail to duck low enough under a branch, the fabric resists wear & tear. Additionally, there's an extraordinarily convenient zipper on top of the pack, allowing for easy access into the upper compartment. Having two side pockets is useful, too, for retrieving items from the depths of the bag. The best feature, though, is a secret zipper hidden behind the straps, perfectly sized to fit a copy of Outside Bozeman. Finally, a bag that keeps my back straight and stores my campfire reading material all in one package.

The Adrift is available in four colors at rab.com; $80.