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A Treat for Travelers
Skogafoss Waterfall, Iceland
Disclaimer: I am not a thru-hiker nor am I an Ultralight-type camper, but...
I just got back from my trip to Iceland, and this backpack was an excellent choice.
Instead of my regular travel bag, a hefty compartmentalized Tortuga backpack, I chose to go for something more minimalistic and weight-friendly. I knew I was going to be moving around a lot so I wanted something a little less clunky. We had a spare prototype of the 40L Backpack in the office so I decided to take it along to try something different.
This bag has a lot of space despite how compact it appeared to me at first. I was able to squeeze in a week's worth of clothes including all my warm wear (thermals, sweaters, etc.), GoPro stuff, airplane things like a book and small pillow and still had room to spare (the side pockets especially). I regret not taking a photo of all of the things I brought strewn on the ground to illustrate this, but nonetheless, I was impressed. I decided to fold and buckle the waist bands behind my back (is that weird?) and found it to be comfortable and better suited for my needs. The chest pocket also fit my phone perfectly so I could grab it for quick snaps. You basically need your phone/camera in a gunslinging holster position while in Iceland, the whole country is a postcard.
As I disclaimed, I'm not a thru-hiker, I wasn't packing for a multi-day camp, I packed for a excursion-based vacation. And even if you're not doing adventurous activities and changing locations like I was on this trip, I'd recommend it all the same. Obviously, I'm a bit biased, but I genuinely did catch myself feeling how good a choice this was for my travels, airports, trails, tours and all.
I'm going to continue testing it out and perhaps actually go on a hike or two with it and will keep you all posted as per when I do.
Take care,
— Duncan
Community & Content Manager
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keyboard_arrow_downCzogi
2
Jun 9, 2020
I paid for one of these and still have not received. Promised for February then June. Now the order does not appear. No credit given either. Not trusting of Drop anymore unless resolved. Can’t resolve without order number which has now disappeared.
NotABot
424
Aug 16, 2019
Really nice photo, but opening up the full size one really hammered home the weird branding decision that Massdrop made earlier this year. I just can't bring myself to buy a serious piece of outdoor kit with the word "drop" plastered on it. Maybe it's from my years of rockclimbing and mountain biking experience, but it's just not a good word to have on anything to do with the outdoors. Or electronics come to think of it.
My apologies for belabouring a point that's probably been made many times by others already.
(Edited)
qwzq
0
Aug 3, 2019
Hi Duncan, I'm interested in this backpack for travelling + commuting / for mostly urban environments, with the odd hike every now and then.
- How easy would you say it is to get stuff from the backpack on the go?
- Would there be any difficulties with putting a laptop (in a case) in the backpack?
- Are the waist/hip straps comfortable?
(Edited)
dandurston
5118
Dan Durston
Jul 21, 2019
MarkTregellasWe'll have some pretty soon. I'm not sure when Drop is launching the pack but it shouldn't be too long, and there will be full pictures no later than then.
Davidbz
2
Jul 18, 2019
It doesn’t appear to have a lashing point on the bottom to hold a zlite sleeping pad. Anyway this can be incorporated and added to the final product? I understand the top can serve that very purpose but I like to have both tent and sleeping pad outside one on top and the other on the bottom. Thank you!
Davidbz
2
Jul 21, 2019
Thank you for the reply and simple yet informative illustration! When can we expect this bad boy? :)
dandurston
5118
Dan Durston
Jul 21, 2019
DavidbzI don't know what launch date Drop has planned for the 40L but I expect that it's in then next few weeks. That will be a pre-sale for the production run, so actual delivery will lag by perhaps 6 months.
bbarel
5
Jul 16, 2019
Looks interesting. I'd want a mesh front not that pocket thing. Frameless or framed? What's the target weight ? Many light framed packs are around 2#.
dandurston
5118
Dan Durston
Jul 17, 2019
bbarelThe pack is framed and a bit under 2 lbs (30-31oz).
The front pocket arrangement is designed to be better than a mesh pocket, which are typically the first part of a pack to be damaged. Like a mesh pocket, you can stuff large items behind the front pocket (e.g. jackets, tents) and then you can stuff small items inside the pocket where they are more secure. So it works similarly well for large items, better (more secure) for small items, plus it's more durable whereas mesh pockets are commonly the first part of a pack to be damaged. With this you can remove the front pocket to go lighter or for use as alpine style pack, and you can replace the shockcord if it's ever damaged.
Also, this pack has a large zipper pocket on the left side that is a bit hard to explain but it easily holds small-medium items like hats, maps, books, large cameras etc, so you can have this stuff within reach without taking off the pack, rather than stored further away in a mesh pocket.
So my view is that this works just as well for large items and better for medium and small items compared with a mesh pocket, while being more durable and more versatile.
(Edited)
steve2267
2
Jul 14, 2019
My family did Iceland back in March over spring break. I, too, took a pack — my Kelty Flyway, a 43L spin-off of the Redwing which Kelty sadly discontinued. I LOVE that pack, especially the bottom compartment which I can choose to use, OR NOT since the internal divider lays flush on the bottom if I top load everything. I also love the side pockets of the Flyway/Redwings — can put snacks in one, and electronics in the other, or many options.
How does the 40L Drop compare to the Flyway? Does it have a bottom compartment? Handy for shoes, or hostel bedding, or rain jacket, or...
Duncan
3731
Jul 16, 2019
steve2267No bottom compartment. I did bring a second pair of shoes, and kept them right at the bottom and packed every thing else on top. Worked well for me.
remi_c
10
Jul 12, 2019
Knowing that the bag is multi-purpose is actually a very significant plus.
If your goal is frugality, having one bag to hike and travel saves gear, effort and eventually the environment.
Showing 17 of 26
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